Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Trusting Heart ❯ A King's Vigilance ( Chapter 12 )

[ A - All Readers ]

Gods bless the artists of the word! The cliffhangers have at long last returned!!!
And thus the present and future are plunged into darkness and fear as the
princess of tomorrow falls to attack and the princess of the past, the great warrior of the moon, races to save her daughter only to be running into a trap . . . By herself, can Sailor Moon truly take on the Dark Moon at it's very source? The last time she fought the empire of evil alone Sailor Moon lost her life. Will she fall to the same fate or will destiny choose a new course this
time?
The action and danger have returned a hundred-fold in this new world of
the future. A war rages with a single lonely king to fight, and four wearied Scouts the only thing standing between a moon and the world. A queen sleeps,
awaiting her savior, preparing to die in her dreams before the final battle can be won.
The future is told, motives and emotions revealed, mysteries unraveled, and beauty released on a world of desolation in Chapter Twelve, "A King's Vigilance."

Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Sci-fi / Suspense | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.12.2006 | Pages: 6 | Words: 9.0K | Visits: 301 | Status: Completed

Chapter 12

A King's Vigilance

Violent thunder crashed, sundering the black skies into thousands of glittering shattered pieces. Darien studied the horrendous downpour pensively. Not a half hour ago he was out on his balcony, wistfully recalling other storms he'd spent with Serina in his arms. Her merry cries of fear and tight hugs every time the thunder crashed had sent a warm shiver through him; her endearing laughter echoing in his memory as he promised to protect her from the storm.

He'd hoped to add another such memory to his collection but he hadn't seen or heard from Serina all day. He felt a little neglected, forgotten. He'd just gotten her back, made her his fiancée, and could finally spend his days with her without fear or regard for the future and here he was stuck in his apartment, alone, of his own free will. 'Some change, Darien. Get her back and you still don't get to see her.'

However, soon after that thought, he felt the familiar tingle of Serina transforming into Sailor Moon. With it, an incredibly strange feeling tore at his mind. Like his brain was being pulled taunt, he felt the bond that he shared with his love being stretched nearly to its limits. What had just happened to her?! This new sensation was so different; it wasn't at all like the prickling he got when she was in danger or frightened or even the head-aching pain he felt when she was hurt. It was like she was being dragged away, beyond his reach. But she felt calm about it, no trouble or threat, just resigned resolve. And that worried him.

"Serina, what have you gotten yourself into?" Darien groaned when he recovered from the mental attack. The young prince wracked his mind for an explanation. He couldn't feel where she was, he could faintly feel that she was still alive, but he couldn't pinpoint ANYTHING! He called each one of the girls, asking where she was. They all said that she'd gone home almost an hour ago. He had Ami call her home and when she called back, his fear was confirmed. She wasn't there and had left with Rini.

"Darien, do you know what's up? Why are you so worried? What's happened?" Ami asked with mounting concern.

"I'm not sure. I got this strange feeling that Serina's gone- she just left my mind. I can still feel her, but only barely. Call the girls together. We'll meet at Rei's. We need to know what's happened."

"Right." Ami hung up and Darien trusted her to gather the Scouts. He took one glance out the window and transformed. If something had happened to her, he didn't know what he would do.

Worries flooded his mind; images of Serina's frail figure lying silent and pale in the wet grass, Rini huddled beside her, lost somewhere in the thunderstorm. What if she'd had a relapse from Garnyt's drug? What if the Dark Moon family had captured her and their daughter? Why had she transformed but not called the girls on her communicator for back up? And why the hell did she feel so far away!?

What if the Dark Moon had caught them by surprise and attacked, capturing Rini and Serina before she could call for help? It was likely he felt only her determination because she was trying to negotiate her surrender for their daughter's release . . .

Darien leapt off the balcony, his cape and top hat shielding him from most of the rain as he flew through the streets towards Cherry Hill Temple, his thoughts dark with worry.

__________________________

"You are so stubborn, Serina. Let us help or I'll never speak to you again."

"Okay, what's Meatball head done THIS time?" Rei demanded, her arms crossed with impatience. The facade didn't work on the six people in the fire room of her temple, they could see the anxiety in her eyes and the undertone of fear in her voice.

