Disclaimer: I do not own Bishoujo Senshi SailorMoon (BSSM aka SailorMoon). It is owned and copyright to Takeuchi Naoko & all other affiliations. I'm just borrowing the characters, as you can plainly see. If anyone else says otherwise evil vicious bunnies of the moon will devour your wretched soul. Enjoy! – SailorCreative
Heart Untouched,
A Different Usagi
By SailorCreative
Act X
I Promise
…………
A/N: Sorry for all the grammar mistakes in the earlier update! It seems like Microsoft is out to destroy my writing! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the final chapter, everyone! It's kind of slow in the beginning, but I promise (no pun intended) that it's worth it!
…………
"I'll keep my promise. I'll return and set you free."
Her heart banged against her chest.
'Say something. Say anything!' her mind chanted, but her lips couldn't move. She couldn't find the words to say.
"Goodbye."
'Please don't say you're sorry…'
Serenity's sapphire orbs followed him as he left, his cape billowing in the end. 'I'm the one… who should be sorry.'
In a daze, she bolted out of the palace and ran to the steps. Before she had any say in what happened next, she watched as Endymion and his court left the kingdom. Without realizing what she was doing she ran down the steps and across the green field as she watched them go.
'I… I wanted to say goodbye… but I didn't want to say goodbye!' She thought miserably. Her knees buckled underneath her and she plummeted to the ground.
'Will I ever see him again…' her body seemed to wilt like a flower. 'And if I do… will he still keep his promise to me?'
…………
Her heart clenched once more as she recalled that day. The feeling and the memories just wouldn't go away. She couldn't stand the pain, but there was nothing she could do about it. He was gone. He would keep his promise.
"Do you understand now?"
Serenity sat politely with her hands clasped together on her lap. She couldn't pay attention to what her tutor was saying, even on a normal day. Then again, what was normal for a Moon Princess anyways? Her glazed, sapphire eyes looked up at the old, balding man in front of her trying to explain calculus to Makoto. He looked exasperated as the brunette struggled to obtain the correct answers.
"Math never really was her strong suit," she heard the Martian whisper to the blonde sitting next her. They both giggled quietly together. Like clockwork, Amy would offer to help tutor Makoto a few minutes later. Combined, it still took the two of them a few minutes to explain it. Serenity just sighed and looked back out the window.
Many months had passed since Endymion left, and she couldn't sleep. The Moon Palace had never changed, even when war was going on in other kingdoms. They were neutral, and chose to be that way for a reason. The Moon didn't even have a large military to speak of compared to other planets. As far as she knew, the war being waged on Earth was going badly. Loyal supporters turned their backs on the Earth Kingdom, and the Dark Kingdom's forces ranged from their Dark Generals to petty thieves. By the time the Prince and his generals have returned to their homeland, most of the kingdom had been engulfed by the dark forces and many lives had been taken. Earth was bathed in blood, and many innocents were lost.
'Nothing will happen here, right? Mother has the Silver Crystal… We'll be safe as long as she and the senshi are still alive to protect the Moon.' These were the only words she could tell herself when she got nervous about her own kingdom's wellbeing.
Serenity looked back at the professor, who was putting away his books that were on the desk. Their history teacher would be coming in soon after their 10 minute break. Suddenly the din that was in the room slowly made itself known as the senshi chatted with each other. Everyone was talking about the war, like always.
"The Earth Kingdom's last fort has gone down… There's nothing left to protect the castle itself from being captured!" she heard Minako tell the others.
"Why isn't Mars sending any troops to Earth?" asked Makoto. She put her pencil down.
"Mars already sent more than enough. We have our own problems to think of too. If Earth is meant to be lost to the enemy, there's nothing else we can do. We can't let two planets go down."
"That's an awful thing to say!" Makoto interjected.
"What else do you want me to say? It's the truth!"
"Please stop fighting," Amy asked quietly yet sternly. "As long as the castle stands, it's not over for them yet."
Rei leaned into her chair and shrugged. "You have a point."
Serenity rested her chin on her hand, pretending not to care as she listened. They never liked it when she "butted into their conversations" as Rei put it. It was better if she remained silent.
"What else have you heard Minako?" Amy asked.
