Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Stars Sometimes Fall ❯ Revelation ( Chapter 4 )

_____________Chapter 4_____________

Revelation

“I get clues.”

 

“Silver Crystal, tell me if it's true, I need confirmation! I wish to see Rini's parents!” Within the recesses of Serina's mind, she sought the truth from the power of the Imperium Silver Crystal. Somewhere in her most precious memories of her queen mother, of the moon kingdom, of her beloved prince and Scouts; the truth was buried. Where intuition, instinct, leaps of faith and logic had hidden the reality from her conscious mind: she hadn't wanted to see or had been prevented from seeing the truth . . . “Please, tell me if we really are her parents . . .”

 

Serina felt the warmth of the crystal's magical light engulf her body, her mind blinded and overwhelmed by images. A city of crystal, a woman on a throne lit by moonlight, a princess child with pink hair, a king in a lavender tux like Tuxedo Mask's. An older-looking Ami in Scout uniform but with a doctor's overcoat gently handing her one of two babies and smiling proudly down at her . . . Her mother admiring her engagement ring, Sammy lifting his niece into the air, Darien handing their daughter a pink rose the same color as her bunny-bunned hair . . . The little princess running to her mother and giving her a big hug . . .

 

Finally, a vision of a woman sitting before a mirror, taking her long marigold hair down from twin buns on the sides of her head, a gold tiara with a heart in the center rested on the vanity. Sky blue eyes stared back at her, the wisdom of two thousand years drifted in their depths and her smile was one of eternal love, hope, and caring.

 

“It's me!” Serina thought dazedly. The woman, an older version of herself, smiled as she spied a man sneaking up behind her, his elegant domino mask removed, no longer the king she was married to but the prince she fell in love with and the ordinary man who loved her more than life. `Oh Endy . . . I love you . . .' Serina heard in her mind as the woman laughed at her husband.

 

Then the likeness was torn away by the image of the woman running out of the crystal palace, desperately searching for her missing daughter. Deep feelings of terror and dread washed over Serina's awareness, her stomach twisting sickeningly as her skin lost all warmth and feeling. Her mind reached out for anything, any trace of her precious little girl- Then she saw her.

 

And the streaking blast of energy rushing to strike her child. Serina had often felt this incredibly powerful feeling of never. The heart-stopping fear of never being able to see someone again, never hearing them laugh or feel their hugs. She'd worried for the lives of her Scouts often enough, when they and Darien died before she'd been numbed heart and soul by the trauma- This was a thousand times worse. This was her own daughter whose life was in danger!

 

Serina's frozen body shivered with dread and her panicked mind lost all thought except to move. Before she could breathe once more, Serina was flying across the ground, racing to her child's defense, calling on the Silver Crystal's power- The last thing she heard was her friends calling upon their powers to protect their queen before she saw a flash of solid white, Rini safely behind her, out of reach of the suffocating spell her Scouts had somehow cast to protect her. She felt the spell go wrong, the Silver Crystal reacted against their magic and she suddenly knew she wouldn't be seeing her family and friends for a while . . . Then the silvery white energy faded to darkness as she gave in to unconsciousness knowing her baby girl was safe . . .

 

From somewhere above, cut off from all feeling except sympathy and regret, Serina watched as the same man, the king, wept silently beside a crystal coffin in which she lay, unmoving . . .

 

“Finally, I know the truth- finally I know what's happening, Rini . . .” She felt a tug from the outside world, friends calling her name, a small voice crying, strong arms lifting her from her pillow. They were so far away- She suddenly realized where ever she was, she was all at once very cold and could barely move- as if she were trapped- in stone . . .

 

Serina gratefully followed the sounds back to reality-

__________________________

 

The sight that greeted the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask shocked them to a stand still- they were frozen where they landed by the woman now lying in Serina's bed after the Silver Crystal's glow faded. Rini lay sprawled across her, her tears soaking silver blossoms in the white silk of the lady's dress.

 

She was gorgeous; breath taking, heart-stoppingly the most divine beauty any of them had ever seen. Her hair was the pure silvered yellow of sunshine, streaming down from two buns, a crown of gold rested within her bangs, a crescent moon glowed vibrantly on her forehead. Her face was pale and mature, wise and innocent. A huge bow, like crystalline fairy wings, graced her back, making her seem even more delicate and porcelain fragile.

 

“Serina?” Rei whispered, detransforming in an effort to retake control of the situation. The others unconsciously copied the same movement.

