Author's Note: Ok first things first- Z is a wonderful editor, and I would like to thank her for all the work she has done. BUT- You should know, if this sucks, she didn't edit this chapter. Infact I am going on a trip at the end of the week and I'll be gone for a approximately one week- since I'm not sure if I can make it up to see her (she has a hard copy and does all her editing there, makes it really easy for me to put the corrections in, and lets see how long I can babble about nonsensical things you don't care about!) this week (its an hour drive there) before I leave, so I just read over my own chapter and made the corrections I saw. Further more, I am going to try and finish the rest of the chapters and get em up this week (I'll go back later and add her corrections) but I've got some 'hair projects' that will be taking up quit a bit of time, and there's packing and stuff, so we'll see. Otherwise I'll be back and hopefully have the next chapter up by Jan 20 at the latest.
I really appreciate ther reviews. I got a few comments on the 'budding relationship', I'm glad you like it, I was nervous that he was to much of an ass for anyone to forgive (espcecially since some of the first reviews only say how much of a horrible bastard he is- he's supposed to be! You're supposed to hate him! Hooray I've accomplished my goal in making you feel! :P) Um, can't think of anything else. I really hope you enjoy this snippet. Please read, review, and accept my thanks for your time. ^_^
Selenity's Chambers in the Castle of The Red Lady
Selenity lay quietly in her bed, hoping sleep would to conquer her overwhelmed mind. At the sound of a quiet knock, she startled and jumped. Curious, she quickly sat, and patiently watched the door. "Come in."
The door opened and Miniya's head poked around the corner. "Your Majesty?"
The older woman straightened her hair and nightgown, trying to be slightly more presentable she smiled gently. "Yes, my dear come in. How can I help you?"
Miniya grinned stepping around the corner. "The troops sent me into make sure you were decent." Seeing the older woman's confused look, she continued, "Ren has something she wanted to tell some of us. Endymion, Artemis and Luna, the Earth Generals, and the rest of the Senshi are waiting with her outside your door."
"She wanted to speak with me?" Hope resounding clearly through her words, and Mina could only bring herself to nod. Selenity's grin widened, tears of joy entering her eyes, as she raised her voice, "Then by all means all of you come in."
Miniya stepped fully into the room moving to one of the three chairs by the fire place. Makaila and Reilynn stepped into the room next taking the other two seats next to their leader. They were closely followed by Kunzite, Jedite, and Nephrite who walked over to the fireplace to stand behind the chair where their lady loves were seated. Ameya came next and took the chair infront of the desk that had been placed a four feet from the end of the bed. Zoicite came in at her side, holding her hand, as he stood by her side. Luna and Artemis followed next. Luna shuffled over to the corner opposite Selenity's bed, keeping her eyes diverted from the queen. Artemis trailed after her, holding his wife close to his side.
Endymion came in last, and it took the aged queen a moment to see her child folded into his arm, snuggling his chest. She looked to the others, searching for an explanation for the strange actions, but they seemed just as confused. Serenity made a quick movement, that looked like an escape effort, but was cut short as Endymion pushed the chamber door closed with his right hand, blocking the only exit. He slowly removed his left hand from her grasp, replacing it with his right, and moving his left arm to wrap around her body and hold her close. He leaned down, seemingly whispering something in the frightened girl's ear. Selenity stared in awe at the scarred child wondering what had brought the fierce warrior to cower in the arms of her enemy, and even more in wonder by the fact that her enemy held her so tenderly, almost lovingly. "I-" The girl blushed as her voice came out as a squeak.
The young prince starred down at the girl. With a gentle chuckle he began for her, "Serenity wanted to tell us her story. She felt that you, those closest to her, deserved to know. Would want to know. She is nervous of how we will react to her tale, but since she has found the courage to tell us, please wait until all is said and done to pass any judgments or ask any questions."
