*skiangel_sv@lycos.com* See this? It is an e-mail address. More specifically, MY e-mail address. MAIL ME PLEASE!!! Compliments, flames, hellos...I accept and welcome them all (along with Visa, Mastercard and American Express...just kidding!) Greetings, one and all! So, here it is, the near end of 'Wish Upon a Faerie Ring'. See, I was going to withhold the end of 'Wish' until I could post it all, but I changed my mind. I'm the author: I get to do that. So here is half of the end! Thanks to my girls Mary Ann and Corey and to all my friend on the ASMR message board. Thanks to ASMR and Spring-chan for posting all this wonderful fan fiction and a special thank you to all the people who have e-mailed me their wonderful compliments and criticisms and questions. Love you all! Hey peoples, if YOU have fan fiction out there on the web, mail me it's location, title and the author name you're using, and I'll go read it. One good turn and all that jazz. Disclaimer: Double, double toil and trouble Fire burn and cauldron bubble Sailor Moon belongs to she Who is creative and wise, Ms. Takeutchi (poetry police! Stop, in the name of William Shakespeare!) Wish Upon A Faerie Ring Part 3 Rated PG13 Beryl went down, blood flowing from her nose. Serena remained standing, her fist clutched at her side. The servants stood around the Crossroads gapemouthed. They hadn't expected it to come to blows. Serena watched Beryl dispassionatly as she lay on the ground, wailing. 'Ridiculous woman,' Serena's inner voice piped up. 'You can say that again. Damn, but my knuckles hurt.' 'Well, you DID just hit a woman across the face. Stunning right hook, incidentally.' 'Why, thank you.' 'So what happens now?' 'I am currently waiting for her to stand up.' 'I get the feeling you will be waiting a long time. She doesn't strike me as stupid. Not stupid enough to stand up with you looking like this, anyway.' 'I BEG your pardon?' 'You have a look of murderous fury in your eyes.' 'She insulted my mother.' 'So she did. Watch out for the dress. It was no doubt expensive.' Serena tried to get a grip on her fury. The red haired bitch was still crying, though she had managed to draw a handkercheif out of her dress to staunch the flow of blood. Serena wondered briefly if she had broken the trollop's nose. Beryl was obviously milking the situation, hoping for sympathy from some quarter. Serena took care not to take her eyes off the woman; if Beryl was intending to attack, Serena wanted to be ready. The sound of running feet forced Serena to turn her head. She glanced up and saw the Senshi standing gape mouthed in the west wing archway. Serena smiled at them. 'The cavalry has arrived.' 'Damn. No more fun for m...' Serena's inner voice stopped talking as Serena went crashing to the floor in a flurry of blue gauze. Beryl had stopped sobbing long enough to hook her left foot around Serena's ankle, yanking her feet out from under her. Serena went down, slapping the marble floor as she hit. This tactic relieved some of the pain of her fall. She rolled to the side, silver ponytails swirling around her as she landed on her stomach, arms poised to push herself up. 'Graceful as a swan.' 'Not another word.' Beryl's nose had stopped bleeding, but her nose was swelling to more than twice it's normal size. Serena allowed herself a satisfied smirk. Beryl took one look at Serena's smile and threw herself at the Moon Princess, screaming like a banshee. The Senshi sprang into action just as Serena's foot connected with Beryl's stomach. Beryl went flying into a pillar and stayed there, stunned, gasping for air. Serena pushed herself up, her expression neutral. The Senshi split apart. Raye and Mina went to help Serena up from the floor while Lita and Amy walked toward the Lady Beryl cautiously, approaching her as though she might attack at any moment. The humor of the situation struck Serena in an instant. The most powerful warriors in the galaxy were afraid of her husband-to-be's mistress! Serena dropped her head to her knees, shaking with laughter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darien was walking through the gardens, pondering. The meeting with his father had gone well, even if Damian had been a bit smug. Darien had forced his pride down, smiled and agreed with everything his father had said. He had a feeling he would be doing that a great deal in the next few years. Last night had only proven that Serena was the same as always; all fire and moonlight. Darien had the vague impression that a silly grin had appeared on his face. Darien made his way to the Rose Garden, the only place on the palace grounds he visited with any