DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon. 

Serena proceeded to tell them everything. From how she
escaped to how she found Darien. She left out the parts of how
she knew Queen Beryl's name and how she and Darien were fighting.
After her story, Sean moved over to her and squeezed her hand. 
She smiled over at him. Darien was carefully avoiding her eyes. 
Barendieu sighed. "I'm glad to hear that you are all right,
Serena. That means we have no more reason to attack Queen
Beryl's castle. But I have decided to stage another attack. We
held out against them the other day, even though they had
superior,.....methods. I want to crush them now while they are
still reorganizing themselves." Serena became frantic. "You
can't! What you saw the other day was only a taste of how
powerful they are! If you stage another attack, you will lose
many more men than the first time around!" Serena's mind was
racing. Humans didn't stand a chance against the Negaverse! She
stole quick glances at her four comrades. To her surprise, they
didn't look panicked at all. They looked as if they we each
planning something different of their own. Curious, thought
Serena. She turned her attention back to Barendieu. "We will be
in the forest we know well. That gives us an advantage. We will
also have many reinforcements." Serena raised an eyebrow. "Oh? 
How many?" Barendieu sighed. "Including our eight hundred, we
will be three thousand strong in battle." "That's all? Are they
properly trained? Sir, we will still have a staggering list of
casualties." Serena gave the Capitan a hard look. "They have
been given the proper instruction. I was going to make this
announcement tonight at supper, but....." Serena raised an
eyebrow. "Some of the reinforcements will be arriving tomorrow
night for a ball." Serena laughed. "A ball, Capitan? I'm sorry
if you haven't noticed, but there are only five girls in the
entire camp." "I have noticed, Serena. That is why the first
part of the reinforcements are women." (NOTE: Women really did
NOT go to war under any circumstances.) Serena was becoming
exasperated. "Barendieu, why are we throwing a ball in the
middle of a crisis?" "It is a good luck ball of sorts. The next
morning the reinforcements will arrive and we will have two days
to prepare for battle." Serena was boiling. She stormed out of
the tent. Only Darien dared to follow. "What is your problem
Serena? Do you think you are the only one who can save us all? 
Do you think its all up to you?" Serena turned to face him. 
Darien didn't know how right he was. Though she longed to see
the faces of her log-lost guards again. They'd be able to help
her. She wished she could remember what they looked like. She
was shaken out of her reverie by Darien, who was going on about
how selfish and stupid she was. "Don't you dare talk to me that
way again, Darien. In fact, I don't think you should dare talk 
to me again period, for fear that I might have to hurt you."
Darien laughed cruelly at her and reached for her arm as she was
walking away. He met with an unpleasant surprise, however, when
he touched her, a painful jolt went through his hand. He
recoiled instantly, cradling his injured hand. He looked up to
chew out Serena, but she wasn't there.
*****************************************************************
Was she some sort of witch? No. That couldn't be. She was
too angelic to be a witch. She cared about other people. But
right now she was acting downright rude. Barendieu had made the
announcement earlier that day. It was very late and Darien knew
he needed rest, but he couldn't get Serena out of his mind. Why?
She treated him........like what? She hadn't acted THAT cold
towards him. Just enough to make him stay clear of her. But
earlier that day, he had been the one to go overboard with the
teasing. Her last remark had almost made his heart break. 
Defending himself, he recalled that she was the one to start the
bickering, but for what? Why would she suddenly decide to be
mean to him? He put these questions out of mind and tried to get
some sleep.
*****************************************************************
Serena had never felt so guilty before in her life. Her
little shocker experiment was uncalled for. But he was just
being cruel. She didn't like the fact that she would have to
face him the next morning for training. She laid these thoughts
to rest and forced herself to snooze.
"Sailor Venus! Where are you?" Serena was running through a
burning city and screaming out a name. What name? Who was
Sailor Venus? She could feel the heat on her face as she
struggled to breath in a small hut set aflame. "Mercury! Where
are you? She ran out of the house and continued looking for her
friends. "Oh Lord! Jupiter! Mars! Where are you?" All around
her buildings were crumbling and smoke was spreading. She
dropped to her knees in a small street. The smoke choked at her,
suffocating her...... 
