Strong Destiny, Weak Heart
Unpleasant Surprises
Chapter 15
Disclaimer: I wish I could take credit for Sailor Moon! Alas, not my creation, only this story is.
Previously on Strong Destiny, Weak Heart:
"Rei, do you want to go out? It will probably be good for both of us to go out and be seen too, you know." Rei agreed and they decided to make it a regular thing, and instead of seeing him every day, she'd give the other girls a chance to visit with him. They agreed to go out three times a week also, but made sure they were different days then Serena and Reagan. Though running into them may help their cause, they didn't want to risk falling apart and reveling the truth. It seemed to really help that he wasn't seeing Serena, and even though he missed her, it was easier to not see how happy she might be without him, and see the pity for him in her eyes.
And now the continuation...
Chapter 15
As the weeks past, Serena grew more fond of Reagan. She even contemplated telling him the truth about the sailor scouts but she resolved that it was too big of secret, and he could be very upset at the fact that she kept it from him, or worse, he wouldn't want anything to do with the scouts, or her. As the months went on, Rei and Darien discovered they didn't have the feelings that Rei believed she'd had for him before. Instead, it was more of a loving brother and sister relationship, but it worked all the same for the purposes they intended. It was no longer embarrassing when they hugged, or held hands. It was comfortable and seemed normal of the two. Darien no longer felt alone, and to Rei, that was the most important thing. The only thing no one seemed to notice, was the large force taking over the world. It had started in America, people were scattered in the streets, scouting, recruiting people, forming some kind of 'cult'. It was spreading slowly, so much so that no one really seemed to notice the change. The scouts never noticed because they never really focused on the 'world news' unless it was a 'major' change. The new enemy was also able to cover their tracks well. When someone resisted, they were killed, but they were clever enough to make it look like an accident, very few were able to resist. It slowly took over the world, and lastly, made its way to Japan...
-2 years later-
As soon as Reagan walked into the Arcade, Andrew felt uneasy. He knew what Darien and Rei were doing, but he also could see how happy Serena and Reagan were together. He found himself wishing Reagan would have just stayed in Ireland where he 'belonged', for both his friends sakes. Reagan just walked straight up to him, which caught the blonde man off guard. Especially since Serena was nowhere to be seen. "Hey Andrew, um, would you mind doing me a favor?" Reagan was keeping it short and to the point.
"Uh, hey, where's Serena?" Andrew asked, knowing exactly where she would be at this time.
"She's studying with the girls right now, I purposely came while she was busy."
"Oh, well, what's on your mind?" He said, distracting himself by wiping down tables.
"Well, Serena's 16 and a half, and I really want to throw her a huge birthday party for her 17th birthday! I thought you'd be able to tell the girls to call me? Would it be cool if I left my number with you so you could have them call me?"
"Um, sure."
"And just so you're not left wondering, you're invited. It wouldn't be a party without one of her closest guy friends now would it?" The red head smiled at him.
"Um, what about her other 'guy friends'? Especially a certain one her friend is dating?" Andrew asked boldly. Reagan's smile quickly faded, then returned, with force.
"Sure, he can come too, I'm sure Rei would be lonely without him." Reagan said, trying to play the 'good guy' in a lose-lose situation for himself. He didn't want anything to ruin the party, and so he wanted everyone Serena knew to be invited. The only invite-tee that would bother him would be Darien. Reagan reasoned with himself, 'a few hours of bearing him would mean the world to Serena, and would also show me as the better man'. "Well, I've got to go, I'll fill you in on the details later, I've got a lot of stuff to take care of!" The man called to Andrew as he left quickly. Andrew just waved, speechless, holding a card with Reagan's name and number on it for the girls.
After training, as predicted, the girls walked into the Arcade and sat themselves down in a booth, grabbing menus from the next-door, connected cafe. Andrew walked over to them and told them what had happened before they came in.
"Wow, really?" Rei asked, truly shocked by the fact that Andrew confirmed Darien would be invited. Serena wouldn't be joining them, it was one of her date nights.
"Yeah, I was just as surprised as you are. Here's his card, I guess he wanted you guys to be involved. Maybe with ideas? I don't know, but if it's Serena, you guys will have it under control." Andrew said smiling. The girls nodded in agreement as Andrew went back to work.
