Title: DonÕt forget me! Author: Lady Serenity Email: Lady_Serenity01@hotmail.com Disclaimer: None of the characters in my story belong to me. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi, etc. ~Darien~ ÒIÕll find my way back to you. I promise.Ó Those were my last words that fateful day that we fought the final battle with Queen Beryl. I donÕt know what happened after. The last thing I remember was the feel of her soft cheek as I caressed it in my last moments. Then my eyes closed for what seemed forever. ~Serena~ His hand fell from my cheek and I knew he was gone. My heart burned with hatred for the monster that had done this to him. I resolved to find her and wipe her off the face of the earth so she couldnÕt do what she had done to me to anybody else. I left the dark and gloomy palace to go out into the blinding snow. Suddenly, there was a rumbling and a black flower sprouted out of the ground. It bloomed to reveal the object of my disgust. She laughed, so sure that she had conquered everything and overcome every obstacle in the way of her ruling the world. She was wrong and I let her know it. ÒYou better enjoy that laugh Beryl, itÕs the last one youÕll ever have.Ó I shouted, ice and fire combining in my tone to make it seem deadly. ÒFine, letÕs get this over with.Ó And with those words she shot a beam of black energy at the snow causing a wave that rushed forward to bury me. It was cold inside that tower but I didnÕt give up. I wanted my revenge for the loss of my love. My will surged up inside of me and I transformed into Princess Serena. The ice around me shattered to make a little platform which I stood on clutching my moon wand. ÒI will defeat you on behalf of the moon.Ó I said knowing that I would do my best to save all those people who were counting on me and didnÕt know it. ÒYou? Pitiful little Princess Serena?Ó Beryl cackled so sure of herself. ÒI wonÕt let you win this one you witch.Ó I called out my attack, ÒCosmic Moon Power!!Ó A beam of white light shot from my wand and Beryl sent a black one to counter mine. I didnÕt want to give up but I knew I was getting weaker. Suddenly, visions of my friends flashed through my mind. They were ordering me to let them help. I conceded to them and called for them. ÒI do need help. Please, help me.Ó I whispered. I felt a warm touch on both my hands and I knew they were with me. I heard them call out for their power and again I shouted. ÒCosmic Moon Power!Ó All our power combined in an orb that flew towards Beryl. I could only hear her last painful wail as out magic engulfed her and turned her to dust. After that I fell to the ground and the last thing I could feel was the sold snow against my body. ~Darien~ I was floating in a black space. I didnÕt know where I was but I knew I wasnÕt where I was supposed to be. All I could think about was Serena. I needed to know how she was, if she was alive. Out of the blackness there came a beam of light and it rushed towards me. It hit me in the chest and took me with it. I was racing along somewhere at what seemed was light speed. Then there was a bright flash that seemed as if it should have been accompanied by a boom. I passed out after that and I donÕt know where I ended up. After what had to have been hours later I woke up to find I was in a hospital room. There was a bandage around my head and monitors hooked up to me. The last thing I had remembered was being in the arctic. In that cold, loveless palace. I heard a knock at the door and it was opened to reveal Andrew. My best friend walked into the room and sat down in the chair by my bed. ÒHey Dare, how are you doing. YouÕve been asleep for at least a week.Ó I knew he couldnÕt possibly know about the battle with Queen Beryl so I decided to find out why he thought I was here. ÒAndrew what happened?Ó I asked, fake bewilderment in my voice. ÒYou were in a motorcycle accident. You got a concussion and your back is all scraped up.Ó ÒOh.Ó I sighed, wondering how I had managed to even be here. I knew more than anything that I had died in the palace. How could I have come back to life? I knew when Serena and I had been reincarnated in the past it was because of Queen Serenity, but she was dead now. So how had we come back to life? Or was it just me? The thought that I might have been reincarnated when nobody else was sent fear through me. I couldnÕt face a life without Serena, just the though sent chills of dread running up and down my spine. ÒDarien, are you okay?Ó I heard Andrew ask me. I snapped out of my thoughts and focused back on him. ÒYeah, IÕm fine.Ó ÒSo, you ready to go home?Ó He asked me. ÒI get to go home?Ó I asked. ÒYeah, they said as soon as you wake up.Ó Andrew replied. ÒHow is Serena? Her friends and stuff, how are they?Ó I asked, fear coursing through me that they might not be a part of this world anymore. ÒWhat do you mean how are they? TheyÕre like they usually are. SerenaÕs always late and always fighting with Rei. LitaÕs still cooking and Amy is as busy studying as ever.