Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Trusting Heart ❯ Crystal Tears and Wishes ( Chapter 13 )

[ A - All Readers ]

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, a single princess fought her way from the past to the future, to the castle beyond the crystal city, to awaken the queen of whom was enchanted.* ( a lot stolen from "Labrynth")
And it didn't work.
Serina's best wasn't good enough to release her future self and save the future but for Sailor Moon, there is always hope- especially when it concerns restoring her daughter's family. Mothers always know best and her passionate wish worked long enough to hear Serenity's message. The clue to saving the world and breaking the evil spell lies with . . . Endymion. But how? If he'd known something it would have all ready been done, ne?
Serina must discover what Serenity meant and solve this little mystery to
complete her mission. Once the queen is revived, the battle against the Nega-Moon may truly begin. But with Sailor Moon's energy all ready depleted from the past week's trials, and Serenity recovering for her imprisonment, will either be able to survive let alone win?
There are surprises yet to come, from Serenity and Endymion to Luna and Artemis, even Serina may shock a few with the lengths she will go to protect her future, her husband, and daughter.
But just as the future must be won back, the past will soon disappear . . . So much must be done; tears of joy and anguish will be shed, and the scouts and royal family will fall to the command of a single prayer in Chapter Thirteen, "Crystal Tears and Wishes."

Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Sci-fi / Suspense | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.12.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.9K | Visits: 279 | Status: Completed

Chapter 13

Crystal Tears and Wishes

"It didn't work, it didn't work! Mama, you're supposed to get up, Sailor Moon used the crystal just like they said; you're supposed to be okay, Mommy!" Rini cried begging her mother to awaken. She pounded the crystal but only succeeded in hurting her fists. She heard something behind her and turned to see Sailor Moon surrounded in a glaring brilliant white light that was quickly absorbed back into her body and the dormant Silver Crystal lying beside her.

As she watched, horrified, Sailor Moon pitched forward, completely unconscious from using all the power of the crystal and unexpected rush of returning power. "No! Sailor Moon, SERINA! Not you TOO!" Rini raced to her side, stumbling to her knees beside her and crying even harder when the warrior didn't respond to her insistent shaking. "Oh no, what have I done? I've killed them both! They were only helping me- Mommy was protecting me and I made Serina come back here to wake Mommy up. It's all my fault! I'm so sorry, Mommy, Serina, I'm sorry! Please wake up, Mama, PLEASE!"

Rini squeezed Sailor Moon's hand, lost in grief and guilt, paying no heed to the tears racing down her warm cheeks, only the emotions that were too big for her to understand. Her heart felt heavy enough to be crushed into nothing and her stomach felt sicker than she'd ever been before. Her fear and regret controlled her mind with no other thoughts able to calm her. One of her tears, just as it had once upon a time for her mother, froze in mid-air.

Rini gasped and wiped at her blurry eyes; she was seeing a glowing stone in front of her. She screeched in shock. The Silver Crystal! The future one! The one that disappeared when she touched it! It came back! "Mommy! Serina, wake up! Look, I've got it, I found the crystal!" She lifted her hand, the glittering white crystal floating gently above it and she concentrated on wishing her mother would wake up. Faint twin beams of pink light lanced from the second crystal, one to Sailor Moon and the other reflected off the quartz back to the future Silver Crystal.

Moon stirred at the glowing light and blinked. Rini smiled when she opened her eyes then heard her whisper. "I'm sorry, Rini . . . I couldn't help, I'm not strong enough. Your mother- wants you to have something else that you need though . . ."

Suddenly the door burst open and two men tumbled in. They'd both felt the backlash and Sailor Moon's collapse. The king raced to the crystal coffin. Seeing no change, his heart fell like a dead weight in his chest. He couldn't begin to describe his disappointment so he didn't. He once again took up his stoic mask and turned back to Tuxedo Mask protectively holding an unconscious Sailor Moon close, confident that she was in good hands.

His eye caught the glint of the Silver Crystal before Rini and the second one lying beside Sailor Moon. The missing crystal had returned! He turned to his daughter, unable to hold her but able to tell she was okay and so was the young Moon warrior. He congratulated his daughter on finding the crystal and promised they'd try to wake her mother with both crystals when Sailor Moon was back up to power. Rini was too emotional to do anything but nod, following her father's hologram and Tuxedo Mask carrying the sleeping Sailor Moon towards where the Scouts were just now reaching the door.

"Oh gods! WHAT has she done THIS time!" Mars cried in concerned exasperation.

