Hey everyone, welcome to my world.  Well um this is quite weird, this 
is my first fanfic and I can't take all the credit (hey I don't feel right 
taking any credit, Tenshi is the best, I love you sweetie) anyway.  I don't 
know where I got the idea (actually I belive it was when the DIC series 
ended and I was trying to figure out what was gonna happen next.  (It's come 
a long way) Um I hope you like it.  Any flames, questions, comments, 
whatever, you can write to me at RHPS0410@aol.com or Tenshi at her (tempoary) 
address rentals@pipeline.com (Be sure to have the subject be ATTN:ANGELA 
or she wont get it) Um thats all.  Happy Reading. TTFN

JENN

HEY!  Long time no post here!  = >  first off ... all standard
disclaimers apply.  Travis is used with the permission, and approval, of
Jendra (Email her at "Jendra@aol.com" if you don't believe me).
        Just so you know, this fic would never have been possible
without the ideas, and constant pushes, from Jenn (RHPS0410@aol.com).
        Also, for anyone who's read the "Family" trilogy, I've changed
Alex (Uranus) to Erica, and Hilary (Saturn) to Tara.  I've also changed
the spelling of Rini to Reenie.  ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!!!!


Rating: PG


        Okay ... a lot of people write opening credits for their
fanfics, so I thought I'd give it a shot.  This is done to the
"Moonlight Densetsu" S version.  Here goes nothing!

[Three bells sounding]
Fast forward of a lunar eclipse until the Moon is covered.

[Nifty guitar rift]
Eclipse passes, and Eternal Sailor Moon lands and faces the audience
before dissolving into three spheres.  A white one, a silver one, and a
golden one.  They go in different directions.

[instrumental bars]TITLE
SAILOR MOON
"SOLSTICE"

[Main Song]
Darien reaches for Serena, who clenches her fist and walks away angrily.
Wide screen.  We see the Inner Scouts are watching Serena, all appear
worried.  Darien's hand is still outstretched.  Rose walks up to him and
puts a hand on his shoulder, smiling comfortingly.

Switch scenes to a girl with long brown hair, except for a blonde streak
sitting at a computer terminal.  A beam of light shoots out and hits the
girl's forehead, causing a strange symbol to briefly appear.  The beam
vanishes, and the girl apparently pushes a button.  The girl blinks, and
looks worried about what she sees on the monitor.  A young man with dark
hair and gray-violet eyes puts a hand on her shoulder.  She smiles up at
him.

Switch to Eternal Sailor Moon running, not to anything ... but from the
Inner Scouts.  In the background we see a woman with long blonde hair
hold up a box and open it.  She fades, and a sad-looking man with curly
brown hair appears.  He pulls something glowing out of a sack and throws
it at the audience before he vanishes.  An arrogant-looking man with
blonde hair sneers at the audience before he holds up a mirror.  The
flash takes up the screen, and when it fades we see a boy with black
unruly hair smirking at the audience.  He makes a face before vanishing.
Then he reappears, joined by the other three and a young man with blonde
hair wearing golden armor.  They are replaced by Eternal Sailor Moon and
the Outer Scouts, all looking angry.  The Sailor Starlights flank them.

Switch to Reenie at age fifteen.  Her face is in profile. She blinks and
notices the audience.  She turns to face the screen, and her features
change into a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.  The hair is in
Reenie's style, and it is painfully obvious that she is still Reenie.
Her face is sad as she holds up a pink rose.

We see Sailor Earth running to Eternal Sailor Moon, who dissolves into
the three orbs just as he reaches her.  Camera follows the orbs.

The gold orb becomes Princess Serenity.  She is wearing a yellow dress,
with golden highlights.  She spins once and holds up what looks like the
Imperium Silver Crystal, but it is golden in color.  She has a hurt
expression on her face.

The camera follows the other two orbs, pausing when the white one takes
the shadowed form of a figure in what appears to be a school uniform.

The final orb, the silver one, becomes what looks like the female
version of the Moonlight Knight.  Her outfit looks like a Sailor Scout
uniform was blended with something out of Scheherazade's tales.  She
carries a dagger with a pearl hilt.  Her head is also covered, but her
hair is obviously the color of moonlight.  She Pulls her dagger out and
points it to the side of the screen.

Camera pans back to see the Inner Scouts; Sailors Earth and Sol, a
female version of Sailor Earth, the four Generals (Jadeite, Malachite,
Zoisite, and Nephrite), and a girl dressed like a Sailor Scout with long
blonde hair ... except for a single streak of brown ... with wings.  All
of them are standing behind the Moonlight Maiden, who is joined by
someone who looks like the Moonlight Knight with blonde hair.  Behind
the group are Quartz, Ruby, and the young man dressed similar to Sailors
Earth and Sol, except in hues of red and purple.

Camera pans around so that the whole group is facing front.  They all
have determined expressions.

Pan up to the Moon shining brightly.

Fade out as song ends.

