Past Promises part 1

Darien closed his eyes, commanding sleep to overtake him. If tonight was a repeat of the last couple of nights, he would be meeting a beautiful blonde-haired goddess in his dreams.

He sank deeper and deeper into the dark void until his breathing evened. Soon after, he was met with a bright light that engulfed him.

He welcomed the warm sun rays, sinking down onto the powdery sand. He watched the waves crash at the great depths and then gently lap the shore.

A strong presence aroused his senses. Darien turned his head, an expression of awe on his face. No matter how many times he has seen her, she just seemed more radiant, more perfect, each time.

She approached slowly, gracefully. Her long white dress swirled around her in the slight breeze, and her hair cascaded down her back in two long, even ponytails.

She daintily settled down next to Darien in the sand, flashing him a pretty smile.

He took her hand and kissed it. "We really need to meet like this more often."

She laughed airily, her voice carrying smoothly and evenly like tinkling bells. "You know where to find me."

Darien just shook his head. "Who are you?"

He had asked the question of her a thousand times, and she had yet to answer him.

She only smiled. "You will know in time. I must go." She stood, brushing the sand from her dress.

Darien jumped quickly to his feet. "Our visit was so short," he said unhappily.

"We will meet again." She kissed him lightly on the cheek before turning and gliding down the beach.

Darien watched her depart, still smelling her flowery perfume. His skin tingled from
the touch of her lips. 'Goodbye, my goddess...'


Serena lazily stretched her arms, slowly opening her eyes. She was immediately blinded by the bright sun. Groaning, she sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to make the colored spots in her vision disappear.

As she dressed, she tried desperately to remember the dream she had, wanting to grasp even a part of it.

Giving up, she bounced down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Hi, Mom! Bye, Mom!" she called as she grabbed a muffin and flew out the door.

She skipped happily along, nibbling on the sweet banana muffin. She was meeting her friends at Crown, as she always does. But today was going to be different. Serena had the felling tat something interesting was going to happen today...

She pushed open the arcade door, immediately spotting her friends in a corner booth. She scooted in next to Mina. "Hey, guys! Isn't this a glorious Saturday?"

"Definitely a word I would use," Lita agreed.

"So what are our plans for today?" Raye wanted to know.

"I actually thought it would be nice to go to the library," Amy spoke up.

Everyone groaned.

"Ames, we were thinking something along the lines of being fun," Lita teased, making Amy blush.

"How about a movie?" Mina suggested.

"Sounds good!" everyone agreed happily.

"I'm going to get a drink," Serena told the girls as she made her way through the crowd of kids to the counter, taking her usual place on a stool.

"Hey, Serena," Andrew greeted her. "What'll it be?"
"A chocolate shake!" She licked her lips hungrily.

"How's everyone going?"

"Just great! It's so pretty outside. It's too bad you're stuck in here all day working."

"I know what you mean. I could use some sunshine." Andrew glanced up. "Hey, Darien," he greeted a tall, dark-haired man who sat next to Serena.

"Andrew, I need coffee," Darien mumbled tiredly.

"You got it." Andrew poured Darien a steaming cup of coffee, then gave Serena her shake.

"Thanks, Andrew." Taking a huge gulp of the melting ice cream, she quickly yelped. "That's cold!"

"Ice cream usually is," Darien muttered, sipping his coffee.

Serena glared at him. "I don't need your snide comments."

He turned to her and gasped as his blue eyes locked onto hers. The large pools of ocean blue, the long golden man, the angelic face... She looked exactly like his dream
goddess! "Who are you?" he asked slowly.

"What's it to you?" she countered.

Andrew broke in. "Darien, this is Serena. Serena, meet my best friend Darien."

Serena gapes in shock at Andrew, then back to Darien. "Best friend?" she asked incredulously.

"Did you not hear him the first time, Meatball Head?" Darien smirked.

She just glared at him. "See you later, Andrew." As she walked by Darien she hissed, "Don't call me that!" Returning to the table in a fury, she slammed her glass down on the table, making the girls jump.

Darien turned to the group. He watched Serena heatedly talking, occasionally glaring at him. He turned back around, still wondering about this new girl.


"And then he called me Meatball Head!" Serena finished.

The girls gave her sympathetic looks.

Only Raye's reaction differed. She clapped her hands in delight. "Meatball Head! Why didn't I think of it before? It suits you!"

"It's doesn't!" Serena fumed, storming out of the arcade. The girls followed.


"That girl..." Darien murmured after the group left.

"You mean Serena?" Andrew asked. "She can be a bit... Excitable at times, but she's really a great girl."

