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The moon, Europa, was a very desolate place. It was a barren wasteland. Nothing good could ever come from this place. Only evil was present here. On the dark side of the moon, opposite from the planet, Jupiter, was a system of caves…dark and evil.

It was in these caves where Saban resided during the past two years. His anger and bitterness towards Darien and the Scouts had made the darkness inside of him grow to unspeakable bounds. Saban had created enough dark energy to send to each of the inner planets. He used this energy to locate something…or someone.

"I hope I didn't use all of this dark energy for nothing," mumbled Saban as he sat in what appeared to be a type of throne room. He was a tall individual; the same height as Darien. His whole appearance looked almost like Darien except he had golden yellow hair and green eyes. Saban wore the same type of uniform that the generals, Jedite, Nephlite, Zoycite and Malachite, had worn; only his was more grand with gold chains and jewels placed on the jacket and cape.

"Hopefully, wherever he is, Prince Darien will be curious about the dark energy and find his way here! Then I can let out my wrath on him and his precious Scouts! I want to find Queen Beryl and ask for her forgiveness, so I can rule at her side. Maybe even she will sense the darkness from this place and release me from my banishment! Oh, it's all Darien's fault that I am living out the rest of my life on this forsaken moon."

Saban got an evil, angry look on his face. "I will find you, and when I do, I'll…"

"You'll do what?" came a voice from somewhere in the cave.

Saban looked up in shock and confusion. He grabbed his sword. "Who's there?! Show yourself!" He heard a woman's laugh. He couldn't see anyone, but it was closer this time. "I demand that you show yourself!" he shouted to the air.There was that same laugh again. Saban saw something in the corner of his eye. He spun around with sword held up. There, before him, was a dark-haired woman with a red and black gown. She had dark red eyes that showed nothing but evil inside. The woman walked towards him.

"If Darien and the Scouts ever found you, you wouldn't stand a chance against them! You would be destroyed before you even new what hit you!"

Saban was still shocked at the sudden appearance of another person on this moon, but was very irritated by what this woman had just said. "What makes you think that those Scouts could destroy me?! I am a mighty warrior who has defeated many! Those Scouts and Darien are no different than the others!"

"Oh, but you're wrong!" exclaimed the woman with an evil smile. "It has been two years since you have battled with them! They have become much stronger! And I can sense that Prince Darien has a power that even he does not know of, yet."

Saban stood there in confusion. He shook it off and became even more angry. "Wait a minute! How do you know all this? How do you know about me and Darien and the Scouts?! How do you know what happened between us?!"

She gave out a tiny laugh and ascended into the air. "Because I can see it."

"What?!" was all Saban could say.

"I know everything that has happened in the past and in the present. I am able to predict events that take place in the future."

"Who…who are you?!" he finally said.

"I'm glad you asked," the woman said with a smile. She suddenly disappeared and then reappeared right in front of Saban. "I am the Phantom Princess!"

***

Saban sat in shock at what he had just been told. The Phantom Princess had just explained to him everything that had happened with the Scouts since his exile. He couldn't believe it all, but new that it was probably true.

"You mean, that Princess Serenity, that Sailor Moon, killed Beryl? My beloved Queen?"

"Yes, she did, shortly after your exile."

"Grr, I'm going to get her for this! And Darien!" Saban growled.

"Don't, worry," said the Phantom Princess. "I plan on destroying them as soon as I release the Doom Phantom!"

On hearing the name, the Doom Phantom, Saban asked again, "So, Prince Darien and Princess Serenity become King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity, rulers of Earth?"

"Yes, but not if I can help it!" exclaimed the Phantom Princess.

"That is very interesting on how they become the King and Queen of Earth. But, tell me, how are you going to defeat them and the Scouts, and release the Doom Phantom? Certainly you can't do it by yourself."

"That is why you are going to help me."

"Me?!" exclaimed Saban. "How can I help destroy them? Yes, I would love to be able to kill them all, but by the way you talk, I don't have enough power to defeat even one of them, much less all of them."

"Don't you worry! I have the perfect plan to destroy the Scouts and release the Doom Phantom!" she said with a smile.

"Oh, and what might that be?" he said with a nonchalant attitude.

"Well, you have heard of the stones of the inner planets, haven't you?"

"Yes," he said, "Queen Beryl talked of them, but never went into great detail about them."

"Well, there is one stone for each of the inner planets. These stones are like the Imperium Silver Crystal, only not quite so powerful. They protect the planets and have a connection with the Royal Princess' of each planet. When someone possesses the stone other than the princess, that planet is powerless and the princess of that planet disappears into the stone. Her life force is connected to the stone and therefore, if used enough at one time, her life will be drained from her body!"