"Serena! Wake up!" Serena's eyes snapped open and she
jerked herself upright, startling the four faces surrounding her
bed. Raye put a hand on Serena's damp shoulder. "Calm down
Serena. You were having a nightmare." Serena caught her breath.
She realized she had been talking in her sleep. "Did I wake all
of you? I'm so sorry." Lita looked down. "What is it Lita?"
Lita frowned slightly at Serena. "Serena, I'm a heavy sleeper. 
I don't usually wake up that easy. The reason I woke up, is
because I heard you yelling a name. One I haven't been called
for years. Not since...." Lita trailed off, looking at Serena
thoughtfully. "What name is that?" Lita smiled softly at her. 
"Jupiter. Sailor Jupiter." Serena gasped and looked around
slowly at the rest of the circle. Everyone but Jupiter had a
confused expression on their faces. Recognition dawned slowly on
everyone. Serena scanned the circle around her. Her gaze
stopped at Raye. Her eyes wide, she bowed her head. "Sailor
Mars," she managed to croak out. Serena, becoming more excited,
turned her gaze on Amy. Amy smiled and whispered, "Sailor
Mercury." Serena, close to tears, looked at Mina expectantly. 
Mina was crying. "Sailor Venus?" Mina nodded and everyone burst
into tears. Serena hugged all of her friends tightly. She had
found the Sailor Scouts! She had missed them so much. Backing
away from the circle, Serena motioned for them to listen. "In my
dream, where was I?" Mina wiped her eyes and slowly replied. "We
were on another planet out of our own galaxy. The Negaverse had
been shadowing them for a long time. We put up a worthy fight,
but in the end, we couldn't save the poor planet." Serena nodded.
"But what happened to all of you?" Amy walked over to the hearth
and sat down. "I don't think whoever is in charge of the great
scheme of things wanted us dead. We still had other work to do I
suppose. We escaped, but I can't remember exactly how. We lost
our memories. All except you, Princess. Somehow we kept our
scout identities, but lost any other recollection of why we had
them. All four of us came to Earth, each of us thinking we were
alone in our quest to rid this planet of Queen Beryl. When we
all came to this camp, when I first met you girls, I knew there
was something familiar about all of you, though I couldn't quite
place it. Now, thanks to Sailor Moon, we are together again."
*****************************************************************
Serena awoke slowly, stretching as she sat up. It had been
a long night last night. The girls had talk for hours of the
present situation with Beryl. They decided it was best to go
along with the plan, and before anyone could get hurt on their
side of the battle lines, they'd release their power, fight for
all they were worth, and then try to get Beryl alone. It wasn't
much of a plan, but it was all they could come up with. Serena
went on a bout her morning rituals as usual, but with a slight
spring in her step, and a soft smile on her face. She couldn't
wait for all of the girls to get up so they could go down to
breakfast for the first time as genuine friends. She was sitting
at her normal place by the fire when everyone else woke up. 
After breakfast, Serena spotted Darien, apparently waiting
for her, and trudged up to met him. She didn't say anything,
just raised her sword in a sort of challenge position. Darien
started with a thrust and Serena parried the blow, The fighting
continued for a while, until it was time to get ready. Serena
went through her trunk and tried to find a decent dress for the
ball. She couldn't find one that matched what the scouts were
wearing. All of hers were thin and, compared to theirs, fairly
skimpy. Mina lended her one of hers. (Now, don't ask why they
have dresses. They just do.) Serena stood in the mirror, trying
to figure out what to do to her hair. Mina to the rescue. She
plaited her hair skillfully and when is was done, part of her
hair was in a crown atop her head, and the rest was in a thick
braid hanging down her back that stopped in the middle and let
the remaining hair fall free. The girls decorated each other's
hair with flower and braids and what-not, save for Amy who only
had a few small flowers fit into a little crown. They set out
for the fort, grumbling about how since they were dressed like
ladies why couldn't they have a lady's form of transportation? 
When they finally arrived at the ball room, they saw it was
decorated like a palace, with marble floors and columns, high
windows and balconies.(please don't wonder how this happened)
There weren't a lot of women there, though more than there
would've been. Serena estimated about two hundred ladies and
like, four hundred men, and this wasn't counting the ones who
didn't show up. She couldn't see Sean or Darien anywhere. 
