Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

Imperfect Reincarnation
Chapter Thirteen

Sailor Venus and Tuxedo Mask jumped back to put distance between themselves and the monster, carefully skipping over and around unconscious people, before they looked over to Sailor Moon.

They saw a young woman standing just behind her, and without their companion having to say a word they knew who it was and why Sailor Moon was with her.

The princess of the Moon had been found.

Tuxedo Mask stared blankly at the female almost peeking out from behind his soulmate, and was instantly assailed by one of his last memories of his soulmate from their past.

oOo

"You will not lay a hand on the princess!" He heard his soulmate say firmly, and watched her step in front of Princess Selene.

Her figure, dressed in the objectionable blue, white, and red sailor uniform, disappeared in front of the princess' figure and the voluminous skirt of her silk gown as Beryl laughed evilly.

"I do not have to touch her to kill her, but if you are so willing to protect the girl then I have no problem killing you first before I do away with the little princess." She said darkly.

oOo

He had been looking at that scene from behind them, but he knew, remembered, so clearly what the Moon Princess looked like. This young woman still had the same color eyes, the same face, and the same gold crescent moon on her forehead. Her hair was pale blonde instead of moonlight and up in long high pigtails, but she was definitely the reincarnation of Princess Selene.

Tuxedo Mask, secret persona of Darien, modern appellation of Endymion, prince of the Earth, let out a slow breath as everything around him seemed to slow dramatically to his mind.

The Moon Princess had been found, and his Serenity was standing protectively in front of her.

His Serenity was once again standing protectively in front of the princess of the Moon.

His soulmate was protecting the royal wench that had ruined their lives; again!

The prince of the Earth could almost feel the pupils of his eyes dilating as his anger rose like magma in a volcano. The searing emotion scorched his nerves, irritated his eyes, and made his body feel uncomfortably warm.

He closed his eyes just before they flashed gold, a sure sign of his anger and a dead giveaway of his true identity to anyone paying attention, and tried to center himself to keep from panting as his anger continued to rise.

A thunderous crack echoed ominously outside the building, and the floor began to tremble beneath his feet as the Earth began to respond to his anger. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he opened his eyes and looked to the monster.

Focus on the monster, and keep Serenity safe. He told himself, narrowing his thoughts down to the main purpose of his masked persona, as the floor stopped moving as suddenly as it started.

Sailor Venus looked at the golden crescent moon on the young woman's forehead again just to confirm that she had really seen it. She looked exactly as she did in the past except for the style, length, and color of her hair, and the modern school uniform.

The color wasn't quite the same being pale blonde instead of moonlight, and it was up in high ponytails instead of in the bun-style she had seen in her memory; the same style that Sailor Moon currently wore.

Despite those differences she definitely recognized Princess Selene.

She was undecided how she felt about the discovery of the reincarnation of the Moon Princess. Just looking at her she couldn't tell what her personality was or what her attitude would be toward them, but she was instantly wary of what would be happening next in her journey as a scout.

I had thought it would take longer to find her, and actually making the effort of looking for her to actually find her. She thought, but was distracted by the loud sound of thunder and the floor shaking.

She frowned and immediately looked to the monster, but the doll female looked just as confused as she was about what was happening. Before she could think on what could possibly be causing it it stopped. She looked around warily, but when nothing else happened she turned her attention back to her fellow scout.

"Try to wake up Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury." She heard Sailor Moon say seriously. "We can't wait anymore. We need them aware and alert; right now!"

Venus nodded and glanced to Tuxedo Mask to see him throwing a rose at the monster before she turned to Mars since she was the closest to her. She didn't want to talk to the newly found reincarnated Moon Princess or see what her personality was like, but now wasn't the time to hesitate. She had a job to do, and that was to snap her fellow scouts out of what was affecting them and protect the Moon Princess.

She walked over to her and shook her, but she continued to walk like she hadn't felt anything; didn't even glance her way. That wouldn't do considering the situation, so she brought up her hand and slapped her across the face.

"Ow!" Sailor Mars cried out as she flinched. "What the hell?!" She said as she glared at Venus as she gingerly touched her face.

"No time! The princess has been found. Wake up Mercury, and I'll wake up Jupiter." Venus said, ignoring her now startled face, before she turned and began to make her way toward the green scout.

Sailor Moon, meanwhile, hadn't moved from her position in front of the reincarnated princess, her glowing tiara in hand and ready to defend the young woman.

She watched in amusement as Venus slapped Mars to snap her out of whatever the monster had done to her, and she would be sure to tell her later that she wished she had been able to do that. At least to Mercury anyway.

She then shifted her eyes over to her disguised boyfriend as he tossed rose after rose at the monster, thankfully keeping it distracted while Mercury and Jupiter were being awakened. She couldn't help wondering if he was okay. His face had gone blank once he looked her way after she called out to Venus.

Did he recognize the princess? She wondered as she eyed him while glancing back to Venus and Mars' progress. He didn't say he remembered the past, but maybe seeing her with her crescent moon brought something to mind. Do I look that way when I'm remembering a memory?

She didn't know, but she had not forgotten that he believed he had become his masked persona because she had been awakened as Sailor Moon. That meant he had been in the past with her, the other scouts, and the princess. So he actually had memories of the past somewhere inside him.

Did he remember something? Was it bad? She asked herself worriedly as she looked at him, remembering his blank face. And what was with that small earthquake and that loud sound? Was it thunder? She wondered, although she didn't think so since the weather was nice out.

Sailor Moon gave herself an internal shake and focused back on her surroundings. Jupiter and Mercury were now aware of their surroundings and alert while shooting looks in her direction; no doubt at the reincarnated princess.

They joined in with Tuxedo Mask and began to attack the monster, and she let her gaze sweep the foyer looking for any other potential threats the monster could be hiding or any trace of any of the men that had been appearing. So far she wasn't seeing anything, so she remained alert and watchful before she returned her attention to the fight.

"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter shouted, and watched her lightning streak toward the monster.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Sailor Mars yelled as she sent a fireball sailing through the air toward the monster.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury shouted as she sent a stream of bubbles flying at the monster.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she sent a beam of light streaking toward the monster.

Tuxedo Mask lifted his hand as he focused his chakra and sent a loose stream of sharp rose petals spraying at the monster.

The monster lowered her head into her body to avoid the light beam and lightning before she spun left and right to avoid the ball of fire, bubbles, and flower petals. She returned to her spot as she rotated her head back up into view, and allowed her mouth to drop open before she breathed out a red misty fog.

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Tuxedo Mask quickly moved back as the red misty fog streamed out like a beam before it began to spread around the room. Sailor Moon frowned and stepped back as she glanced back to the princess and urged her to move back as well as a precaution against breathing in that fog.

Meanwhile, as they were all avoiding the red fog they saw the monster reach into the space where its head had disappeared into its body and reappeared earlier, and pull out what looked like tiny dolls that barely fit in its hand.

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Mercury called out before sending a stream of bubbles toward the fog that began to spread out and shift into fog just like the monster's.

The bubble fog seemed to neutralize the monster's fog, but unfortunately it also provided enough cover that they couldn't see what the monster was doing with the dolls it had pulled out let alone if it was moving or not.

Tuxedo Mask nearly growled as his anger spiked at the visually impairing fog that spread around the area courtesy of the scout of Mercury. His eyes flashed gold again and stayed that way for a few long moments as he, instead of growling, tapped into his connection with his planet.

Images flashed rapidly through his mind's eye before he focused on wanting to see his immediate area. The images slowed and he saw himself, golden eyed and blank faced, standing with the Guardian Scouts around him, his Serenity, the Moon Princess behind her, and the monster at a slight distance in front of him with the dolls in its hand.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm himself enough so his eyes were not displaying his true power, and widened his mental view of the foyer so he wouldn't be confronted with anything unexpected. Something that turned out to be a good thing as he spotted Jedite standing on the landing of an interior balcony behind him in a corner.

And at his angle he can see the reincarnated princess. Therefore the other generals and Beryl will know she has been found. He thought quietly before he returned the majority of his focus back to the monster.

The doll monster made the tiny dolls float, revealing to his mind's eye that there were six, before they began to grow until they were life sized copies of the monster with the exception of their attire. The dresses were cut off where the red design ended; making them appear to be wearing skirts while revealing the joints where knees should be.

Which means they can highly likely fight. He concluded as he took in the fact that there was one for each of them. Including my Serenity. He thought unhappily, knowing that she would be protecting herself as well as the princess.

As the copies moved forward, seemingly unhindered by Mercury's fog, he hoped that they couldn't use the original's ability to breathe out that mind altering red fog.

Damn it Mercury! Sailor Moon cursed her fellow scout as she stared at the fog that blocked her view of everything, including the monster. I've got the princess here, and no way to see the monster!

She took a deep cautious breath and let it out as she forced herself to remain calm. She could see this situation was similar to what happened at the cram school Mercury went to, so she focused on her senses and looked for dark energy.

Something I should have been doing from the start! She berated herself. I need to stop doing that! There could have been another monster waiting in the wings for us to focus on this monster. There still could be!

Sailor Moon closed her eyes and concentrated on sensing the disturbing energy that drifted to her like smoke streams. She immediately sensed the monster where it had been before her sight had been impaired, but more alarming were the six smaller energy sources she was picking up moving through the fog.

"There are six more! Be careful!" She called out the warning.

oOo

Venus held in a groan. Not only could they not see because of Mercury's stunt, but now there was something coming at them. Each of them if her math was right.

And I can't see it coming! She thought in frustration as she looked around. Maybe if I move back enough I'll be out of this fog. She thought before she did exactly that, especially since it also occurred to her that it would be a good thing if she wasn't in the same position the monster last saw her in.

She carefully backed up, watching her footing so she didn't step on anyone, until there was no one on the floor around her. She looked up and sighed quietly in disgruntlement. Despite her movements she was still within the fog, which seemed to fill up the foyer despite how large it was.

At least I won't get tripped up on any of the people on the floor. She thought as she looked around, but paused as she stared through the fog.

In front of her, appearing out of the fog, was a copy of the monster. The only reason she knew it was a copy was because the dress was short instead of the long floor length dress she had seen earlier.

As soon as she finished taking in its appearance it lunged at her, and she gasped as she took a step back and brought her hands up.

oOo

Mars frowned as she looked around at the fog surrounding her. She couldn't see a thing with this fog. Not her fellow scouts, not her newly found princess, not Tuxedo Mask, and not the monster. The only thing she could see were the two people unconscious on the floor near her feet; at least she hoped they were unconscious and not dead.

And something else besides the monster is moving through this fog. She thought with a frown.

If Sailor Moon was to be believed there were six more monsters or something to do with the monster in the fog with them. How was she supposed to fight like this? What if she tripped over one of the people around her?

Suddenly she saw a dark figure in the fog in front of her and she took a cautious step back and lifted her hands in preparation to attack. She caught sight of pink hair and a red claw-like crown and that was enough for her.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" She yelled, and sent a ball of fire hurtling toward the monster.

The monster ducked and straightened, and she finally saw that it wasn't the monster but looked like it except that the dress was short.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" She yelled again before the look alike could attack her.

oOo

Six more. Mercury thought with a frown. She must know that from her dark energy sensing ability. She thought sourly as her eyes flickered around.

She could no more see through her fog than the others could, but she had thought it was worth it to try and stop that misty red fog. And it had been worth it; until Sailor Moon said there were six more energy signatures in the fog with them.

Maybe I should double check. Since the princess has now been found it would be best to be absolutely sure, and try and figure out where they are if they truly are there. She thought.

Mercury nodded to herself before she focused and gestured with her hand, and watched her blue minicomputer appear in her gloved palm. She opened it and quickly began to type, but much to her irritation she found too many energy signatures.

She huffed and began to separate her fellow scouts from the victims and from Tuxedo Mask and from the monster and similar signatures so she could finally confirm what Moon had said.

Unfortunately she didn't get the chance. She saw a shadow in the fog out of the corner of her eye and looked over to see the monster appear and rush at her.

She cried out as she was rammed into and knocked down. She dropped her computer, hearing it clatter against the floor, before she hit the floor hard. She rolled as quickly as she could and lying on her back she lifted her hands and looked toward the monster almost looming over her.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" She shouted fearfully from her vulnerable position.

oOo

Jupiter's eyes flickered all around as she turned her head this way and that way at Sailor Moon's words.

Six more?! She thought as she continued to look. Six more of those things or something like it? And I don't even know where they're coming from! How am I supposed to fight when I can't see?! Maybe the others can see through this, but I can't.

This was only her second fight with a monster since she had become a scout, and she was now seeing that despite her own history of being a good fighter she didn't have the right experience to deal with this.

She huffed and pushed her worry away and decided she would deal with this situation like nearly everything else she did; head on. She was not going to stand here like a sitting duck just waiting for whatever was in the fog to come get her.

With that decision she stepped forward, her gaze flickering back and forth between the floor and the path in front of her so she didn't accidentally step on anyone or miss whatever might attack her.

She could hear Mercury and Mars voicing their attacks, but she was more worried about the fact that she couldn't hear Venus or Moon. She hadn't even heard Tuxedo Mask, but then she reminded herself that the three of them had been silent when they attacked at the last fight. She was the only one voicing her attacks then.

Silence during these monster fights might be expected from them, but that still didn't mean they were okay. At least when it came to Moon and Venus; especially Moon since she had the princess with her. She wasn't sure she was supposed to care about the masked man considering the warnings she had gotten about him.

Suddenly she saw a dark silhouette in the fog ahead of her, and then next thing she knew she had the monster practically in her face jumping at her.

"Supreme Thunder!" She cried out as she was falling back with the monster's hands on her shoulders.

oOo

Tuxedo Mask watched through his connection with his planet as a doll copy came in his direction, but also kept an eye on the one that was headed for his Serenity.

Seeing her standing protectively in front of that girl caused his anger to spike higher, and he decided to use the situation to express some of his anger since no one would be able to see.

He concentrated and watched as four medium sized golden chains burst from his chest, shoot forward through the fog, and wrap around the doll's limbs. He lifted it off the floor and willed his chains to bring it toward him as he focused on his chakra and what he wanted.

Within moments his hand was covered in golden fire and he willed the flames to shift into a fiery sword. As the doll reached him he willed his chains to stop, and without a second thought chopped its head off. It slid off the body but before it could get far he sliced it in half.

He then systematically chopped off each arm and leg, and sliced each of them in half, before he sliced the torso in half. He didn't want to take any chances that it would put itself back together and get up after he moved away from it.

He released his chains and fire sword so the chakra returned to his body and took off running through the fog. Utilizing his connection through the Earth as his eyes he dodged the people on the floor and silently avoided the guardian scouts and their fights until he reached the doll his soulmate was facing.

He slowed to a stop right behind it and reached up and angrily snatched the doll by its hair and pulled its head back sharply.

oOo

Sailor Moon opened her eyes long enough to see that the fog was still very much present before she closed them once again. She continued to focus on her senses and monitored the progress of the six dark energy signatures along with the monster's.

They were spreading out as they moved through the fog, and she knew from the pattern the energy was taking that they were going for each of them while the monster stayed motionless.

She sighed quietly as she focused part of her attention on the one headed in her direction as she opened her eyes and lifted the hand holding her tiara.

"Stay behind me, and do not run away." She told the newly found princess.

"What's going on?" The princess asked worriedly.

"Something is headed our way." She answered as her eyes flickered around the fog.

Sailor Moon once again cursed Mercury for the fog. She knew no one could see through it; even Mercury herself couldn't see through it. She knew that little fact from one of the last times she had seen Mercury use it.

That makes it worse. She thought, because Mercury didn't know how to get rid of the fog. She probably didn't know she could, if she actually could, which in either case was something that could be learned if she trained.

But she's too busy being jealous of my ability to sense dark energy, and worrying about my past self's relationship with the Earth Prince when he was someone the princess wanted. She thought in disgruntlement.

In the fog in front of them a dark shape began to appear and within seconds they saw what she was facing. A copy of the monster; except its dress was shortened and it wasn't carrying an apple.

Sailor Moon stepped forward and the doll copy rushed her. She could hear the princess cry out in surprised horror, but she ignored it and reacted instantly by swinging her tiara at it like it was a dagger, but the doll stopped short and leaned back to avoid the glowing disk.

It swung its arm at her, its fist headed for her face, and she ducked and swung her tiara at it once again. The doll leaned back again to avoid the disk and swung its other arm at her. She blocked it and swung her tiara again but the doll once again leaned away to avoid the blow.

This time it kicked out at her, but she blocked it with her leg and then ducked as it swung a fist at her face. She straightened and was about to try her tiara again, but the doll's head suddenly jerked back and she blinked in surprise to see her disguised boyfriend standing right behind the doll.


Tuxedo Mask pulled harder on the pink hair and stepped back, pulling the doll with him, as he pulled out one of his exploding roses. He stuffed it in the dolls mouth before he released its hair and kicked it in the back away from all of them.

He focused briefly on his chakra and gestured with his hand, and felt a rose blossom appear. He then threw the rose bomb hard at the doll's back. The doll's head exploded and the blossom hit as the doll slammed into a wall, and exploded sending doll parts flying everywhere.

He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction before he turned, completely ignoring the reincarnated princess and not looking at his Serenity so she wouldn't see the anger in his eyes, and focused his attention on the monster as he walked back into the fog.

It was still obscuring the monster, and the guardian scouts were all busy with the dolls, so no one, not even Jedite, would see what he was about to do.

And perhaps once I get rid of it the other dolls will become a nonissue. He thought as he stopped halfway between the monster and his soulmate.

He focused on his chakra and concentrated on what he wanted, and watched as a single medium sized golden chain burst from his chest and streaked through the foggy air at his will toward the monster.

Through his connection with the Earth he saw it wrap around the monster's neck before he reeled the chain back toward him with the monster in tow. He covered his hands in golden lightning as the monster traveled to him, and as he stopped the monster in front of him he was ready when the its mouth dropped open, no doubt to spew out more of that red misty fog.

Tuxedo Mask quickly placed one hand over the open mouth and willed the lightning to intensify. The golden bolts crackled around his hand, negating the misty red fog, and sent bolts of electricity streaking through its body.

The monster screamed and began to struggle and he wrapped his other hand around the monster's free hand to keep it from using it, and added the lightning from that hand to the mix.

The doll monster screamed louder, and he stared at it stoically before he calmly added lightning to the chain wrapped around its neck. The monster's screaming turned into pained shrieks, and in his anger he imagined it was the Moon Princess' shrieking screams instead.

After a few long moments the monster quieted, and started to turn gray and crumble, which was good since the fog Mercury had spread was starting to fade.

He released his chakra chain and pulled all of his chakra back inside himself, the lightning disappearing, as he watched the remains of the monster continue to crumble and become a pile of dust at his feet.

The apple it had carried had fallen to the floor and rolled slightly, and he stepped toward it and stomped his foot down on it; crushing it loudly and releasing the victims' energy to return to them just as the fog completely dissipated.

Tuxedo Mask moved his foot from the metal and wire remains of what had actually been inside the apple before he turned and began to walk away. He didn't bother looking toward his soulmate to avoid triggering his anger further at the sight of the reincarnated princess standing with her.

He intended on going somewhere where he could vent his anger without hurting or alarming anyone; possibly somewhere in the Egyptian desert or somewhere else just as deserted.

He was, however, going to stay in the area, hidden, long enough to make sure nothing attacked while the group of scouts were leaving for his Serenity's sake since he had not forgotten Jedite's presence, but after that he was gone.

The Guardian Sailor Scouts looked on in surprise at seeing the candy house disappear around them, and at the fact that Tuxedo Mask had defeated the monster on his own. It was clear from the small pile of dust near his feet that he was the one responsible; especially given him destroying the apple it had carried.

Beyond that all of them were well away from him, and only Moon was free and standing fairly relaxed, but she was guarding the princess. None of them could have even helped in the monster's defeat.

They watched the masked man turn, his cape swirling around him dramatically, and begin to weave around and over the people sprawled out on the floor as he made his way away from the area; obviously intending to leave now that the monster had been defeated.

The four scouts quickly turned their attention back to their opponent's, but realized there was no need to worry as they watched the dolls shrink down until they were tiny enough to fit in their hands before they turned to dust.

They quickly began to make their way over to Moon and the reincarnated princess, warily looking around to make sure nothing else took them by surprise, and gathered around them.

"Are you all okay?" Sailor Moon asked as she looked them all over, not seeing any wounds, and listened as they all replied that they were.

"What about you? Are you okay?" Sailor Venus asked, seeing that she had yet to put her tiara back on.

"Yes. I'm not hurt at all." Moon answered before she looked around cautiously, wary of one of those men showing up.

"Are you alright?" Sailor Jupiter asked the young woman still standing hesitantly behind Moon, golden crescent moon still vibrant on her forehead.

"Yeah. I'm fine." The unknowing princess said as she looked at the group of fighters. She had heard about them, but seeing them up close and actually speaking to them was intimidating.

"What's your name?" Sailor Mercury asked as she took in the young woman as she moved out from behind Moon. She looked almost exactly as she did in the memories she had remembered so far with the exception of her hair style and hair color.

"Susanna." The reincarnated princess answered.

"Well Susanna, this will highly likely come as a surprise, but we have been looking for you." Moon said as she looked to the young woman. "I'm sure you've heard about us fighting these strange monsters." She said, and watched her nod. "That is only part of our duty. Our main duty is to guard and protect a princess, and that princess is you."

"What?!" Susanna said in shock as she looked at her and then the rest of them in wide eyed surprise. "You can't be serious! How could I be a princess, and not know it? How could you even tell?"

"The princess we are supposed to find is a reincarnated princess from the Moon. You don't know this but you currently have a golden crescent moon on your forehead, which is how we first identified you." Moon informed her.

"We're sure you have many more questions, but we need to leave and get somewhere more private in order to talk and tell you everything you need to know." Venus said seriously, knowing they couldn't have this conversation where just anyone could hear. Plus, there was a chance one of those men could be around trying to listen in.

"She's right." Mercury said, just as seriously. "There are also two more that you need to meet who will be able to help explain everything."

Susanna looked around at the five sailor fighters and took in their completely serious expressions, and then looked down across the floor to her friends.

"What about my friends? I can't just leave them!" She said with a frown. "They'll eventually wake up right? What am I supposed to say when I see them again after they woke up and couldn't find me here?"

"Tell them the Sailor Scouts took you to safety since you were the only one conscious." Moon said seriously. "It's the truth after all."

"Just not all of it." Venus added, and listened to the princess sigh.

"Well..well how are we supposed to get wherever we're going to have this talk? Just walk?" Susanna asked.

"No. We need to leave the area quickly." Moon said as she looked around, still concerned about those men possibly showing up. It was clear by now that she couldn't sense them unless they were using their power, which was dark in nature, so she wouldn't know if they were around until they spoke or attacked.

"Which means we're going to be running." Venus translated bluntly.

"Running?!" Susanna said in surprise. "I can't run with you guys. How would I keep up?!" She asked, knowing from the dodging she had seen them doing that they were fast.

"Don't worry about it. I'll carry you. I'm strong enough." Jupiter said assuringly.

Sailor Moon looked away to avoid anyone seeing anything in her eyes as she finally allowed the charge to leave her tiara. They were all strong enough to carry the girl, but she wasn't about to volunteer. That was an experience she could do without; especially with how they would be traveling.

Based on what I'm hearing from her now I can only imagine how she'll react, and my ears are already ringing. She thought as she placed her tiara back on her forehead.

Venus, for her part, was unknowingly thinking along the same line as her Moon counterpart. She had absolutely no wish to cart this girl around. If Jupiter was fine doing it then she would gladly leave it to her. Although, she was surprised Mercury didn't volunteer with how enthusiastic she was about everything to do with the princess.

Sailor Mars was honestly also not interested in carrying the princess around; especially since she recognized the girl. She went to school with her, was in the same class as her, and now that she knew her name it sounded familiar from hearing attendance every day.

She's even still in her school uniform. She thought as she eyed the princess. She looked around at the girls the princess had looked at moments before and saw that they were still in uniform as well.

The same girls I saw her with this morning. She thought, finding it ironic that she had thought the girl was holding court and now she was turning out to be the Moon Princess.

She and her fellow scouts watched as Susanna stepped toward Jupiter, and the green scout turn around and kneel down.

"Climb on." Jupiter said as she gestured toward her back.

They watched the princess sigh before she did just that, and listened as she squeaked as Jupiter stood up, taking hold of her legs, like she weighed nothing.

After a brief discussion on where to go they took off running away from the scene to leave the amusement park entirely and head to Sailor Mars' home.

oOo

Jedite stood behind a storage-like building cautiously looking around the side at the group of women almost twenty feet away.

He had originally arrived and stood back on the interior balcony of the building his minion had created to match the rest of the park. He had at first intended on launching a surprise attack if things started to go badly for her, but had seen that his minion had appeared to be holding her own.

She had managed to take three of the scouts out of the fight, which appeared to even her odds a bit against the two remaining scouts and the masked man. It was upsetting to see that there was yet another scout fighting now, which explained the defeat of the last couple of minions.

Then much to his surprise one of the scouts, the one his Queen wanted dead, had dashed away from the fight and toward a girl that was somehow still conscious. To his further surprise she stayed with the girl, and then called attention to the two of them.

He hadn't understood that. He thought she would get the girl out of sight so she wouldn't be in danger, but she was sticking to her instead rejoining the fight. He took in the girl's appearance and saw a crescent moon on her forehead, and wondered if she was connected to Sailor Moon.

He had decided from there to simply stay back and observe, deeming it important to get all the information he could about the situation, so he could bring it back to his Queen so she could decide how she wanted to proceed.

That was a decision that turned out to be a good thing since not long afterward the rest of the scouts were brought back into the fight, and Sailor Mercury released a fog that made it impossible to see what was happening with anyone down on the floor.

However, he heard Sailor Moon's warning, recognizing her voice, and wondered if she could actually see through it, and more importantly what she meant.

He listened to what he could as he gazed at the thick fog, which was nothing he hadn't heard before with some of the scouts shouting out their attacks, and saw flashes of muted colorful lights.

When it finally cleared he saw copies of his minion, and Tuxedo Mask destroying her apple, which unfortunately released all the energy she had collected. His minion was also gone and the building disappearing around him was further proof that she had been destroyed.

He teleported away to his current location, and had watched the masked man walk away and the copies of his minion crumble away. The scouts gathered together with the girl with the crescent moon, and he strained to hear anything they were saying, but much to his frustration he couldn't because they were too far away and likely speaking in low tones.

He wished there was a place closer for him to conceal himself, but there wasn't so he had to make do with what he had. All he could do was watch as they talked and then the girl with the crescent moon climbed on the back of Sailor Jupiter and they all took off running.

Jedite sighed and teleported away and appeared in a dark hallway of gray stone walls and black shiny marble floors with green torches high along the walls to provide light.

He knew he was going to be in serious trouble because his minion had failed to return with energy, but he was very much hoping the news he brought would have some significance to his Queen and soften the blow.

He paused outside a set of large double doors and knocked sharply before he waited. Moments later the doors opened inward and he stepped forward and walked before he stopped a few feet from a set of steep gray stairs. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head and waited; ignoring everyone standing on the sidelines of the cavernous room.

"Jedite." Came the cold voice of his Queen. "Have you returned with success or failure?"

"I have failed my Queen." Jedite admitted freely. "However, I bring news. I am unsure what some of it means, but I am hoping you will."

"Speak it." The Queen demanded.

"The first is that there is yet another scout; Sailor Jupiter." He revealed as he raised his head.

The Queen continued to stare down at him. That was not surprising news since she had known that particular scout had been the only one missing of the guardians.

"The second is that during the fighting Sailor Moon rushed toward a young woman, the only one of Murido's victims that had still been conscious. She had pale blue eyes and white blonde hair in two high ponytails, and she had a golden crescent moon on her forehead." He informed her.

"What?!" She said as she stood up abruptly. "You are sure that she had a crescent moon on her forehead?" She asked sharply.

"Yes my Queen." Jedite answered. "After the fight the scouts spoke to her, and then took her with them when they left."

The red headed woman growled as she narrowed her red eyes. The Moon Princess' reincarnation had been found.

She had not anticipated that happening so soon. She had thought the Guardian Sailor Scouts would have to search for the princess. Now not only had she been found, but she was already under their protection.

Now both the Moon Princess and Sailor Moon were accounted for, and in a position to once again be her rivals for the Earth Prince.

That was something she absolutely did not want. She didn't need them interfering in her plans for the Earth Prince. She was going to have to see to it that they were both eliminated before the prince was found.

Something that was turning out to be taking a frustratingly long time; especially since she didn't have anything to help her locate him. It had been the same way with the generals. They hadn't had anything to distinguish them in the past from anyone else aside from the fact that they were the guardians to the prince of the Earth, so she had had to go off of their past physical appearance to find them.

It was looking more and more like she was going to have to do the same with the prince instead of trying to find some trace of his power or by some significance to his past identity.

She needed to find him. She needed to find him before those scouts did, and definitely before they turned him against her.

Zoycite stepped forward, having been present with his fellow generals when Jedite arrived, and hoped he could get his curiosity satisfied. He knelt down not far from Jedite, and looked up the stairs and addressed his Queen.

"My Queen. May I ask, do you know who this woman Jedite speaks of is?" He asked.

The Queen looked down at Zoycite, then to Jedite, and over to Malachite and Neflite as they stood off to the side.

She supposed it would be good for them to know in order to do their duty properly. If they understood the situation, at least as much as she was willing to reveal, then they would know the importance of what she wanted of them.

"Yes." She finally answered. "You all recall what I told you of our past?" She said, and watched the four of them nod. "This woman is the reincarnation of the princess of the Moon."

Jedite, Zoycite, Malachite, and Neflite's eyes widened as some of them gasped in surprise. They certainly remembered her telling them about being her generals in the past on the Earth, and how the Moon Princess had been a threat to the Earth. Especially since she had wanted the prince of their planet.

The only thing she hadn't told them was what everyone from the past looked like; otherwise Jedite would have known who he was looking at when he saw the young woman with the crescent moon on her forehead.

"Yes. You recall the danger she is. What you do not know is that the scout of the Moon had managed to worm her way into the prince's affections." She revealed, and watched them frown and narrow their eyes.

"Given a bit more time I am certain she would have convinced the prince to marry her and make her his future queen. Thus making certain the Moon would have a foothold into the Earth monarchy." She explained.

"That is why I instructed you to eliminate Sailor Moon in particular. She is a threat to the future of the Earth. As is the Moon Princess." The Queen said insistently as she stepped down the stairs.

"I want you four to continue to try and get rid of the Guardian Scouts, Sailor Moon especially, and Tuxedo Mask, and either kidnap or kill the Moon Princess; whichever one the situation calls for at the time." She commanded.

"The princess is a threat to be sure, but she could also prove useful if her way of thinking can be changed. In that case she could instead prove to be a great asset." She continued as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"However, that does not mean you stop collecting energy. We need it, which is all the more reason to get rid of every single one of those fighters! To stop their interference!" She said.

"I want them dead!" The Queen stated firmly. "I expect results! Now go; all of you!"

oOo

The five secret Guardian Sailor Scouts released their transformations in a suitable out of the way location when they were close to Raye's temple home. From there they walked with their newly found princess the rest of the way.