regularity. Various types of roses bent gently in the breeze which twisted gently through their stems. Trellises and hedges were planted strategically around the edge of the garden to hide the center from public view. It was to the center of this very garden that Darien's mother had come to spend a few moments alone, and it was here that Darien came to think. He perched on the edge of a bubbling fountain, cape swirling around him. A warm breeze played with his midnight hair as the perfume of roses filled the air. Tipping his head up to the warm sun, Darien closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax. He felt peaceful here, calm. The combination of sounds and smells thrust Darien back to a time when his mother had held him close, and shown him the stars. Darien resisted the urge to speak to his mother, as he had done so often in the past. In the months following his mother's death, he had come to this small corner of the vast royal gardens in order to feel closer to her. He could still sense her presence in the roses. 'It is interesting,' Darien thought 'that the woman I loved most in all the world is the one who caused my heart to turn to ice in my chest.' Darien remembered all to well the grief beyond measure he had felt at his mother's passing, and recalled the sorrow etched onto his father's face. Even now, pain haunted Damian's eyes, and Darien had sworn long ago that no woman would hold so much sway over him. But that hadn't stopped a great many women from trying to capture both his interest and his heart. He welcomed their attentions, ending the relationships before they became tedious and involved. Most women just nodded, accepting his decision with a wistful look in their eye. A few sobbed and clung, but eventually let go, certain that Prince Endymion had no heart. Only one had continued to cling. Countess Beryl. Darien's upper lip curled just thinking of her. The countess was lovely, stunning, in fact, but she had the heart of a cobra. Beryl clung to him like a vine, refusing to accept his descision to end their relationship. He had allowed her to think that their relationship was meaningful as it allowed him some peace. But now he was to marry, and he had sent her a message that ended their relationship once and for all. To be frank, Darien was glad to be rid of her. Beryl was vain and petty, unpopular with many. But thinking of Beryl summoned thoughts of another woman, one who had aspired to be his stepmother. Darien remembered how he had loathed her, how shabbily he had treated her. Darien closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of the roses. He remembered how his mother had always smelled of roses, how she would glide through the halls of the palace, always the dazzle of the sky in her sapphire eyes. Gods, how he had idolized her. 'And now?' he questioned himself. 'You seem to have given your heart away again. Perhaps you lost it long ago; maybe it was never yours to give.' The sound of running feet snapped Darien back to reality. A page was charging through the gardens, calling his name. "Yer Highness," the boy gasped out, before bending forward, hands on his knees, gasping for breath. Darien rose and waited patiently for the page to regain his composure. Finally the boy raised chocolate brown eyes. "The Lady Beryl...attacked Princess Serenity...at the Crossroads." Darien stared at the boy for a moment before springing into action. Cape flying behind him, Darien ran back towards the palace, furious with Beryl. The page stayed behind, sinking onto the rim of the fountain in the Prince's stead. "I'm betting on the Princess," the boy commented before he lowered his head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prince Endymion arrived at the Crossroads just in time to see his sometimes mistress throw herself at his bride-to-be. He watched in shock as Serena kicked herself around, brought her feet up and threw them out, winced as Beryl was thrown back into one of the marble pillars. He watched as the Senshi ran towards their princess and the Lady Beryl, and watched as Serena collapsed, arms crossed over her knees, head rested on her arms. The cries of the servants finally propelled him forward. He was dimly aware of people bowing and murmurs of 'your highness' as he crossed the marble floor. He placed himself between Serena and Beryl, taking note of Beryl's vacant stare. Princess Amy was waving a vile of smelling salts under Beryl's nose. Darien turned away in disgust. His sapphire eyes focused on the Moon Princess, who was concious and able to bear the full brunt of his wrath. She was also shaking. All angry thoughts flew