Darien raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're forgetting about Rita."

Andrew laughed. "Of course not! Serena's more like... Another younger sister. I feel protective of her."

"Are we talking about the same girl? It looked like she could take care of herself."

Andrew shrugged. "If you'd get to know her, you'd like her too."

"Me, like her? Highly doubtful!" Darien scoffed. But little did Andrew know that Darien was already formulating a plan to see her again. He had to figure out why she looked so much like his goddess.


'How can Andrew be friends with someone so mean?' Serena wondered as she walked home that evening. 'They're so different! You'd think some of Andrew's good qualities would rub off on him. Then again, Andrew is one of a kind. But there's just something about that guy that is so familiar...'


As Serena lay in bed, she felt herself drifting further and further into a dream world. She was greeted by the warm, salty breeze tickling her skin. The vibrant aqua waved crashed, attacking the crystalline grains of sand. She gingerly sat down, awaiting her companion.

It wasn't long before the silhouette of a person presented itself down the beach. As it grew closer, it evolved into a man, tall, handsome, and mysterious.

She rose to greet him. Her smile glittered in the sun.

"We meet again," he murmured, his eyes never leaving hers.

Serena cleared her throat nervously. "I've been waiting to see you."

"I'm the same way..."

"Who are you?" she whispered, reaching up to tuck a few locks of silky black hair behind his ear. Her tiny fingers brushed his cheek.

He cupped his hand over hers. "I am your spirit, your other half, your soul mate," he answered simply.

Her wide eyes stared up at him. "What?"

Before he could answer, Serena found herself being pulled backwards. She flew away from him, into a pitch-black void that went on forever...


Serena's eyes flew open. She was in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. 'Who is he, and why does it feel like I know him?'


Darien buried his face in his pillow, groaning. "Why did I have to wake up?" he muttered. "Our time is short as it is." He dragged himself out of bed, throwing on some clothes and trudging into the kitchen to make coffee.

He just didn't get it. The dreams that he waited all day for were also the ones that deeply plagued him. His anonymous goddess' azure eyes haunted him throughout the day. They were so keen, so insightful, looking straight into his soul.

Darien sighed. He was getting nowhere. He raised his hand to rub the bridge of his nose, knocking over his coffee cup in the process. The hot black liquid created a sticky puddle, and the cup and saucer shattered on the floor with an awful precision. 'Can anything else go wrong?' he wondered sullenly.


"I can't stand him!" Serena exclaimed to Andrew that afternoon. "His arrogance is enormous!"

"He's not that arrogant," Andrew argued.

"If he were any more arrogant, he wouldn't be able to fit his fat head in through doorways!"

Andrew suppressed a laugh. "You just have to talk to him, let him get to know you. He has difficulty trusting people. It has something to do with his past, but he won't say what."

"Well, if he wants to get to know me, he had better start acting civil."

Both looked up as the arcade door swung open.

"Speak of the devil," Serena muttered, turning back around.

"Be nice..." Andrew told her quietly as Darien approached. He sat down at the counter a couple of seats away from Serena.

Andrew placed a mug of coffee in front of Darien, who smiled briefly in thanks.

Serena looked questioningly at Andrew. He gave her the thumbs up sign. She groaned inwardly before finally saying," Good afternoon, Darien."

He almost spit out his coffee. "You're talking to me?" he asked, surprised.

She opened her mouth to retort something but quickly controlled herself. Instead, she politely replied, "Of course I'm talking to you."

He eyed her suspiciously. "Well, in that case, good afternoon to you, too."

Andrew stared on approvingly. He motioned for Serena to continue.

"So, what are your plans for the day?" she asked.

"As of now, not much. I was thinking about heading over to the library, but the day is just so beautiful. It would be a shame to stay inside."

"I know what you mean. It's the type of day where you should be out in the sunshine, strolling peacefully through the park or maybe even down by-"

"The lake," both said in unison. They stared at each other, surprised.

"You like the lake, too?" she asked him, nervously tugging on a strand of hair.

"I do," he answered carefully. "I could sit out on the water in a boat for hours."

"Me too! Say, um... Would you like to go to the lake with me?" Serena asked in a tiny voice.

Darien's face showed surprise, but he quickly covered it up. "Sure," he told her coolly. "Sounds nice."

Her eyes brightened. "Great! Lets go!" She jumped up and grabbed his hand, dragging him out of the arcade.

Andrew watched their departure, a smug grin on his face. He knew they would get along!


"It's so peaceful out here," Serena commented as their rowboat slid smoothly through the sparkling blue water.

The two had rented a boat ten minutes earlier and were now floating in the middle of the lake.

