Chapter 13

Clash of Swords

His obsession was getting out of control; Caleb thought as he, Esmeralde and Diamond were transported to the main power room. Caleb looked quietly to the side at his friend. Diamond had been quite distracted since his mother was taken back.

"Sapphire, turn the maximum power output of the black crystal on the crystal palace on Earth." Caleb's eyes widened. He couldn't be serious? "As soon as we're ready, we'll descend to Earth once again." No, no, that would be bad. All the soldiers back on his home land? Destroying what was left?

Diamond wanted his mother back as well. That was mainly the driving point of what Diamond was doing and he knew it. But he be damned if he left his friend have her. Right now, he was having a tough time wanting to stay on the dark moon. To continue trying help change and protect his friend. He told him his mother was off limits!

"Diamond!" He protested, earning an annoyed sigh. "Neo Queen Serenity has refused to kneel before you now, even as she did in the past!"

"Sapphire." Diamond's voice was threaded with irritation and frustration, but Caleb persisted.

"You have forgotten the original objective! You—ah!" He was thrown back by dark power. He hit a pillar with a loud bang, air whooshing from his lungs.

"If you have time to lecture me hurry up and start the adjustments." He said in dead seriousness. Caleb gritted his teeth, glaring at him as his friend turned his attention to the image orb of his mother. Darkness or determination and obsession entered Diamond's eyes.

"Remember when I said destinies could be altered Sapphire? I will make her mine no matter what." He said softly.

XOXO

After wandering the palace after the children were asleep, the Scouts and Guards stared in awe at the towering crystals that made up the palace.

"It's frighteningly quiet in here. Was ever last person in here killed?" Jupiter said looking at the dust cover floors. Nephrite gave her hand a little squeeze.

"But if this place was protected by the Silver crystal it should have not been damaged so easily." Zoicite spoke up. There were murmurs of agreement.

"I wonder what the hell happened to the crystal in this time?" Mars frowned. "Also, I wonder what Sailor Moon and Tuxedo mask are talking about with King Endymion."

XOXO

It was strange to wear clothes her future self had stuffed in her over flowing closet. But at least they fit and weren't just frilly dresses so she dressed in dark-blue jeans and long sleeved baby blue sweater. It was dark, only faint light from a small slender candle lit the lines of the lush bedding and smooth furniture. Rini was asleep in the huge poster bed and Serena sat by her daughter brushing the hair from her face. She lingered there for a moment before kissing her cheek and leaving the room. Darien waited outside, leaning against the wall in silent contemplation.

"Ready?" He asked, taking her hand. Serena nodded and both left to meet King Endymion. He was in a room that had been shut since their arrival. In the center, she saw a huge crystal statue that matched the wall and architect of the crystal palace. As they got closer, Serena saw that it was the alter with her future self. King Endymion had a hand on the smooth surface, his head bowed and eyes closed.

"I sense questions." He surprised them as he spoke. Serena wrenched her eyes from the alter.

"Caleb. Where is he?" King Endymion sighed and looked up.

"He's safe. I suppose I should tell you the beginning." After a while, Serena let out a shaky breath. He was a spy? And he was so close to the enemy?

"Why would you allow him to do something like that?" Darien demanded. King Endymion looked away.

"I had to. If I had told him no, than he would have done it anyway. His heart is set on changing his friend and you know as well as I do where he gets that from." Serena felt a little guilty, knowing that what Kind Endymion said was nothing but the truth. So many times she fought for what she believed in and ignored her own personal well being. Huh, who would have thought Caleb would have got that stubbornness from her.

"How do you keep in contact?" She asked.

"He usually contacts me if something big were to happen. He hides messages in the dark crystals power so no one would suspect. Every time a wave of magic slams into earth, I always check to see if he has a message. He was the one who told me where to find you after you were kidnapped."

"So, it's just whenever?" Darien asked. The king nodded.

"From what I understand, Caleb thinks that Diamond's ambitions are no his own. A man named Wiseman is pulling the strings, but when he tries to tell Diamond about it, the young prince ignores him. Right now, he's just waiting for proof so he's laying low."

