Imperfect Reincarnation

by Serena530

AU. The Guardian Sailor Scouts must be awakened, protect the Earth from a familiar evil, and find and guard the Moon Princess, but what will happen when more scouts arrive and memories begin to surface of a past far different then some remember. Continuation of The Perfect Match. Warning: Long chapters inside.

16. Chapter 16

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 Sixteen

Serena and Darien returned to the Earth late Monday evening, appearing in the living room of Darien's apartment in a flash of golden light, before they released their hold on each other. They looked around and as soon as they spotted his clone it dispelled itself returning its remaining chakra to Darien and giving him all of its accumulated memories.

She stood watching him as he stood with his eyes closed, assimilating the memories he had received, and after a few long moments he opened his eyes and nodded firmly at her. She nodded in return and wrapped her arms around him again before she focused on her bedroom at home.

His arms wrapped around her and within moments the two of them were disappearing in a blue green flash of light. They reappeared just as quickly and released each other as they looked around her bedroom. Immediately they spotted Artemis on her bed, and he sat up at the sight of them.

"Welcome back." Artemis said as he curiously took in the different outfits they were wearing. He wasn't entirely sure but they looked like something that would have been worn back in the Silver Millennium.

"Thanks." Serena said with a little smile. "I plan to tell my parents the truth about me as soon as I find them."

"Okay. I'll help any way I can." Artemis said as he moved toward the edge of the bed in preparation to leap down to the floor.

The couple left her bedroom with Artemis following along and as they were passing through the hallway they saw that her little brother's bedroom door was ajar and the light was on. That let them know that he was there and measures needed to be taken to keep him from hearing.

They silently headed down the stairs and found her parents in the living room sitting on the couch. She nodded to Darien and he nodded in return before he placed a hand on the wall and began to call on the power of his crystal.

They needed to make sure her little brother heard nothing of what was about to be said, and keep him out of the room since she wasn't sure he could handle her truth yet. He was thirteen soon to be fourteen, and liked to try to fit in among his friends. There was nothing unusual about that, but it may cause him to let something slip in an attempt to impress his friends.

Perhaps once the Dark Kingdom has been taken care of I'll be able to see if he can handle it. However, right now I do not need that worry. She thought as she watched her soulmate's hand glow with a golden light that quickly spread around the room.

She looked over as her parents gasped and watched as they began to stand and look around, and then gasped again as they spotted her and Darien standing in the room with them.

"Serena!" Ikuko and Kenji Tsukino exclaimed almost in unison at seeing their daughter and her boyfriend.

They were surprised to see them since they had no idea when they would be back, and they were incredibly surprised at their appearance. Ikuko knew their daughter had been in pajamas when she left, and they both knew her boyfriend had been in casual clothes. Now they both wore a style they had never seen before.

Their daughter was dressed in a green tunic-like shirt with a light brown corset vest with green vine designs on it, light brown pants, and she was barefoot. Her boyfriend wore black pants, a white tunic-like shirt, and the same shoes he had been wearing when he first came to the house.

It made them both look very different then they were used to seeing; like they were part of some play or movie set in a different time.

"Hello mom, dad. I am well, and glad to be back." Serena said, and looked over to Darien as the golden light faded from the room and he lifted his hand from the wall. "Darien has placed a barrier around the room, so we will not have to worry about Sammy interrupting or hearing what is being said." She said as she moved around the couch and sat down near the end.

Darien followed and sat next to her near the middle of the couch, and Artemis leapt up and sat at her side in the small space between her and the end of the couch. Kenji and Ikuko shared a look before he sat in the side chair in front of the window, and she at the other end of the couch near him.

"I know you likely have a great many questions, but if you are patient you will have them all answered this evening." Serena said as she looked to her parents. "What I have to say will be long, complicated, and even sound fantastical, and yet despite that it is all true. You will be given proof as corroboration simply so there will be no doubt."

"This story will go no further then those in this room, and I will decide when it is time for Sammy to know." She said seriously before she looked to Artemis with a pointed look.

Artemis nodded firmly in understanding.

He was clearly going to be hearing more detail about her life than she had given him before, likely exactly what had happened in the past to make her Sailor Moon, and knew she didn't want the details of her life spread to the girls, Luna, and his princess.

I will see if there is anything that pertains to them in the explanation, and ask Serena if she is alright with me telling those pieces of facts. He thought as he made himself comfortable, resting his front legs and upper body on her lap.

He was also prepared for the possibility of hearing things about his princess that didn't paint her in the best light considering Serena's veiled threat to her.

Serena looked back to her parents and watched them nod silently. She nodded in return and took a steadying breath before she let it out slowly.

"Many many years ago, centuries ago, so far back in the Earth's history that there is no record, there was an era called the Silver Millennium. " She began with authority. "There was life on all the planets in our Solar System. Every planet had its own kingdom, monarchy, and culture."

"So we are clear on exactly what I mean by every planet, I mean the Earth, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, and Saturn. One that was not a planet but also had its own kingdom and monarchy was the Moon." She elaborated.

"Every planet of course had their own standing army for defense even though it was a fairly peaceful time; that included the Moon. However, each planet also had another warrior, separate from the army, known as a sailor scout." Serena continued.

"Sailor Scouts are female soldiers. All of whom, aside from the Earth, were chosen from the daughters of the royal families; meaning they were each a princess of their planet." She explained.

"There were three different..contingents if you will of the Sailor Scouts. The Inner Sailor Scouts, the Outer Sailor Scouts, and the scout of the Earth. The two groups and individual, while the same type of soldiers, had different duties." She said as she looked at her parents.

"The Inner Sailor Scouts: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury, were guardian scouts to the princess of the Moon." She said clearly.

"The Outer Sailor Scouts: Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Saturn, had duties that were also different from each other." She continued. "The scouts of Uranus and Neptune were to protect the Solar System from outside threats, the scout of Pluto was to guard the timelines, and the scout of Saturn simply rested until she was called on to reset the evolution of a planet or the Solar System."

"The scout of the Earth was to guard and protect the Earth from interior and exterior threats." She said seriously. "Do you understand so far?" She asked, and watched her parents nod.

"Good." Serena said. "Now, it is important to understand that the Moon Princess had guardians because not only was she next in line to the throne of the Moon, she was also the next guardian and wielder of an object called the silver crystal."

"It was a very powerful crystal only capable of being used properly by those of the royal Moon line." She emphasized.

"It is also important to know that there was another powerful crystal at play during this time that was wielded and guarded by chosen individuals of the royal Earth line." She continued. "At that particular point in time it was the prince of the Earth who had been chosen to guard and wield the golden crystal."

"Being in such a position and as heir to the throne he was given four guardians of his own to protect him and ensure he lived to ascend to the throne." She said. "Do you understand so far?" She asked seriously.

"Yes." Kenji said, and Ikuko nodded.

"Very well." Serena said. "As it pertains to myself and Darien, he was the prince of the Earth and guardian and wielder of the golden crystal, and I was chosen by said crystal as the scout of the Earth."

Her parents gasped in shock as they stared at her, and then flicked their eyes between her and Darien and back again.

"This is why you have power as his clone said before?" Kenji half said half asked. "Because you're Sailor Earth?"

"Yes." Serena answered seriously as she nodded.

Ikuko frowned at her answer.

"I've heard the Sailor Scouts mentioned on the news occasionally, but I don't remember hearing about a Sailor Earth being among them. Have you been Sailor Earth all this time?" She asked.

Serena closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

"No. I have not." She answered seriously as she opened her eyes.

"She said it would be a long complicated story. She has only given you the bare facts so you can understand. She has yet to even get to the story." Darien told the elder Tsukino's. "Do you wish for me to continue for a time?" He asked his soulmate, and she nodded gratefully.

"The Moon Princess had at some point become infatuated with me, and had begun to sneak down to the Earth, onto royal grounds, and watch me when I was out in the royal gardens." He continued the story as he looked back to the elder Tsukino's. "If I was not there she would wait as long as she could, hoping I would appear, before departing back to her planet."

"Nothing was done about it because at that point she was only an annoying voyeur, and not a physical danger to anyone; least of all me. We simply noted the pattern of her presence, and how often she came." He said.

"Then came a day where I saw her to the point where she could not deny being spotted, so she came out of hiding and introduced herself. I of course knew who she was and demanded to know why she was there even though I already knew. That was when Serena revealed her presence and demanded to know the same." He explained.

"Of course she also knew why the princess had been there as well since she always monitored the royal girl's movements from the moment she arrived to the moment she left." He said.

"The princess was rude and condescending in her demand to know who Serena was, and then showed her ignorance when she tried to say that there was no Sailor Earth and that the only sailor scouts were her four guardians." He continued.

"When Serena forcefully told her to leave the princess refused, claiming Serena could not tell her what to do, and further that if she persisted in claiming she was a sailor scout then she should do as she said and leave so that she and I could continue talking." He explained.

"I in turn countered that disrespect and dismissal forcefully and made her return to her planet." Darien said. "Unfortunately, while that was the last I saw of her it was not the last time she came to the Earth trying to see me. She was constantly sent on her way back to her planet by Serena or one or more of her guardians arrived to retrieve her."

Artemis was right when he thought he would learn new information about Serena's past, but what he hadn't expected was to learn more about her young man or even about the past in general.

He found himself remembering some things as she spoke; such as the girls being princesses of their planet, which leant more credence to the revelation that she was Sailor Earth instead of Sailor Moon. The Moon only had one princess, and she had not been a scout.

It was also a surprise to learn about the Outer Sailor Scouts. He had known their names, but the only thing he recalled knowing was that Sailor Pluto had been a mystery to the point that no one knew what she looked like, where she was, or even what her duty was.

Now he knew that she guarded the timelines, which meant she must have some power over time itself. A mind boggling prospect when one considered what the scope of her power could possibly be.

It was impressive that the scouts of Neptune and Uranus apparently had the duty to protect the whole Solar System from outside threats. That such a duty was left to the two of them alone was an indication of just how powerful they were.

Sailor Saturn's duty was a shock to him. To reset the evolution of a planet or the Solar System! It didn't take much to realize just how powerful she was to have that duty, and dangerous to essentially have to sleep until it was time for her to do her duty.

Did she do her duty at the end on the Moon? He wondered as the thought suddenly occurred to him.

Serena's duty as Sailor Earth was not very surprising, but the extent of it also subtly revealed how powerful she truly was. She had to have enough skill to deal with disruptive humans, and enough power to deal with a supernatural threat that targeted the planet or people all on her own.

Not to mention the example she described to me before of handling a natural disaster let's me know 'interior threats' also included anything that would endanger the life of the people of the Earth. He thought.

Artemis was also surprised to learn about the Earth Prince having a crystal just as powerful as the silver crystal. Serena had not said it was specifically that powerful, but it took no thought to come to that conclusion with the young man having guardians of his own as his princess did. Plus, the crystal had chosen Serena as the Earth's scout.

Is it the source of the young man's power or does the crystal simply add to what he can already do? He wondered.

As he continued to listen he found himself incredulous at his princess' behavior. She had essentially stalked the young man, and then she had no idea there were more scouts aside from her guardians. That was outrageous! Not to mention a slap in the face to her tutors!

And then to believe that so much that she tried to command Serena; since if she was a scout she must be a guardian to her, and therefore had to do what she wanted!

Part of Artemis wondered why they needed to know that embarrassing fact about his princess, but the other part figured it must be essential to the story of what happened in the past. He waited with baited breath as the young man continued to speak.

Darien paused and took a deep breath, and let it out slowly in preparation for the next part he needed to relay. He hoped it was the last time he needed speak of it in detail because he didn't believe he would ever be fine speaking of it.

Serena rubbed his leg as she looked at him empathetically. After all, it was the point in their lives that everything changed so dramatically and irreversibly.

Darien smiled slightly at her before he grabbed her hand, and kissed it before he held it tightly and looked back to her parents.

"A few more facts that you need to know are that Serena's name was Serenity and mine was Endymion, and that the two of us were and still are soulmates. We fell in love over the years and were engaged to be married at that point in time." He informed them.

Ikuko gasped, and Kenji's eyes widened in surprise.

"As such Serenity had practically been living in my rooms even though she had a suite of rooms of her own." He continued. "We had gone to bed one evening as usual. Nothing had been out of place; nothing had been wrong. All had been well within the kingdom. It was even a very nice night out."

"I had fallen asleep comfortably in bed with my arms wrapped safely around my soulmate. However, when I awakened in the morning I found myself alone. That was not unexpected since she usually woke before me and began her day, unwilling to wake me before I needed to be up." He said.

"I went about readying myself for the day and left my room. I asked the first maid I saw if she had seen Sailor Earth that morning, and she replied that she did not know who that was." He said as he closed his eyes briefly.

Artemis' eyes widened, Ikuko gasped, and Kenji frowned.

"I tried to ignore the unease that instantly blossom, had even tried to convince myself that perhaps the maid had been new to the palace, but I could not. I had quite literally known the face of every maid, butler, and guard that worked in the palace and she had not been new." Darien said.

"And if none of that had been the case and it had turned out she was new and I had somehow been mistaken there had been no way she could not know who Sailor Earth was. The entire planet had known. Beyond that it was widely known that we were engaged, so if nothing else she would have known who the future Queen of the Earth would have been." He explained.

"After parting from her I asked every maid and guard I saw if they knew where Sailor Earth was, and every one of them looked confused and replied that they either did not know who that was or had never heard of her." He said.

"I was thoroughly confused, perturbed, uneasy, and anxious at the situation I found myself in. I did not understand how no one knew who she was when she was the protector of the planet." He said, remembering back on that fateful day.

"I decided then to ask my guardians since they certainly would have known who she was considering how close the six of us had worked together for years; had grown up together." Darien said.

"Unfortunately after asking two of them, and being looked at as if I had lost my mind to be asking after a woman they had never heard of, it was clear I would not find an answer with them. I decided then to speak to my parents as a last resort." He said.

"After all, surely the King and Queen would know of the planet's protector who had been living in their home since she was a child. Unfortunately, it was not to be. My father laughed at me and thought I must have had a fanciful dream, and my mother was concerned that I was speaking of being engaged when according to her I had never been engaged before." He explained.

"My reaction was pure frustration that quickly drifted into anger. After all, the woman I loved, the woman I had been set to marry in a matter of weeks, the guardian of my planet, was missing and no one seemed to know where she was or even who she was." He said.

"Beyond words my emotions caused a physical reaction that shocked and scared my parents as well as my guardians who had followed me, and their ignorance of what was happening or rather why and how it was happening brought me to a complete standstill in all ways." He continued.

"I began to understand the horrifying reality around me. Everyone claimed to not know Serenity, to not know Sailor Earth, that the position had never existed, and they feel and see the effects of my emotions and did not know it for what it was; something they had in fact seen and felt many times before and was perfectly aware of what it was as well as the cause." He explained.

"That let me know that on top of not knowing who Serenity was they also did not know I was the holder of the golden crystal, which was something that was revealed I had when she was chosen as the planet's scout." He said.

"After that I left them and returned to my bedroom. I looked at it, and it looked as it had when I had awakened that morning. It was neat and clean. However, with Serenity living in the room with me it was always a bit messy. I usually had to straighten up, but that morning I did not have to do that." He explained.

"I immediately went on a search." Darien said. "I looked under my bed, in the closet, in my washroom, and the attached sitting room, but there was no sign of any of her belongings; not even the clothes she had been wearing the night before."

"Then I had the idea to check her own suite of rooms, but I found them neat, clean, and empty of any personal items of any kind. It was simply a suite of rooms made up for a visiting dignitary or royal." He said.

"It truly had been like she had never existed, that my crystal had never chosen her, but I knew she had existed. I remembered her and everything we had been through and shared. My pain had been real, and our connection had been real." He continued.

"Thankfully that thought reminded me of our connection, a happy result of being soulmates, and I focused on it and thankfully found it inside myself. It was small, which was why I hadn't noticed it before when I was frantically trying to find her, but it had let me know that she was alive somewhere. Small comfort that was since I still had no idea where she was or if she was even still on the planet." He explained.

"I wondered then how it happened. How Serenity had disappeared from my arms in the middle of the night? How everyone suddenly believed she did not exist, and that there had never been a scout of the Earth?" He said.

"That is when my crystal answered my silent questions by showing me exactly what happened." He revealed. "I saw myself and Serenity lying in bed when suddenly a golden glow surrounded me and formed to my body like a second skin. Moments later a bright white light flared and swept through the room."

"My view began to flash all over the palace then out to various places around the planet to see the same thing happening. The light swept over and through everyone and everything. Then my view was pulled away from the planet, up into space, and I saw that the light was generating from the Moon." Darien explained.

"My view was then pulled toward it until I saw the Moon Palace with the light bathing it and everything around it, and further still until I was looking down on a room where the princess stood. There was a tall crystal tower in the center of the room, and she stood facing it with the light coming from both her and the tower." He continued.

"From then on I knew that the Moon Princess had done something that had effected everyone on my planet except me since the golden glow was my crystal protecting me. Whatever it was it had erased Serenity, her identity as Sailor Earth, and the position itself from the minds of everyone on the planet." He said.

Darien paused and closed his eyes briefly. He was not going to inform them of the pain, anger, and depression he had gone through at the loss of his soulmate. Nor was he going to reveal just how changed his world had become because of the Moon Princess; including the unflattering memories others had of him and the reputation he had gained with said change.

"Months passed after that as I searched for Serenity to no avail, and dealt with the reality of everyone around me having different memories of the last dozen or so years." He said as he opened his eyes.

"Then one day I was forced to attend a luncheon gathering on the Moon since my parents were unable to attend, and the Earth needed to be represented. As you can imagine it was the last place I wanted to be considering the princess' responsibility in my soulmate being gone." He continued.

"I recall spending the time after my arrival walking the edges of the gathering in the garden we were in, keeping to myself so I was not forced to speak to anyone as I waited along with everyone else for the gathering to actually start since the Moon royals had not made an appearance at that point." He explained.

"Then the chatter grew louder and my attention was drawn to the arrival of the Moon Queen and Princess entering the garden with her guardians subtly filing in behind them. To my shock there had been five instead of the four I always knew she had." He said.

"I had never met any of the Guardian Scouts, but I recognized Sailor Venus from a description from Serenity." Darien said. "And the fifth scout was one I would have recognized anywhere. It was Serenity in a different uniform with crescent moon's all over it, and with her hair up in the same double bun and stream style as the royalty of the Moon."

"It had become glaringly obvious in that moment what had become of my Serenity. She had been taken from the Earth, from my bed, from my very arms, and changed from Sailor Earth to the scout of the Moon as one of the princess' guardians." He said in muted anger.

"There were no words that could express how enraged I was to see my soulmate looking the way she did, and know that the princess had done it so she could command her." He said as he shook his head lightly.

"I watched her after that, my eyes never leaving her for more than a moment, until I received a summons from the Queen who had left the garden at some point while I was focused on Serenity. I was escorted into the palace and lead to a private sitting room where the Queen sat waiting for me." He explained.

"She had apparently been watching me when she and her daughter entered the garden, and knew from my reaction that I had not been affected by the changes that had happened, which let me know immediately that she clearly had not been either." He said.

"I immediately asked if she knew what happened, and she informed me that the princess used her connection to the silver crystal to alter reality and make it the way she wanted. She wanted Sailor Earth away from me, under her control and unable to get to me, and for me to forget about her so the princess could have a chance with me under the assumption that she would be the only one to catch my eye." Darien explained.

"When I asked why it had happened when it did, because things had been quiet with her for weeks and she had no idea about our upcoming wedding, I was informed that the princess had found Sailor Venus' invitation to our wedding."

"She had been the only one of the Guardian Scouts to be invited and would not have left such an important document lying around, so the Queen believed her daughter had searched her rooms to find it." He said.

"The Queen had apparently wanted to contact me after the change had happened but did not know if I would have been affected, but after speaking to me it was clear only she, myself, and the Outer Sailor Scouts were unaffected. Everyone else in the solar system had their memories suppressed and given new ones." He continued.

"Beyond that the princess was also affected by what she had done. The girl believed she had always had five guardians, and my Serenity…" He said with a sigh. "she believed she had been born and raised on the Moon, had been made a guardian scout at the same time as the others, and that she was the specific protection to the princess; her double to be taken in her place should there be a credible threat to her life; to be kidnapped, assaulted, or die in her place!" He said with muted anger.

"And of course there was the even more unfortunate fact that the princess was still infatuated with me, but with the change she had made she did not remember meeting me or ever having traveled to the Earth." He said in disgust, his muted anger weaved through his words.

Artemis was horrified to finally know, to understand, what had happened to make Serena Sailor Moon in the past when she had actually been Sailor Earth. It sounded sinister what his princess had done; outright manipulative to the extreme, and an abuse of the power she was supposed to one day wield to help preserve the Silver Millennium!

To know that this had all happened because of his princess' infatuation with the Earth Prince was almost too much to fathom. That she had learned of his engagement and wedding by finding the invitation to Venus, had likely snooped through her rooms to do so, and then took such an action that altered the entire Solar System! Changed reality as Serena had said before.

He had not at all expected that to be the reason for her duel identity, but it certainly explained her anger. She had been taken from her life on the Earth, from her duty as the planet's guardian, from the young man she had been set to marry, likely from so much more, and placed on the Moon as a fifth guardian to his princess with no memory of ever having lived on the Earth.

And not just that but to have also been given an entire lifetime of made up memories of having been born and lived on the Moon on top of that!

He also now understood why they had been told about his princess' infatuation with the young man and her attitude toward Serena. Her decision to make Serena into one of her guardian scouts was clearly so she could have control over her or at least authority over her with her belief that all sailor scouts were her guardians.

And all so she could have a chance with this young man. He thought as he gazed at said young man.

It didn't seem to have occurred to her in her planning, if there had even been planning and not just a rash decision, that the young man still wouldn't want her with Serena's past self out of the way. And from what he had heard from the girls that was exactly what had happened, but now he knew that it was because the young man had been protected from his princess' abuse of power and had remembered everything!

Even if he had not been protected the prince likely still would not have been interested in her. I do not believe she is his type as young people say these days. He thought.

Aside from that horrible revelation Artemis was understanding that the young man's crystal was truly very powerful to protect him from the power of the silver crystal. It was either more powerful or equally powerful to negate the silver crystal's power.

And another interesting fact he had picked up was that there was clearly a friendship between Sailor Earth and Sailor Venus for her to be invited to the wedding when the other guardian scouts hadn't been. He wondered if that explained their current friendship, and if that meant it would continue now that Serena remembered her true past instead of cutting her off along with the other girls.

Ikuko and Kenji were trying to take all this in. All this talk of life on other planets that didn't involve little green aliens or something similar, but rather humans with kingdoms and the ability to travel around to other planets like they were just flying to another country.

Then there was the talk of crystals with what sounded like magical powers, an obsessed princess, and magical kidnapping and mind alterations! It all sounded so unbelievable, so farfetched, so out there, but their daughter and her boyfriend had so many details and there was no hesitation in their voices. They even seemed to be dealing with the emotions of what happened during this time they spoke of.

All this and they knew the story wasn't even finished yet!

"Are you both still following? You are not confused?" Serena asked her parents, and watched them shake their head.

"It's a lot, but we're understanding so far." Ikuko said, and Kenji nodded.

Serena nodded and looked to Darien before she squeezed his hand still holding hers and continued the narration.

"Days after that gathering I was surprised during my downtime by Endymion introducing himself to me, and making it clear that he was interested in getting to know me." She said. "After that weeks passed with him courting me and my feelings growing, and then came the end."

She breezed through the explanation of their courtship, passed right over it really, not giving details, so she could get to the end of events in the past and move on to the present. Besides, her parents, and Artemis, didn't need to know the details of their courtship.

"One day soldiers were suddenly invading, Earth soldiers, and fights were breaking out all over the place between them and the Moon soldiers. I did not know where the other Guardian Scouts were, but I knew what my...duty had been, so I headed straight for the princess." She explained, the infliction in her voice clear about how she now felt about that duty.

"I found her in her bedroom cowering away from a soldier, and I quickly dispatched him before checking on her. Before the princess could answer me we were interrupted by a woman floating in the air outside the balcony." She continued.

"The woman had apparently been looking for the both of us, and wanted us both dead so she could have Endymion to herself." She said as she remembered that encounter.

"I stepped in front of the princess intent on protecting her from this unknown woman. I watched her raise the staff she had been holding high in the air, and I remember tensing up in preparation for something to happen, but then I was suddenly shoved from behind and went flying forward through the open balcony doors and was only stopped by the thick marble railing." She explained.

"I looked back in time to see Endymion collapse to the floor, and blood start to pool out from beneath him and spread on the floor. A jarring contrast against the bright white marble floor." She said as she remembered it. "I rushed to him, angry and sad, and demanded to know why he had prevented me from doing my duty."

"He surprised and confused me by telling me it was not my duty and had never been, that I was not supposed to be Sailor Moon, and that my destiny had been taken from me." She related.

"I had not understood what he meant. All I knew was that the man I loved was dying in front of me, because he had taken a fatal wound for me and had saved my life. I told him I loved him and did not want him to die, and he replied that he loved me as well and that he would find me again and I would remember what we had." She explained concisely.

"I watched him die after those words, and only had time to shed some tears before I had an Earth soldier heading toward me with a sword in hand. I grabbed Endymion's sword before I could even think, and defended myself before I dispatched the soldier to his next life." She said matter of factly.

"Mind you I had never held a sword before and had never used one as far as I was concerned, but I figured my easy use of it had something to do with Endymion's words about not really being Sailor Moon." She said.

"Suddenly I was hit in the back with a force that caused me acute pain, and I collapsed to my knees; the only thing keeping me somewhat upright was the sword I was still holding. I looked over my shoulder only to see the unknown woman still floating in the air and looking at me in triumph." She continued.

"Clearly the woman was pleased that the attack had hit, and it was also clear that I was dying, so I decided I was not going alone. I managed to get to my feet and throw the sword at the woman with all my strength." She explained.

"I watched in satisfaction as the blade sank into the woman's chest, and she screamed before she drifted down and out of my sight. I collapsed onto Endymion as I grew weaker, and that was the last thing I remember." Serena said with a small one shoulder shrug.

It was silent as everyone took in her words and either remembered that time period, remembered those specific events, or tried to adapt to the new knowledge.

Serena herself wasn't too keen on remembering that time, let alone relating it as she just had, after only recently remembering her true identity, and all the details of the life that had been taken from her.

Darien was helpless as his mind replayed that fateful day where he had stopped his Serenity from giving up her life for the princess that had stolen her from him and her destiny, and in turn sacrificed himself for her and finally told her the truth about herself.

Artemis was stunned at what he had just heard. He remembered that day as Serena related her point of view of it, but he had not known what had happened to the Queen or the princess or Sailor Moon. He had seen the other guardian scouts caught up in the fighting on the grounds and within the palace, and from that he knew none of them would be able to get away and get to the princess.

Now he knew that his princess had likely been killed when Sailor Moon had or some time afterward.

And while he now remembered that day in general he didn't know what had happened to himself. He recalled that he had been with Luna, but at some point everything went dark. He didn't think he had been killed, so he wasn't sure what happened.

He was suspicious that the Queen and the silver crystal had been involved since as soon as he became aware of himself in this life he had begun searching for the Guardian Scouts and his princess. It felt like he had been instructed to do so or that he had instinctive instructions if that made any sense.

Kenji and Ikuko stared in stunned silence. Their daughter had witnessed the man she loved die for her, and then had died herself in this past she spoke of. Beyond that shocking revelation she was a warrior and had killed; not monsters like she presumably fought now, but human beings! Two soldiers and a strange woman!

Aside from that she had died still believing she was Sailor Moon; although, having some confusion at being told she wasn't supposed to be said scout.

It was tragic. To be taken from her life and deposited into a new one, completely unaware, and then die never really knowing the truth or why it even happened. It was hard to believe someone had that type of power; to rearrange reality to their liking without anyone or at least without most people being aware of it.

"So that was the end of our time in the Silver Millennium." Serena said. "Now, fast forward to the twentieth century. I met Darien and the same day, after I arrived home from school, a black cat appeared in my bedroom."

"That had been shocking, and it was even more shocking when the cat spoke; a feminine voice coming out clearly. The feline told me that I was one of the chosen ones she had been searching for, and I was a sailor scout; Sailor Moon specifically."

"After that third shock I asked her what a sailor scout was, and was told that it was a female warrior charged with the duty to support and protect the Moon Princess." She said.

"Didn't you say a sailor scout was a female soldier, and that there were different groups among them with different duties?" Ikuko asked, quickly picking up on the discrepancy.

"That is exactly what I said. However, that is not what I was initially told." Serena answered before continuing on. "I hadn't believed her, and as proof a golden brooch was produced."

"The one you wear on your school uniform?" Kenji asked. He'd always wondered where she had gotten it, but always forgot to ask her when he was distracted by work or something else.

"The very same one." Serena answered. "I had questions since I obviously needed more information before agreeing to anything, and the overall explanation I got did nothing to convince me to become this scout she claimed I was, but a phrase she had said had resonated with me, and I accepted on that alone."

"I said the words I had been instructed to use, 'moon prism power', and was surprised when it worked and I began to transform." She said as she briefly raised an eyebrow, feeling differently about it now then she had when she had first transformed into the Moon scout.

"While that was happening I was at home minding my own business when I was suddenly overcome by a blinding pain, a horrific headache, so painful I could not think." Darien said, adding his point of view.

"It was likely a few long seconds, but it felt like minutes stretching slowly as the pain continued. Then there was a spike of pain that was worse then what I had already been experiencing before my mind was flooded with so much information I could not make sense of it between the volume of information and my pain."

"In the midst of that I had the pressing sense that I was needed, and could only understand through the tsunami of information swirling around my mind that a female needed me."

"I obviously had no idea who that could be but I still found myself stumbling in my confusion and disorientation out onto my balcony. Part of me somehow knew what I needed to do and where to go, but I also knew that I was not dressed appropriately being in a simple pair of sweats and a t-shirt." He explained.

"The image of a man in a navy blue uniform, silver armor, and a sword came through clearly from the flood happening in my mind, but for some reason I immediately thought that was too noticeable and threatening."

"Then a scene began to play out of the swirling information of a man wearing a black tuxedo, white mask, and long black and red cape dancing with a woman, and I knew instinctively that it was the appropriate attire; less noticeable, non-threatening, and I would not be recognized."

"I focused on that outfit, and within moments somehow found myself wearing said formal masquerade-like attire."

"I had the urgent need to go, to hurry to this unknown female, but of course I was standing out on my balcony having instinctively gone there. I had wanted to go back inside and to the door, but another part of me knew I could not go in that direction looking as I did." Darien said.

"However, the urgent need for me to go became more insistent, commanding, and I stopped thinking and just acted. I amazingly leapt onto the railing and jumped to another balcony and continued until I reached a lower rooftop, and began to sprint through the city running across and leaping rooftops and using anything else to help propel me toward my unknown destination."

"At that point I had no idea how I had done any of what I had done and was doing nor did I know how I knew where to go despite not actually knowing where I was going. Then my mind supplied the answer through the information still swirling around my head: the connection." He said.

"I knew then that I had been called, which explained the urge to get moving, and was being guided by some strange connection to a female."

"I eventually reached my destination, which I later learned was a jewelry store I had passed by earlier in the day, and opened the large skylight window I found. I looked inside at the scene to see a woman wearing a black dress floating in the air behind dozens of people who were walking and struggling forward, and then my eyes shifted beyond them to see a young woman fearlessly standing facing the group." He explained.

"As soon as my eyes landed on her the swirling flood of information in my mind finally settled and everything made sense. Not only that but I understood exactly what had happened to me, why it happened to me, and more importantly I recognized the young woman I was staring at."

"She was my Serenity, my soulmate, and I was called to her." He said strongly.

Artemis' eyes widened at the confirmation that the young man, the Earth Prince, was Tuxedo Mask. He had suspected it after Serena informed him that her young man was the Earth Prince, but it was still surprising to have it confirmed.

And even more surprising was that it sounded like his becoming the masked man, and actually remembering his past as the Earth Prince, was triggered by Serena's transformation into Sailor Moon.

My goodness! Their connection as soulmates must be very strong for it to have awakened him to who he is. He thought as he looked back and forth between the two. Oh but it sounds like it was an extremely painful awakening. I wonder if that is how it was for Serena considering the girls said she was screaming in pain.

Ikuko and Kenji shared a slightly wide eyed look at what they had just heard. Their daughter had apparently once again become Sailor Moon right here in the house, in her bedroom, and neither of them had any idea at the time.

Her boyfriend had somehow become the masked man helping her because of it, and it seemed to all happen without him understanding what was happening until he laid eyes on her. And that understanding apparently included remembering his past as a prince, and the relationship he had with their daughter's past self.

"That monster fight was the start of our working relationship." Serena continued on after Darien. "It was only the two of us fighting together, him always showing up before I confronted the monster. Then came Mercury, and Mars after her, and it was the four of us fighting monsters."

"Some time after Mars' awakening is when I came across this fellow." She said as she gestured to Artemis. "His name is Artemis and he is like the black cat who made me the scout of the Moon. Her name is Luna; both of them were advisors to the Moon Queen, and are guiders to the Guardian Scouts, and would be guardian and advisor to the princess once she was found."

"After finding him Venus was found, and after her was Jupiter; completing the Guardian Scouts." She said.

"During all of this time Serena and I had met again by chance, and I of course knew that she had been once again made into the scout of the Moon, that she was my Serenity, and I was determined to get her back and get her to remember who she really was." Darien said.

"We became acquainted and eventually began to date. Every time she had to leave me suddenly I knew she was going to fight a monster, and I followed her after a reasonable amount of time, so she would not know it was me, and helped her with that fight."

"If I was not with her at the time I was still aware of when she was going to fight a monster, because our connection made it so I can sense her transformation." He said.

"Also during this time I had begun to remember the past, but it was little snippets here and there triggered by a word, a sound, or the sight of something or someone. Mostly it came in dreams; at least the longer memories did." Serena chimed in.

"Unfortunately even that was complicated. I was remembering both my life as Sailor Earth and the scout of the Moon. However, I had been told that there had been no Sailor Earth, so you can imagine my confusion. Especially when I was seeing the same people in both sets of returning memories." She explained.

"I was able to speak to his masked persona about my returning memories as someone who was unbiased and would listen to me without judgment. He was able to help calm me and give me plausible reasons for why I was seeing memories of two different scout lives, and a different opinion on why certain people acted the way they did." She said.

"My main goal was obviously to help her remember who she really was, but I also wanted her to figure out who I was; as in that I was my masked persona." Darien said, taking over the narration.

"Of course I could have simply told her, but I believed her figuring it out on her own would mean she would believe it. Since I knew she had begun to remember me in the past and had thoughts of that version of me and my masked persona looking similar but she was convincing herself that they were not the same person." He explained.

Kenji and Ikuko nodded in understanding. It made sense that he would want her to remember on her own, so there would be no chance that she wouldn't believe. And she apparently had been remembering.

It sounded unfortunate the way she was recalling her memories, and they wondered why she had been told that there had been no Sailor Earth in the past. But almost immediately they realized that the felines were going off information from the past that had been changed; where there had only been Sailor Moon and no Sailor Earth.

Aside from that all the other guardian scouts had been found and awakened, and in the middle of them being found the white cat, Artemis apparently, had been found.

He and the black cat, Luna, that made their daughter a scout sounded strange. They definitely were strange since they could apparently talk, and they both wondered how this could be, how felines could talk. Then again they also wondered how there had been life on other planets with actual human beings.

"Eventually she figured out that my masked persona was me, and that pleased me immensely. It was one step closer to her learning the truth about me and herself." Darien said.

"With the Guardian Scouts complete we fought the monsters as a group, but I fully admit to fighting with only Darien or with Darien and Venus whenever I could since they were more reliable to work with." Serena said.

"Then the day came when the Moon Princess was found." She continued, and her mother gasped. "We had been facing a monster, and she turned out to be one of the victims or almost victim since she had not been affected by the monster's power."

"We took her from the fight scene and explained everything to her since she of course did not remember the past or know who she was just as none of us had known when we were approached."

"A week later, this pass Wednesday to be specific, a fight with a monster happened. Nothing unusual there, routine at this point, but during the fight I began to have a headache. It had been distracting and worrying, and only added to the frustration I was already dealing with during the fight."

"As soon as the fight was over it felt like all hell had broken loose in my head." She said seriously. "Agony, horrendous pain the likes of which I had never felt before and certainly never want to feel again. I had not been able to think, and it was all I could do to remain upright on my feet."

"I opened my eyes, my pain so great that I had not even known I closed them, and saw Darien walking toward me. I of course recognized him as my boyfriend in his masked persona, the pain had not affected me that much, but images of the Earth Prince began to flash through my mind from every memory I had remembered. They seemed to overlay his figure as he walked toward me."

"That was when I recognized him as my Endymion, and then I passed out as the pain was simply too much for my mind." Serena said.

"As you can imagine I was very pleased despite witnessing her pain." Darien said, continuing on in her place. "She had even said my name, the first time I had heard her say it in this lifetime."

"With her passing out I took her home so she could be comfortable as her memories settled; grateful she was able to escape the pain that very much would have continued had she not passed out." He said.

"I was unconscious, but as he said my memories were settling. When I awakened I was confused and disoriented but I recognized where I was, at Darien's apartment, and that reminded me that he was my Endymion." Serena said before she sighed.

"And then I broke a little as I was finally able to grieve the death of my soulmate; something I had not been able to do in the past because there had been a soldier intent on attacking me, and because I had not remembered my true identity."

Serena closed her eyes as she remembered those moments, remembered his death, remembered the pain and heartache of losing her other half. He should not have died, would not have died if not for the outrageous actions of a selfish, self-absorbed, entitled, obsessed princess who couldn't take no for an answer and couldn't accept rejection.

She felt Darien kiss her hand and she opened her eyes and smiled lightly at him before she looked to her parents.

"Once Darien calmed me I obviously had questions. Most pressing was why on Earth I had been Sailor Moon and had a lifetime of memories of living on the Moon." She said. "He explained everything and of course there was not even a question or even a thought that I would not continue on as Sailor Moon."

"It would be easy to think that with a lifetime of memories as Sailor Moon I would be conflicted and wonder which one I should be or if I should somehow try to be both scouts, mix them somehow, but that was most definitely not the case."

"Remembering my life, my identity, as Sailor Earth was freeing; liberating. I remembered my life as Sailor Moon, but more as if someone had told me a story of that life or as a realistic dream. Whereas remembering my life as Sailor Earth was as if a veil of amnesia had been lifted from my mind." She explained.

"All of the memories were there, the details, the feelings, the emotions, the habits, and my thought process. It was as if no time had passed," She said, and took a deep breath and let it out. "…but of course time has passed. I am still grieving the death of my soulmate despite having him back, and I have yet to even begin to grieve for the others that were taken away from me or who I was taken from; both are true."

Serena thought it would take time for her to get pass the trauma, heartache, and grief of witnessing her soulmate die even with him at her side. So far she had Zoycite and Neflite back, though she had yet to meet them now that they were free, but although Malachite and Jedite were alive they had yet to be freed and could still potentially die before it could happen.

And of course Endymion's parents were lost to her; a man and woman who had been like parents to her, and would have been her parents in truth had the Moon Princess not done what she had.

She knew she would even be grieving the loss of her horse at some point! Her beautiful, spirited, Agrippina.

Artemis blinked and looked down as he took in everything he just heard.

Serena had been Sailor Moon in the past, but only because she had been stolen from her life on the Earth as Sailor Earth. And all because his princess was attracted to the Earth Prince and wanted him for herself; plus her likely jealousy of Serena's past self and anger at her.

Anger at her being a scout she couldn't speak down to or attempt to command, and jealous of her easy access to the Earth Prince and later learning that she was going to marry him.