There was a simultaneous nod around the room. Serenity looked around the room making eye contact with the others from her place in Endymion's embrace. His arm tightened, and she seemed to draw strength from his hold, beginning again. "Seven years ago, after my queen informed me I was betrothed, I begged her to reconsider. I spoke with her a number of times to try and change her mind, but I had known for quite some time that she was not the woman who gave birth to me and that no argument would sway her. The bitter woman would force me to marry a monster for the sake of a contract." She gently shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Forcing me to do, the very thing she could not. And denying me the escape she herself found. I knew I could not run, I could not hide, the only escape I saw was death- and of course for a Lunarian suicide is never an option. So before we left Earth, I searched the shadows and found the one assassin who would do the job no one else would. I arranged for her to come kill me the night we returned to the Moon. In my own way, I said my goodbyes in my own way to each of you, my Senshi, to Luna and Artemis, and to my liege.
Ikuko- I mean the Red Lady appeared just before midnight, as I had requested. She was under the understanding that her mark would be in bed, and her employer would be present to pay her. I watched as she came through my balcony window. As she scanned the shadows, I sat up and called out to her. 'Are you looking for someone?'
She jumped, quickly turned to face me, and respond. 'I was. Who are you, child?'
'I am your employer.'
'Where is my mark?'
'I am also your mark. Your gold is in the bag on the nightstand. If that is not enough take any of the jewelry from the case on my bureau.'
She was confused, so I explained to her about my marriage. I explained how I had been commanded to be married with a smile. And I explained how, even with death she was the only option, as suicide is among the worst sins to commit while looking to the goddess Selene, for guidance.
So while spilling tears with me, she explained the true natured of the Red Lady assassins. You see, they have never actually killed purely for profit. They find a corrupt area, and taking care of the poisonous elements, they clean the mess and restore an area to how it should be. The people, the villagers- like Mol- always come first, they are always heard, and always looked out for.
The assassin may kill a duke or an earl, but only when there is no other option, and repentance fails. I wish I could explain it all better, its very complicated- as you can imagine, being the darkest shadow and still providing an area with the purest light- I-" Endymion's eyes closed, as he fought to center both Serenity and himself in the midst of all swirling emotions of fear and confusion. As Endymion opened his eyes again, Serenity found her voice again, and the other occupants of the room looked for the strangely comfortable- and slightly stranger yet still- couple. "She told me she had come out of curiosity, for she had heard many tales of the moon and myself and could not imagine who would want me dead. She went on to explain how the tittle and right of the Red Lady passed from one woman to the next. 'A woman needing an escape, a place to hide, a way to disappear is taken under the wing of the current Lady.' She was a villager, a wife and mother of a young boy. The men and children of her village were slaughtered by an angry Lord, who was later taken out by the previous Red Lady.
She told me all of this, and then asked me if I would consider taking up the position, become her apprentice.
I quietly made my way through the halls, to the center of the castle to where the crystal was held while royalty is staying in the castle. I knelt and I prayed for guidance from the goddess. Begging to be free from the Queen's tyranny, and the monstrosity she betrothed me to.
It felt like a matter of moments, though Ikuko assured me I was gone for more than an hour, when Selene answered my prayer. There was a flash from the Silver Crystal and I had my answers. The goddess released me from my duties to the kingdom of Moon and its reigning Queen. I felt changed, energized for the first time in ages.
Ikuko used some of my blood and a bit of magic to fake my death, and I left with her. She wanted me to be her apprentice, but even knowing the truth behind to Lady I could not resign myself to that fate. She insisted at least teaching me enough combat skills and alchemy to survive should something happen to her. I- Father never told you mother, but since I was five he had been having me train with the girls. I know all the fighting styles, from Mercury to Pluto. And of course my liege had been having me trained in alchemy and magic since I was four- It was strange I had been so eager to escape my life, I did not stop to consider what I was running to. Without Ikuko's training or apprenticeship, there was nothing for me to do. So I followed her on her missions, keeping an eye out for her making sure that nothing should anything happen and she kept a similar watch on me. I was with her three months when Duke Finnigan's assassination was ordered by his people. Ikuko told him she had been employed by a rival royal, who sought to usurp his position and to gain the support of the Duke's people by improving the living conditions, lowering taxes, and handing out food. She told him that if he could do this for his people and pay her the fee, she would take care of the problem. He agreed to her terms, and promised to meet her in Breetown. She had been set up before, I suppose I was the reason for her distraction. Whatever the reason, it was her Endymion almost caught. I noticed that there were more guards than usual when we entered the town, so when I saw her come running, I knew I had to protect her. Something in me flared, and before I knew it Ikuko was unconscious, I stole the mask and took off running.
