To Last A Lifetime

Part 6: 'Til Death Do Us Part

Serena stared in shock.

'Zoysite. Why is Darien meeting Zoysite? Could HE be from the Negaverse?'

"Well Darien, you do agree to the terms don't you?"

"Of course. But not now."

"Oh? Why not?"

"In case you haven't noticed, we're in a public place, in daylight. Furthermore, I don't have time for you today."

"Oh really? What could be more important then finding the Silver Crystal?"

       Serena gasps. 'The Silver Crystal? But, the only ones who know about that are the Sailor Scouts, the Negaverse and...' Serena stops breathing

'Tuxedo Mask.'

"You'd be surprised. How about tomorrow?"

"Fine. Meet me at the Starlight Towers at 8 PM."

"Deal."

         Serena didn't stick around to listen to the rest of the conversation, she makes tracks to where she was supposed to meet Diamond.

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Diamond sits and quietly listens to Serena tell him about the conversation she just heard.

"I admit that Darien isn't my favorite person in the world, but I never expected that he had connections to the Negaverse!"

"Lapinne, are you sure he's from the Negaverse?"

"Well, yeah! I mean the only other option is that he's Tuxedo Mask, and let's just say that if that's the case, I'll...join the Negaverse."

Diamond resists the urge to burst out laughing.

"Anyway the important thing is that they're going to meet again at the the Starlight Towers at 8:00 tomorrow."

"You might get hurt, you should call the others to help you."

        "And say what? 'Hi guys, guess what? Darien's actually a youma from the Negaverse and he's going to meet Zoysite to talk about the Silver Crystal'? They'd laugh me out of the Scouts. I have to go alone."

"Please be careful then. I can't lose you."

"I know, and I would do anything you asked me to, normally. But this is the Silver Crystal. We need it to find the princess."

Diamond gives Serena a quick kiss and whispers, "I'll be there, if you need me."

Serena nods and quickly leaves to go to the arcade.

If she had to fight, then she should at least enjoy herself playing Sailor V first.

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"Hey Meatball Head!"

Serena's semi-smile was quickly replaced with a nervous scowl.

'Great! I hadn't planned on meeting up with him so soon!'

"What do you want?"

Darien cocks his head to the side.

"No insult today? Are you feeling all right?"

       'All right? I just found out that you know about the Negaverse, and are quite possibly in league with them, and you expect me to just insult you like nothing's wrong? I never said I was a PHD but I'm not THAT stupid!'

"I guess I'm still depressed about losing Derek."

       Darien scowled. 'I had to reschedule a duel for the Silver Crystal to talk to you Meatball Head, and there's no way I'm going to let HIM be the topic of this conversation.'

"Well, it's not normal for you to be depressed. How about I buy you a sundae to cheer you up?"

Darien had to hold back a chuckle as Serena's jaw fell to the floor.

"You're being nice to me?"

"You sound surprised."

'Confused is more like it. Aren't you supposed to be stealing my energy, or threatening to kill me, or something?'

"Well, can you blame me? You aren't exactly a saint to me."

Darien winces. "Okay, I deserved that. But I really am trying to be nice to you."

"Why?"

"I feel...guilty about what happened in the past. I'd like to make it up to you."

'Walk away, Serena. He might be from the Negaverse, remember?'

'Serena, you really ARE a Meatball Head. If Darien was evil, then Raye would've sensed it. Ha!'

'But she didn't sense Jedite and he lived with her for weeks!'

'I've known him for a long time and he really does feel guilty. There! Let's see you get that one.'

        You've known Molly's mother longer. She acted weird too, then you found out that she was really a youma in disguise. Coincidence? I think not.'

'Hey! Do you know how much time it took me to try and find a good reason to calm down and accept the sundae without worrying about being possessed, or getting the energy sucked out of me? I'm hungry so I think I'll accept the sundae.'

'Fine. Don't come crying to me when you get you energy sucked out of you.'

'You DO realize I hate you.'

'I'm so crushed.'

"Sorry Darien, I just remembered that I have a...study session at the temple to today."

'You might as well add, "Yeah, that's it!" to the end of that statement Meatball Head.'