"The four generals that were here, the ones in Prince Endymion's court… have gone missing. No one knows where they have gone. Their orders strictly say to always be beside him, but they aren't anywhere. Some people suspect that they're on a secret mission, but nothing's confirmed."
"Is that another rumor, or is it a fact?"
"Fact, definitely. It was in their daily chronicle."
"The one you have delivered to your room every day?"
Serenity sat up straight as she reached for her history book. 'His generals are missing…? I wonder what that means?' Her eyebrows were raised in concern. 'They're his most loyal and trusting generals… But… even the most loyal have betrayed the Earth Kingdom.'
Her eyes flicked up as their history tutor walked in. The other girls instantly fell silent and stood up to pay their respects.
"Good Morning, teacher!" they all said in unison.
"Good Morning, ladies. Good Morning, Princess Serenity."
"Good Morning, teacher," replied Serenity.
'Do they always have to address me separately?'
The woman dropped her heavy books on the desk and started to scribble on the board behind her.
"You may be seated."
…………
As soon as their studies were over, Serenity grabbed her books and started walking to her room.
"Princess!"
She sighed and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face and turned around. The four senshi stood there. Minako was in front of them.
"Yes?" she asked flippantly. She mentally prepared herself and stood there like a statue awaiting orders.
"Have you heard anything from Prince Endymion?" asked Minako.
Serenity's temper started to boil already. "No. Why would he tell me anything?"
'She has the nerve…to ask me such a thing?'
"We were just wondering. The daily chronicle never says anything about him or his whereabouts, for obvious reasons. We figured that if anything you might know something," explained Makoto. She rested a hand on her hip. Serenity just rolled her eyes.
"You know me, I don't care about him much less what you think. I'll be going now."
"Princess!"
"Yes?"
The Martian's amethyst eyes blazed wildly as she crossed her arms in front of her. "He doesn't deserve you, you know. Even after everything, he still loved you, and you treated him like trash! You treated him like he didn't deserve to live!! If he dies-"
"Then… he dies," Serenity finished. Her voice was soft, but distant.
Tears started to fall from the corner of Rei's eyes.
"Don't you care?!" she shrieked, her hands forming into fists.
"I promised myself I wouldn't, a long time ago."
Makoto rested a hand on Rei's quivering shoulder. "Princess Serenity…" she began slowly. "Any respect that I might've had left for you, you've killed it."
'Just like you've killed everything else.'
Serenity could only smile her signature grin. It was what was expected of her. She looked straight into her eyes as if to say 'I know'.
Minako looked between her fellow senshi and then back at the princess.
"Serenity… what happened?"
The Moon Princess had already turned her back and started walking back to her room by then. The lost words fell and were forgotten, but not truly unremembered. In reality, Serenity knew all too well what happened, but she couldn't explain it herself. There wasn't an excuse in the world she could give.
The all-too-familiar oak doors appeared to her in the empty, dark hallway she found herself in. She pushed the doors opened. She then rested her numerous, old texts onto a shelf already stuffed with books that were rarely opened. A soft breeze found itself swimming through the room until she closed all of her windows shut. The skies were cloudy, and the meadows clearly reflected the monochromatic clouds drifting above. The hills were dark, anxious to drink in the rain that would surely come.
Her long, creamy legs then carried themselves to her porcelain bathroom. There were corals, pearls and moon-shaped decorative pieces along the edges of the mirror and bathtub. The entire room resembled both the moon and the ocean. She started the water, which filled up the large round bathtub. She then released numerous flower-scented soaps into the water that bubbled underneath. Serenity inhaled the lovely scent and locked the door behind her. As soon as she undressed herself and put her clothes into the hamper, she stepped into the relaxing water. For the longest time, she listened to the soothing sound of the water splashing against the bottom of the tub and the water underneath it. It was almost like listening to a waterfall that stood next to a meadow. It was intoxicating.
She undid her typical twin buns and let her hair fall onto her shoulders. Before the bathwater dared to fall over the sides of the enormous tub, she turned it off and submerged herself. The warmth was inviting, but soon she had to surface for air. She took in a deep breath before doing this again several times.
'Maybe… I should drown myself?' She shuddered, but at the same time it was a welcomed thought. Her heart began pounding loudly in her chest as her lungs begged for air.
