Ohayo, konichiwa or kobanwa, depending on what time you're reading this. ^_^ Okay, here's the much anticipated (I hope!) chapter one of Truths! Yea! Thanks to everyone who has mailed me and those who haven't...*sniffle* Why haven't you mailed me?! *wails in an Usagi like fashion* Hey, did you hear the new Rini voice? I think that sounds much better because she sounds like a little girl and not like whatever age she sounded like before. A good thing about the series! *shock* E-mail: stefaniecraig@hotmail.com Website: http://home.att.net/~stef_chan/index.html ICQ: 634674320 If you add me to your ICQ list, please tell me why, and who you are! ^_^ RATING: PG - Usual stuff. DISCLAIMER: UGH! I don't own it! Why can't those corporation people get that through their think head?! Quote of the Week: "The Moment to Decide. Once to every man and nation comes the Moment to Decide, in the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side." -James Russell Lowell. TRUTHS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS CHAPTER 1 __________Broken Dreams__________ Rubeus studied the images before him with interest. He had heard of Sailor Moon before. She was supposedly the most power Sailor Soldier to ever live. But no one knew what had happened to her. As far as he could tell, she had just vanished one day with out a trace. She had been presumed dead for years. "Rubeus..." a deep voice growled from behind him. Rubeus jumped out of his thoughts and whirled around to see a man floating off the ground, his entire body hidden beneath a dark cloak, except for his hands, which were several different colors for an unknown reason. He was the one who helped the Dark Moon time travel to find the two children who would help them bring down the future. "Wiseman, what are you doing here?" he asked. A floating staff with a globe on it came into view and the Wisemans' hands moved around it. "The Prince sent me to see of your progress, but I can already see that you haven't made any!" he snapped. Rubeus scowled at the old man. "Actually, Birdy and Catsy did have contact with both brats the other day at the Shinto Temple on Cherry Hill." Wiseman seemed to brighten at that. "Is that so?" "Hm. Yes. But they also encountered someone named Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask." He paused for a moment. "They are going to be a problem." Wiseman's hands' stopped as he pondered the name for a moment. "Sailor Moon?" 'That name is familiar,' he thought. "Look into her more, Rubeus. She may be useful." ******************************************************************* Darien splashed cold water on his face and looked into the mirror. He looked awful from not sleeping the past three nights due to the nightmare. There were bags under his eyes and his face was ashen as he got dressed. Darien picked up the picture of Serena he kept on his dresser and smiled at it. A flash of light obscured Darien's vision. Serenity. Death. Destruction. "Stay away from the Princess..." a voice whispered into his head. Darien gasped and clutched the photo tighter. "Serena..." ******************************************************************* Serena sighed as she walked down the street. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, due to the fact that she had watched Rini and Alec almost all night. She couldn't help but feel something about the two children, something familiar. Almost like they were a part of her. Shaking herself out of those thoughts, Serena continued on. She was almost at the rendezvous point where she met Darien every day. And sure enough, there he was, leaning against a light pole at the normal spot. Serena broke into a run towards Darien and grabbed him around the waist, hugging him tightly. "Hey Darien!" she said as she leaned up to kiss him. Darien looked down at Serena coldly, and pushed her off of him. Serena took a step back, startled by his actions. "Darien?" she whispered brokenly. "What's wrong? Are you not feeling good?" she asked him as she stepped forward and placing a hand on his cheek. "You can tell me." Darien jerked out of her hold and glared at her. "No, Serena. I have something to say." Serena put her hands together in front of her. Darien continued. "I don't want to see you any more, Serena." Serena's eyes widened up and she gasped. "NO! You...you aren't serious, are you Darien?" Darien seemed to be struggling with himself as he spoke. "I am... very serious, Serena." 'Oh Gods, forgive me, love. Forgive me!' "I," he swallowed hard as tears welled up in his eyes, "don't... want...NO! I can't do it!" he exclaimed as he grabbed his head. Tears spilled from his eyes as visions of the dream he had the night before came to him. Serena kneeled down in front of him and wrapped her arms around him. "Shh...it's okay. What is it Darien? You can tell me anything, love. Tell me!" ******************************************************************* Rini peaked around the corner and frowned at what she saw. "What's wrong with him?" she asked as she watched Darien slum to the ground. Alec sneaked a peak over at the two, too. "Looks like he's in pain or something," he said, his face mirroring his sisters'. He watched as Serena grabbed Darien's hand and the two ran off. "HEY!" Alec yelled. He made a face and kicked his toe into the ground. "Nuts." Rini sighed and leaned up against the fence. "We just have to find the Crystal anyway, we don't