"I see." Serena's voice was tight. Caleb, he was risking so much, she couldn't help but fear for him. And Rini, she must really miss her brother. "Can we see him? A picture, anything?" She asked. The king smiled and took his pocket watch from his vest. He held it out and an image of a young man came into view. Serena's eyes widened. She saw him before, why didn't she know her own son? When they were in Rini's mind, he was there was well and helped her out. The tall, lanky boy dressed in a dark blue uniform. Rini's guardian angel.

"He looks like you." She murmured to both the king and Darien. The moment was interrupted by a soft knock.

"Come." The king called out and closed his watch. Soon the room filled with the Scouts and Guards. As they approached, they shock wore off after they saw the Queen in her crystal coffin.

"Is she dead?" Jadeite asked only to have Mars slap his arm.

"I don't know." Serena stiffened at the response. She couldn't be dead! I can't be dead right now…right? "If we had the Silver Crystal maybe we could have done something. But it has been lost."

"Lost?" Venus asked with a furrowed brow. "How?"

"I don't know about that either. I can only assume it was taken by someone. Right before the Dark Moon's Attack." Serena touched her broach that was in her pants pocket. She had the silver crystal, maybe it could work? She flipped open the cover and stroked the power to life. Holding it high above her head, pink lights danced in the room. The lights flickered over the crystal coffin, but the person inside had no reaction. Fatigue was setting in and she halted the magic. It was no use, she didn't even stir.

"She can't? Even Sailor Moon can't save my mom." The sad voice had the group turning to see Rini in her pajamas holding her Luna P tightly. She closed her eyes as if holding back her tears and ran from them. Serena started after her, but Darien held out his arm to stop her.

"Let her be alone for now." He told her. With a sigh, she held herself back. She knew Rini liked her independence, but she couldn't see her future daughter in so much despair, especially since she was the cause.

XOXO

The group had parted as the meeting with the King ended. Serena was still a little worried about Rini, but Kind Endymion said as long as she stayed inside the palace, she would be alright. Hopefully the girl would no leave the safety of the palace…

As Serena and Venus walked together they heard the clashing of metal on metal. They exchanged confused looks and followed the sound. Toward the back of the palace they saw one of the twins fighting Vahn with very real swords. The long, slender weapons flashed wickedly in the grey sunlight. Venus started forward, but out of no where, Kunzite's huge hand stopped her and pulled her back in the shadows, out of the sight of the boys.

"Come on Torin! Five noogies if he wins!" The other twin called from a wooden bench, eagerly watching the sparing two.

"Torin is too slow! Vahn always wins!" Noel yelled from the other side of the sand arena, crouching a safe distance away as he watched the foot work of the boys. Vahn was well tuned to swordplay. Torin was a bit sloppy, but he was perceptive and quick.

"How long have they been at it?" Venus asked Kunzite.

"He beat Jude and Noel quickly and now it's Torin's turn." He said calmly, but Serena as well as Venus caught the pride in his voice.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Venus mused and Kunzite's lips twitched, lifting into a smile.

"A little." He admitted, staring intently at the boys. After a few more minutes, Torin was unarmed.

"Man!" He whined and grabbed his sword from the sand.

"You're all too easy." Vahn gloated with not so much as a bead of sweat on his forehead.

"Am I?" Venus, Serena and Kunzite looked to the edge of the arena to see Rin dressed in a silver toga like dress. She was bare foot and her hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail. Vahn lifted his sword, suddenly very serious. Rin simply smiled and went to the weapon cabinet by the wooden bench and withdrew a beautifully crafted sword of blazing silver and warm gold. Her name was etched in fancy script on the well-worn hilt.

"I've been practicing." Vahn said in a cold, haughty voice. Rin raised an eyebrow with her sword balance perfectly in her hand.

"Have you?" She said in a mocking voice and the siblings circled one another keeping eye contact.

"Yes. Dad has been showing me." He said, raising his chin in pride.

