Ok, I am now waking up very early to ensure I get my chapters out. I believe I may have developed a problem. Haha. Here is the next chapter, I hope it isn't too much of a cliff hanger. =) I'm hoping to have two out by tonight... We are getting closer to the end.
DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon belongs to Taoko Nakeuchi. I salute her, for it is her story that inspired me to write my own stories.
Well, if you loved it or liked it or even hated it WRITE me.
Never Ending Love
by Dannika
Chapter Eight
Mina went to her mistress's side and leaned in, "How long are we to stay here my princess? They will find that we are missing soon enough."
"I am not sure I am going back. I will not speak for you, but this is my choice. I cannot be married to someone else when I am in love with Endymion."
"Serenity, what do you suppose we do if we get caught? They are humans and our laws are absolute." She touched her shoulder in comfort.
"I do not care Mina, I am tired of my life being planned by others. For once I want to do something that I want to do. Something purely selfish." Serenity looked determined.
"I hope you know what you are doing. Humans are dangerous, and I will not leave you here unprotected. I will stay with you." Serenity hugged Mina.
"And what, pray tell, are we? We protect our own." Malachite said getting a little offended. "that symbol that you wear around your neck, and the one stamped on your vest, It's the Symbol of Aphrodite and Venus isn't it?"
"Yes," Mina said suddenly shy. "My father is the king of Venus and Aphrodite's heir, they call him cupid. My mother is a descendent of Selene. She is Queen Serenity's cousin." She explained.
"You are not from Earth, But you look just like a human?" Malachite was confused.
"No. I am the Princess of Venus. I was born there. We look like you, because we all have a common ancestor, Oranos. You come from the mortal offspring. He had imprisoned your kind, we were charged as your protectors." Mina explained. He was entranced by her story.
They started to speak like old friends, the barriers were dropped and Mina forgot all about the fact that she was a god, and he was a human.
They went back to the wood cutter's cottage. Both couples completely distracted by their conversations that they were unaware someone wait for them on the front steps of the cottage.
"Hello, my darling prince." Terra's lady in waiting, Beryl said cheerfully. "I came to.." She stopped abruptly when she saw Serenity, giving her a menacing look.
"What are you doing here, my lady?" Endymion asked dryly.
"Tsk, tsk. You should not be so rude to your future wife." Beryl said making
sure it was aimed at Serenity.
"You have got to be joking. You are not of royal descent. I cannot believe that my parents would support this." Endymion said.
"You may believe what you like, but the arrangements have been made." Beryl said simply.
"I will go to my parents, I do not believe you." Endymion said. "So, please remove yourself from my presence!"
Her smile became a menacing look and she raised her head turning, and stormed out of the clearing to her horse and rode off.
Serenity stared wide eyed at Endymion. "You are engaged?"
"No, I am not." Endymion said. "She's just a witch who fancies a crown, pay no mind to what she says." hey put his arms around Serenity, "I love you, I will love no one but you for as long as I live. Even if I parish, I will love you then." He leaned down and captured her lips in a soft, reassuring kiss thoroughly ending the conversation.
"Serenity, I hate interrupt this, but I should probably find some clothing and change." Mina said. "It is pretty obvious by my attire that I do not belong here."
"We can head to my hunting lodge, My sister should have some clothing there that would probably fit you." Endymion offered.
They made their way to the now empty lodge. Mina traded her warrior attire for riding out fit of breaches and a long coat and boots.
"Is there a plan? Where are we to go?" Mina asked. "I have never been on this planet before, I would love to see some of the sights." She looked at Serenity, then Malachite.
"There is a quant town nearby that may not recognize Endymion, Though I must point out highness, that it could be a security risk." Malachite said.
"We have been there before. There is an inn there that we met at frequently. No one there knows Endymion. They know us as Darien and Serena. Shall we take them to our spot my love?" Serenity looked up at Endymion and smile with the memories. Grabbing Mina's hand, she began to walk towards the little town.
"She is so beautiful. Truly a goddess of the heart." Malachite sighed watching Mina. Endymion nudged his friend and the followed the girls.
Reaching the edge of the small town Mina started to ask questions, "What is this 'inn' that you traveled to?" Strange music and loud noises were coming from inside the small building.
"It is where we would meet sometimes and have food and talk. We spent a lot of time here." Endymion smiled a secret smile to Serenity.
"Don't you not have inns where you are from?" Malachite asked.