No one spoke as they walked, all fearing that if they did it would give the young woman with them permission to try to satisfy her curiosity. They could not risk that happening in case someone nearby overheard.

So they walked in silence and eventually reached the long stairs leading up to the temple. Up they walked and when they reached the top they made their way inside Raye's home and to the room they always used.

Raye, leading the way, opened the door and they all filed in to see the felines already there waiting; having been contacted while they were running. They sat around the table and looked around at each other silently, waiting to see who would start talking.

Serena for her part remained silent because she had taken charge at the fight scene. Now she would rather observe and see if she could tell what was different and what was the same between this version of the princess and the one from her memories.

All of them were still in their school uniforms, but only Raye's matched the princess'. Mina and Serena shared a look, both remembering their conversation when they first met about the princess going to their school. Both were silently glad she didn't go to their school.

Serena was also hoping that fact meant Raye would get the majority of guarding duty since they went to the same school. She couldn't tell if the princess was the same age as them, but she thought it was highly likely, so that was one less thing they had to worry about when it came to protecting her.

"Have you all introduced yourselves?" Luna asked, finally speaking up after gazing at the young woman with the crescent moon on her forehead, and watched the majority of them shake their head.

"Then how about we start there." She suggested. "I am Luna; one of your guardians and advisors, and a guider to your Guardian Scouts."

"I am Artemis; your other guardian and advisor, and guide to your Guardian Sailor Scouts." Artemis said from his seat on the table next to Luna before he looked around to the young women.

"I'm Serena Tsukino; Sailor Moon." Serena said from her seat at the opposite end of the table from the princess.

"I'm Mina Aino; Sailor Venus." Mina said, taking her cue from Serena from her seat across the table from said girl.

"I'm Amy Anderson; Sailor Mercury." Amy introduced herself from where she sat to the right of the princess at the side of the table.

"I'm Raye Hino; Sailor Mars." Raye said from her seat at the side of the table to the left of the princess.

"I'm Lita Kino; Sailor Jupiter." Lita said from her seat between Amy and Serena.

"I..I'm Susanna Curry." The reincarnated princess said as she looked around at the girls before her eyes returned to the cats. "You..you're talking cats. How is that possible?!"

"The same way you're a princess." Artemis replied calmly.

Serena looked down and wondered if anyone else had heard the hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Perhaps we should explain the situation so you can understand how it is you are involved, how it is you are a princess." Luna suggested to Susanna.

Susanna just nodded, not knowing what to say but wanting to understand how exactly she was involved with these sailor fighters, Sailor Scouts, and talking cats.

Together Luna and Artemis began to explain the past where there had been life and kingdoms on every planet in the solar system. The Moon, being part of those kingdoms, was where they all lived with the Queen and her daughter who was by virtue of her birth the princess of the Moon.

The young woman was not only heir to the throne of the Moon Kingdom, but next in line to wield and guard the imperial silver crystal; a very powerful object that could only be used correctly by the royal moon line.

This in turn made it necessary for her to have guardians to protect and support her. Those guardians being the five Guardian Sailor Scouts; Sailor Venus, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Moon. All chosen from the planet they were scouts of.

The two felines made it clear they had yet to remember everything and that included the details of how everything ended. However, they knew it involved a great evil, and that as a result they were all sent on to the Earth to be reincarnated. That same evil was now awake and active and that is what triggered Luna and Artemis' awakening, and in turn the finding and awakening of the Guardian Scouts.

"That leaves us where we are now." Luna concluded. "We have been searching for you and the silver crystal in the hopes that it would lead to you."

"Wow. That…this is a lot to take in." Susanna said as she looked around at everyone.

She wouldn't believe any of this if she hadn't already seen proof. The Sailor Scouts fighting, being with them as they ran at high speed and leapt up high and jumped down from heights, and seeing them release their transformations.

Plus, there's the fact that these cats can talk. She thought as she took deep breath and let it out in a sigh.

And apparently she was a princess in the past. That was also hard to believe, but something she could see as the seconds passed. She certainly thought she was royal material and deserved to be treated like she was.

Yes, she liked the thought of being a princess; liked that she apparently was a princess. Princess of the Moon.

And a princess that will be getting some kind of powerful crystal. She thought. What am I supposed to do with it when I get it?

"Okay, so what's the deal with this crystal you've mentioned? What am I supposed to do with it?" Susanna asked curiously.

"Keep it out of enemy hands," Artemis answered seriously. "which is another reason it needs to be found; before the enemy starts looking for it, if they haven't started already."

"Yes. You must keep it safe once you have it." Luna added. "At the moment the silver crystal is in pieces known as the rainbow crystals. Serena has been using the Crescent Moon Wand to find them."

"So far I've found two, but I don't know how many pieces I'm supposed to be looking for." Serena said before she looked to the felines. "Shouldn't the rainbow crystals be given to the princess now that she's here? They're hers after all."

"True." Artemis agreed.

"Yes. I believe that is for the best." Luna said as she nodded.

"Alright. I'll go get them and bring them back. Shouldn't even take a half an hour." Serena said as she stood up.

"I'll go with you." Mina said suddenly as she stood up, not particularly wanting to stay with the others and the newly revealed princess.

"Sure." Serena agreed without hesitation as she began to lead the way toward the door.

"Now, I believe you should also know what we know about the enemy we are facing so far." The two young women heard Luna say as they left the room.

"Do you think they'll mention Tuxedo Mask as part of who they think the enemy is?" Mina asked quietly after the door was closed.

"I wouldn't be surprised." Serena said as they walked. "Although they might classify him as a separate enemy."

"Hmm." Mina hummed in agreement, and remained silent until they had left the house and were almost to the stairs. "So what do you think of her?" She asked.

"I don't know. I think it's too soon to know if she's anything like what I've seen in my memories so far." Serena said with a shrug. "What do you think?" She asked.

"I think she's already starting to like the idea of being a princess. There was a particular glint in her eyes where I could tell that that was the moment she understood that being a princess from the past was going to be relevant in the present." Mina said with thoughtful resignation.

"If that's the case then maybe she's not going to be too different, or different at all, from what I've seen in my memories so far." Serena said with a wary sigh. "At least she doesn't go to our school."

"Yeah! That's one thing to be happy about." Mina said optimistically. "Hope Raye enjoys seeing her all the time."

"Yeah. I was thinking earlier that maybe Raye would get most of the guarding duty since they go to the same school." Serena said.

"That's a good idea. I was vaguely worrying about how this whole guarding business was going to happen when the princess was found since I've got school and volleyball to deal with." Mina said.

"That's something I worried about too, but I was more thinking along the lines of how we would explain having to protect her if she was younger or older than us." Serena said with a sigh. "Artemis just told me not to worry about it until we actually found the princess."

"What did Luna say?" Mina asked.

"I didn't tell her. Only Artemis was with me when the thought came to me." Serena said, and Mina nodded understandingly.

They continued on toward Serena's house in a comfortable silence as they both lost themselves in thought.

Serena could not help her mind drifting back to the memory she had seen when she first spotted the princess. It was just another example of how the princess was when it came to the Earth Prince. They had used the word 'infatuated' to describe her, but she would describe her as obsessed instead.

Obsessed and delusional to think she would get to talk to the Earth Prince just because she wanted to talk to him. She seemed to think having met him gave her rights to him or something.

And I still can't tell if Sailor Earth is engaged to the prince at that point. She thought as she held in a sigh, and then decided to change the direction of her thoughts. She teleported. Moved herself from one place to another. She thought as she remembered the soft blue green light.

That was the first time she had seen anyone other than the prince do that in her returning memories regardless of which scout life she looked at.

And Venus could do it too, and from a greater distance assuming she was coming from the Moon to retrieve the princess. She considered thoughtfully. She assumed that the Zoycite general in the past could do it too since in the memory she saw him in he had appeared while her Sailor Earth self had been in the middle of a forest.

And I suppose the princess' repeated presence on the Earth means she can do it as well. She thought as they crossed a street.

Considering my instinctive knowledge of how to use some weapons from being Sailor Earth does that mean I have the ability to do that as well? She wondered. Or is it only something I could do as Sailor Earth and not Sailor Moon?

She didn't even know how she would try to find out, because she would very much like to have that ability. It might be hard to appear without being seen or hitting or landing on someone, but it was still a very quick and convenient way to travel when you needed to hurry.

Serena sighed lightly and wondered if she should ask Darien for advice on where to start with how to teleport. He had given good advice on how to use the Crescent Moon Wand, and it might help him as well since she was sure he would like to be able to teleport as well.

I'll think about it. She thought as she came out of her thoughts, and focused on getting to her house and enjoying the quiet time with her friend and fellow scout.

oOoIRoOo

Darien appeared in a golden flash on the roof of a two story building in the middle of the day. All appeared calm but he knew better, and was already transformed and ready for action.

He walked over to the edge of the front of the building, and looked down only to widen his eyes in surprise. There were monsters around everywhere, with the Guardian Scouts scattered around among them, but that was not what had him surprised.

What surprised him was the fact that the Moon Princess was down there among the very clear battle. He was thoroughly confused and disgruntled as to why she was there at all. He hadn't seen her when he checked through his connection with the Earth. Aside from that he didn't understand why she was dressed in her royal gown of all things. She completely stood out in the white dress.

He leapt down to the ground and landed lightly before he looked around again. Monsters were everywhere, dozens of them, but he could clearly see that they were being taken care of by the Guardian Scouts as best they could.

Before he could join the fray and head toward his soulmate the sky suddenly darkened, turning it from day to night in an instant. Then it darkened further into an inky dark purple sky void of stars, large narrow glowing eyes blinked open, and helped emphasize a reddish purple diamond shaped object centered above the eyes. Moments later a red slit appeared where a mouth would be.

Darien remembered that being from his previous life; the entity that tried to kill his Serenity, and actually killed him. He couldn't let it happen again! He couldn't watch his soulmate risk her life for the female that had changed their lives without a second thought.

He looked toward his Serenity, easily finding her among the fighting, and saw her standing protectively in front of the princess. He looked back up to the entity and saw the slit of its mouth part and glow begin within.

No. He thought quietly yet firmly.

He was not going to let that happen. In fact, he wasn't going to let himself die either. He was going to get her out of the way, and the princess was going to deal with the consequences of being on a virtual battle field when she had no business being here.

Darien took off running, weaving around monster and guardian scout, putting an exploding rose in any monster that looked like it was going to attack him as he rushed toward his soulmate.

He watched her moving around the princess attacking and destroying anything that came near before she resumed her self-appointed place in front of the young woman and looked up at the entity in the sky with an expression of firm determination.

No! He thought as he pushed himself faster, frustrated that he was slowed by having to maneuver around so many monsters.

He ran faster and faster approaching her at an angle to get around the monsters in his way, but he knew from the look on her face that he was not going fast enough.

She still looked determined, but there was a slither of fear now as well.

Before he could reach her, even to push her out of the way, a thick beam of light came into view and slammed into her chest. She did not make a sound, but her face shifted into a pained grimace before she collapsed to the ground.

"No!" He yelled, his own emotional pain coming through clearly.

Darien dropped to the ground at her side, completely ignoring the princess standing there in shock, and grabbed her hand.

"Serenity please, please do not leave me again." He said pleadingly, unconcerned about using her name at this point.

"Darien." She breathed out as her eyes fluttered open. "I..I'm sorry. I'm sorry…Endy."

"I am sorry I was too late to protect you." Darien said mournfully as he lowered his forehead to hers.

"Don't..be." She managed to get out.

"I cannot help it. You are mine to protect! It is my duty, my pleasure, to do so." He insisted as he squeezed her hand.

"Next time..different." She breathed out.

"Yes." He breathed out in return. "I do not care how many lifetimes it takes. We will be together, and be safe and secure."

She didn't say anything more, but Darien felt her squeeze his hand before it went limp. He moaned in pain and picked her up into his arms and hugged her tightly, uncaring about the fighting still going on around him.

His Serenity was dead.

His soulmate was dead.

He was alone.

Again.

"No!" He shouted in mournful anger.


Darien's eyes snapped open as he gasped, and he looked around rapidly before he finally registered the sound of his alarm going off.

He leaned over and turned it off before he lay back down with a groan. He couldn't remember the last time he had a nightmare, but he knew he shouldn't be surprised given what had happened yesterday.

The Moon Princess had been found.

The reincarnated royal had been found, and unfortunately it had been his Serenity that had discovered her.

She had stood protectively in front of her from the moment she discovered her to the moments before the group of scouts had left. He had watched through his connection with his planet from an out of the way spot to make sure Jedite didn't attack.

Thankfully he didn't attack, simply watched the group likely to report with all the details he could. However, as soon as Jedite had left he himself had taken the opportunity to leave. He had gone straight to the Egyptian desert, deep in so as to not be seen by anybody, and let loose his anger.

He was sure that desert had never seen such a sight.

Darien sighed and climbed out of his bed and began to get ready for the day as he focused on peaceful thoughts. He needed to keep calm so he could concentrate in his classes. One of the last things he wanted was to give that royal wench enough power over him to disrupt his progress toward being a doctor.

Once he had dressed and eaten Darien grabbed his school materials and left his apartment. A half an hour drive later had him parking in the parking lot close to his university campus and headed to his first class of the day.

oOo

Darien headed toward his car after his last class grateful he had been able to focus during his classes despite his continued anger at the Moon Princess having been found. Now he was wondering what to do to pass the time until he could be in the warm presence of his soulmate.

Something he desperately needed after the nightmare he'd had.

He got in his car and started the engine as he put his school materials in the backseat. After putting his seatbelt on he pulled out of his parking spot and the parking lot altogether and began to wander. It was much too early to go to the Crown cafe after all.

As he drove he spotted a jewelry store and figured he could stop in and see what they had. He hadn't yet presented his soulmate with any jewelry in this life so why not? She deserved it, and he was positive whatever he chose would look good on her.

He parked in the nearest spot along the sidewalk, and headed to the jewelry store he had spotted. It was quiet inside as he entered and small, but even at a glance he saw some items that peeked his interest.

Darien looked curiously at some silver necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets, but ultimately decided that he wanted something gold for his Serenity. Maybe if he was lucky the color would trigger a memory for her.

With that decision he looked at the gold jewelry and fairly quickly decided against getting a ring or bracelet; especially since he didn't like their selection of those particular pieces. Instead he focused on the earrings and necklaces.

As he did he couldn't help recalling how Serena had called him last evening to check up on him.

oOo

Darien rolled his eyes toward his ringing phone, tempted to ignore it with his mood, but thought better of it since it might be his Serenity calling.

"Hello?" He answered after he reached the receiver.

"Darien?" Came the soft familiar voice of his soulmate.

"Serena." He replied softly, loving the sound of her voice, and allowing it to help push back his anger.

"Hi. I just wanted to see if you were okay since I didn't get the chance after what happened earlier." She said.

"I am fine. I was not hurt at all." He reassured her.

"I'm glad to hear that." Serena said before she went silent, and he knew she was hesitating. "I was a little concerned because you seemed different after seeing the girl I was with."

"Yes." He admitted honestly; though she didn't need to know about his volcanic rage. That was for after she remembered her true self.

"Did you recognize her?" She asked. "I thought that might be what was wrong. Maybe you were remembering something."

She was right about that. He was remembering; only not in the way she thought.

"I assumed she was the princess you are apparently tasked to protect." He said.

"Yeah. It's her." She needlessly confirmed. "So you remembered her?"

"I saw the crescent moon and you have said you were to find the Moon Princess." He said, allowing her to believe he only knew of the young woman from their conversations.

"Well, why were you different after seeing her if you didn't remember her from before?" She asked, and he could hear the frown in her voice.

"Because I was concerned for you." He said, which was the truth. He was safe from anything that girl thought she could do to him. His Serenity on the other hand would not be safe until they cemented their bond.

"You have worried about what would happen once she was found and when she begins to remember the past. Considering that, I am not at all pleased with her appearance. I worry what kind of affect she will have on you." He explained, which was also the truth. Who knew what the princess would say that his soulmate might believe with her randomly returning memories.

oOo

His Serenity had tried to reassure him that she would be fine, and that she remembered his previous words about only having a duty to protect her. She didn't have to be her friend or cater to her wants and needs.

"I'm supposed to protect her; not be her servant." She had said over the phone.

Hopefully sooner rather than later she will know that she is not supposed to protect her either. He thought as he looked along intently at the jewelry, but stopped after the fifth piece and leaned in closer.

Sitting under the glass was a pair of dangling gold earrings with a red rose and a delicate gold leaf hanging from a tiny three link chain.

"Hmm…" Darien hummed lightly as he gazed at the earrings. Beautiful. They would look good on her. They can be a belated commemoration gift for figuring out I am my masked identity. He thought, and allowed his eyes to drift lower to find that there was a matching pendant necklace to go with the earrings.

He thought the whole set would look good on her, and he decided right then and there that he would get the whole set. However, in the next moment he spotted two more sets, but in different colors; blue and a white that actually looked gold as far as he was concerned.

Hmm..my Serenity will look good regardless of which one of these she wears. He thought, and was seriously tempted to get her all three of them.

He always liked her in blue, being one of the Earth's colors, and the white really did look like gold, which was a color he associated with himself but also looked good on his soulmate.

He nodded firmly to himself and looked to the sales lady who immediately came over.

"How can I help you sir?" She asked with a pleasant smile.

"I would like the earrings and necklace set for all three colors please." Darien requested as he gestured with a hand to the specific jewelry in the glass case.

"Very good choices sir." She said kindly.

Darien nodded in agreement. As he watched her retrieve his choices he considered asking her to put the red jewelry in a separate bag so his Serenity wouldn't know about the other jewelry right away. However, he did not want this woman thinking he was trying to give the same gift to two or possibly three different women because of his color choices.

Her opinion didn't matter to him since she didn't know him, but he was in no mood to even see her facial expression turn in that particular direction. He would just present his soulmate with the blue and white-gold sets after she had seen the red set.

She carefully arranged the three sets of jewelry in separate boxes lined in what looked like velvet, and placed them inside a small shiny paper bag with decorative tissue inside to conceal the items. She then rang up the items and he handed over his bank card, which after a few long moments was returned to him along with a receipt.

She wished him a good day and he returned the wish before he grabbed the string handles of the small bag and headed for the door. He left the store and made his way back to his car where he sat and placed the bag on the floor of the passenger side seat.

As he pulled on his seatbelt he considered that not much time had passed since he entered the store, but he figured he could park near the cafe and wait in his car. He could start on his assigned class reading until it was a more reasonable time to head into the cafe and wait for Serena to arrive.

Darien started the engine and pulled out into the street and made his way to the cafe. Once he did he parked as close as he could and cut the engine before he took off his seatbelt and grabbed one of his textbooks.

An hour and a half passed as he sat in his seat reading. He had even begun to take notes, but when he next checked the time he decided it was time to head into the cafe to begin his wait for his soulmate to arrive.

He put his book, paper, and pen away and grabbed the bag from the jewelry store before he got out of his car. He locked the door and headed up the stairs and inside the cafe. He casually walked toward the usual booth he always picked next to the window and sat in his regular seat.

Placing the bag on the table in front of him he gently removed the boxes with the blue and white-gold jewelry, double checking the contents just to make sure he remembered correctly from watching the sales lady put them in, and put them next to his hip on the seat, next to the window. He then placed the bag on top of them, so there was less chance his Serenity would see any of them when she arrived.

Stretching his legs as much as he could in the space available under the table he made himself as comfortable as he could and gazed out the window; watching cars pass by in the street, and people he had yet to officially call his walking along the sidewalks.

A few minutes later he heard the door to the cafe open and he looked over to see, to his muted surprise, Amara and Michelle walking in. He shifted his legs so they weren't stretched out, and gave them his full attention as they drew closer.

"Hello ladies." Darien greeted them with a smile as they reached him.

"Hello Darien." Amara greeted in return as Michelle smiled.

"We were hoping we could join you and Serena today if that's alright." Michelle said for herself and Amara.

"Sure. Please join me." Darien said as he gestured toward the booth seat across the table from him. "I don't have anything planned for Serena and I today so it's fine."

"We weren't at the fight yesterday but we were able to watch it on Michelle's mirror." Amara said in a low tone, and watched him narrow his eyes.

"Then you know she has been found." He replied before he shifted his eyes toward the view out the window.

"Yes." Michelle said quietly. None of them were happy about the Moon Princess being found.

"Nothing has changed." He said seriously as he continued to look out the window. "I wish for my Serenity to remember herself sooner rather than later, so she does not have to endure spending any more time than necessary in that wench's presence."

"But that is not a new wish." He added as he looked to the two women before him. "I simply do not want her to possibly be influenced or stressed by something that hussy might say."

Amara raised her eyebrows at the term he used to refer to the Moon Princess. First 'wench', and now 'hussy'. Those derogatory terms were clearly further proof that Prince Endymion did not at all like the moon royal.

Of course she did not at all blame him. First he had the princess stalking him subtly, then more boldly, and then she had taken his soulmate from him. Not just taken her from him, but made her into one of her guardian scouts.

In addition to that, she had locked away Sailor Earth's memory of herself and given her a completely new set of memories. Besides that, she had also wiped the role of Sailor Earth from existence, and changed the entire course of the planet in the process.

And all while continuing to stalk him. She thought as she refrained from shaking her head. The princess had just gone back to being subtle about it, because she hadn't remembered meeting him, and therefore felt bold enough to keep trying to speak to him in person.

And I have not even factored in the altered memories that everyone had of Prince Endymion. He was right that had he been anyone other than the heir to the throne of the Earth his reputation would have been completely ruined. Amara thought, remembering the details he had explained to her and Michelle of exactly how the Moon Princess' actions had affected him, his soulmate, and his planet.

"We were wondering how Serena would react to recalling her true self." Michelle said, changing the subject somewhat. "Can I ask how it was for you?"

"It was painful. Agonizing pain in my head as my mind was flooded with memories." Darien revealed. "Even after the pain stopped I was thoroughly confused, and still reeling from the remains of the pain so intense it was. It was not until I set eyes on Serena that it all settled, and I understood everything."

Michelle and Amara grimaced.

"That does not sound pleasant." Michelle said, and he nodded.

"I honestly hope it is not like that for her. Still, in my case I would not change it since it allowed me to remember myself and know who I truly am." He said. "Beyond that initial pain and rush of memories there was the anger. Anger at what the princess had done to my Serenity, and that I had died before I could get her to remember her true self."

Darien leaned one forearm on the table and ran the fingers of his other hand through his hair as he sighed and looked down at the table top.

He wasn't sure he wanted to tell them, but he knew he should probably say what he was considering saying; not only so they understood, but to help him settle his raging emotions some. He couldn't tell his soulmate for obvious reasons, and the only other one he had aside from the two ladies was Andrew, and he wasn't here.

"I don't know if it was the same for you when you first remembered the past, but for me it was as if no time had passed." He said as he looked up at Michelle and Amara. "My two lives mixed. I lived this life, I am Darien, but what came before in the past is more dominant."

"You need to understand that for me it was as if I went to sleep one night as Endymion, and woke up in Darien's life with full knowledge of said life." He said seriously. "The emotions and thoughts were all there as they were before I died. And like before I found that my soulmate was still separate from me, and that I would have to make her fall in love with me yet again."

Darien closed his eyes. He absolutely loved his soulmate, but he was still furious that he had to court her a second time.

He hadn't allowed himself to think about it in the past with the situation being what it was, but he had had no idea how to court his Serenity. He hadn't had to court her the first time. They had learned early on that they were soulmates and had gone on with life as usual, growing closer and developing stronger feelings, and one day they found themselves in love with each other.

Courting her last time was made even worse because of the stress of knowing what had happened to her. It was like courting someone he knew and yet a complete stranger at the same time.

Now, it was the same this time, but at least this time he had experience to guide him and more freedom to act.

Darien looked toward the cafe door as he heard it open, and saw a few school girls come through wearing matching gray uniforms. He looked away, ignoring them since none of them were his Serenity.

"Considering how I felt when my memories returned my Serenity is likely to feel so many emotions; confusion likely one of the most prominent ones considering what happened to her, and what her returning memories are like now. I anticipate anger and possibly grief being prominent as well." He said quietly.

Amara and Michelle shared a look. They understood what he meant. They had experienced the same thing, but nowhere near as intense as his description sounded.

They remembered the past very clearly, had assimilated it thoroughly, but there was distance between their personalities then and now; they weren't exactly as they had been in the past.

But based off his words now, and what they had learned while getting to know him as Darien the reincarnated prince was the same as he had been in the past. And they got the feeling he hadn't been before he remembered.

It was the way he talked, and the way he moved, and in his mannerisms. Most times he was very courtly, formal, and sometimes he spoke just like they did in the past; sometimes he mixed it with modern speech.

It was to the point that they were sure anyone who had known him before he remembered would be able to easily notice the difference.

Now to think Serena could go through the same thing. Would she experience the same pain? Would it be worse considering her true self was locked away? Would she change to be more like her past self like Darien had?

"We will simply have to wait and see how she reacts." Michelle said softly, and Amara and Darien both nodded.

"Something occurred to me during one of the last fights we witnessed." Amara said, and Darien gave his full attention. "If the Guardian Scouts get themselves into a situation or find themselves in a situation where they look like they might die do you want us to step in and interfere to save their lives or leave the guardians to figure it out on their own?"

Darien frowned at the question; not having thought of it before.

"I don't particularly like the majority of the Guardian Scouts but they are people of the Earth in this life and should be protected." He said seriously. "However, make sure it is absolutely necessary for you to interfere, because I would rather they not find out about the two of you until need be."

As soon as he finished he heard the cafe door open again, and he looked over and sat up straight and smiled at the sight of his Serenity walking in their direction.

He scooted over in the booth seat and stood up as she drew closer, and watched her smile brightly and wave slightly with her free hand.

"Hello my lady." Darien said as she reached him, and wrapped her in a hug.


"Hi!" Serena said before she happily kissed him. "Hi Amara, hi Michelle." She said as she followed her boyfriend in sitting in the booth seat.

"Hello." Michelle greeted with a smile.

"Hey." Amara greeted. "How was school?" She asked.

"The usual. Lecture, note taking, homework assignments, report assignments." Serena said with a sigh as she settled her school bag in front of her on the table.

"What about you three? How were your classes?" She asked curiously.

"The same as yours minus the homework and report assignments." Amara said.

"Also the same; yet I have homework. Still, it was enjoyable as well." Michelle said.

"Tedious." Darien said with a sigh. "I wanted them to end so I could see you. Of course, even when they did end I still had to wait to see you."

Serena blushed happily at the knowledge that Darien had missed her and couldn't wait to see her. It was just another sign of his feelings for her, and she was happy to hear him tell it so readily and in front of friends.

"We should go on a date." She suggested suddenly, wanting an excuse to spend some one on one time with him away from the cafe.

"You're right. We should go on date." Darien agreed. "In fact, I wish to take you out on another evening date." He added, and watched her eyes light up.

"Will it be formal wear?" Serena asked.

"Yes." He answered. "I'm thinking either a play or an opera singer performance."

"I'm up for either of those, and can't wait to see what you decide." She said with a smile. "Is there any particular color you want to see me in?"

"Blue. Any type of blue you want, but I wish to see you in blue." He said instantly. "Perhaps this might go with whatever you choose. It's a commemoration gift for figuring out a secret." He suggested before he grabbed the small bag at his side and placed on the table in front of her.

Serena raised an eyebrow as she looked at the obvious jewelry bag before she looked inside. She pulled out the box inside and opened it before she gasped at the sight revealed. She understood fully why he chose the jewelry he did as she took in the red roses of the dangling gold earrings and matching pendant necklace.

"They're beautiful!" She exclaimed as she gently touched the pendant.

"In that case I am sure you will like this." He said as he reached over to his side and handed her an identical box.

"Darien." She said softly as she accepted the box. She opened it and found an identical set of jewelry except that the roses were blue.

"And enjoy this one." He added as he handed her yet another identical box.

Serena accepted the new one after she set the other one down next to the first, and opened it to find another identical set of jewelry with the exception that the roses were a white-gold color.

"You didn't have to do this." She said as she placed the box next to the others, and looked from the jewelry to him and back again.

"I did not, but I wished to." Darien admitted easily. "I knew each color would look good on you, and it pleased me to make it possible to witness outside of my imagination."

"Thank you." She said softly before she cupped his face and kissed him sweetly. "You are so sweet and sentimental."

Amara and Michelle looked on silently; both thinking what a cute couple they were.

oOo

Susanna Curry laughed with her friends as they sat at a large round booth table in the Crown cafe. They had spent time in the arcade below after school and were now relaxing in the cafe before they separated to head home.

She looked off to her left, toward the other side of the cafe, and blinked in surprise to see the dark haired guy she had seen a couple of weeks before. She had thought he was cute before and she still felt that way.

He was sitting with two girls, but he didn't look like he was attached to either of them despite how intently he was speaking to them.

So cute. She thought with a dreamy sigh as she stared at him. I have got to have him.

"What are you looking at Susanna?" One of her friends asked, causing all of them to look and see the only guy in her line of sight.

"Oh I've seen him in here a couple times. He's dating a girl with long blonde hair; she goes to a different school than us." Another friend pointed out.

"Are you sure?" Another girl asked.

"Yeah. I've seen them together. You know..hugged up and kissing." The previous friend answered.

Susanna frowned at their words, not liking it one bit. Why did he have to be unavailable? Well, she supposed she could understand. He was a very handsome guy, so it made sense that he had a girlfriend.

Still, she thought she could turn his attention in her direction. Plus, maybe her friend was wrong and he really didn't have a girlfriend. Maybe he was just having fun with some girl and wasn't serious about her.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw him slide out of his seat and stand up with a smile. Much to her surprise she saw a girl that she had just met yesterday, Serena, walk up to him. He hugged her and she watched with envious eyes as they shared a kiss before sitting in the seat he had been in.

Clearly she's the girl with long blonde hair, and judging by their behavior she actually is his girlfriend. She thought unhappily even as she began to wonder what to do about it.

It would be different if it was a girl she didn't know, but she knew Serena. Well, she knew her as well as any girl she knew for only a day, but the point was she couldn't just come in and flirt with him with Serena there.

Well, I probably could but I don't know her well enough to know how she would react to that. She thought as she saw him giving Serena something. Unfortunately she couldn't see what it was from her angle.

"Can you see what he's giving her?" She asked her friends in general, and saw one stand up and look.

"It looks like jewelry judging by the little bag and boxes." One of the girls said.

Susanna frowned jealously, knowing that if he was hers he would be giving her that jewelry; she knew she deserved it and more. Especially since she was a princess.

Yeah. Now I just have to figure out how to get him since he's dating Serena. She wondered as she stared across the cafe at them. She wanted him; thought they would look good together, and from what she was seeing he would shower her in gifts like she deserved.

Her eyes suddenly brightened as she remembered that Serena was apparently one of her Guardian Scouts and had to do what she said.

I can use that communicator they gave me. She thought as she remembered the little pink device she was supposed to use to contact them if she needed them or if they needed to speak to her.

She didn't want to wait. She could call a meeting and get Serena to break up with the cute guy. Plus, it would get her away from him, and maybe if she had to leave abruptly he would be upset with her.