"Do you remember what he taught you?" She asked. Vahn looked a little insulted.

"Of course."

"Really? Because last night I could have sworn you forgot your matters. If Dad had seen the way you acted, he would have not been pleased." She shot at him. Vahn was expressionless except for his stormy eyes and he said nothing. "Let's make a deal." She said in a deadly purr.

"What kind of deal?" He asked warily.

"If I win, you have to go to Mom and Dad and apologize to them for being such a little punk."

"They're not Mom and Dad!" Vahn practically yelled. "Mom and Dad are trapped in the Sacred Chamber."

"They are Mom and Dad, and I know you miss them." Rin hissed, her bright blue eyes flashed dangerously. "Ever since the Sealing, you've been nothing but a pain! Growling at everyone who tries to talk to you. Hiding like a little baby so I have to go look for you. Mouthing off so even Uncle gets frustrated. You're so angry and selfish but that's all going to end right now."

"What are you going to do?" Vahn sneered and Rin pulled her sword back in attack position, her knees bent, and her arm out to the side, her shoulders perfectly aligned.

"Beat you." She said softly and Vahn attacked first, growling with a quick slice in the air to make her take a step back. But Rin was a well rounded fighter, Serena could tell and she didn't finch as their swords clashed together in a loud ring. Rin went on the offensive, startling Vahn to protect himself. She hammered away at his sword, spinning on her toes as Vahn's sword did a crescent slice, angrily stopping her attack. Rin spun and then her sword collided with Vahn's in professional accuracy even though he was hacking away in unpredictable short strokes.

"That's sloppy little brother!" Rin yelled at him and corrected him with a mighty arch, smashing him from his rhythm. He stumbled back, shaking his stinging hand and sore wrist. Rin gave him little time to recover as she sliced the middle.

Venus gasped, but Vahn jumped back and rolled to the side. Rin turned in anticipation, letting him get to his feet. Little whips of her platinum hair escaped her pony tail, blowing around her flushed face and her silver dress flapped around her slender legs. Vahn was really livid now and he pushed his thick blonde hair from his face and let out a battle cry as he jabbed her, but Rin slapped the attacks away like nothing, turning her wrist, manipulating her blade so Vahn's sword would spin from his hand. The sword twisted in the air like helicopter blades, but Vahn managed to catch the hilt of the sword and back away to gain some space between them.

"You were lucky." Rin mocked.

"It wasn't luck. It was skills." Vahn shot back, trying to catch his breath. Torin, Jude and Noel sat in mute rapture on the bench.

"No, this is skills." Her attacks changed. Whereas in the beginning it was rushed and quick, now she had a hand on her hip and her sword lazily out stretched. Vahn eyed her, not to sure what to make of the new stance. He circled her and then all of the sudden he charged, but she spun elegantly to the side like a ballerina. Now the battle was more playful that angry. Rin spun, slid and jumped from his attacks as Vahn worked himself tired. His arms shook now and he blinked as sweat rolled into his eyes.

"Quit doing that." Vahn snapped, wiping his sweat with his arm. Rin shrugged.

"Fine. Let's end this." She said and with one simple movement she took him off balance and knocked the sword from his red hands. He fell back with a grunt, landing hard on his butt in the sand. His sword flew in the air and Rin looked up and caught it with her free hand. The boys all erupted in cheers.

"Wow." Serena said in awe as she watched Rin toss the swords to the side and approach her brother. He was still breathing hard; tears were streaming down his cheeks. He scrambled to his feet, preparing to run when Rin grabbed his blue shirt and pulled him back into her arms.

"Let go!" Vahn cried angrily, but Rin put her cheek on the top of his head and kept him in her embrace.

"Stop Vahn." She ordered sternly and the boy stopped all at once, turned into her arms and returned her hug. His shoulders shook violently and Rin rubbed his back.

"They'll be back." She hummed, kissing his head. She pulled back so he could look at her. She was just a little taller than him, so she bent and helped him wipe the tears from his face. He sniffled and Rin kissed him on the cheek. "They'll be back." She repeated.