"Well, actually, yes we do. But we do not spend time in them. Serenity would be accosted by people wanting her blessing. It would not be safe." Mina said walking in.
She looked around. Some of the men stopped and stared at the two girls.
One of the rowdy men walked up to them stopping in front of Serenity.
"Well what do we have here? Are you lost, pretty lady?" He said staring boldly at Serenity. "Would you care to have some fun? Me and my boys are quite friendly."
"I am sorry sir..." Serenity started to say, but the man grabbed her in midsentence and tried to pull her away. Before Endymion or Malachite had the time to react, Mina
grabbed the man roughly and threw him away from the princess. The two men
stared at her shocked for she had thrown him clearly across the room, without even a slight discomfort.
Mina wiped off her hands and gave a look of disgust. Glancing around the room she noticed the festivities had stopped, and people were staring. Malachite grabbed her by the arm and escorted her out of the building.
"Would you care to explain what that was, my lady?" He did not sound amused.
Mina shrugged her shoulders, "He touched my princess without her consent. I did not hurt him badly. I simply removed him from her immediate circle."
"That's not..." Malachite started, a bit frustrated with her flippancy. "People do not just do that kind of thing."
"You act like they have never seen a warrior do that before. Is it not your place to protect your prince? Would you have done something differently?" She was curiously staring back at him.
"People do not just do that." Malachite repeated, then sighed. "Humans do not throw people clear across rooms. Not even the strongest warriors have that amount of strength. You must be careful." He looked into her eyes. He was worried about her, she could see it in the way he stared at her.
She smiled at him, "So how is it 'humans' defend themselves?" She said the word carefully and deliberately.
"Well, we use swords." Malachite explained.
"We use swords as well." Serenity said. "All the Imperial Soldiers are required to carry them. They are imbued with the power of gods and crackle like lightening."
"Our swords do not have that type of power." Endymion laughed.
"Maybe we should head back to the cottage and find some other way to amuse ourselves." Malachite suggested while some of the people started to follow them outside.
* On The Sun*
"Prince Tranquility." Lucian said rushing in to the prince's study. "Have you heard the news from the Moon?"
"About the attack?" Tranquility raised an eyebrow to the young knight.
"Yes, My lord. Perhaps we should offer our help."
"I am sure they have it completely under control." Tranquility sighed then looked at the young man's hopeful eyes. all of these young men, who have never seen real war, they all itch for a battle of their own. "I suppose it would give me an opportunity to see my sisters and check on their welfare."
"I have been meaning to ask this for years sire," Lucian started. "When you disappeared with the princess... You had acted like you were hurt when you arrived back at the palace..."
Tranquility looked confused, then the memory dawned on him and he frowned, "Oh, that. Yes, well I had falling from my horse and bruised my shoulder, it was nothing of consequence."
"Why did you not take one of us as an escort, or tell anyone of the injury when you returned?" Tranquility was never a good liar, and even worse when it was to someone he cared for like a brother.
"Well...it was nothing serious...I fell... truly it was embarrassing. you know I am an excellent rider. And you know how my mother is, she is constantly worrying over her children." Tranquility smiled.
"Alright." Lucian seemed a little wary.
"I must return to my duties. I shall see you when we leave Lucian." Tranquility dismissed him and tried to go back to his work, but could not concentrate after that.
Lucian joined the other knights of Sol in the training room.
"Are we to go to the moon then Lucian?" The youngest, Duncan asked excitedly.
"Yes, it seems we will get our chance at a fight. But there is something bothering me about what our king has told me. I asked him about the time he left the palace unescorted with the princess. He told me that he had fallen from his horse, and that is how he hurt his shoulder. I don't think that was what actually happened." Lucian contemplated.
"If he says that was what it was, I am sure that is how it happened." Logan responded. "Why would he lie?"
"I do not know. It is all still very confusing."
A man walked in, stopping the conversation, "Hello Hades." Lucian said. "What can we do for you?"
"I came my lord Tranquility. I must speak with him." Hades looked around the room.
"He is in his study. Though he does not want to be disturbed currently." Lucian offered, but Hades was already out of the room and down the hall.
*On The Earth*
"The moon is so beautiful from here." Serenity sighed. Her head was leaned
against Endymion's and his arms were wrapped around her protectively.
"What's it like there?" She looked like child as she stared at the moon. Endymion loved her like this, his beautiful free goddess.
"Oh, it is just lovely. It is covered in a beautiful silver and white. They say it is the gateway to Elysium."
"Everything is sliver and white?" Endymion was shocked.
