"Writing is what I do. Reading is what I love.

People are what I put up with."

--ME



AUTHOR: Adrial

RATING: PG13

Disclaimer: Don't own it, Don't want it.

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'If all the griefs I am to have

Would only come today,

I am so happy I believe

They'd laugh and run away.

If all the joys I am to have

Would only come today,

They could not be so big as this

That happens to me now. '

--E. Dickinson

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|---Visible Barriers---|



"Love me forever?"

The setting sun cast a shadow across her face,

hiding the solemn glow of her eyes. The indecisive tone

of her voice caused her companion to quirk his brows

and eye her questioningly. Turning her face to his,

he gingerly traced along her jaw bone.

"I'm afraid I'll need longer than forever to

love you," He smiled, satisfied at her small blush.

"You love to flatter me," She sighed into his palm.

"I love to love you, Serenity," His eyes darkened,

sending involuntary shivers down her spine.

"Why must we be apart like this? I feel the

barriers of my kingdom are suffocating me," She left

his gentle hands and stepped cautiously along the

river bank.

To their east, the Terran Palace, in all its

wonderous glory, lay hidden behind thick walls of

stone used to protect it from unwanted visitors.

Serenity sighed in spite of her self for she knew

she was the unwanted visitor the bleak walls were

used to keep out. The differences between her

kingdom and her love's were trivial to say the

least, and she knew nothing nor wished to

understand any more of them other than that.

To understand the one element that forced

Endymion and her to be apart did not appeal to her.

She chose rather to spend what little time she

could with him in the privacy and secrecy of the

forests bordering his palace.

Endymion's electric eyes flashed empathetically

at her sullen expression, and he exhaled. Twilight

was approaching and their time together would be

over soon.

The soft waves of a western breeze blew through,

disrupting the stillness of the placid river.

He grasped her forearm and squeezed

affectionately. "We will get through this,

Serenity--together."

She found herself smiling at him,

re-memorizing his strong and caring face as she

did each time he looked at her. The stern frown

which formed on his lips seemed unbefitting

on his handsome face.

She ruffled his mane of ebony playfully

and pecked his cheek. "Don't look so serious, Endy."

His face melted into laughter, "And you,

princess, should not worry so much."

His hands snuck around her waist and tugged

her towards the soft earth on which they stood.

Her laughter pierced the silence around them

pleasantly, falling into rythm with his deep

chuckles.

Her breath caught in her throat as his warm

lips sought her own, taking them gently.

As their fingers entwined, the addicting

adrenaline of their kiss surged through their

veins. Serentiy felt herself drowning in the

intensity of her reeling emotions.

"Endymion!"

Mixed feelings whipped around their heads

at the interuption. What little self-control

they harbored was tested each moment they shared

alone. Their kiss broke off and Endymion's

eyes searched around them. With a disappointed

sigh, he rose, and Serenity stood with him,

dusting her gown off.

"I must go," He caressed her cheek.

"Until next week then?" She grasped his

hand with her own. Her breaths came in short

gasps, leaving her swollen lips unevenly.

"If I can bear to wait that long," He

kissed her softly.

"ENDYMION! WHERE ARE YOU?!" The deep

baritone voice of one of Endymion's generals

boomed close by.

Serenity pulled away and shoved him

from her gently. "Go, before they catch us."

Endymion turned to leave but grabbed her

once more and landed his lips on hers.

"ENDYMION!!"

"I love you," He whispered against her ear.

"And I, you," She answered.

"Soon," He left her alone with his last

word lingering in the air. The feeling of his

lips still tickled her own, and she sighed.

Turning from the river's edge, she trotted

quietly to a patch of worn earth and closed

her eyes.

The familiar wave of magic washed over her,

penetrating her inner being. She landed softly

on the grounds of the Moon Kingdom a few

moments later.





^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The shuffle of skirts on the marble floor

drew the attention of a huddle of men standing in

a corner. A tall, round man who stood proudly in

the middle, cleared his throat and deeply bowed,

gesturing his companions to follow suit.

"Princess Amy, how do you do?" He smiled

genially at the small, Mercurian princess and

grasped her hand.

Amy laughed lightly, "Hello, Sir Galand.

I am doing well, thank you. How is the remodeling

coming along?" She eyed the rolls of paper he

held in his arms.

His face fell for a moment, almost too

quickly for her to notice. "Just fine, dear princess.

Not to worry. The palace will be ten times as strong

in a fortnight," With a wink, he turned on his

heel and left with the men down the corridor.

Amy squashed the seed of suspicion nestling

into her mind and opened the heavy doors to the

dining area.

Seated at the immense table were Serenity's

court and Queen Serenity. The Jovian princess,

Lita, warmly returned her smile of greeting.

Elegantly seated opposite her cousin, Mina, sole

heir to Venus, waved jubilantly. In the midst

of a halo of shining, black hair, Raye's face

lit up momentarily before falling into a look of

agitation. With a flick of her fingers, she

brushed her heavy bangs from her eyes, and the

firey symbol of Mars appeared and then

vanished as the obstinate locks fell back

into place. Amy smiled at her friends and

courtsied daintily to her queen.

"Hey, Merc, you're late today," Serenity

slurped a spoonful of soup ravenously.

Queen Serenity raised her eyebrows at her

daughter, and Serenity straightened uncomfortably

in her seat.

Mercury sat in her respectful seat beside

Princess Raye and laid her napkin in her lap.

"I stopped to speak with Sir Galand for a moment.

He says the remodeling is coming along well,"

She explained.

Queen Serenity smiled approvingly, "I do

hope it will be finished soon. With these improvements

the palace will be most formidable."

Raye glared at her hair wickedly and tucked a

lock of raven behind her ear. "Queen Serenity, why

all the sudden improvements? Has there been a threat?"

