Disclaimer: I so don't own SM…if I did I would write myself in as Darien's main squeeze.
A/N: Sorry it took like 45 years for me to come back and finish this.. Just know that I am back on the ball.
~Previously~
"Darling," Ikuko jerked her body violently from him and threw the letter before his feet. "You stripped me of my babies, now you bring them back. Bring them back Kenji or so help me, you'll regret it!" She yelled. She turned got up and left. He heard the slamming of the front door. She had gone out in the thunderstorm. The wind whipped about him violently. He read Sammy's letter and cried. Kenji never noticed that the woman who left the house was not his wife.
Present
They sat in the parlor. Serena held Sammy to her on her right and Darien sat on her left. Amara and Michelle flanked Hotaru on the double love seat across from them while Trista claimed a high back arm chair near in the middle.
" Not to interrupt the Kodak moment, Neko, but what do you mean he heard your call?" Amara voiced the question on everyone's mind. Sammy had clearly been through a lot in the time that Serena had been banished. She noticed hoe sunken and dull his usually bright eyes looked. He had dark circles around his eyes, his skin was slightly pale and he lost some weight.
She brushed his brown bangs out of his eyes. "I kept having this dream about last summer. Sammy and I had gone down to the lake. I was standing on one side of the lake and I kept calling for him to find me but he couldn't hear me." She explained, she didn't dare take her eyes off of him. She had the distinct feeling that he would disappear if she did.
"Sammy said something to me about a picture of the two of you at the lake. He said you were calling for him to find you and that's how he ended up here." Darien relayed the information that he had been given in the car.
"It still doesn't explain how he found her here. How did he know where to go?" Trista asked. "What? Something you don't already know?" Darien quipped in an attempt to lighten the mood. Trista just sent him the death glare from Pluto, clearly marking her disapproval. 'I don't think she likes me.' Darien whispered through their link. 'She just needs to warm up to you. She likes you just fine.' Serena assured him.
"I don't quite know how to explain it. I just started walking in this direction and it just felt right." Se said still hiding his face in the comfort of his sister's embrace. He finally looked up, his eyes held a haunted look in them.
"Things aren't right Sere. Dad is drinking and locks himself in the study, mom cries all day; and none of us are allowed to speak your name or go in your old room." Sammy rambled on, "I tried to tell them the truth about you Sere. I tried to tell them that I found out your secret but they wouldn't listen to me." Everyone in the room stiffened. How in the hell had he found out who she really was.
"I found the box years ago. The one that you keep your real diary and stuff in, not the fake one that you keep under your bed. The stuff that shows how smart you really are. I tried to tell them but dad just screamed and it made mom cry more." The tension quickly left the room once they realized that their cosmic secret was still safe.
"You little snoop. Why didn't you tell me that you knew?" Serena asked playfully. He pulled back and bowed his head sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders he said, "I figured when you were ready for everyone to know, you would tell them, until then I made fun of you to keep it going." It all made sense to her now. Looking back she realized that his taunts about her incompetence had changed from once in a while to everyday.
"I should have stood up for you Sere. I am sorry I didn't. I shouldn't have let dad do that to you!" The young boy sounded so defeated. Serena squeezed his hand lovingly.
"You couldn't control it, Sammy. I don't want you opposing him." She resisted the urge to call him Dad. Though she did feel bad for Sammy and their mother, these people were her family now. "You need to be strong for mom, Sammy." Sammy wiped his face and sat up. "I know mom needs me, but I want to be here with you." He pleaded, his eyes swimming with unshed tears.
"Serena is right, Sammy. Your mother needs you and you need to be there for her. This is a rough time for all of you and this has been particularly hard on Serena. I am sure that you can visit with her anytime you want." Michelle said to him. Amara squeezed her shoulder in agreement.
"I know. But could I really come visit? Would that be okay?" Sammy asked, uncertainty stamped all over his features.
: "Of course that would be okay." Serena affirmed before she enveloped him in a tight hug. He seem to visibly relax, knowing that he would be able to see his sister.
