Part 9 Michelle looked up from her task of inflating balloons at the sound of someone knocking on the door. "Hang on a moment! I'll be right there!" She tied the balloon up and sighed in relief. `SAVED by the door!' She walked to the door and opened it. Her face was marred by the unfamiliar expression of anger. "What are YOU doing here?" "I just stopped by to deliver Serena's gifts from Rose and myself." Darien handed two brightly wrapped boxes to Michelle. "I only wish I could say `happy birthday' to her in person. Will you tell her I stopped by?" "Just leave. If you weren't invited, then you aren't welcome." Michelle took the two packages and started to close the door. She paused once. "I will deliver your message, though." Then she firmly shut the door. She watched him walk away through the peephole. She placed the two packages on the near mountain of gifts that had been arriving for weeks. She looked over to the pile of balloons she still had to inflate. "Oh, well ..." ***** Susan smiled as she entered the ceramics shop. "Good afternoon, Mel. Is the chess set ready?" Pygmalion smiled at her. "Miss Mayes ... oh, sorry Susan. Yes it is. I just finished cleaning the pieces last night." He handed her the package. "Now ... I don't have to tell you to be careful with it." "Thank you! Here's the amount we agreed upon." She handed him a manila envelope. "You can count it if you wish." "No ... I trust you. Besides you don't have time for me to count it. I'll be seeing you around, Susan. Have fun at that party you're throwing for your friend." Susan smiled and kissed his cheek. "You're a dear. I'll be seeing you!" She carried the box out of the store and set it on the passenger seat of her car and wrapped the seatbelt around it. "Thanks again, Mel. Bye!" She slid into the driver's seat, buckled her seatbelt, and started the car. ***** Serena and Travis sat in the Crown Arcade talking to Andrew. "Happy Birthday, Serena! I hear some of your friends are throwing a party in your honor later." "You hear correctly. Are you going to be stopping by?" Andrew shook his head. "I'm sorry, Serena, but I have to stay here and close up. My dad's been sick, you know." "Yes ... I heard about that. I hope that he gets well soon." Serena sipped at the soda Travis had bought for her. Travis spoke up with an air of uncertainty, "Well ... Serena, why not see if someone wants to come in Andrew's place." At Serena's questioning glance, he answered, "All I'm saying is that Andrew could give his invitation to Darien since I KNOW you didn't give him one." Serena sighed sadly. "I ran out of invitations. I was honestly considering it. Erica said that it would be a waste of my money to buy a whole package of invitations just to send one to Darien. I was about to disagree, but she left. I only just got my allowance today. I think it a bit too late to ask now, and ... I doubt that he will accept if I ask him. I said some pretty lousy things to him, remember?" Travis smiled. `So it's true ... absence DOES make the heart grow fonder.' He stood up. "Well ... how about you and I find out? It's MY birthday too! I never sent out invitations. The others wouldn't DARE forbid his attendance if it's what we BOTH want." Serena wasn't too sure. "Do you think he would come?" "Only one way to find out!" Travis grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him as he ran. `Whatever hold Apollo has had on her must be waning a little.' He glanced at Serena. `AHA! So THAT'S it! She isn't wearing that stupid necklace! Better take advantage of this situation.' He was POSITIVE that Darien would leap at the opportunity. He had been really down in the dumps. After a few minutes, he spotted the familiar green jacket. "DARIEN! WAIT UP!" Serena sounded miserable as she spoke. "Are you SURE about this?" "Positive! Come on!" ***** Darien had been heading towards Angelica's when he heard Travis call him. He spun and smiled. The smile faded somewhat when he saw that Serena was with him. He bit his lip to keep himself from losing control as they approached. His every instinct told him to pull Serena close and never let her go. Travis ran up. "Whew ... thanks for staying put!" He turned to his sister. "Well, Serena, here's your chance." Darien shot a glance at Serena. She seemed to be apprehensive about something. She was looking wildly around, as if desperate to get out of the situation. "Serena?" He took few steps forward at the absolute terror in her eyes out of sheer instinct. "Serena? Serena ... what's wrong?" He kept his tone low and soothing. Serena heard the tone of his voice, and that calmed her down immensely. She took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes. "Would you come to my birthday party?" She let out the rest of the breath in a rush and stood there, panting. `Please say you will.' Darien saw the hope in her eyes. He smiled at her. "Of course I'll come. Why didn't you send out an invitation?" "I ran out, and Erica told me not to spend the rest of my allowance buying another package. I was debating on whether of not I should ask you in person. I was afraid that you would say no." She looked down. "I ... miss you." She felt a weight on her shoulder and looked up again. "Can you ever forgive me?" Darien answered her by pulling her into his arms. He held her close as she started to sob. "It's okay, Serena. Come on ... I was just heading up to Angela's place. I think