She asked.

The Queen shook her head, "Do not fret, Princess.

We are merely attempting to raise our levels of defense

in case such a threat does occur."

"Serenity!" Lita slapped her friend's searching

hand from her plate. Serenity pouted slightly and

folded her arms across her chest.

"Fine. Be greedy. If I faint from starvation,

I'll be sure to thank you," She swooped her fork

over her empty plate despondently.

"If you ever faint it will surely be because

of a food over-load, not from starvation," Raye

supplied, smiling hautily.

Serenity smirked at her Martian friend and

promptly kicked her from beneath the table. Raye

yelped in pain and glared at the princess.

"Serenity," Her mother's warning tone melted

Serenity's smile.

"Sorry, Mother," She mumbled.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



The tense atmosphere of the sitting room began

to suffocate Endymion as his parents stared at him

expectantly.

"What do you want from me?" He ran a hand through

his hair and leaned back on the couch he sat on.

His mother placed a hand on his knee, "We want

what is best for you, Endymion." Queen Gaia's thoughtful

eyes searched her son's. The intensity of her only

child's frustration was clearly evident in the stormy

depths of his eyes which she knew so well. The inner

turmoil he was experiencing was trying her nerves, but

what pained her more was to know that she could do

nothing to ease it--nothing she knew of, anyway.

Endymion closed his eyes, refusing to let his

mother read their silent messages, "What is best for

me is nothing you will ever advocate."

"Son, this is nonsense. My time as king grows

shorter with each passing day, and you have yet to find

a queen to rule alongside you when you take the throne,"

The Terran King, Damius, stood defiantly beside his

wife and son. Thin lines of age traced along his mouth

and face, but the shadows beneath his eyes were the

only clues to the strain he experienced ruling such

a massive kingdom.

Endymion's eyes flashed open, and he rose

abruptly, "I do not wish to speak about this right now."

"This matter will still be here tomorrow and

every day thereafter. The future will come whether

you like it or not, and you can not escape it, Endymion.

You must accept your duty and choose a queen before

it is too late." His father straightened and turned

to leave.

Damius' cool, desolate eyes left their lock

on his, taking whatever bit of emotion he harbored

along with them. Endymion could not remember the

last time his father and he had shared a civil

converstation without it ending with the latter

watching his back as he stormed from the room. This

time he would not let his father have the last word.

He rose, "I have found her. It is you who

chooses not to accept that," Gathering his strength,

he stood firm.

Damius's shoulders stiffened. He kneaded his

forehead in disbelief.

'It is true then?'

He whipped around suddenly, "You dare turn

your back on your kingdom?!" His scowling face

contorted with anger.

Endymion cowered slightly but countered his

father, "It is your narrow-mindedness--"

"My narrow-mindedness?" Damius's voice was a

low rumble, "Those Lunarians are a coniving,

ruthless people, and I will not have my son

associating with any little tart from the Moon."

Endymion's eyes turned black with fury, "Do

not ever speak of her that way! You have no idea

what or whom you are talking about!"

"Damius, Endymion, calm down," Gaia's troubled

face turned back-and-forth from her husband to her son.

"Serenity is more important to me than any

throne," Endymion stared at his father, unblinking.

Damius faltered. "Serenity? You mean to tell

me that not only are you having an affair with a

Lunarian, but the PRINCESS?!" He threw his hands

in the air. Endymion realized his mistake but knew

it was too late. The truth was out.

He swallowed and shifted his stance, "I

am not asking for your approval."

In silent wonder, Gaia covered her open

mouth with her hand.

Endymion forced himself to calm down,

"If you would only make peace with them--see how

loyal and true they really are, then we--"

Damius shook his head, "There is no room

for negotiation. You will have nothing to do with

her from this moment on. I should have acted on

this the first time our guards spotted Lunarian

magic on our grounds. It-ends-here."

He set his mouth in a thin, determined line.

The eerie stillness which followed chilled Enydmion

to his core. His father was right. There was no room

for negotiation, so he would not even attempt it.

"I am sorry we do not agree, Father," Endymion

brushed past him, refusing to look at his mother's

sullen face on his way. His steps grew quicker with

each second, and soon he was racing down the corridor

and through the main gates of the palace.

Gaia fell back onto the couch and covered her

face with her hands. Damius remained standing.

"We have lost him, haven't we?" She whispered,

"We have lost our son because you can not bear to

move beyond the past." She turned to him.

Damius looked at her, "The past is--"

"The past is over, Damius," She cried, "I can

see that. Endymion can see that. It is time you see

as well," She rose from her seat and left him to his

thoughts.





^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Do you believe in love, Mother?" Serenity

twirled a strand of golden hair between her finger

tips and gazed at her mother thoughtfully. The

Lunarian Queen set down her quill and smiled

at her daughter.

"Of course, darling," She rose from her

chair and joined Serenity on her bed, "Would you

care to tell me why you ask?"

Serenity shrugged, "Just...wondering, I guess,"

Her eyes drifted from her mother's, and she stood

and walked to the balcony.

The massive global structure of Earth loomed

overhead like a beacon. She sighed and leaned

heavily against the railing.

Queen Serenity smiled inwardly and followed

behind her daughter. As she used to when Serenity

was a child, she ran her fingers through her

daughter's hair soothingly.

"What is troubling you, Serenity?" She turned

Serenity's shoulders around. The sight of silent

tears trailing from her daughter's eyes

alarmed her.

Serenity shook her head, "I...I'm so confused,

Mother," She wiped her

cheeks, "Th-there is a black area and a white area

that I must choose from," She shook her head as a

signal for her mother to let her finish, "But--but

I am *caught* in this gray part that I just can't...

escape."

She fell into her mother's open arms and wept

softly. She could feel the earth's strong presence

behind her and the Lunarian bond with her mother

tugging her away from its alluring powers.

