Note: Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation, and DIC.

Best Destiny
By D.Pung
A sequel and continuation of "Sailor Moon Alternity"
PG-13

She swam towards the light. The white waves of pure power had affected her too, and she was struggling to get back, now that she had a chance. Like those dratted Sailor Scouts, she had remembered after things were restored. She was almost out of the dimensional trap Darkstrike had cast her in after he had usurped her throne, even before her plans were really in motion.

I will take my throne back, and prove to everyone that my mother, Queen Beryl, still has influence...through me! She may not have been able to destroy the Moon Princess, but I will. The power needed for us is not the humans' energy, but the power Darkstrike harnessed! I should really thank him, she smiled to herself as she burst into the light.

* * * *

"Well, Amara?" questioned Serena, hands on her hips. "Do you believe Darien now?"

Amara and Michelle glanced at each other, aware all of the Inner Scouts were awaiting their answer.

"It is true that you guys combined have intense power, but it's traditional-" began Amara.

"-'that we Outer Scouts work alone'," mimicked Lita. "Tradition Schmadition!"

"After all we've been through, you guys still don't respect us, do you?" asked Serena softly.

"I do," said Hotaru. Trista nodded agreement.

"If you would let me finish, I was going to say you really have proven yourselves. But, our mission doesn't involve co-operation with you," finished Amara.

"What mission is that, exactly?" asked Mina. "The whole heart-snatcher thing is ancient history, and we worked together against Galaxia."

Amara closed her eyes. She was smart enough where she recognized when she had been beaten, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it.

"All right," she said. She opened her eyes. "Look, you have to give us time. We aren't used to this."

Serena smiled. "We'll help. First, we have something for the four of you. Luna, Artemis?"

The two cats smiled and presented four Sailor communicators, causing the Outer Scouts to blink in astonishment.

* * * *

Stryfe blinked awake as a beeping alerted him. He shot straight up in his armchair when he realized the planar anomaly alarm was activating. He raced to his console.

"Identify source!" he commanded.

"Scanning," called the computer. "Source identified as Prime A-73, the Negaverse, no Order members on record."

"You've got to be kidding me," gasped Stryfe. "No way!" He sighed. He typed in a command, and a screen image of the Sailor communicator popped up. He frowned. I can't believe this...not again! Well, before I call, I'm gonna see what's going on before contacting them.

To his surprise, a monitor blinked on, revealing a raven-haired lady who grinned evilly.

"What the-!?" snapped Stryfe.

"You would be a member of the Order?" asked the woman. "Darkstrike was kind enough to leave his equipment intact."

"You got me," he muttered.

She cackled. "I am Queen Marius, ruler of the Negaverse, and I have a proposition for you."

Stryfe's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

"I wish only to remove the Sailor Scouts from the playing field. Therefore, I would ask for your assistance," she smiled.

"What's in it for me?" asked Stryfe.

"Simple. I wish to use the planar equipment to remove the Scout's transformation wands and lockets, thereby rendering them normal girls. In return, I will destroy this equipment and never bother your Prime again. We learned our lesson with Darkstrike," she said sweetly.

"You hate them that much?" he asked in surprise.

She simply nodded.

"Hmmm.... allow me time to do some research, and I'll get back to you," he said with a grin. "I think you'll find me to be reasonable." Interesting opportunity.....but will it hold up? Let's find out, he thought as the monitor went dark. He bent over the computer terminal and began typing fiercely.

* * * *

Raye startled awake, sweating. Her nightmare was still vivid in her mind. "What was that all about?" she murmured to herself. "Only one way to find out." She donned her priestess robes, and went to the fireplace. She assumed her mediation position, and began losing herself in the flames, chanting softly.

* * * *

"Ohhh," gasped Raye as she yawned. Serena looked at her. The seven of them were hanging around. It was the next afternoon. Study time was up, but they had yet to disperse.

"What's wrong, Raye?" Serena asked.

Raye shrugged as everyone looked at her. "I don't know yet. I got a weird feeling last night, and my meditating has yet to reveal what it is."

"Hmm," said Samantha. "We fought Darkstrike, but wasn't there another woman in charge of the Negaverse?"