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're a lousy liar?"

        Serena ignored that little voice in the back of her head that told her to ignore the raven-haired idiot, who is also at the top of her list of "People Who Might Be Energy Sucking Youmas" in front of her and leave.

        EXCUSE ME?"Serena whirls around, anger blazing in her eyes. No one, NO ONE, ever accuses her of lying, even if it's true, and walks away unscathed.

         "I'm really making an effort to make amends for everything I've done to you in the past. The least you could do is accept the sundae since I don't think you'll be apologizing any time soon."

"Me? Apologize? For what? I've never done anything to you that you haven't started!"

         "How about the time you hit me with your shoe? Or all those times that you've collided into me at full force? I'm surprised my ribs aren't broken!"

"Those were all accidents! I don't see you accidentally insulting me!"

"That's why I'm apologizing!"

"Yeah, well you're doing a lousy job!" Serena picks up her bag. "Thanks to you I'm late. Good-bye!"

Darien watches dejectedly as his Meatball-headed love walks out of the arcade.

'Just wait Meatball Head, once I get the Silver Crystal...There won't be anything else stopping me from winning you over.'

Unfortunately there were two very real obstacles in these lovers' paths,

Diamond and Raye.

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"Serena!"

Serena turns her head to see her raven-haired friend calling to her.

"Raye? Is something wrong?"

"You could say that. Can we go somewhere and talk?"

Serena shrugs. "Sure why not? There's something I want to talk to you about too."

The two girls walk through a small path in the park.

"I've never been this way before." Raye says looking around.

"It's really old. I found it when I was 8 and running away from Sammy."

"It's really nice."

"So what did you want to talk to me about Raye?"

"Serena, how do you feel about Darien?"

"Raye? What kind of question is that?"

Raye looks at her friend solemnly. "Please answer me. It's really important."

       Serena sighs. "Okay, Darien is a jerk, albeit a cute one. I have absolutely no interest in him other then a friend at best. But why are you asking me this Raye? You know I'm crazy about Derek."

      "I't was nothing. I just thought there might be more to all the teasing. You know how that old saying goes, 'There's a thin line between love and hate.'"

"Trust me, I won't be crossing that line anytime soon. You're my best friend, you know I could never hurt you like that!"

"I know, It's crazy of me to think that, but it's just some nagging feeling that I've been getting lately."

"Feeling?"

"It's nothing, forget I mentioned it."

Serena turns to Raye, making sure that their eyes meet before she continues.

      "You should always trust your feelings Raye. I know that they sometimes get me in trouble, but that's mostly because I second guess them."

'Woah, she's making sense. Is the world coming to an end?'

'In fact, I have one feeling I need to take care of right now.'

      Raye stops dead in her tracks when she sees Serena?s trademark happiness fade from her eyes to be replaced with a serious and slightly melancholy look.

"Raye. Promise me something."

"Serena? Are you all right?"

"Just in case something happens to me, promise me that if something ever happens, you'll take over as leader of the scouts."

"Serena. What brought this on? Do you know something that we should?"

"Raye, please. Promise me?"

Raye sighs. She won't be able to get anymore information out of her until she promises, so why bother trying?

"All right, I promise."

The communicators go off just before Raye could pry into Serena's mind.

"This is Serena what's up?"

      "Guys! There's some trouble at the docks. It seems our impostor;s decided to show up." Lita's voice rings back through the communicator.

"Gotcha. Be right there."

Raye notices that Serena wastes no time in raising her hand up in the air and shouting in a very loud voice, "Moon Prism Power."

'She must really want to avoid this conversation.' Raye thinks as she quickly follows suit.

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The scouts are trapped in a dome made of black energy.

An injured Tuxedo Mask watches helplessly as Zoicite plays his usual torture games with the Scouts.

       'I gotta do something! But what? If I try and fight them now... I'll never be able to win with this shoulder! If Zoicite didn't decide to play Cross-dresser on me, I wouldn't be in this mess.'

        "Well Scouts as much fun as it's been hearing you scream in agony," the main Negaverse general, Malachite, says, "it's time for you to die!"

Tuxedo Mask winces as he hears their cries of pain and suffering as the dome starts to close in on them.