 

“That looks just like our Queen Serenity- but a little different- wasn't her hair pure silver?” Lita and Ami nodded, Rei just shaking her head in awed disbelief.

 

“She looks like Princess Serenity but-“

 

Muffled sobbing drew Darien's attention away from the woman back to Rini still weeping into the- queen's?- dress. He moved forward towards the woman, Mina following to lift Rini away from the strange vision.

 

“Mama! Mommy, please wake up, Mommy . . .” Rini cried, the lamentation in her pleading voice shook the remaining Scouts from their astonishment. The sorrow and desperation in her voice brought tears to their eyes as Mina held the struggling child away from the apparition. They didn't know who this person was or why she was here or what had happened to Serina-

 

Was this really Rini's mother? From the future? Or was this a trick to get Rini to come to the Dark Moon peacefully?

 

“Mommy? Serina?!” They whispered between themselves as they watched Mina carry the little girl away. Their eyes focused on Darien gently lifting the woman, her head carefully cradled in the crook of his elbow, and holding her softly as if he were afraid she would break.

 

`Serenity . . . My Serenity. You look just like your mother, Sere . . .' He knew her, even if her own Scouts didn't recognize their princess, he would always know Serina. He brushed away her bangs, allowing a finger to fall and trace her satiny cheek. She was cold as ice, scarcely breathing, and Darien could hardly detect a pulse- she was barely alive! Tiny crystals, like snowflakes, were quickly frosting her skin, freezing her solid, stiffening her silk skin to crystal even as he watched . . .

 

Ami quickly pulled out her mini-computer but even as Darien touched the angel, the vision disintegrated to sparkling moon dust leaving Serina Tsukino in the queen's place.

 

Darien and the girls gasped, Rini letting out another pained cry, and Darien embraced his princess closer. “Serina! Serina, please, wake up. Come on, Serina, we need you to wake up, love, please-”

 

“Hmm, Endymion . . . Rini . . .” Serina's pink lips parted in a feathery murmur, her breath stirring as she responded to her love's caress. Warmth returned with knowledge and her shining blue eyes fluttered open. “Oh, Darien, the wonderful things I-”

 

“Serina! Thank God, you're okay! I thought we lost you, somehow, I didn't know- I'm sorry, for everything, my princess, I love you, more than anything in the world. I realize this is the only way to protect you, I'll never leave you again- I love you too much. I swear. If you want me-” He held her close, as if this angelic figure would disappear like a dream too. He kissed her temple, her excited whispers sinking to sighs as his lips pressed against her skin and hair and she knew for certain her prince finally believed in their love and had returned to her.

 

“I know, my handsome prince. I understand, I never lost hope, I love you too . . .” She whispered, her dreams finally coming true after weeks of agony. She buried herself in Darien's arms, holding on to him as tightly as she possibly could, just as afraid as he was that this might be a dream. She understood, it was a part of her memory- of Serenity's memory. She knew so much now, so much . . . Too much, she didn't want to know some of this future she had to live. But Darien was hers again, now and forever. That was all that mattered now.

 

“Mommy! Mama, you're okay!” Rini leapt free of Mina's grasp and attacked Serina and Darien on the bed. Rini's hold on Serina mirrored hers on Darien. Serina smiled softly, wrapping an arm around Rini to reassure her. `I know the truth about you too, my little princess, my baby girl . . .'

 

“Yes, Small Lady, my daughter . . .” She leaned over and kissed her child's forehead as the others gawked in disbelief, even Darien released his gentle hold on Serina to stare doubtfully at her. Unconsciously, he stepped away from her- and Rini.

 

Serina's kind eyes alighting on Rini, suddenly dropped to despair like light lost in the deepest ocean when she felt his warm touch disappear.

__________________________

“Every moment brings a new surprise.”

 

Had they heard her right? Mama? Daughter? That couldn't be right- Serina was only fourteen, Rini was five, it was impossible-

 

Mina raised an icy hand to her pale forehead, as if ready to faint from shock. Ami madly typed into her mini-computer, evaluating answers for this puzzle, running scans, scenarios, and adding the accumulated clues. There had to be a reasonable explanation for this situation- problem was, her computer confirmed Serina's statement. Rei and Lita shared the same expression, torn between skepticism and anger.

 

Anger proved the easiest course of reaction.

 

“Serina, WHAT are you talking about? What just happened, who was that person- It wasn't the moon princess!”

 

“Serina, that was cruel, you can't lie to Rini like that, leading the poor little girl on like that, you insensitive airhead!”