"I don't know, that's the problem! I felt something strange a while ago, like Serina was suddenly taken far, far away. She transformed first but she's nowhere near here and I can't get a sense of WHERE!"

"Serina left us around four o'clock this afternoon. She said she had a late birthday present to give to Rini, one she couldn't give her until she was alone with her." Ami informed him. She reviewed everything Serina had said that afternoon, wondering if she'd let a clue slip about what she was planning.

"So what do you think it was?" Lita asked, she leaned against one wall, twirling her ponytail anxiously.

"Guys, did it seem like she was preoccupied today? Like she was thinking of something really important?" Mina glanced around the room looking for answers. Each person, with the exception of Darien, nodded hesitantly. "Didn't it seem like she was saying good-bye?"

That caught everyone off guard. Saying good-bye? Where would she be going? What did that have to with Rini's birthday present?

Ami bit her lip. "She did act like she was trying to enjoy and memorize each moment. Like she would miss it."

Mina nodded assent, reminded of Serina's behavior when she'd found her this morning. "When I ran into her this morning, she said she was making her rounds, seeing her friends. I know I used to do the same when Sailor V had to pick up and leave suddenly. Serina had even gotten up early to do it. She went to see Molly and saw Andrew at the arcade." Mina glanced over the group with frightened blue eyes. She suddenly understood Serina- She knew what she would do for her own daughter . . . "Guys, I don't think she was planning on coming back!"

"What are you talking about?" Darien's voice cut through their musings. His distress was apparent in his voice. "Where would she be going? Why would she go without us! She obviously knew it was going to be dangerous!" Why hadn't she come to see him? If she were really saying good-bye . . .

The girls leapt to comfort him, the same thoughts racing through their heads but he, at least, was capable of doing something drastic to get her back. Not that they wouldn't, but Ami would come up with a plan first. "Darien, calm down. We need to track Serina down and find her. This has got to do with Rini's gift somehow. Serina's mother said she acted completely calm and nonchalant when she left. She planned this." Ami's logic stung them all. A wash of cold doused the room and everyone seemed shiver at the implications.

Rei's heart nearly stopped when she heard Ami. It was as if she'd just told her Serina had committed suicide! Serina wasn't capable thinking like this, no matter how she tried to trick them! Purposely putting herself into danger! Ever since she'd become a mother she was- Rei paused. 'I can't believe I just thought that.' She shook her raven head. "How could a meatball head like her be capable of planning out something like this?!" Rei demanded but her statement was lost under Darien's nearly outraged reply.

"How do you know?" Why would Serina do this? She knew she was going into danger where ever it was she was going and she hadn't bothered to mention it to anyone!

"The clues. She was preparing to leave today. I'm more worried about where she went and how rather than why." Ami had transformed into Sailor Mercury and whipped out her mini computer. Beside her, Rei plopped down before her fire and volunteered to do a reading to find their renegade princess. Before either could find anything, however, something happened to bring their attention back to the center of the room. The other girls instantly transformed.

A shimmer of red light and gray mist grew before the group of surprised Scouts and cats. From the glowing portal, trailed by escaping wisps of fog, stepped the Sailor Scout of Time. Her ever-calm face revealed concern and urgency as she gazed upon the all ready gathered Scouts with appreciation and respect. They all ready knew something was wrong.

The fact that the Guardian of Time had temporarily left her post was reason enough to send everyone into a panic. They stared at her, fear fixed in their eyes. They all recalled whom she was, Darien only barely, and suddenly it began to click where their leader might have gone.

Darien, still disguised as Tuxedo Mask, was the first to question. The cold anger forced into his voice was the only way he could steady himself. With firm, unemotional resolve he could keep himself from breaking down and losing control to something he hadn't in the longest time. Fear. "What's happened? Where's Serina?"

"Sailor Moon has gone with Small Lady to the future to save the queen, Rini's mother." The looks of shock were paler than expected only because they had begun to suspect the same but never dreamed Serina would do such a thing on her own.