you should lie down for a little while." He looked up at Travis, and mouthed `thank you.' Travis nodded and smiled. ***** Serena's eyes went wide when she saw the place. "Tenshi lives HERE?" "Yup!" Darien smiled when he spotted Rose's car. "Come on!" He knocked on the door. He smiled as Joy opened the door. She took one look at Serena and beamed as she bowed a little. "My Queen!" "I wish people would stop doing that. I get enough of the `Princess' deal with Susan and the others. Wait a second ... did you just say `QUEEN'?" "My name is Joy. I'm from the future. It's only natural for me to call you `Queen'." Angela's voice drifted out to them as she approached. "Who is it? OH!" She broke into a large smile. "Welcome, Serena! Come on in!" Rose was there almost immediately. "Serena's here?" She smiled kindly at Serena. "Hello, moppet." "Rose! I ..." Rose pulled Serena into a hug. "Hush. All is forgiven and forgotten." She stroked the younger girl's back as Serena started to sob again. "Shhhhh! It's all right, Serena ... it's all right. Don't cry." She gently pushed Serena out to arm's length and wiped the tears away from her face. "You've been having it rough. You have absolutely no idea what to expect tonight, and it's only natural for you to be jumpy. There, now, don't cry." She looked up at Darien. **You had better take her to her room so she can rest a while.** **I was just about to suggest the same.** He smiled at Serena when she turned to face him. "Come on. I'll show you where you can rest." He noticed that Serena still looked miserable as he led her to her room. He stopped in front of her door, and pulled her into his arms. He was hardly surprised when she started crying again. `Rose never DID understand that when Serena has to cry ... she'll cry.' He kissed the top of her head. "No matter what, Serena, I will always love you. What's the point of loving someone if you only love them when it's easy? Do you understand?" "B-but what about Raye?" Darien laughed softly. "That was a misunderstanding on your part, Serena. I wasn't telling Raye that I loved HER ... I was telling her what I was going to say to YOU. I could never love anyone but you." He reached into his pocket. "I delivered your birthday present to the mansion a little while ago, but I wanted to return this ... if you still want it." He held out the engagement ring. Serena pulled back a little. "You still want me to have it? You ... you still want ME?" "Always." He quickly slid the ring back onto her finger, then bent to kiss her. "Feel better?" Serena sniffed once and smiled as she nodded. "Yes ... but I feel a little tired." She finally looked at the door to the room she had been lead to. "What the?" She opened the door and looked inside. "Oh my!" "Is the room to your liking, Princess?" "Tenshi ... what are you ...? OH!" Serena was speechless as she saw Angela in her true form for the first time. Her brows furrowed in concentration. "Moppet ... it's STILL me! You know me." She smiled as recognition lit in Serena's eyes. "Aunt 'Gelica!" Serena ran into her waiting arms. "I thought you died! You disappeared so suddenly that ..." "Hush now! I had things to tend to. You go inside and lie down. We can talk later." "AUNT?" Darien's eyebrows had shot up at the title. Angelica looked up at Darien and nodded. "She was little more than a baby when I first met her. She said my name as best she could, but it always came out like that. As she got older, it stuck." She kissed the top of Serena's head. "There now, Moppet. It'll all be fine now that you're here. You go rest, daughter of my heart." Darien saw Joy watching them out of the corner of his eye. He kissed Serena lovingly once before walking towards the mysterious girl. "What's with the look?" "She's wonderful, isn't she?" "Do you mean Angelica or Serena?" Joy smiled in the knowing way of hers. "Both." ***** Michelle tied the last balloon and sighed with relief when there was another knock on the door. `What NOW?' Susan got up. "I'll go see who it is." She walked to the entry- way and opened the door. Her eyes widened with pleasure at the figure the door revealed. "PUU!" A girl, about fifteen in appearance, wrapped her arms around Susan. "Is Mom here?" Susan pushed the girl away and beamed. "No, Reenie, Serena called earlier to say she was with your Uncle. She said she was staying at Angela's house for a while ... Do you know who Angela is?" Reenie nodded. "Joy's staying there. I can find the place. I'll see you later!" She spun away and hummed while skipping in the direction she wanted to go. She felt a little childish, but she didn't care. She was so happy. ***** Serena and Darien were busy catching up when the doorbell rang. Darien got up and answered it. "Yes?" Reenie smiled. "Hi, Dad!" Darien's jaw dropped and he gaped at the pink-haired teenager for a moment. Then he came to his senses and pulled the girl into a bear hug. "Reenie! How are you? How is everything in the future?" He put her down and ruffled her hair. Serena had joined Darien. "How is Diana, Small Lady?" "Wonderful ... to all three questions. It's my birthday ... and I wanted to spend it here. Oh it's great at home and all, but there are extreme differences between ..." "Small Lady!" Joy launched herself at Reenie and gave her a hug that rivaled Darien's. "Oh, I've been so worried! Is everything all right? Have the brood been behaving themselves? How's