AN: Sorry it has taken so long for this chapter to get done. I had grad school and work to deal with, but here it is finally. I probably won't have the next chapter to late May, but I will be slowly working on it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor to I have any money to sue for.

Darkness Rising

Devil's Den Tavern boasted to the fact that it lived up to its name. It was off the beaten path, an oasis for the Earth Kingdom's most notorious outlaws. Anyone with the least bit of decency avoided it like the plague. In a dim lit, back room of the tavern, three men dressed in dark cloaks set about a table discussing things in hushed tones.

"Gentlemen, it is time."

"My Lord?"

"Time, Toluene and Ricon, for lord Zipacna to return."

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Selene sat quietly while she studied the faces of the four other women in the room. She was waiting for one of them to speak. The outer guardians had sent her a message requesting an audience with her. Selene worried as she looked at the women before her, rarely did she see them and this urgent meeting did not bode well.

"Your Majesty," Neptune began. "My mirror is showing an unsettling increase in sunspots. The light being taken by dark spots is not a good omen."

Selene frowned. "Pluto, is there anything the timeline can tell us?"

"Events are proceeding as they should," the enigmatic guardian answered, which did nothing to assuage the queen's fears.

"Uranus, Neptune, I want both of you to stay on the moon until we know what we are dealing with."

Selene turned toward the youngest guardian. "Saturn, I would, also, like you to stay, but only was Hotaru. I am afraid in your Sailor Soldier state it would only arouse people's fears."

The four outer plant guardians left Selene to her thoughts. She bowed her head and prayed to the Great Goddess that would not see the darkness rise.

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In the dark room, three men continued to discuss their plans to overthrow Earth's Golden Kingdom. The men looked up with the sudden emergence of another cloaked figure. Long red hair was still visible despite the figures head being covered.

Lord Zipacna broke the silence, "Ah, Beryl, my sweet, glad you could join us."

"Sorry I am late, Papa," she replied.

"Now that you're here, Beryl, we can finalize the plans. As discussed before Toluene and I will go to Valor Palace. Beryl and Ricon will go to the mountain. We leave at dawn."

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King Midas paced restlessly in his study. The Golden Crystal was humming within his core, as a sign that all was not in harmony on Earth. In a recent communication, Queen Selene informed him that there were an increasing amount of dark spots on the sun. The unbalance on Earth and the darkness blotting out the Sun caused Midas to fear that the Dark One was gaining more power.

The fear had caused Midas to step up Endymion's training with the crystal. In fact, as he paced, he was waiting for Kunzite to return with his son. Endymion was progressing very well with the Golden Crystal. Midas was proud that his son was a natural with it. Endymion was quickly surpassing is father with his skill in handling it. Midas had no doubt that Endymion would be the most powerful owner of the Golden Crystal, yet.

The doors to the study creaked open.

"Endy…" Midas called as he turned to greet the person entering the study. To his surprise it was not his son, but a very unwelcome visitor. His eyes narrowed at the intruder.

"What are you doing here?"

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Kunzite found Endymion sitting on his balcony reading a letter.

"Prince," Kunzite called to him.

Endymion looked up, smiling, "Yes, Kunzite."

"Your father request your presents in his study for training."

While walking to the King's study, Kunzite watched his prince closely. Endymion had a hint of a smile still upon his lips. Kunzite did something he had never done before; let his curiosity get the best of him.

"What, in that letter, has put you in such a fine mood, Endy?"

Endymion grinned, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "It was from Serenity. She wrote of the planning her birthday, and how much she cannot wait until we can see each other again."

"The tiny Moon Princess had captured the mighty Prince of Earth's heart," Kunzite laughed.

"She is the one Kunz. Besides, I know that you and…" Endymion stopped midstride and clutched his chest. His blue orbs showed raw pain and fear which worried Kunzite.

"Something has happened to my father," Endymion gasped out.

"How do you know that, Prince?"

"The Golden Crystal just bonded with me and it would not do that unless something happened to him."

Both men took off in a sprint for the King's study.

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"Duke Pazcina," Midas spat out. "I banned you from here just weeks ago."

Pazcina smiled coldly at the King. "I came to finish what I started twenty years ago."

Midas' eyes widen in realization. "You are Lord Zipacna!"

