The phone rang. Darien hazily crawled out of bed to answer it as he was trying to think about him and Serena, to be short.

It's been about a month when Sailormoon (Serena) has been captured by the Negamoon. So far, they've encountered one attack by them, and they saw the evil Sailormoon for the first time. Everyone was coping with the situation seriously, particularly Darien. He went to the extremes of crying himself to sleep with nightmares just about every night, not participating too much with his other Scout friends, and going into deep levels of depression. He was just about suicidal. Yet, he never actually lost control; he knew that he couldn't break Serena's promise that he'd watch and take care of the Scouts, Renee, and the Crystal. Many times the girls tried to talk to him and get his mind off this, but it wasn't enough to stop his constant pain. Renee's still staying at 20th century Tokyo, even though that her city and parents in the future are fine. She knows everyone's identities, and that Darien and Serena are her future parents. She, surprisingly, was also crying for her mother's past self.

Anyway, she was in the living room of Darien's apartment, trying to think things out. She was thinking, "Could mommy have been captured by the Negamoon because of me? Have I been that bad of a daughter? Oh mommy, what ever it is, I'm sorry. I'm trying to be a good girl. I know you want me to comfort Darien, or daddy, and I'm trying. Please mommy, come back..."

Renee automatically stopped crying when Darien came into the living room to answer the phone. She straightened herself up just like her mother taught her to, and continued to read a book. She looked up at Darien when he came in. He picked up the phone, answering tiredly, "Hello?"

It was Lita, at her apartment with the other girls. "Hi, Darien? It's me, Lita."

Darien was a bit overjoyed when he heard her voice, "Hey Lita. How's everything going for you and the rest of the girls?"

Lita shamed her head down and responded, "Well, not too well. The girls and I are still pretty shaken up. Actually, that's what I wanted to talked to you about. Are you doing any better?"

Darien sighed, "No, not really. I'm still having nightmares and I'm still tossing and turning, not being able to do anything correctly."

Lita held her breath, hoping her next words won't have too much valiance in them. She let it out when she remarked, "I see. The girls and I are pretty worried about you." She paused for a split second and then resumed, "Darien, this might sound forward, but the other Scouts and I are planning to go to the nearby heights of Tokyo, to have a little camp, to get our minds off of this. And we were wondering, would you and Renee like to come? It might help you get your minds off of things a bit."

Darien hesitated in his mind, but he requested, "Hold on a sec', Lita." He covered the receiver and glanced at Renee, "Hey Renee..."

"Yes daddy?" she answered coming over to his side. She looked up with a little vague smile. To look at a face like that, Darien wanted to cry again. He snapped out of it and asked, "Would you like to join the girls for a little campfire? It'll be fun." He tried to smile.

"Okay, but are you going too?" asked Renee.

"If you're going, I'll come with you," he said.

"Okay," agreed Renee. She quickly gave her future father a hug and backed up, trying to listen to the rest of the conversation. He went back to the receiver, "Yeah, okay. Renee wants to go, and I'll come too."

"Okay," answered Lita. "It's tonight at about four o'clock afternoon. You can bring just about anything you want. But, you might want to wear light clothes and bring another change of clothes, 'cause we're staying overnight. Also bring a swimsuit and jacket 'cause it might turn cold."

Darien smiled,"Okay. I'll see you then, alright?"

"Alright," agreed Lita. "Bye."

"Bye." He hung up and looked at his watch. It was about 11:45 a.m., so he decided to watch and play with Renee for a while. He and Renee basically just read together and played a few board games. They tried to not think about the SM situation right now, along with the girls.

Little did they know that someone in a dark place was preparing for something else in mind...

* * *

Rube was watching Sailormoon as she was engulfed once more, in more dark energy. She was lying on the counter top again, unconscious.

"Those Sailorbrats are such nuisances," he thought. He turned to a dark mirror, and looked into it. "I know Tuxedo Mask's identity. Maybe I can try to home in on the oth--" He was cut off by a flash of brown light against his face. He shrieked as he cover his eyes and tried to flash Sailormoon away. Then light died down, and there appeared a somewhat handsome man that has Rube's brown hair and outfit, but has a different face than his. It was his brother, Zircon, checking up on Rube.

"Hey, brother, what's up?" he snarled. He looked down at Sailormoon. "So this must be Sailormoon? Boy, is she a figure. Maybe I can have a little fun with her..." He started to bend down and tried to kiss her, but Rube shoved him out of the way.

"Hey, don't even think about it, Zircon," Rube warned. "She's mine. And besides, she's working for us now; that's it."

"Oh really?" questioned Zircon. He snapped, "Well, then BRO! Since I can't have fun with her, can't I get those other pesky Scouts! I can do something around here, you know! Not just you, big shot!"

Rube thought for a moment and then replied, "Hey Zircon, don't you like snooping around on Earth?"

"You know I do, Rube!" cried Zircon. "Why can't I just find that Tuxedo Mask and get him instead?"

"Oh, alright," shouted Rube, impatiently. "You can go get that Tuxedo Mask! Go find him at some strange phantomous places, though. He likes high places where he can get some cool views of the city."

"Cool, brother," answered Zircon. He was about to walk away when he turned back around. "Hey, Rube, do you by any chance know who Tuxedo Mask's real identity is?"

"Glad that you asked," responded Rube. He smirked, "Don't be too surprised... his name is Darien."

"So? Your point being?" accused Zircon.

Rube shook his head, "You just don't get it, do you, stupid! He's the future Crystal Tokyo's king! Neo-King Darien! Or in more royal words, Neo-King Endymion!"

"Really? Wicked!" commented Zircon. "Then that means Sailormoon is..."

"...Neo-Queen Serenity, yes I know!" cried Rube. "And Renee is their daughter, Small Lady. Go to Earth at about 6:30 this evening, alright?"

"Wicked," repeated Zircon. "Well, don't worry. I'm getting that Tuxedo Mask for you; one way or another." With that, he stomped away into the mist of the darkness.

