Beauty and the Beast: Serena and Diamond's Tale

Rated: PG

Genre: Drama/Romance

Disclaimer: I thought I told you… I don't own Sailor Moon!

Summary: A twist of the classic French fairy tale with a taste of Sailor Moon R. Can the curse of the Negamoon be destroyed by true love, not lust? Serena x Diamond. Read and review please!

Chapter 7

Diamond and Serena sat at the long dining table enjoying their meal. They sat in silence, although Diamond would occasionally tell her how beautiful she was. She would always blush and appear to be flattered. Diamond had hoped though that she was not thinking about her friends or, even yet, her boyfriend.

The moment they had cleaned off their plates, he stood up and slowly walked over to her side. "There is something I have always wanted to show you," he said as he offered his hand to her. "I think you will thank me in the end."

Serena's blue eyes looked down at the pale hand and glanced back at its owner. His violet eyes were soft and caring unlike the times when they were hard and cold as ice. And she did not sense any evil within him, so she was certain that this was no trick. Taking his hand into hers, she followed him out of the room to another part of the palace.

At the same time, Sapphire had invited the four Sailor Scouts into his study and listened to their accounts of the history of his family. He examined each piece of evidence cautiously and nodded his head in agreement. When Sailor Venus finished explaining the story of Quartz's death, the Blue Prince leaned back into his chair and said, "What you say is true, Sailor Scouts. All Diamond wanted to do was to make a better life for our family, but his love for Serenity cost him that chance. She was always on his mind, and he thought by marrying her, it would solve the problem between our kingdoms."

"But it only made things worse, right?" Sailor Mercury asked.

"Very much so. Once he learned of my brother's wish, Wiseman planted that desire in his mind. It seems almost impossible for Diamond to let that thought pass. His desire, of course, was all the Dark Crystal needed to thrive upon. And going back to your story about Father, Sailor Venus, I do not blame Sailor Pluto for her situation. I have somehow never trusted Wiseman, and it now makes sense. He killed our father and now he is most likely going to kill us off just so he can have the Silver Crystal."

"Why does he want it?" Sailor Mars asked.

"Yeah! Only those who follow the Doom Phantom are after it!" Sailor Jupiter added.

"Tell me, Sailor Scouts, do you honestly think the Doom Phantom is dead?" Sapphire asked, raising his eyebrow in suspicion.

"Well… He should be by now," Sailor Venus replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"He isn't. He is alive and well and lives within these walls." The Blue Prince sighed and continued with his thoughts. "I came across Wiseman one day while preparing a droid for Emerald when I heard him talk to himself about the Doom Phantom. He said that by having the power of the Silver Crystal in his hands, he could unleash that creature once more. According to the family history, the Doom Phantom led the rebel against Queen Serenity in the Silver Millennium. That was obviously a long time ago. Personally, I wouldn't doubt it if Wiseman is the Doom Phantom."

"And why haven't you killed him if you think he is the Doom Phantom?" Sailor Venus asked.

Sapphire looked at her with intense eyes and replied, "Because you have something that my family does not, and although it is in Diamond's possession right now, it can be used against Wiseman."

The four Sailor Scouts looked at each other and asked, "The Silver Crystal?"

"Yes, and to attack Wiseman without it is foolish unless you want to commit suicide. A few had tried it in the past but they were fatally unsuccessful."

"So, how can we convince Diamond to give the Silver Crystal back to Serena so she can become Sailor Moon and defeat Wiseman?" Sailor Mars asked.

Sapphire's lips twitched into a smirk as he replied, "The first thing you have to do is to let him give you back your precious princess. That is almost impossible to achieve."

Diamond and Serena came across a lovely yet empty ballroom with stained windows all around the room and crystal candelabras made of diamonds and topaz. Serena was marveled at its beauty, wondering if there had been times when the room was used for parties and balls. "This is beautiful, Diamond!" she gasped. "It's so clean and enchanting… It feels so magical."

The White Prince smirked and shook his head. Since when did my home become magical, he thought. Taking Serena by the hand, he led her to the center of the room and held her close to his body. "Dance with me, princess."