Serena meanwhile had said outright that she was grieving the past death of her young man and hadn't even gotten to the others she had lost to those horrible circumstances. She also had to be feeling pain and anger. Her threat to his princess was proof of that.

And her young man, Darien, the Earth Prince, had become the Tuxedo Mask he had heard about from the girls and seen with his own eyes in this time simply to be close to his soulmate and help her remember who she really was.

He couldn't imagine what the young man had been through in the past as one of the few people who knew the truth and as one it had effected greatly nor in the present being the only one to know the truth.

It had been slight but he had heard the pain and anger in his voice as he spoke, and he wondered how the man felt at seeing the one responsible for everything that happened in person. What did he think and feel about the girls? Did he not like them? Was that the reason he never stayed around after a monster fight? Or had he simply not cared one way or the other about them?

Artemis sighed lightly. There was so much to think about he would be at it for days. With being here he would thankfully have the peace and quiet to do so.

Then again he still needed to see and hear how Serena's parents reacted to his presence in the house, and if he would be able to remain.

Kenji and Ikuko looked at each other in shock at the story they had just heard. Their daughter claimed she was a sailor scout, first Sailor Earth and then Sailor Moon and now back to Sailor Earth, and her boyfriend was a prince that had been set to become King of the Earth. He had taken on a masked persona to fight at her side until she recalled her past as Sailor Earth, and would now be presumably fighting at her side as a prince.

The Sailor Scouts they had heard about occasionally on the news weren't just strange fighters that seemed to be doing a job the police couldn't or weren't quick enough to do. They were protectors of a reincarnated princess from the Moon.

A princess that had or would have a powerful crystal that she needed to guard. The same powerful crystal that she had somehow used to alter the lives and memories of many people and planets in the past. Could she do the same thing now? Would she do it again? Did she remember what she had done?

There were also cats that seemed to have gotten all of this started in the present. Former advisors to the Queen of the Moon and would apparently now be acting in the same capacity to the princess as well as be guiders to the Guardian Scouts.

One of said felines was currently living in their home. Was sitting right there in the room with them and listening to everything. Could it really do all that their daughter had said? Could it really talk?

The older couple shared another look. There was a lot of information to process, and they had so many questions and concerns so they barely knew where to start!

"And this leads us to the present with you getting sick?" Ikuko said with a sigh.

"Yes." Serena confirmed.

"And you got sick because your powers were awakening?" Kenji asked with a frown.

"Yes." Serena said again. "My sickness has passed now, and my powers are completely awakened and under control."

"Where did you get that outfit from? And why is your hair a different color?" Ikuko asked. The last time she had seen her it had been its usual blonde color and now it was golden.

"The clothes came from the place we stayed at while I trained with my powers, and my hair is this color because I am my true self now." Serena answered. "This was my hair color in the past."

Artemis blinked at the question and the answer, and took a closer look at Serena's hair. He honestly had not noticed her hair being a different color, but the longer he stared the more he could see it. Her hair had been a golden blonde before, but very much more on the blonde side, and now he was surprised to see that it was all golden; as in the gold of jewelry.

How did I not notice this earlier? He asked himself as he looked at the length of her hair that was visible.

"Was there no way to change reality back to the way it had been before?" Kenji asked, that being one of the major facts his mind kept coming back to out of everything he had just learned.

"The Queen had apparently tried but was unable to make the change. She described it as if she was blocked from restoring life to the way it had been." Darien answered.

"Who was the unknown woman?" Ikuko asked, remembering what her daughter said she had done to that woman. She may have killed her!

"She had been a sorceress my father brought into the palace to try and lift my spirits." Darien answered. "It had no chance of working, and instead I had to fend off her subtle advances since I could not tell her I was already taken by a woman who everyone believed did not exist."

"Did she have powers too? She must have with how you described her as floating in the air." Kenji said.

"She did not have powers like us. Her abilities were of the magical kind; ironically the kind you see in some movies these days of witches and wizards. However, she had been influenced by an evil sometime toward the end, and that is where her power, the ability to float and likely more, came from." Darien explained.

"Is she like you two? Umm..here again if that makes sense?" Ikuko asked.

"Yes unfortunately." Darien said.

"There is no need to be concerned about her. When the time is right she will be taken care of." Serena said seriously. Preferably with my sword as I did before. She thought, remembering that woman was responsible for her soulmate's death. Only this time it will be as my true self.

Kenji and Ikuko shared a look, both of them understanding what their daughter meant and not sure how to feel about that.

"Umm..where is the golden brooch you mentioned before? The one you use to become Sailor Moon?" Kenji asked. "I want to see it up close."

"I returned it to Luna. I saw no reason to keep it since I would not be continuing on as the Moon scout." Serena said, and watched her father sigh.

"How did the feline um..Luna know you were Sailor Moon? How did she identify you as that scout?" Ikuko asked, hiding her disappointment since she wanted to see the brooch up close too since she never had when Serena wore it on her school uniform.

"She said she sensed something in me." Serena answered. "I do not know what that was as she did not say, but I would guess it was my general power as a sailor scout that she sensed."

"How did you all identify the Moon Princess? How did you know the girl or woman was the one you were supposed to find?" Ikuko asked curiously.

"Did she look the same or was it some power she has? Or was it the crystal she was supposed to guard?" Kenji added since he wanted to know as well.

"I was unfortunately the one to find her." Serena said with a light sigh. "A golden crescent moon was glowing on her forehead, and she looked nearly exactly as she did in the memories I had remembered up to that point."

"The only difference was that her hair was white blonde instead of silver white, she wore it in two high ponytails instead of the buns and streams that I had been displaying until recently, and it was not nearly as long. In the past her hair had been longer than mine is right now; and that while it was up in that style." She explained.

"Wow." Ikuko said, her eyes slightly wide as she imagined the style her daughter had been wearing for years but with the streams so long that they were dragging on the floor.

Kenji shook his head as he imagined a ridiculous length of hair, even his daughter's hair was a ridiculous length as far as he was concerned, but pushed the useless image away as he looked at his daughter and her boyfriend. Then his eyes landed on the white cat that looked comfortable where it was slightly draped on her lap.

"Can that cat really talk?" He asked with a skeptical frown. He just couldn't imagine that. He hadn't even seen a movie with talking cats. He was sure there was some animated ones out there, but that wasn't his thing.

Serena looked down at Artemis and stroked the length of his back gently as she raised an eyebrow. He nodded and took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he looked to her parents.

"I can indeed talk." Artemis said, and listened to the two gasp loudly.

"And..and the other one can talk as well?" Kenji asked.

"Yes. Luna can talk just as well as I can." Artemis answered.

"Why are you here?" Ikuko asked curiously. "Serena said you're a guider to the Guardian Scouts. I can understand why you would be here before when everyone thought she was truly Sailor Moon, but now she's not and I imagine the others know that now, so why are you still here and not with one of the other scouts?"

Kenji nodded in agreement, and Serena and Darien looked at the feline as well; both of them having wondered the same thing, but deemed it unimportant to ask as long as he wasn't giving away information that wasn't his to give.

"I stayed because I like Serena." Artemis answered simply. "I thought we had made a good start on bonding and I wished to continue that. She has set rules for me remaining with her, which I have fully agreed to."

"Rules?" Kenji asked.

"I am to tell the Guardian Scouts and my princess nothing about her, and she will not be told anything about them." Artemis said seriously.

"No one will learn anything from me. Serena has made it perfectly clear that she does not care about what they do, and if my princess and the Guardian Scouts want to know about her then they will have to either ask her themselves or be on scene when a monster attack happens." He explained.

Ikuko nodded. That made sense to her. Since her daughter was no longer Sailor Moon she would no longer be working with them. She was not a guardian scout, and apparently wouldn't be associating with them anymore. She had even said she didn't like being out there fighting with the majority of them.

Which I take to mean they made it more dangerous for her, so she must be happy not having to worry about whatever danger they added to already dangerous situations. She thought as she looked to her daughter.

Kenji sighed heavily and ran a hand over his face.

"This is all so much." He said as he dropped his hand. "You have a lot of details, but it's hard to believe." He added as he looked to his daughter, her boyfriend, and the cat.

"Yes." Ikuko said as she nodded in agreement. "I don't think you're lying, but I would feel better seeing proof. Proof aside from a talking feline."

"That is perfectly understandable." Serena said as she nodded. "I did say I would provide you with proof."

Darien silently got to his feet and made his way toward the large window, and pulled the curtains closed so no one would catch a glimpse of what was about to happen before he returned to his seat.

"Thank you my love." Serena said with a gentle smile, and his eyes flashed gold at her.

She sighed happily at the sight before she gestured with her hand, silently pulling her transformation stick from her subspace pocket. She gently stroked Artemis' fur with her free hand before he moved and she got to her feet.

She walked around the coffee table to stand off to the side of the TV, near the corner of the room so everyone would have the best view of her, and held her transformation stick in front of her.

"Earth Planet Power!" She said firmly.

Darien watched his soulmate intently, happy for any excuse to see her take on the appearance of the scout she truly was.

Ikuko, Kenji, and Artemis on the other hand watched Serena intently for different reasons. All three of them were seeing this for the first time, but while Artemis was watching in curiosity to finally see visual proof of Serena being this scout he had no memory of, her parents were shocked.

They had all seen her pull the white decorative stick out of thin air. Her parents were surprised, but Artemis took a good look at her transformation item and how different it was to the brooch she had used as Sailor Moon.

Then she spoke as she held the stick high above her head, and they all watched as blue green light instantly came out of it and began to rapidly swirl down around her body in a thick solid blue green ribbon. It wrapped around the length of her body before closing in tightly, wrapping her up almost like a mummy so no skin could be seen.

After a few moments the blue green light flashed brightly, nearly blinding them, and when it cleared she stood looking completely different then she had moments before.

Kenji and Ikuko had heard of the Sailor Scouts on the news and there had even been footage with glimpses of them. Just enough to get an idea of what they looked like and see what they wore, and right now their daughter's outfit looked very similar and yet different than what they had seen.

They recognized the white bodysuit, the collar, the bows, the incredibly short skirt, and even the tiara, but the colors were different.

The front bow was a dark green that matched the single strip on her collar, the choker around her neck, and the tall nearly knee high high heel boots. The deep blue back bow that had long ribbons matched the medium sized ribbon belt that wrapped around her waist, and both colors stained the end of her white skirt transitioning from dark green to deep blue.

Her white gloves were short with gold bands wrapped around her wrists that matched the circle in the middle of the bow on her chest, and her tiara was the same color as her skin instead of the gold they had seen on the other scouts. And most prominent was the long white cape hanging from her shoulders.

Artemis for his part was surprised at how different Serena looked as the scout of the Earth from how she did as Sailor Moon.

She looked more mature, and the colors definitely matched what he thought the scout of the Earth would have. He also realized with a start that they matched the bow and arrows she had been gifted.

Further proof that her young man had known the truth of who she was long before she did. He thought as he continued to look her over.

He was also surprised that she wore a cape that trailed down to the ground. He would never have imagined a sailor scout wearing a cape, but then again his only frame of reference was his returning memories of the Guardian Scouts and the way they looked now.

He also noted that her golden hair matched the gold she was wearing around her wrists, the shiny brooch circle on the bow on her chest, and the gem in her tiara.

"My prince." Serena said as she held out a hand to him, and watched his eyes flash golden.

Darien stood and calmly stepped toward her and took her hand as he settled at her side. He concentrated briefly and instantly felt the warmth of his golden crystal pulse in his chest before he was engulfed in bright golden light.

Ikuko, Kenji, and Artemis gasped to see the young man start glowing with a bright golden light without him having said a word. They squinted their eyes as they watched him and the light grew brighter and brighter, and before they felt the need to close their eyes the light disappeared leaving him just as changed as Serena was.

A dark blue uniform so dark they almost thought it was black covered his figure. A long sleeve top with decorative silver lining on the chest and wrist cuffs and gold lining around the neck, pants, and tall black boots that looked like they were covered in black armor that stretched up to cover his knees.

Silver armor covered his waist and shoulders, a long sword sat on his left hip in a brown sheath connected to a brown leather belt wrapped around his waist, and a black cape with a red inner lining that hung from his shoulders and nearly reached the floor.

He looked commanding and majestic, like a distinguished warrior, and definitely had a royal baring even though he was simply standing there. His appearance now matched the way he held himself and spoke; it matched the expressions and sounds he had made as he told his memory of a time long past. This was what the young man had looked like in that past; this was the prince of the Earth.

Seeing the two of them together left them speechless, not that they had actually said anything after the transformations began. They were impressive, and admittedly intimidating. They looked like a warrior couple, and in Artemis' opinion they looked like commanders. He could see how they would have been next in line to rule the Earth.

And I can definitely see how this version of Serena could have been Queen, and even remain a scout while she was at it. He thought as he looked the couple over.

"I…" Ikuko began, but stopped as her thought trailed away at the sight of her changed daughter.

She got to her feet and moved around the back of the couch, and watched her daughter release her boyfriend's hand and move toward her. They stopped behind the middle of the couch and she looked at her daughter wide eyed. Somehow seeing her up close made her look even more mature and intimidating.

She lifted her hand and gently touched her side as she looked her over.

"Wow. It really is form fitting." She said, seeing seemingly every contour of her torso.

"Yes. It means less restrictions when I am moving and fighting." Serena said as she watched her mother fully take in her scout uniform.

"It matches the bow and arrows. The colors match I mean." Ikuko said as she brought her eyes up to her daughter's.

"Yes. It was a very thoughtful and precious gift." Serena said before she looked over to her prince and returned her eyes to her mother. "At the time it confirmed to me that my Endymion remembered me as Sailor Earth, which had been very important to me since I only had my returning memories as proof that Sailor Earth had existed in the past."

"That's understandable." Ikuko said as she nodded, and then sighed. "You look beautiful Serena, and your name is just as beautiful. Serenity."

"Thank you mom." Serena said with a soft smile before she hugged her.

"What is this bow and arrows you two are talking about?" Kenji asked, and watched them pull away from each other.

"My Endymion gifted me a custom made bow and quiver of arrows after we discovered that I instinctively knew how to use the weapon." Serena said as her mother returned to her seat.

She then gestured with her hand and moment later her quiver was in her hand. She shifted the strap and carefully slipped it over her head, and adjusted it until it hung from her shoulder across her chest and rested comfortably on her back over her hair and cape. She then gestured with her hand again and her bow appeared.

Kenji got to his feet and walked over to his daughter and took in the bow and what he could see of the arrows sticking up from behind her shoulder, and saw that they actually did match her scout uniform.

His eyes drifted over said uniform and he didn't like it. He didn't like that she was wearing heels that his wife would hesitate to wear, he didn't like how short her skirt was, and he absolutely hated how fitted her bodysuit was! It barely left anything to the imagination even with the bow in the way, and he hated that the boy that was her boyfriend saw her in it regularly!

It was different then what she wore as Sailor Moon, but he thought the snug bodysuit was still the same.

He also didn't like that she was out there fighting dangerous monsters. She hadn't mentioned fighting anyone or anything in the past aside from a few people at the end, so he wasn't sure it had been really dangerous back then as it was turning out to be now in the present.

Kenji turned away from his daughter with a heavy sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. Another thing he wasn't happy about was her being in a relationship with this boy. He was bold, almost arrogant, and didn't seem to care that he didn't like him. He wasn't even hesitant in his bold claims of his daughter being his.

They may have been engaged in the past, but he's just her boyfriend now. And maybe not for long if I can help it. I don't need him helping my daughter go out into danger. He thought with a frown as he turned back to his daughter.

Serena watched her father closely, taking in his various expressions, and didn't like what she saw. She put her bow and quiver back in her subspace pocket, idly hoping the quiver would reappear already in place on her back the next time she needed it, and stood calmly as she waited for whatever he was about to say.

"I don't like this Serena. I don't like this at all." Kenji said. "You being out there fighting monsters or whatever they are is too dangerous, and I especially don't like you being out there in this getup where anyone, especially him, can see!" He added as he gestured from her to Darien.

"I can understand that you were doing this before we knew, but now it's different, now I know and I just can't allow this." He said as he shook his head with frown, and looked at her outfit again.

"No. I forbid you from continuing to be one of these sailor scouts, and from seeing this boy." He said firmly. "Clearly he's been out there helping you do this secret fighting. I knew there was a reason I didn't like him."

Serena's eyes darkened and she fought to keep from narrowing them in anger as she listened to her father. She was not surprised with what he was saying considering what she knew of his personality and the expressions that had shifted his face as he thought, but she was angry and that anger was joining the anger already living inside her at what was done to her.

I will not stand for this! She thought almost furiously.

"That is simply not going to happen." She said firmly, trying to remain calm. "I did not tell you my truth in order to gain your permission to perform my duties or to be with my prince! It is my duty and honor to be Sailor Earth. I am proud of who I am, and nothing you say will ever change that!"

"And you have lost your mind if you think I would stop seeing my soulmate simply because you do not like the image of me dating." She added just as firmly. "That is all you have against him. Had he not been out there with me I would still have been out there doing my duty and destroying the monsters that attacked and terrorized people. My instincts would not have allowed me to do anything else."

"No! You cannot be this scout. It's too dangerous! I absolutely forbid it young lady!" Kenji said seriously. "If I have to ground you to make that happen then I will."

"I will do my duty, and there is nothing you can do to stop me!" Serena said angrily, her eyes narrowed into slits.

When her father looked like he was about to say more, his arm lifted toward her as if to emphasize his coming point, she snapped and lashed out at him taking him completely by surprise.

She grabbed his wrist and quickly shifted around his side pulling and twisting his arm back, and sharply kicked the back of his legs causing him to fall to his knees with a cry. Her mother cried out, nearly screaming, but she ignored her and pinned his arm to his back. She lifted her free hand, unsure what exactly she was going to do, but her wrist was grabbed by a firm large familiar hand.

"Let him go Serenity." Darien said quietly. "You have made your point."

He felt her trembling a little and knew it was from her anger, but she released him and turned around and leaned against his chest. He tilted his head slightly to see that her eyes were closed, so he wrapped his arms around her and took in the scene.

"I apologize for my Serenity's behavior. She is understandably angry at what happened to her, and it is also still very fresh in her mind. She has already had her position and destiny, her identity, literally stolen from her; she does not need even the threat of it happening again on her mind." He said calmly.

Ikuko still sat on the couch speechless looking shocked, her eyes wide with her hands covering her mouth. Kenji had managed to get to his feet and moved away just as wide eyed staring at his daughter in shock that she had attacked him.

Artemis had moved to stand on his back legs to look over the back of the couch to have a better look at Serena since she was closer to him, and was surprised at what she had just done to her father. However, he also understood it given her young man's words.

"If nothing else this demonstration should assure you that your daughter can protect herself. As a sailor scout she is stronger than a regular person." Darien said as he looked at her father, and watched the man nod slowly.

"But you stopped her." Kenji said quietly.

"She stopped because she wanted to." Darien corrected. "She is just as strong as me. If she had truly been intent then she would have put up a fight. Beyond that it is clear she did not truly want to harm you. Physically speaking she could have done a lot more. She also did not use her powers nor did she pull out a weapon."

Kenji nodded before returning to his seat in front of the window and sat with a heavy sigh.

Darien looked down at his soulmate and gently stroked her hair from the top of her head down before he ran his fingers through the soft length. She shivered and he smiled, pleased that regardless of the situation or how she was feeling he had that effect on her.

Serena sighed and finally wrapped her arms around him.

"Come my love. Let us return to our seats and conclude this meeting." Darien said.

She nodded before she released him and allowed him to guide her back to her seat on the couch before he joined her. Artemis resumed his position and she began to stroke along the warm fur of his back.

"I trust such nonsense will never be spoken of again." Serena said firmly as she looked toward her parents, her father specifically.

Both of them nodded silently.

"Good!" She said with a nod. "Now do you have any more questions for us?" She asked.

Kenji and Ikuko looked at each other, trying to think of something even as they tried to push aside what had just happened.

"Oh! Where have you been since you left? Where was this safe location his clone mentioned?" Ikuko asked, still not entirely understanding why she had to leave the house. Were her powers that dangerous? Had the clone been right?

"We went to my castle." Serena answered.

Ikuko, Kenji, and Artemis' eyes widened.

"Castle?!" Kenji exclaimed.

"Yes. It is called Tellus Castle, and it is the castle of the scout of the Earth." Serena said. "There is a special room there specifically for when the scout of the Earth comes into her powers, so she can train her powers without being a danger to anyone or anything else."

"I've never heard of that name before. Is it in Tokyo?" Kenji asked with a frown.

"No it is not. Nor is it in the country. It is not even on the planet." She said, and listened as they all gasped. "It is a floating castle that orbits the Earth."

"And it's been there all this time?! All these years?!" Ikuko asked in surprise.

"Yes. It has been protected and concealed through the years. Only those who know it is there and how to find it can see it and get to it, which at present is a grand total of two." Serena explained.

It was clear to Artemis, Kenji, and Ikuko that those two were Serena and Darien.

"That is where we got our change of clothing, so the clothes I am currently wearing are actually my clothes. I was incredibly pleased that they fit." Serena said.

Artemis stared at Serena in surprise. She had her own castle that had survived from the time of the Silver Millennium. It clearly was in a condition that allowed her to train her powers, store clothing, and live, so it couldn't be some shell of what it had been.

Do all the scouts have their own castle or is it only Sailor Earth? He wondered since he did not remember that information nor did he remember if he had even known it. He would have to ask Serena.

"Do you still have your palace?" Ikuko asked Darien since he had mentioned them living in one, and had spoken of 'royal grounds and gardens'.

"I have not considered it. Although, I do not believe it has survived to modern times." Darien said.

"You should check just in case." Serena suggested.

"Very well." He said, and with barely a thought he tapped into his connection with the Earth without moving from his seat.

He focused on his memories of his past home from the number of floors it had, to its many windows, to its colors, and all around designs. Images of people, places, and locations flashed through his mind rapidly before they slowed and solidified to a stop on a rather large building. A familiar building.

Darien's eyes slid closed to better focus as he took in the almost unbelievable sight of his palace. It looked exactly as it had the last time he saw it in person, completely untouched by all the time that had passed.

He zoomed out to see more than just the front of the building, and saw the courtyard and garden leading up to the entrance. That was yet another surprise since he had vague barely formed thoughts that only the main building had survived.

I need to see more. I want to see everything. I need to know how much has survived. He thought as he focused on wanting to see the building and grounds.

Instantly his mental view widened and moved upward so he gained a bird's eye view of the entire area, and saw to his astonishment and pleasure that aside from the palace the surrounding grounds were entirely intact. This included the gardens, the one where he and Serenity first met and his personal section, training grounds, stables, and horse training area.

Surrounding the palace and grounds were trees showing that a forest had clearly grown up around it to further insulate the palace and royal grounds.

How? He wondered as he looked over the grounds.

Me. A quiet mature motherly tone drifted through his mind as if they had been waiting for him to notice and ask.

Mother Earth? He replied just as quietly.

I sealed it within a barrier to protect it until you could once again take up residence. She explained, her voice and words conveying how confident she had been that he would return and once again resume his position.

Thank you. He said gratefully. Will you continue to maintain the barrier until I and my soulmate can live there permanently?

Very well young Prince. She agreed easily before going silent.

A thought occurred to Darien and he concentrated on wanting to see inside the stables. His mental view quickly dropped down, zooming in, before shifting inside the structure and he held in a gasp to see a majority of the stalls occupied.

The horses were lying down with their eyes closed and yet breathing. They were clearly asleep.

How did they survive? He wondered, but in the next moment he knew. It was the same way the gardens and training grounds weren't overgrown, and how the palace wasn't dilapidated or falling apart.

The Earth had protected them, had clearly put them into a stasis, so like the palace and grounds they would survive.

Then yet another thought occurred to him and he quickly shifted his view to the stalls where his and Serenity's horses were, and saw that both his Lucius and her Agrippina were there and looking just as he remembered them. Shifting his view again he saw that even his Generals horses were there alive and safe.

"What do you mean he can check? How can he?" Kenji asked his daughter as he looked back and forth between her and her boyfriend.

"He has a connection to the planet that allows him to see through the earth." Serena answered. "For example if he was at home at this exact moment and wanted to see me he could look through that connection, and see me in his mind sitting here as I am in this moment."

Kenji and Ikuko's eyes widened, and Artemis blinked in surprise. That was an amazing ability to have, and Artemis wondered if that ability had also helped him know about monster attacks on top of knowing whenever Serena transformed.

"Can you do that too?" Ikuko asked her daughter.

"No. I have a connection to the planet that allows me to do something similar, but I cannot do what he can." Serena said.

"The palace and grounds are still there." Darien announced as he opened his eyes and released his connection to the Earth. "Mother protected them and will continue to do so until we can take up permanent residency once again." He added as he looked to his soulmate.

"Even the horses are there. Lucius and Agrippina are there." He added, and listened to her gasp.

"Truly?" Serena asked as her eyes widened.

"Yes. They are sleeping." He answered, and watched her smile.

"That is one less life I have to grieve." She said with happy relief. "I can hardly wait to see her! My Agrippina!"

Artemis sat silently amazed at what he was learning. Not only was Serena's castle still in existence but now the royal palace of the Earth, including its surrounding grounds and horses, were also still in existence. It was amazing and he was incredibly curious to see both places, and wondered if he would ever get the chance.

Ikuko and Kenji looked at each other in amazement. The palace that their daughter's past self had lived in was still standing and apparently perfectly intact. Something from so long ago that there was no written record of it had survived, and they couldn't help wondering what it looked like. Did it look like any of the royal castles and palaces they had heard about from around the world?

"How come you didn't discover the palace sooner?" Kenji asked his daughter's boyfriend.

"My focus has been on my soulmate all this time. I was distracted with building our relationship, trying to get her to remember her true self, and fighting monsters." Darien explained.

"That makes sense." Ikuko said as she nodded, pleased that his focus had been her daughter with how serious he had been speaking about her. And acting with her. She thought as she remembered the numerous dates they had gone on.

"Are you going to go see it in person?" She asked curiously.

"Definitely some time soon." Darien said. "Maybe even later today after I finish settling in."

"Do you have any more questions?" Serena asked as she looked at her parents.

oOoIRoOo

Darien appeared in his living room in a golden flash of light and sighed as he looked around. His soulmate's parents had finally run out of questions for them, so he decided it was time for him to leave rather than remain and spend as much time with his Serenity as he could. He had something else he needed to take care of that day, and he had wanted as much time to do it as possible considering the nature of it.

After releasing their transformations and removing the protection around the room he bid everyone a goodbye and teleported home. Now that he was here he decided not to waste any of his time. He walked over to his phone and picked it up and quickly began to dial a number he had long ago memorized.

"Hello?" Came the familiar voice of his best friend after a few rings.

"Andrew, it is Darien." He said.

"Hey!" Andrew greeted him.

"I wanted to let you know I'm back, and ask if you have time to talk." He said.

"Oh of course I have time. I'm not doing anything except a little studying." Andrew said.

"Is it alright if I come over?" Darien asked.

"Sure." Andrew answered.

"Are you alone?" He asked seriously.

"Yeah. It's just me." Andrew said.

"Very well. I'll see you when I get there." He said.

"Okay. Bye." Andrew said.

"Bye." Darien said before he hung up.

He placed the phone back down and focused on the living room of his friend's apartment and willed himself there. He disappeared in a golden flash and reappeared in said living room behind the couch where his friend sat with the TV on low volume.

"Good evening." He said, and watched his friend jump and look over the back of the couch in surprise.

"I didn't expect you to get here so quick or bypass the door." Andrew said as his heart stopped racing. "You did that teleporting thing didn't you?" He asked, remembering seeing him do that once before, disappearing in a flash of gold light.

"Yes." Darien said as he walked over and joined his friend on the couch.

Andrew nodded, filing that fact away.

"So you're really back? You're not a clone?" He asked.

"I am not a clone, but I do now have all of my clone's memories." Darien said.

"How is Serena doing?" Andrew asked.

"She is very well. Her illness has passed and she has her powers completely under control." Darien answered. "We returned a while ago, and spent the time before I called you revealing our truth to her parents." He added.

Andrew gasped. "Was it for the reasons I was told or similar reasons, and how did they take it?" He asked.

"Serena made the decision to tell them because she is very proud of who she is and very serious about her guardian duty. With them knowing the truth she can conduct her scout life without their interference or having to sneak around their notice. Plus, they would understand the seriousness of our relationship." Darien said.

"They took it well for the most part. However, there was one point where her father tried to forbid her from continuing on as a scout." He continued, and his friend's eyes widened as he gasped.

"How did she react to that?" Andrew asked.

"She attacked him." Darien answered calmly, and Andrew's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "It wasn't anything major; simply dropping him to his knees and pinning an arm behind his back. Despite how it may have looked and felt to them she was actually very careful, and clearly held back. As far as I'm concerned the display served to show her parents a sample of what she can do in the form of her speed and strength."

"Woah!" Andrew said before he shook his head. "How did they react to learning your relationship was more than the months of being girlfriend and boyfriend?"

"Her mother was shocked to learn that we had been engaged, but she didn't react beyond that. I don't believe she has a problem since she liked me before the revelations." Darien said. "Her father on the other hand was just as shocked and tried to forbid her from seeing me in the same breath he tried to forbid her from being a scout."

"I can understand his reaction. He was protective of her and didn't like me before the revelations, but after learning we had been engaged and had essentially been acting as a married couple what with her sleeping in my room, in my bed, it was not entirely surprising that he would try to stop us from being together." He said.

"Still, that is another reason why she attacked him. You have to understand that it has only been days since she remembered her true self. She is still feeling grief and anger at what was taken from her, and at essentially being kidnapped and her mind altered with a lifetime of false memories. She did not appreciate hearing her own father threatening to take something similar. It did not matter that she could and would ignore his words; it was simply that he said it at all." He explained.

"That's understandable." Andrew said as he nodded.

He thought if it had been him he likely would have reacted the same way. Just remembering his past life, learning that a large part of what he remembered was false, and realizing that his existence had been erased from many of the people he had known and they were now dead; or had possibly been reincarnated, and if they recalled anything of the past it would have been the changed past where they still didn't know him. He'd be grieving and angry too.

I wonder if her personality has changed like Darien's did with recalling her true self. He thought curiously.

Darien nodded as well before changing the subject to the reason he wanted to speak to his best friend.

"Now, I have thought over all of your words and carefully considered your request, even consulted with my soulmate and freed generals to be sure, and I have decided to accept you as one of my Guardian Generals." He said seriously.

Andrew's eyes widened in surprise. He had still not known if it would be possible even after asking his friend to be one of his generals, had even been preparing himself for a denial and trying to find some other way to help his friend and be part of his life in the future, so this acceptance was almost shocking.

"I..I don't know what to say." Andrew said as he stared at his friend. "Thank you for accepting me, and giving me this chance to be part of your future and help you make it happen."

"No, thank you for wanting to be one of my guardians." Darien replied sincerely. "It's a dangerous job, and on top of that it can and likely will cut into your school, your work, and your daily life in all ways."

"I understand. I'm as prepared as I can be to deal with those consequences." Andrew said seriously.

Darien nodded firmly.

"You are going to have to learn how to use a sword since all Earth soldiers know how to use one. It was that way in the past, and it will continue to be that way." He said seriously.

"You must also learn how to use a secondary weapon since a sword cannot always get the job done, and relying on a single weapon can result in complacency. In addition to that you will also have to learn how to fight physically; hand to hand combat." He explained.

Andrew nodded, remembering what Darien said about Serena being able to use a sword, a spear, and a bow and arrows, and wasn't surprised that he would need to know how to fight physically. There was no telling if he would need to fight that way against a monster or some human being influenced to attack.

He wondered if it would be a specific style or just enough to be able to handle himself in a physical fight. Or maybe enough to get him started so he could add a specific fighting style to it.

"I understand. I'm prepared to do all I can to learn." He said seriously, and his friend nodded just as seriously.

"Now that that is settled I am going to need time to figure out how to give you some kind of power, so you can fight with us. You cannot go as you are; even with a sword and a secondary weapon." Darien said, and his friend nodded.

"I'm thinking this Friday." He continued. "I should have it figured out by then. Actually it could probably happen before then if I figure out how to give you some kind of power sooner, but the end of the week means you will have the weekend to adjust."

"My Serenity, Neflite, and Zoycite will be there as fellow generals and soldiers of the Earth to witness and help if necessary." He added, and Andrew nodded, idly realizing those were the names of the generals that had been freed.

"What do Zoycite and Neflite think of me being one of them?" Andrew asked since they were the ones he would likely be working with the most.

"They think it's a good thing." Darien answered. "They pointed out that since you do not have past memories that could influence you you will not be hindered by them, and can potentially come up with solutions to unique problems."

"Also you will be one more person to protect me since there is the very real possibility that they would not be able to get to me in time or would not be able to drop what they are doing without creating suspicion." He added.

Andrew nodded and considered how them going to the same school would help that. In fact, he was probably the closest physically to him during school time, and would be able to assist or protect him, whichever the case may be, should a situation happen.

"I suppose since you don't know yet how to give me a power you don't know how it will happen." He said thoughtfully.

"Unfortunately not." Darien replied. "You likely will not know until right before it happens the day of."

Andrew nodded thoughtfully before he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm so excited and nervous. It's going to be hard to concentrate on anything this week." He said.

"I can imagine." Darien said as he nodded.

"So what now?" Andrew asked curiously.

"Now I let you get back to what you were doing while I go home, and begin to figure out how to get you some power." Darien said as he stood up.

"Alright. Good luck." Andrew said with a slight wave.

"Thanks." Darien said before he began to focus on the usual spot in his living room behind his couch.

However, a split second later he changed his focus and decided to go to his palace instead to check the place out in person, and hope inspiration for how to give Andrew a power came to him while he was at it.

In the next moment he disappeared from his friend's living room in a flash of golden light.

oOoIRoOo

Serena opened the glass door to the Crown cafe and stepped inside and immediately scanned the space for threats, the Moon Princess, and anything unusual, and gladly not seeing any of them, before looking to the booth seat where her soulmate usually sat waiting for her. She smiled to see him there and began walking toward him as she watched him return her smile and get to his feet.

"My Serenity." Darien greeted her as she reached him.

"My Endymion." Serena replied before she placed her school bag on the table.

She then reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug, and felt his arms fold around her before they shared a warm kiss.

"How was school my lady?" He asked after they parted and began to take their seats.

"It was okay." She answered as she settled in her seat across the table from him. "I did not miss much. Thankfully my teachers understood that I was sick and allowed me to turn in my homework from Friday late, and they are also allowing me to turn in yesterday's homework late."

"Was all well with your classes?" She asked.

"Yes. My clone took meticulous notes and did the little homework I had." He answered. "He even studied ahead since he did not need to sleep."

"Good." Serena said, and then looked around before she returned her eyes to her soulmate. "Let us leave here before the princess arrives. I wish to train before getting started on my homework."

"Very well." Darien said before he began to move toward the end of the bench seat.

They both got to their feet, Serena grabbing her school bag, and headed for the door. Within moments they had walked down the stairs and made it to his car, which had been parked closer than usual since he had gotten lucky with the open space when he first arrive in the area.

The drive to Darien's apartment building went fairly quick, and they wasted no time making their way up to his apartment. Once inside Serena left her school bag on the coffee table before she returned to his side and wrapped her arms around him. Her prince wrapped his arms around her in return and she watched as they were surrounded in the warm gold light of his power. When it cleared they stood outside in what appeared to be a long abandoned park.

They released their hold on each other and she stepped back as she looked around before she looked back to him with a raised eyebrow.

"This is where I've been training." Darien answered her silent question.

Serena nodded before she gestured with her hand, and watched her transformation stick appear in her palm.

"Earth Planet Power!" Serena said firmly, and watched as blue green light came out of her transformation stick and began to swirl around her body. When the light cleared she stood proudly as the guardian scout of the Earth.

Darien for his part simply concentrated briefly and began to glow with a soft golden light as he transformed. When the light cleared he looked himself over and nodded to see himself wearing his royal uniform and armor.

"What do you want to work on first?" He asked his soulmate.

"I want to reestablish my connection to the Earth before I do anything." Serena answered, and he nodded.

"That is the first thing I did too." Darien said. "I'll keep myself occupied while you do that."

Serena nodded and knelt in the grass where she stood with her legs pressed together, her cape pooling in the grass and her hair on top of it, before she carefully sat back on her heels. She leaned forward and placed her gloved hands in the grass and closed her eyes as she took a slow deep breath. She let it out slowly, and focused her mind on the Earth and her connection with it.

Mother Earth? She called quietly. I am back. Your scout is back. Back to guard you and help keep you safe, to keep your people safe. I have recalled who I truly am, my powers are under control, and I am ready to resume my position as your guardian.

She continued to breathe deeply and let it out slowly as she remained calm and patient. As she waited she continued to focus her mind on the Earth and the unique connection she remembered having with the planet. She recalled the sound of the Earth's voice in her mind, the visuals that flashed through her mind, and how it felt to communicate with the planet.

Serenity; my scout. A quiet mature motherly tone whispered through her mind a few long minutes later.

Yes mother. Serena confirmed.

Welcome back. The Earth said gently.

Thank you. It is good to be back. I am grateful to finally remember who I am. She said sincerely.

As am I. The Earth replied. On to your training my scout. She added before going silent.

Serena nodded to herself, but didn't release her connection to the Earth. She never had in the past after she first made the connection, and she definitely wouldn't in the present. It just made sense that she keep it open, so the Earth could communicate with her whenever something was wrong regardless of the time of day, where she was, or what she was doing.

Meanwhile, Darien was off in his own area, yet in full view of his soulmate, with his sword in hand going through his forms. He had decided to practice with his sword first to keep from distracting her and breaking her concentration. He also decided to challenge himself by pretending his sight was compromised; either from injury or other outside influence.

He closed his eyes and tapped into his connection with the Earth and focused on the area he currently stood in. Scenes flickered through his mind rapidly for a few long moments before slowing to a stop on the park he stood in. He could see himself from a bird's eye view standing and moving with his sword, and his Serenity still sitting in the grass with her eyes closed.

He nodded to himself and continued running through his forms knowing it would be good for him to practice seeing in this way since his sight could very well be compromised for any number of reasons; including friendly interference whether knowing or unknowing. After all his Generals powers could make it impossible to see, and his Serenity could as well for that matter.

And myself as well. He thought as he shifted his feet and moved his sword to his left.

There was also no forgetting the times Sailor Mercury's fog obscured the area of the fight scenes making it so no one could see. Each time he had used his connection to the Earth to see beyond the fog, and the last time he had to use it in order to fight said scout when she was possessed.

As he spun around and brought his sword up in a form that was for blocking an incoming strike he saw through the Earth the arrival of Amara and Michelle behind him in flashes of navy blue and aqua teal respectively. They were both transformed, but didn't look anxious or alarmed.

"Good afternoon ladies." Darien said before he relaxed and opened his eyes as he turned around to face them.

Michelle and Amara blinked at Prince Endymion's greeting even though he had his back to them. They weren't sure when they would stop being surprised at him knowing of their arrival without seeing them, but they didn't think it would be any time soon.

Beyond that surprise was the sight of Serena transformed as Sailor Earth. It was their first time seeing her that way outside of Michelle's mirror.

They took in the vibrant navy blue and forest green of her scout uniform, the skin colored tiara, the gold accessories that matched her now golden hair, and the cape. That was an unusual part of her scout uniform. She was the only sailor scout they had seen wear one, but from the images of her and the generals in Michelle's mirror along with Prince Endymion's uniform they suspected it was an Earth soldier thing.

"Good afternoon." Michelle said as she looked away from Serena and to his highness.

"Good afternoon." Amara said as she looked to him as well. "We came to train and wait to see if you guys would show up. We didn't expect you to be here already."

"In that case we should get started." Serena said as she opened her eyes, having heard everything.

She easily got to her feet and stood straight as her eyes looked to Darien, and saw him holding his sword.