* * *

It was about 3:15 p.m., and Renee and Darien were sleeping on the couch for a little nap. Renee was the first to wake up. She stirred, and got up from lying on the floor, with her father sleeping on the sofa with a book . She looked at Darien's watch.

"Huh? 3:15! It's time to pack to go to Lita's camp!" She bounded up and shook her father. "Daddy? Darien, come on, wake up. It's almost time to go to the camp."

Darien stirred and looked at his daughter. "Huh? What's up, Renee?" He sat up, rubbing his tears and sweat off his neck.

Renee examined Darien for a moment. "Daddy, are you okay? You look kind of scared."

Darien didn't want to explain his dream about Sailormoon, so he just said, "I just had a bad dream about Sailormoon, to be short."

Renee shook her head and then smiled, "It's time to get ready for that camp thing with Lita and the girls."

"Huh? What? Oh yeah," he responded. He got up and went to the bathroom to wash up. He was thinking, I doubt that this camp thing can help me, but maybe it's a chance to see how the girls are really doing. After he came back out, he said, "Renee, come on. Grab some light clothes and a jacket, & maybe that's enough. You can bring anything else you'll need." He smiled, trying to hide his feelings.

"Okay, Daddy," giggled Renee. She went to her room to get her stuff. Darien looked after her, smiling and blinking tears. "Daddy," he whispered, "is what she calls me, even though I'm not really her father yet. She still thinks of me as her father. Too bad, her mother isn't here to look after her too." He started to cry again. "Serena...Sailormoon...Serenity." He controlled himself and whispered one last time before getting ready. "My loving wife." He clenched his fists and went to his room to get ready, brushing his tears away. He never cried in years, because crying to him means a sign of weakness.

Later, Renee came out in her regular outfit; her school uniform. Darien came out with his pink shirt and tan stovepipe pants, with the Crystal in his safety pocket.

"I decided to just wear my uniform, since it already includes a jacket," she explained. "I also brought my Luna-sphere and swimsuit, OK?"

Darien smiled and looked at his watch. "3:30. Let's go."

Renee beamed, and Darien and she went to his car. They hopped in, and drove in serenity to Tokyo's Heights.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Heights and cliffs at 3:45, Mina and the girls were already set up. The campfire was started, the food ready, and the tiny little lake was ready to be swam in. All of the girls were dressed in hot, very nice clothes.

Mina looked at her watch in her bag.

"3:50," she replied. "I hope Darien and Renee's are going to show up soon."

Raye replied, "Maybe he still feels bad about what happened."

"Yeah, but he probably needs this little break to get his mind off of this," remarked Lita. "I'm wondering, do any of you know how's Renee doing?"

Raye answered, "I know. She came over to my temple a few times after her voluntary school days, and we talked. Looks like he misses Serena very much as well, even though she found that she's her mother."

"Aren't we all?" replied Amy.

Just then, Darien and Renee arrived, They silently walked out of the car to the girls. Renee was the first one to call out, overjoyed, "Raye!"

Raye and the others turned.

"Hey, Renee! You and Darien made it!" cried Raye. Renee ran straight into her arms.

"Hey, Darien!" greeted Mina. She flashed a cool smile.

Darien thought, funny, Mina's smiles are so much like Serena's. She also has the same looks and hair...oh stop it! This is suppose to be fun remember! He snapped himself into a smile. Lita was glancing at Renee's eyes for the moment.

"Renee, are you okay?" she asked. "You used to smile a lot more."

Renee perked up a little grin and answered, "I'm still sad over what happened... hey! This is suppose to be a little campfire event, right? Let's try to have a bit of fun!" She smiled the best she can, her pink hair streaming around.

Amy looked at Darien and replied, "Darien, did you bring anything to swim in? We're all going swimming in that lake over there later on." She closed her analytic geometry book and continued looking at him.

Darien nodded in relief, "Yeah, I brought something to splash or mess around in, just in case." He looked at everyone else, "So when's the big swimming party?"

Mina stood up, "We can start in about 10-15 minutes. Anything you guys want to talk about?"

Everyone looked at each other in silence for five minutes. They knew what everyone was still concerned about; Sailormoon, and the rest of the battle to face, possibly risking their lives to the end. Darien was reaching into his pocket to make sure that the Imperium Silver Crystal was still there. He told himself to try to have fun; he knew that Serena wouldn't want him to be sad for her forever.

Renee wanted to talk about her mom (Neo-Queen Serenity), but she knew that since she's Serena, she wouldn't want to upset anyone, especially her future father, Darien. She still wanted to talk about her, so she casually said, "How are you girls coping with... (she cleared her throat) this situation." She smiled, trying to look happy.

Everyone looked at Darien as if they were looking for permission to answer. He just smiled as best as he could; tears starting to build up in his eyes. Mina answered first, "I guess we're all coping with this pretty hard. I'm trying to think about something else at times to cheer me up. I guess -- everything isn't just the same as they were before."

"I sometimes get so angry that I break a whole set of boards in my karate class at one whole time. I sometimes also trash my room," Lita replied, surprisingly soft.

Raye just painfully said, "I still am staying up late each night trying to conduct some fire-readings." She started to brim tears in her eyes. "I shouldn't have been so awful to her all the time! It feels like my fault!" Her broke down and started to sniffle out tears. Her friends went to her side to comfort her.

"It's not, Raye," comforted Amy. She looked at the grass as Darien with Renee sat next to her. "It's -- mine. I should've worked harder at analyzing on my visor and computer."

Darien patted Amy's knee and soothed, "It's not. A lot of times, I think that it's my fault, but that's what the Negamoon wants us to think. It's not anyone's fault. If there was a fault to direct at, I'm the one who should be accused. I'm her protector, and yet, I can't believe I let her down."

Renee spoke up, "Daddy -- Darien, it's not your fault." She looked at everyone's hurt faces. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought this up."

Everyone smiled encouragingly at her. "It's okay, Renee. We understand. We know that you love Serena, since she's your mom. We forgive you," acknowledged Raye. She hugged Renee.

Renee in a few seconds restrained herself from the hug and answered, "Serena wouldn't want all of you to be like this. She just wants to be remembered, and she wants you all to be happy." She smiled adorably.

