Author's Notes: Wow! Such an overwhelming response for the first chapter! I am so deeply humbled to the following for reviewing TropicalRemix, Brizzy, Terri, SerentiyMoonGodness, sakanascales876, nebelflecke, loveinthebattlefield, EvaC, Sere, Jenbunny, Jovian Sun, midnight blue08, YingYing, DalekDavros, LGCoffeeAddict, mangamania, lillian, and Jessie F. Babi. This chapter wouldn't have been written without you guys! As to that question I posted at the end of the last chapter, I really haven't decided yet what I'm going to do. Hell, I'm not really sure if this story will end in ten chapters, I might have to make it longer if the story line I have going on in my head sticks around. So, for the moment you guys are stuck with Endymion. Also, like with chapter nine and ten of the first one I kind of relayed on the manga for a scene in this one, even though I recreated it. Hope you guys like this one!

Disclaimer: One: I don't own Sailor Moon, which is so very sad. Two: I don't own the song "False Pretense" by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Three: This is a spinoff idea of the story In Darkness by the wonderful AngelONight. Four: This story is rated M for a reason. Mostly because of dark themes and language in this chapter. Enjoy!

Shadows of the Night: Darkness Remains

By: afallenblackrose

All along you know you thought you got the best of me

You were wrong and I'm laughing right in your face

I cannot believe you claimed you were my family

Don't sweat it, set a false pretense

Betrayed, but not going to be willing to change

And it doesn't seem likely to fade

Betrayed, but not going to be willing to change

'Cause you know

~ False Pretense ~The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Juuban Park had always been the place, the center of everything, in Usagi's eyes. The many youma battles, the tree where she had made her promise to herself to turn Mamoru back to the Light, and the memory that stood out the most, the run in with Mamoru back when things were only just beginning. The memory alone brought a smile to her face as she wandered through the trees. She needed to get out of that apartment complex. She needed to get out and away from his staggering presence. She still needed to think about what she had just discovered, or at least, hope to God that she was mistaken. The park was the first place that came to mind and Serena's feet had carried her here.

She began to wander, not sure what to think about what had just happened. There was no way, not after that long and tiresome battle that spanned years that this could be happening. Usagi sighed and stopped walking. She smiled a little when she realized that she stopped at the fountain in the center of the park. It had been awhile since she had walked by this fountain. The water, of course, had been turned off due to the late hour, but there was still water in the basin along with a few coins.

Many believed that there was an ancient spirit guarding this park and that it granted wishes. It was a silly superstition, she knew but, at the moment, she needed all the help that she could get. Fetching into her pocket she found a single coin and tossed it in. Please let me be wrong… she thought to herself. A wind picked up, as if agreeing with her wish, but on that wind she could have sworn that she heard a ghostly chuckle. Mamoru's chuckle, the one he used so many years ago when he was teasing her.

*Flashback*

It had been a week since the masquerade ball at the Tokyo Embassy and only three days since Usagi's world had been turned upside down, again. After the death of the Dark Kingdom's second general, Nephrite, the Senshi hadn't expected them to attack anytime soon. But they were wrong. It had taken all the Senshi by surprise. Zoicite had taken the disguise of a powerful psychic and had brainwashed TV executives and the people of Tokyo to search for the Silver Crystal. Using the waves from Tokyo Tower, they had begun to take people's energy at an alarming rate. Ami, Rei, and Makoto had been able to transform and avoid the Dark Kingdom's attack.

Usagi hadn't been so lucky. She was caught on the street and succumbed to the attack. She didn't really remember what had happened next with exact clarity, but what she did remember was that she felt really warm and her energy had returned to her. When she opened her eyes, Tuxedo Kamen was staring down at her, looking almost helpless. Usagi sat up and knew even before he told her, that the Dark Kingdom was at work. In the back of her mind, she wondered how he knew that she was Sailor Moon, but she put it aside for later. People were dying.

She threw her hand into the air and shouted, "Moon Prism Power!" Once the light show faded, she jumped into the air with Tuxedo Kamen by her side. There were people collapsed everywhere and she didn't know what to do. Luna had told her last time that she was the leader of the Sailor Senshi. Ha! Some leader she was. As if sensing her despair, the Moon Wand that Luna gave her appeared in front of her. Would this help bring these people back to life? She looked at Tuxedo Kamen, who was staring back at her, reassurance and strength in his gaze. She wouldn't know, unless she tried, she couldn't help but think. Taking the wand within her grasp, she put her will behind the power.

"Bring these people back to life, please!" She pleaded. Warmth spread through her again and she watched as people who only moments before were motionless, sat up. Her strength began to dwindle and she felt herself lose consciousness for the second time that day.

