"No! Serena!"
Serena could still hear Darien's voice screaming in her mind as she stared up at Prince Diamond. Stared up at him and then down at the others in horror before the world melted away and she was...gone.
Where was she? How was she here, wherever here was? Her chest moved as she took a small breath, consciousness coming back as she opened her eyes. The towering ceiling met her blurred vision as she sat up. The thought came again, where was she?
She was alone. The crystal brooch glinted dully, catching her eye and she picked it up, that small weight in her hand giving her reassurance that she wasn't so helpless.
"What am I wearing?" Serena whispered to herself suddenly, her hands moving over her sides and the white silk and gold covering her body. Her sailor suit was gone and...and she felt...weak. "Why am I so weak?" She whispered as a wave of weakness moved through her body.
"Because you've had your first boost of energy from the Dark Crystal."
Her head jerked up at the voice and she shifted off the bed. Her heart skipped a beat as her knees threatened to buckle. Fear. Yes, she was scared, but only because of the unknown. She wasn't helpless. "What?"
He smiled, but didn't answer her question. "Most people would have been out for days, but not you. I'm not surprised." There was admiration in his voice. And something else.
Serena stared. "Who are you?" She asked cautiously. They'd fought before, but only in fleeting battles. He'd always came out with the upper hand before disappearing.
"Prince Diamond." He said with that small dark smile.
"You." Serena said in realization. He was the one who'd ripped her away. She'd heard about him before, and he was feared for a reason. He was one hand below the Wise Man. God, what did he want with her?
Her fingers clenched around the brooch in her hand.
He waved his hand, and she stumbled forward. "Sit down and we'll have a nice, long talk."
She cried out as her body moved of its own accord, fear and anger sending her heart cascading. She sank down into the large throne like chair, her fingers curling around the arms of the chair.
"I finally have you." Diamond said. "Yes, those eyes."
Serena felt herself leaning forward, even as his hand cupped the side of her neck.
"Beautiful ruler of this planet."
"That's not me." Serena whispered feebly. Not yet. She was ready to be no one's Queen. Why didn't anyone seem to realize that? Not yet.
"It will be, Serenity."
Serena couldn't look away, no matter how hard she tried. His ocean blue eyes held hers and she knew she should be fighting harder, but...so close...
"Just one kiss will make you see me, Serenity. Only me." One kiss. And she would be his. The Wise Man had promised him that. One kiss.
"No." Serena jerked back, her heart threatening to come out of her chest. She fell back into the seat and lifted her right arm against the heaviness threatening to hold her prisoner. "Moon...crystal..." She whispered. The power zipped out before it had even fully begun, and Diamond was there again before she'd even lowered her arm.
"This planet is filled with the energy of the Black Crystal, Serenity." He tilted her face back, forcing her eyes to meet his once again. "I've wanted you for so long."
Was that longing she heard in his voice? Anguish?
"No..." Serena whispered, her eyes watering as he dipped his head. It was like a haze clouding her vision as his lips touched hers. It wasn't brutal. It wasn't fast. Nothing but the soft press of his lips against hers that wiped everything else away...everything but the feel of his lips and the arm tugging her close.