Mina stood up, brushing a tear off her face and smiled, "Okay! Umm... let's change the subject. Is anyone up for some swimming?"

Darien and Renee answered, "Okay."

"I guess I can take a little splash time in the water," answered Darien.

Amy started to blush as she spoke, "Okay, Darien. The girls and I will change over in that blue tent there. Darien, you can change in that same tent over there with us, except that you have to pull the slide down. No peeking!" Amy joked.

Darien and everyone else laughed as they went off. He went into the tent, surprised at what he saw. There were way cool sleeping bags in front of him, each big enough for two people. There's also some other preppy stuff that people would like in there too. He just changed into his black swimming trunks, and sleeveless undershirt. He was the first to come out.

The girls were on the other side of the tent changing, too. Raye was in a hot, red bikini. Amy was in a strappy ocean blue one-piece, breast-line all the way lower than in anything she wears; Lita was in a full, beautiful green one-piece suit, again, the breast-line down at the bottom of the breasts, and Raye just wore a plain, hot Red bikini. Renee wore a pink little swimsuit with a bunny on the front. Mina, one the other hand, wore the hottest, fullest yellow (with the most barely touch of orange and gold) bikini, with a see-through VERY light orange sheath tied around her butt, exposing her left leg completely and right leg up to her butt. You can still see right through it. You can say that all the other's envied her outfit. They all walked out, finding Darien next to the little lake. He smiled at everyone (not particularly staring at their swimsuits, of course!).

"Everyone ready?" asked Renee.

Everyone nodded as they started to jump into the cool water. It was nice on a really warm day like this one. They all could see through the sky blue water to the ground, and they could dive right in. They had swimming races, games, and plain fun. Darien was smiling a lot, and he felt a bit better. He had to watch over Renee, to make sure that just in case she forgot her swimming lessons, he was there to help, and to protect her. At about 5:20, everyone stopped swimming and decided to clean up. They all dried themselves up and wore some clean clothes. It was still pretty warm, but it was indeed cooler. They set up some food t munch on, even though it wasn't dinner time. They played a bit of volleyball, but their happy expressions were easily seen through as a facade of pain. After they played for 15 minutes, they sat around the campfire, talking about school, work and lives.

Then Darien couldn't really bare it anymore. He excused himself, "Hey girls, you want me to get some more wood for the fire? I can go out into the woods right now and get some more."

Lita nodded, "Sure. Do you want any of us to join you? It's getting dark."

Darien shook his head with a small smile, "No, that's alright. I'll be back soon." He walked off into the darkness, seeing that the girls looked worriedly after him. When he saw that they turned around to themselves, he quickly ran to the height of Tokyo as Tuxedo Mask. When he got there, he just stood there and stared at the moon, holding a crimson rose in his hand.

As he was staring at the moon, he could picture and remember the times of SM, and plain old meatball-head Serena:

The crumpled paper landed on his head in a bounce. He caught it and yelled at the blonde beauty in front of him, "Hey, watch it, Meatball Head!"

The blonde turned around slowly, her hair waving. "Huh? Oh, sorry!"

Darien unfolded it and retorted, "A 30? Admirable...."

"Daaaaoo!" screeched the girl.

Darien lowered the paper from his face, exposing his sunglasses. "Are you stupid, or just incredibly lazy?"

The blonde (Serena) snitched defensively, "Hmm! How dare you! Give me that!" She snatched the paper and whirled around, mumbling something, and leaving.

Darien was stunned. "Something about that girl..." He shook himself and stared, "Who's that blonde? She seems so familiar... and she's quite a beauty..."

And next...

"Cheer up, Serena," Darien heard Andrew comfort to someone, "what does your brother know anyway? Forget him. If you want to go into modeling, you should just go for it."

Serena? Darien thought, she wants to go into modeling? She could definitely make it, with those eyes and body...oh, what am I saying? By golly, she's only 14, and I'm 19!

"Do you really think so, Andrew? Do think I got what it takes?" she asked.

Darien, hiding his emotions, teased, "Yeah, absolutely. I could just see you tumbling off the stage..." He pulled off his sunglasses and stared at her, playfully, and secretly lovingly. "...praying like a donkey! It's Serena the Hyena!"

Serena glared at him with her sapphire eyes. The way she glared at him hurt him a bit. "Just stay out of this, okay Darien? Who asked you!"

Still hiding, he responded, "I'm just trying to help you Serena." He stood up and continued, "Modeling's hard work. You've got to get up early, you've got to be on time, and you've really got to watch you eat. You can't eat 'n need junk!"

Serena stood up and crossed her arms and replied, "Creep! How would you know!"

He answered (almost blushing), "Well actually, I did some modeling after high school to help pay my tuition."

"You did modeling! No way!" she cried.

He secretly winced. "Sure did. It's not all glamour; believe me!"

"Yeah, well don't you worry about me, buddy!" she emphasized.

He snickered, "I'm not. I know you're gonna fail. You're never on time; you're always cramming junk food into your mouth; and you can't walk one block without falling down... and taking at least three other people with you!"

Her eyes were starting to brim with crystal tears as she bravely cried, "Thank you so very much, Darien! But I'm going to do just fine! You watch!" She stomped out of the arcade. Now, he really regretted what he said. When she was outside, Andrew curiously asked him, "You know Darien, sometimes you're really mean. How come you're always so hard on that girl?"

Before he almost spilled out his true feelings, he quickly said, coolly, "I really don't mean to be. It's just something that comes over me when I'm around her. I'm feeling.. just like I can't explain it."

Tuxedo Mask started to cry as he slipped his mask and hat away. It really did hurt to think about all these flashbacks. He even saw Serena's face on the face of the moon he was looking at. She was smiling her beautiful smiles at him.

"Serena, where are you? Why couldn't you fight it?" he whispered. "Why did you leave?"

* * *

Back at the campfire, Mina glanced at her watch. Her friends grew silent as she said, "Hmm. It's 6:20. Darien left at about 5:55, and he should be back by now." She looked at her friends, whose expressions started to grow worried.

