FA: Stars : Chapter 7
Travis sat on the park bench watching as the little girl darted in and out of the playground infront of him; his eyes never left her as her laughter echoed through the slides. His large hands held on tightly to the box in his hands that girl had asked him to protect for her while she played. She had explicitly explained to him and demonstrated how she wanted him to hold onto the box and he wasn't going to disappoint her.
"Da-Travis come play!" Lunic shouted running quickly correcting herself calling his name, he smiled to himself now understanding how Darien had been so wrapped around Reenie's little finger. He got to his feet and sat on the steps near a set of blocks that she was flipping up and down.
"This place is amazing," she said happily, "it's hard to go out like this at home."
"Why's that?" Travis asked.
"Daddy always has work to do and Mommy takes me to dance lessons a lot," Lunic didn't seem fazed as she spoke with only a hint of sadness present.
"Travis?" A feminine voice called and he looked up to see Crystal standing at the edge of the sand with one hand on her hip. He knew she was going to be angry, he hadn't intentionally meant to avoid her over the last few weeks but with everything going on it had been inevitable.
Lunic stopped what she was doing and darted through the maze of twists and turns running to the side of Travis and looking up patiently at Crystal.
"Who's this?" Crystal asked watching the girl carefully.
"She's family," Travis answered quickly.
"Pretty little thing isn't she?" Lunic buried her head in Travis' side showing her shy side. Travis wasn't having it and gently poked her side until he got a giggle while handing her the box he'd been holding.
"Don't be so shy, this is Crystal, she's a very special friend," Travis explained introducing his girlfriend to her with a smile. "Crystal this is Lunic."
"Hi!" Lunic greeted as Travis moved to his feet and helped her to her own as well. "You're very pretty."
Crystal couldn't help but laugh, "Are you training kids now to sweet talk women now?"
"Is it working?" Travis asked reaching for her to close the gap between them. Crystal rolled her eyes, Lunic let go of Travis' hand and reached her hand for Crystal's.
"Is this why you've been avoiding me?" Crystal asked softly as she felt the child's tiny hand in hers, she held on tightly. "You haven't bothered to see me in days."
"It's a lot more complicated than it looks," Travis whispered back to her, "Let's go get milkshakes?"
"Mmm!" Lunic said excitedly from her spot beside Crystal as they left the park passing all the other kids playing. When they reached the exit she raced ahead from the two to press the button at the lights to cross the road. "Ouch!"
Travis snapped his attention to the child and found her on the cement holding her knee, both Crystal and he quickly moved closer. Travis picked her up and led her to the bus stop besides the crossing as Crystal picked up the small box that fell out of the child's hands. Crystal sat beside the child on the bench as he examined her scraped knee, silent tears falling down her face.
"Why don't you go to store across the road to get some band aids and antiseptic while I watch her?" Crystal said, he looked like he was going to argue but instead got up and nodded knowing it was the most logical idea. He placed a kiss on Lunic's forehead whispering to her that he would make it all better. He then quickly kissed Crystal chastely before moving to the lights to press the button.
Crystal looked down at the child sniffling. "Don't cry sweetie, Travis will make it all better."
"But it hurts," Lunic sobbed, Crystal pulled onto her lap and started to run her hands over the girls arms to calm her down and handing her the box in the process.
"We tried," Crystal sang gently to the girl in her arms, Lunic seemed to immediately calm down as she buried herself deeper into her arms. "We tried all there is to try, I'm not, I'm not gonna let you fall this time."
"Let me hold you," Crystal continued her arms now wrapped firmly around the girl on her lap. "I won't let anybody hurt you. This is where we fall; this is where we fall apart."
"We fall," Lunic sang softly, "We tried to find home."
"So far and so wide, a distant moment crashes down," Crystal admired the girl she held, something about her pulling her in. "As our memories collide."
"Crystal?" Travis asked interrupting the moment between the two girls, "Are you okay?"
Crystal looked up quickly, not noticing the tears that had begun to fall down her cheeks. "Yeah, I, Uh."
Travis looked at her like he was working something out in his head, there was something so familiar about the scene infront of him; something so right and he couldn't put his finger on it. He held up the small first aid kit, Crystal moved Lunic on her lap so Travis could clean her up.
"You're very brave," Crystal commented as Travis dabbed the antiseptic on the exposed skin where the cut was, the child flinched but she didn't cry.
"My mommy always told me to be strong like Daddy and that it was in my blood," Lunic whispered looking between the two.
