Welcome to the next installment Of...(Tada)
L O V E H E X A G O N S
By Moonlight Eternal Edited by dragonborncrystal
Chapter 6 In Which There are Cracked Ribs and Serena Meets a Betrothed Betrayer
Crystal Tokyo
"You know, guys, maybe someone should go check on Serena..." Darien said, glancing towards the staircase.
"Darien, you were just up there 5 MINUTES AGO!" Rini said, getting a bit impatient with her future father.
"You can't be too sure..." he trailed off.
"Darien's right, actually." The king put in. "Actually, the worry is natural. So is paranoia."
"You're NOT helping..."
"If they're after Serena, my guess is that they'll figure out where we went pretty quickly. Lily, why don't you and Darien go check on her, but be back down in 5 minutes, O.K?" Raye said.
"Got it." Lily said, leading Darien up the staircases again.
The dark room was silent as the dead.
Desdemona appeared, leaning over the sleeping girl. "Ah. Sleeping like a baby!" She said, picking her up. "Well, hate to break it to you, sweet heart, but you're about to be kidnapped."
Desdemona was heading outside when the door to the room opened. Lily and Darien walked in to see Desdemona open the balcony doors.
"Serena!" Darien yelled (giving away their cover).
Desdemona turned around, and said in a put out voice, "And JUST when I thought I get something easy here..."
"Put Serena DOWN!" cried Lily.
"Sorry sweet cheeks, but she's going with me!" Darien ran out on the balcony, Lily close behind.
Desdemona was flying above them, and said, "Hmmm.
maybe THIS will put some distance between us..." and with that, she aimed an attack at the balcony. It began to crumble from under Darien's feet.
"Darien, JUMP!" Lily cried. Too late, however. Serena woke up from Desdemona's arms just in time to see Darien fall three stories into the rubble of the balcony below. He looked dead.
"DARIEN!!" she screamed as she and Desdemona disappeared.
A few hours later
Darien awoke and for a moment wished he WAS dead. As he began to come around (with the regular moans of pain) the king said, "Well you finally woke up. You've had a busy day, haven't you?" Suddenly, the memories of earlier replayed in Darien's mind.
"Serena!" Darien cried, bolting upright in bed. That was a mistake. He winced in pain.
"Take it easy there. You're lucky to be awake even now. You cracked four ribs, and we thought you also had a concussion. A fall of three stories onto hard cement is NOT something to take lightly, even by your usual standards." Darien winced again.
"Four ribs, huh?" he asked, realizing that his upper body was covered in white bandages.
"As long as you don't move around a lot, you should be fine. Breathing won't come painlessly, though."
"Great, I have that to look forward to when I go on my rescue mission." He said, getting up from the bed. He steadied himself on the nightstand as pain wrenched through his body.
"A rescue? You can't be serious, Darien!" cried Amy, who was coming in with more bandages, followed by Rini, Lily, and Neo-Queen Serenity.
"Oh, I am. I got Serena into this..."
"And how did you do that?" Rini asked, hands on her hips.
"I should've been here watching her the whole time..." Darien said, sitting back on the bed.
"You couldn't have stopped it Darien. One way or another she would've been kidnapped. Now, you'd probably have some different strategy rather than run on the balcony and fall. But else in such a short time could you come up with? It would have to be run on the balcony, get Serena back, fall off said balcony, and Desdemona catches her. You'd still have hurt yourself in SOME way, though I hardly think that there's anything worse than cracking a few ribs..." Serenity said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh yeah, that makes me feel SO much better..."
"Darien, it wasn't your fault. And do you think she wants you to get even MORE hurt saving her? She'd feel guilty, and then I'd be here and Serenity would be having the same discussion with Serena in the bed...maybe I should write this down, since my guess is I'm talking to a brick wall. Maybe it'll come in handy when Serena comes, though." The king sighed, then waved his hand in front of his past's eyes. No reaction. "Did you know Seiya'sa number is on the speed dial?" he asked.
"WHAT?!" Darien jumped up and fell back in pain.
"Ahh..." the king raised an eyebrow. "So a selective brick wall."
Serenity raised her own eyebrow at her husband. "Not like you're much better..."
The king ignored his queen's comment, and Darien ignored the brick wall comment (even though he knew the truth of it). "But now she's in danger, and I'm a sitting duck." he said, looking down at his feet.
"We'll get her back, Darien." Rini said, hugging him.