 

Rini's head shot up from where she'd burrowed into the familiar comfort of her mother's arms. She glared at the Scouts of Lightning and Fire through tear-filled eyes. “No! She IS my mommy, didn't you see her? She was right here, my mommy is Serina- Tell them, Mama! Tell them it's true!” Rini pleaded, squeezing her mother's younger self's hand. Serina lifted a hand to her future daughter's face where two tears traced the outline of her flushed cheeks- and grinned encouragingly. Her daughter needed the reassurance more than the Scouts did. Her daughter . . . no wonder she felt so close to her. She could inspire such powerful emotions in her- just like her father. She was so happy her secret hopes were really coming true.

 

“Lita, you're right, that wasn't the moon princess. That was the new moon queen Serenity. Me when I grow up. And Rei, you know I don't lie. Rini is my future daughter, a princess of the moon and Crystal Tokyo. Neo-Princess Small Lady Serenity of the new Silver Millennium.” Serina closed her eyes briefly and a golden white aura bloomed around her, it's brilliance emanating from her heart and the royal crescent moon on her forehead. The audience fell back before her radiance, not daring to shield their fascinated eyes from the mysterious sight. Rini closed her eyes, smiling and basking in the nearly forgotten warmth of her queen-mother's presence. The same moon sigil appeared on her forehead, flickering to life and dying away as Serina's had, but not before everyone had a clear look at it. There was no doubt anymore that she was, somehow, moon royalty. “You must protect her now the same as you would me.”

 

Serina smiled contently down at her daughter, now sighing to sleep in her lap. `Too much excitement for my little one.' Her soft blue eyes shone with warmth and serenity, her smile peaceful and- maternal. She did not look anything like the fourteen-year-old she was an hour ago. When she spoke, hesitant to look up at her trusted friends, her voice was hardly above a whisper so as not to disturb her dreaming child, or frighten her Scouts and Darien into shock. “Darien? Please . . .” `Understand.'

 

Her trembling hand reached out, her voice unsure and fearful of her love's reaction. What if he changed his mind? What if he didn't love her now that he knew? She knew it really couldn't be, that was irrational after all she'd seen of her future life.

 

But what she had to tell him could ruin all his plans in life. He was still young and handsome and no doubt he wanted to go live life to the fullest without being trapped by her, weighted down by his need to stay and protect her and their daughters. What if he didn't want a family- at least not so soon? Knowing Rini was his child, and she was his wife . . .

 

Again, irrational thoughts. Darien loved Rini more than life and he'd always wanted a family of his own. `He said he loved me. Whatever it was that kept him away, is it truly gone? Will he never leave me like that again?'

 

“My love?” Darien's response was quick and concerned, his strong, warm hand took her small one without hesitation, calming her trembling and fears at the same time. Inquiring midnight blue eyes met hers with unconditional love and worry for her well-being. And, of course, an intense curiosity.

 

Serina's immediate smile lit up like a sunburst and she squeezed Darien's fingers almost desperately grateful and happy. He loved her! She could see it in his eyes, in his soul! `Dear Mother, I hope he doesn't mind having a family, even if it's not ours yet, I hope he wants to live the rest of his life with me, the meatball head-' “Darien, meet our daughter, the future Neo-Princess Small Lady Serenity Shields.” She worriedly searched his eyes for comprehension, understanding, approval- happiness.

 

She found it when his eyes slowly began to water and a tear escaped him when he blinked.

 

Darien absently swiped the tickling drop away as his gaze focused on the lovely, glowing young woman before him, gently embracing her equally lovely daughter. `Serina . . . This is how she knew I was lying- A family . . . finally one of my own. A beautiful daughter and an angel for a wife.' He had always loved Rini, he didn't understand why- now he did. She looked so much like his Serina, this little princess. “My- daughter . . .” He whispered incredulously, overwhelmed with elation as he leaned forward and kissed his daughter's cheek. He grinned when she murmured softly and smiled in her sleep. “Serina, how-”

 

“I've known Rini was mine for a long time now, love. At first I wasn't sure about her father but it easy to see the connection between you two and I knew I could never marry anyone other than you. Today she told me her parents' names and my thoughts were confirmed. King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity rule the future earth together in the new Silver Millennium, a thousand years from now . . .” There was a collective gasp at the end of Serina's absent-minded speech.

