Chapter Three: Visitors From the Past

Quatre and Duo stayed staring down at the girl. "Duo, don't you think we should do something? We can't just leave her like this."

Duo frowned, "What are you talking about, Quatre?"

Quatre looked back down at Serena. "Duo, we have to help her. She can't do it alone."

Duo sighed, "You're right, Quatre. But where do we start?"

As if on cue Serena woke up and smiled sleepily at the two, "Does your TV cover news for all the colonies?"

The two pilots surveyed each other. Quatre was the first to speak, "No, but Sandrock has access to them all."

Duo turned to his friend, "Quatre! You can't tell her! You know what our are," He stated.

Serena turned to Duo. "If you don't want to help I understand."

Duo scowled at her, "That's not the reason. If you used Sandrock you'd be in danger."

Serena's eyes twinkled and a smile appeared on her lips, "I didn't think you cared if I was in danger or not."

Duo scowled at her. "I still don't trust you. I mean you could just be a trap from OZ."

Serena looked at him and nodded, "You remind me of my best friend. She never trusted anyone either." Serena closed her eyes and leaned her head against the couch for a moment.

Quatre noticed the tears trickling from Serena's eyelids. "Duo, you made her cry!" He hissed in a whisper.

Duo looked at the silently crying girl. "Ummm, Serena. I'm sorry if I upset you. I didn't mean to."

Serena slowly opened her eyes to see Duo looking uncertainly at her. "It's alright, Duo," She responded.

Duo smiled at the accomplishment of making Serena stop crying. "Wait a minute. If you came from the past like you said you did then what happened to your friends?"

Fresh tears appeared in Serena's eyes and she allowed them to flow. "You have a right to know I guess, it all happened thousands of years ago. Sailor Pluto had taken me aside and informed of Beryl breaking free far into the future. So I left with her without saying goodbye to any of my friends."

"Why?" Quatre asked confused.

Serena managed a small smile, "Even though I was queen they still dictated what I could and couldn't do."

"Queen?" Quatre asked looking at her confused.

Serena nodded, "Yes, I left without saying goodbye and Pluto led me into a secret place. In that place I was encased inside the crystal. Never to see my friends, my husband, or my daughter again."

"Daughter??" Duo asked startled. He stared at Serena in shock.

Serena giggled, "I may look young but I am much older than you would think." She got to her feet and turned to Quatre. "Take me to this Sandrock," She requested softly.

Quatre glanced at Duo for a moment before nodding and leading Serena away. Duo scowled after the two as he remembered Serena's words. 'She was married and had a kid?' he wondered in confusion.

Serena gasped as Quatre led her into a hangar. "Wow, Quatre what's that?" She asked pointing at the Gundam.

Quatre smiled, "This is Sandrock. Inside the piloting area you'll be able to get a hold of different colonies' news stations easily."

Serena smiled at him, "Thank you, Quatre. I appreciate this," She said kissing his cheek before jumping into the opened hatch. Quatre blushed and left the hangar.

Serena frowned, "I wish he hadn't left. I have no clue what to do here," She muttered.

"Perhaps the God of Death can be of some insistence," Duo asked poking his head into the pilot area.

Serena gasped, "Duo! You scared me!" She scolded clutching her chest.

Duo laughed and surveyed what she was doing. "Why did Quatre leave without telling you how to work this?"

Serena shrugged, "I don't know. After I thanked him he left in a hurry."

Duo blinked, "That's not like him. I'll have to talk to him later, but first I'll help you," He offered.

Serena watched as Duo's fingers danced across the controls. A multitude of windows popped up and Serena blinked. "Cool!" She squealed jerking her head side-to-side staring at them all. Duo watched her for a moment before he started to laugh.

Serena turned to look at him startled a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Duo's face turned serious as he turned his attention to one of the screens. "Serena, look at this," He commanded softly. Serena nodded and turned her attention to the screen Duo was pointing at. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the pictures of the human mass that were in hospitals because of the negaverse.

"Uh, Serena," Duo interrupted pulling on her sleeve.

Serena slowly turned and gasped, "No, oh, Duo. I can't do it. So far I see four of your colonies have suffered this fate. I..." She looked to where his finger was pointing, "Earth too?" She asked a frown on her lips. Duo nodded.

Serena left the hatch and jumped to the ground. She closed her eyes and reached for her brooch. She opened it and stared at the crystal inside. 'I can't do this alone, Mother,' She thought sadly tracing the facets of the gem with her finger.

Duo watched not sure what to say to her. Serena gently smiled over at Duo a heightened blush on her cheeks. "Turn around," Serena commanded. Duo nodded and complied.

Serena smiled at his back, 'He may not trust me but he's an okay guy,' she thought with fondness before holding her brooch in the air. "Moon Crystal Power!"

Sailor Moon laid her hand on Duo's shoulder. "Thanks for turning around," She said with a smile. She smiled brightly and kissed his cheek. "I have to save Earth. I won't die either. Not this early in the game," She promised before running out.

"Strange girl," Duo said. He then allowed himself to wonder why Serena had kissed his cheek. "Strange indeed."