The other man only nodded his head in confirmation. His eyes flickered to a spot behind Midas where his minion, Toluene appeared through a hidden door. Midas, realizing something was wrong, spun around just as Toluene thrust his sword. The sword pierced Midas' heart. As blood gurgled from his lips, he used his dying breaths to rid the Earth of Toluene's existence.

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Endymion and Kunzite arrived at the study to find Lord Zipacna standing over the King's body. Endymion's horrified eyes moved between his father's body and Zipacna processing everything. Kunzite's eyes sharpened on Zipacna, his hands already pulling his blade from its sheath.

"Father," Endymion rasped out.

Once Kunzite pulled the sword out, he lunged for Zipacna. For his part, Zipacna tried to stay the attack but soon found himself stumbling backwards under the platinum haired general's attack. Endymion was shaken out of his stunned grief. A red haze of anger filled the prince, and he joined the fray against Zipacna. With both Endymion and Kunzite bearing down upon him the evil lord fell to the floor, and Endymion was upon him quickly.

"For you crimes against the Golden Crown and the death of the King, your punishment is death to be carried out now." Endymion hissed as he sliced through Zipacna's throat.

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Selene sat in the library pouring over books on sunspots relationships with darkness. She paused rubbing her temples, trying to ward off the coming headache. That is how Luna found her, a worry frown marring her elegant features.

"Your Majesty," Luna inclined her head to the Moon Queen. "There is an urgent transmission for you from Earth."

Selene stood and indicated for Luna to lead the way.

"Luna was there any indication on what this is about?"

"No ma'am, just that it is extremely important."

Selene pulled up the telescreen and was surprised to see Endymion's General Zoicite. Taking a moment to compose herself before she began.

"General, what is the emergency?"

"Your Majesty, it is my regret to inform you that King Midas is dead."

Selene's eyes misted with unshed tears. She had to physically restrain herself from covering her mouth with her hands.

"How?" was all she could utter.

Zoicite relayed the story to the Queen. Selene's heart broke. She had just lost a good friend, and it proved that darkness was indeed rising.

"How is the prince fairing?" Selene carefully questioned Zoicite.

Zoicite averted his eyes with a tone of sorrow he replied. "He has not left his rooms."

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Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars rushed to their princess' room. Both sadden by the news they had to bring her. Each whispered their name and the door opened to Serenity's chambers. Inside Mercury and Mars found Serenity sitting on the floor with tears streaming down her face, and her hand clutched protectively over her heart.

"Princess, what's wrong?" Mercury asked, her blue eyes filled with worry.

Serenity looked at her friends, her crystal eyes filled with tears, "His heart hurts."

"Whose heart, Princess?" Mars questioned.

"Endymion. I have to go to him, something is very wrong."

Mercury's rational voice spoke up. "You know you cannot go to Earth now, especially without an escort."

Serenity's tiny hands caught Mars and Mercury's. "Please, Endy needs me, and escort me if you must, but please let me go to him."

"Ok Sere, but we must inform the Queen first," Mars responded to the heart break in her Princess' eyes.

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Endymion sat staring out the window without looking at anything. He was numb, and that is how Serenity found him. She rushed to him, and sat in front of him taking his large hands into her smaller ones. Endymion's head turned toward her, his eyes, at last, focusing on her petit form kneeling in front of him.

"How are you here?" He whispered, his voice laced with sorrow.

Serenity reached up her hands one cupping his cheek and the other resting above his heart. "I felt your pain, and knew you needed me."

He nodded and pulled her into his lap. They sat there for some time, her touch and love starting the healing process in his heart.

"Sere, my father is dead." Endymion finally managed to rasp out.

Serenity ran her fingers lovingly through his silky hair, and silently encouraged him to continue. He told her the whole story, his voice betraying his guilt at being unable to prevent his father's death. When he finished, he pulled her close caressing her back to sooth them both.

He whispered in her ear. "Stay with me tonight."

It could have been a command, but there was an unsure vulnerability that his eyes held. Serenity pulled back slightly from his chest and planted a small kiss upon his lips.

"You never have to ask Endy. I am always here for you."

At her response, he picked her up gently and carried her to his bed. Laying her down and climbing in next to her, he wrapped his arms securely about her waist. As he drifted off to sleep, he thought as long as he had his Serenity everything would be fine.

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In the dark night, two cloaked figures slipped through the forest, headed for a forbidden, unnamed mountain.