Saban spoke up, "Yes, I see how that is a good way to kill them, but how will this destroy Darien and Serena and release the Doom Phantom?"

"I'm getting to that," she said with excitement in her voice. "Once we have all the stones and the Imperium Silver Crystal, we will use their combined powers to open the Dark Gate. So much power will be used that all of the Sailor Scouts will die! Then, that will leave Prince Darien to live out the rest of his life in grief and sorrow!" The Phantom Princess gave out a haunting laugh. "But that won't be long, because we will soon destroy everything good in this universe and rule with the Doom Phantom!"

Saban smiled and became very excited. "That is an excellent plan! Then Darien will lose everything he ever loved and will die in his own sorrow…unless I kill him first!" With this, he let out a hideous, evil laugh.

"Oh, and one more thing," said the Phantom Princess. "In order to do this, we must capture Sailor Moon and turn her over to our side."

"Capture Sailor Moon?" asked Saban. "You mean Serena? What do we need her for?"

"She is Darien's weak spot. And she has the power of the Silver Crystal. We need her to help capture the inner planet stones and open the Dark Gate. She has also had a taste of the dark energy before and so it will be easier to change her."

"What? What do you mean?" he asked with a surprised tone.

"Remember when I was telling you about the Scouts going to the future?" Saban nodded.

"Well, Prince Diamond of the Black Moon captured her and gave her a boost of the dark energy. Her body is somewhat used to it so she should transform easily to our side."

"You're right!" shouted Saban. "She could be a great ally to us. And Darien would never fight against her!"

He laughed again. "Revenge will be mine at last!"

"We must begin preparation immediately," urged the Phantom Princess. "We will go to Earth and capture Sailor Moon!"

***

Darien and Serena were walking towards downtown Tokyo. There had been a decision made by Luna and Artemis after the meeting at the Temple the night before. Darien was to watch over Serena as much as he could. In the meantime, the Scouts, Luna and Artemis would try figure out how they were going to prepare for Saban and this new foe, the Phantom Princess.

Darien decided to take Serena to the park for awhile before they went home. They walked hand-in-hand among the Cherry Blossoms and fresh spring grass. All the while talking about Saban and the Phantom Princess.

"Do you really think they would try to re-open the Dark Gate?" asked Serena.

"Knowing Saban, he would do anything to get back at me," answered Darien.

Tears appeared in Serena's eyes. "Oh, Darien! I don't want to be away from you again! Please don't let them take me!"

They stopped walking in a cluster of Cherry Blossom trees. Darien put his arms around her and held her close.

"Shh, don't cry," he comforted. "I wouldn't let anything happen to you. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Serena tried to stop crying, but she couldn't help but think about her turning against Darien. She couldn't bear it. She buried her face into his shirt.

"But what if they're to strong! What if they hurt you and take me away?!"

It was all Darien could do to keep from getting emotional. "Don't worry," he whispered silently in her ear. "I promise, I'll do everything in my power to keep you with me."

Serena managed to stop crying and looked up into Darien's beautiful, handsome face. He wiped the tears away from her eyes. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her cheek.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I know you do," he whispered back.

With that, Serena reached up and kissed Darien. As they embraced each other, the wind began to blow. Darien's black hair rustled and Serena's pigtails flew behind her. Thousands of Cherry Blossom leaves circled around them to create a beautiful enduring moment.

They let go of each other and then began to walk arm-in-arm towards Serena's house. They were both silent, trying to sink in the moment.

Darien was about to say something when suddenly, out of the sky, a beam of light appeared and surrounded Serena's body, throwing Darien to the ground.

"AHH!" Serena screamed. "What's happening?! Darien help me!"

"Serena!" he shouted. "No!"

Darien ran towards her, but the beam of light threw him again, this time, sending a pulse of energy through his body. "AHH!" he screamed as he hit the ground. He managed to push himself up, just in time to see the beam of light pulling Serena into the air."Serena!" he shouted.

"Darien!" Serena shouted back. "Help me! I can't move! Get me out of here!"

Darien ran after Serena all the while shouting out her name.

"Darien!" she kept shouting. She was in tears now. "Help me! Don't let them take me away! Darien!"

"Serena!" he continued to shout, but to no prevail. "No, don't take her! Please!"

The beam of light suddenly disappeared and with it, Serena as well.

"No!" Darien shouted up to the heavens. "Why?! Why?!" He sank to his knees and wept. "Serena, I'm sorry! I didn't keep my promise. I couldn't protect you!"

Darien then became enraged and banged his fists onto the ground. "Saban!" he shouted. He stood up and looked at the sky. "I'll get you for this! And when I do, you'll be sorry!"

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