Chapter 4: The Beginning of the Search

Ami exited the cram school, saying goodbye to her fellow over-achievers. With a final goodbye, she turned and headed home to begin her intensive personal study session. She was surprised when she saw Darien and Serena waiting for her.

“Darien, Serena, what a pleasant surprise,” she greeted.

“We need your help, Ami,” Serena said, getting directly to the point.

“What kind of help?” Ami asked, looking from Serena to Darien.

“Where can we talk privately?” Darien asked, emphasizing the last word. He eyed the passers-by who strolled down the sidewalk.

“How about my place?” Ami volunteered. She looked at her watch. “My mother has the late shift this week and won’t be home for hours.”

“Great!” Serena said, as the trio began to walk to Ami’s house.

* * * * *

“Interesting,” Ami murmured, closely reading a passage from a thick book.

“What did you find?” Serena asked.

“It appears Darien was right,” the genius replied. "Cassandra was the daughter of the king and queen of Troy. She was loved by Apollo, and he gave her the gift of prophecy. Unfortunately, the Greeks conquered Troy and Cassandra was taken to Greece as a prisoner. She was given to a member of the House of Atreus and was killed during a rampage of vengeful murders in the family.”

“That’s so sad,” Serena said.

“She’s generally considered a mythological figure, as far as I can tell,” Ami replied. “If that makes you feel better.”

“Why would the person who met Serena take that name?” Darien asked.

“She does seem to claim, indirectly, the gift of prophecy,” Ami answered.

“Why are you sure that that isn’t her real name?” Serena queried.

“I’m not,” he replied. “I just don’t want to take too much on trust right now.”

“Hmm, that probably is a good idea,” Ami conceded. “We can’t be too sure that her intentions are good, despite what she said to Serena.”

“I don’t know, you guys,” Serena said. “I have a feeling we should trust Cassandra, or whatever her name is.”

“Well, we won’t discover any further tonight,” Darien replied, glancing at his watch. “It’s getting late and I better get Serena home. Thanks, Ami. We should see Rei tomorrow and ask her to consult the sacred fire.”

“Good idea. I say we should met there after I get out from cram school.”

“Okay,” Darien said. “Serena and I will met you at the temple.”

Saying their final good-byes, Darien and Serena left Ami’s and headed to Serena’s house.

“I don’t that this is such a good idea,” Darien said a few minutes later.

“What choice do we have, Darien?” Serena asked.

“I wasn’t referring to the Cassandra thing. I was . . . Never mind. Forget it.”

“What, Darien?”

“I was thinking that it probably isn’t such a good idea to take you home so late. I should have left you at Ami’s. Your dad is going to kill me.”

Serena giggled. “Tuxedo Mask afraid of an angry father?”

“No, Darien afraid of not growing into an old man.”

She hugged him fiercely, causing them to bump into a lightpole. Laughing, he hugged her back.

“Oh, well, it’s probably be worth it,” he said.

“I love you, Darien.” Letting go, she looked him in the eye. “Don’t worry about my parents. I called them while we were at Ami’s and told them that we were having a huge study session. All I mentioned was that a friend would walk me home afterwards.”

“Well, I’m glad you did. Your father is not a guy to make angry.”

Taking her hand, Darien began walking again. The moonlight made her hair shine. Due to the late hour, they were alone on the streets. It was nice to have a quiet moment together, he decided.

They walked together for a long while, each enjoying the moment. Maybe, it was time to ask him, Serena thought. She gathered her courage.

“Darien, would you like to come over for dinner sometime?”

* * * * *

In the shadows of an alley, Cassandra watched the happy young couple. There is so much at stake, she thought. She hoped that Sailor Moon found the Stone of Hope soon. Her mission had to be completed.

She took satisfaction in the fact that Serena was already wearing the pendant. But would she take the Stone from the carrier? Cassandra hoped that the girl had the courage.

That girl, Cassandra thought, amused by the memory of Serena running to school. That whiny, clutzy girl was the future Neo-Queen Serenity, the ruler of Crystal Tokyo. It amazed Cassandra how much of the future depended on the Serena of the past.

On the other hand, Cassandra, as her old self, would have never imagined being entrusted with this mission. Responsibility can change people, she realized. Then, remembering Serena, she added, sometimes greatly.


