Upon returning to the Palace Darien was greeted with open arms and great thanks for saving the Princess. "Why does he get all the credit? I took care of that monster." Serena Whined "Are you mad?" Luna replied "Your mother would kill if she knew I had given you the Moon Prism. Plus Central Control would have my head for telling her."
Serena had received a number of "Moon Gifts" aside from the prism. The moon wand was used to heal people, and it was sort of the bow to the Moon Crystal's arrow. But of course she didn't have that, the Queen would have noticed if that was gone. She was also given the Luna pen which allowed her to disguise herself. But that was taken from her when she used it to get away from Darien on a crowded street.
Living with Darien wasn't getting any better. He didn't pretend to have killed the monster from two weeks ago. However he was very pleased with himself for "saving" Serena and was constantly telling her she should be more grateful. That evening they sat in the gardens watching the Earth rise.
Darien looked melancholy at the blue planet. "What's wrong with you -1?" Serena asked He sighed but said nothing. She looked up at the planet. She didn't see anything fascinating about it. As a small child she had been each planet in their Soar system, but she had no memories of visiting the earth. But what did it matter, they had been snubbing the Moon lastly.
Suddenly a faint beeping sound reached Serena's ears. "What is that?" Darien asked, the beeps had distracted him from his Earth gazing "No idea." She replied "Why am I not surprised?" He muttered
"Princess I ... must speak with you ... NOW!" Luna said through gritted teeth She was obviously asking Serena to read between the lines, but she didn't seem to realize this.
"Not now Luna." The Princess said airily She was looking under the white stone bench for the source of the beeping. "Now Serena!" Luna insisted, but she didn't even look up Luna was about to scratch Serena when a sarcastic grin slid across her face, giving her a very Cheshire look. "Oh Darien" she purred "guess what Serena got on her math quiz..." "FINE" She cried quickly jumping up "I'm coming"
Luna walked out of them main garden where they had been, to an area where a roof shot out from the from the side of the castle casting a shadow. She moved behind a tall marble pillar that was glowing with the fire of the setting sun. "What is so important?" Serena asked bitterly "That sound was coming from the crescent moon wand. Check you pocket."
Serena removed it. A small red light was blinking in time with the beeps. "So ... it's broken?" she blinked "No!" Luna cried "Listen to me! The crescent moon wand reacts to evil, more particularly the shadow creatures. That is how I found you when the creature attacked you that night."
"A Shadow creature?" panic spread over the Princess's frame She had no desire to repeat her encounter with the creature, she still felt weak at the thought of it. "What should we do?" "Well for starters, transform." Luna said This is not what she was looking for, she was hoping for a sudjestion on where to hide. But she was too afraid to defy Luna. "Moon Prism Power!"
Luna looked at the still beeping wand. "The light is red, so we know the creature is somewhere on Mars." "Great" Sailor Moon said "Not only I have to go looking for my assassin, but I have to get to Mars! How is this gonna work!" "The same way your mother would."
Sailor Moon knew very well that Luna meant the Star tunnels. They were used for government officials to quickly get from one planet to the next. However the Princess wouldn't be aloud use, much less an unidentified girl in a Sailor Suit. And yet there the two of them stood in the corridor looking around the corner at the star gate entrance.
A tall man stood on either side of the door. They wore uniforms of pure white, with gold detail. Each carried a tall spear, the tips of which were looking particularly sharp. Sailor moon really didn't want to have to try and get passed these guys.
"I'm gonna die" she squeaked "Shhh, they'll hear you. And don't be so melodramatic." Luna said "Now you can use the Luna pen, but this really has to be the last time." Sailor Moon looked as though her birthday had come early as she crouched behind the corner, the Luna pen tightly in her hand. "Disguise Power, Turn me into Queen Serenity."
When the smoke cleared Sailor Moon stood their in her mother's favorite white dress, her hair had gone white to match. Luna smiled and shook her head. She straitened up and led the Psuedo Queen to the Tunnel door. Both of them nodded politely to the guards as they passed them.
And then Sailor Moon got her first glimpse of the star tunnels. It was the most magnificent room she had ever seen. The walls were a glowing opalescent tone. White marble tiled to floors, a gold moon painted in the center of it. her eyes widened as they moved upward to the dome ceiling through which the skies could be seen. her eyes were glued to it still as she took a step forward, and her mother's heels caught on the hem of her dress and she came crashing to the ground.
The was a great lurching in her stomach. She stood up clumsily and smiled at the guards. But it was too late, they knew this couldn't be Queen Serenity, not this klutz. "I really must be going." She said shakily And before the guards could touch her she grabbed Luna around the middle, and quickly side stepped into the center and shouted "Mars!"