Kaitlin? Where's Diana ... or is she STILL in training? Is Monica feeling any better? I do hope that everyone is getting along well while I'm here ... we may very well need them. How is Damion?" The last question belied her keen interest. "WOAH!" Reenie laughed. "Let me see ... Yes. Yes. Fine. At home ... no. Yes, and you were right in that it was just a cold. They're all just fine. And ... he misses you a lot. You know ... it really WOULD have been poetic if I had fallen for him. Although I guess you're close enough." "Ixnay!" "Well ... who is this lovely little lady?" Angela smiled at the newcomer. "Auntie Angelica!" Reenie launched herself at Angela. "Small Lady!!!" Joy had an angry look on her face. She cleared her throat. "Everyone calls you that, in one way or another." Angela nodded in understanding, although she felt that Joy was hiding something. "Even you?" Joy's eyes widened. "I'm ... an exception." Reenie laughed. "You sure are!" "Small Lady Serenity ... that is ENOUGH!" She grabbed Reenie's arm. "Come on ... we have MUCH to discuss!" She pulled Reenie into her room. "What in Serenity's name are you SAYING? You KNOW the rules! They have no idea as to who I am, and the last thing I need is you blabbing away about me!" She let go of Reenie. "I'm sorry, Small Lady." She quickly changed the subject. "How is Damion ... really?" "HOPELESS! Since you've been gone ... He's burned himself five times, tried to eat twelve plates, and when we CAN get him to sing, he's as unenthusiastic as they come." She looked around the room. "So ... what are you wearing?" Joy opened her closet and pulled out her favorite pale yellow silk party dress. As she got changed, she continued the conversation. "I miss him too ... I hope he knows that." "He does. When I left, he was begging Puu to send him with me ... if only for tonight. He knows you'd never dance with anyone but him." Joy undid her braid and pulled out her hairbrush. "I'd like nothing better than to have him here. I love him, you know?" Reenie nodded sadly. "I know the feeling." "OH! How is YOUR romantic interest?" Reenie sighed. "Elios is usually very busy ... but he goes out of his way for me whenever he sees me." She tilted her head as Joy pulled her hair into another style. "Uh ... is that wise?" Joy smiled at the question. "I'll just say that I want to try out a new hairdo." She had pulled half of her hair into two small round buns, with the yellow streak wrapped in the right bun. The rest of her hair fell loose. She opened her jewelry box and pulled out a tiny sun-shaped locket with the symbol of Mars engraved on it. "How do I look?" Reenie shook her head. "Like a princess. If Damion were here, he'd be floored." She got up. "I'm going to see how Mom is. I'll see you later at the party." Joy touched her earring. "Please ... just one dance?" She didn't receive an answer. ***** Later on, Darien and Travis walked to the party side-by-side. The four Inners were behind them. Angela, Joy, Rose, Dipi, and Reenie weren't too far behind. Kris followed closely behind Rose and Dipi. Reenie was in a bluish off-white dress which complemented her pink hair. Dipi wore the same style dress as Reenie, except that it was pinkish rather than bluish. Rose wasn't dressed for the party, even though she had been invited. Darien had delivered her gift to Serena earlier. She was wearing a dark shirt and stretch pants. Angela was wearing a nice blouse and skirt, feeling awkward since she very rarely wore skirts. She had smiled at seeing Joy all dressed up. She couldn't quite put her finger on the reason why she had felt pride in the girl's appearance. It troubled her slightly that Joy was distant. "Is anything wrong?" Joy forced a smile. "I'm just thinking." Then she turned her head back to look down. Ahead of them, the four Inners were wearing various party dresses. Naturally the colors weren't imaginative, but that didn't make the dresses any less lovely. Darien stood back as Travis rang the doorbell. As the door opened, the music that was playing washed over them. Darien took a step back as Erica glowered at him. ***** "What the HELL are you doing here?" Erica considered closing the door in their faces when Serena's voice stopped her. "Erica ... stop it! That is quite enough of that!" Darien took the opportunity to look up and gape at the woman he loved. She was wearing a glittering white dress with puffed sleeves. He noticed, with slight despair, that she had her quartz necklace on. He took a great deal of comfort that she still had her ring on. He pushed past a frowning Erica, and bowed to Serena. "You look absolutely breathtaking tonight, Serena." "Thank you. You look wonderful. There are no words to say just how much I missed you." She hugged him. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay. I have things to do. See you around, moppet." Rose turned and left. "Princess!" "Erica ... I said ENOUGH! I invited him here, so you have no say in the matter. End of discussion." Serena spun around once. "Do you really like my dress? Michelle and Tara picked it out for me." The dress shimmered golden and silver due to the fine silk threads that had been woven into the fabric. The bodice hugged her figure while the skirt fell loosely to her knees. She had a sash made out of three braided scarves tied around her waist ... gold, silver, and white. "It's not as beautiful as you are in it." With that, he kissed her tenderly. "Isn't THIS a pretty picture?" Paul had arrived in time to see the kiss. `DAMN! Keeping Cape Boy away from her just got harder!' "Paul, this is Darien ... my fiancee." She was briefly aware of Darien's happy smile. "Uh-huh? Where does this leave us?" "US? What ARE you talking about?" Paul stepped between her and Darien. "I thought you loved ME!" "I do ... but I am IN love with Darien. There IS a difference." Angela chuckled, "Touche!" Serena continued, "I love a lot of people. You, Erica, even Raye. But I am IN love with only Darien. I truly am sorry if you thought different." Paul glared at Darien once before storming into the main room. Angela let go of her laughter at once. "Well said, Serena!" Erica gently pulled Serena aside. "What about all the things he said? Are you just going to forget them?" Serena smiled sadly. "No, but I AM going to forgive him. I love him. That is all that matters." She raised her voice. "Come on! The party has only just begun!" She walked in ahead of them, and was caught by surprise when Paul met her. "Serena, I'm sorry. I behaved badly back there. I was only worried about you. And, to be completely selfish, about myself. I'm quite taken with you. To prove it, I'm going to settle all your doubts about Darien and ask just what his feelings are for Raye. Just so you know the words are his, you can listen in." "That is very noble of you. I accept your apology. Not now, though. Later, so he has no suspicions. All right?" Paul smiled and nodded. `YES! The rabbit has taken the bait.' ***** A half-hour later, the party was in full swing. The main room had been cleared, and people had filled it. A slow song came on and couples started forming. Joy leaned against a wall feeling absolutely miserable. She felt tears pricking her eyes as she touched her locket. "Oh ... Damion ..." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She thought she detected something in the air, so she took another breath, testing it with her sense of smell. The air smelled lightly of musk with just a hint of cinnamon. She bowed her head as she opened her eyes. She was greeted with the sight of a red shirt. Her eyes snapped up, and she slowly smiled. "You look beautiful ..." His violet eyes shone under his dark hair. "Would you like to dance?" Instead of answering with words, she threw her arms around him and kissed him. "Oh! I've missed you so much, Damion!" She rested her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat. "Pluto did some searching ... Seems as if I'm supposed to be here, too. I almost broke down the door before she sent me here." He held her tightly. "I only hope we can go home soon. Small Lady is here, I ..." "Hush! Right now, just dance with me." Serena noticed Joy dancing with a complete stranger. "Travis? Is that one of YOUR friends?" Reenie glanced over. "How'd HE manage to get here?" "Who is he, Small Lady?" Reenie smiled at Serena. "He's Joy's ... ahem ... intended. They've been in love for as long as I can remember. His name is Damion, Queen Raye's son. He's very caring, and a lot of fun to be with. Before coming on this mission, she promised to marry him as soon as she returned home." She turned her smile to Travis. "She couldn't do much better. He and Phoebe each rule one of Mars' moons." Travis made an impressed face. "But ... why are you telling ME this?" Reenie blinked in surprise. "You mean she didn't tell you?" "Tell me what?" After a strained pause, he repeated himself. "Reenie? Tell ... me ... WHAT?" "Small Lady!" Joy clamped her hand over Reenie's mouth. "Will you PLEASE shut up before you ruin EVERYTHING?" Travis stared Joy down. "WHAT are you talking about? If you haven't been honest with us ..." "I have been! Keeping facts secret isn't the same as lying!" Joy's eyes were pleading for understanding. "Hey! Ease up on her! You might regret any harsh words to her later on." Travis met the young man's eyes, and felt a slight thrill when the young man looked away. He thought he saw recognition in his eyes. "Joy ... ?" The reply he got surprised him. "Yes, Your Majesty?" He took a deep breath. "Are you ... ?" He wasn't able to finish the question. He didn't have to. "Yes, sir." Joy's answer both thrilled and terrified him. "Are you an only child?" "Maybe, maybe not. It IS up to you! I'm sorry ... Father ... I just can't tell you anymore. Please don't be angry with me!" "Angry? Why would I ever be angry? Not only do I get to meet my future daughter, I get to meet the one she loves." He took Damion in. "Have you said hello to Raye yet?" "Mother? I wouldn't know how to approach her. She's really ... stubborn." "Hmmmm ... a trait she passed on to you, it seems." Joy smiled as she playfully tugged on a lock of his hair. "You are the ONLY person who can make Lady Pluto give up." "PLEASE don't mess the `do!'" Damion pushed his hair back into its original style while he laughed with Joy's gentle teasing. Darien walked over, and Damion bowed before escorting Joy away. Paul had seen Darien walk over to Serena and approached. "Darien ... I would like a word with you." Darien didn't like the sound of that, but the nod Serena gave him left him without a way to escape. "All right ... Paul." While Paul led him away, Darien lowered his voice, "You aren't fooling anyone, Apollo." "Oh ... so you know me? Good! Then we can drop all pretenses. Besides ... you're wrong. I'm fooling Serena." He