**************************************************************************

                                "Solstice"
                                   by
                             Jenn and Tenshi
                                  Part 1

        Serena opened her eyes and stretched as her alarm clock went
off.  She pushed the `off' button and gave Luna a quick scratch behind
the ears before getting out of bed.  She stretched again as she walked
to the closet and pulled a clean uniform out.
        "Good morning, Serena."  Luna jumped off the bed and rubbed
against Serena's leg.  "How did you sleep?"
        "I slept wonderfully, thank you."  She put her uniform on and
attached her brooch to the usual place.  "And you?  I didn't wake you up
at all, did I?"  She picked up a hair brush and started pulling her hair
into her usual style.
        "Not at all, but I think your father was a bit concerned last
night when you stayed out late."
        Serena laughed softly.  "Dad still treats me like a child.  When
will he realize that I'll be eighteen in two months?  I can date
whomever I want to, and the only man I'll ever want to date is my
Darien."  She started making her bed.  "Luna ... would you get my
homework into my bag for me, please?"
        "Of course!"  Luna pushed the folder labeled `homework' into
Serena's bag as Serena finished making the bed.
        "Thank you, Luna.  What would you like today ... tuna or
chicken?"  She picked up her bag.
        "Oh ... nothing for me!  I'm going over to Mina's to eat with
Artemis."  Luna jumped onto the window seat.  "Have a nice day at
school, Serena."  With that, she jumped out the window.
        Serena leaned out the window.  "I'll see you later, Luna!"

                                *****

        As Luna ran towards Mina's house, she had to smile to herself as
how much Serena had grown in the past two years since Galaxia had been
defeated.  `The terror of losing everyone must've knocked some sense
into her!  According to everyone, she had no one to call upon because
everyone had been taken.'
        The first thing to change was Serena's attitude.  She became
quite a bit more serious about everything, but somehow still remained
the happy, fun-loving person she had always been.
        Once the attitude changed, her looks changed.  It was almost as
if her physical maturity depended on her mental maturity.  She went from
looking like a child to looking almost like her future queen-self
immediately.
        One of the most drastic changes was that she had become more
graceful.  Since she gave herself plenty of time to get where she was
going, she no longer `klutzed out.'  The six months of ballet lessons
hadn't hurt, either.
        `All in all,' Luna thought, `Serena has become quite a catch!  I
almost feel sorry for the young men in her class ... her heart will
ALWAYS belong only to her prince.  Now ... if only DARIEN were so sure
of this, then everything would be perfect!'

                                *****

        Serena was just finishing breakfast when the doorbell rang.  She
smiled at her mother.  "That'll be Darien!  Thanks for breakfast and
lunch, Mom.  I'll see you later."
        "Have a nice day, dear!"  Serena's mother smiled after her.
        "Thanks, Mom."  Serena put her shoes on and picked up her bag.
"Bye!"  She opened the door and smiled at Darien.  "Good morning,
Muffin!" She stepped outside and closed the door behind her.
        Darien returned the smile and kissed her.  "Morning, Meatball
Head!  Sleep well?"  He started walking, with Serena at his side.
        Serena giggled and blushed a little.  "After a wonderful date
with you, like the one last night, how could my sleep be anything but
perfect?" she sighed.  "It's really weird, though!"
        Darien furrowed his brows.  "What is?"
        Serena shrugged.  "I guess ... it's hard for me to accept that
I'll be eighteen in about two months!"  She shot Darien a covert glance.
"You HAVEN'T forgotten about it, have you?"
        "SERENA!"  He was absolutely flabbergasted.
        "I was just kidding!  I know you'd never forget my birthday!"
She thought a moment.  "I wonder if Rose will be here.  Do you think she
would come all the way here just to wish me a happy birthday?"
        "I don't see why not!  She was here last year ..."  He suddenly
felt a chill go up his spine and spun around.  "What the?"
        "Darien?  What's wrong?  Are you okay?"
        Darien turned his attention back to a very concerned Serena and
smiled gently at her.  "I don't think that it's anything.  Just a
feeling, that's all.  I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you."
He quickly changed the subject.  "So ... what would you like for your
birthday?"
        Serena wasn't fooled, but went along with Darien's wishes.  `If
he doesn't want to talk ... he WON'T talk!'
        Darien took one last glance.  `Odd ... It felt almost like a
danger to Serena, but not QUITE dangerous to her.'  He shook his head
and continued his conversation.

                                *****

        A man came partially out of the shadows and glowered at the
couple.  "Enjoy her company while you can, PRINCE Endymion," he spat out
Darien's formal title as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.  "Soon she
will be MINE once more, and you will pay for the death of another that I
held dear.  I have watched you fight."  He snickered, finding something
amusing.  "You won't pose much of a threat!"  With that, he vanished
altogether.