"So, do you think Darien will want to go?" Mina asked, unsure how Rei and Darien's relationship really worked, but she knew they did care for each other, however when she went to visit him, she could sense the love for Serena still there and burning brightly as ever.
"I don't know." Rei answered honestly. "It's not for another six months, he might just go back in forth from going to not going."
"Well, I hope he goes." Ami said, "It will give him a chance to see Serena, and they will both see where their feelings lie."
"That's true, but I hope this doesn't make him go backwards as far as progress." Lita said carelessly.
"What does that mean?" Mina asked, skeptically.
"Oh, nothing! I just meant it took him a while to get over her, and I don't know how he'd react to seeing them together, you know?" Lita said as she waved her hands frantically, trying to blow off her mistake.
"Over her? I don't know if that's possible, but it is great that she's not the only thing in his life anymore. Rei has given him the realization that Serena isn't the only one who can stop him from being lonely, and that alone is a feat within itself." Rei blushed and turned toward Mina.
"Well, I'm doing what I can. I guess I'll let Darien know the next time I see him." She said, trying not to bite her nails with anticipation. She was anxious to see what Darien's reaction would be to the news, but at the same time, she was hoping he wouldn't go at all. The last thing she wanted to see was him in pain for any reason. "Darien has to decide for himself, I just hope he doesn't do anything he might regret."
"What does that mean?" Ami asked, finally looking up from her notepad. She had been writing down ideas on what they could help Reagan with, and themes.
"Well, I don't think there will be a fight, but if he makes a move on Serena, I don't know what I'd do!" Rei answered honestly, unsure about how Reagan would react seeing that first-hand also.
"Do you really think he'd take it that far?" Mina asked, picturing it herself also.
"I wouldn't put it past him." She said sadly.
"If he goes, we're going to have to keep our eyes on him." Lita said, feeling in the mood to play bodyguard or referee, as the situation called for. "Where is Darien now?" Lita asked, feeling like Rei should tell him as soon as possible.
"At work, they called him in for an extra shift yesterday, so he went in today, and he has class after. He'll probably find time to train tonight."
"Does he ever sleep?" Mina asked, wondering how he had such energy.
"He doesn't have a sleep schedule, but he sleeps when he can. I'd better head home myself, I have chores to do for the temple. Maybe we should schedule a meeting with Reagan? During Serena's study time would probably be best."
"Yes, that's a good idea. I'll ask him about it when I call him, after I get home. I'll set it up, shall we meet at the arcade?" Ami said.
"I don't see why not. Later guys." And with that, Rei left.
Darien was finally getting off of work after a double shift, and was heading toward the exit to the hospital, when he heard his name called behind him.
"Darien? Darien Shields?" Darien turned around and noticed the person who called his name was actually an older gentlemen, not far from the grave from the looks of him.
"Can I help you?" Darien asked as he stayed where he was, making the old man come to him. Darien couldn't figure out why, but he knew the old man looked familiar for whatever reason. Yet he couldn't remember where he'd seen him before.
"I was hoping we could speak in private."
"Actually, I have quite a busy schedule..."
"Please, I'm sure you'd be interested in what I have to say." Darien contemplated his options, then thought it best to at least humor the old man. One missed class, or training session wouldn't phase him.
"Okay, how about we meet at the park in about half an hour. The one with the small lake and large fountain?"
"Yes, I know the one. Thank you for meeting with me." He bowed to Darien and left. Darien was even more confused. Shouldn't he have been the one to bow to the old man? He brushed it off and got ready for the meeting, heading home to shower and change. Once Darien arrived at the park, he noticed the old man already seated on a bench. He went over and had a seat next to him.
"So what's this about?" He asked wearily as he looked the old man over. He wore a suit, as if he had come to a meeting, and was clean shaven. He obviously was not taking this meeting lightly.
"I know who you are."
"I'm sorry?"
"You don't have to pretend with me Tuxedo Mask, or would you prefer Prince Endymion?" Darien was on guard immediately.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean, you must have me confused with someone else." Darien was getting ready to get up, when the old man pulled him back down with incredible force.
"Don't play coy with me! Please your Majesty! I've been waiting for so long for you to reclaim your throne! And I've even made it so easy for you!" Darien could see the desperation in the old man's eyes. He just couldn't figure out why he looked so familiar.
"Who are you?" Darien asked, trying to solve the mystery.