"My dear, tell me what these white and black

areas are that you must choose from," Queen Serenity

rubbed her daughter's back and lead her back to her

bed. Serenity sat heavily and sniffled.

The Queen's mind was racing, processing all

the information her daughter had supplied so far and

steadily drawing her own conclusions. Her daughter

was in love? With whom? The answer was obvious by

the way Serenity seemed to disappear each saturday

afternoon for hours and the long moments she spent

gazing off at the blue marble of Earth.

The ties between the Lunarians and Terrans

were not broken--they were simply nonexistent. As

much as every fiber of her being longed to end her

daughter's pain by making peace with Earth, Serenity

knew that the obstinate king of her rival planet

would never have it.

Serenity's sobs subsided eventually, leaving

her breaths uneven and shallow.

"I love him," She uttered softly, "I *love*

him," She turned her eyes to her mother, and they

pleaded with her to understand.

"Who do you love, Serenity?" She asked,

placing a hand on her shoulder.

Serenity cast her eyes downward and hesitated.

Perhaps her mother would understand. The many years

she taught her to treat all people equally must

speak something of her mother's own ways of

judging others.

"En-" She paused, "A Terran." Telling her mother

she loved the Terran prince would be too much.

For now she would have to settle for only his

nationality.

Queen Serenity sighed, "Serenity..."

Serenity sat up straight and grasped her mother's

hands, "Mother, if you only knew how wonderful he is--"

Queen Serenity placed her hands on either

side of her daughter's face gently.

"I am sure he is, Serenity, but it is against

our laws. Associating with a Terran is something no

Lunarian is allowed. I am sorry, Serenity."

Serenity's eyes filled again. The thought of

losing Endymion was too much for her heart to bear.

She fled the room in a whirlwind of robes and tears.

"Serenity," Her mother called after her.

Serenity's ears, however, were clogged with the

repetition of her mother's earlier words. She

would never be allowed the one privelege she

longed for most--to love whom she chose freely.

With her daughter gone, the queen silently

wept into her palms. Rarely did she shed a tear,

for the hardships of ruling a kingdom had taught

her to hide her emotions well. Through her bond

with her only child, she could feel the vast

pain that pierced her soul.

The gentle hand which fell across her

shoulder startled her slightly, but she soon

recognized her friend's presence and grasped her

hand tightly.

"Setsuna...How can I let her hurt like

this?" She turned to face her long time confidante.

Setsuna's wise eyes were filled with regret

for her queen. "I am sorry, your highness," She

said softly.

"Isn't it ironic that she should love a

Terran? And the prince...I can remember..." She

trailed off, taking her next words with her.

Setsuna did not question how the queen

had figured out the identity of her daughter's

love. Her queen was as wise as she, with or

without the visions of past and future to back her up.

"Irony is a strange, enigmatic thing.

All will be well, my queen. Be strong for her,"

Setsuna hugged Serenity sisterly, allowing her

facade of sterness to fall for a moment.

"Peace, Serenity. Peace shall undo all that

has been wronged. Have faith in your daughter's

heart and in your own," With those last words

spoken, the keeper of time and princess of Pluto

vanished, leaving the solemn queen alone in her

room--her thoughts her only company.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Surrounded by shrubbery and plants, Serenity

wandered aimlessly throughout her gardens. The aroma

of foriegn scents eased her troubled mind only slightly,

and she found herself unable to cease the broken

sobs that racked her her body.

Making sure no guards were around, she eased

through the garden gates and stealthily made her way

into the grassy plains bordering the palace's

western face.

She was not surprised to find herself in the

spot she would normally transport to Earth to visit

her prince. The urge to see him was mind-numbing.

She could hear his voice calling her name in her

mind. Her tears were less now, trailing slowly

from her eyes.

She fell to the ground heavily, pulling her

knees to her chest as if to shield herself from

the pain she felt. Wiping her cloudy eyes, she

cast them heavenward and blinked. A large flash

soared above her head. Her eyebrows perked up on

her small forehead in interest, and she rose.

Whomever or whatever the object was would surely

be seen by the guards and located.

Out of curiosity, she found herself walking

farther into the field in search of the mysterious

ball of light. As she approached the edge of the

plain and was faced with a wall of trees, she

swallowed and trudged on through the forest.

Seeing was almost impossible through the

thick shrubs and bushes blocking her path. She

saw no point in continuing further, but as she

turned to retreat from the woods, a large hand

gripped her waist and pulled her back through

the trees roughly.

What ever cries of distress she intended

to release were promptly muffled by a strong hand.

Jagged briars snarled at her flailing limbs, making

it futile and painful to struggle in the stranger's

grasp whose identity was concealed completely by

the inky darkness which surrounded them.

By the person's careless movements, Serenity

could tell he/she did not know exactly where they

were going. Their blind thrusts behind bushes and

constant circling ensured her that the person

was lost. She pondered whether that was good

or bad.

Her thoughts were severed when they stopped

abruptly. A small patch of clearing lay before

her, and she found herself more curious than

frightened for some reason. Her lack of fear

troubled her.

"Serenity."

So familiar...had the person said her name before?

"Serenity, it's me," Her arms were released,

and she was whipped around to face the cobalt eyes

she had memorized so many times before. Her breath

caught in her throat.

"Endymion...?" Her baffled mind only had

enough time to register the person's name while

dealing with the bubbling questions brewing within it.

Endymion smiled shortly and took her hand.

"Forgive me, love, I didn't mean to scare you like

that. I wanted to make sure we were far enough from

the palace so we wouldn't be--"

Serenity threw herself into his arms, tears

streaming freely all the while. She didn't care what

his motives were--didn't have time to care as she

held on to him as if it would be the last time

they would share a moment together.