She'll listen to me and do it what I want, because she has to listen to me. This is perfect. I can hopefully start getting to know him by tomorrow. She thought smugly before she began to say her goodbyes to her friends, so she could leave and use the communicator.

oOo

"I'll wear one of these sets during our date." Serena said as she closed the jewelry boxes. She carefully placed them inside the small bag, and saw that all of them fit easily.

"I can't wait to see which one you pick. In fact, I can't wait to see your whole look on that evening." Darien said with a small smile.

Serena returned the smile but before she could say anything she heard her communicator going off in her pocket. She groaned quietly as she closed her eyes briefly.

Why? She thought before she opened her eyes.

"Excuse me. I'll be right back." She said before she slid out of her seat and began to make her way to the bathroom.

Darien, Amara, and Michelle watched her before they exchanged a look. All of them had heard the sound, and could guess what it was; especially with her reaction.

"Do you think it's a monster attack?" Michelle asked Darien quietly.

"I do not know. If she has to leave and she transforms at some point then I'll know." Darien replied as he glanced toward where she had disappeared down the hallway where the bathroom was.

"If it is then it is another fight for us to witness." Amara said with practicality. "And a chance to see if the princess is foolish enough to be there."

Darien grimaced slightly, reminded of his nightmare, and hoped mightily that that wasn't the case if it did turn out to be a monster attack.

Serena frowned in irritation as she made her way to the bathroom, unhappy that her time with her boyfriend and friends was being interrupted. She didn't think there was an attack, because she didn't sense any dark energy. Although, she readily admitted that it was possible she just hadn't sensed the tainted energy yet.

Still, if that's not the case then what could this be about? All the scouts have been found and so has the Moon Princess. She wondered as she reached the bathroom.

She paused and looked around before she pulled out her communicator, seeing no need to actually go into the restroom since she didn't need to use the facilities, and saw the button for the princess flashing.

"Serena here." She said after she pressed the newly added button, and saw the princess' face on the tiny screen.

"Mina here." She heard her friend and fellow scout say.

"I want to have a meeting as soon as possible." She heard the princess say. Susanna. She reminded herself as she guessed that everyone else had already answered.

"Maybe we can have it at Raye's place like before. It's really important." Susanna said.

"That's fine with me." Raye said.

"I'll be there as soon as possible. Serena out." She said before she pressed the button to end the connection.

Serena sighed heavily before she put her communicator in her pocket and began to head back toward her boyfriend and friends. She hoped mightily that the meeting was truly important.

Like silver crystal found important. She thought, feeling disgruntled. And what am I supposed to tell Michelle and Amara?! Darien would understand, but I can't tell them the same truth.

"Do you have to leave my lady?" Darien asked as he saw his soulmate's unhappy face as she made her way back toward them; saving her from coming up with an unnecessary excuse.

"Yeah unfortunately." Serena said as she stopped next to the table. "I wish I didn't have to. I would definitely rather stay here with you all." She added, gathering up her school bag and the jewelry bag, as she looked back and forth between Darien and Amara and Michelle.

"Well, let me walk you to the door." Darien said as he slid out of the booth seat and stood up.

"Okay." She said as she nodded. "It was good to see you two." She said as she looked to Michelle and Amara. "We'll have to get together again, and hopefully not be interrupted."

"True, and we'll make sure to have fun when we do it." Amara said.

"Yes." Michelle agreed. "You be safe out there."

"I will. Bye!" Serena said with a short wave, and listened to their parting greetings before she began to walk away with Darien.

"What's happening?" Darien asked quietly.

"The princess called a meeting, and apparently it's important." She explained. "The only thing I can think of that would apply is the silver crystal being found."

"I understand. I'm not happy about our time being cut short, but I understand." He said with a slight frown. "I'll call you later in the evening." He added as they reached the doors.

"I'm already looking forward to it. Besides, we still need to pick a day for our date." She replied.

"We'll set a date when you have your dress. That way there's no rush to find the dress you desire." He said.

"Okay." She said before kissed him and hugged him. "Talk to you later."

"Later." He promised as he opened the door for her. He watched her walk through and head down the stairs before he turned and began to make his way back to Amara and Michelle.

Serena headed down the sidewalk for a couple of blocks, and decided to take the bus since it was coming when she neared the stop. She arrived at the temple almost twenty minutes later, and hurried up the long set of steep stairs as quickly as she could.

She greeted Raye's grandfather as she reached the house, and he let her inside and directed her to the usual room they met in. She thanked him with a smile, and hurried down the hallways to the room.


Serena opened the door and saw that Raye, Amy, and Lita were there, but Mina and their princess weren't yet. She also noticed that Artemis and Luna weren't there. She wondered if they even knew about the meeting being called.

"Hey you guys." She said as she walked in, and closed the door behind her. "Does anyone know why Susanna wants to meet with us?" She asked and they all shook their heads.

"Maybe it has something to do with the rainbow crystals or the silver crystal." Amy suggested, and they all looked thoughtful at that.

Only a few minutes later Mina arrived, and learned they were just as clueless as she was about what the meeting was going to be about. Another few minutes later their princess arrived, and started talking as soon as the door closed behind her.

"Introduce me to your boyfriend, and then break up with him so I can be with him instead." Susanna ordered as she looked at Serena.

She had thought about it on her way to the temple, and decided being introduced to him would be better than meeting him on her own.

Everyone blinked in surprise at the subject, and Serena and Mina stared incredulously; wondering if this was truly what the 'important' meeting was about.

Serena laughed at her princess derisively.

"I'm not dumbing my boyfriend because you're attracted to him." She said incredulously.

That seemed to snap everyone out of their surprise.

"You should let Susanna have him since he's who she wants." Amy said.

"What are you saying?" Serena said as she stared at Amy. "Not too long ago you were getting on my case for seeing the Earth Prince in the past, and wondering if I would dump my boyfriend for the prince if he came along. Now you're saying that I should dump my boyfriend so our princess can have him instead?"

"What happens if the prince happens to show up? Was Susanna going to dump my boyfriend for the prince, which would mean I had given up my boyfriend for nothing?" She asked rhetorically.

"Both of you need to get real! I'm not about to dump my boyfriend." She stated firmly as she looked at Amy and Susanna.

"There was a prince in the past?" Susanna said to the room in general.

"You should give up your boyfriend. Our princess should have her pick of both men since it sounds like you deprived her of the one she wanted in the past." Raye said at the same time.

"I didn't deprive her of anything." Serena said as she frowned. "The prince approached me and from what I've remembered so far he likely approached me with the full knowledge of our princess' feelings for him."

"You act like the prince didn't have a mind of his own, and couldn't make his own choices and decisions." She said as she shook her head in exasperation. "I can't help that the prince wasn't infatuated with our princess just because she was infatuated with him."

Before more could be said by anyone Serena found a scene playing through her mind as she looked at Raye.

oOo

"Leave princess!" Sailor Earth said firmly. "You know you should not be here!"

"No! I am not leaving until I speak to Prince Endymion!" Princess Selene said.

Before Sailor Earth could say more a flash of blue and a flash of red appeared behind the princess revealing Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars respectively.

"It is time to leave princess." Sailor Mercury said calmly as she stepped toward her.

Sailor Earth watched, looking between the three women, and could tell from her look alone that Sailor Mars didn't like her. However, she didn't care at all. Sailor Mars was nothing to her.

Sailor Mercury put her hand on her princess' shoulder, and as they left in a flash of blue light Sailor Mars glared at her. Sailor Earth looked right back at her; completely unimpressed.

"What is your issue?" She asked blandly as she raised an eyebrow.

"I do not like you, and I do not like your closeness with Prince Endymion." Sailor Mars said with a frown.

"I do not care that you do not like me. I care even less what you think of my familiarity with my Prince. It is none of your business." Sailor Earth said bluntly. "If you do not like being witness to it than you should do your job, and keep better watch on your princess and not allow her to travel where she is not wanted. Then you would not have to see."

"Do not tell me how to perform my duty!" Sailor Mars hissed at her.

"If you do not want to hear it then leave. There is nothing keeping you here; your princess has already been removed. You should be back on the Moon with her making sure she does not come back once again." Sailor Earth told her patronizingly.

Sailor Mars looked ready to explode where she stood.

"Leave, and get back to your duty!" Sailor Earth snapped at her firmly. "If you and your fellow guardians cannot do your job I will speak to your Queen to finally put a stop to her daughter's constant intrusion on royal grounds, let alone the planet, and stalking of my Prince!"

"Princess Selene is not stalking his…" Sailor Mars began to deny.

"She is!" Sailor Earth interrupted firmly. "And she is doing it because she is a selfish, spoiled, entitled little brat!"

"She thinks she can have whatever she wants, whenever she wants, and she wants it all right now! And what she wants at this time is my Prince!" She continued.

"She does not care if he does not want her in return! She only wants him to fall into her arms, and be a slave to her and her whims! My Prince is not going to be part of that; he is not going to be part of her twisted little fantasy!" She said angrily, the wind picking up suddenly and blowing around her and the area; whipping her loose hair and cape behind her.

"Keep your princess away, and instruct her to behave like the royal she is supposed to be instead of like a child wandering where they are not supposed to be!" Sailor Earth snapped, the wind blowing more fiercely with her emotion.

oOo

Serena blinked in surprise at the memory snippet she had just seen, and forced herself not to react outwardly as she looked away so nothing would show on her face.

She had never seen her past self as Sailor Earth angry; at least not in the memories she had recalled so far. Or as Sailor Moon for that matter. Even now she had had no cause to become really angry.

However, she thought everything her past self had said was definitely something she would say, and she definitely agreed with her past sentiments. From all she had seen in her memories so far the princess was trying to live in a fantasy, and felt like she was entitled to the Earth Prince just because she liked him.

From what she could tell the prince clearly didn't want the princess. Obviously her looks, royal status, and eventual powerful inheritance meant nothing to him. He was a handsome man in his own right, heir to the throne of his own planet, and had his own powerful crystal that he didn't have to wait to inherit. Clearly making him more powerful then the pretentious princess.

Serena blinked slowly and her thoughts, and everything else inside her, paused for a few long quivering heartbeats.

How did I know the Earth Prince had a powerful crystal? She wondered disquietedly.

She had not seen or heard anything of the sort mentioned in any memory she had recalled so far.

Maybe it was instinctive knowledge. She considered as she held in a frown. If that was the case she could see her maybe having that knowledge being the scout of the Earth and engaged to the man, but not as Sailor Moon and only being courted by him.

Then again all her instinctive knowledge had come from her being the scout of the Earth as far as she could tell.

Before Raye or anyone else could respond to Serena's words Amy's minicomputer began to go off. Amy hurried to pull it out of her school bag, and quickly opened it and began to click around.

"There's a monster attack near the zoo." She announced.

"That's almost clear across the city." Mina groaned quietly, and Serena sighed at her words.

"Then we had better get started on our way." She said with a shrug even as she realized something.

Serena could only sense dark energy within a certain distance of her since she wasn't sensing any from this current monster attack. That was something she needed to keep in mind, and see if she could fix.

"Maybe I should go with you all to see you in action, so I'll know what you can do." Susanna said. She had seen them fighting at the amusement park, but she hadn't seen much what with that fog that had covered the place so thickly.

Mina and Serena looked at her incredulously; wondering if she had lost her mind. Clearly her last brush with a monster hadn't taught her anything.

"I think that's a bad idea." Amy said with a frown. "That would be giving our enemy a chance to capture you or kill you."

"Plus, you have no way to get to the scene." Lita added reasonably.

"You could carry me like you did last time." Susanna said.

"True, but you would have nowhere to go once we were at the scene. The fight could take us anywhere, and there's no guarantee that we won't be attacked as soon as we get there." Lita pointed out, not adding in the fact that carrying her would slow her down and alert everyone around since she would be screaming. That was an experience she was not keen on repeating.

"How about you head home, and we'll contact you after the fight is over. That way you'll know what happened." Raye said to the reincarnated princess.

Susanna huffed as she placed a hand on her hip, unhappy about being left behind, but she nodded since she really didn't want to be attacked. She wanted to see them fight, but from a safe location where there was no danger.

Beyond that she was upset about being denied. Serena had not agreed to break up with her boyfriend or introduce him to her. Although, she liked that at least two of her scouts thought she should be able to have him.

And I learned that there was a prince in the past. She thought as she watched the girls rush out of the room. Maybe I should wait for him to make an appearance. After all, as a princess I deserve a prince. But the cute guy Serena is dating is here now, and more importantly he's cute!

I'll have to speak to him and draw him away from Serena if I want him. She thought. And I definitely want him.

Susanna left the room and began to make her way out of the house to head home, already planning what she would say to the cute guy the next time she saw him, and vaguely wondering if Raye was right and she should have her pick between both guys.

It was something to think about; especially if the prince made an appearance soon.

oOoIRoOo

The Guardian Sailor Scouts ran, leapt, and jumped when needed as they raced across the city toward the zoo to try and reach the monster before it did too much damage to the surrounding populace.

They ran for long minutes and as they reached what she thought was the halfway point Sailor Moon began to sense the dark energy of the monster. Immediately she frowned as she realized there were two energy signatures.

Unlike the last time she had sensed two, when Jupiter had been awakened, this time the signatures were of equal size, which told her there were two monsters they were headed for.

She looked over to Venus who was running near her and held up two fingers. Sailor Venus' eyes widened before she nodded her understanding.

Venus turned her eyes back to her path and remained calm. Two monsters were waiting for them, but there were five of them. Plus, she was sure Tuxedo Mask would show up at some point and bring their number to six, which was better in her eyes; especially if they had to split up to deal with the monsters.

And I already know who I want to work with if it comes to that. She thought firmly. She was uninterested in being stuck alone against a monster if something happened to Mercury, Mars, or Jupiter if she found herself working with any of them.

Ten more minutes passed before they reached the area. People were still screaming and running, and the monsters had apparently by now made their way inside the zoo.

The five scouts rushed into the zoo, dodging people and looking around carefully, as they looked for exactly what was alarming people.

Without a word Sailor Moon veered off to her right down a path that lead between two different animal exhibits. Venus followed, confident that that path led toward the monsters, Jupiter angled her path after them a few moments later, and Mars and Mercury reluctantly followed as well.

Within moments Sailor Moon slowed to a stop, causing the others to do the same, as she spotted a boy and a girl that looked like they had just reached their teens.

The two appeared to be twins as they had similar facial features and were dressed almost identical. The boy had orange eyes and matching hair pulled up into a high ponytail, and wore a black jacket, white shirt, and black pants. The girl had white eyes and matching loose hair, and wore a black jacket, orange shirt, and a black skirt.

"Is that them?" Sailor Venus asked quietly.

"Yes. They're the monsters." Sailor Moon confirmed.

"Two?! I thought it was just one." Sailor Jupiter said with a frown.

"My computer didn't say it was more than one. It just said where the energy signature of the attack was." Sailor Mercury said defensively.

"Well, they look like twins, so maybe your computer registered their energy as one because of that." Sailor Mars said in an attempt to make her fellow scout feel a bit better.

Although, Sailor Moon was able to tell that there were two despite them looking like twins. She thought despite her previous words as she looked from Mercury to Moon and back to the apparent monsters.

The boy and girl looked at them with identical cheeky smiles, but before anyone could say anything mundane or revealing one of the scouts attacked.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter cried out, sending lightning streaking toward the boy and girl.

The boy and girl dashed to the side away from each other, allowing the attack to pass, before they turned and raised a hand toward the group of scouts. Out came a blast of dark white energy from the girl, and a blast of dark orange energy from the boy.

The Scouts scattered as they ducked and leapt away to avoid the energy blasts. Once they were sure they had completely avoided the attacks they faced the monsters and returned fire.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Mars shouted as she sent a ball of fire at the boy since he was closest to her.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Mercury yelled as she sent a stream of cool bubbles toward the boy as well.

Sailor Moon tried to ignore the sound of her fellow scouts calling out their attacks as she reached up and pulled off her tiara. As she charged it up to a glowing white disk she watched as Venus sent her light beam at the girl since she was closest to them.

The girl dodged and as she raised her hand to attack in their direction Sailor Moon threw her tiara toward her hand in the hopes that it would slice it off. Unfortunately the girl dodged, quicker than she thought she could, and in the next moment was literally standing on top of a fence enclosing some panda bears.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she aimed her pointer finger at the girl on top of the fence.

The girl avoided the beam, but couldn't avoid the spinning white disk flying at her back. She screamed as it hit, and fell to the ground hard.

Sailor Moon caught her returning tiara and watched the girl roll toward the boy after she hit the ground. She got to her feet with an angry pained look, and as the twins stood side by side their skin began to change.

The smooth human softness shifted to rough-looking dark green and black scales. It was on their faces, their necks, their hands, and the girl's legs. They definitely looked like the monsters they were; especially when they growled and displayed pointed teeth.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she sent her light beam at the pair of monsters.

In the next moment Sailor Moon threw her tiara toward the monsters.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Mercury yelled.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Mars shouted.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter shouted.

The monsters dodged, leaping up and surprisingly toward the group of Scouts, with matching growls.

Sailor Moon quickly dashed forward under the monsters instead of trying to back up. Venus smartly followed and they both turned, making sure their backs weren't toward the monsters, and watched as they landed; the girl on the ground and the boy shockingly on top of Jupiter.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she pointed her finger at the girl monster.

The girl spun around in their direction and dodged to the side almost hitting the fence to the animal enclosure. Then she lifted her hand and a blast of dark white energy came exploding out and toward Venus and Moon.

The two scouts dodged and Sailor Moon grabbed her tiara from where it was floating above her and threw it sharply at the girl monster.

Jupiter cried out in surprise and pain as her back and head hit the ground and she registered the boy monster's weight, his hands resting on her shoulders. She opened her eyes, having closed them in her pain, and blinked as the monster glared down at her and growled fiercely; his face much too close for comfort.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" She heard Mars call out, and before she could do anything to the monster a fireball slammed into the monster boy's side and knocked him off her.

The girl monster avoided the spinning white disk and managed to avoid stepping on her brother as he skidded in her path, but cried out as she was hit in the back of her left arm by the same white disk.

The boy monster raised his hand and shot a blast of dark orange energy at the green scout before he skidded into the fence of the animal enclosure.

Jupiter's eyes widened as she saw this and she quickly rolled backward and onto her feet before she skipped back for good measure to avoid the blast.

"Supreme Thunder!" She yelled, and sent lightning streaking toward the boy.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Mercury shouted, sending a stream of cool bubbles at the same time as Jupiter.

The boy monster quickly rolled away, avoiding the attacks, and launched a blast of dark orange energy at the green, blue, and red scouts.

The girl monster jumped high toward Sailor Moon with an angry growl, and Sailor Moon quickly moved back and off to the side to avoid being landed on even as she willed her tiara toward the monster.

The girl monster dodged to the side and the tiara whizzed pass her, and she dodged again as a beam of light streaked toward her. Before long she found herself continuously dodging the glowing white disk and the light beam that kept coming at her no matter which way she moved.

Suddenly a red rose hit the monster's side and exploded sending the female flying off to the side with a pained cry. She crashed into the male monster, and they both went down and skidded slightly.

Sailor Moon glanced over and spotted her masked boyfriend before turning her attention back to the monsters. Venus looked over and saw Tuxedo Mask jogging toward them before she too looked back to the monsters.

Tuxedo Mask stopped next to his soulmate in the space the female monster had been in as he watched Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter move away from the monsters and stand spaced out with their backs to him, Venus, and his Serenity.

After his soulmate had left for her meeting he had stayed with Amara and Michelle feeling unhappy that she was gone, and that it was because she had been called away by the royal wench she had to protect.

He had informed them and then they had spoken of random things for a while before he sensed his Serenity's transformation. He had immediately informed them, and Michelle had pulled out her mirror. As the reflective surface cleared of their reflections he tapped into his connection with the Earth and images flashed through his mind.

The image of his transformed soulmate appeared in his mind at the same time it appeared in the mirror. She was running, the streams of her hair waving behind her, and he widened the view in his mind and saw the Guardian Scouts running with her.

No princess. Thankfully my nightmare is not about to come true on that front. He told himself as he monitored his Serenity's progress while looking at her image in the mirror.

Within a few minutes he saw them reach a zoo and race through it before stopping. Again he widened his mental view and saw two kids that looked like they were not yet teens but close, and possibly twins on top of that.

He had asked his two friends if they were going to go to the scene and watch, and they had both quickly confirmed that they were. With that decision they left the cafe and found a place to transform. Once they had he transported all three of them and told them he would see them later before running off.

Now, he knew that while he was here about to fight they were finding a spot out of view of the Guardian Scouts sight so they could watch the fighting.

He widened the view in his mind as he searched for the two scouts and found them at a distance on the roof of a building. They weren't far enough away that they couldn't see the fight with their own eyes, but they were distant enough not to be noticed without a deliberate search.

Beyond them he didn't see any of the generals, so he didn't have to worry about them for the time being. Although, he was well aware that they could show up at any point.

The two monsters recovered fast, getting to their feet, their eyes glowing as they looked at the female fighters and the new male arrival. The twins looked at each other before returning their eyes to the fighters. They quickly lifted an arm and launched a blast of dark white and dark orange energy.

Both beams streaked through the air and through the space between Jupiter and Mars as they moved aside and toward Sailor Moon.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened at the two beams headed for her and she quickly twisted to her side and skipped backward toward her masked boyfriend as they passed her by.

Tuxedo Mask placed his hand on his soulmate's shoulder to stop her backward movement and steady her while he lifted his free hand and focused his chakra and willed his attack to come forth.

Sharp red rose petals came shooting out of the palm of his hand and sailed through the still open space between Jupiter and Mars and toward the two monsters.

Sailor Moon took that time to reach up and grab her tiara from where it faithfully hovered above her and threw the glowing white disk toward the monsters. She watched it fly through the air after her masked boyfriend's rose petals and hoped both attacks did some damage to the monsters.

Crescent Beam! Sailor Venus called in her mind as she lifted her hand and aimed her finger at the male monster since he was closer.

"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter yelled as she practically threw her hands forward and sent lightning streaking toward the male monster.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury shouted as she sent a stream of cool bubbles toward the female monster since she was closest to her.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Sailor Mars yelled as she sent a fireball at the female monster almost at the same time Mercury attacked.

The boy monster ducked under the flower petals headed his way and twisted out of the way of the lightning before he lifted his hand and sent a blast of dark orange energy first at the green scout and then at the scout with the long blonde hair standing further back.

Tuxedo Mask threw rose after rose at the monsters, but then reached out and grasped his soulmate's arm and pulled her toward him out of line of the attack headed her way. She was concentrating on guiding her tiara toward the female monster, and he knew she wouldn't be quick enough to avoid the male's attack with how fast it was moving.

That seemed to be specifically for her. He thought suspiciously, having seen the monster first attack Jupiter then turn his attention toward his Serenity.

"Thanks." Sailor Moon said quietly as she glanced his way before she focused back on her tiara.

"Anytime." He replied, and then narrowed his eyes. "Another one!" He said suddenly before he wrapped his arm around her waist and spun away from the dark white incoming attack from the female.

Sailor Moon sighed and looked at her masked boyfriend gratefully as he set her feet back on the ground.

"We can't fight like this. We risk the others being hit by our attacks." She said as she looked to see Mars and Jupiter attacking the monsters.

She especially couldn't fight like this. She had been so busy guiding her tiara around her fellow scouts that she hadn't been able to react to the fast attacks coming her way.

"We need to split them up; more than we did before." She added seriously.

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Sailor Mercury's voice cried out loudly, and Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus groaned.

Tuxedo Mask on the other hand decided to use the quickly spreading fog to his advantage to create the split his soulmate wanted.

"Stay here." He said as he stepped forward. "And prepare yourself." He added before he rushed forward using his vision through the Earth to aid him.

He paused as he reached the spaced line where the scouts of Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury stood and focused his chakra and first created a rose that he extended into a thorn littered whip, and summoned golden lightning with his other hand.

He thrust his hand forward and the lightning zipped through the air and struck the male monster causing him to cry out in pain as he was electrocuted. Then while the monster was distracted he expertly flung his rose whip forward and wrapped it around him before he pulled back sharply and flung the male behind him toward his Serenity and Venus.

"Tuxedo Mask said to prepare ourselves." Sailor Moon told Venus as she moved over to her.

"What's he planning?" Sailor Venus wondered as she looked toward the fog, glad they weren't caught up in it.

"The only thing I can think of is that he's going to somehow split the monsters up." Sailor Moon said. "I don't know how he's going to do that in that fog without being attacked by the monsters or our fellow scouts."

Before Venus could reply they heard a masculine cry of pain and then another cry before they spotted the male monster fly out the fog and sail high over their heads.

The two scouts wasted no time turning and attacking him while he was still in the air as they ran after his falling figure.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she lifted her arm and pointed her finger at the monster, sending a beam of light streaking through the air toward him.

Sailor Moon, instead of reaching up to grab her tiara, lifted her arm and aimed her hand at the monster and willed the spinning white disk toward the scaly male.

The male monster cried out in pain as he was hit with the energy attack and flew further back, and then screamed as a searing pain ripped through one of his arms.

Tuxedo Mask ran out of the fog, avoiding the three scouts he didn't particularly care for, and watched as the male monster's arm fell to the ground as his soulmate's tiara sliced it off.

Good. He thought as he focused his chakra and willed an exploding rose into existence.

He threw it at the severed arm to make sure it couldn't be reattached if the monster could do that, and then lifted his hand as he focused his chakra again and willed sharp rose petals out of his palm.

Instantly the red petals came shooting out, spinning rapidly, as they sped through the air and riddled the monster as he fell to the ground.

Sailor Moon grabbed her tiara as it returned to her and watched the monster, prepared to launch her weapon again, as the boy rolled on the ground after he landed. She glanced over as her masked boyfriend stopped in the space between her and Venus, but quickly returned her attention to the monster.

They heard the male groan as he began to get to his feet, but before they could start attacking he began to glow with an orange light. Sooner than they expected the monster's body was completely blocked from their view, and when it cleared they were all surprised.

Standing where the scaly one armed boy had been was now a one armed creature that had dark green and black scales, an orange stripe along its back, and matching orange eyes with a black vertical slit.

It looked alarmingly like a velociraptor straight out of the Jurassic Park movies.

Sailor Moon's jaw dropped at the sight, and she took a startled step back hoping mightily that it wasn't similar to how the creatures behaved in the movies.

"What's wrong?" Tuxedo Mask asked as he moved to her side.

"It…it's like those seriously dangerous dinosaurs from the movies!" She answered, not taking her eyes off it. "Well, they were all dangerous, but these ones were fast and high jumpers."

"True." He agreed, having seen those movies. "However, I believe we can defeat this creature. We can jump just as high, we are just as fast, and we are likely more dangerous since we have more to work with then just our body."

"Right." She said slowly.

"Believe in yourself. This one is no different than all the other monsters. In need of being destroyed." He said seriously.

"You're right." Sailor Moon said firmly, his words and tone encouraging her confidence.

He was very right. This monster needed to be defeated, and defeated soon because she was concerned about the female monster. The last thing she wanted was for them to be attacked from behind because the others couldn't handle it on their own.

"Then let us get this done." Tuxedo Mask said before he stepped back over to his original position.

He glanced back to her and was pleased to see his soulmate step back into her former position. He didn't want her losing her confidence over a fear that shouldn't exist. He knew it was just the shock of the moment because they had both seen monsters prior to this that looked just as dangerous.

Sailor Venus chanced glancing over to her companions to see them talking quietly but returned her eyes to the monster. The shock and fear on Sailor Moon's face was understandable since she felt the same way. She supposed fighting monsters was one thing, but fighting something that strongly resembled a dangerous extinct animal was another matter altogether.

Sailor Moon frowned seriously and threw her tiara sharply at the monster's neck hoping to slice its head off and end this quickly. Unfortunately he avoided the weapon attack by lowering its upper body.

Tuxedo Mask threw a handful of his exploding roses at the monster, which jumped over them before landing back on the ground. Unfortunately for the monster it was barely settled before it was struck with a beam of light that blasted it back with a roar.

Sailor Moon guided her tiara around and managed to slice off the monster's remaining arm. Tuxedo Mask almost instantly threw an exploding rose at it before throwing another at the monster's face to distract and injure it.

The first rose made contact with the arm just before it hit the ground and exploded, and the second hit the monsters face causing it to roar in anger and pain.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she aimed her arm and finger at the monster's face, taking the opportunity to add her attack to Tuxedo's hoping to damage the monster's eyes and blind it to give them a better chance at defeating it quickly.

The monster roared in pain as it shook its head back and forth, blood dripping from its face and where its arms had been.

Sailor Moon took advantage of the monster's sightlessness, and guided her tiara back toward the monster, and watched her tiara follow her will as it sped toward the monster's neck and sliced right through it.

The monster's roar cut off abruptly and its head slipped off and fell to the ground; its body stumbling back as if unaware that it was no longer complete.

Venus, wanting to make sure the monster was truly defeated, sent her Crescent Beam attack at the body, and nodded as she watched Tuxedo Mask's spinning rose petals join her light beam.

Both attacks hit and the body stumbled more before it fell to the ground, and began to turn gray and crumble; the head following the same process only a moment later.

Once the crumbled remains of the monster disappeared they turned their attention to the last monster, which they could hear clearly along with the shouts of the other three scouts.

The female monster had changed just as the male had; turning into a velociraptor-looking creature that had black and dark green scales with a white stripe along its back and matching white eyes with a black vertical slit.

Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars were shouting out their attacks, launching them back to back without a care to what the other was doing or where their attacks would go if they missed. Sailor Jupiter was further away on the ground, and struggling to get up as if she had been flung there.

Neither Venus nor Moon knew what had happened to her, but Tuxedo Mask knew since he had seen it through his connection to the Earth.

She had been foolish to get so close to the monster, and he didn't like what that said about her in terms of being a warrior. Such foolishness could affect his Serenity. He would have to keep a more watchful eye on that scout.

Sailor Moon wanted to help get rid of this last monster, but she wasn't entirely sure how to go about it. Mercury and Mars were attacking back to back at the same time, but they were also shifting slightly from side to side as the monster shifted making it almost impossible to attack without hitting them.

They could jump over them to reach the far side where Jupiter was, but they would have to worry about being hit by Mars and Mercury's attacks. They also couldn't go around them, because there was barely any room.

Maybe we'll just have to take a chance. She thought with a slight frown as she watched the scene in front of them.

The dinosaur-like monster dodged the rapid attacks before it roared and swiped one of its clawed arms sending three dark white energy claws flying at Mars before quickly doing the same for Mercury.

Both targeted scouts moved away from each other to their far sides, and the monster opened its long jaws and shot a blast of dark white energy straight at the scout in white, red, and blue.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened and she instinctively jumped high over the blast. This attack was a surprise as were the energy claws. The male monster hadn't done that, but then again they hadn't given it a chance to display any attacks after it took on its last appearance.

Then her eyes narrowed as it looked up toward her, and opened its jaws again and shot another blast of its dark white energy at her. Having retrieved her tiara while watching the remains of the male monster disappear she threw it sharply down at the energy blast since she couldn't dodge it while in the air.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she ran forward, sending her light beam at the monster as she saw it attacking Moon while she was in the air.

Sailor Moon's tiara cut down through the energy blast, and Venus' light beam streaked rapidly toward the monster's chest just beneath its neck.