Before they could demand more, she quickly cut them off with a short explanation. "Sailor Moon's only gift for her future daughter was the return of her 'real' mother. You all know she couldn't stand the thought of leaving her daughter, or anyone, alone. Even knowing it was her own self she went to rescue, she did it with only Small Lady and her future husband in mind, to restore her child's most precious desire. Unfortunately, Sailor Moon must face more than the awakening of the queen. Even now, as she returns Small Lady to the palace, she is in great danger. The Dark Moon has nearly over-run the city and they must get within the safety of the shield first. She needs you. She doesn't know how much she will need your help to survive this challenge. We must leave now." She commanded. Her patience was still present but the urgency lacing her soft voice was infectious.

The Scouts had gasped, clenched hands, cat tails twitched, eyes widened in surprise and fear but they quickly narrowed to the same hard glint. Their princess needed them, no matter how foolish or selfless or brave she was, she needed them and it was their duty to protect her.

"Let's go." Sailor Pluto stepped aside and allowed the Scouts passage to the future. Sailor Venus quickly patted Artemis on the head and told both cats to stay put before following the Scout train. Tux was the first through and Mars was the last. Pluto smiled when she heard the Scout of Fire's muttering comments.

"That spaghetti brain is such a flake for thinking she could do this on her own! Such a ditz, too nice, too stupid, always thinking of others instead of keeping herself, the PRINCESS, the leader of the Sailor Scouts, out of trouble. We're always jumping in to rescue her royal klutziness!"

Mars never changed.

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Gray mist enveloped them but it evaporated away as swiftly as it had surrounded them. They stepped into the ruins of a large crystalline city. There was no sign of Sailor Pluto nor did anything move within the ashen glints of crushed crystal and dusky metals of fallen buildings to suggest life. A colorless sky hung limply draped above them, dotted with ominous specks of black. A shield glowed a weak red and green, tainted with fainter colors of gold and blue, somewhere beyond the dark mountains of rubble. Nestled within the barrier stood an unscathed, radiant palace of clear crystal. They stood awe-struck at the sight of the pale, delicate castle untouched amidst the debris.

They were snapped from their amazement by all too familiar cries of surprise and pain. Tux, himself, clutched his head in pain; his Serina was in trouble, and terribly hurt.

Tuxedo Mask ran forward without warning, turning a corner only to gasp in horror at the sight before him. He wasted only a second surveying the situation before he let loose a half dozen deadly roses.

__________________________

Rini twisted and fought in the evil scaly monster's grasp, it held her by her arms high above the ground. Until now she hadn't realized she was afraid of heights. She struggled tirelessly against the huge hands to no avail. She screamed again. "Sailor Moon, help me! Make it let go! Mommy!"

Rini promptly realized that her heroine had problems of her own. Sailor Moon had all ready destroyed four other creatures that had ambushed her from behind, and carefully dusted the first two that had captured the little princess. Now she was facing off with five MORE creatures, trying to hide her increasing fatigue from her attackers. But Sailor Moon didn't waste her time on them. She rolled away from an outreached slimy tentacle and quickly aimed her scepter at the creature that held Rini.

"Moon Scepter ELIMINATION!" Rini heard her shout before Moon was knocked down by an energy blast. The young princess fell unceremoniously to the ground, roughly skinning her knees and coughing at the foul dust of the destroyed beast. Glancing up, worriedly to see how Sailor Moon was holding up, her attention was caught by a familiar voice calling to her. "Daddy?" Rini turned back to the shield that protected the palace. On the safe side of the glowing energy wall, stood a shadowy figure urgently calling her name.

"Small Lady! Quickly!" He waved to her and she broke into a run for her father, the King of the Earth. The force field quickly allowed her passage. Tears ran down her cheeks; she was so frightened, and here was her daddy, and Sailor Moon was still fighting the bad guys all alone, and she had to save her mommy! Rini was desperate for a hug, she needed to be reassured she was really home and this was just some horrible nightmare.

The king knelt to catch his daughter but they quickly discovered that was not possible. At the last moment, the king held a hand up to stop his racing child, seeing the tears in her eyes he ached to comfort her but this was only a hologram; as much as he wished to hold her, it was impossible.