"I think so," said Melanie quietly. "I don't remember."

"It continues," sighed Serena. "And I'm getting hungry!"

The girls shared a look, and shook their heads.

* * * *

"Do you think he'll fall for it, my queen?" her servant, Morphus, asked.

Marius leaned back in her chair, unaware the monitor was still on. "He should. I will not underestimate him or the Sailor Brats. Even so, it will let him preserve his precious plane." She laughed. "It doesn't matter, anyway. I intend to keep my promise. Of course, once I have the Scouts' transformation goodies, I'll be able to duplicate the effects of this planar equipment without using it, and now that we know how huge the multiverse is, we'll just take over a different prime! Eventually, I will be so powerful no one will be able to stop me. The Moon Kingdom will be finished!"

Her evil laughter echoed through two worlds.

* * * *

Serena stared dreamily at the moon, thinking. What will it be like? I've come a long way. Now, it's an act I must maintain so people don't notice the changes. It's hard playing dopey, tripping deliberately, acting stupid. At least the study group allows me an excuse to improve my grades. The only person who knows is Reeni, and she won't tell anyone. It really is difficult hiding it from the others. Someday, I'll be able to show them how graceful and smart I've really become. I can't wait to see their faces. She blinked and rubbed her eyes. Humph. My mind is wandering. What's going on now with the Negaverse? Who is in charge, and what's next....?

* * * *

The day was bright and sunny. It was a Saturday, and the girls had just finished shopping and playing games at the arcade. They were lounging in the park.

"Have you figured out your nightmare yet, Raye?" asked Mina.

Raye sighed. "No."

"Tell us what you know so far," encouraged Amy.

"Well, I keep seeing us transforming, then stopping, and we don't seem to have any powers. Then, I see those vortexes Darkstrike used opening everywhere, and everything goes white," Raye explained. "That's all I've got."

Serena frowned. "Not that again. Finding our way back was a pain. Thank God for the Order....wait a minute..."

"What?" asked Lita.

"Does anyone remember the contacts of the Order on each world?" she asked, bewildered.

Everyone blinked. Try as they might, no one could remember. Just then, Amara, Michelle, Trista, and Hotaru made their appearance.

"Maybe you guys will.....do you remember our contacts in the Order?" asked Serena.

The question stopped the Outer Scouts in their tracks. Finally, Amara answered.

"What the....None of us can remember even a face, much less a name?" she said in astonishment as she looked around, receiving negative nods.

"We remember exactly what we need to remember...no less, no more," said Amy quietly.

Amy noticed him again, hiding in the branches of a nearby tree. There he is again...who is he? she wondered. She didn't have time to find out. A crackling black oval of energy opened in front of them, depositing an individual on the ground, kneeled over and covered with a cape. It slowly straightened up, back to them. It turned around, revealing an evil-looking man with a familiar symbol on his forehead...an inverted, black moon.

"A Nega-creep!" gasped Serena.

"Let's get him!" said Lita, raising her wand after taking a glance about....no one in sight. "JUPITER CRYSTAL-"

A black tentacle wrapped around the wand and yanked it out of her hand, taking it to him. Lita gasped. The Scouts' eyes widened in astonishment. All of a sudden, a red rose nailed the wand, knocking it free. Tuxedo Mask dropped to the ground.

"Nice try, but do you really think you will be able to get away with such blatant thievery?" he asked as he moved towards the Nega-creature. It smiled.

"MOON COSMIC POWER!" called Serena, transforming into Sailor Moon.

"RAINBOW MOON HEART ACHE!" she called. The creature was rapidly enveloped in moon energy, dropping and disintegrating as the energy dissipated.

"That was close," said Raye as Serena returned to herself.

"Yeah," said Lita.

* * * *

"I can see I'll have to do this myself," mused Marius. She grinned, and was surprised when a monitor clicked on. Stryfe's image appeared in the mirror.

"Hello, again," he said with a cocky grin. "I have just finished constructing a device that will break down the Sailor Scouts' transformation equipment. All that remains now is for you to take the goods."

"Well, you do work quick," she said.