He lost himself in their embrace, gripping

her small frame against his own. The only place

he had thought of to flee to after his fight

with his parents was wherever Serenity was--in

this case, the planet he had been brought up to

despise and fear.

She sniffled softly against his chest,

reveling in the feeling of his nearness.

"No need to cry, Sere," He tilted her chin

towards him, "You're so beautfiul when you smile."

He was rewarded with an elated, yet watery,

grin. He chuckled and kissed her forehead gently.

"H-how? Why did you come?" She inquired.

Endymion sighed and lead her to a clear patch of

grass where he brought her to sit in his lap. She

leaned her head against his shoulder as he spoke.

"Two reasons, actually. One: I was dying to

be with you," He ran his hand over her hair, and

she blushed, digging her face deeper into the

fabric of his shirt, "And two: my parents and I

had a little...falling out, if you will."

Her ears pricked up like a small puppy and

she furrowed her brow, "What happened, Endy? And

you know how dangerous it is for you to be here.

There are Lunarian guards lurking around every

corner," She eyed him half sternly, half admirably.

He merely pecked her nose, and laughed, "And

this coming from the one who risks everything to

travel to my kingdom each week?" She blushed and

voiced her first question again.

Endymion cast his eyes upward and ran a

hand through his ebony locks, "They've discovered us."

Serenity gasped and stood up abruptly,

"How? What will your father do? He won't attack

our kingdom will he? Endy, this is all my fault,"

She began pacing, rolling over all impossibly tragic

outcomes to their dilemma in her mind, and he

grabbed her shoulders.

"Serenity, this is *not* your fault, and he

won't be attacking any time soon. Between us, he's

a little intimidated by your militia," Endymion

laughed for a second, instantly sobering at her

look of disaprovement.

"This isn't funny, Endy," She left his arms

and walked around him, "I can't take this any more.

My mother would no more let me continue my relationship

with a 'terran'," She scoffed at how 'terran' seemed

to be a word of distaste to her mother, "Than she

would with a moster of the Nega Verse."

Endymion felt her frustration and took her

into his arms again. "I know, Sere. But my father

is stubborn and will not back down, and I am not

willing to lose you."

"Why can't we just love each other without

feeling as if we're commiting a royal indecency of

some sort?" She sighed against his chest.

"The only indecency being commited is the way

our people see eachother--as enemies to be feared,"

He sighed into her hair.

"Wait..." Serenity pulled away slightly,

"Maybe if you talked to my mother, she would be

able to see how Terrans really are," She smiled,

"I know she would talk to you. She wants war no

more than you or I do."

Endymion tucked a lock of hair behind her

ear, "I wish it were that simple, love, but my

father will never relent in his blind hatred for

your people. Even if I convinced your mother, he

would only see it as an act of treason on my part

and God knows what he would do to me...or to

your people then."

Serenity shook her head, "Please, Endy. Just

*talk* to her, let her see--"

"Serenity, it is not going to work," He turned

away from her.

Serenity followed him and grabbed onto his arm,

"Endy, if you believe in our love as much as I do,

then please show me by defending it in front of my mother."

"Do I need to prove my love for you, Serenity?"

He asked.

Serenity now turned from his eyes, "No...I

know you love me. But If not to prove that love for

me then prove that you are not prejudice against our

people and that you wish for peace as much as my

mother and I do."

She hugged her arms against her chest.

Endymion could not find the words to deny his

love of her wish. He felt himself relenting and

sighed heavily.

"I will speak to her," He caved.

Serenity whipped around and tackled him to

the ground. Breathless, she kissed him with a

passion all her own.

"Thank you," She smiled sincerely at him once

she broke their embrace.

Shaken up a bit by her surprise attack,

Endymion only shook his head in disbelief and

brought her lips against his own again.

"You are...incredible," His hot breath

tickled the sensitive skin around her ear and she giggled.

In his arms, Serenity felt secure knowing that

in mere minutes her mother would finally understand

the futility of segregating the Terrans from Lunarians.

With her prince, she stood from the ground and

prepared to venture back to the palace.

"Who goes there?" A voice in the distance called,

startling the still of the night.

Endymion and Serenity looked at eachother

intensely. Endymion reached for her and brought her

ear to his mouth.

"Go, Serenity. I will come back for you tomorrow

night. If they find you, it will only make things

worse. No one knows about me yet," He shoved her

slightly towards the trees.

"No, Endy. I want to stay with you," She struggled

against him.

"Please, Serenity," His cobalt eyes pleaded with

her, and she paused for a moment.

"Anyone there? Show yourselves!" The guard was

closer now, his voice excited at the opportunity of

capturing a trespasser on palace grounds.

"Serenity," Endymion urged her. With one more

dithering glance, she fled from the clearing, diving

into the woods blindly in the opposite direction of

the guard's voice.

Endymion hesitated before flinging himself into

another section of the forest. Branches ripped at his

clothing, and a protruding root brought him tumbling

down a small hill. He landed with a grunt and wiped

his soiled face harshly.

"Don't-move-a-muscle," With a cocky smirk, the

guard grinned at Endymion and pointed his dagger

against his neck.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Serenity's shoes clicked rapidly against the

floor, her hair billowing behind her. The corridor

loomed on, seemingly stretching farther in the distance

with each step she took.

"Serenity, where are you going in such a hurry?"

Mina followed behind her cousin, walking quickly to

keep up with her hurried steps.

Serenity did not look behind her. "I'm looking

for Mother. Have you seen her?" She looked down an

empty corridor. No queen there.

"She's in a meeting with a lord--Richard, I think.

Serenity, what's wrong?" Panting, Mina placed her

hands on her knees when Serenity halted in front of a

large set of doors.