Sailor Moon allowed her senses to guide her to the evil power. She frowned as she realized who it was. "Hey, Morga!" She demanded as she stepped out of the shadows.

The youma turned, "I told you that you wouldn't see the last of me," She sneered.

Sailor Moon nodded, "Indeed. I am here to stop you, once again. Pretty girl in a sailor suit, Sailor Moon,"

"Pretty girl? Really miss moon you're speeches haven't got any better," Jedite interrupted.

Serena looked up at him and frowned. "Jedite," She sneered in anger.

The general looked down at her. "I'm so touched you remember. Too bad it's time for me to destroy you."

Sailor Moon pulled out her scepter her eyes hard, "Moon Scepter Elimination!" She screamed. She watched as Jedite merely raised his shield. "No!" She cried.

"You can't hurt me. You might as well give up now. I promise to make it painless," He said coming towards her.

Sailor Moon glared at him. "I'm the only one who can save this world. I won't let you stop me! I'll fight to the death if necessary. I am Sailor Moon champion of justice," Her eyes narrowed, "Jedite, I've grown a lot since we last met. I have more power and I tell you now in the name of the moon I shall punish you," She vowed.

Duo and Quatre stared at the TV in shock. "Duo! We have to save her," Quatre objected staring at the defiant Serena.

Duo shook his head, "It's her fight, Quatre. We can't stop her."

Sailor Moon took off her tiara causing Jedite to laugh, "Come on now! Do you expect me to believe your pathetic little tiara got stronger?"

Sailor Moon shook her head, "Moon Tiara Action!" The metal discus flew through the air and Jedite easily avoided it. In the process of doing so however he left his minion, Morga unprotected.

Sailor Moon watched as the youma was dusted. "Are you going to run, Jedite?" She asked staring at him. He shook his head as energy started to glow around his palm.

"Run from a brat like you?" He questioned.

Sailor Moon merely smiled, "You never found out who I was did you? You were destroyed before it was found out," Jedite looked at her confused the power fading.

"What are you talking about?" He demanded.

Sailor Moon smiled and opened her brooch. "I was Princess Serena so very long ago." She explained revealing the sparkling Silver Crystal. Jedite's eyes widened. "You? A girl who couldn't even get a decent test score?" Sailor Moon flushed with anger and embarrassment. Jedite noticed and scowled, "You have caught me by surprise this time but I will return," He promised before vanishing.

Sailor Moon scowled and sighing held the Silver Crystal into the air. "Teleport!" She demanded. In a flash Sailor Moon had vanished from the area.

Duo and Quatre stared at the heroine as she appeared in a flash of silver lights. "Welcome back, Serena," Quatre greeted smiling at her. Sailor Moon closed her eyes and in a pink flash she was back to herself.

Duo stared at her for a moment before he spoke, "Who are these people, Serena?" He asked in a serious tone.

Serena sat down on the couch and closed her eyes. "Serena?" Quatre asked. Serena slowly opened one eye and stared at him.

"Hundreds of years ago I found out I was the heroine known as Sailor Moon. My first enemy was the Negaverse. I wasn't alone long before my fellow Sailor Scouts came to my aid. However I am not sure if I can defeat them myself here. You see it took all of their help to defeat the evil Queen Beryl, and even then we only managed to seal her away. She's here to do what she couldn't do before; bring the Negaverse into this world."

Serena closed her eye again; "I'm here to stop her no matter the cost. I sacrificed everything to ensure that the witch doesn't succeed in her mission."

"Queen Serenity," Whispered a voice.

Serena opened her eyes startled. "Pluto?" She asked in disbelief.

Duo scowled as a woman with the long dark green hair appeared. "Your highness, I couldn't send you through time to spare you the pain you've suffered. It would have disrupted the timeline too badly. I'm here to tell you that you are on your own. The others can not help you and I must remain by the time gate," She paused. "However, I have something for you from Queen Rini."

Serena blinked, "Queen Rini?"

Sailor Pluto smiled ignoring the two stunned Gundam pilots. "Yes, sadly Luna, and Artemis have died. Since they were Lunarians they could only survive for so long. However Diana is around the same age Luna was when she first found you."

Serena gasped as the purplish cat appeared, "Queen Serenity it will be a honor to serve you," She said with a giggle.

Serena smiled down at her, "Diana, you haven't changed at all!" She smiled and picked up the cat hugging her close.

Sailor Pluto smiled, "Now you are on your own. I must return to the time gate. Good luck, Serena."

Serena smiled softly, "Goodbye, Pluto. We will meet again." The mysterious sailor vanished leaving Serena alone with Diana and two curious pilots.

Quatre stared at the cat. "Serena, she talked," He whispered to her.

Serena giggled, "Yes, she is now my mentor and advisor Diana."

The cat turned to the boy and performed a slight bow. "A pleasure to meet you oh honored friend of Queen Serenity."

Serena blushed, "Uh, Diana just call me Serena. These are my friends Quatre; the blonde haired one, and Duo the one with a braid."

Duo blinked, "How can a cat talk?"

