AN's this week will be posted at the bottom. Thanks to Kaitlyn Fall for beta-ing, and thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. I love hearing what everyone thinks of my stories! And here's a special shoutout to Railway Station, because without her constant encouragement on LJ (add me!) and Twitter (add me!), I'd probably be a little slacker or slower with the writing...
Disclaimer: I haven't done these in a while.... Oops. The only character in all this Time Warpedy-ness that belongs to me is Aria.
"That can't be a girl," Darien deadpanned as Sailors Neptune and Uranus stepped out of the transportation pod. The blonde looked about as feminine as a tree... and she was in a skirt. Serena elbowed him, but it was too late. Sailor Uranus narrowed her eyes at him.
"What did you say, boy?"
"You look like a bloke," Darien stated bluntly as the intimidating Sailor Scout from Uranus stalked up to him. Sailor Neptune, who was alongside both, placed a soothing hand on her companion's arm as Sailor Uranus balled up a fist.
The blonde counted to ten slowly in her head and let the anger drain from her being, just like Sailor Neptune had taught her.
"I'm trained to kill," she settled for, her eyes hard and unblinking.
Darien raised amused eyebrows. "Wow; death by she-male? Wonder what that's like!"
Serena pushed the raven-haired man out of the way before Sailor Uranus could bring out her sword. "Hi, I'm Serena, Serenity's future self!"
"Holy sh-"
"It's lovely to meet you," Sailor Neptune stepped in swiftly, cutting off Sailor Uranus.
"You look just like her! Unlike your arrogant little friend here." Serena was suddenly crushed as the tall blonde's arms circled her and she was trapped in the middle of a bear hug. Darien watched on, unimpressed.
When Serena gave a pathetic wheeze, the Scout let go and stepped back, grinning. "You and I are going to get along just fine, little one. It's going to be great having two Serenity's running around. Although," she peered around the room for the girl in question. "Where's the Serenity from this time?"
"Right here," a breathless voice said as she darted into the room, hitching her dress up as she ran. "Uranus! Neptune!" She dashed to the couple and hugged them tightly, forgetting all protocol. "You're here!"
"Well we certainly wouldn't miss the chance to see your double, now would we?" the beautiful Scout of Neptune said, smiling.
"And where is little Saturn? Did she not travel with you?" Serenity asked, noticing the missing person.
Neptune shook her head. "No, I'm afraid something came up and she had to stay on her planet. She wishes you well on your," she lowered her voice, although there was hardly anyone in the room who didn't already know. "engagement."
Uranus stepped up again. "So, where am I staying? Because I am telling you now, I will not be sharing a wing with this guy." She jerked a thumb at Darien, who rolled his eyes.
"You get the Scout quarters of course!" Serenity laughed. "I doubt that mother would put you anywhere near the Generals again after last time..."
Sailor Neptune put an ashamed hand to her face as Sailor Uranus grinned. "Oh yeah. That was a great little incident, wasn't it?"
"So you'll be coming to tonight's ball?" Endymion asked as he entered through the same door Serenity had just moments before. "It's good to see you both again, by the way."
"Oh, yes!" said Serenity. "Please say you're coming to the ball! Please Uranus!"
Sailor Neptune nodded as her partner grumbled an agreement. "We shall be there with bells and whistles, isn't that right, darling?"
"Whatever. At least this time we get to go in uniform. I hated wearing those dresses!"
Darien burst out laughing at the mental image of Sailor Uranus wearing a dress and she shot him a filthy look. Endymion shook his head subtly at Darien behind the Scout's back. Darien got the hint.
"So let Serena and I take you to your rooms!" Serenity said, grabbing their wrists. "I think we all need some time to get ready for tonight, don't you? After all, you've travelled over half the solar system to get here." She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you've got jetlag by now."
Darien and Endymion watched as the four girls began to leave. Suddenly, Sailor Uranus turned around and spoke to Darien in false sweetness. "Oh, darling, would you be a dear and hook up the transportation pod for us?" She giggled in a mocking way and pulled the door behind her.
Darien and Endymion exchanged looks once the door closed with a 'snap'.