"I know." Vahn said.

"And don't feel bad about losing. Dad still has so much to teach you and I bet one day you'll seek revenge on me. I'll be ready." Rin said with a smile. Vahn laughed and hugged her.

"I'll be better than you sister." He said. Rin smirked, ruffling his thick blonde hair.

"We'll see about that." They stared at one another for a moment and then left the sand arena with the younger boys following, recounting the whole sword escapade in excited tones.

"Wow." Serena repeated looking at Venus and Kunzite. Venus had tears in her eyes and Kunzite was glowing with pride.

"I'm a damn good teacher." He said cockily and Venus laughed and hugged him.

"She was pretty good. Come on, let's go free their parents for them." Venus said, pulling his shirt. Kunzite was smirking, still unable to really say anything about Rin and her sword skills. "Come on Serena!" Venus exclaimed. Serena shook her head.

"Wow."

XOXO

Something wasn't right. She should have been back by now. Serena thought as she parted ways from Venus and Kunzite. She wandered through the huge palace, contacting her scouts to tell them to find Rini. Everywhere she went, there was nothing and she bit her lip. Damn, where could that girl have gone? Dread filled her stomach, fear and panic like she just lost Caleb in the mall or something. As soon as her scouts made contact, she knew the horrible truth. Rini had left the palace. No sooner did the thought form did the palace shake as if feeling her realization.

"Serena, come to the main control room." Mars's voice echoed through the empty halls. She ran, entering the room with a loud bang as the door hit the wall. The huge security screen was filled with the image of a huge, green dragon.

"You're kidding me right?" Zoicite asked in disbelief.

"We're going to fight that thing?" Mars asked.

"Wait, don't worry." King Endymion touched a dial on the control panel and a 3-d image of the dragon came to view.

"Don't be deceived by its appearance. You must have keen sight to know its true form. That dragon is amplified by a different energy. A human's life energy."

Mars frowned. "A person's heart?"

Serena shivered. "What kind of person's heart would create that monster?" She flinched at the palace shook.

"At this rate, its going to break through the barrier." Kunzite said and the rest nodded. Serena transformed quickly.

"I guess we have no choice." Jupiter said softly. They all ran out to the dragon and Serena shook.

"Man, its bigger than I thought." She said in a depressed tone, her head sinking to her chest.

"We'll lose if we're frightened." Mercury gave her a pat on her shoulder. Still, a big frightening monster? With red hair? And big teeth? That could smash her like a pancake? The dragon dove and a rush of wind knocked then to the ground.

"How are we supposed to fight this?" Venus asked ducking as it made another swoop. "I guess we just have to take a chance! Venus love-me chain!" The golden chains spun from her finger and silt the belly of the dragon. It let out a howl of anger and knocked her down with a powerful flutter if its wings.

"Did she do it?" Nephrite asked, keeping a protective hand on Jupiter's waist. The cut healed right before their eyes. Mercury tapped one of her earrings and her visor fell over her eyes.

"There was some damage. We just have to keep hitting it."

"Jupiter thunder clap!" The sizzling disc caught the dragon in its binds and fell to the ground with a loud crash.

"Yay! That's our Jupiter!" Serena yelled, jumping in pride. There was still a cloud of dust and she peered into it, getting closer and closer. Was it dead?

"It's still dangerous! Don't go near there!" Darien yelled to her. Serena waved him off.

"It's okay—ah!" Beyond the dust, a pair of big red eyes peered at her. She stumbled back. The dragon opened its mouth.

"Dancing lights!" Various steams of lightning rained from the sky and hit the ground with angry hisses. The attack stopped the dragon's advance and she felt Darien take her in his arms and dash them to safety.

"Who?" She turned to see a little boy surrounded by a green halo of power.

"Noel? What are you doing here?" Nephrite demanded, pulling Noel's arm and dragging him close to he and Jupiter.

"What? You needed help!" He protested hotly. "It coming!" His eyes were wide.

"Mars fire surround!"