"Waugh…"
Serenity moved her wet bangs away from her face and sat up. She hugged her knees and rested her head on them. The only thing she could hear now was the blood rushing to her temples and the sound of her ragged breathing.
'The days have gone by so slowly… Even though it's been so long, this pain is all that I could think of. Everything that's occurred between us is the only thing I think and dream of. Just when I think I have no more tears left, more come. Every night… every night I dream of him.'
In her first dream, it was the day after he left. He walked into her room clad in his battle armor, telling her that they had won the war. He would pull her into her arms and tell her that she isn't dreaming. Then, she would wake up.
In her second dream, she was lying in bed and he would walk in. He would fall into her arms and hold her close. She thought that she could actually feel his well-sculpted chest and his brawny arms. Just when she almost believed she was actually in his embrace, she would wake up to her senses.
'He's always in my dreams… Even when I would tell myself that it could only be a dream, he says the opposite. He convinces me that it isn't, and then he leaves.'
She bit her lower lip. He is gone. He's on Earth, fighting.
"If he dies!-"
She clasped her hands over her mouth.
'He can't die… He said he would keep his promise to me. He would return, he promised!'
She grabbed some shampoo and started to scrub her hair vigorously. It was better than sitting there and thinking. As soon as she lathered all of her hair, she pulled it under the water to wash it all out. She repeated this process with her conditioner, and then started to wash her body. A knock at the door called her attention away from her process.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Marcy. Don't forget your mother is preparing a large ball tonight. As soon as you're done, let me know so I can help you with your hair. Oh, Also, ahh… Your mother wants you to wear your royal gown tonight."
"Alright," she replied.
As soon as she tried herself off, she walked out into her bedroom with a towel wrapped snuggly around her small frame. Marcy stood there with a hairdryer and brush in hand. The girl smiled gently and gestured for her to sit at the vanity. In under an hour, her hair was completely dry and put into perfect buns at the top of her head. Marcy then opened a jewelry box that had shiny pearls inside of it. Two pieces were clipped into her hair, and a delicate bracelet was placed on her left hand.
Marcy smiled. "You look beautiful, Princess Serenity. I'll leave now so you can get dressed."
"Thank You."
…………
By the time she was ready, the ball room was already full of guests from the moon as well as other planets. There were violins playing in the background against the noise created by the people who were there. Luna, her mother's councilor, stood next to her wearing a black and white gown she had never seen her wear before. She also noticed that Artemis had brought them drinks a few moments later. He looked stunning in his white suit. The couple smiled warmly at each other. Sailor Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury stood on the opposite side of Her Majesty.
"Princess Serenity, you look beautiful today."
She looked down in front of her from the fleet of stairs and saw a young man wearing a black tuxedo. He smiled at her and waited for her to reply.
"Thank you."
She returned her gaze to her mother, who had called to her with her hand. The princess glided down the remaining steps, passing the young man who had just complimented her.
"What's this ball for, mother?" she asked attentively, taking her place beside the queen.
"Because of the war, so many people are worried. They believe that once Earth is gone, that the Moon will be their next target. Because it is such a time, I want my people to be carefree, if just for one night. Starting tomorrow, we will have to buckle down, and prepare for what's coming ahead."
Serenity raised an eyebrow at her mother's comments.
"I wouldn't worry. Nothing can rival your Silver Crystal, or our love for our kingdom."
She smiled softly. "You're right, my dear Serenity. However, it's better to be prepared… Anyways, I'm glad that you wore your royal gown. It looks lovely on you. I wish you would wear it more often."
Serenity discretely pulled up the dress, slightly embarrassed. It was too revealing for her tastes.
"It is tradition, after all."
The princess wrinkled her nose at the thought of tradition. Tradition, rules, betrothed, and princess – these were words she would rather live without. The only word that she liked was duty, and it was the only part of her she ever believed in. She had a duty to play her part – and to play it perfectly.
As the music changed, Serenity found herself growing uncomfortable in her seat. "I'm going to get some fresh air, mother. I'll return shortly."
"Don't be too long."
"Of course, mother."
The maiden left and passed all of her guests without catching their eyes. Everyone always seemed too obliged to stop her and greet her formally. She didn't have enough energy to muster a fake smile. Not a believable one, anyway. Soon enough, Serenity arrived at a porch which overlooked the vast flower garden. The air still smelled like fresh rain even though it had stopped a while ago. You could still see the dew resting on the flower petals.