need those two." "But Serena probably has the Crystal!" Alec insisted. "Come on, let's go to the Tsukino's. Serena has to go home eventually." ******************************************************************* They reached the park quickly and when Serena and Darien got to their usual spot by the lake, Darien sat her down and tried to tell her what he saw. He rubbed her hands with his thumbs and brought them to his lips, kissing them gently. "I don't know how to explain this, but I'll do my best, Serena." Serena squeezed Darien's hand. "Darien, just tell me what you can." Darien wrapped his arms around Serena and held her, silently crying into her hair. When he calmed down, Darien began his story. Darien smiled at his, literately, blushing bride as they made their way up the isle. Serena held him tighter and smiled back. "Darien," she whispered, "we're finally married!" Stopping, Darien wrapped his arms around her. He leaned down and prepared to kiss her. However, just before he could touch her lips a sudden explosion ripped through the chapel. Serena was torn away from his arms as Darien watched in horror. Both Serena and the wedding gown changed into her former self, Princess Serenity. She looked at Darien with sorrow and hurt in her eyes just before she was engulfed into oblivion. "NOOOOOOO!" Darien screamed as he collapsed to the ground, a tear running down his cheek. He was in pain. He had never felt so much pain, never felt so useless. "Prince Endymion..." a voice boomed out. "You must stay away from Princess Serenity!" Darien stood and glared. He glared at nothing, because he could see nothing now. Only darkness. "WHO ARE YOU?!" he demanded. "I will not stay away from her!" "So you will sacrifice her life instead? I know you don't want to believe this, but if you stay with Serena, this future will come to pass and you will be separated forever," the voice said almost sadly before fading out. "Believe me." Serena's hand covered her mouth as Darien finished his dream. He wasn't looking at her anymore, he was too afraid of what he'd see. He was predicting her death on their wedding day. The day that he knew Serenity had been dreaming about since they first met, and the same with Serena. "It's telling me to stay away," he said softly. "I don't want to, but..." Darien trailed off, unsure of how to finish his sentence. Serena's head snapped up at the thought that he was seriously considering splitting up with her. "NO!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Nononononononono," she chanted as she held him tighter with tears streaming down her cheeks. "We're finally together, as Serena and Darien; Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon; and as Serenity and Endymion. I won't lose you now! Not after so much," she sobbed quietly. Darien said nothing, and the two simply held each other. ******************************************************************* Birdy sighed as she thought about the battle the other day. They hadn't gotten the bats, and they had lost. If that wasn't bad enough, they hadn't even fought and her other two sisters were constantly reminding her and Catsy of that. "When is Rubeus going to send us out again?" one of them asked. She was wearing a short red and tan outfit with a big bow in the bun of her hair. Birdy sighed again. "I don't know, Avery," she said. "And we don't know where the brats are, so we'll have to do more work." "Work's good for you," her other sister put in. Her entire outfit, and her hair, were several different shades of green. "Oh lighten up, Prisma," Catsy said as she materialized in the room. "And I think Rubeus is sending us out on another job. I wasn't eavesdropping or anything, but I heard the Wiseman in there with him." "It's good to know you weren't eavesdropping, Catsy," Rubeus said as he floated in through one of the several mirrors around the room. "Rubeus!" they exclaimed in surprise as Catsy blushed. He set himself down inside of the circle of women and they immediately stopped what they were doing to watch. "Wiseman has provided me with some interesting information." A holographic display of a star shaped city it seemed appeared in front of all of them. There were several blinking points in the city as they watched and listened to what Rubeus was saying. "In the future city of Crystal Tokyo, there are several points that hold strong powers that help keep the city in balance. They are called "Crystal Points." If we can fill each of these Points and fill them with our own power, we can stop Crystal Tokyo from ever coming to be!" Prisma smiled evilly. "Leave it to me, Rubeus! I'll capture the Crystal Points, and those two Royal Brats!" Rubeus returned Prisma's smile. "The first place is this little area." Rubeus waved his hand and the image of Crystal Tokyo disappeared. A small fast food joint called Mr. Burger's (AN: Don't say anything about the name!) appeared on the screen. Prisma face faulted when she was the place, but her pride held, and she didn't say anything. "Actually, Avery, I want you to go with Prisma. Just so you can get familiar with what we're doing," Rubeus said. Both women looked at each other and then looked the other way with their noses stuck in the air. "I don't need *her* help!" they said at the same time. "Like it or not, you are working together, now get out there and capture that Crystal Point!" Rubeus ordered. "Yes," they said in dead pan voices. ******************************************************************* Serena arrived home a little earlier than normal. She leaned against the door and sighed. She and Darien still didn't know what to do about the dreams. There was a meeting tonight with the others, and they were going to discuss it then. Ilene poked her head out from the other room and smiled at her daughter. "Home early today, Serena? Good, we're going out for fast food today because I forgot to take something out for dinner." Two children came bouncing down the stairs, chatting to themselves about nothing. They saw Serena and smiled their "innocent" smiles at her. "Where are we going, Auntie Ilene?" Alec asked. Serena fumed at the name. 