When she awoke, she was not in her own bed. But it didn't feel like she was in danger. Her Sailor Moon transformation faded as she sat up, and something fell into her lap. She uncovered her legs and saw the most beautiful star-shaped locket that appeared to also be a watch. Usagi wondered if Tuxedo Kamen had dropped it before he left her here. Tuxedo Kamen … a part of her thought and for some reason, a chill went up her spine. He had known that she was Sailor Moon. He had seen her transform. Words that Luna had said after the masquerade ball drifted into her head, He may be our enemy. It couldn't be true! He had saved her so many times. He couldn't be their enemy. Usagi finally looked around wondering where she was.

As if on cue, the door to the bedroom opened and she looked up, expecting to see Tuxedo Kamen standing in the doorway. But it wasn't him. In fact, it was the very last person she would have expected to see there.

Mamoru Chiba? Wha - ?

"Oh, good, you're up," his voice encompassed her. He walked into the room, ignoring Usagi's open mouth and wide, shocked eyes. Mamoru Chiba was standing in the room with her. Mamoru Chiba was in the room with her. The phrase kept repeating itself in her head, but it just wouldn't compute. What was Mamoru doing here and did he know that she was Sailor Moon? What was Tuxedo Kamen thinking bringing her here? The thought went through her head, but her eyes had already found the answer. Mamoru was wearing a white buttoned up shirt with black dress pants. And, as her eyes drifted around the room, the chair in the corner put all the pieces together. There was a black cape, a black top hat, and a white mask lying on that chair.

Oh. My. God. Mamoru was Tuxedo Kamen? No. But that meant her first kiss from the masquerade ball! It was with him? She looked at him, willing him to explain that everything wasn't as it appeared. That Tuxedo Kamen was in the bathroom and would be with her shortly.

"You don't remember what happened, do you?" He asked those deep azure blue eyes bearing into her. Making her wonder if he could see all the way to her soul.

"No," she replied. "I don't really remember…"

He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You collapsed, totally drained of energy. Which after what you did, reviving all those people? I'm not surprised. I didn't know where to take you, so I brought you here."

"And where is here?"

"My place," this time the smile reached his eyes. He had walked around and was sitting across from her on the bed. Usagi could only stare. Why hadn't she seen it before? The way she felt whenever she was around Mamoru and Tuxedo Kamen, the voice, the hair and the smell. She should have put the pieces together sooner. But…a part of her couldn't help but intercede. What about that kiss from the masquerade ball? He had known who her civilian form was, he had danced with her for heaven's sake, but yet at the end of the night he still kissed her. What was that about? He had teased and made fun of her so many times, that she didn't think he liked her in that way, but… he didn't seem to regret it. At least, it didn't look that way…

"What could you possibly be thinking about so hard?" His voice interrupted her thoughts. She blushed furiously, realizing that she had been staring at him this whole time. Great, now she looked like a complete idiot, even though he was using that familiar teasing tone. Agh! This guy was going to drive her straight into an insane asylum she swore. "Hello, earth to Odango Atama." He waved a hand in front of her face.

"Would you stop calling me that!" She exclaimed causing a chuckle to escape him. "Sorry, I wasn't so attentive, but you just gave me a lot to think about. It's not everyday you find out your sworn nemesis saves your butt on a nightly basis."

"I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear you call me your sworn nemesis. I think you have bigger problems than that."

"I guess you're right," she sighed. So many things changed now. Mamoru and her, were they really enemies? Or, because of that kiss, they were something more? She had so many questions; she just didn't know where to start. Luna and the others would kill her if they knew… She groaned, which caused Mamoru to look at her in alarm. She waved him off. "Luna and the others are going to be worried. I better go…" She climbed out of the bed and made her way to the door. A hand slipped around her waist, stopping her and causing a hot flush to warm up her face.

"Don't forget your bag, Buns," that deep, husky voice said from behind her, and held out her school bag.

Usagi didn't remember leaving that apartment. Her mind kept thinking about Darien. He was Tuxedo Kamen. He saved her on a nightly basis. He didn't hate her like he pretended to everyday. And he called her Buns. The nickname sounded so natural, so right coming from his lips. Ugh. But he could be your enemy, the Luna side of her brain argued. Was he though? Usagi couldn't believe it. Like she said, her life had been turned upside down.

Her mind was still thinking about this a few days later as she walked through the park on her way to school. Luna was at her side, as she had been ever since Zoicite's attack, but Usagi didn't mind. What she minded was that she hadn't seen Darien since she woke up in his apartment. The Dark Kingdom hadn't attacked either, so Tuxedo Kamen hadn't needed to make an appearance. She wanted to see him, to talk to him though. But at the same time she was happy that she hadn't seen him, because she knew that they would talk the next time they met each other. What would she say?