 

It seemed even as she spoke, Serina could feel her newly gained memories melt and evaporate like new snowflakes. They were not hers to keep yet, they were the Neo-Queen Serenity's, Rini's true mother. “You gave her the name Small Lady and insisted she have my middle name, Usagi, too. I remember Ami and Mina, Rei and Lita on that day, and how they've helped every day after until . . .” Serina squeezed her eyes shut at the memory of her near-fatal attack that left her isolated from the world in a crystal shell. Serina took a shaky breath, hoping she could hold onto her thoughts long enough to finish her story. She was starting to get woozy again, all these fleeing memories leaving her light-headed. She let her eyes drift to each one of her friends, catching their eyes, smiling at their blushing and communicating her gratitude and new respect through her eyes. They still didn't understand all they had done in the future.

 

“Thank you, my friends. She could never have any better godmothers than you.” Serina's breath caught, feeling her final moments approaching. She silently, obliviously wept, holding her child close as she felt those last precious memories slip away from her to their proper time.

 

Dr. Anderson confirming she was pregnant and later telling her both her twins were girls though she all ready knew. Rei complaining that it had taken her long enough to get pregnant, nearly a year compared to her few months. Lita pledging her life and loyalty to the two pink-haired princesses. Mina bestowing dreams and wishes of happiness and love, gifting them with beauty, cheerfulness, and all the qualities of their parents like a good fairy in a magical tale. A human Luna chasing the young twins around the palace even though she had a child herself. Rei's son and Mina's daughter coming over to play. The surprise party they had for the girls' fourth birthday. The frightened nights spent in candlelight, hiding from the lightning and thunder. Her love and husband sleeping peacefully alongside her, one twin cuddled next to him while the other nestled beside her.

 

“Serina? What's wrong? Why are you crying?”

 

Serina sniffed, caught off-guard and wrenched from her reverie. “All these things I remember are leaving me- my memories of Rini and Irene, my husband, my friends- It's all so perfect and still so far away!” Still cradling Rini in one arm, the future queen threw her other arm around Darien's neck, clinging to him as she tried to keep hold of the feelings, the images and voices, the laughter and peace.

 

Darien held her tightly, kissing her hair, caressing her face, brushing away her tears. “But it will come, my love. I promise, I will always love you and our daughter. We will get married and whether or not we're king and queen, we'll always be together. We'll have each other and Rini, and that's all we need to be happy. I swear it, my beautiful princess.”

 

“Thank you, Darien.” With that tearful sigh, she kissed her future husband and king with all the emotion she had left and more, making up for all the missed opportunities over the past few weeks. The world melted away, forgotten in the flaring warmth of their hearts finally together, their shattered and lost spirits soaring.

 

“I love you . . .” She whispered, her eyes drifting closed and breath sighing away. She fell asleep in her prince's arms.

 

Darien chuckled softly as he held close her a moment longer before he laid his princess back down, still holding Rini beside her; their daughter. “I love you, always and forever, my only love, my beautiful angel.” He raised the blue coverlet over them and kissed Rini on the forehead, where her golden crescent symbol briefly responded to her father's presence. Darien gazed over his love, his future wife, his future queen. She was so peaceful, so heavenly . . . And he was overjoyed that she was his.

__________________________

 

“Okay, how much of that actually just happened?” Lita asked still shaking her head and blinking hard. Serina- the real one- and Rini were now sleeping in bed, Darien sitting beside them, never leaving their sides. He was just staring at them like they were some miracle created only for him.

 

“Wow . . .” Mina just stared with a dazed look on her face as she spied on the couple she'd always known would be together forever but she didn't know she was THIS good at matchmaking!

 

“I can't believe the spore's Serina's future kid! And not only that but she's Darien and Meatball head's daughter! This is like the twilight zone! They just got back together, and now they're king and queen and got a kid? How, on what planet, in what century did THIS happen?!” Rei suddenly exploded, oblivious to the other girls gently though quickly pulling her loud rantings out the door and into the hall.

 

“Well, you must admit there have been incredible, undeniable similarities. I'm quite shocked, actually, that no one noticed it before. If you think about it-”

 

“Ami, just tell us if Serina's right.”

 

Ami nodded emphatically to the huddled Scouts. She pulled out her Mercury palmtop and transformed to utilize her visor. She typed in some equations, entering and reviewing the data that scrolled out for her as she studied the suspected mother, father, and child through the cracked door. She all ready knew the answer before she hit the first key. `It was so obvious!' She mentally smacked herself. “I can tell you Rini, or Neo-Princess Serenity, definitely shares the DNA of Serina and Darien. And that she was born in this timeline, somewhere in the next . . .six to nine years. Assuming the gap in the temporal particles of her cells is the time the earth was in stasis-”

 

“Wow! This is so wicked cool! I'm so happy for them!”

