Thanks to reviewers:
Shaded Truths
Magic713 (also thanks for the PM, it definitely got ideas for this story turning in my head)
LoveInTheBattleField
and princess moonie
So, in order to determine where I am going with this story, I would like to know whether or not my wonderful readers would like to see a return of Rini. I have a pretty good idea on where the first part of this story is going at least, but I have to know whether or not I will have to incorporate our favorite pink-haired brat. Let me know in reviews!
Secondly, I really have a thing for dark stories, and since this is arguably the darkest story line in Sailor Moon, I am taking advantage of it. Expect darkness, deaths (hint hint...?), betrayal and sadness all around.
Also, I have spring break coming up, so if I have no access to internet I might have to take a temporary break from this story. It would only be two weeks, and hopefully will not be necessary. I am just giving a heads up. I have not yet abandoned a story and plan to finish every story I publish if it kills me. So, no need to worry about that.
Don't own Sailor Moon, but someday there will be fanfiction on my original works...
Sailors Uranus and Neptune released the pure heart crystal, letting it fall back into the young man's chest. They quickly took their leave before he could awaken.
"Another pure heart," Uranus said.
"But no talisman," Neptune replied.
"Either our enemy is clueless or they're just guessing."
"Maybe there is no way to locate the talismans without removing the crystals. Either way, there is no way to check every person in Tokyo for the crystal. They'll have to give up eventually."
"Trista was certain this enemy means business. They won't give up."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't have wishful thinking." Neptune smiled. "Let's go home. There's a scout meeting tomorrow morning and we certainly don't want to miss it."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Andrew asked, looking at the prince and princess standing before them.
They were in Raye's room in the shrine, where the scout meetings tended to be held. It had been decided that an emergency meeting be scheduled to discuss the new enemy, and Serena's loss of power. The first announcement had been Serena stating she and Darien would be leaving before the meeting to enter the time gate.
Darien nodded once in affirmation. "We don't know how long we'll be gone. Hopefully not long, but there's no way of really knowing."
"What if something happens?" Raye asked.
"Mother used to enter the time gate frequently to ask questions," Serena reminded them. "She might not answer, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try."
"With the outers keeping quiet, we don't have much of a choice," Greg said.
Focus turned to Hotaru, the only outer scout present at the moment. She clenched her jaw and looked away.
"I suppose that settles that," Mina said. "Just…be careful. Are you sure you don't want someone to go with you? What if you need protection?"
"Mina, it's the time gate," Serena replied. "What on earth could possibly happen? Pluto is constantly on guard. Nothing gets past her."
"But, Serena, Trista has not been guarding the time gate for nearly as long as she did in her past," Amy pointed out. "She let Rini slip through. She's alone there, if someone takes her out they will easily be able to take over the time gate."
"And destroy everything," Ken murmured.
"Maybe we should all go with you," Lita suggested. "In case Amy's right."
"If Amy's right, we'll handle it," Serena stated.
"Yeah, right meatball brains!" Raye snapped. "You don't even have your powers anymore!"
"Raye!" Mina scolded.
"No, she's right," Serena admitted. "I'm not able to transform into Sailor Moon. But I still refuse to sit back and do nothing while the rest of you fight to protect the world I'm supposed be protecting. One way or another I will keep fighting. If you won't let me join the battles, then I'll do everything I can to figure out all I can about this enemy."
"It's dangerous," Raye insisted.
"You think I don't know that?"
"I think you're just trying to get yourself killed! What do you think will happen then? It's bad enough we don't know how to get the silver crystal back! If you die, earth is doomed!"
"Then I guess I won't be dying any time soon, now, will I?" Serena calmly countered.
Raye opened her mouth to say more but Chad braved her fury to step up beside her.
"Raye, Darien will protect her," he said.
"Like Endymion protected Serenity in the silver millennium?" Raye demanded. "This new enemy is going to destroy everything. I'm not about to let it start with our princess."
Serena stepped forward and threw her arms around Raye. "You worry too much."
"You don't know what I've seen," Raye whispered.
"We will do everything we can to protect this planet." Serena pulled back and smiled. "The future isn't set in stone, Raye. Not even your prophecies are guaranteed. So try not to worry. Darien and I will be back before you know it."
"And if this enemy destroys the world before then?"
"They won't," Hotaru said. "They have things they need to get first. Otherwise they wouldn't be attacking people."
"Now you're gonna talk?" Darien asked.
She shrugged. "If it gets Raye to stop screaming at the princess."
Raye leaned against Chad, the images of looming darkness never leaving the forefront of her mind.
"Anything you're willing to share?" Mina asked.
"If I tell you, you'll only try to stop us," Hotaru said. "It has to be this way."
"You did tell Amara and Michelle about this meeting, didn't you?" Serena asked, looking to Mina.
"I'm not that petty," Mina answered.
"We really should get going," Darien said. "Hotaru, will you be alright with Amara and Michelle?"
"Of course," Hotaru assured him.
Serena glanced at the inner scouts and the generals. "Can I trust you to play nicely if Darien and I aren't here to keep the peace?"