'Maybe if I give them the crystals they'll leave them alone...'

Our capped hero doesn't have anymore time to think when a dark bolt of energy strikes Malachite's hand.

Cursing a few words that won't be repeated in this fanfic, he cradles his hand, losing the barrier that was ready to crush the scouts.

       Sailor Moon looks at where the bolt came from, struggling to retain consciousness. She took a hit early on in the fight and the dome didn't help her condition, but she was sure she saw a white haired man in a white suit and cape with purple embroidery and lining.

She faintly remembers his words, "I'll be there, if you need me."

"Diamond..." She whispers almost soundlessly before lapsing into unconsciousness.

Zoicite was ready to kill the person who hurt Malachite when Beryl summoned them back to base...

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"Your majesty, we were about to kill all five scouts."

"Silence!" Beryl barks. "I understand that you have a duel with Tuxedo Mask tomorrow, Zoicite."

"You are correct majesty. I will finish him once and for all."

"No, I don't want to kill him, I have a much better plan in mind..."

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"Will she be all right?" Mars asks nervously, Sailor Moon's conversation with her still fresh in her head.

Mercury quickly does a scan, "She'll be all right. She just needs a little rest."

Mars lets out a huge sigh as she gathers her leader up in her arms.

"Let's get her home. The Meatball Head's spent all her energy in the fight earlier."

"WE need to call a scout meeting tomorrow. I'd like to discuss our new ally."Mercury says taping at her computer.

"New ally?"Venus says with a confused look.

"Yes,"Artemis replies "Unless Tuxedo Mask decided to lay off the roses and start using energy attacks."

         "Well, since we're already having a sleep-over, we'll just discuss it then." Mars says walking away with her unconscious leader. "I'll take her home guys. See you tomorrow!"

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"Serena!" Luna says batting her master's nose with her paw. "Serena, get up! You're going to be late for school!"

"Mmm, five more minutes Luna..."

"Come on Serena! You haven't slept in since you started dating that Roi boy."

"He's not here, so I can sleep in..."

"SERENA!!!" Luna decides it time for more drastic measures.

After biting, scratching and tickling failed to work, Luna decides to go for her vanity.

Serena decides that maybe she should get up for school, she stretches and lets out a yawn...

FLASH

Serena's eyes pop opens and she sees Luna with a Polaroid camera.

"Luna? What did you do that for!"

     "Well, let's make a little deal Serena. If you're on time for school, scout meetings and other things similar to that, you get this *Ahem* lovely picture back. Now if you aren't, I'll make copies and I'm sure Raye and that Darien would just love one!"

"That's blackmail!"

"Blackmail's such an ugly word. I like to think of it as, 'creative persuasion'."

Serena glares at her pet/guardian and gets dressed for school.

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"I can't believe my own pet's blackmailing me!" Serena muses out loud as she walks home.

Suddenly she sees Darien slinking down the road.

         'Okay, time to test out my theory...' Serena thinks as she stalks up to Darien. 'If he IS a youma impersonating Darien, then there's no way he'd expect a surprise attack. Plus he might lose his temper and attack, and if that happens...I'll moon dust him.'

"Hi Darien!" Serena shouts joyfully as she gives him a "playful" smack on the back. "There was a bee on your back!"

        Darien, who was in an enormous amount of pain BEFORE Serena decided to shoo away a pesky, non-existent bee, was being an incredibly good sport.

'Well, you can't really get mad Dare. This is one of the reasons you love her.'

"Th-thank you. I hate bees." Was all he got out before resuming his rather slow journey to the Starlight Towers and his match with Zoicite.

       'Okay...I don't think that's how it was supposed to go...' Serena thinks confused. She let's out a gasp as her gaze drifts down to her hand.

      'Blood. HIS blood.  He's hurt! Oh Darien...' Serena thinks then makes up her mind. 'Youma or not, he's hurt! And he has that fight with Zoicite today too.  Of all the times to get yourself injured, you baka!'

Serena quickly hurries and follows him.

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Even though Serena's espionage skills were better then Mina's, and that really doesn't say much, Darien is still able to sense her.