 

“Hey! Serina said she knew for while now. Why didn't she tell us?!” Lita demanded, crunching her fist into her other hand, ready to ambush her princess for answers. She almost felt betrayed that Serina hadn't trusted her guardians, her best friends with this secret!

 

“Right, Lita, like you would have believed her?” Rei asked sarcastically. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and slowly walked down the stairs. She caught Mina and Lita both nodding in reluctant agreement. Of course she was right, she smugly thought trying to recover her omnipotence from the bomb Serina dropped on them.

 

Sailor Mercury held back, clicking off her visor as she followed Rei's lead. “Actually, if she had informed me of her theory, I could have run these tests earlier and we all would have known Rini's parentage and we wouldn't have wasted time trying to figure out her intentions. However, she never even told Rini of her hypothesis. She obviously wanted this to be her secret for whatever reason.”

 

“Yeah, she probably knew we wouldn't believe her and then we'd tease her and Rini would hate her for even suggesting it and then she'd be ashamed and heart-broken-” Mina listed, raising a finger for each reason she could come up with. “Hmm, poor girl. She did love Rini so much, even in the beginning.” Mina paused, deep in thought. `Poor Serina, knowing she was Rini's future mother and not able to tell anyone. She must have been so afraid that Darien wasn't her dad and then when she found out and he still insisted that he hated her . . . The whole time she knew he was lying!'

 

“Can you imagine Serina as a mom?” Lita whispered cautiously, still a little bewildered and certainly overwhelmed.

 

“Yeah, I know. But all of us might want a family sometime in the future and Serina's the last heir to the Silver Millennium. She has to continue the line. And no matter how ditzy that Meatball head can be sometimes, we know she's going to be the best mother.” Rei smiled a little embarrassedly, she couldn't believe she was actually saying this. More so, saying this about her fourteen-year-old best friend. Rei's smile suddenly fell as she narrowed her eyes and focused all her attention on Serina's room.

 

Mercury continued a new train of thought, having not forgotten Serina's strange accounts of the future. “If Serina knows all this about the future, then she should know what happened to Rini's mo- I mean, herself, in the future. But she didn't tell us that either- she must have been terrified based on Rini's reaction to questioning. I wonder what happened that we couldn't protect her from-” Her computer beeped.

 

In that same moment they heard Serina scream and Darien shout for the girls. The Scouts wasted mere seconds to transform and leapt up the stairs, bursting into the bedroom. They were confronted with the sight of Tuxedo Mask facing off with Rubeus and Serina tightly hugging her wide-eyed daughter to her chest as she scrambled away from the bed and into a corner.

 

“What's HE doing here?!” Sailor Venus cried. Mars appeared by her side, braced for action.

 

“Does it matter? Just get him out of here!” Venus nodded and deftly shot off her Love Chain towards the Nega-Moon creep after Tux dodged out of the way, giving her a clear view.

 

Sailor Mercury followed Jupiter to the corner where Serina and Rini were huddled. “Serina, what happened? Why's he here?” Jupiter whispered over her shoulder, studying the battle that had barely begun.

 

“I don't know, just get him out of my house. My family will be home any time now! I can't transform while he's here! We've got to protect Rini, no matter what, make sure nothing happens to her!” Serina pleaded, squeezing her daughter close before turning her back to her Scouts to keep herself between Rini and the danger. She kissed her daughter's warm forehead, sensing her terror. She brushed back her bangs then glanced over her shoulder to watch her loved ones fight to defend her.

 

“Mercury Ice Storm Blast!” Mercury's geyser of water erupted from her hands to attack the Nega-Moon officer, the physical force coupled with Venus's chain finally knocked Rubeus to the floor. Before Jupiter could slam him with her lightning, he disappeared.

 

“Where'd he go?!” Mars cried, her fingers crackling with flames. Tuxedo Mask raced past her to the window, perfect rose held at the ready-

 

“He's out here!” He called as he loosed the rose at the fool who dared attack his love in her own home. In his rage, Tux leapt through the window, easily landing on the ground targeting the man with nearly a dozen roses.

 

“No, Darien!” He heard Serina call but he was too angry to listen, Rubeus was going to die for attacking his family! The Scouts were with them so the two girls would be fine for now, it wouldn't take long before Rubeus disappeared or was- dispatched.