She watched with inquisitive eyes as Serenity

threw the doors open and barged into the room. Queen

Serenity sat opposite a large, smiling man. Deciding

to wait until her cousin came to her to explain her

odd behavior, Mina shrugged and disappeared through

another set of doors.

At her daughter's sudden appearance, Queen

Serenity's lips altered from a relieved smile to a

questioning frown.

"Serenity? What--"

"Mother, I must speak to you," Serenity did

not bother to acknowlege the man next to her mother.

Her mother gestured to the visitor, "Serenity,

I am in a meeting with Lord Richard at the moment.

Can this not wait?"

Serenity shook her head and opened her mouth

to speak, but the slamming of doors interrupted her speech.

A handfull of guards stormed into the room.

A man with flashing green eyes bowed to the queen.

"Forgive me, your highness, for interupting,"

He rose and nodded respectfully to Lord Richard,

"We have captured an intruder sneaking around the

bordering forest."

Queen Serenity furrowed her brow, "Well, send

him to the dungeons as usual. I do not understand

why you have chosen to interupt my meeting to

inform me of such a common matter."

The guard smiled slightly, "I belive you

will find it rather intriguing see who the

intruder is, my queen."

He gestured the men to part. Ragged and

sweating, Endymion appeared between them.

Serenity gasped at the sight of Endymion

and barely caught herself from lunging into the

group and freeing him. She bit her tongue.

Her mother crossed her arms, waiting for

an explanation. The same general cleared his

throat and turned to Endymion. Endymion flinched

as the man brushed back his matted bangs revealing

the glowing symbol of Earth.

The regal queen's hand flew to her mouth.

"A royal Terran?" She uttered in disbelief.

The gerneral crossed his arms, sastified.

"The *Prince* of Earth, your majesty," He said.

Queen Serenity threw her daughter a hasty

glance and swallowed. She approached Endymion as

if he would reach out and rip her arm off if she

dared disturbed the barriers of his personal space.

As she neared, Endymion's eyes held no look

of malice, nor did they stray from her own. He

faced her hard gaze with one of his own. The queen

stood a few feet from him and cleared her throat.

"Prince Endymion..." She eyed him as if

she expected his arrival. Her head turned from

him and looked at the general. "Take him to the

dungeons. I will determine his punishment. Speak

of his capture to no one." She needed no

explanation of his presence; he confirmed her

strong suspicions with his eyes.

The general nodded and gestured for the

guards to take him away. Serenity moved toward

him but stopped herself. Endymion allowed himself

one glance at her watering eyes. She apologized

through her gaze, and he let the corner of his

mouth twitch slightly in a brief smile of assurance.

The guards tugged roughly at him, throwing him

disgusted glances. After they left, the queen

apologized to her guest. He assured her he would

speak of the incident to no one and departed,

leaving the queen and her daughter to themselves.

Serenity bit back her tears and remorse. She

waited impatiently as her mother remained silent for

a few minutes before speaking.

"Serenity, you understand what must be done,"

Her voice was hollow and empty as she spoke.

Serenity gasped inaudibly, "No..."

Queen Serenity turned to face her daughter

who was shaking her head slowly.

"I am sorry. It is the law, Serenity. I have

no choice," She reached for her daughter's shoulder.

Serenity threw her mother a painstricken glance

and fled from the room.

The doors boomed shut, and the queen covered

her face.

"I am sorry," She whispered.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Your Majesty, I have urgent news!" The doors

to King Damius's study were thrown open by a panting

man. The king looked up irritably.

"General Zoicite? What news is so urgent that

you must interupt me?" His cold eyes flashed.

The man briefly flinched but regained his

composure quickly.

"The prince has been captured, your highness,"

He paused and swallowed.

Damius rose from his chair abruptly, "What do

you *mean* he has been captured? Where?" His voice boomed.

The general straightened his shoulders. "He

was captured only hours ago...on the Moon."



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Who is there?" A short, stalky man peeked

through his door.

Emotionless blue eyes stared back at him.

"It is I, Princess Serenity," The visitor said.

The man immediately straightened and opened

the door. He bowed low and questioned her presence.

She did not smile and kept her cool eyes

still, "I wish to see the man who was captured

earlier this evening."

Quirking an eyebrow, the guard rose and

allowed her passage into the dungeon. Grabbing a

torch, he lead her down a narrow corridor. The

faces of men and women prisoners stared back at

her silently. She swallowed and focused on the

man in front of her.

"He was put in a separate cell. I don't

know why but..." The guard trailed off and

gestured to a stairwell.

"I must keep watch. Follow this stairwell

down to the bottom, princess, and a guard will be

there," Bowing low, he left her alone.

She shivered and descended the staircase.

The stone walls bordering them were cold and dreary

looking. After a minute or two, she reached the ground.

Five guards stood watch. They leaned casually

against the walls but bowed automatically at her

sudden presence. One stepped forward, "Your

highness, what brings you--"

"I wish to speak to the man captured earlier

this evening," She looked at the cell door and

added, "Privately."

The guards raised their eyebrows questioningly

but stepped aside. They stared at her for a moment

before retreating down another hallway. One of them

assured her that if she needed anything, they would

be near enough to come. After they had gone,

Serenity faced the cell.

"Endymion..." She whispered. A shuffling of

chains was heard and Endymion's soiled face appeared.

His lip was bleeding slightly and his tattered

clothing hug limply from his body. She used every

ounce of self-control to restrain the tears that

stung her eyes.

"Serenity, what are you--"

"I'm so sorry," She fell against the door.

Endymion reached through and grasped her hand tightly.

"I should be sorry," He titled her chin to

face him.

"No...it's all my fault. I should have stayed

with you," The tears she tried desperately to hide

were leaking now.

"Sshh," He wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Mother...sh-she said she has no choice.

They're going to--" She was cut off by her own sobs.