You already know the story of my time with Endy- except for the minor detail of the language I was speaking. It is the language of the Anulta Gypsies. I learned the basics as well as a song during my first visit here to Earth, from my Lady in Waiting, Gwen- her family was one of few over the ages that chose to settle into the life of a consistent home." She looked up to Endymion's face to see him smiling encouragingly. "The girl I met with tonight, she works in your palace. She has been my friend since my first visit. Please do not think he a traitor, her intentions were always good and pure." Serenity turned her face from his back to the others in the room. "I'm a quick study, and learned much from her. It has served me often and well. First when I was in Endy's care, later when I stumbled into brigands and gypsies- But I am rushing ahead of myself.
After the gentlemen," She nodded her head indicating Endymion's guard. "Showed me to the deserted cottage in the woods- a place I had seen on my many walks with Ikuko," She looked to Kunzite. "You insisted on taking me home, and I could not think of another place that would be safe for both you and me. I-" She stopped shaking her head, clearing the line of thoughts and continuing. "Ikuko had made many arrangements for if something should happen to her, but nothing if something were to happen to me. So I began to search for her in the area I knew her to be guarding. It was during this search that I found Molly's village, and Thomas Hatchet." A tear leaked out of her left eye and made a slow trail down her cheek. "The only reason I entered the village was to buy some bread and wine so I could continue my search, when he pulled me aside. He-" Her voice caught in her throat and more tears began to trail down her cheek in a steady stream. "He was going to take me to the barn, he explained how the village was his and he would torture me longer the more I struggled." Her right hand came up to cover her eyes and her shame from her audience. "I had already suffered quit a bit under the hand of Endymion, I could not let this man do the same. So before my mind had time to conjure what the ramifications of my actions might be, I disarmed the knight. With his own blade at his throat, I told him I was the Red Lady, and doing my best to repeat things I have heard Ikuko say, I tell him that the village is mine, and should he continue to abuse his position there woull be consequences. I could not have him chasing me, so I pinned him to the ground by his ugh-" she blushed. "Well any how, I disappeared from the village quickly. And just as quickly word traveled of what I had done, and Ikuko found me in the next village. I returned here with her, demanding how such atrocious behavior could take place in a realm she was guarding. She explained that there were always those who were a cleaver kind of evil and manage to stay hidden. She went about her business, and I had finally found my own. I watched the village night and day.
It was only a month later when Hatchet- It was my fault," The guilt made her voice thick and the sobs made it heavy as it flowed through the room. "I was watching, and still he killed three before I could react. He- I got to the town in time to save Molly from that same fate- I finally understood what Ikuko was doing. What being a Red Lady truly meant. I took his life. I had tried to get him to repent, to repay the people for what he took- and – It is my fault those girls died, I knew it as I watched Hatchet's head roll on the ground. If I had just- I could – They would-" She broke down sobs fully shaking her body. Endymion pulled his hand out of her grip, so he could hold her with both arms, fully supporting her weight, as she struggled to support the weight of the world. His lips did not move, and he said nothing as he laid his head upon hers, trying to lift the weight of emotions from the small girl in his arms, struggling to keep tears from his own eyes.
The rest of the room watched restlessly for several minutes. Curious at the affectionate ministrations the dark prince bestowed on the mysterious princesses. After several moment he moved his head from hers, pulled back a fraction to wipe away the still constant stream of tears, and give her an encouraging smile. Red eyes, snotted, nose, she weakly returned the smile. He pulled a handkerchief from a pocket that was hidden between their bodies, and wiped away her dripping nose. She smiled at him before laying her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around him as he did her she drew the strength to continue. "The villagers were kind enough to forgive me for my transgressions. And when a new knight took up residence, I made it very clear to him that I protected these people.