"You are welcomed anytime you want to see Serena." Trista told him. "But at this time, I think it is best if you call home and let your mother know that you are alright. Serena, you may want to give Sammy your cell number in case he wants to get in contact with you." Serena nodded at Trista and programmed her number into Sammy's cell. His phone rang as she handed it back to him. His face tightened when he checked the caller ID before he answered.
"Hello, father."
"I understand…..I am fine. I will be home soon….I don't need a ride…I just needed some time to myself…Uh-huh…..Yes sir." Sammy hung up the phone and let out a heavy sigh.
"I guess you have to get home?" Serena said, sad that her visit with her brother was so brief.
"I will come back tomorrow if that's okay."
"Perfect.."
They all stood to see him out. "C'mon, I will give you a ride home." Darien offered. Sammy nodded and took the coat that he offered him. The doors opened and Sammy gave Serena a quick hug before preceding Darien out. Darien dropped a quick kiss on her lips and winked. 'See you in a couple of hours.' She nodded silently and closed the door behind them. The rainstorm that raged outside turned the bright afternoon sky dark. Something just didn't feel right but she didn't know exactly what it was.
The outers stood in the foyer waiting for a sign from their Princess. "I guess now's as good a time as any to explain it all huh?" She said lightly.
Back in the parlor they resumed their original seating; only this time Hotaru sat next to Serena. "I don't know where to start. There is just so much to explain."
"Why don't you just start from the beginning?" Michelle offered.
Serena sighed as if in deep thought, then a twinkle came to her eye. "Once upon a time, there was a kingdom on the moon."
"Cute. I think you can fast forward just a little." Amara chuckled.
"Well, it did start back on the Moon Kingdom." Serena started again. She let the memories of old slide before her eyes like a private picture show.
"When I was thirteen, I studied a lot. I wanted to be so much like my mother. I remember your mothers were her advisors then. I wanted to be strong, graceful, and intelligent like my mother so I pushed myself extra hard. I knew that Prince Endymion and his family were visiting soon and I wanted them to like me." The girls smiled at the memory of their mothers; they learned to follow proudly in their footsteps.
"I knew that my mother's marriage was arranged to my father, a prince of the Star Kingdom. He loved her from the moment he met her. I wanted it to be the same for Endymion so I studied hard and practiced harder. Did you really think it was easy keeping this figure as much as I eat?" She asked to no one in particular. Shaking her head, she refocused her thoughts. "Anyways, the day before he arrived, I remember overhearing one of the Earth Diplomat's daughters talking to her friends about Endymion. She said how She heard from one of his friend's maids that the Prince wasn't fond of intellectual princesses. He wanted someone subservient and who wasn't too concerned with politics. I wanted my mother to be happy with the match, so I programmed myself to do the very opposite of everything I learned. It was a disaster, to say the least." She smiled at the memory and sighed as if reliving a pleasant dream.
"After a dinner in honor the Earth Royals, I went out into the rose garden to think. I hadn't been making any progress with the Prince and I had been itching to get my hands on a book that my father had given me. I sat out there reading when Endymion snuck up on me. To make a long story short, he discovered the truth and held my secret. He said he would keep it as long as I always promised to be myself around him. It has been like that ever since."
Amara shifted and crossed her long legs in front of her. Michelle resettled herself into her shoulder, finding a more comfortable position. "That makes sense for then, but why keep up the charade now?" Amara questioned.
"Kenji used to hassle Sammy real bad about not being able toe keep up with his other classmates. I figured it would be easier for him if there was an easier target." Serena explained shrugging her shoulders. "So you gave up your image for the sake of your brother." Trista commented. The length of the Princess's compassion and understanding never ceased to amaze her. She had gone out of her way to offer Trista a life and a family when no one else had. This is a Princess she would gladly give her life for and had never been prouder to call anybody friend and family.
In Front of the Tsukino house
Sammy hesitated before getting out of Dairen's car. "You will take care of her right?"
Darien looked the younger man in the eye. There was much to admire about the kid. "I wouldn't dream of anything else." Sammy looked away to keep Darien from seeing the tears misting in his eyes again. In the driveway, he spotted two vehicles; he knew both of his parents were home. The lights were off in the two story home, but he knew they were there.
