Electrum

Kochou-hime

All characters belong to their respective owners.

No Going Back

The soldiers of Elysion were welcomed home in grand celebration and heralded only slightly less than the grand Prince-King whom led the great country victoriously against its adversary. While the townspeople rejoiced, chanting of the great defeat of "Beryl the Terrible," Serenity distanced herself to the only fond memory of the Kingdom by the sea she had left. The Princess swung softly upon a simple wooden swing in the Castle's private gardens. A cool breeze chilled her skin and sent flower petals from the trees above raining down onto her hair. This region of the Earth maintained a very different temperature than that found in the Egyptian desert and while it allowed the cultivation of her favorite green plants, Serenity longed to once again be surrounded by golden buildings and sand.

"All hail King Endymion!" A raucous cheer escaped from the crowd just outside the Palace walls.

The very sound of his name caused her pain as she felt herself instinctively wince. Although she was taught to hold no prejudice, the very idea of Endymion being idolized as a hero was an abomination. The people of Elysion were most likely ignorant to their King's guilt in provoking a war between himself and his ex-Queen, but Serenity internally scoffed it nonetheless. What bothered her more significantly was that she had been one, if not 'the', key player in this whole debacle. If she had never set foot on Earth, as she was always forbidden to do, the Princess would have never even met Endymion and perhaps he'd still be happily married to Beryl, who wouldn't be a tortured and vengeful soul. Serenity gripped onto the twine rope at her sides until it made the soft skin of her palms ache.

"Serenity," Luna stated gently as she approached the modest rope swing.

"None of this would have ever happened." Serenity announced sadly. "I should have listened! I never should have…" Serenity paused as her mind was vaulted away from her words.

It was true. If Serenity had never come to Earth she would have never unknowingly tempted Endymion to betray his wife for her. But, if Serenity had never happened upon the Elysion King…

Her mind filled of her most cherished yet painful memory and it hadn't a thing to do with Endymion.

His intense crimson eyes the Princess would never forget. They had shone into her soul like two fiery red suns that had risen upon the breaking of day. He was the essence of a God trapped in the lesser body of a mortal man, but if that form was in fact inferior, she sure hadn't noticed a single imperfection. The Pharaoh of Egypt was a force to be reckoned with as she had yet to witness a single individual match him in strength of body or mind. When he spoke, the people listened and when he moved, the very Earth moved with him. And yet, this man who struck fear into the hearts of both friend and foe had captured all of the love of hers. He had confessed his own unwavering love and proved it to her, which made it all the more painful when he took it back. She wasn't sure if she could ever describe to anyone what it felt like to love another like she had, but she knew that when it wasn't returned in the same veracity, only agony remained.

If she could go back, and never had thought of Earth as anything but a pretty thing to look at in the nighttime...she nearly laughed, because even with all the pain Atem had caused her; she couldn't imagine never having a chance to let him change everything.

"I think I finally get it." Serenity spoke again. "All of this must be punishment for breaking Lunarian law. I just don't belong here." She said sadly and cracked a wistful smile to her advisor.

"No, Serenity." Luna began. "While you've always been a bit rebellious, your heart is right and true. We must never regret the paths taken that are guided by our hearts. The things that hurt the most will only make you stronger. Although your mother and I have tried to shield you from pain, it is unfortunately a necessary rite to growing up." Serenity gave a curt nod and wiped the moisture from her eyes. "Princess, there's no need for you to stay here for anymore time. The longer we remain the more distraught you become." Luna ascertained worriedly. The young woman responded with a shake of her head.

"Not yet. I have a few choice things to say to Endymion." Serenity spoke ominously.

"Well, it looks as if you'll get your chance." Luna said quietly. The Princess craned her head backward and noticed Endymion calmly entering the garden from the Castle entrance. She looked back to Luna and sighed.

"Luna, will you promise me something?"

"What is it Serenity?" She questioned with interest.

"When we get back to the Moon, will you pick a suitor proper for me, because I apparently am not cut out for the task?" Serenity asked sadly as she stood regally from her seat and walked with purpose toward the Elysion King. Luna's mouth fell open as she watched the retreating girl's back. The Maurian's mind reeled instantly and her eyes narrowed in determination.

"Oh Serenity, I promise to find exactly what you deserve." She muttered to herself as the transport key at her collar twinkled and the small black cat disappeared.

