All righty! AN's and notes at the end of each chapter. Enjoy!
Title: Crescent Moon Rising
Author: Crystal Ashes
E-mail: leopardgoddess@valeriesmail.com
Rated: PG (limited violence and Japanese cursing)
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI
Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment.
Amy Anderson..... Mizuno Ami
Lita Kino..... Kino Makoto
Mina Aino..... Aino Minako
Raye Hino..... Hino Rei
Serena Jacobs..... Tsukino Usagi
Darien Shields..... Chiba Mamoru
Andrew..... Motoki
Scouts..... Senshi
Droid..... Youma
I love you...... Aishiteru
I'm sorry...... Gomen/Gomen nasai
Queen Serenity of the New Moon of the Year of the Silver Moon the
First...... Queen Serenity
Princess Serenity of the Full Moon of the Year of the Blood Moon and
the Earth Moon the First...... Princess Serenity
Prince Endymion of the Autumn Season in the Year of the Eternal Rose
the First...... Prince Endymion
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PART ONE: Chapter One
The piercing cries of a newborn baby resonated through the
moon palace, early one morning in the year of the blood moon. "Queen
Serenity of the New Moon of the Year of the Silver Moon the First, I
present to you, your daughter. Princess Serenity of the Full Moon of
the Year of the Blood Moon and the Earth Moon the First." the midwife
beamed as she handed the little bundle to her queen.
"Oh, Apollo*! Isn't she just gorgeous?" Serenity marvled to
her husband, King Apollo of the Summer Sun the ninth.
"Yes, she is, my sweet. I can tell she's going to have your
hair," King Apollo said, smiling down at his newborn daughter, his
first, laying in his wifes arms.
"Would your highnesses like for me to summon your kin and the
prophetess?" the midwife inquired, not wanting to interrupt the tender
first moments between mother and daughter.
King Apollo glanced to the midwife and gave her a curt nod,
"Please, tell them to get here in haste. I would like to know what
the future holds for my daughter, and my queen."
The midwife nodded and bowed as she backed out of the room,
then turned and hurried down the hall to where the King's and Queen's
various kin waited along with the royal prophetess.
"Apollo, I do not know if I wish to know what my daughter's
future holds. It has been quite some time since a daughter in the
royal line has been born under the year of the Blood Moon *and* the
Earth Moon . . . in the year of the Full Moon, too. Husband, are you
sure that's such a good idea?" Serenity voiced.
"Serenity, I know you were born in one of the most prosperous
times of the kingdom . . . I think you're just afraid of what this may
mean. Relax, my sweet. Nothing will happen as long as I'm here with
you."
Serenity sighed and leaned against her pillows, her new
daughter asleep happily on her chest. The prophetess came in, in an
extreme hurry. "Queen Serenity, King Apollo. Forgive me for not
repeating your full titles, but I thought for now it would be much
better if I not remind you of the times you were born in," she said.
Serenity nodded to the prophetess, "Continue," she said, her
voice strained.
"Princess Serenity of the Full Moon of the Year of the Blood
Moon and the Earth Moon, the First. It would be the second if it were
not for the first Princess born in the year of the Earth Moon," the
prophetess muttered that last bit to herself before continuing.
"The Full Moon represents the times of a rebirth, either of a
power or of a kingdom. In this case, I would suspect it to be of a
kingdom, more than likely, yours, my liege." the prophetess paused
before continuing. "The Blood Moon signifies her life will be
peppered with bloodshed and death, yet she will still grow up happily
within the dormancy of the palace," both Serenity and Apollo breathed
a sigh of relief.
"The Earth Moon signifies that when she is coming of age, the
Moon will be forced to form Alliances it may not want to, but shall be
required for security for a time."
"What about our daughter, prophetess?" Apollo asked, cutting
off her rambling sharply.
The prophetess paused with her mouth open, then shut it and
squeezed her eyes shut, "The princess, as her royal titles suggest,
will not be living in times of peace. I suspect she will not even
have a time to rise to the throne before the Kingdom is taken over.
Next year, it will be the year of the Black Moon in a mirror
dimension. The year of the Black Moon for this dimension will not
occur until Serenity is eighteen.
"The princess will live to witness the re-birth of the
kingdom, though she will be killed along with it, as you will, too,
Queen Serenity. Throughout her life, people close to her, as well as
the one Earthling that could finalize your alliance with Earth, will
be killed at the hands of one born under the mirror Black Moon. She
will come to rise in the year of the Black Moon of the Silver
Millennium."
Serenity gasped and clutched the young princess closer to her
chest. Apollo swallowed hard, but continued to ask questions. "How
will she witness the re-birth if she dies with it, prophetess?"
"The year of the black moon will reak havoc on your kingdom.
Anyone born in that time will assist the coming evil in their conquest
of your kingdom. This seems to be somewhat of a . . . ironic result
of this young princesses soulmate being born two years ago. Also a
result of her being born in the year of the first Earth Moon. Her
soulmate is Prince Endymion of the Autumn Season in the year of the
Eternal Rose. I cannot give much information on this other than what
his title signifies. Shall I continue?"
King Apollo nodded while Serenity only closed her eyes.
"The year of the Eternal Rose signifies Eternal Love, such as
the prince will have for your princess. Despite the alliance coming
about as a result of all three of the items in your daughters title,
he will love her. Yet, the Autumn Season confuses me, as it is
supposed to signify a time of peace during his lifetime. It is very
confusing."
"Thankyou, prophetess. You may leave us now. Please allow
our Kin to enter," Serenity spoke up, her voice cold and harsh.
The prophetess bowed stiffly and exited the room.
"Selene*!" a young woman with blood red hair and violet eyes
rushed into the room.
"Athena*," Serenity acknowled her younger sister as she
entered the room.
"Selene, a daughter! I'm an aunt! Finally!" Athena ex-
claimed as she hurried to Serenity's other side. "What's her name?"
Serenity rolled her eyes, "Princess Serenity of the Full Moon
in the Year of the Blood Moon and Earth Moon the First," she answered.
Athena gasped, "What does Zeus* have against you and Apollo?"
she asked, holding a hand to Serenity's now-smaller stomach. "What
does he have against the moon kingdom?"
Apollo sighed, "I do not know, Athena. Eileithyia* predicted
this as the time of birth, but I guess I didn't really believe her."
"None of us thought it was possible . . ." Athena whispered,
looking down at the blonde-haired blue-eyed goddess-daughter held in
her sister's arms.
"Nemesis* and Poena* have been in counsil of Ares* for days,
and before that, Ares spent hours speaking with Zeus. I think the
cycle is ending, Athena," Serenity murmured. "Serenity will carry on
for me in her next life. The cycle *will* continue, I will make sure
of it."
"But you know Zeus can prevent you from doing anything!"
Athena exclaimed, drawing back from Serenity and Apollo.
"No, I will not allow him to disrupt the cycle he himself put
into action for the protection of his people!" Serenity exclaimed,
waking her daughter. The princess began to cry.
"Apollo, please, take our daughter to our chambers so I can
discuss this with Athena in peace. Please tell Hades*, Poseidon*,
Aphrodite*, Hermes*, Ares, and the Queens of Saturn and Jupiter* to
come in as well. We must plan."
Apollo nodded and took the wrapped baby from Serenity's arms
and exited the room. The various kin entered soon after.
"Selene," the Queen of Jupiter said, and bowed. The others
followed suit.