"OW!" Darien cried.
"Watch the ribs, Rini!" Serenity said frantically.
"Sorry," she said, embarrassed, pulling away.
"It's all right Rini, I'll live." Darien winced again.
"So, you see, Darien. You won't have to do anything.
we've got it under control. You can stay here and rest...and considering your face right now you're either in a lot of pain, are about to yell at me, but my guess is both..."Amy said.
"Now there is NO WAY I'm going to stay here and 'rest' while Serena's life is being threatened. Na-ah." He shook his head no."No, I'm going with you, no matter how much I hurt."
"Thought so..." Amy said. "Pain and a lecture...all in one. I can handle school lectures, but Darien-about-Serena lectures are something else."
"Doesn't look like you'll be able to sway him, Amy." The king said.
"I wish you'd be more cooperative." She mumbled to the king.
"Hey, don't look at me!" he said.
"I am, and I'm seeing double." Said Serenity, laughing at her husbands past self. "At least we know you love her," she said to Darien.
"That's a given, Honey."
The king was about to kiss Serenity when Darien cut in, "Alright, you guys are making me feel even worse about Serena's predicament. If it were any OTHER time, I'd join you in the love frenzy, but considering Serena's unavailable at the moment, please, continue the mushy stuff in the hall." Darien shooed the rulers into the hall before contemplating what to do next. 'I wonder if I could pull off a rescue on my own...' he thought, sitting back down on the bed. He grimaced as pain penetrated his body. "Doubt it." He said aloud. 'And plus, I'm not a powerful scout. I'd need the rest of the Sailors to make a diversion and help me with Serena...But I'll never convince them to help me if they know about the rib damage. But they could be torturing Serena at this very moment.
and she'd come to MY aid if she was like me...I HAVE to go...'
Alexander's Chamber, Azura's Palace
Serena awoke in a bed of beige silk sheets, adorned in the sexiest and most beautiful dress (not counting her white princess gown) that Serena had ever seen (or worn). It was an outfit of white silk. There were no sleeves, and the top was like one of a strapless bikini. The bottom was a long, sleek skirt, not flowing, but not skin tight either. A gold chain of crescent moons loosely encircled her small waist, and a long slit made its way up her legs, cutting off almost too high for comfort.
She sat up, her body feeling weak and strained. She reached up towards her chest, finding that her brooch was gone. She then looked down at her hand, and saw that her ring too had been confiscated.
"Hello." A gentle voice startled her out of a daze. She looked up to find a young lady, adorned in a similar dress
to hers, only made into a one piece, stood a mere ten feet away. Oh, and forget that revealing slit too.
"H...hello." Serena said, her voice a bit shaky and hoarse.
"The master will see you now." She said.
"Master?" Serena asked.
"Yes, Prince Alexander. He is waiting out on the balcony next door. He informed me you were to meet him outside when you awoke."
"I would, but I'm too weak..." Serena tried to find an excuse.
"He shall fix that. Come, I'll help you." Serena stood, and stumbled.
"You are still quite weak," a male voice said from across the room. "Laseila, you may go." Serena looked up and met the green-eyed gaze of a handsome man, who could only be one man.
"Alexander?" Serena asked, straightening.
"You know me?" he asked, looking amused.
"No, I just took a wild guess."
"Oh..." Serena thought this stranger almost looked a bit peaved at her answer. Could she know him from somewhere?
"Who are you? And why have you brought me here? And-"
Alexander interrupted. "I have brought you here for one reason: to love you. You know, Serena, that before you fell in love with that jerk of an earthling, that you as Princess Serenity were betrothed to me?"
"YOU!" Serena said in surprise. Then... "I was betrothed?"
"Yes. I am actually from a different planet, galaxy, universe. I came to Earth to study you from a closer range. But before your mother gave me permission to announce our engagement, you fell in love with earth's prince. You were sent there in the first place to meet none other than me, but your guards were distracted with his guards, and before I knew it, he had your heart. I was jealous, I'll admit now. You were mine, and now a total stranger had taken you. So I took action, and brought forth the evils of Metallia, trying to destroy the man you loved, and his kingdom, hoping you'd come to your senses. Little did I know how much you loved back.
never did I suspect you'd throw your life away for him..." he yelled.
Alexander then regained some composure. "But that was centuries ago, and now, I will not fail. You see, even though you've found your beloved again, he can not save you, because as of now, he is dead."