"Nothing, nothing, I'm fine!" Sailor Moon regained consciousness almost the same moment she heard Mars' annoying voice. "I'm not even weak, it's the strangest thing."

"What happened?" Venus asked as Tux reluctantly released her and she stood firmly beside him. He didn't let her slip by without a reassuring kiss and she held him as tight as she could for a second, drowning in the safe little world he created around her. Slowly, she pulled away, squeezing his hand even as he raised the other to caress her face. It was these little moments that she truly appreciated having her prince by her side and a strong constant in her life. He was her strength and reason for sanity. Her life and love- 'With those amazing blue eyes . . .' Moon snapped out of her trance with Tuxedo Mask's midnight eyes, sensing the presence of a lonely heart identical to Tux's.

Moon remembered the king and Rini, the reason she was here. She called the crystal back to her and it floated into her locket. Twisting to face the group, Sailor Moon easily picked Rini up in her arms and began to explain.

"I- I think, no- I can't say that, that's too weird. I don't know how- Well, actually, it was kinda like, yeah, no, hmm. Um-"

"Spit it out, Sailor Moon!" Jupiter shouted, her voice nearly reaching Mars' hysterical octave.

"Uh, it was almost like the queen didn't want to wake up; I think she all ready knew this first attempt wouldn't work. She sent all the energy I used back to me and told me something. She actually said 'my husband', I heard her in my head like it was me who was thinking it. I think I need more power from all of you guys, including Rini and Dar- er, Endymion."

They looked stunned, the king looked faint for a moment, then recovered with a small, knowing smile as he shook his head at his foolish queen. 'Still thinking of me when you're the one in trouble, love?'

Sailor Moon turned to him specifically, Darien standing behind her, and Rini silently dropping off in her arms. "I've got orders from your wife. Take me to where you are, my king." She laughed at herself as she spoke but her soft, reassuring smile brought a reflecting grin from her husband of the future.

The older king nodded gravely and glanced back at his sleeping wife and noticed something; a tiny difference no one else had seemed to see. A hope that Sailor Moon's wish did have an affect on Serenity. Her sweet lips were curled in a tiny smile. Where before there had been unemotional distance, now she looked alive, as if on the very brink of consciousness. He smiled, overjoyed by the near-invisible step of real progress. Next time she would wake; they both knew it.

__________________________

The chamber the hologram of Crystal Tokyo's king led the five Scouts, Tuxedo Mask, and his daughter to was not as large as the room that had been devoted to his wife. Inside the nearly hidden form of the fallen king lay supine on a small bed, little more than a hastily set up cot. He paused at the door, and turned to his daughter in Sailor Moon's arms, studying her tiny innocent face. Her sleepy red-brown eyes blinked slowly with fatigue. He didn't want her to see him like this. He appeared to be unconscious, in a trance as he operated this hologram. He didn't look injured, Mercury had at least healed his outward appearance during her short break in maintaining the force field. It was the paralysis she didn't have time to treat.

He smiled wanly in reassurance as she faced him bravely before he faded from sight. "Daddy!" Rini cried reaching for his disappearing arms, then she buried her face in Sailor Moon's chest, crying. Moon did the best she could to make up for his absence, holding her child tight and stroking her hair. She murmured hushed things to quiet Rini's weeping gasps even as she took a step closer to the resting king.

The Scouts walked forward, gathering two to each side of the king. Sailor Moon kissed the child's forehead, smiling gently, and passed Rini off to her future father as she walked forward to gaze on the pale man who would be her husband for a thousand years. He didn't move, except for his soft breathing. He was blanketed in a thin coverlet, as if everything were thrown together in only a few hurried moments. Underneath, she saw the king still wearing the lavender tuxedo though his cape had been hung beside the bed with his sword. She wondered how long he'd been like this, nearly lifeless yet still managing to run a war against the Dark Moon.

King Endymion stirred, his mouth parting in a sigh and his soulful, dark blue eyes opening to view this entourage with his own eyes rather than the vague hologram. His past self lovingly held his youngest daughter, the younger Scouts stood by in the same positions they held even now, a millennium in their future. His wife's younger self, Serina, Sailor Moon, Princess Serenity, and at this point in their time, Darien's fiancée as of last night, stood before him. Love shone in her eyes like the glitter of moonlight, soft with pride and empathy as her sapphire gaze alone made him feel whole again. His tattered spirit and shredded heart were mended to mere bruises by this love that was so close to his wife's though not quite. He would still not be complete until she was awake and by his side.

