Subject: Past Loves: Part Three by Fushigi Kismet --------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's Notes Anyone been wondering about my pen name yet? NO? (Grrrrr, rats!) I'll tell you all about it anyway. Fushigi=Wondrous, wonderful, mysterious, or strange (I'm not sure about the last one ^_^;) Kismet=Destiny or fate(I am sure about these, ^_^) So mix 'n' match and what do you have? Wondrous destiny, mysterious fate, strange destiny, wonderful fate, etc., etc. . . Anyway, *I* thought it was a cool pen name even if it does sound really dumb when you say it. *Sigh*, oh well, you can't have everything. I owe Ninx and Connie a big apology. Ninx 'cause I didn't mention you in Part One or Two, (now how did that happen?) and Connie 'cause I goofed on your last name. (That's Connie Somerville Kotkins, folks.) Sorry! BTW, read Lianne, John Biles, Jendra, Lady, Pandora, Ninx, Connie Somerville Kotkins, Tenshi & Jenn, Monica and anyone else that I've mentioned before's 'fics. You won't regret it. (Though you may lose track of days if you read them all . . .) Anime Quote of the Day:"She loves me!"ÑDarien's brilliant realization, Sailor Moon. ^^; (It's right up there with, "Serena's Sailor Moon!") Okay, now the DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon belongs to Takeuchi Naoko, Nakayoshi, Kodansha, Bandai, Toei Co. Ltd., I know Buena Vista's in here somewhere, D.I.C., The Program Exchange?, and probably many, many, others. Copyrighted 1992. I am getting no money out of this, please don't sue. However, this is an original work by ME, and the original song, "ANGEL LIGHT" (COPYRIGHT 1997) is MINE, and I will suck out your not-so-pure heart crystal, thereby KILLING you if you use it without my permission and even scarier SUE you if you do. Mwahaha! Uh, I'm not joking so please ask first if you have any manners or decency at all. Thank you. Sailor Moon Past Loves by Fushigi Kismet Mamoru sat at Usagi's bedside, holding her hand tightly, willing his strength to her, as she stirred in her coma. Rei put a comforting hand on his shoulder, looking down at the pale form of her friend and leader, her eyes full of worry. Her quiet voice reached through the haze of Mamoru's thoughts and gave him comfort. "She'll be all right. She may not act like it sometimes, but she's a fighter. She won't give up! She can't," Rei whispered softly, and Mamoru understood. What Rei was feeling, what he was feeling, what everyone was feeling, those things just couldn't be explained in words, ever. "How 'bout I get you some coffee?" she asked, turning to leave the room. He stood, gently letting go of Usagi's hand, and turned to reply, but an ominous beeping sounded out and they both turned to stare at Usagi's life monitor. Her life readings sped up erratically then began to drop. Mamoru and Rei stared at her, unable to move. "She's a fighter," Rei choked out. "Usagi!" The beginning of "Moonlight Densetsu" starts playing. A painting of the Moon Kingdom appears. The camera pans away from it and we see Minako, Rei, Makoto, Ami, Usagi, and Mamoru looking at it in a store window. Yumeno Yumemi comes out and invites them in. They walk in and are instantly surrounded by dozens of paintings of the Moon Kingdom. Usagi sighs as she sees one of Queen Serenity. Mamoru puts an arm around her and holds her close. She leans on his shoulder, looks up at him while he is looking down at her and they smile. The screen flashes BISHOUJO SENSHI SAILORMOON PAST LOVES (in Japanese) and pans away until it is centered and surrounded by flashing colors. "Gomen ne sunao ja nakute," Fourteen-year old Usagi klutzes out with ice-cream in hand and falls down. "Yume no naka nara ieru," Sixteen-year old Princess Serenity dances *quite* gracefully at a ball. "Shikou Kairo wa shotto sunzen," Usagi is sitting on the ground wailing when a hand appears in front of her. The camera pans back and follows the arm up until we see Mamoru who is looking at her with a concerned expression. "Ima sugu aitai yo." Usagi gets a determined expression on her face and taking his hand, gets to her feet. She then notices that the ice-cream is still intact. She smiles. "Nakitaku naru you-na Moonlight," Princess Serenity is alone in the palace gardens at night. She's weeping, then she turns around and stares at Earth. "Denwa mo dekinai Midnight." She begins to glow, then turns around to face the camera. She is smiling and her crescent moon glows. (Mamoru's dream. ^_^;) "Datte junjou dou shiyou?" Princess Serenity stares at the Earth with a *really* sad expression. "Haato wa mangekyou." Cut to a scene of the full moon in the sky. The view spirals around it and then to the ground where we see a beautiful silver palace. It is *not* the one in Crystal Tokyo. "Tsuki no hikari ni michibikare," Princess Serenity stands on Earth in a patch of silvery moonlight. "Nandomo meguri-au," Prince Endymion pulls Princess Serenity into an embrace. "Seiza no mataki kazoe uranau koi yukue." The stars sparkle in the sky as Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion kiss underneath them. "Onaji kuni ni umareta no Mirakuru Romansu." Nineteen-year old Prince Endymion stands at a balcony twirling a dark red rose between his fingers as he stares up at the full moon (which is on the left side of the screen). The camera shifts to focus on the rose which is pricking his fingers. Spots of blood fall onto the floor and one of them glows and sends out a scarlet light which fills the screen. It fades to show sixteen-year old Princess Serenity standing on a balcony and staring at Earth (which is on the right side of the screen). "Mo ichido futari de Weekend," Usagi and Mamoru sit on a blanket spread out in the park and eat a picnic lunch. Usagi is holding a pie in her left hand as she bends to pick up her fork. Mamoru turns to say something to her as she straightens up with a happy cry, her fork in her hand. He gets, you guessed it, a cream pie in the face. Usagi and Mamoru look at each other, (he's just eyes staring out of cream) then start laughing. "Kami-sama kanaeta Happy-end." Usagi uses a napkin to tenderly wipe the last bit of pie off of Mamoru's face and she smiles cutely at him. He catches her hand and smiles at her and they kiss. "Genzai kako mirai mo," Flash images really fast of toddler Princess Serenity in the past, teenage Usagi in the present, and Neo-Queen Serenity in the future on the screen. "Anata ni kubittake." Flash images really fast of six-year old Prince Endymion in the past, Mamoru in the present, and King Endymion in the future on the screen. "Deatta toki no natsukashii," Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity smile at each other. "Manazashi wasurenai," The stars sparkle in the heavens again. Cut to a split screen of sixteen-year old Princess Serenity (on the left side of the screen) and nineteen-year old Prince Endymion (on the right side of the screen) standing on their balconies. (Since it's a split screen, there are no moons of planets and it looks like they're staring at