Ó Relief almost made me weak as I heard these words. I was so happy. Finally, Serena and I could be together. I started walking faster just at the thought of seeing and holding Serena again. When we finally got to AndrewÕs car I was practically jumping up and down with impatience. ÒJeez Darien, calm down, youÕll hurt yourself again if you donÕt settle down.Ó ÒI just was to get home. I want to see everybody again and talk to them. I want to go walk in the park and eat ice cream and everything!Ó ÒWhatÕs with you. You were out for a week and now youÕre like a kid with ants in his pants.Ó Andrew raised an eyebrow skeptically. ÒIÕm fine. I just have a new outlook on life, thatÕs all.Ó I replied nervously afraid that Andrew would see right through me. Finally we arrived at my apartment where Andrew forced me to get into bed and rest. He left after about fifteen minutes thinking that I was asleep. As soon as I heard the door close my eyes popped open and I jumped out of bed. I couldnÕt just lay there. I had to see Serena. I quickly showered and changed my clothes. I knew she wasnÕt out of school yet so I went to take a walk in the park. It was only about noon and Serena got out of school at three. I spent that time walking around and looking at things I had taken for granted before. ItÕs amazing how dying can do that to you. It makes you appreciate the little things in life and not worry so much about the big things. It finally reached three and I raced over to Juuban Middle School where I knew my Serena would be. I waited by the front gates where I knew my little Meatball Head would come running out because she was late for something. ÒAHHHH! IÕm late, ReiÕs gonna kill me!Ó Yep. There was that unmistakable wail. I stepped from where I was hiding at just the right moment and felt a familiar force crash into me. I caught her before she could hit the ground. I silenced her begging apologies with a deep kiss. I felt two little hands come up and violently shove me away. ÒDARIEN!!! What are you doing?Ó She screamed at me when she realized that it was me. ÒI missed you.Ó I said, hurt that she would push me away. ÒYou say you missed me by kissing me like I was your GIRLFRIEND or something!!! I think you got hit in the head a little too hard.Ó She said looking at me weirdly. ÒWhat?! You donÕt remember?Ó ÒRemember what?Ó She asked quizzically. ÒYou know the battle with Queen Beryl, me dying, you being Sailor Moon. All that stuff.Ó I replied forcefully, willing her to remember. ÒMe? Sailor Moon? I think you need to get your head checked again.Ó Serena said as she walked off towards her house. I stood there and stared after her, my heart throbbing with pain. How could she not remember? Our love had lasted over a thousand years before yet Serena could not remember it now. Was it that unimportant to her? What am I going to do. With my heart cracked and bleeding I walked home. ~Serena~ What was Darien talking about? A battle with a queen? Why did he kiss me? ItÕs like he loved me or something. ItÕs probably just some sick joke heÕs trying to play on me. That kiss was great though. Imagine me being attracted to Darien. Rei would have a fit. Why would Darien kiss me if he was going out with Rei? What am I going to do? I donÕt think IÕll tell her. It will just cause more problems between us. Still that kiss was great. Suddenly in SerenaÕs mind flashed a sliver of a memory. As is she and Darien Had kissed like that many times. Serena couldnÕt quite see the whole memory but it left her disoriented and confused. ÒWhat was that?Ó I whispered after it was over. The memory was of a young man and woman dressed in ancient clothes kissing on a balcony. The girlÕs hair had been done up like SerenaÕs and all she had seen of the man was a pair of deep blue eyes exactly like DarienÕs. That couldnÕt be Darien and I. WeÕve never kissed like that except for earlier. IÕve never even had a dress like that. ItÕs probably one of my stupid fantasies. ~Darien~ I walked back to my apartment slowly. Tears were on the verge of spilling from my eyes. I couldnÕt believe that Serena couldnÕt remember us and what we had. Could it have been a drawback of using the silver crystal we didnÕt know about? A flash of gold on my coffee table caught my eye. The star locket. I remember that Serena had released me from BerylÕs spell with it. Wait a minute! When had I had touched the locket not only had I been released from BerylÕs spell, but, all my memories had come back. Maybe all Serena had to do was touch the locket! That could be the solution to SerenaÕs memories. I decided to wait until tomorrow to try it because one more encounter with me might convince Serena that I had totally flown over the cuckooÕs nest. I ordered dinner out as I thought about how I would explain the locket to Serena and actually get her to hold it so it would have time to work. ~Neo-Queen Serenity~ I sighed as I saw the Prince try to figure out how to get my past selveÕs memories back. If only he knew what I did. It was what he had neglected to say that had caused her to lose her memories. All I had needed to hear was one simple phrase before he had died. If he knew this now he would be beating himself up. Hopefully he would figure it out and be able to bring me back. ~Serena~ I woke up early the next morning for some strange reason. It was Saturday. I didnÕt want to get up this early. I couldnÕt go back to sleep. I dressed and ate breakfast with time to actually chew. All the other girls were busy today. Ami has to study, Lita has a cooking class, Rei cleans the temple every Saturday. Mina just got a new modeling job. I decided to walk around the park. I walked through it slowly. The birds were singing happily and I could see flowers all over the place. I went to my favorite place in the park. It was a little thicket hidden by trees that I had found a while before. I sat there for about half an hour before I got bored and decided to walk around some more. I passed by the lake and saw Darien looking out over it. I realized that yesterday was a joke. ÒHey Darien, whatÕs up?