"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter shouted sending her thunder streaking through the air.

The monster, alerted to the danger by the shout, jumped off to the side avoiding the lightning, and as a result the light beam and tiara as well much to Venus and Moon's irritation.

Tuxedo Mask moved to the side, looking up to make sure his Serenity wouldn't come down on top of him, to avoid Jupiter's missed attack since at her angle it was headed for him with the monster out of the way.

He then pulled out two exploding roses and narrowed his eyes at the monster before he threw them at its feet, hoping to injure and distract it.

The disguised prince had not missed the fact that the monster had attacked his soulmate twice; bypassing everyone else to do it.

He didn't know about everyone else but he noticed the pattern. Both monsters had taken opportunities to focus their attacks on her. The only reason he noticed at all was because he made a point of being aware of everything going on around his soulmate.

That means Beryl has recalled the past, at least the changed past, and is once again trying to kill who she thinks is her competition. He guessed unhappily. Although, he vaguely wondered if she was going to be going after the Moon Princess as well.

He didn't know how he felt about that. Part of him very sincerely did not care if she went after the royal young woman and even wished her well in her pursuit, but the other part unfortunately did care simply because she had been born on the Earth and was one of his citizens.

As the monster roared, and oddly hopped from one foot to the other when the roses exploded on contact, Sailor Moon landed lightly and wasted no time guiding her tiara around to come at the monster's legs from the side; slicing through them and severing them from its body.

The monster roared louder in obvious pain as it fell to the ground, and as it did it sent a continuous blast of its dark white energy from its mouth at everyone.

Everyone safely jumped over the attack just before it reached them avoiding injury.

As he had with the other monster Tuxedo Mask threw exploding roses at the severed limbs to make sure there would be no reattachment.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought, sending her light beam at the monster.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Mars yelled as she sent her fireball right after Venus' light beam hit the monster.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Mercury shouted as the monster roared at the fireball colliding with it. The bubbles streamed quickly toward the monster and froze it stopping its roaring.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter shouted, sending her lightning toward the frozen monster.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought, sending her beam of light at the frozen monster as well.

Both light and lightning hit the monster almost at the same time, and caused it to explode and send frozen chunks flying everywhere.

Sailor Moon reached up when the monster exploded and grabbed her tiara as it hovered above her, and released the charge before she placed it back on her forehead. Suddenly she was snatched around her waist, and was flying upward as she was held against a firm body.

"Venus, jump!" She heard the familiar voice of her masked boyfriend call out urgently.

She looked down to see what he was talking about, and saw a black shadow slithering along the ground.

"Shit!" She cursed quietly, knowing that meant only one thing.

Neflite was here.

oOo

Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune had watched the fighting closely, but began to watch more intently once Neflite made an appearance.

It had been interesting to see one fight that was silent save for the roars of the monster, and another that was loud with all three scouts shouting and yelling and the monster roaring.

They could also see another difference between the two groups. One group was just launching attacks back to back at the monster without a care of what their companions were doing while the other group appeared to be working together and coordinating their attacks to have the best results.

The two watching scouts were even surprised at one point to see Jupiter launch herself at the monster's side; presumably to try and take it down while it was distracted away from her.

That was beyond reckless. She risked being hit by one of the other scouts attacks since it was clearly a spontaneous move, and the monster barely budged proving that it was as physically strong as it looked and she had been foolish to get so close.

It further proved its strength by shaking her off and swatting her away with its tail.

Shifting their attention back to the other fight they nodded in approval at Prince Endymion, Sailor Moon, and Venus defeating the monster they faced. They had been very efficient; not wasting time and allowing the monster a chance to attack.

It was not surprising that as soon as they joined the fight with the last monster it went quickly. What did surprise them was seeing the monster single out Sailor Moon.

They didn't like what that meant. Either it meant the enemy knew that she was the leader of the Guardian Scouts or they knew she had something to do with Endymion in the past. Although, whether that was as the scout of the Moon or the scout of the Earth they didn't know.

It seemed unlikely it would be as the scout of the Earth given that there had been no problems in the past with her being with Endymion from anyone; aside from the Moon Princess' obsession.

Regardless of the reason it wasn't good; especially while she was still unaware of her true identity.

Just as the monster was frozen they saw Neflite appear, as if he had teleported, and stand, balanced on the top of the fencing on one side of the walking path before he threw his hand down toward the fighters. Instantly a shadow began to move along the ground toward them.

Clearly Endymion had somehow known of the general's appearance because he hadn't looked around before he grabbed Sailor Moon, jumped high, and warned Venus.

They watched Venus instantly jump up at Endymion's words and look down, clearly seeing the shadow, and the other three guardian scouts turn to look at what was going on.

"We have to keep a close watch on him. This is our chance to get him." Uranus said as she eyed the general, the coming fight secondary to making sure he didn't get away from them.

"Yes." Neptune agreed as she shifted her mirror, having brought it out after they had settled down to watch the fight, to focus on the general. "We will get him. Although, we will have to think of something quick if it looks like he is going to be killed."

"True." Uranus agreed before they both focused back on the general and the fight.

oOo

Sailor Mars frowned to see Sailor Moon in the arm of Tuxedo Mask while in the air, but at seeing Venus in the air as well she quickly jumped up. She remembered the shadow that had possessed her had slid along the ground, and looking further back as she ascended showed her that her guess was right. Neflite was their next opponent.

Sailor Mercury saw Venus and Moon in the air along with Tuxedo Mask, and immediately scanned the ground around her. As soon as she spotted the shadow slithering toward her she jumped high, and that was when she saw Neflite standing on top of the fence across from her.

Sailor Jupiter looked away from where the monster had been and saw Venus in the air and Moon being held by Tuxedo Mask while being in the air as well. Then she spotted the handsomest guy she had ever seen.

Tall, thick wavy maroon hair, and eyes a dark blue that she could see even at her distance. Unfortunately he was wearing a uniform that she recognized from the descriptions the others had told her. He was one of the men sending out the monsters.

She lifted her hands, prepared to attack, and parted her lips to speak.

"Jupiter jump!" Sailor Moon called to the green scout urgently.

She didn't know what Jupiter was thinking. Didn't she see that the rest of them had jumped? Didn't she wonder why?!

Jupiter glanced over to Moon, but before she could do anything else she froze. She blinked in confusion and looked around in panic not understanding what was going on. Then she felt her arms shift downward and over.

Oh no! No! Stop! She told herself, trying to do just that, before, without a word or thought, a bolt of lightning came streaking out of her hands toward Sailor Moon.

Tuxedo Mask noted, as he took in her solid black eyes, that Sailor Jupiter had now joined Mercury and Mars in having been affected by the enemy twice, and all in the same method even if in a different order.

But he quickly turned his attention to Neflite as he landed and carefully steadied his soulmate before he released her. He didn't care that Jupiter was now possessed. Let the others deal with her. He would rather focus on his former general and keeping his soulmate safe.

However, before he could attack the man he saw through his connection to the Earth the attack Jupiter launched at his Serenity. He saw her eyes widen as she too saw the attack, but before she could react he pulled her backward with him and out of range of the attack without looking.

He pursed his lips tightly together as he looked at Neflite. That attack was another indication that the enemy was targeting his Serenity.

"Thanks." Sailor Moon told her masked boyfriend before she took a quick look around the area. "We need to get away from this area; there are too many shadows from the chain link fences. We won't be able to dodge them all once they start moving."

"Then we have to distract him." He replied before he raised his hand, and launched his sharp rose petals.

Sailor Moon took that opportunity to pull off her tiara. She quickly charged it into a glowing white disk, and threw it toward Neflite.

"We have to leave the area! There are too many shadows here!" She called out to the others.

Neflite, seeing the attacks, teleported away, and everyone but Jupiter immediately started running away from the fence lined walking path. As they ran they dodged lightning strikes from her; some of them just barely.

When they were clear they stopped. There were still objects in the vicinity that had shadows, but they would be much more manageable and avoidable than the ones cast by the chain linked fences.

Neflite reappeared in front of them but at a slight distance, and Tuxedo, Moon, and Venus wasted no time attacking him; hoping to keep him from using any of the shadows around them.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she stretched her arm and pointed her finger at the man.

Tuxedo Mask raised his hand and focused his chakra and willed his attack to come forward. Instantly numerous sharp rose petals came shooting out and spinning rapidly toward Neflite.

Sailor Moon glanced up to her tiara and stretched her hand out toward Neflite and willed it forward before she guided it towards the man's chest.

Neflite teleported away, disappearing from sight, and Jupiter attacked from their side sending a bolt of lightning at the fighters before she jumped off to her side. She landed lightly in front of them yet at a distance just as Neflite reappeared at her side.

He looked her up and down before he returned his eyes to the group and smirked.

"Interesting partner I have." He said in amusement. "I'm going to enjoy this. Perhaps I'll keep her."

"No!" Sailor Mars yelled angrily before she lifted her hands. "Mars Fire Ignite!" She shouted, however, just as the fireball was leaving her fingers Jupiter's Supreme Thunder attack was already heading her way.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury yelled as she thrust her hands forward, and froze the lightning with her cool bubbles before it could reach Mars.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she sent her light beam at Jupiter while trying to keep an eye on the ground, so she could avoid any coming shadows.

Sailor Moon willed her tiara toward the maroon haired man once again but he leapt out of the way. Tuxedo Mask threw an exploding rose at him where he landed, and it clipped his arm and exploded causing him to cry out and stumble sideways.

Neflite threw his uninjured arm forward and gestured with his hand angrily. Shadows from buildings, a nearby garbage can, and light poles began to squirm before they detached and moved rapidly along the ground toward the fighters.

Sailor Moon leapt up and landed on top of the garbage can, thankful that it was the sturdy round kind with a little recycling roof to it. Tuxedo Mask jumped up high and landed on top of a light pole.

Sailor Venus jumped up just in time to avoid the shadow that came from a nearby light pole, and landed back on the ground and instantly sent her Crescent Beam attack at Jupiter once again.

The possessed Sailor Jupiter spun away, avoiding the light beam, before she silently sent her lightning at Mars.

Sailor Mercury leapt to the side and then skittered back in the direction she came from to avoid yet another shadow.

Sailor Mars leapt back and to the side away from the attack, but suddenly froze before she could move again.

Not again. She thought before she felt her arms lift, and a moment later a fireball came shooting out of her fingers right at Mercury.

Sailor Uranus shook her head as she and Neptune watched the fighting, which was now closer to them with the group's move.

She was surprised at Jupiter and Mars getting possessed, but she didn't know why she was. Neither one of them had been alert enough to avoid the shadows, and she thought it was probably only a matter of time until Mercury was possessed; unless Neflite was content with two of them being under his control.

That left Venus and Mercury to take on Jupiter and Mars since they were the closet to them, and Sailor Moon and Endymion to face off against Neflite.

Sailor Moon grabbed her tiara from where it hovered above her head, and threw it at Neflite before she leapt off the garbage can as she caught sight of a shadow climbing it.

Tuxedo Mask launched his sharp rose petals down at the man and kept it up as he dodged his soulmate's tiara and the first few petals.

Sailor Moon aimed her hand at the man and her tiara sped toward him, guided by her will, and swerved toward his legs as he was avoiding the rose petals.

Neflite teleported away as he spotted the glowing disk and appeared further away from them. Sailor Moon dashed toward him, and Tuxedo Mask jumped down and did the same. He threw some exploding roses at him, which he dodged moving him in Moon's direction. He swung a punch at her face as she reached him and she blocked it and kicked him in the side sending him stumbling sideways.

To Neflite's consternation Tuxedo Mask was suddenly there and hit him in the face with his fist so hard that he almost fell to the ground. Then he kicked him in the stomach with such force that he straightened and nearly fell backward with the momentum.

Before he could regain his balance Sailor Moon was in his line of sight and her fist was in his face nearly as hard as the masked man's. Then he felt a booted foot kick his stomach sending him stumbling backward until he fell onto his back.

Tuxedo Mask threw a handful of exploding roses down at him, but he disappeared before they could hit and they exploded against the ground instead. Suddenly he appeared behind his soulmate and his eyes widened slightly.

"Get down!" He told her firmly, and watched as she immediately dropped to the ground and rolled away as he kicked out at Neflite.

Neflite blocked it and swung his fist at him, which he blocked before he attempted to backhand him. Neflite blocked that and brought his leg up to kick him in his stomach, but the masked man broke away and as he sent a shadow toward him he suddenly jumped as if he knew what was coming.

Suddenly Neflite cried out as something hard and sharp hit him hard in the back, then he cried out again as he was suddenly kicked in the face by a red boot.

Crescent Beam! Sailor Venus thought, sending her light beam at Mars before she twisted and sent it at Jupiter, and then scanned the ground for moving shadows.

She had known this was a possibility with this particular guy around, but she had not expected to be fighting two of her fellow scouts and with Mercury as her fighting partner. She could only hope that Moon and Tuxedo defeated Neflite quickly or her situation was going to get worse.

"Do something Mercury!" She said since her fellow scout was just standing back and not attacking.

"I can't attack them! If I do they'll freeze! It's too dangerous." Sailor Mercury said.

Venus ducked under a fireball and launched her Crescent Beam at Jupiter again.

"Too dangerous?! They're attacking with lightning and fireballs, and you aren't willing to fight back?!" She nearly shouted. "Then why aren't you fighting them physically if you're too worried about using your power?"

Sailor Mercury didn't answer. Instead she dodged a bolt of lightning and skipped out of the way of a shadow. There didn't need to be three of them being controlled.

She just couldn't risk using her power on her fellow scouts, but she couldn't fight them physically either. She had never purposely gotten up close with an enemy before, and she definitely couldn't do it with her fellow scouts. She honestly wasn't sure if she would even know how if she did get up close.

As she dodged a fireball she considered using her bubble fog, but then they wouldn't be able to see either the attacks or the shadows coming. She didn't know what to do aside from staying out of the path of attacks and shadows.

Venus twisted out of the way of a bolt of lightning before her eyes widened and she leapt over a fireball. Then she gasped and crossed her arms in front of her face as Jupiter appeared in the air in front of her and tried to punch her.

They landed back on the ground, and she blocked another punch before she backhanded Jupiter and then punched her in the jaw. She followed that up with another punch, and then kicked her in the chest causing her to stumble backward.

Suddenly Venus got the feeling something was coming at her from behind, so she reacted instinctively jumping high into a backflip, and saw a fireball pass through the space she had been in.

She landed and instantly dropped to kneel down as she brought her hand up and launched her Crescent Beam attack. The light beam streaked through the air and hit Mars in the chest and sent her flying back.

Venus panted and paused for a few moments to look around for shadows. When she saw none she took the opportunity to call for some backup.

"Sailor Moon!" She called loudly and urgently.

Sailor Moon frowned in the middle of jumping back from a kick by Neflite, and glanced over to Venus before she looked back to her masked boyfriend and Neflite attacking each other.

"I'll be fine. Go see what she needs." Tuxedo Mask said without looking her way.

"Right." She said before she grabbed her tiara out of the air and dashed toward her fellow scouts.

As she ran she could see that Venus was standing with Jupiter and Mars at slight distances off to her sides, her head turning left and right as she kept looking at each of them, and Mercury was in front of her looking around at all of them.

"What's going on?" Sailor Moon asked as she got close and slowed down.

"I need help!" Venus said in frustration. "Mercury's refusing to do anything, and I'm having trouble fighting both Mars and Jupiter while also avoiding getting caught by the shadows myself."

Sailor Moon scowled fiercely at Mercury at hearing Venus' words.

"You take Mars. You have previous experience fighting her while she's being controlled." She told Venus. "I'll take on Jupiter. Tuxedo Mask said he would be fine on his own, so we don't have to worry about that fight."

"Right!" Venus said before she turned to her right, and moved toward the recovering Mars, ignoring Mercury entirely.

Sailor Moon focused on the delicate glowing white thread that was her connection to her tiara, and concentrated on lowering the power level as she began to walk toward Jupiter. The bright white glow around the disk lessened dramatically, and she threw it sharply and without hesitation at her fellow scout.

She heard Mercury gasp but she ignored her. As far as she was concerned this situation had just confirmed why she would not work with Mercury if she didn't have to. This was outrageous. For her to refuse to aid Venus was ridiculous and dishonorable not to mention absolutely dangerous!

Clearly Mercury hadn't even thought to switch with her and go fight Neflite if she didn't want to risk hurting their fellow scouts. Instead, she had chosen to do nothing and just watch!

Sailor Moon watched Jupiter avoid the tiara and silently send a bolt of lightning at her, which she twisted away from even as she continued to move closer to her. She raised her hand and guided her tiara around toward Jupiter's back, and watched as it struck her causing her to cry out in pain as she stumbled toward her.

She moved closer and figured it was time to find out if Jupiter was a good fighter considering her reputation at school.

They immediately struck out at each other exchanging punches and kicks and blocking the majority of them. Jupiter was good, very good, but it seemed Sailor Moon was very good as well. Her training with Darien had definitely helped bring out her fighting instincts, so she could handle this better than she likely would have.

However, despite that she realized that punches and kicks were not going to stop Jupiter, and she needed to knock her out so she wouldn't be a threat anymore since she couldn't tie her up. Restraining her physically wouldn't work either since that would leave her vulnerable to the shadows still moving around.

Suddenly she grabbed Jupiter's brown ponytail and pulled her head down as she kneed her in the face causing her to cry out and stumble back, then as she glanced down and saw a shadow she back flipped over it and kicked her in the chin while she was in motion.

She then guided her tiara around behind Jupiter and toward her head. It hit solidly and she collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Sailor Moon nodded to herself before she grabbed her tiara and turned to see how Venus was doing.

Sailor Neptune eyed Endymion and the general Neflite as they fought. Both were fighting more fiercely after Sailor Moon left, but Endymion was also still avoiding the shadows slithering across the ground.

She vaguely wondered how he did it, how he knew they were coming at him, but she supposed it was simply going to be one of his abilities that she wouldn't know of unless he volunteered that information.

"You should contact Pluto and let her know we have eyes on a general, and what we are about to do." She suggested.

"Alright." Sailor Uranus said, and gestured with her hand for her communicator. It appeared in her gloved hand and she opened the cover and pressed the magenta button with a white symbol for Pluto on it and waited.

"Pluto here." A familiar mature feminine voice answered moments later.

"We're about to attempt to secure a general." Uranus informed her as she kept her eyes on Neflite. "Do you want us to contact you after we get him or will you be monitoring the fight?"

"I will monitor the fight, but I would like to be contacted once you are ready for Endymion's presence so I can alert him." Sailor Pluto said.

"Will do. Uranus out." She said before she pressed the button to end the call. "We're set." She told her companion as she closed her communicator and put it away.

"Yes. Now let's hope Neflite can get away, so we don't have to save him from being killed." Neptune said.

"Yeah." Uranus said. That was the last thing they needed. If it looked like Endymion was going to kill him they would have to stop him, which would not only reveal their plan before they were ready but their presence to the Guardian Scouts as well.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought, aiming her finger at Mars as she stepped toward her.

Mars sidestepped the light beam and sent a fireball her way, and she dodged it before she sent her Crescent Beam attack again and ran toward her. She watched Mars duck under the light beam and start to fire off a series of fireballs back to back at her as she ran.

Venus narrowed her eyes slightly and began to move in a zigzag pattern to make it harder for the fireballs to hit her, but as she moved she spotted a shadow moving her way from her peripheral vision.

She jumped up high and shifted her body until she was upside down and fired off her Crescent Beam attack once she was directly above her. The light beam hit Mars in the shoulder as she was trying to dodge it, and she cried out in pain as she stumbled to the side.

Venus twisted her body so she would land facing Mars instead of with her back to her, but then her eyes widened in surprise as she heard Mercury's voice.

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Sailor Mercury shouted to her dismay.

Damn it Mercury! She thought, watching the bubbles quickly spread around Mars and become a fog as she descended back to the ground.

She landed in the fog and immediately moved her position from where Mars might have thought she would be and scanned the ground around her, at least the bit of ground that she could see thanks to Mercury, for shadows.

Venus held in a groan as she looked at the fog surrounding her. Why would Mercury do this? How was she supposed to fight in this?

Now would be a great time for Tuxedo Mask to finish off Neflite. She thought as she cautiously began to move toward where she had last seen Mars.

Sailor Moon paused in her steps and frowned at the fog that began to spread in front of her. She looked toward Mercury and glared at her for what she had done, and watched in muted satisfaction as she caught her gaze and looked away. She didn't want to help before, but now she decided to help in a way that would hinder. What was she thinking?!

I can't even ask Venus if she's alright since an answer would give away her location. She thought peevishly, and scanned the ground for shadows before she looked toward her masked boyfriend.

"Come on Tuxedo. Finish him." She whispered before she looked back to the fog to try and figure out how to help without ending up being controlled like Jupiter and Mars.

Tuxedo Mask held in a sigh as he sidestepped a punch. He knew he was drawing out his fight with his corrupted general; had been since his soulmate had left to help Venus. He had been hoping the man would get tired and leave or be too hurt to keep fighting since he didn't particularly want to kill him. Clearly he needed to take this fight up another notch.

With that in mind he sped up his movements a little taking Neflite off guard as he took two punches to the face from both his fists. He grabbed his head while he was reeling from the blows, and brought it down while he brought his knee up and planted it in his face. Neflite groaned in pain before he kicked him in the chest sending him stumbling back.

As he watched him trying to regain his balance he focused his chakra and pulled out a single rose, which he quickly willed into the form of a whip. He gestured with his hand and flung the end toward Neflite's face.

Neflite screamed as he felt a sharp pain in the left side of his face. He looked over and saw Tuxedo Mask standing calmly at a slight distance with a flower whip in his hand. As he watched the masked man flicked his wrist and sent the whip toward him.

He tried to dodge but the whip was fast. In fact, the masked man seemed to have gotten faster in the last minutes, and was good enough that he was able to adjust the whip's direction so it wrapped around his lower arm despite trying to avoid it.

Tuxedo Mask jerked his hand back sharply and pulled his general toward him then quickly released his arm from the whip and slashed the end across his chest in a diagonal line that cut through his uniform top and into his skin.

The man screamed but he repeated the action so an X-shape stood out on his chest. He watched Neflite cringe in pain, and as he was preparing for his next move he saw a shadow speeding his way from behind through his connection to the Earth.

He simply lifted his foot without turning or looking down, and flicked his wrist and flung the end of his whip cross Neflite's uninjured cheek the thorns lining it doing further damage. He narrowed his eyes as he noticed that his general's blood was not red but instead was green.

Unusual. He thought, and filed that fact away for later thought on what it could mean before he flicked his whip toward him again.

Neflite unconsciously stepped back, trying to escape the pain and more lashes, but stopped as he felt something wrap tightly around his lower leg. Before he could look down his leg was jerked out from under him so hard that his other leg flew out as well. He landed hard on his back and cried out as his head hit the ground a second later.

He groaned and looked back toward the masked man as he tried to get up, and saw him lift his arm and begin to move his hand. His eyes widened and he quickly rolled away just in time to miss the whip coming down so hard on the ground that he heard it snap against the concrete.

He climbed to his feet and quickly recalled his shadow as he looked toward the masked man. The man simply stood there calmly returning his gaze. He didn't look worried or anxious or even winded. There was something off about this man, something not right. It was like he wasn't really trying to fight him; just passing the time or something.

He's been playing with me this whole time! He suddenly realized.

Was this man really stronger than they thought? Why had none of them realized it? But then he realized he was the first to have an extended one on one fight with him. Why was he holding back? He knew he would need to look back on the other fights he had been at with this man.

Neflite watched the masked man casually begin to step toward him as he lifted his arm, the whip dangling from his hand, and he took a step back and knew he needed to leave.

This man was now a dangerous unknown. He could use roses as weapons, but his calm casual manner suggested he was capable of much more. He needed to tell the others about this guy; his Queen needed to know since this might change her plans.

"This isn't over! I'll be back." He told the masked man before he quickly teleported away.

Tuxedo Mask allowed the rose whip to disappear as he looked over to his soulmate. He wanted to talk to her, but he didn't want to have to deal with the others. Especially not with Mars' need to make a connection between them, and Mercury's probable jealousy toward his soulmate.

Instead he decided to leave their line of sight, and watch through his connection to the Earth to make sure nothing attacked that could harm his Serenity.

oOo

Sailor Uranus kept her eyes on the fight between Endymion and Neflite while Sailor Neptune trained her eyes on the image of Neflite in her mirror which she kept focused on the general instead of the fight as a whole.

When he disappeared Uranus looked to the mirror and they watched the surface turn black for a few long seconds before his image reappeared against a black flat stone background. Neptune willed the view to widen and it showed that he was standing in what looked like a large bedroom.

"There's room in front of him and behind him right now." Uranus noted. "We can appear behind him and surprise him. Avoiding a fight altogether."

"I'll take us behind him, and then I'll appear in front of him as a surprise distraction. From there you can take him down." Neptune said as she watched him.

"I'll be ready." Uranus said firmly.

Sailor Neptune stood up with Uranus and took hold of her arm and willed them to the spot she was seeing just behind Neflite's back. Instantly they disappeared in a flash of aqua teal and reappeared in the dark room directly behind Neflite.

Thankfully the darkness of the room and the green torches on the walls muted the flash of their appearance. Neptune nodded to Uranus before she teleported again. She reappeared in an aqua teal flash of light directly in front of Neflite.

As she did this Sailor Uranus gestured with her hand as she focused, and in a moment her sword appeared in her hand. She wrapped her fingers around the silver hilt, and looked to the back of the head of the man in front of her.

"Hello General Neflite." Neptune said calmly as she aimed the back of her mirror at him, and was surprised at what it showed.

Instead of the Neflite in front of her the reflective surface showed what looked like a white blank faced human-shaped dummy, and behind it was the transparent image of Neflite dressed in a uniform that she believed he wore in the past as Endymion's guardian.

What was a little more revealing, and alarming, was that his transparent self was blindfolded, gagged, and his hands appeared to be tied behind his back.

Neflite's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could do anything Uranus brought her hand down and hit him over the head with the hilt of her sword causing him to collapse and rendering him unconscious on the spot.

"Let's take him to the park where we first spoke to Endymion. It's secluded enough for what's going to happen." Neptune said.

"And it's not a location that says anything about any of us." Uranus agreed before she put her sword away. "I'll carry him." She added as she knelt down. She pulled him over her shoulder and stood back up before she adjusted him slightly.

They nodded to each other before they willed themselves to the park, disappearing in a flash of navy blue and aqua teal respectively.

They reappeared and looked around to make sure they were alone, and once they were sure Uranus put Neflite down in the grass and Neptune gestured with her free hand for her communicator.

It appeared in her gloved hand and she opened the cover, and pressed the magenta button with a white symbol for Pluto on it and waited.

"Pluto here." A familiar mature feminine voice answered almost instantly.

"We have General Neflite." Neptune said seriously. "We're in the same park where we first spoke to Prince Endymion."

"Very well. I will contact Endymion, and he should be there momentarily provided nothing distracts him." Sailor Pluto said.

"We will be waiting. Neptune out." She said before she pressed the button to end the call.

"Now we wait." Uranus said as she watched her companion put her communicator away.

"Now we wait." Neptune repeated as she nodded.

oOo

Darien stood, still in his masked persona, behind a utility shed, gazing idly at a monkey enclosure in the distance, watching through his connection with the Earth as his Serenity and the Guardian Scouts woke up Jupiter and made sure Mars was unharmed.

Suddenly he blinked and shifted his visual focus directly in front of him as an elaborate white marble doorway appeared a few feet in front of him. The double doors swung open and Sailor Pluto appeared out of the dark interior and calmly stepped through the doorway.

She took a few steps and knelt in front of him and bowed her head.

"Rise." He said firmly yet quietly, and watched as she stood up straight. "What can I do for you Pluto?"

"Neptune and Uranus are at the park you use for training. It is important that you go to them as soon as possible." Sailor Pluto said seriously.

"Very well. I shall go as soon as my Serenity leaves this area." He said, feeling curious about what the two scouts could want.

"Understood. I shall return to my post now." Pluto said.

Darien nodded once and watched as she turned and walked toward the doorway and disappeared into the darkness inside. The double doors closed in unison before the elaborate doorway disappeared as if it had never been there.

He focused his mental attention back on his Serenity and saw that the scout of Jupiter was awake and on her feet. They stood speaking for a few short minutes before they began to run from the area.

He watched his Serenity for a few moments and decided she would not be attacked again, so he let the vision of her go and focused on Amara and Michelle and wanting to see the two ladies. He wanted to get a look at them and have a warning if there was anything for him to see.

The image of them came quickly and showed that they were transformed, as he had surmised since Pluto had referred to them as Uranus and Neptune, and standing in the park as Pluto had related. What surprised him was that they were with what appeared to be an unconscious Neflite.

Darien focused on an area away from them and willed himself there. He disappeared in a flash of gold light and when it cleared he was standing in the park where he trained a few feet away from them; his eyes immediately landing on Neflite.

Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus turned in place where they stood behind the general's reclined figure and faced their prince at his arrival.

"How did you ladies achieve this?" He asked as he gazed down at his general.

"We took him by surprise; he didn't even see it coming." Sailor Uranus answered as she glanced down at Neflite.

"I see." He said before he raised his eyes to them. "I thank you for your efforts." He added before he stepped toward Neflite.

Darien stopped next to him and looked him over from head to toe as he considered exactly how he wanted to free his general.

"Endymion?" Neptune said.

"Yes?" He answered as he glanced to her.

"My mirror showed something surprising when I focused on him just before we brought him here." She said quietly.

"Instead of his reflected image it displayed a blank white human-shaped dummy with the general standing transparently behind it. His transparent self was dressed as I imagine he would have been in the past, but he was blindfolded, gagged, and his hands were tied behind his back." She explained.

"Ah. That could very well be a representation of his state of captivity." Darien said. "Brainwashed and unaware of his true self. However, the blank white dummy is a curiosity, but perhaps it has something to do with the fact that his blood is green."

"I did not notice that." Uranus said as she looked closer at the unconscious general.

"Yes. I noticed it at the end of our fight." He said before he knelt down at the man's side.

He placed a hand on his forehead and the other over his heart before he focused on his crystal. He glowed a bright gold before he willed the power into Neflite, so he could not only start to free his general, but also see exactly what he was dealing with.

Darien narrowed his eyes slightly as the power flowed throughout the man's body and information began to be relayed to him. The body was in the shape of a human, and the internal organs were what would be in a human body. However, his crystal was informing him that this body was not real. It was not a human body birthed from another human.

A creation. Then where is his true body? He asked himself before he concentrated on Neflite's mind.

Immediately he discovered a darkness that covered and surrounded his mind like a thick storm cloud. Analyzing the dark taint he understood that it was suppressing his memories of life before he worked for the evil organization. It kept him loyal, and prevented any chance of him remembering the past.

He easily yet carefully cleared away the storm cloud, as well as any remaining traces that could be running throughout his body, and then turned his attention to unlocking his general's past memories; both before and after the 'great change'.

Darien hummed as he discovered a muted white light in his mind. Clearly the silver crystal was holding back his memories of the time before the 'great change', but it was weak and dulled so he forced it to break down completely with the power of his golden crystal.

Not wanting to take any chances he channeled some of the power of the Earth through his connection with his planet to boost the power of his crystal.