each other.) "Ikusenman no hoshi kara anata o mitsukerareru," Sixteen-year old Princess Serenity watches her older Sailor Senshi while they train on the moon. Nineteen-year old Prince Endymion watches his older Guardians while they train on Earth. "Guuzen mo chansu ni kaeru ikikata ga suki yo." Mamoru, Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, and Ami walk through the park together, laughing and talking. Usagi, who isn't looking because she's talking to Mamoru, accidentally walks into Rei where she has stopped to smell some flowers. Rei gets up, self-righteous and annoyed and starts to yell at Usagi, who looks like she's about to cry, but then Minako, who's talking to Makoto and Ami and also isn't looking, walks into Usagi. Minako sudden stop causes Makoto and Ami trip and fall onto her while she's falling on Usagi, who's falling on Rei. They all land with a crash on the ground. Mamoru's the only one who's left standing and he gets a *huge* sweatdrop. Everyone gets to their feet, start to yell, stop, then start laughing. "Fushigi-na kiseki Kurosu-shite nandomo meguri-au," Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion stare out into space from their balconies some more. Cut to a scene of a rose spiraling in a beam of moonlight. There is the flap of a black cape at the edge of the pool of moonlight on the right side of the screen, the rest is hidden in shadows. On the left side of the screen a tiara flashes right before that person turns away into the shadows. "Seiza no matataki kazoe uranau koi no yukue." Another scene of the full moon and the earth. They spiral around each other, before coming to a stop. Superimpose a picture of Princess Serenity over the moon and Prince Endymion over the earth. They're looking at each other while holding hands and smiling. Pan away to show the other planets of the solar system in alignment. "Onaji juni ni umareta no Mirakuru Romansu." Queen Serenity smiles at the camera, before fading into the background with a fully grown Luna and Artemis taking her place. They also fade out and shadowy Senshi-like images appear and fade out. "Shinjite-iru no," Queen Serenity appears, smiling. Sixteen-year old Princess Serenity appears in front of her, waving at the camera. Nineteen-year old Prince Endymion appears next to her and they hold hands. All of the other Senshi show up to the side of the trio. Mina makes a "V" for victory sign and everyone else just gets into position. "Mirakura Romansu." The cats appear and everyone poses for the camera and freezes in place. FORBIDDEN LOVE *In the Past* After her time on Earth, Serenity changed. She had not a smile or compliment for any of her suitors, she saved them all for *him*. She became more quiet and withdrawn and her Senshi caught her, more than once, staring at Earth. She was as relaxed as ever in their presence and did not restrain her smiles or laughter then, but always, *always* there was a part of her that belonged somewhere else. Queen Serenity grew worried and directed Luna and Artemis to watch over the princess and report anything at all that might have caused the change in her. Unbeknownst to her, only Pluto had any inkling of what was troubling the princess, but she had returned to her post, guarding the Gate of Time. The only thing that the Queen learned from her cat advisors was that the princess cried each night before going to sleep and always seemed to fall silent when confronted with a rose. She was restless while she slept. In this manner two years passed, and no one was the wiser as to the ailment that the princess suffered, though it was rumored in certain circles that something ill had befallen her on Earth, the forbidden planet. Only Princess Serenity, who knew the truth, would smile bitterly as the rumors reached her and think quietly to herself, And then she would think of the object of her affections and wonder, Endymion leaned on the railing of the balcony outside of the ballroomÑwhere everyone else was laughing and dancing, and celebrating to their heart's contentÑand stared up at the full moon hanging in the starry dark night. In his hands he held a blood-red rose. He twirled the stem between his fingers. The thorns stabbing into his flesh and the blood dripping onto the spotless white marble floor went unnoticed. he thought idly. He sighed heavily. The wind rose and ruffled his hair. His cloak flapped in the breeze, smacking against his legs with a sound akin to a sail billowing in the wind. Endymion didn't notice. He sighed, thinking of how beautiful she had been, how her eyes had seemed to light up whenever she saw him. Or had he just been imagining things? At the thought that even now, *his* Usako might be looking lovingly at some other man infuriated and worried him all at once. Lady Beryl came up behind him and shivered in the cold night air. She saw his unseeing countenance and hesitated to disturb him, but then her eyes fell on his bleeding hands. "Oh!" she cried. "You're bleeding, my prince." She rushed forward and, pulling forth a clean white handkerchief, sought to staunch the flow of blood. "Leave it alone," he said indifferently, pulling away. He tossed the rose over the balcony. "But my princeÑ" she protested. He looked at her and smiled gently. "Blood shed thinking of her is no sacrifice to make. I would give her every drop in my body, had she need of it." Bewilderment was plain to see on her features as she drew away from him. Endymion bowed respectfully and turned to leave as she curtsied. "I have given my heart to her," he said simply. "I would not reclaim it for the world, for it is safe in her keeping." He walked into the castle and Beryl could only stare after him and at the blood soaked handkerchief, his words echoing in her ears. "Every drop." She crushed the piece of cloth covered in his blood in her hand with a spurt of sudden anger, her vision darkening in rage until it seemed to her that the floor of the balcony was covered with dark, dripping blood. A tiny voice whispered to her, admist the turmoil of her thoughts, <> * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Mamoru couldn't move. He was frozen to the spot, watching Usagi's life readings fluctuate on the monitor, and hearing her labored breathing. Then, all of a sudden, he pulled himself into motion and reached for her handÑ Ñand was repelled. An invisible shield, shining silver only where he touched it, had formed around Usagi, and merely coming into contact with it had forced him back two feet. "REI! What is that?! What's it doing to Usagi?" Rei narrowed her eyes and stared at the shield. "I don't sense anything evil from it. In fact, if anything, it feels exactly like Usagi's energy!" "Usagi's?! But how? Why?!" "I don't know, but look, her readings are returning to normal and she's breathing easier." "That's some good news, but Rei, I *have* to get to her!" "I know, but until the shield goes away, I don't think you'll be able to." Mamoru stared at the shield with slitted eyes. <> * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Princess