Well, it was time to find out, a part of her registered as she saw his very familiar form sitting on the lisp of the fountain. Her feet had slowed as she realized that it was really him, and Luna looked up at her questioning, wondering why her charge had slowed. She walked closer, knowing that this was all ridiculous. She was fourteen not five!

He looked up from his book at her approach, a playful smirk on his face. "Hey," was all he said, causing her heart to beat faster and louder. Could he hear it from where he was sitting?

"Hey yourself," she replied. Oh, why did he have to be so devilishly handsome? And then his reading glasses perched just so… Get a grip, Usagi! She chastised herself and finally took notice of the book that he was reading and the stack at his feet. They were all about stones. Was he reading up on them because of the Silver Crystal? She internally sighed and threw her hand into her skirt pocket. Her hand closed around the star shaped watch. Oh, that's right, she drew it out. "I totally forgot, I think this might belong to you." She held it out for him to take it.

He looked at it and shook his head. "Nah, you hang onto it until the next time we meet. I have something to return to you too."

"What could you possibly have of mine?"

He chuckled, "You'll see next time."

*End of Flashback*

Usagi sighed. She never did find out what Mamoru had of hers. He was taken by the Dark Kingdom and turned not long after that. Sure, she could ask him, now, but Usagi didn't know if she could. She didn't even know if she wanted to go back to that apartment. Not if what she suspected turned out to be true. The memory she just relived trickled against her brain again. Things had been so simple back then. Okay, maybe not simple, that whole 'Tuxedo Kamen is Mamoru' thing had really thrown her, but at least it was simpler. Not as complicated as things were now.

Which brought her to the reason she was here. Mamoru had called out Serenity's name when they were together this afternoon. The only time that he had called her that was when he was evil. When he was Endymion. But Mamoru couldn't be Endymion. Her Silver Crystal had cleansed him when they had 'died' four months ago. The girls had been witness to it. They recalled the bright flash of light that belonged to the Silver Crystal. So how could there still be Darkness within him? And if there was, how come she didn't sense it?

A nagging thought loomed in the back of her mind. How did she know that it was the Silver Crystal that healed him? A logical and needed question. Some of the events from that battle were a bit hazy and that was because for all intents and purposes, she had been dead. Usagi remembered that Endymion had unleashed that 'new and improved' cloud that had sucked ten times the amount of energy that the one before it had. It was killing the people of Tokyo. Knowing that she had to stop it, she jumped into the cloud and began her attack from the inside. It had begun to work and her energy had begun to wane. That's when she had sensed two energies coming at her.

One of those energies had been the Silver Crystal from the future that Black Lady had been wielding. Which was strange, because she didn't think that the crystal from the future could work when it was so close to the crystal of the past. But there were two energies. What was the other one? It wasn't any of the Senshi, even if they all combined their powers, their energy signature wouldn't have been that strong. The same goes for the Shitennou. That left one other person that day that was there, watching as his plans were falling to ruin before his very eyes. The person who had a lot of reason to attack her, and so much to gain…

Endymion.

But the question was how had he channeled so much energy? Yes, he had been delved in Darkness far longer than the Shitennou and the Inner Senshi, but would it be that strong? Did Queen Metallia, who had been possessing him, loaned him the strength, or… The Golden Crystal is Endymion's crystal. Its power rivals that of the Silver Crystal. Her own voice echoed in her mind. The Golden Crystal, she groaned. But how had he gotten his hands on it? Helios had told her that she was the key to unlocking it and she knew that it was within his heart. The only time that he could free it was if he was in desperate need of more power…

Usagi wanted to hit herself on the head. Duh, she told herself. She had been so close to destroying everything that Endymion had worked towards, he needed to stop her somehow, so he delved down into his heart and the Golden Crystal was set free. This brought about so many problems for Serena. No wonder she couldn't sense any Darkness in him! When they had 'died,' Endymion's crystal had healed him instead of hers, keeping the Darkness within his soul.

And then why wouldn't he use that to his advantage? Usagi thought he was healed, that he had become Mamoru again, which was exactly what he wanted. The longer she didn't know, the longer he had to come up with a plan to get her, the Inner Senshi and the Shitennou back to the Darkness. What had she said a few hours ago? Queen Beryl and Metallia were able to get the drop on us, that's why we almost lost. Oh, the irony of that statement. No wonder she had seen Endymion (or at the time she thought he was Mamoru) smirk a little at her tirade. He was doing exactly what she had been fighting against. So many things were becoming clearer now, like why he had been so happy that the Outer Senshi had decided to go back to Los Angeles. Usagi hadn't understood it until now. Much to her disdain, the Outers were stronger and more perceptive than the Inners, and with them gone…Endymion was able to keep the wool over Usagi's eyes for a tad bit longer.