                                *****

        As they approached Serena's high school, Darien's smile began to
fade.  `Man,' he thought, `I REALLY hate this part!'
        Sure enough, at least two dozen guys stopped whatever they were
doing to stare at Serena.  Each one glared at Darien as if to say, `What
makes YOU so special that YOU get to date her?'
        Darien sighed sadly and forced a smile.  "Well ... I gotta go.
I have my own classes to attend.  See you later, Serena."  With that, he
turned and left.  `I KNOW Serena and I are destined to be together,' he
thought, `but I can't help thinking that maybe they're right.'  Darien
shook his head in an attempt to erase those thoughts.  After all, Serena
DID seem to be truly happy to be with him.  He sighed again.  "I'm gonna
have to think about it."
        "Darien?"  Serena sighed as she watched Darien walk away.  She
always felt a twinge of disappointment when he left since he never
kissed her good-bye.  She braced herself for the daily crowd.  Within
twenty seconds, a group of boys surrounded her.  It didn't help that
each one was asking for a date.
        "Hey, Serena, wanna go to the mall later?"
        "Serena!  You're looking great today!"
        "Whattaya talking about?  She looks great every day!"
        "Serena, want me to carry your bag for you?"
        It went on like that for about three minutes, until a new voice
yelled at the mob.
        "ENOUGH!  Leave the girl alone!  You could all at least let her
breathe!"
        Serena sighed in relief as the crowd dispersed.  The voice had
such a commanding attitude that the order had instantly been obeyed.
        A young man approached.  He smiled kindly at Serena and bowed.
"Hello.  I do hope you don't mind me breaking that up!"
        Serena bowed and smiled in return.  "No ... I don't mind at all.
In fact, I'm grateful!  I have to put up with this EVERY day!"  She
glared at the dispersing crowd.
        "Oh!  Well ... allow me to introduce myself!  My name is Paul.
I'm the president of the `Solstice' company.  I'm opening a branch
nearby."
        Serena studied him a moment.  He was a little taller than
Darien, about an inch or two.  He had golden hair that went just past
his shoulders.  His eyes were almond-shaped, and a golden hue.  In fact,
he looked almost like an older version of Travis, her twin brother.
"I'm pleased to meet you!  My name is ..."
        "... Serena!  I know.  You learn that sort of thing whenever a
mob of people say it.  It was a pleasure to meet you.  I had better get
going.  So had you, if you don't want to be late for your classes."  He
took her hand and kissed it gallantly before turning to go.
        Serena couldn't help but blush as she thought of Darien kissing
her hand instead.  She smiled at the thought of how the boys would
react.  `I bet THAT would get them to leave me alone!'

                                *****

        Darien had turned back to ask Serena where she wanted him to
take her after school when he picked her up.  He froze as he saw a
stranger kiss Serena's hand.  He also saw the delighted blush on
Serena's face.  He decided that maybe, just maybe, Serena actually
WANTED the chance to go out with other men.  He turned and walked away.
Neither Serena nor the strange man saw him.

                                *****

        Serena smiled and turned to enter the building.  `Now ... if
only Darien would do that, then these guys would all leave me alone.'
She sat in her seat ten seconds before the bell rang.  She smiled and
waved at Amy.
        Amy returned the smile and waved back just before the teacher
arrived.
        The teacher entered.  "Good morning, class!"
        Everyone in the class smiled, and replied.  "*Good Morning!*"
        "Hand in your homework, then turn to page 305 in your math book.
We'll finish up this chapter, and move on to the next."

                                *****

        "What happened today, Serena?"  Amy pulled out her sandwich and
started eating.  "You were almost late!"
        Serena shook her head.  "Today it was a conversation with a guy
who broke up the usual entourage of boys.  I am so sick of having to put
up with them!"
        Lita walked over and sat down.  "Well ... you COULD send some of
them MY way!"
        Mina giggled.  "Who WAS that guy, anyway?  He was kinda cute!"
        Serena blushed.  "I honestly don't know!  All I got was that his
name is Paul, and that he's the president of the `Solstice' company."
        Amy's eyes squinted in concentration.  "The winter or summer
Solstice is the time when the sun's height reaches its lowest or highest
peak.  The winter Solstice was a time to pray for the sun's strength to
return. The summer solstice is when the sun reaches its highest peak."
        Lita sighed.  "Thank you SO much for the explanation.  Anyway,
isn't the `Solstice' company responsible for producing jewelry that's
supposed to have mystic qualities?  I hear they use crystals for focus,
and stuff like that."
        Mina beamed.  "Really?  COOL!  And they're opening a branch
HERE?"  She batted Serena playfully.  "Maybe you could get a crystal to
ward off unwanted men!  I'm sure Darien would appreciate it!"
        "That might not help.  Whenever we get within sight of the
school, Darien drops all affection, and it's like he becomes just a
friend.  If he'd just kiss me when those guys are around, they'd leave
me alone ... even if it's on the hand."  She sighed.  "It's almost as if
he's afraid of losing me to one of them.  I wish he'd just get it
through his head that I love him ... and ONLY him.  How could he ever
doubt that?  Haven't I always stuck by him ... even when things were
hard?"  She felt as if she were going to start crying.
        Lita put a comforting hand on Serena's shoulder.  "Hey ... you
gotta remember that he's had it tough!  It can't be easy having terrible
gaps in your memory."
        Serena brightened.  "Hey!  Molly!  Over here!"  She waved at her
old friend.  She turned to Lita.  "I just wish he wouldn't let those
gaps take over the memories of my love for him.  He's everything to me."
        "Hiya, Serena!  How're ya doin?"  Molly sat with the group.
        "I'm fine, Mol.  How are you and Max doing?"
        Molly sighed and smiled.  "We're fine!  How about you and
Darien?"
        "I honestly don't know, Molly.  Ever since we defeated Galaxia,
it seems as if he's been slowly edging away from me."
        "Aw, cheer up Serena.  He'll come to his senses!  The two of you
were meant for each other."
        "Yeah!  You know that, Serena knows it, we all know it," Amy
interjected, "Problem is ... does DARIEN know it?  He knows the two of
you were perfect together in the past, and that the two of you will be
perfect together in the future ..."
        "... but he doesn't think that you're perfect now!  Hey,
Serena!"
        Serena smiled up at her twin brother.  "Travis!  Sit down,
please! When did you get back?"  She stood up and hugged him.  "Sit
down, please!" She didn't even notice that she'd repeated herself.
        Travis smiled at the group before sitting.  "I got back
yesterday.  Sorry I didn't call, I got in really late."
        "Don't worry about that.  I'm glad you're home!  I missed having
you around.  Any suggestions on how to get rid of Darien's insecurity?"
        Travis shrugged at his sister's question.  "You got me!  I only
just got back, remember?  I have no idea what's bugging him!  Don't
worry, though!  If he EVER hurts you like he did that one time, I'll
bash his face in!"
        "You'll not lay a finger on him!  You KNOW what he means to me!"
        "Hey!  I just don't want to see you crying like you were three
years ago!  You're my sister, and it's my job to look after you!"
        The group chatted like that during lunch, then split up to go to
their respective classes.

