Chapter 13 – Home Again
NQSPOV
Diamond and his family stood before myself and my husband. Rubeus and Emerald were brought back from oblivion, though I was reluctant in doing it. Reincarnation shouldn't be done. The Crystal had the power to reincarnate my mother, but she refused that power. She remains as she is, the spirit of the Moon, watching over my children. I wanted to show the Dark Moon family we weren't the people the Wiseman made them believe we were. Emerald kept her eyes cast down as they stood before us. Though she was grateful for being brought back, she was shamed for her behavior toward me in the Dark Palace. I didn't truly begrudge her for what she did; jealousy fuels some of the most evil in the world.
None of them bared the Black Moon symbol on their foreheads anymore. The last of the Dark Energy were leaving their bodies after they were cleansed. The Silver Crystal was able to bring them back, though I was against. Diamond apologized for all he had done to our world, "The Wiseman lied to us all. He filled my head with thoughts of delusion." I nodded slowly, "Yes, much like the Negaverse taking over Queen Beryl's mind and fueled her anger and rage. They only lie and use you as tools of destruction."
I noticed that Diamond wasn't repentant for kidnapping me when I was Sailor Moon. He was in love and wanted me to be with him. During my time in the Dark Palace, I saw that he did care, which proved he really did have a good heart behind his ambition. There was a silver lining for their family. Emerald's eyes pinched shut, "Your Highness?" I looked at her, dipping my head once. She exhaled a staggered breath, "I am so sorry for what I did to you. To leave you to die and you bring me back to life." Endymion placed his hand on my back as I smiled at her, "It's said I am far too forgiving. Emerald. I am willing to look past it, if you are." She nodded silently. "Then all is forgiven," King Endymion declared, "but you may need some help adjusting to life on Earth." My King and I looked over to our right and Sailor Pluto smiled as she bowed her head.
Her staff spun above her head, using the power that was endowed within her. The door to the Gateway of Time appeared, "They will help you." My hand gestured to the doors opening and the Four Sisters appeared from the 20th century. The eldest, Catzi was first and she smiled at me, "Your Majesties." It was good to see my old friends again. It was funny; before I fell under the Dark Moon Family's spell, the Four Sisters were my enemies, now I had fond memories of them.
"Catzi, Bertie, Prizma, Avery, will you help them?" Prizma's eyes were locked with Sapphire's, while Catzi smiled, "Of course, Serena, I mean, Your Highness." The Four Sisters adjusted well to life on Earth in the 20th century, but it was time to bring them back to their own time. They enjoyed all that life had to offer. The ladies could help their family and show them everything I told Diamond about.
There was one more thing I had to do. My eyes closed, making Diamond's engagement ring appear in my palm. My younger self left it here before she went to fight, "Diamond, this belongs to you." I handed him the ring that he had given my past self. He was a caring man and this ring deserved to be on the finger of a woman who loved him. Diamond took the ring and said nothing; he only nodded. Rini held my other hand tightly, with Serena and Endymion watching and learning on how to deal with our subjects. My children wanted to learn as much as they could. The Negamoon Family departed to live their lives on Earth, cleansed from the Silver Crystal. I was happy that they have seen the error of their ways and were anxious for the chance to live out their lives on Earth. Emerald and the others said nothing as they left. Sapphire and Primza took each other's hand, smiling to each other.
I bit down on my lip, hoping that they could live in peace. Diamond and his family didn't have the abilities they did when they first came to Earth and it was for the best. Their followers lived on the Moon under the watchful eye of my mother's spirit. She had her way of communicating with me.
My smile grew, feeling her coming to me, My darling, you've given them a wonderful chance at a new life. I'm so proud of you.
I smiled to myself, Thank you, Mother.
Rini tugged my hand, "Is it time for them to go?"
She looked over to the balcony where the Sailor Scouts of the past stood, speaking with their future selves. Endymion kissed her hair, "Yes, they have to go home." Rini ran ahead of us, while Serena walked with me, "I still can't believe that's Dad."