"It's amazing how all the noise of the city gets drowned out," Darien said, holding the oars steady in the water.

"You could just fall asleep out here, let the waves rock you to sleep." She gently leaned over and dangled her long, slim fingers in the water.

Darien watched in amusement as she trailed her fingers and swirled them around. He sat back, closing his eyes. This day hadn't turned out as bad as he expected it to. It was, in fact, quite the opposite. The haughty girl he had met yesterday was replaced by a polite, sweet, energetic one.

His thoughts were interrupted by a fine spray of water hitting his face. He opened his eyes a fraction of an inch. Serena was staring at the shore, her fingers still submerged in the blue pool.

He closed his eyes again, only to get hit with a somewhat larger spray of water.
His eyes flew open and aimed accusingly at Serena, who was unsuccessfully trying not to giggle.

'If that's how you want to play, fine,' he thought. He cupped a handful of water and, with precise movements, made a direct splash on her face.

She shrieked, rubbing the water out of her eyes. "Ok, this is war!" she shouted before splashing him.

He threw the paddles down in the boat and joined in the fight.

Serena stood, trying to dodge the wave Darien sent her way. She jumped back, rocking the boat.

"Serena, sit down. You'll fall over," Darien warned.

But it was too late. He watched as Serena lost her balance and fell backwards into the cold water.

Darien quickly hurried to the side of the boat. "Serena?" He looked down into the water, not seeing her. "Serena?" he called again, louder this time. She still didn't surface.

'Oh God, something's wrong!' Darien swiftly tore off his shoes and jacket and dove into the water. He furtively searched the water, not seeing anything.

Finally he spotted a wispy blonde halo of hair. He swam over to her drifting body, grabbing her under her arms. He rushed to the surface, gasping for air. He carefully lifted her into the boat, then climbed in himself.

Darien looked down at the girl lying in the boat. Her clothes were matted to her body, and her hair fell in stringy knots.

He grabbed her wrist, searching for a pulse. His heart leapt with joy when he found it. He checked her breathing, which was a bit slow but still all right. Leaning down close he said, "Serena, please wake up. Be all right..." He closed his eyes.

Serena opened hers. She cleared her throat.

Darien looked up. "You're awake, thank God! What happened?"

She motioned for him to pull in closer.

He moved so that their faces were inches apart. And at her next words he felt his heart stop.

"Got you..."

He stared at her in disbelief before pulling her into a hug and grasping her tightly.

Surprised, she could only sit there.

Darien interrupted her stupor by pushing her back. "What the hell did you do that for?" he asked angrily. "I thought something horrible had happened to you!"

Serena could say nothing, offer no explanation. "I-- I-- I..." She lowered her head. "I'm sorry. It was just... Payback."

"Payback? For what?"

"For the horrible things you said to me yesterday."

"I hardly think calling someone a name and making another think you're dead are exactly the same thing," he pointed out.

"I said I was sorry! What more do you want?" When he didn't reply she turned away.

He finally spoke. "I want you to promise me."

She turned back to him. "Promise you?"

"Yes. I want you to promise me that you'll never do something like that again. I was so afraid when you didn't surface!"

Serena found herself wrapped up in his arms again. This time she leaned against him, welcoming his strong embrace.

They separated. Darien picked up the oars and started rowing back to the dock. The only sound was the gentle splash of the smooth wood gliding through the water.

When they reached the dock, Darien leapt up. He helped Serena climb out of the boat.

She cast him a sidelong glance, then said, "I should get home."

"I'll walk you," Darien offered.

"No, you don't-"

"I want to," he interrupted.

She threw her hands up in defeat. "Fine."

They walked in silence, side by side.

Serena was so cold from her drenched clothes that she couldn't even tell if her legs were moving. She did notice, however, when something draped over her shoulders. She looked down and saw Darien's dry, warm jacket.

She glanced up at him, and he smiled. Snuggling deep into the jacket, she unnoticeably started walking a bit closer to him.

As they reached her street, Serena turned to him and said, "I only live a few houses down." She smiled shyly. "Thanks for walking me home."

"It was my pleasure," Darien responded.

"Here." Serena started to slip out of his jacket.

He stopped her. "Why don't you keep it for now?" He gave her a gentle smile before continuing down the sidewalk.

Serena floated to her house in a daze. Once in her room, she folded Darien's jacket across the back of a chair and flopped onto the bed.

'I guess he's not such a bad guy after all,' she thought absently, awning. Tat cold water made her so tired! She curled up under her blanket and drifted off to sleep.

