Here goes, I really REALLY hope you enjoy this.. It takes place when Zoycite is still arouhd, and I'm using NA names. ^_^ *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Chase the Darkness Away *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Darien strolled down the sidewalk by the lake. It was his favorite time of day, the time when the sun had just set, but darkness hadn't claimed the land yet.. it was twilight. His spirits were unnaturally high. "Darien!" chimed a voice. He turned around. "Serena? Hi!" He wrapped her in a warm hug. She looked up with him, her eyes sparkling. "I was out taking a walk and I saw you here! I figured I'd come and say hello," she chirped. He laughed softly. Inside, he felt warm. He had so much love for this young girl, this rabbit of the moon. "And what have we here?" He asked mischeviously, eyes light. "A beautiful lady, all alone? May I have the pleasure of escorting you, my princess?" "Certianly, my prince," she giggled, falling into the formal routine. They walked hand in hand, silent, enjoying the light breeze and, most of all, eachother's company. Slowly, the stars came out. "Look, beloved," said Darien, pointing to the east. Serena looked. "Oooh.. it's beautiful!!" She exclaimed. 'It' was the harvest moon, and it rose in a beautiful orangey red color. Darien smiled, enjoying the look on her face. It shone with beauty, and awe at the moon. He pulled a rose out of thin air and held it in front of her face until she noticed. With a soft exclamation, she took it, and buried her nose in the soft petals, inhaling the sweet fragrance. "Mm.. thank you, Muffin.." she murmured. She looked up at him with such adoration that his heart swelled with love for her. His eyes lightened further, and quivered slightly, as they gazed at her. "You're welcome, Princess," he replied with a smile. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. He slipped his arm around her. He felt calm and serene when she was around. She brought light and chased the darkness away. Darien didn't think anything could ruin that moment. And he was wrong, wrong, wrong. A youma appeared out of nowhere and charged them. They broke apart and jumped away, but it was too late.. seemingly, the youma had caught them in a forcefield. It laughed maniacally, and vanished, taking them with it. When Darien came to, he found himself in what looked like a prison cell. He groaned and rubbed his head. Looking around, he saw Serena on the ground nearby, but nobody else. He ran over to her and gathered her in his arms. Her eyelids fluttered and lifted. "Darien.. where are we?" She looked around, frightened. "I don't know," he said softly. He held her close to him. Somehow, when she was close, things didn't seem quite as bad as they would if she was not there. "I wish I knew, darling Serena.. I wish I knew." She cuddled closer to him. She was suddenly aware of how warm he was. It comforted her greatly to know she wasn't alone in this dark, dismal place. It seemed too awful to bear. "Well.. sleep, my princess," he whispered, sitting down, still holding her close. "I'll protect you. I promise." She put her arms around his neck and said softly, "I love you.." He smiled into her hair. "I love you, too." Serena slowly fell asleep, and had a very interesting dream.. *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* She was Sailor Moon, standing in a place full of darkness. All alone. She looked around, frantic. "Darien? Darien!? Where are you!?!?" A quiet voice spoke to her. "Sailor Moon.. do not be afraid.." She looked up, so frightened she was almost crying. "Who's there?" Slowly, the darkness parted, revealing a small girl, dressed in a purple and black sailor suit. She held a weapon which resembled a scythe. "I am Sailor Saturn.. I will be with you.." Saturn slowly advanced. Sailor Moon stared in wonder. "Sailor.. Saturn..? There's another.. sailor?" Saturn stopped when she was right in front of Sailor Moon. She wasn't as small as Serena had origanally thought - she came up to her chin. "I am the Silent Messiah.. I will protect you.." "Who are you? Why haven't we met you yet?" Saturn smiled up at her. "Because I have chosen not to reveal myself to you. As for who I am.. you will find out soon enough. Now.. wake up, Sailor Moon, wake up and go back to your prince. I will be there for you.." *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Serena woke with a start. She was still in Darien's arms, but he was sleeping now, his head resting against hers. She looked around for Sailor Saturn, but didn't see her. She momentairly wondered if she was going crazy. With a