She was looking at Tuxedo Mask. "I thought he was gorgeous, but now, all I see is Dad." I hugged my daughter's shoulders, "It is said that girls fall for men who are like their fathers."
Serena cringed, "Stop it, Mom. That's not funny." I laughed and kissed her hair. She was so much like me.
Tuxedo Mask stood by the quartz encasement, staring down at it. My past self, Sailor Moon laid there peacefully. She sacrificed herself to wake me. She was caught in a nightmare that I was going to end. It was time Sailor Moon and her Scouts were sent home. Tuxedo Mask remained unmoving, his hand resting on the clear casing, "How will you wake her?"
My hand rested on his shoulder, "The same way she woke me." I looked down at her, taking in Sailor Moon's still form.
My eyebrow arched, really looking at my past self, "Endymion, how did you love me like this? I'm a string bean." Endymion laughed and Tuxedo Mask only smiled, "Maybe so, but you were my string bean." I returned his smile, "I know. It's just strange seeing myself as a teenager."
My son leaned closer to see me as a girl, "You look just like Serena."
Serena made a face, "She is my mother, genius."
Rini giggled, "You were kind of selfish and bratty too."
My lips pursed together, "Now you see where you get it from."
Her brother and sister laughed. Rini hugged her father's neck, "Leave me alone."
She was a little Daddy's girl. Tuxedo Mask looked at us, the family he would have in time. History told the story of my victories as a Sailor Scout, but I accounted each one of them to Endymion standing beside me. His strength was my strength. I don't know what I would do without him.
Opening my hand, the Silver Crystal appeared, shining its light over the room, "Sailor Moon, awaken." The light of the Silver Crystal worked its power on my past self. The energy burst forth, pushing past the quartz case, dissolving it. It was no longer needed to protect anyone of us. Sailor Moon's eyes opened. With every memory she formed in this moment, they came to me. She was going to see Tuxedo Mask first. He was by her side, holding her hand. She sat up quickly and hugged him. I blinked, seeing the face of my younger self. She looked at me and her eyes widened to see our family, "Hello Serena."
SMPOV
My vision was a bit blurry. Was I looking into a mirror? The last thing I remembered was laying on the platform that Neo Queen Serenity once was. Blinking several times, the mirror that was before me was actually the face of my future self, "Hello Serena." My head shook slowly, feeling the dizziness fade away. The queen was here with her children; my children of the future. Rini was in the King's arms, with Serena and Endymion standing beside him. This was going to be my family.
"Serena," Tuxedo Mask whispered my name. I threw my arms around him, "What happened?"
He looked at me, "It worked. You woke the Queen and she healed the planet."
I blinked, "She did?"
Neo Queen Serenity exhaled as she took Rini into her arms, "Technically, you did. Diamond almost passed out when he saw me."
The queen and I laughed, but we both stopped noticing the King and Tuxedo Mask's serious expressions. She smiled, "Oh stop it, we can't help it when another man falls in love with us."
I found myself smiling too, "It's you who we choose to be with." The both of us laughed. The queen explained that she brought the Four Sisters back to this time, so that they would help Diamond and his family adjust to life on Earth.
While I slept, a nightmare plagued me. I kept seeing Diamond injuring the King, then stabbing Darien. He turned his eyes on me, then I was cast in darkness. There was no light, but I knew I wasn't alone. Diamond was there, whispering to in my ear, "You will rule by my side."
I was just happy to be awake now. The nightmare helped me realize something. With the Earth being attacked, it takes a toll on Darien himself, as he is the royal son. If the planet dies, he would die. The Earth was weakened from the Dark Moon's attack, so Darien and Endymion was weaker. My nightmare also made me think of Emerald and the dark thoughts I had toward her. The dark energy was taking a toll on me. And Emerald wanted to hurt me because she was jealous. Why was I always on the receiving end of a jealous woman's wrath? Beryl, Ann, then Emerald. Then again, I could say the same about Darien; Alan and Diamond were jealous of him.
