Chapter One: Moving On
In her bedroom, after being informed that Reenie would be staying with Raye that night, Serena was feeling pretty good about the night’s events as she got into bed. She thought she’d end up in a ball of tears again. After telling Darien off like that, she knew it was over, really over, between them. Instead she felt light, as though a heavy backpack had been taken off of her. She found she could breathe easier and she felt at peace with her decision.
“Serena?” Luna asked, sitting in the windowsill. “Did you mean that earlier? You’re really giving up on Darien?”
Serena nodded, “Yes Luna. He’s made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t want me. I’m not gonna waste anymore time chasing after him.”
“But Serena, I don’t know why he’s doing what he’s doing, but I know he still loves you. He came to save you , didn’t he?” Luna pressed. “He’s your destiny?”
“No, he isn’t Luna. Maybe he does still love me, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that if that’s the case, then he expects me to wait around for him until he gets his head on straight. He loves me when it’s life or death, but any other time, he doesn’t want anything to do with me.” Serena pointed out. “He doesn’t respect me Luna, and I need a guy who respects me. I need someone who will treat me right. I deserve that much Luna.” Serena looked into the cat’s eyes, her own imploring her guardian to understand. “If I kept trying to get him back, I’d only end up more and more depressed. He’d only keep on hurting me.”
Luna sighed. She had wanted to encourage Serena to go back to Darien, to keep after him, but she herself knew how many nights Serena had cried herself to sleep. She knew the pain that Serena suffered every time Tuxedo Mask showed up to save her, always dashing her briefly risen hopes that he had returned to her. “Alright, Serena, I get what you’re saying. You’re right, you deserve better than what Darien’s been giving you. And I know you’ll find the right one for you, in time. Maybe it was a foolish thought that your heart could be the exact same as it was a thousand years ago, or that he would be the same kind of man he was then.” Luna uncharacteristically nuzzled Serena in the face, her way of giving a much-needed hug of support. “Now, go to sleep Serena. You have school tomorrow.”
Serena lay her head on her pillow and slipped into the most peaceful sleep she’d had in weeks.
Meanwhile…
“Your Highness, things have gone just as we planned. The one known as Sailor Moon has broken up with her future king for good,” stated a shrouded man with his crystal ball in hand.
In his throne, a tall man with short silver hair sat, swirling a glass of his favorite wine. “Perfect. The next phase of this plan will commence tomorrow. Tell Rubeus and the sisters they are to stand down and refrain from any further attacks. Anything of the sort could jeopardize this plan.”
Wise Man smiled beneath his hood, “Yes, Prince Diamond. As you wish. Soon the Future Kingdom will be ours for the taking.” Without another word, the wizard vanished from his spot before the prince.
Prince Diamond gazed forward at a holographic figure of absolute beauty. “I always get what I want. And I want you.”