She blushed yet giggled. "How can I dance with you when there's no music?" she asked.

"Point taken." With the snap of his fingers, he summoned the haunting melody of Serena's past life from the Moon Kingdom. They waltzed slowly for Diamond knew his partner was a terrible dancer. "You're stepping on my toes, Miss Moon," he whispered.

"Oh! I'm sorry!"

"There's no need to be sorry. Just close your eyes and let the music take you." He pulled her to his left and continued to dance. For a while, Serena felt like she was on clouds and then realized that she was dancing perfectly. "I'm actually dancing!" she said.

"I was told that you were a great dance partner," said Diamond. "I'm surprised that you are doing well. I mean for a girl like you in your time, that is."

The Moon Princess sighed and rested her head on the White Prince's chest. Her mind slipped into a daze filled of a memory she could vividly recall. Soon, she was surrounded by other dancers and guests for a party. The ballroom was lit up like the sunshine, and she could smell wonderful food that was provided. When she opened her eyes, she looked up at her dance partner. He was wearing a black tuxedo and his eyes were hidden behind a white mask and locks of black hair.

"Having a grand time, princess?" the man asked.

Serena smiled for she knew who the man was. "As always, Endymion."

Suddenly, she came to an abrupt halt and came face to face with reality. The music and conversations ended immediately as she opened her eyes. A shocked Diamond held her tightly against him, and she realized her biggest mistake. "I didn't know, Diamond! I was lost in the music! I'm sorry I said his name! I didn't mean to…" She began to cry into his white jacket and begged for forgiveness.

A pale hand stroked her blonde hair as Diamond tried to find the right words to say. "It's okay, Serenity. I shouldn't have played that song. I'm sure it brings back memories."

She nodded and wiped away her tears. "I didn't mean to say that, Diamond. Honestly!"

He placed a finger on her tender lips and asked, "Do you miss him, Serenity?"

More tears began to swell up in her eyes and she barely whispered, "Yes."

The one word that escaped from her lips shattered his heart. But instead of fury and anger, he felt something so deep and more powerful. What he felt was a feeling he had never known: grief. Even when his father was killed, he never shed a tear. All he felt was nothing.

Diamond let go of her hands and stood before her sobbing silently. He began to realize how much the loss of a loved one could mean something to a person. And for the first time, he felt more alive than ever. "I'm sorry, Serenity," he apologized. "I shouldn't have done what I did. I should have left you alone a long time ago."

Serena was speechless. Here was the man who had kidnapped her at her future home and treated her like his personal slave. Then, he turned around and saved her life, and he later started like a gentleman. But now the man was practically falling apart into pieces. What can I do, she thought. She held his hand in hers and stared into his soft violet eyes. "Diamond," she said, "you are forgiven."

"Do you want to go back? I'll return you your freedom and this." He pulled out her brooch from his jacket and placed it in her hands. "You are no longer my prisoner. You are free to go. The Silver Crystal means nothing to me now. You have taught me so much. Thank you, Serenity."

Serena took her brooch and nodded her head. "No, thank you, Diamond. But how do I get out of Nemesis?"

"Don't worry about that, Meatball Head! We've got you covered." From the doorway of the ballroom, the four Sailor Scouts and Sapphire approached their leaders with caution because they were uncertain how Diamond would react. But the White Prince was more than generous to show kindness to the girls and escorted them and their Princess to the main doors.

Serena and Diamond stared at each other for a long time before he finally spoke with sadness in his voice. "I wish you and your Sailor Scouts a safe trip home, Miss Moon."

"Diamond, you're so sweet," Serena giggled. "But may I ask you of one thing?"

"Yes, you may. Ask for anything and I'll give it to you."

"Is there a way I can see Darien? I know he's on his way here."

The White Prince nodded and summoned a crystal in his hand. "Look inside the crystal, Serenity," he explained. "Ask what you want to see and it will appear."

Serena took the crystal and spoke to it. "Please, please let me see my prince of the Earth." In the crystal, an image of Tuxedo Mask appeared, but what she saw was not a pretty picture.