Serenity stared at the Earth hanging like a blue orb in the dark starry void of space. She hummed a song that she had learned as a child. "When I see that world so blue, I can't stop thinking of you. Why can't love be so pure and true, That I would never part from you?" Sighing, she stared again at the blue of the Earth. Unnoticed, a figure crept up behind her. "Whatcha thinking about?" Startled, Serenity turned, and found herself face-to-face with Princess Minako, Sailor Venus, and Leader of her Senshi, as well as being her double if the need should ever arise. "Venus," she said, in surprise. She had not expected her to be out so late. The girl placed her hands firmly against the railing of the balcony and said, "Please, for right now it's Minako, okay?" "Okay," Serenity said quietly. Minako smiled sunnily. "Good. You know, it's hard being a senshi all of the time. Once in awhile, I just like to be me." Serenity nodded. She understood *completely*. Minako looked at the Earth for a moment, then turned to face Serenity. "I guess you don't ever have that luxury. To be yourself, I mean." Serenity looked at her inquiringly and after a moment's lapse, Minako continued as though she had never paused in the first place. "You're not just a princess like Rei and I and the rest of us. You're *the* princess, something you never have a chance to forget. The rest of us, we're princesses, sure, but we're also your Senshi, your Guardians, but now and then, we're just regular people too. Now, mind you, not that I'm saying that we're *normal* or that any of us will ever be *normal* but we can be just people, and you can't. That's why you ran off before, isn't it?" Minako turned a frank look on the princess. Serenity flushed. "Don't answer," Minako said a heartbeat later. "That's your business, not mine. Still, you might not think it, but I *know* you, inside and out because in more ways than one, I *am* you." Minako gave her a sad look. "Being your double, that's the extent I have to go to, to make myself like you. But I'm not you, and I could never be. I'm Minako, always will be. I'm a princess, a senshi, a regular girl, but I am not simply one or the other. I am not even the sum of all of my parts, but something more." Her look became cooler. "That's why I pity you. You don't really know who you are, do you? You're a princess, a title that has no meaning unless you're something else as well. You *were* something once, but that part of you is locked away, waiting for something," she turned away from Serenity, staring out at the Earth again "or someone. That's not any good. You just can't wait for things, expecting them to happen! You have to be willing to help them along so they can. "Well, my advice to you is the only advice that I can give *myself* and that's to go out and discover who you are for yourself before it's too late and you end up never knowing and always wondering." Turning back to face Serenity, she let out a tired laugh. "IÑI guess I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. It's not like me to wax philosophical. Don't mind me, I've just recently dredged up some memories best left forgotten and they seem to be more painful then I thought they would." She smiled at Serenity, but it was strained, attempting to hide her pain. She straightened and began walking off, her long blonde hair flowing behind her on the breeze. "Good night, Princess." "Minako, wait!" Serenity cried. Minako halted, her back to her princess. "Yes?" "Would youÑwould you like to be friends? I mean, I know we've never been as close as we should be, not like the others and IÑ" "No," Minako said tiredly, "we haven't. But, I'm different from them and we both know it. Don't worry about us not being close. We're closer than you think." She looked at Serenity's disappointed face over her shoulder and her smile was blinding in its intensity. "Good night." "Good night," Serenity echoed. As Minako walked off, she thought quietly to herself, She closed her eyes and saw blood, and letting out a shuddering breath, she opened them. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * 'Elios appeared in a burst of blazing white light. He took one look at the scene around him and after staring at the shield around Usagi for an instant, he turned to Mamoru. "You called, my prince?" "No," Mamoru growled out. Then he turned to 'Elios and his tone was accusatory. "What do you know about this?" He gestured at Usagi and the shield. "Nothing, my prince," 'Elios responded, puzzled as he stared at the shield. "I can tell you nothing of this energy except to say that it is not dream energy and it is not harming Usagi. Other than that . . ." He shrugged. Mamoru frowned. "Where are those doctors? Shouldn't they had noticed her readings?" "Do you want them to?" 'Elios asked, pointedly. "I want them to tell me whether or not she's all right!" Mamoru retorted. "Oh, well I can tell you that." "WHAT?!" Rei and Mamoru snapped. "From what I can sense of her from here, she'll be all right. Right now, she's simply dreaming." "Well, I want her to wake up before it's too late!" Mamoru cried heatedly, moving towards her. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that," 'Elios replied easily, interspersing himself between Mamoru and Usagi. "What?" Mamoru asked, stunned. "I said, I can't let you do that." * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Princess Serenity watched as Minako left. Though she had not understood all that Minako had said, one thing did stick with her. 'You *were* something once, but that part of you is locked away, waiting for something, or someone. That's not any good. You just can't wait for things, expecting them to happen! You have to be willing to help them along so they can.' she thought suddenly. Serenity shied away from that thought. She hadn't liked lying to him about that, but it was probably for his own good. Besides, she had wanted to be just an ordinary girl and not a princess, and for that one glorious week, she had been. A determined expression formed on Serenity's face. She hesitated for an instant. Her mother had been *VERY* upset with her when she had returned, but she had also been so relieved that Princess Serenity had not been punished . . . much. However, there were more pressing matters that concerned her more. The last time she had gone to Earth, she had been unaware of the decree banning all Moon people from setting foot on Earth soil. Since then she had been studying more with Mercury-sensei, and the older girl had made sure that she knew every bit of history that applied to the moon. Serenity frowned. She nodded emphatically, to convince herself, then she stuck her hand into the air and concentrating hard she cried aloud, "PRINCESS TELEPORT!" In a shimmering of silver light she was gone. Rei watched from the shadows off to one side of the balcony. Her violet eyes were worried. She bit her lip as the princess disappeared. Slipping back into the shadows, Rei ran off to make her report to the Queen, but slowed to a fast walk halfway there, her mind working busily. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * "'Elios, get out of my way!" 'Elios gazed sternly at Mamoru. "She's not in danger. Right now, she's only dreaming, but if you disrupt her dream at this point, the consequences will be severe. I have warned you, my prince, do not seek to change that which has been destined." Mamoru replied quietly, his face calm, but his eyes and voice hard as steel. "I am the last to stand in the way of destiny." "Perhaps, or perhaps you've been trying to prevent it all along. At any rate, she will sleep for a time, but nothing ill will befall her. I promise you that." "It had better not," Mamoru warned him. 'Elios nodded and, with a gesture, returned to Elysion, his world of dreams. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Princess Serenity arrived in the early hours of the morning. She dusted off her dress, then turned and taking a step forward . . . fell down. "OW! I forgot that Earth's gravity was *so* HEAVY!" "I bet you did!" a voice called from above her. Serenity looked up to see a long-legged youth perched in a branch above her. He wore a dangerous expression to go with the dagger sheathed at his side. Serenity recognized him. "Recognize me?" the youth asked, leaping agilely down from the tree. He wore a rather nasty expression. Looking at him, Serenity decided that the safest answer was, "No." He smirked. "My friends and I would've killed you last time if your so-called prince hadn't come to your rescue. In fact, my friends should be here any minute and then we can pick up where we left off." "What do you want?" she asked, truly frightened. He looked at her and angry tears filled his muddy brown eyes. "I want my family back!" "Why does that have anything to do with me?" Serenity asked, shocked. "When you were hanging around the garden before, you just weren't making the plants grow, were you? You were planning to kill off my folks and my little sister!" "What are you talking about?!" Serenity demanded, becoming uneasy. This youth was nuts. "They're dead," he said, trying to hold his emotions in check. "They were drained to death when I came home from chasing you! They wereÑIt was like they had no energy left. IÑI've never seen anything like it, and I never want to again. That's why I swore to kill you if I ever laid eyes on you again, and so did my buddies, you off-world trash!" Serenity stared at him without comprehension. The boy pulled out his long dagger and walked towards her. Serenity scrambled to her feet and awkwardly backed away. "I didn't kill them," she said softly. "I never even saw them." "Then why are they DEAD?!!" The other two boys showed up at that instant and seeing Serenity, they too pulled out their knives and advanced on her. Surrounded, she could only try and hold back the tears that she threatened to shed. She let out one anguished mental cry, <> Endymion was out riding his favorite horse, Mask that morning. There was nothing that he enjoyed more than a chance to see how fast Mask would go. Suddenly, he jerked as though stabbed through the heart. His vision dimmed a little and he thought painfully to himself, Pulling Mask up short, he halted for a heartbeat sensing in which direction to go, then rode Mask back the way they had come. When they were within sight of a certain tree that he often visited, he saw three youths with knives surrounding a frightened girl. Cursing, he urged the horse forward. As the horse raced by, he stretched out a hand to the girl who saw him coming and grabbed on. Then in one quick heft, she mounted behind him and they rode off. The three young men cursed after them. Endymion could hear the girl's rapid breathing from behind him. "Are you all right?" he asked the girl. "I'm all right, Mamoru," she replied, and he froze at hearing her voice. "Usagi?" he asked in disbelief, then risked a look over his shoulder. She smiled. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Perhaps we should find some other place to meet from now on. That spot under the tree seems to get more dangerous every time I go." "It *is* you!" Mamoru said, looking at her in amazement. "Thank you for rescuing me," she said wholeheartedly. "No," he replied, the three boys forgotten, "thank you for needing rescuing." he added in his mind. He halted Mask when they reached the courtyard in front of the stables. He dismounted quickly, then easily swung Usagi off. She giggled in excitement at seeing him again. Endymion whirled her around then pulled her into an embrace, nearly crushing her against him as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, murmuring, "I've missed you, I've missed you," into the sweet scent of her hair. Her body in his arms was soft and warm and real. One thought kept ringing through his mind. She pulled a little away from him and looked up at him and their lips met in an accord. The tingling sensation that ran through his body when her mouth met his was shocking in its intensity. Endymion felt his heart rapidly beating in his chest. They held each other as though they would never let go. Lady Beryl ran up to meet Endymion when he arrived at the stables. She had been waiting for him to return as she did every morning. She stopped as she saw who he was with. She watched as they embraced, the anger burning in her now. Again the tiny raspy voice murmured, as it so often had in the past, dark and rich with promises of forbidden delights. <> <> she snapped, listening to it for the first time. <> <> <> the voice supplied silkily. <> <> <> <> Beryl demanded. she added in the back of her mind. <> <> Beryl breathed. <> <> * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Suddenly, the shield disappeared in a flash of silvery sparkles. Makoto, Minako, and Ami ran into the room. "Minna, what are you doing here?" Rei asked. "We felt something from Usagi," Minako replied, her eyes on Usagi's still form. "You'll be in trouble if they find you," Rei warned. "So? They can kick us out later!" Makoto retorted sharply. "Yes, Usagi-chan needs us now." "She does indeed," Rei whispered, turning her gaze back to her princess. <<*Minna*>> a faint voice whispered, Usagi's voice. The Senshi started, but Mamoru, who had once again taken his position at her side once the shield had disappeared, merely squeezed her hand tighter. <<*Minna*, lead me your strength . . .