The enhanced power quickly expunged the muted white light, and once it was gone he released the power of the Earth and allowed his crystal to do the delicate work of bringing forth the many memories locked away.

A few long minutes passed before his crystal pulsed warmly in his chest and he sensed that it was finished, so he allowed the power to drift back inside him causing the glow to disappear.

Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune watched in awe Endymion and Neflite glowing with the golden light that was the Earth Prince's power.

They had trained with him and seen him use some of his full abilities but that was more the warrior in him, and now they were seeing the prince, the young man who would be King, at work.

They exchanged a look and silently confirmed yet again that they had made the right decision, giving him their loyalty, and were excited at what they would see from Sailor Earth once she remembered herself.

Beyond that they were both pleased that their first attempt at freeing a general seemed to be going well. They hoped that Endymion was able to tell if he truly was brainwashed, and if he was then they hoped he was successful in freeing him from the enemy.

"He should be awake soon." He said after they watched the golden glow of his power disappear from both men.

"Was he brainwashed?" Uranus asked.

"Yes, and his memories of this life were being suppressed." Darien answered as he stood up. "On top of that the silver crystal's power was still suppressing his memories of the past before the change, but it was weak and dull."

"Furthermore, his body is not real." He added, taking a few steps back so as not to crowd the man.

"Not real?" Neptune repeated. "So that is what the blank dummy meant?"

"I believe so." He said as he nodded. "This body was not born of a human being. It is not human; it was created." He said as he gestured down at Neflite.

"So we're going to have to find his real body." Uranus said.

"Yes. Hopefully that will be a simpler task once he awakens and we can see what he says." Darien said, and watched them nod before he glanced down to the unconscious man.

"When did you decide to do this?" He asked as he gestured down to the man with one hand and pulled off his mask with his other hand.

"Not too long ago." Uranus answered. "We worried that your Generals would be killed before you could turn your focus on them, so we decided to try and capture them before then."

"We were not sure if they were brainwashed, and we figured that if it turned out that they were not then we would take care of them rather than you or Sailor Earth doing so." Neptune added. "We did not want either of you to have that memory."

"Thank you." Darien said quietly, his appreciation clear. Them being killed before he had a chance to focus on freeing them had been a worry in the back of his mind. "I am sure I will have to thank Pluto as well since she was likely part of the planning."

Before anymore could be said they heard Neflite suddenly take a deep breath and let it out in a gusty sigh and all eyes turned to him.

They watched his fingers twitch, his eyelids flutter, and his head slowly move from side to side before his eyes slowly opened. He blinked a few times with a confused look on his face as his eyes shifted around. They landed on each of them for long moments before recognition entered his eyes and he moved on to the next person.

"Prince Endymion." Neflite said hesitantly, almost as if he was unsure if he was remembering right.

"Neflite." Darien said calmly, acknowledging from the address alone that the general was right. "How do you feel?"

"Confused." He replied as he blinked, shifting his eyes around as if he was seeing for the first time.

"What do you remember?" Darien asked.

"Everything. I think." Neflite answered with a light frown. "It…it's jumbled, but I understand enough to know who you are."

"Good. Try not to worry about that right now. Clarity will come." Darien assured him. "Do you remember Jedite, Zoycite, and Malachite?" He asked.

"Yes." Neflite answered slowly.

His eyes drifted down to his chest, and he saw the green blood on his top and lightly touched it.

"What's wrong with me? Why is my blood green?" He asked in confused alarm.

"This is not the body you were born in; it was made." Darien answered. "Do you know how you got this way? Do you know where your body is?" He asked.

"I don't know where it is. I don't know how I got this way." Neflite said. "I remember being attacked and blacking out, and the next thing I was aware of was…living in the Dark Kingdom like it was where I had always lived. There was nothing, no details of my life before that."

"I understand." Darien said. Clearly they had brainwashed him and done something more. Removed his consciousness or life essence from his body.

Either they took his body and are holding it somewhere or they left it behind where he had been attacked. He thought solemnly.

"What is your name in this life?" He asked as he knelt at his side. "It can help me find your body."

"Nic…Nicolas Jacobs." Neflite answered as he blinked slowly. "I..feel weak." He managed to get out before he closed his eyes.

Within seconds his breathing slowed until it stopped, and the two scouts watched wide eyed while Darien watched with narrowed eyes as Neflite's current body began to slowly turn gray. Then they all gasped as his body crumbling to dust leaving a glowing ball of white light hovering where he had been.

It bobbed lightly for a few long moments before it sudden flew into the air and took off speeding through the trees and out of sight.

"Did he just die?" Uranus asked quietly.

"No. I suspect that with him free the created body could no longer contain him, and that what we saw was his soul returning to his real body." Darien explained.

"What now?" Neptune asked.

"Now I try to find him." He said as he focused on his still open connection to the Earth. He pictured Neflite in his mind and concentrated on the name he had been given: Nicolas Jacobs and wanting to find his general.

Images began to flash by his minds eye rapidly and after a few moments slowed to a stop on the image of Neflite lying in a bed in a room. He willed the view to zoom out so he could see more, and saw that he was in a private room with some medical equipment.

Possibly a hospital. He considered as he took in the details of the room.

He asked the Earth to show him the outside of the building the room was in, and the view changed to a slight bird's eye view of a large building that was clearly a hospital. He searched the image of the building until he came upon the name and zoomed in on the sign.

Infinity Medical Center. He read. I'll go see him later when there is less chance of being seen. He thought as he shifted his view back inside the room and to Neflite.

"He's in a hospital. Looks like he might have been there for a while." Darien informed the scouts. "I'll go see him later, and make sure he's okay." And awake. He thought since Neflite had looked like he was sleeping.

"I'm glad this attempt worked." Uranus said, looking satisfied that they had helped free one of Endymion's Guardian Generals, and Neptune nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad as well." Darien replied. "Will you two do the same for the rest of my generals?" He asked curiously.

"Yes. We will try when the opportunity presents itself, and while you are focused on Sailor Earth." Neptune answered.

"Again, thank you for your efforts." He said with a smile before he sighed lightly. "I have to go; I still need to pick up my car."

Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune nodded, knowing he had left his car near the Crown arcade and cafe.

"Me too." Uranus said since she had driven herself and Michelle to the cafe.

"Shall I take us all back to where we originally left from?" Darien suggested.

Both of them nodded and Darien released the image of Neflite in his mind's eye and quickly checked the area near the cafe and arcade where he had originally teleported them from. Seeing that it was clear he moved toward the woman and placed his hands on each of their shoulders and willed them there.

The three secret warriors instantly disappeared from the park in a brief flash of gold light like they had never been there.

oOoIRoOo

In the late afternoon outside Infinity Medical Center cars pulled into and left the parking lot, an ambulance left with its lights flashing and sirens blaring, and people walked in and out going to work, visiting family and friends, and leaving after those shifts and visits.

Unnoticed by all a bright ball of light approached rapidly and passed through the outside wall of the hospital before it streaked on a direct path through rooms, hallways, and walls until it reached a quiet room.

Inside that room was a single bed, which was occupied by a young man with long maroon hair in a braid that lay over his shoulder. His eyes were closed, his body completely relaxed, as the ball of light paused to hover over his body before lowering and slipping through his chest.

Instantly the young man's eyelids started to flicker and his eyes began to move beneath his eyelids as he began to regain consciousness.


"Prince Endymion." Neflite said hesitantly, almost as if he was unsure if he was remembering right.

"Neflite." Darien said calmly, acknowledging from the address alone that the general was right. "How do you feel?"

"Confused." He replied as he blinked, shifting his eyes around as if he was seeing for the first time.

"What do you remember?" Darien asked.

"Everything. I think." Neflite answered with a light frown. "It…it's jumbled, but I understand enough to know who you are."

"Good. Try not to worry about that right now. Clarity will come." Darien assured him. "Do you remember Jedite, Zoycite, and Malachite?" He asked.

"Yes." Neflite answered slowly.

His eyes drifted down to his chest and he saw the green blood on his top and lightly touched it.

"What's wrong with me? Why is my blood green?" He asked in confused alarm.

"This is not the body you were born in; it was made." Darien answered. "Do you know how you got this way? Do you know where your body is?" He asked.

"I don't know where it is. I don't know how I got this way." Neflite said. "I remember being attacked and blacking out, and the next thing I was aware of was…living in the Dark Kingdom like it was where I had always lived. There was nothing, no details of my life before that."

"I understand." Darien said. Clearly they had brainwashed him and done something more. Removed his consciousness or life essence from his body.

"What is your name in this life?" He asked as he knelt at his side. "It can help me find your body."

"Nic…Nicolas Jacobs." Neflite answered as he blinked slowly.

oOo

Neflite blinked as he appeared in his quarters, and sighed in relief before he began to step toward his chair. He wanted to rest for a little while. He wasn't so injured that he needed to rush to get healed, but he knew that he was going to have to get his wounds healed.

And soon since he needed to go report to his Queen, and he would rather be in full health for that particular meeting. Especially since he knew it was going to be unpleasant since he had failed yet again.

Before he could take more than a few steps he stopped in surprise at the colored flash of light in front of him, and blinked his eyes wide in further surprise to see an unfamiliar scout in white and aqua teal in front of him.

She strangely held up the back of what looked like a mirror to him, but before he could even think of anything to explain this or react to it he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head before everything went dark.

oOo

To Neflite's consternation Tuxedo Mask was suddenly there and hit him in the face with his fist so hard that he almost fell to the ground. Then he kicked him in the stomach with such force that he straightened and nearly fell backward with the momentum.

Before he could regain his balance Sailor Moon was in his line of sight and her fist was in his face nearly as hard as the masked man's. Then he felt a booted foot kick his stomach sending him stumbling backward until he fell onto his back.

Tuxedo Mask threw a handful of exploding roses down at him, but he disappeared before they could hit and they exploded against the ground instead. Suddenly he appeared behind his soulmate and his eyes widened slightly.

"Get down!" He told her firmly, and watched as she immediately dropped to the ground and rolled away as he kicked out at Neflite.

Neflite blocked it and swung his fist at him, which he blocked before he attempted to backhand him. Neflite blocked that and brought his leg up to kick him in his stomach, but the masked man broke away and as he sent a shadow toward him he suddenly jumped as if he knew what was coming.

Suddenly Neflite cried out as something hard and sharp hit him hard in the back, then he cried out again as he was suddenly kicked in the face by a red boot.

oOo

Neflite grunted as his back hit the black marble floor and he tumbled backward over and over until his back slammed into the wall. He cried out in pain before he fell forward with a huff. In that moment he was immensely glad that he had been healed before he had gained an audience with his Queen.

It had been a couple hours since the wolf monster he had sent out had been killed, and all the energy he had collected had been lost, and just as long since he had nearly been killed by Sailor Moon. He was very aware that it had only been his shadow returning to him that gave him the energy to free himself and escape.

"Again you have failed to bring back energy!" The Queen shouted as she glared at Neflite's struggling form before she began to make her way down the rest of the stairs. "You have failed me!"

"You have all failed me!" She added angrily as she looked sharply to her left where her other three generals stood next to one of the many pillars littering that side of the cavernous room. She wanted to make sure they were aware she was speaking to them as well.

"Why am I surrounded by incompetence?!" She snapped. "What went wrong this time?"

"My Queen, the monster was doing fine to my understanding before he was confronted by the masked man and the scouts." Neflite said after he had managed to get himself into a kneeling position. "There are four of those scouts now." He informed her and his fellow generals.

"Who are they?" She demanded to know.

"Sailor's Moon, Venus, Mars, and Mercury." He answered quickly.

"And which one of them injured you so terribly?" The Queen questioned with narrowed red eyes.

"Sailor Moon." Neflite answered shamefully; still disbelieving that he had nearly been killed by the woman.

oOo

Nicolas walked up the sidewalk as he approached his house after finally reaching his neighborhood after leaving a friend's house. His father's car was parked but the lights were out, so he guessed he had gone to bed early since it wasn't really late.

He hummed and figured his mother must have joined him as well. Maybe they had to get up early since he thought his mother would at least wait until he made it home before going to sleep. After all, she had been doing it for years.

He unlocked the door as he reached the house and went inside. All was quiet, which further proved that his parents had gone to bed, so he headed up to his room to drop off his keys and coat before making his way to the kitchen for a snack.

As he walked he took a hair tie out of his pocket and pulled his hair back into a low ponytail. He finished just as he reached the kitchen and he reached over to flick the light switch, but when the light flared on he gasped as he saw someone or something, it was moving so fast he couldn't tell which, rushing toward him.

Nicolas took a startled and alarmed step back, but that was all he managed before whatever it was slammed into him. He fell to the floor hard with a cry of pain, and thought he heard a growl, before all went dark and he knew no more.

oOo

Nicolas parked his father's car and grabbed a blanket and his telescope from the back seat before he got out and walked off into the open grass of the field next to him.

He lay the telescope down gently before he spread the blanket over the grass then he set up the telescope and pointed it up at the dark night sky. Stars were scattered across the dark canvas like they had been printed perfectly on a paper, and left him in awe at the number of them.

Before the excitement of seeing them closer Nicolas laid down and stretched out on the blanket and just stared up at the sky to enjoy the simple view. It was a beautiful view as well as relaxing. Probably romantic too.

He reminded himself that the next time he got himself a girlfriend he would bring her back here to enjoy the sight, but he would also make sure she enjoyed this type of thing. The last thing he wanted was for some future girl to ruin the activity because he didn't ask a simple question.

oOo

Neflite sat on the couch in Jedite's room with Zoycite and glanced over to Malachite where he stood looking out the window. He hoped Jedite was successful in his little mission, because he was worried about their prince.

Endymion had been worryingly quiet and down. Not just down but sad and recently depressed.

More worryingly he didn't know why he was that way. It was almost like the shift in his mood happened from one day to the next. He was his usual happy easy going self and after that strange incident where he believed there was a Sailor Earth his mood had been steadily going downhill.

Suddenly the door to the room opened and he and his fellow generals looked to see Jedite entering. It was immediately apparent that he had failed his mission since he had returned alone.

"He refused to come." Jedite said after he closed the door. "No matter what I said he would not come. I would not be surprised if he hid himself somewhere to avoid any of the rest of you trying to convince him."

"We are sure no one knows why he has been so unhappy and depressed?" Malachite said as he leaned against the wall next to the window.

Everyone shook their heads with frowns of worry and concern.

"Could it be about that mystery woman he was asking about a few weeks ago?" Neflite asked curiously. Endymion had not asked him personally, but he had heard about his intense search from Jedite and Malachite as well as various maids and guards.

"What did he say her name was?" Zoycite asked with a frown, probably trying to once again search his memory for the woman just as they had all done on multiple occasions since Endymion had asked after her.

"Serenity." Malachite answered. "Let us not forget he also referred to her as Sailor Earth."

"I still do not understand where he came up with the idea that we had a sailor scout." Jedite said as he shook his head.

"I know this is highly unlikely, but is it possible we all imbibed too much and simple do not remember meeting this woman?" Zoycite asked, clearly grasping at anything.

"No." Malachite denied immediately.

"I agree. That may have possibly worked for one of us but not all four of us." Neflite said. "Plus, according to Endymion this Serenity woman is a sailor scout, a scout of the Earth no less. We never would have forgotten such a monumental fact."

"Besides, we all know that there has never been a scout of the Earth before." Jedite added. "Although, I still do not understand why that is. Every other planet has one."

"Perhaps we did not need one." Zoycite suggested with a light shrug. "Then again I do not know the history of the Sailor Scouts; I do not know how long they have been around or how they are chosen."

"Did Endymion ever say what she looked like?" Neflite asked.

"Not that I know of." Malachite answered. "However, I never asked; not wanting to make him feel worse than he already does."

oOo

Neflite stood in his uniform at a window in a sitting room overlooking the royal gardens. He was on the second floor of the palace so he could clearly see his Prince walking along with the guardian scout of the Moon.

Endymion had been spending a lot of time with Sailor Moon. It seemed after that fateful luncheon on the Moon where he spotted the Moon scout he had been completely focused on her.

He supposed he could understand. She was beautiful, and a warrior considering her guardian scout status. He knew that would be very attractive to Endymion. People who didn't know his Prince would think he would have, or even should have, gone for the Moon Princess, but those who did know him knew that Endymion needed someone strong at his side.

Still, he had been so sad and depressed for so long and then he laid eyes on her and suddenly he couldn't stay away from her. He wondered if Endymion had just been lonely for the right woman, and Sailor Moon just happened to be the right woman.

He was glad his Prince was feeling better, wanted him to be happy, but he was worried about this situation. She was a guardian scout to the Moon Princess. Even he knew that was a lifetime appointment. This budding romance could only end in heartbreak.

As Neflite watched Endymion paused his steps, stopping Sailor Moon since she was on his arm, and pointed to a section of flowers. He looked to her before he knelt down and picked one, and handed it to her as he stood straight.

She smiled as she smelled it then smiled up at him, and Endymion smiled a soft smile in return.

oOo

Ten year old Neflite ran with his friends through the hallways of the palace, dodging maids and guards, as they made their way toward the ballroom. He grinned as Jedite glanced back at him, being at the front of the group, and laughed as he slipped on a rug.

His laugh was echoed in the form of Malachite, Zoycite, Endymion, and Serenity as they raced through a hallway and around a corner in a loose group formation.

They were all on a well-deserved break from their studies, and all of them were determined to take complete advantage of their time.

Neflite moved pass Jedite as he tripped and looked back to see Malachite and Zoycite swerve around him while Endymion and Serenity leapt over him easily. He grinned and looked back where he was going.

He knew Serenity was only seven, but she was having no problems keeping up with them. He was glad she wasn't like most girls. She had no problem playing in the dirt, getting dirty, or being rough, which was a good thing since she was training to be a soldier just like them.

He slid to a stop as he reached the doors to the ballroom and opened one before he stepped inside. He grinned as he spotted a group of balls on the floor in the middle of the room.

"Come on!" He called before he rushed toward the balls.

He kicked the first one he reached hard across the room, and was soon joined by the others. Each one kicked a ball as hard as they could sending them flying through the air and slamming into walls before they bounced off.

Luckily there was nothing in the room that could be broken aside from the windows, and they weren't strong enough to kick them hard enough to shatter glass.

Instead of having to worry about that he and his friends kicked and threw balls at each other even as they laughingly dodged and jumped over them.

oOo

Neflite stood topless wearing only the white pants and black boots of his uniform with his hair pulled back in a low ponytail as he held his battle axe. Across from him stood Serenity with her hair pulled up in a high ponytail holding her spear as she stared at him with intensity.

She wore fitted cream pants and brown tall boots, a green V-neck tunic shirt with lace down the side length of the sleeves, and a form-hugging brown bodice with wide shoulder straps with decorative lacing trailing down the front of the bodice.

He stared right back as he shifted the grip of his hands on his axe. He knew she wouldn't make the first move, so he rushed forward and started simply by swinging his axe downward at her. She lifted her spear horizontally and blocked it before she thrust it upward to upset his balance and quickly lowered it and swung the blunt end at his side.

He twisted away from the blow and swung the blade of his axe at her side, but she quickly used the blade point of her spear to push it away before she shifted to make sure her back wasn't to him.

They looked at each other and before he could attack again she thrust her spear at his face, and he blocked it with the flat side of his blade but she followed that up by swinging the end down on his head.

Neflite cried out as it hit since he hadn't been able to see it to block it with his axe in front of his face and frowned at her.

"It is not my fault, so do not hate me." Serenity said with a smirk.

"It is your fault. It was your spear." He said, almost indignant.

"But your axe that made you unable to see it, so it is actually your own fault." She counter before she stuck her tongue out at him, and then swung the end of her spear toward his side.

Neflite blocked it with the long handle of his axe, and then swung quickly toward her side. Serenity quickly shifted her spear to block the blade with the space between her hands before she quickly spun backward yet moving closer to him and thrust her spear toward his stomach.

He quickly spun away while she was spinning to avoid the blow he knew he couldn't block, and swung his axe toward her neck. She ducked under the blow and twisted as she swung her spear at his legs, but he jumped over it into a rolling dive before he got to his feet and faced her with his axe at the ready.

Serenity was already standing with her spear in front of her and her long ponytail sway behind her clearly ready for anything. He could hear the cheers of excitement and encouragement aimed at them from the few soldiers hanging off to the side of the training ground watching, but ignored them as he watched her raise an eyebrow as if to ask if he was ready.

Neflite smirked and rushed toward her causing her to dash toward him in return.


Neflite's eyes opened slowly to see a white ceiling. He stared at it blankly as his mind adjusted to his memories; memories that were no longer jumbled. Yet his feelings needed no adjustment. The first thing he felt was confusion.

Prince Endymion had just freed him and returned his memories to him; returned his identity, identities even, to him. He remembered his present life, that he had been kidnapped and brainwashed, and he remembered the past.

However, it was the past that confused him. He had two sets of memories. One where he had betrayed his Prince, and one where he had not. It was an unwilling betrayal, but a betrayal none the less.

He didn't understand. Didn't understand why there were two. He knew they were real. He knew he had lived them, remembered them quite clearly now that he had the memories back, but he didn't understand how that was possible.

He couldn't even say they had happened one at a time. No, the contents of the memories fully revealed that they had happened during one lifetime.

They were very similar, but he could see the differences. One set of memories had Sailor Earth while in the other set had no scout of the Earth. One had Sailor Moon while the other had no scout of the Moon.

He and his friends, his fellow generals, were in both sets of memories, and so was Prince Endymion and the King and Queen. The Moon Princess was in both sets, and she still had her Guardian Scouts.

The difference in those however was that in one set of memories the Moon Princess had four guardians and in the other set she had five. In one set Serenity was on the Earth with them, and in the other she was gone as if she had never existed.

Only, unlike in the past, he knew where she had gone now. With both sets of memories he recognized Sailor Moon as Serenity. He didn't understand how she had gone from being Sailor Earth to being Sailor Moon; from being the scout duty bound to protect a planet to being one of five scouts duty bound to protect a single young woman.

It just didn't make sense. How did that happen? How did she go from being Sailor Earth to Sailor Moon?

Then there was Endymion. His Prince had been prince of the Earth in both sets of memories, but his behavior was different; even his personality a little bit. In one set he had been engaged to be married and completely committed to his fiancée, and in the other set he had been unattached and just a few levels beneath being a womanizer.

The only thing that seemed to be off in that set of memories was Endymion's severe mood shifts. The extreme anger, to sadness, to extreme depression was shocking, and it all seemed to stop once he met Sailor Moon.

Neflite held in a groan as he thought of himself. He had been similar from one set of memories to the next, but he had clearly been more happy and laidback, less rigid, in the memories that had Sailor Earth, Serenity, in them than in the ones without her.

In the present he had been different as well. Of course he had been, was, another person. He was Nicolas Jacobs, high school graduate. He had been happy and carefree; just getting started with his life. About to start his university education.

And then the Dark Kingdom happened! He thought as he looked toward the window to see the sunlight just disappearing from the blue sky. I don't even know how long I've been with them. He thought with an unhappy frown, which brought his mind back around to the fact that he had been freed.

Endymion had freed him, and there had been two scouts with him. The scouts that had captured him in the first place. He remembered seeing one just after arriving back in the Dark Kingdom, but from the pain he had felt that knocked him out the other must have been there as well.

He hadn't known them in the past, in either set of memories, but he recognized them from the descriptions he had learned in the past. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune.

Neither of them had been guardians to the Moon Princess, but they had been loyal to the Moon Kingdom. He wondered what had changed with this present life since they obviously knew Endymion, and he in turn clearly knew them with how causal he had been around them.

That fact, along with him being responsible for freeing him, clearly meant Prince Endymion remembered the past. Although, he wondered if he had two sets of memories as he did. Looking back it was clear that Endymion had remembered Serenity since he had been asking about her when the rest of them had been clueless, but that didn't mean he also didn't have another set of memories.

Then again he had memories of seeing her as Sailor Moon from a distance while guarding the Moon Princess at functions on other planets. Endymion had been at those same events and hadn't reacted to her presence at all, but from his reaction at that function on the Moon that changed him Endymion had not known she was Sailor Moon; which meant he had not seen her as that scout before that time.

Which means he likely doesn't have that second set of memories. He thought with a light sigh.

Neflite knew he wasn't going to be able to figure out why he had two sets of memories on his own, so he turned his attention to his present life; his life as Nicolas Jacobs.

Already I can tell my past life is more dominant, but that doesn't mean my present identity is gone. I am still Nicolas. He thought as he closed his eyes briefly, and focused back on the life he had been taken from.

He had so many questions. Why exactly was he in what looked like a hospital room? How long had he been here? Was he okay? Where were his parents? Were they okay? Had they been attacked as well? Taken as well?!

He didn't think that last one was possible since he hadn't seen them in the Dark Kingdom, but then again it was always possible they had been deliberately kept from him if they had in fact been taken with him.

Neflite shook his head lightly and decided he wouldn't know the answers to those questions until someone came and checked on him. He could think of other questions but those he wouldn't ask himself until he had answers to his first questions.

And to get those answers I need to let someone know I'm awake in here. He thought as he looked around the room more closely.

He hadn't wanted to make any sudden movements that might alert the monitor he was attached to, and bring someone running because he wanted to think in peace while he could. Now, however, he needed someone to come, so he could find out what was going on with him.

He carefully sat up, not feeling any pain but not wanting to take any chances, and leaned back against his pillow. He didn't see any controllers or buttons around that could call a nurse or someone, so he took off the wires that monitored his heartbeat.

That should bring someone along eventually. He thought as he leaned back to wait.

oOoIRoOo

Meanwhile, Serena ran fast as she separated from her fellow scouts; her senses open to find any dark energy even as she made her way home. She was of course still transformed since that meant she could run fast and not be interrupted.

She wished she had been able to talk to Darien before he left the fight scene, but she understood why he hadn't stuck around. Not with Raye trying to make a connection between them and Amy's jealousy. Plus, he had never wavered from his disinterest in speaking to the other scouts.

And she had been busy anyway trying to make sure Lita and Raye were okay, and trying to contain her anger at Amy. She still didn't know what she had been thinking to launch her bubble fog like that. Obviously she had wanted to help, but it was clear that she hadn't thought about the consequences.

For someone so smart she lacked common sense when it came to being a scout. How she could ignore the fact that they couldn't see in her fog she didn't know. She wouldn't have been able to fight against any of them if she and Mina had been caught by the shadows as well.

She narrowed her eyes as her anger surfaced again. She still couldn't believe Amy had refused to help Mina fight against Lita and Raye. She could be jealous of her ability to sense dark energy and know when a monster was attacking and where it was without her input, and try to make something about her seeing the Earth Prince in the past just because the princess liked him, and here she was in the present not doing her job!

Wasn't that some kind of betrayal or something? She wondered angrily.

Mina hadn't hesitated to fight Raye the last time that happened, and she wasn't even going to mention Darien fighting Amy that time as well. She knew he wouldn't have a problem fighting any of the scouts; especially since he hadn't known any of them at the time. Of course even now the only one he knew was Mina, but he didn't know she was Sailor Venus.

Maybe I'm going to have to insist that Amy, Raye, and Lita start training, because this can't happen again. She thought as she ran. Fighting against each other isn't in any way ideal, but if they end up being controlled by the enemy we have no choice. We can't hesitate or we or even regular people can get hurt.

What if Darien hadn't been there to continue to fight Neflite by himself? If I had been fighting him alone I wouldn't have been able to ditch that fight to help Mina, and she would have been screwed in her own fight because Amy was too weak and indecisive to fight against her fellow scouts. She thought.

She had never thought about what she would do if Darien had been controlled and she had to fight against him, but even when they were just training together she had never hesitated to come at him like he was her enemy; even when he was just Tuxedo Mask to her. She did not pull any of her punches, or any other physical blows, and she didn't hesitate in using her tiara against him. The only thing she did was make sure it wasn't at full power so as not to seriously injure him.

Serena reached her neighborhood a few long minutes later and released her transformation in a secluded area. Once back in her school uniform with her school bag and her gifted jewelry bag in hand she began to walk toward her house.

Before long she had arrived and let herself in. She greeted her mother who was sitting in the living room and headed up to her bedroom. Once inside she saw that it appeared to be empty but she wasn't sure so she closed the door, and moved further in and placed her jewelry bag on her vanity table and her school bag on her desk.

She laid down on her bed with a sigh and blinked up at the ceiling before she felt a slight weight suddenly on the bed next to her.

"Welcome back." She heard a familiar masculine tone and looked over to see Artemis sitting at her side.

"Thanks." Serena said. "Is Luna here?"

"No. She's still with the princess." Artemis said, having decided to remain living with Serena and just visit the princess; although he hadn't told Serena that.

Serena hummed thoughtfully remembering how Luna had gone to stay with Susanna once she had been found and had been with ever since.

"How was your day?" He asked.

"It was pretty good until recently." She answered.

"Oh?" He said questioningly.

"Did you know the princess called for a meeting earlier?" She asked.

"No." Artemis said with a frown in his tone. "What did she want?"

"She wanted me to introduce her to my boyfriend, and then dumb him so she could have him." Serena said as she rolled her eyes, remembering the ridiculousness of it.

"That…that was the reason for the call?!" He asked, incredulous.

"Yeah. Both Amy and Raye thought I should let her have him just because she wanted him." She said, shaking her head. "Raye thought I should give him up so Susanna could have her pick of both him and the Earth Prince since she believes I deprived her of him in the past."

"Wait, what?" Artemis said in confusion. "There was a prince in the past in connection with the princess? Why didn't anyone say anything?"

"There was a prince in the past, as I'm sure there were many, but with this particular prince the only connection she had with him was her crush on him." She said. "And I didn't say anything because I didn't think it mattered."

"So what is the story with this prince? What have you remembered?" He asked, wanting to understand.

"It's simple really. The princess had a very obvious crush on the Earth Prince even though she had never met him. He didn't seem to care. He approached me and started to court me. From what I've remembered so far Mercury and Mars didn't like that I was spending time with him knowing how the princess felt about him." She stated clearly.

"Jupiter seemed to like the romance of it all, but wasn't sure how a permanent relationship would work since I was a guardian scout and he the prince of the Earth. At some point she too wanted me to end things with him. Venus seemed to be the only one of my fellow scouts who was fine with the relationship." She explained.

"Even the Moon Queen, the princess' mother, knew and was fine with it." She added.

"What about you? How did you feel about the relationship?" Artemis asked.

"At first, from what I've remembered so far, I seemed nonchalant about it; especially since he didn't have the best of reputations. I knew about the princess' feelings for him, but I also wanted to avoid giving offense." She said. "Then he seemed to wear me down with being constant and persistent in his attentions and the more I got to know him the more I started to like him."

"I understand." He said, and vowed to think more on this new information later; especially since he remembered Amy mentioning Serena being in a relationship with the man the princess was interested in. He just hadn't known the man was a prince. "So back to the meeting." He said.

"Yeah, so Amy and Raye wanted me to give up my boyfriend so Susanna can have him, which I found ridiculous since not long ago Amy was complaining that I would dump my boyfriend if the prince ever showed up." Serena explained. "Apparently Susanna hadn't remembered the prince yet since she didn't know about him until that conversation."