Sailor Moon left her Tuxedo Mask's side, and stepped up beside the injured king. Even with her present boyfriend standing right behind her, it hurt her to see him like this, in pain and unable to move. She reached a hand to brush his dark, ruffled bangs from his eyes. She blushed under his fond gaze, knowing he needed the encouraging comfort even if no one else could tell by his eyes. Her prince was strong but not so much without her beside him just as she was hardly a whole person without him with her. She touched her crystal and shimmering light poured from it's glittering facets to cloak his handsome form in white magic. "Moon Healing Activation." She whispered even as the energy faded. She'd never used the crystal for physical healing before but surely it would work, any wish could be granted if wished hard enough.

The gentle glow skittered away in glimmering dusty specks to reveal the king, his tender blue eyes closed and a grin tipping his lips. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the lack of pain in the necessary movement and opened his eyes.

Rini wriggled free of Tux's arms and raced past Moon, jumping excitedly onto the king's bed and into his open arms. He smiled hugely in relief and loving appreciation. Endymion scooped his daughter up in his arms, laughing and stretching for the first time in nearly a month. Rini squealed, giggling. "Oh Daddy! You're okay!"

"I'm fine, my little princess. Now," He rose from the bed with minimal effort, easily carrying his daughter with him as he turned to Sailor Moon who was hugging her boyfriend happily, tears in her eyes as she watched the little reunion. "Sailor Moon, are you well?" She nodded enthusiastically, grinning at his concern and ecstatic she'd finally been able to help him.

"Yeah, that was nothing. You two are always so overprotective." She chided, squeezing Tux's arm and smiling at the king. They both gave her the same look, thinking, 'You give us good reason, love.' "Now, are you all right? Do you want to rest before we try to wake Neo-Queen Serenity?"

"No, no, I've been sleeping for what seems like forever, dreaming of my wife and daughter. I want nothing more than to hold my love again. Please, let us go immediately." The king affectionately held his pink-haired daughter close, kissing her forehead as she giggled. The pair followed Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask back to the queen's ominously dark chamber, the Scouts chucklingly brought up the rear.

"Can you do it this time, Serina? You won't hurt yourself, right?" Rini asked from her father's arms. She looked completely comfortable, if a little- lonely? Was she missing someone else? Besides her mother, of course.

"Yes, dearest, this time we're all going to help. Your father, Darien, Sailor Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus, even you are going to help. That way we have enough power and love all together to make it work." The large group returned to the queen's side, her crystal case still glowing in the moonlight, her face beaming serenely as if she knew she would be released within the moment.

"My love, my Serenity . . ." Rini heard her father breathe.

"Should I get Luna and Artemis or Irene and Auntie Rose and Uncle Tranq to come help? They love Mommy too." She whispered. But he shook his head in regret. His voice was secretively low when he responded.

"No, Small Lady, we've revealed too much of the future as it is, we needn't upset the Scouts anymore or overwhelm Serina and Darien with the knowledge of your sister. You must remember, too, at their time Luna and Artemis are normal cats and can't change into their human form yet. Try not to mention anything, as I will try, however, I cannot stop either Irene or the guardians should they happen to enter." He smiled as if hoping they would come, just so he could hold his eldest daughter again and speak with his advisors and friends. They should be the first to know when he had been healed.

The Sailor Scouts, still staring at the crystalline figure in amazement and Mars betraying a little disbelief and pride, spread out to encircle the quartz prison. The king and his bunny-bunned princess stood hand-in-hand beside a newly transformed Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity. Silently, they gathered their strength then called upon their powers, wishing with all their hearts for the queen of the future and mother of their dear friend to be set free once more.

"Mercury Power!"

"Jupiter Power!"

"Venus Power!"

"Mars Power!"

Small Lady's young, high-pitched voice cried. "Moon Crystal Power!"

She was instantly followed by the echoing call of Princess Serenity's "Cosmic Moon Power, Unite!" The prince of earth held his moon princess's waist, giving her strength the only way he knew how. His princess used the Silver Crystal's power to gather and combine the planetary powers into a single white beam of magic that burst from her Silver Crystal to shower upon the spears of crystalline quartz that entrapped Neo-Queen Serenity. With a resounding CRACK! and the sighing tinkling of crystal dust, the glass coffin disintegrated to twinkling, diamond-like sands.

When the light and glittering star dust faded, each of the participants fell to their knees in drained exhaustion. Even Prince Endymion shifted back to Darien and knelt to hold Sailor Moon just as the king did the same to carry his child. Serina reverted back to civilian form in his arms, staring half-awake at the vision in front of them.