"Did I not warn you not to make any comments about Sailor Uranus?" Endymion sighed, walking up to the vessel.
"You never said she'd be so masculine!"
xXxXx
"Announcing her Royal Highness, Princess Serenity of the Moon and Princess Serena of the Moon."
"Why don't we get introductions?" Darien muttered under his breath as he stood beside Endymion at the bottom of the grand staircase. Standing where he was had to be the biggest déjà vu feeling he'd ever experienced, and he remembered all too well how it had ended last time. He'd got thrown in actual dungeons and was nearly executed.
Looking up at the stairs, he caught the eye of the descending Serenity, who winked playfully at him before resting her gaze on her fiancé beside him. Right beside Serenity floated Serena, as she matched each step perfectly with her double –either Serenity was rubbing off on the klutz, or her subconscious was beginning to rise to the surface. They both wore the signature white gown of the Moon Princess, but Serena's had a faint pink tinge to the bottom of the hem, separating her from Serenity.
Darien suddenly felt the sensation that he was being watched – which made no sense, since there had to be at least thirty or forty people looking at him. When the hairs stood up on the back of his neck, and a shiver made its way down his spine, he turned his head, subtly trying to catch sight of the onlooker.
Serena reached his side and cleared her throat, bringing him back to the present.
"Oh, right." He held out his arm and she took it, just as Serenity took Endymion's beside them. He felt her bracelet cool against his skin.
The pairs made their way to the thrones, where Queen Selene stood, waiting to make her announcement.
Serena didn't understand why she and Darien had to be there, since it was Serenity and Endymion's news, but nevertheless, she was grateful to be included in the celebration. Queen Selene smiled at her before speaking to the audience.
"Ladies and gentleman, fellow Lunarians and guardians of the solar system, I bear great news. An alliance shall soon be formed between the planet Earth, and the Moon."
Murmuring broke out as soon as Queen Selene had paused, and she waited until it died down before continuing. Some women in the front of the crowd looked excitedly between Serenity and Endymion, already figuring it out.
"This alliance shall come in the form of marriage."
The hall echoed as one, collective gasp was made. Once again, Darien felt like he was being watched, very, very intently.
"Let the celebrations begin!"
xXxXx
"Don't you think we make a cute couple?" Serena asked as Darien twirled her around. Darien blinked. Did he hear that right? Him and Meatball Head? Together? When she was back in his arms, he asked,
"What?"
Serena nodded over to Serenity and Endymion, who were dancing nearby. "I guess we were quite in love back in the day, weren't we?"
Darien watched as Endymion pulled Serenity closer and whispered something in her ear. She giggled loudly and whispered something back. "Yeah, I guess we were," Darien murmured. They continued dancing as they watched the other couple for several more silent moments.
"Imagine if we were like that!" Serena suddenly mused, laughing. Darien's eyes slipped from Serenity and Endymion to hers. Blood rushed to both of their cheeks as they realised what she'd said. They didn't speak for the remainder of the song, and when the music finally ended, they gladly parted, clapping along with everyone else.
"Okay, that's enough," Serena panted as she pulled herself out of Darien's arms and off the dance floor. "Please, no more dances."
"Oh come on Serena, you can't be tired already?"
"Darien, we've been dancing nonstop for the past hour. I want a break! Now go do something useful and get me a drink."
"I'm not your slave," Darien groaned, before his eyes caught sight of the brilliant red-haired woman he'd been avoiding for the said past hour. Truth be told, he hadn't wanted to stop dancing because he was afraid she'd ask him. And she was scary.
Her deep purple gown looked severely out of place in the room, as it was incredibly low cut and had a daring plunge to its neckline. Not at all modest like Serena's gown.
Very early on, Darien had been aware that it was her eyes he could constantly feel on his back, but had no idea why. The look she was giving creeped him out a little bit too, which was pathetic. He could just picture Sailor Uranus voicing her opinions. Be a man, she would say.
Darien straightened and did just that.
"All right," he sighed to Serena, disappearing into the crowd. Actually, the drink was just a cover; he was hoping to lose the red-haired woman's attention. Maybe she'd see Endymion and stare at him instead. That was why she was looking at him, wasn't it?