"Hello, Princess Serenity."
It was that voice again. Without turning around she knew who it belonged to. When she saw him, she recognized the man from before. Just now, she noticed that he was wearing a mask and a black silk top hat that matched his tuxedo.
"Hello." She paused for a minute as she watched the man close the door to the ballroom.
"It's… too noisy in there for me. I thought I could enjoy a quiet minute alone with you, princess."
She nodded and looked back at the garden. Each flower and rosebud seemed to glow underneath Earth's soft radiance. Somehow, it seemed…sad.
"I meant what I said."
She blinked, almost startled by his words.
"I believe you," she told him.
She heard him chuckle, and her cheeks hinted at a pink color.
"Excuse me?"
She looked at the man, and her heart almost caved in.
"Do you remember my promise?"
Her eyes begged to release their watery prisoners and her hands began to shake uncontrollably. Was she just dreaming again? Was he going to disappear?
Endymion smiled as he pulled away the mask that covered his sky-blue eyes.
"I thought you would've noticed that it was me." He chuckled again. Serenity pouted for a moment. "You were disguised, how was I supposed to know?" she asked hotly. Her cheeks started to burn up. Her left hand covered her mouth before she dared to speak again.
"Everyone… is worried about you. Why are you here? Why did you appear to me after all of this time?" she whispered.
His eyes dropped to the ground. "The Earth Kingdom has fallen, Serenity."
"It… it has?"
He nodded, slowly. "Yes. My generals turned their backs on us. I saw men slaughtered by them before my eyes. Serenity… there's no reasoning with the Dark Kingdom at all… "
His voice trailed off. They knew what would happen next if Earth's defenses had been conquered.
"We should warn them. We can't predict when they'll strike," Serenity said. Before she could leave, he grabbed her hand and held it in his.
"Serenity…"
She stopped.
"Yes… Endymion?"
They looked into each other's eyes, almost waiting for something to happen.
He paused before taking in a breath of air.
"I'll… tell you later. Right now, we need to warn your mother about the oncoming attack."
Serenity agreed, and the two of them opened the doors and walked to the throne. Many of the guests recognized the Prince and gasped, but there wasn't any time to explain. As soon as they reached the throne where the queen was, she knew that something was wrong.
Endymion dropped to one knee and looked at her straight in the eye. "Queen Serenity, the Earth Kingdom has fallen. The Dark Kingdom will strike at any moment. My best advice is that you have everyone evacuate to a safe place immediately."
Princess Serenity wiped her head around to look at him.
"Evacuate?" she gasped.
"Yes, it's the only thing that can save your people right now. You can't possibly withstand an attack right now!" he told her sternly. "There isn't enough time for anything else."
"What's happened to your parents, Prince Endymion?" asked Queen Serenity. Her voice cut through the confrontation, and his eyes dropped to the floor.
"They're…gone. Beryl killed them…"
The queen nodded and wiped away a small tear. "Thank you, Endymion. I will announce your plan of action at once. Please gather the guards and have them escort everyone safely to the secret underground room beneath the castle. Serenity-"
"Yes mother?"
"I want you to get the senshi. Tell them what's happened. They'll know what to do next. And please, please stay safe, my dearest."
The woman stood up and kissed her daughter on the forehead where the crescent moon was.
"You must live… and guide our people," she whispered. She cupped her hands in her face as she said this, as if to stress the urgency of her message. Serenity's eyes widened as she looked up at her mother. Tears unexpectedly started to fall from her eyes as her mother's warmth engulfed her. Her heart started to beat faster and faster.
"I love you, my dearest Serenity. Now go. Please!"
Without warning, a blood-curdling screech filled the entire room! Everyone fell silent for only a moment until more screams reached their ears. People started to panic in the dramatic frenzy of shouts and explosions coming out of no-where.
"What's happening?!"
The lights began to flicker, and the ground underneath them began to unleash its hidden power.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! The Dark Kingdom is here!!"
More screams erupted, and flames started to lick the outer walls of the palace. The stench of human flesh stung their nostrils and the heat of the fire began to make them sweat.
