We're Through?

Heya peeps! Another story, yay!J Guess what? I saw the SMR movie at a party today! It was kewl, but Darien got hurt *really* bad! (Eep!) But the curious thing is it doesn't work on my VCR. I played it at a friend's house during a SM party that I had… I still hafta figure it out. Anyhow, I'm really working on the SMR series (y'know, writing 'fics about `em.) Chow and enjoy the story! J Oh yeah, this fanfiction is © of me, Sailor ClearMoon!

Sailor Moon is © of Naoko Takeuchi, Mixx, DiC, and all those other peoples and companies. L I wanna own SM! (Wishful thinking.)

Serena ran home as quickly as possible. A huge storm had started up unexpectedly, The girl thought. In fact, storms were her worst fear. She was terrified of the thunder and lightning, no matter what anyone said. "Almost there!" She muttered as she reached her house.

The blonde burst into the front hallway. Luna, her cat, looked at Serena strangely, "What is with you Serena?"

"She was out shopping, remember? Rini had her swimming lessons tonight, you had better go get her!"

Serena shivered, but nodded, "I guess…" She couldn't stand going back out into the thunder, but Rini could go wandering off… again. Serena grabbed a green rain jacket and a pink umbrella. "Later, Luna! Sammy, I'm off ta get Rini!"

"Yeah, yeah…" Her brother answered. The girl rolled her eyes again, her brother was so annoying!

She breathed in deeply before walking out of the safety of the house. <Oh… I HATE these stupid storms! > The green-cloaked girl ran down the sidewalk to the school where Rini went for swimming lessons.

Rini nodded her agreement. She hated storms a whole lot, she remembered that her mother had a fear of storms too... (^.~) <At least these kids have a parent to go home to… oh mommy…>

"Mom!" The little girl jumped up and ran over. "Bye Rini! See you in school!" Ellen called as she and her mother walked off.

The pink-haired girl stood, watching a boy that was in her swimming class. He was crying, "You're a boy. You're not `posed to cry."

"Dad!" Jake ran to the pick-up truck and climbed in. He waved through the window. As the two drove away, a loud crash of thunder sounded. Rini squeaked with fright.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Rini cried. <Oh…! I'll just go home by myself… no, Serena will probably yell at me,> she thought for a moment,

A few minutes after Rini left, Serena ran up to the building, "Rini!" She called, "Rini! Come on, let's go home! Rini?!" <Where is she? >

Serena went outside, the teenager ran down the sidewalk to a phone booth. She dialed her home phone and waited. *Ring… ring… ring… ring…* <Sammy… pick up! >

Serena rolled her eyes a little. "Okay, thanks! Later!" She hung up the phone and went back out onto the sidewalk with her umbrella closed. She looked to the right, trying to see if Rini was near the building where she was *supposed* to be at. "Guess not… oomph! Sorry-" Serena turned the other direction with her head down, just to go colliding into someone. She looked up, "Darien!"

He was startled to see her, "Serena! What are you doing out here?" he added to himself.

The girl couldn't help for being jealous of the little pink-haired brat that had so much of Darien's attention, "She had swim class tonight. Mom was to pick her up, but the storm probably stranded her somewhere. Luna told me to go out and get Rini, so that's what I did! But Rini's not back there!"

"What if she's trying to hide from the storm?" Serena looked at his concerned face, "Maybe she really is there but she was hiding."

A noisy crash of thunder shook the ground. "EEP!" Serena immediately wrapped her arms around Darien.

He gasped in shock, "Serena, get off of me!" He pulled her hands away with his free hand. (The other was carrying an umbrella.) <Let her stay… you know that you've missed her touch! > A voice inside him cried.

Serena looked at him with teary eyes. She was frightened of the storm, scared for Rini's sake, and hurt by Darien's actions. "Are… you, um, [gulp] gonna help me?" Her voice shook.

<Oh…> Serena thought. Then the two of them ran off down the street, calling Rini's name.

Diamond watched, amused. He was above the clouds that covered 20th century Tokyo. Droid Thunderclap had been helpful in finding a particular teenager. He was now sure that this `Serena Tsukino' was the future Neo-Queen of Crystal Tokyo.

"Funny… that man that *was* to be King Endymion is staying away from Serena. Hmm… Sapphire!" Diamond called. His brother appeared.

"Sapphire, what have you found?" Sapphire held up his hand and a small computer appeared.