After the death of Hatchet, I figured Endy had already punished me for donning the red mask, and as I had already committed murder, there really was no turning back. I became Ikuko's apprentice. After a few short months, she had nothing left to teach- much to her surprise- and I became the assassin. I could not- can not find it in myself to forgive my mistakes, and so I sought to take on the world. Stop the injustices like those I had found in Molly's village. Ikuko tried to tell me that as one woman I could only do so much, so I became many woman. I worked in Endy's castle, I traveled as a gypsy, I conversed as a peasant. It was a hard task and began to way heavily on me so over time I found help. Mol and the whole village were eager to assist, giving me every bit of gossip and truth they over heard. I found assistance in the Anulta Gypsies. It seems that since the beginning of the strange order of assassins the Anulta have assisted on and off, but several ladies back there was bad blood split, and I fixed the rift that ensued. Still there were other gypsy tribes, like the one dancing here tonight- they are the Werlt tribe, known mostly for their dancing." She glanced up to give Endymion a shy smile. "I also found brigands quite useful. They are not so bad, just ill-educated men who know nothing else. I give them food and a wage and they are as courageous, mighty, and talented- in their own right- as Endy's troops. And there were those I had assisted, such as Lord Callenforth. His brother had sought his death. Sadly I could not get Douglas, his brother, to see the error of his ways. With his brother's death Douglas hoped to gain a title, money, and people to tax into starvation. So in Aaron's place I took his life, knowing that if I did not Douglas would find someone else to kill his brother.
It was gratitude for his people and for himself that gave me Aaron's alliance and assistance. There are several other such as Lord Callenforth and other royals who simply seek forgiveness for the error of their previous ways. And with each assistant came new knowledge. The knight in Mol's village taught me the sword skills of the royalty of Earth. The brigands and gypsies have their own ways. Some brought new books. Some new alchemical theories. Over the past seven years what was a single lady grew into an organization, a kingdom of its own right." By now Serenity's tears had completely dried, and Endymion busied himself with clearing her face of all traces while she continued. "Little more than a year ago, a woman who would call herself Queen of Everything wished to employ the best of assassins. The whisper came to my ear quickly, and I arranged a meeting. She said she was Queen Beryl of the Negaverse." Serenity paused a moment and turned her gaze to the older Lunarian. "She told me that she served Metalia, the being -she claimed- responsible for The Great Solarian Disaster. She said her master was a great and powerful force, that she caused the malfunction in the first cooling unit, and over rode the controls in all the others so that they could not possibly correct the temperature in time to save the civilization. She said that her master was working on disrupting things here on Earth, and she was the cause of the unusual happenings in the north. She went on to tell me that she and her master were looking to control the entire Sol System, and while he master's methods proved effective, she, as queen, wanted civilians left to rule.
I convinced her they best way for her to ease into power was to kill all of you privately and send word back to your home planets that you had gone to peace meetings- a Dangnefedd Conference. Every major royal would attend and if we worked correctly, she as the only survivor could use that to her advantage to sway the masses.
She had me arrange everything. After every death she pays a fee, which changes with status. More for actual kings and queens than for princes and princesses. I tried to put off kidnapping you, hoping to find her base of operations. But she is using a subdeminsion, similar to the one we're in now, and as I found myself unable to locate her it became necessary. Its strange, at first I convinced myself that it would be nice to have your company, to see my old friends, but- You could not know who I was. I did not want to explain. I did not know where to begin. And- Its complicated. There is much more going on here than I can explain- even now." She sighed shaking her head. "Its not important. What is important is that I am getting close to finding that other dimension. Soon this whole mess will be done, and you can all go back to your lives."