'A-Auntie?! Those brats!' Ilene smiled at the two children. "My favorite fast food place, Mr. Burgers!" ******************************************************************* Rini looked around the old burger place and rolled her eyes. Dull and boring with white walls and the two ladies at the counter weren't smiling. At least not until Kent and Ilene got up there. "Hello!" the one with green hair said in an almost pleasant voice. "What can I get for you today?" Serena rolled her eyes at the fake cheerfulness the woman was putting on and led Alec, Rini and Sammy to an empty booth. She noticed a woman with brown hair mopping the floor nearby and heard her grumbling curses. Serena almost laughed, but used her better judgement and decided against it. ******************************************************************* Avery stuck the mop into the pail of water angrily. "Stupid Prisma. At least she isn't doing hard labor. I don't know who she thinks she is, just because she's the oldest..." she trailed off. Avery looked up and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. As she looked up, she saw a familiar head of pink hair and another of black. Her eyes widened as she recognized the two children. 'It's the rabbits!' Avery dropped her mop and laughed. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating and looked at her, including Prisma. 'What is that nitwit doing?!' Prisma thought. "Well!" Avery exclaimed as she walked closer to the Tsukino table. "Not only are we going to capture a Crystal point, but the two Rabbits as well!" She reached to her clothes and pulled them off, revealing her usual outfit. Rini and Alec gasped when they saw the black crescent moon on her forehead. Serena, too, gasped and pressed the emergency button on her calculator communicator. (AN: They haven't gotten new ones yet!) "Seems you're right, Sister," Prisma said as she jumped over the counter and landed in her green outfit by her sister. "Three for the price of one!" Prisma waved her hand and the food started electrocuting everyone in the room with dark power, contaminating the Crystal Point even more than it already was. Serena quickly dropped her burger and tried to grab her family and push them down, but Ilene, Kent and Sammy (AN: Of course!) were already out. Serena gritted her teeth together and scooped Rini and Alec into her arms before the two women could come any closer. "HEY!" one of them yelled after Serena. "Bring them back!" Serena ran out the door and to the side where she spotted a small alley. She set them down there. "Who said we need your help, Serena?" Rini asked angrily. Serena glared at the child. "I don't know what's going on, but I'm going for help! For the love of God, please stay here!" Serena begged before running off. Rini was about to stand up, but Alec grabbed her hand and stopped her. "Don't, Rini. Serena's right. Let her go for help while we wait for the Sailor Soldiers to come." Rini nodded and sat down next to her brother. "Alec...I miss Mommy and Daddy," she whispered. Alec looked towards the Mr. Burger restaurant and sighed. "So do I, Rini. So do I." ******************************************************************* The other Sailor Soldiers had already arrived by the time Sailor Moon was able to come back to the battle scene. They weren't fighting against the two women, but rather a monster. Sailor Moon sweatdropped when she saw the monster and slapped her forehead. 'Do the monsters have to correspond with what they attack?' she thought. "Stop right there!" Sailor Moon shouted, gaining the attention of everyone in the room, including the two fashionably challenged women. "How dare you attack innocent people out for a family dinner! I won't forgive you!" "You must be the Sailor Moon our other sisters were telling us about," Avery said as she floated a little closer to Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon took a defensive position and glared at them. "Who are you?" she demanded as the other Sailor's took positions behind her. "I'm Avery of the Dark Moon. The second of the four sisters of deception," the one with brown hair said as she pulled out a whip. "And I'm Prisma. First of the four sisters of deception. Where are the brats?" she demanded of Sailor Moon. "I have no idea what you're talking about," Sailor Moon's voice was full of determination. Sighing, Prisma snapped her fingers. "Droid Fryer!" The monster that the girls had been fighting earlier leapt back into action. And true to it's name, it looked like a giant French fry with arms and legs. "MARS FIRE BIRD STRIKE!" The flying bird went straight for Fryer, but it dodged. "Is that all you've got?" it asked. Jupiter stepped forward. "No! But try this!" "JUPITER THUNDER DRAGON!!" The Droid screamed in pain as it was engulfed by lightning. When the light show was over, a very over done Droid stood there. "Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask yelled as he finally arrived at the scene. Sailor Moon didn't answer him, but pulled out the Scepter given to her by her mother. "MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!" The Droid looked up and screamed as it saw the deadly energy that was coming towards it. With it's remaining strength, it tried to jump out of the way. 