Serena watched in confusion as Darien waded through the dancing couples, supposedly to the drink table. Trouble was, he went in the entirely wrong direction. What was up with him? She turned to head to the balcony, feeling some fresh air would cool her off, when someone stepped on the back of her gown, jerking her back.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she apologised to the woman, even though it wasn't her fault. Well, what could she say? Excuse me, you're on my dress, could you please get off?
The woman smiled at her, revealing very white; and very pointy teeth. Serena would have stepped back if she could, but the woman had yet to get off her gown.
"Congratulations on your engagement, your Highness." She gave a small curtsy, which seemed almost mocking to Serena.
"Oh, actually I'm not..." She trailed off as the woman laughed loudly at her.
"Do you know, I have been just dying to meet you for quite some time, my dear? What do you say we step outside and have a quiet chat?" Though she was smiling politely, there was something in her eyes that Serena didn't like. She tried to discreetly tug the dress out from under the woman's foot.
"Actually, I was just getting a drink," she said.
"Nonsense! Endymion can bring it outside; he will know where to find you!"
Serena bit her lip.
"Perhaps I might be able to sway you in the promise of showing you a secret spot on the balcony that overlooks the rose garden?"
Serena's mind ticked over. "All right then," she agreed. "But we won't make it too long; I think I'm up for a bit more dancing."
The woman in the purple gown stepped off her dress and led the way to the balcony, with Serena directly behind her.
"So what did you say your name was again?"
The redhead leered into the darkness. "You can call me Beryl."
xXxXx
Darien politely excused himself from a very interesting conversation with astronomers from Mars as he saw Princess Serenity glide past. He jogged up to her and caught up.
"Sorry Serenity, but have you seen Serena around? I haven't seen her in a while, is she with you?"
Serenity smiled at the thought of Darien missing Serena. "No I assumed she was with you, but I shall keep on the lookout for her. Weren't you dancing with her just half an hour ago?"
Darien shrugged sheepishly. "Well, yeah. But I went to get us some drinks, and when I came back she wasn't where I left her. I assumed she'd gone off with you or one of the Scouts. But it's fine, it's fine. I just have a funny feeling, that's all."
The princess pursed her lips. "Yes, I have the same feeling." She laughed. "I'm probably just being silly. It's not like anything bad has happened. I'll just go ask the Scouts. Maybe she's with them."
Darien nodded gratefully, and decided maybe he should ask Endymion or the Generals. He passed by a harried Jadeite, but he was too preoccupied with getting Mars her drink before she 'fried' him, and Zoisite was in the middle of a deep conversation about star alliances' and comets.
As Darien passed the young girl they'd encountered on their first day on the moon, he stopped to ask her.
"Uh, hey, Aria, wasn't it?"
The girl stopped and turned suspiciously to him, before seeing who it was and rearranging her expression.
"I beg your pardon, your Highness," she curtsied. "Yes?"
He felt a bit stupid, asking this kid if she'd seen Meatball Head, like some parent enquiring after a lost child.
"You haven't seen Serena by any chance, have you?" He scratched his head nervously.
Aria looked thoughtful. "Yes, a while ago, I did. She was right over there about ten minutes ago," she pointed towards the base of the stairs. "I can't remember who she was talking to, though."
Relief broke out on Darien's face. He gave her a smile and thanked her before rushing off in the direction she'd given him.
But five minutes later, he still hadn't seen her. He sighed and realized he'd have to ask Endymion for help. He spotted the prince nearby and zig-zagged through the crowd to get to him. Endymion watched curiously as he approached. Again, feeling like a bit of a moron, Darien scratched the back of his head.
"Hey, uh Endymion? You haven't happened to have seen Serena, have you?" Darien quickly added, "I just thought I'd check up on her in case... in case she was stuck talking to someone really boring."
Endymion almost smirked at the cover up. So Darien liked Serena, did he? Well that would make Serenity happy... Wait, what was that?
He frowned. "You mean she's not back get?"
"Why, where did you last see her go?"
Endymion quickly recalled his last memory of seeing his fiancé's future self. "She was heading outside with Lady Beryl about half an hour ago, I believe. Didn't she come back in?"