"Good job… you can go now," Diamond's voice was dismissing. Sapphire bowed and teleported away. "Ahh, here it is…" the prince skimmed through reports that had been *VERY* hard to find. Diamond chuckled, "So that Darien thinks that he's protecting *his* precious Serena? How funny! But I can use this to my advantage… if Serena really is the Neo-Queen…." He plotted out his next move to capture the Rabbit and silver crystal.

"Rini! Rini! Are you there? Please Rini, answer us!" Serena cried into the rain. "Darien, where could she be? She could almost be anywhere…." The girl answered her own question.

Darien sighed, "Still no sign of her. Come on, let's go…" He started to run again with Serena at his heels.

She whispered, "Just like the `old times' when we ran around. But that was for fun, not because we were looking for a lost child…" Serena recalled some of the times that she had been caught in a thunderstorm with Darien. He had held her close and comforted her… now he pushed her away.

"Oh muffin… why?" Serena's eyes filled with tears again. She stopped on the corner of the sidewalk and wiped them away.

"Serena, come on. We have to find Rini!" Darien came back to her. She looked up at him, with her back to the street.

Her mouth formed the word, `why?' He knew what she was asking about, but wasn't ready to answer.

Silently he replied, <Because I love you so much that I refuse to let you get hurt if you're with me…> Both of them were too caught up in their thoughts to notice a car coming down the road slowly. "huh?" Darien snapped out of it, "Serena! Look out!" He pulled her out of the way with him. The car skidded into a telephone pole nearby.

The driver jumped out and ran over to the `couple'. "I'm so sorry! This road is awful! You are both okay, right?" Serena and Darien nodded. The driver nodded nervously before rushing into a phone booth. Darien became aware that he was holding Serena to him. But he didn't care, he pulled her a little closer.

<How long has it been since I've held you like this? How long has it been since our lips have met? Serena…> Darien closed his eyes. All of the sudden he pulled back, realizing what had happened, <There was almost an accident! I was- I was with Serena! The visions… the dreams… they're true? > It was somewhat of a question. <No… I'm so sorry, I love you Serena! >

<But it happened now… when you were with her. You've been warned…> Darien pulled away, "Serena…. I'm sorry…." He turned away but she grabbed his arm.

"Darien, don't do this! Please…" she begged. Tears burned in her eyes, she didn't care. "Don't leave me Darien! Why can't you see that this is hurting me? Why are you doing this? Darien?"

He shook his head, "Serena… we can't be close… just let me go… I'm really sorry…." Darien was about to pry her fingers off of his arm when lighting lit up the sky. The bolt struck the ground right next to Serena and Darien.

She jumped into him. "Oh my God!" He murmured,

<That was too close… why must it be like this? But she'll be hurt…> His decision was made. "Good bye… Serena…" And with that, he pushed her gently back and ran off. Tears streamed down his face,

"Darien? Darien!! Darien, please! Darien!" Serena screamed. Her pain reached his ears and he ran farther.

"Darien…" she whispered as she slumped to the ground. As the next thunder sounded, she held herself tight. <Darien… why? >

<Success is sweet, > Diamond laughed as he saw Darien run off. He had known that causing Serena to nearly be seriously hurt would get the future king of Crystal Tokyo to leave her alone. "So now she is free, of course she'll have to get over him first…. I'll wait… oh yes, I'll wait…" He smiled.

The girl looked up into Andrew's worried face, "Huh…? Andrew…" her voice didn't work quite right after her crying.

He bent over to help her up. "What on earth are you doing out so late and in this storm?" Serena didn't answer, she just kept crying, "Come on. I'll take you home."

Serena did her best to clear her sight. She felt dizzy from lack of eating and was worn out from crying. She ended up leaning on Andrew's shoulder as he walked her home. "What happened, Serena?" Andrew asked quietly.

Slowly Serena told Andrew what had happened. They were at her door when she finally finished. "Oh Serena, I'm sure there's a reason… I mean if he seemed sorry that he was leaving, I think he still cares. I'll talk to him, okay? You had better go in, your mom and dad are probably worried.

The door burst open and Sammy appeared in a usual yellow rain coat. "Serena! Thank goodness you're okay… hey Andrew…" he seemed surprised to see the guy that Serena used to have a crush on.

"Mom and Dad aren't home either! Mom called and said she was stuck at the mall, and Dad hasn't called at all! I was gonna go out and find you and Rini!"

"Rini's gone?" Andrew asked, "Oh yeah, that's who you and Darien were looking for. Do you need help finding her…?"