"Of course I refused to breakup with my boyfriend, and no one could say any more after that since Amy got an alert about an attack happening." She continued. "Then she made the ridiculous suggestion that she should go with us to see us in action so she could know what we can do."

"What?!" Artemis said wide eyed.

"Thankfully Amy told her it was a bad idea, and would give the enemy a chance to capture or kill her." Serena said.

"Thank goodness for that!" He said since he could easily imagine that scenario going badly. "We might have to have one of you stay with her during monster attacks, so she doesn't try to sneak after you or in case the enemy somehow finds her location while you all are busy with a monster." He suggested.

I'm not going to be the one to do it. She thought immediately even as she nodded in agreement with his reasoning.

Serena was supposed to protect Susanna, but she did not want to be stuck looking after her while a monster was out there endangering people. She could just imagine her instincts screaming at her to go fight, and dark energy bombarding her senses if she tried to ignore it.

"I guess that's something you'll have to mention to the others." She said before she moved away from that. "So the fight was at the zoo, and there were two monsters. They looked like preteens before they transformed into monsters that looked like dinosaurs."

"We defeated the monsters, but then one of those men showed up directly afterward." She said with a heavy sigh.

"Was it one of the ones from before or a new one?" Artemis asked.

"It was one of the ones from before. The guy that could use shadows." She answered.

"Did he use them?" He asked.

"Oh yeah." Serena said. "He used them. Lita and Raye got caught by them, and eventually we spilt up to fight. I was with Tuxedo Mask to fight the man, and Mina and Amy fought against Raye and Lita." She said, and then hesitated.

She didn't want to be the one in the group to tattletale, but she really felt it needed to be said since it was so serious. She wasn't having a meeting behind anyone's back; she was informing one of their advisors of the incident.

"Mina eventually called out to me. She had needed help because she had been left to fight Lita and Raye alone while also avoiding the shadows that had still been moving around trying to catch us." She finally said.

"Apparently Amy had refused to fight against them, so instead she stood back and watched. Mina fought Raye after that while I fought Lita, and after I finished and moved to check on Mina Amy launched her bubble fog." She said with a frown.

"That fog made it so I couldn't see Mina or Raye, and Mina couldn't see use, Raye, or the shadows that could have been coming at her. It was just lucky that Tuxedo Mask was able to send the man running so that the shadows retreated and Raye was free of his control." She explained.

"I don't know why Amy did it." Serena said as she shook her head. "Maybe she was trying to help, but I don't see how since she knows none of us can see in her fog."

"I can understand your concern, and I am sure Mina was none too happy about the occurrence." Artemis said, a frown clear in his voice.

"Oh she wasn't. At all." She replied before she sighed heavily. "Maybe you and Luna can suggest training to her. I think it's long past time she find out if she can control her fog to any extent instead of just spreading it whenever she feels the need to have cover or block the enemy's vision."

"It's even worse in my opinion because she does it without a word to the rest of us." She added with a frown. "None of the rest of us has a power that can affect the entire fight scene like that, so she should ask or be more mindful of the consequences."

"I agree." He said as he nodded. "I will speak to Mina, Lita, and Raye and then Luna before approaching Amy. Perhaps all of you need to train. That way she won't feel singled out."

"When you guys speak to Amy make sure you do it when she's by herself instead of as a meeting so she won't be embarrassed." She said, ignoring his words about training. She already trained, sometimes with Mina, but doubted group training would happen.

"I wasn't embarrassed when they brought their concerns to me after my camping trip, but I didn't appreciate that talking of such trivial matters had been made into a meeting; especially not one where I had to transform and leave home to have it." She added.

"I am sorry about that. I thought it would be a regular meeting; not something you had to transform and rush to." Artemis said sincerely, remembering those concerns. "And I will definitely make sure it is only myself, Luna, and Amy when we speak to her."

"Good." Serena said with a light smile before she got up off her bed. "I'll be right back. I'm going to call my friend before I get started on my homework."

With that said she left her room and went to grab the phone from downstairs. She started dialing the number as she walked back up the stairs, and listened to the ringing as she made her way back into her bedroom.

"Yukimura residence." An older feminine voice answered as she closed the door to her room.

"Hi. This is Serena Tsukino." Serena said since she didn't call often enough like she did with Molly for her name to be recognized. "Is Keiko home?" She asked as she went and sat on her bed.

"Yes she is. Hold on please." The older woman said.

"Sure." She said, and waited as she glanced to Artemis who was reclining with his upper body sitting up slightly.

"Serena?" The voice of her friend came through the line.

"Hi Keiko." Serena said with a smile. "How are you?" She asked.

"I'm good." Keiko answered. "What about you?"

"I'm good too, and school has been going well." She replied.

With that they began to chat about what had been happening in their lives since the last time they had spoken. Serena told her about the friends she made in Mina, and Amara and Michelle through Darien, and meeting Kagome's boyfriend and a friend of Darien's.

"So how're things going with Yusuke?" Serena asked curiously.

"Good. We went to the movies last night and then out to eat." Keiko said. "We had a fun time, and I of course enjoyed spending time alone with him."

"I'm the same way with Darien." Serena replied as she shifted the phone against her ear. "Any time alone with him is very much appreciated."

"When was your last date?" Keiko asked.

"Oh I'm with Darien every day after school, but our last official date was last weekend when we went bike riding." She answered. "It was fun and interesting trying to keep even with each other as we rode along." She said, ignoring the monster attack that had happened during the date since she couldn't tell her friend anyway.

"After that we got some takeout from a restaurant and went back to his place to eat." She added.

"I haven't thought to do that with Yusuke, but then he might not like it." Keiko said thoughtfully.

"You never know until you mention it to him." Serena said. "My next date with Darien is going to be a formal one, but he said he would wait until I have a dress to pick a day."

"Do you know where he's going to take you?" Keiko asked.

"Yeah; to see either a play or an opera singer performance." She replied. "I can't wait for it! Oh! Do you want to go with me tomorrow to pick out a dress?"

"I can't." Keiko answered with regret. "I already promised a friend I would go shopping with her."

"Aw! Well, that's alright. You'll be there in spirit." Serena said. "Since we've been talking about him you still haven't met Darien. Molly and Kagome have, and even my new friend Mina has already. When are you going to?"

"I don't know." Keiko said. "We have to plan a time or who knows when it will happen."

"How about we go on a double date?" Serena suggested. "That way you and Darien can meet, and I can see Yusuke since it's been ages."

"That sounds good." Keiko agreed. "What will we do? When can we do it? When will all of us be free?"

"I don't have any plans for the weekend, and I don't think Darien does either; at least not yet." Serena said.

"I'm free too since I would likely just spend the time studying, but I don't know if Yusuke has any plans." Keiko said.

"I'll call Darien after I get off the phone with you, and let you know what he says tomorrow. Or if it isn't too late when I get an answer I'll call you back today." Serena said.

"I'll do the same." Keiko agreed.

"Alright as for what we can do? Hmm…how about a picnic in a park?" Serena suggested. "Darien and I haven't done that yet. Food to eat, open space so we aren't cramped or trapped at a table for the meeting, and outdoor things to do."

"That sounds good to me. I'll try to sell it to Yusuke so he'll want to come." Keiko said.

"Okay. If you have any issues with convincing him give me a call. I'll help think of something if he has any arguments against it." Serena said.

"Alright. I'll get off with you, so we can call our guys." Keiko said. "Talk to you later or tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye." Serena said.

"Bye." She heard Keiko say, and pressed the button to end the call.

Serena sighed before she dialed her boyfriend's number and waited as it rang. It rang and rang and rang, but he didn't pick up so she hung up. She wasn't entirely surprised that he wasn't home yet. The fight had ended a while ago, but he had to return to the area around the cafe to get his car and then drive home.

That takes time. She told herself. I'll just wait until he calls me.

"He wasn't home?" Artemis asked curiously from where he lay.

"No, and that's not surprising." She replied. "When I got the call about the meeting I left him at a cafe with two of our friends. He's probably still hanging out with them." She said since she couldn't very well tell him that her boyfriend had been at the fight.

Artemis nodded understandingly. "So a double date huh?" He said.

"Yup. It'll be just like the camping trip I went on just without the going away." She said. "And that only because my friend and boyfriend will be meeting for the first time. With the camping trip he had already met that friend and her boyfriend, and we had all gotten to know each other well." She explained.

"But an overnight or weekend double date is not out of the question. Nor is it with just met and Darien." She added.

"Do you know if you're going to go on one of those with your young man?" He asked curiously.

"No we're not. We just have the formal date I mentioned earlier, and I don't know when that will be after I have a dress." She said.

"Don't you have a formal dress already?" Artemis asked since he remembered hearing about a previous date where she had to dress formally.

"I do, but I don't want to wear the same dress on our second formal date." Serena said. "Plus, I asked him if he had a particular color he wanted to see me in and he said blue. The one I have is green by the way."

"Oh! You have to see what he got me today!" She said, excited to show someone, and since he was here and curious why not him?

She got up and rushed over to her vanity and grabbed the little gift bag and brought it back to her bed. She pulled out the three little boxes and opened them so he could see the dangling gold earrings with a rose and a delicate gold leaf hanging from a tiny three link chain from the rose and matching pendant necklaces.

"He presented me with the red set first, and then surprised me with the blue set, and then the white-gold set." She explained softly, remembering it.

"These are beautiful." He said as he moved closer for a better look.

"I think so too. I would have been happy with the gift of just one set since that was a surprise in itself, but the other two were just…wow." She said with a smile. "This guy…do you know what he said when I said he didn't have to get me more than the one pair?" She said.

"What did he say?" He asked as he looked up to her, curious to know a little more about the young man.

"He said he wanted to. He knew each color would look good on me, and he was pleased to make it possible to see outside his imagination." She said softly.

"The language he uses…he sounds like he really appreciates you." Artemis said thoughtfully.

"I think he does." Serena said as she began to close the boxes. "He always listens to what I have to say, helps me with my homework if I need it, gives me advice, and is always willing to spend time with me."

"All good things in a mate I understand." He replied.

"Definitely." She agreed as she put the boxes back in the bag. "Well, I should get started on my homework. It needs to get done and it will pass the time while I wait for Darien to call me." She said as she put the jewelry bag back on her vanity, and began to head back to her bed for the phone so she could take it back downstairs.

oOoIRoOo

Darien sat on his bed with his legs stretched out as he read one of his textbooks. It was late night and all of the lights were off in his apartment except for the ones in his bedroom.

He figured while he was waiting for time to pass he would get in some studying. He was finding since he remembered his past he was having a much easier time of it. He didn't know if that was because of his golden crystal, his status as prince of the Earth, or because of his mindset.

Perhaps it is all three of those together. He idly considered as he read. All he knew was that after one reading he understood the material quickly.

After a few more minutes he finished a section and lowered his book, and scanned the room as he took a small break from the small printed words. His mind drifted back to some hours ago when he had called his Serenity as he said he would.

He made sure that she had made it home okay, and once she had assured him that she had he asked about the meeting that the princess had called. She immediately told him that she couldn't talk about it right then and would tell him the next time she saw him.

He had accepted that without question, but he had decided to look in on her to see if there was a reason. Tapping into his connection with the Earth he focused in on her he saw her reclined on her bed in her room with a white cat on the bed with her.

Understanding had come instantly at the sight. The cat that was connected to the Moon Princess had likely been listening to everything she said. He doubted it was monitoring her conversations, but it was there and would definitely question her if she started speaking about her scout life to her boyfriend.

Instead of asking about something that involved their secret lives he asked what she had been doing since she got home, and learned that she had talked to her friend Keiko, the friend he had yet to meet, and they had spoken of going on a double date. That way they could finally meet, which he didn't mind at all.

He had agreed that he was free the coming weekend, and looked forward to finally meeting Keiko and was interested in meeting her boyfriend. He wondered if he would like him as much as he liked Sesshomaru. He supposed it depended on his personality and behavior. He would see.

Darien checked the time and saw that it was almost one thirty in the morning. He figured that was late enough to go visit Neflite without interruption, but he wanted to be sure the man was alone in his room before he headed over.

So he closed his textbook and placed it on his nightstand before he swung his legs off the bed. Once his feet were on the floor he tapped into his connection with the Earth and searched for Neflite/Nicolas Jacobs.

Images and scenes flashed through his mind rapidly before they slowed on the familiar young man lying in a bed in the same hospital room he had been in earlier in the day. He was alone in the dark room, which was what he had hoped, and appeared to be asleep.

He picked a spot in the room away from the window and door and willed himself there. He disappeared and reappeared inside the hospital room in a flash of golden light. Looking around he could see visually and through his connection to the Earth that he was alone with Neflite, but he wanted to keep it that way so he focused on the hallway outside the room door so he could keep watch so to speak.

Once the area was firmly within his mental vision he stepped toward the bed, moving silently around a chair next to the side of bed, and gently shook the young man as he stood at his side.

Neflite opened his eyes slowly and then blinked them wide as he saw his prince standing at his side.

"Endymion!" He said in surprise.

"Neflite." Darien greeted before he sat in the chair. "Or should I refer to you as Nicolas?"

"Um.." Neflite hummed as he sat up to lean back on his pillow. "I should probably go by Nicolas to get used to hearing it again."

"Very well. In that case you should refer to me as Darien since that is my present name. Darien Shields." Darien said.

"Okay. When did you get here your highness?" Neflite asked.

"Only moments before I woke you." Darien answered. "It was the only time I deemed suitable to visit since I couldn't come during visiting hours. I couldn't explain how I knew you or how I knew exactly where you were."

"Or that I was out of my coma." Neflite said, unhappy at the reminder.

"How long had you been in a coma?" Darien asked, wanting to know exactly how long that evil organization had him.

"Almost two years." Neflite revealed.

"Do you remember being taken? Can you tell me what happened?" Darien asked.

Neflite sighed and began to explain that fateful night he arrived home to a dark house, thinking nothing of it, and being attacked as soon as he flipped on the kitchen light. He described how he hadn't been able to see who or what had attacked him despite that it had come at him from the front since it had moved so fast.

He hit the floor, there was pain, and then there was nothing. After that all he knew was his life in the Dark Kingdom.

"Since being found awake I've learned that I've been here in the hospital since I was found after the attack, and that my parents had been attacked earlier that day but had been unconscious when I came home that night." He said.

"They've been here to see me, and they look fine. Of course it's been two years so that's to be expected. Apparently they visited me every week, and then it went to once every month when they learned that no one knew when I would wake." He explained.

"At least they were not killed." Darien said.

"Yes. I should be grateful for that. When I first woke up in here I was worried they had been taken as well." Neflite said before he shook his head. "I hope the other guys were as lucky."

"What can you tell me about that evil organization Nicolas?" Darien asked quietly.

"They call themselves the Dark Kingdom. There are countless monsters of various strength and sizes." Neflite stated. "Beryl, you remember her right, the sorceress? Well, she goes by Queen Beryl, and she looks exactly the same way she did the last time I saw her in the past. Long red hair, red eyes, long purple dress, pointed ears, horns coming out of her shoulders, and claw-like nails."

"She had me, Malachite, Jedite, and Zoycite as her generals doing her bidding. We were to send out those monsters to gather human energy. We were never told why, just that it was our duty and failure wasn't an option, and more recently that duty became three fold." He said.

"How so?" Darien asked seriously, wanting to know what Beryl was thinking as much as he could.

"Not only were we supposed to gather human energy we were supposed to kill the Guardian Scouts." Neflite revealed. "Specifically Sailor Moon since she believed her to be more dangerous than the rest. She also wanted you dead as well, the masked version of you, so that neither you or the scouts could interfere in her plans."

"That explains the pattern I've noticed recently. The monsters targeting my Serenity." Darien said in a low tone.

"That decision was made after she injured me so badly." Neflite informed him quietly.

"I understand." Darien said with a slight nod.

"Beyond that we were to either capture or kill the Moon Princess. Beryl claimed she was a threat to the future of the Earth, the same with Sailor Moon, but could be useful if her thinking could be changed." Neflite added.

"Why would they be threats?" Darien asked. He supposed he could understand the princess being a threat, if only because she was foolish and selfish and had access to a powerful crystal, but he was at a loss when it came to his Serenity in her current identity as the scout of the Moon.

"The Moon Princess because of her feelings for you, her wanting you to be exact, and Sailor Moon because according to Beryl she had managed to worm her way into your affections, and would have convinced you to marry her. That would have made her your future queen, and made certain the Moon had a foothold into the Earth's monarchy." Neflite explained.

Darien nodded slowly as he began to further understand Beryl's thinking. She was right that he would have made his Serenity his future queen, even if she had not remembered her true past, but the rest was fiction and likely only something she told the Generals to give them some explanation that would give them a reason to fight for and obey her.

And I suppose she was also right about that princess' feelings for me. He allowed, willing to give the delusional woman that; at least in his mind.

"So Beryl at least remembers the changed past." He commented thoughtfully, getting that clearly from what he had heard so far.

"Changed past? Is this where I get an explanation of why I have two sets of memories? How did that happen?" Neflite asked in confusion.

"Fully unlocking your memories of the past worked then? Good." Darien said, pleased about that. "The second set of memories you have where Sailor Moon exists. You recall me asking after Serenity, Sailor Earth?"

"Yes." Neflite answered with a nod, recalling his prince's search for a woman they hadn't believed existed.

"Everything you remember before my questioning started was created, manufactured, by the power of the silver crystal." Darien said seriously.

"What?!" Neflite exclaimed as loudly as he dared without calling attention to his room. "Who..? Why?!"

"The Moon Princess found Venus' invitation to the wedding and apparently decided to take action." Darien said. "She used her connection to the silver crystal and a crystal tower inside the Moon Palace, and altered reality to try and make it the way she wanted."

"She wanted Serenity, in her role as Sailor Earth, away from me and under her control. Unable to get to me, and for me to forget all about her so that the princess could have a chance with me. She believed she would be the only one to catch my romantic attention." He explained.

"Her actions effected the entire solar system aside from myself, the Moon Queen, and the Outer Sailor Scouts. Everyone else's memories of before were suppressed, and they were given new ones." He continued.

"Even the princess was effected by what she had done. Though that was not her intention." He added.

Neflite stared at Endymion, Darien, in stunned silence. The Moon Princess had done all of that, had changed reality, because she couldn't take the fact that Endymion was getting married and would be out of her reach.

Not that he had ever been in her reach, but it just shows how deep her obsession was. He thought.

"How did you and the others escape being effected?" He asked.

"My crystal protected me. I imagine the Moon Queen was not affected because she was the holder of the crystal and it could not affect her. The Outer Scouts I do not know. Perhaps it was as simple as them having stronger minds that resisted the manipulation or maybe their powers were strong enough to protect them. I do not know." Darien answered.

"Well, I recall how I was, and the other guys. What about Serenity? How exactly was she effected?" Neflite asked.

"She believed she had always been a citizen of the Moon. Believed she had always been one of the five Guardian Scouts to the Moon Princess." Darien said in a quiet angry tone. "Worse she believed she was the specific protection of that royal wench! Her protective double should she be in danger, so she could be taken or killed in her stead!"

Neflite gasped and stared in horror. Serenity, the girl that had been one of his playmates, one of his friends, the young woman who had been a fellow soldier, had been stolen from her life and made into a completely different person.

She had been snatched away from her honorable duty as the protector of a planet to instead be the protection of a princess who was obviously jealous of her if she wanted her under her control, and who wanted to take her man from her.

And even worse! The royal wench, as Endymion had rightly called her, had erased the position of Sailor Earth from existence! Now that he knew that he immediately began to make connections, and could easily see the consequences of her decision to change reality.

Had Serenity, Sailor Earth, been around then Beryl would never have been around, and he and his fellow generals would never have been brainwashed. War would have never been brought to the Moon and everyone wouldn't have died.

Neflite was sure it went deeper than that considering she had to get the power to brainwash them in the first place, and he was sure it had something to do with whatever was going on in the Dark Kingdom now.

"And now she still believes she is Sailor Moon." He said with a heavy sigh.

"Unfortunately." Darien agreed. "However, she is remembering both versions of the past at the same time, but in a mixed random order. She'll dream of memories or get flashes of memories as a result of something she hears or sees."

"So far she remembers me courting her as Sailor Moon, being engaged to me as Sailor Earth, sparing with Zoycite, being confronted by some of the Guardian Scouts as Sailor Moon for spending time with me, the Moon Princess liking me in her Sailor Moon life, meeting me for the first time as Sailor Moon, and some of her friendship with Venus as Sailor Earth." He listed.

"Things like that. She also has instinctive knowledge coming to her as well. Sensing dark energy, knowing how to use a staff and bow and arrows, and physical fighting." He added. "It is great as far as I am concerned. However, the way she is remembering is confusing her. She doesn't know that she lived both lives at the same time since she has been told there was no Sailor Earth in the past."

"That is unfortunate." Neflite said with a frown. "Is there no way to help her?"

"It is the silver crystal that is holding her true self back, but I believe its influence is breaking down or she would not remember anything of her life as Sailor Earth or her instinctive knowledge." Darien said.

"I have two options. Wait for her to remember it all on her own or complete our bond and use my crystal to free her from it." He explained. "I have opted for option two, but I have to make her fall in love with me for that to happen."

"And how is that coming along if I can ask?" Neflite asked carefully.

"It is coming along very well." Darien said before he decided to go back and explain what had happened when he came into his memories of the past, and what had been going on since then.

Neflite listened closely, grimacing at the description of his prince's memories coming back to him. He was very thankful Endymion had been gentle with bringing his memories to the front of his mind. His experience sounded horrendous!

He listened as he told of meeting Serenity again and getting to know her and starting to date her, that his masked persona was only taken so he could fight at her side without revealing the truth or having it revealed before she herself remembered it, training with her, meeting her friends and introducing her to his, her figuring out his masked identity was the guy she was dating, and the upsetting fact that she was being made to find the pieces of the silver crystal.

Apparently the only bad things to happen was her confusion over her returning memories and the Moon Princess' appearance.

"So that's it." Neflite said as Endymion finished. "Now what?" He asked now that he knew all the players and who remembered and who didn't.

"How are you doing health wise?" Darien asked.

"I'm fine. They just want to keep me here for a few days for observation since I've been in a coma so long." Neflite said.

"And how are you moving around?" Darien asked.

"Slowly and stiffly, but not enough to keep me. They just want to make sure I'm not going to collapse unconscious again." Neflite said.

"Then let's take care of that." Darien said before he stood up.

He placed a hand lightly on Neflite's chest and focused on his golden crystal. Immediately he began to glow a bright gold and he willed the power into his general as he concentrated on healing his body.

He was healthy, a little undernourished, which was surprising since he should have been more so despite what had been given to him while in his coma, but his muscles were weak and a bit withered.

With that diagnosis he began to guide the power up and down his body making sure not to miss a single area. He was especially careful to pay close attention to the muscles in his arms, back, legs, and feet since he would need those if he intended to continue on as one of his Generals.

Once he was satisfied that Neflite was completely healed he turned his attention to something just as important. He lifted both hands and placed them on the sides of Neflite's head and concentrated on what he wanted.

Neflite lay in his bed calmly and remained relaxed as his prince healed him. He had experienced being healed by him a few times in the past, so he was comfortable with what was happening. What did surprise him though was when he put his hands on his head.

He felt the same warmth he had when the golden power was moving throughout his body, but this time it was completely focused around his head. It swirled gently around his head before it seemed to settle around where he imagined his mind might be if it was a physical thing.

I suppose that would be my brain. He considered as he lay quietly.

After a few long moments his prince eventually stopped glowing and moved his hands away before he sat back down in the chair.

"You should be able to move fine now, and your mind is protected now as well." Darien said seriously. "The Dark Kingdom will not be able to brainwash you again, and the silver crystal will not be able to affect you again either."

"Thank you so much." Neflite said enthusiastically. "I didn't even think about that, but I'm glad my mind won't be able to be manipulated again."

"Beryl or whoever found you before can still find you, but they will not be able to tamper with your mind. And you should be able to fight back now that you remember." Darien explained.

"I understand. I guess I need to start training as soon as possible." Neflite said.

"Definitely." Darien agreed. "I'll train with you when you're ready, and so will Neptune and Uranus I'm sure. I'll introduce you to them when you get out of here."

"You know who they are outside their scout identity?" Neflite asked curiously.

"Yes. They have actually given Serenity, and by extension myself, their loyalty, so we have been hanging out and training together to get to know one another. The same for Pluto as well." Darien said.

"Oh! She's around too?" Neflite said in surprise, remembering learning of her in the past along with the other sailor scouts in the solar system before the Moon Princess changed their reality.

"Yes. Although, because of the nature of her specialty she remains at her post. Only leaving it for short minutes occasionally." Darien said.

"Okay. I'll look forward to the training." Neflite said.

"Very well then. I shall let you get back to sleep." Darien said as he stood up. "I'll come visit you. Here or at your home, it doesn't matter, but not in the open until you have been away from both places."

"To have a plausible way to have met you." Neflite said as he nodded, and watched his prince nod in return.

"Exactly." Darien agreed. "I'll bring updates on what's been happening if anything does happen."

"Okay. See you then." Neflite said.

"Bye." Darien said, and willed himself away and back to his bedroom in his apartment.

Neflite watched as his prince disappeared in a flash of golden light then looked around before he lowered himself until he was laying down. Tomorrow he would get up and walk around and make sure the doctors and nurses saw him, so they could be more convinced to let him go sooner.

He wanted out of here. It was boring, and he needed to get back to living his life, and especially start training.

oOoIRoOo

Darien sat at a table near a wall in a corner of the student union of K.O. University Thursday afternoon with Itachi and Andrew. He had introduced them to each other weeks ago, not long after he and Itachi began hanging out outside of class. Thankfully for his peace of mind Andrew and Itachi got along well.

Currently the friends were talking about Darien's girlfriend and his intention to take her out on a formal date.

"Does she like those kinds of dates?" Itachi asked curiously. "I've overheard girls around campus talking about going to clubs to dance and party."

"Serena specifically told me not to take her to a club, because she doesn't like that type of scene." Darien said. "If I am to take her dancing it will have to be elsewhere. And she does like going on formal dates as far as I can tell. We have only been on one, but she liked it."

"What did you two do for that date?" Andrew asked.

"I took her to see a musical symphony orchestra." Darien answered.

"Nice; classy." Itachi said as he nodded.

"Have you had any luck finding a girl of your own?" He asked Itachi.

"Not yet. No one has stood out as interesting, and I haven't had any unexpected encounters." Itachi said before he looked to Andrew. "What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?" He asked.

"Nope. I haven't come across anyone I'm interested in." Andrew answered with a shrug. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not right now. Sure I'd like to have a girlfriend, but I imagine it might be distracting when it came to my school work."

Not to mention when it came to his knowledge of his best friend being a reincarnated prince, a fighter of monsters, and a future king according to his words. Having a girlfriend meant he would have to lie to her, and even more so if his thoughts on possibly being a general to Darien actually happened.

He was still unsure about that if the opportunity came about. He had heard nothing about his friend's Generals being saved or killed, but then again he had heard nothing new since he had first learned his friend's secret.

"I believe it would depend on yourself and the young woman you choose." Darien said thoughtfully. "I will fully admit that Serena is distracting. However, that does not pertain to my school work or hers for that matter. We both know when it is time to focus on our studies and when to take breaks."

"That makes sense. You know what you want, you know what you have to do, and you know what you need. If the one you choose respects you and herself then you won't be distracted." Itachi said. "Unless it's a distraction you both agree to." He added.

Both Darien and Andrew laughed at that, but also agreed with his words on the whole.

"All you have to do now is find the right young woman." Darien told Andrew before he looked to Itachi. "That goes for you as well. There is no need to go out and try to find this unknown young woman at this moment. There is no hurry, and I am personally of the belief that you should wait for her to find you. Or for you to happen upon each other."

"I have no problem waiting, and I guess it doesn't matter if she's a few years younger than me." Itachi said. "It seems to be working for you."

"True." Darien agreed. "As long as she is mature; you should be able to tell one way or the other fairly quickly."

"Maybe she'll be a few years older." Andrew said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps one of you will meet an older woman and the other will meet a younger woman." Darien added with a light smile.

"I suppose anything is possible." Itachi said before he looked around. "I'm going to go get a snack. Do you guys want anything?" He asked as he began to stand up.

"No thank you." Darien said, and Andrew shook his head.

"Alright. I'll be right back." Itachi said before he began to walk away toward one of the stores inside the building.

"We need to talk." Darien said as he watched Itachi get further away. "I have an update for you. When are you free?" He asked as he looked to his best friend.

Andrew blinked in surprise, and then looked thoughtful.

"Later today." He answered, not bothering to ask why they couldn't talk right then. The area was likely too public, and he wouldn't want to risk being overheard; especially since he had clearly waited for Itachi to leave before he said anything.

"That is fine. Simply stop by my apartment when you can." Darien told him. "I will be going home after we all part ways."

"Okay." Andrew said as he nodded. "I have one more class, so I'll come after that."

"Come whenever you can. I'll be there." Darien said, and then paused. "Unless Serena needs me, and I never know when that will happen."

"I understand." Andrew said as he nodded.

"If I am not there then I will come to your place when I part from her." Darien said.

"Alright." Andrew said as he saw Itachi coming back.

They both watched Itachi sit back in his seat with what looked like a pastry and a bottle of juice, but before anything could be said their little group was joined by a familiar face.

"Sesshomaru." Darien greeted the tall man with silver white hair and golden eyes.

"Hey Sesshomaru." Andrew greeted him as well.

"You two know each other?" Darien asked in surprise.

"Yes. We have some classes we share." Sesshomaru answered, and Andrew nodded.

Darien was pleasantly surprised to learn that two of his friends already knew each other. He thought that was great. He thought Sesshomaru was a good guy and he liked what he knew about him so far. He was sure he was going to be a very good and long lasting friend, which mattered very much considering what he knew his future would be.

"Well since you two already know each other it only makes sense that you should meet another of my friends." Darien said before he glanced to Itachi.

"Sesshomaru, this is Itachi." He said as he gestured toward his friend. "Itachi, this is Sesshomaru. I met him some weeks ago, and learned that we obviously attend the same university."

"How did you two meet if you don't mind me asking?" Itachi asked curiously.

"We met through Serena. She's close long standing friends with his girlfriend even though they go to different schools." Darien said.

Itachi and Andrew nodded, both understanding what wasn't being said. The girls were long standing friends and went to different schools, which meant they could assume they were the same age. Here was another example of a guy dating a girl a few years younger than him; clearly he had found a mature one.

"Every time I see you I can't help thinking about the camping trip." Darien said as he looked at Sesshomaru.

"Indeed. It is the same for me." Sesshomaru replied.

"I want to do it again. However, I cannot decide if I wish for the cabin situation or go the route of a tent with an open fire and sleeping bag." Darien said thoughtfully.

"Surrounded by the sounds of nature and fresh air." Sesshomaru added in agreement.

"I certainly would not deny myself the opportunity of snuggling up with Serena in a sleeping bag." Darien said longingly.

"It does indeed sound enjoyable." Sesshomaru agreed, thinking of Kagome.

Sesshomaru and Darien eyed each other thoughtfully, mentally considering, before they both nodded.

"Yes. We need to make that happen." Darien said firmly.

"Indeed. I will go over my schedule, and speak to Kagome." Sesshomaru said seriously.