>> the voice called desperately. Usagi began to shine with a golden light in her hospital bed. Her crescent moon appeared and started to glow. It flared out, sending a wash of brilliant gold light into the room. She floated slowly upward, off of the bed until she was hovering two or three feet above it. Still in their civilian guises, the Inner Senshi stood, and called forth their power as did Mamoru. Rei, Minako, Ami, and Makoto's planet signs appeared, sending their hair flying away from their faces. An earth sign also appeared on Mamoru's forehead, but shone very weakly. Everyone's brightly colored auras rise around them and they focused their power to Usagi. The Senshi have determined expressions on their faces. Mamoru's Earth symbol barely glowed but it flared up brighter as he focused his power to his beloved. <> A light shot out and Usagi fell back into her hospital bed. The Senshi and Mamoru collapsed to the ground. "What happened?" Rei asked. Ami looked anxiously at Usagi's life readings. "Her readings are normal. I don't think anything's wrong now." She looked at Usagi. "I think it's best if we leave now." "I think it is," a stern voice called out from the doorway. Everyone turned guiltily to look at the owner of the voice. "Oh, hi Mom," Ami squeaked in a little voice, swallowing a lump in her throat. "Hello dear," her mother replied, frowning. "What are you doing in here, pray tell?" "Uhhh . . . Well, this is Usagi, my friendÑremember her, Mom?Ñwho got caught in a fire. She's in a coma right now and we all just wanted to be here to give her our support." Ami's mother's face softened a little. "Oh Ami, I understand that, but Ami dear, you of all people should know that following proper procedure is the first step in medicine. Now, I won't report you and your friends but you'll all have to leave now." "Yes, Ma'am," the three girls replied meekly as they filed out of the room. Mamoru held Usagi's hand a little tighter. "I'm not leaving." "Neither am I," Rei piped up. Am's mother took one look at their IDs and the determined expressions on their faces and sighed. "All right, you two may stay, but just you, no more. Is that understood?" "Yes, Ma'am." "Good." Cursorarily checking Usagi's monitors, she left, shutting the door gently behind her. Rei and Mamoru heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness Ami's mom wasn't mad." "Yeah," Mamoru replied, brushing a tendril of hair from Usagi's face. "Now, if Usagi would just wake up, that would make my day." Rei smiled sadly. "Mine too." * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * "What must I do to acquire this Power?" Beryl asked suspiciously as she sat alone at a desk in her quarters. The little voice whispered to her, "You musssst ssssswear to sssserve me and collect the energy that I require." "If you insist. What else?" "You musssst desssstroy my enemiessss for me." "And they would be? "The Planetary Ssssorceressssssssessss and their children. Thosssse troublessssome bratssss will get in our way." "Done. Is that it?" "One thing more, you musssst give up your ssssoul." Beryl hesitate for an instant, then another, and finally she put her hand to her heart in a warriors salute and said, "Done." "Now," Metallia said, pleased, "draw up the agreement in blood." "Whose?" "Yourssss." Beryl stared at the blank piece of parchment in front of her, then taking the ceremonial dagger Endymion had given her once, she slashed open her hand and let the blood drip onto the point of a quill pen. She began to write and the words that her mother had told her once echoed through her mind, <'Remember Beryl, once a pact has been signed in blood, there is no going back. There is nothing on Heaven and Earth that can break an agreement written in the agreer's own lifeblood. 'Blood is binding, Beryl. To spill your own blood freely is something that is not to be taken lightly. The Creatures of Darkness are the only ones who will ask this of you and only for them should you do so, for those born from the Darkness are those born with great power. You can use this power, Beryl, and twist it to your own ends, but do not displease those born of the Dark, or your life will be Hell.'> "I remember, Momma. I remember it all." As she signed her name on the parchment the dark cloud of energy that was Metallia manifested herself and snatched the parchment from her. It burned the paper in a burst of unholy light and as she watched it burn, Beryl felt a chill go through her. "Now, it issss time for you to come into your power." Metallia directed Beryl to a portal that led to her hidden stronghold in the north. Beryl's hidden stronghold now, she assured her. Beryl looked about her at the dank dark interior of the caverns. "*This* is our stronghold?" "Yessss." "This is not good enough for us!" Metallia hissed. "Do not be impudent, Beryl. It issss good enough for now." Beryl frowned. "Very well, Empress." "Good. Now, come to me, Beryl, and receive your Power." Beryl nodded her head in acquiesance and followed the voice to its source. As she walked forward, her ears grew longer, her eyes narrowed, and the stone that she wore dangling from a chain about her head sprouted a dark stone growth in the shape of a boomerang. Her clothes melted and soldified as a dark purple gown and a staff and crystal ball appeared in front of her. Unaware of the changes, Beryl stared at the objects floating before her. "What are these?" "Giftssss for you, Beryl. Giftssss for your sssstation in life. Usssse them to desssstroy the SSSSorceressssesssss and their children. The ancient power runssss deep in them and assss long assss they live, they will be a hindrance to ussss. Kill them, Beryl, and quickly." "But what of Endymion? What about what *I* want?!" "You sssserve me now. Your only dessssire sssshould be to sssserve me." "You promised that I should have him. That was our deal." "Yesss, and sssso you sssshall. Sssshe who holdssss ssssway of his heart issss one of the children that you musssst kill. Kill her, and Endymion issss yourssss." "Yes, my master." "I am here." Beryl walked obediently forward, seeing a hint of light at the end of the tunnel. Walking into it, she was instantly struck with two thoughts. It was cold and a feeling of dread had settled over her heart. She saw it then, the otherworldly nebulous mass that was Metallia. And she was afraid. "Come to me, Beryl . . ." the voice hissed. "Come to me . . ." Unable to resist, Beryl walked forward and was engulfed by the dark matter that streamed about her and filled her. Beryl screamed in anguish as her body contorted and was shaped by the darkness. With no more effort than it takes to blow out a candle, all of the light was extinguished and everything was silent. Slowly, slowly, two red eyes opened in the darkness and a voice filled with evil and malice whispered into the night, "I have come for your souls. Princess. Prince. As Destiny has ordained, I, Beryl, shall rule all!!!!!!" The light flashed on in a burst, but the cavern was eerily lit, filled with shadows. A sickly glow of purple light emanated from Beryl as she stood, holding her staff with the crystal ball atop it. "The Power," Beryl hissed, and it was no longer Beryl's voice, "The POWER IS MINE!!!!!!" She threw back her head and laughed, her eyes flashing red. The terrifying sound of her laughter echoed throughout the hollow caverns. *Back on the Moon* "Sailor Senshi, sworn to defend Princess Serenity at any cost, I have summoned you here." "What is your will, my queen?" Mars asked on bended knee, not daring to look up. Her demure gaze was shaded by her dark lashes. "What else?" Serenity asked, her gaze