A headache began, throbbing in her skull and Usagi forced herself to sit down on the ground. She drew her legs into her and placed her chin upon them. Tears were threatening to spill over, but she was fighting to keep them at bay. She had thought that she had won. She thought that she had finally gotten her happily ever after. But apparently, the Gods above had other ideas. They weren't going to let her get off that easy, even though she totally deserved it.

But no. Mamoru was still evil. He was still Endymion. And she…the tears began to spill over as she realized what she had done. She had given herself to Endymion, not Mamoru like she had believed. And she had done it, many, many times. Fucking fantastic, she thought in her head. Just one more thing that I've been screwed over on and another thing Endymion is sure to hold over my head when we finally face off again. She groaned in despair at the thought. What was she going to do? Obviously, she couldn't heal him because of the Golden Crystal, but she couldn't kill him either. She had tried that already and failed. Besides, she didn't think she had the heart to do it again.

So, what the hell was she going to do? Since, sitting in the park was going to get her real far…she sighed and closed her eyes. She should have known that it couldn't be this easy. She was Sailor Moon Defender of Love and Justice and Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, soul mate of Prince Endymion of Earth. Nothing in her life was ever easy. Why couldn't she have been a normal teenager? She couldn't help but think, not for the first time in the last few years.

Usagi let her eyes close and her thoughts to drift off, she needed to sleep and there was no way she was going back to that apartment now that she knew the truth. Yes, it might become suspicious, but at the moment, Usagi didn't care. She wasn't one for pretending that everything was okay when it really wasn't. She could go over to one of her friends' homes but if they were really up to what she thought they were up to with the Generals, she didn't want to be around them. Besides she didn't want to worry them, just yet. This could wait until the morning. Usagi felt herself drifting off when she heard the screams.

Her head shot up in alarm and she looked around with wide, aware eyes. She got up from the ground and heard the screams again. She ran towards the area where she heard them and slowed down. Huddled on the ground was a couple, who looked scared out of their minds. They clutched at each other and stared up in horror at the sight before them. Usagi stared, and couldn't believe what she saw. Standing in front of the couple were two women-like youma. One had greenish skin and other's was tinged lilac. They both had small white wings protruding from their backs and despite their already tall forms, were wearing four inch heals.

"Would you two stop your screaming? It's getting rather annoying," the one with green skin spat out. "And it's not like it's going to stop us from taking all your energy." Usagi gasped, causing the one with lilac skin to look behind her. Luckily there was a bush nearby and she ducked behind it. She reached for her brooch, knowing she had to stop them from taking that innocent couple's energy, but she hesitated. By transforming into Sailor Moon, Endymion would be alerted and come for her, something Usagi didn't want. But, at the same time, she could block him from finding her and still transform and defeat these monsters. She was torn, especially because she wanted to know who had deployed these youma. She had a very bad feeling in her gut that she already knew who had ordered them. But even now, she was still hoping that she was wrong…

With much regret and a promise to heal the couple as soon as the youma departed, she dropped her hand from her brooch and continued to watch the horrific scene. The two youma had wasted no time in continuing with their plans during her moment of indecision. The couple continued to scream as their energy was drained from them. Soon, though, they fell silent and slumped lifeless onto the ground. The two youma cackled in glee.

"Perfect," the one with green skin said. "We got their energy completely without any interference from the Sailor Senshi."

"Yes, Endymion's plan is working perfectly," the lilac skinned youma replied. "He should be pleased at today's amount. We're almost to our goal."

"Yes, we are." The two of them exchanged wicked smiles and then disappeared into a dark portal. A portal, Usagi could only assume led to the Dark Kingdom. She emerged from behind the bush, and went to check on the couple. They both had a pulse, but it was very faint. Using the Silver Crystal, she silently healed them and wiped their memories. Usagi didn't want them to remember this horrific night.

As soon as she finished her task, she stepped back and thought over what she had just heard. Those youma had been working for Endymion and from the sound of things they had been doing this for the last few months. Endymion had a new plan that required energy and they were almost at their goal. What was Endymion planning and how had he gotten away with all these youma attacks without them realizing it? Usagi thought furiously. She sighed. She didn't know the answers, but she knew one thing for sure.

A new war was beginning, and this one was going to be far worse than the last.

Author's Notes: Ooh, so a couple of the Doom and Gloom Girls make an appearance in this one and Usagi now knows some of the truth. How will the girls and the Shitennou react? And what is Endymion's new plan? You'll find out next chapter! I'll try to update soon!