glanced back and nodded to indicate her, knowing full well that she'd take it as a signal. "I plan to tell her the truth later, though. A sort of birthday gift." "Yeah, right! And just HOW were you planning to do that?" "Just call her by her former name. I've been hinting at it." Paul smiled. `Now, just cut off her common sense. Make her forget her earlier feelings about matters of love, turn up the jealousy, and viola!' "Look ... I know you've been deliberately poisoning her heart against me. Considering your feelings for my sister ..." Paul snapped. "You leave her out of this!" He hissed like an angry snake. "At least SHE had no qualms about trying to contact you! You left it until too late! You stubborn, arrogant, imbecile!" To Serena, in her state of mind, it looked as if Darien had just insulted her, and that Paul was coming to her defense. She watched as Paul pulled Darien into a side room. She stood just outside to listen. Paul concentrated. He knew he had to phrase the question just right in order to get the desired answer. "So ... Darien ... what are your feelings for Raye?" Darien shook his head. "What? What do you mean?" Paul shrugged. "Do you love her?" "Why on Earth are you asking me that?" "Don't evade the question!" Paul was thrilled. He knew that Serena would think that Darien was trying to get out of answering. "Just a plain yes or no will do!" "Yes, I love her ... She's a wonderful girl!" `BINGO!!!' Paul twisted the meaning that reached Serena, and he knew they were a declaration of undying passion in her ears. Darien, not realizing that Serena had just ran back into the main room, continued, "But it's like Serena said. I love a lot of people. Raye, Travis, even Luna and Artemis. But I am IN love with Serena." He was confused when Paul started laughing. "What?" "You just hung yourself with your own rope! I had Serena listen in to our little conversation." Paul smirked. "Now I have to go comfort a poor, heartbroken girl before she does anything rash." Darien's mouth fell open, and he stared after Paul. "Oh ... no!" ***** "Joy ... I don't feel so good!" Reenie swayed a little as Serena ran past them. "Small Lady?" She bit back a scream as Reenie vanished. "Small Lady!" She spun around, looking for someone to run to. She spotted him chatting with Travis. "Damion!" Damion turned to hold onto Joy. "What is it?" "Small Lady ... she's disappeared!" Travis shook his head. "What ARE you talking about?" He pointed to a girl off to the side. "Reenie's right over there." Joy turned to look, as did Damion. With one voice they whispered. "*Oh NO!*" The girl Travis had pointed to had Reenie's hairstyle, and was wearing the dress Reenie had been wearing. The main difference was ... `Reenie' was blonde. Part 10 Joy clutched at Damion's shirt in terror. Damion smiled gently and put his hand over hers. "Don't worry. No matter what, I'll be born. If anyone should be shaking at this point, it's me. My life was beyond boring before we met." He stroked her face. "So don't be afraid." "I'm not afraid that you'll disappear ... I'm afraid that I'LL disappear! I don't like the way this is looking." "It'll be all right, you'll see. Come on. Let's go say hi to my mother." He carefully pried her hand off of his shirt, and walked over to Raye. He cleared his throat. Raye knew the look on Lita's face. "Let me guess ... there's a guy standing behind me that looks JUST like your old boyfriend!" Lita shut her mouth, realizing that she had almost said exactly what Raye had predicted. Raye turned to the young man behind her. She wasn't surprised at the amused expression on his face. What surprised her was that it bore a striking resemblance to the expression she got whenever something amused HER. When she had asked Joy if there were any heirs to the title of `Mars', Joy's face had spoken volumes. She put that together with the fact that Joy was hugging the young man's arm. "Besides, Lita, where he's from ... you're old enough to be his mother." He smiled, and was quick to reply. "Not quite ... she's younger, you know." Raye returned the smile. "Yeah ... I know. Do I at least get a name from you?" She nearly hit herself when she received the answer, which was in the form of another question. "Why? Are you looking for a new one?" Joy sputtered a moment before elbowing him in the arm. "You ought to be ashamed! You aren't really making the best first impression on her." That sobered him quickly enough. "Forgive me ..." He placed his right hand over his heart as he knelt before Raye. "Your Majesty ... forgive my jovial nature." He lowered his eyes. "I am Damion, Ruler of the Martian moon Demos, only male heir to the Queen of Mars ..." He looked up into eyes that were almost identical in color to his. "I am your son." Lita gasped at this bit of information. Raye merely nodded. She had suspected it as soon as she had laid eyes on him. "I don't suppose you could name your father, and PLEASE don't kneel to me! Stand up so I can see you." Damion got up and brushed his bangs away from his face. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you more than you already know." Raye took stock of him. His eyes had a grayish tint to them. She shook her head and sighed. "I hope your good looks aren't your only positive quality." Damion ducked his head in bashfulness, and Raye smiled in triumph. `I KNEW it!' Joy shook her head. "They aren't! He's loyal, dependable, fun, honest, caring, brave, strong, and ... absolutely the best singer in the solar system. He gets it from you." Raye nodded and walked off with Lita. `At least he knows a nice girl when he sees one. They obviously adore one another.' "You never told me that you thought I was good-looking." Joy blushed. "Well ... that was never the reason I got attached to you in the first place! You were so wild when we were younger. You did things I never dared to do." "I was BORED! Besides I never got away with what I did." He winced as Joy's index finger ran along an old scar at the back of his neck ... one that would never fully heal without help. "You should ask my aunt about this. One of these days, it will reopen, as it has a tendency to do, and there won't be anyone there to help ..." "Shhh! I haven't felt as if I had the right to ask ... not since I got this scar while visiting Crystal Tokyo. I shouldn't have been playing where I was ... If you hadn't found me ..." He winced again at the bad memory, and pulled her hand away and kissed the palm. "When we return home, I'll ask. That's a promise." He felt his nerves relax as a smile spread across her face. ***** "Serena ... will you PLEASE let me explain ..." Serena spun on him. "Explain WHAT? What is there to explain? Explain that you lied to me yet again? Explain that you toyed with my heart for your own enjoyment? I have had ENOUGH of that, Darien!" Tears were streaming down her face. "I have no idea why I kept on trusting you. You always found some way to betray that trust. No more, Darien! I no longer have the strength to put up with it. Please leave now." She took her ring off and held it out to him. "Serena ... I'm Travis' guest, too. You can't order me out." He took a deep breath and let it out, feeling his heart shatter. "I'll go, though, because it is what you want." He took the ring slowly. "I really am in love with you, Serena. When you're ready to face that, I'll be there ... waiting for you." "HAH!" She ran outside. Darien pocketed the ring, and turned to leave ... only to see Paul smirking at him. "You've won the battle, but the war is still on." "You're just deluding yourself, Endymion. I really do feel sorry for you," he snorted. "You've never been one to face facts." Paul pushed past him. "Now I have to go keep my promise, and watch the eclipse with my sister." Darien looked outside. The eclipse had started. ***** Rose glanced up at the Moon. **You okay?** **No ... not really.** There was an obvious sigh. **I won't give up, though.** **Good ... because it's starting! You need all your strength. I've already called Kris, he and the Generals are on the way. They'll be here before the Moon is one-quarter covered. See you later, Lunkhead.** She touched her emerald pendant, and became the green-clad Emerald. She glanced back up at the Moon, a small part of the edge was covered. `Eclipses take a long time ... I hope Serena's all right.' ***** "Small Lady?" Joy stared at the back of Reenie's blonde head. She turned and looked at Joy, but there was no happiness in her eyes. "It's been a long time ... Not long enough, though!" She glanced at Damion. "Why don't you come to your senses?" Joy looked into Reenie's unsettling blue eyes. "Small Lady, we're from a different timestream than you are. In my time, you're already involved with someone." Now that the timestream had veered so sharply in one direction, Joy was left with the memory of HER Small Lady. Pink hair and all. "Likely story ..." "Small Lady ... it's true! By the way, why are you here?" Reenie's face fell. "Mother's dead ... her last wish was for me to come and help in the past. Do you know what she meant by that?" Joy gasped. `So there IS hope ...' Damion nodded. "We know what she meant ... but I don't think it's a good idea to tell you yet." Reenie walked over and held on to Damion's free arm. "Well ... since you're here. I know things are tough back at home with all of the fighting, but we're not home anymore." She smiled up at him while pushing Joy away. "Why not take that stupid ring off? It's too small for it to even be a pinkie ring." Damion rubbed his thumb along the thin band that rested in the middle of his ring finger, right between the top two knuckles. "You know why ... Joy gave it to me when we were younger." He smiled at the similar band on Joy's left pinkie. `It still fits her ... after all this time. Then, again, it was big enough to fit her thumb when I got it.' He gently removed Reenie's arms. "Forgive me, Small Lady, but you know I'll never love anyone but Joy." Reenie looked closely at the two of them, as if seeing them for the first time. "You ARE from a different reality than I am. The Damion I know would NEVER call me Small Lady. What can I do?" "I want you to start out by being my friend. Apparently, there's some animosity between you and the Joy of your reality. Can we be friends, Reenie?" She held her hand out. "Friends?" Reenie nodded. "I like you." She smiled and took the offered hand. "Friends." Damion placed his hand over the two clasped hands. "Friends." He looked up at the Moon. "We'd better get moving. Tonight's going to be rough." Joy nodded. "We have to prevent my uncle from doing anything too rash after the inevitable happens." She turned to Reenie. "Can you still turn into Crescent Moon?" "Yup!" Reenie held up her brooch to prove it. "Good ... let's go!" ***** Serena watched as the Moon