      Using his instincts, and his karate training, he quickly had his attacker pinned. Unfortunately, instincts tend to block out the rational part of Darien's brain, which really doesn't seem to work when Serena's around anyway, not letting him see that his target was his favorite blond.

"Hey! Watch it will ya?" Serena squeals as Darien?s fist almost comes in contact with her face.

After getting over the initial shock, Darien has enough sense to feel embarrassed.

That embarrassment quickly faded into anger.

"What are you doing following me?"

Serena, long since learning how to fight back, when it came to Darien anyway, was prepared for the fight.

"In case you haven't noticed, you're bleeding pal. Don't tell me you got that in karate class!"

'Why is she worried? Could she care about me? Please let her care...'

"So why are you so worried?"

"Because, you're Raye's friend..."

Darien felt his heart fall.

'She's doesn't care. She's just worried about me because I'm with Raye Why did I ever try to think otherwise?'

"It's nothing. Leave me alone!" Darien resumes his journey.

        After getting over her initial shock, Serena yells out, "Hey! I got a C+ in first aid! I can tell!" And she continues on her self ?appointed mission on following Darien.

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"Well, I see you haven't come alone." Zoicite says once Darien reaches the designated area. "No matter."

A red glow starts to surround Darien as Zoicite's words finally sink in.

"What?" Darien looks around until he hears a familiar voice.

"Darien? What's happening?"

He looks back and sees Serena, encased in the same red glow.

"Get out of here Serena!"

"Wish I could!"

Serena lets out one final squeal before the light transports them inside the Starlight Towers.

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"Where is she! She's late again!"Raye hisses as the others try and calm her down.

"She didn't have detention and we didn't see her at the arcade."Lita says.

"And her mom said she hasn't come home yet! Where could she be?" Mina says. "Amy, can't you get a lock on her?"

"I don't know. Let me try."Amy says taking out her computer.

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Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon are locked in battle with Zoicite.

"I've had enough of this!" Sailor Moon says as she pulls out her wand...

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"I've found her! She's...oh my god!"

"Amy what is it?" Raye shouts frantically. "What's going on!"

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Zoicite screams as he turns to dust.

"Great job, Sailor Moon."Tuxedo Mask congratulates.

"I still can't believe you're..." Her voice trails off as she sees Malachite appear behind Tuxedo Mask...

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"She's already transformed, and there's an enormous amount of negative energy where she is!"

"The Negaverse?"

"It's got to be, and she's taking them on alone!"

"We need to get to her fast!"

The scouts transform and take off...

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     "Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Moon rushes to his side. She takes a moment to inspect his wound before glaring at Malachite with tears in her eyes. "That was at dirty trick!"

Malachite smirks as a tear slides down her cheek. The tear starts to glow...

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"Hurry! She can't fight them alone!"

The scouts run across rooftops in a frenzy hoping that they're not too late...

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       Malachite meets the same fate as Zoicite. Destroyed by the Silver Crystal. Princess Serenity surveys the room and pauses when she hears a sinister laugh.

      A red-headed woman appears from the shadows. She's wearing a purple dress and a twisted smile. Serenity would know that face in any life.

"Beryl."

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The scouts finally arrive at the Starlight Towers. They all gasp as they see Tuxedo Mask lying on the floor, unconscious.

"Mercury is he all right?"Mars asks, inspecting for cuts.

Mercury does a quick scan on him. "Yes he's fine, he just lost consciousness. He should be awake any minute now."

As if on cue, a groan can be heard.

"Are you all right?" Venus asks helping him up.

"What hit me?" He looks into Venus' eyes and hears her gasp.

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     What surprised Venus were the eyes behind the Mask. 'I've seen those eyes before...' She gasps suddenly, recognizing who Tuxedo mask really is.

"Oh my God! Darien?" She asks.

Taken back, Tuxedo Mask looks carefully at Venus and the rest of the Scouts. And he nearly faints. "Mina? Lita, Raye, Amy?" He asks.

They nod slowly.

       "Where's..." Tuxedo Mask trails off suddenly as he notices his surroundings. "Why am I outside? The last thing I remember is getting hit, and then..."

That was the last thing said before the Starlight Towers exploded.