CHAPTER 10 - Severed

There was an agonizingly long silence after Prince Diamond spoke. He looked upon her with unwavering eyes, never leaving her features. Sailor Moon gazed at him with disbelief, confusion, fear, and worry. She made a motion attempting to slide out of the arms of Tuxedo Mask to the ground, but he only pulled her closer to him preventing her from escaping his grasp.

"You can put me down now." She hissed, but she stilled when she glanced up at his face. His face was tense, jaw set, and his eyes gleamed with resentment and loathing. "Tuxedo Mask!" She hissed again, but he didn't seem to notice. He only continued to stare at Diamond with fury flaming in his eyes.

"I've been waiting a very long time for you Princess." Prince Diamond drawled haughtily. "You've no idea of the plans I have for you and me." He threw Sailor Moon a grin that sent a cold rush through her body. She realized that this man was actually serious about being her future husband. She had no doubt in her mind that he would do everything in his power to make it reality. Terror began to bubble up in her stomach making her feel queasy.

She suddenly felt Tuxedo Mask's grip on her tighten even more causing her to almost wince at the pressure of his fingers digging into her side. He's acting so possessive! Maybe he really does care! But why would he lie and tell me that he doesn't? All of a sudden she remembered what he had told her. He felt obligated to save her not because he cared about her, but because the world depended on her ability to save it. As selfish as she knew she was being, she wished it were the other way around.

The memory of his words were almost too difficult to bear. She glared up at him saying, "Put me down right now. I can take care of myself!" Her glare was was unrelenting, the echoing of his words in her mind fueled her contempt.

He stared back at her, his gaze equally persistent. "Now is not the time to be stubborn!" He whispered with an air of defiance. She didn't let her glare fall from his face.

Prince Diamond's patience seemed to be wearing thin. "You heard the Princess. Let her go." He sneered before adding, "Besides, she deserves so much better than the likes of you."

Tuxedo Mask's glare turned from infuriated to murderous. "You'll never have her as long as I live!!!" He roared. His voice echoed throughout the cave-like lair causing some rats to scatter away hurriedly. His outburst caused Sailor Moon to let out a small gasp.

Prince Diamond narrowed his eyes as his lips turned down into a frown. "Not a problem. You won't be living for very much longer." He began to advance towards them, his cold stare zeroed in on Tuxedo Mask.

Carefully, Tuxedo Mask lowered Sailor Moon to the ground allowing her to sit while she leaned back on her hands. As soon as she was on the ground, he quickly stepped in front of her so as to block her from Diamond.

"Don't even lay one of your dirty little fingers on her!" He growled. Bringing out his black cane, he poised himself ready to strike.

Prince Diamond laughed cruelly. "This is going to be too easy." His black crystal earrings began to glow as his eyes set ablaze with rage.

Tuxedo Mask refused to waste any more time and lunged forward to strike a blow with his razor edge tipped cane. He stepped back in horror, only to realize that Prince Diamond had some sort of invisible wall surrounding him. His cane could not get through.

Prince Diamond let out another evil laugh as he reveled in the satisfaction of knowing that this man was helpless against him. He raised his hand and shot a beam of dark energy towards Tuxedo Mask.

Sailor Moon's eyes filled with horror as she watched Tuxedo Mask collapse to the ground. "Noo!" She yelled out. To her relief, he pulled himself back up to a standing position, his knees looking as if they would give out. Nonetheless, he was able to pull himself upright. He straightened himself out and intensified his glare at the white-haired man.

Prince Diamond only grinned. "I was too easy on you. No matter, there's plenty more where that came from." He raised his hand again, but to Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon's surprise, he stopped himself. He snickered and said, "I figure I might as well have some fun if I'm going to kill you. I'm going to make you suffer and not just physically."

Tuxedo Mask kept his eyes focused, adrenaline running through his body. He had never known to hate someone so much until now. Suddenly, he heard Sailor Moon yelp from behind him. He turned his head and to his alarm, Sailor Moon was being lifted up and over his head landing right beside Prince Diamond. He smiled as he turned to face her. She hovered a slight distance from the ground, unable to mobilize any part of her body.

"Don't. you. dare. touch. her." Every word dripped with poison as Tuxedo Mask hissed his warning.

Prince Diamond chose not to acknowledge any of what Tuxedo Mask had said. "Sailor Moon...no, Princess Serenity. Soon to be my Queen." He paused when he saw a flash of fear in her eyes only to turn into disdain.

She stared him straight in the eye. "No." She whispered.

The corner of his mouth twitched at her answer. "Ah, but yes." He replied as the black crescent moon on his forehead turned into an eye. The fear once again returned to her features as she began to realize what taking place. He relaxed as he noticed her stiff body eventually ease up. "You will be my Queen." He said in a hypnotic tone. "You will be mine." He smiled as he saw the defiant look on her face fade away. It was replaced with a vacant expression.

"Leave her alone!!!" Tuxedo Mask was pounding on the barrier with his cane. He dropped it and began to hurl his whole body towards Diamond, only to be thrown back. It was as if he was against a brick wall. He ignored his aching body and continued to pound himself against the wall.

Prince Diamond laughed amused at Tuxedo Mask's futile efforts. He continued on with his plan. He faced Sailor Moon, anticipating the next event with excitement.

With a quick glance at Tuxedo Mask, he said, "My sweet Princess. Give your King a kiss."