was slowly covered. "Amazing." Paul stepped beside her. "Are you all right?" Serena turned to Paul. "I am now that you are here. Thank you." She turned her attention to the Moon. "Paul ... there are some things that you should know about me ..." "There's nothing you could tell me that I don't already know ... Serenity." He shifted into his true form. "Happy birthday." Serena's eyes widened. "Apollo?" When he nodded, she threw herself into his arms with a cry. "Oh, Apollo! I should have listened to you! I thought you were jealous when you were only trying to help!" "Ahhhh ... So you now understand that I was trying to keep you from being hurt again. He fooled the both of us. I thought that maybe he was sincere this time." "So did I. Oh ... it hurts so much!" She started sobbing. "I have a spell that will make the hurt go away. I'll use it if you want me to." Serena nodded. "Please." Apollo smiled. "This might take a while, so please be patient." He closed his eyes, and began the incantation. `She bought it!' ***** Tuxedo Mask was in a tree beside Emerald. Below them were the four Generals and the Inner Scouts. **I don't like this!** **Neither do I, Lunkhead. Where's Travis?** **Safe. I sent him home. He's understandably frustrated.** Nephrite stiffened and narrowed his eyes. Malachite noticed it. "What's wrong?" "I could have SWORN that I saw someone I used to know." Jadeite hissed for silence from his place beside Venus. "They might hear us!" From behind Jadeite came a sinister laugh. "You're wrong ... BROTHER. We HAVE heard you!" Apollo's four generals appeared. "Let's take this somewhere else. We have strict orders that Serenity is NOT to be harmed." Pandora glanced up. "You can stay in your tree, Endymion. Just like a little bird that flies away at the sight of trouble." Venus glared at them. "You're outnumbered, two to one!" Zoisite shifted nervously. "Well ... that's not necessarily so." Mars' eyes widened. "WHAT?" Malachite was quick to explain. "All the powers you associate with us were ... ahem ... `gifts' from you-know-who. Aside from our fighting skills, we're powerless." Zoisite added to that. "And all of us are fairly rusty from not USING our real skills in a very long time." Loki grinned. "That means it's YOU who are outnumbered." Jupiter cracked her knuckles. "How do you figure?" "He figures US in." The four Scouts spun around to see the four Outers grimacing. Their Sailor suits were gray where they used to be white. Uranus sneered at the four younger girls. "We almost didn't believe them ... but they were right. You HAVE betrayed her." Saturn appeared saddened. "I'm very disappointed in you." Neptune ant Pluto nodded as one. Pandora motioned them to follow. "Come on along, children. We don't want to involve the Princess. This is between US." Mercury looked at the odds and sighed. "Let's get this over with, then." Tuxedo Mask nearly leapt down to help, but Emerald stopped him. **NO! If you follow, Serena will be completely unprotected! Do you really want to leave?** **No ... but the Outer Scouts are much stronger than the Inners. Added to the fact that we don't know how strong those newcomers are.** **There isn't anything you can do. Your main duty is to the Princess.** Tuxedo Mask sighed and relented. **I still hate abandoning them!** Emerald smiled. **I understand. You can make it up to them by protecting Serena. That's what they'd want.** She jumped down. Tuxedo Mask sensed an uneasiness in her. **What is it?** She shook her head. **I thought I heard something!** She looked over to the bushes, and three shadows darted in the direction of the fight that was about to begin. **I'm gonna go lend a hand.** Tuxedo Mask glanced down to his sister and smiled. **Go ahead, then. I'll stay here and protect Serena.** Emerald glanced up. **Be careful!** **You too.** The faintest smile grew on his face when Emerald sent him a psychic hug. `One of these days, I'll find out how she does that.' He turned his whole attention to Serena, glancing at the Moon occasionally. ***** Serena felt a strange sensation flow through her. It wasn't painful, but it was distinctly uncomfortable. Images began to fly through her mind as she felt herself uncontrollably shifting from Serena, to Sailor Moon, to Serenity, and back again to Serena. There was no true pattern to it. The only thing she knew was she didn't like the feeling. Apollo sensed Tuxedo Mask, and sent a small tendril to keep Darien inactive long enough to complete the spell. Then he continued chanting. He accidentally brushed against Serena's mind, and heard a faint whisper in her soul. `Normal? She wants a life separate from all this?' After the brush, he noticed something different. Serena was fighting him. `BLAST!!! The mindlink was two-way! Well, Serenity, I was going to give you your wish anyway, but now I have a reason of my own ... I'm going to have to split your soul into two separate entities. If you were kept whole, you'd break away from me ... just a slight alteration ... I'm sorry, Serenity, but this is going to HURT.' Serena was about to give in to the sensation when she felt Apollo's mind touch hers. Curious as she was, she snuck a peek. She definitely did NOT like what she saw. In that mere instant, she saw the plots against Darien ... how Apollo had tricked her into believing that Darien never loved her. `Oh, Darien ... I am so sorry!' She gasped at the feeling of being torn apart. She tried to scream, but was unable to. `Where is everyone? Someone ... HELP!' Tuxedo Mask saw the change immediately, and tried to move. He looked down in amazement when his feet refused to work. It was like he was glued to the tree. He winced as he felt Serena's pain. **ROSE!