full of anguish. "My queen?" "Find the princess!" Serenity commanded. "I don't care what it takes, just find her and bring her home!" "Your will be done," Mars responded formally as Jupiter and Mercury echoed her. "You are in charge of this mission, Mars," Queen Serenity directed. "Venus is needed here." "Yes, Your Majesty," Mars replied. "Go now!" Mars stood. Jupiter and Mercury followed suit. The three of them bowed simultaneously to their queen, then, sticking their hands into the air and motioning, they summoned up portals. "MARS TELEPORT!!!" "MERCURY TELEPORT!!!" "JUPITER TELEPORT!!!" They disappeared in three swirls of light. "Good luck," Serenity whispered. Behind the pillar where she had been observing all this, Minako frowned. "Venus," a voice whispered from behind her. Minako jumped several feet into the air upon feeling the person's breath on her neck. Turning around she hissed, "You scared me! Oh, it's you." "Yes, it's me," Setsuna replied. "You know something about this, don't you?" Minako accused, stabbing a finger at Setsuna. "Of course. There is nothing in the Moon Kingdom that escapes my notice." "Then why wasn't I sent?!" "You are too valuable. There is an evil approaching, Venus, and we can not afford to be off of our guards for an instant. *You* are needed here." Minako sighed doubtfully, an irritated look on her face. "If you say so." "I do." *A week later* *Back on Earth* Endymion and Serenity strolled leisurely through the Royal Gardens. They had sneaked in secretly under cover of darkness, though it was hardly dark since the moon was out and nearly full. Serenity blushed as she thought of the nickname that she had given him when he had accidently called her "Usako". Both names had stuck as their terms of endearment for one another. Princess Serenity was once again staying with Ikuko and Kenji, but this time there was a new addition to the family, Shingo. Princess Serenity had been delighted when the babe had smiled at her and had started calling him her "little brother" for fun. 'You're cute, Shingo,' she had told him once. 'You'll grow up to be a fine man, just like your father.' Ikuko and Kenji had been worried when she had departed so suddenly the last time and were more than happy to have her back. However, they both worried over why she had returned and why she wouldn't tell them anything. Princess Serenity, keeping to the oath she had sworn herself of not getting them involved, had refused to devulge anything. Though she worried over keeping things from them, she had spent her days with Endymion with a light and happy heart. For how can someone not be happy when she is finally with the one that she loves? They had gone to the places that he had promised her they would go. He had taken her on moonlit rides on his horse, Mask. Serenity had taken delightfully to riding, seeing as they rode Endymion always had his arms around her waist to keep her from falling off. They had walked together in their rose clearing, talking of how much the one had missed the other's company. They were always together, every minute of the day, and they were together at night as well, in their dreams. In this manner, a week had passed and Serenity would have begun to worry, but she was so blissfully happy that she could not bear to even think of ever leaving. It was impossible to her that their little paradise should ever be spoiled. To Endymion it was all too clear. He had spent the week happy every instant that he spent gazing into her eyes, and distraught every instant that he was separated from her. Always the threat of her departure loomed over him has he recalled how he had lost her the last time. He swore to himself that it would not happen again. He and Serenity would never part. But in his heart, he knew better. He had not returned to the palace for a week. He had only gone once to the stables, to fetch Mask, and then he and Mask had retreated to a small deserted cottage in the woods. Even when he was alone with Serenity, treasuring the sight of her and her smile, he was aware that his Guardians were searching for him. The populace did not know yet that their prince had vanished, but his Guardians knew well enough that Endymion was no where to be found. That was the way he wanted it. He did not want to be reminded of his royal duties at a time like this. All he wanted was to be just an ordinary boy spending time with the girl that he loved, and for a time, he got his wish. In the gardens, Endymion found his thoughts drifting. "Are you all right?" Serenity asked. "I know how it troubles you to be here." "I'm all right, Usako. I was just thinking." "What are you thinking about, Mamo-chan?" He smiled at her and watched the color rise on her cheeks as he said, "About how beautiful you are. And, I was thinking about the Moon Kingdom." "Moon Kingdom?" Serenity asked carefullly. "There's an ancient legend about a group of Sorceresses who took to the stars and left Earth behind. They founded a vast kingdom of all of the planets in our solar system save Earth itself. It was called the Moon Kingdom." Serenity began fidgeting. "Why are you thinking about an ancient legend?" "The moonÑit made me think of it. And this garden. I don't like thinking about that legend much, but when I do, I just can't seem to stop. I don't know if I could forgive the Moon Kingdom, if it truly exists. My parentsÑthey were killed by someone from there." "Are you certain?" Serenity asked softly, dreading his answer. After a moment, he let out a long sigh. "No, I'm not. I'm not even certain the Moon Kingdom is real. Perhaps, I'm just seeking someone to blame." He looked off into the distance. Serenity kept her eyes downcast. "Perhaps." All of a sudden Endymion smiled, and let out a chuckle, releasing the tension between them. "Why are we discussing this?" Serenity smiled back at him, a tad wistfully. "I don't know." He put an arm around her and she nestled her head against him as they continued walking. "I do know something about the moon," Endymion said, playfully, tweaking one of Serenity's ponytails. "There's a rabbit on it." "Oh?" Serenity asked, as innocently as she could, desperately trying to hold in her giggles. "Of course, Usako. But as for you, you belong right here on the earth with me." She smiled. "Not that I have anything against the moon itself. It's quite lovely, and I always find myself staring at it, late at night, but I just want you to stay close, Usako. I want you to always be with me." Serenity put a hand to his face, blinking her suddenly tear-filled eyes. "You and I will always be together. No matter what happens, we'll never really part." "I'll do everything I can to ensure that, because I know now that I can't live without you." Serenity pulled away. "Don't be silly," she said in a shaky voice. "It's true. Usako, you're my life. You've filled the void that I thought could never be filled. I'd be empty without you. I couldn't go on." Staring at him with wide eyes, Serenity realized that he spoke the truth. "Mamo-chan . . ." she