                                *****

        From the shadows, a man watched the group.  "You're still so
very beautiful, Serenity.  Don't you worry ... I'll see to it that you
are with me ... where you belong!"  He turned and vanished, laughing.

                                *****

        After school, Serena smiled and waved when she spotted Darien
waiting for her.  She couldn't help but notice the forlorned look on his
face.  `He looks like he's preoccupied with something.'  She wrapped her
arms around him as soon as she reached him.  "Darien ... what is it that
you're not telling me?"
        "It's nothing, Serena.  Don't worry about it."  He put an arm
around her and escorted her towards her home.  He didn't feel like going
anywhere, since the image of a man kissing Serena's hand was still
etched in his mind.
        "Oh!  Guess what!  Travis is back!"  She felt satisfaction when
he smiled.  It faded as his smile did.  "Darien ... really.  Tell me
what's bothering you?!  I'm sure the two of us could work it out.  We
always have in the past!"
        Darien stopped and gazed at Serena, taking in the young woman
she had become.  `I love her, but maybe she feels like she's obligated
to date me.'  He nodded at the decision, and cleared his throat.  "I was
just thinking that maybe it would be a good idea for you to see other
people ..."
        Serena shook her head.  "Darien ... WHAT are you talking about?"
        "I'm saying that maybe you should try dating someone else for a
while.  I know that you're attached to me, and all, but maybe you should
see what others have to offer."
        Serena let out an exasperated breath.  "Darien ... have you been
getting those stupid dreams telling you to keep away from me again?  If
so, then you should KNOW that we were meant for one another."
        "No.  I just thought that it might be in your best interest to
date other guys."
        Serena was hurt.  "Have I ever given any indication that I
WANTED to go out with anyone other than you?  What in the world put that
idea into your head?  Or do you want to break up with me, and you're
trying to make it as easy as possible.  Is there someone at your college
that YOU want to date?"  She was terrified of the answer, but she still
had to ask the question.
        Darien knew that lying to her wouldn't be a good idea.  "Well
...  actually ..." he never finished.  The next thing he knew, he was on
the pavement looking up at Serena.  He put his hand over the place on
his jaw where she had hit him.  She looked on the verge of saying
something to him, but instead turned and ran away.
        Serena couldn't believe her ears.  He never got further than the
one word.  Before she realized what she was doing, she clenched her fist
and punched him in the jaw.  `How DARE he?'  She almost apologized when
he looked up at her, but refused to do so.  `I'M the injured party here.
I have to talk to someone!'  She spun and ran, letting her feet guide
her.  Before she knew what was going on, she bumped into someone.
        "Ooof!  Hey!  Watch where you're ... Princess?"
        Serena wiped tears away to clear her vision.  She looked up at
the woman with short blonde hair.  "Erica?"  With that she broke down,
and started sobbing.
        Erica felt awkward.  She felt as if she should comfort the girl,
but knew Serena might misunderstand if Erica held her.
        Michelle walked out of the store carrying a package.  "Erica ...
I found the ..."  She spotted Serena on the sidewalk.  "Serena!  What
happened, Princess?"  Michelle put her arms around Serena and hugged
her.  "It's okay ... We had better take her to the mansion.  She's
REALLY upset."
        Erica nodded, relieved that Michelle had come out.  "I agree.  I
wonder what caused it!  Sit in the back with her and try to calm her
down, okay?  She'll become sick if she keeps crying like that."  Erica
jumped into the front and started the car.  "It's times like these that
I REALLY wish I had a ... hand me Serena's communicator!"  She took the
wristwatch-like object and activated it.  "Raye ... come in, please."
        [What is it?  What are you doing with Serena's communicator?]
        "Look ... something's happened to make her really upset.  If
there's a meeting, I don't think she'll be there."
        [There's no meeting, but thank you for letting me know.  I
would've gotten worried that something had happened to her.  Is she all
right?]
        Erica glanced back to see that Michelle was soothing a
still-sobbing Serena.  The sobs hadn't lessened, and Serena was
hyperventilating.  "I don't know.  I'll keep you informed.  Erica off."
        [Thanks ... Raye off!]
        With that, Erica gunned the motor, and drove at the fastest
legal speed towards the mansion that she and Michelle shared with Susan
and Tara.