"Don't worry, Sere, I'll make it. We'll find

a way, I promise," He grasped her chin as best he

could with his handcuffs on, "I will not leave you."

"I can't live without you," She whispered.

He smiled softly, "You won't have to, Serenity.

I promise I will be here for you...always."

Her shining eyes glittered in the orange glow

of the surrounding torches. She reached into her

cloak and held out her hand to Endymion. He stared

at her for a moment and grasped the shimmering bag

which she offered.

Before more could be said, a guard appeared.

Serenity stood and glanced at Endymion.

He mouthed 'I love you' slowly to her. She

returned his words and turned away from him. A guard

escorted her from the chamber.

Endymion walked clumsily with his chains to

the corner of his cell. He opened his clasped hand

and sighed. The stars cast a dull glow into his room

from a small window, and he shut his tired eyes

from the image of his home, mockingly glowing

above him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Prepare the militia! Get every soldier and

able man you can!" His voice hoarse from shouting

orders, King Damius watched over a busy crowd of

generals scurrying to fulfill their sire's demands.

From a corner, Gaia looked on with a despondent

frown. Had it really come to this? She looked at her

husband, red-faced with beady perspiration forming

at his hairline. Thoughts of Endymion rushed through

her mind. Her only child, forced to suffer because

he fell prisoner to love.

"My queen," A man placed a comforting hand

on her shoulder. She smiled appreciatively and

placed hers atop his.

"Kunzite, I am sure you will bring him back

to me safely. He is so dear to you," She cast her

eyes elsewhere, biting back an onslaught of tears.

"You have my word, your majesty," His silver-

blue eyes took in his queen's anguished appearance,

and he departed.

After passing several corridors filled with

scurrying people, he pushed through a set of wooden

doors revealing a security room buzzing with compressed

energy. A man hunched over a stack of papers looked up

briefly. His blonde hair fell across his forehead limply

from his constant swatting to keep it from his eyes.

"Kunzite, any news?" He stretched his sore back

muscles.

His friend and fellow general eyed him glumly,

"The king has prepared an army...we are going to war, Jaedite."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Serenity, please, stop crying," Mina cradled

her weeping cousin gently in her arms. Serenity

sniffled and wiped her puffy eyes.

"Oh, Mina...they're going to kill him tomorrow

and there is nothing I can do to stop them," She fell

into her arms again, a fresh wave of tears racking

her body.

Mina sent Lita a helpless look, but she turned

away, her own vision becoming clouded by tears.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"How soon, Artemis?" Queen Serenity rubbed her

forehead. Artemis swallowed, "King Damius will have an

army within the hour, your majesty. He has sent this

message, as well."

Queen Serenity grasped the paper and unfolded

it. As her eyes skimmed its contents, Artemis shifted

uncomfortably.

Serenity sighed heavily and faced him again,

"He declares war..."

"My queen, what will our plan of attack be?

Shall we offer the freedom of their prince in return

for peace?" Artemis asked.

Serenity smiled wisely, "Artemis this war is

not about his son," She turned her gaze to an open

window. The massive earth seemed to smirk back at her,

"This is about a cowardly king, desperate to reign

surperior above all others, and he will not rest

until he fulfills his desire."

"Perhaps a negotiation session could be--"

Queen Serenity shook her head, "Artemis, this

is it. When King Damius attacks, we will be ready to

defend our kingdom. I will not rest until our planets

live in the harmony that they should," She eyed him

intensely, "Prepare the militia."

"Mother."

Queen Serenity turned to her door where her

daughter stood. Her eyes were cool as stone, a look

her mother never thought possible on her young face.

"War is not the answer, Mother," Serenity fell

her to her knees at her mother's seat, "We can reach

peace. If we battle with Earth it will only cause

more damage."

"Serenity, my child," She placed a hand on her

daughter's head, "We have no choice."

Serenity stood and brushed off her mother's hand,

"And what of Endymion? If you harm him it will only

make King Damius' fury greater."

Queen Serenity looked away from her daughter's

pleading gaze, "His fate has been decided. Accept

that and move on," Her harsh words rolled off of her

tongue as if they were foreign.

Serenity's frustration morphed into a firey rage

at her mother's words, "How can you say that?! How

can you ask me to accept that the only man I have ever

loved will be killed by my own people? If you follow

through with his execution, Mother, then you may as

well kill me, too," Her voice was ragged, and she

furiously wiped at her eyes.

"Serenity, you do not understand. Let me explain

it to you," Serenity gently took her daughter's arm

and brought her to sit. The sobbing princess could

not protest, therfore she sat in silence, awaiting

her mother's next words.

Queen Serenity took upon a look of pure

nostalgia for second before shaking it off and turning

to her daughter. "I can remember...many years ago

when your father was alive," She swallowed back the

rising lump in her throat, "H-He and King Damius were

great friends, you know? They grew up together on Earth."

Serenity gasped, "Mother, you never told me

Father was a Terran."

Queen Serenity sighed, "Times became so...so

unbearable, Serenity. I did not wish for you to change

your feelings toward your father simply because of

his heritage."

Serenity nodded and let her mother continue.

"As I was saying...Terrans and Lunarians were

very much linked with eachother, and when your father

came to visit and we met..." Her eyes glazed over,

"We married shortly after and shared the most wonderful

life for a while," She cupped her daughter's cheek,

smiling at the signs of her father which shone through

at her now more than ever, "But it was not meant to be.

An evil sourceress attacked the earth, killing

thousands and spreading hatred throughout their lands.

Somehow, the Terrans began to believe that your father

had sabotaged them and was traitorous to their people."

Serenity moved to speak, but her mother pushed on,

"King Damius grew so flustered with whom to believe that

he finally gave in to his people who threatened to rebel

against him if he refused to banish all communications

with the Lunarian people," She wiped a tear which

escaped her eye, "By the time our communications were

lost, the sourceress was free to spread her terror

upon our people. Your...your father was killed in

the first battle."

