Forgive Me 2a/?
By Meredith Bronwen Mallory
Endymion carried his sleeping daughter back into the palace, his mind racing. Dia's earlier confession had shaken him to the core, and there was still much on his mind. Earlier he had been recalling the incident from Dia's childhood, which had been many years ago, and though traumatic, had been summarily forgotten. The passage of years had lulled Endymion into a false sense of security. He had not been prepared for had what happened the previous day. FOUR incidents, in one day, and all of them pointing to a certain conclusion Endymion was very afraid of.
Laying his eldest daughter beside his sleeping wife and second child, Endymion pulled the covers up around them and turned away, taking a seat in his favorite chair and attempting to sort everything out in his mind. He had not breathed a word of this to Serenity. He didn't want to say anything until he was absolutely sure....
Earlier that morning, he had been in the observatory, studying the recently discovered tenth planet of Nemesis Both he and Serenity knew, that with Chibi-Usa's fifth birthday, the events leading up to the Black Moon attack on Crystal Tokyo would speed up dramatically. Thus, the King had thought it best to prepare himself and know as much as possible about his enemies home planet. His dearest Serenity was doing her best to negotiate and divert the war, though they both knew it to be in vain. In fact, the emissaries from the Black Moon were supposed to arrive tonight for a diplomatic reception.
Some time during Endymion's long hours of staring into the telescope, Dia and Chibi-Usa had run into the Observatory, chattering on about this, that and some such nonsense. The King had been happy to have his daughters keep him company, and listened amiably to their chatter as he continued to take his readings. Eventually, Chibi-Usa, who always had to be on the move, got bored of sitting around and talking, so, Luna P trailing behind her, the little girl had scampered off to find Jupiter's son. Dia remained there silently, watching her father work. Eventually though, she spoke.
"Papa," she asked, "What are you doing?"
Endymion turned from his work to look his little girl in the eye, "I'm studying a planet," he explained, "I'm trying to figure it out."
"What's wrong with it?" Dia asked.
"Huh?"
"The planet, what's wrong with it?" The King was startled. He and Serenity had been very careful to keep their conversations about the Black Moon FAR away from their children. How did Dia know there was something wrong with Nemesis?
"We're not really sure, pumpkin," he responded gently. Dia nodded, eyes faraway and thoughtful.
"Can I look at it? Please?" she asked. Figuring that it couldn't do much harm to let her look at it, Endymion had lifted her up to the lens and allowed Dia a first had view of the planet. A small gasp escaped Dia's lips, and her posture became rigged. Fearful, Endymion had started to lift her down, but she wouldn't let him. Instead she stared into the lens, unmoving, barely breathing.
"Kami-sama," she said, her voice distant, "That's it... that's home." Endymion was shocked to say the least.
"Wha? Sweetpie, your home is here, in Crystal Tokyo," he said gently.
"No, not *now*," Dia sounded disgusted, "It was home back *before*. I remember it. It's cold there, really cold, and it's always raining ash. There aren't many flowers, and they only have one kind there. The sky is brown and the ground is black. There isn't any grass or stuff like that, just rock. That's where she died." The King's mind was reeling. How could Dia, a seven year old, know the specifics of what Nemesis was like? Of course, everything she said was true... and that scared him. 'She died?', who was Dia talking about?
"Who died?" he asked, half fearing the answer.
"The girl I was in love with before I loved the one that was a Queen," Dia said matter-of-factly.
"Why would you love a girl?" was the first thing that popped out of Endymion's mouth, though he didn't mean for it to sound so prejudiced. Everyone accepted the fact that Haruka and Michiru were a couple, even the children recognized it, but it was another thing entirely for him to hear something like that out of his daughter.
"Not *now*," Dia repeated, "back *before*. Back when I was a boy." Several minutes passed in silence. The King's world had been completely rocked. But then he felt Dia's body relax, and a giggle echoed in the large room.
"You can put me down now, Papa," Dia said impishly. Still reeling, the monarch had complied, watching mutely as Dia hugged his leg and scampered off, calling out something about going to the gardens. It was several minutes before the King managed to regain his composure, but he still couldn't figure it out.
He questioned Dia about it later at lunch, even going so far as to take her out on a picnic with just the two of them, in hopes that she would open up to him. But the girl wanted no part of it, and went on chattering about the new flowers she'd planted. More than willing to pass it off as a fluke, Endymion had let it go, merely taking the time to enjoy his eldest daughter's company.
But the day was not over yet, and neither where the strange incidents. Since Chibi-Usa had felt left out about not being able to go on the picnic with Dia and Endymion, Serenity had taken their youngest daughter out for a special treat. The Senshi were all out training, and the other children had yet to finish their lessons. This left one very bored Dia wandering the halls aimlessly, looking for something to do. Eventually, she made her way into her father's study. At that moment, Endymion was studying the profile of Prince Demando of the Black Moon, sizing up his advisary, who would be at the reception that night. Dia had come in, pouting because she had no one to play with, and stood looking over her father's shoulder. Endymion had been startled when he saw his daughter's image reflected by the veiwscreen, for it overlapped almost seamlessly with that of Prince Demando.
"What are you doing?" Dia asked innocently.
"I'm studying up for the reception tonight, pumpkin," Endymion responded.
"He did bad things," Dia said solemnly The King turned around to look at his daughter, who was staring fixedly at the image of Demando on the screen, something unreadable in her eyes. She raised her hand to her forehead, touching the delicate crescent moon that rested there. How could she possibly know who Demando was?