"Daddy?" She looked uncertain, as if this might still turn into a worse nightmare and she would wake up in Serina's bed at any moment. She was overjoyed to see him but when she realized he was just a projection, her heart froze with fear. 'What's happened?' Then she heard Sailor Moon scream on the other side of the protective shield even as another droid was dusted. "No! Serina! Sailor Moon! Daddy, you've gotta help her!" The last four monsters had finally caught her and she was losing fast.

__________________________

"I may be too late."

Her scepter had fallen forgotten to the gritty ground below as one of the fishy-looking droids connected with her arm, shocking her with an electrifying burst that made her entire upper body go tingly and numb. A second creature had desperately grabbed hold of her leg as if to pull her from the first's grasp in a tug-of-war except for a third droid's tentacle around her neck that was the only thing keeping her on her feet. The last creature just stood carelessly back using her for target practice for its energy discs and fighting for a clear shot to drain her life force.

Sailor Moon had no strength left, she was barely staying conscious as it was. She couldn't fight anymore; she'd lost her scepter, her only defense. Her hand was burned and blistered from her tiara which she no longer had the energy to throw even one last time. She lost all feeling in her arm, and had stopped breathing not only because of the thing throttling her neck, but her chest was seizing up in tight convulsions as the electricity constricted her lungs and torso. Were it not for the two creatures holding her upright, she'd have fallen to the ground, allowing the snake creature to wrap around her lifeless body and kill her.

Moon had seen Rini run to safety, as long as she was out of danger, everything was okay. 'She's safe. That's all that matters.' She thought as she felt her body giving up on her from lack of oxygen and the terrible energy blasting she was receiving. She couldn't remember the last time she'd hurt so much. She couldn't remember much at all as her mind clouded and drifted from reality and life. Even her past week's battle against the poisoning was nothing compared to this. She felt her mind slipping into the painless, numbing pool of unconsciousness before she saw a flash of lavender beside her.

Her eyes fluttered as she tried to stay awake and focus on whatever it was she saw. A tall man in a violet cape with a silver sword. Groggily she realized he was drawing the fire from the one blasting creature away from her. It took several rounds of shots at him but even when it appeared to hit him, he never reacted, as silent as if he wasn't even there. 'Why does he remind me of Tuxedo Mask?' She thought vaguely but he disappeared before she could concentrate her thoughts.

Through her swimming vision she saw the Scouts and the real Tuxedo Mask appear before her. She wondered briefly if she were hallucinating. Six razor-edged roses negated that thought as they freed her arm and neck allowing her to finally collapse to the dirty ground. Several well-aimed discs of fire seared off the snake-thing that had instantly curled 'round her legs. 'They came . . . How did they get here so fast? How did they know? Who cares, thank God they're here!' Sailor Moon gave up and stopped thinking, only aware of the sharp, jagged pain of trying to inhale and the nails being hammered into her temple as oxygen rushed back to her brain. She whimpered softly before gratefully blacking out and falling into Tuxedo Mask's arms.

__________________________

"Follow me, quickly, we need to be sure the princess is all right and we must get Small Lady out of danger." The shadowy lavender man had reappeared as if from nowhere, gesturing to Sailor Moon's limp form in Tux's arms. None of the Scouts knew who he was but they instinctively trusted him if only because he had been able to draw off one of the droids that had been intent on killing their leader. Not to mention he knew that Serina was the moon princess. Whoever he was, he had to be on the side of good if he could lead them through the shield unharmed.

Rini raced to his side, careful to catch herself before she leapt into her father's arms. He lovingly knelt beside her, reaching as if to caress her chubby cheek. The pink-haired child closed her cinnamon eyes pretending she could feel him. "Oh, Daddy, what happened? Where are you?" She whispered, biting her lip to hold back frightened tears.

The Scouts gasped at her quiet plea, and found they were suddenly confronted with the older version of Darien wearing a violet tuxedo much like Tuxedo Mask's, complete with white mask, but a silver sword replaced his cane. The king closed his eyes in something akin to pain or remorse as he tried to reassure his daughter but he was more afraid she might have been hurt in this attack. "Small Lady, I was so worried about you and Sailor Moon. I am sorry I couldn't help her more or get here sooner." He stood to face the Scouts and his younger self. Recognition flickered like a fury-fed fire through the younger Tuxedo Mask's eyes. His grip on Sailor Moon tightened defensively.