"Mother..." Serenity placed a hand on her

mother's shoulder.

"We were able to defeat her in the end with

assisstance from our allies," her attempted smile

looked more like a twitching frown on her solemn

face, "Ever since, Terrans have separated themselves

from us with no sign of relenting, and although I have

tried many times to re-establish our ties, King Damius

has so grown to believe that your father was a traitor,

that he will settle for no explanation."

Serenity lowered her head under the heavy weight

of her mother's words.

"He has continued to look for any negative event

to blame the Lunarians for in order to have an excuse

to attack...and now, he has." Queen Serenity turned her

daughter's face to look at her.

"Do you understand, Serenity? Do you see why you

can not love him?"

"No, I do *not* understand, Mother!" Serenity

exploded. Her own heated anger surprised her, but she

was in too deep to turn back, "All I *understand* is

that a stubborn king can not admit that he is wrong,

and that my mother--who I used to believe could do

anything--is giving up so easily." Serenity stormed

from the room, flinging her tears into the air. A

single drop landed on the queen's hand, and she

covered it with the other.

Queen Serenity's heart collasped with her

daughter's words, and in the privacy of her bedroom

she wept openly for her princess and her princess's

prince. Fate was a cruel and unjust thing in the trials

and tribulations of love.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Earth's militia prepared to teleport to the Moon.

King Damius stood proud in his armor and held his hand

for the signal. Pooling all of their psychic powers,

they disappeared from their homeland, unsure if they

would ever stand on its soil again.

The shield which protected the Moon from their

invasion crumbled beneath their combined power. Queen

Serenity nodded as Artemis informed her of this. She

was hardly surprised.

In the Lunarian skies, flashes of bright light

containing the Terran militia illuminated the horizon

for miles. Children danced in their yards, pointing to

the brilliant light spectical. Their mothers beckoned

them to come inside.

In the comfort of their home, a mother and child

prepared to sleep. The flashing lights of the sky sent

spears of light throughout their room.

"Where is Daddy, Mama?"

"Sssh...go to sleep."

"But, where did he go?"

"He's gone for a trip, honey."

"When will he be back?"

"We'll just have to...to see, dear."

"I wonder if he can see the shooting stars."

"I'm--I'm sure he can."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Senshi, are you prepared for battle?" Queen

Serenity looked at the young girls' faces.

Bravely, they nodded. Venus shielded her eyes

from the blinding lights entering their atmosphere.

Her friends looked at her and she smiled reassuringly.

From behind them, Serenity cried silently for them.

Mars' amtheyst eyes solemnly looked at her princess.

She enveloped her in a hug, whispering words of solace.

Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus joined in shortly thereafter.

Soon, Serenity watched her friends descend the

palace steps to approach the first line. The elements

of their powers flickered in their tiaras brightly.

She smothered the lurking doubt that she would ever

see them again.

The pain she felt consumed her mind, heart, and soul.

A guard moved to take her into hiding where she would be safe.

From the corner of her eye she could see a group of soldiers

approaching the queen. They whispered in hushed voices for

a moment, and Queen Serenity's eyes widened slightly. After

a few more hushed words, she nodded and they left.

Queen Serenity looked at her daughter as she was

taken away. Serenity read her mother's expression and turned

away from her gaze. The queen turned to face the battle

field and waited. As she heard the telltale ruffle of

skirts, she closed her eyes. Serenity broke free from the

guards and fled. Soon she and her love would be

together--as they should be.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The handle of his sword slipped against his sweaty

palm. King Damius gripped it tighter, wiped his brow and

faced ahead. The battlefield spanned five acres, and

the Lunarian army loomed dauntingly in the distance.

Their elite, the senshi, could be seen in the front.

Their legendary powers sparkled magnificently in the

misty night.

A bright flash momentarily blinded the Terran army,

and as they uncovered their eyes, their breath caught in

their throats. Queen Serenity hovered above her army,

glowing with the incredible power she possessed.

Mars sent a firm glance to Venus. Her intense gaze

wavered for a moment, the blue of her eyes shifting

with apprehension. With the aura of her fellow senshi

emitting from either side of her, Venus inhaled and

focused her energy. The wave of power she grew to depend

and rely on washed over her mind and body in electrifying

jolts, peaking her senses and creating an addicting

adrenaline which coarsed through her veins rapidly.

King Damius held onto the moment of silence with

all his might, drawing from its intensity and power. The

image of his son faltered in his mind, leaving only a

vision of the destruction of the Moon Kingdom. His lips

curved maliciously; his hands quaked with anticipation.

Huddled so close he could feel the hot breath of his

soldiers on his neck, he shifted slightly. Slowly, he

raised the glittering blade of his weapon above his head.

"ATTACK!!"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Behind a thick wall of brush, Endymion tried to

control his racing heart. From his perch, he could view

the sea of warriors on either end of the battlefield.

Within his palm lay the golden object Serenity had

supplied for him to use against the guards.

He allowed himself a moment to reflect on his

escape. The guards had futiley attempted to restrain him,

but the small dose of magic supplied by his princess

had overtaken them, rendering them unconcious and

utterly helpless.

Branches cracked behind him, and he jumped.

The angelic face of his princess appeared moments after,

shedding a ray of light on the desolate hour.

No words were spoken as they enveloped eachother

in an embrace. Endymion felt a patch of moisture on his

chest, and tightened his hold on Serenity's small waist.

"They're going to destroy eachother," She whispered

against his chest. Endymion released his hold enough

to look into her eyes.

"Not if we stop them," The familiar determination

returned to his colbat eyes.

"Together?" She gripped his hand.

"Forever, Serenity."