Serenity looked around the room, but found herself unable to meet anyones eyes. Her own strength depleted, she found Endymion's was no longer enough to keep her in the room, that was beginning to feel to small. She stepped back from his embrace, purposely ignoring the hurt look on his face as she darted for the door behind him. Endymion stood his ground, blocking her way, determined to see her friends got a chance to speak with her. However Serenity was equally determined to flee. She spun quickly away from him dashing toward the wall between the end of the queen's bed and the desk were Ami and Zoi were sitting. The occupants of the room were startled as the wall swung open as a door and Serenity slipped into the hallway beyond. They remained shocked as Endymion's formed disappeared behind her just as the door slammed closed.
"What the fuck was that?" Kunzite said as he snapped out of shock.
"General! Watch your tongue, there are ladies present!" Luna scolded from her corner.
The interaction seemed to wake the rest of the room. "But he's right!" Mina argued. "What was that!?"
Rei shrugged. "It was Ren being Ren. She's still the same girl. I mean so she has killed a few people! It was always a last resort, and well, honestly she is still Ren so who fucking-"
"Reilyn!"
"Luna!" Rei rolled her eyes. "I was simply saying, she did what was necessary. Those men and women may not have gone to an official court, but they were tried by a different kind of judge and jury, they were given a chance to atone for their sins- At the core of it all it was Ren looking out for those who could not help themselves just like she has always done. Only, unfortunately, she has seen the harsher side of the world and with that she has had harder choices to make, tougher battles to fight, and a more difficult reality to face. Even through all that she still fights for what is right."
Mina rolled here eyes. "Well put, Rei, even if your first attempts were unlady like. However that was totally obvious! What I really want to know is what was going on between Ren and Endymion!? "
"His body language suggested that he was trying to protect her in accordance with the most primal of instincts."
Mako rolled her eyes. "Sure Ami! Not that I understood that." She grumbled the last part under her breath before continuing. "Did you see the way he held her?"
"Not just that! He did not let go of her once. The whole walk from the ball room he held her hand! And then here- even when he was shifting his hold on her some part of him was always touching her. Rei could you see the energy spark between them?"
"I- Yes. But that means-"
"It cannot be! A bond so deep so quickly?"
"Could the betro-"
"To force such a thing would..." She shook her head. "No one likes to be told what do to. Something like that would just-" She stopped shaking her head more.
Mako shook her head. "What are you two talking about?"
Rei opened her mouth and Mina cut her off with a look. "Nothing. There is nothing conclusive about our assumptions." She quickly stood up. "I am going to speak with my mother. Forget we said anything." Mina quickly stood and jogged from the room. Rei was immediately on her heels.
Those who remained looked around the room. "If the rest of you do not mind, I think I should like to get some rest now." The rest of the group nodded and began to file from the room. "Except you, Luna. Would you mind staying so we could have a word?" Luna shifted out of the line and back to her corner where she waited nervously. Artemis was the last one out the door and smiled at his wife encouragingly before closing the door. "You were entirely right."
Luna's head snapped up at the kind voice. "What?"
"You were entirely right. She is a beautiful woman." She paused closing her eyes to the pain in her chest. "You and Artemis lost so much when she died. I'm not sure I ever truly felt the pain, or really anything after Sol died. I-" She looked up to meet Luna in the eye. "You were entirely right. Reilyn is right. She grew up to be a beautiful woman with a courageous soul and a heart large enough to protect a world." She grinned. "She tries so hard to show everyone her tough callous exterior, but the girl being held in the arms of a loving boy- That was my child." She shook her head. "That was your child. Thank you so much, for everything you have done for her, everything you have done for me. But, mostly, thank you for helping my daughter become a woman that Sol would be proud of."
Underground Hallways Just After Serenity Bolted
"Serenity, stop!" Endymion pushed his speed as she disappeared around the corner, "Sere! Get your ass back here!" An extra push of strength and Endymion lept from his feet to catch the woman several feet in front of himself. As he grabbed her and they began to fall to the floor, Endymion shifted his weight so that she would land on top of him. "Gods damn you, woman!" He was overwhelmed with her fear, insecurity, and determination. He grunted as she wrestled with him, struggling to get out of his grip. "Just stop!" She continued to struggle when she was overwhelmed by a strange powerful emotion she knew was not her own. Before she could decipher exactly what it was and where it was directed, her hand brushed against something hard. Instantly she knew what the emotion was and she froze blushing. "What is the matter, Little Bunny? You were not nearly so shy earlier."