Before their awestruck eyes stood the queen. Unharmed, and standing solidly, Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo took a deep breath with a grateful smile, her azure eyes flickering open as she searched the faces she all ready knew were awaiting her. "Oh, my love! Thank the goddess- ENDY!" She suddenly gasped and rushed to her husband's arms nearly knocking them all over. Rini snuggled up in between them, not minding when they didn't take notice of her as they kissed. Tears of joy spilled from all eyes, mostly from Serina and Serenity.

They broke from their kiss to study each other, searching for any signs of distress or pain. "My sweet, sweet Serenity. I love you, I was never sure you could hear me, but everyday- Are you sure you're all right?"

"Oh, my king, my husband, my love! You know I love you, I could hear your prayers like my own thoughts. It's been so long, dreaming of you and my dear children-" She caressed Rini's cheek as she smiled, kissing her temple. Her ecstatic gushing broke off at his sudden alarm, his voice falling to keep his panic and concern veiled. It fooled neither Serina nor Darien as they were all ready caught by Serenity's reference to her 'children.' Plural. They listened carefully as the king interrupted his beloved with a fearful voice.

"The baby- Was our son hurt? Is he okay?" Serina and Darien clasped their hands in equal worry- the queen was pregnant?! After going through all this they couldn't stand to lose a child as well! 'Wait! How many kids am I going to be surprised with this week!?' Serina's wide eyes held fear for her future self and she gasped softly, tightening her grip on her fiancé. She couldn't stand to know she would lose her son.

Serenity's calm smile eased their minds as she nodded. "He's fine, my sweet. No ill-effects whatsoever, our little prince is as healthy as I am." The king beamed with fatherly pride as he squeezed his wife, including Rini in the hug. The lovers of two thousand years were finally reunited again. For a minute they were oblivious to all else but themselves.

"Sailor Moon, Serina, thank you. Thank all of you for your help in returning my love to me, my wife and my daughter." The king released Serenity from a breath-taking kiss, still keeping her no further than a quarter inch from himself as he spoke. He kept some part of himself always in contact with her, as if afraid she might disappear if he let go. His voice was light with joy and gratitude. The group just smiled in return, everyone embarrassed to have witnessed the reunion; besides Darien and Serina, Mars, Mercury, and Venus were each blushing. Jupiter just grinned in knowing satisfaction. All was right in the world.

"Oh no! What about the Dark Moon?" Sailor Venus suddenly cried, instantly regretting having broken the peace.

"Yeah, they're still attacking. The older Scouts can't hold out much longer!" Jupiter reminded the group.

"And Diamond's probably still angry about me getting away with Rubeus. He'll attack, knowing Serenity's free and I'm here-" Serina shuddered at the memory. She actually didn't recall much except the obsessed, insane look on the evil prince's face as he studied her like a butterfly to be pinned up in a collection. A second face, with dark blue hair beside the white-haired prince arguing with him then blackness followed by Rubeus's rude awakening. She buried herself deeper into her love's protective arms, hiding from the terrible memory.

Neo-Queen Serenity separated herself from her husband and child and approached her younger self. She leaned forward, grinning, and whispered for only Serina to hear. "With both Silver Crystals, two totally handsome guys by our sides, and the best friends in the world behind us, I think we can take them!" She pulled back, grinning impishly at Serina's surprised look then approving smile.

"I think you're right, majesty. Oh, and congratulations on your son, Rini on her own would surely drive us mad." Serina tried to trick the queen into revealing more. She had said children and she didn't mean her unborn son. She was so happy to see that she and Darien hadn't stopped with just one child, she had always wanted a medium-sized family although she would have been perfectly content with just Rini.

Serenity scrunched her nose playfully, knowing she was breaking rules by telling her past self this. Sailor Pluto would surely give her an earful but she could blame it on the confusion of her awakening. She put on a tired, frantic face and sighed dramatically. "Try twins. Serina has an older twin sister, Irene. Don't tell Darien though, he nearly fainted when I told him the first time." She smiled conspiratorially as she pulled back and tapped Sailor Moon's two meatballs. "Mother said there was another reason for twin hair buns. Moon royalty always have twins."

"I didn't know Mother said that." Serina pouted. 'Wait- Moon royalty always have twins? But- I'm a princess and I haven't a twin- unless-' Serenity covered her mouth as she realized the leaps of logic her younger self was suddenly figuring out and she retreated to her husband's admonishing frown.

"Oops." The queen quickly about-faced, picking her youngest daughter up, her king's arm fell around her waist and the royal family led the group out of the oppressive darkness of the room. As they left, Darien and Serina powered up again into Sailor Moon and her protector Tuxedo Mask.