"Serenity!"
She turned around to answer the call. She saw the senshi running of to her, covering their mouths. Their fukus were singed because of the flames.
"We're under attack, we have to take you to safety!" Sailor Mars hurriedly informed her. Sailor Jupiter grabbed the Princess's petite hand and started to lead her away.
"Wait a moment, I-"
"We can't wait! Come on!"
She looked behind her, but her mother and the Prince were already gone. The deafening screams and the sounds of darkness were almost too much to bear. Without any hesitation, she allowed them to pull her away from the ballroom. Sailor Mercury pulled up a screen in front of her and started to work on her mini-computer.
Mercury frowned as she looked at the data. "I'm afraid to say it, but we're definitely outnumbered. Our solders are outnumbered twenty-to-one..."
"Sailor Venus, do you remember the way?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
"Yes, I went over the route this morning after class just in case-"
"At this rate the fire is going to eat up everything! It's an unholy fire," interrupted Mars.
"We have to bring the Princess to safety first. It's our duty."
Serenity bit her lower lip as they led her along. She wasn't sure if there was anything she could say or do at this point. No one had ever informed her of where they were going. The twisted paths that she had remembered as a child seemed like useless information, since she couldn't get a firm grasp of their location because of the chaos and how quickly they were moving.
"Alright… We're here..."
Her eyes looked up. They had finally stopped moving and where now standing in front of a door. Those familiar, large oak doors stared back at her, as if to ask her the same thing.
"Why are we in front of my room?" asked Serenity.
"There's a-"
Another earthquake thundered underneath them as a burst of fire erupted from down the hall. The familiar stench of flesh strangled their senses and the screams for help called for them over and over. Serenity covered her mouth and nose, but it didn't make any difference. They were really under attack, and it wasn't just a dream.
Venus looked wide-eyed between the other senshi and the princess. She knew that everyone wanted to defend the palace that they knew has home for so many years. "Serenity… underneath your bathroom there is a secret exit. There is only one path to follow. Press the large moon sitting above the mirror, and it'll open. It only works for the Moon Kingdom's royalty."
"You can't miss it," chimed Sailor Mars.
"Please go there as quickly as possible, and stay away from the windows!" instructed Sailor Jupiter.
Sailor Mercury looked into the moon princess's eyes, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. ""Princess Serenity… Please, if nothing else, stay alive."
'It's your duty!'
Before she had a chance to say anything to the senshi they had already disappeared. The echo of war and death clouded her thoughts for a moment as she rested her hand on the handle. A moment later, she pushed it open, and locked the door. She took one good look at her room before another tremor disrupted her actions. Instead of doing what she was told, she fell to the floor instead.
'How could they expect me to run like that…? Like a coward…'
Suffering from fatigue for the last few months, she couldn't to do anything but sit there. Her eyes closed, as she sighed deeply and rested against the door.
'I want to protect them… my people… my mother… but I don't have any powers, not until I inherit the Silver Crystal… I don't know what to do…'
She turned her head to the side as she looked outside the balcony window. Her room seemed to be untouched so far, but there wasn't any certainty that it would remain that way. The scriptures, the satin drapes, her bed, the shelves, and everything else inside it could be obliterated at any moment.
'Maybe… I am a coward… I pushed everyone away, because I was afraid of being hurt. I ran away from all of the beautiful things… I killed all the beautiful things that used to be in my heart… And now I have to watch everyone die in front of me…'
A single, weary tear rolled down her face and chin.
"…like a coward."
Minutes stretched by, but the ache in her muscles didn't seem to go away. She felt like she was drifting between consciousness and sleep. Before long, the screams, the explosions became louder and louder with each passing moment. Just when her eyes wanted to flicker open for the last time, an estranged voice caught her attention.
With strength she had forgotten, she stood up and strode towards the balcony window. A shadowy figure stood there in front of it in a fighter's stance. Her eyes widened and she tore the doors open and passed through the drapes to confirm what her eyes had seen.
"Endymion?"
The thick, black smoke curled the walls of the palace, and the red-purple sky twisted and snarled in anger. The flowers crumbled and died, and even the crystal-clear lakes were defenseless against the hungry flames dancing on them. It seemed like the entire world was bathed in crimson misery and despair. In the middle of it all, Endymion stood there with his sword in his hand. He was now wearing his battle armor over the tuxedo he had dawned earlier. He turned around and smiled solemnly.