"I know you." He spat coldly. "You're the voice from my nightmares, why would YOU want to drive Serina and me apart?!" Had he not been holding his beloved or had Rini not been protectively standing before her real father, Tux knew he would have decked his future idiot self. "What the hell did you think you were DOING!"

"I know you don't understand it now, Darien, and I will explain once the princess is taken care of." The king's placid voice was irritatingly soft and understanding as he turned away to lead them inside the palace. Tux was overcome with the urge to strangle the lies out of him. All that torture, the pain both he and Serina had to go through! There was no excuse! 'How can he be so calm!'

"I don't think I can trust you. Even if you are me." Tuxedo Mask stayed where he was, refusing to follow the traitorous king. Rini left her father's side to tug on Tuxedo Mask's velvety black sleeve.

"Darien, please, come with us. Serina's hurt and I'm sure Daddy can explain. You can trust Daddy, can't he, Daddy?" Her wide, frightened eyes implored the two men. She had to get them to behave like adults and get along. She promised her mom she'd look after her daddy and that went for Serina's Darien too.

"Small Lady-"

"Rini, you don't understand." Darien interrupted. "I don't understand it myself-"

"I'm sorry, Darien, but you need to grow up. Look at Serina, we've gotta take care of her! And she needs to save my mommy and then you and Daddy can fight when Serina can yell at you and Mommy can yell at Daddy. Please wait till then. We gotta help Sailor Moon first." Rini clenched her hands into fists and crossed her arms like a commanding princess, not to be opposed. Her teary eyes betrayed her fear of her father's reprimand but she remained firm on Serina's behalf. 'Serina needs to be taken care of. She always sticks up for me and now I won't let them fight like little boys when she needs us.'

The king smiled wanly at his daughter. She still had her lively spirit after all she'd been through. She was just like her mother. He was so proud to see her take control of the situation unafraid of himself or the tall young man she also admonished. He glanced up at his younger self still easily carrying his future wife. "Darien, she's right. We must wait until Sere- Serina awakens." He stared his counterpart down, and the other turned away, studying his fiancée's pale, sleeping face. The king followed his gaze and saw that nearly all her bruises, cuts, burns, and scrapes from minutes ago were slowly disappearing without a trace. But the echo of injuries remained, tearing his heart at the thought of his precious wife in pain.

It had been so long since she'd worn that warrior's outfit to physically fight evil on behalf of the moon. Small Lady and her twin sister should begin training soon, to carry on the legacy of Sailor Moon and the long forgotten Sailor Earth.

"Fine. But I want a full explanation as soon as she's awake. I find it hard to believe you could give a sufficient reason for trying to ruin our lives like that." Darien stepped to follow the king as he turned on heel, Rini beside the two, and the Scouts following silently behind. This was not only way beyond weird but kind of none of their business. They held their tongues for now; they'd force an explanation from one of them when they'd settled it between themselves.

"You may not believe it now, Darien, but what you went through saved not only your relationship, but your lives as well. Someday you will appreciate this- training session." The king never looked back as he spoke, looking straight ahead at the palace entrance and keeping his daughter by his side.

The group walked straight into the palace, unhindered by security as the only ones conscious in the whole city was the small royal family and their guardians. Behind the pale king, Sailor Mercury was furiously typing information into her computer. Something was not right about the king, he was transparent on the edges, like a ghost, and she noticed that even Rini didn't try to touch him much to her surprise. If she were Rini and hadn't seen her father in so long she'd have never let him go after finally returning to him. "Guys, look. He's a hologram." She whispered, slowing slightly and showing the data conclusions on her laptop screen. The others gasped in surprise.

"Correct, Ami." The king kept walking but turned his head to politely address Sailor Mercury. "You helped develop this technology- almost last minute. It allows me to move and communicate with my mind." Now his sad gaze fell on his daughter, whose earlier question had gone unanswered on purpose. King Endymion didn't wish to frighten his daughter, and she would surely be hurt by his news. Most unfortunately, he didn't have the physical form to comfort her and his younger self had his arms full.