"That's a good idea." She said before she gestured with her right hand, and instantly felt the weight of her sword.

She smiled slightly as she looked it over recalling that it was a custom made gift from her Endymion. It had a silver steel blade with a white hilt with bright gold assents decorating it.

Amara's eyes brightened excitedly at seeing her with a sword.

"I'll spar with you." She said excitedly before she gestured with her hand for her own sword.

It appeared instantly; its long blade silver and shiny, and elegant hilt silver with a blue decorative ball that looked like it was in a silver wired cage.

"Very well." Serena agreed easily. "Let us move so we will have room to maneuver."

Amara nodded and followed as Serena led her across the grass to the far end of the clearing, and then faced her with a couple of feet between them. A few moments after they were settled in their spots Serena lunged forward with a serious focused look on her face. There was no mention of being ready; just straight to the action, which Amara liked since an enemy definitely wouldn't ask her if she was ready before attacking her.

Serena swung her sword down at her diagonally and Amara blocked it and pushed it away. Serena twisted on the spot with the momentum, her cape and hair swirling, and swung at her waist like she was going to cut her in half, but Amara blocked that and swung at her in return.

From there the two of them moved around the area as they swung, swiped, and jabbed at each other while dodging and blocking. The sound of their swords clashing repeatedly echoed around them, but it didn't distract them one bit.

Eventually Serena decided to change things up as she noticed where they had migrated within the clearing. She leapt back instead of blocking to avoid the sword swinging at her, and when Amara moved forward and swung at her again she twisted around a tree and entered the tree line so she stood among the thick trees.

She stepped back, making sure she was once again facing her fellow scout, and held her sword at the ready; content to wait for her to attack her again, and considering how she wanted to use the trees around them.

Amara stepped toward Serena carefully, watching her for any movements; not that she was moving. She was standing perfectly still staring back at her almost unblinkingly. Clearly she wasn't going to make the first move.

So I will. She thought as she narrowed her eyes.

She came around the tree quickly and tried to spear her in the stomach, but Serena swiped her blade off to the side and stepped forward into her personal space, her arms rapidly bringing her sword high up, before she began to swing her sword down.

Amara leapt back quickly and was surprised when her back hit a tree, and she stumbled at the unexpected obstacle. Serena took advantage of her distraction and rushed forward to stab her in the stomach, but Amara blocked the potential strike and quickly moved to the side of the tree and back a little to give herself some room.

Instead of following her Serena rapidly moved around the tree in the opposite direction, and brought her sword up to swing down at her. Amara quickly spun around so she wouldn't get hit in the back, and blocked the strike before swinging her sword at her side.

Serena blocked that and twirled her sword blade around hers before she freed it, and began to swing the tip upward intending to go for her hip and continue up her stomach and chest. Amara blocked it and moved off to the side and stepped back, but frustratingly stumbled on the slightly raised roots of a neighboring tree.

Again Serena took advantage of her distraction and rushed forward while noting that she needed to advise Amara to train around trees. She didn't know if she had trained around obstacles in general when she learned how to use a sword, but if she did then it wasn't enough. There was nothing like having trees in your way to train you to be hyper aware of every detail of your surroundings, so you didn't get tripped up and fall and ultimately end up in a vulnerable position.

Amara quickly looked up from where she was righting her footing and blocked the strike coming at her. She swiped it aside and then reversed her swing aiming for Serena's neck.

Serena ducked under it, just enough to miss the blade, and straightened as she began to swing her own blade in a diagonal upward angle at Amara's side without an ounce of hesitation.

oOo

Susanna power walked down the sidewalk with her group of friends, and Raye tagging along to guard her. She had been moving as quickly as she could since school let out so she could get to the Crown cafe as fast as possible, so she could see the dark haired blue eyed cutie she had taken a liking to. As the steps to the cafe came into sight she moved quicker, wishing she could run without looking foolish, and hoped the cutie was there.

She was going to get him to talk to her this time, and hopefully she wouldn't be interrupted by that worker. She still couldn't believe that guy! All in her business when she was trying to talk to the cutie. Although, after watching them she thought he might be friends with the cutie since they spoke like they knew each other.

As they nearly reached the stairs her eyes flickered over to the arcade entrance, and she decided to try looking there first just to be sure he wasn't in there.

"I'm going to check in here first." Susanna announced to her group of friends. "Stay out here and keep watch." She told one of her friends.

With her order in place she went inside with the rest of her friends and Raye. It wasn't really busy, which meant it was easy to see that the cutie wasn't there. Susanna sighed heavily in disappointment but quickly perked up at the thought that he could be up in the cafe.

She turned and hurried out of the arcade, only pausing long enough for her friend to let her know there had been no sign of him, before she jogged up the stairs and pulled the glass door open. Her friends and Raye filed in behind her as she moved further in and searched with her eyes for the dark haired cutie. His usual booth was empty and he was nowhere else to be seen no matter how she stretched her neck and stood on her tip toes.

He just wasn't there, and she frowned unhappily and stomped her foot.

She knew she hadn't missed him while in the arcade, as short as that time was, because her friend had been outside keeping watch. He couldn't have gotten pass them unless her friend had forgotten what he looked like.

"Let's go check the mall." One friend suggested.

"Yeah." Another agreed. "We came across him with his girlfriend there before so it's worth a shot."

Raye kept silent but shook her head at her princess' attempt to stalk Serena's boyfriend as Susanna brightened and began to head for the door.

oOo

Darien and Michelle watched Serena and Amara as they moved around rapidly and clashed again and again as their swords struck out and blocked the other.

"Do you want to spar?" Michelle asked as she looked away from their companions.

"Yes." Darien agreed since he didn't get to train while in his uniform and armor too often. "Let us stick to physical only so we do not interfere with their training by using our powers." He added.

"Of course." She agreed.

They moved a few more steps away from each other so they were standing across from each other at a reasonable distance and took in the other's stance. Both of them were relaxed and yet the way they held themselves let each of them know the other was ready for anything.

Darien was perfectly content to stand there waiting for Michelle to make the first move. It allowed him more time to watch for any tells she might unknowingly give off of what she was going to do before she did it. It also might make her anxious of what he might do, and cause her to make an early mistake.

Michelle for her part tried to remain calm as she stared at her prince. Every time she sparred with him one on one she was admittedly more than a little intimidated. It wasn't anything he was consciously doing; it was simply the feeling he gave off.

She imagined it was a mixture of his royal identity, the soldier he was, and plain confidence that was causing the intimidation she felt. She wondered if he had given off the same or a stronger sensation in the past.

Now is not the time for curiosity. She told herself as she redirected her focus, and mentally tried to shake the feeling of intimidation. Clearly he isn't going to attack, so I will if only to get us started.

With that Michelle rushed forward and shifted to punch him in the face, but at the last second she twisted around toward his back and moved her leg to kick him.

Unfortunately for her Darien wasn't fooled and was already turned around and blocked her leg before he pushed it forcefully to the side. He swung his arm to punch her while she was unsteady but she dropped down into a crouch and twisted swinging her leg into a side kick at his lower legs. He jumped up and backward to avoid the strike and put distance between them.

Michelle stood up and rushed toward him and Darien rushed forward himself. They both swung out with a straight punch toward the other's face.

While he blocked the fist coming for his face she ducked under his, and twisted around to his side and grabbed his cape. Feeling the tension he quickly spun, ducking down under the fabric as he went and straightened back up, and elbowed her in the face before she could even think to let go. She cried out in pained surprise, automatically bringing her hands up to her face as she backpedaled to put some distance between them.

Darien, however, wasn't allowing that. He twisted as he brought his leg up and kicked her in the side of the head and sent her stumbling sideways with another cry of pain. He stepped toward her and lifted his leg to kick her again, but she saw it coming and leaned back before turning the move into a backflip hoping to kick him in the process.

He moved away and off to the side for good measure, and watched her calmly to see what she would do next.

Michelle landed on her feet and instinctively leapt back to put distance between them, but she needn't worry since her prince was standing still where he had stopped watching her calmly. It didn't take much thought to understand that just as before he was going to wait for her to make the next move.

She looked at him, trying to notice anything that would give her an edge, while ignoring the medal on medal sound of Amara and her lady sparring. She decided to try something different than she already had, and began to run toward him. When she was close enough she jumped up and kicked out at his face.

Darien for his part didn't hesitate and crossed his wrists to block her strap high heel shoe from his face before he pushed up to toss her back. He watched her sail into a backflip and land on her feet once again, but this time he rushed forward and swung a straight punch toward her face.

Michelle pushed his arm away from her and toward his body, leaving his side and back open, but he twisted with the motion and tried to backhand her with his other hand. She easily ducked under that and when she straightened she decided to take advantage of his wide open position as he faced her again and struck out to punch him in the face.

Unfortunately he avoided the blow by leaning back away from her fist, but she tried again with her other fist as he straightened. This time he blocked it, and they spent a few long moments trading punches and blocking them as they shifted their footing this way and that way.

Darien eventually decided to do something different and lifted his knee sharply, intending to knee her in the stomach which he was sure would hurt since it was covered in armor from his boot. However, she leapt away to avoid the blow and stepped back until she stood a couple of feet away from him.

The Earth Prince and the scout of Neptune stood still staring at each other, only their eyes shifting over the other's form, looking for any movement that might broadcast what they planned to do next.

Again Michelle was sure her prince would not make the first move, so she decided she would instead because she didn't want to waste their training time in a careful staring contest. She didn't have the patience of the man in front of her, and that was saying something since she considered herself to be very patient.

However, she knew he was more so. After all, he had the patience to court the woman he loved to make her fall in love with him again, court her a second time in his next life to make her fall in love with him yet again, and took on a fictional masked persona simply to be close to her.

Michelle rushed forward and jumped up high to kick him in the face, but he ducked down avoiding the blow, and as she landed she suddenly cried out as she felt his leg connect with her shins sending her falling to the ground.

Darien rose and stood straight from where he had ducked down to kick Michelle's legs out from under her while she was landing. He stepped toward her, fully intending to stomp on some part of her, but she quickly rolled away and got to her feet. He hurried closer to her and swung his leg to kick her high in the side, but she blocked it with her arm frowning as she did.

He shifted his position and tried kicking her high in the side with his other leg, but she blocked that blow as well. Not deterred he rapidly twisted into a high spinning kick, aiming for her head.

Michelle ducked under his leg and stepped forward to swing a punch at the side of his face, but he blocked it and tried to elbow her in the face. She blocked it and leaned back to push it away, pass her and toward his chest, before she shifted to punch him in the stomach. However, she was surprised when he suddenly kneed her in the stomach.

She cried out and hurriedly stepped back away from him before she leapt back a slight distance for good measure. She knelt down on one knee in the grass and gingerly rubbed her stomach as she kept her eyes on him.

Before either of them could make a move Serena and Amara came walking out of the trees, their hands empty of their swords, and into the clearing.

Michelle, figuring their paired training was done for the time being, stood and moved toward her prince.

"Do you have a weapon?" Serena asked Michelle as she and Amara reached her and Darien.

"I only have my mirror, which can be used as a weapon." Michelle answered, and watched her shake her head.

"That is good, however, you need an actual physical weapon." Serena said seriously. "In fact, you need two, because all Earth soldiers can use a sword. So aside from the sword you need another secondary weapon. That goes for you as well." She added as she looked to Amara. "I myself know how to use a spear staff, and a bow and arrows."

"It will be no problem." Amara replied, and Michelle nodded in agreement. "We can get them from our castles."

"You have your own castles as well." Serena asked as she raised an eyebrow, although it sounded like a statement. "I suppose I can assume all sailor scouts have their own personal castle."

Michelle nodded, taking that to mean Serena also had a personal castle.

"I never knew in the past that we each had our own castle, but I always assumed if I had one then the others did too." She said.

Amara simply nodded in agreement. What does her castle look like? She wondered even as she recalled her own.

Serena and Darien shared a look, remembering her question from before she remembered herself wondering if the other scouts had their own castles. Neither of them thought the Guardian Scouts remembered that fact yet, and they both also decided with just another shared look, a raised eyebrow, and a slight head shake not to inform Amara and Michelle that his palace still existed. They would leave that as a surprise.

"I don't want to bring up bad memories," Amara said, bringing Serena and Darien's eyes to her. "but I'm curious to know if you had a castle as the scout of the Moon?"

"I did not." Serena answered. "Most likely because the Moon Princess did not know we as sailor scouts had them, which was a good thing since mine would have been wiped out of existence just like the position of Sailor Earth had."

"Now that that curiosity is out of the way, tell me please, what are your powers?" She questioned.

"My powers revolve around the ocean." Michelle answered. "Manipulating the seas in various ways and incorporating them in my energy abilities."

"Mine involve the sky. Manipulating the wind and adding it to my energy attacks." Amara answered.

Serena nodded seriously.

"My powers are production and manipulation of the elements; earth, water, fire, and air. Meaning I can create them from my energy, and control their outside physical sources." She informed them simply. They would learn eventually that her emotions also affected the elements.

Amara and Michelle's eyes widened, and they exchanged an amazed look. Serena could control the elements; including the elements their powers were centered around. She was an elemental. It was no wonder Prince Endymion's clone had spoken of her needing to be taken to a safe location so there wouldn't be a danger to anyone.

Their powers were not like that. At least that was not their experience with them. If they grew emotional for any reason their powers didn't react. In fact, they didn't have to worry about their powers at all unless they were deliberately using them; whether that was during an encounter with an enemy or during training.

On the other hand it seemed obvious, though clearly not spoken, that Serena's emotion could have an effect on her powers or maybe simply on the elements surrounding her.

"Oh my!" Michelle said as she brought a gloved hand up to her mouth to belatedly try to cover some of her surprise.

"Woah!" Amara said, seriously impressed, and then blinked as a thought occurred to her. "Can you control one of our attacks once launched?" She asked curiously.

"I am unsure. I would need to see your attacks to know." Serena answered thoughtfully. "However, with the Guardian Scouts I would be able to control the attacks of Mars and Mercury. I am unsure about Venus and Jupiter. I have never tried to work with lightning before, and I would need to observe Venus' power without distraction to know if it is possible with her light attack."

"If Jedite is able to be freed you should work with him to see if it is possible." Darien suggested.

Serena nodded slowly, recalling Jedite's powers, and figured that was a good idea. He could possibly mimic Venus' attack and she could find out if it was possible, because although she counted Mina as a friend she was still a guardian scout to the Moon Princess. Her loyalty was unfortunately to that young woman.

Although, I hope mightily that something changes so that she will not remain trapped with guarding such a person. She thought optimistically before pushing the thought away to reconsider another time.

"Now ladies, let's work with our powers, so we will have an idea of what we can do." She said.

Michelle and Amara nodded seriously, eager to see what Serena could do now that she was her true self. They had seen quite clearly that she knew how to use a sword; now they would see the elemental at work.

"My prince." Serena said as she looked to her soulmate.

"Not to worry my lady." Darien said with a slight smile. "The three of us did the same not long after they first approached me. I will simply busy myself with my own powers while you warriors get acquainted."

Serena nodded before turned her attention back to her fellow scouts, and guided them away from where Darien stood so they wouldn't be in his way. She then watched carefully as Amara and Michelle demonstrated their attacks, and could tell right away that she would not be able to control them since they involved the scouts' personal energy mixed in.

Both young women were understanding of that before they began to demonstrate their ability to manipulate their elements, which was easier for Amara considering she was surrounded by wind. Michelle simply used the remains of her attacks.

Serena in turn showed them a sample of her control over each element she could use; going from air, to water, to fire, and finishing with earth.

While this was happening Darien had turned away from the ladies, although he could still see them in his mind's eye through his still open connection with his planet, and called on his chakra and focused on what exactly he wanted. A golden staff made of solid chakra formed in his hand, and he swung it up lightly to grip it in his other hand so he was holding it securely with both hands.

He thrust it to his left and then to his right, imagining multiple opponents, before he swung it sharply in front of him. He followed that up by jabbing it behind him before quickly doing the same in front of him as if he was going for someone's chin.

Then he lifted it above his head and spun it rapidly like an overhead fan before he stopped, and brought it down and slammed it on the grassy ground at one of his downed imaginary opponents.

The foursome worked with their powers for a little under an hour before they decided to physically spar. Serena paired off with Michelle and Darien paired up with Amara, and after a while they switched up and Serena sparred with Darien and Amara sparred with Michelle.

Lastly Serena paired up with Amara while Darien and Michelle stood off on the sidelines and watched since they had already sparred together earlier.

Half an hour later the pair stopped and the four of them considered doing a group spar, but ultimately decided to do it another day and end their training session for the day since Serena had a lot of homework to get through and needed to get started on it.

Beyond that Michelle and Amara needed to find themselves weapons, so they needed to travel to their castles. After all, they had an enemy to fight, so they couldn't put it off for later. They needed all the time they could to start learning how to use them.

Serena and Darien wished the ladies good luck in their search before they came together. Serena wrapped her arms around her prince, and Darien wrapped his securely around her before focusing on where he wanted to take them. Within moments they were surrounded in warm golden light and disappearing from the park leaving Amara and Michelle alone.

The young women blinked away from where Sailor Earth and Endymion had been and looked to each other.

"Good luck in your search." Michelle said.

"You too." Amara replied. "I'll call you later this evening. I'd love to know what secondary weapon you choose."

"And will you let me know what yours is?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course." Amara answered readily. "Maybe I can even come over and show you." She added with a wink.

"Well in that case I will have dinner started if not ready for when you arrive." Michelle replied, and watched Amara's eyes widen slightly. "I look forward to your call." She added.

"Me too." Amara said with a smile.

Michelle returned her smile before the two of them focused on their destination. Within moments they disappeared in a flash of navy blue and aqua teal respectively leaving the park clearing empty.

oOo

When the light cleared Serena and Darien stood behind the couch in his living room. They released their transformation leaving Serena back in her school uniform and Darien in his casual clothes.

"Homework." She said with a heavy sigh as she moved around the couch and sat on it before grabbing her school bag off the coffee table where she had left it earlier. She would use her lap and the coffee table as needed.

Serena went about pulling out her textbooks, various papers, and a pen before she began to decide which subject to start on first. Already she knew she was going to start with the homework she had missed from Friday.

A few moments later Darien joined her on the couch with one of his textbooks, a notebook, and a pen.

"I might as well get in some studying. After all, we never know when an attack by our enemy will take up our time." He said as he opened his notebook to the last page he had written on.

"Very true." She said as she nodded. "So my love, when do you want the others to know that your palace is still around?" She asked as she opened her math textbook.

"I am unsure of exactly when." He answered as he flipped through his textbook. "Perhaps, for the time being until we can live there full time, we can use it as a place to train away from the possibility of civilians spotting us. As well as away from the Guardian Scouts and their princess' ability to find us and potentially spy on us."

"We can also use it to have meetings with everyone, so we would not have to worry about deciding on who's home we should go to in order to speak openly and not have to worry about being overheard or interrupted by outside influences." He added as he looked to her.

"I very much like that idea." She said as she nodded.

There were plenty of conference rooms that could meet their needs where everyone would have a place to sit on an equal level and be comfortable. No one would have to sit on the floor, on the arm of a chair, or stand unless they wished to.

"As for when the others will learn, they can learn during one of those scenarios, whichever one occurs first." He said, and she nodded.

"How does everything look there?" Serena asked, knowing he wouldn't have wasted time in going to see the palace with his own eyes.

"It all looks very well. The same as it did in the past only without people walking around going about their day." Darien answered. "The flowers, grass, vines, bushes, and hedges are all neat, healthy, and vibrant. And the horses are really there living and breathing, but they are asleep."

"Although, I admit I was tempted to awaken Lucius, but I thought better of it. I thought it best not to wake him or the others until our home is actually being used as the royal residence again." He said.

Serena sighed in light disappointment, but nodded since that made sense to her.

They couldn't actually ride them and spend time with them like they had in the past at this point in time. Not with going to school, and fighting monsters regularly. Not to mention they were not living at the palace.

"It is for the best." She said. "We would not want anything to happen to them, and it would unfortunately be very easy with our lives as they are right now for them to unintentionally be neglected."

Darien nodded in agreement before he turned on the TV. He lowered the volume since he only intended it to be background noise to their studying, and the couple focused on their textbooks.

oOo

Meanwhile, in the dark of outer space Michelle reappeared surrounded by an aqua teal transparent round force field shield that protected her from the environment around her. Protected as she was from the environment around her she looked around, and could see the white streaks of stars showing that she was traveling rapidly through the dark matter.

She did an internal review of her energy level, and decided that she likely could have teleported herself directly to her castle, but she hadn't wanted to take the chance and end up in a potentially deadly situation with it being her first time there in this lifetime.

Long minutes passed, if she had to guess she would say half an hour or close to it, before she spotted her former home planet; Neptune. It was of course round, and rich blue in color with three rings around its circumference.

Floating near it, looking as it did the last time she saw it in the long ago past, was her castle; Triton Castle.

It looked like a teal sword facing downward with the blade passing through a flat white triangular platform with matching vines wrapped around the hilt and flaring outward and down to connect to the platform.

The castle was large and grew larger in her view the closer she became. It was surrounded by a creamy teal fog, and beyond that was a transparent aqua teal barrier shield that extended around the entire castle in a circle.

She knew that unless she allowed it anyone else looking on would only see a mass of creamy teal fog. Nothing beyond that.

Michelle passed through the fog and barrier as if neither were there, and touched down on the platform that no longer looked like a platform now that she had reached it. It now appeared as a solid marble floor that stretched in every direction, and flowed around the column that was the 'blade' of the castle.

She was already facing the front of the castle, so as soon as her own shield disappeared she began to walk toward where she knew the front entrance was. The doors opened automatically at her approach, and she could see light and dark aqua teals, sea greens, teals, whites, navy blues, marble, and glass within.

As soon as she stepped beyond the threshold into the large foyer a tiny fairy-like copy of herself, complete with transformation, appeared floating in front of her at face level surrounded by a glowing aqua teal circle aura.

This was her sailor guardian.

"Greetings, and welcome back Sailor Neptune." The tiny being said kindly with a happy smile at seeing her again.

"Hello Guardian Neptune, and thank you for the welcome." Michelle said graciously.

"What brings you to Triton?" Guardian Neptune asked politely yet with a knowing look.

Michelle smiled lightly, knowing her guardian already knew why she was there.

"I am here because I need a couple of weapons to help fulfill my duties and the pledges I have made." She answered, and watched her guardian nod.

"You know the way to the room you need." Guardian Neptune said simply.

Michelle nodded herself and began to walk through the foyer and into a hallway. Her sailor guardian accompanied her, easily keeping pace as she floated off to the side of her head, as she moved along the hallway.

She calmly walked through various hallways and down ever narrowing stairways until she reached one of the lower, though no less elegant, levels of the castle. She passed a large closed door that she knew led to her war room, and continued down the hallway, passing the door that led to her training and exercise room, until she reached yet another closed door.

She grabbed the handle and opened the door, a light automatically illuminating the space, to reveal her weapons room.

The room was aptly named considering it was full of weapons of all kinds. She could see they were neat and organized by type and size, and all with their own space, which made viewing and searching them easier.

Which also meant she would ultimately have a better time finding what she needed since she had only ever been inside the room once before in the past, and that was simply to see what it looked like and what was inside considering she hadn't trained to use a weapon aside from her mirror.

They were displayed inside open holding cases and glass cases, laid out on tables, on podium stands, shelves, racks, and even on the walls. As she stepped inside and looked around she even saw a number of shields.

She couldn't imagine using one of those, but she supposed there was no telling if she would ever have to. It was better to have access and not need them than to need them and not have access to any.

Michelle walked through the room and directly toward the area that was centered around swords before she slowed to a stop. Her eyes flickered rapidly from one sword to the next, taking in the different sizes and styles, before she sighed lightly.

"How am I going to choose one when I don't know what type of sword would suit me?" She wondered.

"You should trust in your power to know what is best for you." Guardian Neptune suggested. "After all you did not choose your mirror, and yet it suits you."

"That is true." Michelle said quietly as she nodded. "Well then I'll give it a try." She added after a pause.

"You can do it Sailor Neptune." Guardian Neptune encouraged.

Michelle nodded firmly and took a deep breath before she let it out slowly and focused on her power.

I need a sword to aid me in my duty to protect my lady and her loved ones, to protect the Earth, to protect the solar system. She thought as she remembered the pledges she had made to her lady.

She slowly began to walk among the long blades as she looked at each of them intently, and after a few long moments she began sense that she should move to her left. She did, and then turned around as the sense..shifted her, in a sense, to find herself looking at a sword low on the wall.

It was shorter then the longer swords she had passed, but still a suitable length to do battle with. The blade was a featureless silver steel with straightened edges, an acutely pointed elongated tip, and it had a solid light gray and black hilt.

Michelle reached up and grabbed the hilt, and as soon as she lifted the short sword off the wall it began to glow with her power. It grew brighter and dense until it looked like the sword and her hand were encased in a narrow capsule that looked like rippling ocean water.

It lasted for a few long moments before it flashed, nearly blinding her, and cleared to show the sword had been personalized to her.

The blade was still silver but there was a thick aqua teal border lining the edges of both sides. The grip of the hilt was a dark aqua teal, and the guard and pommel were gold.

Overall she thought she would be able to work with it. It was short, but it had a nice weight to it that didn't feel too heavy. She imagined it would be easier for her to handle without being burdensome.

"It is very nice." Guardian Neptune said from where she floated next to her.

"It is." Michelle agreed before she turned around to face away from the swords on the wall. She needed to find a secondary weapon now.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she focused on her power, and began to walk forward.

I need another weapon; something that will fit and work well with me, and possibly with my power as I perform my duties. She thought as she moved away from the swords.

As walked she found herself unconsciously drifting to her right, so she deliberately walked in that direction as she looked intently at various weapons.

Eventually she found herself in an area that displayed pole weapons. She raised an eyebrow, but looked intently at each staff, spear, pole axe, scythe, lance, halberd, and more until she reached a particular spear.

It had three silver steel sharply pointed prongs with the middle one being longer then the other two, a black shaft with an aged silver hand grip, and matching end piece at the base of the shaft and decorative fastening piece connecting the shaft and prongs.

Michelle reached out with her free hand and grabbed the grip and lifted the spear away from the rack. As soon as she began to pull it back toward her it began to glow just as her chosen sword had.

The aqua teal light grew brighter before it repeated its earlier actions of becoming dense until it looked like the long weapon and her hand were encased in a narrow capsule that looked like rippling ocean water.

It lasted for a few long moments before it flashed, her eyes narrowing to protect her vision, and cleared to show the spear had been personalized to her.

The three sharp prongs were unchanged, but the shaft was now a deep aqua teal with a burnished gold hand grip in the middle, and a matching burnished gold end piece and decorative fastening.

Like the sword it had a nice weight to it, and it was long. Resting the end on the floor showed that the longest prong reached just a couple of inches above her head.

"Your trident is a fitting weapon for you." Guardian Neptune said.

"Thank you." Michelle said as she glanced to her guardian. "How am I going to learn how to use it?" She wondered as she looked back to the trident spear.

"Your lady and prince will help you, and I will as well." Guardian Neptune said reassuringly.

"You can?" Michelle asked in surprise, not knowing her guardian could do something like that given her size.

"Of course." Guardian Neptune said with a gentle smile. "I am here to aid you in any way you need, which can be accomplished in many ways; some more unexpected than others."

"Then I will return at my first opportunity for your help." She replied with a smile. "It will be good to spend more time here."

"I will certainly enjoy your company and seeing you here." Guardian Neptune said happily as she clasped her hands together in front of her.

oOo

Amara reappeared surrounded by a navy blue transparent circle force field shield. She could see the white streaks of stars showing that she was actually in outer space and traveling rapidly through the dark matter while she was fully protected.

Judging by the fact that she felt fine and not like she was going to pass out she figured her energy level was more than enough to teleport herself directly to her castle from her present location.

But I'm not going to do that. She instantly decided. Doing that would only waste energy when this way is perfectly fine since there's no hurry.

Plus, this would be her first time seeing her castle in this lifetime, and she wanted to see it as she approached and make sure all was well from the outside.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed as she traveled through space inside her bubble shield before she realized she was beginning to slow. She narrowed her eyes and saw her former home planet of Uranus. It was a round blue-green color with faint rings around it rotating at a nearly 90 degree angle, so that the rings were facing her in an almost vertical line.

Floating near it off to the side was her castle, Miranda Castle, looking as it did the last time she laid eyes on it.

It looked like a spiral made of crystal and columns on a round white platform with what looked like the point of a navy blue sword blade extending through the top and the bottom of the building.

It was large, and grew larger the closer she got, and was surrounded by creamy navy blue fog that she knew was a deadly added protection against uninvited visitors, and just pass that was a transparent navy blue barrier shield that surrounded the entire castle in a circle.

Amara passed through the fog and barrier without a problem, which was expected, and landed lightly on the round crystal-like marble platform in front of the castle before her shield disappeared.

She glanced around and up at the spiral design of her castle before she proceeded toward the main entrance. The doors opened automatically at her approach, and inside she could see light and dark shades of navy blue, yellow, silver, gray, and white as well as marble, crystal, and glass.

She stepped through the doorway into the large foyer, and before she could take another step further a tiny fairy-like copy of herself, complete with transformation, appeared floating in front of her at face level surrounded by a glowing navy blue circle aura.

This was her sailor guardian.

"Sailor Uranus. Greetings, and welcome back." The tiny being said with a little smile.

"Hey Guardian Uranus." Amara said with a little smile of her own. "How've you been?" She asked.

"I have been well." Guardian Uranus answered. "What brings you to Miranda Castle?" Guardian Uranus asked in a tone that suggested she already knew the answer.

Amara raised an eyebrow and gave her guardian a look the conveyed her thoughts on why she even asked if she already knew the answer.

"I need another weapon aside from my space sword to help me fulfill my duties and the pledges I've made." She answered, and watched her guardian nod.

"To the weapons room then." Guardian Uranus stated simply.

Amara nodded and glanced around briefly before she began to walk through the foyer and into a hallway. Guardian Uranus silently moved with her, easily keeping pace as she floated off to the side of her head, as she walked confidently along the hallway.

She passed through various hallways, passing ballrooms, sitting rooms, a gallery full of statues and paintings, dining rooms, and the kitchen, and down and occasionally up wide and narrow stairways until she reached one of the lower levels of her castle.

A level that was off limits to those she didn't allow, but still appeared elegant and flowed with the interior look of the castle.

She passed large closed doors that represented her war room, her training and exercise room, and one that led to the holding cells until she reached the next closed door.

Grabbing the handle she turned it and pushed the door open, a light automatically illuminating the space, to reveal her weapons room.

The room was appropriately named considering it was full of weapons of all kinds. They were all neat and organized by the type of weapon and size, and with the room being fairly large there was enough space for each of them to be displayed plus room for new additions.

Amara stepped inside and looked at the various weapons inside glass cases, laid out on tables, on shelves, resting on racks and different types of stands, and hanging on the walls.

She began to walk around, ignoring the swords since she already had a perfectly serviceable one, and wondered what weapon to choose.

"This might be harder than I thought." She said with a sigh.

"Maybe you should consider exactly what you will need the weapon for." Guardian Uranus suggested.

Amara hummed thoughtfully as she considered that angle. Her sword was for up close combat but could also be used for long distance. However, that was only when she was using an energy attack with it.

So maybe a weapon for long distance or mid to short range. She thought as she slowly walked, her eyes shifting to various weapons. Mid to short range would be best since I can't see myself using a bow and arrows or a whip or something similar. I'm more of an up close fighter.

With that decision she looked at the different mid to short range weapons available to her. Spears, axes, daggers, throwing knives, scythes, swordstaffs, sai swords, war hammers, staffs, whips, and halberds were all eyed critically and carefully.

"How am I going to pick one?" She wondered with a sigh, because she liked a number of them.

"Trust your power to pick for you since it knows you, and will know which one would best suit you." Guardian Uranus suggested.

"Alright. I'll do that." Amara said as she nodded firmly. She took a deep calming breath and let it out slowly, and focused on her power.

I need a weapon, one that suits me like my sword, to help me protect my lady and her loved ones, to protect the Earth, and to protect the solar system. I need it to help me with my duty and to uphold the pledges I have made. She thought seriously as she slowly began to walk.

She looked closely at the various weapons that matched her desire for up close and slight distance fighting, and after a few long moments she began sense that she should move to her right.

Turning she looked in that direction and gazed at the spears and halberds as she moved toward them, but then she got the sense that she should turn left. Doing so had her facing scythes, staffs, swordstaffs, and a few others.

Her eyes flickered between the various styles and sizes of each weapon before her senses, her power, shifted her gaze toward the naginatas.

Amara stepped forward and stopped in front of them and focused all of her attention on them to see which one would be deemed best for her. Her power shifted her attention toward the middle of the grouping, and she looked the weapon up and down.

It was long, taller than her, with a plain silver steel blade that was almost like a machete with a single edge on one side and a slightly rigid one on the other side. It had a round silver hand-guard just below the blade, and the pole was made of a dark brown wood.

She reached out and grabbed the pole a few inches below the hand-guard, and as soon as she lifted it off the rack it leaned against it began to glow with her power. It grew brighter and dense until it looked like the naginata and her hand were encased in a narrow capsule that looked like swirls of wind.

It lasted for a few long moments before it flashed, nearly blinding her, and cleared to show the naginata had been personalized to her.

The blade was now a solid navy blue, the hand-guard was still silver, but the pole extending a foot below the hand-guard was now navy blue before switching to white on the remaining length with a navy blue end cap at the bottom.

Amara lifted her free hand to grab onto the pole as she turned around, and shifted the weapon this way and that way to try and get a feel for it.

Overall she liked it; liked the personalized colors, and the way it felt in her hands. It was definitely longer than she would have picked for herself, but she could definitely work with it.

I can't wait to try it out. She thought, even though she wasn't entirely sure how to use it.

"Congratulations." Guardian Uranus said. "I think it suits you."

"Me too." Amara said with a little grin as she glanced to her guardian. "Learning how to use this will be interesting." She added as she looked back to the naginata.

"If you need any help I'm sure your lady and prince will help you, and so will I." Guardian Uranus said confidently.

"You can?" Amara asked in surprise as she looked to her tiny floating guardian.

"Definitely." Guardian Uranus replied with a smirk. "I'm here to help you in any way you need me. Helping you learn a new weapon is only one of the many things I can do for you."

"Great! I'll come back here as soon as I can to start learning." Amara said seriously. "Right now though I have to get back to the Earth, and call Michelle and get ready to have dinner with her." She said with a smile, her mind already turning to what she was going to wear to grab her pretty fellow scout's attention.

"I'll look forward to your return, and I hope you have a good time with Sailor Neptune." Guardian Uranus said with a grin as she put her little hand on her tiny hip, proving that she already knew who Michelle was.

oOoIRoOo

With the news playing softly in the background Darien and Serena continued to work on their studies and homework respectively. Serena was still working on one of her math assignments, almost finished with it, when she suddenly remembered that she wanted to call Kagome.

"Oh!" She quietly exclaimed as she paused in the middle of a math problem.

Darien looked up from his textbook and raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

"I just remembered I need to call Kagome." Serena answered his unasked question, and watched him nod understandingly.

"I should do so now before I become focused on my homework again." She said as she looked down at her textbook and paper, and then over at the other ones waiting. After all, she had three day's worth of homework to get done before tomorrow.

"Yes." He agreed. "As I said before we never know when the enemy will attack, so you should get what you can done while you can."

Serena nodded in agreement and shifted her textbook and paper aside and dropped her pencil on them before she got up and headed toward his phone. She picked up the phone and dialed her friend's number and brought it up to her, waiting as the line rang.

"Hello, Higurashi residence." A mature feminine voice eventually answered that she recognized as her friend's mother.

"Hello, may I speak to Kagome?" Serena asked.

"May I ask who this is?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

"Serena Tsukino." She answered.

"Ah, hold on please." Mrs. Higurashi said.

"Of course." Serena replied.

"Serena!" She heard her friend's voice a few long moments later. "How are you doing?" She asked quickly.

"I am doing very well." Serena answered. "I am sorry we had to reschedule. I had not expected to become ill. I had actually been fine when I went to sleep Thursday night, but when I awakened the next morning I felt terrible."

"It is only today that I felt well enough to go to school." She said with a light sigh.

"Ugh! I hate it when I get sick. I'm so glad you're doing better, and it's totally okay that we have to reschedule. I'd rather you were feeling well and enjoying yourself then to be sick and feeling bad." Kagome said.

"Me too." Serena agreed. "I still very much want to go on our double date." Even more now that I fully remember who I am. She thought.

"Me too!" Kagome practically exclaimed. "We're going to have to figure out when we can do it, so it fits into everyone's schedule."

"Definitely." Serena said. "We will manage it. I don't know when, but we certainly will."

"Yeah." Kagome agreed.

"Well I must go. I was doing my homework when I recalled I needed to call you, and I have three days of it to work through." Serena said with a sigh as she glanced over to where she had been working on the couch.

"Alright. And hey at least your teachers are letting you make up for the days you missed." Her friend commented.

"Yes. I am lucky they were understanding. It could have easily gone in the opposite direction, and seriously set me back." Serena replied.

"True. I'm glad you don't have to deal with that." Kagome said.

"Thank you." Serena said.

"Alright! I'm going to let you go. I'll talk you the next time we talk." Her friend said.

"Next time it is. Goodbye." Serena said.

"Bye." She heard Kagome say, and she lowered the phone before she hung it up.

She returned to her seat on the couch with her beloved soulmate, exchanging easy smiles with him, and went back to working on her math homework.

Hours passed as the couple continued to study and work on their homework respectively before Darien stopped and made his way to the kitchen to start on a meal for them.

When he finished they enjoyed a meal of chicken and rice. Serena didn't know what he did to make the chicken taste so good or the rice so flavorful, but it was absolutely delicious and she was not shy about having seconds.

After they finished eating, Darien having joined her in having a second helping, they returned to their homework and studies.

A few hours passed before Serena decided she should head home. She had managed to get a number of subjects done, having decided to work on them by subject instead of by the days she had missed, but she hadn't finished all of her homework yet.

She had also wanted to try and get one more university application done from those she still had on her list. There were only a few left, and then she would only have to wait for acceptance or rejection letters.

Serena packed up her textbooks and papers, making sure they were organized so she didn't forget what she had done and still had to do, and Darien escorted her home. Instead of driving they teleported in a brief flash of gold light, and appeared in an out of the way area in her neighborhood.

They walked to her house and at the front door he kissed her goodbye.

"I will see you tomorrow my Serenity." Darien promised as they parted, still loving the fact that he could now call her by name and she would recognize it.

"I look forward to it my Endymion." Serena said before she grabbed another kiss and opened the door.

She waved at him and went inside to see her parents sitting in the living room. She greeted them as she usually did before she headed up to her bedroom.

"Hello Artemis." She said as she flicked on the light and closed the door.

"Good evening Serena." Artemis greeted her in return. "How was your day?" He asked as he watched her place her school bag on the bed near him.

"It has been good so far." She answered as she pulled out a pair of pajamas. "I managed to do some training, spend time with Darien, and get started on my homework."

"My teachers were understanding of my illness and are allowing me to turn in my homework for yesterday and Friday, so I have three days of homework to finish tonight." She elaborated as she changed out of uniform and into her pajamas.

"Sounds like you will be busy." He commented. "Have you eaten yet?" He asked in light concern.

"I have. Darien made sure I ate while I worked on my homework." She replied as she hung up her uniform on her closet door.

Serena settled on her bed instead of her floor desk, pulled out her materials, and began to work on her homework. Artemis settled in near her and watched her, and read what was on the page of the textbooks she was using keeping her silent company.

Hours passed with only one interruption from her mother asking if she wanted anything to eat. Once she had reassured her mother that she had already eaten she left and Serena got back to her homework.