Andrew gave a reassuring smile. "It'll be fine. We're just going to be discussing tactics on dealing with the new enemy."
"If I come back to a civil war, I won't be happy," Serena warned.
"If they fail to keep the peace we will," Luna said, as she and Artemis appeared in the doorway. "Serena, were you really planning to leave without saying goodbye?"
Luna jumped onto Serena's shoulder, instantly receiving a scratch behind the ears from the princess.
"Sorry, Luna. I didn't know where to find you."
"There were strange activities reported downtown last night," Artemis explained. "We wanted to check it out."
"Did you find anything?" Mina asked.
"Unfortunately no. At least nothing Negaverse related."
"My communicator won't work in the time gate," Serena said. "But if you need us to come back, you should be able to contact us through Sailor Pluto."
"We know, Sere," Mina said. "But we'll be fine."
Serena nodded. "Ready, Darien?"
"Whenever you are," he answered.
Luna jumped down to sit beside Artemis on the table. Serena removed the time key from her pocket, given to her by Sailor Pluto for emergencies. Surely a new enemy and uncertain future could be considered an emergency?
Holding the key out, the all to familiar door appeared before them. As the doors opened, Serena and Darien stepped forward, vanishing into the light. A moment later, no trace of the portal remained.
"I hope they come back soon," Mina said softly.
Hotaru stared sadly at the door. I just hope they come back at all.
Kaorinite stood back watching as Professor Tomoe unleashed another daimon seed. It floated in the air, flying out the window as it made its way to another object associated with a pure heart.
"Make sure this one won't fail," he commanded. "I don't care if you have to kill these sailor scouts. Taking their powers was not enough in the last battle. I want them dead."
"Of course. I'll make sure they don't get in the way." Kaorinite smiled wickedly as she turned to track down the daimon seed.
Miles away the white seed slowed down, entering into a small gym. It slowly burrowed itself into the center of a bright red punching bag, going unnoticed as patrons went about their various workouts.
"Do you think they're already there?" Michelle asked.
"Knowing Venus she probably told us a later time than the rest. I'm sure Hotaru will be able to fill us in on everything else though."
"Should we try contacting Trista again?"
Amara punched the Pluto symbol on her communicator, receiving nothing but static. Michelle frowned.
"This isn't good. Pluto has never not answered her communicator."
"We'll just have to hope the enemy hasn't captured her."
The two started up the shrine together, walking close enough that their hands were just barely brushing against each other. They reached the top of the stone steps and after a short knock entered Raye's room. The inner scouts instantly became silent.
"Where's Serena?" Amara asked after a quick scan of the room.
"She and Darien went to demand answers from Trista," Hotaru answered.
Amara and Michelle exchanged a glance.
"Is something wrong with that?" Mina asked, sensing something was wrong.
"Nothing," Michelle lied, glancing at Amara whose expression was unnaturally calm even with the possibility of her cousin being in danger.
Hotaru sent them a questioning and worried look, receiving a mouthed 'later' from the teal-haired beauty.
"Well, we're here to discuss the new enemy," Luna began. "And determine the best way of dealing with them before things get too out of hand. For now I'm afraid we'll have to count Sailor Moon out."
"The combined attack by Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune was just enough to destroy the daimon," Artemis continued, "but I fear they will be much weaker than our new enemy. I believe combining attacks might be a decent place to start with facing against this enemy."
"Would a combined attack from the seven of us be enough to destroy the leader of these daimons?" Mina wondered.
"There's no way of knowing."
"You also have to keep in mind the outer scouts are more powerful," Amara said. "It would likely take four of you to destroy one of those things."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lita demanded.
"We don't mean it offensively," Michelle explained. "But the inner scouts were the last line of defense, not that anything would ever get through the four of us in the outer system. Your main purpose was Serenity's guards. Our training in the silver millennium was completely different."
"Well this isn't the silver millennium," Mina said. "We've all received the same training, and as I was in the silver millennium I am still the leader of all sailor scouts. Don't think that because three of you are so much older that I will step down. Now, you three are going to tell us everything you know about this new enemy. That is a direct order."
"But Pluto…" Hotaru murmured.
"Venus is the leader," Michelle admitted. "We really have no choice."
Amara sighed. "The new enemy is after something known as the Holy Grail. In order to create this, three talismans must come together. These talismans are held in three individual pure hearts."
"So the enemy is targeting people with pure hearts," Greg said.
"What's the Holy Grail?" Amy asked. "It sounds familiar."
"Artemis," Luna began, "you don't think…"
"The Holy Grail is something that in the hands of the Messiah will save or destroy the world," Artemis told them. "It was a well known myth during the silver millennium, but Queen Serenity always believed there was truth behind it."
The outer scouts nodded.
"So we have to stop whoever is doing this," Raye said. "Before they find the talismans."
"No," Michelle disagreed. "We have to find the talismans."
"We have to get the talismans away from them," Amara told them. "We have no way of removing pure hearts ourselves. We use this enemy to remove the pure hearts we need."
"If we destroy this enemy, then we will be doomed should a more powerful enemy come along," Hotaru said.