whispered, and sorrowed. What kind of a life together could an immortal and a mortal lead? * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Rei left, silently shutting the door behind her on the heart-breaking scene. Mamoru was holding Usagi's hand whispering to her and she just hadn't been able to bear watching it any longer. The heart in her was breaking. Her hand still on the doorknob, she leaned against the door, sliding to the ground until she was curled up in a little huddle. Bright tears starred her eyelashes. Mamoru barely noticed Rei's departure. He whispered to Usagi, staring at her pale sleeping face, "A dream, huh? You always love to sleep late, don't you? Usako, it's time to get up now, though. Please, just wake up. Just . . . just open your eyes! Usako!" Usagi stirred in her slumber. "Mamo-chan . . . Mamo-chan!" "Usako!" * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * *The next evening* "Mamo-chan." "Hmm?" Serenity looked up at her love as they walked arm in arm among the roses in what she had come to think of as *their* place. The rose clearing had always seemed like a special place ever since she had first seen it and realized that a temple to the moon had once stood there. She felt stronger in this clearing, feeling the full moon's light on her. Gathering her courage, she found the strength to blurt out the question that had been on her mind ever since last night revelations. "Do you love me?" Endymion stopped short and looked at her. "Usako, can there be any doubt? I've loved you since you ran into my arms that first day." Serenity drew a deep breath and prayed to the Moon that the decision that she had made was the correct one. The words etched on the archway echoed in her mind, <'When the sacred Moon reaches its zenith in the sky, the light of the full moon will infuse she who possesses the blood of Serenity, descendant of the goddess Selene, with the power of the Sacred, the power to perform a sacred rite by moonlight, fulfilling her deepest desire at that time.'> "If you love me, will you do something that I ask?" "Of course." "Then let us mingle our blood, not so that we are brother and sister, but so that we are always one, no matter what happens to us." He looked down at her. "UsakoÑ" "For your love for me," she whispered. He nodded and pulled out a shining dagger. He made a nick in his finger and handed the dagger to her. She too pricked her finger and drew blood then they pressed their hands together, palm to palm and kissed in the light of the shining silver moon. A bubble of blood welled up in each of their cuts and then their life's blood met each other. It mixed, merged, became one, and Endymion could suddenly feel the burning hot flow of the blood within him, setting him ablaze. Serenity gasped a little as her blood drained into him and his into her. Then together as the flow of blood dimmed, They pulled apart from their embrace and as their hands parted, a shining trail of blood fell to the ground. "I didn't know we would bleed that much," Endymion said, observing the blood. "Nor did I," Serenity replied. Endymion put his hands on Serenity's shoulders. She looked up, inquiringly. "Mamo-chan?" "We are bound now. You were right. No matter what happens, we will never truly be apart." She smiled happily. "And I hope that we will never be apart at all! Always together, that's what I want us to be." "Always together," he echoed. Then he bent and pulling her to him gently, he kissed her tenderly. Serenity gave herself to the kiss, shutting her eyes. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * A deep languor fell over the Inner Senshi and Mamoru. "What . . . is going . . . on?" Minako struggled, trying to fight the feeling. She stared at her friends passed out around her and tried one last time to keep her eyes open. Nevertheless, her strength gave in to exhaustion and she joined the others in their uneasy slumber. "Usako," Mamoru murmured, not letting go of her hand as he slipped into unconsciousness. "Hang on, Usako . . ." Setsuna felt a jolt as the timestream altered slightly. In his realm of dreams, 'Elios shook his head and sighed. He stared at the two Dream Gates, the one constructed of ivory and the other of horn. "So dream," he whispered softly, "dream of past deeds, past lives, and past loves . . ." * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * When their kiss ended, Serenity laid her head against his chest, breathing raggedly. "I'm sorry!" "For what?" Endymion asked, confused. She looked up at her love. "There are things about me that I have told no one, not even you, dearest." "What things?" he asked, amused. "Secrets. I wish I could tell you, but then things between us would change and we would no longer be as we are now." "Why?" he asked her suddenly serious. "There is nothing that could ever change the way I feel about you, except . . . It's not another man?" His tone changed as he said that, and his eyes changed a little. She read worry in those eyes and she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. "No," she whispered, placing a finger on his lips to silence them, "it's not another man. There's no one but you. I could not give my heart to another, for it is yours." "Then what could you have to tell me that would change anything?" He held her tighter, but she pulled away. "Oh, if I did not love you so, this would not hurt me as much as it does." Her eyes grew harder then. "I *lied* to you." He looked at her, disbelieving and she saw the smile that hovered about his lips. "About what?" "Don't take it so lightly," she snapped, then instantly regretted it. "I am not who I said I was. I was never who I said I was." "I know," he said looking at her with an amused expression. "You are royalty, aren't you?" She drew her breath in sharply and gazed up at him. "Did you think that you could hide it? I knew from the moment that I saw you that this was no ordinary girl. This angel-vision could only be royalty. No ordinary girl would hold herself like that, would speak and smile and gaze like that. No one but a woman of noble birth could ever have such an air about her. If you are afraid that I would be upset that you did not tell me such things, you need not have feared. Though I promised myself long ago that I would never be tricked into loving someone, this was no trick. Ever since I laid eyes upon you and felt the purity of your soul, I knew that the love between us was destined." She looked at him and tears gathered in her eyes. "I feared that yes, but I fear my true secret more." She felt his hands on her shoulders and turned to be in his embrace. "If I told you my secret, could you ever truly love me, if you knew?" "Dearest, as I told you before, nothing could ever stop me from loving you, Usako." "I'm not Usagi. I'm from theÑ" A huge bubble of energy formed around her and floated her up into the air. "Mamoru!" she screamed, the manifestation of energy taking her away. "Usagi!" "I'm from the Moon! I'm from the Moon Kingdom!" she cried back and her