Rain was pouring from the sky. It came down in sheets, so thick it was difficult to see through. Serena sat in the open porch, protected by the shingled patio roof. She sighed as the droplets fell around her. "Something bugging ya Princess Meatball-head?" Darien asked
"Nope" she lied "Just bored" Something was bugging her allot. By themselves her problems weren't so bad. But they weren't separate, everyday things became clearer and clearer and it all seemed to be leading to one thing, war. Amber was attacking each of the inner planets. (Mina had surprised the girls by calling them on the communicators last week. It seemed she had been a scout long before any of them met Amber, Airtimes had just now told her about the other scouts.) She was taking people's energy for a Queen that was working against her mother. And Queen Ruby and King Gazemel had turned on her as well. No matter how hard she thought about it, she could see no happy ending.
"Alright Princess" Darien said standing up "Let's go"
"Where?"
"Just come one will ya?" Darien took her hand and pulled her out into the rain. They were both soaked to the bone immediately. What in the world was he doing? He led her through them maze of plants over to a paved area that was used for outdoor parties in nicer weather. A boyish grin slid across his face as he picked up an orange ball from beside a flowering bush and served it at Serena.
The tournament was fierce as they hit the ball back and forth to each other. The Princess's white dress was soon covered completely with mud, not that Darien was clean. They weren't sure how long the match had lasted or who decided it was over, the two of them just sort of found themselves inside. Still laughing, and for a moment Serena knew what Anna saw in Darien.
Only once the warm air in the palace hit their skin did they realize how cold they were. Serena leaned back against the wall, ringing out her pigtail. "That was so much fun!" "Thank you Princess Meatball-ball head" Darien bowed "Not bad for some one who scores a -1 right?" The Princess continued to watch him, he seemed so happy. What changed?
"Oh! No no not again!" a funny accent cried Serena and Darien looked up to see Anita the maid bustling down the corridor. "No not all this mud on my clean walls and floor!" She began to moan.
"I'm sorry Anita." the Princess said starting to walk away, but she called after them. "Don't you move little girl. I have been cleaning all day and now I must clean again because you didn't wipe your feet. I go to your mother right now! She will know of this!"
Serena and Darien stood, heads down in the Queen's study. Anita had told on them and now they were getting lectured. "Now really the two of you are almost adults and I would expect you to be a little more respectful of the work that people do around here. Especially you Serena, have you learned nothing from what I have taught you?"
At this Darien interrupted. "Your majesty, you must not place all the blame on the Princess. I brought her out in the rain in the first place." Serenity smiled "That's very kind of you Darien but I'm afraid my daughter should still know better, and so she will be helping out in the kitchens for the 5th of October feast. Now if you'll excuse me Darien I wish to speak to my daughter alone."
Darien bowed to the Queen and left the room. Serena swallowed hard, she was going to be scolded some more. "Serena, I have to ask you something" she began "I went into your room five nights ago and you were not there. No one in the palace had seen you, but I did not wish to make a fuss and tell them all you were missing. After all Darien was missing as well so I know you were well protected. However this is not the first unusual thing I have heard. One of the secretaries told me they had seen you talking to your wrist! I must know what's going on."
Serena counted back five nights in her head. She had been on Jupiter with the scouts. But why on Earth was Darien missing. "I can't remember mom." she lied "I may have just gone to the bathroom or something. And Darien does insist on following me every where" she added annoyed
Queen Serenity sighed, she did not believe her daughter. However she didn't press the issue either. "Very well Serena you may go if you wish." The Princess crossed the room and kissed her mother's cheek. "Is everything o.k. mom?" The Queen smiled "I will be fine my child, go and play while you can. Next week you'll be working your royal butt off in those kitchens" she smiled
The Princess walked the empty corridors back to her room. Darien had probably gone to change, which Serena was looking forward to as she was officially freezing in her wet dress. But her mother was getting clues about Sailor Moon, she was going to have to be more careful. And just where had Darien been that night? Perhaps he went looking for her, no not that. He would have asked her had her gone looking wouldn't he?
Serena put her hand to the door and pushed it open. She shed her soaked garment and put on a new one. Just as she was about to sit down a scream reached her. It came from some one who seemed not used to such outbursts, a very gentle person. "Mom!" she cried leaping to her feet Instincts lead her through the palace. She found her way to Queen Serenity's personal study.
In this very formal room, of dark wood and light curtains, Serena saw one of Amber monsters. It looked suspiciously like a fish, and was advancing on a very frightened Queen. "Stop!" she cried forgetting herself "Leave my mother alone!" In truth she wasn't sure what to do. Sailor Moon could stop this monster, but what would her mother say?
"Serena!" Serenity cried "you must go my dear, get out of here." But her cries were in vain, Serena had made her decision. The princess instinctively threw her hand into the air "Moon Prism Power!" When the light vanished to reveal Sailor Moon, the Queen looked as though she may faint, but her daughter continued. "I am Sailor Moon the Champion of Justice! You leave my Mother alone Nega-freak, or you are so moon dust!"
"Is that so sweet heart?" the monster replied with an evil grin She whipped around and flung a long tentacle at Sailor Moon. It wrapped tightly around her body, preventing any movement. The fish monster turned back to the Queen. "Now your highness I must insist you give me your energy."
All at once the tentacle around Sailor Moon was loosened, and the monster let out a moan of pain. Sailor Moon saw a single rose sticking out of the ground. "Tuxedo Mask?" "You know it Sailor Moon." he said dropping from the windowsill to her side "Now you were saying something earlier about this monster and moon dust. Care to demonstrate?" She nodded
However the monster had recovered from the sting of the rose. She flew hard at the two of them, grabbing them each by the neck. Sailor Moon struggled against her grip, but it was no use. The lack of air was making her and Tuxedo Mask slowly weaker. Little red and blue spots were appearing in front of her. She tried to cry out, but sound could not squeeze through.
Suddenly a bright light filed the room, and the monster was sent flying past the two of the. Sailor Moon took a few deep breaths before looking up. Queen Serenity stood tall now, an unseen wind blowing her silvery hair from her face. The crescent moon on her forehead was glowing with the same righteous light that was clear in her eyes. "You will not threaten our peace or our future!" she cried angrily Serenity spread her arms and released a powerful force that slammed the monster into the wall.
Sailor Moon could recognize her cue, and removed her tiara. "Moon Tiara Magic" A moment later the monster was gone, as (unfortunately) was Tuxedo Mask. Queen Serenity made a faint noise, her hand was on her chest as if she were struggling to breathe. And then she collapsed to the floor. Sailor Mon was instantly at her side. "Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine dear" she smiled weakly "The Champion of Justice huh? Luna's doing no doubt" Sailor Moon panicked. "Oh mom she said you'd be really mad so please don't tell her you know. I'm really sorry but I..."
The Queen put up her hand to silence her daughter. "I am very proud of you Serena." All was quiet for a moment, and then tears began to burn in Sailor Moon's eyes. "Thank you mom" then she laughed slightly "You were pretty amazing there to. Don't mess with the Queen huh?" At this Serenity laughed out loud and pulled her daughter into a mother's hug.