"Don't you recognize your loyal subjects when you see them? Even the ones you were once so close to, you seem to have forgotten so easily?"
"What are you talking about?" The old man could see the genuine confusion in the young prince's face, and decided to start from the beginning.
"I take it you remember Beryl? She even went as far as calling herself Queen?" Darien stiffened at the memory. "So you do remember? I am her father, and a loyal follower of the Earth Kingdom, Alum. I was one of your most loyal followers, and my daughter was infatuated with you. So infatuated in fact, that she turned to dark powers to win over your heart. You turned her down, and she vowed to destroy what she believed stood in the way of your love for her. Queen Metalia granted her some wishes to prove to my daughter that she would have the power to win you over. One of which, was for our family to have a long life. I was able to escape the battle due to my age, which allowed the wish to fulfill itself, the rest of my family wasn't so lucky.
"So what do you want?" Darien didn't want to fight the old man, and thankfully he didn't seem like he was there to challenge him.
"I want you to regain your rightful place as Prince of the Earth. Ever since the Moon brat was brought into the picture of our planet, we have become a weak race, and many have come to claim our energy. We were once the protectors of others, and they would come to us when they needed a defensive measure. I am sorry to see how far we have fallen, now we must rely on the weakest to protect the strongest? We are much stronger than what we have become. As a race, if not as a species. Earthlings are now thought of as weak, and easily manipulated. As an elder follower of the old kingdom, I cannot allow this to continue. I have seen too much to stand idly by any longer, and have read many times how earthlings have been saved by the moon brat whom I know calls herself Sailor Moon." Darien couldn't believe what he was hearing, but once the old man finished telling his tale, he knew it was true. "Do you see what she's done to you? What she's done to us as a planet? She has done nothing but made us weak! I have gathered your forces once more. The planet is yours to reclaim, you need only give the word."
"What are you talking about?"
"I have taken over much of the world. The only place left to rule is Tokyo. Everyone is now a loyal follower to you and your kingdom. They are only awaiting the return of the Prince."
"Everyone? No one rebelled?"
"The ones who did, were killed. It's that simple. Weakness will no longer rule us."
"You're mad! You can't do that to people! To innocent lives!"
"Ah, there's the fire of our old Prince and rightful King! I am backing down to you, giving it to you, for you to rule as you please."
"I don't wish to rule at all! Not now, and certainly not like this!"
"How dare you! Do you have any idea how much work and effort it took for me to give you such a gift? I only want our kind to thrive and become what we once were! Before Queen Metalia and her evil energy tainted our planet! They weakened us, but we can take it back!"
"I want nothing to do with you!"
"You realize this means war? A war for the ruler ship of Earth, are you prepared for the doors you are about to open? Aware that they cannot be sealed again?"
"I will take on any challenge you bestow upon me, don't think I'll be destroyed so easily."
"Perhaps not, but I know the aliens you care for are still as weak as when they ruled the skies. Perhaps they would prefer to avoid destruction."
"This is between me and you."
"Ah, but you must look at the brighter picture. This is about Earth vs. Aliens. They have come to claim our land as their own! Just as the others before them stealing our energy!"
"You're wrong, I don't wish to kill you, as you have murdered others."
"You're calling me the murderer! What about the moon brat! Instead of cleansing my daughter of her hatred and evil energies, she destroyed her! Loyal followers that were once in your kingdom as well! They were tainted, not lost! Countless others as well! She's no saint! Not even close, she's killed more people that anyone in the solar system! Even if they don't have bodies, everything has a spirit! I know you can feel when they die! You can feel the spirit of any soul on this planet, and when it leaves this plane! You have your precious princess of the moon to thank for your pain!"
"No one is innocent, I've never been foolish enough to believe anyone is."
"And yet you protect her still. Even after I've told you all this. Love. Hmp. She's managed to brain wash you just as she's brain washed all of her followers. Just as the moon kingdom before her."
"Alum, no one has any claim to anything, people have a right to choose what they want or who to follow."
"If that is your decision, we shall meet again, and not on as good terms."
"I understand. I'll be waiting."
"Until next time 'my prince'." And with that, Alum, the old man left. He rushed over to the training grounds, to prepare for the battle ahead.
To Be Continued...
Special Thanks/Mention: BeautyoftheTerra, Starrlight1812, xx Twilight Princess xx, Jovian Sun, , inufan155687, Ami-chanMercury98