*Ring… ring…* Andrew, Sammy, and Serena entered the house. Serena picked up the phone and asked shakily, "Hello?"

"Listen, I found Rini by my place… I'll keep her here till the storm's over. I just wanted to let you know…" His voice trailed off. Serena could've sworn that she heard a small sob come from him. "Good night…. Serena."

"No! Darien… Darien?!" She heard him hang up and slowly she let the receiver slip down her arm to its cradle."

She wiped her eyes, "Yeah… I'm fine. That was… Darien… Rini's by his place…" she took a deep breath before turning around. "Anyone hungry?"

Andrew and Sammy looked at her. She looked away and walked into the kitchen. Serena reached into a cupboard, about to find something to eat. She stopped mid-way and slid to the floor- crying again. <Darien… why oh why? I love you so much… why must you do this? >

She felt something brush against her leg and looked down to see Luna. "Serena, you okay?" The black cat brushed up against Serena's leg again. Serena shook her head as she shed her raincoat to the floor. "What has been going on between you and Darien lately?"

"I'll find out what's up with Darien, okay Serena?" Andrew asked as he and Sammy walked in.

A hour passed and Andrew, Sammy, Serena, and Luna (who sat on Serena's lap) sat in the living room listening to the radio. `It doesn't look like this storm will let up for quite a while… it may even last for days…'

"Great…" Andrew muttered, "Listen, I'd better go now. If you two need anything at all, let me know. I'll help you out, kay? Bye! Serena, I promise to talk to Darien…"

Serena gave him a soft smile, "Thank you Andrew. We'll call if there's anything we need. Be careful, alright?"

Luna followed Serena into her room. "Okay Serena, what has happened between you and Darien?" Serena shook her head.

She whispered, "Luna… I just can't talk about right now." She yawned, "I'm really tired… I'm going to go to sleep early tonight. You know how I hate storms… I'll try and sleep through this wacko storm…"

<Yes… this is a curious and strange storm. Could it possibly be caused by those of the dark moon? > Luna wondered.

Darien hung up the phone before he told Serena how much he truly cared. He could hear her voice cry, "Darien!"

"I'm sorry Serena…" Darien whispered. He made his way to his bedroom, where Rini was sleeping. He sighed as he opened the door and found Rini mumbling something in her sleep.

"Mommy… daddy!" She seemed to doze off a bit. But then she muttered, "It's not my fault! I… didn't know…"

Darien went to sit next to her on the bed and watched as tears slowly made their way down the little girl's face. "Daddy…?" Slowly Rini came awake. [I say if Darien was an anime character (which he is, duh!) he might have had a sweat drop on his head…]

"No, Rini, it's just me," Darien sighed and looked at her. She was sitting up now and wiping away tears. "So tell me, what were you talking about?"

"Well, um, you mentioned something about not being your fault, and said `mommy' and `daddy' over and over again… so will you tell me what that was about?"

The girl looked at her hands, "But… it's not my fault. But then again, I wouldn't be here if I hadn't- oh Darien. I didn't mean to! And now I need to find the silver crystal to save my mommy and-" she broke off as thunder crashed again. She jumped into Darien's arms.

"It's okay, Rini. All that thunder is really just the sound of cloud giants storming around…" the little girl laughed slightly, "Yeah, they get mad from time to time and start chasing after one another. Let's turn on the radio and see how long this storm is to last…" he reached out and turned the knob on his radio next to the bed.

`Folks, this storm doesn't look like it will let up for a few days possibly. It is recommended that everyone stay indoors as much as possible…'

"Those giants must be pretty mad!" They both laughed, "Darien… are you sure it's really giants? And if it is, can't they tumble out of the sky?"

Darien pretended to think for a bit, "I know for a fact that it is giants up there. No, I don't think they can come falling out of the sky… does that make you feel better?"

"Yeah… I was just wondering so I can tell mommy when I finally go home…" she looked away. "She's scared of storms too, they all say that I'm just how she used to be at my age… I don't believe them though `cause they always yell at me for knocking things over. Mommy's too much of a lady to have been like me at one point…"

Darien looked out at the storm. It had come on so quickly, one minute the sky was a blue and clear of clouds… the next it was stormy. <Maybe I'm being paranoid, but could it be possible that the enemy created this storm? They *are* after Rini, maybe they knew that she was frightened of storms? >

"You looked zoned out. Where were you? When I got here, I thought for sure that you'd be home… but you weren't."