"We are in dangerous times," Serenity replied. "The birth of
my daughter proved it. Eileithyia proved it!"
Athena stood nervously by Serenity's side, "Jupiter, your
father has been having counsil with some of the worst gods and
goddesses in our realm," Athena shot Ares a look, "Ares included."
Ares' face twisted into a scowl, "I do what I must to keep my
position, my queen. You must understand that."
"Silence!" Serenity nearly shouted. "You all know that with
the power of the Ginsuishou I have the sources to banish all traitors
of my crown to the underworld . . ."
Hades nodded, "I am loyal to the queen, and I agree with her
fully. I would assist her in any way I could," he said.
Ares scowled 'Be banished to the Underworld by Selene herself
or loose my position in Zeus' eyes? No contest.'
"I'll be loyal to my queen in any way possible," Ares said,
softly.
Serenity nodded in satisfaction, "Hades, I wish you to do me a
favor. In fact, I wish you all to do me a favor. I need one of your
most powerful Kagemusha. Hermes, Aphrodite, I need you two to try and
infiltrate and discover Zeus' plans. Ares, your loyalty will be bet-
ter proved if you help them. Hades, I want you to try and get better
evidence that Poena and Nemisis are going against us. Try and find
out more about Eri*s."
"Selene, I ask permission to leave for a moment. I sense
something is wrong already," Hades said, softly.
Serenity waved a hand of permission. Hades bowed and opened a
portal, disappearing in a flash of light.
"Hermes, do you have any clue what is going on?" Serenity
demanded, "Zeus surely has any information on the happenings in the
universe. You have good access to his messages!"
Hermes gulped, "Well, ah . . . I believe it has something to
do with . . . ah . . . I suspect it hastodowithHecate," he said,
hurrying the last few words.
The whole room became silent, "Hecate*?" Serenity whispered.
Hermes nodded an affirmation. Hades re-appeared then, and
whispered a confirmation of the newly-found information.
"It is true," Serenity said, causing chaos to errupt in the
room.
"Hecate? Impossible! He was sealed away with the true powers
of Zeus and Selene!" Aphrodite exclaimed.
"My mortal enemy!" Ares growled, "I fought him and nearly got
myself killed. Selene, you must do something!"
"Zeus has no further information, but the way things have been
going I wouldn't be surprised if he has something to do with it,"
Hermes growled out.
"Uranus still hasn't recovered from his dictating rule! The
alliance between our planets could be ruined if he escapes!" Poseidon
shouted.
"SILENCE!" Serenity shouted. The clamor died down. The
goddess of the moon was never known to have a short temper, but the
premonitions of her newly-born daughter and the news of Hecate put her
on edge.
"We will do *nothing* about this new . . . development with
Hecate unless we know for sure something is wrong! Right now, concen-
trate on Zeus and his plans. We will worry about Hecate when the time
comes!"
Athena nodded, "Wise words, Selene. I think we should go,
however, and let you and your daughter get to know each other."
Serenity nodded, "Thankyou, Athena. Please let Apollo know I
would like for him to return."
Athena nodded, then ushered the other gods and goddesses out
of the room after making sure none of the more radical members of the
Silver Alliance were gathered nearby. News of visiting gods and
goddesses to the queen of the moon could raise suspicion of her true
origins.
Apollo entered the room about ten minutes later. "Did you
have a nice talk with our brothers and sisters?" he asked, laying the
princess back in Serenity's arms.
"Yes, I did, Apollo," Serenity replied, wiping her eyes
wearily as she held her daughter, "Athena and Hades had some very
interesting information about Zeus, Ares, Poena, and Nemisis," she
reported.
Apollo raised an eyebrow, "I assume you got everything with
Ares worked out?"
"Thanks to Hades previous confidements, yes, I did. Any trai-
tor of my crown will be banished such as Hecate was," Serenity said,
her voice hard and cold.
Apollo cringed, "Hecate? Must you mention *him* at a time
like this?"
"I must, if I want to be prepared," Serenity retorted, "Hades
went to check on things in the Underworld while we were talking. It
seems as if Hecate is breaking free. She suspects the first astral
projection of Hecate will be from my own spirit sometime before the
black moon of the mirror dimension the prophetess was speaking of."
Apollo blanched, "That's in less than a week . . ."
"Apollo, sweet, my King, take the little princess. I must go
somewhere safe, where I will not wreak havoc on my own kingdom. I
will not have our destruction be by my own hand," Serenity ordered.
Apollo nodded, "I'm coming with you," he said. He silenced
Serenity with a kiss when she began to protest that kept her silenced
long after he was finished.
"What would I do without you, Apollo?" She said, grinning
coyly, "I'll go prepare our things while you take care of matters with
the princess. See if Hermes mortal sister would care for her."
Apollo nodded, "I will meet you in our chambers soon, my love.
I will make sure the princess is kept safe." He gave Serenity a quick
kiss on the nose before exiting the room and summoning the midwife to
help Serenity back to their chambers.
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Chapter one notes:
Apollo = god of the sun, truth, music and healing.
Selene = goddess of the moon/Moon
Athena = goddess of the city, education/science, and war
Eileithyia = goddess of childbirth
Zeus = lord of the sky, gods, and thunder, also rain-god, cloud-
gatherer/Jupiter
Nemesis = goddess of revenge
Poena = goddess of punishment
Ares = god of war/Mars
Hades = god of the underworld/Pluto
Poseidon = ruler of the sea/Neptune
Aphrodite = goddess of love and beauty/Venus
Hermes = Zeus' messenger/Mercury
Eris = goddess of discord
Hecate = goddess of the crossways, the dark side of the moon, and
magic
Queen of Jupiter = yes, I know . . . Zeus is supposed to be Jupiter,
but for the sake of this story, take it as it is.
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PART ONE: Chapter 2
Rating: PG13
Serenity paced impatiently in her chambers as she waited for
Apollo to return from assuring the safety of her daughter. She had
sent the midwife away for fear of the astral projection occuring
before Apollo returned. 'Chikushou temae, Hecate! When this is
through I swear on my powers as a goddess I will banish you from this
world completely!'
A shudder ran through her body, 'No!' Serenity thought,
frantically. She attempted to reach her goddess powers, but found
herself unable to even tap into the powers of the ginsuishou. 'It's
reacting to the evilness of Hecate in my body,' she thought, scared.
The doorknob began to turn at the same moment Serenity began
to turn away from it. She felt the chills run through her swifter
and stronger and it took her nearly all of her remaining power to keep
it from sweeping her away.
"Serenity?" a voice exclaimed. Serenity recognized it immed-
iately as Apollo's. She turned around slowly and gave him a sad smile
as her silver hair turned nightly black and her eyes turned to blood.
'Ashikarazu,' was her last thought before the evil overtook her mind
and she was no longer her own.
A loud bell rang clearly over the expanse of the Silver
Millennium. At every peal, more and more people began panicking,
fleeing the streets for the safety of their homes. Not one person
ran for the palace's safety, for that was where the danger was.
One man, a regal visitor from the Earth, stared at the palace
sourly, 'The stars predicted this. There is no controlling the hands
of fate. This must be so,' he thought, the new wind blowing his
long hair around him in a dizzy storm of brown.
"Nephrite!" a voice called through the clamor of the streets.