"Good. I will speak to Serena at the first opportunity. I imagine the ladies will communicate from there." Darien said.

"Indeed." Sesshomaru agreed.

Andrew and Itachi listened to this exchange with slightly wide eyes. They couldn't believe these two had just essentially decided on a double date camping trip that quickly, and spoke as if their girlfriends would agree to it when they spoke to them.

From there Itachi and Sesshomaru gradually began to get to know each other. Learning how old the other was, what they were studying, a little about their families, and Sesshomaru even deigned to reveal how he had met his girlfriend.

Eventually they realized how much time had passed, and that three of them needed to head to their next class before they ended up being late.

They all said their goodbyes, Darien nodded significantly at Andrew who returned the gesture understandingly, before they parted ways. The three young men walking toward one door of the student union together, and Darien walking toward another door in the opposite direction to head to his car.

It was only a few minutes before he was at his car, getting in, and driving off. As he drove he wondered what he should do with himself to pass the time before he spoke to Andrew.

He couldn't go see his Serenity since it was too early, and she was going to be shopping for her dress for their date once she was out of school anyway.

I can go train since that's always something to do or study for my classes. He considered, but then he wondered if there was anything he had wanted to get done that he couldn't do while he was with Serena.

Ah. I can look into getting my Serenity a bow of her own. He thought as his eyes lit up as he remembered wanting her to have her own after she had instinctively used Kagome's set.

He knew that even if she didn't use it regularly she would still have her own personal bow for when she did use it. Beyond that he knew she would appreciate it; even once she remembered her true self. She would still remember how it felt to not have a weapon she could rely on. That in itself might tempt her to use it more than she had in the past.

With that thought in mind the prince of the Earth turned his thoughts toward how exactly to go about doing that. Did he want to buy her a bow and arrow set or make the set himself?

Darien hummed thoughtfully and ultimately decided to have a look at what was available before he made a decision one way or the other.

He drove to the closest sporting goods store and went inside to have a look. What he saw was a lot of modern looking bow and arrow sets. Complicated black, camouflage, and green crossbows that looked like they were made of plastic and metal, and could be fired by simply pulling a trigger.

Bowfishing bows that looked just as complicated as the crossbows, and in no way were what he wanted his Serenity using. They didn't look right on display, and he doubted they would look better in her hands.

The recurve bows caught his eyes next. They were in different shades of brown and were made of wood, plastic, and aluminum. He liked the look of some of them, but they weren't right for his soulmate.

Darien left the store and made his way around to a few different stores, but ultimately decided all that he had seen weren't up to his standards for his Serenity.

Therefore, there is only one choice. I shall make it myself. He told himself firmly. If you wish for something to be done right you have to do it yourself, and that was exactly what he was going to do.

With his decision made he made his way back home to his apartment idly wishing he could go home to his palace but knowing that was impossible. Once he arrived he parked his car and made his way up to his apartment and let himself inside before settling on his couch.

Do I wish to create it from my crystal or use wood to help me start? He considered. Making it with my crystal would be easy. However, making it with wood would be just as easy, and would involve the Earth in creating a weapon for her scout.

Yes. That is what I will do. He thought firmly as he stood up.

Darien focused on the forest near Sesshomaru's family cabin and willed himself there. A pulse of warmth moved through his chest and in the next moment he was engulfed in golden light. When it cleared he found himself standing in the forest exactly where he had wanted to be.

Nodding slightly at his surroundings he knelt on the ground and closed his eyes. He placed his hands on the grass and dirt as he breathed in a long deep breath of fresh air before he let it out slowly. He then focused his mind on the Earth and his connection with it.

He didn't have to go through this process, but he wanted to be sure there would be no disruptions while they spoke.

Mother Earth? He called quietly, and waited.

Endymion. The Earth responded in her quiet mature motherly tone in his mind.

I wish for your help. I want to make a weapon for my Serenity, a bow and arrows to be specific, and I would have you guide me to the best wood to use if you will. He explained, and after a few long moments he began to sense where he should head.

My scout does not have this weapon already? She asked as she silently guided her prince to where he needed to go.

She does not. Darien answered as he walked. She did not keep one in the past, and even if she did she would not have access to it as she is now. She has recently experienced using a bow and arrows through instinct, and at my suggestion has agreed to practice with it to further her skill and become comfortable in its use in the hopes of growing powerful enough to produce it to use while she is transformed.

And is that your hope? The Earth asked.

No. My hope is that she will remember more memories of who she truly is as she practices, and of course so she will have the weapon when she actually does remember to go with her sword and spear. He explained as he pictured the two weapons he hadn't seen in so very long.

Is she close to remembering? She asked.

I do not believe so. He said with a sigh. She is currently remembering random memories of her life as Sailor Earth and as the scout of the Moon. It is confusing her since she has been told that there was no scout of the Earth in the past.

Beyond that she has remembered seeing myself romantically connected to both scouts, and seen the Moon Princess interacting with both scouts. She does not know if they are two separate lifetimes or if she lived both at the same time. He continued, and frowned as he recalled her theory about being twins in the past.

And now that that conniving princess has been found I worry what more confusion my soulmate will suffer by simply being in her presence. He added as he continued to follow the Earth's gentle guidance deeper into the woods.

You must continue to be there for her, and help relieve her confusion. She replied knowingly.

I will. He said reassuringly.

Halt my young Prince. The Earth said gently yet firmly.

Darien did so and found himself standing in the middle of trees, which was no surprise. However beyond that was a slender yet thick branch lying on the ground. It was obviously fresh and not one that had been lying there for some time since the thickest end where the inner rings showed was light and bright.

It came down last evening from strong winds. She said.

It is perfect. He replied as he took in the length. There was enough to make the bow and all the arrows as well. I thank you Mother Earth. I will tell my Serenity that you chose this piece personally once she remembers.

Very well young Prince. She replied before going silent.

Darien lifted the branch into his arms and focused on the living room in his apartment, specifically the space behind his couch, before he willed himself there. Golden light engulfed him and when it cleared he stood inside his apartment exactly where he wanted to be.

He walked around the couch and sat down as he placed the long branch on the coffee table. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he focused on his crystal. Instantly its soothing warmth blossomed in his chest, and he smiled lightly before he refocused.

I wish to make a bow and arrows for my Serenity using this branch of wood Mother Earth picked out. He told his crystal, and felt an acknowledging pulse of warmth. First I will start with the bow. He added before he held his hands out over the tree branch.

He closed his eyes and pictured the sword and spear his soulmate wielded in the past, and began to gradually design a bow that would fit in with them and in her role as the scout of the Earth.

Golden light began to coat his hands before it began to shine down and bathe the wood. Slowly the branch began to glow with the golden light before it rose off the table and floated in the air.

Darien kept his eyes closed to better focus on the design he had in mind. He pictured the colors he wanted, the shape, and the decorations. He left no detail untouched; wanting nothing but perfection for his soulmate.

He wanted her to be pleased as soon as her eyes landed on it, even more pleased once she remembered her true self, and he wanted her to know it was good enough for her to use in situations she felt the weapon could be used.

After long minutes passed he felt a warm pulse in his chest as well as a nudge against the palms of his hands, and opened his eyes to see a bow floating where the branch had been while glowing.

He glanced down to the coffee table as he lowered his hands to see the remainder of the branch before he returned his eyes to the bow. He narrowed his eyes looking at it critically to make sure it was exactly the way he wanted, and that he didn't miss a detail or picture something wrong, because he knew if it wasn't the way he wanted it to be it was his fault and not his crystal.

It was sleek and rounded in the shape of a recurve just like the shape of the bows he had liked in the store with a white string. It was blue green in color with a white grip, and had the Earth's secondary symbol above the grip and the primary symbol below the grip; both were in white with a matching vine design weaving around them and trailing a few inches along the bow in both directions.

Darien nodded in satisfaction pleased with what was before him. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around the hilt and brought it toward him. The glow faded away and he trailed his fingers along the curve, feeling the smoothness, before he pulled back on the string to test it.

The tension felt right, and he nodded again before he moved on to the next step, which was to create the accompanying arrows.

He placed the bow gently on the couch cushion at his side before he shifted the remainder of the branch closer and held his hands over it. He closed his eyes and clearly pictured the appearance he wanted for the arrows and how many of them he wanted to create.

Once again golden light coated his hands before it began to shine down and bathe the wood. Slowly the shorter branch began to glow with the golden light before it rose off the table and floated in the air.

Minutes passed, although he could not say whether it was longer or shorter than with the bow, before he once again felt a warm pulse in his chest as well as a nudge against the palms of his hands.

He opened his eyes and lowered his hands as he saw a glowing group of arrows floating horizontally where the branch had been. The stems of the arrows were white with blue green feathers at the ends, and white triangular arrowheads at the tips.

Darien reached out and grabbed them with both hands, dispelling the glow, and examined each one individually for quality. They were all identical in appearance, the stems sturdy, the feathers soft yet firm, and the arrowheads, apparently made of metal, were sharp. After counting them he was pleased that not only did they look as he wanted them to but all eighteen of them were there.

He carefully put them on the cushion next to the bow and looked back to the remaining bit of wood from the branch. The last thing he needed to make was the quiver for the arrows, but he wondered if he could also incorporate the wood into it.

He stared at it thoughtfully as he considered how he wanted the quiver to look. He thought of the shape and size, the sling strap and its length, and the color and decoration.

Once he was satisfied with the design in his mind he lifted his hands to hover above the small piece of branch, and watched his hands glow and become coated in gold light for a third time before the light shined down on the wood.

Slowly the small piece of branch began to glow with the golden light and rose off the table and float in the air. He closed his eyes to better focus on his design and willed his crystal to create the image.

Just as before the minutes passed and eventually he felt the warm pulse from his crystal in his chest as well as a nudge against the palms of his hands. He opened his eyes and moved his hands away as he examined the quiver.

It was white in a slightly long tube shape with a white sling strap attached to it. He grabbed it from the air, dispelling the glow of his crystal, and turned it this way and that way to get a better look at it.

His crystal had chosen to construct it out of leather, which he very much approved of since it would be soft enough not to cause his Serenity's back to ache, but was strong enough to contain the arrows without losing any.

The wood had been placed at the bottom and made white to match the leather, so it could handle the sharp arrows constantly moving around and being put into the quiver.

At the top center of the quiver just beneath the edge was the combined primary and secondary symbols of the Earth in blue green with matching vines winding around it and wrapping around the top of the quiver.

Darien was very pleased with the way it came out, and the subtlety of the decoration. He wanted the symbols on it to represent that it was a gift from him, her role as the scout of the Earth, and the rest of the quiver to remain blank to better blend in with her white cape.

He took a few moments to place all of the arrows inside and tested its weight and maneuverability to make sure the arrows wouldn't fall out. Thankfully they didn't and it worked just the way he expected it would.

Satisfied with that he removed the arrows and placed them back on the cushion next to the bow then placed the quiver above them on the cushion in preparation for the last step. He then held out his hands, high enough so his power could reach all the items, and focused.

I wish for this bow, this quiver, and these arrows to be strong enough to be in no danger of breaking, and to hold up to my soulmate's power; her true power. He instructed his crystal clearly, wanting them to be just as strong and protected as her other weapons were.

His crystal pulsed warmly in his chest before his hands began to glow with its golden light. In the next moment the light shined down on the items, bathing each and every one of them, causing them to glow as the power wrapped around them.

The arrows must return to her, to the quiver, once they have fulfilled their purpose. He added firmly, and felt a warm pulse of acknowledgment in his chest.

Suddenly knocking sounded on his apartment door that caused him to narrow his eyes as he held on to his focus.

"Just a minute please." Darien called out loudly without moving his gaze from the glowing items. He wanted to finish this, and not leave it half done.

A few long moments later the powerful light stopped and the glow around the objects faded away signaling the task was finished. He then got up and walked to the door and opened it to reveal his best friend.

"Welcome." He said as he gestured for him to come inside. "I am sorry for the wait. I was in the middle of something, and did not want to stop until I had finished. I had not realized how much time had passed since I started after I got here."

"That's okay." Andrew assured him. "What were you doing if I can ask?"

"Come see." Darien said as he led him into the living room area.

Andrew slipped his school bag off his shoulder as he reached the couch and side chair, and then gasped as he saw his friend gesture to what was lying there as he walked behind the couch.

"Wow." He said as he took in the blue green and white bow, arrows, and quiver. "Are these real?" He asked as he sat in the side chair.

"Absolutely." Darien answered as he sat back down on the couch.

"Wait a minute! Did you make these?" Andrew asked, remembering what his friend said after welcoming him inside.

"I did. I was just finishing up when I heard you knocking." Darien answered. "It is a gift for my Serenity."

"You're gifting her a weapon? Why?" Andrew asked with a slight frown of confusion.

"I told you that she has been remembering random memories of her life in the past. However, beyond that she has been discovering she has instinctive knowledge. Some of that knowledge is in the use of weapons she knew how to use as Sailor Earth." Darien explained.

"What weapons?" Andrew asked curiously. "Obviously a bow and arrows."

"The first one she discovered was the use of a staff during a fight with a monster. That particular skill came from the spear she had in the past. Then there was an instance where she had the chance to try to use a friend's bow. Lastly she has recently recalled a memory of her Sailor Earth self sparring with a sword." Darien explained, and his friend nodded.

"After she realized she could use a bow perfectly I suggested she practice with the weapons she instinctively knew how to use, and maybe she would grow powerful enough to create them so she could use them during fights." Darien said.

"Can she actually do that?" Andrew asked.

"There's no need. As Sailor Earth she owns both a sword and a spear. She knew how to use a bow and arrows, but had not kept one in the past." Darien said, and his friend nodded his understanding.

"Alright, so what's the update you have? I have to admit I'm really curious." Andrew said, especially since he was eager for any information that could help him decide if he wanted to be a general to his friend if the opportunity came along.

"I don't know if you have seen or heard anything about the scouts since I revealed my secret." Darien said as he looked to his best friend.

"I've heard them mentioned on the news here and there, but I always just miss the actual report that gives the information." Andrew said.

"Well, in that case I can inform you that the Guardian Scouts are officially complete." Darien said. "At the time I revealed my truth to you only Sailor's Mercury and Mars had been awakened. Since then Sailor's Venus and Jupiter have been awakened."

"Ah, and the other sailor scouts know? The ones that gave their loyalty to you and Serena?" Andrew asked.

"Yes they do. Now for the bad news before I go into the good news." Darien said. "Unfortunately, the Moon Princess has been found. Even worse, I was there when it happened."

"When did this happen?" Andrew asked in concerned surprise, remembering what his friend had said about the princess.

"Tuesday." Darien answered with a heavy sigh.

"How…how are you doing with this development?" Andrew asked, a little surprised it had happened only days ago.

"I can assure you furious didn't even begin to explain how I felt when I realized what had happened." Darien admitted as he remembered those moments; feeling his anger blaze through his body and the planet reacting to it.

"After the fight was over, and I had made sure no one was going to attack my Serenity after the fact, I went deep into the Egyptian desert and released my anger." He said.

"The Egyptian desert?!" Andrew said incredulously. "How did…?" He couldn't even finish his question he was so shocked.

"I have the ability to teleport." Darien answered simply. "It is how I traveled between the Earth and Moon in the past. In fact, before when I spoke of the princess coming to the Earth and her scouts coming to get her, that is how they did so. They had the ability to teleport as well."

"I am able to travel anywhere I wish on the planet, so I went somewhere where there would be no people or animals to see me or get caught in the release of my anger." He explained.

"I understand." Andrew said as he nodded, amazed at his friend's ability. "Can Serena do that now?"

"She has not discovered that ability yet, but she is capable. She certainly will remember how to do so once she remembers who she is." Darien answered.

"Okay." Andrew said as he nodded. "Does the princess remember the past?"

"Not that I am aware of." Darien answered.

"Ah, okay. I wish I knew what she looked like so I could keep a look out." Andrew said. "Is she the type of person who would come into the arcade or cafe?"

"Yes. She's around Serena's age, but she goes to a different school than her based on the uniform she was wearing." Darien said. "She has pale blonde hair up in high pigtails that trail pass her back and almost to her knees, and pale blue eyes."

"The school uniform she wore was a gray blouse with a dark gray sailor collar with a red stripe on it and a red bow connected that hung on the chest, a dark gray short skirt, knee-high white socks with a red stripe around the top, and black shoes." He described.

"Okay. I'll keep a look out for a girl that looks like that." Andrew said, and his friend nodded. "So what's the good news?" Andrew asked, moving away from the upsetting subject of the princess.

"First, is the very pleasing fact that Serena finally figured out that I am my masked identity." Darien said happily.

"Oh!" Andrew exclaimed in surprise.

"And she did it in the most pleasing way." Darien said with a smile.

"How?" Andrew asked curiously.

"We met up while transformed and she said she thought she knew who I was but she wanted to make sure. The only way she could do that without saying anything revealing of her identity was to kiss me." Darien explained.

"Why a kiss though?" Andrew asked.

"To compare the way I kiss with the way my masked persona kissed." Darien said. "Oh she was worried about it considering if she was wrong she would have seen that as cheating on me, but she couldn't think of any other way to find out."

"That's understandable." Andrew said as he nodded. It made sense considering they had likely only been acting as good coworkers and not talking about anything that would reveal their identity to each other.

Aside from the things he had said that eventually clued her in to the fact that his masked identity was her boyfriend. He thought.

"How did she react to figuring it out?" He asked.

"She was of course happy to be right, and asked a number of questions. She was also happy that we could spend more time together, and talk about our secret lives with each other." Darien said.

"And you're happy of course." Andrew noted.

"Indeed. I no longer have to wait until I am in my masked persona to talk to her about her scout life." Darien said. "I can learn quicker when she remembers another memory, and help her sooner if it is one that troubles her."

"I'm happy for you, for the both of you." Andrew said sincerely. "Now she just needs to remember she's Sailor Earth."

"Yes." Darien said as he nodded. "The other piece of news is as of yesterday one of my Guardian Generals has been freed."

"Oh seriously?!" Andrew said with wide eyes.

"Yes. Sailor's Neptune and Uranus captured him and brought him to a secluded place before Sailor Pluto notified me." Darien said. "I went to the place where they had him and while he was unconscious I freed him of the hold that organization had on him, which had included suppressing his memories and identity of the present."

"Have you spoken to him since then?" Andrew asked curiously.

"Yes." Darien answered. "He was confused at why he had two sets of memories of the past, and understandably horrified when I explained why that was and who was responsible."

"I am sure he will have more of a reaction beyond that now that he knows the truth, and has had the time to go through his memories and see what had changed and been taken away." He continued. "Although, I doubt it will be anything to the reaction I had when my memories returned or how my Serenity will react."

"I can only imagine." Andrew said as he nodded. "And he will have no problems being one of your guardian generals again?"

"None at all. He simply needs to train to get used to using his powers again." Darien answered.

Powers. Andrew repeated thoughtfully as he nodded. Just like I thought before. I have no power to help fight, and that is something that must be needed if all of them have it. At least he assumed the other guardian generals did if one had it.

"I'm glad he was able to be freed; especially before he could be killed." He said as he pushed his thoughts aside for another time. "I hope the others are able to be freed as well."

"Me too." Darien said with a light sigh.

"So are you really going to go on that camping date you talked about earlier with Sesshomaru, and do you think Serena will actually agree to it?" Andrew asked curiously, changing the subject.

"Yes, and I am just as sure that she will agree." Darien said. "She enjoyed the last camping date we went on, and we actually spoke about doing it again."

"Really?" Andrew said.

"Truly. We agreed it didn't matter if it was at a cabin again or out under the open sky. As long as we got to spend that time together." Darien said, and then sighed. "I certainly will not deny myself the chance to have her sleep in my arms again. It was excellent."

"It's things like that that you miss isn't it?" Andrew asked as he looked at his friend. "Sleeping with her in your arms, speaking openly, and just completely being yourself with her."

"Yes." Darien said with a heavy sigh. "I am part of the way there since she now knows I am my masked persona, but I still cannot speak about all of who I am. I cannot tell her the prince in her returning memories is me, or that she does not have to worry about what the Guardian Scouts think, or mind anything that princess says to her."

"I cannot tell her that she has allies waiting for her, or that she is partly living a lie, or that she is my soulmate. It is frustrating and saddening that I must wait to tell her that I love her until she tells me." He said with a frown.

"I am sorry for the circumstances you two are in." Andrew said sympathetically. "I hope she remembers quickly or her feelings grow more quickly so that you can fix the situation yourself."

"Thanks. I certainly hope so as well." Darien said before he looked down at the bow and arrow set he had made. "I need to put these…" He began to say, but paused as he sensed the familiar ache of his soulmate transforming ripple through his head.

"I am sorry. I have to go." He said as he stood up abruptly and carefully grabbed the arrows and placed them inside the quiver. "Serena just transformed." He explained simply before he grabbed the bow and quiver and hurried to his room.

He placed the precious items safely inside his closet, not wanting them to be seen by his Serenity in case she returned to his apartment with him, before returning to the living room and his friend. As he reached the area behind the couch he focused on his masked persona and was enveloped in a golden light. When it cleared he stood as Tuxedo Mask and was ready to go to his soulmate.

"Do you want me to stay or go?" Andrew asked.

"I do not know how long this will take, so it is probably best that you do not stay; especially if you have something to do." Darien said.

"Alright. Good luck." Andrew said.

"Thanks." Darien said before he pictured a rooftop in the direction he sensed his soulmate in and willed himself there.

He disappeared in a flash of golden light and reappeared the same way on a rooftop before he took off running in the direction his senses were directing him. Long minutes passed before he spotted her at a distance running along rooftops, and after a short time she eventually paused and looked around then stayed still.

He could only guess that she must have spotted him, so he hurried his pace so she didn't have to wait long.

oOo

Meanwhile, Serena, Molly, and Mina headed for the shopping district directly after school. Serena had once again enlisted her best friend to help her find a dress for her upcoming formal date and had asked Mina to help as well.

She had explained how Darien had told her that the date would either be an opera singer performance or a play. She was up for either, and needed a dress that was different than her last one.

"What did your last dress look like?" Mina asked as they walked.

"It was forest green with wide double shoulder straps, where one set of the straps draped on my upper arms, and the top was sort of crisscross diagonally combined with a sweetheart neckline. The waist was pleated and flowed into a skirt that went down to the floor." Serena explained.

"Wow. That sounds nice." Mina said with slightly raised eyebrows.

"Darien definitely liked it." She said with a grin.

"Did you like any of the dresses you tried on before?" Molly asked.

"Umm…I think there was one. The top could be altered into various styles. Actually I still like that one, but just like last time it's not what I want for this date." Serena answered.

"Do you have a color in mind?" Mina asked.

"Yes. He said he wanted to see me in blue, and that it didn't matter what shade of blue; as long as it was blue." She answered.

They reached a small boutique dress store and decided to go in there first since it wasn't one Serena and Molly had tried before.

They went inside and looked around thoroughly, but none of them saw a dress that would be appropriate for a formal evening. They seemed to only have various types of the typical little black dress, but in numerous colors and designs.

The three young woman left without Serena bothering to try on anything and began to make their way to the next store, which happened to be the same store she had gotten her last dress from. It made sense to go there before heading anywhere else since she might find what she was looking for right away.

They arrived a little over ten minutes later and Serena told her friends that she wanted no dress that had sleeves and none that were strapless. Mina and Molly nodded before they all split up and began to look through the store for blue dresses they thought might look good on Serena and that fit what she wanted.

With the dresses they had found they all headed to the dressing rooms, and Molly and Mina handed over the dresses they had found and Serena handed Mina her school bag before she stepped into a dressing room.

The first dress she tried on was one Molly had found. It was a sleeveless floor length navy blue dress made of jersey. It had a high neckline, and sparkling beads decorating the bodice with thick slits at the top sides.

Multiple beaded straps criss crossed along the length of the back to create a beautiful cut-out design, and a striking slit started at the upper thigh on the right side of the skirt of the dress.

The dress fit her very well, hugging her hips as it flowed down her body, and Serena really liked it, but with her long hair the strap design on the back would be completely covered.

"Not with your hair in your usual style." Molly commented when Serena voiced her thoughts.

"True, but I like to wear my hair in a different style on my dates with Darien." Serena said as she modeled the dress for her friends as she looked in the mirror.

"Let's see another one." Mina encouraged.

Serena went back into the dressing room and changed out of the dress and into the next one, this one a pick from Mina, before returning to the mirror outside in front of her friends.

This dress was a royal blue chiffon gown with a single thin strap on the shoulders and draped on the upper arms was a thick strap. The bodice was a pleated criss cross design that showed off a hint of her chest and wrapped around the lower back allowing the upper back to be bare. Around the waist was a thin ribbon, and the skirt flowed down and flared out around her feet on the floor.

She liked the design and the fit, but thought it resembled the last dress she bought too much to wear on her upcoming date.

She went and changed into another dress, that was from the choices Molly handed her, and came back out to display it.

It was a flowing chiffon floor length sky blue dress with a v-neckline that led into a ruched bodice that had silver beading decorating it that slightly lined the thick straps and wrapped elegantly around to the sheer back.

Serena, Mina, and Molly all thought it was pretty, but still not right for her. The color was not one any of them could see her wearing on the date, and Serena thought the beading was the wrong touch and not what she wanted.

Quickly changing into the next dress, this time one of her own picks, she returned to her friends and the mirror.

A navy blue dress of jersey fabric hugged her form and flowed down to the floor. It had thin shoulder straps that led down to thin criss crossing bands over the chest that attached to a fitted V-neck bodice. Triangular cut outs at the waistline showed a bold bit of skin and wrapped to an open back, and a slit started at the middle of the left thigh and trailed down to show her leg.

Serena really liked this dress. The navy blue fabric had a glitter print to it that made it look like a midnight sky with sparkling stars. The fit complimented her figure very well, and the cut outs at her waist and the slit gave it just the right amount of allure to draw Darien's eyes. And on top of that it had a slight train to it that further added to its allurement.

"Well, how do you like it?" Mina asked.

"I like it very much." Serena answered. "I like the color, the fit, and the design."

"Then set that one aside, and try on the rest to see if any of those make the cut." Molly suggested.

Serena silently agreed and went to try on the next dress.

On and on she went trying on dress after dress, and modeling them for her friend's opinions. Molly liked some and Mina liked others, but there were a couple that all three of them liked. She tried on dresses that were sky blue, royal blue, baby blue, teal blue, navy blue, aqua blue, metallic blue, and ombré blue.

Ultimately she decided the dress would be navy blue, and narrowed it down to two dresses. The one she had really liked that was a glitter print jersey fabric that hugged her form, and had an open back, cut outs along her waistline, and a slit in the skirt.

And the one she was currently wearing as she gazed into the mirror and shifted this way and that way. They were both the same color and had the same fabric, but the designs were completely different.

Serena shifted this way and that way as she imagined herself with a different hair style. With it being an open back dress she didn't think she wanted to have her hair loose. After all, that would make the bare back pointless since her hair would completely cover it.

"What do you guys think?" She asked as she turned around and looked toward them.

"I like it. You look great! I think Darien will really enjoy this one." Mina said as she looked her over.

"I think so too." Molly said as she looked at the back of the dress. "I can't decide between this one, the one with the cut outs, and the first one you tried on."

"Oh yeah. I liked the design on the back of that dress." Mina agreed.

"Me too." Serena agreed. "Still, I don't think I'm going to go with that one since my hair would cover that design. I'm leaning more toward this one and the one with the cut outs."

"Both have an open back, and the same fabric." Molly said as she glanced toward the other dress that was hanging within view.

"But I don't think the cut out look would go well with the type of date you're going on." Mina added as she remembered it was supposed to be either a play or an opera singer performance.

Serena nodded as she looked back into the mirror. She considered their words as she looked toward her second choice and then back into the mirror. This dress had allurements that would catch Darien's eyes and yet still looked tasteful.

And the more I look at the other dress the less I like the cut outs. She thought as she looked back to said dress.

"This is the one." She announced as she turned in a circle with a smile, and Mina and Molly cheered quietly.

Serena went and changed while her two friends began to put the other dresses back on the racks. Once she was back in her school uniform she grabbed the dress and went to the checkout counter to pay for it.

She was glad she had stopped spending so frivolously and started saving up her allowance back in junior high or she wouldn't be able to get the dresses she wanted without asking her parents. She wouldn't mind asking her mother, but her father was another matter entirely. He was not at all happy about her dating even though he hadn't come right out and said it.

Even if he does eventually say something nothing will stop me from being with Darien. She told herself. Although, I wonder how he'll react when Darien comes to pick me up for our date.

After paying for her dress Serena, Mina, and Molly left the store and walked together talking before they reached the area where they had to split up to head to their separate houses. All of them had homework they needed to get done, and they wanted to make sure they had the rest of the day to do it.

It took Serena a half an hour to get home, but it wasn't very long at all. She opened the front door and closed it behind her, and took a few steps until she could see into the living room.

"Hey mom." She greeted her mother as she held her school bag and the dress bag in one hand, and juggled her keys slightly in the other to keep from dropping them.

"Hello Serena." Her mother greeted as she looked toward her. "How was your day? What's that you have there?" She asked curiously.

"Today was good. School was the usual, and this here is my new dress." Serena answered.

"For another date?" Her mother said.

"Yup. Either to see a play or an opera singer." She revealed.

"Is it tonight?" Her mother wondered.

"No. I wanted to find a dress before we picked a day. I'll call him later or talk to him tomorrow to let him know I have something to wear." Serena said.

"Ah." Her mother hummed as she nodded.

"I'm headed up to start on my homework, and put this away." Serena said as she lifted the dress bag.

"Alright. I'll come let you know when dinner is ready." Her mother said.

"Okay." Serena said before she headed upstairs.

When she reached her bedroom it only took a thorough glance to know that neither Artemis nor Luna were there. That didn't bother her at all. She figured they were either with the princess or one of the girls.

Then again maybe they felt the need to just go out for a walk. She thought with a shrug as she hung up her dress bag in her closet.

From there she settled at her floor desk and got started on her homework. She pulled out a pen, a pencil, paper, and opened one of her textbooks and began to flip through it to the page she needed.

Serena worked diligently as the minutes passed, going from one subject to the next as she finished each, but eventually stopped nearly half way through her homework with an agitated and frustrated sigh. She was aware that she was starting to shift in her seat as her mind wandered and her eyes drifted toward her balcony.

She couldn't seem to focus anymore, and she knew exactly why. It had been a while since she had been patrolling, and the urge had now become intense and distracting. She had to go or she would never be able to finish her homework let alone sleep tonight.

She got up and walked out of her room. She had her brooch with her and she saw no need to grab the Crescent Moon Wand. She wanted to patrol not look for rainbow crystals.

Why isn't that the princess' job now anyway? She wondered idly as she hurried down the stairs.

"I'm going to take a walk. I'll be back in a little while." She called to her mother, who was still in the living room, as she moved toward the door.

Serena opened the door and was out and closing it behind her before her mother could say anything. She power-walked away from her house and down the sidewalk, and when she was sure she was out of view of her house she took off running to find a place where she could transform.

Thankfully it only took her a few minutes and she slipped into a windowless alley. She touched her brooch and uttered the familiar phrase to transform her into Sailor Moon, and closed her eyes as bright pink light flared from her brooch and surrounded her.