Ó I asked ready for an insult. ÒNothing much Serena. IÕm just thinking.Ó Darien replied not looking at me even once. ÒWhat do you have there?Ó I asked noticing a glint of gold in his hand. ÒItÕs a locket someone gave me. You can look at it if you like.Ó Serena gingerly took it from his hands and looked it over. When she opened it and the music played Darien was expecting her to remember everything. Nothing happened. Darien didnÕt understand, he thought that this would cure her. Serena closed the locket and handed it back to him. ÒThatÕs really pretty Darien, where did you get it?Ó She asked. ÒI got it from someone I love.Ó Darien replied. This triggered another memory in the back of SerenaÕs mind. She again saw the girl and the young man. The girl was giving the man the locket that Darien had now. This time the only thing she could see of the man was his midnight black hair. Again it was identical to DarienÕs. ~Narrator~ After the vision was over Serena couldnÕt take the dizziness that followed and she blacked out. Darien barely had enough time to catch her. Darien took Serena to his apartment. He laid her on the couch not quite sure what to do. ÔCome one man, youÕre a doctor-in-training for cripeÕs sake. You should know what to do.Õ This was different though. This was Serena. If he messed up or did anything wrong she could die. The safest thing Darien could think to do was take her to the hospital. He wasnÕt sure if they would do anything. She had only blacked out. Darien decided just to keep her there until she woke up. He kept periodically checking on her to make sure she was still breathing. He covered her with a blanket and put her head on top of a pillow. Darien sat there and fidgeted until Serena moved around some. As soon as he saw her so much as twitch he was at her side ready to get her what she needed. ÒSerena? Are you okay?Ó She slowly opened her eyes and focused on him. ÒDarien what are you doing?Ó Serena asked puzzled as to why he was there. ÒWhat do you mean what am I doing! You blacked out on me. You scared me half to death!Ó Darien exclaimed. ÒI brought you here because I didnÕt feel like leaving you out on the streets!Ó Another flashback came racing to SerenaÕs mind. She was sick in bed with some sort of flu. Tossing and turning. She saw a man walk into the room with a wet cloth and some medicine. It was Darien! This time she could see all his features. He was spoon feeding her the medicine although she was delirious with fever. Serena flashed back to reality. She just stared at him in shocked wonder. Imagine that this man that seemed so cold hearted could do that. ÒWhy did you do that?Ó Serena asked. ÒDonÕt you get it?! I lov. . .care about you! Why canÕt you remember what we had? Do you really think that IÕm that cold hearted?Ó ÒIÕm sorry. I just underestimated you.Ó Serena whispered in shame. She wouldnÕt say why she couldnÕt remember him because she truly didnÕt know either. She kept getting these flashbacks and yet she remembers nothing of what she sees. Maybe what Darien told her about the queen and being Sailor Moon was true. But how could SHE be a super hero. They were talking about Serena Tsukino here. Famous for being whiny and wimpy. ÒWell maybe you shouldnÕt next time.Ó Darien replied. ÒI wonÕt next time. I have to go home now. ItÕs getting late. Thanks Darien.Ó Serena got her stuff and walked out of the door. All Darien could do was stare after her. ~Neo-Queen Serenity~ Prince, you are losing the battle. My past self is slipping away from you. With every day you donÕt express your feelings her heart is forgetting she loved you. All you have to do is tell her you love her and sheÕll remember. Everyone will remember, you wonÕt be alone. I canÕt help you with this one. You have to do it on your own. I just hope that for both your sakes you figure it out. Also for mine, if you donÕt I wonÕt exist any longer. ~Serena~ Darien cares for me! Why would he? The only thing weÕve ever done together is argue. Serena walked all the way home pondering what had happened today. From the strange visions to waking up on DarienÕs couch. She got home and put on her pajamas and went to bed still puzzling over the day. ~Neo-Queen Serenity~ Serena. I wish you had the happiness that you so rightly deserve right now. ItÕs not fair that we are burdened with the responsibility of saving the world and fighting evil. ItÕs not right how you are stolen repeatedly from your