Nephrite turned around to see his three traveling companions
running towards him, "Endymion requests our presence back down on
earth. Our vacation is over."
Nephrite grimaced, "He wishes to know of the phenomenon here
on the moon, does he not, Jedite?" he asked, knowing full well the
answer and why he had been summoned as well.
The blonde nodded, "The prince also heard of the princesses
birth and wishes to know of what her own future holds."
Another one of the men laughed, "Nephrite here could tell more
by what he sees in the stars about this princess of the moon than her
titles ever could, can't you, Nephrite?" his green eyes twinkled in
miscief.
"Can it, Zoicite. We'd better get back. I don't want to get
killed," Nephrite said, and began walking down the street towards the
palace, his long strides eating the distance quickly. His three
companions hurried after him, the man with silver hair looked at the
people running away from the palace and couldn't help but think of his
and his friends titles, 'Lord Warriors of the Summer Season in the
year of the Snapdragon . . . this does not bode well, even with me,'
he thought, sullenly, before running after them.
"Serenity!" Apollo shouted as he stared at the re-incarnated
form of pure evil standing in front of him. A woman much taller than
Serenity with pitch hair and the bloodiest of eyes accompanied a pale
face, and fangs. Truly, there were fangs that the projection dis-
played with a truly evil smile.
"Ah, so it is King Apollo, I see? What a pleasure to meet you
again. Too bad your wife, precious Selene, wasn't able to be here!"
she said, and cackled evilly, "Once I am through here, you will be
begging for mercy! Begging for me to take you as my lover because
while the soul may not be, the body will still be that of precious
Serenity. Your wife!"
Apollo howled as shooting pain seared through him and
immediately knew what had happened. Hecate had cleanly severed his
bond to Serenity. 'Now I will never know if she truly is in there,
somewhere . . .'
"Where is the princess?" Hecate hissed, showing her fangs
once more.
Apollo shook his head, "I do not know. I had Hermes' sister
take care of her. I do not know where she took her."
"Then you will just have to have Hermes have his dear sister
return her to you, won't you?" This time, she showed her fangs with-
out the smile, "Won't you?"
"You won't get away with this, Hecate!" Apollo growled,
reaching for his sword. He found with dismay that it was not there
and remembered he had left it in the war room.
"Are you dumb, Apollo? A sword will not work against me, as
your pitiful powers as the god of the sun won't! Tonight sets off a
chain of reactions that will lead to the end of your life. Of your
kingdom!" Hecate shouted, her laughter ringing through the palace.
"NO!" Apollo shouted, "I will give my life for hers!"
Hecate managed an almost sympathetic smile, "Oh, the poor
king is desperate for his love to return. Her soul is a very pleasant
one to feast on, you know."
Apollo grimaced, 'Hecate needs a pure soul to survive . . .
the soul of a god or goddess. However . . .'
"You won't have her."
Hecate nearly froze at the coldness in Apollo's voice, "What
did you say, Apollo?" she said, mockingly.
"I said, you won't have her! Take me! I," Apollo's voice
caught, "I will be yours," he finished in a whisper.
A wry smile danced on Hecate's lips, "The undefeatable King
Apollo of the Summer Sun in the Year of the Rising Sun, bowing before
Hecate, goddess of evil!" her laugh once again rang through the
kingdom. "It will be as you say, my sweet . . . in front of your wife
*and* your whole kingdom!"
The full moon was still hanging in the early morning sky as
Hecate and Apollo appeared on the balcony overlooking the kingdom.
"See this, Apollo?" Hecate said, pressing herself up against him and
leaning down slightly to whisper into his ear, "We can still rule this
together. The moon kingdom will still be yours, and my cursed sister
will be nothing but a myth!"
Apollo started as a most unpleasant sensation ran through him,
but knew he could not resist Hecates powers. "I . . . I am yours to
command, Hecate."
Hecate laughed long and loud. As she laughed, she threw her
self at Apollo and they began to roll on the ground. As their clothes
dissolved into nothing, Serenity emerged from the still-visible form
of Hecate.
"Do it now, Apollo . . . and we *will* be as one. Serenity
will be no more. Her own grief will destroy her," Hecate whispered
seducingly into Apollo's ear. Using her powers, she trapped him in a
spell of no turning back.
Serenity howled as she watched her husband and her mortal
enemy on the floor of the balcony, intertwined with each other.
Apollo giving himself willingly to Hecate's command. Hecate clutched
Apollo and gave Serenity a sinister smile, "See this, sister? This is
your destruction! The kingdom will be mine!"
"IT WILL NOT BE SO!" A thundering voice filled the night.
Flashes of light appeared all over and out of that light appeared
Zeus and Hades. "Hecate, you insolent goddess! You don't deserve
the title. You will be damned to a life of immortality and torture,
all powers removed from you! As I command, so it will be! The same
goes for you, Apollo!" Zeus shouted.
"Hades, take them away!"
Hades nodded and appeared next to the still-joined couple. He
bent down to cover them, but stopped when he saw Apollo's eyes. He
drew back in shock, "My . . . my Lord, Zeus . . . Apollo is . . . dead
by means of . . . shock. Hecate is as well. She took an impure soul,
and so paid the price."
"Comfort Serenity," Zeus spat out. "I will take care of these
two . . . humans."
Serenity, who had continued crying through the whole ordeal,
sank to her knees when Hades touched her. The ginsuishou flared up,
and Hades felt Serenity's energy become significantly drained.
"Zeus," Hades said, when he realized that Serenity had
fainted, "I fear the queen hasn't much time. Hecate was right. This
night set off a chain of events that will end in Serenity's death.
She must be guarded, and the ginsuishou. It's the only thing that
will keep her alive."
Zeus stared at Serenity in shock, "My dear . . . her energy
drained . . . Hecate was still using her energy. She was going to
kill her anyway . . ."
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PART ONE: Chapter Three
Rating: PG13
The scenes of the previous nights events flew through
Serenity's mind as she prepared to address the council on the most
recent development with Hecate. She felt herself choke on a sob
rising in her throat and nearly threw herself back down on her bed to
cry herself to sleep once more.
A glance at a small table by the balcony window prevented this
act. Allowing only a few small tears to drip from her eyes, Serenity
walked over and picked the princess up from her confinements.
"Dearest child," a voice whispered through the room as
Serenity held her daughter close. "What have they done to you? My
kagemusha will protect and guide her, I swear this on my life."
Serenity's face hardened, "Thankyou, Cronos, but it will not
be neccesary."
"Yes, child, it must be so."
"Why do you call me such, Cronos? I am child to you only in
respect of what you've been calling me ever since my birth!" Serenity
retorted.
A low chuckle filled the room as a brilliant light flared in
front of Serenity. When it faded, the blurred form of Cronos stood
there. "On the contraire, Selene. Go, alert the council of
Hecate's doing. I must say she has only quickened the process that
would surely have ended in your death either way."
Serenity stared at Cronos, a sour smile crossing her otherwise
smooth features, "Why do you say this, Cronos? Was Apollo truly an
impure soul?"
Cronos only smiled, "All will be revealed. In time, my dear,
such things happen for a reason. I still offer my kagemusha to your
services. She will be conceived tonight."