"Well… I ran into Serena and she said you weren't at swimming class. We went around looking for you…" <And Serena was almost killed by a car and a lighting bolt->

Rini crinkled her nose at Serena's name, "Oh, her. She could care less about me. No wonder no one came for me, she was coming to get me! She's always so late-"

"Now Rini, she does care about you… why do you think she still demanded that we look for you in this storm? She HATES storms, usually she can't stay out in them for a long time." Darien sighed and looked at the storm <and I pushed her away from me when she held onto me for protection… Serena…>

"Yeah, it's one of her worst fears…" Darien didn't really want to talk about the matter anymore, "You want anything to eat?"

"Sure!" Rini decided what she wanted to talk about could be talked over while eating something.

"Well…." She paused to think, "Do you have any pasta? If you do, that is definitely what I wanna eat!"

Darien smiled, "Come on tiny Rini, you can talk to me as I get the pasta ready." The two of them headed to the kitchen. Darien lifted the pink-haired girl up and set her on the counter top.

He got out a pot, put water in it and set it on the stove to boil (after he turned on the stove, hello!). Darien also took down a bag of bow-tie noodles and set them to the side of the stove. "Darien, how long have you been living alone?" Rini questioned.

"Well, practically my whole life. At the age of six I started to live in an orphanage. I had to work hard to even get a job and find my own place to live…"

He nodded, but smiled, "Sure I was…. Up until I met Serena a year ago-" he broke off, realizing what he was saying, "But it's different now." Rini wouldn't leave it at that.

Diamond watched the scene below. Prisma and the droid Thunderclap appeared behind him. "Prince, what do you want of us?" Prisma asked.

The doorbell rang at the Tsukino household. Sammy ran to the door and looked through the crack as Serena and Luna rushed downstairs. "Is it mom and dad?" Serena questioned.

"No… it's these two ladies- ah! Serena, run!" the door burst open as Prisma and the droid rushed in. Thunderclap grabbed Sammy and the two of them vanished.

Prisma ran up to Serena and grabbed her transformation brooch. Her voice echoed as she also vanished, "He isn't the only one that will be captured…"

"I don't know! Sammy! Oh Sammy! They took him, how did they know I am Sailor Moon? We have to contact the scouts!" Luna nodded.

Serena called Mina, Rei, Ami, and Lita but they weren't home. "Who can I call…?" she knew the answer, "Darien."

Rini and Darien talked while they ate. A few hours passed when the phone rang, "Hello?" Darien paused as the person on the other line blurted out what had happened. "Whoa! Serena slow down! What did you say? Serena...?" At that moment the power and the phone went out.

"Shhh, it's okay Rini…" <Serena said something about Sammy… and something about the enemy? I couldn't tell what she was saying… hopefully she can figure it out. >

"Hello? Hello?" Serena looked at Luna, "The line's dead! Now what Luna?" The power then turned off, "Luna!!!!!!!" Serena screeched.

"Yeah, you're right…" Serena groped through the dark and found a large flashlight. She turned it on and breathed a sigh of relief. "Come on Luna, I'm not staying here! We'll go to Darien in person and tell him what happened… oh, Rini's there."

"Yeah, come on!" Serena slipped into her rain boots and raincoat. She clutched the flashlight to her as she and Luna headed out. "I thought cats hate rain…" Serena said.

Darien held Rini as he searched for a flashlight or two. "Found it! Here Rini, you take this one and I'll take the other. Can I set you down yet?"

"Uh… fine." Rini took the little green flashlight that was handed to her. She took Darien's hand after he set her down. "What was going on with Serena?" She asked.

"I don't know… she sounded troubled," they paused as a knock came on the door. "Now who is that?" the two of them walked to the door. Darien opened it to find a wet Serena holding a soaking Luna and a flashlight. Luna jumped down and shook herself off.

"Darien! You gotta help! Sammy… he's been kidnapped and my parents aren't home! Rei, Ami, Lita, and Mina aren't home either! Our power went out and we lost our phone line! And one of the people that took Sammy took my brooch!"

"What?" Darien asked, amazed at how much had happened, "Your mom and dad aren't home yet?" She shook her head, "They never were home?"

"No, when you called I had just gotten home with the help of Andrew. The phone rang so I went to get it… but Andrew left and my parents still aren't home! At first I was sure it was the storm but now I'm thinking that they've been kidnapped too!"

Thunder sounded and Serena grabbed onto the door for support. She knew that Darien would just push her away again if she held onto him. Slowly she slid to the floor and set the flashlight down next to her. "Oh Darien… I'm so worried!"

He wanted to comfort her so badly, but he couldn't be too close. He knelt down next to her with Rini by his side. The little girl was confused, she was almost sure that the silver crystal was in the brooch Serena always wore… so did that mean it was gone?

All of the sudden, outside the door appeared Prisma. She laughed, causing the three humans and cat to look up. "It's her!" Serena cried. Luna hissed at the woman.

"Little kitty all upset?" She laughed again, "Well, well if it isn't Small Lady… I'll be taking you too. Listen, Sailor Moon," Rini gasped as Prisma directed her attention to Serena, "we of the dark moon have your family right now. Along with two of your friends, turn yourself over and they'll go free… if not," she drew a finger slowly across her neck. "Get the picture?"

"No," Prisma grinned, "What do you think you're going to do? Kick me? Yeah right! Thunderclap, take that brat Rini to Prince Diamond. I'll deal with this Sailor Moon…"

"We gotta get Rini outta here!" Serena cried as she dove into Rini to get her out of the way. "Just transform, Darien! It doesn't matter anymore!"

"No way! Darien's Tuxedo Mask!" Rini pulled back from Serena, "No you two can't be Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon!"

"You can't escape, we can track you fairly easily!" Prisma yelled. She turned back to Serena, who was standing up and bracing herself for an attack, "So moon twit, what will it be? Are you going to save your little friends?" Serena breathed in deeply, she didn't know what to do.

she noticed that the droid was now gone, <great, that Thunderclap person must of gone after them. What can I do? I can't transform! > Slowly she said, "I'll save my friends…"

Prisma laughed at her accomplishment and reached out for Serena, but a red streak stopped her. Serena looked to the right to see Tuxedo Mask and Rini standing there. "Why did you bring Rini back? Darien, just get her out of here!"

"Don't worry, I'll go hide… Sailor Moon, I'll be okay…" with that, Rini ran into the bedroom with Luna at her heels.

All of the sudden, the air around Prisma glittered and a white-haired man appeared next to her, "So this is the legendary Tuxedo Mask? You are always to protect Sailor Moon, yes? But what has happened?" His voice was mocking, "The prince is no longer protecting his princess…" he laughed. "She's too good for you," he whispered.

"Leave her be for now, right now we'll take care of this caped man!" Diamond held his right hand out and pulled it back. His nails grew longer and headed towards Tuxedo Mask.

She stood there with the nails buried in her skin. Tuxedo Mask stared at the girl who had just given her life to save him. "No!" Diamond cried, "Serenity!"

Serena stood there, trying her best to breathe in without hurting herself. The needle-sharp nails were buried in her stomach and the middle of her chest. The nails retracted and Serena fell over, spilling her blood on the floor. "Serena! Serena! No! SERENA!!!!!!!" Tuxedo Mask cried.

He held her head on his lap as he kneeled. She disappeared slowly and then reappeared in Diamond's arms, "Serenity…" Diamond, Prisma, and Serena vanished.

Luna and Rini ran out, "What happened? Serena's gone?" Luna asked. The tears flowing down his face answered Luna's question.

"No!" Rini ran over and saw the dark red stains on the carpet. She gulped as she realized it was blood. She shook with fear, <What happened? Why are they after her? >

Diamond stood over the sleeping girl. Serena lay on a soft bed in Rubeus's UFO. <Why did she move in front of that guy? I never had intended to hurt her… Serenity…. > He watched Serena as she slowly breathed, he had used magic to help heal her though she had already lost a bit of blood.

Serena lay in the main room of the UFO and off to one side was a barred door. Inside that room was Rei, Lita, and Serena's family. They had all been drugged and were just slowly waking. Rei immediately ran to the door, "Who do you think you are? Why did you- Serena!"

The prince turned to them and walked over, "Why should I explain to you? Your other friends are on the way, do not worry you won't be alone."

"Listen buddy, who are you? What do you want?" Lita demanded. The prince of the Nega Moon flung out his cape before answering.

"I am Prince Diamond of the Nega Moon Nemesis. All I want is the silver crystal, the rabbit, and… Serenity."

Rei and Lita exchanged looks. So here was the leader of the enemy. "Diamond of the Nega Moon?" Sammy asked. He was confused, "Serenity? Who's she? `The Rabbit', what's so great about a rabbit? And what's a-"

"Shut up, kid," a man with red hair appeared, Rubeus. "Diamond, am I allowed to answer this human's questions?" Diamond nodded and leaned against a wall, still watching the prisoners. "You want to know who `Serenity' is? Seriously, I would of thought that you being her brother would know her!"

Irene and Kurt looked very confused. Rubeus continued, "As for the Rabbit, she's Small Lady- but you would know her as Rini."

Diamond laughed, "Oh yes, I forgot that she hadn't told you. Why don't you let Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter explain? Take it away, girls." He laughed as he directed the last words at Rei and Lita.

"You bastard! You won't win, there's still the other scouts and Tuxedo Mask! And you don't have Rini or the crystal yet!" Lita shouted.

"On the contrary," Diamond said as his dark-haired brother appeared with Sailor Moon's transformation brooch in hand. "As you can see, I have the crystal. All I need now is the brat," he grinned.

No one noticed Serena slowly sit up. Her white blouse was torn where the nails had entered and there were bloodstains around the tares. She moaned softly as she gained focus. <Where am I…? Hmm? What? That's Lita and Rei! Oh my gosh! Mom, dad, and Sammy are there too! I must- help…>

She slowly swung her legs off the bed. That small movement was enough to make her gasp for air. With her left had she held her scarred stomach, while with the other hand she grasped the sheets to help her stand. Serena couldn't believe the pain that coursed through her, <OWE! > Her insides screamed in protest as she took her first step towards the three men.

Tuxedo Mask stared at the air where Serena had just been- in the arms of a white-haired man. Rini was crying next to him and Luna sat still, with wide eyes. "Wha- what happened Darien?" Luna asked softly.

Slowly Tuxedo Mask whispered out what happened, "She saved me… I had never meant- but now…" He broke off.

Rini looked at him, "Can't we save her? Or help her somehow? Can't we…?" Tuxedo Mask looked at Rini's worried expression.

Luna was the one who answered, "Let's get a hold of the Sailor Scouts. I'm almost sure that all of us can help her then… come on! At Serena's house is an extra communicator… hurry!"

"Right! Come on you two!" Tuxedo Mask picked Rini up and hid her beneath his cape as he ran out onto the balcony, "Hold on!" Luna jumped onto his shoulder right before he jumped off.

They raced to the Tsukino household, luckily Serena and Luna had been in too much of a rush to lock the door. Luna ran up the stairs and then rushed back down with a scout communicator in her mouth. She set it on the floor and called, "Rei, Ami, Lita, Mina come in! Come in scouts!"

"Yes, Mina. Listen, Serena's been taken by the Negaverse! We need the scouts to act now!"

"Yeah, she's fine. She now knows about the Sailor Scouts true identities… I'll get a hold of the others, come to Serena's house and I'll explain everything, hurry up!"

"Okay, I'm going to try Rei next," Luna kept calling out to Rei, but she didn't answer, "That's strange… Rei always answers…. Oh!"

Tuxedo Mask bit his lip, "They have Serena's family and two of her friends… try Lita, Luna."

"Luna? I'm on my way, Mina called me up… see ya soon! Signing off!" Ami voice dimmed out.

Serena was slowly making her way to Sapphire, Diamond, and Rubeus. "Serena!" Rei shouted.

"Hey guys…" Serena gasped and fell to the floor. Diamond vanished and then materialized next to her. He knelt beside her.

Serena looked up into the eyes of the man next to her, "You! You tried to hurt Darien! Get away from me!" She pulled back from him but ended up doubling over in pain.

"Yeah… sure, Mom…" Serena smiled slightly. Prisma and her sisters appeared, looking quite mad.

<Darien, Ami, Mina, and Rini? > Serena worried for her friends' safety, <No you guys! You'll get hurt! >

"Shut up!" Rubeus shouted. The sisters closed their mouths. Diamond got up and went to a screen on one of the room's walls. He pushed a few buttons before getting a picture of Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Venus, and Sailor Mercury. They held hands with Rini, and across Venus' shoulders were Luna and Artemis.

"You four sisters take care of them. Bring them here…" Diamond ordered. Prisma, Avery, Birdie, and Catsy teleported away. Diamond turned off the screen before coming back over to Serena. She tried to pull back, but she was too weak.

Diamond picked her up carefully before setting her softly on the bed. "Let go of me!" Serena growled, her voice dangerously low.

He ignored her threat and sat on the edge of the bed. Serena struggled uncomfortably under his gaze, <What's with this guy? Ick, I really want outta here! > All of the sudden, the air buzzed with magic and ten figures appeared.

Serena sat straight up, immediately regretting her actions. "Why did you guys have to come…?" She whispered through tears. Prisma held onto Mina (the scouts were de-morphed `cause the sisters got a hold of their transformation pens) and Artemis. Avery held Ami in a tight arm-lock while Catsy struggled with Rini and Luna. Birdie worked hard at keeping Tuxedo Mask from breaking free.

Diamond smiled, "Good work… toss the scouts and those cats with the others. Take Small Lady to that room over there," he gestured to the far wall where a small door was. "And the guy…" the prince's smile broadened, "Bring him here…"

Serena had laid back down because sitting hurt too much, so her friends did not see her. Rini kicked and screamed as Catsy and Rubeus locked her in the small room. Ami, Mina, Artemis, and Luna struggled as Prisma and Avery led them to the cell where Rei, Lita, and the Tsukino family were. "Long time no see Ami," Lita did a really big, fake smile.

As Birdie led Tuxedo Mask to Diamond, the prince said, "Don't be so rude… take off that mask and hat. Show some respect for royalty! Oh yes, I do know that you once *were* royalty, but that's over, isn't it?"

The girl next to Diamond moaned and slowly turned her head to watch as Tuxedo Mask's hat and mask were blown away. "Darien…" she murmured.

"No problem Birdie…" Diamond lifted his hand slightly and a light force field blocked Darien from coming closer. "So, how do you feel to *really* be locked away from her? You should have known this would happen. You see, Endymion," Diamond stood up and walked through the barrier and stood face to face with Darien, "You have left her alone… free for the taking."

"I take what I want, you wait much too long… look what it has cost you," Diamond motioned behind him to Serena.

"Don't listen, Darien! It's not-" She broke off, every breath hurt but she made herself breathe. Slowly she attempted to stand up again, "Listen, Diamond, I was told that if I stayed, my friends and family would go free. Has that deal been broken?"

The prince turned back to her, "Alas some of that has changed, only your family can return… maybe your cats too. But not the scouts…"

"So you give your consent to stay?" Diamond asked, Serena slowly bowed her head in defeat, "Good. They are free!" With a wave of his hand, Irene, Kurt, Sammy, Luna, and Artemis vanished. The prince walked over to Serena again and held her chin in his hand. He whispered softly, "You are so lovely… he doesn't deserve you…"

Serena became mesmerized by Diamond's voice, his words, his eyes. She tried to stop herself as he lowered his head to hers. His breath played over her forehead and she sat still in shock. Tuxedo Mask just gaped at the man with *his* Serena.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Diamond brought his lips to Serena's. Her eyes went wide in horror, but somehow she couldn't pull back. Tears flowed down her cheeks as her heart filled with despair. Then she heard her name called in worry, shock, and horror. "Serena!" It was Darien.

The girl suddenly gained enough power to draw back from Diamond's kiss. "Go away…" She whispered. He looked at her sad eyes and glared at her.

"Later then… you'll see…." With that, Diamond snapped his fingers, "Rubeus, you and the sisters go to Wiseman and find out what we need to do next. Sapphire, take the would-be king to his `chambers'…"

The scouts looked on with horror and disgust as Diamond kissed Serena. "Jerk!" Lita muttered.

"I wish we could teach that guy some manners!" Rei mumbled, "He is really gonna get it when we finally get outta here!"

Mina watched as Diamond broke away from Serena and barked out orders to his minions. "We'll figure something out. Don't worry… and whatever you do, don't give up hope!"

Sapphire took Darien to a completely separate room. The room was of medium size and was made of dark gray stone. There was nothing in the room from what Darien could see. Sapphire pushed the 18-year-old in the room and closed the door.

Darien was left in complete darkness, <Why did this have to happen? Everything went wrong… and now that Prince Diamond has Serena captive. > He remembered the shock he had felt as Diamond had kissed Serena. Darien couldn't believe that Serena hadn't moved away.

<But she's very weak… what if Diamond hypnotized her somehow? > Darien sat on the floor and leaned his head against a wall, "Serena…" He had never thought that all of this could of happened. <No, I must not give up. Somehow the scouts or I will get out of this mess… we must! >

Prince Diamond got up from the bed and walked over to face the four girls. "So you see, I have gotten everything that I've wanted. I have the silver crystal, Small Lady, and the would-be queen of Crystal Tokyo-"

"Small Lady never mentioned where she was from so I suppose that you wouldn't know what I was talking about… isn't that right, Rini?" Diamond glanced over at the little pink-haired girl behind bars.

"Patience, patience dear girl…" Diamond chuckled as he vanished. Now the scouts, Rini, and Serena were left alone in the room.