"Yes. All of our flowers, trees, buildings... It is quite breath taking."
"I should have guessed that the most beautiful angel would come from a beautiful, peaceful paradise." Endymion whispered down at Serenity and head.
Serenity blushed slightly. She turned her face to kiss him but was interrupted loud bickering.
"You really think that you can win in a fight against me human?." Mina haughtily shook her head.
"I never Said that I would win, but I do think that I could handle my own against you." Malachite was turning red. He was the Prince's captain and the general of the prince's armies.
"I am the princess of Venus, Aphrodite's heir," Mina said her temper with him rising, and the captain the princess's Royal Guard."
"Then prove it my lady..." Malachite started to taunt her.
Mina did not let him finish. She threw him across the room and moved to stand over him laughing. He stood up and attacked her. She dodged him easily. It seemed like every move he made she could block or counter his.
"I think you forgot about what she did back at the inn to protect Sere." Endymion
chuckled.
"How did you learn those moves?" Malachite asked.
"I have trained my entire life with the other Royal Guards. But a few of them Felix taught me and some from the other Knights of Sol..." She started explaining.
"Felix? Other Knights?" Malachite asked suddenly sounding jealous.
"They have trained my sister her whole life and have shown me how to protect myself." Serenity said. "As well as my Guards."
"How many guards do you have?" Malachite asked.
"Four," Serenity said. "Venus the heir to Aphrodite's power, Mars the Daughter of Ares, Jupiter, who is Zeus's heir and Athena's daughter, Mercury."
"There's people on those planets too?" Endymion asked.
"Of course there are. When the gods were banished, Zeus allowed them to chose a new world that each could have dominion over. Over thousands of years our numbers have increased and we now reign over the planets that were chosen." Mina explained to them.
"Where is Terra, and the others?" Serenity asked about the rest of Endymion's guards.
"They have returned to the palace with my sister. We were closing up the hunting lodge when you found us."
"Well I supposed I shall seek my bed. Would you like me to show you to your room, my lady?" Malachite offered Mina his arm. She took the offered arm with one quick look at her mistress she left the room.
Endymion kissed Serenity as he lifted her up in to his arms. "Shall I take you to your room my princess?" He had a knowing smile.
"I would be delighted my prince." Serenity said giving him a seductive smile.
*On The Moon*
"My princess, have you considered the offer from the Prince of Circinus?" Solora asked Celestia as they walked down the long hallway.
"No," Celestia sighed. "All of these...men, wanting to court me. I do not feel a fondness towards any of them."
"Are you still thinking about...him?" She looked over at her young mistress, sympathy showing in her eyes.
"Yes," Celestia almost moaned. "I cannot help but wonder what happened to him after
he left Tranquility's service."
"The red eyed man that has been captured by the palace guards, what do you make of it? Could it be the same people that attacked you and Serenity on that god forsaken planet? Perhaps they followed you here."
"The thought had crossed my mind. I do not like it. The catch was too easy." Celestia responded. " You should have seen them attack us on Earth, They attacked in a group, and were very strong, even for me."
"Do you suppose it was a ploy, Maybe whoever is behind these new beings, they are planning something bigger?" Solora contemplated.
"I do not know. That is always a possibility. I believe I shall rest before dinner Solora, you may seek out Luna and see if she requires your assistance."
Solora nodded and turned down the hall but stopped when she heard a muffled cry, "Princess?!" She yelled through the door. "Celestia, open the door!" She was beginning to panic. Solora backed away from the door and lifted her leg to kick it open. The door flew off its hinges and landed on the wall opposite of it. Celestia was gone. It had only a brief minute that she had turned around. How could the princess disappear so quickly?
Guards filled the hallway and filed in to the private chamber of Princess Celestia.
"I must inform the Queen. You there," Solora pointed at one of the guards, "Look for anything that might lead us to the princess! Do it fast!"
Solora ran through the hall and in to the throne room where Queen Serenity was interrogating the hooded man with red glowing eyes. The Royal guards and a few palace guards were surrounding her.
"My queen, something has happened to Celestia." Solora yelled, not waiting to be announced.
"What has happened?" Queen Serenity asked standing from her throne.
"Celestia, she is...GONE!"
"Find her. Now!" Queen Serenity cried to everyone in the room. "I want every soldier in palace searching for her." She slowly sat back on her throne when the man in front of her began to laugh before collapsing in to a pile of black ash.
Queen Serenity looks up at the remaining guards, "Where is Serenity?"