"I will speak with you before the rest of the council, Cronos,
and not at any time other than that." With those final words,
Serenity exited the room, handing the young princess off to a maid
who was waiting by the door, "Care for her until I return," she
whispered, and ran swiftly down the hall. She was late enough as it
was. (AN: Hey, she had to get it from SOMEONE! ^-^)
Cronos glared at Serenity as she addressed the royal council
in the throne room. He was quite displeased at her course of action
after the goddess of evil had taken her husband for her own. Quite
displeased indeed.
'I need a kagemusha, desperately!' he thought, scowling as he
listened to Serenity recount the nights events, 'Zeus and his pure
soul deal . . . but truly, if she could take Apollo's impure soul and
live . . .' Cronos grinned evilly and stood, "If you'll excuse me,
your highness, I have matters to attend to. Protection of your reign,
you understand."
Serenity stopped in the middle of her sentance and glared at
Cronos, "Very well, Jikoku. I will speak with you later," she said,
then returned her attention to the others in the council before her.
Cronos stood and hurried from the room as quickly as possible.
He did not know how much time he had, but he knew he had to move
quickly either way.
When he got to Serenity's chamber door, he turned to the maid,
"Take the rest of the night off. Serenity will not be returning to
her chambers tonight," he said.
Overcome by the presence of the god of time before her, the
maid bowed hurriedly and nearly tripped over herself in her haste to
do as he said. Cronos grinned in satisfaction, 'Selene my dear, my
lovers death will be avenged . . . as yours will be if you accept me
on my terms.'
Serenity stood with the others of the kin gathered around her
and attempted to listen to them all at once, "Please, slow down!" she
begged and sank down into her throne. "Please . . . Aphrodite, how
old is your Kagemusha?"
"Minako just turned a year. I believe it is the same with
Athena's and Hermes'," Aphrodite responded.
Athena nodded, "Makoto and Ami are very close already. They
should become very good friends."
Serenity nodded and turned to Ares, "How's Rei? She had quite
the short temper the last I saw of her," she said, grinning slightly.
Ares nodded, "She's only three but she can tell off the best
of the Marsian council. The Prophetess also gave me an inside look
at her own soul mate. Quite the match, if I do say so myself."
"And that you may," Serenity said with a wry smile. She
looked at the remaining three of her kin in the room. "Have you three
agreed on having your kagemusha join young Serenity's court yet,
Poseidon?"
Poseidon shook his head, "Michiru doesn't wish to do so. She
wants to stay and guard from afar. And because she wishes to do so,
so does Haruka. Those two girls . . ." Poseidon sighed, "I suppose it
has to do with Uranus' history."
Uranus glowered in Poseidon's direction.
"Hades? Has your Kagemusha been conceived, yet?" Serenity
inquired.
"She has not. There are rumors among the prophetesses of
Saturn that there may be more to my Kagemusha than they can tell. She
may have already been born," Hades responded, a twinge of worry edging
its way into his voice.
Serenity nodded, "And Cronos said his Kagemusha was to be
conceived tonight . . ." she mused to herself.
All the kin gathered cringed at the mention of Cronos' name.
He was not a favorite among them, known for twisting their future and
influencing the fates in ways none of them could hope to change.
"Watch yourself around Cronos, Selene," Athena warned, "It
would not do good for his and your Kagemusha to be sisters. What a
paradox would that be!"
Serenity laughed, her silver hair swirling around her as she
shook her head in disbelief, "I do not believe that he would be so
stupid, Athena. Aside from that, he is an impure soul. Do you truly
think the ginsuishou would accept that?"
Athena shrugged, "Strange things happen this soon after an
astral projection . . . especially considering who this one involved,
Selene."
"I agree with Athena, Selene," Hades put in, "Hecate died for
taking an impure soul, as did Apollo. Though I do not think Cronos
would allow you to die before his own kagemusha was born."
Serenity shuddered, "All right . . . thanks for the warning,
Athena. Hades." She yawned, "I think that means it's time for me to
go to bed. I'll go collect young Serenity, and I will see the rest of
you at the next assembly."
After a round of bows and curtsies and hugs, Serenity finally
left the throne room, extreme exhaustion clouding her mind and her
awareness. She was barely aware of the fact that though there was no
maid waiting by her room, the door opened immediately upon her
arrival.
A hand clamped over Serenity's mouth immediately upon her
entering, "Hecate's death will be avenged. Apollo's may, too . . .
or it could result in your own death. Choose now, Selene. It's your
life, or Hecate's."
'Oh, gods, no!' Serenity thought in horror, 'It can't be so!'
"Oh yes, Selene. Now, will it be Hecate or you? Will I have
my original lover be restored to me, or will I have to take you as a
substitute? Very beautiful, and of course immortal, but none the less
. . . a *substitute.*"
Serenity knew for the sake of her kingdom, she could not
resist. She would have to allow Cronos to take her.
'Please, Zeus, allow me to pass out!'
"That will not be possible, my sweet . . ." Cronos whispered
as he tied a gag firmly in Serenity's mouth, "You see, I find I enjoy
it more when my lover is fully concious."
Suddenly, Serenity became very aware of her surroundings, even
more so than when she was filled with the power of the ginsuishou.
'Oh, gods, no . . .' she moaned, and Cronos laughed.
"So glad to know you're enjoying it already, dear. And yet,
the fun is just beginning."
Moments later, a muffled scream pierced the palace.
The next morning, Serenity found herself laying in her bed.
She was alone and she hurt like she had never hurt before. On top of
that, she could feel her energy slowly draining.
A soothing light filled the room, and Zeus appeared next to
Serenity. A sympathetic smile adorned his rough features as he slowly
stroked Serenity's forehead. The crescent moon slowly appeared, but
glowed weakly when it did. "Dearest Selene, if I had known . . ."
he whispered.
Serenity felt her eyes become moist at the memory of what
Cronos had done and turned away from Zeus and his soothing hands.
"You should have known," she croaked out, "What is it you others have
against me? Are you jealous? What is it, Zeus?"
Zeus, somewhat taken back by Serenity's little outburst, drew
his hand away and watched helplessly as Serenity began shaking.
"He was right," she sobbed, clutching her stomach as she cried
endlessly, "He said his Kagemusha would be conceived . . . and it was.
Hensetsu no Shinsou*, that will be Cronos' new name. As I have said
it, so it will be."
"And the child, Selene?"
"Meiou Setsuna."
Zeus was silent for a moment before nodding in approval, "It
will fit her well, child. You are a wise woman. Now, with the power
of time inside you, you will have more strength when the time comes to
tend to Serenity and Setsuna."
Serenity shook her head, "No, Zeus, I do not want this child.
Send her to Pluto to learn of her fathers betrayal. To learn the
*truth* about the Hensetsu no Shinsou."
Zeus sighed, "As you say, Selene, so it will be. Now, sleep.
When you wake, this child will no longer be a circumstance to you. I
will have Aphrodite and Athena help me to move her to a woman on Pluto
. . . Cronos' latest victim."
With those words said, Zeus faded away.
In the silence of her room, Serenity made a decree. "May all
the kagemusha not know the horrors and the pains of being immortal.
Save, Setsuna. May her pain, however, not be her pain. Her pain will
all be endured by Cronos, and may he not have the means to end it.
Minako, Rei, Makoto, Ami . . . Haruka, Michiru . . . may you never
know the endless torture of being immortal. The Messiah of Silence
will come . . . you will not want to be alive to see what destruction
she will rain down on us. So I have said," Serenity swallowed around
the sudden dryness in her throat, "So it will be."