"Here is my number too," Darien said handing him a small white business card. "Anytime you need a ride to see your sister, or you just want to get away and hang, just give me a call. All my contact information is on there." Sammy took the card gratefully and climbed out of the low slung sports car.
Running up to his front steps, he turned his key into the door and went inside. Darien started the sports car and started to pull off until he heard the loud sound of glass breaking. Looking up he saw that all of the lower level windows of the Tsukino house were blown out. Sammy's bloody body was sprawled face down on the front lawn. Immediately, he leapt into action, transforming into Tuxedo Mask and sent an alarm to the Outers and Sailor Moon. 'Sere, you need to get over here quick. There is a large amount of negative energy swirling inside the Tsukino house and Sammy is hurt!' He sent her the mental message.
At the Mansion
Everyone immediately tensed. "It's Sammy!" Serena screamed. She was surrounded by a silver light and when it was gone Super Sailor Moon stood in her place. The Outers followed suit and transformed.
They headed for the door just as Sailor Moon stopped them. "I have a faster way of getting there." Holding out here hands gold and silver light engulfed the room as a staff appeared in her hand. The staff was just as tall as she was and constructed of Lunarian Ivory. A large crescent moon rode the top of the staff and beneath it the Moon Kingdom's coat of arms. She tapped the staff twice and immediately they all felt to pull of gravity as they were transported through time and space.
When the light faded, they found themselves outside of the Tsukino household.
"Now that was a kick ass trick!" Sailor Uranus exclaimed.
Sailor Moon looked around and spotted Tuxedo Mask bent over Sammy's body. She took off in his direction. Sammy's clothes were tattered and torn. Tuxedo Mask was harnessing the power of the Golden Crystal to heal the serious injuries.
'He'll be fine. He just got caught in the outer edges of the blast. It had to have originated from somewhere in the back of the house.' He relayed to her. She touched Sammy's forehead and he whispered her name. A single tear escaped and fell down her cheek onto his face.
"I'll stay with him." Tuxedo Mask said aloud. She palmed his cheek affectionately and straightened. The Outers stood in front of the entrance of the house where the door used to be.
"It seems to be isolated. We must have stepped into some disturbed space." Sailor Pluto commented. "It's like no one else can see what happened until they step within the boundaries of the barrier."
Sailor Saturn nodded in agreement. "It works like my Silent Wall."
Thick, oppressing fogs of energy licked at the entrance and windows. They beckoned them like a predator calling out its prey.
Movement behind them called their attention; the inner scouts had arrived.
"Oh my God!" Sailor Mercury cried. Sailor Jupiter ran towards Sammy but was pushed back by a mental pulse. "Don't touch him." Sailor Moon said quietly. When they all finally turned their attention to her, they realize that she was in Super SM.
"Stay away from this one. This is personal." She said in a calm voice.
"You are no longer her guardians, so you don't belong here." Sailor Saturn said hotly, glaive in hand and ready for action. The young soldier of death rarely lost her temper, but something about them targeting her Princess's family struck close to home.
"I want you all to stay behind on this one." Sailor Moon said, turning to face the Outers.
"This is a trap. You know you can't go in there alone." Sailor Neptune argued.
"I know it is. This can't be avoided. I know my limits. I will call you when I need it." Super Sailor Moon replied. Neptune wanted to argue with her but Pluto stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "We will be here when you need us Princess."
Sailor Moon nodded and disappeared into the dark embrace of the fog.
The moment she stepped inside the fog parted and led a path straight to the study in the back of the house. She touched the knob and it pulsed with negative energy. When she opened the door a blue and black fire raged in the fireplace. Behind the large redwood desk was her Kenji's high back chair. Kenji was tied to the chair with ropes of dark energy, his head was slumped forward; his dirty blonde hair fell over his eyes. It was impossible to tell if he was awake. Super SM took careful steps towards the desk. Something wasn't right. This was simply too easy.
"It was nice of you to join us." Ikuko's voice drifted towards her from near the fireplace. She turned to see her mother dressed in a long black silk night gown. Her hair in waves of blue and black fell down her back. She rose slowly from the chaise, her movements deliberate.
"What do you want? I know you want to talk. You could have just killed them and drawn on my anger to bring me over to your side. But you want something from me." Super SM stated.