"Shine aqua illusion!" The attacks hit dead on, but it shook it off as a mild annoyance. Its mouth opened again and fire swelled deep in the dragon's throat.

"Amber shield!" Two voices shouted and a bright shield of power mushroomed over the scouts and guards. Serena blinked at Rin and Vahn, their hands outstretched with golden magic sprouting from their palms. The fire was deflected and Venus and Kunzite placed themselves in front of the pair.

"I'll yell at you later!" Venus snapped at them, her eyes burning with anger and protectiveness. Kunzite's jaw was tight.

"Get back now." He spoke in a chilling tone. Both siblings glanced at one another, but Rin glared back.

"We're not totally helpless you know? We've been dealing with the Dark Moon's yomens since before you came—" She held her tongue as both Venus and Kunzite stared steadily at them.

"Now." Kunzite bit back. Serena even took a step back with the two. Rin was blushing with anger and Vahn just sighed and took his sister's arms, yanking it.

"This is just great." Zoicite muttered, pulling Mercury forward as the children stepped back. "Did you even damage it?"

"Transform." Darien shouted at his guards. All of the nodded, putting a right hand over their shoulder. Their fingertips glowed and the light washed sideways over their clothing, changing them into uniforms of light grey. Their capes swished in the chilling wind. "Go." Darien ordered and the guards all charged at once, long sword in their hands. They were quick, Serena had a hard time keeping track of where they were moving. The dragon roared as various slashes appeared over its body, only healing over in an instant. "Remember what the King said. We have to get to its true form." He turned to Serena.

"And its true form is a person's heart." She whispered, she looked over the dragon, her eyes landing on the green jewel on its forehead. "Aim for that!"

"Got it!" Two familiar boisterous boys said. "Fire Soul!" Twin fireballs spiraled from the twin's pointed fingers and hit the target dead on. As soon as it hit, they both jumped and high-fived each other. "We are so great!"

"I know," The other said and then rolled his eyes "and mom said we needed to work on our aim!"

"Jude! Torin!" Mars screamed in frustration. The boys quickly dodged her arms and ran back, out of danger. "You're both grounded!"

"What! That's no fair!" Jude whined.

"We helped didn't we?" Torin whipped 'the lip' out and Mars turned from them.

"That's doesn't work on me!"

"Oh boys, you saved your Daddy's life! No, no, you're not grounded! I'll talk with her." Jadeite had dropped in out of nowhere and gathered both twin in his arms in a hug. Mars stared open mouthed at the three boys, her eye twitching.

"Look!" Rin brought their attention back to the dragon. The huge dragon began turning to sand, melting into a smaller form. Everyone stared as a figure emerged.

"Esmeralde?" Serena whispered a feeling of sadness washing over her as the girl faded.

"Yay! We did it!" The twins hollered, even Noel joined in exchanging congratulatory hits in the arm. Serena and Darien stood side by side, watching Mars argue with the twins. Noel grinned, despite Nephrite's blank look. Jupiter was glad that he was alright. Rin and Vahn were silently staring at Kunzite and Venus.

"I assume we taught you those attacks to protect yourselves, but that situation was something that you should have not rushed head first into." Kunzite began.

"He's right." Venus said coolly, and then smiled, brushing a strand of hair that tangled in Rin's eyelashes. "Thank you for helping." She turned to Kunzite who merely nodded his head.

"Thank you." He said in a tone so warm, Serena felt gosebumps on her arms. "Both of you." Jeeze, who knew your future kids could get such a reaction from her Scouts and Darien's guards? Parenthood really changed people.

"Uh…m-mom—d-dad? I'm sorry about the other day. I just—I mean…"

"We know. Don't worry." Venus spoke up before Vahn tumbled into stutters. He brightened and when Kunzite left back to the palace, Vahn was right by his side.

XOXO

AN: I'm working on chapter 6, "Moondusted" and that will be posted before the month is out. Again, sorry for the lengthy updates concerning my other stories as well, busy life and the school semester is coming to and end so I have to study for finals…anyways LOVE you all for sticking around! Review! Kisses :muh: