_____________Part Five_____________
"Release"
"Gotta say, I never thought you were much of a leader but I know I was wrong."
"Stupid child! I know who you are, SAILOR MOON! Pity you couldn't fight me like a REAL warrior!" Rubeus glared in irritation and contempt at the unmoving body of the ordinary teenaged girl, satisfied. Now for the others.
The Sailor Scouts began to regain consciousness, quickly recovering. Serina had shielded them from most of the energy but Tuxedo Mask and Mars, who had been standing closest to her, were still knocked away. Tux was just now starting to move. He flinched as if feeling the echoes of a deep pain. He could swear he heard a sorrowed whispering in his mind but his mind refused to understand the words.
'At least he's okay.' Mars thought as she glanced up, looking for Rini. The little girl was on her knees, her Luna ball hovering above her shoulder. A horrified look was on her pale face as she stared at Rubeus. Mars searched the Dark Moon creep for what had scared her so badly- and froze.
__________________________
Rini slowly shook her head in disbelief. She'd watched the show in terrifying slow motion and it was just too much for her. It was too overwhelming, too similar to her own mother's sacrifice when she saved her from the Dark Moon's sleep spell in Crystal Tokyo. 'No, no, no, no! This is where it ends, THIS is the death of Sailor Moon! NO! SERINA!' She took off, running for Serina's crumpled form and into Rubeus' trap.
__________________________
"No! Rini!" Tuxedo Mask looked up in time to see the little girl run for Rubeus- no, her frightened gaze was centered on something else, below-
Tuxedo Mask's eyes suddenly focused on the sight he had prayed he'd never ever see in real life. His heart was frozen by the icy grip of fear: Rubeus stood snickering over Serina's prone body; she wasn't moving, even breathing. Rini shrieked and tried to run to Serina's side, the recovered Scouts rushed to attack and Rubeus backed off before he could capture the 'rabbit'.
Rini knelt crying over Serina, the Scouts blindly, madly fought their hardest to destroy Rubeus for what he'd done. Everything clicked into an appalling reality and Tuxedo Mask understood exactly what had happened, what she'd done. The shock of her death had yet to register physically in his mind. Their bond- he should be dead himself- any moment now, he could feel the silver thread in his mind beginning to fray and snap. She couldn't- it couldn't be, he couldn't live without her! He *wouldn't*! "NO! SERINA!" Tuxedo Mask threw himself into the battle and managed to land a physical blow coupled with a few razor-edged roses before Rubeus teleported away, hand pressed against his bleeding face.
"I'll be back for the rabbit! At least I got one of you!" He screamed as he disappeared.
The girls raced to their fallen princess's side, Darien unintentionally shifted back to his civilian self as he slid to his knees beside her. This wasn't the same situation it was five minutes ago, Serina had been breathing then, waking, making some faint sound! Now she was completely silent, unresponsive as Darien held her, kissed her hand, and wiped away the soil from her hair and face. It was so horribly REAL to hold Serina when she was still in her carefree day clothes, so beaten and haggard. If he had been there for her, if she had been able to transform she would have been able to withstand the attacks, she could have recovered but not as an ordinary human girl!
It wasn't suppose to end this way, she was supposed to remain safe as long as he stayed away from her! It wasn't fair! She'd sacrificed herself for him and her friends, he should have been able to stop her! She had done it because she loved them, exactly what he'd tried to keep her from doing. He should have known nothing could stop her from caring! He couldn't stop her from loving her friends or Rini, but if she'd done it to save him, then he'd failed. He'd failed to save her and he could never forgive himself. For not protecting her, for hurting her all this time for no reason. Her pain and tears for nothing. None of it mattered now that he was losing her . . . His only love, the only hope and light in life gone . . .
Cool, numbing emptiness slowly began to filter back into his soul where it had once resided before he'd first seen his angel. But the link, their soul bond was still there- he could feel her still with them. He couldn't lose her after everything they'd been through! The premonitions meant nothing!
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard a soft, wistful song playing, a song heard only by a specific prince of earth and moon princess in true love. The melody that was so a part of them, it would never die . . . __________________________
"No matter what they do to us, we'll always have each other."
Rini held one of Serina's pale hands, Luna softly butted her leg before giving in to tears on Artemis's shoulder. The girls stood watching over them, bursting into tears when Mercury shook her head after checking the fallen girl for breath or a pulse. They cried uncontrollably for their friend and princess they had all failed to protect. Again. Serina, their princess, their *best friend*! She'd been there for them, for everything and anything and yet they couldn't keep her from taking a single step in front of them to protect them from a fatal blast. It was never supposed to be like this, Serina was never supposed to come to this end! Her sunshine smiles, her pure, silvery laughter, her angelic compassion and understanding- all gone. Forever. They'd never hug her, or share stories, or hear her wail about trivial daily things, or watch her serene face glow in the light of the moon, her home. Never, ever again.
All the girls could do was hold each other or fall to their knees in agony. The hurricane of thoughts colliding with their consciousness was too fast and furious. 'Never again.' No more fun, no more happiness. Each Scout gazed on while the earth prince tried in vain to revive her.
Darien apologized for everything, for not being there, for not being able to tell her how much he loved her, begging for forgiveness. He whispered reassurances and promises into her fallen gold hair. "No, Serina, it's not supposed to be like this, you can't leave us! You can't leave ME. I'm sorry, I should have been there by your side, protecting you. Serina, please, PLEASE wake up." He whispered, but still she didn't move. Not looking away from his love, he coldly asked the weeping Scouts in an unwavering, clipped voice, "What happened? Why couldn't she transform?" If she had, he could have been here sooner, he would have had more warning before she'd even begun this battle! He could have found her faster, she would have had the strength to keep fighting!
Unseen by him, the girls had downshifted to civilian form. Rei reached into her white blouse and pulled out Serina's brooch on a chain. Darien hadn't even noticed it missing. "This is why. She didn't have her crystal." Rei lifted the chain over head and revealed her hand where she held the brooch and the Silver Crystal. The key to Sailor Moon, Princess Serenity, and the one thing that could have saved her best friend's life.
"Wh- why?" Was all he could get out. 'Why didn't she have the Silver Crystal?! That was the most important object in the universe, what gave his princess her powers, her LIFE! How did she not have it? How did Rei have it?
The girls stared at Serina's relaxed face, her body lying limp in her prince's arms. But they remained silent. It still hurt too much, and it was far worse for Darien because they all knew he still loved Serina, they were bonded heart, mind, and soul. Rei's tear-choked voice finally answered him. "We didn't have time to tell you back at the temple but after the fight against the dead rose droid, me and Serina-"
"All of us." Ami interrupted, nodding firmly that they all took the blame for the fight. Lita and Mina nodded in agreement.
"We fought, ridiculing her for being late again. She said she could do just fine on her own and Rei said she couldn't stand a chance-" Mina broke off with a sob.
Lita picked up the story, placing an arm over Mina's shuddering shoulders. "She said that if that was what we thought then she agreed with us and that she was just slowing us down. Then she gave up her Silver Crystal to Rei. We didn't even say anything to stop her. We didn't mean it! We didn't think she was SERIOUS!" Lita protested, her watery green eyes begging forgiveness from the silent figure in Darien's arms.
"And now look what we've done! She was unprotected, she had no chance of defeating that monster!" Mina cried and fell to her knees sobbing. "It's all our fault!"
Ami managed to control her grief, if only for her friends' sanity; someone had to hold them together and none of them looked up to it. She'd have time to mourn later. "What we must remember is her amazing courage, Scouts, she fought so hard and well to defend Rini and even after all that, she had the strength to save us as well from Rubeus's attack." Ami reminded. "Even after how we treated her, all she wanted was for all of us to be safe."
Rini spoke up from Serina's side. The girls had forgotten her there, she was so quiet. Darien glanced at her, stung from his numbness by her tiny voice, as if suddenly remembering her beside him. She shouldn't have to go through this! She was just a kid! "She told me to run, when that monster was after us. She attacked it, and told me to run and hide, then it was all quiet, Darien, until the Scouts came. Serina told me to stay put and not come out until you said it was okay. But it's STILL not okay, Darien!" Rini cried. Mina wrapped her own trembling arms around Rini and the little girl cried on her shoulder, each one thinking Serina's death was all her fault. "I knew Sailor Moon would die, someday, but I hoped it wouldn't be for a long time, so I wouldn't see it. There is no Sailor Moon in the future, I knew I would lose Serina and couldn't stop it!"
"WHAT!? Rini, you knew Serina would die? What Rubeus said was true? There really IS no Sailor Moon in the future?" Lita demanded, outraged. Rini nodded sadly, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. She was a coward and a traitor for not warning them. She was not a responsible princess for letting her dearest friend die protecting her. "Oh, no. We didn't know, we didn't pay attention! We didn't believe him! I hope Serina didn't know, she'd be so scared. Rini-"
"I'm sorry you had to live with that knowledge, Rini. Especially after you found out Serina was Sailor Moon. That was why you were afraid of us, wasn't it? You didn't want to lose Serina but you couldn't tell anyone either." Ami's breath caught in a sob as Rini nodded again. Puu told her not to tell the future.
Rini remembered the warm nights she'd spent cuddled in Serina's bed, the teasing, the nice talk over ice cream today, and all she'd told her about the roses. She regretted not telling Serina everything from the very beginning, and tormenting her, and driving her nuts. They were finally starting to get close! She wished she could hear her laughing again, see her smile or stick her tongue out, have her call her 'spore', or get a hug from the one person here she loved as much as her own mother. But never again . . .
Lita murmured to herself, remembering the scene they'd walked in on. Serina had been bravely fighting, even without her crystal, as Serina Tsukino and not Sailor Moon. Lita felt pride for her princess and mistakenly fragile and small friend. Intense hatred towards the enemy that had caused her pain and their grief clouded her mind and seared like lightning in her spirit. "Rubeus attacked her even when she couldn't fight back! The cowardly slime! He'll pay for this! I swear it in the name of Jupiter!"
Rei looked up from her own reverie, her eyes puffy and red, her pale face splotched from crying, and her black hair plastered to her face. Her breath came in short, hyperventilated gasps as she firmly agreed with her tall comrade. "I swear it by Mars that Rubeus will die! The Sailor Scouts will avenge Serina's death, we'll uphold our vows to protect love and justice even without Sailor Moon, just as she would have wanted! For her, we'll protect everyone and everything." Her violet eyes pierced Darien, daring him to deny their guilt or his own and their right for vengeance.
Darien looked away, even more guilty for not being able to stop Serina when she foolishly attacked Rubeus. His blood ran hot with the need for retribution while his skin was frozen cold with the sight of his beloved asleep in his arms. 'We could have handled it, my sweet. All of us together.'
He paused, then admitted chokingly, "I sensed something from her, faintly, at the temple. She was in trouble, hurt, but she never transformed, I didn't FEEL her transform or I might have known of the battle sooner, before she got hurt- I- I didn't know WHAT had happened when I felt her pain! There was no warning! I should have been faster, I should have felt the URGENCY . . . I should have sensed Rubeus behind us, or been quicker to stop her from attacking him! If we'd listened to Rubeus's warning, we would have known Serina was in danger- that she wouldn't live to see the future!" And now to pay for his lapse to protect his love, he could only hold her young body close to him, her translucent skin, bloodless lips, scraped and swollen cheek a testament to his failure.
Her golden tresses cascaded across his arm and into a dull, lifeless pool, streaks of darkening red blood standing out like black rose in a white wedding bouquet. Something he'd seen in his nightmare. Her jean jacket was ripped apart and burned, her long blue skirt was torn ragged and shredded, and her arms and legs were covered in bruises, cuts, and red and black burns. She had never looked so lifeless and helpless and it was all his fault! He mournfully traced her soft jawline, brushing away errant strands of flaxen hair, his tears falling unheeded as kissed her cool forehead.
Serina's pale figure sighed softly. Darien startled back, afraid he'd imagined the breathy sound against his cheek like when she'd fallen into an eternal sleep by the hypnotizing droid of Prisma and Avery's. Hope flickered through his soul as he felt again for her pulse and breathing- and found them.
Serina moaned again and managed to grasp a thin wisp of consciousness through the hazy pain of her injuries and slowly opened her eyes, praying no one would touch her; it hurt too much. She hoped everyone was okay, she could never live with herself if she failed to protect her friends. 'Wasn't there concrete here the last time I was awake?' Serina paused a moment to let her eyes focus and let her body absorb the sensations of heat and tingling electricity through the cold numbness that was stealing her senses. She quickly realized Darien was holding her in his arms, strength and warmth flooding her mind along with his panic and regret. 'Why is he so worried? I'm fine . . .'
Serina slowly glanced around; all the girls were there, Rini hugged Mina, Lita stood beside them, Rei and Ami knelt or stood on the other side of her and Darien. They were all sad and crying. But there was nothing wrong, nothing that mattered. "Are you guys all right? Is Rini okay? Darien, you weren't hurt, were you?" Serina flinched in alarm when she saw Darien's face; he looked like he was in AGONY; if she hadn't been able to protect him- she'd never forgive herself! But Darien just smiled at her concern for him when SHE was the one on the ground. When she looked in askance to the girls, they just nodded they were okay but their eyes were bloodshot and red, their expressions caught between grief and uncertain hope.
"You got him, Serina. Rubeus high-tailed it after your surprise attack. We didn't know you had it in you." Lita said proudly but sadly as well. Serina vaguely wondered again why they were so somber. Lita was never like this- except when she nearly lost Ken.
"Me? I doubt I could do it . . . ALONE . . ." Serina chided gently, smiling then she grimaced at the searing fire of her scratched right cheek. She sobered and glanced around for Rini and found her still crying in Mina's arms. "Rini, honey- are you . . . all right?" She asked, trying to catch her breath. The air didn't seem to want to stay in her weak lungs.
Rini wriggled free of Mina's hold and squeezed Serina's hand and nodded, afraid to open her mouth at first lest she start wailing. In that, she was too much like her mother. She was only five, Mommy, Daddy, and Puu wouldn't want her to go through this! But she was also a princess; she had to be strong for Serina, and herself. She had to. "I'm sorry, Serina. I love you, you're my best friend, I wish could tell you everything." She whispered, close enough to Serina that her locks of pink hair tickled her face. Serina smiled carefully and squeezed her small hand.
"Don't- worry about it, Small Lady. You'll get to tell me everything. You're such- a sweetheart, my daughter . . ." Serina whispered for only Rini to hear. Rini's shy smile suddenly fell from her face as she realized what Serina was saying. Daughter? Her mother? MAMA?! Oh no! What had she done!? It couldn't be, it just COULDN'T be! But- yes, Serina- no wonder she was so like her- No- she couldn't die, not now! She'd finally found her mama only to get her killed!
She watched Serina's blue gaze return to her friends, oblivious to the hysterical panic she had placed her in. Rini just stared at her, slowly backing away, deaf to what was going on around her as she watched her mother slowly dying before her, saying her good-byes.
"I'm sorry, my friends . . . for the fight- You know I- I would *never* . . . let anything hurt . . . you . . ." Serina was losing strength fast, she couldn't say much more, and she was beginning to drift off again. She was so TIRED, she just wanted to close her eyes and sleep. But she knew she couldn't die- Rini was her daughter- if she died, she would never be born. And THAT was impossible. Therefore, she wouldn't die. She couldn't.
"It wasn't your fault at all, Serina! It was us, we just had a bad day and took it out on you. We're SO SORRY!" The girls cried in unison, each dropping beside her to clasp her hand or brush her shoulder in assurance. The faintest whisper of a smile ghosted Serina's lips in response. Her *forgiveness*.
"Serina? Are you okay? Serina?" Darien noticed Serina's eyes closing, her pulse weakening. She was relaxing in his arms in a way only the dying could.
"I'm sorry, love, I'm so tired . . . Darien . . ."
"NO! Serina, don't fall asleep, HANG ON! Stay awake, Serina, listen to me, stay with to me!" He shook her, hugged her, anything to reawaken her. The pain of his insistent jostling sparked the last life in her.
She inhaled sharply, her eyes fluttering open. "Darien . . . please tell me, *truthfully*- and I promise- I'll- I'll leave you alone if you want . . ." She took another gasping breath. Her sapphire eyes were filled with pain and trust and fear. "Do- do you love me?"
"Serina, I don't want you to ever leave me alone, EVER! There's a reason for these past few weeks- I can't explain but-" Darien wasn't sure he could bring himself to say it, as if those three little words could seal her death. Darien watched his Serina's deep blue eyes searching his, losing their light of happiness. Her pale, cold fingers faintly wrapped around his hand, slowly loosening. Her beautiful gold hair tousled around her head like a halo, it's glory fading even as he watched. How could he crush her fragile spirit, especially now when she was most vulnerable? How could he lie to those eyes, not give her the reassurance she needed before she- before she- "Yes, Serina, I do, I love you more than life itself! I- love you . . . always . . ."
Serina smiled a last time in grateful relief and raised a thin, trembling finger to trace a tear from her love's turbulent eyes. "I know. I love you, too, Darien . . . Take care of our daughter until I return." And she drifted off once more, her hand falling away from his face.
Darien wasn't sure he'd heard her right. Their daughter? His heart skipped a beat as he heard Rini let out a pained cry beside him and throw herself across her mother, flickering, and he made the connection. 'Oh God, how did she know? Why didn't she tell me?' "No, Serina, it can't end this way, it's not supposed to! I swear I'll never leave you again! PLEASE stay with me . . ." Serina's eyes closed, silvery tears finally escaping as she lost the battle she fought for her family and friends. Her small hand in his fell limp. The girls fell to tears again. They hadn't heard what she told Rini and Darien but it was obviously important and between them. They knew her revival was too good to last. By Serina's side and crying the hardest, Rei reached over to Serina's empty, fallen hand and placed the Silver Crystal within her icy palm and closed her fingers over it.
"This isn't fair, Serina! You can't give up on us! You can't abandon us! You're not supposed to be like US . . ." She silently apologized again for everything they had fought about, assuring her princess's spirit that their fights were not her fault at all but theirs. 'Mine especially.'
"We love you, Serina." The girls agreed together. Rini fell back into Mina's arms, Ami rubbing her back comfortingly. "Our princess is gone . . ."
"I love you, Serina, I can't live without you . . . I can't dream of a life without you in it, my sunshine and happiness. How am I supposed to go on without you?" Darien's voice cracked as his soul was ripped apart and left in emotionless tatters. He continued in an accepting whisper; faintly smiling at Serina's now calm and serene face, still smiling, even in death. "I love you, my angel, my beautiful princess." And he kissed her sweet lips, covering her hand with his, and holding her tightly, afraid to ever let her go.
What girl can resist that? A brilliant white light emanated from the crystal hidden within their clasped hands and enveloped Serina and Darien's bodies, far too bright to look upon. When the geyser of energy faded into a myriad of reds, greens, golds, blues, and pinks, Darien was still kissing Serina. Except she was no longer Serina Tsukino- she was the Moon Princess Serenity! He hadn't even seemed to notice the magical eruption of light nor her transformation. He DID notice several moments later that Serenity was kissing him back. He pulled away in surprise and Sere's sparkling blue eyes slowly opened, grinning lovingly.
"I guess someone still needs me here." She whispered in a wry tone, shifted back to Serina. Her princess form only helped to heal her. "Oh, I love you so much, Darien! I told you, you still loved me!"
"I never stopped, my love." Lita, Rei, Ami, and Mina each screamed in frightened relief and attacked their princess with overjoyed hugs. Her fatal wounds had been healed by the magic in the Silver Crystal, her very life restored by her friends' love. She was able to stand their crowding- with a reinforcing kiss from her one true love.
'Finally, something went right today! And all it took was my dying!' Serina smiled as she kissed Darien again, with all her might, and tousled Rini's hair. She smiled at each of her friends and swore she'd never put them through that kind of pain again. 'As long as they don't ever give me a hard time like they did. If they do then maybe I'll just drop dead again . . .'
"Serina, I can't BELIEVE you did that to us! How stupid can you get? How insensitive and irresponsible! You know you have to be the Moon Princess and Sailor Moon: you have DUTIES! Responsibilities! Don't ever try to get out of it by dying again, Meatball head!"
'Or maybe I'll just kill Rei . . .'
"Oh, Mommy! I'm so happy you're okay!" Rini let loose a laugh of pure joy and attacked her future mother with a tackling hug. Around them, the Scouts and cats looked ready to pass out with shock.
"WHAT!?!" They all cried. Serina gave them a quirky grin as she held her daughter and Darien close.
"Um, meet Princess Serenity of Crystal Tokyo, the eldest daughter of Queen Serenity and King Endymion." She glanced down at Rini to make sure gotten it right.
Rini shook her head in exaggerated impatience and corrected her. She stood on her own and shifted into her princess dress, much like the old moon princess's, and curtseyed to her guardians. "NEO-Princess Small Lady Serenity Usagi Shields of the Moon, Earth, Sun, and Crystal Tokyo, *eldest* daughter of NEO-Queen Serenity and King Endymion." She said smiling. Everyone but the royal family took their leave from consciousness, and dropped to the ground.
"You've been keeping secrets, my love." Darien teased, lifting Serina easily in his arms. THIS was more than unexpected but he could handle it. He could handle anything that promised he and Serina would remain together forever- and a FAMILY! Finally one of his own, with the one woman he loved more than life, and the little girl he'd give his life for even before he'd known her true identity.
Rini's dress faded to her normal clothes and she clung to Darien's leg as they left the park together, listening to her parents. "Just found out, my prince. There are going to be many surprises ahead of us-"
"Can I tell Daddy about Irene and Travis, Mommy?"
"Travis? Irene?" Darien raised an eyebrow in interest. The woman in his arms blushed and hid her modest smile behind her hand. 'Tranquillity, after my- BROTHER?- and Imbrium. My twin daughters, Serenity and Imbrium. That's what I WOULD name them.'
"Neo-Prince Tranquillity is Rini's baby brother Travis and Neo- Princess Imbrium is Rini's twin, Irene-" She laughed, trying to break the news gently. Her smile widened when she saw his incredulous, astonished, OVERJOYED blue eyes. 'Surprise!'
"TWINS!?"
_____________The End_____________
"With all our love, we can't go wrong."
"Gotta say, I never thought you were much of a leader but I know I was wrong."
"Stupid child! I know who you are, SAILOR MOON! Pity you couldn't fight me like a REAL warrior!" Rubeus glared in irritation and contempt at the unmoving body of the ordinary teenaged girl, satisfied. Now for the others.
The Sailor Scouts began to regain consciousness, quickly recovering. Serina had shielded them from most of the energy but Tuxedo Mask and Mars, who had been standing closest to her, were still knocked away. Tux was just now starting to move. He flinched as if feeling the echoes of a deep pain. He could swear he heard a sorrowed whispering in his mind but his mind refused to understand the words.
'At least he's okay.' Mars thought as she glanced up, looking for Rini. The little girl was on her knees, her Luna ball hovering above her shoulder. A horrified look was on her pale face as she stared at Rubeus. Mars searched the Dark Moon creep for what had scared her so badly- and froze.
__________________________
Rini slowly shook her head in disbelief. She'd watched the show in terrifying slow motion and it was just too much for her. It was too overwhelming, too similar to her own mother's sacrifice when she saved her from the Dark Moon's sleep spell in Crystal Tokyo. 'No, no, no, no! This is where it ends, THIS is the death of Sailor Moon! NO! SERINA!' She took off, running for Serina's crumpled form and into Rubeus' trap.
__________________________
"No! Rini!" Tuxedo Mask looked up in time to see the little girl run for Rubeus- no, her frightened gaze was centered on something else, below-
Tuxedo Mask's eyes suddenly focused on the sight he had prayed he'd never ever see in real life. His heart was frozen by the icy grip of fear: Rubeus stood snickering over Serina's prone body; she wasn't moving, even breathing. Rini shrieked and tried to run to Serina's side, the recovered Scouts rushed to attack and Rubeus backed off before he could capture the 'rabbit'.
Rini knelt crying over Serina, the Scouts blindly, madly fought their hardest to destroy Rubeus for what he'd done. Everything clicked into an appalling reality and Tuxedo Mask understood exactly what had happened, what she'd done. The shock of her death had yet to register physically in his mind. Their bond- he should be dead himself- any moment now, he could feel the silver thread in his mind beginning to fray and snap. She couldn't- it couldn't be, he couldn't live without her! He *wouldn't*! "NO! SERINA!" Tuxedo Mask threw himself into the battle and managed to land a physical blow coupled with a few razor-edged roses before Rubeus teleported away, hand pressed against his bleeding face.
"I'll be back for the rabbit! At least I got one of you!" He screamed as he disappeared.
The girls raced to their fallen princess's side, Darien unintentionally shifted back to his civilian self as he slid to his knees beside her. This wasn't the same situation it was five minutes ago, Serina had been breathing then, waking, making some faint sound! Now she was completely silent, unresponsive as Darien held her, kissed her hand, and wiped away the soil from her hair and face. It was so horribly REAL to hold Serina when she was still in her carefree day clothes, so beaten and haggard. If he had been there for her, if she had been able to transform she would have been able to withstand the attacks, she could have recovered but not as an ordinary human girl!
It wasn't suppose to end this way, she was supposed to remain safe as long as he stayed away from her! It wasn't fair! She'd sacrificed herself for him and her friends, he should have been able to stop her! She had done it because she loved them, exactly what he'd tried to keep her from doing. He should have known nothing could stop her from caring! He couldn't stop her from loving her friends or Rini, but if she'd done it to save him, then he'd failed. He'd failed to save her and he could never forgive himself. For not protecting her, for hurting her all this time for no reason. Her pain and tears for nothing. None of it mattered now that he was losing her . . . His only love, the only hope and light in life gone . . .
Cool, numbing emptiness slowly began to filter back into his soul where it had once resided before he'd first seen his angel. But the link, their soul bond was still there- he could feel her still with them. He couldn't lose her after everything they'd been through! The premonitions meant nothing!
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard a soft, wistful song playing, a song heard only by a specific prince of earth and moon princess in true love. The melody that was so a part of them, it would never die . . . __________________________
"No matter what they do to us, we'll always have each other."
Rini held one of Serina's pale hands, Luna softly butted her leg before giving in to tears on Artemis's shoulder. The girls stood watching over them, bursting into tears when Mercury shook her head after checking the fallen girl for breath or a pulse. They cried uncontrollably for their friend and princess they had all failed to protect. Again. Serina, their princess, their *best friend*! She'd been there for them, for everything and anything and yet they couldn't keep her from taking a single step in front of them to protect them from a fatal blast. It was never supposed to be like this, Serina was never supposed to come to this end! Her sunshine smiles, her pure, silvery laughter, her angelic compassion and understanding- all gone. Forever. They'd never hug her, or share stories, or hear her wail about trivial daily things, or watch her serene face glow in the light of the moon, her home. Never, ever again.
All the girls could do was hold each other or fall to their knees in agony. The hurricane of thoughts colliding with their consciousness was too fast and furious. 'Never again.' No more fun, no more happiness. Each Scout gazed on while the earth prince tried in vain to revive her.
Darien apologized for everything, for not being there, for not being able to tell her how much he loved her, begging for forgiveness. He whispered reassurances and promises into her fallen gold hair. "No, Serina, it's not supposed to be like this, you can't leave us! You can't leave ME. I'm sorry, I should have been there by your side, protecting you. Serina, please, PLEASE wake up." He whispered, but still she didn't move. Not looking away from his love, he coldly asked the weeping Scouts in an unwavering, clipped voice, "What happened? Why couldn't she transform?" If she had, he could have been here sooner, he would have had more warning before she'd even begun this battle! He could have found her faster, she would have had the strength to keep fighting!
Unseen by him, the girls had downshifted to civilian form. Rei reached into her white blouse and pulled out Serina's brooch on a chain. Darien hadn't even noticed it missing. "This is why. She didn't have her crystal." Rei lifted the chain over head and revealed her hand where she held the brooch and the Silver Crystal. The key to Sailor Moon, Princess Serenity, and the one thing that could have saved her best friend's life.
"Wh- why?" Was all he could get out. 'Why didn't she have the Silver Crystal?! That was the most important object in the universe, what gave his princess her powers, her LIFE! How did she not have it? How did Rei have it?
The girls stared at Serina's relaxed face, her body lying limp in her prince's arms. But they remained silent. It still hurt too much, and it was far worse for Darien because they all knew he still loved Serina, they were bonded heart, mind, and soul. Rei's tear-choked voice finally answered him. "We didn't have time to tell you back at the temple but after the fight against the dead rose droid, me and Serina-"
"All of us." Ami interrupted, nodding firmly that they all took the blame for the fight. Lita and Mina nodded in agreement.
"We fought, ridiculing her for being late again. She said she could do just fine on her own and Rei said she couldn't stand a chance-" Mina broke off with a sob.
Lita picked up the story, placing an arm over Mina's shuddering shoulders. "She said that if that was what we thought then she agreed with us and that she was just slowing us down. Then she gave up her Silver Crystal to Rei. We didn't even say anything to stop her. We didn't mean it! We didn't think she was SERIOUS!" Lita protested, her watery green eyes begging forgiveness from the silent figure in Darien's arms.
"And now look what we've done! She was unprotected, she had no chance of defeating that monster!" Mina cried and fell to her knees sobbing. "It's all our fault!"
Ami managed to control her grief, if only for her friends' sanity; someone had to hold them together and none of them looked up to it. She'd have time to mourn later. "What we must remember is her amazing courage, Scouts, she fought so hard and well to defend Rini and even after all that, she had the strength to save us as well from Rubeus's attack." Ami reminded. "Even after how we treated her, all she wanted was for all of us to be safe."
Rini spoke up from Serina's side. The girls had forgotten her there, she was so quiet. Darien glanced at her, stung from his numbness by her tiny voice, as if suddenly remembering her beside him. She shouldn't have to go through this! She was just a kid! "She told me to run, when that monster was after us. She attacked it, and told me to run and hide, then it was all quiet, Darien, until the Scouts came. Serina told me to stay put and not come out until you said it was okay. But it's STILL not okay, Darien!" Rini cried. Mina wrapped her own trembling arms around Rini and the little girl cried on her shoulder, each one thinking Serina's death was all her fault. "I knew Sailor Moon would die, someday, but I hoped it wouldn't be for a long time, so I wouldn't see it. There is no Sailor Moon in the future, I knew I would lose Serina and couldn't stop it!"
"WHAT!? Rini, you knew Serina would die? What Rubeus said was true? There really IS no Sailor Moon in the future?" Lita demanded, outraged. Rini nodded sadly, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. She was a coward and a traitor for not warning them. She was not a responsible princess for letting her dearest friend die protecting her. "Oh, no. We didn't know, we didn't pay attention! We didn't believe him! I hope Serina didn't know, she'd be so scared. Rini-"
"I'm sorry you had to live with that knowledge, Rini. Especially after you found out Serina was Sailor Moon. That was why you were afraid of us, wasn't it? You didn't want to lose Serina but you couldn't tell anyone either." Ami's breath caught in a sob as Rini nodded again. Puu told her not to tell the future.
Rini remembered the warm nights she'd spent cuddled in Serina's bed, the teasing, the nice talk over ice cream today, and all she'd told her about the roses. She regretted not telling Serina everything from the very beginning, and tormenting her, and driving her nuts. They were finally starting to get close! She wished she could hear her laughing again, see her smile or stick her tongue out, have her call her 'spore', or get a hug from the one person here she loved as much as her own mother. But never again . . .
Lita murmured to herself, remembering the scene they'd walked in on. Serina had been bravely fighting, even without her crystal, as Serina Tsukino and not Sailor Moon. Lita felt pride for her princess and mistakenly fragile and small friend. Intense hatred towards the enemy that had caused her pain and their grief clouded her mind and seared like lightning in her spirit. "Rubeus attacked her even when she couldn't fight back! The cowardly slime! He'll pay for this! I swear it in the name of Jupiter!"
Rei looked up from her own reverie, her eyes puffy and red, her pale face splotched from crying, and her black hair plastered to her face. Her breath came in short, hyperventilated gasps as she firmly agreed with her tall comrade. "I swear it by Mars that Rubeus will die! The Sailor Scouts will avenge Serina's death, we'll uphold our vows to protect love and justice even without Sailor Moon, just as she would have wanted! For her, we'll protect everyone and everything." Her violet eyes pierced Darien, daring him to deny their guilt or his own and their right for vengeance.
Darien looked away, even more guilty for not being able to stop Serina when she foolishly attacked Rubeus. His blood ran hot with the need for retribution while his skin was frozen cold with the sight of his beloved asleep in his arms. 'We could have handled it, my sweet. All of us together.'
He paused, then admitted chokingly, "I sensed something from her, faintly, at the temple. She was in trouble, hurt, but she never transformed, I didn't FEEL her transform or I might have known of the battle sooner, before she got hurt- I- I didn't know WHAT had happened when I felt her pain! There was no warning! I should have been faster, I should have felt the URGENCY . . . I should have sensed Rubeus behind us, or been quicker to stop her from attacking him! If we'd listened to Rubeus's warning, we would have known Serina was in danger- that she wouldn't live to see the future!" And now to pay for his lapse to protect his love, he could only hold her young body close to him, her translucent skin, bloodless lips, scraped and swollen cheek a testament to his failure.
Her golden tresses cascaded across his arm and into a dull, lifeless pool, streaks of darkening red blood standing out like black rose in a white wedding bouquet. Something he'd seen in his nightmare. Her jean jacket was ripped apart and burned, her long blue skirt was torn ragged and shredded, and her arms and legs were covered in bruises, cuts, and red and black burns. She had never looked so lifeless and helpless and it was all his fault! He mournfully traced her soft jawline, brushing away errant strands of flaxen hair, his tears falling unheeded as kissed her cool forehead.
Serina's pale figure sighed softly. Darien startled back, afraid he'd imagined the breathy sound against his cheek like when she'd fallen into an eternal sleep by the hypnotizing droid of Prisma and Avery's. Hope flickered through his soul as he felt again for her pulse and breathing- and found them.
Serina moaned again and managed to grasp a thin wisp of consciousness through the hazy pain of her injuries and slowly opened her eyes, praying no one would touch her; it hurt too much. She hoped everyone was okay, she could never live with herself if she failed to protect her friends. 'Wasn't there concrete here the last time I was awake?' Serina paused a moment to let her eyes focus and let her body absorb the sensations of heat and tingling electricity through the cold numbness that was stealing her senses. She quickly realized Darien was holding her in his arms, strength and warmth flooding her mind along with his panic and regret. 'Why is he so worried? I'm fine . . .'
Serina slowly glanced around; all the girls were there, Rini hugged Mina, Lita stood beside them, Rei and Ami knelt or stood on the other side of her and Darien. They were all sad and crying. But there was nothing wrong, nothing that mattered. "Are you guys all right? Is Rini okay? Darien, you weren't hurt, were you?" Serina flinched in alarm when she saw Darien's face; he looked like he was in AGONY; if she hadn't been able to protect him- she'd never forgive herself! But Darien just smiled at her concern for him when SHE was the one on the ground. When she looked in askance to the girls, they just nodded they were okay but their eyes were bloodshot and red, their expressions caught between grief and uncertain hope.
"You got him, Serina. Rubeus high-tailed it after your surprise attack. We didn't know you had it in you." Lita said proudly but sadly as well. Serina vaguely wondered again why they were so somber. Lita was never like this- except when she nearly lost Ken.
"Me? I doubt I could do it . . . ALONE . . ." Serina chided gently, smiling then she grimaced at the searing fire of her scratched right cheek. She sobered and glanced around for Rini and found her still crying in Mina's arms. "Rini, honey- are you . . . all right?" She asked, trying to catch her breath. The air didn't seem to want to stay in her weak lungs.
Rini wriggled free of Mina's hold and squeezed Serina's hand and nodded, afraid to open her mouth at first lest she start wailing. In that, she was too much like her mother. She was only five, Mommy, Daddy, and Puu wouldn't want her to go through this! But she was also a princess; she had to be strong for Serina, and herself. She had to. "I'm sorry, Serina. I love you, you're my best friend, I wish could tell you everything." She whispered, close enough to Serina that her locks of pink hair tickled her face. Serina smiled carefully and squeezed her small hand.
"Don't- worry about it, Small Lady. You'll get to tell me everything. You're such- a sweetheart, my daughter . . ." Serina whispered for only Rini to hear. Rini's shy smile suddenly fell from her face as she realized what Serina was saying. Daughter? Her mother? MAMA?! Oh no! What had she done!? It couldn't be, it just COULDN'T be! But- yes, Serina- no wonder she was so like her- No- she couldn't die, not now! She'd finally found her mama only to get her killed!
She watched Serina's blue gaze return to her friends, oblivious to the hysterical panic she had placed her in. Rini just stared at her, slowly backing away, deaf to what was going on around her as she watched her mother slowly dying before her, saying her good-byes.
"I'm sorry, my friends . . . for the fight- You know I- I would *never* . . . let anything hurt . . . you . . ." Serina was losing strength fast, she couldn't say much more, and she was beginning to drift off again. She was so TIRED, she just wanted to close her eyes and sleep. But she knew she couldn't die- Rini was her daughter- if she died, she would never be born. And THAT was impossible. Therefore, she wouldn't die. She couldn't.
"It wasn't your fault at all, Serina! It was us, we just had a bad day and took it out on you. We're SO SORRY!" The girls cried in unison, each dropping beside her to clasp her hand or brush her shoulder in assurance. The faintest whisper of a smile ghosted Serina's lips in response. Her *forgiveness*.
"Serina? Are you okay? Serina?" Darien noticed Serina's eyes closing, her pulse weakening. She was relaxing in his arms in a way only the dying could.
"I'm sorry, love, I'm so tired . . . Darien . . ."
"NO! Serina, don't fall asleep, HANG ON! Stay awake, Serina, listen to me, stay with to me!" He shook her, hugged her, anything to reawaken her. The pain of his insistent jostling sparked the last life in her.
She inhaled sharply, her eyes fluttering open. "Darien . . . please tell me, *truthfully*- and I promise- I'll- I'll leave you alone if you want . . ." She took another gasping breath. Her sapphire eyes were filled with pain and trust and fear. "Do- do you love me?"
"Serina, I don't want you to ever leave me alone, EVER! There's a reason for these past few weeks- I can't explain but-" Darien wasn't sure he could bring himself to say it, as if those three little words could seal her death. Darien watched his Serina's deep blue eyes searching his, losing their light of happiness. Her pale, cold fingers faintly wrapped around his hand, slowly loosening. Her beautiful gold hair tousled around her head like a halo, it's glory fading even as he watched. How could he crush her fragile spirit, especially now when she was most vulnerable? How could he lie to those eyes, not give her the reassurance she needed before she- before she- "Yes, Serina, I do, I love you more than life itself! I- love you . . . always . . ."
Serina smiled a last time in grateful relief and raised a thin, trembling finger to trace a tear from her love's turbulent eyes. "I know. I love you, too, Darien . . . Take care of our daughter until I return." And she drifted off once more, her hand falling away from his face.
Darien wasn't sure he'd heard her right. Their daughter? His heart skipped a beat as he heard Rini let out a pained cry beside him and throw herself across her mother, flickering, and he made the connection. 'Oh God, how did she know? Why didn't she tell me?' "No, Serina, it can't end this way, it's not supposed to! I swear I'll never leave you again! PLEASE stay with me . . ." Serina's eyes closed, silvery tears finally escaping as she lost the battle she fought for her family and friends. Her small hand in his fell limp. The girls fell to tears again. They hadn't heard what she told Rini and Darien but it was obviously important and between them. They knew her revival was too good to last. By Serina's side and crying the hardest, Rei reached over to Serina's empty, fallen hand and placed the Silver Crystal within her icy palm and closed her fingers over it.
"This isn't fair, Serina! You can't give up on us! You can't abandon us! You're not supposed to be like US . . ." She silently apologized again for everything they had fought about, assuring her princess's spirit that their fights were not her fault at all but theirs. 'Mine especially.'
"We love you, Serina." The girls agreed together. Rini fell back into Mina's arms, Ami rubbing her back comfortingly. "Our princess is gone . . ."
"I love you, Serina, I can't live without you . . . I can't dream of a life without you in it, my sunshine and happiness. How am I supposed to go on without you?" Darien's voice cracked as his soul was ripped apart and left in emotionless tatters. He continued in an accepting whisper; faintly smiling at Serina's now calm and serene face, still smiling, even in death. "I love you, my angel, my beautiful princess." And he kissed her sweet lips, covering her hand with his, and holding her tightly, afraid to ever let her go.
What girl can resist that? A brilliant white light emanated from the crystal hidden within their clasped hands and enveloped Serina and Darien's bodies, far too bright to look upon. When the geyser of energy faded into a myriad of reds, greens, golds, blues, and pinks, Darien was still kissing Serina. Except she was no longer Serina Tsukino- she was the Moon Princess Serenity! He hadn't even seemed to notice the magical eruption of light nor her transformation. He DID notice several moments later that Serenity was kissing him back. He pulled away in surprise and Sere's sparkling blue eyes slowly opened, grinning lovingly.
"I guess someone still needs me here." She whispered in a wry tone, shifted back to Serina. Her princess form only helped to heal her. "Oh, I love you so much, Darien! I told you, you still loved me!"
"I never stopped, my love." Lita, Rei, Ami, and Mina each screamed in frightened relief and attacked their princess with overjoyed hugs. Her fatal wounds had been healed by the magic in the Silver Crystal, her very life restored by her friends' love. She was able to stand their crowding- with a reinforcing kiss from her one true love.
'Finally, something went right today! And all it took was my dying!' Serina smiled as she kissed Darien again, with all her might, and tousled Rini's hair. She smiled at each of her friends and swore she'd never put them through that kind of pain again. 'As long as they don't ever give me a hard time like they did. If they do then maybe I'll just drop dead again . . .'
"Serina, I can't BELIEVE you did that to us! How stupid can you get? How insensitive and irresponsible! You know you have to be the Moon Princess and Sailor Moon: you have DUTIES! Responsibilities! Don't ever try to get out of it by dying again, Meatball head!"
'Or maybe I'll just kill Rei . . .'
"Oh, Mommy! I'm so happy you're okay!" Rini let loose a laugh of pure joy and attacked her future mother with a tackling hug. Around them, the Scouts and cats looked ready to pass out with shock.
"WHAT!?!" They all cried. Serina gave them a quirky grin as she held her daughter and Darien close.
"Um, meet Princess Serenity of Crystal Tokyo, the eldest daughter of Queen Serenity and King Endymion." She glanced down at Rini to make sure gotten it right.
Rini shook her head in exaggerated impatience and corrected her. She stood on her own and shifted into her princess dress, much like the old moon princess's, and curtseyed to her guardians. "NEO-Princess Small Lady Serenity Usagi Shields of the Moon, Earth, Sun, and Crystal Tokyo, *eldest* daughter of NEO-Queen Serenity and King Endymion." She said smiling. Everyone but the royal family took their leave from consciousness, and dropped to the ground.
"You've been keeping secrets, my love." Darien teased, lifting Serina easily in his arms. THIS was more than unexpected but he could handle it. He could handle anything that promised he and Serina would remain together forever- and a FAMILY! Finally one of his own, with the one woman he loved more than life, and the little girl he'd give his life for even before he'd known her true identity.
Rini's dress faded to her normal clothes and she clung to Darien's leg as they left the park together, listening to her parents. "Just found out, my prince. There are going to be many surprises ahead of us-"
"Can I tell Daddy about Irene and Travis, Mommy?"
"Travis? Irene?" Darien raised an eyebrow in interest. The woman in his arms blushed and hid her modest smile behind her hand. 'Tranquillity, after my- BROTHER?- and Imbrium. My twin daughters, Serenity and Imbrium. That's what I WOULD name them.'
"Neo-Prince Tranquillity is Rini's baby brother Travis and Neo- Princess Imbrium is Rini's twin, Irene-" She laughed, trying to break the news gently. Her smile widened when she saw his incredulous, astonished, OVERJOYED blue eyes. 'Surprise!'
"TWINS!?"
_____________The End_____________
"With all our love, we can't go wrong."