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Hensetsu no Shinsou - Betrayal of Truth
Title: Crescent Moon Rising
Author: Crystal Ashes
E-mail: leopardgoddess@valeriesmail.com
Rated: PG (limited violence and Japanese cursing)
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI
Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment.
Amy Anderson..... Mizuno Ami
Lita Kino..... Kino Makoto
Mina Aino..... Aino Minako
Raye Hino..... Hino Rei
Serena Jacobs..... Tsukino Usagi
Darien Shields..... Chiba Mamoru
Andrew..... Motoki
Scouts..... Senshi
Droid..... Youma
I love you...... Aishiteru
I'm sorry...... Gomen/Gomen nasai
Queen Serenity of the New Moon of the Year of the Silver Moon the
First...... Queen Serenity
Princess Serenity of the Full Moon of the Year of the Blood Moon and
the Earth Moon the First...... Princess Serenity
Prince Endymion of the Autumn Season in the Year of the Eternal Rose
the First...... Prince Endymion
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
PART ONE: Chapter One
The piercing cries of a newborn baby resonated through the
moon palace, early one morning in the year of the blood moon. "Queen
Serenity of the New Moon of the Year of the Silver Moon the First, I
present to you, your daughter. Princess Serenity of the Full Moon of
the Year of the Blood Moon and the Earth Moon the First." the midwife
beamed as she handed the little bundle to her queen.
"Oh, Apollo*! Isn't she just gorgeous?" Serenity marvled to
her husband, King Apollo of the Summer Sun the ninth.
"Yes, she is, my sweet. I can tell she's going to have your
hair," King Apollo said, smiling down at his newborn daughter, his
first, laying in his wifes arms.
"Would your highnesses like for me to summon your kin and the
prophetess?" the midwife inquired, not wanting to interrupt the tender
first moments between mother and daughter.
King Apollo glanced to the midwife and gave her a curt nod,
"Please, tell them to get here in haste. I would like to know what
the future holds for my daughter, and my queen."
The midwife nodded and bowed as she backed out of the room,
then turned and hurried down the hall to where the King's and Queen's
various kin waited along with the royal prophetess.
"Apollo, I do not know if I wish to know what my daughter's
future holds. It has been quite some time since a daughter in the
royal line has been born under the year of the Blood Moon *and* the
Earth Moon . . . in the year of the Full Moon, too. Husband, are you
sure that's such a good idea?" Serenity voiced.
"Serenity, I know you were born in one of the most prosperous
times of the kingdom . . . I think you're just afraid of what this may
mean. Relax, my sweet. Nothing will happen as long as I'm here with
you."
Serenity sighed and leaned against her pillows, her new
daughter asleep happily on her chest. The prophetess came in, in an
extreme hurry. "Queen Serenity, King Apollo. Forgive me for not
repeating your full titles, but I thought for now it would be much
better if I not remind you of the times you were born in," she said.
Serenity nodded to the prophetess, "Continue," she said, her
voice strained.
"Princess Serenity of the Full Moon of the Year of the Blood
Moon and the Earth Moon, the First. It would be the second if it were
not for the first Princess born in the year of the Earth Moon," the
prophetess muttered that last bit to herself before continuing.
"The Full Moon represents the times of a rebirth, either of a
power or of a kingdom. In this case, I would suspect it to be of a
kingdom, more than likely, yours, my liege." the prophetess paused
before continuing. "The Blood Moon signifies her life will be
peppered with bloodshed and death, yet she will still grow up happily
within the dormancy of the palace," both Serenity and Apollo breathed
a sigh of relief.
"The Earth Moon signifies that when she is coming of age, the
Moon will be forced to form Alliances it may not want to, but shall be
required for security for a time."
"What about our daughter, prophetess?" Apollo asked, cutting
off her rambling sharply.
The prophetess paused with her mouth open, then shut it and
squeezed her eyes shut, "The princess, as her royal titles suggest,
will not be living in times of peace. I suspect she will not even
have a time to rise to the throne before the Kingdom is taken over.
Next year, it will be the year of the Black Moon in a mirror
dimension. The year of the Black Moon for this dimension will not
occur until Serenity is eighteen.
"The princess will live to witness the re-birth of the
kingdom, though she will be killed along with it, as you will, too,
Queen Serenity. Throughout her life, people close to her, as well as
the one Earthling that could finalize your alliance with Earth, will
be killed at the hands of one born under the mirror Black Moon. She
will come to rise in the year of the Black Moon of the Silver
Millennium."
Serenity gasped and clutched the young princess closer to her
chest. Apollo swallowed hard, but continued to ask questions. "How
will she witness the re-birth if she dies with it, prophetess?"
"The year of the black moon will reak havoc on your kingdom.
Anyone born in that time will assist the coming evil in their conquest
of your kingdom. This seems to be somewhat of a . . . ironic result
of this young princesses soulmate being born two years ago. Also a
result of her being born in the year of the first Earth Moon. Her
soulmate is Prince Endymion of the Autumn Season in the year of the
Eternal Rose. I cannot give much information on this other than what
his title signifies. Shall I continue?"
King Apollo nodded while Serenity only closed her eyes.
"The year of the Eternal Rose signifies Eternal Love, such as
the prince will have for your princess. Despite the alliance coming
about as a result of all three of the items in your daughters title,
he will love her. Yet, the Autumn Season confuses me, as it is
supposed to signify a time of peace during his lifetime. It is very
confusing."
"Thankyou, prophetess. You may leave us now. Please allow
our Kin to enter," Serenity spoke up, her voice cold and harsh.
The prophetess bowed stiffly and exited the room.
"Selene*!" a young woman with blood red hair and violet eyes
rushed into the room.
"Athena*," Serenity acknowled her younger sister as she
entered the room.
"Selene, a daughter! I'm an aunt! Finally!" Athena ex-
claimed as she hurried to Serenity's other side. "What's her name?"
Serenity rolled her eyes, "Princess Serenity of the Full Moon
in the Year of the Blood Moon and Earth Moon the First," she answered.
Athena gasped, "What does Zeus* have against you and Apollo?"
she asked, holding a hand to Serenity's now-smaller stomach. "What
does he have against the moon kingdom?"
Apollo sighed, "I do not know, Athena. Eileithyia* predicted
this as the time of birth, but I guess I didn't really believe her."
"None of us thought it was possible . . ." Athena whispered,
looking down at the blonde-haired blue-eyed goddess-daughter held in
her sister's arms.
"Nemesis* and Poena* have been in counsil of Ares* for days,
and before that, Ares spent hours speaking with Zeus. I think the
cycle is ending, Athena," Serenity murmured. "Serenity will carry on
for me in her next life. The cycle *will* continue, I will make sure
of it."
"But you know Zeus can prevent you from doing anything!"
Athena exclaimed, drawing back from Serenity and Apollo.
"No, I will not allow him to disrupt the cycle he himself put
into action for the protection of his people!" Serenity exclaimed,
waking her daughter. The princess began to cry.
"Apollo, please, take our daughter to our chambers so I can
discuss this with Athena in peace. Please tell Hades*, Poseidon*,
Aphrodite*, Hermes*, Ares, and the Queens of Saturn and Jupiter* to
come in as well. We must plan."
Apollo nodded and took the wrapped baby from Serenity's arms
and exited the room. The various kin entered soon after.
"Selene," the Queen of Jupiter said, and bowed. The others
followed suit.