out of Darien's head. Murder and mayhem could wait. Striding over to Serena, he motioned the Princess Raye to abandon her post at Serena's side. Kneeling down, Darien swept Serena into his arms and began striding away from the Crossroads. He turned furious eyes toward the soliders who were finally arriving on the scene. "When she regains conciousness," he said "tell her that she has one day to vacate the palace. If she is not gone by tomorrow morning I will not be responsible for my actions. That said, the Prince of Earth strode away from the crowd, the Moon Princess cradled close to his chest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It took every ounce of self control Beryl possessed not to break her silence and run after the haughty Prince. The stare, the gown...everything had been perfectly arranged for him to offer her sympathy and love; to publically reject the bride his father had selected for him. But Endymion hadn't followed the plan at all! Beryl forced herself to remain still for a few moments longer before pretending to snap back to consciousness with a gasp, followed quickly by a storm of tears. The soliders who escorted her to her bed chamber were sympathetic, but firm. They were following orders and made no secret of it. The leader repeated the Prince's order and Beryl bowed her head to hide the fury that flashed in her eyes. She was not a rag to be easily cast aside! She was the Countess of Rainier, and she was damned if she would let a snivling moon brat get the better of her! Beryl lips turned down. She had exactly one day in which to exact her revenge. She would make them both pay. All that remained was how... A gleam of gold caught her eye. Turning slightly, Beryl saw the necklace that had been a favorite of Prince Endymion's former mistress. It had been delivered to Beryl as proof of the woman's elimination. Never known for her patience, Beryl had eliminated all compition from her path to the Prince's bed. Megeen had been a major obstical, and Beryl had a tendancy to destroy, rather than overcome, obsticals. Beryl's eyes lit with malice and hate. Perfect. She walked over to her dressing table and lifted the delicate strand of gold, fingering the floating diamond pendant. The Doom and Gloom Girls would accept this as payment for a kidnapping. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serena found this situation extremely amusing. She was being carried away from the sight of her triumph by her husband-to-be after having been insulted and attacked by his mistress. The ludicrousness of the situation struck her once again and Serena continued to shake with silent laughter. She felt Darien tighten his arms around her in a comforting vise, and Serena laughed all the harder. Darien paused for a moment, one hand leaving the small of her back to open a door. Serena glanced up slightly as Darien strode forward. he had brought her back to her room! The irony of the situation played on her already amused mind to create another round of silent giggles. Darien walked to the bed and sat down, one hand stroking Serena's hair. "It's all right, it's all right," he murmured over and over again. "Just let it go. You're safe now, it's all right." Serena stopped laughing. Surely he didn't think her as weak as that! She realized in a flash of insight that he did. He actually thought that the little tiff at the Crossroads had upset her! Serena was torn between being further amused and being insulted. She attempted to lift her head, but found that one of Darien's hands was pressed to the back of her head. Serena sighed, and Darien's arms tightened around her again. Darien's soothing murmurs continued as Serena's inner voice interjected. 'He's being very kind.' 'It's annoying.' 'Admit it: you're enjoying yourself.' 'All right, I confess that I could become used to sitting on his lap. But I resent the implication that I couldn't handle one woman.' 'One jealous, infuriated, insulting woman.' 'Point taken. Nonetheless, how could he have forgotten that I am trained to handle situations like this? I can take care of myself!' 'Do you want my opinion?' 'Can I stop you from giving it?' 'I'll pretend I didn't hear that.' 'Don't do me any favors.' 'I doubt he's thinking at the moment. He saw his woman being attacked, and he reacted primitively. Once he calms down a bit, he'll realize that you were in no danger, and shall commence to being furious at you because you didn't need him to save you.' 'That makes NO sense!' 'The curse of the modern woman. If we didn't have to interpret men, all the mystery would be gone.