"I'm sure your Daddy would be very proud of you," Crystal answered gently, Travis placed the bright pink band aid over the wound reaching his hands out to pick up the girl in his arms, her tiny arms still wrapped around the box Crystal had given back to her
"Let's get you home before you hurt yourself again hmm?" Travis asked with a small smirk, "definitely born a rabbit."
Lunic giggled. "Can Crystal come for dinner?"
"Do you think Crystal would like too?" Travis answered looking at Crystal who just nodded.
Crystal sat at the small table in the middle of the room with Lunic beside her, Reenie sat behind the two watching the television as Travis supervised his sister in the kitchen attempting to make a recipe that Lita had shown her.
"Make sure you heat the hotplate up for around ten or fifteen before you put the meat on, that way it'll seal in all the juices," Travis explained, Serena nodded and smiled as she listened to the interactions between Lunic and Crystal.
"She's wonderful with kids," Serena whispered noticing how attentive Crystal was to the girl. "She's more of a natural than I am."
"Lunic really opened up to her so quickly," Travis answered, "it makes me wonder if she is her mother."
"How do you feel about that?" Serena moved her hand over the hotplate to feel for heat before picking up the salt and dropping a sprinkle in the boiling water. Travis couldn't fight the smile that formed on his face at that thought and he tried to hide the blush spreading across his cheeks.
"I really hope so," Travis said happily, "there isn't anyone else I'd rather it be."
"But you aren't so sure?"
"With the formation of Crystal Tokyo and everything, it just leaves a lot open you know?" Serena nodded because he was right; there was so much of the future that they didn't know. "I just want to know that she is the one I'll spend my life with, I love her Sere."
"I know you do," Serena whispered looking across the low wall where the three were in front of the TV, at this point Reenie was out of her seat beside Crystal drawing them. "I don't think you knew how much it would have broken my heart if Reenie wasn't his."
"I never want to live through that," Travis laughed, "but with that mop of pink hair it could have proven quite a possibility."
"I know."
Knock Knock
"Are you expecting any of the girls?" Serena just looked weirdly at her brother. ::I wasn't, but maybe they've come up with a plan?::
"Seiya?" Crystal's voice carried through the apartment. Serena told Travis to watch the cooking as she raced into the living room and saw Seiya pushing his way through the doorway with Taiki and Yaten behind him. "You can come here with your ladies in waiting but who the hell do you think you are the demand entry into this apartment?"
"Step out the way Crystal," Seiya said frustrated, "this doesn't concern you."
"You are entering privately owned property," Crystal bit back as Seiya stepped closer and the two were only inches away in each other's face, "I don't have to let you do anything."
"It's okay Crystal," Serena quickly interrupted appearing behind her friend. "Seiya, what are you doing here?"
Seiya looked between Yaten and Taiki his eyes narrowing as he saw Reenie and Lunic behind the two women infront of him. "We need to talk."
Serena didn't say anything instead she led the three through the apartment to the balcony, Reenie looked up with a smile at the three starlight's knowing that if it wasn't for their quick arrival the events of the night could have been a lot worse than what they were. Travis nodded his understanding while he focused on the meal infront of him and grabbed some extra meat from the fridge.
The door to the balcony was closed and Taiki and Yaten sat down while Seiya rested against the railing taking a deep breath.
"Thank you," Serena started with a whisper. The three looked at her weirdly but she put her hand up to silence them when Taiki went to speak. "Allow me, if it wasn't for you she could have been severely hurt or even killed. Thank you."
"Is it true?" Seiya asked, "Is she your daughter?"
This wasn't the question she was expecting, she nodded. "Yes, in every way she is mine."
"How does that work?" Yaten asked, "You don't look old enough, and I don't recall you having a daughter during the Silver Millennium." These comments were solidifying her theory that her past self-did in fact know and trust these mysterious sailor scouts.
"How do you know about that?" Serena asked quickly, "I don't remember you at all."
"I wouldn't expect you too," Yaten said seriously, "you were not allowed to fraternize much."
"But even a pregnancy would have been communicated directly by Queen Serenity herself," Taiki continued.
"She's from the future," Serena confessed, "She is the daughter of Serenity and Endymion."
"But his star seed has been taken," Seiya pointed out, "how is that possible?"
"How is anything that we face possible?" Serena asked with a small smile. "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"About?" Seiya asked.
"Do you think those gold wrist bands are what is controlling those scouts?" Serena asked, "Travis seems to think it may be worth a look."