Serena's body tensed in shock. Darien...dead...because of her? Hadn't they just discussed how he was always dying for her.
and now he was dead again? No...he couldn't be but...all that rubble and...and...'I can't sense him.' A sob escaped her lips, thought she struggled to remain coldly remote in front of this man. She didn't bother to rub the tears that fell from her eyes away. She just glared fixedly at Alexander.
"A little too soon for my tastes and pleasures.
I'm sure Azura will miss the chance to kill you herself. But now, she'll have to share killing you with me...so you see, my princess, this puts me into a dilemma. Azura and I are in love now, and although I still feel the burden and heart wrench of that first love I shared with you, I must say that the feelings are tiny compared to the passion I feel while I'm with Azura. So, we came to create a little plan of ours. Both of our loves decieved us and went for one another, so by capturing them, we'd get to share the joy of killing the one who stole them. But it seems Darien has done my job for me. Therefore, do you know of anyone to take Darien's place so that my love can beat you to a pulp alone?"
Serena shuddered, then sighed. 'I'll be with you soon, Darien...' she thought.
"Whatever way is quickest, just do it," she said sadly.
"Ah, yes, I suspected you'd do this. The way I'm thinking of doing it is this, though, it's sort of like that death row thing they do in one of the countires on that abismal planet... You wait around for a year for a trial, then wait a few more years before actually being put to death. Only difference here is that instead of lethal injections, you get torture. Just like the torture you put through my Azura's heart...and my own." "Answer me this. If you loved me so much then, why do you enjoy giving me to this woman so that I may be killed?" Serena lowered herself on the bed.
"Ah, well, I do blame Endymion most of all in this. That's why I was GOING to get to kill him, until he decided to try to save you...oh well, my loss. I'll just use one of those Sailor Guardians of yours instead. It's partially their fault. Or maybe I'll take it out on your daughter. Yes, I think that'll do fine. Now, why am I giving you to Azura? Simple. Azura gave me love, unlike you. And once you're full of negative energy, you really hate everyone who never loved you, unless you have no one else to love. Actually, I suppose even then you hate everyone else.
I now have Azura, and she has me. So, you see, I am not really giving you on my own free will. I'm sure that if I was still pure hearted, I'd beg for your life. But who wants to be pure hearted? Look where it got you? Killed by your lover's betrothed and betrayed, and your betrothed and betrayed killing your lover. It works for Azura and I, considering our enemies get to die, and we still have one another. So what if we lose someone who once meant something to us...we still have each other..." Alexander's mind drifted.
Serena's heart felt for this poor soul...he didn't know a thing about love. Oh yes, maybe he did love Azura, but he and she belonged together in happiness, not in vengeance.
"What will you do once we've gone?" asked Serena, snapping Alexander from his dazed state.
"We'll take over your thrones, and rule. Easy as that." Alexander yawned, then said, "I think I'll put you back to sleep, before I fall asleep myself." He began to leave when a thought struck Serena. She said what she thought. Or rather asked.
"Do you still love me?" the question caught Alexander off guard. He controlled himself.
"I've already answered that." He said, beginning to turn and take his leave.
"No you haven't! Tell me to my face, and look me in the eye when you answer. Do you still love me?" 'Look in my eyes so that I may see if I can still save you!' Serena willed.
He looked in them and whispered, "I will never stop loving you." He said.
"Alexander, then please stay, for I need to do something. Just an experiment...may I have my crystal back?" she asked.
"Oh no, you'll transform and escape, and then Azura'll kill me."
"You have the word of the Moon Princess. I will not transform, but use my crystal to heal."
"Heal what?"
"Alexander, give it to me." Serena said. She had never been more afraid or forceful in her entire life. He slowly handed her brooch to her.
"This will not hurt you, Alexander. If you have no doubts in who you are, then you will not change at all. And if so, then you will for the better."
"You're trying to turn me good, aren't you! I can't believe I fell for you!" He cried out.
"Alexander, I will help you. I know you are still pure inside. I am no enemy. I am a friend. You can have your own kingdom, with your own love. You don't need Darien and me to be dead. Please, let me purify your thoughts and soul. Your heart has already begun." Alexander thought for a moment. The tropical bedroom, with bamboo balcony and white see-through curtains became bright as Serena whispered, "Eternal Moon POWER!" with each word her voice became stronger. Seconds later, Alexander fell to the ground. After a moment, his eyes, no longer contorted with malicious energy, looked up upon the face of Serena.