                                *****

        Erica carried Serena, who had passed out, to the couch and set
her onto it.  "What could have made her THIS upset?"
        "I don't know!  Susan ... do you have any idea?"
        Susan shook her head.  "I wish I did ... this situation ... is
not part of the timeline that I know of."

                                *****

        A voice called from the silence.  "Serenity!"
        Serena was floating in a golden light wearing her princess gown.
The voice was soft and warm.  Alien to her, and yet achingly familiar.
"Who are you?"
        A note of pain was in the voice.  "You don't remember me,
Serenity? You used to trust me with every fiber of your being.  You once
followed me around everywhere I went."
        "I feel you," Serena replied, "but I cannot remember you.  Were
you someone from the Silver Millennium?  If so, then I must admit to not
remembering much from that time."
        A figure appeared.  Half in shadow, half in light, making it
impossible to identify any features.
        "You ... are related to me ... and to Travis."
        "Trav ...?  Oh!  You mean Tranquillity.  Yes.  I'm your other
brother, Apollo."  He was pleased.  "You remember me now, don't you,
Serenity?"
        "A little.  Tranquillity has a falcon named Apollo!  But I ..."
        "Thought that Mother and Father only produced the two of you?  I
know.  When I was born, Mother and Father had an argument over which
kingdom I would be heir to."  This was a blatant lie since it had been
agreed that the firstborn son would be heir to the Sun Kingdom, and the
firstborn daughter would be heiress to the Moon Kingdom.  "They decided,
six years later, to have another child.  They never expected twins.
Tranquillity idolized me, and named his guardian after me.  I can't
begin to describe the pride I felt at that."  There was a brief pause.
"You've been crying!  What's made my little angel so sad?"
        "Darien ... Prince Endymion ... has just told me that he wishes
me to date other men.  I think he wants to see someone else.  He tried
to make it easy on me."  She had forgotten about the agreement between
her parents, so she wasn't aware of the lie.
        "Don't defend him, Serenity.  If he can do that without a second
thought, then he doesn't deserve you.  I warned you about him."
        Serena blinked.  "You did, did you not?"  She felt herself being
pulled away.  "What?  Apollo ...?  Where are you going?"
        "It's okay, Serenity, now that I know where you are ... I'll be
here for you whenever you need me."

                                *****

        "Come on, Serena!  Snap out of it!"  Erica lightly patted
Serena's face in an attempt to wake her up.  She smiled as Serena slowly
opened her eyes.
        "Wha?  Where am I?"  Serena was about to sit up, but a wave of
dizziness stopped her attempt.  She vaguely remembered her dream, but it
went away a moment later.
        Travis, who had arrived a few minutes earlier, put a cool cloth
on Serena's head.  "You'd better rest.  What happened?  Why were you so
upset?"  He handed her a glass of cold water.
        She took the glass.  "Darien just broke up with me."
        Five voices said one thing, "WHAT?"

                                *****

        A few minutes after Serena explained the whole thing, she felt
as if she were about to start crying again.
        Erica put a hand on Serena's shoulder.  "Don't cry, Princess.
He is no longer worth it.  It might be in your best interest to start
dating someone else."
        Susan was shocked.  "What about Reenie?  If she and Darien don't
get together ..."
        Serena sighed.  "Reenie will be born.  She might not be the
exact same girl we remember, but she WILL be born.  With or without
Darien."
        Susan seemed placated.
        Travis, however, was livid.  Suddenly, something inside him
severed the bond of blood-brotherhood between him and Darien.  He felt
no grief at the separation, just a satisfaction that now Darien would
understand just what he had lost.

                                *****

        Darien's head jerked back as, suddenly, the link he had to
Serena and Travis was broken.  He then slumped onto his couch.
        **I felt it too!  What happened?**
        Darien savored the warmth of Rose's mind-link.  He let his
feelings do the talking for him.  There was a pause as he felt Rose
penetrating his thoughts.
        **You did WHAT?  Oh, Darien, how COULD you?**
        Darien closed his eyes.  **It SEEMED like a good idea at the
time! Plus I saw some guy kissing her hand.**
        **Let me see if I got this straight.  You broke up with Serena
because you were frightened that she'd break up with you first?  How
could you ever think that of her?  Are you stupid, or just crazy?**
        **Rose ...**  There was no answer for a moment, and that
frightened him.  He let that fear power his next call.  **ROSE?**
        Rose's next sending was so cold, he had to shiver.  **Don't try
talking to me.  I'm on Serena's side.  It's your own fault for doing
that to her.**  With that, she broke off the communication.
        `Then I am alone!'  He slouched over and began to sob.  He was
used to being alone, but it was the first time that he was actually
lonely.  Sudden terror filled his heart.  `Now that I can't sense Serena
anymore, I won't be able to tell when she's in danger.  I won't be able
to protect her!'
        **... Darien?**
        He grabbed the link with everything he had.  **I thought you
weren't talking to me.**
        **I wasn't going to, but you need SOMEONE on your side.  Don't
cry.**  The warmth returned, like a comforting embrace.  **You're just
confused right now.  It'll work out.  I'll be there as soon as possible.
Now I really must go.**
        **Thanks Rose.**
        **And Darien?**
        **Yeah?**
        **You really ARE a lunkhead!**
        **I know.**