"But I just… I…" Darien felt cold, plummeting dread. "Who's Lady Beryl?"
Endymion shook her head. "Don't worry about Beryl, she's fine. She's from Earth, like ourselves, and an important and loyal contact of the Terran Royalty. But if no one has seen Serena since then... Most of the guards are inside the Palace tonight, so there isn't much protection outside."
Darien's eyes widened. "I'm going to check out there, okay?"
Endymion grabbed his wrist to stop him leaving. "I'll come with you; I don't like this for some reason." The pair made their way quickly to the double doors that would lead them to the gardens below, grabbing the Generals as they went. When Mars began to follow Jadeite, the other Scouts caught on and Serenity was swiftly ushered with them, remaining in their protective care.
Darien half-walked, half-ran outside, torn between which direction to go. The group immediately split up once they were aware of what was happening, and in groups of three, they searched for Serena.
It was only after a few tense minutes when Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mercury and Nephrite called out. Endymion, Darien and Serenity dashed to the trio as fast as they could. Surrounded by the others, Sailor Mars knelt by the ground, gently prying something pinky-white from a thorny bush.
"What is it?" Darien asked as soon as he arrived, trying to see.
"Isn't that part of Serena's gown?" Sailor Jupiter asked nervously. Everyone stared at it for a few seconds before panic settled over the group, like a haunting fog. When Sailor Mars ignited fire above one of her fingers, they followed the darkening path, pointing out drag marks or footprints that occasionally appeared. When the marks suddenly stopped, the group were stumped.
"Which way should we go now?" Malachite asked, stepping forward, eyes wary as he glanced at the fork. It was useless to split up into two groups now, not when they were so far away from the palace, and in so little light.
Suddenly, Serenity cried out and pushed through her circle of protectors, stumbling towards the left path. She fell to her knees and stuck her hand in a thorny bush, pulling out a shiny object.
"What is it?"
"What has she got?"
"Serenity?"
The group surrounded her as she knelt on the ground, hugging the object to her chest dearly.
"Sere," Endymion put a hand on her shoulder. "What did you find?"
The Moon Princess looked up with tears streaking down her face. With trembling hands, she showed her friends what she'd found caught in the bush.
"But... That's your bracelet," Sailor Venus pointed out. "What is it doing out here?"
It was one of Serenity's most cherished possessions, and she'd never allowed anyone but herself to wear it. Drawing in a shaky breath, Serenity breathed out the words no one wanted to hear.
"I leant it to Serena tonight. She was the one wearing it."
Darien recalled the feel of it, cool against his arm, earlier that evening.
Everyone seemed to be suspended for several beats before they all snapped into action.
The Scouts were first to react. "We've got to get you out of here, Serenity."
But Serenity shook her head and clutched at Endymion's hand, which was still on her shoulder.
"No," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Tell my mother first," she instructed. "And then alert the guards. I think Serena's in trouble."
Well isn't this suspenseful? Mwahahaha! Maybe I should tell you now I won't post for two weeks? I'M KIDDING! I'd never do that to you all :) On some happy news, I am almost finished with my next-next fic (as in the next fic is complete, so I'm almost TWO ahead!), which should be done by either tonight or tomorrow night, and you can read all about it in my updates on my profile. And sorry everyone, I have decided to post only once a week as it keeps me ahead with the writing, and just because Saturday is really the only day I can keep consistent on. But don't worry! If the cliffhangers get too big, I promise to post the next chapter very soon.
Have a great week everyone! Don't study too hard (think Usagi-chan style)!
Xo
Carmen
PS – on a totally awesome and random side note, I was researching Sailor Moon the other day for my English Assessment (hey! Can anyone think of a good SM episode in season 1 or 2 that exhibits lots of power? All I can think of is A Crystal Clear Destiny/Princess Revealed....) and I got distracted, as one does, and I was surfing through IMDB for goodness knows how long, and I came across Susan Roman, who voiced Sailor Jupiter in the English dub. Ironically, she also starred in a TV show called Time Warp Trio. Now does anyone else think that is a coinky-dink or what? XD