 

“Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury! Something's not right! Go help Tuxedo Mask, please!” The Scouts looked hesitant for a moment, leaving their princess undefended. Jupiter bit her lip as they heard Tux shout and Serina became even more desperate. “Go! Please!” Serina stood, her brooch in her hand. “We'll be fine- GO!” With that, Serina began her transformation and her Scouts took off after their protector who needed assistance.

 

The moment they were out of sight- “Sailor Moon . . . Or would you prefer Serenity, your highness? How nice to finally meet you in person- Our . . . meeting,” He scoffed as he said the word with an evil precision. “In the future was hardly a proper introduction.” Sailor Moon stood and whirled at the seething sound of the gravelly voice. Behind her stood a hideous, cowled man, his face hidden in shadows though she could tell those red gleaming eyes were studying her, burning through her soul. She remembered him, she knew him from Serenity's memories, she'd seen him in her own nightmares!

 

“Wise Man . . .” Sailor Moon hissed through gritted teeth. He was the cause of all the pain and anguish her family had been put through. All of it, everything- was because of him.

 

“Ah, so you do know me. Then you should also know that I am all-powerful and always get what I want. And what I want from you is the future. Destroying your Imperium Silver Crystal now will leave no one to oppose me in your pathetic future world and darkness will reign.”

 

“You will never get this crystal! Over my dead body!” She grimaced at her words, realizing their truth before the devil could even reply.

 

The evil darkness chuckled as he watched warrior of the moon try to hide the rabbit from his view. As if he couldn't kill the child with the legendary Sailor Moon standing between them. “That is exactly what I meant.”

 

Sailor Moon's eyes narrowed as she caught on to his thinking and she nimbly pulled out her scepter before the Wise Man could make another move. “MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!”

__________________________

 

“Mars celestial fire surround!" The flaming rings of inferno sped towards Rubeus at a blinding speed. With effortless ease, Rubeus dodged Sailor Mars' attack and countered.

 

"Mercury bubbles blast!" A thick mist shrouded the area surrounding the Tsukino household. Rubeus growled and began to fire dark power blindly in all directions.

 

"Where are you!?" He yelled sneering almost audibly. "Such cowards to hide behind this cheap parlor trick!" With a silent yell, Rubeus blew the offending vapor out of range of the battle, causing it to quickly dissipate.

 

The Sailor Scouts had taken the momentary opportunity to regroup on the opposite side of the street. Tuxedo Mask pulled out a rose as the fog cleared and prepared to attack Rubeus before he noticed them so close.

 

"No." Mercury whispered, her pale hand stopping Tux's as he reach in his coat for another rose. The others looked at her in mild surprise. Mercury's voice of reason calmed their fears. They'd never been able to defeat Rubeus before, only Sailor Moon's attack seemed to phase him. "We should attack altogether. Tuxedo Mask's attacks won't do much against Rubeus alone." The girls nodded in agreement, Tux reluctantly hesitated long enough for the girls to join him. "On my mark . . .”

 

With an evil laugh Rubeus discovered the group of warriors facing him. "Not bad. Let me show you a real trick!" With an enraged cry, Rubeus gathered power in his palms. With a wicked grin, he launched the miniature orbs towards the Sailor Scouts.

 

"MARK!"

 

"Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"

"Jupiter Thunder Clap Zap!"

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"

"Mercury Ice Storm Blast!"

 

The four blasts of energy from the Sailor Scouts, combined with a shower of red from Tuxedo Mask, slammed into Rubeus full force. With a scream, the red haired man stumbled and dropped to his knees.

__________________________

"Alone against my darkest fear."

 

A storm of negative energy flew through Serina's bedroom. No matter how many attacks she threw at him, or how powerful they were, the Wise Man could dodge, counter or parry each one of Sailor Moon's advances. "Moon Tiara Magic! Moon Scepter Elimination!"

 

The Wise Man simply sighed and shook his head as if he could do this all day but Moon knew she couldn't keep this up. "You can't beat me, Serenity. Give me the Silver Crystal and I may let your daughter live." He held up a shriveled hand and pointed a bony finger towards her advancing attacks. With a small crackle, the Moon energy was halted in mid-air and stood still.

 

Sailor Moon and Rini gasped in surprise and horror. Sailor Moon's eyes widened as the Wise Man released her magic, sending it back at her and Rini. Without thinking she wrapped her arms around the little girl and jumped away from the Tiara and Scepter energy. The two attacks slammed into her bedroom window, shattering the glass into millions of glittering pieces. Sailor Moon groaned at the inconvenience. 'Great! How am I going to explain that to Mom and Dad?!'