'I don't think so!' Mercury thought quickly. "MERCURY ICE BUBBLES FREEZE!" The cloud of icy bubbles sped towards the Droid and froze it in place with just enough time to spare. It was still in range of Sailor Moon's magic. There was no scream when the magic hit it, and disintegrated it. Lying in a pile of dust was a jewel. The Sailor's and Tuxedo Mask watched in shock as the jewel went from yellow to black, signifying the death of its' owner. Avery and Prisma stood in shock at what they saw. "Rubeus never said anything about this!" Prisma shouted. "I'll be back," she hissed to the warriors as she and Avery disappeared. Sailor Moon sighed and relaxed. A pair of arms wound around her thin waist and she smiled. Her smile soon faded as she remembered her family. But Mercury was already there. "They're okay, Sailor Moon." She studied the readings again and nodded, closing her computer. "I don't know exactly what happened, but they're going to be fine." "Where's Rini and Alec?" Venus asked as she took a burger from the back and placed some money on the counter. She took a big bite and started talking. "Wew? Whr are day?" Mars sweatdropped. "You could have waited till we got home to eat, Venus," she muttered under her breath. Sailor Moon jerked her hand towards the door. "Outside. I left them out there when the attack started." Tuxedo Mask surveyed the area. "Let's get this place cleaned up." ******************************************************************* All four of the girls and the two cats were patiently waiting for the arrival of their Prince and Princess, who had insisted that they have the meeting as soon as possible. "Where are they?" Mina huffed. Raye snorted a little. "Probably somewhere making out." "Ha ha," Darien said sarcastically as he and Serena came into the room. "We were talking." Mina winked at him. "Suuuuure, Darien! We believe you!" The girl erupted into a fit of giggles but stopped when they saw the serious looks on Serena and Darien's faces. "What is it?" Luna asked. Serena sighed and the two sat down. "We'll tell you." When the story of the dream was done, all of the girls and cats were visibly shaken from what Darien had said. Luna and Artemis turned to him, with serious and sad eyes. "Darien, I some how need to see exactly what that dream was telling you," Luna told him. Darien rubbed the tears that were forming from his eyes and nodded. "If there is a way." "There is," Raye spoke up quietly. Everyone turned towards her, urging her to go on. "Through my psychic abilities, I can make the vision appear in the Sacred Fire. But only if Darien is willing to open his mind to the Fire." Serena gripped Darien's arm as he nodded his consent. "Come with me, then. Everyone can come," Raye said, "just don't disturb us." When they arrived at the Fire Room, Raye instructed Darien to kneel on the other side across from her. The others took places around the room, staying as close to Serena as possible. Raye sat and began to concentrate. Undecipherable words came from her mouth as she began doing her hands signs. Darien closed his eyes. He could see the dream in his minds' eye, and he willed the image, the pain, to the fire. He could feel it dancing, reaching out to him with burning fingers before grasping what he was sending it. Raye gasped and opened her eyes as soon as she had a lock on what they were looking for. "WHAT?! Wrong dream, Darien!" Raye yelled as she watched them get ready to kiss. "This is your OH MY GOD!" The Sailor Soldiers and cats watched as the dream was played out before them. They heard the booming voice that commanded their Prince, and couldn't believe it. When it was over, the group was in stunned silence. "I won't let that happen!" Lita vowed. "RIGHT!" the others agreed. Luna, however was having other thoughts. Artemis was no different. "How many days have you had this nightmare, Darien?" Luna asked. "Three days. And I see it several times during the day," he answered shakily. Luna nodded and she turned to Artemis and the two began whispering to each other. When they were done, their expressions were pained. "Serena, Darien," Luna began uncertainly. "Artemis and I think you should listen to the dream." There was a stunned silence in the room and Artemis continued. "It's all of our duty to protect the Princess and Prince. If this premonition of Darien's is true, then we aren't going to have a Princess anymore." Serena felt angry tears well up in her eyes. "L-Luna...I HATE YOU LUNA!" she screamed as she got up and ran out of the room. Darien followed her, calling after her. "Serena wait!" Luna yelled after her, but to no avail. "Serena, I'm so sorry." She turned to the girls and looked at them with pleading eyes. "Girls, do you think this is the right thing?" she whispered. They didn't answer for a moment, but when they did, Luna knew. "No