Neo Queen Serenity smiled at me, "Thank you for waking me and for keeping Rini safe."
I laughed, looking at Rini, "Don't thank me. Somebody had to take care of her and give her a dose of reality."
Rini made a face, "Why is everyone picking on me?"
My eyebrow arched at her, "Is that all you got? Has Raye taught you nothing?"
I teased Rini, realizing that this is the last time's I'll be able to do it until she's born.
Sailor Mars smiled as she and the Scouts stood on the balcony. Rini pursed her lips, "What reality would you know? You were too busy reading comic books to notice anything."
My eyes closed in mocked pain, "You're getting better."
Rini leaned her head against her mother's, seeing the warmth any mother would have for their child. I was going to miss her. My daughter, Serena smiled, looking just like me and Endymion looked just like his father. I couldn't believe I was seeing this; the family Darien and I would have.
The sun shined brightly from the balcony doors. Brighter than I've seen since arriving in the thirtieth century. Tuxedo Mask took my hand, helping me off the platform. My legs felt weak while we walked to the balcony. We looked over Crystal Tokyo; it was the most beautiful city I'd ever seen. The buildings were white, silver, chrome and black. My hands rested on the banister looking over the city that I was going to live in and rule over. In the distance, the Dark Palace was gone and any evidence of the Dark Moon's destruction was gone.
The Crystal healed everyone on the planet and everything was good again. Tuxedo Mask placed his arm around my waist, looking on with me. I could stay here for the rest of my life, just looking over this perfect city with my prince. It was just like the Silver Millennium. For a moment, I feared moving forward from this moment; scared of someone else from the dark side coming to destroy what we had. The Queen came out onto the balcony, "It's time for you to go home." My head fell back on Darien's shoulder, knowing this myself.
A soft hand rested on my arm and I looked up to my future self, "You were the greatest help to us and for that; you can keep your memories of what happened here. It was intended to erase them, but it would be better for you to remember this. Memories are far too important to lose."
My eyes softened, "Thank you."
Tuxedo Mask held my to his side, "Will it change anything?"
The King looked at the Queen, then to us, "No, but it is better you remember, because after this, you have become stronger as fighters and in each other."
My Sailor Scouts stood behind us. Venus sighed, "I know we can't come back, but I would like to."
I laughed once, "We will, Mina. We just a little while."
Energy surged as the Gateway of Time appeared. A small hand fit into mine as the doors opened. I looked down to see pink hair brushing against my stomach. My throat closed and I held my little girl to me. I wanted to come back, just to see Rini. I would have to wait over a thousand years for me and her to talk about everything over these past weeks.
Rini sniffled in mine and Tuxedo Mask's arms. We didn't want to leave her. He and I watched the little girl that would our daughter. Serena, Endymion and Rini were the ultimate symbol of our love for each other. Our love made these children. A bratty, selfish, annoying little girl and I already loved her with all my heart. I wish I could have spent time with my older children, just so I would know them better. I couldn't stop myself from crying as Serena took Rini up in her arms, "Thank you for everything, Mommy!"
"Goodbye Rini," my voice broke, saying her name. Tuxedo Mask took my hand, watching our children.
The Queen stood with her children, "I'm right here, sweetheart."
The Sailor Scouts lead the way through the Gateway of Time. Gravity disappeared and we joined hands while falling through the time stream. Uniting our powers, we moved back to our own time. Gravity pulled us to the ground, settling back in the twentieth century. Looking around, we weren't the Sailor Scouts anymore. The feeling of Rini in my arms weighed on my heart. I was going to miss her. The moon was high in the sky, shining down on Raye's temple. No one spoke, we just looked at the moon. The King was right; everything we endured from the Dark Moon made us stronger. We caught a glimpse into our lives in the future and I couldn't wait. Most of all, I couldn't wait to be a wife and a mother. Being Queen came after that.