Slowly Serena was walking towards the middle of the room. She gasped, "Your transformation pens were put in here… If Ami transforms, then she can use her computer to get out of here!" She made it to on of the small pillars in the middle of the room. Serena couldn't see anything at first, but then she felt along the edges of the top and hit a button. Quickly a small piece of the pillar lifted and revealed the four pens.

"Got `em!" Serena called softly. She picked them up and made her way over to the scout's cell. "Here…" Lita, Rei, Mina, and Ami grabbed the pens eagerly and got ready to transform.

"MERCURY STAR POWER!" Each girl said their phrases softly so that no one would come in and stop them from transforming.

As soon as Ami was transformed, Sailor Mercury started typing away on her mini-super computer. "Okay all we have to do is-"

"Alright! Alright!" Mercury put her computer away before focusing on the bars over the door. "SHINE AQUA ILLUSTION!" The bars froze and cracked.

"Mars, you can melt the bars. Hurry, go help Rini… the rest of us will go with Serena to find Darien..." " Mercury said.

"MARS CELESTREAL FIRE… SURROUND!" Everyone turned to see the metal bars melt. Mars picked up Rini and ran over to the others.

All of the sudden, Serena gasped, "I know where he is!" She could barely believe that she was in his thoughts… but there she was. She could sense where he was… "This way… follow me!"

The Sailor Scouts and Rini walked off down one of the hallways, following Serena as she turned down other passageways and traveled through rooms. Finally they reached a dark door, "There…" Serena pointed.

[Okay, so the scouts didn't have that good of luck in escaping…] Diamond returned to the main room of the UFO to find the bars over the doors either melted or frozen. "They got out!" [Duh!] He rushed over to the screen and started scanning through the ship, but somehow the screens were fogged. It wasn't exactly fog though… it was as if mist (or something) was protecting the scouts.

"Damn…" Diamond muttered. "Rubeus, Sapphire, Emerald!" The two men and one woman appeared.

Rubeus called, "Birdie, Catsy, Avery, Prisma! We have work to do!" With that, all of them split up.

Darien felt Serena's mind in his. He couldn't understand it, but he could've sworn that she was coming to him, <Serena? >

He stood up and felt around for the door. Finally he found it but he realized that wasn't going to help him much, <Great…>

He slid to the floor again, only to hear a muffled, "There!" Darien could've sworn it was Serena's voice.

The door came melting in and Darien stared at it, "Sheesh!" He looked up to see the Sailor Scouts, Rini, and… Serena. She leaned heavily on Jupiter's shoulder, but when she saw him she stood by herself and walked forward a little. He stepped over the remains of the door and went to embrace his love. "Serena…" he whispered.

"Oh Darien…" Then they heard it. Two women's voices complaining and yelling at each other. Serena gulped, "Avery and Prisma! Come on you guys, let's get out of here!"

"But," Mercury started, "We need to sailor teleport out of here, and you can't transform…"

Down the hallway, Prisma and Avery ran faster as they heard the scouts shouting. But an invisible wall stopped them. "Hey! What's this?!"

Serena took a deep breath and concentrated, "MOON…. CRYSTAL…. POWER!" For a moment they all feared that it had not worked. But Serena focused harder, thinking of the silver crystal and its power and then… they vanished from the UFO.

Serena smiled happily as she leaned against Darien's arm. "Don't say that we can't be together… please don't," She whispered.

"Let her sit down though, Serena used her powers without the silver crystal in hand!" Mercury said. Darien led her to a bench and the two of them sat down, Rini jumped up beside Serena and watched her.

Then Darien explained about the dreams and visions that he had… and the two incidents during the storm. "But Darien…" Serena said, "I don't care what happens. I just want to be with you now, so can't we just let things be the way they were?"

Slowly Darien looked into her pleading eyes, "I will let it be as it has been… but be careful, okay?" Serena smiled.

"At least I know the reason now…" The two of them had forgotten about the others. As they kissed, they heard a giggle coming from Rini.

"Now you guys, this isn't time to fool around! Serena should get home before her parents worry about her, and don't forget that we must get the silver crystal back!"

"Alright, alright already!" Serena cried.

Okay, short and lame. But what did *you* think? Lemme know, K? J I promise to write longer stuff but I wanted to force myself to work on another story. Sorry, but I *still* don't have any great ideas for the sequel to "The Beginning". So suggestions are appreciated! Thanks Shalom-chan, you are a great pal ta have over the `net. Ja ne minna-chan!