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If Darien had been able to hear Serena's inner voice, he would have been surprised at how intuitive it was. By the time he had entered Serena's room, rational thought was returning. Once he had her on his lap, anger had begun replacing the relief that had been coursing through him since he had first picked Serena up. Now, he was forcing himself to calm her down. He couldn't yell at her until she stopped crying. Almost the same instant his brain formed that thought, memories began crossing his mind. Serena- drawing back a bow far too big for her and letting the arrow fly. Serena- preforming a complicated set of gymnastics over a series of obsticales. Serena- riding his horse with skill and grace. Serena- a woman who could be beaten to a pulp and still stand up. Serena would never cry over something like this. And if the shaking (which had stopped) wasn't sobbing, then it had to be... Darien set Serena away from him, framing her face with his hands., Serena's eyes were sparkling with mirth and her mouth was twitching. Darien knew that his face was the epitome of astonishment, and Darien felt his ire building once more as the twitch around Serena's mouth intensified. Darien's shock faded as memory intruded.Serena was no helpless female. She might look delicate and vulnerable, but Darien knew differently. His bride-to-be was fully capable of taking care of herself. Possessive male instinct warred with common sense, creating an expression that seemed to be rather amusing, as Serena bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. Darien frowned at her, and Serena gave into her urge to laugh. Merry notes of laughter filled the air of the room and drifted out into the warm afternoon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serena was certain she would laugh herself to death. Darien HAD thought she was in danger! Serena clutched at her sides, trying to control her laughter. The thunderous expression on Darien's face finally halted her giggles. After a few false starts, Serena managed to get herself under control. Still chuckling, Serena sank onto the settee. Darien stood and strode toward her. He stopped directly in front of her, kneeling to grasp her shoulders. Serena smiled at him innocently. 'Maybe you should thank him for saving your life?' The innocent comment from her inner voice almost incited another round of laughter. 'Quiet! I can't be serious when you say things like that!' 'NOW you choose to be serious.' 'Cautious.' 'Same difference.' Serena tried to school her face into placid, inquiring lines. It wasn't easy, but she managed it "Serena, what were you DOING out there?" All laughter was forgotten. Serena's instincts moved towards the defensive at his tone. "Winning a fight," Serena deadpanned, watching him carefully. "What were YOU doing out there?" Serena saw Darien's eyes narrow at her question. She could almost see the gears in his mind working when he decided to ignore the question. "Brawling with Beryl like a peasent! Have you forgotten that you are an Imperial Princess and the future Queen of Earth! What in the name of all the gods *possessed* you!" Serena was no longer amused. She was pissed. "What did *I* do? Your mistress attacked *me*. I was walking along, minding my own buisness, and she bumped into me. I try to apologize, and what do I get? INSULTED. First she told me all about the two of you and your relationship, for lack of a better word..." "Did she? And what was your reaction, princess?" Darien interrupted. His confident tone made Serena see red. "Jealous, sweetheart?" Serena forced her face to be calm. Damned if she'd let him know that his relationship with Beryl upset her in the least. It didn't; well, not much, she excused her lie. No frown creased her brow as she waved a negligent hand. "Hardly. You may do what you please." Serena could tell that Darien was surprised by her answer. That would teach him to be so sure of her. "She insulted my mother and questioned my parentage. I will not stand for insults directed at my family, friends or heritage." "Am I then to assume that I am included in that grouping? Why, princess, I'm touched." "The fight was not about you! Lavish your attention, concern and protective instincts on someone who will appriciate them. Lady Beryl would no doubt welcome your minstrations." "You're probably right," Darien taunted. "She didn't look so good a few minutes ago, but then, having your body slammed into a marble pillar is bound to daze anyone." "SHE attacked ME. If she can't take the consequences, then she shouldn't provoke people." Serena spun around, and faced the full length mirror behind her. She watched