"You were supposed to evacuate," he stated hoarsely. He cleared his throat as he took a few steps towards her. There was blood and soot covering his entire body, and his armor was cracked and falling apart.
"What has happened to everyone? Did they make it out safely? Are they alive?" She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close to her.
He shook his head. "I'm not sure if there are any survivors… It's just like it was at the Earth Kingdom, only worse. There's no way we can save everyone. You have to evacuate before she finds out you're here!"
"What about Sailor Venus, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter! Are they alive? Where are they?"
"They're all dead Serenity. The Dark Kingdom's forces are too strong and too many. They… They fought until the very end."
Her vision began to blur and her temples pounded loudly.
Dead.
Everyone is dieing, or they're dead.
'Tortured alive, suffocating on the smoke or stabbed in the heart. How many had to watch their loved ones suffer? How many had died at the hands of the enemy?'
Dead! All of them…
Tears erupted from the corners of her eyes.
"They all died for me…" her voice cracked and she sought comfort in his arms. "They died!... and they didn't…They didn't even care about me! I know I made it that way, but… They…" She began to choke on her words.
"It was their duty, and their mission as sailor senshi. They knew the consequences of their actions."
Her hands clenched together and her nails dug into her skin. "I hate that! I… They didn't have to do that for me!" She wept into his chest. He pulled her away from him.
"Serenity. Don't let their deaths be in vain… "
She closed her eyes and tried to stop her ears from hearing what he was saying.
"You can't say that! You made a promise to me, remember? You said you would return and set everything right!"
He looked at her with sympathy. "It's too late for that now Serenity… Can't you see?" he asked in a low voice.
"I don't want to see… It's like the ugliness in my heart is being poured into this horrible reality. Even if I live, what can I do? It's over…"
When these words fell from her lips, the ground began to shake underneath them. It was much larger than the other earthquakes from before, and it was accompanied by a sinister, wicked laugh that made their skin crawl and their stomachs turn. The two turned around and saw the very being of evil hovering before them. Her skin was whiter than egg shells, and her hair envied a scarlet color. Her black-colored lips curled into an evil grin and her pointed teeth poked out from her mouth.
"I've found you, Prince Endymion…"
He stepped protectively in front of the princess, who looked up at the woman who was speaking.
"And I see you found the Moon Princess for me. Her pretty little head will be a lovely wedding present, don't you think?" she chuckled.
He glared at her. "Who said there was going to be a wedding, Beryl?!" Endymion readied his blade; its pointed end spotted its target.
Beryl frowned, and her garnet eyes flashed. "Are you saying that you love her, more…. than me, Endymion?" Her face contorted into a twisted scowl. "Then let me show you… How much I, love, you!"
The red-haired demon flicked her wrist. A flash of lightning fell from the sky and struck the prince. A shrill, blood-curdling scream escaped from Serenity's lips as she watched him crash into a pillar, only to be struck again by another crimson bolt.
"Endymion!"
Serenity fell onto her knees beside him, somehow unbelieving that he seemed so lifeless. Beryl's laughter and his shallow breathing was the only thing she could hear as she called his name.
'I couldn't tell him…I didn't get to tell him! I didn't... I never got the chance to confess my true feelings…!'
To her relief, she heard the prince coughing as he sluggishly moved his battered body.
"I'm sorry."
Serenity gasped and then pulled him up and held him close to her breast. She whispered roughly into his ear. "Don't say you're sorry anymore…"
He smiled weakly at her. "I never thought you'd be… so worried about me." He coughed again, more violently this time. Speaks of blood played on his chapped lips. "Serenity… I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm such an idiot."
"I could have told you that you are an idiot…"
"You have, many times." He looked up at her, into her sapphire eyes full of grief. "I guess…in a way... you're free from me-"
"No! Please don't say that... that's not the freedom I wanted!" Pools of tears washed down her ruddy cheeks as she listened to him shake from his vicious coughing.
"But... you are free, and you have to be here for your kingdom... You're free…"
"Stop saying that! That's not the point; I want to tell you something!" She gently cupped his face in her hands as she pulled him as close as possible. She could feel him slipping away from her.