"We are in dangerous times," Serenity replied. "The birth of
my daughter proved it. Eileithyia proved it!"
Athena stood nervously by Serenity's side, "Jupiter, your
father has been having counsil with some of the worst gods and
goddesses in our realm," Athena shot Ares a look, "Ares included."
Ares' face twisted into a scowl, "I do what I must to keep my
position, my queen. You must understand that."
"Silence!" Serenity nearly shouted. "You all know that with
the power of the Ginsuishou I have the sources to banish all traitors
of my crown to the underworld . . ."
Hades nodded, "I am loyal to the queen, and I agree with her
fully. I would assist her in any way I could," he said.
Ares scowled 'Be banished to the Underworld by Selene herself
or loose my position in Zeus' eyes? No contest.'
"I'll be loyal to my queen in any way possible," Ares said,
softly.
Serenity nodded in satisfaction, "Hades, I wish you to do me a
favor. In fact, I wish you all to do me a favor. I need one of your
most powerful Kagemusha. Hermes, Aphrodite, I need you two to try and
infiltrate and discover Zeus' plans. Ares, your loyalty will be bet-
ter proved if you help them. Hades, I want you to try and get better
evidence that Poena and Nemisis are going against us. Try and find
out more about Eri*s."
"Selene, I ask permission to leave for a moment. I sense
something is wrong already," Hades said, softly.
Serenity waved a hand of permission. Hades bowed and opened a
portal, disappearing in a flash of light.
"Hermes, do you have any clue what is going on?" Serenity
demanded, "Zeus surely has any information on the happenings in the
universe. You have good access to his messages!"
Hermes gulped, "Well, ah . . . I believe it has something to
do with . . . ah . . . I suspect it hastodowithHecate," he said,
hurrying the last few words.
The whole room became silent, "Hecate*?" Serenity whispered.
Hermes nodded an affirmation. Hades re-appeared then, and
whispered a confirmation of the newly-found information.
"It is true," Serenity said, causing chaos to errupt in the
room.
"Hecate? Impossible! He was sealed away with the true powers
of Zeus and Selene!" Aphrodite exclaimed.
"My mortal enemy!" Ares growled, "I fought him and nearly got
myself killed. Selene, you must do something!"
"Zeus has no further information, but the way things have been
going I wouldn't be surprised if he has something to do with it,"
Hermes growled out.
"Uranus still hasn't recovered from his dictating rule! The
alliance between our planets could be ruined if he escapes!" Poseidon
shouted.
"SILENCE!" Serenity shouted. The clamor died down. The
goddess of the moon was never known to have a short temper, but the
premonitions of her newly-born daughter and the news of Hecate put her
on edge.
"We will do *nothing* about this new . . . development with
Hecate unless we know for sure something is wrong! Right now, concen-
trate on Zeus and his plans. We will worry about Hecate when the time
comes!"
Athena nodded, "Wise words, Selene. I think we should go,
however, and let you and your daughter get to know each other."
Serenity nodded, "Thankyou, Athena. Please let Apollo know I
would like for him to return."
Athena nodded, then ushered the other gods and goddesses out
of the room after making sure none of the more radical members of the
Silver Alliance were gathered nearby. News of visiting gods and
goddesses to the queen of the moon could raise suspicion of her true
origins.
Apollo entered the room about ten minutes later. "Did you
have a nice talk with our brothers and sisters?" he asked, laying the
princess back in Serenity's arms.
"Yes, I did, Apollo," Serenity replied, wiping her eyes
wearily as she held her daughter, "Athena and Hades had some very
interesting information about Zeus, Ares, Poena, and Nemisis," she
reported.
Apollo raised an eyebrow, "I assume you got everything with
Ares worked out?"
"Thanks to Hades previous confidements, yes, I did. Any trai-
tor of my crown will be banished such as Hecate was," Serenity said,
her voice hard and cold.
Apollo cringed, "Hecate? Must you mention *him* at a time
like this?"
"I must, if I want to be prepared," Serenity retorted, "Hades
went to check on things in the Underworld while we were talking. It
seems as if Hecate is breaking free. She suspects the first astral
projection of Hecate will be from my own spirit sometime before the
black moon of the mirror dimension the prophetess was speaking of."
Apollo blanched, "That's in less than a week . . ."
"Apollo, sweet, my King, take the little princess. I must go
somewhere safe, where I will not wreak havoc on my own kingdom. I
will not have our destruction be by my own hand," Serenity ordered.
Apollo nodded, "I'm coming with you," he said. He silenced
Serenity with a kiss when she began to protest that kept her silenced
long after he was finished.
"What would I do without you, Apollo?" She said, grinning
coyly, "I'll go prepare our things while you take care of matters with
the princess. See if Hermes mortal sister would care for her."
Apollo nodded, "I will meet you in our chambers soon, my love.
I will make sure the princess is kept safe." He gave Serenity a quick
kiss on the nose before exiting the room and summoning the midwife to
help Serenity back to their chambers.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Chapter one notes:
Apollo = god of the sun, truth, music and healing.
Selene = goddess of the moon/Moon
Athena = goddess of the city, education/science, and war
Eileithyia = goddess of childbirth
Zeus = lord of the sky, gods, and thunder, also rain-god, cloud-
gatherer/Jupiter
Nemesis = goddess of revenge
Poena = goddess of punishment
Ares = god of war/Mars
Hades = god of the underworld/Pluto
Poseidon = ruler of the sea/Neptune
Aphrodite = goddess of love and beauty/Venus
Hermes = Zeus' messenger/Mercury
Eris = goddess of discord
Hecate = goddess of the crossways, the dark side of the moon, and
magic
Queen of Jupiter = yes, I know . . . Zeus is supposed to be Jupiter,
but for the sake of this story, take it as it is.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
PART ONE: Chapter 2
Rating: PG13
Serenity paced impatiently in her chambers as she waited for
Apollo to return from assuring the safety of her daughter. She had
sent the midwife away for fear of the astral projection occuring
before Apollo returned. 'Chikushou temae, Hecate! When this is
through I swear on my powers as a goddess I will banish you from this
world completely!'
A shudder ran through her body, 'No!' Serenity thought,
frantically. She attempted to reach her goddess powers, but found
herself unable to even tap into the powers of the ginsuishou. 'It's
reacting to the evilness of Hecate in my body,' she thought, scared.
The doorknob began to turn at the same moment Serenity began
to turn away from it. She felt the chills run through her swifter
and stronger and it took her nearly all of her remaining power to keep
it from sweeping her away.
"Serenity?" a voice exclaimed. Serenity recognized it immed-
iately as Apollo's. She turned around slowly and gave him a sad smile
as her silver hair turned nightly black and her eyes turned to blood.
'Ashikarazu,' was her last thought before the evil overtook her mind
and she was no longer her own.
A loud bell rang clearly over the expanse of the Silver
Millennium. At every peal, more and more people began panicking,
fleeing the streets for the safety of their homes. Not one person
ran for the palace's safety, for that was where the danger was.
One man, a regal visitor from the Earth, stared at the palace
sourly, 'The stars predicted this. There is no controlling the hands
of fate. This must be so,' he thought, the new wind blowing his
long hair around him in a dizzy storm of brown.
"Nephrite!" a voice called through the clamor of the streets.
Nephrite turned around to see his three traveling companions
running towards him, "Endymion requests our presence back down on
earth. Our vacation is over."