He continued, staring solely at his youngest daughter though his voice carried for the others to hear. Tuxedo Mask could handle this shock; he had to. The accident would happen and he couldn't stop it, at least, not yet. "My little princess, don't be afraid but Daddy was hurt in one of the attacks. I'm healing now but I can't move until Sailor Mercury can heal me or if your mother awakens and the Silver Crystal is found. Can you be brave until then, Small Lady?" He tried to hide his anguish as his child's eyes welled with tears, imagining what he'd gone through and what might have happened and she missed it all. But Neo-Princess Serenity pursed her lips and nodded. He knew she understood and would do her best to handle everything like the princess she was. But she would need comfort- soon.

Tuxedo Mask froze at the announcement, hearing his future, and seeing the pain on the mirror of his own face. The king couldn't hide the seriousness of the injury from himself. It was even more than that, as if his body weren't the worst pain . . . but the pain in his heart was. Tuxedo Mask swallowed hard and followed Rini's example, bravely ignoring the looks from the worried Scouts. He watched Rini try to take her father's hand but catch herself and she reach for Tux's sleeve again.

"Your majesty-" Mercury began.

"Please, Ami, I go by Endymion among my friends and family."

Ami didn't wish to disrespect the king, who must still be the same old Darien Shields, if displaced a good thousand years, so she just smiled and nodded. There would be no confusion between the two Darien's then. "Um, Endymion, do you know what has happened to the Silver Crystal of the future? Is its disappearance the reason Crystal Tokyo is falling and why the queen cannot be awakened?"

"Yes, I'm sure that with the Silver Crystal my wife could be revived from her unnatural sleep and we could reinforce our defenses. The Guardians of Crystal Tokyo, your future selves, are in dire need of relief. They grow weaker maintaining this protective shield with every Dark Moon attack. The crystal has been missing for weeks and our desperate situation is the only reason I allowed Sailor Pluto to talk me into permitting Small Lady to go into the past. Although I wish she would have asked me before she ran away." He pointedly glanced at his rebellious daughter behind Tuxedo Mask then his eyes fell again on the sight of his young Serina. He shuddered at the thought of her still body, her screams he'd heard but could do nothing to stop. "If Sailor Moon was injured today I will never forgive myself for allowing her to come here."

At this point, Sailor Moon smiled. She was glad to see her prince still loved her so much even a thousand years into the future. 'Ever my valiant, protective prince. No matter how dark this time seems to be, as long as my love is with me, everything will always turn out okay.' Sailor Moon sighed in Tuxedo Mask's arms, content to stay there forever. She blinked her eyes open when she felt Darien's masked blue eyes study her. "Oh, Darien . . ." Both men responded, a look of longing on the elder king's face as he recalled the last time he'd heard his sweet wife's voice call his name.

"Serina, are you okay?" Tuxedo Mask asked quietly, gently setting her on her feet within the safety of the castle halls. The Scouts gathered around her, hugging quickly and reassuring themselves of her well-being.

"Oh you scared us!"

"How could you be so stupid to go without us like that, Meatball head!"

"If you ever do that again, Sailor Moon, we're gonna have to kill you ourselves!"

"Are you sure you're okay, Serina?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now, just got a little shaken up." She stared at the king that stood beside her fiancé. "You're- You helped me back there?" The king nodded gravely, afraid that the double view of Dariens would overload her recently awakened mind, and worried if she had doubted him coming to her rescue. His test of Darien's love hadn't hurt her that much- no, the experience was just still too recent- he'd forgotten where exactly in time these travelers had come from. Her sudden brilliant smile eased his mind, lifting his depressed spirit like a burst of golden sunlight. He smiled warmly in return. Tux began to wonder if he should be jealous of his future self charming his own fiancée.

An insistent high-pitched voice dropped their attention to the pink-haired princess standing beside them. "Sailor Moon, you PROMISED! You gotta wake up my mommy now." Sailor Moon nodded, taking up the child's hand and her prince's. Rini leaned in conspiratorially and whispered. "And watch out for those two, they've been fighting since they met but I told them to wait until Mommy's up so she can yell at them for acting like babies."

"Thank you for taking care of the situation, Rini." Sailor Moon smiled, but glanced at the king and her boyfriend mulling over what they could possibly have been arguing about. She could feel the tension between them. 'They should be getting along, they're the same totally HANDSOME guy!'

