Chapter 10 – Dreaded Day

Diamond watched me as I finished telling him the truth behind the end of the Silver Millennium. My heart ached remembering everything vividly, "It was my fault." My vision began to blur while thinking about the downfall of my kingdom and the death of my mother. She used the Silver Crystal to send myself, the Scouts, Darien and the Negaverse minions to the future. All because I fell in love and a woman's jealousy.

This was my last resort. If Diamond believed that I was still married, then my vows to him wouldn't be binding. Diamond was silent while I told him everything. His hand rested on mine, "It wasn't your fault that Beryl couldn't control her emotions." I half-smiled, "It only made her more open to be taken over by the negative energy. Her jealousy drew them to her. But now you know. Darien and I vowed 'for as long as we both shall live.' I can't marry you." "Then you died. Those vows are no longer binding," Diamond countered, "You would have to say them again in this life." I exhaled deeply, feeling like I just caught a punch to the stomach.

Diamond was right. Darien and I died after our wedding and we never made our vows again after our rebirth. Diamond rose from where he sat, "Serena, you are not his wife anymore. You will be mine." I looked up from under my eyelashes, "No I won't." His chin dipped down at my defiance, "Serena, one thing you must know about me. I believe in 'If I can't have you, no one will.' Do not make me resort to drastic measures." I gasped quietly, "You wouldn't dare?"

He smirked at me, "I always, always get what I want." Diamond bent at the waist and pressed a kiss to the top of my head, "See you tomorrow, my lady." His form faded into the dark and I remained on the steps of the platform, afraid of tomorrow. Diamond left, feeling quite smug. He knew I was clutching at this, as a way to delay what was coming. My face fell into my palms, feeling the crushing weight of defeat; it was over. Tonight is the last night of my life, because tomorrow, I'll begin dying every day.

I don't know what's worse; Sapphire's threat on my life or Diamond wanting to take my life over. Why didn't I tell Diamond about Sapphire? Maybe because I saw him as a real threat. Emerald was a scorned woman, but Sapphire was worried for his brother and blamed me. All this was happening because I existed. I went to bed, defeated and wary. My stomach was in knots, my nerves vibrating with anxiety. Sleep took a long time to find me. The room seemed darker, scarier; more like a prison. There were no dreams, just like any night I spent in this place. The bed was my only sanctuary, but it provided no comfort. Part of me hoped that the day wasn't here and that I had more time, but I didn't. I was going to be crowned Serenity, the Princess of Nemesis. I was going to be promised to Prince Diamond. I hoped beyond hope that I wouldn't wake up tomorrow. Could I just sleep the day away?

The only other sound in the room was the ticking of the clock. A cool draft wafted into the room and I tightened the quilt around me. The bed shift and a warm embrace hugged me from behind. Arms were around me and a breath blew on the back of my neck. I tried not to whimper, knowing that Diamond was sleeping with me again. My mind was at the breaking point. My eyes stayed close, until I found sleep, trying to ignore his arms tightening around my body.

It felt like I barely slept when Garnett came into the room. She smiled, "Good morning, Princess." I didn't speak as I sat up. Thank goodness, I was alone. A terrible thought hit me; would Diamond expect me to sleep with him every night? I cringed, remembering him pressing his body into mine, feeling the lower part of his body poking into me. Diamond was reaching his limit with my waiting. My eyes closed, what if he came to me tonight? A lump formed in my throat; was I going to be assaulted by him?

Garnett helped me into my robe and went to draw a bath. My breakfast tray rested on the nightstand, but I didn't even look at it. Food was no comfort. Everything inside of me was already dead. Combing my fingers through my hair, I made myself move. I didn't need Diamond coming in and finding me still in bed. Why does that matter to me? I shook my head; I was still warring with these thoughts. I remembered my wedding and Darien, but my family's names were gone again along with their faces. My life was slipping away from me. In the bathroom, I sat at the vanity, trying to pull myself together. Maybe Diamond would like my hair in the traditional Lunarian style; stop it!

In the mirror, I received the worse shock yet. My hands covered my mouth seeing the symbol of the Black Moon Family was on my forehead. Where my golden moon symbol is supposed to be was the black moon instead. My eyes pinched shut, trying to focus. My own family symbol should replace it. My body began to tremble with determination, but the black symbol didn't fade. I gasped into my palms, muffling my chattering teeth. God, I want to die. Garnett came to my side quickly, hearing my muffled cries. "Majesty, what's the matter?"