When the light cleared she opened her eyes and immediately took off running. She spread her senses to look for any trace of dark energy and kept her eyes on the move as she searched for anything out of the norm.

Serena ran down sidewalks, dodging a few startled people, and eventually made her way to the roof of a building and continued her path along the rooftops. She paused every once in a while to look around her to make sure she wasn't missing anything going on in her peripheral vision or behind her.

During one of those pauses she looked down the six story building toward the street and sidewalk below and scanned but saw nothing unusual. Then stepped back and turned in a slow circle as she scanned the high perspective around her, and paused as she spotted her masked boyfriend running in her direction across the rooftops.


"Hello my little scout." Darien said as he reached her. "Patrolling?" He asked since there was obviously no monster, and she didn't look to be in a hurry.

"Yes." Serena said as she nodded. "The urge became too strong while I was working on my homework."

"Has it always been like that since you have been patrolling?" He asked with a light frown. He knew she had felt the need, but he hadn't known it was a physical thing that could distract her.

"Yeah. It becomes distracting and makes it so I eventually can't think of anything but going out to patrol." She explained. "Today is the first time I've left it until I literally couldn't concentrate or sit still anymore."

Darien nodded slowly. He was surprised by that. He knew she hadn't felt such a need or urge in the past, and he wondered if now it was simply there to further help her remember who she really was. As Sailor Earth she would have patrolled as a matter of course; seeing it as part of her protective duty. There would have been no need for the urge.

"You know I had an unexpected meeting with Sesshomaru earlier." He commented as his soulmate looked around.

"Oh really?" Serena said as she looked back to him.

"Yes. One of the things we spoke of was our decision to go camping again since we both enjoyed it so much last time. This time we figured we could use a tent and sleeping bag in a camp ground." He said. "We agreed to speak to you and Kagome, and Sesshomaru would check his schedule to see when he had free time."

"Well, I'm free any weekend aside from this coming weekend obviously." She said, remembering their upcoming double date. "What about you?"

"I'm free as well." He said.

"Great! I'll speak to Kagome and see what she says about her and Sesshomaru." She said cheerfully. "I'm already looking forward to it."

"I am as well, and I know Sesshomaru is too." Darien replied.

"Come on let's go. I need to move locations." Serena said before she started to run. "Oh hey! I found a dress earlier, and I think you're going to like it."

"In that case I look forward to seeing it." He replied. "Now we simply need a day."

"Well, as I said earlier I'm free." She said as she monitored her senses for dark energy.

"How about Monday?" He suggested. "It will give us a day break from our double date, and we'll be starting off the week well."

"Sounds good to me." She said. "If I have homework I'll make sure to get the majority of it done before I need to start getting ready."

"Don't worry. I'll help you with any homework you have." Darien said reassuringly. "I don't want you falling behind in your studies just because I want to take you out on a weekday."

"Thanks." Serena said with a soft appreciative smile.

"And since we are on the topic I'm looking forward to giving you your tour of the university tomorrow." He said as he kept pace with her.

"I can't wait to see the school. Not only because I can see where I'll potentially be going, but I'll get to see where you go to school." She said as she stretched her senses as far as she could, wanting to be able to sense dark energy further than she was currently able.

The transformed couple ran and leapt from rooftop to rooftop, Serena confidently leading and Darien easily following even as he kept pace with her. They eventually made their way down to street level and ran along the sidewalks and crossed streets startling and surprising people with their presence.

Ultimately they ended up in a large park in a part of the city Serena had never been in. She didn't mind that since she instinctively knew she needed to patrol every part of the city and not just the parts she knew. Enemy activity could be anywhere after all.

The park was fairly empty which was a surprise since it was a nice park and they had nice weather. So she took the opportunity to slow to a walk and take a good look around even as she stretched her senses.

Darien, meanwhile, decided to take the opportunity to practice having his connection to the Earth open while transformed since he still sometimes forgot until the fighting had already started.

"Oh! I still have to tell you about the meeting yesterday!" Serena said, suddenly remembering. "Sorry I couldn't tell you when you called. Artemis was right there, and even though he's more understanding than Luna he would have questioned me talking about scout business with my boyfriend."

"Artemis?" He questioned, the rest unimportant since he had figured that was the likely explanation once he had seen who was with her.

"He's like Luna. You remember me mentioning she made me a scout right?" She asked.

"Yes." Darien answered. So that is the white cat's name. He thought as he remembered her coming across the feline for the first time.

"Yeah, so you won't believe what the meeting was about." She said as she shook her head. "The princess wanted me to introduce you to her, and then break up with you so she could have you."

"What?!" He said, his eyes widening.

He could hardly believe it. The princess didn't know about his true identity and yet she was still attracted to him. Of all the people for her to decide to like she had to pick him.

"Yup. She must have been in the cafe yesterday and seen you, seen us together, for her to know we were dating and to call that meeting so abruptly." She explained. "I don't remember seeing her; do you?"

"No. I didn't care who came in before you, and once you arrived I was focused on you and our little group." Darien admitted. "Which was wrong. I should have been more aware of our surroundings."

"We both should have." Serena agreed. "I honestly don't usually pay close attention to what's going on around me unless something happens."

"Well, we shall change that going forward." He said firmly. "Our enemy could be anywhere. Just as we are careful of when we speak of our secret lives when others are around we shall start paying attention to who and what is going on around us."

"Agreed." She said seriously as she nodded.

"Now. How did the meeting go from there?" He asked, still surprised that the princess wanted him.

"Both myself and Venus were incredulous at the reason for the meeting, and that she would be bold enough to try to demand such a ridiculous thing." Serena said as they walked. "Mercury thought I should do what the princess wanted just because she was the princess, which was irritating of her since before she was worried that I would dump you for the prince if he came along and essentially take him from the princess again."

"Mars thought I should give you up so the princess could have her pick between the two of you since I deprived her of the prince in the past. And Jupiter didn't say anything so who knows what she thought." She explained.

"And what did you say to them?" Darien asked curiously.

"I told them I wasn't going to breakup with you just because the princess was attracted to you." She answered. "That definitely wasn't going to happen. Not just because I wasn't about to let her make demands like that, but because she would likely end up dumping you for the prince if I was foolish enough to do that."

"I would have lost you for nothing! Then since Mars was the last to speak I directed my anger toward her, and told her that I hadn't deprived the princess of anything. That the prince had approached me, and likely with the full knowledge of how the princess felt about him." She explained.

"I told her she acted like the prince hadn't had a mind of his own, and couldn't make his own choices and decisions; that I couldn't help that he wasn't infatuated with our princess just because she was infatuated with him."

"Very nicely said, and highly likely very true." He said, proud of her.

She was of course completely right. He had known about the Moon Princess' attraction for him, and he hadn't cared one bit. Before she changed things she had been an annoyance since he was engaged to his Serenity, and after the 'great change' she had been repulsive to him while he had courted his Serenity to make her fall in love with him again.

He had never wanted anything to do with that royal wench, and should it become necessary he would let her know that explicitly.

"Thanks." Serena said with a blush. "Oh, and the princess didn't seem to remember that there was a prince, so she likely hasn't started remembering the past yet."

"Thank you for telling me. I will be on my guard if I come across her." Darien said, and she nodded.

"After I finished speaking with Mars another memory came to me." She said, moving on.

"Oh? Who were you this time?" He asked.

"Sailor Earth." She answered. "The princess had snuck onto royal grounds to try to see the prince, and I was trying to get her to leave. Eventually Mars and Mercury came to take her back to the Moon even as she was refusing to go until she had spoken to him."

"Mercury ended up taking her back without a word, but Mars stayed behind frowning at me. I asked what her problem was since she wasn't leaving, and she said she didn't like me or my closeness with the prince." She said, and Darien raised his eyebrows.

"I pretty much told her I didn't care about either of her issues and that it was none of her business. If she didn't like it she should do her job and keep her princess away so she didn't have to see me or the closeness she was offended of." She continued.

"She got huffy about telling her how to do her duty, and I basically told her to leave and there was nothing keeping her there if she didn't like what she was hearing. That she should be back on the Moon making sure her princess didn't come back to the Earth."

"She wasn't happy about that, but before she could explode in anger I told her to leave and get back to her duty, and if she and her fellow scouts couldn't do their job I would speak to their Queen to finally put a stop to her daughter's constant intrusion on royal grounds, the planet, and stalking the prince." She explained.

"And when Mars tried to deny that her princess was stalking him I told her that she was, because she was a selfish, spoiled, entitled little brat. She thought she could have whatever she wanted whenever she wanted, and she wanted the prince to fall into her arms and be a slave to her and her whims."

"I told her he wasn't going to be part of her twisted little fantasy, and to keep her princess away and instruct her to not behave like a wandering child." She finished.

"Wow." He said, pleased and proud of her; the emotion clear in his voice.

Darien hadn't been there for that incident but he thought he remembered Serenity telling him about a similar encounter. Either way he was sure he would have reacted the same way he was now; with pride in his little scout.

She had been right. It was none of Mars' business what went on between the prince of the Earth and the scout of the Earth or how close they were. For all she knew that was simply the way things worked on the Earth, so they could keep their planet and people as safe as possible.

And it was true. That was part of the cycle of how we protected the people and planet. He thought, and then hid a smile as he had caught the change in her terms when speaking about the princess. Not 'the princess' but 'Mars' princess'.

"I remember being angry while I was telling her off and how the wind seemed to react to that anger." Serena said. "That was the first time I had a memory of either past version of myself where I was angry."

"Well I am not surprised. With that version of you being able to control the elements it would make sense that your emotions could affect them." Darien said. "I imagine you would have looked impressive as you told that scout to mind her business and to do her job and keep her princess well away."

In fact, he was sure she would, and he could not wait to see her that way again. Couldn't wait to see his goddess in action.

"That makes sense." She said as she nodded. "So when I came out of the memory I was thinking about it, and how I agreed with what my past self had said. The princess felt entitled to the prince just because she liked him. He clearly didn't want her despite her looks, royal status, and eventual inheritance of the silver crystal. None of that meant anything to him."

Serena hesitated at what she was about to say since she was still unnerved about what she had remembered so matter of factly.

"What is it my little scout?" He asked as she hesitated, wondering what she had thought that could make her feel this way.

"I thought it didn't matter to him because he was handsome himself, heir to the throne of his own planet, and had his own powerful crystal that he didn't need to wait to inherit." She told him as she looked to him.

Darien breathed in a sharp breath. She remembered his golden crystal! She remembered!

"I have never seen or heard anything in what I've remembered so far for me to know the prince had a powerful crystal, so how do I know that?" She asked. "It came to me so..no, it didn't even come to me. It just flowed with my thoughts like the knowledge was already in my mind."

"Like how you know how to use a staff and a bow and arrows." He replied, and watched her nod wide eyed. "Both versions of your past self were in a relationship with the man, so it would make sense that you knew about his crystal. And there is always the chance that it was a widely known crystal."

Of course he knew it wasn't widely known. After the 'great change' it hadn't been known at all, even to his Serenity, and before that only his parents, Serenity, his Generals, and the Moon Queen knew of it.

"Yeah. You're right. It's just, it was jarring just like with the instinctive use of those weapons. Unexpected." Serena said.

"Do not worry about it. Simply think of it as another piece of knowledge to add to what you have been remembering." Darien said.

"Right." She said as she nodded. She would push the knowledge aside, and not think about it unless it became relevant.

"Now let us get back to your patrolling, so you can satisfy your instincts and get back to your homework." He said.

Serena nodded and took off running with him only a second behind her.

oOoIRoOo

Late afternoon arrived on Friday and it was announced by the loud ringing of a bell that echoed through the classrooms, hallways, and surrounding courtyards of Juuban Municipal High School.

Soon students in uniform began to trickle and then stream out of the buildings to make their way toward the gated entrance to the campus, which also served as the main exit, at the signaling sound of the end of the school day. There to greet a few many were parked cars; one of which belonged to the esoteric prince of the Earth.

As soon as the bell sounded Darien got out of his car and leaned against it, so that his Serenity would be able to spot him faster.

As he stared at the gated entrance and beyond, scanning for his soulmate, he couldn't help being excited. Had been since he woke up that morning. He was finally going to be able to show her his school; a school that he was fully confident that she would be accepted into. A place where they would get to spend more time together.

He hadn't fooled himself into believing it would be a great deal more time. After all, he was done with the beginning general classes, and he doubted any classes he was taking for his medical degree would be shared. Still, there was the chance of other subjects that they could take together.

But only if she remembers her true self before she has to pick her classes. He told himself as his eyes flickered over the high school students; looking for the unhappily familiar bun hairstyle.

Thoughts of going to the same school as his Serenity always brought up thoughts of living with her, and that was no different now.

Darien very much missed living with his soulmate; something that hadn't happened since before she had been taken from him. He missed waking up with her and going to sleep with her in his arms. He'd gotten a tantalizing sample of it during the camping trip they had taken, but as much as he enjoyed it it had made him long for more.

There was room in his apartment, and they would have privacy. They could speak about their secret lives without worry of being overheard, she could go out and patrol when needed without concern of being stopped on her way out, and most importantly she would be free to be all of herself.

And those benefits would increase if she already recalled her true self when she moved in. He considered, which was something he very much hoped for, as his eyes searched the streaming students.

Finally he spotted her just reaching the gate entrance as she spoke with her friend Molly. They hugged and she waved her friend away before she moved off to the side, out of the way of the majority of her fellow students, and looked around. When she finally spotted him he waved and she smiled brightly before she began to cross the street to where he was.

"Hey!" Serena said happily as she got close.

"Hello my lady." Darien said before he swept her up in a hug and kissed her.

"I'll never get tired of that." She sighed as he put her down.

"The feeling is most definitely mutual." He agreed before he opened the door for her.

Serena smiled in thanks and slipped into the car and settled in her seat. After they made sure all of her hair was safely within the car he closed the door and joined her inside a few moments later.

"How was your day?" Darien asked as he started the car, and began to pull on his seatbelt.

"It was okay." She answered with a sigh as she buckled her seatbelt. "The homework is starting to pile up a bit."

"Do you have a lot today?" He asked as he carefully pulled out into the street.

"Yes. It's a good thing I have today and the weekend to get it all done." Serena said. "I just hope there's no monster attack that will eat up the time."

"What of your patrolling?" Darien asked.

"I went yesterday, so the urge isn't as strong." She said thoughtfully. "I should be able to hold off until Monday, but then again it's always possible I'll go in the middle of the night if I can't hold off."

Darien hummed and nodded. He understood why she would be going in the middle of the night. She apparently had a lot of homework, and today they had the school tour and spending time together after; because being around her solely for the tour was not enough for him.

Beyond that he knew they would be spending some of Saturday together with one of her friends, and who knew if she had anything planned for Sunday. She would have to work her homework around those things. Of course she knew he had zero problem helping her with her homework when they were together just so they could spend as much time together as possible.

And today will be no different. He thought quietly as he glanced her way. She would have a good part of her homework done before he parted ways from her for the day.

oOo

The couple arrived at the university campus and Darien was thankfully able to find a parking spot that was close to where he planned to start the tour.

Serena's eyes were wide as she looked out the car window at the campus. She had definitely never seen the school before, not even in passing, and knew she had never been to this part of the city.

She had never seen a school so large. Buildings yes, but not a school. All the schools she had been to were one building and those only had two stories to them. K.O. University had multiple buildings from what she could glimpse, and each building was three stories or more.

Darien parked the car and got out before he made his way around the car to help his Serenity out. Once she was clear he closed the door and made sure it was locked before he began to guide her onto the campus.

They walked around the walkways and paths of the campus as he pointed out and named the buildings, so she could get an idea of the size and layout. This included and concluded in seeing the track field since it was an outdoor track.

From there he took her inside the nearby gymnasium, and she was able to see that it was large with a shiny light wood floor, and from the markings and what was in the building she could see that it combined the floor plan for basketball and volleyball. In addition to that there were bleachers in the school colors that were sure to fit all the fans.

After that they left and went to a nearby building that clearly announced what it was. Written in large letters on the front was K.O. Swim. They went inside and if the name hadn't been enough then the chlorine smell that hit her nose let her know exactly where she was. Through another set of doors and down a hallway was a large multiple lane swimming pool, and just like with the gymnasium there were bleachers for fans to sit and watch.

Serena found herself impressed with the sports facilities she had seen. She'd never been one to join a sports team, but she imagined if she did she would enjoy using these places.

"Do you have to be on the sports team to come here or use the gym and the track field?" She asked as they left the building.

"No. They have certain times when there are games or swim meets or the teams are practicing, so other students can use them the other times." Darien explained.

"That's good to know." She said as she nodded.

"Thinking about coming here to swim?" He asked in a light teasing tone.

"Maybe." She said with a shrug. "I like to swim but I don't do it much with how long my hair is since it's a pain to walk around with wet hair afterward."

"Ah, understandable." He said as he nodded. She had had the same issue in the past until she had come into her powers and could dry it with her control over wind, water, and fire.

Save any water dates for after she remembers. He told himself as he began to lead his soulmate to another building.

Darien led her to the next closest building, which was the building where all the science and medical class were, and showed her around there since the majority of his classes were there and would continue to be there.

From there he guided her through two more buildings where classes were held before he led her to the administration building. He explained that that building dealt with admissions, tuition, financial aid and other financial services, student identification cards, and more.

He ignored the people looking at them curiously as they heard what he was saying, and watched Serena look around curiously yet attentively since she likely knew she would need to be familiar with that building if she was accepted.

When she is accepted. She has to be. He told himself as he led the way out of the building.

They walked along a pathway and he pointed out the library that was across the way, it being five stories, but didn't head in that direction. Instead he approached another building that was only two stories.

Inside Serena found that it was large with an open floor plan, and the second floor being visible with rooms lining a wraparound balcony. On the walls was the school name and mascot in the school colors, and on the main floor was seating and tables all around and a couple of small stores.

She listened as Darien explained it was the student union where students could hang out, buy snacks or other essentials without leaving the campus, and meet for important matters. There was also an office for the school newspaper and rooms for various clubs.

They walked around and she looked at people scattered around sitting at tables looking like they were working on homework or some other work or just hanging out with friends. From there she followed as he led her back out the building and to the next one over which he said was the cafeteria.

Once inside she could easily see that was what it was. It was obviously larger than the one at her school and actually reminded her of a food court at a mall. There was an area where food was given out like it was at the cafeterias at her previous schools, but there were also small areas where it looked like you could buy meals from fast food restaurants or diners.

A thoughtful Serena followed Darien as they left the cafeteria. She was impressed with the place. Although, she thought there wasn't much variety. What if students wanted something that wasn't available? Then she reminded herself that this wasn't high school or junior high; students could leave the campus if they wanted to.

She blinked out of her thoughts and looked around to see where they were going next and found them making their way along a path that led behind the cafeteria and the student union. It didn't take her long from there to realize where they were going next. The sign on the next building clearly labeled it a bookstore.

Serena's eyes widened slightly in surprise and she glanced to Darien before she looked back to the building they were approaching. Did they not want students to leave the campus so much that they would provide them with their own bookstore?

Soon they were inside and listening to her boyfriend's explanation and seeing with her own eyes she began to understand this was a school bookstore. It sold textbooks for classes, which you could keep or sell back at the end of the semester or school year.

She thought that was fascinating and made sense. There were too many students to just hand out books for free and hoped they would all be given back once the class was over. Plus, there were bound to be a lot of students who wanted to keep their books for references later on.

I bet Darien keeps his textbooks. She thought fondly, looking at the books as they walked around the store.

She saw that they also sold paper of all kinds, pens, pencils, printer ink, and even some clothing with the school name and mascot on it.

"Do you have any of those clothes?" She asked her boyfriend as they moved toward the exit.

"No. I did not feel the need to advertise the school I go to." Darien answered. "Not even as pajamas."

"Well, if I'm accepted I think I'll advertise with at least a sweater and maybe some sweat pants." Serena said with a smile.

"Good positive thinking." He said before he grinned. "I'll definitely enjoy seeing you in them."

"Maybe I'll surprise you with them then." She said, and thought that was a good idea now that it was in her mind. I'll get them and use that as an announcement that I've been accepted. She told herself.

"I look forward to it." He said, and she laughed softly.

"So where to next?" Serena asked as they walked away from the bookstore.

"You'll see." He replied as he led her along a pathway.

She nodded and decided to take the opportunity to look around, examining the buildings more closely, and look at the students and those that looked like they might even be teachers walking to their destinations.

"There are the dorms." Darien said as he pointed out two tall buildings that were nearly high rises as they walked in that direction. "Unfortunately we won't be able to get inside to see the actual rooms since you have to be a student living there to gain access."

"Andrew, Itachi, and Sesshomaru live off campus like myself, so we can't gain access through any of them." He added.

Of course he could see inside through his connection with the Earth, but it wasn't him that needed to see inside. His Serenity needed to see and simply describing it wouldn't work. When she remembered herself he could teleport them inside, assuming it happened before she made her decision, but by then it would be pointless since he hoped she would live with him.

"That's okay. Just looking at the buildings helps." Serena said as they walked. "Already I think the windows are too small, and I don't like that the windows don't look like they can open wide enough for my tastes."

If she needed to transform and leave she didn't think she could make it through the window with their size. Of course she couldn't very well go that way anyway since she was sure to be spotted. She wouldn't care about that if it wasn't possible to trace which room she had come from, and possibly have someone there when she returned to discover her identity.

Plus, I've never jumped from the height of the fifth floor up. The closest I've come was that time I got blasted off the roof of an apartment building, and Darien saved the day by sending his rose whip after me. She thought, thankful to have been saved from much of that fall.

"So what do you think then?" Darien asked curiously.

"I think, from just looking at it, if I chose to live there I would have a roommate and considering my scout identity I don't think that would be a good idea." She said. "I would have to be extra vigilant in hiding that I'm a scout, go through hoops just to get out of the building and off campus quickly without people seeing a pattern of Sailor Moon being on or coming from campus, and likely constantly making up lies for my roommate."

"That just sounds like unnecessary stress, so despite the convenience of living on campus this option is out." She said.

"That is likely for the best." He said as they slowed to a stop in front of one of the tall dorm buildings. "Your other options are..?"

"Living at home with my parents or getting my own apartment." Serena said. "Maybe if I go with the apartment option I could have my friends as roommates, but then I would have the same issue of having to lie to them when I needed to go out and fight or patrol."

"Well, you do not have to make a decision now, but it is good you are thinking about it." Darien said. Although, he was still hopeful she remembered her true self before she needed to make that choice and would choose to live with him.

"Yeah." She agreed before she looked away from the dorm building. "Is there anything else I could see?"

"No. All that is left are buildings where classes are held and where the other sports teams play and practice." He replied.

"Then let's go find something to eat." She said.

"Sure." He agreed easily, and proceeded to lead her to a diner that he knew of that was close that students usually went to.

"Do you think I should apply to other schools, so I'll have options in case I don't get into this school?" Serena asked after a couple of silent minutes of walking.

"I want you to be optimistic, but it would be smart and responsible to have options." Darien answered. "I'll help you look up different schools later on after we eat." He assured her.

"Thanks." She said with a smile.

Despite his agreement to help her he wondered if there was anything he could do to ensure that she was accepted into his school. He had no doubt he could use his crystal, but then he also wanted her to get in on her own merit.

Perhaps she will remember her true self before she finds out if she's accepted. Then I can leave that particular decision up to her. He thought, and gave himself a firm internal nod.

He would leave that decision up to her if she remembered in time, and if she didn't then he would simply have to decide if he cared more for having her with him at school or her knowing that she got in on her own efforts.

oOo

After eating a sandwich and hot fries the couple walked around for a while, so Serena could get more of a picture of the area around the university campus, before they decided to head to Darien's apartment.

Once they arrived inside his apartment they left their shoes by the door before walking in further. Serena lightly tossed her school bag on a side chair next to the couch before she sat on said couch. Darien joined her moments later and they gazed at each other questioningly before they wordlessly reach for each other, like they had a silent agreement, and kissed.

Their lips met again and again, her hands working their way up into his hair, and his making their way around her back. As their kisses began to grow more intense Darien tugged at Serena's hip, and she moved closer and he helped her straddle his lap. She leaned her chest against his but then pulled back a second later, and took her brooch off and tossed it into the corner of the couch.

Serena leaned against him again and this time sighed at the feel of his chest against hers, one hand on his shoulder with her arm bent in front of her and the other holding the back of his head, before she brought her lips back to his.

Darien lost himself in the feel of his soulmate's tongue sliding and twisting with his as he rested a hand on her hip and stroked her thigh with his other hand. They hadn't been in anything close to this position since their time camping, and he was enjoying every second of it.

The placement of her hands, broadcasting a sort of shy possessiveness, the confidence in her kiss, and the unconscious squirming on his lap. All of it was enjoyable, more than enjoyable; it was beginning to drive him wild. A wild that he would immensely enjoy, but would have to be careful to keep under control.

Serena stopped moving and broke their kiss, panting a little as she leaned back before she bit her lip. She wanted to feel Darien's arousal. She hadn't felt it back when they were camping since he hadn't been excited yet in the position they had been in before his thigh was pressed between her thighs. She had felt Prince Endymion's through the memory, but she wanted to feel Darien that way. She wanted a current memory of that feeling, not one from a memory with another man.

"What is wrong?" Darien asked as he gazed at her, and watched as she reached down and touched his pants.

"This is uncomfortable." She said quietly.

"And you want it out of the way." He replied, and watched her nod. "Then I won't stop you." He added.

Serena looked at him sharply, surprised, and Darien smirked and raised an eyebrow in challenge.

I can do this. I'm Sailor Moon; I've faced monsters. If I can do that I can undo his pants. She told herself firmly.

With her little pep talk done she scooted back slightly and unbuttoned and unzipped his pants before she stood up off Darien's lap. She watched him hook his fingers in his pants and push them down, revealing his boxers as he lifted his hips, and push them off his knees before she moved to straddle his lap again.

She forced herself to breath calmly as she shifted her skirt so it wouldn't be in the way and lowered herself until she was seated on him. As soon as she connected with him she gasped to feel his arousal against her, and at the scene that suddenly began to play through her mind.

oOo

Sailor Earth shifted a leg over her Endymion's legs and straddled his lap as he sat on the white and blue decorated couch in his private sitting room. She shifted her hips as she rocked against his hardness, the evidence of his arousal, as they kissed.

She shivered as his fingers stroked through her hair causing her to tremble as she rocked against him. She hummed, her tongue twisting with his, as she ran her fingers through his short hair. Seemingly in response his hands slid along her thighs and slipped beneath her skirt. They drifted along her skin and around to cup her bottom, and caressed and squeezed as she moved against him.

She ground down and rolled her hips against his, and he groaned deeply into her mouth. The next thing she knew she was on her back on the couch, and he was lying heavily on top of her rocking his hips hard against hers.

Sailor Earth broke their kiss with a pleased moan, and simply held his shoulders and shifted her legs as pleasure spread through her.

"My Prince. My Endy." She moaned out, which seemed to spur him on causing him to intensify his movements.

She moaned and arched her back in pleasure.

oOo

Serena blinked back to reality to find herself rocking her hips against Darien's, and felt his mouth on the side of her neck. She moaned and felt herself rubbing back and forth along his hardness, along the evidence of his arousal and desire for her, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She felt him slip his hands down from her hips and under her skirt, and stroked her thighs before they moved further back to stroke her bottom before he began to massage it.

She moaned again and pressed herself down harder as she moved back and forth against his hardness. She could hardly believe she was doing this since last time she hadn't acted like this. But she had told herself she wanted to experience the passion he held in check, and she definitely wanted to feel more of what they had done back in that cabin.

And it feels so good. She thought as she rocked against him.

She couldn't help thinking how similar their actions were to the memory that had just played through her mind. And that included the fact that they were completely dressed during the entire memory.

She and Darien were almost fully dressed. Neither of them had their shoes on, and his pants were at his ankles. Her skirt was shifted out of the way so only her panties were covering her, which as far as she was concerned was only a thinner version of what covered her when she was transformed.

Darien's face lifted from her neck and Serena immediately pressed her lips to his sparking an intense kiss. As their lips moved together the memory flashed through her mind again.

The past version of her with her hair loose, transformed into her sailor uniform, and her boots and gloves on. Prince Endymion in his royal uniform and tall boots.

Suddenly she had the want for them to be transformed and doing this, feeling that it would be exciting to be straddling him as Sailor Moon in her skimpy sailor uniform and tall boots similar to how that Sailor Earth version of her had been.

Serena moaned into Darien's mouth as a fantasy, the present, and the past filled her mind, and pleasure flowed through her body.

She ground down against his lifting hips and rolled her hips, repeating the movements of her Sailor Earth self, and just like in the memory Darien groaned deeply before he moved quickly. Within moments she found herself on her back on the couch beneath his heavy body.

He broke their kiss, having somehow maintained it during the move, and pressed his face against the side of her neck next to the back cushion of the couch as he rocked his hips hard against hers.

Serena panted and moaned and at one point had to bite her lip to keep herself from moaning out the name Endy. She wasn't so lost in her pleasure that she couldn't imagine the extreme embarrassment that would cause her.

Unfortunately she was lost enough that she didn't wonder why she wanted to call out that particular name.

Suddenly her body tensed and she gasped loudly and moaned as pleasure exploded through her, her body arched up against him as much as she could as her thighs pressed against his hips.

Darien continued to rock his hips hard as he panted against his soulmate's neck, and steadily moved faster and faster as pleasure rippled through his body like waves.

To Serena's surprise she found herself tensing up again as a smaller but still pleasurable explosion happened inside her. Her body arched back this time as her hips lifted, pressing her chest against his, stretching her neck as she pressed her head against the cushion.

Darien moaned in pleasure at his release as soon as it exploded through him, the sound mixing with his Serenity's soft moan. His hips continued to move automatically to bring out as much pleasure as he could for the both of them.

Eventually his hips stopped and he lay panting against her neck, enjoying the receding waves of pleasure, and thought about how much he had enjoyed that. He had not experienced anything close to such pleasure since before his Serenity had been stolen from him.

However, he knew very well that even with his recent actions he had still only showed her a little more of the passion he held for her. She might be surprised at his actions, but this was only the beginning.

He and his Serenity, in their bid to express their love for each other and keep themselves from taking that final step before their wedding, had done almost everything short of actually physically consummating their relationship.

How much of that can I do with her before she remembers who she truly is? He wondered before he lifted his head and pushed himself up slightly.

"Are you okay? Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked solicitously yet with a small grin.

Serena nodded and blushed; speechless that she had experienced a release twice in such a short time. They had felt so good, and she already wanted to feel that pleasure again.

Again the memory flashed through her mind, but she had no intention of telling him about it. Just like before she could not imagine herself telling her boyfriend that her past self had done such things with the prince she had been engaged to.

But there is something else that I can tell him that might produce results at some point. She considered thoughtfully. Then again I can just save that for the next time I'm patrolling and he shows up. Enjoying his kisses and possibly more shouldn't prevent me from sensing dark energy.

But until then… She thought with a light blush as she moved one hand to rest on his. She grabbed it and lifted it before she placed it on her breast over her shirt, and squeezed before she brought her lips to his.

Darien smiled against her lips, understanding perfectly clearly what she wanted, before he deepened the kiss and gently squeezed her breast.