"What was I thinking?" he asked pitifully.
"You weren't. And now we must save Azura..."
"You won't be able to." He said solemnly.
"Why not?" Serena asked, spinning on her heal to face him again.
"Because she won't let you. Desdemona's poured too much of the revenge lust intoher. And she won't be as easily trickedas I was. She is much stronger than I."
"Well, it's not like I haven't dealt with challenges before...Um, question as well. Aren't you controlling Desdemona?"
"Well, yes. But something about this deal just doesn't seem right."
"But Desdemona isn't interested in ruling anything.
what makes this such a special case? What's this deal?"
"It's more of what she gets out of it that's so special. We, Azura and I, were able to capture...Chaos." Serena's knees weakened.
"No..." she shook her head. Not Chaos...again.
"Yes. We were going to reward Desdemona for her loyalties with it, but I guess she either wanted more or wanted Chaos sooner."
"What do we do?" asked Serena, her voice somewhat despairing.
"Follow me." Alexander said. And Serena took his hand and smiled. He smiled back. Maybe things would be all right if he trusted her...and if they could stop Desdemona before she released Chaos. Suddenly, Serena broke their grasp.
"What is it?" Alexander wondered, staring back at her. She was rubbing her hand, her left hand...
"My...my ring. May I...may I have my ring back?"
Outskirts of Elysian
"I don't know HOW you convinced us to do this for you, Darien." Sailor Mars said as she and the rest of the scouts hid behind a green bush on the outskirts of Elysian. In front of them was a bare wasteland (sort of like something that would come out of a horror novel). Where they hid was the last bush for miles. All that lay before them was desert.
"I didn't convince you. You said you'd help me."
"Yes, but that was BEFORE Amy told us you'd broken 4 ribs!" Venus exclaimed.
"Cracked them. And you didn't ask." Tuxedo Mask responded.
"Well, we're here now, so let's not fight. Save that for whomever kidnapped Serena." Masquerade said.
"Just a question, while we're sitting around here waiting for the computer scan to be finished, why don't I age when I transform, Sailor Masquerade?" asked Mini Moon, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Like I said before, I wasn't supposed to get my scout powers for 9 more years, when I was 14. You, as first Mini Moon, then Super Sailor Mini Moon, still have one or two more transformations left, which you shall receive gradually as you become a better fighter." Masquerade responded, looking at her sister.
"So, you mean I have another transformation?" asked Rini, looking down at her sailor suit.
"One or two, I can't remember. All I know is that you definitely have a different one when you get older. And my mom told me you have another one, which is your last. So I guess you have two."
"Cool!" Rini exclaimed, wondering if she got to become eternal too.
The group walked on in mostly silence. Just as Tuxedo Mask was about to comment on perhaps having taken a wrong turn,
large ruins of a castle loomed in the distance. They had begun as somewhat of a ruined spot on the horizon in Elysian, but it was beginning to take more and more shape as the group moved closer. Thatwould most likely be the only place...
"O.K., guys. I've scanned the perimeter. You see that palace ruins?" Mercury asked. How could anyone miss it? It was the one thing standing more than2 feet forever in this hellish land, besided the jagged rock land that spread beyond them.
"Yes," everyone agreed in monotones.
"I suppose it's kind of obvious that that's Desdemona's lair." Mercury said, returning her visor.
"But, what if Serena's not there? It really was just a hunch that Desdemona would come here, considering Desdemona seems to be working for that Azura and Alexander couple..." Jupiter said cautiously.
"I feel her presence...she is close by." Mars said, shutting her eyes momentarily. Tuxedo Mask nodded his approval of this. His senses were heightened by his close contact with Elysian and the Earth, and therefore his connection to Serena was twice as sharp. And he felt she was near as well. He only wished she were close enough for him to encircle his arms around her protectively...although he wasn't quite sure what effect a hug would have on those tender ribs of his...
"Then let's go!" cried Venus.
"Um...do we even have a plan?" asked Neptune. Everyone looked towards Tuxedo Mask.
"Uh...I haven't got that far," he said sheepishly. Everyone sweat-dropped.
Uranus cracked her knuckles. "Think fast"
she growled.
"I have an idea!" Masquerade said. "O.K., first, we get close enough to the castle to scan it for Serena. Then, if she IS there..." they continued the plan in low whispers that were lost in the wailing winds.
