Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Seduction ❯ Ouch! She Did Warn Him ( Chapter 12 )

Serena stood in front of the black portal. She took a deep breath and waited. It was a full minute before Malachite stepped through. He gave her a mocking bow.

“Queen Beryl wishes to speak to you.”

“You can tell her if she has something to say she can come here and say it. I'm not going anywhere.”

His lovely face twisted in rage. “You arrogant bitch. Time to learn your place.”

He made a swatting motion with his hand and she raised her arms to defend herself. His projectiles burst against her shield and he snarled. She lowered her arms, unsure what to do next. She had to close the portal before it was too late.

They heard the explosions and Darien took an involuntary step toward the sound. He stopped, and swallowed hard as he waited. This was too much, but she had said she wanted to go alone, and he had to respect that. The Scouts watched him, waiting for his signal. The second he moved toward her aid they would be there.

Serena looked down at the rainbow crystals in her hand. What was she supposed to do with these? Luna had said they were important, but why? Why couldn't she remember this? If she were the Moon Princess, she ought to be able to remember. The words seemed to come from everywhere at once.

“They Crystal, you must form the Crystal. A focus is required to channel the powers of the Moon.”

She looked down at her hand. A focus, something through which she could send her powers. She had managed before out of desperation, but now, now she would need the powers of a focus in order to collapse this portal. Slowly the crystals rose from her hand. They hovered in front of her. She extended her right hand, palm out, trying to calm herself enough to fight this. She closed her eyes. In the back of her mind she heard a soft humming. The sound was answered by the crystals at her command. Silently she called to them.

Rei gasped as their rainbow crystals flew toward the clearing. In silent agreement they all sprinted through the forest to the clearing where Serena stood. She was standing with her hand outstretched. After a moment streaks of light from inside the portal told them that the crystals the Negaverse had managed to gather were also at her command. They glowed, then their lights combined to form a pure white sphere just over her palm. She opened her eyes and addressed Malachite.

“I'd step back inside if I were you. This is going to hurt a lot if you get caught in it.”

He stepped back, his arms trying to block the searing white light. They watched as the portal slowly collapsed inward on itself. After a moment the light died. Serena looked at the crystal in her palm. A smile touched her lips.

“So this is what all the fuss was about.”

They watched as she crumpled to the ground. Tuxedo Mask was there, catching her gently to him. He closed her hand around the Crystal and lifted her in his arms. The other Scouts seemed to step closer.

“You will see to it that no one worries when she does not arrive home tonight.” He saw Venus nod. He surveyed them, before his eyes rested on Mars. “What you said to her was unforgivable. I will not forget it, even if she chooses to.”

She colored and bowed her head, though he sensed no shame from her. Silently he turned to walk away. Jupiter ran forward. “Wait! Where are you taking her?”

“She will be safe.”

With that he leapt skyward and they lost track of him in the dark starry expanse. Rei snorted softly before turning and walking back toward the trees. Luna, however was blocking her path.

“I think we need to address something, Sailor Mars. Namely your proper place when it comes to the Moon Princess.”

Rei frowned slightly. “The Moon Princess? Who…you don't mean to tell me that that whiney cry-baby is the Moon Princess, do you?”

She heard the cracking of knuckles and turned to find Lita flexing her fist. “I think you need to apologize to her.”

“For what?”

“Is your memory so poor? You called her a useless cunt in front of us, Tuxedo Mask, and our enemy!”

Luna and Artemis jumped. They had never heard either Lita or Rei swear before. “So what if I did? I call it like I see it.”

“She is our leader.”

“Until we find the Moon Princess.”

Mina stepped forward. “We have found her. Now please, stop this.”

“She is not the Moon Princess!”

Luna stepped forward. “Please, there is only one person that I can think of that can tell us the truth in this matter. We will consult her. If she says that Sailor Moon is the Moon Princess, then it is fact and not to be argued.”

Rei snarled softly but nodded, as did Mina and Lita. Artemis nodded to Ami. “Sailor Mercury, I need the address of Darien's apartment building. Somewhere in there you should find a woman named Mariel.”

Ami nodded and consulted her computer. “Yes, she lives right next door. Is she the one?”

“Yes. I'll go speak with her. The rest of you should head back to the temple. Sailor Jupiter, call her mother and tell her she decided to stay at your place tonight.”

They all nodded and Artemis sprinted toward the apartment building. He knew they were right, but Rei needed to hear it from someone else, someone outside their group. He ran as fast as his four legs could carry him. Mariel lived on the ninth floor and he cursed softly under his breath as he streaked up the stairs. He arrived to find her locking her apartment door. She smiled when she saw him.

“Hello, Artemis. I was just coming to see you.”

She scooped him up and walked to the elevator. “Mariel…good…to see…you.”

She giggled at his panting speech. “You'll start sounding like a dog if you're not careful.”

He shook his head as they got off in the garage. “We need to go to the Cherry Hill Shrine.”

“Fine, but I'm driving.”

He chuckled as she set him on the seat and started the car. “Sure, whatever you say.”

Rei was setting out tea for the other girls when Artemis showed Mariel in. The woman inclined her head to Luna before sitting. She took a cup of tea and smiled to the girls.

“I take it you are the rest of her little army.” She took a sip and replaced the cup. “Serenity always did like to surround herself with the best.”

Several of the girls blushed. Luna stepped forward. “So Sailor Moon…”

“I believe her real name is Serena.”

“So Serena is the Moon Princess.”

“Of course. I'm surprised at you Luna. You knew her almost as well as I did.” Luna looked away and Mariel sat a little straighter addressing the girls. “I was Princess Serenity's personal body servant. That meant several things, not the least of which was that I protected her. I smuggled Prince Endymion in to see her dozens of times and I was the one who helped her tell her mother she was pregnant. Now that those two have found each other again I'll be damned if I let anyone come between them. If any of you have a problem you can take it up with me.”

Ami jumped slightly. “But who is Prince Endymion?”

“Darien of course.”

Rei's eyes narrowed. “How is that?”

“Well, he's Tuxedo Mask, isn't he?” They were all very silent. “You didn't know that?” She saw several guilty looks. “But some of you suspected I take it. Well there it is. Darien is Prince Endymion who is Tuxedo Mask who is at this very moment alone in his apartment with the woman he has every intention of marrying. I just hope he doesn't get her pregnant again. That was a real mess.”

Mariel finished her tea and rose. Artemis inclined his head toward her. “Thank you for coming…I think.”

“Sure, just don't pull me away from my duty again.”

“And that would be?”

“Guarding them.”