It was just after eleven at night when she finally finished the last of her homework. She wasted no time putting her homework away, making sure it was organized by class, before she put her school bag and textbooks on her floor desk.

She then grabbed her laptop and returned to her bed. She still intended to do a college application before she went to bed. She wanted to either finish it or at least make a good start on it.

"More homework?" Artemis asked curiously as he watched her turn on her computer.

"No. I am going to try and get a university application done or at least make a good start on it. I only have a few left, and then I only have to wait to see if I am accepted at one or more of them." Serena explained.

Once her laptop was completely on and ready to go she opened her browser and clicked on the bookmark for one of the universities she hadn't applied to you. As soon as the page finished loading she went about clicking on the link she needed, and when that loaded she started the application process.

Her fingertips clicked at a steady pace that was neither slow nor fast as she filled in the blank spaces with the information the university asked for.

Serena was making good time working her way through the application, and was halfway finished when she found her attention drifting; her eyes shifting to her balcony repeatedly.

Understanding why it was happening, and not at all surprised, she tried to ignore it to get the application done, but after the fifth time she decided to give in to the inevitable. She saved her progress and closed the browser before she began to shut down the system.

"It doesn't look like you have finished." Artemis commented as he looked to her. "Are you too tired to finished?"

"No. I need to go patrol." She answered as she shut the laptop. "I thought the urges would stop now that I have remembered my true identity but clearly they have not, and since I have not gone patrolling since before I remembered my true self I need to get to it."

"Did you do the same in the past?" He asked curiously.

"Yes, but at the time that was not how I saw it. It was simply my everyday duty to walk around or run around, keeping watch and on the lookout for anything that could harm people." She explained.

Artemis nodded and watched her get up and return her laptop to her desk before she went about collecting what she apparently needed to go out.

Serena put on and tied her tennis shoes and made sure to grab her keys, which she promptly put into her subspace pocket. Her transformation pen was of course in her subspace pocket where it always was; safe and with her at all times.

The front door. She thought as she glanced to her balcony. There was no need for her to sneak out of the house anymore.

"I will see you when I get back." She said as she began to step toward the door.

"Okay." Artemis replied simply; unsure he needed to say anything else.

With that Serena opened her bedroom door, flicked off the light, and headed out and down the stairs. Her parents were still in the living room even though it was pass midnight, but she said nothing as she walked pass and opened the front door.

She stepped out and closed the door securely behind her before she began to move toward the sidewalk. The air was cool, which was all the more noticeable in her pajamas, which consisted of a purple flannel bottom and a solid purple long sleeve top.

Still it didn't bother her as she made her way toward a suitable place to transform without being seen. It was late but that didn't mean there wasn't other people awake and looking out their windows or going for a nighttime walk.

Finally she reached a narrow alley between two houses, that looked like it was used to get to a backyard, and casually stepped inside. She paused a few steps in and gestured with her hand, and watched her transformation stick appear.

"Earth Planet Power!" She said firmly as she held the stick tightly.

Blue green light came out of her transformation stick and began to swirl around her body. It became solid thick ribbons that closed in tight to her body, and she closed her eyes as they wrapped her up almost like a mummy.

The light flashed behind her closed eyes and when it cleared enough she opened her eyes to see herself clad fully in her scout uniform.

She took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh before she took off running, her hair and cape fluttering behind her like banner flags. She moved rapidly down sidewalk after sidewalk and through crosswalks and across streets as her eyes looked everywhere and her senses stretched.

Serena ran for many long minutes and once she left her neighborhood and the buildings began to get taller she moved to higher ground. She paused briefly and jumped up to the roof of a four story building and took off running.

She leapt from one rooftop to the next and when she felt the space between buildings was too wide she commanded the wind to bring her safely through the distance.

After a few more minutes she paused on the roof of a six story building and walked to the front edge, and took in the view as she monitored her senses for anything amiss.

Suddenly there was a flash of golden light to her left and she looked over to see her prince arrive. He was dressed in his royal uniform and armor, and her eyes automatically softened to see him so.

"I will never tire of the sight of you dressed so." Serena said with a dreamy sigh. "Perhaps because it is no longer every day attire."

"In that case I shall savor your reaction every time," Darien said as he stepped toward his soulmate. "and do my utmost best to make it every day attire once again."

Serena smiled up at him.

"At least it is not that tuxedo." She said as he reached her, and shook her head. "I cannot believe you let me call you Tuxedo Mask; that you let me give you that name."

"As I said before you needed to call me something, and I did not mind the name. It was technically correct." He replied with a light smile.

Serena rolled her eyes and shook her head as she looked around at the rooftops around them before looking down at the street and sidewalks below.

"Did you get your homework done?" He asked.

"I did." She answered. "I finished it all, and managed to get halfway through a university application before I felt the need to go patrol."

"The urge has not stopped? You did not have it in the past." He said with a light frown.

"It has not stopped." She answered. "I have been considering if I actually did have the urge in the past and I simply never felt it because I never gave it the chance to happen. After all, patrolling was my job back then. I did not have school and homework, friends and family, and activities to do. Being Sailor Earth and patrolling was what I did."

Darien nodded knowing that was true. She had training but that would not have lasted long enough for the urge to come. The same with any hobbies and personal interests she had. It seemed she needed some days to pass before the urge came, and in the past she would not have let so much time pass before she did so.

She had also travelled off planet with him occasionally, especially once they had become engaged, but she was never gone from the Earth for the stretch of time necessary for the urge to come to her.

"That makes sense." He said. "Are you use to the urge now or is it still distracting?" He asked.

"I am used to it." She answered. "In fact, I almost expected the urge to come since I have not been patrolling since before I remembered my true identity."

"If nothing else at least you will not be confused by it or why it is happening." He said.

Serena nodded, and looked around before gesturing for him to follow her as she took off running again to continue her patrolling.

They ran across rooftop after rooftop both of them scanning the area on the lookout for anything suspicious or unusual. Occasionally they paused so Serena could look down from their high vantage point to visually check the sidewalks and streets for anything she possibly wasn't sensing.

The couple was in the middle of leaping from a high rooftop down to a lower one when Serena began to sense dark energy. Within moments the Earth was showing her what was causing her senses to alert.

An image of a lavender skinned female with roots for feet and flowers for hands appeared clearly in her mind. There was a smirk on the female's face and she was obviously enjoying herself.

"I am sensing dark energy." Serena said as soon as they landed, and kept her mental eyes on the image in her mind while she watched her soulmate instantly stop.

My lady is sensing dark energy mother. Please show me where it is. Darien asked the Earth as he turned and looked to his Serenity; already tapped into his connection with the Earth from when he first sensed his Serenity transform.

Immediately images of buildings, vehicles, and people began to flicker and flash rapidly through his mind before they slowed only a few moments later to show a lavender skinned female monster shooting thick balls of what looked like vines at formally dressed people who instantly began to glow.

"It is in a large park not very far from here." He said firmly.

"Then let us be on our way." Serena said before she took off running, following her senses, since she could also tell it wasn't far enough to need to teleport to the location.

Within only a couple of minutes the warrior couple reached the park and soon after entering saw the scene they were looking for. There appeared to have been a wedding reception at the least, possibly a wedding as well, that looked as if it had been ending when the monster attacked.

Said lavender skinned monster had thick long green hair, large pointed ears, red eyes, a large pink flower blossom in place of one hand, and brown roots for feet. She was either wearing light green skin tight pants or that was the color of her skin which extended over her hips and waist, up her sides, and stomach, and some type of gold top that left her arms and shoulders bare.

There were also green leaves circling her wrists and ankles. Gold earrings hung from her ears, and a blue layered necklace draped around her neck.

Formally dressed men and women were still in the process of running away while others were unlucky enough to have already been attacked. They were wrapped tightly in dark green vines and glowing a light green; their struggles slowing as the seconds passed before they collapsed to the grass.

"I will assist the victims." Darien said as they slowed upon reaching the scene.

"I will make sure the monster does not interfere." Serena replied as she began to step toward the monster.

She raised her hand as she focused on the air around her and willed it to blast the monster. Said female went flying back and off her feet with a surprised cry as a strong gust of wind smacked into her.

Before Darien could move a flash of aqua teal flashed to his immediate left and a flash of navy blue flashed to his immediate right announcing the arrival of Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus respectively.

"Welcome ladies." He greeted them. "Come. Help me get these people to safety." He said as he began to move toward the downed victims.

"What about Sailor Earth?" Uranus asked as she followed, glancing back at her lady.

"She can handle the monster." He said assuringly. "The sooner we finish with these people the sooner we will be free to watch her."

The three of them reached the victims and began to carefully cut them loose with their swords and checking that they were still alive. Thankfully each person was alive and had not been drained of their energy to the point of death; although their energy levels were dangerously low.

They then went about moving the victims to the relative safety of the large tent that had clearly been set up as shelter for the reception. While doing so they found a few guests that had been hiding inside clearly hoping the monster hadn't seen them enter and wouldn't somehow know they were there to check.

Meanwhile, the monster had picked itself up and looked around, indignant and angry at having been attacked, and saw a female walking calmly toward her. It was one of those sailor scouts she had been warned about, although she didn't recognize her appearance from the descriptions she had been given.

Behind her was a group of three helping her victims although she knew there was nothing they could do since she already had their energy. It was two sailor scouts, and she recognized their colors as being from the two new scouts that had begun to appear recently, and a male that she didn't recognize.

He did not fit the description of the masked man that had been helping the sailor scouts, and she had not heard of this man's description before.

She turned her attention back to the unknown scout approaching her since she was the current threat and raised her flower hand toward her.

"Hand Flower!" She called out, and a tightly coiled ball of vines flew out of the blossom and sped toward the scout.

Sailor Earth paused and gestured lightly with her hand, focusing on her sword, and the weapon appeared in her palm. She gripped the hilt firmly and swung the blade at the ball, slicing it in half as it reached her, then raised her free hand like she was lifting something up.

Instantly a thin rounded pillar of solid rock rose up through the grass in front of the monster and struck her in the jaw with such force that she was lifted off her feet. She flew up a few feet before she was suddenly forced back down by an invisible force and slammed face first into the grass.

The monster groaned in pain but she knew, more than ever in that moment, that there was still the threat of the scout. So, before she even got back to her feet, she focused on her hair.

"Petasos Rope." She mumbled into the grass as she concentrated.

Sailor Earth watched the monster carefully even as she planned her next attack, and saw the female's hair shift into tentacle-like vines that came shooting toward her. She lifted her sword, idly noting that the female was getting to her feet, and sliced the end of the tentacle vines off before she raised her free hand willed her attack forward.

Wind blades formed in front of her hand and shot forward like speeding bullets to spray the female, slicing off more of the tentacle vines and cutting into the monster from her face all the way down to her feet; green blood oozing out of each wound.

Some distance away Prince Endymion, Uranus, and Neptune had finished moving all the victims inside the tent, and he was now focused on adding protection so the people inside would be protected by more than the flimsy walls.

Within moments a golden barrier sprang up around the tent, even extending beneath the ground, that would remain until the monster was destroyed. The three then moved away and stood watching Sailor Earth in action.

They monster screamed in pain before she yelled in anger and threw her arms up in the air. Nothing happened but then a second blossom flower appeared on her other hand and she aimed both blossoms at Sailor Earth.

"Double Hand Flower!" The monster shouted, and they watched as tightly coiled balls of vines flew out of the blossoms one after the other and sped toward her.

Sailor Earth raised her sword and gripped the hilt with both hands and sliced each ball of vines that approached her, moving rapidly as she did, making sure she didn't miss a single one.

She could have used the wind to cut them or stop them before they reached her, or burned them with fire, or blocked them or knocked them out of the air with Earth, or even blasted them back with water, but she wanted to use her sword.

She wanted and needed to see if she could still use her sword against such an attack. She hadn't come up against anything like it in the past, but during her training she had faced a similar attack and had the skill to stop it with only her sword.

Prince Endymion, Neptune, and Uranus watched intently yet not neglecting their general awareness of the area around them.

Endymion was pleased at how his soulmate was performing during her first encounter with a monster since she remembered her true identity, Neptune was surprised that her lady had such skill with her sword, and Uranus was excited to see such skill in her lady when not using her sword against another weapon.

His connection to with Earth still very much open, Endymion blinked as he focused on it and saw a mass of birds flying in their direction and another mass of what looked like squirrels running along the grass in their direction as well.

"We have birds coming in high and squirrels coming in low from our right. I have no doubt they are under the monster's control." He calmly warned his companions.

"I'll handle the birds." Uranus said as she turned her attention to the sky and began to move in the direction her prince had indicated.

"I will see to the squirrels." Neptune said, turning in the direction they would appear in as she considered exactly how she would handle the little animals.

At exactly the same time a large cloud of various birds appeared high above the trees chirping loudly, and group of squirrels skittered out of the trees along the grass squeaking aggressively; both masses almost hard to see with it being late night.

Sailor Uranus stopped and gestured with her hand and felt her sword appear in her palm. She gripped it in both hands and raised it high above her head, aimed up at the birds, and focused on what she wanted to do.

Almost instantly the sword began to glow with a yellow light before a strong blast of wind burst from the tip of the blade. She moved it back and forth in a wide arch, blasting the birds, and sending them tumbling back with screeches of obvious distress.

Sailor Neptune stepped forward as she gestured with her hand, and pulling out her Deep Aqua Mirror. She paused and aimed the reflective surface at the oncoming squirrels as she concentrated on what she wanted.

Very nearly in the next moment the surface began to glow with a teal light before water rapidly spilled out and rushed forward. It spread out to the left and right as it rose up like a small tidal wave and contained the creatures in a barrier that would hold until she was sure the monster was defeated.

Prince Endymion's eyes shifted from his Serenity to Neptune and Uranus as he watched each of their efforts and nodded slightly at seeing the animals handled; and in such a way that the creatures weren't hurt.

As he returned his eyes to his Serenity he felt a nudge from his connection with the Earth and scanned his mental image of the area. He was right on time to see the moment the Guardian Scouts entered his range.

"The Guardian Scouts are headed our way." He informed Neptune and Uranus as they returned to their positions at his sides to watch his soulmate. "Keep an eye out for them. This will be the first time they are seeing Sailor Earth, and I want us prepared for any reaction."

"Do you think Sailor Earth will speak to them?" Neptune asked, still holding her mirror.

"I do not know." He answered honestly.

oOo

The Guardian Scouts to the Moon Princess ran through the city, leaping and running along rooftops and descending and running along the streets and sidewalks when needed, as they headed toward the latest monster attack.

Sailor Mercury had been alerted by her minicomputer, and had contacted her fellow scouts. They all coincidentally met up at various points in route and were doing their best to race to the location.

Mercury carefully summoned her minicomputer to double check that the monster was still at the location, and was only slightly surprised at what she found.

"Serena's at the location with the monster." She informed her fellow scouts as she closed her computer and put it away.

Each of them instantly had their own thoughts on that piece of news.

Mercury was curious if Serena would really be the scout of the Earth or if she had somehow found a way to become Sailor Moon without her transformation brooch, and Venus was excited to see her friend and what she looked like as Sailor Earth.

Mars was curious if Serena would be transformed as Sailor Earth and if Tuxedo Mask would be there yet, and Jupiter was curious if Serena would actually be transformed into the scout she claimed she was.

Within minutes they reached the park where the monster and Serena was and they could see activity happening. As they got closer they could tell that the fight was almost over, but more importantly they immediately got an answer to their main question.

Serena was there as they expected, and she was transformed into who they assumed was Sailor Earth. Her hair was still loose and she clearly looked like a scout with her white body suit, skirt, bows, and tall boots, but that was where the similarities ended.

Her collar was white with a colored stripe, her front and back bows were solid colors but they couldn't tell which one, the ribbons of her back bow were longer, her skirt was multicolored, gloves were short with what looked like gold bands around her wrists, her boots were high heeled, and they couldn't even see her tiara beyond a small flash of gold.

Most surprising of all though was the long white cape hanging from her shoulders. They had never imagined a sailor scout could or would wear a cape. Still, it was clear that Serena was really truly the Sailor Earth she claimed she was.

After seeing as much as they could of Serena as Sailor Earth they looked around to take a closer look at the rest of the area, and instantly noted the large liquid-looking barrier covering a large chunk of the park right across from where they stood as well as the golden barrier off to their right in an open space that was clearly supposed to be a stretch of grass.

They wonder what they contained and who was responsible for them, and that's when they also noticed that the two unknown scouts they had seen twice before now were there. Beyond that it appeared that Tuxedo Mask wasn't there, but shockingly the Earth Prince was.

By now all of them recognized him either from their returning memories or by descriptions of him.

The four scouts exchanged a look as they wondered where Tuxedo Mask was, and if he had some kind of connection to the Earth Prince or if he actually was the Earth Prince and just wasn't in that tuxedo and mask anymore.

---

Meanwhile, Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune had briefly looked over when the Guardian Scouts arrived before returning their gaze to their lady, but Prince Endymion hadn't bothered since he could see them just fine through his connection with the Earth. Instead he kept his eyes on his soulmate; loving seeing her in action.

Sailor Earth sliced through the last vine ball before she lifted her foot and stomped her high heel boot in the grass as she concentrated on what she wanted. Instantly baseball sized balls of rock rose up in three circles around the monster. She waved her free hand in the monster's direction and blades of rock sprouted off the sides of the balls.

The balls circled loosely around the female's neck, waist, and knees before Sailor Earth flicked her fingers. With that slight gesture the balls began spinning in place before they rapidly closed in on the monster slicing into her and causing more of her green blood to flow.

The monster screamed and tried to move away, but the spinning bladed balls of rock stayed with her; repeatedly slicing into her before she collapsed.

The Guardian Scouts looked on in surprise at what they were witnessing from Serena. They were surprised to see her using a sword with such skill, didn't know she knew how to use a sword, and in fact they didn't even know she owned one.

Then they were all shocked to see her somehow manipulating and controlling rocks. How was she doing that?! Was this her power as Sailor Earth?

Sailor Earth allowed the rocks she had called on to fuse back with the ground before she pointed her free hand at the monster and raised it gently, twisting her palm so it was facing upward, as she focused.

The monster cried out, startled and in pain, as she began to rise into the air, and then again as her limbs were stretched out and forced to stay that way regardless of how she tried to move them.

Sailor Earth calmly returned her sword to her subspace pocket and then reached up and gently grasped her tiara around the golden gem and pulled it off. She began to charge it and watched it morph into a glowing blue green disk before it lifted to float above her fingertips.

She shifted her eyes to the monster and threw it hard at her before she focused on her connection with her tiara. It sliced off one leg along the thigh and, ignoring the monster's scream, she mentally guided it around to cut off the remaining leg as she released the limb from her control.

As the second leg dropped to the ground to join the other she guided her tiara around to slice off one arm just above the elbow and then the other at the same point. She was indifferent to the monster's screams as she guided her tiara around again before she rapidly guided it toward the female's chest.

The glowing disk slammed into the monster's chest and punched through her back causing her screams to turn into a shriek before it trailed off. What remained of her body gradually turned gray and began to crumble and rain down to the ground.

Sailor Earth watched the monster's remains closely as she caught her returning tiara. She wanted to make sure there was nothing left of the female and no chance that she could somehow reform.

She released the charge from her tiara and placed it securely back on her forehead before she turned around and began to walk toward her soulmate and fellow scouts. She completely ignored the Guardian Scouts' presence having been alerted to their arrival in the area by the Earth while she was busy with the monster.

"Uranus, Neptune." She greeted her fellow scouts. "I am glad to see you. I hope you did not mind me handling the monster on my own."

"Not at all." Sailor Neptune replied before she took the opportunity to release her water barrier and free the squirrels.

"We had no problem doing our little part." Sailor Uranus added.

"Yes I saw. I'm thankful for your aid." Sailor Earth said before she looked silently to her soulmate.

"You know I love watching you in action." Prince Endymion said.

Sailor Earth smiled and then shifted her eyes behind her love, seeing his barrier surrounding the tent she had seen when they first arrived, before looking back to him.

"I want to check on the victims before continuing my patrolling for a little while." She said. "What do you all plan on doing?" She asked as she looked to the three of them.

"I am going to get a little more studying done before trying to get to sleep." Neptune answered.

"I'm going to continue my research on my new weapon." Uranus said.

"Oh yeah." Sailor Earth said in remembrance. "What weapons did you two choose? I am curious to know."

"I chose a naginata." Uranus said.

"I chose a trident." Neptune said.

"Those are unique. I cannot wait to train with you, and see how I fair against such weapons." Sailor Earth said with a little excitement.

"I as well." Prince Endymion agreed. "Let us know when you are ready to start training with us with your new weapons."

Neptune looked to Uranus and watched her nod.

"We will definitely let you both know at the first opportunity." She replied, and everyone nodded.

"The Guardian Scouts are starting to approach." Prince Endymion quietly announced before he looked to Neptune and Uranus. "I suggest you two leave so you do not have to deal with them. I do not want them getting a closer look at you, and trying to question you."

"Yes." Sailor Earth agreed. "Mercury and Mars at the very least are the type to question you if given the opportunity; aside from that I do not want a fight to break out. If such is to happen I want it to be on our terms, and certainly not in the middle of the night."

Uranus and Neptune nodded firmly in agreement.

"Until next time my lady, my prince." Uranus said while Neptune smiled before the two teleported away in flashes of navy blue and aqua teal respectively.

Sailor Earth stepped forward and Endymion turned and together they began to head toward his barrier.

"Can you leave your barrier up so the Guardian Scouts cannot get inside?" She asked. "That way we will not have to speak to them or deal with them trying to question us, and we can leave directly from inside the tent when we are finished."

"Very well." He replied simply.

The warrior couple easily stepped through the barrier as if it wasn't there, and move through the open flaps and inside the tent. Those inside who had not been attacked were sitting and standing around, and the group of people who had been attacked were lying in a row still unconscious.

"The monster that attacked your gathering has been destroyed." Sailor Earth announced as they came to a stop. "Those who have been attacked will be fine, and should be back to their usual selves within a day or even less."

"What happened to them?" A man near the middle of the tent asked.

"Their energy was drained from them," Prince Endymion answered. "but with the monster's defeat their energy has been released and has already returned to them."

"We are going to check each of them to make sure they are indeed going to be fine." Sailor Earth announced.

"Who are you guys?" A woman off to the side of them asked curiously.

"Yeah. I've never seen you before." Another woman said from a seat nearby. "Are you part of that group with the sailor scouts and the masked man?"

Prince Endymion and Sailor Earth shared a look, and he nodded slightly to her; silently indicating that she should be the one to speak.

"We are not part of that group, but we are similar; meaning we are the same type of fighters but we have different duties then that group." She answered firmly.

"As for who we are..I am Sailor Earth, and he is Prince Endymion." She introduced them simply.

The pair then began to check those who were unconscious, and found that each and every one of them had their energy returned to them. They were simply still unconscious as their body adjusted to its return.

"Take us anywhere you wish my love." Sailor Earth said as she moved to his side, and wrapped her arm around his and grasped his upper arm.

"The barrier around the tent will come down when we leave. The scouts still outside are not a threat to you." Prince Endymion announced firmly. He may not like the majority of the Guardian Scouts, but he knew they were not a threat to his people.

"To be on the safe side you should call for an ambulance or get these people to a hospital to be further checked out." Sailor Earth added.

With that said Prince Endymion focused, and the pair left in a golden flash of light leaving only finely dressed people behind, and four sailor scouts as they rushed into the tent.

oOoIRoOo

The secret Guardian Scouts and their feline advisors sat in the living room of Lita's apartment, having decided to have their meeting there because of the time of night.

It had only been half an hour since the end of the fight at the park, and being surprised to see Sailor Earth and the Earth Prince gone when they entered the tent. They had realized quickly that the pair must have teleported away. They had been disappointed since they wanted to speak to them even though they hadn't known exactly what they would say.

Pushing aside their disappointment they had wasted no time deciding that they absolutely needed to have a meeting immediately and contacted Luna and Artemis. However, they decided to let their princess sleep since it was so late, and she could be informed of the discussion later.

"We got there at the end of the fight, but we still learned a few things." Lita said, and the others nodded.

"Yeah." Raye agreed. "Serena was there along with the two unknown scouts, but what was more surprising was that the Earth Prince was also there."

"Really?" Luna said in surprise. "Did you learn anything new about the unknown scouts?" She asked.

"The one with the navy blue color was holding a sword, and the one with the teal color was holding what looked like a hand mirror." Amy reported.

"Were you able to scan any of their energy? Including the Earth Prince?" Artemis asked.

"No. I didn't even think about it with everything else we had noticed at the scene." Amy said with a disappointed sigh at herself. "But when I double checked the monster's location I saw Serena's energy signature. The others hadn't been there, but I don't know if it's because they were masking or because they hadn't arrived yet."

"What did Serena look like as the scout of the Earth?" Artemis asked even though he already knew what she looked like.

"Her sailor uniform looked like ours, and what she wore as Sailor Moon, but with some noticeable differences." Mina said, her eyes bright at having finally seen Serena as Sailor Earth.

"Her bodysuit is white and sleeveless, her skirt is white at the top but transitions into a darker color at the end, and her gloves were white but they stopped at her wrists and had thick gold bands where they stopped; possibly to protect her wrists." She described.

"Her collar was white with a single strip, but I couldn't tell what color it was. Just that it was a dark solid color. Her front and back bows were solid colors too, but the ribbons of the back bow were longer, and her boots were still knee high, but they were high heels and a different design." She continued.

"Oh and she wears a white cape that stretches all the way down her body!" Mina said as she remembered Serena's look.

"Don't forget her tiara." Lita said. "We couldn't see her tiara, just a flash of gold. I would guess that the gem in her tiara is gold, but the tiara itself is another color. She has a choker too, but it was a dark color, and where her brooch used to be is just a gold circle now."

"She must not use a brooch to transform." Luna guessed.

"Do you believe Serena is Sailor Earth now or do you still need to see her with your own eyes?" Artemis asked, wanting to know if that had changed.

"Well, I would still prefer to see her with my own eyes, but with all four of the girls seeing her I guess there can be no doubt." Luna said with a sigh, and he nodded.

"Did you find out anything about her as Sailor Earth?" He asked the girls.

"She still uses her tiara, and she can use a sword now!" Lita said, still surprised by that.

"Really?!" Artemis said in surprise while Luna's eyes widened.

I guess I can add a sword to the bow and arrows she can use. He thought.

"I didn't even know she knew how to use a sword." Mina said.

"Or that she even had one." Raye added. "She's actually really good at using it."

"Yes. The precision she used was amazing to see," Amy admitted a little reluctantly. "and the same with her tiara. She looked like she was controlling it with her mind since she didn't move at all beyond throwing it the first time."

"Yeah, we had never seen her use it in quite the way she did." Mina added. "I guess this is just more added proof that she remembers the past since it obviously hasn't been long enough for her to learn how to use a sword with the type of skill she showed tonight."

"What of her power? Did you see her use any? Or does she not have any?" Luna asked.

"Yes!" Lita said, her eyes widening as she remembered. "After she finished using her sword to defend herself from the monster's attack she stomped her foot on the ground and these little balls, baseball size I think, rose up and surrounded the monster."

"Yeah, then she waved her hand in their direction and blades sprang out of them, and the balls started spinning before they closed in on the monster and started slicing into her." Raye said.

"Regardless of where the monster moved the balls stayed with her and continued to cut into her." Amy added with a grimace as she remembered the monster's screams and blood flowing.

"Once the monster collapsed the balls fused back with the ground, and then Serena raised her hand as if she was lifting something and the monster lifted up into the air. That's when she used her tiara to finish off the monster, slicing off her limbs before destroying her." Mina said.

"So she can control rocks, possibly earth matter, and levitate things." Luna said thoughtfully.

"Or she can control the wind." Artemis said.

"There was also a large liquid looking barrier that had been placed around a portion of the area when we arrived, but I don't know which one of them put it up. So if it was Serena she might also be able to control water." Amy said.

Everyone considered that for a few long moments. Could Serena possibly control earth, wind, and maybe water? Did she have energy attacks to go along with them, and just hadn't needed to use them for the monster she had been up against?

"So the Earth Prince was there." Artemis said, moving the meeting along. "There was no mention of Tuxedo Mask. Did he not show up?" He asked even though he already knew he and the Earth Prince were one in the same.

The four girls exchanged a look as they recalled their earlier thoughts on the royal young man and the masked man.

"Tuxedo Mask was not there, but we actually think the Earth Prince is the masked man." Mina said seriously.

"Why?" Luna asked, surprised at this news.

"Well, there was a gold barrier up at the scene, that we later learned was to protect the people that had been attacked, and Tuxedo Mask used a similar barrier of the same color when he left with Serena when she had lost consciousness the day she was in pain." Amy explained.

"The last time we saw him fight a monster his attacks were gold too." Raye added.

"Which means if the Earth Prince really is Tuxedo Mask he has been around since day one of Serena being awakened as Sailor Moon." Artemis said seriously, knowing that was truly the case, and wanting them to think.

"I wonder..since I've always thought there was a connection between Serena and Tuxedo Mask if he remembers the past and knew Serena back then when she was Sailor Earth." Raye said thoughtfully.

"Maybe he even remembers her as Sailor Moon too. Maybe he knows why she was both scouts since it's now very clear she really is and was Sailor Earth." Lita added seriously.

Everyone nodded, thinking back on his actions since each of them had been awakened and seeing them in a different light. The masked man had always only spoken to Serena, with the exception of the occasional time he spoke to Mina, and he always stayed close to her during monster attacks.

"I don't think we should tell Susanna about the Earth Prince being at the fight nor our suspicion about him being Tuxedo Mask. At least not until we have proof." Mina suggested seriously. "Susanna doesn't need more reason to try and join us at fight scenes, and knowing the Earth Prince could possibly be there is very much an incentive for her to try and insist on coming."

"I believe that is a good idea." Artemis said seriously.

"Why?" Amy asked with a frown. "She's our princess and deserves to know. We shouldn't keep information from her."

"Yes. Susanna should know." Luna agreed. "The knowledge of the Earth Prince's appearance might even trigger a memory of the past or more than one memory."

"Because if Serena is right about Susanna's past self somehow changing reality, and the Earth Prince remembers that past, then he could be very angry with her." Mina explained seriously.

"Especially since Serena said the two of them were engaged to be married. She was essentially ripped away from him; stolen, in a sense, from his life. The entire trajectory of his life changed from what he had thought it would be." Artemis added, careful not to say more than he should.

"I suppose that makes sense." Raye said with a frown. "We also don't know if he just remembers the past before and after the change, like two separate sets of that makes sense, or if he hadn't been affected by the change in the past and was fully aware of what happened."

"That would definitely be reason for him to be angry." Lita said thoughtfully. "If his fiancée, the scout of his planet, was stolen from him, and when he sees her again it's as the scout of the Moon with no memory of him or of her life on the Earth."

"So no telling Susanna about him then?" Mina half said half asked. "We're supposed to be protecting her not ushering her toward someone who might harm her."

"No telling her." Amy agreed reluctantly, but seeing the logic.

She didn't want Susanna hurt after all. Serena was angry and had already threatened her. She didn't want to imagine what the former heir to the throne of the Earth would do if he was confronted with her and was just as angry if not more so than Serena was.

Lita, Raye, and Luna nodded in agreement to keep the prince's known presence a secret from their princess.

"Well, since it appears that Serena truly is Sailor Earth and therefore truly remembers the past in full it's possible she has information that could seriously help us." Luna said, moving away from their previous discussion.

"We could ask her all the questions we have about the past." Amy agreed, turning her mind to the questions she personally had. "Such as if she knew why she had been made into Sailor Moon."

"Or what she meant exactly when she said Susanna's past self changed reality." Lita said.

"If she knew if the Earth Prince is Tuxedo Mask or are we wrong and they are two separate men. If so, then does she know who Tuxedo Mask is." Raye added.

"What about the two unknown scouts?" Luna chimed in. "Does she know who they are, which scouts they are, and why they suddenly appeared and seemed to know Tuxedo Mask or the Earth Prince?"

"Did we know her as Sailor Earth? Did she know how things ended on the Moon?" Mina added.

"Have you learned anything new from her that she was willing to tell?" Luna asked Artemis.

"Actually I have." Artemis revealed, and their eyes widened in surprise and eagerness to know.

"I learned that the majority of the Sailor Scouts were chosen from the royal lines of their planets; meaning they were princesses." He said. "You four were princesses of your planets; of Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, and Mars." He elaborated so they understood.

Mina, Raye, Lita, and Amy's eyes widened at this news. This was entirely surprising. There was nothing in their returning memories that would suggest they were royalty themselves. They thought it was only Susanna and the Earth Prince.

Although, it made sense that the other planets had princes and princesses that would take the throne when it was time. It just had never occurred to them that it could have been them.

"You know I actually remember a memory I dreamed about of being on Venus for the prince's birthday, my brother's birthday, but at the time it hadn't registered that if he was my brother then that meant I was a princess." Mina said thoughtfully.

"Likely because in the memory I was there as a scout. I had visited with my family and celebrated privately, but during the main celebration I was on guard duty for Susanna's past self." She added.

It was also because she was more focused on the Moon Princess' appearance since it was before they had found her, and it was the first time she had seen what she looked like, and on the budding romance she had seen between Sailor Moon and the Earth Prince.

Lita, Amy, and Raye all blinked and thought back to the memories they had recalled so far, and if any of them had been on their home planet. It would definitely cause them to look at the details differently since the royals would be their family and it would be their former home.

Luna for her part was surprised by the fact that the girls were princesses of their own planets, but after a few moments the memory of that knowledge revealed itself and it was no longer a surprise.

That fact was also further proof of Serena's accusation that the past reality had been changed since the Moon only had one princess and she wasn't a sailor scout.

But that brings another question to mind. She thought.

"The Earth only had one prince, so Serena couldn't have been a princess and became a scout for that reason. So how did she become a scout?" She asked Artemis, hoping Serena had told him.

"She said she had been chosen." Artemis answered simply. There was no reason for them to know how exactly she was chosen.

"I also learned the duties of the Outer Scouts and Sailor Earth." He said, bringing everyone's attention back to him. Serena had given him permission to tell them since she was proud of her duty and saw no reason to hide it; at least not from them. The general public didn't need to know yet.

"Neptune and Uranus' duty was to protect the solar system from outside threats, Pluto's duty was to guard the timelines, Saturn's duty was to reset the evolution of a planet or the solar system when it became necessary otherwise she simply rested, and Sailor Earth's duty was to guard and protect the Earth from interior and exterior threats." He informed them.

The four girls and Luna's eyes were wide at this revelation.

It was surprising that only two scouts had the duty to protect the entire solar system from outside threats. They were the first line of defense to keeping the other planets safe, and if they did their job right then nothing from outside the solar system would get in that they would have had to deal with.

Then there was Sailor Pluto's duty. Guarding the timelines? Actual streams of time?! Immediately they wondered if she had been aware of the change in reality Serena had mentioned, and if she had been unable to stop it even with her powers, which must have something to do with time.

And Sailor Saturn! To reset the evolution of a planet or the solar system. Did that mean she was responsible for why there was no physical evidence of the past? No record in the history books on the Earth or ruins and relics? Not even anything on the Moon or other planets that scientists were aware of?

Finally there was Serena's duty as Sailor Earth. To protect the planet from threats from outside the planet and those on the planet. Did that mean she took care of threatening problems before the standing army did or was she a supplement to the army? Or was it the reverse and they were there to assist her?!

It was all so amazing and shocking, and if nothing else it showed the power level of each of those scouts.

"Did she say which scout the two unknowns are?" Luna asked.

"No she didn't say." Artemis answered. Although, privately he had given it some thought after everything he had learned, and he guessed that they were Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune.

If Saturn had rested in the past because of how dangerous her ability was then he thought it would be the same in the present, and he imaged Sailor Pluto might have to be somewhere special to actually watch over the timelines effectively which would explain why she had been such a mystery in the past.

"I wonder what Serena thinks about our roles as scouts now; both hers and ours." Mina said thoughtfully. "Obviously she doesn't see her duty as being a guardian to Susanna anymore, so what is her duty? Is it the same as in the past? To protect the Earth from all threats?"

"I would imagine so." Artemis said. "She is honored to be Sailor Earth, and proud of her duty to protect the planet."

"I wonder if she might have any knowledge about our enemy considering her duty as Sailor Earth." Lita wondered.

"It's entirely possible that this enemy we're facing now and did in the past didn't exist or wasn't known to her as Sailor Earth, so she wouldn't have known if that was the case." Raye said.

"She still might have known about them before they became a threat, but wasn't able to take care of them before..reality was changed." Amy pointed out, and then shrugged. "After that she wouldn't have remembered them, but she would now if she had truly known."

"I suppose that's possible." Raye admitted.

"Yes." Luna agreed. "We just need to ask her."

"And hope she feels like answering." Mina said. She honestly didn't know if Serena would or not. It likely depended on who asked her, how they asked if they asked and didn't demand, and how she felt about them.

I likely have the best chance of getting an answer, but I'm not volunteering. She thought.

She would want to spend some time hanging out with Serena to gauge if their friendship was still as steady as it had been before she asked for details about her past and risking bringing up bad memories or angering her. And she hadn't had a chance to spend time with her even once since she remembered the truth about her past.

Everyone agreed. After all, they still didn't know if Serena had known them personally in her past as Sailor Earth, and it was up in the air how she felt about them now with her memories apparently fully intact.

"Did you manage to learn anything else from Serena?" Luna asked Artemis.

"No." Artemis replied, wishing he didn't have to lie, but respecting Serena's wishes. "Maybe the next time we talk she'll tell me something else I can relay to you all." He added, which was possible if she gave him permission to.

"Until then you girls will have to simply keep your eyes open, and ask her yourselves when you get the opportunity." He said seriously.

oOoIRoOo

Lita walked down the sidewalk after school still in her uniform and school bag in hand as she window shopped. She wasn't window shopping entirely, more like wandering around hoping the Crescent Moon Wand alerted to a rainbow crystal. It was obviously her day with the wand, and so far they hadn't found any crystals since they started taking turns with the wand.

She didn't know how long it was going to take to find the rest of the rainbow crystals, but she thought it was going to be a long time considering five of them were searching and hadn't even found one yet. It was tedious and was taking time that she could be using to do her homework since she had a lot of it.

How did Serena manage to find three of them? She wondered as she kept her ears open for the sound of the wand coming to life.

Of course thinking about her brought Serena to the front of her mind. She had seen her during the night, and learned that she truly was Sailor Earth. There was no more deny it as nothing but an excuse to get out of her guardian duties to their princess or thinking that she had been brainwashed by Tuxedo Mask when he had taken her the night she had been in pain.

She had seen her transformed with her very own eyes, and using her power which had looked amazing. It was completely different from just the tiara she had used as Sailor Moon.

She had also seen her at school from a distance walking in the hallway with one of her friends. She was still wearing her hair loose, and looked like she didn't have a care in the world; like nothing had even happened during the night.

Spotting her had instantly brought to mind the memory she had dreamed of last night after she had gotten to sleep, and she couldn't help remembering it all over again.

oOo

Sailor Jupiter and Princess Selene appeared in front of the palace in a flash of green light standing side by side with their arms linked.

"Could we not have stayed a while longer Jupiter?" Selene asked unhappily as soon as the light cleared.

"You know we could not." Jupiter said patiently. "We did not have permission to be there, and it would have been unseemly to be found there."

"But I was finally going to speak to Prince Endymion. I am sure he would have appeared momentarily if only I had been able to remain longer." Selene said.

"I am sorry Princess, but you know I could not have allowed that." Jupiter said with a sigh as they walked.

As she escorted her Princess inside the palace she listened silently as she lamented how she hadn't seen the Earth Prince in all the time she had been waiting, how she was sure he would be there at that time since he usually was, and again how she had been determined to finally try and speak to his highness.

It was clear her Princess was disappointed that his highness hadn't appeared and unhappy that her plan to speak to him had been put off. However, it was also clear that her Princess had been left alone too long and unoccupied since it had given her time to sneak to the Earth and stay there for some time.