** **I know ... I'm sorry, but I'm effectively trapped here. Don't give up! She's counting on you.** ***** Travis' head jerked as he felt Serena's scream, and Darien's turmoil. `Something's gone terribly wrong!' He spun around and ran back to the Outers' mansion as fast as he could. `Forgive me, Darien, but I HAVE to help!' ***** Mars stopped and turned to face Pluto. "That's far enough, I believe. Let's dance!" Venus looked to the Generals, "Unless you remember how to fight without your `gifts,' I suggest you stay out of this. We don't want people needlessly injured." Jupiter shook her head. "Two to one odds. Not very fair, is it? Do you want to call in some reinforcements?" Uranus smirked. "Well well well ... more players for our side. You were saying ... Jupiter?" Mercury spun and gasped. Behind them were the Sailor Starlights. It was obvious that they had gone against the Inners by the expressions on their faces. She leaned over to Jupiter. "Eleven to four ... this doesn't look good!" Jupiter grinned back. "Are you KIDDING? These are the perfect odds for me!" "Mercury's wrong! It's FIVE to eleven!" Emerald jumped down and landed between Jupiter and Venus. "I know you believe in your strength, but show a little common sense!" Pygmalion grinned. "Let's get this show on the road! Golem Phoenix, Golem Basilisk!" Pandora opened her box enough to allow the woes Vanity and Ego loose, closed it, then reopened it. "Woe Sloth! Come forth!" "Almost three to one!" Venus dodged Basilisk's gaze. "Careful! A basilisk's gaze can, and WILL, turn you into stone!" "WORLD ... SHAKING!!!!" Mars leapt nimbly out of the way, only to jump in the way of Neptune's `Deep Submerge' attack. "Not good!" "HEAVENLY LIGHT ... PROTECT!!!" A bright glow surrounded Mars, and the Deep Submerge left her unscathed. "WHAT?!?!?!?" Mars spun around, to come face to face with a friendly-looking girl. "Who are you?" The girl smiled. "I am called the Sunlight Angel." Mars nodded. "Well ... at least you're on OUR side! Look out!" The girl grabbed Mars, and leapt up ... flying gracefully out of harm's way. "Thanks!" ***** Travis was running up the stairs, but had to stop as a wave of what could only be described as anemic dizziness washed through him. When it passed, he transformed into Prince Tranquillity and continued on his course. He HAD to help Serena. ***** `ALMOST!!!' Apollo went frantic to finish the spell before Darien got loose. He spoke the last word and spun around to fight Darien. Tuxedo Mask aimed a rose at the crystal Serena was wearing, which was glowing with a great deal of pent-up negative energy. He let it fly, and everything happened at once. Serena found her voice and screamed with the agony she was feeling as her body dissolved. "DARIUUH-HUUNNN!!!" Tuxedo Mask watched, horror-stricken, as the woman he loved vanished ... and the rose wilted in mid-flight. He lost his balance, and fell. He landed as Darien, not Tuxedo Mask, and looked to where Serena had been standing. In her place was a glowing orb that split into three separate orbs. Two of the orbs flew off in different directions, but one re-formed into Princess Serenity ... with many differences. Her hair was still blonde, but it was longer than Serena's. She was wearing a gown like Princess Serenity's, but it was pale yellow with golden highlights. On her forehead was an odd combination of the usual crescent moon symbol, and the symbol of the sun. The greatest shock came when she opened her eyes. They weren't blue ... they were glowing a golden color. She had a pained expression. ***** Tranquillity stumbled and sat still a moment. The feeling had been stronger that time, and it lasted longer. He forced himself up and ran towards the gardens. ***** Meanwhile, in a hospital room across town, a young girl was on the threshold between life and death when a white orb flew through her window. It hovered a moment before settling on the girl's chest, over her heart. The monitors around her started beeping wildly, and she opened her eyes. Within five minutes, the room was flooded with doctors. One thing that confused them, was that her eyes were blue for an instant, then changed to brown. ***** Darien could do nothing except lie there and stare at this stranger that had Serena's appearance. "Serenity!" Apollo smiled and bowed. "Perhaps you would care to do the honors?" Darien was finding it harder to breathe as the girl approached him. "Gladly!" The necklace holding the crystal appeared, and transformed into a crown. It settled on her head, and the crystal covered the symbol of the sun so it looked like her crescent moon was holding the crystal by its points. "You had your chance, Endymion. You could have helped me!" She raised her hands, but nothing happened. "Apollo ... what went wrong?" Darien shook his head in denial and closed his eyes. `This can NOT be happening! NOT to Serena...' Apollo looked at Darien's prone form. "I don't know. Do you want ME to deal with him Serenity?" "Go ahead." Apollo formed a ball of energy, and was about to throw it at Darien. Reenie's voice suddenly came out of nowhere. "FATHER!! NO!!"