love. I hope your prince can solve the puzzle so that you can be together. My king and I need him to exist. ~Darien~ I went to sleep late that night and had a very strange dream. In it Serena and i were having an argument. This was weird because we never really had any in real life. She was yelling at me. Telling me I needed to open up and express my feelings or else I would lose her. No matter what she said in the dream I wouldnÕt say that I loved her. At the end of the dream she left me and I was all alone once again. Then I saw later in life. Serena was holding a baby. It looked exactly like her. Sweet and innocent. Then I say a strange man with no face come up and hold her. Both were smiling down at their child. Then Serena looked at me. Straight into me with sad eyes. The only thing she said was, ÒYou lost me.Ó The dream then faded out. I woke up in a cold sweat. My breathing was shallow and my head throbbed with extreme pain. All I could see was Serena telling me I had lost her over and over. I sobbed with the grief that I felt surging up inside of me. I had lost Serena. I had been a coward and lost her. ÒPrince! Listen to me!Ó I looked up to see who was in my room and didnÕt see anyone. ÒYou canÕt see me but you need to listen! You must tell Serena about your love for her. DonÕt be afraid of telling her. She will not reject you. DonÕt be afraid of telling her your feeling or both of you will suffer.Ó The voice faded away and I looked around wondering where it had come from. I knew I had to tell Serena. Even if she wouldnÕt remember me. I had to express the feelings I had bottled up inside of me so long. I had been afraid to say anything before afraid that she would laugh. I should have known my Meatball Head wouldnÕt do that. She is too caring and kind. I decided to tell her as soon as I next saw her. ~Serena~ I woke up the next day to the sun shining bright and the sky a light blue. It was a good Sunday morning. Everything looked happy and cheerful as if it knew something that everybody else didnÕt. I got dressed slowly and went downstairs to eat breakfast. Everybody was already up and gone by the time I got down. I decided to take another walk through the park because thatÕs what I loved to do on a sunny day. I was there for about an hour when I again saw Darien by the lake. ÒHey Darien. I just wanted to say thank you again for helping me yesterday.Ó ÒYour welcome.Ó He said. ~Darien~ Why is she thanking me for helping her? IÕd give my life for her. I look at her and memorize all her features. Her baby blue eyes, soft golden hair, lithe body, and soft skin. ÒSerena, would you like to take a walk with me? I have to tell you something.Ó I said. ÒSure.Ó We started walking and were for about five minutes until I got to the place I wanted to be. It was a little glade with tall green grass and leafy trees in fall colors and flowers of many different kinds. It was my favorite place in the entire park. I took her inside the little thicket and sat her down on a tree stump. ÒSerena, thereÕs something IÕve been meaning to tell you for a long time. Before I do just let me tell you not to interrupt because if you do IÕll lose my nerve.Ó ÒOkay Darien. Tell me anything you want.Ó She said with blue eyes widened in curiosity. ÒFor a long time IÕve cared for you. All the teasing that you remember was just a cover up for all the compliments that i wanted to shower on you. If I ever hurt you with those IÕm so sorry.Ó At this point I got down on my knees in front of her. ÒI never believed anything that I said about you. I just hope that you can forgive me. Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that I love you. More than life itself I love you and I know I should have told you sooner but I was afraid and I hope that you love me back.Ó At this point a white glittering beam circled around Serena and shot into her chest. It glowed and then disappeared. ÒDarien? Why are we here? Is Beryl gone?Ó ÒSerena! You remember?Ó ÒI remember everything. I love you too Darien!Ó Serena promptly threw herself into my arms and kissed me. ÒThatÕs more like it. The first time I tried to kiss you after the battle you acted like I was some kind of weirdo.Ó Darien pouted. ÒIÕm sorry. I didnÕt know anything then.Ó Serena kissed me again and we hugged there in that secluded place for a long while after that. Beams of light each pierced the scouts hearts and they were given back their memories and looked at the day through new, wiser eyes. They wanted to enjoy it while they could because they knew that it could be taken in an instant. ~Neo-Queen Serenity~ I looked down at the happy couple with wonder. How had the prince found out what to do? I didnÕt tell him and he was far off the last time I checked on him. I felt two warm arms wrap around me and hug me tightly. ÒWhen I work I do a good job donÕt I?Ó My husband Neo-King Endymion commented looking at the two lovers. ÒWhat? You were the one that helped him out?Ó I asked. ÒYeah, Queen Serenity only forbade you to help him out. She didnÕt say anything about me.Ó I turned around and kissed my husband. Remembering all the joy and happiness I had felt that day one thousand years ago.