They had to make sure that didn't happen again. In fact, they needed to keep her from sneaking off to the Earth altogether. It was dangerous for her to go off planet alone, and especially to a planet she didn't have permission to be on; and definitely not to the royal grounds at that.

They needed to be more vigilant, but she could admit she was sympathetic to her princess. The Earth Prince was the first man she had ever had feelings for since she was old enough to recognize such emotions, and one of her Guardian Scouts was occupying all of his attention.

She was aware that that was in part why her princess kept sneaking to the Earth. She wanted to see and speak to his highness alone without Sailor Moon's presence distracting him. Perhaps she even hoped that without Sailor Moon there the prince would really see her and decide she was better for him.

Sailor Jupiter walked her princess to her bedroom and left her inside before she began to head for the kitchen, thinking her princess could use something comforting to eat; a cookie or perhaps a slice of cake.

Maybe the Earth Prince really would see Selene and decide she is better if she could see him without Sailor Moon around. She considered thoughtfully. Perhaps not while sneaking to the Earth, but in a different setting where they can speak without Sailor Moon's presence and he can get to know her.

That could work but Sailor Moon will have to cooperate, which means she needs to stay away from his highness. She needs to step aside so our princess can have her chance, and so he can finally see her. She thought firmly.

Sailor Moon's romance with the Earth Prince was just that, romantic with her being a simple soldier and he the prince of a planet, but continuing to see him wouldn't do her any good in the long run since realistically nothing could or would come of her relationship with him; her being a lifetime guardian scout and all.

Sailor Jupiter paused as she spotted Sailor Moon through the open door to a sitting room walking toward a couch holding a book. She frowned slightly in determination as she watched her turn and seat herself off to the side of the middle of the couch, and decided to speak to her fellow scout and get her to stop seeing the Earth Prince.

She stepped into the room and walked toward her with purpose, not bothering to look around, and watched her fellow scout look her way curiously.

"Jupiter." Sailor Moon said in greeting as she stopped nearly in front of her.

"Moon." She greeted in an abrupt tone in her determination to get what she needed to say out. "I have mostly been neutral with whatever is happening between you and the Earth Prince, have even liked the romance of it, however I think it is time for you to come back to reality."

"You are a soldier and he is heir to the throne of the Earth, the future King. Realistically nothing can come of it for that reason alone, but you are also duty bound to our princess making it impossible. It is time for you come to your senses and finally give him up, so our princess can have her chance with him." She finished seriously.

"Really?" She heard a deep masculine voice drawl from behind her, and she turned in surprise, having thought Moon was alone, and sucked in a sharp breath to see the Earth Prince walking toward them silently, an eyebrow raised, holding a drink in each hand.

Further behind him at the other end of the room was a display of drinks and snacks making it clear that this encounter between her fellow scout and his highness must have been planned. She had thought Moon had settled in that room to read since she had a book, and it was not unusual for her to read in various locations around the palace and grounds outside her rooms.

"What if the prince does not wish to give her a chance? After all, he has a mind of his own, feelings of his own, and is not obligated to have anything to do with her simply because she wishes it." He continued as he stared at her.

Jupiter's face reddened in embarrassment and she stepped back away from her fellow scout as his highness reached the couch, and watched as he handed Moon the drink in his right hand.

"Thank you." Moon said as she smiled softly at him.

"You are welcome my lady." His highness said with a small smile of his own.

He then looked back to her and his smiled disappeared from one blink to the next.

"Perhaps instead of attempting to pressure Sailor Moon into jilting me you and your fellow guardian scouts should advise your princess to turn her attentions to a more receptive and willing man." He said firmly.

oOo

Lita had awakened from the memory dream feeling just as embarrassed as her past self had.

She had had hours to adjust to the memory but she still couldn't believe that had happened to her past self; couldn't believe that she had been overheard like that, and by one of the people she had been talking about! The prince of the Earth himself!

She had been talking about him like he was an object to be won or owned instead of a person, and it was not lost on her that Amy, Raye, and Susanna had been talking about him in the same way in the present. Like he wouldn't or shouldn't have a say in if he was going to be with Susanna; as if it was her choice alone.

Remembering what he had said it was clear that the prince had already known about Susanna's past self's feelings for him, and that her fellow guardian scouts didn't approve of Serena's past self seeing him. And she had boldly and confidently added herself to that shared opinion. It was also just as clear from the strength of his words that he was serious in his pursuit of Serena's past self.

He had smiled at Serena's past self, small but genuine, but when he had looked her way all trace of emotion had instantly left his face, and he spoke in a tone that was firm yet neutral. If it had been her speaking she imagined her tone would have been angry.

But just because he didn't sound angry doesn't mean he wasn't. It just meant he had lived up to the way he looked; like a solider as well as a royal. She thought reasonably as she walked.

"Perhaps instead of attempting to pressure Sailor Moon into jilting me you and your fellow guardian scouts should advise your princess to turn her attentions to a more receptive and willing man." She remembered the prince saying, and couldn't help wondering if he had ever told Susanna's past self something similar.

If he had she definitely would have been embarrassed, because he was clearly not receptive of her feelings or willing to have anything to do with her. She thought with a grimace. If he remembers the past will he still feel the same? Will he tell her that or will he not even speak to her? What if he doesn't remember at…

Lita was knocked out of her thoughts as she suddenly heard beeping coming from her school bag. It startled her and she looked down at it as she paused before she looked around. She was in front of an art gallery, but she wasn't sure it was coming from inside it.

She looked back behind her but she knew it wasn't coming from anyone or any building in that direction since she had just come that way and the wand hadn't alerted. She frowned a little before she decided to keep going and see what happened.

She walked forward wishing she had transformed to do this, so she wouldn't have to hide or worry about looking strange to people around her with what could be thought of as a beeping alarm and not stopping it.

Next time I'll definitely be transformed. She thought as she walked.

As soon as she completely passed the gallery building the beeping stopped, so she turned around and walked back to it and the beeping started again. She stopped and looked up the length of the building before looking back down and through the numerous wide windows.

It was Wednesday and judging by the days and times on the glass door the gallery was open. There were a couple of people in sight, but she of course couldn't tell which one was causing the wand to alert.

Although, she was thankful to know that it actually was coming from one of the people, and not an object since Artemis had informed them that Serena had found two of the crystals inside people. They didn't know about the third and last crystal she had found; just that she had found it at school.

Lita looked around and walked toward a little alley next to the building that was only big enough for two people to walk in side by side comfortably. She made sure no one was watching and then pulled her communicator from her pocket and contacted everyone.

"Luna here." The female adviser answered quickly.

"Artemis here." The male adviser answered right after her.

"Amy here." The secret scout of Mercury answered next.

"Mina here." The secret scout of Venus answered after a few long moments.

"Raye here, and I have Susanna with me." The scout of Mars answered for her and their princess long moments after that.

"I've found a rainbow crystal." Lita informed them. "It's inside an art gallery at the moment, and there are only a few people inside that I was able to see."

"This is great!" Luna said enthusiastically. "We should meet up after the crystal has been retrieved to discuss the rainbow crystals; how many we have, and how many more there could be left." She suggested.

"We can meet at my house since that's where the crystals are." Susanna offered, and everyone agreed.

"I'm headed there now. Mina out." The scout of Venus said.

"Me too. Amy out." The scout of Mercury said.

"I'll see you all there. Good luck retrieving the crystal. Artemis out." The white feline said.

"Good luck. Luna out." The black feline said.

Lita gave the name of the art gallery and the street it was on as well as what stores and businesses were around it to her fellow scout and princess.

"Alright. We'll see you when we get there. Raye out." The scout of Mars said.

Lita ended the connection and put her communicator in her pocket before she moved back out onto the sidewalk and began to wait. She listened to the steady beeping, which started to irritate her the longer it went on, but let her know that the crystal hadn't moved, for nearly half an hour before her princess and fellow scout arrived.

"Hey." Raye said as she and Susanna approached Lita. "I can hear that it's still here." She said as they reached her.

"Yeah." Lita said as she opened her school bag. "A few people have come and gone, but whoever it's coming from hasn't been visible." She said as she pulled out the wand and handed it to her princess.

"Have you been inside?" Raye asked as she looked through the glass windows of the gallery.

"No. I figured it was quiet in there and I didn't want to draw anymore attention to myself with the beeping." Lita answered.

"Am I supposed to do it right here?" Susanna asked as she shifted uncomfortably, looking from the wand to Lita and Raye and back again.

"Where else could you do it at? Unless you want to go inside?" Raye said.

Susanna shook her head. She was nervous, especially with Raye and Lita watching her, and wasn't sure she could do this. Did she have to be able to see the person to get the crystal? What if someone saw what she was doing? What was she going to say?!

But if Serena, who hadn't actually been Sailor Moon, could do it then I can definitely do it. She thought, trying to encourage herself.

"You can use the alley over there." Lita suggested. "That's where I was when I contacted everyone."

"Alright." Susanna said with a nod before she began to walk over there.

She stepped inside and moved in a little ways before she stopped. Lita and Raye followed and stood in a way that blocked her from view of anyone passing by and glancing in.

"Here goes." She said as she held the beeping wand up slightly. Okay. Artemis said that Serena said she channeled her will through the wand, so I guess that's what I have to try to do. She thought.

I want to get the rainbow crystal that's inside this building. She told the wand as she aimed it at the wall of the building, feeling a little foolish even though no one could hear her. Umm..I also need no one to know it's happening or see it happening. She added as she stared at the wand.

Susanna had a brief moment of fear that it wouldn't work like when she tried to become Sailor Moon, but then the crescent of the wand began to glow a bright white before a beam of light shot off it. It hit the wall and she guessed and hoped it had passed through it to go after whoever had the rainbow crystal.

All three girls stared at the glowing crescent and beam of light waiting for something to happen. All was silent and uneventful aside from the normal outside city noises, but unknown to them inside the gallery in a back room a woman with blue eyes and long dark brown hair in a braid cried out as soon as the beam touched her. She collapsed to her knees in pain unable to tell exactly where in her body it was coming from, but knowing that it was radiating and pulsing all over.

Lita, Raye, and Susanna's eyes widened as the wall rippled like it was made of liquid, and a green object slipped through it inside the beam of light. The beam of light began to move back toward the wand with the object, and as soon as it was close enough Susanna grabbed it out of the beam and watched the white light and glow from the crescent disappear.

She looked at the green crystal that looked like an emerald, and saw that it also had the same shape as the crystals that had already been found.

One more found, so that makes four so far. She thought, pleased with her success, before she put the crystal and wand in her school bag.

"Let's head to my place." Susanna said, and Raye and Lita nodded.

The three girls left the alley and began to travel through and out of the area, and through the city until they reached Susanna's ridiculously large home. On entering they found that the others were already there, having been let in by the butler, and were gathered in a room that looked like one of the living rooms in their homes but was small compared to the house's actual main living room.

Raye and Lita joined the others while Susanna quickly went to her bedroom. When she got to the small living room she closed the door behind her and went to the coffee table. She opened her school bag and first took out the wand and placed it on the table, and then took out the rainbow crystals and placed them on the table; having used her school bag to carry the others that had been kept safe in her bedroom.

As she sat in a cushioned armchair everyone looked at the crystals. There were four in total; red, orange, yellow, and green.

"How many do you think are left?" Amy asked their feline advisors as she looked away from the crystals.

"I don't know." Luna answered. "I haven't remembered any new information about them."

"I do not believe we were ever told." Artemis said thoughtfully. "If we had I think we would have recalled that piece of information by now. In any case I am unsure how that information would have been known since I do not recall the silver crystal ever having been split in this way or in any way."

"Well we obviously know about four of them. Maybe it'll be an even number total, so maybe six or eight." Amy suggested.

"Making it either two left to find or four more." Raye said thoughtfully, wondering if that could be true. It would be nice to have a set number to work with. She thought.

"I wish there was some pattern to where they are. That way we could at least have specific areas to search instead of just wandering the city hoping for the wand to alert." Mina said as she shook her head in frustration. How did Serena manage to find three of them? She wondered.

"It definitely takes time that could be put to better use." Lita agreed, thinking about all the homework she still needed to do.

"Maybe there is a pattern, and Serena just never said." Amy said as she looked around to everyone.

"Why would she not say anything? Wouldn't a pattern have made her job easier?" Mina asked, remembering that the wand and the duty to find the rainbow crystals had been given to her.

"She never mentioned a pattern whenever she returned with a crystal." Artemis said thoughtfully. "Just a general description of the person. Even with the last one it seemed to have been a surprise since she said she found it at school. One would think if it had been a regular everyday student the wand would have alerted before then."

"Maybe it was a new student." Raye suggested.

"Or a new teacher or other staff member." Lita added.

"That is a possibility." Luna said as she nodded.

As Susanna vaguely listened to the conversation she looked at the crystals she had so far taking in their vibrant colors and how they sparkled, and was reminded of decorations. Almost immediately after that she started thinking about holiday and party decorations.

I want to go to a party, She thought before she sighed. but no one I know is throwing one. I haven't even heard of anyone I don't know from school having one. A party would be so much fun too! Hopefully good interesting decorations, delicious food and drinks, and music to dance to. But no one's having a party, so... Her thought trailed off as it suddenly occurred to her that she could have a party.

I have more than enough space, decorations will be easy to get, food even easier, and I can have my friends help decorate. Mom and dad won't care, so why not. Maybe I can even get people to bring me gifts as thanks for inviting them. She considered.

"I should throw a party! Actually I'm going to throw one!" Susanna announced suddenly causing everyone to look at her. "Since it's almost the winter holidays why not have a Christmas party?"

Ami, Lita, Raye, and Mina looked around at each other at this announcement with various expressions on their faces. Some of them weren't particularly thrilled about that since they would have to be there to protect her, which meant they would have to ignore or cancel whatever plans they had to be at the party.

"Where will this party be?" Lita asked curiously.

"Here at my house of course." Susanna answered as if it was obvious. "It's big enough, and I can have it decorated how I want it."

"How many people will you have here?" Artemis asked.

"I'm thinking the entire senior class." Susanna said thoughtfully, figuring that would add to her popularity.

And since it's an all girl's school maybe I'll let the guests bring a guest or two of their own so some guys will be there. She considered. What are the chances I can get that cutie here without Serena knowing?

"The girls will have to be here with that many people." Luna pointed out.

"Do they really have to be?" Susanna asked with a heavy sigh.

Mina rolled eyes and looked away. By her own words about the entire senior class coming that meant Raye at the least was already invited. What was three more girls?

"Yes." Artemis said seriously. "With that many people they won't be noticed. No one will be in their school uniform right?" He asked.

"No." Susanna said as she shook her head.

"Then no one will be able to tell that they aren't just guests. They certainly won't be here transformed as scouts." He said.

"Where in the house will you have the party?" Mina asked, not once thinking the entire place would be open for everyone to roam. "We can take the time now to get familiar with the area so we won't look out of place while keeping watch."

"That's a good idea." Luna agreed.

"I'm thinking a section of the ground floor." Susanna said as she stood up and began to move toward the door. "This room and other living rooms." She added.

Raye, Amy, Lita, and Mina got to their feet and followed her out the door.

Amy was listening closely to their princess as she went on about her budding plans, and Raye was slightly curious but more trying to be respectful as she listened and looked around to try and memorize the layout as much as possible.

Lita was fully curious wanting to know how their princess would go about throwing the party and having people wandering through parts of her home and keeping them out of the other parts. While Mina listened for relevant information she would need to know and looked around to try and find various places she could station herself during this upcoming party.

oOo

Meanwhile, Serena was with Darien driving toward an important meeting. He had picked her up after school, which she had appreciated since it allowed her to see him sooner than she normally would, and they were now heading to his apartment.

She was going to be seeing Zoycite and Neflite for the first time since they had been freed and she had remembered her true identity. She was going to be seeing her fellow soldiers, her brothers, and actually be able to recognize them for who they really were.

She was nervous, but she also couldn't wait to see them.

Did they look different or carry themselves differently? What of the look in their eyes? She knew they physically looked the same from her memories, but did they dress differently? Of course they must dress differently. They had been wearing some kind of uniform for the Dark Kingdom, and certainly wouldn't be wearing that anymore.

Did they style their hair differently? She knew she did.

She certainly wore her hair different then she had for years; loose and comfortable, but she dressed the same for the most part from before and after she remembered her true self. She also walked more confidently and held her head higher. It just made all the difference in the world to know who she truly was!

And of course to know who my love truly is. She thought as she looked over to him.

He was still as handsome as he was in the past. He was still confident and self-assured. Still calm, powerful, and fully in control of that power and of himself.

Still my prince, my love, my soulmate. She thought with a light smile.

"Will we meet them at your apartment or are they already there?" Serena asked, turning her mind back to the coming meeting.

"They are already there." Darien answered as he glanced to her. "I brought them there earlier, and we spent some time conversing and relaxing before I left to pick you up."

"Ah, okay." She said as she nodded in understanding. "And they are doing well? No lingering side effects from being with the Dark Kingdom and in a coma?"

"None at all." He assured her. "They had weak and somewhat withered muscles, but I took care of that easily enough the first time I visited them. Since leaving the hospital they each were at they have eaten better food and have been exercising and training making themselves ready to join us."

"I cannot wait to train with them again." She said, and then sighed. "It has been so long." She added softly.

"Yes it has." He agreed quietly. "I am sure they look forward to training with you as well."

Serena hummed as she looked out the window at her side at the passing scenery and imagined what that first training session would be like.

A few minutes later they reached Darien's apartment building and he eased his car into a parking spot before he turned off the engine. He exited the vehicle and walked around it and opened the door for his Serenity and helped her out.

After securing the car they walked hand in hand to the elevator, Serena having put her school bag in her subspace pocket before he finished parking, and made their way up to the floor his apartment was on.

Within a few minutes they had reached his door; his keys jangled as he was opening it and they stepped inside to the sound of the TV playing softly.

Serena stepped further in and her eyes almost immediately landed on the two young men she expected to see as they stood up. They all began to move forward until they were standing across from each other behind the couch while Darien stood back watching.

Neflite and Zoycite stared at Serena as she stared back at them. The three of them silently taking in their appearance now that they were free and fully remembered themselves and each other.

To Serena the two young men looked physically the same as the last time she had seen them when she fought them, but they were dressed casually and held themselves differently then they had during those fights. Even their facial expressions were different; no longer angry and arrogant, but calm and welcoming.

To Neflite and Zoycite the young woman before them looked the same physically as she had the last time they saw her, but also different. She still had the same blue eyes, same height, the same face shape, but she looked more like they remembered from the past before the change to reality.

Her hair was loose from the buns and streams she had worn as Sailor Moon and it was now golden instead of the golden blonde it had been. She was dressed in a school uniform instead of the sailor uniform of the Moon, and she no longer had the look of stoic indifference in her eyes but of calm watchfulness.

"Lady Serenity." Zoycite said.

"Welcome back." Neflite added.

They watched her blink and smile, her whole face transforming into happiness.

"Zoycite, Neflite. It is good to see you both." Serena said as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the two of them.

They returned her hug, and noted that she now sounded like they remember from the past.

"I am sorry for hurting you both before." She added as she squeezed them.

"No need for apologies." Neflite said reassuringly.

"Yes. We were the bad guys at the time. You did what you had to do. We cannot fault you for that." Zoycite said before they all released each other.

"Come. Let us sit and be comfortable." Darien finally said as he moved forward.

The four of them moved around the couch and Serena and Darien seated themselves on one end of the couch while Zoycite sat at the other end and Neflite sat in the side chair next to him.

"So you are Xander," Serena said as she looked to Zoycite. "and you are Nicolas?" She said as she looked to Neflite, wanting to be sure.

"Yes," Zoycite said as Neflite nodded. "and you are Serena." He added.

"Yes." She said as she nodded with a light smile. "Hopefully we do not forget each other's name, and use the past one when it is inappropriate."

"I believe we will be fine." Darien said.

"As long as Jedite and Malachite do not have difficult names to remember." Neflite commented, and they all nodded.

"How old are you two?" Serena asked.

"I'm eighteen." Zoycite answered.

"I'm twenty." Neflite said. "And you?" He asked.

"I am seventeen." She answered.

"And I am twenty-one in case anyone has forgotten." Darien informed them an amused smirk, and they shook their heads and smiled in amusement.

"So what have you two been doing since you have been free?" Serena asked.

"Aside from training and trying to get back up to standard?" Zoycite said with a light smirk.

"Of course." She replied with a smirk of her own since she had been doing that too.

"Applying to universities." Neflite said as he shook his head lightly at them. "I graduated from high school before I was attacked and had a university I was accepted to, but of course I would have long since lost a spot there."

"I was still in high school when I was attacked, so I'm hoping to find a spot in a university where I can finish my high school education and continue on." Zoycite said.

"Hmm." Serena hummed as she nodded.

"What of you?" Neflite asked even though they had heard from their prince what she had been doing.

"Well, I am still in high school." She said as she gestured at her school uniform. "My last year, and I have been applying to universities myself. I am hoping to get into the same school as Endymion, but I thought it was prudent to have back up options in case I do not."

"Should we apply to this school as well?" Neflite asked with a frown.

"You do not have to." Darien said as he looked to his generals. "Amara and Michelle do not attend my school. Nor do they attend the same school as each other, and we do not know what Malachite and Jedite will do if they can be safely freed."

"Yes." Serena agreed seriously. "All my close friends are applying to his school, however, I do not know if they will get in or if they will ultimately decide on another school. You guys do what is best for you."

"But should we not be close to better protect you?" Zoycite asked, and Neflite nodded in concern.

"If that is what you want to do then that could be your deciding factor. However, being on the same university campus does not mean we will see much of each other unless we plan it." Darien replied.

"I have no illusions that we will spend more time together then we already do should I be accepted. Not with us majoring in different fields of study." Serena said. "I am only counting on some meals together or if we happen to have a class canceled at the same time."

"We would need to get you a cellphone so we know such an instance was happening." He said as he lightly squeezed her shoulders where his arm was resting.

"True." She said with a smile as she glanced over to him.

Neflite and Zoycite shared a look with an eyebrow raised questioningly before they nodded at each other.

"Then we'll pick the best school for us." Zoycite said, and Serena and Darien nodded.

"Now then, something I didn't mention earlier. I have accepted Andrew's request to be one of my generals." Darien announced seriously. "You will officially meet him on the day I make him a general since you both will of course be present."

"Do you know when this will happen?" Neflite asked curiously.

"This Friday." Darien answered promptly. "I have figured out how to give him some kind of power, but I'm waiting for the end of the week so he will have the weekend to adjust."

"That makes sense." Zoycite said as he nodded. "Will you be there as well?" He asked Lady Serenity.

"I will." Serena answered firmly. "Endymion wants me there as a fellow soldier to witness, and to offer aid should something unexpected occur."

Zoycite and Neflite nodded, and Neflite was about to ask another question about the coming event but before he could Serena spoke.

"I am sensing dark energy coming from my left." She said seriously as she gestured with her hand. Instantly her transformation stick appeared in her palm.

Almost at the same time she sensed the dark energy the Earth showed her what was producing said energy. An image of a female monster that looked like a humanoid gargoyle appeared clearly in her mind wrapping its tail around one person and snatching another nearby with a clawed hand.

Darien immediately tapped into his connection with the Earth without even shifting in his seat.

My lady is sensing dark energy mother. Please show me where it is. He asked the Earth.

Immediately images of people, buildings, and vehicles began to flicker and flash rapidly through his mind before they slowed only a few moments later to show a navy blue skinned winged female monster jumping on people before its eyes and victim began to glow.

"It's in the financial district." He announced.

"A winged humanoid female?" Serena asked to confirm as she stood up.

"Yes." He confirmed as he stood as well, silently pleased that her connection to the Earth was still in place and working as it should.

Serena nodded and moved around to the space at the back of the couch, and held her transformation stick up.

"Earth Planet Power!" She said firmly, and watched as blue green light came out of her transformation stick and began to swirl around her body. It became solid thick ribbons that closed in tight to her body as they wrapped her up almost like a mummy.

Darien, meanwhile, concentrated briefly and instantly felt the familiar warmth of his golden crystal pulse in his chest before he was engulfed in bright golden light.

When the light cleared she stood in her scout uniform and he stood in his royal uniform and armor.

"I take you two are not joining us." Serena said as she looked to Zoycite and Neflite since they hadn't moved.

"Not yet Lady Earth." Zoycite said as he glanced to his prince as he walked around the couch to join her.

"We need to train more to be at our best when we do begin to join you." Neflite said, wishing he was going with them to take on the enemy.

"We will see you when we return." Darien said as his soulmate stepped into his arms as he held them open for her.

As they held each other he focused on a spot out of sight of the monster and out of the path of fleeing people, and in the next instant the couple disappeared from his living room in a flash of golden light.

oOoIRoOo

Sailor Earth and Prince Endymion appeared on the sidewalk across the street and a few feet behind the monster. They released their hold on each other and faced the monster's direction before taking in its appearance.

It was a female with navy blue skin, light purple eyes with three short white lines under each, and long lavender hair with navy blue horns coming through the top. She had pointed ears, clawed hands and clawed bare feet, a long thick tail, and large bat-like wings.

A short white skirt that looked more like a loin cloth sat around her hips and a matching tube top covered her chest leaving her arms, shoulders, and flat stomach bare. Altogether the monster looked like a humanoid gargoyle.

People were running and screaming, women tripping on their high heels, trying to get away from the monster. The humanoid gargoyle jumped from person to person with a growl, eyes glowing along with each victim.

"Do you want to handle the monster on your own or would you like my help?" Prince Endymion asked.

"I would welcome either option." Sailor Earth replied.

"Then you should handle the monster, and I will watch your back and assist when the opportunity comes." He said.

Sailor Earth nodded and stepped forward away from him. She raised her hand and sent a concentrated blast of wind at the monster's back to get the female off her current victim. The monster went flying forward with a startled cry, and Sailor Earth sent a spray of fire shaped shuriken after her.

Before the monster could even finish reacting to the sudden attack she blasted the female again with a concentrated gust of wind to create some distance between the female and her victims so they would not be hurt.

As she was hurrying toward the monster the female got up with a yell that seemed to convey her pain, indignation, and anger, and looked around until she spotted her coming toward her.

The monster frowned. She had never seen this scout before, and she didn't match any of the descriptions she had heard from her masters.

She narrowed her light purple eyes and opened her mouth wide, displaying fangs, before a light purple energy blast shot out toward the sailor scout.

Prince Endymion walked calmly along the sidewalk as he watched his soulmate confront the monster, and made sure to keep watch as he had said he would.

His eyes softened in pleasure at the sight of her using her fire in such a unique way. He loved seeing her use her powers in any way, but he fully admitted he had a thing for seeing her use her fire.

He paused when the monster recovered from being blasted back and a few moments later a flash of navy blue flashed to his immediate left and a flash of aqua teal flashed to his immediate right announcing the arrival of Sailor's Uranus and Neptune respectively.

"Welcome ladies." He greeted quietly his eyes never straying from the encounter before him.

"Good evening your highness." Sailor Neptune responded.

"Hello Prince Endymion." Sailor Uranus said as both women looked to see their lady facing the monster they had come to help fight.

"Will we be helping her?" Uranus asked since he was just standing there watching, clearly not helping.

"We agreed that she would handle the monster, and I would watch her back in case we have unexpected company." He answered.

Uranus and Neptune nodded and silently decided to do the same. Perhaps another general would make an appearance.

"We should split up and take up positions where we will not be easily noticed." Neptune suggested as she looked to her fellow scout. "That way if a general arrives he will not see us."

"Alright." Uranus easily agreed.

Whichever man arrives will be focused on Sailor Earth and even Prince Endymion, and might not even know we are here so we could ambush him here instead of following him back to the Dark Kingdom. She thought.

"It sounds like you have a plan." Prince Endymion said as he continued to watch his soulmate. He didn't move or acknowledge the two scouts as they began to move away from him in different directions.

Sailor Earth sidestepped the energy blast, continuing to move toward the monster, and lifted her hand and sent a scattering of water bullets speeding toward the female.

The monster dove off to the side into the street and Sailor Earth angled her path back into the street to follow the female.

Once they were facing each other in the street, with Sailor Earth vaguely thankful no cars seemed to be coming up or down the street, the monster lifted her hands and aimed them at her. In moments rough round brown rocks the size of a basketball appeared and began to speed toward her.

Sailor Earth quickly gestured with her hands and used the wind to slice each one and shift the pieces to the ground as she took a deep breath. When the last rock had been sliced and moved out of the way she released her breath in a large stream of fire at the female.

The monster took a startled step back as her eyes widened, but before she could do anything else the fire had reached her and she screamed.

Thinking as quickly as she could with the pain she spread her wings and jumped high into the air to escape the flame. Her hair was singed, her clothes were burnt, and her skin was painfully bubbled up in some places.

She glared down at the female that was now looking up at her and no longer breathing fire as she flapped her wings to create more height. She growled and opened her mouth wide, and shot a beam of light purple energy down at the scout.

Sailor Earth narrowed her eyes and sidestepped the beam of energy and backed up a few steps before she willed the wind to lift her into the air. Instantly she rose and stopped across from the monster; silently enjoying the female's wide eyed shock to see her in the air with her.

Meanwhile, from Neptune's position standing along the side of an angled side of an office building and Uranus' position kneeling on a solid awning over the entrance to an office building they watched their lady continue to face off against the monster.

They were fascinated to see her using her powers against an opponent outside of training. With the last monster she had only used earth and wind, but now they were seeing her use fire, wind, and water.

They couldn't wait to see how she continued to use her elemental powers, but they were careful to keep watch on the area in case a general arrived or even the Guardian Scouts.

Sailor Earth lifted an arm and aimed her hand at the monster and sent a series of fireballs streaking one after the other toward the female in a zigzag manner.

The monster narrowed her eyes and began to carefully dodge left and right before aiming her clawed hands at the scout and sending round basketball sized rocks speeding toward her.

Sailor Earth aimed a hand at the rocks and fired off air bullets causing each rock to explode as soon as they impacted.

oOo

Jedite appeared in the middle of the street a short distance behind where his minion, Nikita, hovered in the air.

Looking up at the fight he narrowed his eyes, and saw that he was right to come. If he hadn't followed his gut instinct to check things out he wouldn't have seen this scout. She was new, newer than the two new scouts he had heard about, and he knew that he had never seen or heard of her before.

He took in her entire look, memorizing every detail from the length of her hair to the style of boots she wore, so he could accurately describe her to his Queen. Perhaps she would know who this new scout was.

oOo

Prince Endymion looked down from where he had been watching his Serenity and set his eyes on his unaware general.

He had seen the moment the man arrived, and contained a smile since his presence meant another of his generals would be freed and there would only be one left to secure.

Checking briefly through his connection with the Earth he saw that both Neptune and Uranus had eyes on the general, and he returned his eyes to his Serenity confident that they would take care of Jedite before he could try anything against his soulmate.

Still, just in case he still had his mental eyes on him since the man had yet to spot him.

Sailor Earth lifted her other arm and took a deep breath and focused briefly before she breathed out a sharp long breath of hot fire. She gestured with her hands to shape the fire into a large dragon and sent it roaring toward the monster.

As soon as it was on its way she willed herself forward speeding in the dragon's wake and using it as a concealment so the monster wouldn't see her coming.

As she flew tiny light brown pebbles appeared out of thin air around her hands and coated them until it looked like she was wearing gloves made of rock. In the next moment swirls of fire moved around her hands, and the rock gloves were fully covered in the flames.

She watched as the monster rapidly flew upward to avoid the fire dragon, and she came up beneath the female and slammed a rock and fire covered fist into her chin in an uppercut that had the female crying out in pain.

She quickly double checked that her dragon had dissipated before she swung her other fist at the female and hit her in the side of her face causing her to scream.

The monster recovered as quickly as she could and managed to block the next incoming blow by grabbing the fist only to scream and quickly let go. She few backward and looked at her hand only to find the skin bubbling and burnt.

She growled at the scout only to have to duck under another fire covered fist as her eyes returned to the scout, but then she cried out as a knee met her face instead.

Jedite frowned. He thought this new scout was good. The fact that she could stay in the air with Nikita alone made her dangerous. Whether she could only hover or outright fly didn't matter; she could still remain in the air and launch her attacks, which gave her an advantage.

Aside from that since the scout could clearly use fire attacks, and possibly wind attacks. He wasn't entirely sure about the last since he couldn't see the attack, but whatever it was it was enough to destroy his minion's rock attack.

She also didn't need to shout out her attacks names like he had seen many of the other scouts do, which meant it was less likely to know or at least have an idea of what was coming his way.

That scout needed to be stopped or at least distracted enough for Nikita to get away with the energy she had collected, but he knew he would have to be careful since he didn't know what else she was capable of.

He lifted his arm and aimed his hand up at the new scout, and focused to make sure his attack didn't miss.

Sailor Neptune calmly and slowly stepped away from the space she had been concealing herself in and lifted her arms. There was no way she would allow the general to interfere with her lady's fight let alone attempt to hurt her.

Deep Submerge! She thought firmly as she aimed her hands at the general's chest. Swirling water gathered toward her hands forming a ringed sphere of water energy that shot toward the man.

The ringed sphere of water energy slammed into the general and he was blasted back with a surprised cry, having been completely blindsided.

Jedite's back slammed against the asphalt of the street and the back of his head followed in the next moment. He groaned in pain and opened his eyes, not having realized he had closed them, and looked forward to see where the attack had come from.

He didn't even have to scan the area before he spotted a scout calmly walking toward him. Wavy teal hair, deep blue eyes, and white short gloves, white bodysuit, navy blue bows, aqua teal collar, skirt, and high heel shoes with matching ribbons wrapping around her lower shins.

From her physical appearance he knew she was one of the two new scouts that Malachite had seen. He could admit that she was beautiful, but that didn't change the fact that he needed to get rid of her so he could deal with the other newer scout.

He quickly climbed to his feet and aimed his hand at her and launched a blast of white light at her, and frowned as she easily dodged it and continued to calmly walk in his direction.

Jedite aimed again but before he could launch his attack he felt a sharp pain the back of his head and everything went dark.

Sailor Uranus looked down at the general collapsed at her feet before she put her sword away.

She had jumped down from her position while he was distracted, and cautiously and silently made her way up directly behind him while pulling her sword from her subspace pocket. She had wanted to launch an attack at him, but decided it would be more efficient and quick to just knock him out before he knew she was there.

Picking up the general into her arms she looked up to her lady's fight with the monster before looking to her fellow scout.

"I'm going to take him to the park." Uranus said, and Neptune nodded.

"I will inform Endymion and meet you there." She replied.

Uranus nodded before she disappeared in a flash of navy blue light.

"Uranus and I will be at the park waiting." Neptune informed her prince, and watched him look down to her.

"Sailor Earth and I will join you as soon as she is finished." Prince Endymion replied.

"I will see you both then." Neptune said before she disappeared in a flash of aqua teal light.

Prince Endymion returned his eyes up to his Serenity's fight, content that hopefully in less than half an hour Jedite would be free of Beryl and the Dark Kingdom she was the leader of.

Sailor Earth ducked under a clawed swipe at her face and willed herself backward in the air before she flung her hands toward the monster.

The rock and fire encasing her hands flew off and she shifted them until they sped toward the female as flaming rock bullets.

The female produced a panoramic rock shield to stop the bullets before she shattered it into what looked like hundreds of marbles and sent them speeding toward the scout.

Sailor Earth spread her hands creating a dense shield that stopped the attack cold before they fell out of the air toward the street below. She then rushed forward sending a stream of fire blasting from her hand at the monster, and in the next moment willed the wind to surround the female and the fire.

Almost instantly a small fire tornado surrounded the monster, and she began to scream whether in fear or pain Sailor Earth didn't know and didn't care.

Being inspired by the female's claws she focused the wind around her hand as she pressed her fingers together so they were flat and willed it into sharp blades extending from each finger.

As she reached the monster she dissipated the fire tornado, and as soon as it was gone she swiftly swiped her hand toward the female's neck before she could react and sliced her head off abruptly stopping the screaming.

The head fell to the ground and the body was motionless aside from the wings still flapping before they slowed to a stop. Within moments the body began to turn gray and crumble and rain down to the ground.

Sailor Earth watched it closely to make sure the monster didn't somehow regenerate itself. She shifted her eyes briefly to the four scouts running to the area, easily spotting them at her height, but returned her eyes to the monster's remains.

Once the gray monster remains were gone she turned her body and willed the wind to take her down to her soulmate. She gently drifted down and at an angle until her boots touched the ground directly in front of him.

"Very good job my love." Prince Endymion said.

"Thank you." She said with a light smile.

"Let us go." He said as he held his hand out to her. "Uranus and Neptune have taken Jedite to the park and await our arrival."

Sailor Earth nodded and grasped his hand. In the next moment the pair disappeared in a flash of gold light.

oOo

The Guardian Scouts ran as fast as they could toward the location where the monster had been alerted to be.

Their princess' descriptions of how she planned to decorate for her party had been interrupted by Amy's minicomputer going off. It was clear a monster was active and as soon as they had the location they had left, promising they would be back afterward; especially since they were leaving their things there.

They had left and found a place to transform and began to race through the city toward the financial district where the monster was.

Now from the look of the buildings they had reached the area of the location, and the first thing they saw was Sailor Earth high in the air with the monster. Their eyes widened in surprise to see that she could apparently fly, but that was nothing to seeing fire coming from her hand and somehow surrounding the monster.

If that wasn't enough then seeing her quickly move through the air toward the fire covered monster, and somehow used her hand to cut the creature's head off after the fire disappeared was shocking.

As they came closer and closer to the scene they watched her hovering in the air, clearly watching the monster crumble apart to the ground, before she began to drift down off to the side toward the sidewalk.

That was when they finally spotted the Earth Prince standing there casually watching her come to him. Next thing they knew he was taking her hand and they disappeared in a flash of golden light.

They stopped running and looked around and at each other a little blankly, not sure what to do now. They wondered if this was how it was going to be from now on, showing up to fights after they were over or at the very end; without even being acknowledged. They didn't even know if either Sailor Earth or the Earth Prince knew they had arrived.

Finally Venus suggested they head back, since there was nothing left for them to do, and have a meeting to discuss what they had just seen.

oOo

Serena and Darien appeared in a flash of gold light to see Amara and Michelle standing around the unconscious form of Jedite as he lay on his back in the grass of the park they all trained in together.

Darien wasted no time stepping toward Jedite and knelt at his side. He placed a hand on his forehead and the other over his heart before he focused on his crystal. His body glowed a bright gold before he willed the power into his general to begin the process of freeing him.

Just as it had been with Neflite and Zoycite he was informed that the body was not a real human body birthed by a human, which he fully expected but was thankful for the confirmation nevertheless.

Focusing on Jedite's mind he immediately discovered darkness covering and surrounding his mind like a thick storm cloud.

Analyzing the dark taint he understood that, just as with Zoycite and Neflite, it was suppressing his memories of life before he worked for the evil organization. It was keeping him loyal, and prevented any chance of him remembering the past.

He carefully cleared the storm cloud away, removing any and all traces of darkness that could be running throughout his body before he turned his attention to unlocking his general's past memories; both before and after the 'great change'.

The muted white light was there and he narrowed his eyes at the sign of the Moon Princess' influence through the silver crystal on his general. Just as it had been with Neflite and Zoycite it was weak and dull, but it was still very much working to hold back his memories of the time before the 'great change'.

Darien pushed back the anger trying to rise within him and concentrated on forcing the crystal's power to break down completely by using a combination of the power of his golden crystal and the Earth's power to boost his crystal to make sure there was enough force.

The enhanced power worked quickly and expectedly, and expunged the muted white light. Once it was completely 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 golden glow to disappear.

Amara and Michelle watched Endymion and Jedite glowing with the golden light of their prince's power. Every time they watched this display of his power it was awe inspiring. It was also inspiring in that it made them want to be the best they could be when it came to their own powers.