Darien carefully while straightening her gown and smoothing her hair. He stood behind her, arms akimbo, watching her intently. Serena noted the banked fire in his eyes, and awaited the coming explosion. It came not with a bang, but with a whisper. "And you, you little heathen, would do well not to provoke me." Serena closed her eyes, not in pain, but in bliss. She had been waiting for a comment just like that. It was time to put her plan in motion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darien watched as Serena turned to face him, a gentle smile on her face. One silver ponytail was draped over her shoulder and Serena walked towards him, arms at her sides. Darien watched her angrily, to furious to realize that he had made a tactical error. Serena closed the distance between them, smiling all the while. She raised one slim white hand and cupped his cheek. "I wouldn't want to provoke you, my lord. After all, it is a woman's duty to submit to her husband, correct?" "Yes," Darien replied firmly. "And you shall make all descisions for me from our wedding day forward, correct?" "Correct." "And I shall sit and embroider and look beautiful and be a trophy for you to show off, correct?" "Yes," Darien drew out the answer, unsure where this conversation was leading. "Wrong answer." Fire flashed in Serena's eyes. Darien watched the princess, the sparks from his eyes meeting and colliding with the sparks flying from hers. Before Darien knew what was happening, Serena had lifted her fist and let it fly for the second time that day, slamming his jaw with amazing force. Darien stayed standing, but was a bit unsteady on his feet. He was was trying to regain his sense of balance when Serena threw her next punch. This one caught him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. While he was trying to remember how to breathe, Serena pushed his shoulders, causing him to fall to the floor. Darien decided to stay down. It was a wise descision. Serena looked ready to do murder as she began yelling at him. "Damn you and your old fashioned ideas, Darien! What century were you born in? I am a modern woman, allowed to own property, hold political office, run a buisness and maintain my own fortune. I will NOT be dictated to by anyone! I am a person, an individual, and marriage to you will not change that! "I will be your wife, yes, but that does not mean that I am merely an extension of you! I make my own descisions,Darien, and I can take care of myself! You would do well to remember that!" Serena had drawn away while she yelled, but came back towards him after she was done. The lovely Moon Princess kicked him twice in the shins before stalking to the doors and leaving the room. Darien would have found the whole situation amusing if he hadn't been sitting on a cold floor, gasping for breath. After a few minutes upon said floor, Darien picked himself up and walked to the full length mirror to assess the damage. He would have a bruise, that was certain, he thought as he examined his face. Damn, but the girl had a mean right hook. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serena stalked out of the room and down the hall, her heels clicking angrily on the marble. Servants moved out of her way as Serena barreled down the hall. Serena followed the marble hall blindly, turning corners where it suited her, trying to keep hold on her temper. Finally Serena stopped, leaning against a pillar. Furious, she slammed a fist back into the stone, ignoring the darts of pain that shot up and down her arm. 'Chavanistic, pig headed, old fashioned...!' 'You forgot arrogant and cold.' 'Thank you.' 'Think nothing of it.' Serena's fury was slowly cooling down, but boiling rage was being replaced by simmering fury. Darien had made a large tactical error in assuming that Serena was just like all the other women of his acquaintence just because of her attire. Serena would prove him wrong. Her mind began searching for something to relax her and something that would annoy Darien to no end. Serena smiled as her mind settled on one thing that would match both criteria. Riding. or more specifically, riding Orpheus. But a change of clothing was required. Stealthily, Serena crept toward the Senshi's quarters. She paused at Raye's room, raising her bruised knuckles to rap on the ornately carved door. She examined the carvings of dancing flames while she waited for an answer. There was none. Serena knocked again, then reached for the door handle. Smiling as it gave, Serena reached around the doorjamb, peering into the room. "Raye?" she called. The room was empty. Smiling again, Serena slipped inside. She made her way to the wardrobe and opened the lower drawers. Before her was a fine selection of breeches and shirts. 