The Beginning of the Search Ami exited the cram school, saying goodbye to her fellow over-achievers. With a final goodbye, she turned and headed home to begin her intensive personal study session. She was surprised when she saw Darien and Serena waiting for her. “Darien, Serena, what a pleasant surprise,” she greeted. “We need your help, Ami,” Serena said, getting directly to the point. “What kind of help?” Ami asked, looking from Serena to Darien. “Where can we talk privately?” Darien asked, emphasizing the last word. He eyed the passers-by who strolled down the sidewalk. “How about my place?” Ami volunteered. She looked at her watch. “My mother has the late shift this week and won’t be home for hours.” “Great!” Serena said, as the trio began to walk to Ami’s house. * * * * * “Interesting,” Ami murmured, closely reading a passage from a thick book. “What did you find?” Serena asked. “It appears Darien was right,” the genius replied. "Cassandra was the daughter of the king and queen of Troy. She was loved by Apollo, and he gave her the gift of prophecy. Unfortunately, the Greeks conquered Troy and Cassandra was taken to Greece as a prisoner. She was given to a member of the House of Atreus and was killed during a rampage of vengeful murders in the family.” “That’s so sad,” Serena said. “She’s generally considered a mythological figure, as far as I can tell,” Ami replied. “If that makes you feel better.” “Why would the person who met Serena take that name?” Darien asked. “She does seem to claim, indirectly, the gift of prophecy,” Ami answered. “Why are you sure that that isn’t her real name?” Serena queried. “I’m not,” he replied. “I just don’t want to take too much on trust right now.” “Hmm, that probably is a good idea,” Ami conceded. “We can’t be too sure that her intentions are good, despite what she said to Serena.” “I don’t know, you guys,” Serena said. “I have a feeling we should trust Cassandra, or whatever her name is.” “Well, we won’t discover any further tonight,” Darien replied, glancing at his watch. “It’s getting late and I better get Serena home. Thanks, Ami. We should see Rei tomorrow and ask her to consult the sacred fire.” “Good idea. I say we should met there after I get out from cram school.” “Okay,” Darien said. “Serena and I will met you at the temple.” Saying their final good-byes, Darien and Serena left Ami’s and headed to Serena’s house. “I don’t that this is such a good idea,” Darien said a few minutes later. “What choice do we have, Darien?” Serena asked. “I wasn’t referring to the Cassandra thing. I was . . . Never mind. Forget it.” “What, Darien?” “I was thinking that it probably isn’t such a good idea to take you home so late. I should have left you at Ami’s. Your dad is going to kill me.” Serena giggled. “Tuxedo Mask afraid of an angry father?” “No, Darien afraid of not growing into an old man.” She hugged him fiercely, causing them to bump into a lightpole. Laughing, he hugged her back. “Oh, well, it’s probably be worth it,” he said. “I love you, Darien.” Letting go, she looked him in the eye. “Don’t worry about my parents. I called them while we were at Ami’s and told them that we were having a huge study session. All I mentioned was that a friend would walk me home afterwards.” “Well, I’m glad you did. Your father is not a guy to make angry.” Taking her hand, Darien began walking again. The moonlight made her hair shine. Due to the late hour, they were alone on the streets. It was nice to have a quiet moment together, he decided. They walked together for a long while, each enjoying the moment. Maybe, it was time to ask him, Serena thought. She gathered her courage. “Darien, would you like to come over for dinner sometime?” * * * * * In the shadows of an alley, Cassandra watched the happy young couple. There is so much at stake, she thought. She hoped that Sailor Moon found the Stone of Hope soon. Her mission had to be completed. She took satisfaction in the fact that Serena was already wearing the pendant. But would she take the Stone from the carrier? Cassandra hoped that the girl had the courage. That girl, Cassandra thought, amused by the memory of Serena running to school. That whiny, clutzy girl was the future Neo-Queen Serenity, the ruler of Crystal Tokyo. It amazed Cassandra how much of the future depended on the Serena of the past. On the other hand, Cassandra, as her old self, would have never imagined being entrusted with this mission. Responsibility can change people, she realized. Then, remembering Serena, she added, sometimes greatly.


Chapter 5: Battle by the Lake Jupiter's Gone