Serena and Alexander walked down the halls of the palace, Serena hand cuffed, led by Alexander. "Are you sure this will work?" asked Serena, looking at the many guards lining the halls.
"Positive. Just stay close." They continued to walk through the maze of a castle.
After what seemed 5 minutes, Serena asked, "Why am I no longer weak?" She had not been able to walk five minutes anywhere, for it physically drained her. Classes were horrible. But now she was able to, and felt slowly energized by something.
"I had the people here extract the shadow crystal from you. We didn't need it, because you are physically bonded here, there's no way you could leave with out my consent." Alexander said crisply.
Serena, afraid if Alexander actually DID lose control and become evil again, whispered, "Is that true"
A second thought, the thought that if Alexander did free her, he would be left solely to blame for it. The latter worried her a bit more than the former.
"Total lie." Alexander whispered back.
"Oh...good." She wondered what his plan was to get her out of there.
"Serena's there!" cried Sailor Mars. Every one had approached the castle ruins, which upon closer look were certainly old, and a couple sections HAD crumbled, but overall the palace seemed to be functional as well as guarded. There were only a couple guards in sight,
and neither tall tower looked to be reliable any longer.
Still, the scouts did wonder about the fact that no one had taken notice of their approach...
Yet still all of them were hiding behind a destroyed portion of what had once been an outer wall to the castle.
Most everyone had a direct view within the castle
"Is she all right?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
"Yes, she's fine." The scouts let out their breath, which they hadn't realized they had been holding.
"She's handcuffed, though, and some guy's leading her this way. He looks like a prince. They're coming out the door! Get ready to attack guys!" Everyone held their breath once more, scampering to both sides of the castle wall, ready to ambush the stranger and Serena.
"I'm going out to show this woman her surrounding before the Queen Azura kills her. Please take leave." said a voice within the walls.
"Ready," Tuxedo Mask mouthed as the portcullis rose and the man and Serena walked out.
"ATTACK!" cried Mars.
"Venus, Love and Beauty SHOCK!"
"Mars Flame SNIPER!"
"Mercury Aqua RHAPSODY!"
"Jupiter OAK EVOLUTION!"
"STOP!!" cried Serena, jumping in front of Alexander. Not expecting this, the scouts tried to redirect their attacks. They hit the castle walls, threatening to cause them to fall down.
A few stones, randomly dislodged, did fall.
"Good thing I decided NOT to use my attack..." mumbled Saturn.
"Serena?" the scouts asked (exclude Saturn).
"Yes, it's me." Serena looked around for a moment at all her friends. The only thing to make this perfect would be if...Serena felt a tear trickle down her cheek as she turned to look at Mini Moon and Masquerade. As she turned, her eyes met his gaze...the dark eyes that brought her in...she knew it was him immediately (although the eyes that Lily possessed were pretty close to his, there was no exact copy). "Oh, DARIEN!!" she thrust her arms around him, causing him to wince.
"Gently!" he cried. She let go, questioning him with her eyes. But she didn't ask a question (as he was presuming she would),but instead kissed him romantically. Although the pain that wrenched his body was intense, Darien felt only the love that settled inside of his heart, ignoring the hot pain in his throbbing chest.
Alexander cleared his throat as the kiss lasted for about 10 seconds, and didn't look close to ending. Alexander then said, "Your princess can explain later as to why I'm helping you. I can't stay too long, but I will tell you this," he directed his attention towards Serena.
"Desdemona is whom you are up against: not Azura. She may seem all mighty and powerful, but she is just like me: a kind soul who needs guidance. Princess Serenity, please return to your time with your friends. I shall stay here and be a sort of spy for you-"
"But it's too dangerous!" Serena put in, shaking her head viciously.
"There is no other way. And besides, they will be able to still track you, even though the shadow crystal was extracted. They'll find you within a day. I must lead them off the track for a while. And I HAVE to rescue Azura's soul and protect her from Desdemona's destructive air. So there is no choice, and even if there is, I choose to stay here." Alexander said decisively. Serena knew there was no way to turn him. He and Darien had that in common...maybe it was just a male trait.
"All right. But be careful."
"Yes, now hurry! Get to Crystal Tokyo with in 5 minutes; leave for your time in 30 minutes. Everyone here will be alerted that you've escaped, Princess. You must leave within the hour, or risk being caught." With that Alexander turned to leave.