Serenity's solemn temperance returned as they walked through the halls towards the war room where the four older Scouts stood locked in mental battle; linked to each other to uphold the shield from the Dark Moon assault.

The visitors of the past hung back, not wanting to see too much of their future, as the royal family approached the four women. The king and queen spoke quietly so as not to disturb them too much but quickly reassuring them of their well-being and receiving an evaluation of the situation from Sailor Mercury.

"We're holding, majesties, but it would seem that something has happened. The prince has sent a new enemy to the past, the woman, Emerald, who led many of the attacks against the palace. She has disappeared from this battlefield for the one in the past. Even if you were able to destroy the Dark Moon clan here in the present, our past selves would have to deal with her in Tokyo."

"They took care of Rubeus and Garnyt." The queen reminded them.

"Yes, but I don't know if Emerald can be converted. She is madly loyal to the prince, driven by love it would appear. She would die for him, Sere."

"We will deal with Emerald when her time comes then. Let's be rid of Nemesis now." The king inserted forcefully. He was fed up with this enemy, they'd done quite enough all ready. Keeping him from his wife, injuring him, and frightening his daughters, and putting his unborn son's life at risk along with his mother's. His beautiful kingdom was nearly destroyed, the citizens bespelled, the skies black in the eternal twilight. They would pay for this with their own destruction.

"Daddy, are we going to help? Me and Irene? I wanna see her, I miss my sister." Rini whispered to her father from her mother's arms.

"No, munchkin. We will leave this to your mother, Sailor Moon, and the Scouts. Remember, I told you she could do anything, Sailor Moon is invincible and your mother more so." He smiled at his wife and she blushed modestly. 'You're too much, love, remind me to repay the compliment later.'

'I won't let you forget, Meatball head.'

"ENDY!" Serenity's eyes widened at the mention of her long forgotten nickname and she slapped his shoulder. Rini didn't know what was going on but she laughed at her mommy beating up her daddy. It seemed so much like nothing was wrong.

__________________________

"Sorry, Princess, he was too strong for us."

Sailor Moon heard the thoughts of her future self- and the images that accompanied them. She blushed uncontrollably, wondering irrationally if the others had somehow noticed her thoughts- but no, they stared ahead at their future selves and Darien focused on the king. It confused her to hear herself thinking but it not being her real self. What surprised her more was hearing the king's reply. 'They're telepathic!' How cool! How WEIRD! 'How sweet.' She glanced over at her handsomely mysterious fiancé to see if he'd heard it too. She giggled. He had. His eyes were wide and he glanced at her at the same time she did. 'Darien?'

'Serina?' There was a faint whisper, almost undetectable unless they were listening for it. It was more like a tingling breath of air in their minds. Sailor Moon squealed and jumped into Tuxedo Mask's arms, catching Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter by surprise. "Wicked cool!"

"This will take some getting use to, princess." He whispered. She nodded emphatically. She wasn't sure she wanted him to be able to read her thoughts. She had some private feelings that he didn't need to know about just yet. Including, but not limited to, the images from Serenity's mind.

"Endy, huh?" She softly asked. She'd heard the queen's mock-outraged cry and laughed along with it. He still called her Meatball head, you'd think he'd come up with something nicer after a thousand years.

Tuxedo Mask blushed under his mask. "I am Prince Endymion, my sweet. And now, in this life, my middle name is Endymion. According to present legend, he was a man who fell in love the moon goddess a long time ago." He smiled down at her enraptured azure eyes. "Fits, doesn't it, my moon princess?"

"Mmm, yeah, just as Serenity fell for her handsome prince of earth. And Serina fell for Darien. It all fits, everything always works out- Endy." She snuggled into him, his warmth and strength all she needed from now on, he'd never leave her again. He was hers from now until forever; the ring on her finger, her daughter in the arms of her future self, the eternal love in the king's eyes . . . It was all her guarantee, her proof that life could be perfect-

"Oh gods! Sere! Endymion! The shield is falling! We can't hold it any-" Mars was cut off by a large explosion that rocked the entire palace. Rini screeched, a scream that was echoed by the younger Sailor Scouts. Both king and prince wrapped their respective loves in their protective capes as pieces of the ceiling broke off and the marble floors cracked beneath them.

"Sailor Moon, we need to end this battle now and forever!" Serenity called to her counterpart. Moon nodded and rose from beneath Tuxedo Mask's warm cloak. He stood with her and the entire group, young and old Scouts, king and queen, prince and princess, and little Rini raced from the room. Now was the time to see if the power of love and desperation was enough to stop their enemy.