"I- I-"
"Are you done wrestling now?" She nodded. "And running from me?" She nodded. "Are you all right?" She nodded. "I'm going to let you go. You are not to run. Understand?" She nodded. His arms like iron bands slowly released her. She jumped from him as though she'd been burned, desperate to get away from him and the emotions stirring within him, only to realize that his emotions had stirred similar feelings in herself. He smiled form his position on the floor. "Now, I could ask why you ran from the room, but I already know that since I know what you felt. So lets try this, why did you run from me after you had escaped?"
She felt the feelings rush from her system to be replaced by an almost numb fear. "You- I-" She cleared her throat. "I confessed to all the crimes you accused me of. I am a manipulator, a kidnapper, and an assassin. I am guilty of many crimes against the Golden Kingdom."
He grinned at her, "I wonder if you had noticed, we are not in the Golden Kingdom."
She frowned, reached into thin air and pulled out two masks. She held out a black mask similar to the one he had used earlier. "Sub-space pocket. Very useful. Here put this on, please don the face of a peasant." Endymion watched her quizzically as she tied her own red mask around her face becoming A red haired green eyed servant in the uniform of the maid's of his own castle. Endymion's appearance became similar to hers as he was focused on her. Short red spiky hair, emerald green eyes, a younger body dressed as one of the stable hands. She reached to take his hand, but pulled back quickly almost as if she suddenly remembered the link they shared. "Please follow me." He nodded and followed her to the end of the hall to a door. She pulled a key out of her pocket, placing it in the lock, she turned the key, and then the nob. Endymion gasped as he followed Serenity through the door and into his private bed chambers in the Castle of the Golden Kingdom found at the edge of Elysian. He pulled the key from the lock and closed the door behind himself. She turned around to look to him, green eyes sad, her stranger's thin lips set in a frown, her face firm and serious with determination. "We are now in your home. This is your kingdom. I have committed so many crimes against the name of the king." She dropped to one knee to bow. "What is my punishment, My Liege?"
Endymion eyed her strangely. "I thought we covered this earlier, in my chambers. You-"
"We were in my kingdom. You had no authority there. And you forgave crimes that you did not know the full extent of. I-"
Endymion dropped to the floor and silenced Serenity with his lips. She melted into the kiss with a sigh. As she relaxed, he was reluctant to pull away but knew he must speak. "My Lady, tonight you confessed to actions I had thought crimes. You, like so many others these past few days, gave me insight into events I did not fully understand."
"I-"
He placed a finger to her lips, silencing her once more. "Do not interrupt your prince in his own palace." She nodded bewildered as their emotions mixed with in her- shock, confusion, and caring mixed with joy, understanding, and something stronger, stranger, and foreign. "Now that I fully understand, I would like to thank you for your service to this kingdom. It can be truly said, that this planet is a better place for the work you have done, the lives you have touched-both saved and taken. I do not believe that my people or I will ever be able to thank you enough for everything you have done."
Serenity starred at him in awe. After several minutes she slowly stood, "We should go."
Endymion shook his head. "No. There is one last thing I must do, while I have the authority." He opened his mouth to continue, but paused while he searched within himself for the words. Serenity smiled down at him, and held his face in her hands. Endymion immediately felt her confidence within himself and found his tongue once more. "I know your goddess has released you from all duties to your kingdom and queen, but I must do this for you. I, En-" She placed a gentle finger to his lips and he nodded in understanding, knowing she feared the witches eyes. "I, with all the power and rights of my tittle and station, release you from our parents contract. I formally denounce our betrothal, and would ask that you use this opportunity to find your true love as your mother and father wished."
Tears seeped from her eyes as she dropped to her knees and passionately kissed the man in front of her. "Thank you."