As the hazy cloud dissipated, Serena found herself in a beautiful garden. She followed the winding path, staring in awe at the vibrant-colored flowers. She stopped to pluck a tiny orchid, weaving it into her hair.

A rustling ahead startled her. She cautiously stepped around a curve in the path, then stopped short.

Ahead of her was an exquisite masterpiece of crimson roses. She only glanced at them, however, as she was more interested in the man standing by them.

Serena cleared her throat to get the man's attention. He turned to her, and she gasped.

'Those sapphire eyes,' she thought dumbly. 'It's him.'

He took a step forward. "I've been waiting for you," he murmured.

"Darien?" she managed to choke out.

His eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Who is that?"

"Wait... Aren't you..."

He smiled warmly. "You know me. I am Endymion, prince of the Earth."

As his words sunk in, Serena felt her chin drop. "Endymion?" she whispered, stretching a hand out to him. He reached for her hand.

Just as their fingers were about to touch, Serena was thrown backwards.

"Endymion!" she screamed, her voice echoing in the black hole that consumed her. Her last image was of his horrified face staring after her.


"No! Endymion!" Serena shrieked. Her eyes flew open and she bolted straight up in bed, gasping for breath. "So real, so real," she murmured.

Slipping out of bed, she walked over to the chair and picked up Darien's jacket. 'You look so much like the man in my dreams. What does it all mean?'

She returned to bed. "Who are you?" she asked aloud before curling up with the jacket and falling back asleep.


"Who are you?" Darien asked hoarsely.

He was in a beautiful garden of roses. His goddess stood ahead of him.

"Oh, but you know who I am," she spoke smoothly. "I am Serenity, princess of the Moon Kingdom."

"Moon Kingdom?" he whispered. 'I knew that place. I know that place...'

She smiled and held out her hand to him.

Before their hands could meet, he watched her fly back into a dark abyss. He listened in horror as she screamed, "Endymion!"


"Come back!" Darien screamed as he fell out of bed, hitting the floor painfully.

Panting, he only sat there. 'Serenity... Her face, her voice, it's all so familiar. She called to someone, Endymion. Is that me?'

"I need answers!" he spoke aloud. "Or I'll never find my moon princess."


"Hello, Andrew!" Serena called cheerfully as she sat at the counter.

"Serena, my favorite customer!" he greeted her.

"Do you have to work every day?" She wrinkled her nose. "You should be outside in the sunshine!"

"Yeah, I know. But it's really not that bad. Besides, your company keeps me from going insane!"

Serena giggled. "Have you seen your friendly counterpart?" she asked him.

"You mean Darien?" Andrew didn't try to hide his surprise.

"Yes, I mean Darien. Have you seen him?"

"Good morning," Darien replied as he took a seat next to Serena.

"Darien!" she cried delightedly. "Just the person I was looking for."

He raised his eyebrows. "You were looking for me?"

"Why is that so hard to believe? I swear, you guys are on the same wavelength." She shook her head. "Anyway, I wanted to give this back." She held up his jacket.

He took it from her. "Thanks. Did you sleep well after your little stunt?"

She giggled quietly. "I've slept better."

"Wait. What little stunt?" Andrew asked, confused.

"Oh, nothing," Darien answered. "We just went swimming. Right, Serena?"

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "That's exactly right. But I wouldn't do it again. The water was too cold for me!"

"That's what I'm here for?" Darien replied, not thinking about what he was saying.

Serena's eyes widened at his comment.

Darien stopped. "What, that's not exactly... I mean, I didn't..." He turned bright red. "That's not what I meant to say!"

Andrew and Serena were both laughing.

"Yeah, we know," Andrew teased when he caught his breath.

"It isn't!" he protested. Turning to Serena he said, "I really didn't mean it like that."

"I know what you mean, and I appreciate the sentiment," she smiled. But she only kept a straight face for a second before she started laughing again. "Sorry, but your expression was absolutely priceless!"

"Thanks a lot," he grumbled. "You're both great friends."

"Aww, we didn't mean it. Just like you didn't mean it!"

At that comment Andrew hid a smile behind his hand.

"Well, I have to go. But don't worry, I'll make this up to you so you're not mad
anymore." Serena leaned over the counter and gave Andrew a hug. Then she draped an arm around Darien's shoulders. "You'll forgive me, you just wait," she whispered in his ear. "You won't regret it." She gently kissed his cheek before bouncing out of the arcade.


"You did what?" Lita asked incredulously.

The girls were at the temple, having their usual tea and cookies.

"I fell in the water," Serena replied thought a mouthful of cookie.

"No, after that," Mina said.

"I pretended to drown?"

"After that too!" Raye impatiently shot out.