"Alexander!" Serena called.
He turned back, "Yes?"
"Please take care..." Alexander smiled.
"I will. And you can call me Alex..."
Tuxedo Mask glanced down at his future wife. She was frowning slightly (in a beautiful way), and looked unhappy about the situation. Darien looked from her gaze to Alexander's. Their eyes were locked. 'Oh no...' Darien silently groaned. 'What happened between them? First Seiya, now HIM?! Oh, has SHE got some explaining'
Then, Serena turned away and said, "Let's go." Tuxedo Mask put his hand on Serena's shoulder. She was slightly startled, but then looked up into his eyes and he caught what he was used to seeing: her love. They walked back to the time door which led back to Crystal Tokyo (Mini Moon and Masquerade had used their keys).
When the scouts and Serena arrived at the other side of the door, Serena was still gazing at the love of her life. She could win a staring contest if the time called for it. She began to ask something when...
"Oh, thank the Moon! You two are alright!"
Serena broke the gaze to glance at Neo-Queen Serenity and the King. She smiled and said, "I'm all right..."
"Are you all right, Tuxedo Mask?" the queen asked. Serena stared at him, making Darien uncomfortable. He really didn't want to bring up the fact that he'd cracked a few ribs before the rescue mission was founded. He could just imagine Desdemona's state after Serena got her hands on her.
it was very disturbing, considering she was disassembled. As long as he changed the subject...
"Yeah, Darien! How are those four broken ribs?" 'Thank you Venus,' he thought.
"FOUR BROKEN RIBS!!" Serena cried out, pushing Tuxedo Mask away and holding him at arm's length with a look of disdain crossing her face.
"Um...actually, they're just cracked..." Darien mumbled.
"And when did THIS take place?!" she asked, gesturing wildly.
"When I fell off the balcony..." Tuxedo Mask said.
"I AM GOING TO KILL DESDEMONA!!" Serena began to storm back towards the door she'd just entered through. Sailor Mars held her back, however.
"Meatball Head, HELLO! You'll blow our cover!"
"I DON'T CARE!!" Serena scrambled up to the door, but it quickly disappeared.
"GGGGGGGGRRRRRR..." Serena growled through clenched teeth. "Stupid door...PLUTO!! BRING IT BACK RIGHT NOW!! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME UP THERE!!" Serena glared at the empty sky, ready to kill any thing that got in her way. She was also ready to steal Rini's time key and kill the scout of Time when suddenly, she began to feel light-headed. "Oh NO!" she said as her legs began to liquefy from under her.
Dropping to her knees, she said, "I thought that bad crystal was gone!"
"It is." Mercury said, after examining her again.
"Then why do I have jello legs? I feel like a cream puff!"
"It's because you've been in the same time with me for a while too long. Don't worry, you'll be fine." The queen smiled.
"You just need rest," Jupiter said, her hand placed firmly onto Serena's shoulder, and pushing her back down on the ground.
"OW!" Serena cried as she landed hard on her behind.
"Sorry..." Jupiter murmured. Serena glared momentarily at Jupiter, then released her venomous stare on Tuxedo Mask.
"Don't think I'm going to forget those broken ribs, you!"
"THEY'RE JUST CRACKED!!" He cried, trying to muster SOMETHING to support his reason as to why he 'forgot' to tell Serena.
"Nice knowing you..." the king muttered in Tuxedo Mask's ear.
"You're really annoying, you know that?" Tuxedo Mask growled.
"Yep." Luckily for the king, however, Mars had a question.
"Before you rip Darien apart, Serena, would you please explain something? We have NO idea WHY you protected that guy back at the castle, so would you PLEASE let us in on that little secret"
"And we have to get back to the past..." Venus added.
"And-"
"ALRIGHT! I GET THE MESSAGE!" Serena said, holding her hands up as Neo-Queen Serenity was about to make a remark. "I'll tell you about Alexander once we get to the past again..." She stood once again, much to Tuxedo Mask's dismay.
"First, however," he broke in, "Rini, I think for now you should stay here." As Rini's mouth opened for what was assured to be a big argument, Tuxedo Mask held his hand up.
"Your mother needs protection." Amy said, glancing at the queen's motherly state.
"Yeah, I mean a pregnant woman isn't going to be able to do that much..." Venus put in.
"We resent that..." Serenity and Serena said together.