 

The sound of fighting outside reached the ears of everyone in the room. Even the Wise Man was not deaf to Rubeus' scream. With a growl he looked between Rini and Sailor Moon, then Rubeus outside. "Incompetent or not, he is still of value to me!" Wise Man hissed as he teleported out of the room to the battle taking place outside.

 

Sailor Moon was breathing hard as she let herself relax slightly. The immediate threat had left them alone for the moment. Rini clutched Sailor Moon's uniform with her tiny fists and stared wide-eyed out the window. Sailor Moon placed Rini on the ground and knelt to speak with her. "Rini," She started, but she couldn't help glancing out the window, looking for her friends. "Stay here-"

 

"NO!" Rini yelled, instantly interrupting her. She knew what Sailor Moon was doing. "I want to help! Please, Mommy! Let me help." She begged, knowing it was useless. She wasn't going to give up though- but then she saw the look on her mother's face and reluctantly gave in, suddenly realizing she might get in trouble for having interrupted her mother at such a serious and dangerous moment. "Alright. I'll stay." She muttered under her breath none too happy at being left all alone but glad her mother wasn't going to take drastic measures to make SURE she stayed there.

 

Sailor Moon nodded, not liking this situation one bit. Wise Man could come back and take Rini at any moment while she was gone and then she'd have no choice but to give up. `I just need to kill him before then.' "Hide, Small Lady. Whatever you do, don't come out. You'll be safer here.” `I hope.' Her heart whispered as her eyes followed her daughter into the closet.

 

And with that, Sailor Moon jumped out the window and to the ground outside where the real battle still raged.

__________________________

 

The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask stood in ready stances around Rubeus as he struggled to his feet. Blood dripped down one side of his face where one of Tuxedo Mask's rose had landed a glancing blow and he absently wiped it away. The Wise Man appeared suddenly behind him and growled. "Rubeus . . ." The red-haired man swiftly pivoted on heel to face his master, shock evident on his pale face.

 

"Wise Man!"

 

"You have failed, Rubeus! You couldn't dispose of the Sailor Scouts or that caped fool, Tuxedo Mask!" Before he could continue a voice from behind them interrupted.

 

"Wise Man." The Dark Moon warriors turned to face the soft sound of the intensely furious voice. "I won't allow you to harm my family! For all you have done and all you have attempted, you will be PUNISHED!" Sailor Moon yelled, falling to the earth below her broken window and glancing subtly around at her gathered guardians. She nodded as they returned her wary gaze, her scepter slowly swung around to sight the Wise Man. Her voice was deathly still, as emotionless and hard and sharp as the slivers of broken glass beneath her feet. Her eyes snapped fire; echoes of Tuxedo Mask's pained shouts, the agony of Rini's frightened tears, the memory of the shocking burns she'd received yesterday protecting her daughter from these men- Justice herself would take a hand this time.

 

“Rubeus! Take care of those Scouts! I will challenge Serenity.” Wise Man's voice grated as he dragged his henchman to the side, tossing him in the direction of the Moon Princess's guardians still across the street. His demonic eyes never once left her defiance.

 

“Moon Scepter Elimination.”

 

Even with the power of all her thoughts and wishes behind it, Wise Man still managed to push back her unexpected attack. His stained hands rose above his hooded head, blazing with colorless energy as she kept up her onslaught only to have him drive it back at her, his own negative attack coming close enough to leave her arms weak and her lungs out of breath. “Give up, Serenity . . . I destroyed your future, I killed you, your husband, and your daughters have little time left. Why even waste their lives trying? It is only more pain, extending their torture.”

 

Moon bit the inside of her cheek till she could taste blood, her lips pursed so hard they lost all feeling. Tears stung and flooded her eyes, blinking only made the blurring worse. It wasn't true! He couldn't be more powerful than she was! She couldn't lose to him! It was impossible! Sailor Moon had defeated Beryl and Metallia, all four generals, Ann and Alan and their Doom Tree; she had confronted and healed each of the four Sisters. She'd just met her daughter and her future with Endymion had been revealed- a wonderful, happy, peaceful life! He hadn't killed her or Endymion in the future- she wouldn't believe it!

 

“That's not true!” Her power doubled with her desperation, breaking off the stalemate and leaving her gasping on her knees before the evil darkness. He just laughed at her. She spared a startled breath to search for her back up- where were her Scouts?