Tears streamed down my face, showing her the symbol on my face. Garnett pursed her lips together, "It's there because you used all the energy of the Silver Crystal." I looked up at her in suspension. She looked away and went into the closet. My body slowly rose from my seat, following after her. How did she know that? I grabbed at her wrist, "Garnett, how did you know that?" She shook her head, "Please forgive me. I wasn't supposed to tell you." My eyes narrowed, "Tell me what?" Her eyes saddened, "Prince Diamond ordered me to watch your every step. I was there when you projected your energy. That is how you woke up on the bench. I wanted to help you get to your room, but I was afraid you would have thought I was spying on you." I scoffed, "You were." Her head fell, "Forgive me, but that is how Diamond found you so quickly when Emerald was attacking you. I went for him. Please, please, I beg you, don't be angry with me." My fingers released her wrist, "I'm not. Don't worry and thank you. But, I am curious about something. Why didn't you tell Diamond what I was doing?"

She hesitated, not answering right away. I pressed the question, "I'm sure he asked you what I was doing out of my room?" Her eyes rose, "I told him that you wanted to go for a walk and you asked me to get you something to drink when Emerald lured you into her trap." For the first time, I smiled in this place. It was comforting to know there was someone I could trust. Garnett held a gown over her arm, "Come, we must get you ready." "Please Garnett," I snorted, feeling more relax to speak with her, "You and I both know I am not looking forward to this." She sighed, "I know. The Prince can be intimidating, but he does love you." "I don't love him."

Garnett rested her hand on my arm, "You will come to love him." My head shook slowly, "No, I won't. Diamond can take my memories, but he cannot make my heart forget Darien." There was nothing Diamond can do about that. He could taint my mind and have my body, but my heart will belong to Darien. Garnett nodded, "I understand."

In my bath, my head submerged into the water. It was comforting, as a temporary escape. Bubbles floated around me, heading for the surface. My lungs seized and ached for air. I gasped loudly, coming out of the water. A momentary escape from my fate, but it was short lived. Garnett said nothing, but I could see she was anxious to get me dressed. Diamond must have said something to her, threatened her maybe. Shaking my head, I walked out of the tub, wrapping a towel around myself. Garnett dressed me in the gown Diamond had made for the ceremony. She brushed my hair, drying the droplets of water from the strands. Finally done, she smiled at me, "You look lovely." I half-smiled at her in the mirror, "Thank you." She nodded, holding my shoulders, "Are you ready?" "No," my voice was broken and quiet. My teeth chattered, resisting the need to cry.

Garnett gave me a moment to myself, before guiding me to the throne room. With every step, it felt like I was dragging a heavy ball, attached to imaginary chains and shackles around my ankles. Outside, I was a princess ready for a celebration, but on the inside, I was a prisoner, screaming and thrashing against my skin, looking for an escape. My heart was silent as I walked. Garnett patted my arm, gesturing for me to enter the throne room. With the way I was feeling, all that was missing was the traditional funeral march. Today, Princess Serenity, daughter of Queen Serenity and bride of Prince Endymion was gone.

The throne room was lit up like I've never seen it before. Candles was on everything that stood still. The room was filled with people, each of them holding a single burning candle. Their faces were worn as they looked at me. The shadowing lights of the candles made the people look creepy; more like ghosts. Some of them whispered as I walked by. My face remained emotionless, seeing all these people. All of them trapped on a dead planet, being corrupted by dark energy. It was heartbreaking.

My eyes stayed fixed on the floor as I walked up to the platform. Looking up, there were two matching thrones on the platform. My heart stopped at the sight of them. Diamond stood in front of his throne, holding out his hand to me. My eyes closed slowly as I took it, tears falling down my face. He knew I didn't want this and he didn't care. Diamond was getting what he wanted. Standing on the platform, I looked over all the people here; there were hundreds of them. All of them, the descendants of those from the first Nemesis attack. Their shadows danced from the flickering flames of their candles. I stood with my hand in Diamond's, his fingers woven through mine when the Wiseman appeared before us.

I sucked in a sharp breath feeling the cold air brush my skin. The Wiseman turned and waved his hand, blowing out every candle in the room. My eyes darted around the room, only seeing darkness. Diamond squeezed my hand. Low lights came on along the platform, setting Diamond and I in a spotlight. The Wiseman turned back towards the platform, his harsh voice echoed through the room, "Prince Diamond, crowned prince of Nemesis, do you claim this woman to be your Princess?" "Yes," Diamond promised and I instantly felt sick. This was it, the moment I feared, "Serenity, princess of the fallen Silver Millennium, do you accept Prince Diamond as your prince and vow to become our Queen?"