"Maybe something happened to him," replied Lita, quietly.

Amy secretly crossed her fingers as she remarked, "I hope he's not lost, or in trouble."

Renee spoke, "I hope daddy...I mean, 'Darien's' okay. Should we wait a bit longer?"

Raye asked, "Yeah, should we? I mean, maybe he just got lost." She was starting to get really worried.

Mina brushed at her see-through shear over her bikini outfit. She straightened her knee-highs to her knees correctly as she stood up. "I'll go look for him, OK? You guys stay here."

"But Mina, are you sure?" asked Amy.

"Don't worry, I'll be back with Darien in no time," she responded. She grabbed a flashlight from her backpack, along with her wand and communicator and strapped it on. "If he comes back, call me on the communicator OK? I'll let you know if anything happens from mine. See you all later!" She waved and left in her Sailor V jog.

Her friends looked after her as she left.

"I hope the Negaverse isn't mixed up in all of this," said Raye to herself.

* * *

Mina was quickly jogging through the woods with her flashlight. It wasn't all completely dark, but it was dark enough to not be able to see many things specifically without the moon and/or flashlight. It was a deep blue color for the sky, with stars shimmering in it. Silently, she was cursing herself,

"Man, why did I chose to wear high-heels and this outfit? I can hardly run as fast as usual in them. I know it's almost hot, but...ooh, alright! Back to business. I've got to find Darien. I just hope that the Negaverse hasn't anything to do with this." After a few more minutes of searching and silent jogging, she found him at the height of Tokyo. She was confused, and then a bit shocked. "What is he doing? I hope he's not going to commi-- oh, stop it will you Venus? Why are you so wacko today?"

Because of Sailormoon, her conscience told her. She sighed silently, looking really sad and concerned. She purposely walked closer and louder for Darien to know that someone's there.

"Darien?" called Mina. "Is that you?"

Tuxedo Mask turned around and answered, teary-eyed, "Huh? Oh, hi Mina. What brings you here?"

Mina saw the rose in his hand.

"I was about to ask you that same thing," testified Mina. "You didn't go to get wood and fresh air, didn't you?"

Tux looked down at the ground and didn't answer right away, "No-- not really."

Mina walked over, her blonde hair and shear waving. "Darien, I know why you came here. I know how you feel, because it's still plaguing all of us. Please, the best way to get better is to try to think and do happy things. You're not fulfilling your true will Darien. Serena would want you to be happy, wouldn't she?"

Tuxedo Mask looked up and nodded. Mina still walked closer and placed a warm hand on his shoulder. "Darien, please, just come back with us to get your mind off this. If-- you want, the girls and I can start another analysis about finding her. What do you think?" She tried to smile.

Darien smiled back. "I don't know, Mina. Thanks for caring about me; you and the others. But, I need to face this somehow."

"By crying and feeling depressed all the time?" questioned Mina.

"Maybe," he answered.

* * *

Zircon was looking through a spy mirror at Mina and Tuxedo Mask.

"Well, there's Tuxedo Mask," he cackled. "I can go get him soon." He zoomed in on the mirror. "Who's that--beautiful blonde with Tuxedo Mask? She looks so familiar...familiar hair waving, familiar eyes and posture of her alluring body. She looks like that blonde soldier, Sailorvenus, in the future, but I can't be sure. It's someone from Crystal Tokyo in the future, but who is it..."

* * *

Mina continued to try to comfort Darien.

"Why don't you come back with us, OK? You can let it all out, if you want. I know the girls wouldn't mind, and you really need to let it all out," she preached.

Tuxedo Mask stopped at the momentarily stares at the moon, and looked at her. Mina looks so much like Serena--same hair color, eyes, personality, he thought again. He finally nodded and started to turn back with her. "Just let me have a minute more to stare at the moon, OK?" Mina nodded.

Suddenly, a streak of lightning flashed in front of them, at the edge of the cliff. Brown smoke swirled, and that made Mina and Tuxedo Mask leap backwards. Zircon was floating up there. He lowered himself down a bit and smirked, "Hello there, Tux Boy."

Before Tuxedo Mask could ask, Mina already did, "Who are you? And what do you want?"

Zircon turned his glare to Mina. He started to get some immature images of her in his mind, just about in love. Mina's eyes looked impatient.

"Good evening, miss," he greeted with a smile. "My name is Zircon, Rube's brother. What about you?" He was still staring at her. Then, he snapped out of it and turned back to Tux. He uncrossed it arms, looking like he was about to fire something. Mina took the notice, and jumped in front of Tuxedo Mask, shielding him.

Zircon just smirked, "Step aside, ya' blonde chick. All I want is the guy behind you."

Mina shook her head, angrily, "No way! If you want him, you'll have to go through me, and over my dead body you will!" She took her Sailor V fighting stance.

Zircon just shook his head, retorting, "Yeah right. Hey chick, nice outfit under your shear. How about you and I have some fun?"

Mina was furious. "Excuse me? Shut up, you sicko!" She retorted back, "Sorry, but I'll never sell my bod'! I won't make that same mistake like did younger! Not to anyone! Especially you, you freak!"

Darien was shocked. He had never heard Mina talk this way. He has known her for quite some time now, and he had never heard Mina use those kind of words, or even commit that stuff. Mina to him was a ditzy, funny, and pretty friend. He just realized that Mina was REALLY in a woman's revealing outfit, only with a shear over it.

Zircon cracked out a laugh, and struck a spell on Mina so she couldn't move in her will; only in his. He moved her towards him. Tuxedo Mask didn't make a mistake like this one again. He slashed a rose and his cane at Zircon, releasing Mina's spell. She fell plop to the ground and got up immediately.

Zircon, on the other hand, was really piqued. "How dare you, Cape Boy! This force should finish you off, just what Rube wants!" He struck a striking force of black energy at him. Tuxedo Mask was too shocked to do or move anything. Mina saw, and was scared to death. She darted in front of the deadly blast, taking the hit completely. While blocking it, she didn't give up, nor fall backwards. After the blast was over, she fell back, Tuxedo Mask catching her in fright.