"So let them attack people?!" Chad demanded.
"It's the only way," Amara insisted.
"And what happens when the pure hearts are removed?" Ken asked.
"You can't live without your pure heart crystal," Luna stated. "If a crystal is held out of a person for too long they will die."
Raye suddenly felt Chad's arms slide around her.
"We can't risk innocent people dying," Mina said. "There has to be another way."
"There isn't."
"Raye was attacked!" Lita suddenly shouted. "You're telling me that you would have let her die?"
"If her heart contained one of the talismans we would have had no choice," Michelle explained.
"So finding these talismans is more important than protecting people? Well, at least we know the talismans aren't within you. You don't have hearts at all!"
"It would be better if three people died rather than the billions who would perish should the Holy Grail fall into the wrong hands."
"These choices have to be made," Amara said.
"And who says we're the ones who have to make them? Our duty is to protect earth and the people who live here!"
"Our duty is first and foremost to the princess," Amara argued. "And that means protecting the world she lives in. If that means humans have to be sacrificed then that is exactly what will happen. Don't forget that."
"You're wrong!" Lita exclaimed. "You really think Serena would agree with this? She would demand that we think of a way to save everyone! So that no one would suffer!"
"We don't have any other options at the moment," Amara stressed.
"That's enough!" Luna shouted, jumping between the two who were by now standing face-to-face in their shouting match. "I know Serena certainly wouldn't like this arguing! Both of you sit down!"
Both stared at the threatening cat a moment before following her command.
"Look," Andrew said. "I think we should dismiss for today. We'll reconvene tomorrow. Until then we need to figure something out. There has to be a way to save everyone. There always is."
Lita picked up her bag and stormed out of the room before any more was said.
"Ken," Andrew said.
"Already on it," Ken replied, having picked up his bag.
The scouts slowly filed out, each going their separate ways. With nothing decided and more questions than answered everyone was more than upset.
"Oh, Artemis, what are we going to do?" Luna asked.
"There's nothing we can do right now. I just hope Serena and Darien get back here before things get even worse."
Serena and Darien exchanged a glance as they entered the foggy world of the time gate. The fact alone that Sailor Pluto was not there waiting for them made the future king and queen wary of what they would find. The guardian of time was very particular about the time gate, and rarely was there anyone there without her permission.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Darien murmured. "She should be here."
The two looked around, scanning the surrounding area in an attempt to locate the young woman who was almost always there.
"Stay close," Darien said softly, grabbing Serena's hand.
She nodded, hanging on his arm as the two made their way forward. The further they went, the darker their path became, as if the future itself was darkening with every passing moment. The gloom was closing in around them, encasing them in a set path that it was impossible to break away from.
"Something's not right," Serena whispered.
"I agree with you completely," Darien said.
"Should we go back?"
Darien glanced over his shoulder. "I don't think that's an option."
Serena gave him a questioning look before turning, seeing the very path they'd just made had vanished into oblivion. Shadows moved around them, lurking close and preparing to attack.
"Run!" Serena shouted.
The two took off running as fast as they could through the darkness, no longer able to even see where they were going. They seemed to run forever through the dismal space, soulless creatures following them all the way. Serena suddenly careened forward. Darien quickly lunged, catching her in his embrace as they began to fall.
Lita stared at the bright red punching bag before quickly moving. Her fist collided with the heavy object, sending it swinging on the thick chains holding it in place. More fury welled up inside her and she struck again and again. Beads of sweat ran down her face as she relentlessly let out her anger. When her lungs began to beg for air she finally slowed to a stop, bending over to catch her breath.
"I figured you'd be here."
Lita straightened and turned, seeing Ken standing behind her. He was leaning against the wall, as if he'd been there for quite some time. His gaze suddenly went down to her hands, having only been wrapped in light bandage-like cloth that had practically dissolved with her force, her knuckles were covered in blood.
"Come on," Ken said, examining the wounds.
Lita was about to reply when the punching bag she had just been attacking started moving on its own. Ken, changing into the form of Nephrite, pushed Lita behind him as it slowly transformed into a hideous daimon.
"Lita, run!" Nephrite shouted.
Lita dashed over to her bag, digging for the transformation pen she'd hidden in there before beginning her workout and punched the emergency button on her communicator in the process. The daimon struck first, smashing Nephrite into the mirror-lined wall. Nephrite drew his sword, piercing the creature's abdomen. Pulling back his sword with a sickening sound Nephrite found himself released only for a claw to stab through his heart. Ignoring her transformation Lita cried out and ran to his side. Nephrite quickly faded back into Ken, clutching at his bleeding chest as he struggled to remain conscious.
"Ken!" Lita shouted, pressing her hand against the wound in an attempt to slow the bleeding. "I called the scouts. Just hold on."
Ken reached up to stroke Lita's face as his world darkened and his body went limp. The daimon roughly pulled Lita away from her lover and restrained her. Lita just barely had time to register what was happening as pain ripped through her chest.
Ken, please hang on…Hurry up, Sailor Scouts…
Let me know opinions on whether or not to include Rini. And as always, reviews (even in PM) are appreciated!