I hesitated with my answer. My heart clinched in my chest, trying to beat at a steady pace. "I...," the words were stuck in my throat, "I.." Diamond squeezed my fingers painfully this time, "Remember your promise." A tear fell down my cheek, "Yes." My voice listless. Sapphire stepped onto the platform out of the dark, holding a black cube box. I looked at him from the corner of my eye, not forgetting his threat. Sapphire opened the box in his hands, revealing the extravagant necklace and a matching crown. Diamond moved and clasped the necklace around my neck, brushing his fingers over my shoulders. Sapphire placed the crown on my head, "I give you our Princess." Applause filled the room; I was now the Princess of Nemesis.

Diamond and I stepped back and sat on the matching thrones. The weight of what I had just done crash down on me, feeling my entire body numb. Nothing else could hurt me now. Part of the ceremony, it was Nemesis tradition that Diamond announce our engagement, "In a fortnight, Serenity and I will marry, then we will take the Earth for ourselves." I said nothing, remaining still, but inside, my heart sank. In two weeks, he was going to make me marry him. Diamond sat down, allowing his subjects to praise his announcement. He took my hand in his, revealing in the moment.

"Are you all right?" My eyes looked up at him and I nodded once. Who cares about what I wanted or how I felt? No one in this place did. Garnett offered me a glass of wine, but I refused it. Diamond squeezed my hand and I was too numb to pull it away from his hold, "It's the white wine I thought you might like." Diamond took the glass from Garnett, offering it himself, "Try it." Nothing could hurt me anymore. Everything within me was gone. I took the glass and tried the liquid. The taste was sweeter, not as strong as the first wine Diamond had me try. He smiled, tugging my hand, pulling me closer. His fingers touched under my chin and he pressed his lips to mine, "I'll be right back." Diamond went to speak with Sapphire and the Wiseman. Garnett stood by my side as the people of Nemesis spoke to each other. Two guards stood at the base of the platform, keeping the others at bay; I was thankful for that.

The palm of my hand itched; just beneath the skin. I was mad, numb and mad. I didn't want this. I didn't want to be Diamond's princess. I rubbed my hands together, trying to push down this feeling. This wasn't supposed to happen. "You now have her; now use her, Your Highness." Wiseman was looking in my direction, or at least facing my direction. My face was turned away, but I listened to their conversation. The Wiseman was instructing Diamond on what to do next, "She's your Princess now. You have a right to her Silver Crystal." Diamond looked at me, but I still looked away. "You're right. I'll speak with her. We will merge the Crystals today."

Uh-oh, this wasn't going to be good. I stood, wanting to escape, but Diamond stopped me. "Serena," he caught my wrist and pulled me into his embrace, "my dear, I need the Silver Crystal." I blinked once, "I don't have it." My tone flat. Diamond's expressions quickly changed, "What are you talking about?" It was my turn to smirk at him, "I don't have it. I gave it to Tuxedo Mask before you sent him away." "What?" Diamond's hold tightened, his hands grasping my shoulders, "How could you?" I tried to get out of his hold, not caring if anyone else noticed us, "I promised that I would stay. I never said you would get the Silver Crystal. That wasn't part of the deal. You wanted me, you got me. Isn't that enough?"

His hold was beginning to hurt. Maybe I wasn't as numb as I thought; anger burned in my core. Diamond's grip tightened even harder, "Diamond, let go of me." I was angry and I wasn't going to hold back. My hands were now burning with dark energy, ready to hit him. He towed me to the far side of the platform, "How could you do that?" My eyebrows pulled together, "Because Rini and Serena are the rightful heirs after me. Since I could no longer use it, the Crystal goes to my daughter. It is her Lunarian birthright. Our husbands don't have any rights to use the Crystal, only our children." Diamond's eyes widened as he stared at me. I wanted to push the proverbial knife further into his back, "I guess you never did your homework on me." Diamond's lips pulled back from his teeth in rage. He got what he wanted in him, but he slipped up when it came to my Silver Crystal. Distraught at the time, worried about Darien, I knew what I was doing. Diamond asked what I would give and I gave him me, not my Crystal. That is why I sent it with Darien.

Diamond was seething when beneath us, the ground began to shake. He looked around, curving his arm around my waist, holding me to his side, "What was that?" A projection rose in the center of the room. The hologram projected the images of four women were outside the palace grounds. My memory struck me; the Sailor Scouts were using their energy to break through the Dark Palace's barrier. "Stop them!" Diamond waved his hand and his followers went to face the Sailor Scouts. I watched the whole thing. A black portal opened, the Scouts jumped in and faced, what seemed like, the endless line of the Black Moon's defenses. Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter were the strongest fighters, heading the fight. I didn't see Mercury or Venus, but that did worry me; they must have a plan. "Stop those Scouts now!" Diamond ordered. Rounds of thunder charged with fire blasted through the Black Moon fighters.