"Mina! Are you alright! Come on, Mina, talk to me!" he cried. He glared at Zircon with hate, thinking, Mina almost got killed in protecting me!

Zircon chuckled, "So, the girl's name is Mina, huh? Thanks, Tux Boy." He started to go over to Mina, and that's when she started to wake up. She stirred, "Huh?" She saw Darien looking at her, "Are you OK, Mina? Why did you do that?"

Mina stood up straight and answered quickly, "I care about you, Darien. And besides, I'm a Scout, and it's my job to protect the royal family at anytime."

"Yeah, but you shouldn't have almost killed yourself for it!" cried Darien.

Mina flashed him a smile, "I have to, and I like it." She turned to Zircon and glared at him, "Back off, Negacreep!" Once again, she took fighting stance.

Zircon backed off and snarled, "How can survive that blast? No human has ever survived that, except the warriors of..." He didn't finish his sentence.

Mina thought, warriors of what? Justice? As in the Sailorscouts? Is that how I survived?

Zircon tried to slap Mina aside onto the ground, but Mina blocked him and slashed him back off the cliff with her memory of her Sailor V kicks (Sailor V must be popular in this). Tux was amazed. He knew that she and the rest of the Scouts are fairly good fighters, especially Lita and Raye, but he never saw Mina or anyone else use that kind of impressive move (yes, he still doesn't really know that Mina was the famous and beautiful Sailor V).

Zircon wasn't too happy about that slash. He was bleeding on the corner of his head and mouth. "Ooh, that'll cost something, you blonde chick! It's gonna cost your friend!" He blew Mina aside, almost to another edge of the cliff. She slid painfully on her side. Darien tried to go to her aid, but was halted. He reached inside for his staff, but Zircon struck it away onto the ground and struck him still.

"I can't move!" shouted Darien. He tried his best, but nothing worked. Mina crawled back up, while Zircon threw some sharp, black forces at Darien. She snatched his staff, and once again, remembering her Sailor V fighting, got in front and slashed it all off, flipping the staff around. The forces were rejected, and the still spell on Tux was off.

"So Mina, you know that kind of fencing, huh?" asked Zircon. He drew out his sword, "How about a bit of combat? Let's see if you can keep up with the greatest fencer of the Negamoon!" He tossed Mina another sword, catching it in her hands. Darien drew out his staff that partially turned into a sword and cried, "Forget it, Zircon! I'm fighting! The girl isn't!" He prepared himself. Zircon didn't hesitate for one moment; he started to fence with him. It was really a tie score, according to Mina, who just watched and prepared just in case there's an emergency.

Looks like Tux was out of his touch of fencing today. His staff/sword was struck out of his hand. He was surprised, and his hand hurt. Just as Zircon was about to strike, Mina in a split second leaped in and struck his sword, starting to fence with him.

"You know something Negacreep," she cried, "I'm having fun whipping you butt! Especially in fencing! I haven't fenced for such a long time! You're really gonna pay for what you did to my friend here, and my others!"

Mina took several strikes and slashed some parts of Zircon's clothes. He was definitely surprised. One side of his sleeveless shirt was slashed apart and off, and so was some parts of his pants. His belt was slashed partly off, and he was cut on the arm. After the recent cut on the arm, Mina paused and stood back in fighting stance, "Haven't given up yet? And you were saying..." She purposely didn't finish her sentence.

Zircon wasn't too thrilled. He glared at Mina and cried, "You b----! Nice that you know how to fight for a girl!"

"That's right! I know how to fight!" retorted Mina, unsensibly. "Why are you here? What do you want from us and this place?"

Darien was listening carefully. He never actually really understood Mina too much, partially because he never actually heard about her past much, or how she acted.

"Well Mina," Zircon started to answer, "I'd really like to tell you, but my orders were to destroy this planet and the beings on here. Maybe I should start with your friend and you first..." He started to charge towards Mina and Darien. Darien grabbed out a rose, preparing to throw it. Mina held the sword and fighting skills ready, but nothing happened. Instead, Zircon just disappeared. Mina wasn't convinced and so wasn't Darien; that Zircon disappeared for good (he certainly remembered how Rube had tricked him before when he got SM).

Tuxedo Mask growled, "Alright Zircon, if you're planning some type of disappearing act, too late! Your brother has already tried that trick, and he's gonna pay for the consequences he's caused us!"

Still nothing. Mina used her sense of detection, and replied, "He's gone. I don't have anymore vibes from him." She lowered the sword. Her hair was messed up, and she was a bit bruised. She adjusted her hair and clothes and remarked, "Sorry, I shouldn't have worn this outfit out. Otherwise, I wouldn't have caused that much trouble." She looked down.

Darien came over and smiled, "That's not how the problem was started. You helped a great deal in fighting, and I was impressed! How did you learn how to fight with swords and kicks like that? And, not to mean to be rude, but what did you mean when you said that you wouldn't make that same mistake again?"

Mina looked up and smiled quickly but then frowned, "Darien, I don't think I've been entirely honest with you especially. I've told the girls before, but not you, and I think I can trust you enough to tell you." She went over a several meters before the end of the cliff and sat down, Darien right along. He adjusted his cape as he sat..

Mina started to explain, "I know that you've wondered where I was from and what my past was like. I know that you know all the rest of the Scouts' pasts and stuff. Well, it started in England, when my family moved there for about half year for my dad's work. That's where I met Artemis. He convinced me that I was a Sailorscout. It turned out that he gave me the powers of Sailor V..." She paused.

Darien was shocked, "Wait a minute, YOU'RE the actual real famous Sailor V?"