"He could be onto something, I recall them having those wrist bands and I believe even Galaxia has a set on her own arms." Yaten added, "Do you think that is how Endymion is being controlled?"
The balcony door opened and Reenie stood in the doorway. "Travis says dinner is almost ready, he made enough for everyone."
"Thanks Reenie, we'll be in shortly," Serena smiled at her daughter and watched as she closed the door behind her again to run. "I do, and knowing that Reenie is still here; she's my hope that we have to get him back safely."
"You don't have the exact same presence as Serenity," Taiki pointed out.
"We don't have all of our memories yet, I don't remember any of you but I do believe we were on good terms in those times," Serena smiled opening the door and standing back to let them in.
"We were," Yaten answered stepping past her into the house with Taiki following.
"But that idiot may not have gotten along very well with Tranquility."
Seiya winked at Serena stepping past her into the apartment to be greeted by the smell of the pasta meal Travis had prepared.
Sleep came easy that night for Reenie as she snuggled into her bed. She found herself pulled into Elysian the moment her head hit her pillow. Around her she saw the familiar temple phasing into existence, it was still dark, ice surrounded it but infront of the temple was a large tree with crystal hanging from each branch that shimmered in the moonlight. She wore her royal dress and her hair fell out of its normal style.
"Princess Serenity?" She heard a familiar voice call for her.
"Mommy?" She whispered looking around frantically, her gaze moved to the tree in the front of the temple when she caught the familiar glimpse of blonde from behind it. She broke out into a run towards the tree only stopping when she saw her mother standing under the tree with one hand gently grazing the row of crystal shards that hung from the branches. She wore a dress that was much like one she'd seen Serena wear numerous times, a set of black tights underneath matched with black flats. "Mommy!" she repeated happily with tears falling down her cheeks. Neo Queen Serenity brought her hand down and simply held her arm up giving her daughter the okay to come to her.
Reenie pushed herself into her mother crying.
"My darling daughter," Neo Queen Serenity whispered into her daughter's hair. "I can't be here long, it goes against everything in the rulebook."
"Why are you dressed like this?" Reenie asked her mother when she pulled back. "I've never seen you wear anything like this in my entire life."
"I love you Reenie, I'm sorry for everything."
"Mom," Reenie paused as her mother began to release her tears. "Where's Daddy? Is everything okay?"
Serenity quickly wiped her eyes and in seconds had the regal look she always held in the future when speaking to the public. "Everything is fine; don't worry your pretty little pink head about it. You are going to do great, you will make me proud. Your training is almost complete."
"I can't wait to come home," Reenie said happily, "When everything is done I will be the best Sailor Moon Crystal Tokyo has ever seen."
"We will see," her mother smiled. "I have to go." She pulled her daughter in once more hugging her tightly. "I love you so much my darling, do not ever forget that."
"Never!" Reenie whispered as her mother stepped back and faded from infront of her to nothing.
"Helios?" Serena called quickly as his figure appeared infront of her. "Am I dreaming?"
"Yes," Helios answered, "We don't have a lot of time, but I need you to trust me right now."
"I could only trust you Helios, you've helped us out so much," Serena answered truthfully.
"I don't deserve your faith," Helios admitted and she looked at him confused. "I've not been entirely honest with you Princess."
"That doesn't matter, we all have our reasons."
Helios held his hands out infront of her his palms facing the sky. "May I have your hands Princess?"
Serena nodded placing both her hands in his, her pyjamas faded away instantly in a burst of feathers and was replaced by her dress from the Silver Millennium. The balcony she stood on faded into nothing before darkness enveloped her, stars around her glistening in the background.
"Helios?" the familiar voice called, Serena paused as tears fought for their escape from her eyes.
"D-Darien?" Serena whispered trying to find the voice. Her hands dropped to her side as she realised Helios had vanished. "Helios?"
"Serena?" the familiar voice of Endymion called as he stepped out of the darkness and into the little light available, her eyes met his and her body began to shake in fear. Was what she seeing real? Was she really this close to him?
"Endymion," tears fell freely as she hitched the bottom of her dress in both hands and broke out in a run towards him throwing everything she had to wrap herself around him taking in his scent. His muscular arms wrapped around her as he revelled in her touch, the security and safety of having her close for so long. As he held her his hand found her chin and tilted her head up to press his lips against hers, the warmth and love flowed through him as they lost themselves in each other.
"Serena," Endymion whispered to her pulling back for air. "I love you so much."
"Why did you have to go?" Serena cried, his palm resting on the side of her face. "Why did you have to leave us like that?"