Studying her husband of the future, she saw the anguish in his eyes that he tried to hide from the world. He should know he couldn't hide it from her. He must be torn apart inside. 'Because of what happened to me?' He loved her so much . . . it hurt her to see him in pain like this. What if her attempt failed? What if she couldn't wake his queen? Could he stand it? Would he be able to live through his last hope being dashed with her own incompetence? She couldn't do that to him, or Rini; she had to do this alone, that way if it didn't work, she could come up with another plan. "Um, guys. You obviously have issues to work out, so I'll go with Rini. This was supposed to be her birthday present after all."

"Serina, are you sure you're strong enough?" The Scouts tried to stop her, they couldn't have her overexerting herself, after that last battle, the poisoning, the whole traumatic kidnapping, and healing with the crystal. She'd all ready been through so much. If she over-did it, as weak as she was, she could very likely kill herself!

She nodded confidently, her quirky grin was reassuring and cheerful. "Yeah, don't worry about me, I've got a promise to keep." She flashed a smile to Rini, caressing her cheek before letting her gloved hand fall to the child's shoulder, then she turned back to the two men before her. Her tone suddenly changed to a darkly commanding one that BOTH men recognized. "You, and you, will discuss your problem civilly, and I will expect a full explanation later, loves. Scouts, guard them, make sure they don't kill each other and that they resolve this conflict. I know what it is you have done, King Endymion, and I will allow your wife to deal with you as she sees fit if she hasn't all ready." The threat brooked no argument and the group reluctantly nodded to the Moon Princess. The king also knew exactly what she meant when his wife started calling him by his title.

Sailor Moon returned her soft blue gaze to her little girl, her Small Lady. "Rini, sweetheart, take me to your mother." Rini eagerly snatched up her hand and dragged Sailor Moon through the halls. The king almost followed just to see his queen once more but the four younger Scouts blocked his path even as Tuxedo Mask was about to make the same move towards his fiancée.

"Sorry, guys, direct orders from the princess and leader of the Sailor Scouts." Venus smiled impishly and crossed her arms.

"King Endymion, if you would, a place where we could begin this conference comfortably? If you don't mind, we would all like to hear this explanation of Darien's visions." Mercury suggested diplomatically. She returned his resigned gaze with her stoic dark blue eyes and he politely bowed to her judgment. He turned silently and led them away to a large room with a round table under the dome of a starry night skylight. Ten chairs circled the silver-streaked, white marble table. Before each was the sign of every planet including the earth and moon engraved in glittering gold. The king naturally took his place at the symbol of earth, beside what they assumed was the queen's seat with a carved crescent moon. In between the two chairs and beside their respective sign, were two smaller seats, without table places but the earth and moon sigil etched into the backs. The past group assumed the smaller moon was Rini's seat.

The Scouts took their places at their respective signs, Tuxedo Mask taking the abandoned Uranus chair across from the king. They sat in silence awaiting the king's explanation. His wearied face fell in surrender and he took several deep breaths to begin.

"Darien, I knew this time would come when I would have to live for an indeterminable amount of time without the one I love; the most precious thing in the world to me, my wife, my love, my Serenity. I also knew there was no way I could hold myself together during this time of darkness and loneliness, with my daughter gone to the past, my wife under a spell and trapped in a glass prison, and my kingdom falling to evil invaders. The first week alone was enough to prove that. The visions I sent you weren't entirely true, the wedding was real, the shattering of the earth was- a memory. However, I needed us to build a reserve to protect and strengthen us when this time came, so I wouldn't lose control to grief. Having already lived without her, even if only for a month, your experience has kept me going with the hope that she will return and I can wait until she does. As for you, trials will come for the both of you in the future, and you will be grateful to know you can trust each other in anything. Never forget that, Darien. You are one, and nothing can EVER separate you."

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"It can't be, it just can't be!"

Sailor Moon followed the excited little girl through the dimly lit halls of the crystal palace. Little sound echoed through the enormous corridors. She could see as they passed, the walls were beautifully decorated with paintings and pictures. She was surprised, almost downright shocked speechless, to recognize several of Peggy's paintings including the print she'd received for her birthday yesterday, now hanging on the wall! Decorations and tables holding vases of red, white, violet, and pink roses. Crystal roses bloomed everywhere, living plants thrived in the dim abandoned corridors. Were the sun up or the hallways lit, the palace would surely be an impressive, botanical sight for any and all who visited.