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Damius' battle cry pierced the night, rupturing

the thick layer of silence. Queen Serenity signaled her

army to begin battle, and they roared across the field,

rumbling like a horrendous tornado of destruction.

Horses puffed clouds of sharp, misty breaths and

galloped fiercly beneath the weight of the Terran militia,

and the ground shook violently beneath their hooves.

As the walls closed in on the gap separating

the armies inch by inch, the adrenaline of battle

smothered all feelings of fear. They collided with the

deafening clashing of sword on sword, fist on fist.

They now shared a common goal: to fight to the death.

Queen Serenity tapped into the silver crystal's

energy within herself. She would use it as a last resort

and only that. King Damius stopped his stallion and raised

his arms towards the heavens. A colossal wave shot out,

and a ball of golden fire appeared between his open palms.

He smiled.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Tearing through the thicket, Endymion and Serenity

silmultaneously gasped and stood still. The symbols of

their planets burned upon their foreheads. Serenity's

mouth cracked open slightly in wonder and fear. Endymion

merely stared at the illuminated crescent on his princess'

forehead, stunned.

'What does this mean?' They both thought. Endymion

racked his cluttered brain for some explanation. An unknown

force brought his eyelids down over his cloudy eyes, and

he saw his father, holding up the legendary golden crystal,

and sneering malevolently at it in his hands.

"He's using the golden crystal..." he uttered.

Serenity had long since felt her mother's crystal powering

up through their strong bond. She bit her lip and

turned back to their destination. Two separate domes of

silver and gold were rising into the sky, crackling

loudly above the screams and cries of death sounding

beneath them.

Suddenly, Endymion gripped his chest, doubling

over in pain. Serenity fell beside him, holding his

face steady in her shaking hands.

"Endymion? Endy?! Please talk to me!" Her voice

cracked over her sobs. Endymion's eyes were half

closed. Through the tiny slits she could see their

hollow and empty depths. Her cries grew louder, racking

her body harshly. She shook his shoulders once more,

trying to awake him from whatever subconcious sleep

he had entered.

"Pl-please..." Her head fell against his chest,

all feelings of hope dissipating within her.

Only a few hundred yards away King Damius was

basking in the drug of the golden crystal's power.

He focused more on his son's untapped powers and

unleashed them, transferring them into the crystal.

Serenity rocked back and forth, Edymion's limp

body moving with her in her arms.

'Use his light, Serenity.'

Her eyes snapped open, darting around rapidly,

searching for the voice. The ominous forest was all she saw.

She focused on Endymion's face--his mouth, the sharpness

of his features, his unseeing eyes, and the prominent

symbol of Earth upon his forehead. Her quaking fingertips

unclenched from his arms and as they came near, the

symbol flared and sizzled. She gulped, and her hand

hovered centimeters from his forehead.

Closing her eyes, she let them rest lightly upon

it. For a moment, she could hear and feel nothing. Her

only thoughts were of her prince. When her eyes cracked

open again, she was englufed in a silver shower of light.

She closed them tightly against the blinding light and

reached out her hands to find Endymion.

A brief feeling of flesh beneath her fingers

startled her, and she jumped back for a moment. Flinging

her hands out with more confidence, she gripped his arms

and trailed up to find his face. When she cupped her

hands around his soft cheeks, she felt the familiar

warmth of his hands on her own.

'Serenity.'

The light that enveloped them faded, and Serenity

opened her eyes. Endymion stared back at her, but through

him she could see the battlefield. She furrowed her brows

and squinted. He was translucent--a spirit.

"E-Endy?" She whispered, unbelieving.

He smiled softly and reached for her hand. She--not

knowing what else to do--met his hand halfway. Strangely,

they felt as warm as they always had. She did not understand.

She gazed at their hands and let out a startled cry.

She was translucent as well. A silver lining encased her

body, glittering softly.

'Shall we right their wrongs, Princess?' Endymion's

lips remained still, his voice sounding only in their minds.

She abandoned all questions concerning their diaphanous

state and offered him a smile in response. For the first

time she gazed around them, taking in the view. Beneath

them lay a sea of soldiers--their snarling and savage-

like faces, frozen in place. Four beams of orange, red,

green, and blue resided in mid-air, inches from their

targets.

Her mother and King Damius were each looking up at

them--he with a look of pure stupor, she, proud and

understanding. She nodded to her daughter, smiled at

Endymion and closed her eyes. A beam of light shot from

her hands and into Serenity's. Serenity cradled the

silver crystal gently.

Endymion looked at his father and decided to

take back what was rightfully his. Damius growled

with rage as the golden crystal zoomed from his grip

and into his son's.

'It is time for peace, Father.' Endymion

transmitted.

Damius' scowl softened slightly, and he looked

down.

Turning back to each other, Endymion and Serenity

threw their crystals into the sky, using their power of

love to guide it in its task. A colossal wave of

silver/gold light soared over them, encasing the

moon in a dome-like structure.

'Where to, Princess?' Endymion asked.

Serenity smiled and answered, 'To the future...

where they can begin anew.'

'I will find you again, Sere.' He vowed as his

energy was drained rapidly.

'And I will wait forever.'

Queen Serenity watched with tear-filled eyes as

her kingdom was transported from the moon and on to Earth.

Using the last of her powers, she put the young lovers

to rest and sent them off along with their kingdoms.

As her daughter faded from her sight, a tear fell

from her softened eyes. Flashing, it soared off into

space, where it would find its heir when the keepers

of time allowed.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Well...? Hate it, love it? Wanna banish me from the

art of writing? Tell me ALLLLL about it! :D

Be looking out for another of my literary masterpieces--

or something like that--in the works called "To Go Please"

and "Camp Kiwachee."

ja~

--Adrial

Adrial_06@yahoo.com