Tuxedo Mask was seriously injured in the forest of the Negamoon as if he was attacked by the same shadows that went after Serena. All around him were the shadow creatures waiting for him to give up his quest. "Oh no!" she cried. "He's hurt! He needs help!"

"Where is he?" asked the Sailor Scouts.

"He's in the forest where all those shadows are! They're going to kill him! We've got to do something!"

"I say we use the Sailor Planet Teleport to get us there safely and then teleport quickly to Crystal Tokyo before they get to us," Sailor Venus suggested. "That way we can get Tuxedo Mask out in a jiffy!"

"I like the plan, Sailor Venus," said Serena. She turned to Sapphire and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Sapphire, for your kindness. I am sorry for the ruined dinner I tried to make."

"It's okay, Princess. Go and save your prince," said the Blue Prince.

"And, Diamond," Serena began, "I will return for you one day. I only hope you'll still be here."

"Don't worry, Serena. We're going to be coming back as soon as we drop off Darien back at Crystal Tokyo," said Sailor Jupiter. "We're going to free Diamond and his gang."

"Free us from what?" asked Diamond.

"Wiseman, dear brother," replied Sapphire. "We've been tricked. As soon as the Earth Prince is saved, she'll come back and defeat him."

"Why? What is he up to?"

"He is going to kill you, Diamond," said Sailor Mercury. "He is after the Silver Crystal to unleash the Doom Phantom, which most likely lives within him. Once the Silver Crystal is in his hands, he will have no use for you. He has been planning this since the time of the civilization of the Moon Kingdom. That's why he killed your father. He was responsible for Quartz's death, not Sailor Pluto or any other Sailor Scout. He did not want your father to interfere with his plans."

"You have to believe us," begged Sailor Mars. "Wiseman cannot be trusted! Your brother doesn't want you to die and I'm sure Sailor Moon doesn't either. Diamond, be strong and fight against the evil you've been exposed to."

All the while, Diamond looked to be shocked and disillusioned. His dreams were shattered like a mirror and were slowly replaced by what could have been the deaths of Emerald, Sapphire, and him.

His gaze scanned toward Serena and in a low voice he asked, "Is this true, Serenity?"

Serena nodded her head. "Although I was with you when the girls found out about all of this, I would imagine it is true."

"Ask your brother! Ask Sailor Pluto if you don't believe us, your majesty," said Sailor Venus. "She was there at the scene of your father's assassination, and we are sworn under oath to never lie for it is dishonor."

Diamond clenched his fists at his side and swallowed a cry that had been forming in his throat. "Go, now, Miss Moon. Endymion needs you. I'll deal with Wiseman myself."

"But Diamond, you need us too!" cried Serena.

"Go! Go before it's too late!"

The five Sailor Scouts nodded, and with her brooch in her hand, Serena yelled, "Moon Crystal Power!" Pink ribbons and white light surrounded her petite body and in her place stood the sailor-suited heroine Sailor Moon. She motioned her friends to form a circle in order to do the Sailor Teleport to where Darien was.

But before they summoned their powers, Sailor Moon looked at Diamond and said, "Please tell Emerald I'll always remember her."

"I will, Sailor Moon," said Diamond. "Be safe."

The blonde nodded her head in agreement and within moments, the Sailor Scouts vanished into thin air, leaving Diamond and Sapphire in the room alone.

"They'll be back," said Sapphire.

"I know," replied Diamond. "But I'm going to terribly miss her." Suddenly, he had realized it had been almost an hour since dinner and Emerald was still gone. He began to wonder what was taking her so long. "Emerald! She's still with Wiseman!"

"You don't think she's…" Sapphire ran to the main hallway and looked at the darkness that had filled the end of the long stretch. "Brother, I am afraid we might be too late."

Both princes ran as fast as they could to save their relative. Yet in Diamond's heart, he was certain that they would be too late. Please, Emerald, he thought, don't do anything that will cost you your life!

A/N: For the next few chapters, I'll be referring to the anime version of SMR but with a slight twist. Please review this chapter for me!