                                *****

        The next day, Serena walked to school alone.  She sighed as the
usual crowd surrounded her, and she asked to be left alone.  No one
seemed to have heard her.  Suddenly the voice sounded.
        "ENOUGH!  Can't you leave the girl alone for ONCE?"
        Serena couldn't help but smile.  "Thanks, Paul."
        "Serena?  Are you okay?  I know that we just met briefly
yesterday, but you look depressed.  Would you like to talk about it? Say
perhaps over a cup of coffee after school?"
        Serena was about to refuse, when she saw the genuine concern in
his eyes.  "Okay.  Thanks ... I really do need to talk to someone."
        He was truly pleased.  "Good!  See you later, Serena!"

                                *****

        Paul sipped his coffee while Serena stirred the ice in her soda.
"So he broke up with you ... for no apparent reason?"
        "I think it was because he wants to date other girls.  I never
let him finish."
        "Good for you!  You shouldn't let anyone take advantage of you
like that.  However, maybe he truly wanted you to see if you'd prefer
dating someone else.  According to what you say, you never dated anyone
but him.  Maybe you SHOULD see what other guys have to offer.  Take me,
for example, I'm president of my own company, have had at least five
girlfriends.  In each of those cases, it was a mutual separation.  I
have a rule about dumping.  I don't do it.  I graduated ahead of my
class with a 4.0 average, and I have a tendency to brag about it."
        Serena giggled at the last remark.  "Do you skate?  I mean ice
skate.  I tried it once, but kept falling down.  I was thinking that
maybe you could teach me, if you knew how."
        "I've won an award here and there.  C'mon!"  He grabbed Serena's
hand, paid for the beverages, and dashed out of the soda shop.

                                *****

        "Okay ... just don't look at anything else but me."  Paul took
both Serena's hands into his and eased her onto the ice.  "Good!  That
wasn't so bad, now was it?"
        "No ... but I want to go FASTER!"
        "Patience!  You have to crawl before you can walk.  Use me until
you get the feel of the ice.  Now ... push with your right foot while
lifting your left foot.  Don't push too hard."  He continued telling her
how to move for five minutes.  When he let go of her hand, she managed
to go completely around the rink once before slipping.  "Are you okay?"
        "I skated!  I skated all by myself!"  There was an honest
exuberance in her face.  For a while, Darien had been completely
forgotten.



Part 2

        Darien was studying one of his textbooks in the college
cafeteria when he saw a shadow fall across the text.  He looked up and
smiled a little.  "Angela!  Have a seat.  How's your advanced Computer
Programming class going?"
        Angela grimaced a little.  "It WOULD go better if the teacher
would just explain some of the theories to us instead of letting us
flounder.  I manage to keep ahead, though.  How are you doing?  You look
kinda down."
        "Yeah ... well ... I broke up with Serena yesterday."
        "You've just GOT to be kidding, right?"  She bit her lip as she
slowly realized the truth.  "Oh boy!  How've you been taking it?"
        "You're not worried about Serena?"
        Angela shook her head.  "No.  I know the moppet has plenty of
friends who will stick by her, and each one of those friends is going to
turn against you.  You'll need SOMEONE on your side."
        Darien allowed himself to laugh.  "You sound like my sister!"
        "Sister?  You have a sister?  Tell me about her!"  There was a
sparkle in her eyes.
        Darien closed his book and leaned back a little as he began to
talk about his family from the Silver Millennium.  He had always found
it easy to talk to Angela.  She was always genuinely interested in
listening to his problems, or just listening to him babble whenever the
occasion called for it.

                                *****

        On the second floor, a man leaned over the rail and watched the
two of them talking.  `Angelica ... how could you betray her like that?
You, who loved her like a daughter!'  He backed away as the girl looked
up.  Then he turned and vanished.

                                *****

        "Angela ... you okay?"  Darien had noticed the odd look on his
friend's face as she looked up.
        "Huh?  Yeah, I'm okay.  I just thought I saw someone from my
past, but he died a while back."  Angela turned her brown eyes back to
Darien.  "He was an old crush, but I forgot about it when he got
engaged.  After so long, I'm still chasing shadows.  You'd better be
careful, or you'll end up the same way every time you see a blonde."
        "Thanks.  I've gotta go.  Class starts in three minutes."  With
that, he gathered his stuff and left.
        Angela watched him leave.  `So ... Rosalinda is alive ... and
MARRIED, too.'  She smiled.  `Too bad my old crush died.  He'd be
available now!'  She gathered her own things.  `You'd better sort your
feelings out soon, Endymion.  I doubt it if Serenity will wait for you
this time.'