"Oh, come on. Let's be reasonable here..." Mercury said, glancing from Serenity and Serena to the rest of the scouts. "Serenity, you're pregnant at the moment. If someone attacked, you might damage your child in a fight. And considering Darien isn't that much of a fighter alone, I'd guess the king wasn't either."
"HEY! I can fight just as well, IF BETTER, than ALL of you!!" Tuxedo Mask cried out.
"Then why are YOU always the one dying?" Mars asked snidely.
"...Occupational hazard?" the king and Tuxedo Mask said at once.
"Just keep believing that..." Uranus said.
"That doesn't matter as much really," Mercury said as Serena pointed a teasing finger at Darien, while the king eyed his smiling wife angrily. "So Rini, I think you should stay here." She concluded her statement.
"NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!" Mini Moon shouted.
The other scouts jumped in surprise at her outburst. "I n eed the training AND you need the help."
"Right, and I'm not TOTALLY helpless here..." Neo-Queen Serenity pointed out.
"And plus, the enemy will be chasing you guys anyways..." the king began.
"NO!" half the scouts cried. The argument that followed was long in length.
"STOP!!" Mini Moon finally shrieked. "Darien said that Dad could choose when we were in the past! Dad?" she turned her red eyes to her father controllingly.
The king examined his daughter, jaw clenching and un-
clenching. He finally sighed. "You're a sailor as well. It's your job."
"YAY!" the girl squealed, hugging her father. "But mind Darien, okay?" Mini Moon sighed. "As well as your manners. And try to be somewhat of that lady hidden in there somewhere..."
"I know, I know...Darien?" Mini Moon glanced over to her past father.
"Fine, Rini, you can come." Tuxedo Mask said, exasperated. Everyone then said good-bye to the future queen and king (wishing them luck and so on for their new bundle of joy yet to arrive). As Sailor Moon stepped through the time door, she grabbed Mini Moon's hand and gave it a little squeeze. Mini Moon smiled to herself, realizing Sailor Moon was actually HAPPY to have her coming along for the ride... 'COOL!' the young scout thought.
20th Century
After falling once again through the time door (Sailor Moon was this time on the bottom, followed by Mini Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, then Masquerade and Saturn. Tuxedo Mask, as well as all of the outer sailors save the Guardian of Time who was absent altogether, had managed to escape), and after the scouts regained some composure, they all sat in Serena's living room.
"I have a new respect for you, Raye..." Serena murmured, rubbing her back after detransforming. After a quick breath, she found a smile somewhere within her and decided cheerfully "I'm going to make some tea."
'Obviously,' Darien thought, 'she's managed to forget my injury.' He let out a sigh of relief mentally.
"And Darien, can you come in here and help me?" she asked, an evil grin crossing her face. 'Spoke, or actually thought, too soon...' Darien got up from his couch spot and turned to follow her. The scouts were detransforming as Serena and Darien walked into the kitchen. Serena could feel each one of their power levels lower slightly as their sailor suits disappeared.
Serena handed Darien the teakettle. Well, she hardly "handed" him it, but more pushed it not too hard, but definitely violently, into him. The kettle hit Darien's chest, causing even more pain than he was already experiencing. Serena's glowering expression didn't change, but her beautiful azure eyes revealed her worry.
"WHY did I just find out about this??" She poked Darien where the kettle had hit, and watched him grimace. Suddenly, her last bit of anger dissipated at Darien's look of pain. "Oh Darien, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Darien's jaw dropped in amazement. A moment before he thought he was going to be turned into Luna's cat food.
'Sure you didn't...' he thought begrudgingly.
"It's my fault you got hurt in the first place..." she said, beginning her tea making, and taking the teapot back to fill it with water. "If I hadn't have been kidnapped, you'd never have gotten hurt!" She cried, turning to him with her eyes beginning to fill with tears.
"But, then you wouldn't have become allies with Alexander," Darien put in helpfully, thinking that this was EXACTLY what he had told himself in the future as he searched a cabinet for the box of teabags. Then he thought of what he'd just reassured Serena with. Alexander's armistice...'However THAT happened.' he silently muttered.
"But I can't even help you heal even though it's my fault. I'm so sorry," she said, gently hugging him.
"You couldn't have helped it, Serena, it wasn't your fault." Darien said, repeating the words spoken to him by Neo-
Queen Serenity. Those two future selves were occasionally quite useful...