He shrugged. "Just doin' my job. I'm gonna taunt the Scouts and distract them while you get their wands. By the way, how do I know you'll keep your promise?"

"Trust me," she soothed. "Once they are gone, you will never have to worry about the planar equipment here again."

"Very well," Stryfe said, turning off the monitor. She laughed evilly.

Stryfe stared at the blank screen. Things are going well, he thought. My plan is in full swing...I never knew until now the fate that will befall the Sailor Scouts. Of course, some of the time frames are a little vague.... I guess that means my plan is a go!

* * * *

"And I keep seeing him," finished Amy. "I have no idea who he is."

The girls were comfortably arranged, lounging around in Raye's temple. The Outer Scouts were also present, as everyone debated the current threat. The fire was burning warmly, crackling in the silence that ensued.

"So, what do we do?" asked Lita. Frowns answered her question.

"Well, we need a starting place," said Amy. "Somewhere where I can start some scans."

Serena concentrated, ignoring the discussion. She tried hard to remember. Vague images came to mind. Picking one, she tried to clarify it. Gradually, it emerged. She saw herself being pushed against a wall, then led underground. Everyone was there. Underground.... a boulder, in the park, a fake?

"The park," she said, eyes closed. "Tomorrow, we should go to the park. There should be a huge boulder off to one side of the path, behind some bushes." She opened her eyes.

"Serena?" asked Raye, a puzzled look on her face.

"Wait a minute... She's on to something," murmured Trista.

"All right, tomorrow then," said Amy.

* * * *

"Interesting," said Amy thoughtfully.

"What did you find?" asked Serena.

"It appears this boulder has a hidden seam, and inside leads down some stairs. I'm getting unusual energy readings. No sign of anyone living here, though," she trailed off.

"Can you open it?" asked Mina.

"Hmm.... nope. It appears there is a well-coded security protocol in place. I might be able to get into it, but it'll take time," Amy muttered as she typed on her microcomputer.

"That's enough," came a voice from behind them.

The team whirled to see Stryfe leaning against the tree nearby, his microcomputer in hand. He typed something.

"Who are you?" challenged Serena.

"I didn't think this would be necessary, but I seem to have underestimated you Sailor Scouts," he said mildly.

"How do you-" gasped Melanie.

"-know who you are? Well, let me explain. I thought by selectively erasing certain memories the situation could be forgotten. I didn't count on your Sailor Scout intuition. So, let me restore what I selectively erased when you defeated the pain in the ass that was Darkstrike," he said as he pushed a button.

As one, the Scouts were flooded with power, and they fell to their knees, clutching their heads. Finally they looked up, seeing him looking at them.

"Stryfe," said Serena, standing up. "Why didn't you let us keep the memories?"

"Understand my mission, Serena. My whole purpose is the preservation of this plane. I figured erasing certain memories would put the whole episode to rest. Anyway, now that you remember, I figured you could go about your lives and leave me alone," he said as he turned and disappeared around the tree.

"Wait!" called Amara.

"That made no sense," said Michelle.

'If that's his whole goal, then why does he keep following us?" asked Hotaru.

"Hmm..." murmured Serena. Her musings were interrupted by a crackling black oval of energy, from which Marius emerged.

"Beryl!" gasped Serena.

"Not quite," she cackled. "Queen Beryl was my mother. I am Queen Marius. I am here to rid myself of a royal thorn in the side."

Serena glanced about. "Well, now we know who's in charge. Let's do it!"

"Let's not!" smiled Marius. Tentacles whipped from her, snatching every wand that had appeared in every hand. Two wrapped around the pair of moon lockets, and Darien's rose was also seized. Marius turned and walked towards the open center of the park.

"Hey!" shouted Lita. The team raced after her. They skidded to a halt as they emerged from the bushes. Marius was standing there, waiting for them. But what drew their attention, and the attention of a decent-sized crowd, was an exotic-looking machine in the clearing. Stryfe was perched on top of it.

"Stryfe, help us!" shouted Serena. Stryfe raised an eyebrow, and then jumped off the machine. He crossed his arms.

"Meet my partner in your destruction," grinned Marius evilly. "Stryfe, if you would."

Stryfe turned and began entering some commands. At last he turned. "Ready," he said neutrally, holding out his hand. Marius handed him all the wands and lockets.

"Stryfe, what are you doing?!?" shouted Serena in horror.

Stryfe turned, and put all of the team's transformation equipment in an open panel. He closed the panel, and toggled three switches.

"No!" screamed Serena.

The machine lit up. A loud hum was heard, and then pure energy blasted skyward. Finally the process ceased.

"What did you do?" asked Serena, running forward.

Marius laughed. "So easy. When you have competent help, goals are so easy to obtain," she grinned evilly.

"One moment, Marius," said Stryfe.

She turned. "Worry not, I shall destroy the equipment when I return. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for ending the Sailor Scouts' careers for me."

"What!?!" the whole team gasped.

"No!" said Luna. "He didn't!"

"I did," said Stryfe.

Serena dropped to her knees, tears coming from her eyes.

"However... I am not stupid, Marius. When I said earlier that preserving this plane was my sole responsibility, I lied. Preserving all the planes is my responsibility. When you came over to this prime, I kinda bombed the planar equipment on yours. Even now it is being destroyed. I figured I'd double-cross you before you did the same to me," said Stryfe calmly.

Marius blinked in astonishment, then gritted her teeth in anger. "Very clever. But what's to stop me from taking over this world?"

"Well, I did some research. It's amazing what you can learn by digging into time travel files. You see.....right about this time is when the Scouts are supposed to reveal themselves to the world," explained Stryfe.

The team blinked. "How are we supposed to do that?" asked Serena. "You destroyed our, our wands and lockets-"

Stryfe cut her off with a wave of his hand. Marius glared at him. "Serena, think. You have had glimpses of the future, haven't you all?"

They looked at each other in surprise.

"Was there anywhere where your future selves had wands or lockets?" Stryfe asked quietly. While most of the team blinked in astonishment, Serena closed her eyes and remembered.

"Your so-called wands and lockets were merely Foci," said Stryfe.

"Foci?" asked Lita blankly.

"A Focus, Foci in plural, is something power is channeled through," began Amy, trailing as her eyes widened. "You mean..."

Serena saw her past, and her future. She accessed the Silver Imperium crystal. She now saw it fuse with her pure heart crystal, truly granting mastery of her power, fusing all her powers into one Scout form. She opened her eyes, and stood resolutely.

"Marius, huh? Well, you are still the enemy, and as I destroyed your mother with the help of my friends, so shall I destroy you," she said calmly. A glance revealed Serena's pupils were nonexistent. Pure power shone in her enlarged irises, as she raised her hand.

"How are you going to do that?" she sneered.

"Because Stryfe is right. I've previously received a message from myself in the future that I did not understand until now. Our power is within. We can never be stripped of it," said Serena. Her tears were gone, and she held her head high.

"MOON HEAVENLY POWER!" she called, as white energy swirled from her fingertips and swirled all around her. The energy faded, and Sailor Moon stood there. The teams' eyes were wide.

"We can all still transform! Everyone, look inside yourselves. Look in your heart. Your powers come from within, not from those wands!" ordered Moon. She glared at Marius, who stepped back in surprise. Stryfe crossed his arms and smiled.

One by one, the team got it. Pure power channeled through them.

"MERCURY COSMIC POWER!"

"VENUS COSMIC POWER!"

"EARTH COSMIC POWER!" shouted both twins.

"MARS COSMIC POWER!"

"JUPITER COSMIC POWER!"

"SATURN COSMIC POWER!"

"URANUS COSMIC POWER!"

"NEPTUNE COSMIC POWER!"

"PLUTO COSMIC POWER!"

"MINI-MOON HEAVENLY POWER!"

The Sailor Scouts stood before the crowd. Changes were evident in their outfits, but the confidence of the team could not be mistaken.

A black oval of power opened and Marius dived through. Moon jumped forward, but the oval closed, temporarily removing Marius from her grasp. Stryfe, she thought, and began turning.

An explosion was heard. The team looked back, but Stryfe had disappeared and only a crater remained where the machine had been.

"This isn't over yet," murmured Sailor Moon. This is just the beginning...

TO BE CONTINUED...........

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