                                *****

        Serena sat on her bed, brushing her hair, when Luna came into
the room.
        "Serena?  Are you all right?"
        Serena smiled sadly at Luna.  "I guess so.  I'm just a little
down, that's all.  I can't understand why Darien dumped me.  From what I
hear, the only girl on campus he even talks to is Tenshi, and I spoke to
her earlier.  She said that Darien never mentioned anything about dating
other women."  She began braiding her hair into a single ponytail down
her back.
        "Perhaps he feels that he's been hounding you."
        Serena sighed as she looked out at the Moon.  "There's a lunar
eclipse two months from now, and right after that is a full moon.  My
birthday will be that night."
        "Yes ... your eighteenth birthday will mark when the Imperium
Silver Crystal gains its full power.  It is only a few days after the
longest day of the year."
        "The summer Solstice ... the day when the sun reaches its
highest peak," Serena sighed.  "I know this, Luna.  I also know that
until the Moon reaches its vertex on my birthday that the Crystal will
have no power at all that day."
        Luna gasped in surprise.  "Serena ... how did you know that?"
        Serena shook her head.  "I don't know HOW I know, Luna.  I just
know all of this information.  It's almost like it was drilled into me."
She wrapped an elastic band around the end of the ponytail and settled
down on her bed.  "Good night, Luna."
        "Good night, Serena!"

                                *****

        Travis, meanwhile, was trying to study.  "I don't know, Apollo."
He closed his book and looked at the golden falcon.  "Do you think I was
a little hasty?"
        Apollo paused his preening.  "You're asking the wrong bird.  I
rarely, if ever, leave the house."
        Any normal person would have been surprised that the bird
answered.  Travis, however, was NOT normal.  He was Sailor Sol,
reincarnation of Prince Tranquillity, twin brother of Princess Serenity,
heir to the Sun Kingdom.  Apollo was Travis' guardian and advisor, much
the same relationship Luna had with Serena.
        "Maybe I was too rash ... If I see him, I'll ask for his side of
the story.  I hate to admit it ... but I kinda miss him."
        "It is, of course, up to you."

                                *****

        A week later, Darien felt like going to the ice rink.  The last
time he had been on the ice was while under the influence of the
Negaverse, and he just had to do something to take his mind off of
worrying about how Serena was.
        The rink was almost deserted, except maybe a half dozen people,
so Darien had no trouble studying one pair in particular.  He sighed and
shook his head.  `She would be here, wouldn't she?  I'd better not go
onto the ice until she leaves.  She'll think I'm following her.'
        He sat down in one of the seats in the darkened area of the rink
as he watched Serena skate with someone he had seen only once before
... when he was kissing Serena's hand.

                                *****

        "Okay, now remember what I taught you.  Now ... GO!"  Paul
smiled proudly as Serena skated around the rink a few times to gather
some speed.  "Now, Serena!"
        Serena took a deep breath and leapt into the air, spinning.  She
landed perfectly, and skated a few seconds to lose the momentum.  "How'd
I do?"
        Paul was dumbstruck.  "You just executed a PERFECT quintuple
axle!  You spun in the air FIVE times!  I didn't think that could be
done!  Let's see what you can do during coupling!"  He put a hand to her
waist, and took one of her hands.  When the next song started, he went
into a routine he had practiced a long time ago.
        Serena matched him, move for move, as if she had done the
routine with him before.  When the music ended, both she and Paul were
out of breath.  "WOW!  Did I do THAT?"  She blushed as she heard some
applause.
        "We should enter in a competition together!  We make a pretty
good team!"  He set her on her feet.  "Come on!  I'm treating you to a
hot-fudge sundae.  You deserve it!"  He smiled as she did a few very
graceful spins.  "Maybe I'll get you some skates!"
        "This was fun!  Maybe your right, and we SHOULD enter a
competition!"  Something caught Serena's eye, and she looked to the dark
area of the rink.  She spotted a shape, and knew who it was.  `Darien?
It's too bad you dumped me ... it could've been us out there!'
        "What's wrong?"
        Serena glanced at Paul.  "Darien's here."
        Suddenly the Outer Scouts, who had been the ones applauding,
approached Serena.
        Michelle smiled.  "That was splendid, Serena!"
        Tara nodded.  "Maybe I can learn how to skate like that!"
        Erica grinned at Paul.  "Maybe you should start dating this guy.
He obviously treats you better than Darien did."
        Serena held her hands up in protest.  "Paul is just a friend
right now.  Although, you might have a point, Rick."
        Paul seemed puzzled a moment at the shortened name, then noticed
the way Erica held Michelle about the waist.  He put two and two
together.  "Ohhhh!"
        Michelle smiled at Paul's face.  "I do hope that Erica and I
don't make you uncomfortable."
        "No, you don't.  Should you?"
        The six laughed at the statement.  Mostly because Paul meant it.
Susan, who had been quiet, finally spoke.  "HE'S here!"  Her eyes
narrowed as she looked in Darien's direction.
        Erica saw him and clenched her fists.  "The least he could do is
get enough guts to face her.  He shouldn't be sneaking around like that!
Besides ... I've been meaning to give him a piece of my mind."
        Serena winced and put a hand on Erica's shoulder.  "Don't hurt
him.  Despite everything he's done, he was still my first love."  She
thought a moment.  "Well ... don't hurt him TOO much."
        "I take it I have your permission to cause him some physical
pain?"  She grinned at Serena's nod.  "Then you guys go ahead without
me.  This isn't going to be pretty!"  With that, Erica headed in
Darien's direction.
        Paul took Serena's arm.  "Let's do as she says.  I have little
stomach for witnessing physical violence."