"I wish, though" she said, releasing him, "that you'd told me earlier." Darien felt guilt set in, but kept firm to his reasoning as to why 4 cracked ribs were kept secret from his fianc?.
"Serena, I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to do anything spur of the moment, like storming into a dark castle and killing the Queen of Darkness. And I also didn't want you to worry." Serena smiled wryly.
"Too late for that..." she whispered.
Darien knew that was the truth.
"I'll be fine Serena," he kissed her gently. "You don't have to worry about me."
"But I do..." she said.
"Why?"
"That's what you do when you love someone."
No one needed to tell him that. He'd been worried sick this entire fiasco, beginning when Desdemona had first appeared. He could use a little time off, and perhaps be the one to be worried about for a while. He kissed her gently. The tea kettle began to bubble over. Neither noticed.
About ten minutes later, the scouts were happy to see the couple return from the kitchen, Serena smiling, carrying a tray of teacups and a teapot, and Darien joining her, an arm wrapped around her waist. He too wore a smile. "Good, we don't have to worry about reassembling Darien along with Desdemona," Mina whispered to the waiting scouts.
"I heard that, Mina." Serena said, setting the tray down.
"So, is anyone curious as to why Alexander and I are now friends?"
"Or an item..." Mina murmured.
'Aha! So I'm NOT the only one who was a little worried there!' Darien told himself triumphantly.
"I heard that as well, Mina. And I must say I'm a little hurt that you guys would even think of that!" Serena whimpered, tea in hand.
"Hey, sometimes the truth hurts." Mina shrugged.
"What was THAT supposed to mean??"
'DEFINITELY a good instinct on my part NOT to tell her that I was worried about her and that other guy...' Darien added.
"Well, the way you looked at him..."
"We have an understanding, Raye!"
"Yes, obviously, but the way I see it, it runs deeper than friendship."
"Get your eyes checked."
"Grow up."
"I am!"
"No, you wish!" The scout of fire and the scout of the moon had a five-minute stand off that ended in a raspberry war. Needless to say, the rest of the scouts were on the ground acting dead when the other two cooled off.
"Right, well, back to business," Serena said triumphantly, glaring at Raye's pouting figure in a gloating manner. Obviously, she'd won that war... "Any ideas if what to do next?"
"Oh, I know I know! Oh, pick me!" Mina's hand shot up into the air.
"Um...okay Mina."
"Right, here goes. We'll alternate every day between the past and future and present so they can't find us!" The room grew sweatdrops.
"Uh...Mina, wouldn't you get tired of that?"
"Nah, living on edge, new sights, new faces...the excitement!"
"And you don't think the enemy might figure us out?" Raye said skeptically.
"See, that's the beauty of it! They'd get confused because we're bouncing back and forth, right?"
"Yes...?"
"Well, they'd get SO confused that by the time they figure us out they won't realize it immediately, and when they do they'll get even more confused than before and their little heads will blow up into smithereenies!" Mina looked quite proud of herself.
"I was worried before, but now..."
"I'm just scared." Serena finished for Darien.
"Agreed. Mina's gone off the edge. She has I-am-the-stand-
in-leader-who-got-a-taste-of-power-and-wants-more-beginning-
with-making-everyone-else-go-out-of-their-minds-then-go-through-with-
some-crazy-plan-and-get-them-all-killed syndrome. Very serious case." Lita stated.
"Is that real?" Rini wondered aloud.
"Please tell me you didn't just say that, Rini. You and Mina BOTH need a good cat-scan."
"We resent that..." the two answered Amara together.
"Right, any REAL plans?" Luna asked, exasperated.
"We go back to the palace. Tomorrow."
"WHAT?!"
"Serena, you just got out of there!"
"I know, but they'll find us within a day at the most wherever we go. And I don't want to put Alex in danger."
"Ah. So now it's Alex, not Alexander...hmmm..." Mina eyed her friend shrewdly.
"Mina, I'm going to ignore that."
"Just like you ignored my plan, I suppose...next you'll all ignore ME!"
"If your plan had been even REMOTELY plausible-"
"It was PERFECTLY plausible!"
"For your benefit, the chances of that plan actually working were3,507,892 to one." Amy's voice broke into Mina.
"That is STILL a chance," Mina cried indignantly towards Amy, who nodded her head in agreement. After all, facts were facts.
"Okay, back to Serena. What do you plan to do once we get there?"
"Well..."
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Moonlight Eternal