Author's note:ok, pay close attention its getting good! Everything is not as it seems in this fanfic, many things are different. Don't assume to know what is is when its not. Does that make sense? HaHa. Read on!! Chapter 4..........      She awoke in a dark room, her head ringing, her mouth dry, her eyes gritty. She blinked for a few moments, then finally adjusted to the din in the room. She could make out furniture about the room, drawn curtains where light would have spilled in. Licking her dry lips, she tried moving, realizing with alarm that her hands were tied securely behind her back. That was when her memory came back to her in a sudden rush.      Fear overcome her, accompanied by confusion and anger. What the hell was going on here? Trista had helped Dimando kidnap her! What the hell had over taken the Guardian of Time? And what were they going to do with her?      She was just attempting to loosen the knots when she caught a movement out of the side of her eye, someone coming out of the darkness. She froze in terror, wondering who it could be and what they would do now.      A light was switched on and she blinked against the sudden brightness, taking a moment to adjust. When she looked back it was to find Dimando standing there, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his eyes riveted on her.      "What are you going to do with me?"she asked, trying to keep the trembling from her voice.      "Keep you here. I'll send word to Darien that I'm holding you and then he'll listen to anything I say."he said simply, coming to stand before her, his hand touching her cheek.      She jerked back, snarling at him."Keep your flithy hands off me! I tried warning Darien about you and he didn't listen, but I knew all along that you-"      "That I was against him, you mean? That I was only bidding my time to take over his reign?"      She curled her lip in disgust."I knew it."      He raised an eyebrow at her."As I was saying, that I was bidding my time on when to take over his reign and stop his evil tyrade. Those Senshi carry out everything he wants, enforcing his law and enlisting fear in everyone's hearts. No one has the strength or will to stand up to him. Not until I came along. I'm the only one who even matches in strength to him, but I'm still not as completely strong as he is. So I always bidded my time, standing back and watching to see if someone or something could turn out to be his weakness. But he never showed any type of weakness."he looked at her intently."Until you."      Her look of contempt didn't change."Trying to lie to me to get my sympathy? I know how you are, I know the real you. Its not going to work so-"      "I'm not lying!"he suddenly shouted at her, his face full of rage."Why would I lie?! He's evil, he's a tyrant! Can't you understand that?"      "He is not a tyrant! Darien is the only good in this world, he killed the Wiseman to save this world and he-"      "He killed the Wiseman because that maniac came here threatening Darien's own power. Did he tell you how easy it was for him to kill the Wiseman?"he shook his head."With just a flick of his wrist, thats how easy it was!"      "No, liar! Your lying!"      "No, he's not."Trista came into the room, looking to Serena with a desperate expression. "Will you listen to me before judging me?"      Serena contemplated her, knowing that in her world, Trista was a good person."All right."      She smiled in gratitude, but the smile quickly faded when she began her story."When I told you things were different here....well, I really wasn't kidding. You see, when you were alive, you were the guiding light for us. You gave us hope, you gave us strength when there was none, you gave us so much."her expression with drawing in, showing her distress."So when you died, everything fell apart. Everything. The Senshi all lost what held them together, and Darien.....he was the worst. He lost what had kept him alive.....what had kept his heart pure."      She began pacing."Things began to change. After you died, the Senshi....we all split. We all went our seperate ways. We couldn't handle seeing each other and knowing you should have been there in the middle of it all. Darien left and didn't return for another two years....when the Wiseman showed up. He called us all together and we came. He had been your love and with you gone, we needed a leader. He was the best choice."      "Even then we could see how different he had become. Two years had made him hard, made him withdraw even more then normal, had made him powerful beyond our own comprehension. He informed us about the Wiseman, told us he needed our back up just in case he wasn't powerful enough to do it on his own. We all agreed and we went with him to face off against the Wiseman. We were all sure he wouldn't be able to do it on his own. We were so sure....but he did. And he didn't need us at all."      "He killed the Wiseman within seconds. He didn't even have to really try. And that wasn't the first either. Pharoah 90 came and he killed him just as easily. Nehelania came also and it was the same with her. Nothing was tough for him, nothing was a challange. And as the years went by, the Senshi became his....slaves. They listened to him all the time, they did whatever he wanted, they kept 'peace' in the city streets. Do you know how Darien was able to build Crystal Tokyo?"she suddenly asked Serena."You told me you built it with the Crystal. He built it on the backs of the people of this city. He forced them to do what he wanted and the Senshi made sure that no one rebelled."      "No......"Serena whispered, her horror showing on her face,"no, it can't be. Not Darien....."      "Yes, Darien. He changed more then you know Serena. He fell apart without you....and formed into something worse. He lost his way without you."      Serena was thinking back to what he had said before to her, something that had caused her to frown. "I had to be strong without you there to guide me.'      "Oh God...."she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Dimando was the good one....he was the one trying to drive out the evil forces.....trying to drive out Darien."Its all my fault...."      "No!"Trista said fiercely, kneeling before her."No its not your fault! Don't think that for one second! They lost there way, they decided on what course they would take without you there to lead them. It was NOT your fault."     "But this all happened because I died, because I left them."     "Serena, look at me. Really look at me."when she did, Trista smiled."I didn't lose my way. I stayed faithful to your memory. I knew what you would have wanted and I knew this wasn't it. I had to keep my loyalty to Darien and pretend to understand everything he did, and I thought all hope was lost. I thought it was over."she glanced back at Dimando."Until he showed up. When he came, I knew that perhaps things could go back to being the way they were. The way they should have turned out."      She stared at Trista and knew she was right. If they had all really believed in her, really missed her and wished to have things the way they should have been, they would all have turned out the way Trista had.      Without a word, Dimando came forward and untied her wrists and her ankles. She stared at him in shock, rubbing at her wrists."Why......?"      "Because I think I can see understanding in your eyes. Maybe you don't want to understand it, but you do anyway."he said simply.      She nodded and stood, glancing back from one to the other."I....I don't know what to say to this.....what to do. Darien has become so powerful......maybe even more powerful then me."      "No, I don't think so. You fight with your heart Serena.....thats more power then he could ever have or even understand."Trista was silent."We need your help. We need you to help us. We could use you against Darien, but.....I don't want to do that to you. Perhaps you could speak to him, make him see reason. You were the reason he lost his way....maybe he'll be able to find it again with your help."      Serena was quiet, then looked at Dimando, seeing him in a completely different light."I'm sorry about before.....everything I said to you."      He grinned at her and she noted how handsome he was....when he wasn't doing evil."Its all right. I trust you for some reason Serena....perhaps a part of me remembers you from that other life I have in your world."      She was quiet, then decided he had a right to know."Dimando, in my world you turn out to be kind at heart......and you die protecting me."      He didn't even seem to surprised at this and he noticed with her frown."I would give up my life for you Serena. I think the Dimando from your world and I must not be too different."      "No, I guess not."with a heavy sigh, she came to a decision."All right. I'll help you. But first I'd like to speak with Darien....confront him."      Both Trista and Dimando nodded at this."I think your the only person in this universe who could really handle him."      Serena approached the Crystal Palace slowly, glad that it had only been hours since she'd been taken. That way Darien couldn't have worried too much and if he had, she could make up a quick excuse for her delay.      She was looking at everything differently, now really noticing how the people of the city didn't walk through the streets happy and carefree. They all went about there business and quickly headed home without stopping to speak to anyone.      She went up the steps of the palace and Darien came out immediately, smiling warmly at her, taking her in his arms."Serena, I missed you. I hope you had a good visit with Trista."      She nodded."Yea, we were just talking and catching up."      "Good, I'm glad to hear that."he took her by the hand and led her inside, down the hall, and to his bedroom. She paled when he did, wondering if she would be able to handle him touching her again.      He promptly began kissing her neck."Hhmm, tasty. Come to bed."he was already tugging her toward the bed, his hands exploring over her body.      "Oh...I-I'm tired. I think I just want to go to sleep."she said, pushing at him.      He lifted his dark head, frowning slightly."Are you feeling all right? Is something wrong?"      "No.....well.....yes. Something is wrong."she walked away from him, to the balcony, where she stood looking out over the view of the city."Darien, I want you to tell me what happened after I died. What happened to you, that is."      He was silent, standing behind her, then went to stand next to her, also looking over the city, his eyes distant."I don't know Serena. When you died......I lost a part of myself, a part of my soul. You had saved me from Beryl, the love you had for me saved me from becoming her eternal slave......then you died. You left me."his voice was quiet, filled with agony."I had nothing. With you gone, I didn't know what to do with myself. I had lived for the sole purpose of finding you one day and just when I had......you were gone again."      He shut his eyes tight for a moment."After we buried you, I left. I couldn't stand being around the Senshi; everytime I looked at them, I remembered you. It was tearing me apart. So I left and I traveled.....anywhere I landed, I would stay for a little while. I learned so much during that time......how to bring out my power, how to control it, how to control others."he paused, glancing at her."I had to learn how to be strong without you there so I could fight other evil when it surfaced.....like you would have done."he quickly explained.       "Are you sure Darien? Did you build your strength and use it the right way?"she asked slowly, watching him intently.       His eyes darkened, his features hardening."I used it the right way. I used it against those who would have caused you harm. Who would have threatened you and hurt."his voice was rough now, low and demonic.      She stared at him in horror, seeing for herself the Darien that both Trista and Dimando had spoken of. Even after they had told her who he was, what he was, she hadn't wanted to believe it. She had hoped when she found him she would find some of the kind hearted Darien she knew from her own world.      "You......you used it wrong....."she said softly, causing him to turn and look at her slowly. "You became what I had always fought, what I tried keeping the world from seeing. You became everything I never wanted in this world!"      "And what could I have done?"he lashed out, angry now, pacing."You died because of weakness! You died because you were too good and kind! You left me alone!!"he shouted at her, all his anger and hurt coming to the surface."I couldn't handle life without you and I promised myself that I would fight those who threatened me, that I would never allow what had killed you to kill me. I was going to remain alive to keep your memory alive no matter what I had to do!"      She deflated, the anger leaving her."Oh Darien."      "You were more then just the Princess of the Moon Serena. You were the Light of Hope in this universe. You were everything and when you left, all hope did too."he turned to her and she took a step back at the rage around him, at the evil she sensed comsuming him."And I became what I had to become."      She was quiet, not knowing what to do, what to say. On a sudden impulse, she went to him and embraced him, putting her cheek to his chest."Darien, I'm here now. I'm here."      He was stiff against her, then suddenly broke and wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her hair."I'm sorry Serena, I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do without you. I was nothing......without you, I fell apart."      "Its ok, Darien. Its ok."she stroked his back slowly."I just want you to change, stop frightening the people of this city. You can't use them as your slaves, its wrong. In my world, Crystal Tokyo is a place of happiness and hope, where people may live and not have to worry about any danger."she pulled back to look at him."Because I'm its guardian Darien. I protect Crystal Tokyo, I don't rule it with an iron fist."      "I'll do whatever you want Serena. If you want me to change, I will."he pulled her back to him, hiding his narrowed eyes and the slow smile that spread acorss his face.      Darkness spread across Crystal Tokyo as night fell. Figures slipped through the palace, shadowed figures no one could see. They entered the Meeting Room, where the others waited.      "Is Darien here yet?"Raye asked the Outers, Mina, Amy, and Lita behind her.      Amara, Michelle, and Hotaru stood waiting for them, Trista absent."No, he hasn't come yet."they replied.      Darien stood beside his large bed, looking down on Serena's naked sleeping figure. They had made love for hours, until he had watched her fall into a deep sleep. As soon as she had, he had risen and dressed, slipping into a black shirt and pants, and black boots.      He bent and kissed her lingeringly, then left the room, walking through the palace and to the meeting hall, where the Senshi waited for him.      "What took you?"Michelle asked sharply.      His dark eyes cut over to her, causing her to shrink under his glare."I was with Serena."he went and sat at the head of the table in the room, the others sitting after him also."Now, we have a problem."      "What is it? Serena?"Amara asked, frowning.      "No, its not Serena. Its not her fault, at least. Its Trista."      "Is that why she's not here?"Hotaru said, studying him suspiciously.      "Trista has allied herself with Dimando."he waited as this piece of information sunk into there brains, watching as they all glanced at one another in disbelief."Dimando is a threat. He doesn't like the way I handle my city. He wants to takeover, he wants to push me aside."      They were all silent, until Amy spoke."And Trista's joined him?"at Darien's nod, she went on."What about Serena?"      "She knows. She knows this world is much more different then her world, not only that she's not here, but also that I rule with my own power. They've told her."he stood, began to pace. "And she wants me to change."      The Senshi all glanced at one another again, all of them knowing how much Darien hated anyone opposing him or even questioning the way he handled things. But here was, not angry, but more worried.      "So....your not suggesting we get rid of Serena, are you?"Mina was horrified at the idea.      He turned on her, his expression so fierce they all shrank back."NO!"he shouted, then calmed himself."No. Thats not what I meant. What I want is for all of you to take care of Dimando's men. They'll try and retaliate when I go to kill him."      The Senshi nodded immediately at this."What about Trista?"Lita asked what all of them were thinking.      His eyes darkened."She dares to try and turn Serena against me when I finally have her back......she'll pay for what she's done. By my own hand." Stay tuned for Chapter 5!!