"Serenity!" Endymion called to the Lunarian heiress. Serenity stopped dead in her tracks and mustered up her best glare as the polished King grandiosely approached. "Please come celebrate with us. I realize you're upset with me for leaving you in Egypt for so long, but I am in debt to you. We wouldn't have defeated that witch without the Pharaoh's army." His voice softened as he approached and stopped before the beautiful Princess. "Besides, have you lost track of the time?" Serenity's angry face fell into one of confusion.

"Wha-what do you mean?" She asked suddenly as her brain racked for an answer. Endymion chuckled and gently took her hands into his.

"In just three short days, you and I," he whispered, "are to be married on the Moon. Surely you're not that forgetful?" Serenity's eyes flew wide as she quickly took back her hands and took a step back. "Serenity?" Endymion questioned. His face displayed that of utmost innocence, as he was truly ignorant to the Princess' knowledge.

"Endymion," Serenity straightened and spoke sternly. Her blue eyes clouded stormily as she stared directly into his peaceful blues. "I know."


The sweltering desert air was thick and dead as silence filled the grand Pharaoh's palace. Its quiet state was not a product of tranquility, but rather more like sound itself cowered and hid away in fear. Dark and thunderous clouds hovered above the mostly barren region threatening uncharacteristic rain for the time of season. While Egypt was typically a place known for baking beneath the sun, it was currently blanketed with blackness as quiet thunder rolled in the distance. The city streets appeared abandoned. No soul dared take leave of their homes as the Kingdom's most worshipped deities raged in the skies above. The God's were angry, and one in particular burned with the greatest fury.

The Pharaoh of Egypt glowered into nothingness before him as the ever approaching storm debuted with a crash of lightening shaking the Earth below. He barely resembled a man at all as his blood-red eyes glowed fiercely in the barely lit room. The guards who lined the hall failed at concealing their terror as their God-like king had furiously demonstrated a loss of any apparent humanity. In a country as large as Egypt word, surprisingly, traveled fast. If its residents had truly had lost their fear of the Pharaoh previously, that situation was more than rectified.

"Will there be anything else?" Atem snarled as he shifted his eyes to the Priest before him. Priest Mahad kept his head bowed low with his arms drooping limply at his sides in defeat. He shot a side glance to the High Priest who immediately averted his eyes to the King.

"No, Pharaoh." Seto stated plainly.

"Then get out." The dark King seethed harshly. The guards within the room exited in a nearly panicked run followed solemnly by the Pharaoh's six advisory Priests.

With the enormous throne room now vacant, Atem remained in his seat as the shadows increasingly swallowed the light. The angry storm boomed violently outside the Palace walls; a perfect reflection of the turbulence that clouded within the angry Monarch. Suddenly, his eyes softened as he reached for a silver trinket around his neck. He ran his fingers over the soft silver metal, careful not to damage it as he traced around its crescent shape. With a forlorn sigh, his head fell into his hands displaying, for the first time, a visible weakness as the storm continued to rage through the skies.


"Mahad!" Mana called out in the dimly lit Palace hallway. He barely looked up as the young Magician Girl ran to him. "What happened? Is the Pharaoh alright?" She asked worriedly.

"Five hundred men," Isis said ominously as she walked alongside the Pharaoh's most talented Magician. "The Gods' needs have never been so great…" She trailed as she looked toward the floor in a daze.

"No." Mana said looking toward Isis unbelievably. "Ate-the Pharaoh would never-"

"You are forgetting the other one thousand he's spared." Seto interrupted darkly. "Our pharaoh is both strict and merciful." The High Priest defended, awakening a spark within the quelled Magician Priest.

"And sentence those to meet their deaths building tombs? Is that an existence?" Mahad bellowed. Isis and the other Priests took a step back as Seto held his ground.

"Perhaps they should have considered the consequences of defying the laws of our pharaoh, first." Seto replied coolly but provoked the normally peaceful Magician to put his face threateningly into his.

"I don't know what you said to him." Mahad growled. "But this is not order, this is not peace!" He barked into the High Priest's face. Before Seto even had a chance to reply Mahad turned on his heel and stormed away in the opposite direction.

"Mahad!" Mana called out worriedly as she practically chased the fast retreating man. Seto appeared stunned for a moment and his eyes hardened as he watched the other Priests slowly retreat in a less dramatic fashion.