'Might I inquire what you are doing?' 'Changing clothes.' 'Has it slipped your mind that you have a fabulous selection of breeches and shirts in your size back in your room?' 'My knuckles hurt. I don't want to hit anyone else today and I'm not sure I can restrain myself from punching Darien if I see him again! Besides, Raye has far more daring clothing than I do, and I want something racy.' 'Dear gods. Dare I even ask?' 'You probably aren't ready for it. Just watch and see.' 'Why is it that every time you say that I get a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach?' 'Isn't your stomach MY stomach? I don't feel nervous or worried in the least!' 'It was a figure of speech.' 'Yes I know...PERFECT!!!' While her inner voice had been sharing it's opinion, Serena had been rifling through Raye's clothing, and what she had found was amazing. Raye never wore pink, and the shirt Serena had found was incredibly pink, which explained why it was at the bottom of the drawer. It was also very daring. Serena smiled happily at its design, wondering who would have given Raye such an outfit. The blouse was short sleeved and shimmery, with silver thread darting through the material. A low scoop neckline would do more than hint at clevage. Directly underneath the blouse was a riding skirt in the same shade of pink. Serena stood abruptly, skirt and blouse in hand. She made short work of the lapis lazuli blue gown, and slipped into the pink outfit. When Serena stood in front of the full length mirror, she couldn't help but smile at the effect. Silver hair was complimented by the silver sheen of the blouse, complexion flushed becomingly. Serena slipped off her high heels and donned snug leather riding boots. The skirt was a little long, and the blouse was rather tight across the chest, but Serena saw these as good points rather than bad. Yes, this outfit would do quite well. 'You are NOT wearing that!' 'Try and stop me!' Tossing silver hair away from her face, Serena strode out of Raye's room, leaving the blue gown behind. Turning corners (and heads) she resumed her walking. This time she turned toward the side entrance of the palace. Head held high, Serena brushed past servants and nobles alike, looking every inch the royal princess. Her feet carried her toward the stables. Serena grabbed a bridle on her way through the stable doors. She walked past sedate geldings and brood mares, straight to the last stall on the left. A midnight black stallion with no identifying marks of any kind stood calmly behind the half door. At Serena's whispered greeeting the great horse stomped his front hooves in a joyful hello. Serena whispered soothingly to the horse as she slipped the bridle over his head, securing the bit. Quickly and silently Serena opened the half door and led Orpheus out into the warm sunlight. Numerous grooms ran out with saddles and blankets. Serena ignored them all. She patted Orpheus on the neck, grabbed his mane and swung herself up onto his back. Grabbing the bridle, Serena pulled Orpheus's head around and turned the powerful horse loose. Orpheus responded by breaking into a full gallop. Out of the stable yard, down the path and out into the meadows flew the black stallion and his skilled rider. Flattening herself over the stallion's neck, Serena whispered encouragement. 'You are mad,' noted her inner voice. 'Undoubtably.' 'You'll probably break your neck!' 'But what a way to go!' Serena raced past nobles, peasents and servants. She galloped past Mina and Malachite, who were enjoying a quiet stroll in the meadow. She waved as she flew past. Orpheus was blowing the wind, and Serena was enjoying the ride. Giving in to her initial urge, she threw back her head and whooped for joy as she and Orpheus gallped toward the woods. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So there it is, the next installment of 'Wish Upon a Faerie Ring.' So anyway, it appears that the Number 1 way to recognize a Moonie IS humming the songs, although close contenders were: A) thinking about Sailor Moon more than three time a day B) acting like your favorite senshi (ex: muttering 'Moon Princess Halation!' at your evil math teacher. Oh, wait, only I do that...) C) Checking out every Sailor Moon web page you come across while surfing the net. Cool answers, folks! Keep em comin! Let me know what you thought of my fic, what you think of me, who you think is going to win Best Picture at the Oscars...(I can't decide! Traffic, Chocolate, or Erin Brokovitch?!?! Help me out!) skiangel_sv@lycos.com