Mina nodded and continued, "So I was Sailor V for quite a while. In case you're wondering, yes, I was also the star of the Sailor V movie, and all the merchandise, with the exact costume. There was quite a bit of crime to fight there, and I got involved with the police to fight. The Negaverse was there, too. There were monsters there I fought, and I had two really close friends there. A policewoman Katarina, and guy about your age named Alan. This sounds crazy, but I was in love him. So one night, Katarina, Alan, and I went to a warehouse to home in on some Negamonsters, and crept inside. It was really a trap; the warehouse exploded, and Katarina and Alan escaped. I got out too, but in a different way. That's when I saw them together, and they thought I was killed in the explosion. I saw that they really loved each other, and they excluded me. I was heartbroken, and I fled back to live here." She turned to look at Darien to see how he was doing. He had a terrified look in his blue eyes, & Mina continued, with tears forming in her eyes,

"My parents, two days before we left, dragged me to a night club party, letting me choose to wear a attracting dress to guys, where there was drinking and drugs. Lots of guys in all age groups were staring and whistling at me, wanting me to dance with them. I was too sad to dance, but I went there anyways. I remembered my mom and dad left early and told me to stay there to try to cheer up, and that was a big mistake, as well as a selfish thing to do. How could they just leave me there! I ordered a drink, which I accidentally grabbed the wrong one; one full big glass of wine. I drank it, thinking that it was a really strange soda. Before I knew it, I was having another glass, totally drunk. I stumbled onto the dance floor, dancing very inappropriately. I don't remember too well, just bits and pieces of this, but now you can say I was actually...actually..."

Darien tried to answer quietly, "Partying a little too hard?" He hoped it was this stupid answer.

Mina shook her head as tears dropped, "I don't mean to be... well, you know, but I was like a 21 yr. old, and I was... I guess you can say... the 's' word for revealing."

Darien gasped so loudly that you could probably hear it across town.

"I didn't do that too much, until a guy dragged me off the stage. I don't remember, but I think he adjusted my clothes. I shoved him aside and started to walk outside. I was still really drunk when a guy grabbed my arm and asked me to come with him. We walked outside and I think into a hidden grove of trees in park. There, I was having a bit TOO much fun, and that's when I accidentally had...had..." She looked at her friend next to her, who was close to tears. He created a word silently on his lips, and Mina nodded,

"Ummhmm. I just went along with it, until I passed out. (Crying) I lost my virginity! And only at age 14!!! I woke up the next morning with a headache. I was a mess, and I secretly sneaked home without my parents home, and I cleaned myself up. I remembered what happened the night before, and I started to cry non-stop. Like two hours later, I stopped and showered and rested and everything, trying to hide that from my parents. I think I did a good job of it, because they never noticed. From then on, I tried to forget about that night like nothing happened, and I never brought it up. That's when I came back here."

Darien was shocked the whole time, as usual. "Oh--oh, Mina, I'm so sorry."

Mina wiped away her tears and stood up, smiling her best, "Well-- those bad times are past us, right? I guess we have to focus back on--you know."

Darien stood up and asked, "Yeah, unfortunately. Are you sure you're OK?"

Mina nodded, "I'm OK now. I know I have the greatest friends in the world, and that pretty much hides my dark past."

He was surprised, and smiled. He had never actually seen a girl (besides Lita) that could hide a past like that, that well. All that plagues him now is SM. With that thought in mind, he started to feel tears building up in his eyes, but he hid them.

Suddenly, Zircon's voice was heard, "Very touching story, Mina."

Darien and Mina gasped and stared at a black cloud that turned into Zircon.

"Thought I was gone, didn't you?" he asked. He smirked. "So which one of you are ready to face me off? Oh, whoops; guess I could answer my own question. So Tux boy, ready?"

Darien swooped out his staff again and yelled, "Ready as ever, Negacreep! You're really gonna pay for what you did to Sailormoon! If I win, you have to give her back, ya' hear!"

Zircon just shook his head and raised his hand. Mina and Darien were puzzled. Zircon just blew his hands hurls of black energy at Darien and Mina, they were blown against a tree, yelling. Mina was sliding, dirtying her shear and hair.

After she finished sliding, she just lay there, panting with her eyes closed. She felt something slithering down her right arm. She couldn't move it at first, and she was terrified as tears started to form. She couldn't even move her head. It wasn't until she felt someone lift her up, did she get back her sense of touch. Who is this? she thought. Darien--is that you? Or is that nasty Zircon? Why can't I move? I've got to--Serena's counting on me...

She could finally open her eyes, but it was a blurred picture of who was over her. The picture finally came into view. Mina then felt another gust of wind blown. She felt something covering her to hide her from the blast. A blanket? But, I'm not dead! she cried inside. She wretched open her eyes more, and saw that Darien was looking down at her, shoving his cape aside. She saw him create some lip movements, not knowing what was it that he was trying to tell her. She could finally hear. She felt that she wasn't on the ground completely anymore. Her back was against something--something warm.

"Mina? Are you alright? Say something!" she heard Darien say. She sat up from his arms, rubbing her head. "I hope so," she answered. She felt a sharp pain on her arm as she looked at it. She gasped, "Owww! My arm!"

Darien yanked out a big roll bandage and requested, "Here, give me your arm." Mina obediently obeyed, and in no time her arm was bandaged comfortably.

"Thanks," she thanked. Darien just nodded and smiled. She and he stood up, angered.

"You're really gonna pay, you hear Zircon!" cried Mina. She took fighting stance. He just blew another force of energy at them. Mina resisted a lot more this, time, but was eventually blown again. Both of them were sliding, this time on their fronts. Darien placed his arm protectively on Mina when they stopped.

"That does it," grumbled Mina. She looked up. "This is the last straw."

Darien was a bit scared when she said that. "What do you mean?"

Mina stood up while he just looked up. "Time for Sailor Venus to step in."

Darien frantically shook his head, "No! He'll know what your true identity is! He'll come looking for you, and you'll be in greater danger!"

Mina didn't pay attention as she cried, "I have to! And you can't stop me." She darted forward and cried to Zircon, "You're really gonna pay!"

"By how?" he questioned.

Mina raised her hand as Darien and Zircon watched.

"No Mina!" cried Darien for the last time.

Too late. "Venus, star, power!" In her right-hand appeared her beautiful gold and orange Venus wand, flipping to be caught in her hand. Then, swirls of orange stars showered her exposed body as she swirled and swirled around. Zircon and Darien watched in shock. Finally there was big flash of blinding light, and after 3 seconds, there stood Sailor Venus, shining like a star.