Aside from that it also made them proud. Proud that they had given their loyalty to one who was powerful, not just because of the crystal that was at the very least equal in power to the silver crystal, but because of his own innate abilities.

And proud of his general character. He was respectful, kind, loyal, honorable, strong, and courageous. He was a worthy leader, and they were sure he would be a great King when the time came.

Serena for her part was watching her love with a light smile as he went through the process of freeing one of their brother's and friend's. It was the first time she was seeing it, but she wasn't at all surprised. She knew, without even considering the success of Zoycite and Neflite, that he could easily do what he was doing.

Beyond that it was always a pleasure to see him using his power. He looked so calm, so steady, so in control. She held in a dreamy sigh, and knew that she needed to spend some uninterrupted time with him that had nothing to do with training, patrolling, or talking of their enemies.

"He should awaken soon." Darien announced as he got to his feet.

He stepped back to his soulmate's side and they shared a smile. Soon Jedite would be joining them, and they only had to worry about freeing Malachite. With Serena now knowing who she truly was, and no longer being connected with the Guardian Scouts, it would be easier since all of them were aware that he needed to be captured instead of killed.

"You will be going to speak with him later?" Serena asked.

"Yes." Darien confirmed. "Likely late tonight."

"Do you want me to come?" She asked.

"No. I believe it will be best for it to be only me this time." He said, and she nodded.

Before anything else could be said Jedite suddenly took a deep breath, drawing everyone's eyes, and let it out slowly before he began to shift slightly in the grass as if he was uncomfortable. His eyelids fluttered before they slowly opened to reveal gray eyes.

They all stood in silence staring as he blinked a few times and shifted his eyes around in confusion as he looked at each one of them. Long moments passed as he stopped on each of their faces, but from the look in his eyes he only recognized half of the group.

"Prince Endymion. Lady Earth." Jedite said slowly, unsure if he was remembering correctly.

"Jedite." Darien said calmly, acknowledging that the general was right from the address alone, while Serena simply nodded and smiled that he was right.

"How do you feel?" He asked him.

"Confused..and tired." Jedite replied, blinking slowly and looking around as if it was his first time outside.

"That is understandable." Darien said as he stepped forward and knelt at his side. "Stay still and relax. The confusion will fade in time." He added as he saw through his connection with the Earth his Serenity step closer.

"What do you remember?" He asked, and watched his general frown.

"Everything." Jedite said after a few silent moments. "But it's confusing. Like it's all jumbled or scrambled. Still, I recognize you and Lady Earth." He added slowly, feeling like there was a delay between his thinking and speaking.

"Good. It is good that you recall us. Do not worry about the confusion. As I said before it will fade with time." Darien reassured him. "Do you remember Zoycite, Malachite, and Neflite?" He asked.

"Yes." Jedite answered, their faces surfacing quickly through the jumbled confusion in his mind at just hearing their names. "Why am I so tired?" He asked as he blinked hard as he was trying to keep himself awake.

"Because this is not your body, and it is failing to contain you now that you are free." Darien answered seriously.

"What?!" Jedite said, confused and alarmed. "What..what is going to happen to me?" He asked.

"You will return to your real body." Darien said reassuringly. "What is your name in this life? With it I can find you, so that we may speak later after you have a chance to adjust and rest."

"Jared S..Sato." He answered as he blinked slowly. "You'll really..find..me?" He asked slowly.

"I will. I will come to you tonight." Darien assured him.

Jedite blinked and sighed as his eyes slipped closed. He took another breath and another before his breath stopped altogether.

As they watched Jedite's current body slowly began to turn gray, as the monsters did when they were defeated, and crumble to dust leaving a glowing ball of white light hovering where he had been.

It bobbed lightly for a few long moments before it suddenly flew into the air and took off speeding through the trees and out of sight.

Immediately Darien focused on his open connection with the Earth. He pictured Jedite in his mind and concentrated on the name he had been given: Jared Sato, and wanting to find his general.

Images flashed rapidly through his mind's eye and after a few moments they slowed to a stop on the image of Jedite 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 just as had been the case with Zoycite and Neflite.

Now where is this hospital? He thought as he took in the details of the room. Please show me the outside of this building? He asked the Earth.

In an instant the view changed to a slight bird's eye view of a large building that was clearly a hospital. Zooming out he saw that there were a number of various sized buildings matching in color and design as the first, which revealed it to be a medical complex.

He searched the buildings and the immediate area until he came upon the name and zoomed in on the large sign in between the main building and a walkway leading into the complex.

Shiba-Koen Memorial. He read as he stood up.

"He is in a hospital as the others were." He announced as he allowed the image of the hospital sign fade away. "He also appears as if he has been there a while; his hair is a bit longer than we are used to seeing."

"I will go see him tonight, and make sure his transition went well." He added.

"One more general left." Amara said with a light smirk that their plan to free their prince's Guardian Generals had been so successful.

"Yes." Michelle agreed. "I hope he makes an appearance soon, so we won't have to worry anymore."

"That would be ideal," Serena agreed. "but the fight with him will likely be more intense since he will believe his fellow generals have been killed, and he will not want to go as they did." She warned.

"Yes." Darien agreed. "He will fight harder and perhaps even have a plan in place. We will all be extra cautious when he eventually makes his appearance."

"We'll be ready." Amara said firmly, and Michelle nodded seriously in agreement.

"Then it is settled." He said. "Now ladies, shall we return to what we were doing before the monster attack?"

"Yes. I should get back to my homework." Michelle agreed.

"I have studying to do." Amara said.

"Then we shall see you next time unless we can manage to get together before then." Serena said.

The scouts of Neptune and Uranus nodded and said their goodbyes before disappearing in flashes of aqua teal and navy blue respectively.

The prince and scout of the Earth then wrapped their arms around each other before he willed them back to his apartment in a gold flash of light where Neflite and Zoycite awaited them.

oOoIRoOo

In the early evening outside Shiba-Koen Memorial Hospital people walked in and out of various entrances going to and leaving work, visiting family and friends, arriving for various appointments, and coming for medical emergencies.

Sirens occasionally blared and lights flashed as an ambulance arrived with a patient or left to head to one, cars pulled in and out of the parking light or up to the closest entrance to drop someone off or pick someone up.

All normal routines and events. However, what was not was the bright ball of light rapidly approaching the complex unnoticed by people and cameras alike. It passed through the outside wall of one of the buildings surrounding the main hospital building.

It flew through the air streaking through the interior walls, through rooms, and hallways on a direct path only it was aware of. After a few long moments it slipped through the closed door of a quiet room.

Inside the room was a single bed occupied by a young man lying on his back under thin-looking covers. He had pale blond hair that lay on his pillow brushing his shoulders, and the bones in his face were slightly visible.

He lay still, his eyes closed and body relaxed, his breathing steady as the ball of light paused to hover over his body. Then it lowered and passed through the covers and slipped into 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. Lady Earth." Jedite said slowly, unsure if he was remembering correctly.

"Jedite." Darien said calmly, acknowledging that the general was right from the address alone, while Serena simply nodded and smiled that he was right.

"How do you feel?" He asked him.

"Confused..and tired." Jedite replied, blinking slowly and looking around as if it was his first time outside.

"That is understandable." Darien said as he stepped forward and knelt at his side. "Stay still and relax. The confusion will fade in time." He added.

"What do you remember?" He asked.

"Everything." Jedite said after a few silent moments. "But it's confusing. Like it's all jumbled or scrambled. Still, I recognize you and Lady Earth." He added slowly, feeling like there was a delay between his thinking and speaking.

"Good. It is good that you recall us. Do not worry about the confusion. As I said before it will fade with time." Darien reassured him. "Do you remember Zoycite, Malachite, and Neflite?" He asked.

"Yes." Jedite answered, their faces surfacing quickly through the jumbled confusion in his mind at just hearing their names. "Why am I so tired?" He asked as he blinked hard as he was trying to keep himself awake.

"Because this is not your body, and it is failing to contain you now that you are free." Darien answered seriously.

"What?!" Jedite said, confused and alarmed. "What..what is going to happen to me?" He asked.

"You will return to your real body." Darien said reassuringly. "What is your name in this life? With it I can find you, so that we may speak later after you have a chance to adjust and rest."

"Jared S..Sato." He answered as he blinked slowly.

oOo

Jedite lifted his arm and aimed his hand up at the new scout, and focused to make sure his attack didn't miss.

Before he could launch his attack he suddenly cried out in pain as he was blasted back by an attack he didn't even see.

His back slammed against the asphalt of the street and the back of his head followed in the next moment. He groaned in pain and opened his eyes, not having realized he had closed them, and looked forward to see where the attack had come from.

He didn't even have to scan the area before he spotted a scout calmly walking toward him. Wavy teal hair, deep blue eyes, and white short gloves, white bodysuit, navy blue bows, aqua teal collar, skirt, and high heel shoes with matching ribbons wrapping around her lower shins.

From her physical appearance he knew she was one of the two new scouts that Malachite had seen. He could admit that she was beautiful, but that didn't change the fact that he needed to get rid of her so he could deal with the other newer scout.

He quickly climbed to his feet and aimed his hand at her and launched a blast of white light at her, and frowned as she easily dodged it and continued to calmly walk in his direction.

Jedite aimed again but before he could launch his attack he felt a sharp pain the back of his head and everything went dark.

oOo

Jedite stood on the temple roof with Neflite looking down at the fighters that had been causing them and their Queen problems with their interference. And now there was another one, another scout, to help in that interference.

"So there's another one of you now." Neflite said alerting the fighters to their presence.

"Who are you? What do you want?" The scout identified as Sailor Moon asked.

"The likes of you people aren't worth the knowledge." Neflite sneered down at them.

"Well, they can at least know our names before we get rid of them don't you think?" Jedite said in a suggestive mocking tone as he looked down at the fighters.

"Really?" Neflite said with a raised eyebrow.

"Why not?" He replied with a careless shrug. "What can it hurt?"

"I am Neflite." His fellow general said.

"I'm Jedite." He said with a fake smile before he quickly raised his arms, aiming his palms down toward them, and fired blasts of white light at them.

The masked man whose name he still didn't know threw flower blossoms at his attacks causing explosions in midair and making him and Neflite squint at the bright light.

Neflite began to attack the fighters but he ignored that as the masked man sent an attack their way spraying red flower petals up at them. Neflite teleported away, but instead of avoiding the attack he raised his hands and shot a blast of white light at the flower petals headed his way and froze them all causing them to rain down to the ground.

The masked man jumped up to the roof with him and he launched his attack before the man had even landed. He countered with another flower blossom causing an explosion, but then his eyes widened slightly at the roses suddenly flying at him through the light of the explosion.

He dodged them before launching his own attack at the man again. The man avoided it and they began to dodge and exchange rapid fire attacks as they moved around the roof.

Then Jedite cried out in surprised pain as he was suddenly hit in the chest with the tip of the masked man's whip, the weapon cutting through his top and reaching his skin. Then he cried out again as he was hit across the face with the whip, and again as he felt incredible pain in his chest as he was blasted backward and off the roof.

oOo

Jedite sat at a desk in what was supposed to be his Queen's library, but there was only one case full of books and scrolls and what was there wasn't helpful in aiding him in fulfilling his duties.

He had always wondered why there wasn't more material since the room was large enough for a proper library, but he had never been curious enough to actually ask. Not that he thought his Queen would actually answer if he ever decided to ask.

He pushed the useless thought away and sighed at the reason he was in the sparse room. He was worried and angry about the deaths of Zoycite and Neflite.

He couldn't believe they had been killed, hadn't thought the scouts were capable. But then he remembered the time Neflite returned seriously injured after fighting Sailor Moon, so it was possible she was capable of killing them.

Then he remembered Malachite's description of the two new scouts, and wondered if they were responsible. Maybe it had even been a combination of Sailor Moon and those two new scouts.

Or maybe it was the masked man instead of the scouts. He recalled his one fight with him and how injured he had been left afterward. He also remembered how displeased his Queen had been.

Whichever one is was, either any of the scouts or the masked man, he wouldn't let it happen to him, he absolutely refused to die. He would not be weak. He would survive.

oOo

Jared shifted his backpack on his shoulders as he walked down the sidewalk on his way home from his friend's house who thankfully lived in the same neighborhood as him.

The study group had been fully productive since he had gotten all of his homework done as well as some studying ahead plus he had got to spend time with his friends.

He was getting back home a little later than he usually did when he wasn't coming from an official sports event. Hopefully his mother wouldn't be upset since he should arrive in time for dinner or more like he should interrupt her and his sister just starting to eat.

He turned a corner and looked up at his apartment building, easily spotting the windows to his apartment, and frowned to see the lights off. He wondered in the next moment if his mother and sister had gone out to eat instead of a homemade dinner.

He hummed thoughtfully and then shrugged as he jogged up the stairs to the landing where his apartment door was. He pulled out his keys and unlocked the door before he headed inside.

All was quiet and he smelled no scent of dinner, which further proved that his mother and sister had gone out to eat, so he headed toward his bedroom to drop his backpack off so he could find himself something to eat.

As he walked down the hallway he idly thought how lucky his mother was to find them a three bedroom apartment after his father passed so he and his little sister didn't have to share a room since they were both old enough now that it would be very uncomfortable.

Jared passed by the closed doors to his mother and sister's rooms before he stopped at his. He pushed the door he had left ajar open and stepped inside and toward his bed. Suddenly he heard the door slam close behind him, and he turned sharply only to see something large with glowing yellow eyes rush toward him.

His eyes widened and he stepped back in alarm as he dropped his backpack, but that was all he was able to do before the thing slammed into him. He fell back, his back and head slamming into his nightstand, and groaned in pain as he shifted into an upright position.

A loud growl echoed through his room before he felt a sharp pain across his face, and all went dark and he knew no more.

oOo

Jared sat at his desk in art class, his sleeves rolled up so they didn't get dirty, while he squished and rolled the white ceramic clay. He didn't really know what to make so he was just playing with it, shaping it into something slightly recognizable before he smushed it all back together and start again.

Eventually he found himself twisting and rolling some of it into slightly thin pieces and shaping one into a circle and some of the other pieces into an X-shape, but then it suddenly occurred to him what to make now that he was seeing the circle.

He carefully rearranged the X-shape into an even cross shape and carefully placed it inside the circle before pressing, pinching, and molding the ends of the cross into the circle until they looked seamless.

Nodding slightly to himself as he finished he stared at his creation feeling like it wasn't finished for some reason. After a few long moments he glanced over to his remaining clay before looking back to his creation and tilted his head slightly.

Looking over to the clay again Jared grabbed it and began to roll, twist, and shape it into two slightly thin pieces as he had when he first made the cross.

He took one piece and placed it vertically at the top of the circle, carefully pressing, pinching, and molding the end to the circle so it connected seamlessly. Then he cut the second piece in half and placed them horizontally on each side of the length, so they sat evenly in the center, and pinched and pressed them until they looked like they belonged there.

Sitting back in his chair he looked over his creation, which was the combined astronomical symbols for the Earth. Now it just had to be put in the kiln to be fired so it could be dried and harden. Then he could paint it whatever color he wanted and display it somewhere.

oOo

Jedite sighed as he left his bathroom and went about turning off the lights in his bedroom. He had just finished having a relaxing bath and he was ready to sleep. It had been a tiring day. He, his fellow generals, and his prince had just returned from a week long visit to Venus and Jupiter and had just returned a couple of hours ago.

Now all he wanted was some solid hours of sleep so he could be as refreshed tomorrow as possible to do his duties.

He slipped under his covers and sighed as he closed his eyes and relaxed into the soft surface.

Suddenly Jedite frowned, completely awake, and realized in the same moment that he had actually fallen asleep at some point and didn't even know how long he had been asleep.

He listened carefully trying to figure out what had awakened him so abruptly, and when he didn't hear anything he slowly opened his eyes. He didn't see anything in front of him, so he began to sit up to get out of bed and look around, but suddenly found himself tightly restrained.

Looking down he saw that he was wrapped in something red that was trapping his arms to his sides, and he followed it only to surprisingly see a woman standing at the foot of his bed and it was her extremely long hair that was trapping him.

He instantly recognized her as the sorceress that had been hanging around the palace, but she looked totally different. Her hair was vivid red and extremely long instead of the back length and black color it had been, her eyes were glowing red, and she was holding what looked like a staff with a red crystal at the top.

Despite Jedite's surprise and shock, not to mention his drowsiness, his hands instantly burst into steel blue flames, intending to burn the hair holding him to free himself.

However, before his fire could get to the hair she raised her hand and a wave of red energy came flowing rapidly toward him. The energy washed over him and surrounded him swirling faster and faster until he could no longer see through it to the figure of the sorceress.

He tried to focus on burning the hair around him but every passing moment seemed to slow his concentration, and he became alarmed as he suddenly realized he couldn't remember how to use his fire.

More moments passed and he didn't even realize he could no longer remember he had the ability to use fire or any other ability that helped make him the guardian general he was.

Soon he found himself no longer struggling his eyelids dropping until all went dark.

oOo

Jedite stood next to a tall flowering tree in one of the large courtyards of the royal palace on Mars watching his prince as he stood speaking to his Martian counterpart.

He and his fellow generals had accompanied their prince to Mars for a social gathering of the royal heirs of the solar system. At the moment the royals were spread out in pairs and little groups as they mingled and conversed with one another with the soft sounds of a violin playing.

Every royals protective guardians were there watching their charge, and he took a moment to glance around and note the location of his fellow generals before returning his eyes to his prince. He was just in time to see him part ways from the Mars Prince and begin to walk across the courtyard.

As Endymion walked he paused to address his fellow royals who spoke to him, but he still continued on his path not letting anyone keep him for more than a few moments.

Jedite looked in the direction he was headed in to see if he could tell where he was going, and raised an eyebrow as his eyes landed on one of the Moon Princess' guardians where she stood with her back to a tree just as tall as the one he stood next to.

He watched as his prince reached Sailor Moon's side and presumably greeted her before beginning to converse with her.

He was still surprised that Endymion appeared to be interested in one of the Moon Princess' guardians. Before now he had always gone for the beautiful and put together ladies; princesses and ladies of court.

Of course that wasn't to say that Sailor Moon wasn't beautiful, because she was. It was only as a guardian scout she wore a uniform and had not appeared adorned in an elegant gown, makeup, jewelry, and her hair styled in public before.

Aside from that he knew his prince would need someone with more than attractive looks on her side. He needed someone strong at his side; to be a partner and a helpmate to rule with him.

Jedite didn't know if Sailor Moon could be that, but there was the fact that she was a warrior and not a pampered lady. She could fight and protect herself, and relate to and understand his prince.

Even as he watched she scanned the area then looked to her princess before scanning the area again and looking back to his prince. She clearly took her duty seriously, but was also careful not be rude to Endymion.

He could see her being serious in her duty as the princess of the Earth and future Queen if Endymion was serious in his pursuit of her. Beyond that he could clearly see that his prince was happy, which was certainly a change from his silence, sadness, anger, and depression, which in turn made him happy.

Shifting his eyes away from the pair he scanned the area, once again spotting each of his fellow generals, and narrowed his eyes as he noted the Moon Princess openly glaring in the direction of his prince and Sailor Moon.

Clearly she was angry at seeing one of her guardians speaking to his prince. He was going to have to keep an eye on her when she was around his prince.

oOo

Jedite walked calmly out of one of the many doors that led to the back of the palace, into the rain, and began to make his way toward the personal training ground he and his fellow generals used.

Without pausing he leapt over the stone wall closest to him and continued at a walk into the trees that made up the forest of their training area.

He didn't usually train in the rain but sometimes he did just to make sure he could handle fighting under such conditions. After all, he and his fellow generals needed to be prepared for anything.

He had let Malachite, Neflite, and Zoycite know that he would be out in their training ground since Endymion was remaining indoors for the rest of the day, so he would not be missed and if he was needed then they knew where to find him.

After a few minutes he stopped in a small clearing that wasn't very clear since there was a few bushes that had sprouted here and there. It didn't bother him. There was enough space for him to maneuver around without a problem.

Considering the weather he decided he would start with heat specific attacks. First he focused on his chakra and raised his body temperature to make himself comfortable, then he heated the area around him to temporarily dry himself off briefly giving himself a light steel blue aura.

Jedite then lifted an arm and suddenly sent a blast of steel blue heat at a random tree, next he formed a steel blue ball of heated air in his hand before he threw it at the same tree, then he sent a scattering of steel blue heat bullets speeding in a wide crescent away from him.

Lastly he focused, his eyes narrowing, and a few moments later a steel blue pillar of heat shot up from the ground a couple of feet in front of him.

He followed that up in the next moment with a pillar of steel blue fire, then he manipulated that fire into a wide floating ring around himself. After that he shaped the ring into balls of fire he sent fly away from him around the entire clearing.

Nodding to himself he stood still a few moments, nothing but the sound of rain drops hitting leaves to accompany him, before a twister of heated air sprouted around him. Gradually he raised the temperature until it seamlessly switched to a fire twister.

Releasing the fire twister he created a twister of light until he was completely concealed behind swirling light. Then he lessened the swirling intensity of the twister and manipulated the light until it looked like eight lengthy steel blue tentacles waving around him ready to strike at his command.

He had them snap forward like they were going to attack something or someone before he manipulated each one into a ball of light that would fit in his hands before launching them simultaneously at the surrounding trees.

Jedite narrowed his eyes as he focused and tall spikes of steel blue light, nearly as tall as him, burst up from the ground practically filling the clearing.

He released them and then concentrated before releasing a bright flash of steel blue light from his entire body like a flair from the sun. Then he released another flair with the added element of heat so hot he was positive it would incapacitate an opponent if not nearly vaporize them.

He fully believed he could vaporize a being, but it was not an ability he wanted to use unless he wanted his opponent absolutely dead. Not to mention he had to always make sure there were no allies around.

Pulling out his weapon, the kama and chain appearing in his hands, he began to spin the chain with the weighty spiked ball at the end, and focused his chakra into the weapon until it looked like a shield of light was in front of him with how rapid the spin was.

Focusing briefly he switched the light to fire and then sent it streaming away like the opening of a cone. Stopping the attack, and the spinning chain, he was just about to do a different one when he was surprised by a familiar feminine voice.

"Want a sparring partner?" She asked, and he looked up sharply to see Lady Earth crouched on a tree branch looking down at him.

Jedite grinned at her and attacked without a word.

oOo

Jedite walked casually along a quiet path with Lady Eowyn at his side gently holding the arm he had offered her when they began their outing. They were accompanied by a chaperone, who was keeping their distance, while they spent time together.

She was the daughter of a lord, a beautiful young woman whose head only came up just past his shoulder with wavy dark purple hair, dark purple eyes, and this day she was wearing a silky light gray gown with lavender designs. The dress itself showed off her figure nicely while remaining modest, and it brought out the color of her eyes, which pleased him to no end. He loved looking into her eyes.

It was his time off from his guardian duties and, with his prince and friends having wished him luck since they were aware of what he was doing, he was enjoying the time he had requested with her.

The interest was there on both sides, both of them liked the other, so now they were getting to know each other further.

He looked over at her, her head was turned toward him but her face was angled downward in a display of what he knew was genuine shyness. That was one of the things he liked about her. She was honest and true in her reactions instead of having practiced demeanors like many of the women who tried to catch his attention.

If all went well between them he would propose marriage, and if she accepted he would be the first of the Guardian Generals to the prince of the Earth to be in a committed relationship.

"Thank you for bringing me out today General Jedite." Eowyn said softly as she looked up at him.

"Thank you for agreeing to spend time with me my lady." Jedite countered with a smile.

"If I may ask, how are you able to get away from your duties?" She asked curiously.

"I currently have time off, however, my prince and fellow generals are aware of what I am doing." He answered.

"They know," She said with a blush. "his highness knows, and they do not mind you being away?"

"They all know, and my prince has no issue with me spending time with you." He said.

"You have time off now, but will spending time with me eventually interfere with your duties?" She asked.

"That is a possibility," he said with a nod as they walked. "and the reverse is more than a possibility; it is a guarantee."

Jedite watched Lady Eowyn frown and tilt her head down.

"I know it is hard to hear, but I take my duty to my prince very seriously. His safety comes before everything and I know it will be even more so when it is his turn on the throne." He said seriously.

"You deserve to know this rather pertinent fact now, so you can think about it as we get to know one another and see if it is something you believe you can handle in the long term." He explained, and watched her nod.

"Thank you for telling me. I will keep it in mind." She assured him as she looked to his eyes. "Now what do you like to do in your free time?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow.

Jedite smiled before he answered.

---

Jedite's eyes opened slowly and he registered the ceiling and that it was white. He stared at it blankly as his mind adjusted to the memories swirling around his head. They were no longer scrambled but he was still confused.

For some reason he had been serving the Dark Kingdom. He had been a regular sixteen year old boy just trying to get through one year of school to get to the next, and the next thing he knew he believed he was a general that had worked his way up to that position and had always lived in the Dark Kingdom.

Now he knew the truth. Prince Endymion had just freed him and returned his memories to him in the process. He had been kidnapped from his teenage high school life, kidnapped from his family.

Beyond that was also the knowledge of the past. He hadn't been kidnapped from his life back then, but he had been brainwashed by the same evil. Twice now he had been trapped in servitude, and to the same person.

But he was free now. His Prince had freed him, returned his memories to him, returned his identities to him. He was Jedite, General Jedite, guardian general to his Prince Endymion, but he was also Jared Sato, sixteen year old high school student.

At least he had been before he ended up back in servitude. He didn't know how old he was now or how much time had passed.

Pushing that aside for the moment he knew that he had been kidnapped and brainwashed, and that he had been brainwashed in the past as well, but the past was confusing him and making him think his memories were still a little scrambled.

He had two sets of memories. In one set he had betrayed his Prince, and in the other set he had not done so. He was shocked and outraged that he had done such a thing even though he had clearly been unaware and unwilling when it happened. And it was clear that it did in fact happen.

Still, he didn't understand why he had two sets of memories. He especially didn't understand the set where he had betrayed his Prince. Why was that set even there? He knew it was real, he had clearly lived it, but he also felt that it didn't belong.

It was so confusing. Both sets had happened in the same lifetime, were even very similar, but there were differences. One set of memories had Sailor Earth while in the other set there was no scout of the Earth. One had Sailor Moon while the other set had no scout of the Moon.

He and his fellow generals were in both sets, as was Prince Endymion and the King and Queen. The Queen of the Moon and the Princess had also been in both sets, and she had had her Guardian Scouts as well as her obsession with Endymion.

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 guardians. In one set Serenity was on the Earth with them, and in the other she was gone as if she had never existed.

Now seeing both sets of memories at the same time he could see that Serenity was the fifth guardian scout that shouldn't have existed. She had been Sailor Moon.

How on earth had that happened?! Serenity had been born and raised on the Earth! She couldn't have, shouldn't have, been able to be the scout of the Moon. A nonexistent scout at that! Sailor Moon did not exist! Shouldn't have existed since there was no one qualified on the Moon to be such a scout.

Unless you count the princess, but being the sole heir to the throne disqualified her. Not to mention she wouldn't have been given the job to guard herself. He thought before he shook his head slightly to clear the thought.

What had caused Serenity to end up on the Moon as a scout? To go from guardian scout to one planet to one of five guardian scouts of a princess from another planet?! Why had he not remembered her in the memories where she didn't exist? Why had there been no Sailor Earth in those memories even if it wasn't Serenity?

Thinking about those differences lead Jedite to remember other differences between his two sets of memories. Such as Lady Eowyn, and the fact that he had been engaged to her in one set of memories; the right set as far as he was concerned.

Only her parents, Endymion, Serenity, and his fellow generals knew at the time. They had been waiting to publicly announce it after Endymion and Serenity's wedding.

In the other set of memories he hadn't known her, personally or otherwise, but he had heard about her engagement, because it had been the talk of everyone their age because it had been to a lord old enough to be her father.

Another difference that he could see, with both sets of memories and the distance of time, was that he had been attracted to Sailor Mars. He could tell that he had only been attracted when he set eyes on her. When she wasn't in his direct line of sight he had no thoughts of her.

Then there was the difference in himself, his fellow generals, and his Prince.

In that wrong set of memories Endymion had nearly been a womanizer, and he'd been no better. He could see in his personality at the time that that was part of his attraction to Sailor Mars; she would have been nothing more than another notch on his belt so-to-speak.

And aside from his reputation Endymion had been different in his behavior and personality. He'd started keeping to himself and been unhappy. More than unhappy; he'd been going between extreme anger, to sadness, to extreme depression, but it had all stopped once he met Sailor Moon.

When he met Serenity. He thought as he closed his eyes briefly. Had he recognized her as his soulmate or had he recognized her as Serenity? Had he remembered her, and that was the reason for his moods? Did he have a second set of memories or did that mean he didn't have that set?

His fellow generals had been more rigid, less fun, and more controlled then usual. It was like they all, himself included, had given up on having fun and was all about the rules and their duty. When they did have fun it was muted and didn't last long.

They had all been friends still, but it was much less then it was in his proper set of memories. They were more friendly coworkers, or a step above that, and Endymion had been their Prince, their charge, more than a friend.

We were all bonded, but not anywhere even close to what it had been when Serenity was around. He thought with a heavy sigh before he turned his mind to the present.

In the present he was Jared Sato, high school student, son to his mother and brother to his little sister. He had friends, was carefree, somewhat popular do to the sports he played, was outgoing, and generally happy.

And then the Dark Kingdom intruded, attacked him, kidnapped him, and brainwashed him, and now he didn't know how much of that remained.

What he knew for certain was that he was still a guardian general. His Prince had freed him and returned his memories, so he was hopeful that he still wanted him to be one of his generals.

There was still so much to think about and consider. Like what exactly was going to happen now? His Prince and Lady Earth clearly remembered the past, she was now in her rightful place instead of a scout that shouldn't exist, and there was the fact that two scouts that he recognized but had never before met were present in the form of Sailor's Uranus and Neptune.

Where had those two scouts come from? They were loyal to the Moon in the past so did their presence mean that was no longer the case? When exactly did Serenity once again take on her duty as Sailor Earth when he had memories of her as Sailor Moon from not too long ago?

And then there's the obvious question of where Zoycite and Neflite were, because if he had been freed then it was only logical to believe they had as well instead of being killed as he had thought before.

To get any answers I need to speak to Endymion, but since that can't happen right now I need to figure out where I am exactly, why I'm here, how long I've been here, and where my family is. He thought as he looked around the room he found himself in.

He wasn't in pain just lying here, and moving his arms, legs and head caused no pain. Hopefully if there had been anything wrong with him he had already healed up.

But to be sure, and to get some answers, I need to speak to someone. He thought as he looked to the wires connecting him to the machines at his side.

Jedite carefully sat up, still feeling no pain, and snatched off the wire connecting him to one of the machines that was clearly monitoring his heart, because he wasn't about to wait for someone to randomly come check on him.

That should bring someone along. He thought as he relaxed and waited.

oOoIRoOo

Darien sat at the small table in his kitchen eating a sandwich and reading one of his textbooks to get ahead on his studies.

He thought it would be good so he wouldn't have to do it if he didn't want to when he was spending time with his Serenity. He could help her with her homework and studying, or they could hangout without worrying about it, or better yet go on a date.

He especially wanted the last option since they hadn't been on a date since before she remembered her true self.

Beyond wanting to get ahead on his studies it was helping to distract him as he passed the time before he could go and speak to Jedite.

After the monster fight where Jedite was captured and then freed he and Serena had returned to his apartment where Zoycite and Neflite were waiting, and informed them of their fellow general's very recent freedom.

The two men had been very pleased that it wouldn't be long before Jedite joined them, and then the conversation flowed to everyone's thoughts on when Malachite might possibly show himself and how he might proceed in light of the seeming death of the three of them.

When they had finished talking about the possible scenarios around Malachite's capture and freedom they had moved on to describing the monster fight, and how the Guardian Scouts had arrived at the very end.

oOo

"They actually only arrived in the area; close enough to see the fight, but too far to even try to help." Serena clarified.

"I wonder if they'll ever end up facing a monster again now that Lady Earth is back, and can sense the monsters and get to them instantly." Zoycite said, and Neflite nodded.

"From what you both described it looks like they will always end up arriving too late unless the fight runs long or if a monster is deliberately left for them to fight." Neflite said as he looked to the couple.

Serena nodded. "Unless they figure out how to teleport." She added.

"Yes." Darien agreed. "I have absolutely no problem with them never arriving on time to be of use. That means less time around them, which means less for them to report back to their princess."

"Yes." Serena agreed strongly. "I am perfectly fine with the Guardian Scouts staying out of monster fights. The only one of them that is acceptable to have around during a fight is Venus. The rest are loud, uncoordinated, and, in Mercury's case, inconsiderate."

"They make fights harder, more dangerous, and last longer." She added. "Although, I acknowledge that now that I remember my true self I can now work around those undesirable qualities."

"What if one of the guardian scouts ends up being the victim of a monster? Should we intervene or let them fight for themselves?" Neflite asked.

"Regardless of our distaste for them they are still citizens of the Earth and deserve protection." Serena said.

"Yes." Darien agreed. "Should we come across such instances we will take it in and observe the situation before deciding if the scout in question can handle it or if we need to intervene to save them."

oOo

After that discussion they had moved on to talk about general things going on in their lives, their family, and friends to continue catching up with everyone now fully remembering the past and getting to know each other in the present life.

Darien finished off his sandwich and idly brushed the crumbs from his hands as he glanced to the nearest clock. It was just turning one thirty in the morning and he decided that it was late enough visit Jedite without worrying about any interruptions.

He closed his textbook and as he stood to place his plate in the sink he tapped into his connection with the Earth and began to search for Jedite/Jared Sato. After all, the last thing he wanted was to arrive and find that his general wasn't alone despite the late hour.

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 when he freed him. Thankfully he was alone, although the room was dark and he appeared to be asleep.

He picked a spot in the room away from the door and only window 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 Jedite, and wanting to keep it that way he focused on the hallway outside the room door so he could keep watch to know if they were going to be interrupted.

Once the area was firmly within his mental vision he stepped toward the bed, moving silently around the bed toward the chair facing away from the wall next to the window, and gently shook the young man as he stopped at his side.

Jedite groaned and shifted before his eyes slowly opened to see his Prince calmly standing next to his bed. His eyes widened in the next moment and he quickly sat up.

"Endymion!" He said as he blinked his eyes wide and rapidly trying wake himself up.

"Jedite." Darien greeted before he sat in the chair. "Should I refer to you as Jedite or Jared?" He asked as he made himself as comfortable as he could.

"I think Jared since I need to get used to hearing it again." Jedite said with a tired sigh as he leaned back against his pillow.

"Very well." Darien agreed. "You should refer to me by my present name, Darien Shields, so you can get used to it."

"I will." Jedite said as he nodded. "Did you just get here?" He asked.

"Yes." Darien confirmed. "This is the time that I deemed suitable to visit so we would not be interrupted. It worked well with the others."

"So Neflite and Zoycite are free?" Jedite asked, wanting to be sure.

"Yes." Darien said with a nod. "Both of them were in a hospital just as you are, and were released in less than a week."

"I was informed that I've been in a coma." Jedite said, pursed lips the only indication of how unhappy he was at that. "Was it the same for them?"

"Yes. Both of them had been so for almost two years." Darien answered.

"It was the same for me. Other than that I'm completely healthy." Jedite said with a sigh. "My mother and younger sister were happy to see me finally awake, and I was happy to see that they were alive when they could have very well been dead."

"And your father?" Darien asked quietly, wanting to know if the male was or was not around.

"Oh he passed on years before I was attacked. It was just me, my mother, and sister." Jedite said.

"Do you remember what happened when you were attacked?" Darien asked, moving away from that subject.

Jedite frowned and began to explain how he had arrived home late in the evening thinking his mother and sister had gone out to eat since the place was dark and no one appeared to be home. Then going to his bedroom to settle in and the door slamming behind him, and turning only to see something large with glowing yellow eyes rush at him.

He remembered stepping back in alarm before it slammed into him knocking him down onto his back and the pain of the fall before he felt a sharp pain across his face and then nothing. After that there was only life in the Dark Kingdom.

"Since I was discovered to be awake I've learned that my mother and sister came home, having actually gone out to eat like I had thought, and found me collapsed on my bedroom floor since my door had been left wide open." He explained.

"They've been here to see me and told me they used to come every day, then every week, then every other week, and then once a month. My mother is pretty much the same, but my sister has clearly grown and is in high school now." He said with a heavy sigh at the time he had missed.

"It is unfortunate that you all missed out on these last few years, but at least they were not killed." Darien said sympathetically.

"Yes. I'm grateful for that." Jedite agreed. "What of Neflite and Zoycite? Were their families killed or injured?" He asked.

"No. Both their families were unharmed thankfully." Darien answered.

"That's good." Jedite said with a sigh. "What about your family? Do they know about you?"

"My parents died when I was a child, and I was an only child, so it is just me." Darien said. "But I have Serenity back now, so I can build a new family."

"Oh. How is she?" Jedite said, moving away from the fact that Endymion didn't have a modern blood family. "I remember seeing her a few times. Although, the last fight is the first time I've seen her as Lady Earth."

"She is doing well, very well." Darien said. "She recalled her true self not long after Zoycite was freed, and has since had her powers awakened and has gained full control of them."

"It certainly looked that way." Jedite said as he remembered her high in the air fighting the monster he had sent out.

"But she was Sailor Moon before that, and in the past too." He said with a frown. "Why was she Sailor Moon in the past? She shouldn't have been able to. Why do I remember her as both scouts? Why do I have two sets of memories?" He fired off rapidly as his earlier thoughts when he first awakened began to come back to him.

"Before I explain that can you tell me about the evil organization that is the Dark Kingdom Jared?" Darien asked quietly.

"There are more monsters then I can count, dozens and dozens of them, of various sizes and strength; both in terms of physical strength and abilities." Jedite began. "Their base is a large black castle surrounded by ice and snow, green flame torches provide the light, and there's no electricity whatsoever."

"The sorceress Beryl, who entertained in the palace in the past, goes by Queen Beryl now. Everyone regardless of rank, strength, or power address her by that title, and everyone fears her because she's volatile. You never know if she'll kill you for a mistake, failure, or because she's angry."

"And if she doesn't kill you for a mistake or failure she's attacking in a way that hurts and causes injury but doesn't kill." He added, frowning as he remembered the times she had done just that to him.

"She looks the same as she did in the past, at least the last I saw her then. Long red wavy hair; I'm talking down to the floor long. Red eyes, long purple dress, pointed ears, horns coming out of her shoulders, and claw-like nails." Jedite described.

"Myself, Neflite, Malachite, and Zoycite were her generals tasked with doing her bidding. We were to send out monsters to gather human energy for a reason we were never told. Failure was not an option, and if we did fail then the only thing saving us was to present information she didn't already know." He said.

"Aside from gathering human energy we were to kill the Guardian Scouts, specifically Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask." He said, and paused as he realized the masked man was his Prince.

"This was to be done so none of you could interfere in her plans. Aside from those tasks we were to capture or kill the Moon Princess since Beryl said she was a threat to the future of the Earth; likely because of that girl's feelings for you." He continued.

"Capturing her could have led to brainwashing I imagine, so she could be used to find the silver crystal and maybe use it for the Dark Kingdom. Although, I seriously doubt she would trust the Princess to use the crystal for her if that scenario actually happened." He said.

"And why did she want my Serenity dead specifically?" Darien asked, wanting to know if her reason was the same as Zoycite and Neflite had reported.

"According to Beryl she had worked her way into your affections in the past and would have convinced you to marry her, which would have made her your future queen and would have established a foothold into the Earth's monarchy for the Moon." Jedite explained.

"Presumably Beryl was trying to prevent something similar from happening now. At least when it came to you two getting married considering there's no more Moon Kingdom." He continued with a shrug.