Tuxedo Mask froze at the horrid words that slipped from Diamond's mouth.

His black crystal earrings pulsated with power and Sailor Moon's feet were lowered to the ground. Despite not being able to stand up on her own due to her knee injury, she showed no sign of feeling any pain. The power of the black crystal had made her injuries disappear.

Prince Diamond urged her on. "Come my sweet. Show this Tuxedo boy how much you love me."

Tuxedo Mask watched Prince Diamond with a death glare. His hands hurt from squeezing his fists so tight. The thought of another man's lips touching her made his blood boil.

He watched in horror as she stepped towards Diamond and wrapped her arms around his neck. "No..." He whispered helplessly as she pushed herself up on her toes and pushed her lips to Diamond's.

He felt dizzy as Prince Diamond wrapped his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss. Tuxedo Mask felt so incredibly sick.

Suddenly, he snapped with outrage like a wild lion who was angered and ready to kill. His eyes widened with vengeance as he squeezed his fists even tighter. He felt some sort of power erupting in his soul that permeated every molecule of his being. It shot wildly through his body making the hair on his arms and neck stand up. He seemed to glow in the darkness.

His eyes looked upon Diamond with a piercing hostility as he raised his hand towards him. "Super Smoking Bomber!" He yelled out with such rage and authority.

Prince Diamond cursed when he was suddenly hit and thrown across the room consequently ending his kiss with Sailor Moon. He whirled towards Tuxedo Mask, unbelief evident on his face. "How did you?..."

A gasp came from Sailor Moon as she was released from her hypnotic state. Her eyes widened in sheer horror at the realization of what had just happened. "You monster!" She spat at Diamond. She ran towards Tuxedo Mask who received her into an embrace. She wanted so very badly to kiss him and erase the memory of another man's lips on hers. He hugged her tighter never wanting to let her slip from his arms.

"You will pay!!!" Prince Diamond shouted, enraged that his precious moment had been interrupted. "You should have listened to your dreams Tuxedo boy. Now she's going to die!" With that, he shot a strong energy blast towards the couple.

"Sailor Moon, no!" Tuxedo Mask yelled as he pushed her out of harm's way.

All she was able to do was fall back and watch the blast of energy shoot through Tuxedo Mask. Tears prickled her eyes as she watched the energy blast pass right through his chest causing him to croak out in pain. He fell to his knees taking deep labored breaths.

She immediately pushed herself off the ground and ran to his side. She was already sobbing when she knelt down beside him. It was evident that the energy blast had caused severe external and internal damage. She allowed him to lean on her as he clutched his chest where the blast had hit him. He glared up at Diamond, not allowing his suffering to mask his loathing for the man. "It was you! The dreams...they were from you!" He took a few more labored breaths as his lungs fought for oxygen.

Prince Diamond no longer found any humor in the situation. He was raving mad. "Yes, but I should have known you were foolish enough not to listen to them. You're going to regret that."

Sailor Moon grabbed Tuxedo Mask's hand and squeezed. "What is he talking about?" She asked him. "What dreams?"

He shook his head slightly as if to say there was no time for any explanation. "I was so stupid." was all he could manage.

She looked at him in surprise. "I don't understand."

"Enough!" Prince Diamond bellowed. "Tuxedo Mask, say goodbye!" He shot one last blast at Tuxedo Mask who screamed out in agony.

Sailor Moon screamed out in horror terrified that she would lose him. She threw her arms around him and pulled him close, her tears falling onto his face. She looked him in his weakened state, blood soaking his once immaculate tuxedo.

He gazed back at her, the look in his eyes the exact opposite of what was there when he looked upon Diamond. His eyes now held a tender gaze filled with affection for the girl he was looking at. "Serena, I'm so sorry..." She shook her head vigorously refusing to let him say goodbye in any way.

"No." She hushed him as she brought her hand to his face. "Come on, we have to get out of here."

He continued despite her protests. He was barely able to speak, yet there was an unmistakable certainty in his voice. "I never meant to hurt you. Please believe that everything I do and have ever done is because I love you."

Her eyes widened at his statement, tears still flowing down her cheeks. She brushed some strands of hair out of his eyes so she could look into them. Her heart burst forth with yearning. "I love you too." She said through the hot tears that were burning her eyes. She almost wanted to jump up and celebrate if only they weren't in their current predicament.

Her joy quickly dissipated however, when Tuxedo Mask closed his eyes. To her terror, his breathing stopped and his head rolled to the side. In that instant, her whole entire world shattered.

She felt an instant connection being severed and in its place, an emptiness resided. She suddenly felt so cold.


A/N: Ahhhh, I know, I know Tuxedo Mask died, but please just continue reading because there's a lot more to happen! Maybe some of you are wondering about the other Sailor Scouts. Don't worry, they're still alive. Can't say the same about Tuxedo Mask though. I know, I'm sorry I don't mean to be cruel. You'll meet again with the other scouts in the next chapter. I hope you guys don't hate me. I'll try to update asap. Some of you also may have noticed that Tuxedo Mask had some power in this chapter.He was able to do more than throw roses and fight with his cane. If any of you read the manga, he has a power called smoking bomber. However, in this chapter, due to his rage, his smoking bomber was a more powerful and turned into super smoking bomber.

Thanks for all of your reviews!! I'll only answer back if there are actual questions that I can answer. But by all means, please keep leaving reviews. Let me know what you think!