Raye bit her lip, "Whose hungry?"
Lita shrugged, "I'll cook."
Mina and Amy smiled, "We'll clean."
My eyes never looked away from the moon. Darien leaned down, his lips near my ear, "Let's go inside."
A quiet whisper, making me smile, "I'm not hungry."
Raye looked back at me, "Did we bring the right Serena back from the future?"
She joked, then squeezed my hand, "Go home and get some rest. We'll talk in the morning."
I nodded at her, "Thanks Raye." Luna and Artemis followed after the others.
Darien and I held hands as we walked down the temple steps. My home wasn't far, but I didn't want to go there yet. Part of me wanted to see my parents. It scared me to my core when I couldn't remember them in the Dark Palace. But my family wouldn't remember Rini. Darien and I walked to his apartment instead. The city was full of life; the streets filled with people, laughing, arguing and crowding together, so different from the future when we first arrived there.
I sat on Darien's couch, looking out the window, watching the city. Being with Diamond, I came to appreciate everything I had here so much more. Darien sat down next to me, pulling me against his shoulder. His hand held my face, bringing it closer to his. My eyes closed when he kissed my cheek, once, twice and a third time. Everything was perfect again. The fighting was over.
Darien didn't have to pretend he didn't love me anymore. He kissed my lips again and again, holding me closer to his body. His lips released mine and he smiled. "What is all this about?" I asked.
Darien kept our faces close together, "You have no idea how scared I was. When Diamond took you away from me and I couldn't help you; that was the worst thing imaginable." His hand drifted over my hair, "You were scared, reaching for me and I couldn't do anything." He sucked in a sharp breath, "Then I saw him holding you and you looked so weak. You sacrificed yourself for me again."
I looked at him, my hand curving to his cheek, "You know I had to."
Darien hugged me closer, "Did you have to leap to your death just so you could be with me?"
My hand drifted over his chest slowly, "I couldn't be without you."
"Serena, don't ever do that again. I don't care what happens to me, don't you sacrifice yourself again."
My arms tightened around him, "Then keep yourself safe. We have children to think about."
Rini, Serena and Endymion were a millennium away, but anything that happens to us here, could alter their future. I wasn't taking that chance.
Darien pressed his lips to mine again, "I won't lose you again."
I smiled against his lips, "Well, at least we're even."
He looked at me, "What do you mean?"
I giggled, "Each of us had two enemies fall in love with us."
It was a silly thought, but Darien still chuckled, "Alan and Ann never loved us, it was more like an obsession."
I shrugged, "Well, I had to let Diamond take me. Queen Beryl had you for some time."
Darien narrowed his eyes a bit, "Ok, we're even but let's not make it a third time for either of us."
I smiled; he was overlooking one important fact, "Well, we can't. We're married again."
Darien took my hand, turning the gold band around my finger, "Does it count? We were married in the future."
I groaned, "We just had to say it in this life and we did. We're married and I don't want to hear one word about it."
He looked at me, with a coy smile, "So, are you going to tell your parents? I mean, we're married, so you should be moving in with me."
My teeth slammed into my lower lip. I completely forgot about telling my parents. Darien chuckled from my expression, "I didn't think so. So, history has repeated itself. You won't tell your parents that you're married. Not until you're ready."
I made a face at him, "Exactly. But we have to do something a bit more dangerous." His smile fell, "What?"
I smirked, remembering my mom's request before all this started, "My mom wants to have you over for dinner." His eyes widened, "Oh boy. Dinner with your dad; highly dangerous. I'd rather face the Negaverse again." I laughed, "I don't. I need some down time." I didn't want to hear the word 'Negaverse' for a very long time.
Darien kissed me again, "Well, we should do this slow. A family dinner is a good start." I giggled as I leaned against his chest. Darien was my husband again and more importantly, I was his again. We've seen our future and the family we would have. Our lives were going to be good, but right now, it couldn't get better.
The End