However, dust now gathered on every surface and grayed the pictures, dancing gently through the rare rays of light from the high windows. The roses were fading, plants wilting, and darkness pooled like stains in the corners of the carpets. A path was worn into the ornate blue and silver rug where heavy footsteps had tread to the same door Rini led Sailor Moon to. She didn't know how long the palace had fallen into such decadence but her concern for the king's well-being increased. She understood that the future Scouts were busy holding the shield, his daughter was with her in the past, and his wife was in an enchanted sleep. No wonder he had little regard for his surroundings. The haunted look in his eyes had scared her as well. She had to be able to awaken Neo-Queen Serenity.

"She's in here, Sailor Moon." Rini whispered, the silence that pervaded the castle was nearly overwhelming. Neither wanted to risk disturbing it lest the delicate palace come crashing down because of their echoes. Moon nodded and helped the child push open a heavy wooden door intricately engraved with visions of the ancient moon overlooking the earth.

Within, the room was black as night with a single silvery beam of moonlight piercing the darkness and glinting off the facets of a large crystal case in the center of the room. The soft light only made the hard edges of the crystal spears seem more unyielding. It was the sight within the glaring points that froze Sailor Moon's heart with a deja vu like terror and fascination.

The woman, her future self, lay as if in a peaceful sleep within. Her long, sunlight hair, like veins of gold inside the crystal, was twice Serina's present length. Between the customary twin buns, a gold and red ruby crown nestled in her bangs. Shining on her brow, the symbol of her royal descent, the golden crescent moon glowed with soft warmth. Her dress was a silver mixture between her moon princess gown and her mother, Queen Serenity's, form-fitting white moon silk.

The woman couldn't have been much over twenty, though a thousand years had passed for the rest of the world. She reminded Sailor Moon of her late mother, even down to the wisdom her face held even in sleep. She was beautiful, like Snow White in her glass coffin, cheeks still blushed a gentle rose, hands placed relaxed over her stomach. She was holding an almost hidden, timeless red rose frozen in bloom, that had somehow manifested itself in her hands after the terrible spell had struck the Neo-Queen down.

"Can you do it, Serina?" Rini pulled her back to reality and Sailor Moon tore her gaze from the imprisoned queen to the little rabbit beside her. Rini did look like her; she could see it now that they both stood before her. She nodded wordlessly and removed the Silver Crystal from its protective brooch. She lifted it before her, studying the queen again while taking deep, calming breaths. Her future self looked so peaceful; no pain, only serene sleep.

Rini let go of her hand and knelt before the cold crystal that held her mother from the rest of the world. She began to weep, her face pressed against the cool, glassy surface, whispering things Sailor Moon couldn't make out. The Silver Crystal drifted in the air, shining with amassing power. She prayed it's healing would somehow crack the quartz shell and awaken the woman trapped inside the sleeping spell. She took a few seconds to gather as much magic as she could possibly spare into the crystal and activated her 'attack'. "Moon Healing Activation!" Released waves of white and pink glittering magic washed over the crystal enveloping the queen in healing light.

Nothing happened.

Sailor Moon kept up the onslaught for as long as she could, past the limits of consciousness. Still no visible results, not a crack, not a dent, not a flicker from the sleeping figure. Sailor Moon fell to her knees, horrified. The crystal dropped lifelessly beside her. "Oh no- It didn't work . . ." She moaned, too overcome with fatigue and hopelessness to raise her voice anymore. A fleeting thought, like a light breeze, drifted through her mind, absorbing feelings and memories.

'My husband.' She heard in her mind just before a backlash of crystal power suddenly surged back through her, blinding her aching eyes with the power of the sun and moon surrounding her. Pain was immediately numbed, as if her mind had just cut off all feeling of the burning cold energy. She barely had time to choke in a gasp of surprise before she collapsed. Tears of grief and shock escaped her eyes as she fell forward, Rini's stricken face the last thing she saw.