Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : One Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Darien Chiba walked along the edge of the wharf, watching the boats bob up and down on the gray waters. It was twilight, and, looking across out ot sea, the slice of sun thay remained cast a dazzling play of light on the ocean. Darien yawned. He should be getting home. Deciding to take a short cut, he turned into one of the many alleyways alongside the wharf. But then something happened that made him duck into an alcove and watch, hidden. A man came striding out of a dark doorway into the alley. He was pulling a girl with him by her hair - long and blonde, and done up into a unique style; two ponytails with buns at the top. The man's face was ugly and contorted with anger. A dark scar crossed his face from left to right. He looked about twenty-three, older than both Darien and the girl. The girl was pretty - but it was hard to tell because her features twisted into as expression of pure terror as she cowered away from the man. She couldn't be any older than sixteen. Suddenly, he hit her. Across the face, so hard that she flew backwards into the wall. Darien gasped with the force of that blow. She cried out in pain. He snarled and hit her again, making her fall to the ground. Darien tensed, ready to step out - but then stopped. The man was talking now. "You fool!" he growled. "What were you thinking?" She didn't answer. Suddenly, the man moved. It was violent; he looked furious. He grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her to her feet, forcing her to look up into his face. Darien could see a trickle of red coursing down her face where the man had hit her. "What were you thinking?" hissed the man. "Answer me!" Her lips moved, but Darien couldn't catch the words. He leaned forward, straining his ears. Evidently, the man hadn't heard either. "What?" he snapped, his lip curling up into a snarl. "I don't know," she whispered. "It won't happen again." He glared st her. "It better not," he growled. "Or else . . ." He produced a glinting knife and held it against her throat. "Be warned. You know me. I don't forgive easily." He flung her back, hard, against the wall and went back inside the building. She sank to the ground, sobbing in pain and fright. Darien came out into the alley, horrified at what he'd just seen. He cautiously approached the girl. She hadn't seen him yet; her eyes were closed. Close to, Darien saw that she was very pretty - beautiful, in fact - but horribly thin. Her long dress - it had once been white - was in tatters, and made of some thin material. Her arms and feet were bare. He realized she must be freezing. Even he, with his coat on, could tell it was cold. He took off his greatcoat as he reached her, walking softly. Sitting down beside her, he laid it gently over her shaking shoulders. "There," he said softly. "Is that warmer? - hey!" At the sound of his voice, the girl leapt up, his coat sliding off her shoulders. She stared at him, terrified, for one split second, and then took off, running down the street. He yelled after her. "Hey! Come back! I'm not going to hurt you! I want to talk - to help you! I saw -" But she was gone. In one swift movement he gathered up his coat and ran after her. At the intersection he paused, looking to right and left for any sign of the girl. There was no one on the street. Cursing, Darien walked home. After what he'd seen, he knew he had to find her. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Two Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Four girls sat on the benches behind a shrine, watching the people who went in and out. One of the girls, with violet eyes and long loose black hair, was dressed in the attire of a priestess - of the Hikawa shrine. She looked impatient. Next to her sat a blonde, her hair loose also. She was dressed in an orange skirt and shirt, and laid a hand warningly on the priestess' arm. On the opposite bench were the other two - one with brown hair tied in a high ponytail and the other with short blue hair. "Where is he?" burst out the priestess. "He's already skipped three meetings - we told him this one was important!" "Calm down, Raye," said the girl with blue hair sensibly. "He's probably just delayed." A white cat with a crescent moon on its forehead suddenly appeared from nowhere and leapt onto the blonde's lap. "Luna's checking to make sure he left," said the cat. None of the girls seemed at all surprised to hear it talk. At that moment a pitch-black cat with the same moon marking pushed through the thicket. "He left, Artemis," she said. "He should be here any minute. In fact - there he is." Darien Chiba came around the corner of the temple, his black hair askew. Raye scowled. "About time, too!" she hissed. "Come on, Raye," protested the brunette. "Amy's right - he was probably just delayed." "Yeah, we've all missed meetings," added the blonde. "You should know, Mina," grinned the brunette, teasing her friend. Mina was unfortunately forgetful and had often been known to show up for meetings that didn't exist as well as not come for ones that did. The blonde blushed. "Shut up, Lita!" she hissed. "If I may be allowed -" put in Darien. "I'm sorry I've missed meetings - but I haven't been myself lately. I've actually been at the old wharf for the last few days. I'm sorry - I know all our meetings are important." "Why were you at the wharf?" asked Amy, the blue-haired girl, kindly. "It's going to sound crazy. ." Darien began. "But you're going to tell us anyway," Raye finished for him. "Or else." Darien told them about the girl he'd seen that night almost a week ago. "And - I've been down there looking for her." Mina grinned. "Ooooooh, Darien!" she began. "Mina," reprimanded the brunette. "Don't start." Mina pouted. "All right," said the black cat from her seat next to Raye. "Now that we've finished with explanations, perhaps we can get to the real purpose of this meeting. Which is - how are we going to find the last member of our team - Sailor Moon?" Each of the four girls was one of the sailor scouts - the legendary team sworn to protect the earth. Darien was not directly a member of the team - his other identity was Tuxedo Mask - and he mainly gave advice, although he was sometimes known as Protector of the Earth. Raye Hino was Sailor Mars, with control over fire. When she was angry, her powers were terrible. Amy Mizuno was Sailor Mercury, with an affinity for water and ice. She was much slower to anger than Raye, but was also deadly when upset. Lita Kino, the brunette, was Sailor Jupiter. She could raise an electric storm, and was easily the strongest - physically - of the four. Mina Aino was Sailor Venus, the sailor scout of love. She was always playing 'matchmaker', something her friends hated. There was one more member of the Sailor Scout team, all the legends said. She was their leader, their champion of justice - Sailor Moon. Luna and Artemis, the two cats, were the guardians of the sailor scouts. Once, in ages long past, they had been human, but they were now trapped in the form of cats. A long time age, in what had been known as the Silver Millennium, each of the scouts had been a princess and lived on her own planet. They had been the best of friends - Princess Serenity, daughter of High Queen Serenity of the Moon, Princess Raye, Princess Amy, Princess Mina and Princess Lita. Darien had been Prince Endymion of the earth. But one day the tranquility of the Silver Millennium had been shattered. A force calling themselves the Negaverse, under a Queen Beryl, had attacked the Moon Kingdom. They had not been strong enough, after years of peace, to withstand her. High Queen Serenity had seen her daughter and her daughter's lover, Prince Endymion, die, and had felt the deaths of the other four princesses. In her despair, she had used her last weapon, the Imperial Silver Crystal, to ensure that her daughter and her daughter's closest friends would be reborn on Earth. She also sent Luna and Artemis to be their guardians. In the last extremity of strength, she also managed to imprison Beryl - but she knew it was not permanent. The use of the Silver Crystal always exacted a payment and it had been Queen Serenity's life that time. She died, knowing that there would be much suffering before there was a time of peace again. And so millennia passed. Luna and Artemis knew all that, and more that they could not tell. They had found the sailor scouts, all except for Sailor Moon. Currently, the scouts were involved in fighting Queen Beryl, who had broken free of Queen Serenity's imprisonment. To beat her completely, they needed a full team, so it was imperative that they find Sailor Moon. "How are we going to find her?" Raye asked. They had all asked that question. "I've tried reading the fire in the temple - it won't tell me anything. If you two," she looked pointedly at Luna and Artemis, "couldn't find her, how will we?" "But we have to keep looking," said Mina, always optimistic. "I'm sure we'll know her when we see her." "Maybe she already knows who she is and doesn't want to come to us yet. She might show up on her own time," hazarded Amy. "I mean, no one told Darien did they?" "But we would have found her from her energy flux if she knew," objected Lita. "And anyway, put in Artemis sternly. "Luna still has her locket. She can't transform, and if she can't transform, she can't know." "Oh." Amy looked abashed. They sat there for a moment. "Well," began Luna, but Raye leapt to her feet. "We've got trouble!" she cried. "In the front of the temple. It's one of Beryl's monsters again!" In a moment, all four girls were on their feet. As the first to be found, Amy led the transformation. "Mercury Star Power!" "Mars Star Power!" "Venus Star Power!" "Jupiter Star Power!" The four scouts raced around to the front in a blaze of colour, closely followed by Darien as he changed to Tuxedo Mask. People in front of the shrine were screaming and running. The monster stood before the doors, sending balls of glowing energy in every direction. "Stop that at once!" yelled Sailor Mercury. "Yeah! You big ugly doughball! Fight someone your own size!" added Sailor Jupiter. The monster turned in their direction. It did resemble a doughball. Venus smiled slightly. "I'm Sailor Mercury!" "I'm Sailor Mars!" "I'm Sailor Venus!" "And I'm Sailor Jupiter!" "We're the sailor scouts!" they chorused. "Champions of justice! And in the name of all that's good, we shall punish you!" The monster laughed and sent a burst of energy at them. The girls dodged every which way and Tuxedo Mask flung a rose at the beast. It hit the back of one slimy hand - distracting. "Now, scouts!" yelled Tuxedo Mask. "Right!" The scouts lined up, ready to combine their powers. They all shouted at the same time. "Mercury Ice Storm!" "Mars Fire Attack!" "Venus Love Chain Encircle!" "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Each of their attacks flew forward and combined into a brilliant white light. The light hit the monster and reduced it to dust. The ashen-faced people lying about suddenly got up and resumed their business, having no memory of the incident at all. The scouts relaxed into their normal selves, as did Tuxedo Mask. Raye grinned. "There goes one more!" Amy looked worried . "But it's taking us too much energy each time. The monsters shouldn't need a combined attack to die." "But we've tried everything," argued Lita. "And the combined attack is the only thing that works." "That's because none of you have enough power," said Luna. "Which is why -" "We need to find Sailor Moon," said Darien and Mina at the same time. Both Luna and Artemis nodded. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Three Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Darien sat up and groaned. He needed to sleep - he hadn't for at least a week. Every time he got anywhere close, the girl's face, with the blood where the man had struck her appeared before his eyes and he started worrying. It was seven o'clock. He hadn't slept a wink. He got up, tired and reluctant. He had to work the shop. Sleeping in had never been an option for Darien Chiba. He had never needed to until last week. Darien owned a small photography shop. He sold cameras, pictures, took them for people who'd pay, sold frames - almost anything associated with photography. He lived over the shop. Once downstairs, he took his place behind the counter and sat on his stool, yawning. Fifteen minutes later, the bell on the door tinkled, as Andrew, his sixteen-year-old assistant, walked in. Darien found him disgusting alert that morning. Andrew hadn't been losing any sleep. "Um - Darien," said the boy. "We're out of those new flashbulbs - and people seem to like them. Shall I go around and get some more?" "Oh, I think I'll go," Darien yawned. "I need a break. You manage the shop, Andrew." He looked at the boy seriously and Andrew flushed with pride. Darien rarely allowed him to manage the shop on his own. Most of the time he said it was a job for two. ___________ Darien walked slowly down the main street to the supplier's warehouse. There was a large crowd out as it was a very nice day, and he had to squash uncomfortably past a very large woman with a perambulator to enter the store. Once inside, he was happily supplied with enough of the bulbs for a very good while. Outside, Darien again began to press through the crowd. Suddenly, he felt a motion near his pocket, and instinctively reached down to grasp - a wrist. He followed the wrist up with his eyes to a frightened face, and gasped. It was her - the girl from the wharf! She had fresh bruises on her cheek and chin, and Darien felt a hot surge of anger that someone was treating her so. She obviously recognized him. With a sudden jerk, she tried to twist free of his grasp, but Darien hung on and pulled her back. "Don't," he said gently. "I want to help you. I saw what that man did the other night. Who is he? Who are you?" She was frightened, very frightened - but not of him, he realized suddenly. Something - someone - else, and she'd been afraid so long that the fear was a part of her life now. "Oh please," she whispered. "Let me go. He'll see - he'll kill me. Oh, please!" "Tell me your name," urged Darien. "I'll help you." "Serena," she whispered, cringing. "My name is Serena. Oh, please, let me go! Seth - he'll kill me if he sees." "Come with me," Darien said. "I'll hide you." As he spoke, he looked around. There - the man with the scar. He was looking around - in another minute he'd see the girl. "I daren't," she sobbed with fear. "He could find me anywhere." Suddenly, she twisted loose and darted away into the crowd. Darien tried to follow her, but something made him stop and look up. The man with the scar was looking right at him. He'd seen. Darien gulped. The expression on his face - well, terrifying was an understatement. The girl - Serena was right to be afraid. This was a dangerous man. God, I hope she gets away, he thought. He spent the rest of the morning in and out of frantic worry. He wanted to go look for Serena, but had a realistic idea of his chances of finding her. Sometime in the middle of the afternoon, he came back to the real world and found himself staring at a pad of paper in his hand. What surprised him even more was that on the paper was a drawing of the girl - he must have drawn it. It looked exactly like her, and Darien felt an odd pride in it. He took one of the frames down from the display and slid the sketch inside it. He placed the frame on the counter - a place where he'd see it and remember to take it upstairs when he closed shop. _______________ It was seven o'clock when the bell tinkled and four girls walked in. Darien, engaged in dealing with another customer didn't see who it was at first. "I'm just about to close," he called. "If you want anything, be quick." He quickly thanked the man as he left. "Darien, it's us," said Amy. She, Raye, Mina and Lita came up to the counter. "Oh - hi," said Darien, with fake cheeriness. "I'll just lock up and then we can talk." He headed for the door and flipped the sign to 'Closed', then turned the key in the lock and pulled down the bolt. He turned back to the girls. "Where are Luna and - never mind." Even as he spoke, the two cats appeared, seated demurely on the counter. It was Mina who spotted the drawing. Her hand reached out and took it from the counter. The other three stared. "Hey, Darien," said Mina. "This is good. Did you draw it? Is this some new girlfriend we don't know about?" Darien blushed as Mina set the picture back on the counter, next to Luna. "No - of course not," he said. "It's that girl from the wharf. I saw her again today." "Really?" They were all interested. Darien told them what had happened. The girl's fear - and the man's look. "Oh - that's terrible," said Amy, ever softhearted. "Poor thing." Even Raye was upset. "Awful," she agreed. "I wonder who scarface is?" mused Lita. "I mean, what's his connection to her? I hope you're wrong, Dare - I mean, that he didn't actually see." "Me too," said Darien fervently. "She's very pretty, though, isn't she?" asked Mina, once again looking at the drawing. "That's really a shame. We ought to try and - " "What is it, Luna?" Raye broke in suddenly. Luna was staring fixedly at the drawing, as though trying to remember something. She shook her head, trying to clear it. "Nothing," she sighed after a moment's hesitation. "But that girl - I feel as if I've seen her before, somewhere - a long time ago. . ." Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Four Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Fighting evil by moonlight, Winning love by daylight, Never running from a real fight, She is the one named Sailor Moon. She would never turn her back on a friend, She is always there to defend. She is the one on who we can depend, She is the one named Sailor Moon. A Lost Princess by pandora73 Chapter Four Raye burst into the shop, breathing hard. Darien looked up immediately. Luckily, there was no one else there - Andrew was in the back room. "What's up?" he questioned. "Trouble - four blocks down - need help - three - Negaverse!" Raye wheezed. "Three youmas?" Darien guessed, interpreting her cryptic statement correctly. She nodded. "Come on!" "No - wait. Change now - we can get there faster." Raye nodded. "Mars Star Power!" she gasped, and in a swirl of red light became Sailor Mars. Darien changed to Tuxedo Mask and ran out, Raye hot on his heels. The other scouts - Jupiter, Mercury and Venus - were jst about holding their own. They were backed into a protective triangle, spewing attack in every direction. Sailor Mercury caught sight of Tuxedo Mask and Mars and winked ever so slightly. "Mercury Fog Extreme!" she screamed, and a white fog enveloped everything, confusing the three youmas. When it cleared, the team was ready. The four scouts were lined up, and Tuxedo Mask stood by, ready to distract the monsters if need be. "Now!" yowled a distinctly feline voice. Out of the corner of his eye, Darien saw Luna and Artemis. "Mercury Ice Storm!" "Mars Fire Attack!" "Venus Love Chain Encircle!" "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Once again, their powers combined into a brilliant white light. Tuxedo Mask flung roses forward with it, and the youmas were reduced to dust. The four girls collapsed onto each other, ashen-faced. "What happened?" asked Tuxedo Mask, relaxing into Darien. He addressed Luna and Artemis, as the scouts didn't seem ready to talk yet. One by one, they became Amy, Raye, Mina and Lita. "The youmas are too strong," explained Luna, in the tones of one delivering a too-familiar lecture. "Sailor Moon's alleged power is more than that of these four combined. She's supposed to be the one who 'dusts' the youmas. It's too much for them." Lita struggled to her feet, scowling. "What, you think we can't take these monsters?" she asked Luna belligerently. "We've been doing fine!" Raye came to stand next to her. "Yeah," she said stubbornly. "we just beat three, Luna!" "Raye, Lita," came Amy's sweet voice from behind them. "That isn't what Luna meant." "No, she meant that we're not supposed to be killing youmas. Our powers are supposed to be used in other ways," added Mina. Raye put her hands on her hips. "What other ways?" "Other ways than killing youmas. Distracting them hurting them, healing people, repairing the damage they do," Amy replied readily. "Look at it this way," said Darien. "Okay, say we have Sailor Moon. We fight the youma - she kills the youma. You four aren't half dead. Neither is she, because her power is meant to be used that way. Then you can fix the damage the monsters do, and she can use the powers of the Imperial Silver Crystal to heal people. Look at this place." He gestured around. "Scorchmarks, broken glass. People will notice less. We're supposed to protect them completely. 'Champions of Justice.' This isn't complete protection." Lita twisted her mouth, prepared to argue, but Raye gave in. "Oh, fine, I guess you're right." Lita rolled her eyes. "I'm with Raye," she said reluctantly. Mina punched a fist into her other hand. "All right!" she said, bubbling. "Let's go back to the temple, eh, Pyro?" suggested Amy, using Raye's nickname. "You can read the fire, and we'll talk about it." "Good idea," said Artemis. "I have to get back," said Darien. "It's Andrew's afternoon off, and I need to get back so that he can go. I'll be there right after closing-up time." "Right, see you then," they answered, and set off in opposite directions. Darien turned down an alley, following a shortcut he knew back to the shop. Unbidden, the image of the girl sprang into his mind, and he remembered the ugly look he'd seen on the face of the man, both when he's threatened the girl with the knife and when he'd seen him on the street. I hope she's all right, he thought. As if on cue, someone crossed the deserted street about a hundred yards in front of Darien. Whoever it was, was carrying a stick and crossed out from another street. Darien saw a bit of white flutter at the end of the stick. Then the man turned his head for a brief instant, and, in a shock, Darien recognized him. Scar-face. And then he crossed into the other alley and was gone. Darien hastened to the crossing and looked up and down the street. The man was gone, and he was just about to continue when a flash of white at the end of the alleyway caught his attention. Something made him start towards it. When he was ten feet away from it, he realized what it was. A girl, lying sprawled across the alley. He knelt down beside the figure, hoping against hope that it wasn't who he thought it was. Long blonde hair in two ponytails with buns at the top. She was face down. Darien's heart sank. It couldn't possibly be anyone else. He turned her gently over and any remaining hopes he had were dashed to the ground in an instant, to be replaced by anger, hot and furious. It was her - Serena - her face bruised and clothes torn and bloodstained. She looked dead - she was only just breathing, unmoving. Darien surged to his feet and looked down the street for the man - he was the only one who coul have done this. But, as before, there was no one in sight. Darien was on the verge of taking off after him - he had a lot to say to the man who would treat this girl so, but, with a great effort of will, forced himself to calm down. She was important right now. She needed help - possibly medical attention. Suddenly, he made his decision. He would take her back to the shop and get the scouts. They might be able to do something. He bent down and hoisted her carefully into his arms, surprised and worried at how little she weighed. Not wanting to be seen on the main street, Darien followed his shortcut to the back entrance of his shop. As he entered, he heard a bell at the opposite end jingle, indicating that someone was leaving. Inside the back room, Darien looked around for somewhere to lay his precious bundle, but seeing nowhere, was obliged to carry her into the shop. "Andrew," he called, going towards the counter. "Andrew, I need some help." Andrew stood up and took one look at Darien. "Oh my -" he said. "Not now, Andrew," interrupted Darien. "Look . . ." He hadn't yet noticed what was missing. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Five Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = The red-haired woman glanced around the shop impatiently, as though looking for something. She rounded the corner, and then let out a satisfied "Ahhhh." She had spotted what she wanted on top of the counter. There was no one there, so she went ahead and picked it up. Then, grabbing a few things at random off a nearby shelf, she rang the bell on the counter labeled "ring for assistance." A blonde boy of about fifteen or sixteen came out from behind a shelf and grinned cheerfully at her. She forced her narrow lips into a brief smile. "Would you like to buy those?" asked Andrew, for, of course, he was the boy. "Yes,"she said shortly, and placed the items o the counter along with some money. Andrew took the money and turned the four items over. He opened the drawer under the counter and gave the woman change. "Have a nice day," he said, and she smiled, painfully, once again. "Yes," she said, once out of earshot. "I most certainly will." She looked once again at the single item which was the real reason she'd come to the store. "So pretty," she mused. Her high, cold laugh drowned out the noise of the bells to her ears. That was the moment that Darien entered from the back. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Six Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "Not now, Andrew," said Darien. "Look, I need you to deliver a note for me. To the girls - they're at the temple." "The girls?" asked Andrew, puzzled, but Darien didn't answer. He set the girl's feet gently on the floor, and, bracing her across him with one arm, reached for a pen and paper. Amy, Raye, Mina, Lita, Luna and Artemis (he wrote) I need you to come over here right away and take a look at something for me. Come to the shop and straight upstairs. If Drew asks anything, cover for me, because this is definitely scout business. -Darien Chiba He folded the paper up and handed it to Andrew. "Here. Take this to the Hikawa shrine. Give it to -" he thought for a moment, and then smiled briefly. "Mina." Andrew looked down, trying to hide his smile. He thought that he was hiding it, but to everyone else it was obvious that he had a crush on Mina. She liked him too, but not as much. She found him very funny, as though he were younger than her, not a few months older. "Right, Dare," he said. "Oh - and when you're done with that, you can take your afternoon off. Don't come tomorrow, I'm probably not going to have the shop open." __________________________________________ Darien placed the girl gently on his couch. He sat down beside her and shook her shoulders gently. "Serena," he tried her name. "Serena, wake up." She twisted a little, but did not wake. He looked down at her, worried, angry and confused. She was beautiful. How could that man hurt her? Darien felt as though he could have stared at her for the rest of his life and never needed anything else. So this is what it feels like, he thought. I'd wondered, and now I know. How ironic. I can't fall in love with her. She doesn't even know me. Besides - I'm destined to be with Sailor Moon. But he knew also that there was nothing he could do about it. There was a knock on his door. He leapt up and opened it. The girls stood there, Amy carrying Luna and Mina Artemis. "What is it?" asked Raye. "Is something wrong?" "Um - not really. come in." They all trooped in. And at once saw why he had called them over. "It's her," said Mina. "The girl in the picture." Darien nodded. "I found her in the alley like this on the way back after the fight. And I saw scar-face too." Lita punched a fist into her hand. "Just wait till we catch up with him. No one treats anyone else like this." "Is she -?" began Raye. Amy rushed over to the couch. She was studying to be a doctor, and checked the girl's pulse. "She's alive - but I don't know for how long. I need to know what happened to her. Do you have any idea, Darien?" "No-" he began, but then, "Yes. Scar-face had a stick. He must have beaten her." "Then she's probably bleeding internally," said Amy, looking worried. "I don't know what to do. We should get her to a hospital." She checked the girl's pulse again. "We don't have much time." "Then there's no time to get her to a hospital. The closest one is at least an hour away," said Darien. "Isn't there anything we can do." Raye laughed sardonically. "Now would be a very good time to have Sailor Moon. Remember - she gained some of the healing power of the Imperial Silver Crystal. She could probably deal with this." "The problem is," said Luna slowly from behind them all, "How do you get Sailor Moon to heal someone when Sailor Moon is the one who needs healing?" They all froze, and then, slowly, turned to stare, wide-eyed, at the black cat. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Seven Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Author's Note: I recently realized that I have not exactly specified all the ages of my characters - so here it is, for those of you who like to know that kind of thing. Darien - 20 Seth (aka Scarface) - 24 Andrew - 16 Amy - 16 Raye - 17 Lita - 17 Mina - 16 Luna + Artemis - very, very, very old Serena - 16 ________________________________________________________ A Lost Princess Chapter Seven "What?" yelled Raye, as the implications of what Luna had said sank in "She means," began Amy patiently, "That this girl is Sailor Moon." "I know what she means, Amy!" snapped Raye. "But how? How come you didn't find her before?" Luna looked slightly put out. "Because she's got almost none of the aura she's supposed to! I found you four because you have the Silver Millennium aura that sticks out a mile. I could have found you four anywhere - and I was expecting the aura to be the same, if not more concentrated - with her. But apparently something has repressed it. I could only feel it once I got inside - and that probably only because Darien was here." Darien started. "Wha-? What do I have to do with anything?" Luna blinked sternly at him. "Do you really want me to go into that?" Darien flushed as he caught her meaning. He was quite sure he knew what Luna was referring to - and he didn't want the girls to find out. "No," said Amy decisively, even as Mina began to grin. "Right now, we need to worry about her." Lita grasped Serena's wrist to feel for her pulse. "And we need to do it very quickly," she added. "Her pulse is slowing down." They all looked to Luna. But it was Artemis who took charge and answered the unasked question. "All right - you four transform. Darien, don't, because she's not. " The four looked puzzled. "Why-" began Raye. "Just do what he says!" snapped Luna. "We might as well," reasoned Amy. "Mercury Star Power!" Raye looked mutinous, but could do naught but follow her leader. "Mars Star Power!" "Venus Star Power!" "Jupiter Star Power!" "Now what?" asked Sailor Mars, her dark eyes challenging. Luna took over, as though she knew exactly what Artemis had had in mind when he told them to transform. "We're going to try and use a power that you have not developed yet." Lita raised an eyebrow. "Then how can we use it?" "Well - you had it in the Silver Millennium, unlike the rest of your powers, so it may not be such a problem to develop. We're going to try and develop it now, so we can use it to save Sailor Moon." "Why didn't we just do this with all our powers? We might have been better with the youmas," said Raye, exasperated and confused. "Because it is actually quite dangerous," said Artemis, in the tones of one explaining something which should have been all too clear. "If you are not ready for the power, it could kill you. Even supposing you are, it will drain your energy. You can see, I hope, why that would be bad. Beryl would be sure to take advantage of it." "Oh." "You must understand,"Luna added, "That we are only doing this because the life in question is Sailor Moon's. She is destined to save countless other lives - so if she were to die, so would many others. At all cost, she must not die." The scouts nodded solemnly. Suddenly Venus grinned. "Let's do this, girls!" The other three - and even Darien - smiled. "You four stand in a square," Luna told them. "Mercury and Venus should not be next to each other. Mercury should have Mars on her right and Jupiter on her left." They quickly arranged themselves as she said. "Spread out your arms, palms flexed. No - step apart slightly - you should not touch." The four girls complied. "Right - now, on the count of four, you call out "Sailor Healing Power Develop!"" They nodded. "One - two - three - FOUR!" "Sailor Healing Power Develop!" Mercury finished a split second before the rest, so she began to be affected first. Blue light shot straight from the center of her palms, and the blue stone in her tiara blazed a brilliant white. Next was Mars. Her light was red, followed by orange from Venus and green from Jupiter. The lights crashed into one another at the corners of the square. And slowly, starting from the corners, it began to turn white, spreading inwards. When it reached the palms of the scouts, their jewels flashed their respective colours - for a fraction of a second - and then all the light disappeared and the four girls, the cats and Darien were left blinking in the comparative darkness of the latter's flat. "Wow," said Lita. And indeed, that seemed to be all that there was to say. Luna and Artemis exchanged expressive glances. "Well," said Luna. "That was definitely unexpected." Venus giggled. "So - since you seem to have this new power under control -" "Let's use it!" said Raye enthusiastically, all her rancor forgotten. Amy felt for the girl's pulse once more. "We'd better," she said gravely. "But how?" she asked Luna. "Line up," Luna instructed. "Mercury first, then Mars, and so on. Right hands out towards the object - in this case Sailor Moon. Now, each shout your planet's name and then "Healing Power!"" "Mercury!" - "Mars!" - "Venus!" - "Jupiter!" "Healing Power!" shouted the four voices, sounding as though there were not four, but twenty. White light encompassed the girl who, albeit unwittingly, was Sailor Moon. As it slowly died out, the scouts de-transformed. When all traces of the light had vanished entirely, there appeared to be no change in her - apart from the fact that her face had gone a deathly white. Amy dashed to check her pulse. But by the slump of her shoulders as she looked up at them, Darien knew what she would say before she even opened her mouth. NOOOOO. . . . . . . . . . . . "Nothing," said Amy softly, forlornly. "Nothing." Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Eight Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "No!" breathed Darien, in spite of himself. She can't be dead - I didn't even get a chance to know her properly. Amy turned back to the rest of them. "It didn't work," she whispered. "I can't believe it didn't work." "Watch out!" yelled Raye suddenly, one hand flying to her forehead. "Something's going to happen!" Even as she said 'happen', white light exploded into being around the girl they knew to be Sailor Moon. Amy leapt away just in time. "Did we . . . do that?" asked Lita incredulously as the light flickered and played over the walls of Darien's flat. "I think so," answered Mina. "Yes," said Luna. "That white light is Sailor Power. You definitely did this - or else she did, which is impossible, because there has been no change in her aura. But I had no idea it would work like this." And then, as suddenly as it had come, it vanished once again. They all made a dash for the bed. Amy got there first, and checked her pulse. She smiled broadly. "Yes!" Darien let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. And as they watched, she slowly opened her eyes. First she saw the scouts. "Where am I?" she breathed, and the frightened look flooded her face once again. Then, she turned her head and saw Darien, and her eyes widened. "You," she whispered. "Well, I'm glad to see you're all right," said Luna, jumping up onto the couch. The girl took one look at the talking cat and fainted clean away. Everyone burst out laughing. Luna looked very affronted. "Not everyone's used to talking cats, Luna," giggled Raye. "Remember, she doesn't know anything about the Sailor scouts yet." "Yes, well, there is that," Luna admitted, a considering look on her face. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Nine Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Darien poured himself a cup of tea. (AN: what the heck, maybe he does live in Britain. Go figure!) What a day, he thought as he sipped. First the fight, then finding Serena - and then discovering she was Sailor Moon. In the rush of trying to save her, that fact hadn't really sunk in. They'd found Sailor Moon. Darien smiled sardonically. We ought to be throwing a party. He heard a small sound in the sitting room behind him, and went to check at once. When he'd left Serena, she'd been sleeping, but now she was awakening, stretching her arms and looking around anxiously. She caught sight of him almost at once and cringed, but only slightly, as he came to sit beside her. "Where am I?" she asked. The frightened look was still there, but she seemed to have regained some composure. "This is my flat," answered Darien. "You remember me, right? I'm Darien Chiba. And you're Serena, right?" She nodded. "Yes. I remember. Serena Tsukino." "Tsukino." He tried it out. "How - did I get here?" "I found you in an alley near here - you were hurt - I think. . ." he trailed off, confused. Then, "Look, I know it must seem like I'm haunting you, but I'm really just concerned. You were -" She turned away, head hanging. "Seth - he beats me when I mess up," she whispered. "It's him I'm scared of. Not you. I just - I can't get away from him, so I do what he wants." "Look," said Darien gently, turning her face back to his. "I know you're scared of him, but I promise I won't let him hurt you anymore. He won't find you - how can he?" "But he does," she said, in a queer, choked voice. "I ran away once - when I was thirteen. I ran away because I hate him - and I didn't want to - to - do his work anymore. And he found me. I ran so far. But he found me. He half-killed me. I can't ever get away from him. He told me as much. And I don't want to steal and rob and work for him anymore - I don't want to." "He makes you steal?" "Yes, that's what he does for a living/ And if I mess up, he hurts me. And - that first time, when I met you - he caught me talking to a guy. He's always afraid I'll tell, even though he knows I've been too scared to. And so he threatens me. He'll find me, oh he'll find me!" She was crying now, openly, gripping Darien's hand. Gingerly, he laid his other hand on her cheek. "He won't find you. I promise." She just managed a weak, watery smile, through her tears, and Darien felt his heart lep within him. I'm so glad she's Sailor Moon, even if she doesn’t know - yet. "You can stay here - I'm not letting you go anywhere. Just lie down and close your eyes. I'll bring you something hot." He felt her relax, and got up to go back to the kitchen. As he put water for soup on to boil, he heard a noise behind him and whipped around. Serena was walking towards him - stumbling rather. Darien was once again struck by how thin she was - to a worrying point. "I thought I told you to lie down," he chided. "But - I wasn't dreaming before, was I? There were four girls - and a cat - that talked?" she asked, her voice sounding thin and weak. "Two cats. Yes," he said grimly. "There were. I'll explain later." She took the last step towards him - and fell forwards. He dropped the spoon he was holding, just in time to catch her. "Sorry," she said faintly. "I'm awfully dizzy." "I daresay," replied Darien, putting a hand to her forehead. It was very hot. As he'd expected, she was running a high fever - from being out in the cold so much , he assumed. "Now, come." He picked her up and took her back to the couch. "This time, please stay," he reproved her, corners of his mouth twitching. She smiled weakly. As he walked back to the kitchen, Darien grimaced. Why now? Gods, this is going to be difficult. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Ten Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Serena slept fitfully, dreams and images running through her head. He was in them - at least he appeared to be in them - Darien - who was - was he? - trying to help her. She knew him well - laughed with him, even hugged him - and she had a feeling that the relationship was more than platonic. But it didn't make sense, nothing made sense. Everything was hazy, and dark - and there was always a glowing silver light in the corner somewhere - somewhere, but when she tried to look directly at it, it faded upwards, receding to the farthest corner of her vision. And there was a woman - a motherly woman, she felt, with long silver hair - held up just like mine, she thought - in a long white dress. She had a crescent moon on her forehead - just like the cat, the talking cat - but it didn't make sense, nothing made sense. . . And then there were those four girls, around her, laughing, talking. When she'd seen them before, she'd felt like she knew them, knew them better than they knew themselves - as they did her. She smiled, in her dreams, and held out her hands to them - and then there was a voice - a motherly voice - it must be that woman, she thought - calling, calling . . .her? But it couldn't be - the name she called was "Serenity, Serenity." That's not me, she thought fiercely. I'm Serena, and I'm going to stay here and find out who these girls are. But she was being pulled away, pulled because the name was being called, even though it wasn't hers - but it had to be, since it could drag her away when she wanted to stay, like it was doing now. And then everything went dark, hazy, and then, finally, the silver light came into the middle - and it was from a crystal, the most beautiful object Serena had ever seen - it glittered from a thousand, thousand facets of rainbow light, but came together again so that the light was silver, silver - silver hair, a crescent moon, a white dress - the woman stood before her - and the crystal was in her hand, she was making it give off the light. It was her doing, Serena felt that quite strongly. And, just as strongly, she felt that the woman was a mother - her mother. . . "Serenity. . ." "Serenity. . ." And then Serena answered, accepting the name, taking, she felt, whatever responsibilities came with it. "Yes, mother?" she whispered. The woman's face broke into a smile. "So you do remember that much," she said. "The way you held back, I almost thought you'd lost even that." "I remember green, lots of green, and big people - only they weren't big, I was small. I was sitting on your lap, and you were singing me a lullaby - mother." "Then, if you can remember that, all is not lost," said the woman gravely. "But be warned, dearest, that it may yet be. It was not meant for what has happened to you to have happened, and it may yet wreck all. But I can give to you now, now that you can remember warmth, and comfort - and even love - although that you may find without my help." "But - I don't know - none of it fits together yet. I know them all, all five of them - and I even know their names - the black haired one is Raye - the blue-haired one is Amy - the tall brunette is Lita - and the last is Mina. . .and the cat - that talked - she's Luna - but Luna was a woman. Why is she a cat? And there was one more - Artemis, but I never saw him. And Endymion is calling himself Darien. . .and even I - you call me Serenity. . ." The woman - Queen Serenity , Serena now recalled - smiled slightly. "It will be hard, my dear," she said softly. "There is much for you to learn, and very little time. I may not come to you again for a while, but while I am here, I will give you all I can. I cannot help you through it, though, for my contact will grow weak. You must get their help - they care for you, too - and once you remember fully, they will remember, too. Now, Serenity, lay your hand on the crystal." Serena reached out a hand, and placed it on the crystal that let out such beautiful light. She felt nothing, only a slight, pleasant warmth. She stared at the rays of light, and then - fell forward - into them, into memories - into the past. . . There they were, the four of them - running, playing in the fields outside the palace of the Moon Kingdom, of which she was princess. She was with them, laughing and giggling - they were all very young , no more than five. . . She was lying in her bed, seven years old, while her mother sang her a lullaby. . . In the court chamber, her mother told her that the royal family of earth would be visiting soon - their son, Prince Endymion, was five years older than she - thirteen, so he was eighteen. . .she'd last seen him when she was ten - they'd gotten along well, they were good friends. . . She stood, alone, in the royal rose garden of Earth, sixteen now. A hand was laid on her shoulder, she knew, without looking, that it was him. Endymion. She laid her smaller hand over his, but he spun her around and held her close, bending his head until his lips brushed hers. . . At eighteen, she argued with the ambassadors who told her of the conquest of Earth by Queen Beryl of the Negaverse. She told them to let the refugees come, but they argued that no one from Earth could be trusted now. . . And then later, in that same year, she danced with him, at a ball - a masked ball - and he told her that he had to leave, that no Earthling was welcome on the Moon. They went outside, and she hugged him, tightly, begging him to stay. She was afraid, afraid of losing him. He looked down at her, and she stopped, knowing she was only making it harder for him. He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, gazing down at her sadly. Don't forget me, he whispered, and then he leant down, crushing her small frame against him, and kissed her, full on the lips, with more passion than ever before. Don't let anything happen to you, he said. She smiled weakly. Why me? she asked. You're the one I'm worried for - and then came the explosion. She let go of him at once, and looked around, even as she felt the tremor in the ground, and saw the red-haired woman, who she had come to know as Queen Beryl. She's followed me here, whispered Endymion, in shock. I've put you all in danger. . . And then, she was somewhere else - and a sword, a sword ran through Endymion, and she flung herself down, unable to believe it - and then she threw herself over the point of the sword - and she saw Beryl's face, laughing in derision, victorious - but then there was a brilliant silver light, and even in the last agonies of pain, she felt it wash over her, and she sank down, down. . .into death? No, not death, but it was emptiness, only emptiness - but it hurt so much, like there was a hole in her heart - and then all was oblivion. . . Endymion, she called, Endymion, where are you. . . "Endymion!" Serena sat up, tears running down her cheeks. "Endymion," she whispered, and then Darien came running in from the other room, worry written over his face. She looked up at him - and it was, it was him. "Oh, Endymion," she gasped. "She killed you - she destroyed everything - killed everyone. . .I thought you were dead. ." He sat beside her, and wrapped his arms around her, his eyes seeking answers in her face. "What happened?" he asked gently. "She came - Queen Serenity came to me, and she - she gave me the memories - of the Silver Millennium - and you - and then Beryl. . .oh, Endymion, it was terrifying. . ." "She came to you?" he asked, his voice full of pity. "Yes, and it was wonderful, remembering like that - like a part of me that was missing just clicked into place - but it was also so terrible. So many people died. And you - and then me. . ." He nodded. "I've seen it too. When I remembered - she came to me, too. But she waited longer for me. Do you know who you truly are?" Serena looked at him, and saw the question in his eyes. And she found the answer in his face. "No," she said. "I don't." Her eyes still glistened, he could see that well enough. He didn't want to tell her, it was too much for her to learn at once, too much for her to keep a hold on. If it had been his choice, he would have waited - but now he had to tell. "You are Princess Serenity, the heir to the Moon Kingdom, and also, the legendary Sailor Moon." "Sailor Moon?" she asked, confused. "But - there was never a Sailor Moon. Only Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Why is there a Sailor Moon now?" Darien sighed. "Because Beryl's back. Once was not enough, but she must take over now. She is even more powerful than before - and she has these monsters - called youmas - they take people's energy. We have to fight them now - but it has been hard without a full team. You see, Beryl was never as powerful as this, even in the Silver Millenniums, and even then, the only thing that could beat her was the Silver Crystal. Now that she has more power, our side needed more than just the four original scouts to battle her. So you became Sailor Moon, and I became Tuxedo Mask. I don't really help that much, but I can distract the creatures if you or the scouts need time." Serena blinked and shook her head as though to clear it a little. "But how did we get here in the first place? We died - at least, you and I did." "Did. We all did. Beryl managed that. But your mother used the Silver Crystal to send all six of us into the future, where we would be reborn, and have another chance to live our lives as they were meant to be. She also imprisoned Beryl - but she knew it was not for long, and indeed, Beryl has broken loose now." "The Silver Crystal," murmured Serena. "That was what it was - the thing she told me to touch, that gave me the memories. . . . . . . It was beautiful." "It still is," he said softly to her. "But we don't have it now. . ." Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Eleven Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Twirling a strand of red hair idly around one long finger, the woman stared at the object in her hand. "So begins the trap. . ." she murmured moodily. "With the memories. . .ah, Serenity, you don't know what a mistake you just made. A thousand years is a long time to get to know your enemies." She flung the object away from her with a sudden vengeance, and glass shattered as it hit the floor. "She looks just like you," she hissed venomously. "But her fate shall be worse than yours. Even now, the net draws tighter. Next, a lock of hair . . . . and then I shall have her. I swear, I shall have her. The centuries have been long, Serenity, but now I shall have my vengeance. In this life. I shall wait no longer." She made a gesture with her hand, and a cloud of mist formed before her. It formed into what looked like a mirror, but it was not her face she saw when she looked into it. "So," she said. "He stays close, as always. If only I had known before - but it is of no consequence. I shall have her, anyway. He shall not stand in my way. No one shall stand in my way! I have waited too long. . ." She threw her head back, and a horrible sound filled the room - the sound of her laughter. . . Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Twelve Author : AutumnDarkSummary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "So," Serena said, "You really enjoy this work - photography?" "Oh, yes," he answered, leaning his elbows on the counter to talk to her. "I've been interested in pictures and art ever since I was a little kid. I've always loved drawing, and any kind of art. I have pictures of all the girls somewhere - even Luna and Artemis." "Luna and Artemis. ." she mused, frowning. Darien winced. Though she had become a lot more cheerful in the three weeks she had been with them, he had yet to see her entirely happy, and every time she frowned, he was reminded of that. "You know, there's really only two things yet that I have to figure out - and one of them is those two. On the moon, they were human - they were my mother's advisors. Why are they cats now? They didn't do anything wrong, as far as I can remember." Darien looked at her thoughtfully. "I think," he said slowly, "That it's because they were too Lunarian - they had too much of the moon in them for even your mother to turn them into complete Earth humans. I think she used all of that up on you." Serena smiled a little, and Darien felt something flip over inside of him, as it always did, sooner or later, when she was around. He grinned. "You said there were two things you had yet to figure out. What's the other one?" To his surprise, she blushed and looked away. She's so pretty, he thought, and so wonderful. What a horrible life she's had - and still she can just come up and help us without complaining. She's amazing. . . "Nothing," she said, still looking at her feet. "Oh, come on, what is it?" he laughed. She went even redder, then muttered, "You." Me? "Really? I'm flattered, Serena. I didn't realize I was so complicated." She raised her head and gave him a mock smile, still furiously red. Inside him, something was jumping around. Why me? he thought excitedly. Is it because - but it couldn't be. She can't possibly know that I. . . love her? The last words were more of a question, to himself. He still wasn't sure. Did he love her? He knew he should, he was supposed to - and it made everything so much easier. The way his stomach leapt around when she smiled at him, the way he felt sad when she frowned, the way she always made him feel confused, and happy, and - just so right. But he couldn't tell her anything yet - it was too soon, and she was only sixteen - so young. . . "You know," he said, "I think I did a picture of you. The second time I saw you - when you tried to pick my pocket. It should be here somewhere. . ." He frowned, trying to remember where he'd kept it, and then the bells on the shop door clanged wildly, and Amy came rushing in. "Trouble!" she cried. "Two of them, at the temple! Come on!" Darien glanced at Serena, but she was already reaching for her brooch. "Moon Cosmic Power!" "Mercury Star Power!" As they all left the shop, Darien shot a glance back at the counter. That was where he'd left the picture, he remembered now. But there was nothing there. . . Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Thirteen Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "Now, Sailor Moon!" he yelled, as the monster looked away from the scouts to glare at the offending rose imbedded in its hand. She glanced at him quickly, and then cried, "Moon Tiara Magic!" and flung the headpiece away from her, with deadly aim. It sliced through the first monster, and then the second, reducing both to little heaps of dust. "Ye Gods," exclaimed Mina, de-transforming, "That still feels weird! I was so used to using the combined attack." Darien grinned. "You little cuckoo! You should be happy you don't have to!" "I am," she said sincerely. "It's just - weird." "But it's definitely for the better," added Luna. "This way all of you have some energy left over to help these poor people." She gestured, in her feline way to the pale people who were just getting up off the ground in front of the temple. "But, Luna," Raye frowned. "I thought that when we found Sailor Moon, the Silver Crystal was supposed to help them." "Not if we don't have it," said Amy. "We thought it would be with Sailor Moon, but it obviously isn't. That's our next job. We have to find the Crystal." Serena frowned. "But I'm sure I know where it is. I have this strange feeling in the back of my mind somewhere, like it's close - only I don't know where." Lita frowned, then shook her head. "You guys all worry too much!" she laughed. "Look - we just won, and it's easier now, thanks to the fact that we have Sailor Moon. Chalk one up for the good guys! Let's go celebrate, or something!" Mina giggled. "You sound like me, or something, Lita!" Even Luna and Artemis had to laugh at that, but Darien caught Serena's eye and saw that she was still troubled. Hardly believing that he dared to do it, he put one arm across her slim shoulders carelessly. "Come on, cheer up," he whispered, and she smiled at him - just at him, he thought. I love it when she does that. . . "So - what do you say we go eat dinner somewhere?"" he said, leaving his arm draped around Serena. He caught Mina looking at him speculatively, and reddened slightly. Well, she is the Scout of Love. I should have known she would guess. . . I can always talk to her about it later. . . Amy smiled. "Sounds good to me. You guys?" At this, Raye grinned slyly, and nudged Lita, who was standing next to her. "If you're sure you're up for the bill, Darien. Only none of us make that much money. . ." "Except Amy," muttered Mina. Darien looked from face to face, and finally down at Serena, who just grinned, with the other girls. He shook his head ruefully. "Remind me not to do this again for a few years," he told Luna. "So," Serena said, once they were all seated. "How did you guys actually meet up - I mean, outside of being the Sailor Scouts?" "Well, Luna found Amy before any of us knew her," said Mina, "And then everything else just sort of clicked along like links in a chain." "Yeah - I found Amy outside the temple one day, and she seemed a bit too interested in my cherry tree, so I started talking to her - and it turned out that she worked pretty close to where I was, so I started dropping in. And then, of course, Luna came along and "observed that I was Sailor Mars" suddenly." "And Artemis found me, and Lita and I have been friends forever," said Mina. "So it was only about a week later that he realized that she was Sailor Jupiter, and then we ended up meeting Raye and Amy in a fight, and it ended up that we'd gone to the same school as Amy a long time ago. . ." "And what about you?" Serena asked, turning to Darien, who was seated next to her. (AN: coincidence, huh?) However, it was Raye who took up the line. "Oh - that was kind of funny, actually. I met him outside the temple one day, trying to talk to Grandfather about getting pictures of the shrine to sell as plates (AN: no, I'm not talking about food plates, if it doesn't make sense, go read "The Ruby in the Smoke"). Only Grandfather heard the word 'sell', and thought Darien was a vendor, and so he wouldn't listen. . .anyway, I got him to go inside, and I talked to Darien, and he arranged to come back the next day for the pictures. And of course, when he did, Amy and Luna just happened to be there -" "And Luna walked up to me and called me Endymion. And that was how I knew that Raye and Amy were scouts - I'd been having these dreams, in which my name was Endymion, and I already knew that I was Tuxedo Mask - I had been fighting, on my own. Somehow, I never ran into the other scouts - I guess it was because you weren't there, so I had no call to transform - and when she said that, I realized she was probably something relating to my Tuxedo Mask-Endymion dreams, and then it all leaked out. You should have seen Raye's face when Luna spoke to me! It was hilarious!" "So what went wrong?" asked Mina slowly. They all turned to her. "What do you mean, what went wrong?" asked Lita. "Nothing went wrong - we're all here, right?" "But it wasn't supposed to be like this, you see," explained Mina. "How we found each other - it was all so perfect - except for Serena. Why didn't we find her before? And why - why was she the only one who didn;t have a perfectly good life. I'll bet you anything that Queen Serenity didn't mean that to happen." Darien nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I see," he agreed. "Maybe the Silver Crystal wasn't quite as strong as she thought. That's the only way I see it." Serena dissented, shaking her head. "No, Darien. It can't have been that. Mother would never have made a mistake like that. It must have been something else - or that she did it on purpose. Maybe I needed to learn my life lessons the hard way." "But no one should have to live like that, least of all you. You're the champion of justice - sworn to defend the world." "But no one should have to live like that. . ." Serena echoed gently. "But people do. I had it good compared to the way some of the people I've met were living. At least I had a roof over my head - sometimes - and food to eat. Why should I have had it any better than them. It wasn't fair that things were the way they were for them, was it? Someone has to be hurt - it's the way of the world, and I just got the short end of the stick - maybe because I needed to learn that the hard way. And I have you now. You don't know how bad it could be for me right now. But instead - I have all of you - and I know why I'm here - and I'm never going to think of throwing myself into the harbour again for as long as I have that." Darien, watching her in silence with the other four girls, reached under the table for her hand, and squeezed it gently. I'll never leave, Serena. I'll be here as long as you need me - I promise. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Fourteen Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = A woman tapped her feet in a gesture of impatience as she waited for the party to leave the restaurant. It wasn't them she was interested in - it was the four girls after them, and the man and woman who were paying for that group at the counter - or at least, the girl who stood with the man. She could hardly be more than sixteen, though she showed the lines of knowledge far beyond her years on her face. The man had one arm protectively placed around her shoulders, and it annoyed the impatient watcher, somehow. It oughtn't to, she knew, since if there was really anything going on, it would be over soon enough - but it bothered her, at her post in the shadows. The four girls moved away a little, then turned back and said something. After a moment, they all left, and the man's hand dropped from around the last girl's shoulder, as he reached into his pocket for the money. Quietly, the woman moved out of the shadows, and seized one long strand of the girl's blond hair before anyone could see. She yanked quickly, and disappeared, as the girl gave a soft cry and turned around. Darien turned, as Serena let out a little cry. "What is it?" "Something - pulled, just now. But there's no one behind me." "Sir?" Darien turned back to the counter, and the registrar handed him his change. "Come on," he said, turning back to Serena. "The other girls are gone, there's nothing to do - let's take a trip around town - see all the sights." She smiled. "Why not? I bet I could show you a thing or two, too!" They set off up the main street, walking down towards the river. "Have you ever been down the entire length of the river?" Darien asked. Serena frowned. "Once," she said shortly. "With -?" Darien asked softly. "Yes. Seth. He was drunk, and angry with me for making friends with some guy in the bar he'd just been at, and he was threatening to throw me in the river. We'd drifted all the way down by the time he sobered up." "Oh." Gods, thought Darien. I haven't a chance in hell with her. She needs someone who can understand what she's been through. All I can do is protect her. How will I ever understand her completely? They turned off just before the river, and Darien spotted the red and white of a carnival. "Aha - here we are," he said. "Ever been to a carnival?" She twisted her mouth. "To steal, yes. For fun, no." He grinned. "Let’s go, then!" Her delight was childlike, he thought, watching her flit from booth to booth, an expression of utter contentment upon her face. What had her life really been like before, he wondered, that such an ordinary thing as a carnival could bring her so much joy? And he felt it for real now, and understood. She was Sailor Moon, and Serena, but most of all, she was Serenity, and he was Endymion, and their love had lasted through the millennia that it had had to wait. She was only just understanding everything, but she would feel it soon, too. He knew already that he loved her, and he could wait for however long it took. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Fifteen Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "I don't know why Beryl insists on doing this herself," raged the man, striding up and down the mirrored chamber. The girl at his elbow smiled, and shook her head. "She's stubborn, Jed, you know that. And she hates Serenity." "Yes, I know that. But we're far better at laying traps than she ever was. And what she wants isn't even going to help our cause. We want ultimate control! Not some stupid revenge from millenia ago. For god's sakes, she's ordered a stop to the youma attacks. 'Let them grow complacent', she says." He mimicked Beryl's voice with accurate scorn. The other tried to soothe him. "All she wants is the girl," she said. "And once she has her, we'll be able to continue with the regular plan. And we won't have Serenity to worry about. We'll be able to concentrate on finding the Silver Crystal. Jed?" "I suppose you're right," the man grumbled. "But she's so bloody foolish." __________________________________________________ "The memory first," whispered the redhead to herself. "The best one. Her face as she flung herself in front of him. What touching devotion," she hissed. "But it will get you nowhere. I'll have you this time, once and for all. There's no queen to save you now." She stretched out one hand to the cauldron before her, and exhaled harshly. A jet of green flame shot from her fingertips, and seemed to pour itself into the vessel. "An image next," she said. "Drawn by his hand, it shall reel you in. Betrayed by the power you trusted the most . . . love." She reached for the pouch at her side, and drew it off over her head. She emptied its contents into the cauldron, and, hitting the bottom the already broken glass shattered into a thousand tiny fragments. "And last, a lock of hair. Some of me, some of him - and some of you. It shall draw you in." And she let a long, thin strand of gold fall slowly into the cauldron. She stepped away slightly, and lifted both hands to the sky. "Powers that be!" she cried. "Stay with me now! I have the memory, I have the picture! I have a little of each of them. Bring her to me!" A red light filled the chamber, and there was a sound - like glass breaking, like fingernails scraping on a chalkboard, all rolled into one, coming from the cauldron. Then the light went out abruptly, and the woman stood in darkness. There was a faint glow from the cauldron. It rose into the air, and as it did, it grew brighter, and brighter, until the whole chamber was filled with its glow. A silver - wand? It flew into the woman's hand, and she grasped it, triumphant. But if one had dared go close enough to look properly, they would have seen, wreathed around the silver, one long strand of pulsating gold. "And so," the woman sighed. "It shall be." She smiled complacently, and sat down to wait. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Sixteen Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Darien stood on the edge of the wharf once again, watching the sun set. Remembering the last time he'd been there, he wondered why he'd chosen to come back - his feet had just taken him in this direction. Serena was staying with Raye and the girls at the temple, and somehow, his flat had felt lonely without her. He'd gone for a walk to lift his spirits, and found himself here. Where he'd seen her for the first time. He wondered, now, if it had not begun then - he had tried so hard to find her. Most people - even he, before Serena - would have stayed out of it - not wanting to get involved in something which seemed potentially dangerous. After all, even a blind man would have realized that Seth had not been joking when he'd threatened Serena. A case of the Good Samaritan, he wondered, or something more? Or something less noble? Would I have done the same for anyone else? Or was it destiny that it was her I saw like that. Maybe I learned something from it. . . And then , in a flash, he understood. I did learn - because it was her. Queen Serenity didn’t wish hardship on her daughter - she wished her to have an understanding of the less fortunate, outside of her sheltered life. And I? I needed the lesson it taught me. Before her, I wouldn't have helped. I would have turned the other cheek. Serena had compassion - she didn’t need that, but understanding. I had understanding, but I needed compassion. Queen Serenity knew exactly what she was doing. . . He smiled slightly. Wiser by far than any of them had guessed. More powerful, too. And it had worked. He turned away from the dock, and made his way back to the streets. Somehow, he had the uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching him. Five blocks later, he knew it for sure. He heaved a sigh and turned around. "I know you're there. You’d best show yourself." A man darted out from behind a doorway. "You're good," he said harshly. Serena flopped back on the cushions, a smile gracing the corners of her mouth. She had never imagined being this happy, in her whole life, ever. She had four wonderful friends, she was free of Seth - and then there was Darien. She liked having him around, but she was still unsure of her feelings towards him. They had been in love before, she knew - a part of her knew that, had always known that - but things were still so confusing now. She wasn't worried - she had all the time in the world to sort it out, but she wondered. Sometimes I wonder how I could possibly not love him, and then sometimes, I wonder how things would work if we had no destiny, no precedent. Sometime we have to try it that way, she thought, and then laughed at her own foolishness. "Serena! Mars to Moon!" someone yelled. Serena's eyes snapped open, and she found herself staring at Raye. "Off in your own little world there, Moonie!" Raye teased. Serena grinned amiably back, and stuck out her tongue. "Come on," Raye said, yanking her up. "Lita's just made something absolutely delicious. You have to come try it out!" Suddenly, Serena froze. Through the wrist which she held, Raye felt the muscles in Serena's body stiffen. "What is it?" she asked. Serena swallowed dryly. "I don't know," she whispered. "But something's very, very wrong. I can feel it. . ." Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Seventeen Author : AutumnDarkSummary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "Where is she?" "Who?" Darien asked calmly. "You know very well who I mean," the other man replied. "Where is she?" Darien stared at Seth. "Like I'm going to tell you," he hissed. Seth moved closer. "I can make it worth your while," he said. "I have assets. I have connections." "No!" Darien looked at him, disgusted. "I can make sure she never bothers you again," Seth suggested. "You'll never have to see her again." "Yeah, because she'll be what - dead?" Darien cried. "I'm not going to sell out on her like that. What do you think I am. That's vile." "Hell, I want her back," Seth hissed. "And I will find her, with or without your help. It would be - safer - for you to help me. She knows I'm coming after her." Darien scowled. "Get lost, damn you," he said. "I'm not going to waste any more time. You won't get anything. She's staying with us, and that's that." "Very well," Seth shrugged. "We shall see." He turned to walk away. "Wait!" Darien called after him. Seth turned around, to be met with an extremely hard fist colliding with his face. He couldn't help it. He turned tail and ran. Darien smirked slightly. The man was disgusting. As if he'd even think about letting him get anywhere near Serena, let alone give her up to him. I love her, he thought. Gods, I hate him. And then, suddenly, he felt that something was very wrong indeed. "Serena!" he yelled, rushing into the temple grounds. "Serena! Raye! Amy! Lita! Mina!" The door opened, but only four figures greeted him. "She's gone, Darien." Something silvery white manifested itself in the middle of the chamber. The red-haired woman got slowly off her throne and went towards it. A person - a young girl, unconscious. "And here we go," hissed the lady. "Good evening, Serenity. Welcome to the Negaverse." Serena sat up slowly, groaning. "How did it happen?" he gasped, when he could think straight again. Raye looked up. "She said that she could feel something wrong, and she thought it was you, and then she rushed outside, and did something - and vanished. But she didn't go anywhere good. We can all feel that." Darien sank down into a crumpled heap on the floor. Is this it, then? he asked himself. Serena, how do I find you? I need you. Come back. . . Suddenly, there was a crash outside the temple. The girls rushed out. Slowly, Darien followed. "This is not a good time for a youma attack," he heard Raye mutter. But it wasn't a youma. "Beryl?" Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Eighteen Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "Ye Gods!" screamed the man. "This is undoubtedly one of the most foolish things Beryl has ever done!" "What is it now, Jed?" sighed the girl, watching his ranting complacently. "Serenity, or Sailor Moon, or whatever you want to call her - she's far more trouble than she's worth. She hit me, you know!" The girl tried to hide a grin. "It's only to be expected," she commented. "We are holding her here against her will." "Yes, and why? Because Beryl's fixed on some stupid replay of history. She wants them to die the same way again, and it's foolish. We can kill them all in one shot, if you and I go down there and take a few youma along for backup. They don't have the crystal yet." "That's part of Beryl's reasoning, though," the girl pointed out. "If we kill them outright, we won't be able to find the crystal either. They have to lead us to the crystal, and Beryl has some strange idea that Serenity knows where it is." "Well, she's wrong!" said the man, but less confidently. "Anyway, I still think it's all a waste of time." "Oh it is, I quite agree," cooed the girl. "But at least we get some time . . ." She smiled suggestively. The man smiled back and moved towards her. He had almost reached her when a portal ripped open in front of him. "GOD DAMN HER!" he yelled. "She can't even deal with four scouts by herself!" Muttering and cursing, he stepped through the portal, and it snapped shut behind him. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Darien looked up at the red-haired woman, rage burning in his eyes. "Where is she, Beryl?" he demanded, his voice tight and clenched. "Oh, she's somewhere around," Beryl laughed. "Or not." "What the hell are you talking about?" Raye snapped. Beryl looked at her condescendingly. "Oh, you needn't worry. This is a little matter between me and Cape-boy here." "Like hell it is!" yelled Mina, and Lita nodded firmly. "If it concerns Sailor Moon, it concerns us as well," added Amy. Beryl rolled her eyes. "Drop the act. Now. Endymion, I'm going to say this once. History repeats itself, but with subtle differences. Occasionally there are not-so-subtle ones. There's no high queen this time, boy." Darien stared. "What do you mean?" "Just that," Beryl answered. "Now, this grows tiresome. Jedite!" A portal opened up beside her, and a furious-looking man stepped out. "What now?" he snapped. "Deal with them, would you?" Beryl asked. "I have to get back, and see to - my charge." She laughed derisively and stepped through the portal. Jedite ducked halfway through himself, and snapped his fingers twice before closing it behind him. There was a flash of light, and two youma appeared before the scouts. Raye scowled. "Back to the old drill, girls." Lita stepped up beside her. "I hate youma," she muttered. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "What on earth do you suppose Beryl meant?" Mina asked later, in Darien's flat. "Well, it could only be one thing, couldn't it?" Amy asked in surprise. "I thought you guys got it?" Raye shook her head, and Lita raised an eyebrow. Amy turned to look at Darien, who shrugged helplessly. Luna and Artemis remained silent. They hadn't been there when Beryl had appeared. "Well, she talked about a re-enactment of history," Amy said. "And we know she wants us dead. When was the only time we died?" "The Silver Millennium," Mina breathed. "Oh, no!" "Exactly. Her 'subtle difference' is that now she's got Serena, not Darien. And her 'not-so-subtle difference' is that this time around, we've got no Queen Serenity, and no silver crystal." "I'm afraid she's right," Luna said. "Then we have to do something," Raye said frantically. "Yes," Darien said. "Before she decides that Serena's too much trouble to keep around, and starts the process." "Which could be anytime," Amy finished. "But that means -" Lita began. "Yes, a trip to the Negaverse," Artemis finished for her. "Oh, great," muttered Mina. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Nineteen Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Gods, I feel like someone drove a cart over me, Serena thought, sitting up. What happened? The last thing I can remember is hitting that guy really hard in the jaw - and then - I suppose they must have thrown me in here. . . She groaned, feeling the strain in her ribs as she got to her feet. And they took my locket, so I can't transform . . .wait - She spotted something shining in the corner of the dark chamber, and made her painful way over to it. Reaching for it, she grinned as she recognized the chain, and the crystal pattern inside her transformation locket. They're stupider than I thought. Holding the locket up before her, she prepared to transform. "Moon -" Stop! "What?" Stop! I need to tell you what to do. The voice was inside her head, and Serena gaped. "Who are you?" I'm a friend of your mother's - I was her chief advisor, on the Moon. Serena's eyes narrowed. "Then how is it that I don't know you?" Very good. You're being watchful. But you can trust me, Serenity. I can’t prove it to you, except that I know your real name. Will you listen? I can help you. Serena bit her lip. Well, it's not as if I have anything to lose by it, she thought. True. She jumped. "You can read my thoughts?" A side effect of the communication interface. I'm a shadow - you'd probably call me a ghost, and I'm using your mind to talk to you. Your thoughts and my speech are sharing a wavelength, which is why I can hear your thoughts. "Oh. Well, I'm listening. But explain who you are properly first." Very well. I was an advisor of High Queen Serenity's on the Moon, alongside Luna and Artemis. I - wasn't very good, I suppose, because she didn't send me to Earth along with them. But maybe I can help more here. I was one of the few Lunarians who survived the onslaught of the Negaverse, but I was captured shortly afterwards and brought here. I died in this room. If they'd put you anywhere else, I wouldn't be able to help you. But in the time I've been - well, haunting this place, I've picked up a thing or two. Beryl's more set on revenge than total destruction. She wants a repeat of history, meaning that the only ones of you she wants to kill herself are you and Endymion. To fulfill her revenge completely, one of you would die by her hands, and the other kill themselves. The scouts - she wants them to die either by the hands of her generals, or in a fight with a youma. The scouts know that she wants the re-enactment, and they're coming here to rescue you. You cannot let Beryl get near any of them, especially not Endymion. You must win this one on your own. Beryl has a spell on you, which she used to bring you here. She can't control you through it, but she can use it to throw loops around Endymion and the scouts if they get close enough to her. You have to beat her on your own. Serena looked thoughtful. "I think - I understand," she said softly. "It was a long time ago, but it could happen again. Thank you - I'm sorry, I don't know your name." It doesn't matter. Besides, it's been so long - I can’t remember details like that. She nodded. "I'll be going, then. Thank you. I don't believe you weren't sent to Earth because you weren't good. I think you were sent here - my mother did a lot of unfathomable things, but she didn’t make too many mistakes. Is there anything I can do for you in return?" I don't think so, the ghost said. He sounded wistful. Unless - can you give me oblivion? "I think I might be able to," she said softly. That's all I want. Serena inclined her head, and completed her transformation. As she did so, she felt the presence leave her head and hover a few feet away, suspended in the air. She looked towards it, and sent a wave of white magic over it. When the air cleared, it was gone. "Goodbye," she said. "I won't forget." And then she turned and broke out of the room. "Ready?" Amy asked. The girls nodded. She looked over at Darien, who inclined his head briefly, mouth set in a tight, grim line. He'd had a hard time convincing Luna and Artemis to let him go. As Prince Endymion, they insisted, he was the most at risk, considering the way the Silver Millennium had ended. But he couldn't leave Serena there, and send the scouts, and not go himself, and he'd told them so. And none of them really wanted to argue with him. "Ready." They linked hands and shut their eyes. "Go!" yelled Amy, and the translocation command they'd set up took effect. Sort of. It seemed fine for the first second. Then they lurched sickeningly. Darien caught a glimpse of a throne, and then a desert. They swayed back and forth between the two locations for a horrible moment, and then thumped down in the middle of a wasteland. "That hurt!" wailed Mina. "What happened?" "I think the mass specified was incompatible with the translocation tangent used, the simplicity of the arrangements, and the force confined within the pentagram," Amy said. "What?" snapped Raye. "Plain English, Amy?" "She means that we tried to move too many people with too little power," Darien summarized. "Isn't that what I said?" "Look," Lita said, before Raye could get started, "We don't have time to stand around here arguing. Where are we?" "Give me a second," Amy said, punching a button on her communicator. Raye shut her eyes. "We're in the Negaverse, all right," she said slowly. "But I can't tell anymore than that." "There," Amy said. "We're about three quarters of a mile from the palace," Amy said. "It's due north of us. It's not too bad." "For who?" Mina muttered. "Let's get going then, shall we?" Darien suggested. "This is a very boring place," Raye commented five minutes later. "It's all dust." "That's because it was destroyed, Raye. When Beryl was imprisoned, no one tried to do anything to keep it going," Lita told her. "Sure, but it's still boring," Mina agreed. "Dull walking." Darien listened with half an ear. He could tell, somehow, that Serena was close by, but she didn’t seem to be in any sort of trouble yet. He wanted to hurry the scouts a little, but they were already going quite fast, and it didn't seem to be an emergency yet. Suddenly, he felt a fluctuation, and something went whooshing past them. "What was that?" I'm free! "Did any of you hear that?" asked Mina nervously. They all nodded. Don't be afraid. I'm free! She set me free! I'm on my way out! Up and out, faster, higher! And then it was gone. Darien stared at where the voice had come from. "That was a good - something," Raye said speculatively. "It meant us well. And it had - some of Serena's power attached. She must have done something to it." "Which means?" asked Lita. "That she's still fine," Amy finished. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Twenty Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "I think we should just walk past them," whispered Raye for the hundredth time. "They're just sleeping!" "We don't know that," argued Mina. "They could be faking." "Like they wouldn't have heard Pyro here already?" Lita scoffed. "I'm with Raye. I say we just charge them." Amy frowned. "Um - well, there's not really any other way to find out," she said. "Darien?" The five of them were crouched behind the wreckage of an old outbuilding, about ten yards away from the palace gates. Three guards were stationed around the entrance, all snoring softly. They'd been there for the past five minutes, trying to decide what to do. "I say we make plans, and then charge them," he said. "If we get past them and then stand around deciding where to go, we're a lot more likely to get caught." "So what do we do?" said Mina. "Here - " began Amy. "We try to go past them and split into two groups, okay. If they're not asleep, some of us will fight them, while the others get in and look around for Serena. If they're asleep, we'll split up and look for Beryl and Serena. How's that?" "Fine," said Darien quickly, before Raye or Lita could start arguing. "Except you four stick together, and I'll go look for Serena. Okay? Good." Before anyone had a chance to contend, he started toward the gates. The scouts had no choice but to follow him. The guards didn't move as they inched closer. Finally Raye grew impatient with their slow movement. "Come on," she said, "They're not going to move. Let's go." She broke into a brisk walk, and the other four followed suit. It really did look like the guards were asleep. They were almost at the gate now - they were going to make it - "Halt! Who goes there?" It was so sudden. They hadn’t even seen the guards leap to their feet, but there they were, all three of them, standing like a wall before them. Amy caught Darien's eye, and he nodded. "Mercury Ice Fog!" she yelled. (AN: I made up the attack, someone gimme a real one, please), and a chill water vapor enveloped the crowd, blinding everyone. But Darien knew what to do, and he slipped past the three guards in the cloud of white, and darted away into the palace. For some reason, there were no guards at the palace door itself, and he was not sure he liked this. He brushed it off, however, and disappeared into the maze-like tunnels of the palace. Serena was here somewhere - he could feel it. As the fog cleared gradually away, the scouts readied themselves for an attack. But there was no sound. Raye stumbled forward a pace or two, and almost tripped over something lying prone on the ground. Bending down, she discovered it was the middle guard. Then the last of the fog floated away, and they could all see it. "Um - what happened?" Mina asked. Raye laughed. "Looks like Mercury's fog is pretty useful! They're out cold!" "How?" "Beats me." They all turned to Amy. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Twenty - One Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = "Perfect," Beryl repeated. She looked at Serena. "Now, my dear, you get to pick. Who do I take first?" She stretched out a hand toward Darien, but Serena stepped in front of him. The movement was quite absurd, since he was taller than her, but Serena was thinking hard. There has to be something I can do . . . "And - go!" screamed Beryl. In the same instant, Serena whipped around and flung a net of magic over the other five. Beryl's power glanced off it and went speeding back towards her. She ducked quickly out of the way, and it crashed into the wall, leaving a charred and smoking hole. Beryl screamed in frustration. "You can't stop me that easily, girl!" Serena gulped. Another hit like that, and my shield's gone! What did he say? She can't get near them - get them out of here. . . NOW! She spun around again, and flung Darien and the scouts out of the Negaverse with all the power she could muster. There was a brilliant flash of white light, a sound like an enormous vacuum exploding, and they were gone. Serena turned around slowly. I just hope I sent them to Earth . . . "Well, looks like it's just you and me," she said pleasantly. "Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" Beryl screamed. "That's enough! It ends here, girl!" She raised her hands and sent jets of flame rolling towards the girl. And Serena just stood there, watching. They thumped down on Darien's floor, and fell over immediately. "Ouch!" "That little fool!" yelled Raye. "What does she think she's doing?" "Geroff me!" cried a muffled voice, and Raye leapt up at once. "Sorry, Luna!" "What happened?" asked the cat. "Where's Serena?" She looked at Darien, who was just sitting there, eyes blank. "Darien? What happened?" He turned his head and looked at the cat, his eyes expressionless. "She sent us back, Luna. She's there, by herself, with Beryl." "Is she crazy?" asked Luna. "No," whispered Mina. "I think she just saved all our lives." And she's going to die for it, thought Darien miserably. Oh, Serena. . . Just before the flame hit, Serena winked out. Beryl stared around in fury. "Where did she go?" she fumed. Behind her, Serena reached up instinctively and caught at the air above her. But instead of air, her hand closed on something solid - a crystal scepter. She twirled it once, wondering idly why she wasn't more surprised, and then pointed it at Beryl. "Over here," she said. Beryl whipped around, her face contorted with hatred. "Moon Scepter Elimination!" Beryl ducked . . . more flames came shooting towards Serena . . . she moved again, but she was losing power, she had to end it soon . . . "Moon Tiara Magic!" . . . screams, Beryl's screams . . . and then Jedite. Serena looked at him for one long moment. Beryl was to one side of her, writhing in agony. And he came rushing down the hall, to the aid of his queen, against the princess he had once served. Serena looked at him not as Sailor Moon, but as Princess Serenity - and she couldn't hurt him. "Jedite," she called, and he looked at her. His eyes narrowed. "Jedite, no. Wait! You were one of my guardians - you were Endymion's best friend. How can you turn on us? Remember? Remember Raye? You were the guardian of Mars." He stopped then, frozen in memory, staring at her. And she took her chance. Without thinking, she flung the magic at him that would hold him in his place. Beryl was rising again now, her resolve, her lust for death stronger through her pain. "Serenity!" Serena turned, and flung more of the magic at her. But Beryl was crazed now, she wanted revenge, and her anger made her all the more powerful. She brushed the holding spell aside with one wave of her hand and leaped at Serena. An instant before Beryl reached her, Serena saw the glint of a dagger in her hand. And then Beryl reached her, and they fell to the floor, Serena twisting away from the knife. Her hands were stuck underneath her, though, and she couldn't move them . . . the knife rose again, and how slow it went for Serena . . . more slowly than ever, it began to come down, on a path to her heart . . . she closed her eyes. . . Mother, if you can hear me, do something now! By the power of the Silver Crystal, wherever it is, let her be stripped of her powers and imprisoned again. Let the scouts live in safety - and when I die, let them forget me. . . And then she closed off her mind and waited for the blow to fall. It never came. She opened her eyes. Beryl was gone. The hall was empty, save for Jedite, still frozen in time. She looked around. There were the scorch marks where Beryl's fire had struck through the wall, and there were the remnants of her holding spell - and in her hand, the crystal scepter. Crystal scepter. Crystal - Silver crystal - no, it can't be . . . She turned back to Jedite. It won't do much, but it's a start . . . "Moon Scepter Healing!" She released him from the freeze, too, and he stared around wildly, blinking, remembering. It will take time, but there's still hope for them - for the generals. And now - home. She closed her eyes, and picked herself up, and headed for Earth. Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Twenty - Two Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = She landed outside the shop. Looking up at the windows, she could see the outlines of several figures against the light. It was getting dark, so she went around to the back and pushed the door open. As she expected, he'd forgotten to lock it. Then up the stairs and through into his flat - they were all in the sitting room, silent and gloomy. Softly, she moved into the room and stood in front of them. None of them were looking up, and they weren't listening either. No one moved. Luna and Artemis were curled on the window ledge, staring out at the sunset. "Guys?" Seven heads snapped around. There was a stunned moment of silence, and then four bodies flung themselves at her - the girls. "Serena! You're alive!" "How did you -?" "What happened -?" "Why are you wearing that?" asked Raye. Serena looked down. She hadn't noticed. She was wearing a long white gown that flowed around her ankles. "I don't know - I think it had something to do with the scepter," she fumbled, holding the object up for them to see. Luna sat up suddenly, staring at the scepter. "Where did you get that?" she demanded. "Long story," Serena began. "And so, I think it was the crystal that saved me," she said. "I don't know how, but there's no other explanation." "What about Jedite?" asked Raye suddenly. Serena smiled. "I think there's a lot that we still have to remember about the Silver Millennium. Jedite - and the rest of Beryl's generals - they were once our generals. They protected us from her, until she turned them. And Endymion - she tried to turn him too, but she failed - and killed him. And the generals - they killed you, so while Queen Serenity could send us into the future, she didn't have enough power left to heal them as well. That will be our task now. And it can be done. I tried - to help Jedite a little, and I think he can remember some things, but not all." "Well, at least we still have something to do," Raye said. "Jedite killed me, didn't he?" "Yes," Serena answered. "How did you know?" "I just had a feeling," Raye said, shrugging. "I think that's how it's going to be for a while," put in Mina, sneaking a glance at Darien. "Just going on feelings." Darien grinned sheepishly. "Wait," said Amy. "If the crystal saved you, it had to be around somewhere. So -" "May I see the scepter, Serena?" asked Luna. Frowning slightly, Serena laid it in front of her. "Yes, that's what I thought," she said after a moment. "It's in the scepter. You used it on Jedite, didn't you?" Serena nodded. "And that's why it worked?" "Well - you sent the scouts home for their safety, right? And in some sense, that was a re-enactment. You were Queen Serenity, sending the scouts away. So the crystal came into play, because of the similarities. It was time for it to appear again. If you hadn't done that, I don't think it would have come." "Oh!" she gasped. "Then - it's all because of the ghost. He told me not to let Beryl get near any of them - and then I set him free." It was Lita's turn to sit up. "We saw him!" she cried. "He spoke to us - he said about being free!" "What ghost?" asked Artemis. "Who's ghost?" "He didn't say his name," Serena said. "I don't think he could remember it. But he was another advisor, alongside you and Luna. Only he was captured and killed by Beryl." Luna looked away. "Lupus," she said sadly. "That was Lupus you met. Wiser by far than any of us guessed, even himself. And he never knew - never knew how much Queen Serenity hated to let him be captured. But she knew she had to. There was a fork in the path of history, you see. And the Guardian of the Gates of Time warned us of it, and Lupus was the one who said we should prepare for both outcomes. He was right, of course. And he suffered for it, too." "Trista," Serena said softly. "I remember Trista, now. Where is she?" "In time, Serenity," Artemis said. "In time, she will come." They sat there in silence for a moment, musing on things past and things to come. Then - "Hey!" said Mina suddenly. "We found the Silver Crystal!" "The question is," said Darien. "How exactly do we use it?" Luna shrugged, in her feline way. "I think it'll come to Serena on its own. It has so far, hasn't it?" "Yes," said Serena. "I suppose I just - had a feeling!" Title : A Lost Princess Chapter : Twenty - Three Author : AutumnDark Summary : The scouts haven't found Sailor Moon yet - and Darien finds himself entangled in the alleyway pecking order when he tries to help a blond girl he saw being abused. But just why does Luna find her face so familiar? * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = Serena came to stand in front of the counter. Darien looked up and smiled at her. They hadn't really said much to each other the night before - it was hard for Darien to say what he was feeling, and Serena still felt confused about what it was that went racing through her blood when they were together. "Seems a little strange, not to have to worry about attacks anymore," he said. She nodded. "And foolish, after all we've been through - but I still worry about Seth, sometimes. Do you think he's still looking for me." Darien cracked a grin. "Nah. I don't think you have to worry about Seth anymore. He won't be coming around here to see you. Not while I'm around, anyway. And I plan to be around. I plan to be around for a long, long time, Serena. Would you like that?" She looked him full in the face, and read what he was saying there. "I think - I think I would like that," she said. "Because I want to tell you something," he went on, the words rushing out past his lips now, "And I want you to know that it isn't because of the past or the future, but it's because of right here and now, and it's okay if you don't feel the same, but I want you to know. I want you to know that I love you, and I always will." And she said nothing, only smiled blindingly up at him. The first truly happy smile he'd seen on her face. And, heart thumping, he leant down, across the counter, and kissed her gently, as though she were made of glass and could easily break. And when she returned the kiss, he felt happier than he could ever remember being. " I could get used to that," she whispered, blushing as they pulled apart. "You've got a crescent moon on your forehead," he observed candidly. She lifted one hand up, puzzled, and felt for it. "You're right," she commented. "I wonder why?" But it didn't matter anyway, so he leaned in again and kissed her, for they had found themselves again, and although it would not be as easy for the other scouts, their task was known now. It would take patience and hard work, and it would be a long task, but they would turn the generals back and right the pattern that had begun long ago, in the Silver Millennium, with Prince Endymion and his beloved Princess Serenity. So even through the tangled web that the fates had woven, even through the chaos and error of the past, destiny found her way to those two, and they were united once again, in the moment that the Guardian at the Gates of Time had waited millennia for. And though they stood there oblivious to the trials to come, though they stood oblivious to what the future would bring, though the next Crystal era when they would rule side by side hung years upon years away, down those years they would walk, together now, hand in hand, crowned forever king and queen in the realm of their love.