"You mean me kissing Darien?"

"Yes, that!" they cried in unison.

"It was nothing," Serena smiled innocently.

"Then I wish nothing would happen to me more often," Mina sighed wistfully.

"Serena, I thought you couldn't stand Darien," Amy put in. "What changed?"

"I don't know. There's just something about him... I really can't explain it, but I'm drawn to him."

"You really like him, huh?" Raye asked softly.

"I really don't know," Serena admitted. "Oh! I was just wondering if the name Endymion meant anything to you guys?"

"Endymion? Hmm, no, I don't think so," Amy answered.

"Who is that?" Lita wanted to know.

"I'm not sure," was the answer.

Even after the girls moved onto a new topic, Serena's mind stayed focused on her dream. 'I know Darien is somehow linked to this Endymion, but how? And why?'


That night, Serena welcomed sleep. She was determined to decipher her dreams, especially the mysterious man that continued to emerge.

She finally relaxed, pushing ll thoughts from her mind. Somehow, she knew tonight would be the night she got some answers.


Darien sank down into his bed, sighing tiredly. He both dreaded and welcomed the drowsy feeling, knowing that soon he would be in a dream world.

Tonight was different. Tonight, something was going to happen. Maybe he would finally unlock the mysteries behind his dreams.


"Endymion!" a sweet voice called.

He looked up sharply, only to find no one there. Was he just hearing things?

A soft hand touched his arm.

His eyes closed briefly. He turned to her, opening his anxious eyes. "Serenity," he murmured.

"You remembered this time!" she said, obviously pleased.

"How could I forget you?" His gaze never left her face.

She giggled. "I am pleased to hear that, Endymion." Gently tugging on his arm, they started strolling down the deserted path.

"I would love to stay here with you forever," he said after a while.

Her face flushed pink. "And I you. But we both know that is impossible, as either one of us can be called away at any minute."

As if on cue, a voice rang out and interrupted their conversation.

"That would be my servant. I am sorry, but I must go," she apologized.

Before leaving, she gently pulled his face towards hers and pressed her lips to his.

He savored their sweet kiss, not wanting it to end.

She reluctantly pulled away. "I really must go." She turned and swiftly bounded down the path.

"Wait!" he called.

She stopped.

"Will I see you again?"

She smiled. "Of course." She continued on.

He unhappily watched her go. 'She always leaves,' he thought. 'When will we ever have tie with each other?'

He fell onto a bench, closing his eyes.

After a while, he felt a shadow loom over him.

"Let me be," he commanded sullenly.

"If that's what you really want..." a voice said.

He turned to her, his eyes flying open. "Serenity! You came back!"

"Of course I did," she replied, sitting next to him. "I only had to tend to a bit of business."

"I hope everything is all right."

"I only wish it were. My guardians informed me that the Earth has declared war against the Moon Kingdom."

His jaw dropped. "No. That can't be."

"I'm afraid it is," she told him sadly. "As of now, you and I are on warring parties."

"I will defend your kingdom with all of my might," Endymion swore.

"But what about the Earth-"

"Forget about them. I will protect you."

"Oh, Endymion!" She threw her arms around him. "What will happen to us?" she
whispered fearfully, tightly clutching his shirt.

"Nothing will happen to us. You and I will continue our lives as we are now."

"I have faith in you." She held her tiny hands out to him. In the center was a golden locket in the shape of a star. "Hold on to this. For when you have it, I will always be
with you."

He took the locket from her gently, cradling it in his palms.

They both stared in awe as it opened. Glittering halos of bright colors threw shadows across their faces, and a beautiful melody began to play.

Tears welled up in Serenity's eyes. "My mother gave me that locket when I was a little girl. She told me it would only play when I found my true love."

"And you have found me," he told her softly. "We found each other." He closed the locket, placing it safely away.

"We will survive together," Serenity murmured, pulling Endymion into a kiss.


Serena yawned, stretching her arms above her head. Opening her eyes, she sat up slowly.

That dream! What did it mean? What was the Moon Kingdom, and why was it being attacked by the Earth?

"At least I found out more about this Endymion guy," she muttered. "And who is this Serenity person? I'm so confused."

She swung her feet onto the floor, knocking something off of her bed. She slowly picket up her blanket. Gasping, she dropped it at her feet again. 'Is that...' She picked up the blanket once more, throwing it back onto her bed. She carefully lifted the object off the floor, staring at it in amazement.

The gleaming gold, the cold metal against her skin... "My star locket... How could she have one just like it?"

Serena jumped out of bed and dressed quickly. Placing the locket in her purse, she ran out of her room, slamming the door behind her.