Diamond paced back and forth watching the fight. He let me slip out of his hold, but his hand pushed me onto the throne. Everything was silent in the throne room. There was only the two of us and the two guards, watching the onslaught. My hands covered my mouth, watching my friends fight. I should be with them, but that wasn't an option at the moment. The pillars around us shook, then there was a loud banging coming from the other side of the throne room. It then I noticed there were two large dark doors there.

"Harder!" someone yelled from the other side of the doors. Diamond took one step off the platform and I jumped from my seat when another blast made the doors tremble. The Scouts were getting closer. My heart raced with anticipation. Diamond looked back at me, "Garnett, take Serena to her room and keep her there. Do not allow anyone to enter her bedroom." Diamond was preparing to fight the Sailor Scouts and keep me here. Garnett held my shoulders and tried to get me to go with her, a guard following her, but I wouldn't move, "No!"

The doors were hit again, the Scouts' energy beginning to flow into the room. I felt it, seeping into me. My body was beginning to feel like it did before. There was another blast. "As one," I muttered between my teeth. They had to do what I told them to win this. Diamond looked at me when another bang hit the doors. "Mercury Star Power," "Mars Star Power," "Jupiter Star Power," "Venus Star Power!" That did it. Their energy burst into the room, knocking me off my feet. My head almost hit the throne, but I was quickly moved. Diamond used his cape to shield me from the energy, both of us on the floor. Looking up at the gaping hole, there were the Sailor Scouts. My face lit up seeing them again; they were here. Walking up behind the Scouts was Tuxedo Mask. He was healed and he came back for me.

Ignoring Diamond's attempts to restrain me, I stood as they walked towards the platform. "Serena?" Hearing his voice, I ran into Tuxedo Mask's arms, knocking off Diamond's crown from my head. Tuxedo Mask held me, hard against his chest, "I'm never letting you go again." My mouth found his in the next moment, throwing my arms around his neck. The one I loved was here.

"No, she is mine!" Diamond growled. Dark energy burst between myself and Tuxedo Mask, separating us. I rolled across the floor, away from the Sailor Scouts, landing on my side. My eyes were blinded by sudden darkness. Someone held my wrist and I thought I was safe, then everything got colder. No, Diamond had me and he was making us disappear.

Blinking, I saw we were in my room. He pushed me and I fell on the floor of the bed platform. My lips trembled as Diamond glared at me, "It was you. It was you all along, wasn't it?" I tried to stand, but Diamond's powers slammed me to the floor, hurting my legs from the impact, "I told you. I told you what I wanted. You wouldn't listen." He took one step closer to me. "Diamond, we don't have to fight. Please, let me help you. You and your people can live on Earth."

My body trembled as his hand brushed my face. "I tried to be so generous to you." I blinked, "Generous? What have you done that was so generous?" "Everything! The most lavish room, finest clothes, the most beautiful jewelry. I would have given you everything. And you run to him." Diamond gripped the back of my head, taking a fistful of my hair. He tilted my head forward and undid the clasp of the necklace. It fell to the floor and he roughly grabbed my arm. My feet stumbled as I was thrown onto the bed, "I should have made you mine sooner. You have no idea how long I've waited for you." My arms were pinned to the bed above my head, "No," I pleaded, "No, please don't do this." Diamond looked down at me, "You forced my hand, Serena. We are going back to Nemesis. You are still my princess." He kissed my neck, up to my lips, "You belong to me." His lips were hard and rough. He wasn't releasing me, but it was only a matter of time before someone found us. Diamond's hand was grazing down my body and the fabric of my gown being pulled upward. I broke his kiss, begging him to stop. His hand was on my leg, moving up, "I warned you not to force my hand." I tried to fight him off, but both of my hands pinned above my head, "You will never escape me, my love."

Quick footsteps came into the room. "Hey!" a white glove slammed across Diamond's face, releasing his hold on me. I pushed him away, seeing blood on his face. "Don't you hate guys like that?" I smiled at Sailor Jupiter. She looked at me, seeing the Black Moon symbol on my forehead, "We came just in time. Let's get you out of here." We ran back to the throne room before Diamond could regain himself.

The others were waiting in the throne room, "Ready to go home?" Venus asked. Tuxedo Mask took my hand and we ran out of the palace. The storm blew angrily as we stood outside. Thunder crashed even louder, almost shaking the earth. I could barely keep my eyes open from the strong gusts of wind. Tuxedo Mask extended his cape over me, "Now, Your Majesty!"

Energy surged and we were transported back to the Crystal Palace. It was warm and brighter here. I couldn't fight my smile, being back home. "Diamond will not back down. He'll be here soon." "Then you'll need this," Tuxedo Mask handed me my locket. I smiled and looked towards the Dark Palace; an attack was coming.