"As far as I know she was trying to get ahead of the situation since there was no sign of you having been found, and so she would have had no current information on a relationship between you and Sailor Moon." He concluded.

Darien nodded slowly as he thoughtfully took in Jedite's explanation. It was all confirmation of what Neflite and Zoycite had informed him of; some insight into Beryl's mindset.

Of course every time he heard it he silently confirmed that he definitely would have married his Serenity and made her his princess and future queen. The Moon would have had no say so in her life or anything to do with the Earth's monarchy.

Jedite had said the Moon Princess was a threat to the future of the Earth according to Beryl and that was why she wanted the girl dead. That and the wench's feelings for him.

Darien was also sure it was as Zoycite and Neflite had explained as well. To get rid of a supposed rival and possibly to eliminate one who could wield the silver crystal against her.

That and her explanation of the Moon gaining a position on the planet in the past so they could wedge themselves and proceed further into the Earth's monarchy were all lies Beryl fed the men likely to motivate his Generals to fight for her and obey her.

"Zoycite and Neflite essentially said the same thing, so this is more proof that she remembers the changed past but not the true past." He said.

"So that second set of memories isn't my imagination or a glitch in returning to my body." Jedite said.

"No it is not." Darien confirmed. "It unfortunately truly happened. At least the later memories."

"Later memories?" Jedite asked with a frown.

"Everything from the incident where I was asking after Serenity and Sailor Earth truly happened. All memories before that are false; a creation of the silver crystal." Darien explained briefly.

"Why did that happen?" Jedite asked as he tried to adjust to the revelation that damn near a lifetime of memories had been forced on him by the silver crystal. "And who did it?" He asked with an angry frown, knowing it had to be either the Moon Princess or the Moon Queen.

One of them had changed his life, taken away his Eowyn, and tried to replace her with the guardian scout Sailor Mars.

"The Moon Princess found Sailor 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 since that was all she knew her as, away from me and under her control. She wanted Serenity unable to get to me and for me to forget all about her, so that she could have a chance with me. The princess 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.

"She was even affected by her own actions; although, that was unintended." He added.

Jedite stared at his Prince in stunned disbelief. Everything that had happened to him in the present was because of the Moon Princess' actions in the past. His second set of memories, nearly a lifetime of them, was a fabrication of the silver crystal on her behalf. Being brainwashed by Beryl to go against his Prince and the Moon Kingdom was because of the Princess.

Losing Eowyn, and the marriage she was sentenced to was because of her! He thought angrily and bitterly.

"Ugh!" He groaned angrily as he pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes.

His mind could not even continue into the ramifications of how the planet had been changed, because of the loss of Serenity and Sailor Earth because his mind was stuck on his personal loss.

My Eowyn. He thought as he pictured the beautiful purple eyed woman that had captured his heart.

Darien watched his general with some concern wondering which fact he had revealed angered him the most.

"Jedite my friend." He said as he leaned forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "What troubles you so?" He asked.

"My Eowyn." Jedite answered as he dropped his hands.

"Ah." Darien sighed quietly in understanding.

He very much remembered Lady Eowyn and how she and Jedite had been engaged to be married. It had been something he, Serenity, and his fellow generals had quietly celebrated with him since it hadn't been made public at the time.

The young lady had suited him very well from her appearance, to her personality, to her acceptance of his duty as a guardian general to the heir to the throne.

Darien knew that that aspect of their relationship wouldn't have been as bad as she had feared. Living in peaceful times as they had it would have been similar to the present and being married to someone who worked and then came home at the end of the day.

Perhaps similar to someone who works for the government or as private security to a celebrity or dignitary. He considered.

With their marriage she would have come to live in the palace, and they would have all gotten to spend more time with her and gotten to know her better. Serenity would have had another woman among them to relate to despite her not being a warrior. They were of a similar age and both set to be married to men they loved.

Darien closed his eyes as he squeezed Jedite's shoulder as he remembered what had happened to her with the great change. Never having met Jedite she had been arranged to marry a lord similar in age to her father.

It had not been a wide enough age gap to cause scandal in general, but it had scandalized his generation, and him in particular since he knew she had been Jedite's through hard earned courtship.

"I am sorry. I very much understand your pain and anger." Darien said quietly.

"Thanks." Jedite said as he tried to smile but only managed a grimace. "Do you know one of the worst parts of the change is that I had been attracted to Sailor Mars, but only when I saw her. If she wasn't around I had no thoughts of her."

"The silver crystal's influence." Darien said as he dropped his hand from his shoulder and sat back in his chair. "There might have even been a hint of the princess' influence in that."

"How?" Jedite asked.

"One of my generals being attracted to one of her scouts might have had you spending time with her, which in turn might have brought the princess into my presence more, which would have given her opportunities to try and work her way into my affections." Darien explained.

Jedite groaned.

"It would not have worked, and perhaps I am being generous in assigning such premeditated thoughts to the princess since it seemed she acted spontaneously when she used the silver crystal." Darien added with an elegant shrug.

"How did you and the others escape from being affected by the changes the silver crystal made?" Jedite asked, trying to push aside his anger.

"My crystal protected me." Darien answered. "The Moon Queen I imagine 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 to resist the manipulation or their powers were strong enough to protect them."

"Ah okay." Jedite said as he nodded. "I know how I was affected by the change, and how the other guys were affected at least on the surface, and I have memories of you being different in terms of personality plus the reputation you had gained."

"But how was Serenity affected?" He asked with a frown. He knew now that she had become Sailor Moon, but he hadn't had much contact with her aside from briefly in passing when she was with Endymion or watching them interact from afar.

Darien closed his eyes and sighed lightly as he once again recalled learning the disturbing news of what happened to his Serenity when that selfish princess changed reality.

"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." He 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 my Serenity could be taken or killed in her stead!"

Jedite gasped and stared, horrified at the revelation of what happened to Serenity. Serenity, the girl who had been one of his playmates, one of his training partners, one of his friends, who had become like a sister, who had been a fellow soldier, had been stolen from her life. She had been taken from them and made into some stranger.

Not only that she had been taken from the Earth, from her home, from her honorable duty as the protector of the planet, and deposited on the Moon to be one of five guardians to the selfish young woman that had caused her relocation.

She'd had no memory or even suspicion that she had not always lived on the Moon. That she had not actually been one chosen to be a guardian scout to the Moon Princess nor that she was not to be her protection and take her place should something happen to cause the need for a switch.

Then Jedite grimaced as he realized what was just as bad if not worse was the fact that the selfish royal had erased the position of Sailor Earth from existence! The obsessed girl hadn't even thought to put another young woman in that role to keep the planet safe!

He groaned and closed his eyes as he began to make connections and see the consequences of the selfish princess' decision to change reality and try to direct and control Serenity's life.

Had Serenity, Sailor Earth, been there then Beryl would never have been around. She wouldn't have been allowed to hang around the palace let alone spread her evil influence. He and his fellow generals would never have been brainwashed. War would have never been brought to the Moon. No one would have died, and their way of life wouldn't have ended.

Beyond that Beryl had to get the power she had, and currently had, from somewhere in order to do what she had in brainwashing them and controlling so many Earth soldiers. After all, she had only been a sorceress brought in for entertainment.

I can't even tell if she had that power before she was brought into the palace the first time or if it happened sometime afterward. He thought as he shook his head and opened his eyes.

"Now Serenity knows the truth right?" Jedite said. "I saw her, fought against her as Sailor Moon, but this last time she was her true self."

"Yes." Darien confirmed. "However, that is only recently. Before that it was a..journey." He said before he began to explain.

Jedite listened closely as his Prince told him of meeting Serenity again and how that first encounter had gone, and how her becoming the scout of the Moon again triggered the horrendously painful awakening of his memories and identity as his true self. Then he told of their next meeting and getting to know each other before they started to date.

How 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, and meeting her friends and introducing her to his.

Serenity figuring out his masked identity was the guy she was dating, the upsetting fact that she had been being made to find the pieces of the silver crystal, and the Moon Princess being found. On top of that was her confusion over her returning memories since she was recalling both scout lives, but had been told she had only been one while the other never existed.

"Only a couple of days after Zoycite was free is when she finally remembered her true self. It happened right after a monster fight when everyone was still on the scene." Darien said with a sigh.

"It was glorious to witness, but I hated to see her in so much pain." He added.

"It was the same as when you remembered?" Jedite asked with a sympathetic grimace.

"Yes." Darien confirmed. "She looked and sounded like I felt when my memories surfaced."

"Thankfully she was able to escape the pain by passing out, and was able to sleep through it and the assimilation of her memories. After she woke I was able to explain what happen as I have with you, Zoycite, and Neflite." He continued.

"She was understandably grieved and angry, but she was able to conduct herself with dignity afterward." He finished.

"Dignity with what?" Jedite asked curiously, wanting to understand and not think about his own grief and anger.

He listened as Darien explained about Sailor's Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto giving Serenity, and by extension himself, their loyalty and her well worded and elegant acceptance. Then his Prince informed of Serenity officially resigning from the Guardian Scouts making it clear she would have nothing more to do with them.

"Do any of the Guardian Scouts remember the past?" Jedite asked curiously.

"Serenity has said some of them have begun to remember some of the changed past. Enough to try to accuse her of being in the way of their princess' ability to have a romantic connection to me." Darien said.

Jedite hummed in understanding as he nodded his head. He remembered Endymion courting Serenity as Sailor Moon; spending any time he could with her regardless of what planet they were on or who was there.

I also remember the Princess and some of her guardians being upset whenever they saw them together. He thought before he pushed it away. It no longer mattered.

Lady Serenity remembered her true self and had obviously taken on her true scout identity. She and Endymion were together, and he had no doubt that the Princess would find out very quickly that she had gotten off lucky in the past if she tried to get between them again.

"What else is there to talk about?" He asked wondering if there was anything else he needed to know.

"How are you doing health wise?" Darien asked.

"Physically and mentally I'm fine." Jedite answered. "They just want to observe me for a couple of days to make sure I'm not going to fall back into a coma."

"And how are you at moving around?" Darien asked as he nodded.

"Stiffly, and a bit slowly." Jedite answered.

"Then let's fix that shall we." Darien said before he stood up, and stepped closer to his general.

He placed a hand lightly on Jedite'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.

Jedite was indeed healthy, a touch undernourished, but that was not surprising considering how long he had been in a coma. His muscles were weak and a bit withered, which would explain the stiff and slow movements he mentioned, so he set about healing the damage.

He began to guide the power up and down his body making sure not to miss a single area just as he had with Neflite and Zoycite. 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 Jedite was completely healed he turned his attention to something just as important as his general's physical health. He lifted both hands and placed them on the sides of Jedite's head and concentrated on what he wanted.

Jedite lay calmly against his pillow and relaxed as his Prince healed him. This was a familiar experience from the past, so he was comfortable and even enjoyed the pleasant warmth. What wasn't familiar, however, was when he lifted his hands and put them on his head.

Again the same pleasant warmth of the golden power, but this time it focused on and circled around his head. It swirled gently around and around, relaxing him further until he was slightly drowsy, before it seemed to settle deeper where he imagined his mind might be if it was a physical thing.

The physical thing would be my brain, He thought. but the doctors said I was fine so what's Endymion doing?

After a few long moments his Prince stopped glowing and moved his hands away from his head.

"What was that about?" He asked immediately as he watched him sit back down.

"You should be able to move easier now, and I have protected your mind." Darien answered. "The Dark Kingdom will not be able to brainwash you again, and the silver crystal will not be able to affect you again either."

Jedite gasped at hearing that his mind was protected.

"Thank you so much." He said sincerely. "I hadn't even had a chance to realize that concern, but I'm glad I won't have to worry about it."

"Beryl or whoever found you before can still find you, but they will not be able to tamper with your mind. However, should they manage to find you you will be able to fight back with all your memories in place." Darien explained.

"Ah, okay." Jedite said as he nodded. "Then I need to get back into the swing of training."

"Absolutely." Darien agreed seriously. "When you're ready you'll have myself, Serenity, Zoycite, Neflite, Neptune, and Uranus to train with."

He would inform him about Andrew after his best friend actually became a general.

"Wow." Jedite said in surprise, not having realized they trained with Uranus and Neptune.

"Yes." Darien said, understanding his surprise. "I'll introduce you to them when you get out of here."

"I'll look forward to it then." Jedite said as he nodded.

Darien nodded in return before he checked the time.

"There is more to talk about, however, it can wait for another time." He said as he returned his gaze back to his general. "I should let you get back to sleep. I'll come visit you either here or at your home if they release you before I can visit again, but not out in the open until we have had our first meeting away from both places."

"Understood." Jedite said as he nodding, knowing they needed to officially meet since he had been in a coma as far as everyone, his mother and sister in particular, was concerned.

"I'll bring you updates if anything happens." Darien said as he stood up.

"Alright. I'll see you next time." Jedite said.

"Until then." Darien said, and willed himself away and back to his apartment.

Jedite watched his Prince disappear in a flash of golden light then looked around before he lowered himself until he was laying down. He sighed and closed his eyes as he prepared to drift off to sleep, hopefully before his mind started drifting in directions he didn't want it to.

Tomorrow he would get up and walk around and make sure the doctors and nurses saw him, so they could be convinced to let him go as soon as possible. He wanted to be back home, able to start training, and to see his fellow generals and the young woman who was like a sister to him.

oOoIRoOo

Andrew was nervous. He couldn't deny it, and he saw no reason to since he was alone. Still, despite his nerves running amok he was also excited.

It was Friday and today was the day he was supposed to officially become one of his best friend's guardian generals.

He had gone about his day as usual, but could admit that he had been distracted and had a hard time paying attention to what he was supposed to be doing. He was home now, and didn't know what to do with himself. He couldn't focus enough to do his homework or any studying, so he was currently standing in front of his living room window looking out at the view and thinking about what was to come.

I wonder what will happen exactly. He thought as he watched a car drive pass by his apartment building. Will it hurt? Will it somehow feel good? Is it possible Darien couldn't figure out how to give me some type of power, so nothing like that will even happen?

He didn't know, and knew he wouldn't know until his best friend told him.

But that isn't going to stop me from thinking. He thought with a sigh. Darien said Serena, and his freed generals will be there to witness. I wonder what those guys look like. Their names are certainly unique.

The sun was starting to disappear from the sky, and he knew it wouldn't be long before the sky started to darken. He couldn't help wondering if whatever was going to happen would happen while it was daylight or night out.

I hope it is while it is still light out. I want to be able to see what is happening. He thought, but before his thoughts could continue he heard a familiar masculine voice behind him.

"Are you ready?"

Andrew turned sharply to see his best friend standing a couple of feet behind him. He was transformed into his royal form, and had a serious look on his face.

I'm going to have to get used to such appearances or at the very least be aware it could happen; especially if it's not someone friendly. He thought as he nodded at his friend's words.

"Yes." He said firmly as he stepped toward him.

Darien nodded in return.

"Just relax." He said he put his hand on his shoulder.

The next thing Andrew knew he was being surrounded and nearly blinded by golden light. He was only able to blink before he found himself gone from his apartment and standing in a forest.

He looked around as Darien moved his hand away, and turned his head to look to his right only to stop short at the sight of three people standing straight and at attention a few feet away from them.

He recognized Serena only because Darien had informed him that she would be there. She was dressed as a sailor scout, but differently then the glimpse he'd had of her as the scout of the Moon on the news.

Her hair was loose, her colors were different, her gloves only went up to her wrists, she didn't have any sleeves, and she had a cape.

It was the first time he had seen her since before she remembered her true self, and he could admit that she looked intimidating but also like she took her position as a scout seriously.

The two guys, whom he assumed must be Neflite and Zoycite, wore the same uniform. A white top with gold lines, a brown belt around their waist, white pants, tall black boots with armor on them, a dark brown and dark blue cape, and a sword on their hip.

Will my uniform look like that? Assuming I get one. He wondered briefly.

He also noted that Serena wasn't wearing a weapon, but that didn't mean she didn't have access to them. Just like he assumed the two generals had access to their secondary weapon.

All three of them had a serious look on their faces. He was slightly intimidated, but more impressed with how soldier-like they were. Of course they were soldiers, so he shouldn't expect anything less.

"You know Serena of course; my Serenity. She is Sailor Earth; guardian of the Earth and her citizens." Darien said to his best friend.

"Andrew." Serena said as she nodded her head once in greeting. "It is good to see you."

"It's good to see you too." Andrew replied.

"This is Xander; General Zoycite," Darien introduced as he gestured to the blond guy. "and Nicolas; General Neflite." He continued as he gestured to the maroon haired guy. "Both gentlemen are my guardian generals."

Both generals nodded in greeting.

"Hey." Zoycite said.

"It's nice to meet you." Neflite said.

"It's nice to meet you both too." Andrew replied with a light smile, continuing to look at the guys who had been in the past, lived the past, that Darien had told him about.

Zoycite and Neflite took in the sight of their prince's best friend. He was tall with short blond hair reminiscent of Jedite's style, and he had green eyes; although a different shade then Zoycite's.

"Now," Darien said, bringing all eyes to him as he looked to Andrew. "We are going to meditate, standing and facing each other, while holding each other's forearms. I have no idea if this will hurt or even feel uncomfortable, but try to remain relaxed as much as possible regardless of what happens."

"Okay." Andrew said with a firm nod.

The two young men shifted until they faced each other, and Darien held out his arms and grabbed Andrew's forearms as he grasped his. They both closed their eyes and breathed slowly and deeply as they began to meditate.

Mother, can you turn my best friend, Andrew Foreman, into a guardian general? Darien asked the Earth, his connection to her having been tapped into before he retrieved his friend. Give him a power that will be suited to him, and allow him to take on the responsibility of protecting me as he has willingly chosen to do. Please do this for me so that my friend can, not only protect me but also, protect himself when he is ready to face our enemies.

Very well young Prince. The quiet motherly tone of the Earth responded. Remain as you are.

Darien hummed internally. With the Earth's agreement in place he focused on his part of making his friend one of his Generals. He ordered his thoughts and pictured what he wanted down to the last detail.

Serena, Neflite, and Zoycite stood silently as they watched the two young men, and waited for something to happen. Darien had not told any of them what would happen, but only Serena knew that he didn't know exactly how the induction would happen. He had a plan, but did not know how it would play out.

Suddenly a greenish brown glow began to cover Darien's feet before it began to gradually travel up the length of his body. It moved up and covered his head before it drifted along his arms until it reached his hands. It began to spread to Andrew covering his arms and hands before moving along to the rest of his body until he was completely covered in the greenish brown aura.

It was clear that Darien's plan involved the Earth and she was using him as a conduit.

Long minutes passed before a spark of a different color appeared on Andrew's chest. It pulsed a number of times before it began to grow and spread, overtaking the greenish brown color, and revealing itself to be the color turquoise.

Andrew breathed deeply and slowly as he stood firmly gripping Darien's forearms. He was thoroughly relaxed, his nervousness gone and his excitement muted, but so far he couldn't tell if anything had happened or was happening. He wanted to ask, but he didn't want to break the silence, and he didn't think he should anyway.

Before his mind could begin to wander he started to feel warmth. It started in his chest before spreading throughout his body. It wasn't uncomfortable, actually felt nice, but before his excitement could build he started to feel discomfort around his eyes. He frowned, wanting to blink, but forced himself not to. He didn't know what was happening with his eyes, but he didn't want to open them and risk ruining whatever Darien was doing.

His willpower was put to the test in the next moment when the discomfort abruptly turned into sharp stinging. It was a highly uncomfortable ache that bordered on pain to the point that his eyes started to water.

He focused on breathing, on each breath he pulled in and let out, and relaxed the tight grip he had on his friend's arms.

As Zoycite, Serena, and Neflite continued to watch they easily saw the moment Andrew appeared to be experiencing some discomfort but it wasn't long before his expression cleared. As soon as it did the greenish brown of the Earth's chakra drifted back down Darien's body and disappeared before he was suddenly covered in a golden glow. The gold light spread to Andrew's body through his hands and arms, and mixed with the turquoise glow.

The gold light grew bright and seemed to trigger the turquoise light to brighten. They grew brighter and brighter to the point where Andrew could not be seen. After a time the golden glow disappeared from both men leaving Andrew concealed behind the glowing turquoise light.

The light flashed and when it cleared the young man was dressed very differently than he had been, and yet similarly to the two young men witnessing his transformation.

He wore a white jacket top with turquoise lines going down the center, along the sides of the chest, as well as edging the collar, bottom, and with double lines on the cuffs, cinched around the waist with a thin black leather belt.

White pants covered his legs, tall black boots covered his feet and lower legs with silver armor extending from the knees down to cover the footwear, and a black crisscross leather sword belt sat secured beneath the first belt around his lower waist and hips holding a sword in a black sheath.

On his shoulders, secured by white and black jeweled epaulet fastenings, hung a white cape with turquoise inner lining.

Darien cracked his eyes open and released Andrew's arms. His friend released him in return but before he could open his eyes he brought his hands up and placed them on the sides of his head. He focused on his golden crystal and concentrated on the last thing that needed to be done.

Andrew opened his eyes in surprise at the feel of hands on his head, but didn't say anything as he saw that Darien's eyes were closed. In the next moment his body was glowing with a bright golden light, and Andrew felt warmth focused around his head. It swirled gently and he closed his eyes as it seemed to settle around his mind.

What is he doing? Is this part of me becoming a general? He wondered curiously.

"Welcome General Andrew." Darien said as he opened his eyes, releasing his power and lowering his hands.

Andrew opened his eyes, seeing his friend no longer glowing and stepping back, and looked down at himself. His eyes widened as he took in what was unmistakably a uniform; it was slightly different than what the other two generals wore, but still similar enough to visually show that he was one of them.

It was all white, aside from the boots and armor, with turquoise accents whereas the other generals had gold lining their white tops, brown belts and sword sheaths, and brown and blue capes.

"Wow." He breathed, and then grabbed the sheath in a firm grip before he pulled on the handle of the sword. It came sliding out slightly; enough to prove that was an actual real sword.

"You have the uniform, you have a sword, and you now have power." Darien said, bringing Andrew's attention back to him as he settled his sword back in place. "I have no idea what your power is, but I am certain that it is in fact with you." He said.

"The turquoise color is your individual identifying color. It is also the color of your chakra, which is the source of your power. I have also made sure to protect your mind. This is so the Dark Kingdom, and any other enemy we may face, will be unable to brainwash you, and the silver crystal will be unable to affect you." He explained.

Andrew nodded seriously.

"I understand." He said firmly.

"Welcome General Andrew." Serena said as she stepped forward.

"Yeah welcome." Zoycite said as he followed.

"Welcome to the team." Neflite said as he stepped forward as well.

"Thanks. I'm glad to be here." Andrew said with a grateful smile, truly glad to be a part of his best friend's secret life. My secret life now. He thought.

"How do I figure out what my power is?" He asked curiously.

"Did you feel anything while we were meditating?" Darien asked.

"Yeah. I felt warmth throughout my whole body, and then a sharp stinging in my eyes that was almost painful." Andrew answered.

"Do you still feel that warmth?" Darien asked.

"Yes. It's less than before, but still there." Andrew said.

"That warmth is your chakra. Focus on it and try to guide a little of it to your eyes." Darien instructed. "Since you said you felt discomfort there your eyes must play a part in your new abilities."

Andrew nodded and looked to the others who nodded reassuringly.

"We are here. Should anything unexpected happen we can assist you." Serena assured him.

"Okay." Andrew said before he closed his eyes.

He breathed slowly and deeply, relaxing himself as he focused on the warmth that now rested inside him, and tried to will some of it toward his eyes. He was happy when he felt the warmth moving fairly quickly, but he thought it might be more than just a little bit.

Actually, he couldn't tell how much it was, but he didn't worry about it. He was just glad that he was able to access his chakra, as Darien had called it, on the first try.

Suddenly Andrew gasped sharply and cried out, instantly feeling dizzy and disoriented, as he threw his arms out to try and stabilize himself somehow.

His vision had suddenly gone from dark nothingness to seeing trees, bushes, and even Darien, Serena, Neflite, and Zoycite. He wasn't sure but he thought he could see for some distance, and not just in front of him but to his sides and even behind him!

And everything looked different; sometimes in color and sometimes in shades of gray, except for the glowing color moving through Darien, Serena, Neflite, and Zoycite like it was blood flowing through veins. Each of them had a different color too; molten gold for Darien, blue green for Serena, dark gold for Neflite, and green for Zoycite. He could even see the turquoise color in himself.

All of this was bizarre and crazy and impossible on its own, but what made it even more alarming was the fact that he was absolutely sure his eyes were still closed!

The others had watched Andrew in silence, curious to see what his power would be. They already knew that his chakra, and therefore his power, was turquoise in color, but what form it would take was what was on all of their minds. However, after a few long moments they watched as veins on the sides of his eyes and stretching out to his temples bulged noticeably.

Then he suddenly cried out and stretched out his arms as if he thought he was going to fall, which was further emphasized by the fact that he began to stumble.

Darien grabbed one of his arms and Zoycite, being closer, grabbed his other arm to help stabilize him as much as they could without knowing what was going on.

"Talk to us Andrew. Tell us what is happening." Darien said firmly.

"I..I can see everything! I can see everything, and my eyes aren't even open!" Andrew said in a panic, unable to handle seeing so much all at once.

"Open your eyes!" Serena said seriously as she moved to stand in front of him.

Andrew did, and they all saw that there was a difference. In addition to the bulging veins the irises of his eyes had enlarged and the green shade had become pale with no distinguishable pupil.

"Pull your chakra away from your eyes. Pull the warmth away, and your vision should return to normal." Serena instructed, and placed her hands on the side of his face to try and help him focus on only her since his eyes were shifting all over the place.

Andrew's eyes landed on Serena, able to tell it was her by the shape of her figure and the glowing color moving inside her, and flinched as his view of her figure changed from the moving glowing color to her skeletal structure.

"Ah! I can see your bones!" He cried out, eyes wide as his hands clenched into fists.

Wow. X-ray vision on top of whatever else this is. Neflite thought as he looked at the panicked new general.

Serena raised an eyebrow at the ability, but ignored it for now.

"Focus Andrew! Pull your chakra away from your eyes!" She said firmly.

Andrew blinked and forced himself to look at the disconcerting sight of the empty eye sockets in her skull, and focused on the warmth around his eyes and willing it away and back into the rest of his body.

The others watched intently as the bulging veins around his eyes disappeared, the paleness faded back into a firmer green, and the pupils returned to his eyes.

"Better?" Zoycite asked as he released his arm, and watched him nod slowly as Serena moved her hands away.

"Yeah. It's back to normal." Andrew said in relief.

"Good." Darien said as he released his arm. "What did you see exactly?" He asked.

"I could see everything around us. In front of me, behind me, to the sides, up, down, and every angle in between. All at the same time." Andrew said as he recalled the details. "It went for a distance but I couldn't tell how far. Although, with as far as I could see I know that we're the only people out here."

"Did you see anything else?" Serena asked.

"I'm not sure how to explain it. It was like I had different..types of vision. First it was just like I'm seeing now. Everything was normal, just with every angle and distance, but then it switched to shades of gray and I couldn't see the details of anything. I could tell the shapes of trees, bushes, and you all, and then I could see glowing color moving inside each of you like blood flowing through veins." He explained.

"Yours was blue green," He said to Serena then looked to Zoycite. "yours was green, and both of yours were gold but different shades." He said as he looked to Darien and Neflite. "I could even see that mine was turquoise, so I'm guessing that was the chakra you mentioned."

"Yes." Darien said as he nodded.

"Then when I focused on you my vision switched from being able to see your chakra to seeing your skeletal structure." Andrew said as he looked to Serena, and watched her nod. "I instantly felt dizzy and disoriented, and obviously alarmed that I could see with my eyes closed."

"That's a very unique ability to have." Neflite said.

"It is indeed." Darien agreed. "You will definitely have to train in order to gain the necessary control to use the ability, so that you may join us and assist in fighting."

"Yes, and beyond that you still need to discover what your fire power will be." Serena added.

"Should I do it right now? Here?" Andrew asked as he looked around.

"Now would be good time to start; it is why I chose a Friday for this occasion. However, I have a better location in mind." Darien said. "Make sure you are all connected to me." He added as he placed his hand on Andrew's shoulder.

Serena stepped to his other side and grabbed his hand while Zoycite grabbed Andrew's arm, and Neflite moved next to Zoycite and grabbed his arm.

Once Darien was sure everyone was connected he focused his mind on the precise spot he wanted to take them to and tapped into his golden crystal and its well of power. It pulsed warmly in his chest before the group disappeared in a flash of golden light.

When the light cleared they found themselves standing in a large courtyard. It was made up of large light gray marble slab tiles that looked almost white in the sun with vibrant manicured grass and hedges. They stood on a large walkway that split and curved around a large three tiered marble water fountain that matched the tiles and continued on to spread out along the length of the building in front of them.

The fountain was round with water cascading down from each tier, and in the base of the fountain, evenly spaced apart around the tiers, were four golden statues of large birds with their wings spread as if they were about to take flight with water spouting like a gentle geyser from their open beaks.

The building stood three large stories tall and was luminous with its white coat and golden accent lining the edges and windows as well as golden decorations. On the roof, centered with the triple doorway grand entrance, was a large dome and on a gold pole on top of that was a vibrant red and gold flag.

Before them in all its glory, looking as pristine and magnificent as it should, was the Earth palace.

It was the first time Serena, Neflite, and Zoycite had been there since the past. While Neflite and Zoycite were surprised it still existed, Serena simply sighed happily at the sight; having already been informed of its continued existence.

"Welcome to Apollo Palace." Darien said proudly to his best friend.

"Wow." Andrew breathed, stunned as he continued to take in the astonishing sight before his eyes. "This is..where you lived in the past? Where all of you lived? This is really the same place?" He asked.

"Yes. This was our home." Darien confirmed.

"How is it here? How did it survive all this time?!" Andrew asked, his eyes flickering all over the place.

It was one thing to know and believe that Serena's palace of the past was still around, because it had been off planet hidden and protected from the passing years and evolution on the earth, but Darien's palace didn't have that excuse as far as he was aware.

"I'd like to know that too." Neflite said.

"Yeah." Zoycite agreed. "This is completely unexpected."

"It was protected by the Earth. She kept it safe and hidden, and will continue to do so until we can once again live here." Darien informed them.

"Wow. That's amazing." Andrew said.

Neflite and Zoycite shared a look, both of them agreeing with the new general. It was amazing and surprising that the palace was here, and that the Earth had been able to preserve it. They had known that Endymion and Serenity had a connection with the planet so it could show them things and give them information, but they had no idea it could do something like this.

"Indeed." Darien replied to his best friend before looked to his soulmate. She was looking at the palace, her expression bittersweet, and lifted her gloved hand, still clasped in his, and kissed it drawing her attention.

"Welcome home my Serenity." He said as he covered her hand with his free hand.

"Thank you my Prince." Serena replied with a soft smile. "It is good to be back."

"Come. Let us go inside." Darien said as he looked to his generals. "There is something that must be done before we begin training."

He led the way, Serena at his side, toward the entrance and then inside. Serena, Zoycite, and Neflite silently noted that it looked exactly as they remembered, and Andrew looked around in awe at the fact that he was inside an actual palace; and one that had existed in a long forgotten past.

Darien, followed by the others, moved through the grand foyer and into a large hallway to the right. They walked through to the end before turning left and moving halfway down the hallway before he stopped in front of a large door. He opened it to reveal yet another hallway, this one devoid of windows but well-lit with lighting and sloping downward; clearly taking them under the palace.

As they reached the end it opened up into a large room with a multiple arched ceiling and multiple archways connected to pillars leading to different areas of the room that was similar in size to a ballroom. All over the walls, in shelves, on the stands, and in display cases were numerous weapons and shields of all types and sizes.

"This is the palace armory." Darien said as he looked to Andrew, and gestured to the room in general with his free hand. "You can pick your secondary weapon from among the assembled."

Andrew stepped forward and looked around at all the weapons before he turned back to everyone.

"How am I supposed to choose?" He asked, feeling completely unsure. "Does it have to be a specific weapon or a certain type?"

"It can be any type of weapon." Darien reassured him. "I have a whip and nunchucks."

"I have a bow and arrows." Zoycite said.

"I have a battle axe." Neflite added helpfully.

"I have a bow and arrows as well as a spear staff." Serena added as well.

"Have a look around. See what draws your attention; see if your new power reacts to anything." Darien said.

Andrew nodded and took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he turned and began to slowly walk around. He looked at each weapon carefully, trying to see if one stood out for any reason. He passed over the swords since he now had one, drifted by the bow and arrows as they weren't standing out in any way to him, and took in the coiled whips but ultimately skipped over them as not the right weapon for him.

He eyed the various axes but felt no interest and no need to pause so he continued on to study the various styles of naginatas. He shook his head at them, deciding that that wasn't the weapon for him, and continued on to the next section which was a neat row of tridents looking just like he had seen in a few movies.

The three prong spears looked interesting and he wanted to handle one just to see what it felt like, but he knew it wasn't the right weapon for him so he moved on. He walked by numerous pairs of sai swords that he decided against with just a glance, and paused at another section of the cavernous room that held various sized sickles on chains with a weight at the end.

It looked interesting but he couldn't see himself actually using it in a real life or death situation so again he continued on to another section. This one held scythe blades. Some were exact copies but others had differently designed blades. Again they were interesting but he felt nothing; no urge or need to grab one and no feeling that it was the weapon for him.

Darien, Serena, Neflite, and Zoycite followed Andrew at a distance remaining silent as they watched him pause here and there, and carefully look over the various weapons before moving on. They were all curious about which weapon he would ultimately choose since he had walked away from most of the weapons each of them used.

Andrew walked along, his head slowly turning left and right as he looked at each weapon, ignoring the others as they followed him. There were still so many weapons; some he had seen in movies and others he had never seen before, and all of them were nameless to him. He didn't even know how he would find out what they were called, but then he reminded himself that he would likely learn from his fellow soldiers.

Eventually he reached a section in the back of the cavernous room and stopped as he felt a noticeable pulse in his chest; like his heartbeat hard against his chest except it wasn't coming from his heart.

From my new power, my chakra. He thought as he rubbed his chest and looked at the weapons in front of him.

They were axe blades with a spike at the top mounted on long shafts. Some had hooks, some had thorns, and others had another blade on the back side of the axe blades. They were all similar in height, some slightly longer or shorter, and while some were identical many others had various axe blade designs.

Now which one is for me? He wondered quietly as he looked from one weapon to the next.

He slowly walked along the row before one caught his eyes and his chakra pulsed in his chest. It was one of the tallest ones with a round brown wooden shaft, its silver steel axe blade was curved in a wide crescent shape with a decoratively designed spiked opposite edge, and on the back side was a downward curved spike, and it was topped with a piercing looking spear.

Andrew was excited, could feel his heart racing, and took a deep breath and let it out slowly to try and calm himself. He didn't know if anything would happen when he touched it, but it was enough that he had found his weapon and was about to hold it in his hands.

He reached out and wrapped his fingers around the shaft and pulled the weapon from the rack it was resting on. As soon as he began to pull it back toward him it began to glow with his chakra. The turquoise color grew brighter and dense until it looked like the long weapon was encased in a narrow capsule that was spiked and looked almost like lightning.

It lasted for a few long moments before it flashed, nearly blinding him causing him to narrow his eyes, and cleared to show the weapon had clearly been personalized to him.

The axe blade, back side downward spike, and the spear were still silver, perhaps a bit shinier, but the wooden shaft was now a deep turquoise.

"Congratulations." He heard his best friend say, and turned, resting the bottom end of the weapon on the floor, and looked at the small group as they walked toward him. "So you have chosen a halberd. That's interesting." He added.

"Is that what it's called?" Andrew asked as he looked it up and down; the spear point sitting a few inches higher than his head.

"Yeah, and it's versatile. Good for thrusting, cutting, and grappling." Neflite said as they all came to a stop.

"And if you get good at it..chopping!" Zoycite added.

"Then I'll make sure to get good at it." Andrew said.

"Let us go get started on your training." Darien said before he turned, and began to head back the way they had entered, his soulmate still at his side her hand clasped firmly in his.

Andrew followed along with Zoycite and Neflite; all of them wondering where exactly they would be training.

Andrew remembered Darien saying he had a better place in mind for his training and had brought them to the palace, so he wondered if there was a training room or something similar. Zoycite and Neflite had an idea where they could train, but they didn't know if that particular place had been preserved by the Earth as well.

The group of five made their way back up to the main floor of the palace, and began to walk through the hallways turning a corner here and there until they exited out a door that took them outside.

Andrew looked around and saw that they were behind the palace with a great view of what looked like a forest with a stone wall in front of some of it. As they walked toward it he noticed that the wall was not so low that they could step over it but not so high that they couldn't see over it; and that included Serena with her being shorter than them even with her high heel boots.

"Welcome to the Guardian Generals training ground." Darien told Andrew as they stopped in front of the wall.

"All of this?" Andrew asked wide eyed. He'd expected a training ground to a palace to be empty of anything, and only be flat ground that might or might not be enclosed.

"Everything inside the wall." Darien confirmed seriously.

"I can't believe this is here too." Neflite said.

"Yeah me too, but I'm glad it is. It's the best place for us to train without having to worry about the Guardian Scouts potentially being alerted to our presence." Zoycite said seriously.

"That is absolutely one of the reasons we will be using these grounds as well as the palace itself; to keep the Guardian Scouts and their princess from potentially spying on us, and of course from learning of your presence before it is necessary." Darien said as he looked to his generals.

"What's the other reason or reasons?" Zoycite asked curiously.

"For meetings to discuss issues and developments so we may speak openly, and so we do not have to take time choosing which one of our homes to use." Darien said as he looked to his Serenity.

"Yes." Serena agreed with a firm nod. "There is more than enough room in any room within the palace for us all to be comfortable and secure in our privacy, and for training purposes there is also more than enough room on the grounds for us all to train without getting in each other's way if we wish to work individually."

Neflite and Zoycite nodded, seeing that with the training grounds here they could assume that all of the royal grounds had been preserved, and Andrew nodded as well as he looked around at the training ground before them and back at the palace. Both definitely looked large enough for what Darien and Serena intended for them to use them for.

"Then let us proceed forward and get started." Darien said as he gestured toward the area beyond the wall.

Instantly Zoycite and Neflite jumped up, leaping over the wall, trusting that nothing would be in their path since everything was exactly how they remembered it. Serena smiled lightly at her soulmate before she released his hand and easily leapt over the wall to join the young men.

Andrew stood there with wide eyes at seeing how they had easily jumped over the wall. Normally he would have to grip the top of the wall and haul himself up or try to climb with the height of the wall, but he didn't think that's what he was supposed to do; especially not while still carry his new weapon.

He looked over to his best friend to see him already studying him.

"Ready to give it a try?" Darien asked calmly.

"How? Do you really think I can do it without practice?" Andrew asked as he looked back and forth between his best friend and the wall.

"I believe it would have been more prudent to simply run around first just so you could become used to your new speed, but I believe you can in fact do this without practice." Darien said reassuringly. "We can run around after you get over the wall if you want to do that first." He added with a light smirk.

Andrew rolled his eyes.

"Maybe." He said before he looked back to the wall. "So just jump?" He asked.

"Well first, you need to put your weapon away." Darien said as he nodded to the halberd. "With your new power comes a subspace pocket; a personal pocket dimension. We each have one that carries our weapons and anything else we wish to carry on us, but not have in a pocket or bag or if we have neither of those. It can be accessed whether you are transformed or not."

"Simply gesture with your hand slightly while wanting to put your weapon away and it will be placed into your subspace pocket. Then use the same actions while wanting your weapon from in your subspace pocket to retrieve it." He explained.

Andrew did as he was instructed and was surprised when his weapon disappeared from his hand. He repeated the gesture and focused on wanting his weapon, and watched as said weapon appeared back in his hand.