"Smart girl. Then again, you always were. I have been sent here by my superiors. We have been watching you since your rebirth, moon child. As you know there is a cosmic balance that must be kept. You are the key to its destruction and its restoration."
"So what do I call you?"
"Marron, is what I am know as."
"Okay, so lets cut the crap. I hear what you have to say and you lave these people alone." Super SM stated.
"I can live with that." Marron(Ikuko) agreed.
"You had better, because if you don't you and your superiors won't live much longer.
Marron/Ikuko motioned for her to sit in an armchair while she retook her position on the chaise.
After what seemed like two hours Super SM stood up. "Why do I feel like I am making a deal with the devil?"
"Not the devil. He's messy and doesn't know how to take a joke." Marron/Ikuko joked.
"Fine. As long as you agree to my terms, we have a deal." Super SM held out her hand and Marron/Ikuko shook it.
"Now about you leaving that body. Is it possible for you to take another form or do you need a host?" Super SM asked.
"Our Maker's idea of a joke. We can freely take the form of any animal. But to be human, we must find a host body." Marron/Ikuko said, the disgust clearly marring her features.
"Well, find one you like and restore this place to it's rightful way." Super SM said.
Ikuko/Marron's body wavered a little before laying back on the chaise. A dark cloud of energy pulled out of her body and shot into the black and blue flames in the fireplace. The flames swirled around into a ball; a black creature came crawling out on all fours. It looked like a cross between a lion and a house cat, but not quite. It had the sleek medium build of a house cat, but the flowing mane of a lion. When she stepped closer, she could that the cat's mane and was made of the black and blue flames. Twin flaming tails whipped behind her. It was the size of the a full grown Labrador.
"You're staring." Marron said aloud.
"Awwww, you're so cute," Super SM teased. "But do you come in anything that doesn't require a permit?"
Marron humped something about Lunarians never being satisfied and shifted her power some more until she was just a little bigger than an average house cat; all without looking fat.
Super SM tapped her foot impatiently and nodded toward Kenji and Ikuko. With another heavy sigh, Marron pulled her energy and replaced everything that had been distorted and destroyed. "As promised they won't remember a thing." Super SM nodded and turned to walk out of the study. Marron followed suit and hopped onto her shoulder and settled into her arms. Despite her dark nature, she always loved to be held. Sensing this, Super SM hid a small smile and just stroked her back. Strangely the flames did not burn her. She looked down at Marron with a raised brow.
"Only when I want them to." was all she offered by way of explanation. It was then Super SM saw her eyes were swirls of black and blue. Satisfied that everything had been restored, she made her way outside to the front yard.
The rain had reduced to a light drizzle. When the Outers spotted her, they ran forward but stopped short when they saw her holding Marron in her arms. She looked to see Tuxedo Mask with Sammy. His clothes had been repaired and his injuries healed. She sent him an appreciative smile. 'Sailor Saturn helped a lot.' He said.
"Take him to his room please. We need to leave immediately; there is lots of work to be done." She said to everyone. When he returned, Marron cleared her throat. They all looked at her strangely.
"Everyone this is Marron. We are allies." She said looking down at the cat. "For now."
Spotting Tuxedo Mask she jumped from Super SM into his arms. "Well, hello handsome." She purred and rubbed her face against his chest. Super SM just shook her head. "Watch it hell cat. My claws are longer and sharper." She warned Marron.
Marron made a rude noise and settled down in her new spot.
"Well, that was fast." Amara said.
"What do you mean? I was in there for over two hours!" Super SM said, clearly puzzled.
"Time moves differently in my realm. When I command the space I can speed it up or slow it down." Marron said nonchalantly.
"We need to get out of here. She already knows our identities but we need to get out of the open." Super SM informed the Outers and Tuxedo Mask.
They retransformed as they walked toward Darien's car.
"We will use Sailor Teleport to get home. You and the Prince have expended too much energy today. Amara will drive you both back to the house." Michelle informed them.
Hotaru, Michelle and Trista disappeared while Amara, Serena and Darien piled into his car and pulled off.
The inner scouts just stared at them, completely oblivious as to what just happened.
"Did they just say they were allies with a demon?" Sailor Venus asked.