tears fell and hit him where he stood as she vanished into the night. To be continued . . . A brief musical intro is played involving a keyboard, xylophone (maybe), soft drums, guitar, and harp. A full white moon on a black background fades into existence. "My heart says to me," Sixteen-year old Princess Serenity clasps her hands together in front of her chest, and stares down with a heart-broken expression on her face. "I love someone so dearly," Nineteen-year old Prince Endymion rides his horse (Mask) with a sad but determined expression on his face. "That I know," Endymion dismounts and stares into the fog. "There's no one for me," Serenity slowly materializes from the fog. "But you." She looks up and their eyes meet. "I would like you to see," They stand, staring at each other for an instant, the wind blowing about them. "What is wrong and what is true," Suddenly, Endymion and Serenity start running towards each other. "I am in love," A close up of Serenity's face. She's weeping. (I am in love) The Guardians and the Senshi stand together in the shadows. "I am in loveÑ" A close up of Endymion's face. He's desperate to get to her. "With you." They embrace, tearfully. "Angel light," A white light explodes outward from them. "Please bathe me in your love tonight," The light fades and the moon shines down on the two of them kissing. "I am longing for a glimpseÑ" Lady Beryl stares at Endymion wistfully, but when he turns away, her eyes fill with tears. "Of your Angel light." Serenity and Endymion take each other's hands. "I will be forever yours tonight," They dance together, the moonlight streaming down around them. "Just smile at me," Serenity smiles and Endymion smiles back. "With that Angel light." Serenity trails a hand along the etchings on the archway, and looks back at Endymion, saying something. "Angel light," The white light expands and fades. "You are like an angel in my sight," Princess Serenity unfurls her angel wings and looks at the camera, her blue eyes filling with tears. "I have never felt a love as bright," Endymion whispers "Usako", and a fierce wind starts to blow about him where he stands on the ground, staring up at the sky. "As your Angel light." The white light flares out and fades. "Angel light," Endymion is alone with darkness all around. "You bring love to lift the darkness in my life," He sees an outstretched hand, glowing with brilliant light. Looking up, he sees that it's Princess Serenity's and he takes it. "I am enveloped by your Angel light," The light flows from her body to his and both of them glow softly in the darkness. "Please say that it's all right," A close up of Princess Serenity's face as she gazes lovingly at Endymion. "That I let you in my life." A close up of Prince Endymion's face as he looks back at her, his eyes loving. "Angel light," Princess Serenity looks down at the Earth, from her balcony on the moon. "As I hold you in my arms tonight," Prince Endymion stares up at the moon from his balcony. "I won't let your dreams give you fright," Usagi stirs in her coma, and Mamoru holds her hand tightly. Rei puts a comforting hand on Mamoru's shoulder as he sits at Usagi's bedside, but her eyes are worried. "You don't have to fight," Usagi starts glowing in her hospital bed and her crescent moon symbol appears and flares out, sending a wash of brilliant gold light into the room, as she floats upward. The Inner Senshi (in their civilian forms) are standing around, and Mamoru is kneeling at her bedside. "It'll be all right," Rei, Minako, Ami, and Makoto's planet signs appear, sending their hair flying away from their faces. An earth sign also appears on Mamoru's forehead, but it's very weak. Their auras rise around them and they stare at Usagi. "My Angel light," A close up shot of the Senshi's faces, with their symbols appearing. "My Angel light." A close up shot of Mamoru's face, with *his* earth symbol appearing. It is very weak but flares up brighter. "Angel light," Princess Serenity floats into the air in her bubble of energy. Mamoru stares at her despairingly. "I am filled by love when I get you in my sight," Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion walk together (arm in arm, how else?) along a path in a rose garden. "I just want to forever hold you tight," Prince Endymion (in full battle armor *hint hint*) holds Princess Serenity (in her princess gown) in his arms. "'Cause together just it feels so right," There is a closeup shot of what Princess Serenity is holding in her right hand almost squashed between the two of them. It it the *star locket* (open) dangling from a golden chain. "So just bathe me in yourÑ" Princess Serenity undoes one of her buns (the other already undone) the spins around, her hair falling free, so she is facing the camera. Her hair is slightly wavy and she smiles, cutely. "Angel light," The bright white light transforms her princess gown into Sailor Moon's uniform, but her hair is still down and she is holding the Silver Crystal in between the thumb and index finger of her hand. "I will be forever yours tonight," Prince Endymion runs onscreen, his armor morphing into his Tuxedo Kamen outfit, only without the mask. He embraces Serenity in her Sailor Moon outfit, and startled, the Silver Crystal slips from her fingersÑ "Shining in yourÑ" Ñinto the air. Falling, it shines and the silvery sheen of it turns into the bright white lightÑ "Angel light." Ñwhich flashes as the screen shows a scene of Endymion and Serenity smiling wistfully as they embrace. The scene is washed with white light, growing fainter and fainter until it fades to white and then to black. Next, Sailor Moon Past Loves Part Four: Unlikely Love Well, the truth is out. (Most of it.) Will Endymion and Serenity find each other again? Will he let the past lie forgotten, or will his old enmity against the Moon Kingdom come between them? What has befallen the Senshi in the hospital, and what have the Senshi been doing in the past? When Destiny decides to take a hand, the unlikeliest things have the tendency to happen . . . I will not forgive those who stand in the way of love! In the name of the moon, I will punish you. The moonlight carries the message of love. Okay, I hope you liked this part. Um . . . Minako's odd behavior *will* be explained. The shield and 'Elios really have no part in this 'fic at all, but I got bored and wanted to spice things up a little. Parts of this Part (ugh, listen to this) were just plain terrible and rushed. (I'm ill. Humor me.^^) The next Part will probably be out in two weeks (I'm busy!) but I'll try and have it done as soon as possible. However, I *promise* that it will be much *much* better than Part Three. Ja for now! Fushigi Kismet E-MAIL ME! Send all Comments, Compliments, & Criticism to hsun@erols.com (Remember, that's CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Criticizing just to be mean isn't nice at all.) P.S. I am unable to respond to any e-mails at this time, but I will try to address any problems or questions in the Author's Notes.