Diana walked up to him. "I am Diana. My parents were the Lunarians Artemis and Luna. Both were able to speak so it is only natural that I can too."

Serena looked at Diana and sighed before turning to Duo. "You see, Duo she's not an ordinary cat. Thousands of years ago my mother Queen Serenity ruled the Silver Millennium. She had two wise advisors; Luna and Artemis. They were magical cats from a far away planet. Diana is their daughter and she's been sent to help me."

Duo examined the cat for a moment. "So she'll be staying with us?" He asked Serena. The girl turned and nodded.

"Yes, that is if you don't mind, Duo," She replied.

Quatre knelt down beside the cat, "Excuse me Miss. Diana. Would you like some milk or tuna?" He asked.

Diana grinned up at him, "Yes pleas, Mr. Quatre," She responded before jumping onto his shoulder.

Duo was for once silent as he thought. "So how old are you anyways, Serena?"

Serena blushed, "A lady never reveals her age," She replied.

Duo rolled his eyes. "If Heero were still around I know you'd be telling him."

Serena blinked, "Where you close to him, Duo?"

The other boy shook his head, "Not really. He just tried to shoot me a couple of times. While I did shoot him a couple of times." Serena stared at Duo wide-eyed but didn't comment.

Quatre watched the cat eat. "Excuse me for asking this but why did Serena leave her husband and daughter? I don't understand why she forfeited her happiness to come here."

Diana stopped eating and looked up at him, "Mrs. Serena loves the world and all those that live in it. She knew that if she didn't come here to stop the Negaverse that they would take over this world and everyone would be corrupted or destroyed. Yes, her sacrifice was great but..." The small feline paused and looked up at him.

"Would you like to know something?" Quatre nodded making Diana smile. "Even though she was taken from her life Pluto has told me that she can still make one here for herself."

Quatre blinked, "Are you saying what I think you are?"

Diana nodded, "If Mrs. Serena wished it she could get married again and it wouldn't have to have anything to do with her past," She explained. Quatre was about to say more when he realized the small cat had resumed her eating.

Serena closed her eyes slightly wincing as she did so. Duo noticed the movement and he gently took her arm. Serena's eyes flew open and she stared at Duo as he examined her arm. "You're hurt," Duo said with a frown pointing out a nasty red line that traveled down Serena's arm.

Serena nodded, "It's not important. All that matters is that I stop the Negaverse once and for all. Injuries such as this are unimportant compared to that." Duo studied her for a moment questions in his indigo eyes. He shook his head and got up leaving Serena alone.

Serena watched him go then sighed. 'I miss you so much, Darien,' she thought tears shimmering to life in her eyes. 'You and Rini and the Sailors.'

Serena curled into a ball tears arising in her eyes. "Oh, Darien," She whispered softly burying her head into her hands.

Duo stood standing watching her, a strip of gauze and medicine forgotten in his hands as he watched Serena cry over the loss of her husband. He walked towards her ensuring that she was hearing him. Serena looked up and wiped her eyes forcing a smile to her lips. "Yes, Duo?" She asked softly. Duo sat beside her and again took her arm.

Serena started to pull her arm away when Duo tightened his grip. Serena lowered her eyelids hiding her eyes. Duo quickly tended her wound. "Serena," He whispered softly. Serena slowly turned her eyes towards him her previous tears still visible.

Duo lifted his hand and gently wiped Serena's eyes with the soft pad of his thumbs. "It's going to be okay," He whispered. Serena's breathing became faster as Duo moved closer towards her. His eyes stared deep into hers as his lips crept closer ever so excruciatingly slowly.

Duo felt Serena's warm breathe heat his lips. Serena inhaled sharply just before Duo's lips covered her own. Duo's lips moved against Serena's own. 'So soft, so sweet,' he thought. He felt something wet brush the corner of his lips and he looked at Serena to see her eyes closed and tears trailing down her cheeks. Feeling like a villain he pulled away and watched as Serena turned in the other direction. "Serena, I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you or make you sad," He tried to explain. Serena remained silent as she softly sobbed.

Duo gently took Serena in his arms and ignored her attempts to get away. "No, Serena. It's all right I won't do anything you don't want me to do. Right now you need to be held," He explained whispering in her hair. Serena stopped fighting and sank against Duo's chest allowing her tears to fall. Duo remained still and simply held her as Serena sobbed.

Quatre stuck his head into the living room and silently examined the scene. Without speaking he withdrew back into the kitchen where Diana was playing with a ball of string.

Duo listened as Serena's sobs gradually lessened to sniffles and finally to silence. She seemed to content to stay in his arms however so he did nothing more then softly kiss her forehead before lying back against the cushions and allowed himself to sleep.

Serena looked up as she heard Duo's soft snores. His bangs fell over his eyes and she silently studied him. 'I can't believe I let him kiss me. Even if Darien is dead my heart should only belong to him,' Her thoughts were interrupted as a shadow covered Duo's face and he tightened his grip for a moment. Feeling her warmth he instantly relaxed and settled down. 'Shouldn't it?' Serena wondered as she looked down at him. She tenderly kissed his cheek before allowing herself to fall asleep in his arms.