Nephrite grimaced, "He wishes to know of the phenomenon here
on the moon, does he not, Jedite?" he asked, knowing full well the
answer and why he had been summoned as well.
The blonde nodded, "The prince also heard of the princesses
birth and wishes to know of what her own future holds."
Another one of the men laughed, "Nephrite here could tell more
by what he sees in the stars about this princess of the moon than her
titles ever could, can't you, Nephrite?" his green eyes twinkled in
miscief.
"Can it, Zoicite. We'd better get back. I don't want to get
killed," Nephrite said, and began walking down the street towards the
palace, his long strides eating the distance quickly. His three
companions hurried after him, the man with silver hair looked at the
people running away from the palace and couldn't help but think of his
and his friends titles, 'Lord Warriors of the Summer Season in the
year of the Snapdragon . . . this does not bode well, even with me,'
he thought, sullenly, before running after them.
"Serenity!" Apollo shouted as he stared at the re-incarnated
form of pure evil standing in front of him. A woman much taller than
Serenity with pitch hair and the bloodiest of eyes accompanied a pale
face, and fangs. Truly, there were fangs that the projection dis-
played with a truly evil smile.
"Ah, so it is King Apollo, I see? What a pleasure to meet you
again. Too bad your wife, precious Selene, wasn't able to be here!"
she said, and cackled evilly, "Once I am through here, you will be
begging for mercy! Begging for me to take you as my lover because
while the soul may not be, the body will still be that of precious
Serenity. Your wife!"
Apollo howled as shooting pain seared through him and
immediately knew what had happened. Hecate had cleanly severed his
bond to Serenity. 'Now I will never know if she truly is in there,
somewhere . . .'
"Where is the princess?" Hecate hissed, showing her fangs
once more.
Apollo shook his head, "I do not know. I had Hermes' sister
take care of her. I do not know where she took her."
"Then you will just have to have Hermes have his dear sister
return her to you, won't you?" This time, she showed her fangs with-
out the smile, "Won't you?"
"You won't get away with this, Hecate!" Apollo growled,
reaching for his sword. He found with dismay that it was not there
and remembered he had left it in the war room.
"Are you dumb, Apollo? A sword will not work against me, as
your pitiful powers as the god of the sun won't! Tonight sets off a
chain of reactions that will lead to the end of your life. Of your
kingdom!" Hecate shouted, her laughter ringing through the palace.
"NO!" Apollo shouted, "I will give my life for hers!"
Hecate managed an almost sympathetic smile, "Oh, the poor
king is desperate for his love to return. Her soul is a very pleasant
one to feast on, you know."
Apollo grimaced, 'Hecate needs a pure soul to survive . . .
the soul of a god or goddess. However . . .'
"You won't have her."
Hecate nearly froze at the coldness in Apollo's voice, "What
did you say, Apollo?" she said, mockingly.
"I said, you won't have her! Take me! I," Apollo's voice
caught, "I will be yours," he finished in a whisper.
A wry smile danced on Hecate's lips, "The undefeatable King
Apollo of the Summer Sun in the Year of the Rising Sun, bowing before
Hecate, goddess of evil!" her laugh once again rang through the
kingdom. "It will be as you say, my sweet . . . in front of your wife
*and* your whole kingdom!"
The full moon was still hanging in the early morning sky as
Hecate and Apollo appeared on the balcony overlooking the kingdom.
"See this, Apollo?" Hecate said, pressing herself up against him and
leaning down slightly to whisper into his ear, "We can still rule this
together. The moon kingdom will still be yours, and my cursed sister
will be nothing but a myth!"
Apollo started as a most unpleasant sensation ran through him,
but knew he could not resist Hecates powers. "I . . . I am yours to
command, Hecate."
Hecate laughed long and loud. As she laughed, she threw her
self at Apollo and they began to roll on the ground. As their clothes
dissolved into nothing, Serenity emerged from the still-visible form
of Hecate.
"Do it now, Apollo . . . and we *will* be as one. Serenity
will be no more. Her own grief will destroy her," Hecate whispered
seducingly into Apollo's ear. Using her powers, she trapped him in a
spell of no turning back.
Serenity howled as she watched her husband and her mortal
enemy on the floor of the balcony, intertwined with each other.
Apollo giving himself willingly to Hecate's command. Hecate clutched
Apollo and gave Serenity a sinister smile, "See this, sister? This is
your destruction! The kingdom will be mine!"
"IT WILL NOT BE SO!" A thundering voice filled the night.
Flashes of light appeared all over and out of that light appeared
Zeus and Hades. "Hecate, you insolent goddess! You don't deserve
the title. You will be damned to a life of immortality and torture,
all powers removed from you! As I command, so it will be! The same
goes for you, Apollo!" Zeus shouted.
"Hades, take them away!"
Hades nodded and appeared next to the still-joined couple. He
bent down to cover them, but stopped when he saw Apollo's eyes. He
drew back in shock, "My . . . my Lord, Zeus . . . Apollo is . . . dead
by means of . . . shock. Hecate is as well. She took an impure soul,
and so paid the price."
"Comfort Serenity," Zeus spat out. "I will take care of these
two . . . humans."
Serenity, who had continued crying through the whole ordeal,
sank to her knees when Hades touched her. The ginsuishou flared up,
and Hades felt Serenity's energy become significantly drained.
"Zeus," Hades said, when he realized that Serenity had
fainted, "I fear the queen hasn't much time. Hecate was right. This
night set off a chain of events that will end in Serenity's death.
She must be guarded, and the ginsuishou. It's the only thing that
will keep her alive."
Zeus stared at Serenity in shock, "My dear . . . her energy
drained . . . Hecate was still using her energy. She was going to
kill her anyway . . ."
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
PART ONE: Chapter Three
Rating: PG13
The scenes of the previous nights events flew through
Serenity's mind as she prepared to address the council on the most
recent development with Hecate. She felt herself choke on a sob
rising in her throat and nearly threw herself back down on her bed to
cry herself to sleep once more.
A glance at a small table by the balcony window prevented this
act. Allowing only a few small tears to drip from her eyes, Serenity
walked over and picked the princess up from her confinements.
"Dearest child," a voice whispered through the room as
Serenity held her daughter close. "What have they done to you? My
kagemusha will protect and guide her, I swear this on my life."
Serenity's face hardened, "Thankyou, Cronos, but it will not
be neccesary."
"Yes, child, it must be so."
"Why do you call me such, Cronos? I am child to you only in
respect of what you've been calling me ever since my birth!" Serenity
retorted.
A low chuckle filled the room as a brilliant light flared in
front of Serenity. When it faded, the blurred form of Cronos stood
there. "On the contraire, Selene. Go, alert the council of
Hecate's doing. I must say she has only quickened the process that
would surely have ended in your death either way."
Serenity stared at Cronos, a sour smile crossing her otherwise
smooth features, "Why do you say this, Cronos? Was Apollo truly an
impure soul?"
Cronos only smiled, "All will be revealed. In time, my dear,
such things happen for a reason. I still offer my kagemusha to your
services. She will be conceived tonight."
"I will speak with you before the rest of the council, Cronos,
and not at any time other than that." With those final words,
Serenity exited the room, handing the young princess off to a maid
who was waiting by the door, "Care for her until I return," she
whispered, and ran swiftly down the hall. She was late enough as it
was. (AN: Hey, she had to get it from SOMEONE! ^-^)
Cronos glared at Serenity as she addressed the royal council
in the throne room. He was quite displeased at her course of action
after the goddess of evil had taken her husband for her own. Quite
displeased indeed.