sigh, she rested her head against Darien's chest. She could hear the slow, steady beat of his heart. Darien woke up and looked down at Serena. "Princess.. did you sleep well?" "Oh Darien," she said, "It was the most amazing thing! There are more Sailor scouts, and one of them is here!!" Darien blinked in confusion. "More? How do you know? And who is it?" "She came to me, in my dream! Sailor Saturn is here!" Serena was almost crying with joy. "We're saved, Darien, we can get out of here!" He smiled faintly. Saturn had visited him, too, and assured him she would help. All they had to do was wait.. A clanging sound made them both get up. A man in a suit strode to the cell door and peered through the bars. "Well well.. who have we got here?" Darien's eyes darkened angrily. "Let us go! We've done nothing!" The man laughed. "I think not, Darien, or should I say, Tuxedo Mask! Don't look so startled. We've known who you both were for a very long time. And now that we have you.. give me the Imperium Silver Crystal!" "Yeah right!" cried Serena. "I won't give it up, not to you, or to anyone!!" The man's eyes narrowed. "We shall see, Sailor Moon, we shall see.." He backed away. "I'll return.. and maybe then you'll talk.." With that, he spun on his heel and left. Shaking, Serena fell back against Darien, who caught her. She started to cry, when she heard a soft voice.. "Remember, I am here.." Darien and Serena both looked around for Sailor Saturn, but they didn't see her. "Sailor Saturn!" cried Serena. "Please, help us! They're going to take my crystal!" No reply. Serena's chin quivered, then she burst into tears. This scared Darien, because it wasn't her usual siren wail, it was deep, shaking sobs. "Princess.." he whispered. He gathered her close to him. "Be strong, Serena, be strong.." Slowly, Serena's sobs subsided. She'd fallen asleep again. Darien gently laid her down, sat down, and took her in his arms so she wouldn't have to sleep on the cold floor. "Tuxedo Mask.." whispered a soft voice. Darien looked up. "Sailor.. Saturn.." He said. She smiled gently. "It is I," she said softly. "They are returning. You must be brave, and DO NOT hand over the crystal.." With that, Sailor Saturn disappeared into the darkness again. The door opened again and the man returned. He slammed the cell door opened and grabbed Serena roughly. She woke up with a cry. "Let me go!!" "Put her down," hissed Darien, "or you will be very, VERY sorry.." The man turned around, dragging Serena with him, and slammed the door shut. "DARIEN!!!" wailed Serena. "HELP ME!!!!!!" "Serena!! No!!!" cried Darien. He ran to the bars and stuck his arm through, reaching for her. "SERENA!!!!" The man left, with Serena. Darien was all alone. He stayed where he was, arm extened, breathing hard, hoping to catch her.. his blue eyes quivered and filled with tears. "Serena.." He felt a hand on his shouder. He pulled his arm back in and turned around. Sailor Saturn looked at him. "Don't worry.. I'll be with her. Nothing will happen to our Princess." He smiled weakly and she vanished. He sank to the floor and prayed, for her safety, as well as Sailor Saturn's. *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Serena was thrown into a room by herself. "You stay here," snarled the man. "I'll be back!" When she was alone, Serena fell to her knees. She hid her face in her hands and cried softly. "Darien.. Darien.." she sobbed. "Please help me Darien.." *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* True to his word, the man returned to Darien, this time holding a communicator. He smiled wickedly when Darien rose, fire in his eyes. "What have you done to Serena?" demanded Darien. "Nothing.. yet." He smirked. "If you don't tell her to give up the crystal.. my men will shoot her.. all I have to do is push a button, here.." If the man was paying attention, he would have noticed the glowing purple aura to his left. But since he wasn't, he didn't, until a soft voice, poisonous with anger, spoke.. "I think not.. you will not harm her.." The man looked around frantically. He spotted Sailor Saturn and gave a loud cry. He fumbled with his communicator, dropped it, then drew a gun and pointed it at her. She remained impassive. "Stay away from me! I'll shoot you!" he said, in a panic. A bitter smile crept across her face. "Even if you did, it would not hurt me," she whispered. She advanced and raised the Silence Glaive. "Now.. say goodnight.." He shot a few rounds at Saturn, but they just bounced off her. She had a shield up. "Death Ribbon Revolution!!" She pointed the glaive at him. Purple ribbons spiraled at him, and he was