"It wasn't planned my love I promise you," Endymion was honest in his words, his arms never letting her step more than a step back from him. "When we get through this I will never let you out of my sight again." He held her hand in his as he eyes caught the ring on her hand still on the finger he had put it on a few months earlier.
"Endymion, everything is so messed up, I don't know how to get you back to me," Serena cried harder knowing the truth in her words. "Star Fighter said that once your star seed is taken you can only survive by Galaxia's power controlling you."
"Star Fighter?" Endymion asked confused, "Those new Sailors?"
Serena nodded, "You remember everything?" He nodded, "why do you do the things you're doing?"
"Because he can't control himself outside of his dreams," Helios voice interrupted as he phased back into the realm, he wasn't alone.
"Daddy?!" Reenie called appearing beside her young father quickly; her hair was out of its usual style as she stood in a matching dress to Serena's. Endymion didn't care how big she was he picked her up like she was nothing and held her as close as he could. "You're okay?"
"Not yet sweetheart, but I'm much better now that I've seen you both," Endymion looked at the priest with nothing but gratitude for this moment he hoped was not his last. "Thank you Helios, you have no idea how much this means to me."
"I had my own reasons for bringing them here," Helios admitted, "things are not going to be good when you wake up."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"He means that he brought us here to keep us safe," the voice of Sailor Saturn cut in, the family looked around them and saw several soldiers appear. "The darkness has been sighted by earth."
Sailor Saturn stood with Sailor Mars, Jupiter and Venus.
"Where are the others?" Serena asked urgently, "Are they okay?"
"Everyone is fine for now," Sailor Mars promised, "they just haven't gone to sleep yet."
"We need to come up with a plan to defeat Galaxia and bring Darien back to us?" Jupiter demanded clenching her fist, "I've had about enough of this Sailor Scout putting a bad reputation on our name."
Sailor Venus laughed. "Of course you would be," Venus looked between Serena and Endymion. "Helios, how did you manage to pull us all into the same dream?"
"I only brought the Princess' into Endymion's dream; the rest of you came into Serenity's dream easily."
Endymion's head snapped up and he frowned. "She's calling, I have to go."
"No," Serena whined sounding like the fourteen year old she had been all those years ago. His hands traced her soft skin again pulling her close; he kissed her quickly and deeply. "Please."
"I'll come back to you," Endymion vowed, Reenie close to him at this point, he let go of her hand and looked at both of the women in his life. "To both of you, I promise." He placed a kiss on Serena's hand that held her ring.
"I love you Daddy," Reenie cried as if it was the last time she was ever going to see him again, Endymion sighed as he closed his eyes and everything returned to the familiar darkness and he saw her standing over him looking down at him with anger.
30th Century Crystal Tokyo
Sailor Pluto stood on the cliff she'd sent the scouts from the past to on their first arrival in Crystal Tokyo. She watched on as buildings were destroyed and the screams of her friends resonated across the once joyous city. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of what she had done to get here.
Her mission was to always protect the timeline; she hated having to allow such events to occur but knew that to return it to the peaceful world they knew. She had to let this happen, willingly step back and just watch as her Queen's kingdom fell and the dark forces took over.
She turned around sensing she wasn't alone, keeping her lips tight she turned to face Sailor Aluminium Siren.
"It's done," Aluminium Siren answered quickly opening up a small jewellery box in her hands. There in the small box sat the Golden Crystal. "Neo King Endymion is gone,"
"Are you sure this will break him free of his prison?" Pluto asked knowing that taking this crystal was leaving the future even more unprotected. "Can they hold off the enemy long enough with the Sun Stone and Silver Crystal?"
"You've seen it yourself, when Prince Endymion breaks free from his prison Galaxia will be forced to fight Serenity," Aluminium Siren answered, "I've already sensed his possession is fading, I think Serenity has made contact somehow."
"She has," Pluto admitted, "The same way I made contact with you, through your moment of peace in the dream world." She closed the box the woman held and closed her eyes not wanting to look as she gave her orders. "Take this to Galaxia as we discussed, she needs to think she has the upper hand."
"Yes," Aluminium Siren answered, "I never got the chance to thank you for everything Pluto."
"For leading you to your death?"
"Death is a lot better than living a life of nothing filled with darkness," she smiled quickly before phasing away taking the crystal with her.
Sailor Pluto continued to watch the destruction in front of her for a few moments before tapping her staff on the ground to open the door and step through on her way to the past.
Soundtrack: Collide - Moog