Zircon was the first to react. "What! YOU'RE Sailor Venus!"

Venus took some of her moves and announced, "That's right! It's time that for you to be thrown out! I fight for love and justice, too. So you better look out...for Sailor Venus! I shall punish on behave of Venus!"

Zircon just chuckled, "So you're the woman I saw in the Crystal Tokyo of the future. The guardian of love for Crystal Tokyo, and the royal family! Well, I'm gonna have fun toying and maybe destroying you!"

Mina blocked Darien's way as he got up and cried, "Give it your best shot!"

Zircon just flicked a green laser-like beam of light at her. Venus commanded very quickly, "Venus crescent-beam smash!"

The beam and laser just rebounded from each other. Venus cried out in shock. Zircon charged forward, slamming his sword almost on her foot. She leaped out of the way, crying, "Ahhhowwahh!" She quickly aimed, "Venus, love-chain encircle!" The chain strapped his sword and yanked it out of his hands and off the the cliff. He was angry. Darien jumped to Venus's side and held out his staff. Zircon just blew dark energies at them, jumping out the ways.

Finally, one of them was directed at both of them at the same time. Darien leaped backwards, but Venus was almost hit. She bounced backwards towards the cliff, screaming. He leaped backed at Venus, trying to catch her. Instead she started to fall off the cliff as she cried (with her arm trying to reach Darien's hand), "Darien!!!!"

Luckily, he caught her hand (yes, he did have his Scouts dream flash black, but he fought it). Venus was frantically trying to hold on, and she was grunting as she tried.

"Venus, are you alright?" Darien asked, knowing the answer.

Venus was starting to lose grip of Darien's hand. "Darien, please-- help me!"

He was trying to pull her up, but he was out of strength. "Come on, Venus! Pull! Try to grab onto the cliff! Don't let go!"

Venus obeyed and reached. After several tries, she was giving up. "I can't reach it!"

"Try harder!" Darien cried. He was scared, but he tried harder himself. He pulled harder and harder, until he lifted Venus up by four inches. By then, Venus could reach the edge of the cliff and grasped onto it. She pulled herself up all the way to her waist. With the help of Darien pulling, she was almost on land again. He looped his arms under Venus's and pulled one last time. They're finally on land again.

Zircon wasn't too please with the fact that Venus especially escaped.

"So Venus, you've managed to escape," he retorted. He created a force of beams at the palm of his hand, preparing to fire. "Don't think that you'll be that lucky this time!" He fired the beams at Tuxedo Mask and Venus. They both jumped out of the way.

Venus saw her chance and quickly commanded, "Venus crescent-beam smash!" The cresecnt-beam through all of the beams combined and incised Zircon's arm. He staggered backward, groaning. He aimed more beams at Venus and Darien. Darien successfully used his staff and destroyed his beams. Venus was targeted the most, on the other hand. She aimed more powerfully, "Venus meteor SHOWER!" The beams were immediately destroyed, and the meteor injured Zircon once more.

Sailorvenus was rendered next to Tuxedo Mask. They were both exhausted from the events so far. Zircon sprouted some more black energies and beams at them. The heroes froze, not knowing what to do. They desperately wanted to fight, but their bodies and reflexes won't respond together quick enough to fight. All things seemed hopeless until some familiar voices were heard;

"Jupiter, thunder-clap, ZAP!"

Everyone looked around and saw Sailorjupiter standing several yards away from Tuxedo Mask. "Sailorjupiter!" cried Venus. Then, there were two more voices heard;

"Shine aqua illusion!"

Mercury appeared next to Venus.

"Mar, celestial, fire, SURROUND!"

Mars appeared in front of everyone else. The three Scouts that just arrived cried together, "The Sailorscouts are here!"

Zircon looked astonished. "So these are the Sailorscouts. Nice to meet you all. Maybe I should make an introduction like I did to your pretty friend Venus here. My name is Zircon, brother of Rube and Rubius of the Negamoon."

He lowered himself to the ground, and smirked, "Rube has told me all about you Scouts. It seems that you've caused a lot of trouble by interfering with his plans for Crystal Tokyo." He looked into each of the Scouts' eyes quickly and cried, "I think I might be able to destroy you by the lack of self-confidence, Scouts!"

Jupiter interrogated, "What do you mean, you Negacreep! Get to the point!"

Zircon just laughed, "You'll soon see. Since if seems that you're the most gutsy girl of this group, I'll try you first." He raised his hands. Jupiter prepared to fire her powers, and everyone was especially on their guards for each other; particularly Jupiter.

The heroes all waited. It seemed that nothing happened, but it did, strangely. A plane motor was heard above them. Everyone too a quick glance at the plane, then back at Rube. Jupiter was starting to look pale and frightened. She stared closely at the plane and remembered when was the last time she heard of or saw one; her parents trip to the Bahamas. Their plane crashed, and both of them orphaned Lita from then on. She started to pant of fear.

Mars seemed to notice and asked, "Jupiter, are you OK?" Jupiter looked at Mars palely. Suddenly, a bright flash of white light flashed. Jupiter interrogated, "Hey, what happened?" She was in a weird surrounding-dimension. She heard Rube laughing, "It was your fault that you parents got killed. You should've been there to save them! You're a murderer!" The final word seemed to echo forever.

Jupiter started to brim tears as she repeated, "That's right-- it was my fault that my parents died. I should've become Sailorjupiter to save them!" She collapsed on her knees, crying.

Tuxedo Mask was worried with the rest of the Scouts. They cried, "No Jupiter! It wasn't you fault! The plane wasn't in anyway controlled by you, and you weren't there anyways!"

Jupiter didn't listen. "It was all my fault!"

Tuxedo Mask came over and tried to comfort Jupiter, but instead Jupiter backed up. Tuxedo Mask tried saying, "Come on Jupiter, it's me, Tuxedo Mask. You've got to snap out of this! Remember, Mercury had this same thing happen to her, when everyone, including us, thought that she was cheating. Come on, snap out of it!"