dusted. She broke the lock on the door and Darien was free. "Sailor Saturn, I can't thank you enough," he said. She smiled at him. "Don't mention it.. now transform and go save Serena." With that, Saturn vanished. With a swirl of red and black, Tuxedo Mask replaced Darien. Swiftly, he ran out of the room, and into a darkened corridor. With the grace of a cat, he ran down the passage. He sensed Serena's presence behind one of the doors and slowed to a stop. He pulled a rose out of the air and threw it at the lock on the door. It shattered and the door swung open. He raced in, shouting Serena's name. But there was nobody there. The only thing that WAS there was a few drops of something.. Tuxedo Mask knealt down and put his hand on it, then lifted his hand to see what it was. It was red. Blood. Suddenly, he felt it hard to breathe. Blood. Serena's blood. he thought frantically. "SERENA!! WHERE ARE YOU??" He jumped up and looked all around. "Serena! Answer me, Serena!" No answer. It was as if she had simply disappeared. "Sailor Moon." whispered a soft voice. Tuxedo Mask turned around to find the soldier of destruction standing behind him. "We have to find her. Come with me." He nodded, unable to speak, and ran after her. She was running top speed down the hall. She reached another door and broke the lock with her silence glaive. They went in, and a horrible sight met their eyes. Serena was chained to the wall by her wrists. There was a man in the room, beating her mercilessly. Tuxedo Mask's grip on his cane tightened. His eyes narrowed and burned furiously. "AAAAGH!!" He screamed as he dashed over to the man. He hit the guy over the head with his cane. When he hit the ground, there was a rose embedded in his heart. Serena looked up groggily. "Darien.." she whispered. "Help me.." "Don't worry, my love," he said, breaking the chains and catching her. "We'll be alright." He turned to Sailor Saturn, who stood watching. Saturn slowly walked over to them, and touched Serena's forehead. Her wounds healed, almost as if they'd never been there. Tuxedo Mask started to put her down, but she clung to him as if she was going to fall. "NO!!" she shrieked. "NO!!" "Shhh," he whispered soothingly, lifting her in his arms again. "I won't let you go." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. He turned to Sailor Saturn. "How can we get out of here?" She lifted the glaive. "The evil on this ship has been destroyed, but without the key, we can't get out." She hesitated. "I can teleport you out, but then I'll be stuck here. Don't worry about me." She closed her eyes. "Saturn Teleport! Take them out of this miserable place!" They were surrounded by a purple glow, then vanished. Saturn looked at the spot where they had stood, then turned slowly. Someone stood behind her. "Good job, Sailor Saturn," hissed the voice. "It's just you and me now." Saturn nodded. "I wouldn't have let you hurt them." "I know," said the voice. "Now. Let's get down to buisness! Hah!" A burst of black energy hit Sailor Saturn. She deflected it with the Silence Wall. The battle raged on, and finally, Sailor Saturn dropped to her knees, as if in defeat. The voice laughed. "Giving up, Hotaru? Already?" It was getting hard to breathe. Saturn struggled to her feet and lifted the silence glaive. "Silence Glaive.. APPLY!!!" There wasn't a sound, until Sailor Saturn brought the glaive down, destroying herself, and the voice, and the ship. *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Tuxedo Mask gently set Serena down, still holding her hand. They both looked up at the ship. When it exploded, he shielded her with his cape. He powered down, and held her close. "Sailor Saturn.." she whispered. "She was on that ship.." "Yeah," said Darien softly. "She gave her life so that we could live." Serena didn't say anything, she just snuggled closer to him. All the horror of that experiance seemed less frightening now, with him near. "Serena," said Darien softly. She looked up at him. "Are you.. okay? I mean, that guy really beat you up.." She smiled faintly. "I'm alright, Muffin.. don't worry.." He gently picked her up and turned to the east. "Look, Princess," he said with a smile. She looked. The sun was rising, bathing the land in brilliant red and orange. It was a brand new day. She smiled up at Darien, who smiled down at her. He lowered his head and kissed her gently. The sun rose, and people came out, but Darien didn't care. He was with his Princess, and that was all that mattered. *~!~**~!~**~!~* The End *~!~**~!~**~!~* Hope you liked! Tiga Shadow http://members.tripod.com/~PaladinStar/index.html Tiga2@hotmail.com