matter how much their hearts hurt. This world can't survive with out them, and they can't survive with out each other. I don't want this to be, but doesn't it seem the only way?" Mina said. Lita cleared her throat. "I agree with Mina. You aren't saying they have to stay apart forever, just that they should for now. She can still see him, right?" "It's the most logical thing to do," Amy whispered. Raye said nothing. She was too busy trying to decipher the dream from the Sacred Fire. Luna sighed again. "Well, the real reason this meeting was called was to give you girls these. Luna did a back flip and suddenly four new wands appeared as well as six watch like objects. Raye even stopped what she was doing to see what the cat was giving them. "These," Artemis said as he gestured to the four wands, "are more powerful wands for all of you. Ten times more powerful." "Ten times!?" the girls exclaimed at the same time. "Cool!" Lita said as she examined her pen. Look similar to the old one, only there was a star on top now. "This will make it so our powers actually effect this new enemy," Mina told the others. Amy smiled, hoping these would aide the Sailor Soldiers in their battles. Luna nudged the communicators towards the girls, and they each took the one that was their color. "And new communicators, much more discreet then our old ones." "What about Serena and Darien's?" Raye asked as she gazed at the white (AN: Yes, white in my story!) and black watch-like objects. Artemis stepped forward and took the black one in his mouth. "I'll take this to Darien." "I'll take Serena hers," Luna told them. "Girls, we'll see you later. Goodnight." Luna and Artemis took off in separate directions, towards the different houses. "White and black," Mina mumbled to herself. "They're complete opposites." "Just like Serena and Darien," Lita said softly. "I hope they're okay," Raye frowned. ******************************************************************* Serena collapsed in the park and sobbed. 'She can't be serious! She can't make Darien stay away from me! I won't stay away!' "Serena," Darien whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and pulled her into his lap. "They can't do this to us!" Serena whispered loudly. "They can't!" she exclaimed. Darien sighed and held her. "Luna suggested it for our best. It's their job to protect us, and mine to protect you." He took her face in his hands and made her look at him. "This isn't permanent, Serena. I will still love you, more than life. But for now, let me protect you." He smiled slightly. "Besides, it's better than what I was thinking of doing!" Serena choked and giggled a little as she remembered how he had tried to brake up with her. Try being the key word here. "I know, Darien, but that doesn't make it any easier." Darien thought for a moment before pulling Serena closer to him. "I'll make you a promise. No matter what happens, we will be together. Death has never separated us before, and it never will. Some how, I will come back to you and love you." Serena's tears cascaded out of her closed eyelids and she nodded. "Just hold me for now, Darien," she begged. "Just hold me." Darien wrapped his arms around Serena as tightly as possible and just held her. ******************************************************************* "So you were defeated again?" Wiseman sneered at Rubeus. Rubeus narrowed his eyes slightly. "Only because we didn't think the other Soldiers would be here in the past. We're better prepared now, though." Wiseman's hands stopped their movements around his crystal ball. "You had better be. Prince Diamond doesn't tolerate failures." ******************************************************************* Luna watched her mistress sleep fitfully. They had talked when Serena had come home. Serena had said she forgave her, but she didn't know if she could forgive herself. After everything they had been through, she knew that this was the last thing either of them wanted or needed. Luna heard footsteps coming from down the hall and immediately her hackles were up. The door creaked open and Luna extended her claws, but then retracted them as soon as she saw who it was. 'Rini and Alec.' "Is she asleep?" Rini whispered to Alec. Alec nodded and the two came nearer while Luna studied them closely. They climbed up into Serena's bed and under the covers, snuggling in. "She isn't mommy," Alec whispered, "but she's warm like her." "We have to save mommy," Rini said half asleep. "We will, Rini..." Alec murmured as he succumbed to the other side of human consciousness. Luna barely heard Rini's agreement as both children drifted off to sleep. 'Their mother?' Luna thought. 'What could she have to do with this? Why is the Dark Moon after such young children?' In her sleep, Serena smiled unknowingly as she held the two children. She felt so right at that moment, even if she would never remember it, it still felt right. To be continued... Well...they're still kinda together, so you can't hurt me! *sticks out tongue* NYAH! Any who, whatdya think? Good or no? Was it the right decision? I hope so, cause if not I'm kinda screwed for the rest of this season! Oh, I've already had a request for an S sequel to this. What do you think? Stef-chan E-mail: stefaniecraig@hotmail.com Website: http://home.att.net/~stef_chan/index.html ICQ: 634674320 If you add me to your ICQ list, please tell me why, and who you are! ^_^