"What makes you think that, Dia?" he asked, almost wishing he hadn't.
"I know. I was there. He did real bad things." Dia insisted stubbornly, "But if he did real bad things, why did she tell him it would be all right and he could be happy again like Beruche and Petz and all them? And if he did real bad things, why did she hold his hand? Maybe, maybe she just has a really big heart and can forgive anyone. Of course she has a big heart, she's Sailor Moon..." Dia turned away, walking towards the door and mumbling to herself in a far-off, strange voice that did NOT belong to Endymion's little girl. The King stared after her, slack jawed. There was no way she could know about the Four Sisters, or their healings. The bedtime stories he had told to Dia and Chibi-Usa were harmless tales of Sailor Moon's first battles against Queen Metalia. and the Negaverse, not anything that would affect the children directly! Endymion turned back to the screen, his soul staking inside his body. His eyes met with the image of Demando, known as the White Prince. White hair, pale skin, violet eyes. Looking away from the screen, his gaze caught on a picture of Serenity and Dia, taken a few years before Chibi-Usa was born. The King gazed at the image of his eldest daughter. The White Princess, with white hair, pale skin, violet eyes. He felt as though he might be ill as he slammed his fist on the desk. IT COULD NOT *BE*!
"Muffin?" Serenity's voice asked from the threshold, "Is something the matter?" A great sense of relief flooded through Endymion at the sound of his wife's soothing voice. But that relief turned to alarm when he faced her. She stood in the doorway, Chibi-Usa's hand clasped in her left, and Dia situated comfortably in her arms. The little princess had her arms loosely tied about her mother's neck, her head resting contentedly on Serenity's shoulder. It was from this perch that the girl eyed Endymion with an air of victory and threat. The King knew in an instant that it was not his daughter's gaze he met. The *thing* in Dia's body smiled at him sweetly, and then the moment was gone, and it was his daughter who rested wearily against he mother, energy spent.
"Endymion?" Serenity asked worriedly. He shook his head to clear it.
"I'm sorry, Odango, I was just... thinking about something," he said, "So tell me, what can I do for you three lovely ladies?" Chibi-Usa and Dia giggled while Serenity merely flashed her husband a flirting smile.
"Isn't it about time for us to get ready?" the Queen asked, "The reception starts in an hour." Endymion sighed, ah, yes the reception. Serenity gave him a knowing smile, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. They walked down the hall together, Dia still in Serenity's arms and Chibi-Usa trailing behind. Endymion had a feeling this would be a very LONG night.
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The Negotiations were loosing their appeal.
Serenity and Endymion sat at the head of the table, four Senshi on either side, facing the Royal Family of the Black Moon, and the Four Sisters. The Inners did their best to be polite, but only the four sisters seemed even half way receptive. The Outers obviously had no patience what so ever, even Pluto, but they did their best to conceal it. Demando sat in the middle of his party, staring lustfully at Serenity during pauses in conversation and making NO attempt to hide it. Endymion shot him SEVERAL warning glances, but they were ignored. Esmerude clutched her red fan, pea green with jealousy as she watched Demando watch Serenity. Rubues made no attempt to hide the fact he despised everyone of them, and Saffir looked on indifferently. The Four sisters glanced apologetically at the Inner Senshi. The Neo-Queen grew pale and silence fell once more. Saturn excused herself.
The Negotiations were not going well.
Demando stated his requirements for the treaty, and it was obvious even he knew they were ridiculous. Serenity made every attempt to compromise, but none of them would have it. Demando continued to devour Serenity with his gaze. Esmerude looked as though she was barely restraining herself from hitting something, most likely the Neo-Queen. Rubeus and Uranus held a starring contest over a bowl of soup, and Saffir yawned rudely. The Four Sisters sweatdropped. The Inner Senshi glanced amongst themselves worriedly as the color fled from Serenity's face. The Neo-Queen began to look pale, and Endymion held her hand under the table. This did not go unnoticed by the White Prince, who looked as though he was barely restraining himself from blasting something, most likely the King. Silence ensued as Pluto excused herself.
The Negotiations were going down hill fast.
Endymion and Demando shot each other looks of hatred as the Neo-Queen kept a death grip on her husband's hand. Under the table, Saffir's hand was physically restraining Esmerude from attacking Serenity with her fan, all the while looking very bored. Uranus held Neptune's hand in an attempt to calm herself as she and Rubues continued their silent war. The Inner Senshi sweat dropped while the Four Sisters glanced worriedly from monarch to monarch.
The Negotiations were becoming a nightmare.
Demando undressed the Neo-Queen with his eyes. If the White Prince did that ONE more time, Endymion swore to himself, he was going take him outside and let him have it. Serenity was as white as the dress she wore. Venus and Mars glared at Demando angrily as they glanced between him and their Queen. Mercury inquired at least three times if Serenity was feeling all right. Jupiter pushed her food around her plate as she mumbled curses under her breath, hand clutching a napkin that was scrunched up beyond recognition. Cooan and Calaveras raised their eyes to the heavens, pleading. Beruche looked at the Neo-Queen in concern, her gaze shifting between the monarch and Prince Demando. Petz put her elbow on the table and rubbed her temples. Neptune excused herself and all but drug Uranus from the room. For her part, the Senshi of wind looked ready to pounce on Rubues and strangle him. Esmerude threw her fan down and stormed from the room, quickly followed by Saffir, and then Petz.
The Negotiations were a disaster.