                                *****

        Darien wondered what was going on when he felt a tap on his
shoulder.  He turned.  "Rick!  Hi!"
        Erica sneered at him.  "Don't `HI' me!  Let's go somewhere and
talk, Endymion."  She firmly took his arm and led him outside the rink.

                                *****

        She stopped suddenly, and spun around so fast that Darien had no
time to react.  Her fist connected with his stomach.  "How dare you?"
She kicked him in the groin.  "You were everything to her, and you just
tore her heart to pieces!  The poor kid was crying so hard that she
passed out!  She couldn't even get up for six hours!"  She elbowed him
on the back of his neck, causing him to fall on his knees.  "You don't
deserve her anymore.  Leave her alone, Endymion!  She no longer wants
you."  She gave him one final push.  "And if you think that you'll be
able to gain her sympathy, I'll have you know that I had her permission
to do this!  If you were a real man, you would've defended yourself."
She turned and walked away.  "Wuss!"
        Darien groaned and passed out.  He didn't know what hurt more
...  his injuries, or Erica's words.
        Travis had witnessed the entire encounter.  Although he agreed
with Erica, he couldn't help but wince every time she struck Darien.  He
was still mad at Darien, but didn't think he deserved what Erica was
dishing out.  `Ouch!  A tongue-lashing as well as being hit hard
physically.'  When Erica left, he walked over.

                                *****

        Darien opened his eyes to find himself in a familiar room.
'Wha? How'd I get to Travis' place?'
        A gravely voice nearby spoke.  "So ... you're awake are you?"
        "I wish I weren't."  He tried to sit up, but his mid-section
screamed in protest, so he collapsed back onto the bed.  "How did I get
here, Apollo?"
        "I brought you here.  I may be pissed as hell for what you did
to my sister, but no one deserves what Erica was doing!"  Travis sat
down and regarded Darien.  "What I want to know is ... WHY?"
        Darien would've shook his head, but the injury on his neck
seemed to not let him move his head at all.  "I wish I really knew.  I
just felt like I was smothering her.  I also add the age-old defense."
        Travis half-smiled as he guessed.  "It seemed like a good idea
at the time?"
        "Uh-huh.  Add that to the fact that I saw someone else kissing
her hand.  That only strengthened what I was feeling."
        Travis shook his head and went into the other room a moment.
When he came back, he was carrying a knife and some gauze.  "I MAY
regret doing this!"  He took Darien's right hand.  He looked at Darien
for permission, to which he got an ever-so-slight nod.  He took a deep
breath, and made a quick slash on Darien's hand.  He steeled his nerves
and made a similar cut on his own right hand.  He let go of Darien's
hand, and held his own hand out.  It had to be mutual, or it wouldn't
work.
        Darien felt tears fill his eyes as he grasped Travis' hand.
Almost instantly, he felt the void within him being filled as the link
between him and Travis was re-established.  He shuddered in relief and
closed his eyes.  He was barely aware of Travis binding the cut.
        "I shouldn't be admitting this, but I've missed you."  Travis
smiled at Darien, who was completely out of it, then sighed.  "Keep an
eye on him, would you Apollo?  I'm going to go lie down.  He's in a lot
of pain, both physical and emotional.  I can't even be mad at him
anymore."
        "I hope the Princess will be just as forgiving when he gets
around to apologizing."  The falcon cocked his head.  "I may not have a
special bond with him, but I can see that he still loves her.  He meant
what he said.  Insecurity is a very powerful driving force."
        Travis nodded, and got up stiffly.  He winced more out of
sympathy than pain, since he only caught a ghost of what Darien felt.
`No wonder he didn't move!  Erica nearly paralyzed him!'  Despite
everything, he knew he could neither be angry a Darien, nor could he
tell Serena what was going on.  He'd be stuck in the middle, and
realized that only two other people were on Darien's side.  `Gonna have
to tell the Inner Scouts.  Maybe at least ONE of them will understand.'
He picked up his communicator, and contacted each of the Inner Scouts.
He told them each what had been going on.  To his surprise, each of them
grudgingly admitted that Darien had a slight right to feel what he did.
"One thing ...  we can't tell Serena our feelings on this matter.
She'll think we're all siding against her."
        Raye nodded.  [How is Darien, by the way?  I hear Erica gave him
quite a pounding!]
        "Yeah, she did.  I don't think he'll be able to go anywhere for
the next couple of days.  He is in some SERIOUS pain.  Well, I gotta go.
Travis out!"  He smiled at Raye's concern.
        [Yeah, well, look after him.  Something tells me we're gonna be
needing Tuxedo Mask soon.  I've been getting MAJOR nega-vibes.  Raye
out!]  Her face blinked from the tiny screen.
        Travis shuddered.  `I KNOW, Raye.  I feel it too.  That's
another reason why I reestablished Darien as a blood brother.  Serena is
gonna need some MAJOR protection.  Something about this "Paul" guy
Serena's been seeing nags at me.'  Travis shook his head.  He had met
Paul briefly, and couldn't shake the feeling that he knew the guy
somehow.

END OF PART 2

PS-Remember Ignorance is curable but Stupidity is forever