They'd show, but she wanted to talk to Sean about nothing
special. Serena smiled to herself. Even if he did show, he
wouldn't have time to talk. There would be women all over him
begging for a dance. Sean was handsome, but Serena never really
thought of him that way. The other girls had already been
whisked away, leaving Serena by herself. She was considering
going over to visit the refreshment table, but was stopped by a
light touch on her shoulder. Was it Darien? She held her breath
and turned around.
*****************************************************************
"Malachite!" Malachite grinned. "Hello Serena. Would you
like to dance?" Serena smiled at him. "Wee," replied Serena as
she lightly stepped onto the dance floor. (I think that was
French for yes' but if it isn't, oh well) Malachite cleared his
throat, "Serena, I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of
meeting your blonde friend over there." Serena craned her neck to
see Mina dancing a few feet away. She chuckled. "Oh that's
Mina, I'll introduce you later if you want." Malachite smiled. 
"I would be most obliged. It surprises me though. You haven't
asked about Darien yet." Serena bow her head to hid a blush. "We
aren't on speaking terms." Malachite grinned and glanced to the
side, but before Serena could follow his gaze, he swung her
around to face him. "Malachite!" She said in a loud whisper. 
"You aren't on speaking terms? Well, maybe you should be." With
that, he twirled her around a few times until she found herself
face-to-face with Darien. He had been dancing with Mina. Mina
gave Malachite a long look and shot a quick glance at Serena. 
Serena was about to say something when Malachite jumped in. 
"Darien, might I ask who the lovely young lady you are dancing
with is?" Mina blushed furiously while hiding a smile. Darien
was about to reply but Serena cut him off. "Malachite, this is
Mina. Mina, Malachite." They murmured how-do-you-do's and
continued staring at one another. Smiling charmingly, Malachite
asked simply, "Darien, might I cut in?" Serena finally realized
what he was doing. He was going to whisk Mina away, leaving
Darien and Serena in the middle of the floor with no partners. 
She could've screamed at him. Not giving Darien time to reply,
Malachite held his hand out and Mina, getting in on the plan,
took it hurriedly and they disappeared into the crowd. Well, it
worked. Serena was mortified and Darien was standing right in
front of her. Gulping, he cautiously held out his hand. Serena
smiled inwardly. Afraid I'll shock him again, eh? She didn't
say anything, just took his hand. Unfortunately, a song had just
started and they were in the middle of the floor which meant they
were stuck with one another for another entire song. They danced
without word, just mechanically moving their feet. Then, without
warning, Darien swept her towards the open balcony. He led her
around a corner and let her go. "What'd you bring me out here
for?" Darien gave her a sidelong glance. "I want to know what
you are hiding." "Hiding? Me? Why would I do that?" Darien
sighed and backed away a few feet to sit on the railing. 
"Because you know something you don't want me to know." Serena
scoffed at his accusation. "I don't have time for this. I'm
going in." She turned around to leave, but soon found she
couldn't because Darien's arm was clamped down on her shoulder. 
"Let go." "No. Wait Serena. Look." She rolled her eyes and
followed Darien's gaze. What she saw couldn't have frightened
her more. A big, black wave of energy making it's way to the
fort. Serena had seen that cloud before. She remembered that
little nameless planet where she had first lost her friends. 
They were standing in a line, waiting to attack. The big wave
loomed above them. It was so bloody. So many people...... She
was shocked out of her reverie by Darien. She was shaking her
shoulders violently. "Serena! Snap out of it!" She wrenched
herself free of his grasp. "Let's go!" Serena didn't see the
shocked and confused expression on Darien's face. She reached
back and grabbed his hand. "Now!" She burst into the ballroom
and rushed up to the platform where the band was playing and the
Capitan was talking. She shouted for the band to stop and turned
around to address the crowd. "Everyone! Take cover! There is a
black wave approaching fast!" Barendieu spit out the wine he was
drinking. Everyone! Out! Now!" Serena felt a vibration under
her feet. "Out of the fort! Everyone! It's going to collapse!"

*********Well? How am I doing? Please let me know. I got some
letters urging me to make the chapters and bit longer and I did. 
See how easy it is to mail a request and have it granted or at
least have it replied to? Hmmmm? Well, I g/g! Peace out!
Jordan