Jupiter didn't hear Tux; instead she heard Tux's unreal voice, "Give in; you know that you killed both of your parents! And what about when your friends were in danger; you were just about always too late to save them! You're not worthy of being a Sailorscout anymore! Get out of here!"

Sailorjupiter was shocked. Darien was once a loyal (sometimes annoying) and cute friend; and is one of her best friend's boyfriend, fiance, husband and lover. She couldn't believe that he was actually speaking like this to her (or so she thought).

Jupiter cried out, "How can you say those things to me, Darien! I didn't kill my parents; honestly, I didn't! How can you say that I'm not a worthy Scouts anymore!" She was crying and fuming as she stood up.

Darien looked at the Scouts, giving them the look, "What's she saying? I didn't say any of that!"

Jupiter looked angry, as well as hurting severely inside. She heard Zircon's voice saying, "Is this what you call friendship! This is the truth, Jupiter! Destroy them, and you'll be free from all pain!" Jupiter advanced at Tuxedo Mask. He thought, what's she doing? This was almost exactly what happened when Mercury was like this!

"Jupiter, " called out Darien. "Lita; come on, search for the truth!"

Jupiter stopped advancing and looked all around. It seemed that her friends were ditching her. She started to aim at herself with her right hand and cried,"Jupiter..."

Venus wasn't hesitating about her own safety. She bounded forward and tried to stop Jupiter. But at about a split second she could get there, Jupiter just about killed herself, "...thunder-clap, ZAP!" She let out a shrill cry, and fell to the ground, as if lifeless.

Mercury and the rest of them rushed to Jupiter's side, lifting her up. She checked for vital signs. She sadly shook her head. Darien just shook his and cried, "NO!" He shook her, "Lita! Lita! Snap out of it! Please, come back!"

Venus was crying, "It's all my fault! If I'd just reacted sooner!"

"It sure was your fault, Venus!" cried Zircon. Everyone looked at him, angered by every bit of him. He challenged, "What about you? In what you did back in England, you'd be rich from getting all that physical prostitution attention!"

Venus glared at him with fire in her crystal blue eyes. "That was not funny, you creep! And plus, I accidentally -- may I remind you -- did that once only!"

Zircon cackled, "Oh yeah?" He tried to use his white illusion beams again, to cause some more false hallucinations, but Venus was quicker. She cried with all her strength, "Venus crescent-beam SMAAAAAAAAAASH!" Her beams shot directly at Zircon, and then she cried, "Venus star POWERRR!" All of her powers shot at Zircon, knocking the crap out of him. Her forehead showed her Venus sign, shooting beams out also.

Renee, somehow, from the close edge of the forest to the Heights of Tokyo, was watching. She cried, "NOOO! Sailorvenus!" Then she pictured her mom's expression on her face. "MOMMY!"

Everyone turned around and saw Renee madly running. Renee inside was thinking what her mommy's expression would look like if Venus and Jupiter were gone. She would cry and be a wreck for days. When she got to the Scouts, Tux, and Zircon, her moon beam shot out, 10x more powerful than usual. She screamed, "NOOO! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" She moon beam then encased Zircon and destroyed him for good. After a few more seconds, her moon beam revived Jupiter from her fatal death state. Jupiter woke up, dazed and still crying. "Wh--what happened?" Then she saw everyone and the heights.

"Jupiter, you're alright!" cried everyone at cluttered but different times. Darien surprisingly hugged Jupiter for the first time! Jupiter blushed and freed herself, "Thanks, Darien." She ran over and hugged Renee, who was smiling of relief. "Oh, thank you Renee!" Renee hugged back proudly, now picturing a happy and beautiful expression on her mommy's face. "I'm so glad that you're back, Jupiter. Everyone is!"

And everyone did nod. They were all smiling that Jupiter was back to her normal health. Renee freed herself from her hug, and said hesitantly, "Uh, Daddy--oh! I mean, Tuxedo Mask..."

"It's alright Renee," he forgave.

"OK-- Daddy, but not to make you more sad, but-- Mommy would be really proud of you and love you. You and all of you Scouts." She tried to smile.

Darien, surprisingly, smiled back without crying for his love. "I know; Serena has to be. That's why we won this battle. And Renee, thank you for your help, too."

Renee smiled, "You're welcome, Daddy." She turned to everyone and said, "Hey, not to change the subject so fast, but don't you all want to forget about the Negaverse and our problems for a moment? Including you, Daddy? Let's try to have a bit of a good time out here at these heights." She stared at the moon.

Venus crouched down and agreed, "Okay, Renee. We should all try to be a little better, even though it might not improve much. But, it's worth a try..." She trailed off as he voice started to crack up into little sniffles. She quickly redeemed herself as Renee stared at her. Everyone transformed back to their civilian forms and just stood there. Renee broke the silence as she said,

"Do--do any of you want to go back to the camp? It--it's getting pretty chilly. And, we can all try to-- deal with these things, hopefully."

Darien went over and patted her head. "We can try, Renee." He fixed his intent look on everyone else and suggested, "Do you all want to?"

Lita, Amy, Raye, Mina, and Renee were all surprised. Darien was actually not crying? Still, Raye searched his face carefully and found that he was only hiding his pain with his words.

"It might help, Darien," answered Raye.

Everyone hesistantly nodded with fake smiles, "Ummhmm."

It might help, Darien thought. I have to stay positive for Serena's sake; and to this whole world. Besides, I have the greatest friends in the world to help me cope with this. They can; since they're all going through the same situation as I am.

All of the girls and Darien strolled back to the little camp. It was pretty late, so they had a late dinner and a little night swim to relax everyone a bit. Everyone tried to go to bed and eventually went to sleep. While Darien was lying on the furthest edge next to Renee, he made sure she was tucked in. After that, he looked through the top of the tent at the full moon. It was shining beautifully, alright.

Good night, Serena, he thought. I'll love you always; no matter what the Negaverse does to us; past, present, and future, and all of eternity. He stared at the moon for a few more minutes and fell asleep; one of the most comforting in a long time.

The end!!!

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