 

It didn't take that long. They were all together, in the same little ball of negative energy. Jupiter was on her knees pounding the shield wall, Mars lay unconscious at Mercury's feet, her blue eyes glancing between her computer, the red Scout, and the wall. Venus just stared at her leader, sorrowed that she couldn't help but encouraging her all the same. Tux-

 

His cape was gone, only tatters remained. His head hung and he held one arm close to his side as he threw rose after rose at the shield, falling deeper to the ground as each was absorbed and disintegrated. `Stop it, please stop, Tuxedo Mask- STOP IT!' “Stop . . .” She croaked, her voice too hoarse with tears to shout. Venus seemed to understand and nodded, her hand falling on Tux's shoulder, forcefully halting his futile assault.

 

Her eyes watered as she saw him give up, she sighed as he collapsed, she held her head higher when he no longer moved, and she stood again when she noticed Rubeus staring her down. Choking down everything but rationality, Sailor Moon returned her blue gaze to the man behind the real threat to her family and friends. She was prepared to fight to the death now. For everything.

 

But first-

 

Moon whirled from her enemy for a new target. Her hand flew from her brow, a discus of moon energy cutting through the air for Rubeus's wide eyes, her scepter's attack blowing away the black bubble around her friends.

 

“Good choice, Serenity . . .” His hissing voice echoed as if from a long, empty corridor and when she turned back- he was gone. And she definitely didn't feel relieved about his disappearance. The feeling abruptly tripled in her mind and she barely had time to recognize the quickening pace of her heartbeat as a silent scream tore through her mind. The last time she had known this kind of certainty she'd lost her life-

 

Just like in her visions of the future, her body went cold and numb, her choked breath was the only sound, her head was light and her heart pounded like tiny bombs exploding inside her- Rini screamed again.

 

When the air around her flickered, Sailor Moon ducked back a few feet, her senses flooded with the close proximity of pure, dark evil. She saw the flare of carnation pink before anything else and lunged for it, her mind blank except for the need to save her daughter. She didn't even notice the geyser of negative energy blasting her until she heard Rini shout out to her again, excruciating as a cold knife through her skin. Moon choked, painful reality suddenly pummeling her like Wise Man's attack and she was thrown off her feet.

 

Trembling arms caught her before she could hit ground, she wouldn't have noticed them at all if he hadn't had the same tense numbness resonating throughout his body that she did. “Mama! Daddy, help . . .”

 

She inhaled sharply at the sound of her daughter's fading voice and tried to break away but she was too weak. Tuxedo Mask held her close, tight enough to drown out the despair that was creeping up on her. Strength rose like a mountain inside her and hopelessness ebbed from it. Her hyperventilating slowly steadied and her tears evaporated. She took in all the strength and vitality he offered her, she absorbed the different hued energies around her, the power falling on her like dusting snow from the moonlight. She soaked it all in until she shook with light thunder, her skin scintillating, flickers and glimmerings rolling through her like the pearl crests of waves, her Silver Crystal their shore.

 

She stepped away from Tux, hoping to keep him out of the line of fire. She couldn't see anything else: she was completely focused on Wise Man and saving Rini. Her voice was soft and cold, the others had to strain to hear her words though Wise Man could not escape her command.

 

“From now unto forever, you will never lay a hand on my children or my husband ever again.” Her icy glance disappeared behind translucent lids, melting to cool tears. “In the name of Serenity. Silver Moon Crystal, Cosmic Power!”

__________________________

“Nothing could stand against our might”

 

A pyramid of light pierced the black sky, four points of cardinal colors converged above a pure stream of opalescent moonlight, reflecting the starshine in a force field around them. A beam stronger than the sun's rays, focused and magnified, split the night air and the smoky, polluted gloom drifting above the street and spreading throughout the city.

 

The battle was over before the counterstrike had begun. The light emanating from the single most powerful heart and soul in the universe cut through the darkness like lightning sundering storm clouds. As delicate as a dancing flame and harmless as water to one born within its power, the crash of glittering translucence washed over the little princess at the heart of the onyx mist; the cruel, stained hands holding her within the cloak of black space disintegrated to the point that not even dust was allowed to drift away.

 

Tuxedo Mask dashed forward to catch the small child as she fell from the sky, four Scouts paused and held their breath as their leader swayed on her feet. Serenity gasped and her breath sighed away as if it were her last. Her knees buckled beneath her and she collapsed, her arms not moving to impede the ground as she slowly fell back on herself, not daring to breathe again.

 

`Finally. It is done . . .'