'I need a kagemusha, desperately!' he thought, scowling as he
listened to Serenity recount the nights events, 'Zeus and his pure
soul deal . . . but truly, if she could take Apollo's impure soul and
live . . .' Cronos grinned evilly and stood, "If you'll excuse me,
your highness, I have matters to attend to. Protection of your reign,
you understand."
Serenity stopped in the middle of her sentance and glared at
Cronos, "Very well, Jikoku. I will speak with you later," she said,
then returned her attention to the others in the council before her.
Cronos stood and hurried from the room as quickly as possible.
He did not know how much time he had, but he knew he had to move
quickly either way.
When he got to Serenity's chamber door, he turned to the maid,
"Take the rest of the night off. Serenity will not be returning to
her chambers tonight," he said.
Overcome by the presence of the god of time before her, the
maid bowed hurriedly and nearly tripped over herself in her haste to
do as he said. Cronos grinned in satisfaction, 'Selene my dear, my
lovers death will be avenged . . . as yours will be if you accept me
on my terms.'
Serenity stood with the others of the kin gathered around her
and attempted to listen to them all at once, "Please, slow down!" she
begged and sank down into her throne. "Please . . . Aphrodite, how
old is your Kagemusha?"
"Minako just turned a year. I believe it is the same with
Athena's and Hermes'," Aphrodite responded.
Athena nodded, "Makoto and Ami are very close already. They
should become very good friends."
Serenity nodded and turned to Ares, "How's Rei? She had quite
the short temper the last I saw of her," she said, grinning slightly.
Ares nodded, "She's only three but she can tell off the best
of the Marsian council. The Prophetess also gave me an inside look
at her own soul mate. Quite the match, if I do say so myself."
"And that you may," Serenity said with a wry smile. She
looked at the remaining three of her kin in the room. "Have you three
agreed on having your kagemusha join young Serenity's court yet,
Poseidon?"
Poseidon shook his head, "Michiru doesn't wish to do so. She
wants to stay and guard from afar. And because she wishes to do so,
so does Haruka. Those two girls . . ." Poseidon sighed, "I suppose it
has to do with Uranus' history."
Uranus glowered in Poseidon's direction.
"Hades? Has your Kagemusha been conceived, yet?" Serenity
inquired.
"She has not. There are rumors among the prophetesses of
Saturn that there may be more to my Kagemusha than they can tell. She
may have already been born," Hades responded, a twinge of worry edging
its way into his voice.
Serenity nodded, "And Cronos said his Kagemusha was to be
conceived tonight . . ." she mused to herself.
All the kin gathered cringed at the mention of Cronos' name.
He was not a favorite among them, known for twisting their future and
influencing the fates in ways none of them could hope to change.
"Watch yourself around Cronos, Selene," Athena warned, "It
would not do good for his and your Kagemusha to be sisters. What a
paradox would that be!"
Serenity laughed, her silver hair swirling around her as she
shook her head in disbelief, "I do not believe that he would be so
stupid, Athena. Aside from that, he is an impure soul. Do you truly
think the ginsuishou would accept that?"
Athena shrugged, "Strange things happen this soon after an
astral projection . . . especially considering who this one involved,
Selene."
"I agree with Athena, Selene," Hades put in, "Hecate died for
taking an impure soul, as did Apollo. Though I do not think Cronos
would allow you to die before his own kagemusha was born."
Serenity shuddered, "All right . . . thanks for the warning,
Athena. Hades." She yawned, "I think that means it's time for me to
go to bed. I'll go collect young Serenity, and I will see the rest of
you at the next assembly."
After a round of bows and curtsies and hugs, Serenity finally
left the throne room, extreme exhaustion clouding her mind and her
awareness. She was barely aware of the fact that though there was no
maid waiting by her room, the door opened immediately upon her
arrival.
A hand clamped over Serenity's mouth immediately upon her
entering, "Hecate's death will be avenged. Apollo's may, too . . .
or it could result in your own death. Choose now, Selene. It's your
life, or Hecate's."
'Oh, gods, no!' Serenity thought in horror, 'It can't be so!'
"Oh yes, Selene. Now, will it be Hecate or you? Will I have
my original lover be restored to me, or will I have to take you as a
substitute? Very beautiful, and of course immortal, but none the less
. . . a *substitute.*"
Serenity knew for the sake of her kingdom, she could not
resist. She would have to allow Cronos to take her.
'Please, Zeus, allow me to pass out!'
"That will not be possible, my sweet . . ." Cronos whispered
as he tied a gag firmly in Serenity's mouth, "You see, I find I enjoy
it more when my lover is fully concious."
Suddenly, Serenity became very aware of her surroundings, even
more so than when she was filled with the power of the ginsuishou.
'Oh, gods, no . . .' she moaned, and Cronos laughed.
"So glad to know you're enjoying it already, dear. And yet,
the fun is just beginning."
Moments later, a muffled scream pierced the palace.
The next morning, Serenity found herself laying in her bed.
She was alone and she hurt like she had never hurt before. On top of
that, she could feel her energy slowly draining.
A soothing light filled the room, and Zeus appeared next to
Serenity. A sympathetic smile adorned his rough features as he slowly
stroked Serenity's forehead. The crescent moon slowly appeared, but
glowed weakly when it did. "Dearest Selene, if I had known . . ."
he whispered.
Serenity felt her eyes become moist at the memory of what
Cronos had done and turned away from Zeus and his soothing hands.
"You should have known," she croaked out, "What is it you others have
against me? Are you jealous? What is it, Zeus?"
Zeus, somewhat taken back by Serenity's little outburst, drew
his hand away and watched helplessly as Serenity began shaking.
"He was right," she sobbed, clutching her stomach as she cried
endlessly, "He said his Kagemusha would be conceived . . . and it was.
Hensetsu no Shinsou*, that will be Cronos' new name. As I have said
it, so it will be."
"And the child, Selene?"
"Meiou Setsuna."
Zeus was silent for a moment before nodding in approval, "It
will fit her well, child. You are a wise woman. Now, with the power
of time inside you, you will have more strength when the time comes to
tend to Serenity and Setsuna."
Serenity shook her head, "No, Zeus, I do not want this child.
Send her to Pluto to learn of her fathers betrayal. To learn the
*truth* about the Hensetsu no Shinsou."
Zeus sighed, "As you say, Selene, so it will be. Now, sleep.
When you wake, this child will no longer be a circumstance to you. I
will have Aphrodite and Athena help me to move her to a woman on Pluto
. . . Cronos' latest victim."
With those words said, Zeus faded away.
In the silence of her room, Serenity made a decree. "May all
the kagemusha not know the horrors and the pains of being immortal.
Save, Setsuna. May her pain, however, not be her pain. Her pain will
all be endured by Cronos, and may he not have the means to end it.
Minako, Rei, Makoto, Ami . . . Haruka, Michiru . . . may you never
know the endless torture of being immortal. The Messiah of Silence
will come . . . you will not want to be alive to see what destruction
she will rain down on us. So I have said," Serenity swallowed around
the sudden dryness in her throat, "So it will be."
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Hensetsu no Shinsou - Betrayal of Truth