"Endymion… I love you… I love you! I love you and now it's too late! I was the stupid one… I was a coward… I was so afraid of my own feelings, afraid to get hurt, and too afraid of letting go… The only way I could protect my ugly heart was to push everyone away... And now… Now…I've lost everything!"
She lowered her head. Silver strands of hair fell from both sides of her face as she closed her eyes. "It's all my fault."
…………
"He doesn't deserve you, you know. Even after everything, he still loved you, and you treated him like trash! You treated him like he didn't deserve to live!! If he dies-"
"Then… he dies," Serenity finished. Her voice was soft, but distant.
Tears started to fall from the corner of Rei's eyes.
"Don't you care?!" she shrieked, her hands forming into fists.
"I promised myself I wouldn't, a long time ago."
Makoto rested a hand on Rei's quivering shoulder. "Princess Serenity…" she began slowly. "Any respect that I might've had left for you, you've killed it."
'Just like you've killed everything else.'
Serenity could only smile her signature grin. It was what was expected of her. She looked straight into her eyes as if to say 'I know'.
…………
Endymion weakly reached out to her and rubbed her jaw with his thumb. With what precious life remained within him, he slowly pulled her into a kiss. "I love you too, Serenity… "
'No… Endymion!!! You can't..!!' her mind screamed at him, but no words could come out.
"…And I always will, even… in death."
His hand fell from her face to his side, and his form began to sag in her arms. His breathing was shallow, and his heartbeat was almost nonexistent. "NO!! Endymion!!!…" she shook him as her words seemed to die before reaching him
'Serenity… my love… you're so beautiful… like the moon… ' He could see her clearly in front of him as his vision started to fade. He could see her screaming at him, begging him to hold on. But he couldn't. There wasn't anything left his body could hold onto as his heart beat slowly, slowly, slowly into the next life.
'…And like the moon… she has a light side, and a dark side. If only… I had seen all the wounds she was hiding… If only I had… uncovered the mask sooner…'
She clung to Endymion, desperate for some kind of movement. To hear him breathe, or laugh or say anything or to do anything at all! She knew he wouldn't, and that he was beyond her now. He was somewhere that her words couldn't reach him, and it seemed that her tears would never stop.
She pressed her lips against his, but they were cold. Ice cold, like death.
'No… death is much colder. I really didn't deserve you Endymion…'
"Poor little Moon Princess…" The voice behind her seethed into her thoughts.
'This time… I won't be afraid to end it all, because you'll be waiting for me… Maybe next time we meet… Things will be different, somehow.'
"What more do you want, Beryl?" she asked her. Her tiny hands bawled into fists and she turned to face the woman who had destroyed everything. Or was it destroyed by her hands already?
"I want you to suffer. I want you to die and I want everything I never had."
Serenity shook her head slowly. "My mother will defeat you, Beryl. The Silver Crystal will never fall you're your hands, and Endymion will never love you…"
Beryl snarled and raised her hand to release another lightning bolt. "How… how dare you-"
"Even in death… our hearts will find each other…"
The Moon Princess reached for the belated prince's blade and held it to her heart.
'This time… I won't be afraid to end it all… because you'll be there waiting for me…'
Before the evil queen could release the bolt, Serenity had already pushed the blade deep into her chest, directly into her bleeding heart.
"I'll be different next time…" she whispered. She could feel her body falling next to his, and the world started to turn to ashes in front of her. The excruciating ache from the wound was already dull.
"I promise."
…………
Notes:
The end of another story has come… and it took me so long to get there! –sighs- I really liked the story, but a few times when I tried to write the last chapters, they got deleted! When I first started writing this, I didn't attend for it to end so sadly. (Honest!) But I still like how it turned out. I was almost going to break this up into another chapter, but I decided that you could cope with one really long chapter after how much waiting you had to do! I'm still sorry about that. As said before, they did get together, even if it was at the very end. (Don't hate me!) Hopefully, you're all satisfied with the ending and the story overall. Please let me know what you think, or what you felt. I love all of you, and thank you for the reviews.
I hope after my next work is finished I can return to the BSSM world and write more non-traditional stories.
With Love,
Sailor Creative.
See you next time!! I love you all!!!!!!