"I'm impressed." He said as he returned his weapon to his new subspace pocket. "So I just jump?" He asked as he looked back to the wall.

"Yes, and you shouldn't think about it in too much detail." Darien answered. "Simply jump up. Don't worry about how high it is, if you will make it over, or what exactly is on the other side. Just look at the distance, and know that you want and need to be able to make it pass that."

"In fact, you should take it in steps to start with; making it to the top of the wall, and then from there to the ground." He added.

"You all don't worry about what's on the other side." Andrew stated with a raised eyebrow. "The others did a blind jump."

"It's different for us. This is home. We've trained here for years. We know exactly what's on the other side of this wall; know the entire layout." Darien explained. "In other circumstances we would be more cautious, and wouldn't make blind jumps. We would need to see where we were landing."

Andrew nodded and sighed before he looked back to the wall. He looked up to the top, understanding that he needed to lay eyes on the spot he intended to land on, bent his knees slightly as he narrowed his eyes, and jumped up.

Instantly his feet left the ground and he rose rapidly into the air. His eyes widened dramatically. He hadn't thought it would work right from the start. He thought he wouldn't make it to the top and would need to try again.

He could feel his breath coming rapidly and he mentally slapped himself and forced himself to focus on his landing. He looked at the top of the wall, which looked narrow now that he was looking down at it, but still managed to land. Unfortunately he was not used to standing on narrow surfaces and he stuck his arms out to help balance himself.

In the next moment Darien landed at his side and grabbed his arm to help him regain his balance.

"Good job." He said with a light smirk, and Andrew rolled his eyes. He looked down to see Serena, Zoycite, and Neflite standing below them a few feet back from the wall looking up at them.

"Come on down!" Zoycite called up to them.

Darien glanced to Andrew and raised an eyebrow before he leapt down and landed lightly before he turned and looked back up to his best friend.

Andrew for his part breathed in a calming breath before he sighed and stepped off the wall. He plummeted and landed surprisingly lightly in the grass. His knees bent a little, but there was no pain. Not even when he stood straight.

"Now that that has been accomplished let's go running to give Andrew a chance to get used to the action." Darien said to their group. "Jump when you feel comfortable trying." He told Andrew.

"I will take the back in case anything goes wrong." Serena announced.

"I'll be in front of her." Neflite said.

"I'll be in front of Andrew." Zoycite said as he looked from his Prince to Andrew and back again.

"Then I shall take point and lead our path." Darien said with a nod.

Andrew shifted uncomfortably as he tried to prepare himself for this next task.

"Don't worry. Just follow and do what I do when you feel comfortable trying." Zoycite said reassuringly. "This will be a follow the leader type of thing. We'll all be doing the same thing as the one ahead of us, and if anything goes wrong Serenity and Neflite are right behind you."

"Yeah no worries." Neflite said.

"And do not be ashamed if you slip or trip or do not do a jump. We have all been there." Serena said seriously.

"Be thankful we're old enough not to laugh now." Neflite said.

Andrew's eyes widened, and Darien nodded in agreement.

"We learned all this when we were small children, and there was much laughter and teasing when one of us slipped, tripped, or collided with something." He explained.

"Alright." Andrew said as he nodded. "I'm ready when you are." He added as he looked around at everyone.

Everyone nodded and without another word Darien took off at a light run, something faster than a jog but not the fast pace a normal person could do. He would gradually increase to the speeds they could reach as soldiers.

Zoycite followed his Prince and Andrew began to run after him. He wanted to glance back to see if Serena and Neflite were following in the order they had chosen, since he couldn't hear them, but he didn't want to accidentally run into Zoycite or anything else because he wasn't paying attention.

The small group, in single file, ran through the forest moving around trees, over bushes, fallen trees, and large rocks while Darien gradually increased their pace. Andrew was so focused on Zoycite's back and the path in front of him that he didn't notice. What he did notice was the first time Darien jumped into a tree before easily skipping to the next.

His eyes widened before they dropped back to Zoycite in time to see him making the jump and landing in the tree where Darien had first been. Andrew pressed his lips into a firm line, trying to ignore his suddenly racing heart and the idle thought that it hadn't been racing as he ran, and focused on the spot he needed to land in.

Zoycite leapt to the next tree and Andrew jumped up to try and take his place. To his relief and amazement he landed lightly on the slightly thick tree branch before leapt to the next one after Zoycite leapt away without even thinking about it. Again he landed lightly, without a problem, and he couldn't help smiling at his success.

Darien lead them back down to the ground and continued leading them on a random path through the forest. Soon Andrew was speeding around trees, leaping over bushes and boulders, and jumping into trees easily with the others, and he was aware of it. He could see everything even though he knew they were going fast enough that it was approaching blur levels of speed.

He was also surprised that he hadn't hit anything or fallen yet, and wondered if it was only because he was in the middle of the others that prevented it. If that was the case then he knew those falls and collisions were still coming. After all, he was going to need more than one day of practice, and he would be on his own for a lot of it.

Eventually they slowed to a stop in a small clearing, and Andrew looked around. It was a beautiful relaxing little spot.

"That was fun." He said as he turned his attention back to his companions.

"Good." Neflite said. "This is serious stuff, but there's no reason you can't have fun with it."

"Let's see if we can get you to have some fun with your new power." Zoycite said.

"Yes." Darien agreed. "Make yourself comfortable and start meditating, so you can get use to the feel of your new power. Once you're used to it we can move on to working with your eyes and any other abilities you discover."

Andrew nodded and sat in the grass and made himself comfortable before he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing.

Right away he felt his chakra and was able to focus on it in a way he hadn't been able to earlier. It was still warm, something he knew he was going to have to get used to, and he could feel it throughout his entire body. It wasn't concentrated in any specific part of his body, and from his experience earlier he knew he would have to direct it to a specific place in order for it to enhance that part of his body.

It also somehow felt new and yet old at the same time. He could understand the newness since he had just gotten it, but he couldn't understand why it would feel old.

"It feels new and yet old if that makes sense." He said quietly as he continued to focus on the feel of his warm power.

"That is because your power was granted to you by the Earth." Darien said. "Her power is ancient, and yet it was mixed with the chakra you were born with to create something entirely new."

"Ah that makes sense." Andrew replied. "Okay I'm going to try and..activate my eye power and see how that goes." He said since he felt comfortable with the feel of his power in general.

"Good luck." Zoycite said.

Andrew breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth a few times, trying to prepare himself for what was to come, before he tried to will some of his chakra to his eyes.

Immediately he felt it move quickly and the next thing he knew he was seeing Darien, Serena, Neflite and Zoycite in the positions they had been in before he closed his eyes standing around him. Then he registered trees, branches, bushes, rocks, boulders, the stone wall that separated the training ground from the palace, and the palace itself.

It was just as disorienting as before but not the shock it had been, and it definitely helped that he was sitting down. That allowed him to focus on what he was seeing and how he was seeing instead of worrying about his balance. Everything was still in color, but as soon as he thought about the previous shades of gray from when he first activated the ability it instantly switched to that.

He had been idly looking at the stone wall, so he saw that when the color switched he could now see through it. Looking around he could see through the trees and bushes. Their shapes were still there but they looked transparent. He turned his attention to the palace and the outer wall where he focused it became transparent allowing him to see into a hallway.

"It's just like before. I can see everything in every direction." He said before he slowly opened his eyes. Nothing changed; his vision didn't change in any way. "When I switch it to the shades of gray everything becomes transparent and I can see through things." He added.

"Can you still see skeletal structures?" Serena asked.

Andrew silently looked to Darien since he was directly in front of him and focused on him and wanting to see his bones. Instantly his figure switched from the gray shade with glowing molten gold flowing like blood to a skeletal structure.

"Yes." He answered.

"How far can you see?" Darien asked seriously since that was an important fact to know.

"I don't know." Andrew said. "If it helps I can see the boundaries of the training ground in every direction, and I can see the palace."

"Can you see through the palace to the front?" Neflite asked curiously.

"Uh..hold on. Let me check." Andrew said after a slight hesitation.

He focused his new vision on the palace even as his physical eyes looked at Darien and the area in front of him. It was strange and still a bit disconcerting, but he was actually starting to get use to seeing many things at once. Although he wasn't quite ready to test standing up and moving around while seeing all that he could see.

But I know I'm going to have to. He told himself before refocusing.

He could still see the palace and the hallway inside the outer wall facing his direction. He focused on wanting to see further and as he did the inner walls became transparent one after another revealing more hallways, rooms, and staircases. The last wall became transparent instantly revealing the front of the palace. He took in the entire courtyard including the tiled walkway, grass, hedges, water fountain, and something he hadn't seen before.

A tall gold iron fence stretching off to the left and right of the courtyard. The closed iron gate had a large bird in the middle with its wings spread on both halves of the gate. Clearly he hadn't seen the gate and fence because his back had been to it when they first arrived and he hadn't thought to look behind him; too amazed at the palace in front of him.

"I can see all of the courtyard, the fence and gate, and the first line of trees beyond it but nothing further." Andrew informed them before shifting his vision around. "And off to the sides of the palace I can see gardens, and a large building..whoa is that a horse stable?!" He interrupted himself as he saw that it actually was a horse stable with horses in it. Although, they looked like they were all asleep.

Zoycite and Neflite blinked in surprise. The stable was there too?!

"Yes it is." Darien confirmed. "The horses are thankfully all still alive though sleeping until they are awakened." He added as he looked to his two original generals, and watched them grin and nod in understanding. Their personal horses were there and alive.

"Can you see anything else in our bodies aside from the skeletal structure?" Zoycite asked Andrew, refocusing away from the stable and horses. "Like can you see our organs, muscles, and tendons?"

Andrew focused on Zoycite since he had asked the question and concentrated on wanting to see his internal organs, muscles, and tendons. Just as quickly as when he checked to see if he could still see bones he could see Zoycite's muscles and tendons then his vision moved beyond to his organs. His heart was fully visible beating as it should, his lungs were expanding and contracting, his liver, his stomach, and all the others.

"Yes I can." He answered. "When I focus on them I can see them."

"So you can see everything to do with the body, see through inanimate objects, and see for quite a distance in a large circumference around you." Neflite said.

"That's what it's looking like." Andrew said as he carefully nodded, the motion making him slightly dizzy.

"Does that include underground?" Serena asked, and everyone looked thoughtful.

Andrew focused his vision to the ground and wanting to see beneath him, and immediately he could see tree roots, rocks, pebbles, worms, and other insects.

"I can see underground." He confirmed. "Tree roots, rocks, and insects."

"That will come in handy should an enemy or anyone attempt to hide or attack from underground." Neflite said.

"Yes, definitely handy." Zoycite said, and Serena nodded in agreement as well.

"Indeed." Darien agreed as well. "Now, how about you try standing, and if you do not feel unstable we will see what else you can do with this new ability of yours." He told his best friend.

Andrew nodded and carefully got to his feet, focusing on only seeing what was in front of him in his immediate area and the rest in a periphery and background view. Once he stood straight he assessed himself and found that he was stable and didn't feel like he was going to fall, but he thought that was because he had focused his vision and wasn't trying to see everything at once.

"I'm good." He assured them. "It helps that I'm only focused on seeing the immediate area directly in front of me."

"Good." Darien said as he nodded. Then he focused on his chakra, and what he wanted, and a moment later a small cloud of white smoke appeared to his right. When the smoke cleared away a clone of him was left standing there silent and waiting.

"What can you tell me about him?" He asked his new general.

Andrew focused all of his sight on the clone and saw that he looked like Darien's twin then he switched his vision to the shades of gray and saw that he too had molten gold colored chakra running through his body like blood. He switched his vision and saw to his surprise that the clone had internal organs. That was entirely unexpected.

What about bones? He asked himself and his vision switched to show the clones skeletal structure. He didn't know how that was possible, but it just proved that his friend's clones really were indistinguishable from himself.

"I can see the exact same things I saw with all of you." He informed them as he continued to look at the clone. "His chakra is the same color and flows the same way, and he has internal organs and a skeletal structure. There is absolutely nothing to tell me that he is a clone."

"Interesting." Darien said as he looked at his clone. "I had no idea the structure of my clones went that deep. It is obviously an illusion of my chakra, but I like that it makes it so one can truly not know a clone is not me."

Of course he didn't say it but he knew that there was one thing that could cause someone close to him to tell that a clone was not him, but his clone would have to willingly reveal that knowledge. His golden crystal could not be cloned, so clearly the version of him with the crystal was the original.

"Why am I seeing this?" Andrew asked as he continued to look at the clone with his different visions.

"Seeing what exactly?" Darien asked.

"Internal organs, bones, chakra..everything in the body." Andrew said as he gestured to the clone. "There has to be a reason."

"There is an injury and lifesaving benefit." Serena said. "You will be able to see the exact nature and depth of an injury, if any bones are broken, if any organs are compromised, and even if our power is somehow compromised."

"On the other hand you could see weaknesses in an enemy's body that can be exploited, so they can be finished off quickly." Zoycite said.

"You'll be able to tell if an enemy is human or not based on their internal make up." Neflite said. "They might look human, but have extra or missing organs or a different skeletal structure."

"And perhaps you can somehow target the enemy's power since you said you can see our chakra." Darien added. "If it truly moves in pathways like blood does in veins then perhaps you can affect them somehow."

Andrew hummed thoughtfully and switched his vision to the moving colors, the chakra pathways, and once again saw the glowing molten gold moving throughout the clone's body.

Looking closer he saw little points of light all along the pathways throughout his whole body. Carefully stepping closer so he didn't lose his balance and fall, since moving with this new eye ability still made him dizzy, he leaned in and confirmed that there were dozens and dozens of them. He wasn't sure he could count them all.

"There are little lights, brighter then the rest, all along the pathways." He said idly as he lifted a hand, but paused and looked to the clone's face.

"Go ahead." The clone said. "I am here to help you figure out what you can do."

Andrew nodded and looked back down and traced a finger along one of the pathways along his left arm, pausing here and there where a light was before moving on.

"Chakra points." He said softly before he looked from his hand to the clones arm and back again. He focused, narrowing his eyes, until his hand began to glow with a turquoise light.

Looking to the clone again he watched him nod reassuringly and focused back on his arm before he touched one. He pushed his own chakra into a chakra point halfway up his arm, not knowing what it would do but following something inside him telling him to do it, and listened as the clone hissed and reflexively yank his arm away.

"That was unexpected." The clone said with a grimace as he shook his arm.

"What happened?" Zoycite asked.

"It looks like I..closed..one of his chakra points. The flow of his chakra stopped along that pathway." Andrew said.

"And it hurt." The clone added. "My arm feels almost like that pins and needles feeling when your arm goes to sleep. I imagine if you closed enough of them the arm would be numb on top of not being able to use chakra from that arm."

"Wow." Andrew said.

"That is a very good ability to have, but I imagine it will only work on an enemy that is actually human and not the monsters we deal with. However, we will not know until you can see a monster with your new eye ability." Darien told Andrew. "And before you can get to either of those things you will need to be able to move around while using your eyes, so you will have to practice diligently. Use every opportunity you have; even when you are at home."

"I will." Andrew said seriously as he nodded, already deciding that he would use his new eye ability whenever he was at home regardless of what he was doing. That was training he could do without leaving home.

"Very well." Darien said. "I believe there is nothing more you can do with your eye ability, at least not until you can move around freely while using it, so we should move on to see if you were granted anything aside from that ability."

"Alright." Andrew said as he pulled his chakra away from his eyes deactivating the ability and returning his eyes and vision to normal. "How exactly do I do that?"

"Focus on wanting to attack. That should help you find it." Neflite suggested.

Everyone moved off to the sides and watched as Andrew closed his eyes and breathed calmly. Meanwhile, Andrew himself concentrated on his chakra and focused on wanting to attack, to be able to help fight the monsters that were attacking people, to be able to help stop them.

Slowly he began to hear a light buzzing in his ears before he gradually began to feel an electric charge inside his body, a tingling twinging feeling, like static electricity building to an electric shock. It didn't hurt or make him feel numb in any way, but it was becoming very apparent and energizing.

He opened his eyes and, at a feeling inside himself, held out a hand with his palm up before he tried to focus the energizing feeling to his palm in a small ball shape. Green eyes watched as turquoise sparks began to flash in his palm before they grew brighter and formed into a turquoise baseball sized ball of lightning.

Andrew shifted his hand up causing the ball to lift up into the air as if it was an actual baseball before it landed back in his palm. It didn't feel like energy but instead like it had an actual physical form with weight to it. He hummed before he suddenly threw it at a tree in front of him.

Everyone followed the movement and watched the lightning ball slam into the tree, and send lightning crackling along the bark in the immediate area.

"Lightning. Interesting." Darien said, still looking at the crackling tree.

"Very nice ability. It would go well with Jedite's power." Neflite commented, and Zoycite nodded in agreement.

"What is it?" Andrew asked curiously.

"He can manipulate aspects of summer; solar, light, fire, heat, etc." Neflite answered.

"Ah." Andrew breathed as he nodded. "What about you all?" He asked.

"I can manipulate aspects of autumn; rock, soil, crystal, etc." Neflite said.

"Mine is spring manipulation, which means I can control and attack with plants and flowers and such." Zoycite answered. "Our other fellow general, Malachite, is winter manipulation, which means he can control and attack with ice and snow and the like."

"Wow!" Andrew said with raised eyebrows before he looked to Serena.

"I can produce and manipulate earth, fire, water, and air. I can create them from my energy and control them from an outside physical source." Serena informed him.

Andrew's eyes widened and his lips moved as if he wanted to speak but nothing came out. Being able to use the elements like that was amazing. Although, he recalled Darien mentioning how in the past her bed had caught fire while she was unconscious when he mentioned how she needed to learn to control her power, so he had been somewhat aware of her powers. Still, it was different to hear from her, and it was an amazing ability to have.

Amazing that she's essentially an elemental. He thought, and then he looked to his best friend.

"My ability is being able to manipulate my chakra for offense and defense at will, which means my imagination is my only limit. As long as I have enough energy and the necessary control I can do what I wish." Darien explained. "My clones being only one example. Others involved forming solid weapons of my chakra, element weapons, chakra chains, and I have a partiality to using plants and flowers; particularly roses."

Andrew looked around at all of them and just tried to take in the fact that they were all powerful. It was awe inspiring, and made him wonder if he would become that way when he had enough training under his belt with his power.

"So I can possibly manipulate lightning or electricity." He said as he lifted his hands and looked at his palms and fingers. "Actually it's electricity." He amended as something inside him corrected him.

"Very likely." Darien said, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Let's see what else you can do with your electricity." Zoycite said with a smirk.

Andrew grinned at him before focusing on wanting another attack.

oOo

Serena stood back as she watched Andrew launching his attacks into the trees. She thought it was fascinating that he could use electricity and lightning, and anticipated having an interesting time when she eventually trained with him, but right now she could admit that she was distracted.

She had been able to focus on the task at hand since they had arrived at the palace, tried to ignore the feelings that had slammed into her at the sight of the home she had been taken from, but she couldn't do it anymore despite what was going on in front of her.

Pressing her lips together to hold in a sigh she looked to the guys, their backs to her, before she turned and slipped away. She moved quickly yet silently through the forested training ground and leapt over the wall before she made her way to the closest entrance to the palace. She made her way through the silent empty hallways, aching that they were so, and eventually stopped outside a familiar room.

Opening the door to what she remembered was her music room, where her piano had sat waiting for her, she paused before she could even think to step inside. There was no beautiful white and gold grand piano and matching bench. It actually looked like a drawing room with chairs, couches, and tables tastefully arranged around the room. Even the walls were a different color; lavender, purple, and white as opposed to the soft sky blue and white flowers.

The only aspects that remained as she remembered were the color of the floor tiles, the placement of the windows, and the crystal chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling.

Serena frowned slightly, the only expression she would allow herself, as she took in the details of the room before she closed the door and made her way through the hallways and upstairs to her next destination. She stopped outside a door that matched all the rest that were visible in the hallway and took a steadying breath before she turned the handle and opened it.

The door swung open into a sitting room. It was a very nice room and looked just as she remembered from the colors to the placement of the furniture, but there was nothing in sight to distinguish it as having belonged to her. She stepped inside and walked over to the other door leading into the room and opened it to reveal a bedroom.

Again it looked just as she remembered from the position of the bed and nightstands to the colors of the walls, floor, and bedding. Opening the attached bathroom door showed a regular bathroom of the time but nothing more, and opening the closet door showed only an empty space waiting for clothing to fill it.

These rooms, which should have been her personal suite of rooms, were nothing but guest rooms. There were none of her personal belongings here. As she grew older and her relationship with Endymion deepened she had spent more and more time in his rooms, but these had still been her rooms and had her personal stamp on them. Even in his rooms though she knew there would be no trace of her; all of which only highlighted what she had lost.

Serena turned, not bothering to close the doors she had opened, and returned to the sitting room and stood at the window. It looked out on the side of the palace at some of the gardens and the forest beyond, a beautiful view, but she barely noticed it as she found herself remembering her clothes of all things.

It was such an insignificant detail in the scheme of things she had lost, but she couldn't help remembering the dress she had worn when the King officially announced that she and Endymion were engaged. She had really liked that dress.

She had also liked many other dresses she had worn to formal occasions with Endymion since most of them were for after they became engaged. Then there were her casual clothes, the ones she wore when she wasn't in her uniform, and her training clothes. All of which were similar to what now sat in her floating castle.

I miss my clothes. She thought sadly as she closed her eyes and bowed her head. It's not fair! I have what's in my floating castle, but it's not the same! It's not here!

Suddenly she felt firm warm arms wrap around her waist followed by a warm firm body pressing against her back.

Endymion. She thought softly as she covered his arms with her own.

Darien looked down at his Serenity's bent head before he turned his eyes to the view out the window. He had of course seen her leave what with his connection to the Earth open, and had followed her progress even as he watched Andrew getting used to his new powers.

It was not long before he understood what she was doing, and his heart broke for his soulmate. There was no question of going to her, so he simply informed the others he was going to go check on her and left; idly noting their surprise at her being gone.

Now here he was with her safe and secure in his arms, and he was going to do all he could to comfort her.

"Talk to me Serenity." He said quietly.

"It is only seeing the evidence of my..nonexistence here." Serena said as she lifted her head and opened her eyes. "The palace is here, which is still an amazing fact, you and the guys have your rooms still and all your belongings I am sure, but I have nothing. Nothing except what came with my power and was in my subspace pocket, which is just my weapons and transformation stick."

Darien hummed quietly as he held her tighter. He fully understood her upset. She of course had her floating castle but that wasn't the same as having her rooms here with her belongings. She hadn't live in her castle isolated from the Earth and only coming to patrol or making an appearance when there was trouble; it was just a place to be occasionally.

Everything she had had in her rooms, and in his, was completely gone. Erased from the palace. Even the music room that had been redone for her along with her personalized piano was gone. The only evidence that she had existed inside the palace and on the Earth at all was in their memories.

And all because of that damn princess! He thought angrily before he kissed the top of her head.

"If I could think of an appropriate punishment for that spoiled, selfish, obsessed female I would enact it with haste if it would make you feel even remotely better." He finally said.

"If I could somehow restore all of your possessions and influence within the palace I would. If it was within my power to reverse what she did, so we were back in the Silver Millennium and weeks away from being married, I would not hesitate to do so. I would do it all if it would ease your heart and mind in even the smallest fashion." He said sincerely.

Serena closed her eyes and leaned her head back against his chest. Her Endymion was the best. So caring, so sweet, so willing to try and do what might very well be impossible if only to make her feel better.

She wouldn't deny that she wished they could go back. Back to the past before their lives had been irrevocably changed, and prevent it from happening so they could continue on the path their lives had been on.

Perhaps if the Moon Queen had known what her daughter would do she would have been able to take measures to prevent it. She thought as she unhappily remembered her time as Sailor Moon back on the Moon, and then quickly returned her mind to the present. I wish her mother and guardians had kept a closer watch on her. If they had she would not have been able to come to the Earth to stalk Endymion nor come without permission.

"I appreciate that you are willing to punish her. I would happily watch, but I do not think either of us can come up with an appropriate punishment that will encompass all that we have lost." She said after a few long moments. "On the other hand if you do happen to come up with something feel free to share; if it does not go against our moral code then it could very well be enacted."

"Of course." Darien said. "You will do the same will you not?" He asked in the next moment.

"Yes." Serena said firmly before she turned in his arms and looked up at him. "I would love to go back if it was possible, but I would miss my family and friends in this time. And if such a thing could be done, while it could also be possible to not remember this time, so as to avoid that, we would in fact need to remember it to prevent the change in reality from happening again."

"You are right." He agreed. "While not remembering this time would make it so we would avoid the pain of deliberately leaving behind our friends and family from this time, we truly would need to remember in order to prevent that selfish wench from changing reality again."

"Although, I would be more than willing to be the only one to remember." He added.

"I am not in the least surprised by that, but I would not want you to be burdened with the knowledge of what had happened and what would happen." She replied.

"Hmm..since that is not to be our course we should put it in the back of our minds since I know it is impossible yet for us to leave anything to do with the past in said past." He said, and watched her nod.

"You need a distraction my love." He said.

"What of the others?" Serena asked.

"The generals are training together and becoming familiar with each other and their powers. They will be fine without us." Darien answered, and she nodded. "Come. We will go visit Lucius and Agrippina."

Serena's eyes lit up and she smiled as they separated and began to head to the door and begin their journey to the stables.

oOoIRoOo

It was Friday, the end of the work week, and Kenji and Ikuko were sitting in the living room relaxing, their son was up in his room, and their daughter wasn't home. It had only been half an hour since Kenji had been home from work, but that wasn't stopping him from being lost in thought.

In fact, both of them were lost in thought thinking about what they had learned about their daughter, her boyfriend, and the white feline that had apparently been, and still was, living in their house.

It had been nearly a week since they had learned about their daughter's secret life. The more they thought about it the more they realized just how complicated it was. Past lives, magical crystals, obsessed women, altered memories, kidnapping, royalty, soldiers, death, reincarnation, supernatural powers, and more.

It was all so much. Just the week before they had thought their daughter was a normal high school girl with friends and a boyfriend. She was finishing off her last year of high school, her grades were good, and waiting for word that she had gotten into her chosen university.

Now, all of that was the same, but there was an added layer to her identity. She was a sailor scout, a reincarnated soldier, a soldier with supernatural powers, her boyfriend was also a soldier with supernatural powers and was a reincarnated prince, and there was a talking cat living in her bedroom.

She and her boyfriend both apparently had royal homes; Serena a floating castle out in space, and Darien a palace somewhere on the planet.

Their daughter had started out as Sailor Earth in the past, presumably just living her life, before she was kidnapped and her memory altered to make her Sailor Moon. Then she died and was reborn in the present and became Sailor Moon again, but now she had remembered her true past and was once again Sailor Earth.

It was all so much, almost too much, and Kenji was still shocked that his daughter had attacked him, and had subdued him so quickly and effortlessly. It also brought to mind the change in her.

She was still the same for the most part. She went to school, did her homework, hung out with her friends and her boyfriend, and came home and spent some time with them as usual.

However, she now wore her hair differently, completely loose instead of in the style it had been in for years, she had a different baring, she was more assured and walking and speaking more confidently, and she now went out patrolling.

Although, I suppose she did that even before she remembered, but when she still believed herself to be Sailor Moon it was an instinct, something she felt compelled to do, and now it's simply part of what she considers her duty as Sailor Earth. He thought with a sigh as he remembered back to the day his daughter had revealed her secret life to them.

oOo

"Do you have any more questions?" Their daughter asked as she looked to them from her seat between her boyfriend and the white cat.

"Yes. What was the physical reaction that scared everyone when you were searching for Serena's past self?" Ikuko asked Darien.

"It was an earthquake; caused by my emotions due to my connection to the Earth." He revealed, and Kenji's eyes widened even as his wife gasped.

"Your emotions can cause earthquakes?!" Kenji asked incredulously.

"Yes; among other things." Darien answered.

"What're those other things?" He asked curiously, wanting to know more about what his daughter's boyfriend was capable of.

"My emotions can affect the weather. If I allow it, depending on how I feel, they can cause lightning, thunder, various forms of rain, storms, or a bright sunny sky." Darien explained.

"I always knew if the weather changed suddenly then something was happening with him, and I needed to look in on him." Serena said as she smiled softly at said young man. "If only for my own peace of mind."

Kenji watched as the young man kissed her gloved hand since both of them were still in their uniforms. Their relationship still bothered him but he pushed his thoughts aside to consider later.

"Are your protective guardians here again?" He asked the young man. "I figure that's possible since the princess' guardians are back in the picture."

"We are in the process of finding them and helping them remember themselves." Darien answered.

Kenji nodded slowly, and wondered how many of them had been found.

"What does all this mean for you exactly?" Ikuko asked their daughter as she gestured at her outfit. "What will you be doing now that you're Sailor Earth instead of Sailor Moon? Will it be different?"

Kenji thought that was a good question. He certainly wanted to know exactly what his daughter would be doing as a sailor scout. She had said she would be fighting monsters, but was there anything else?

"It will be different." Serena said seriously. "As Sailor Moon I went out to fight monsters to protect people, before all the inner scouts were found I was to look for them, before the Moon Princess was found I was to look for her, then I was to protect her, and I was tasked with essentially finding the silver crystal."

"As Sailor Earth I will go out patrolling to make sure all is right in the city, and fight the monsters that attack. Aside from that I will also be training to make sure my skills are always in top form." She continued.

"You didn't patrol before did you? As Sailor Moon?" Kenji asked, trying to remember if he had seen any evidence of her doing something like that.

"I did, because my instincts pushed me too. It was not something that was officially part of my duties as Sailor Moon." She replied.

"But it was part of your duties as Sailor Earth in the past?" Ikuko asked.

"Yes it was." Serena answered.

"So you two were really engaged to be married?" Ikuko asked, changing the subject and causing Kenji to grimace slightly. "And you were soulmates? Still are?"

"Yes we were and still are soulmates, and we were indeed engaged to be married." Serena confirmed. "I shall never forget the day he proposed. I had never thought of what I would wish to hear in such a proposal, but he gave me everything I could have wished for if I had." She said as she looked from her mother to her Prince.

"Do you remember what he said?" She asked her daughter before she looked to her boyfriend. "What did you say to her?" She asked him, curious and a little excited.

Kenji nearly rolled his eyes at seeing his wife getting into the romance of their daughter's past life, but he could admit to himself that he was a little curious.

"Perhaps it would be better if I simply show you what happened." Darien suggested thoughtfully.

"I certainly would not mind seeing it, and hearing your lovely words again." Serena said as she raised an eyebrow.

"Can you really show us? How?" Ikuko asked with slightly wide eyes.

"With my golden crystal." Darien said before he held out his hand.

They blinked at the gesture, but then their eyes widened as a golden crystal appeared to hover above his palm. It sparkled like a diamond, and was large. Kenji imagined that had something like that been for sale in a jewelry store it would be worth more than he made in a year; possibly more.

Within a few moments the crystal began to glow, the light pulsing briefly, before the light spread out around them and blinded them before it cleared. Suddenly they found themselves no longer in their living room and instead standing in a forest.

They all stood as a group side by side; even the white cat Artemis was standing with them at their feet. Ikuko gasped, and Kenji looked over and his eyes widened to see his daughter and her boyfriend walking toward them, but they were also standing right next to them! They were even dressed the same way in their uniforms!

"I have used my crystal to project my memory of the proposal." Darien said. "We are actually still in the living room and we remain in our seats, but while viewing this memory we can move around in it to better see."

"Wow." Kenji and Ikuko said in unison, amazed by the ability.

They watched the couple walk pass them like they weren't there, but before they could take a step to follow them they found the whole group moving as one like they were being pulled along. It was disconcerting to say the least; to seem like they were gliding sideways without feeling the motion.

After a short while they found themselves gliding almost alongside the couple into a wide meadow. Tall wide trees circled the area, and the colors of the grass and wild flowers were vibrant and beautiful.

Their daughter's boyfriend's past self, Prince Endymion, led her past self, Serenity, to the center of the meadow and stood in front of her to face her. They stared at each other in silence for a few long moments before he spoke.

"I brought you here so we would not be interrupted." He began, and Kenji watched her tilt her head a little to the side.

"We have known each other for eleven years now, and have known what we are to each other for just as long. We have grown together. Grown in mind, in body, and in power. We have gained the respect and admiration of our people as individuals, and we have gained respect and admiration from each other." He said clearly.

"We have played together, we have studied together, we have trained together, and we have fought together." The prince continued, and they watched his eyes begin to take on a golden glow. "We have shared our lives together all these years, in nearly every way possible, and I wish for such to continue."

"I wish to share my life with you in all ways possible." He said, and they were surprised when a golden transparent sphere suddenly appeared around the couple.

"My Serenity, my lady, my little scout, my soulmate, my love, will you do me the greatest honor of my life and consent to be my wife? To be my future Princess? To be my future Queen?" Prince Endymion asked.

Ikuko quietly squealed.

"Yes." Serenity answered as if she didn't have enough breath to squeeze out the word. "Yes. A hundred, a thousand times, yes!" She added louder.

They watched the prince pick her up and kiss her, clearly elated, but they were surprised by the sudden sound of clapping. Everyone looked off to the side to see four young men clapping as they walked out from behind trees; cheering and congratulating the newly engaged pair.

They each wore the same white uniform and dark brown and dark blue cape, and Kenji, along with his wife and the white feline, wondered if these young men were the prince's protective guardians.

"I am getting married! I am getting married!" Serenity cried out in obvious happiness with a wide smile on her face as she jumped up and down.

Then she ran to each young man and hugged them and laughed happily before she ran back to Endymion and jumped into his arms. He swung her around in a circle as they laughed together in their excitement.

To the surprise of Kenji, Ikuko, and Artemis an older man and woman walked out from behind a pair of trees on the other side of the meadow and began to clap drawing the attention of everyone else there. With their coloring and facial structure, not to mention the elegance of their clothing, it was obvious who the couple was.

"Congratulations Endymion." The older man said with a grin. "It is about time."

"Yes; it is about time." The older woman said with a large smile. "We must hold a ball to announce and celebrate!" She added.

"Thank you father, and yes mother we must hold a ball. Everyone must know of our happy news." Endymion said with a grin, confirming for those seeing the memory for the first time that the older couple was his parents and the King and Queen of the Earth.

The scene began to fade away leaving Kenji back in his seat in the living room with his wife, daughter and her boyfriend, and the white feline. As he adjusted to being seated, when moments before he had been standing, he watched as his daughter's boyfriend somehow made the golden crystal floating above his palm disappear.

He wondered where it went and where it had come from in the first place, but pushed the thought aside as he recalled the memory he had just seen.

His daughter's past self had been proposed to, and he could admit that from all he had learned about the couple it had been a very good marriage proposal. The proposal alone told him a lot about their relationship.

They had grown up together from childhood, living together and knowing they were soulmates, and were trained and educated together. They were friends that naturally switched to lovers and then grew their relationship to the point of being ready for marriage.

He supposed if the Moon Princess hadn't interfered in their lives by changing reality they would have gotten married. Serena's past self would have instantly become a princess, and they would have eventually taken over as King and Queen when Darien's past self's parents either past on or stepped down.

"That was beautiful." Ikuko said with a happy sigh.

"I agree." Serena said. "I cannot wait to see if my Endymion can do better."

"I accept your challenge my lady." Darien said with a small smile.

Kenji just sighed at the casual mention of being proposed to like it was a guaranteed event.

oOo

Kenji sighed and shook his head. There was so much to think about and adjust to. Chief among them was his daughter's identity as a sailor scout, an actual soldier, and her relationship with her boyfriend who was also a soldier.

"What are you thinking about?" His wife asked, and he looked over to see her looking at him.

"I'm just thinking about Serena and everything we've learned about her and her boyfriend." He said, and she nodded.

"Yeah it's still so surprising, shocking, and amazing." Ikuko said. "Our little girl is a soldier, a reincarnated soldier. She has a past life that she actually fully remembers."

"And she has supernatural powers!" He added.

"Both she and Darien do." She said in agreement. "And that crystal of his! Can you believe what he did with showing us that memory? Do you think his crystal is just as powerful as the silver crystal they talked about that caused the change in reality?"

"I think it is just as powerful since it was able to protect him in the past when the other crystal affected nearly everyone else. I wonder if he could do what that princess did in changing reality." Kenji said as he once again remembered the golden crystal they had been shown and the light that had flooded from it when it was used.

"And those patrols Serena does. What do you think of that?" She asked as she frowned. She didn't particularly like her daughter going out and wandering the city at various times of the day and night; especially at night.

Kenji groaned at that. Just a few days ago they had witnessed their daughter going out for the first time on one of her patrols. They knew she was going to transform when she was at a distance from the house, so no one would associate a sailor scout with their house or their neighborhood, but it had been shocking that she had left the house in her pajamas!

"I think I'm going to try and ignore any time I see her going or think she might already be out doing just that." He finally said. "I can't..I'm having trouble with the fact that she's going to be out there fighting. That she's already been out there fighting. And monsters at that!"

"It is a difficult thing to get used to." Ikuko agreed. She had no idea how she was going to come to terms with it. She understood it and already accepted it, but that was not the same as being okay with it.

"Do you think Serena will really marry Darien?" Kenji asked, his mind circling back to the memory they had been shown.

Ikuko looked at him knowingly.

"I knew that would be one of the things stuck on your mind." She said, and listened to him sigh. "After everything we've learned about them I have no doubt they will marry. It's only a matter of when not if. After all, their chance to be married in their past was stolen from them."

"I understand, but I don't like it." He said even as he nodded reluctantly. "It's a severe reminder that our daughter isn't a little girl anymore. That on top of her identity as a scout is hard to swallow."

"I completely understand." She said as she nodded. "I think of the two of us I'm the one more accepting of her relationship with Darien, and will be of them getting married. As for her scout identity…it's a lot to take in and accept, but I know I'm glad Serena is truly Sailor Earth and not Sailor Moon."

"Why?" He asked. "She's a scout either way. Still having to be in dangerous situations."

"True," She agreed. "but we know now. We're aware. I don't think Serena would have ever revealed that she was a scout had she not remembered the truth about herself and remained Sailor Moon or even if she had truly been that scout all along."

"But because she's proud of who she is, of being Sailor Earth, she's confident and self-assured. Because of that she's comfortable with letting us know all. Or nearly all since I have no doubt there are still things we don't know. Likely because we don't need to know or because she isn't ready to reveal it yet." She explained.

Kenji frowned. He hadn't had a preference between Serena's scout identities, but what his wife said made sense.

If Serena still believed she was Sailor Moon or if she truly had been the Moon scout then he supposed ignorance would have been bliss until it wasn't. Until some part of her hidden life made itself known. Made it so he couldn't be willfully blind to it or just plain blind to it, because he truly hadn't seen any signs that his daughter was one of those scouts he had heard about on the news.

However, with Serena actually Sailor Earth she felt no need to conceal that part of her life and had no problem telling them, and even though the knowledge was a lot to take in and adjust to he was glad to know.

"You know I'm glad Serena's Sailor Earth too, so we know what's going on in her life." Kenji said. "Although, it's possible she was lead to believe she had to keep her identity as Sailor Moon a secret instead of being unwilling for us to know for any reason."

"Hmm..I hadn't thought of that." Ikuko said as she considered that. "Maybe we can ask her or Artemis if he's here. I know he's not the one who made her a scout, but he would know; especially since I'm guessing those other scouts and even the one who's supposed to be the princess haven't told their families."

Before Kenji could reply they heard the sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs and decided to stop talking; remembering Serena's warning about Sammy not learning about her other identity until she decided to tell him. They had been talking quietly but they didn't want to take any chances.

"Mom! What's for dinner?" They heard their son ask as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Ikuko and Kenji shared a look and decided to hold off on further conversation about their daughter's secret life until they were sure they wouldn't be interrupted or overheard.