The Priest of highest standing moved to lean upon a stone column at the entrance to the courtyard where he watched the peculiar rain pelt the ground outside. A wave of emotion momentarily passed across his face but was quickly squelched by the man's typical icy glare. He blinked when suddenly a brilliant flash erupted in his peripheral vision. The powerful man turned and raised an eyebrow as he watched the approach of Serenity's small black cat.

"I thought the Princess brought the feline with her." He muttered to himself.

"Pardon me," Luna said regally nearly sending the High Priest toppling over himself. "I would very much appreciate it if you would point me in the direction of the Pharaoh?"


Confusion was etched across the King of Elysion's face as he stared at the angry Princess.

"Serenity, I don't understand, what do you know?" He asked in an immensely honest tone.

"That's it!" Serenity screeched as she flung her arms with balled fists to her side. "I won't listen to your lies anymore!" Endymion took a step back in shock.

"Serenity! Calm down!" He ordered as the small Princess visibly filled with torment.

"No!" She hysterically responded with tears flooding down her face. "I will never forgive what you did to her! The monster she became is one that you created, and I'll never forgive you for using me to do it!" She choked and pointed accusingly. Endymion narrowed his eyes and began to respond when Serenity waved him away. "Don't bother," she muttered bitterly; wiping the tears away from her face. "Atem told me everything!" Panic momentarily swept through Endymion's eyes.

"Bu-but he's," the King stumbled over his words. "He lied to you Serenity. Don't you see? I love you with all my heart, believe that!" He finished while clutching a fist to his chest.

"You're lying." Serenity whispered indignantly and shook her head. "I can see it in your eyes. All you've ever told me is a lie." She hissed. Before another word could slip from the adulterous man's mouth, terrified screams from the townspeople shot into the air.

"Endymion!" A feminine shriek erupted into the sky as dark clouds appeared swiftly to block out the sun.

"Beryl!" Elysion's King growled audibly. "Serenity you must-" but before Endymion could usher the angry yet faire Princess to safety, she disappeared in a bright flash of light.

"Serenity!"


Seto remained frozen in shock and mouth agape as he gazed upon the talking animal. Luna waved her tail impatiently as she narrowed her eyes up toward the man.

"Are you going to tell me where he is or not?" Luna asked perturbed. The High Priest clicked his teeth shut and glared coldly toward the Maurian.

"What sorcery is this? And why should I lead you to my sovereign?" He asked suspiciously as the two stared each other down in the vacated hallway. Luna let out an exasperated sigh.

"Why do all humans react the same? Well, if you won't converse with a talking cat-" Seto shielded his eyes as a bright light took the place of where the small cat stood. When the light faded and Seto dropped his arms a beautiful and petite blue-eyed woman stood. She had cascading and long black hair with a portion of it faceted into two pairs of buns on her crown. The once feline was dressed in a short yellow dress with a long black petticoat and a golden crescent moon shone brightly on her forehead.

"-then perhaps you'll speak with me!" She announced with her hands on her hips. Seto held the millennium rod protectively before him as he stared in horror at the woman who had moments ago been a cat.

"Who are you?" He demanded in a roar. Luna remained unfazed as she studied the man.

"I am Luna, a personal advisor and guardian to Princess Serenity." She spoke royally as Seto slowly began to lower his weapon. "And I beseech the presence of your King!" She ordered haughtily.

"What more do you want with us?" Seto asked hatefully. "Your Princess has left. If I recall correctly, I watched you-whatever you are- leave with her." He finished in raspy tone.

"There is something I must know." Luna replied. "I inquire to the reason you pharaoh refuses to honor the promise he made to her." Seto raised an eyebrow as the cat-woman narrowed her eyes. "If he truly no longer loves her-I demand to hear those words directly from him!" Seto released a cynical chuckle and turned away from the Maurian.

"Of course he loves her." He replied softly as he looked solemnly into the falling rain. "To be honest, she's probably the only thing he loves." Luna contorted her gaze suspiciously.

"Then why? Why does he refuse her?"

"Because," Seto growled as he turned back to her. "He is the foundation of this Kingdom and whether he chooses or not; his responsibility will always be to the people here." He emphasized. Before Luna could reply he took a step forward. "Do you really think your faire Princess could ever condone us? I've heard what the Alliance has said of the people of Earth and I assure you, we are darker than your people could ever imagine!"

"I know." Luna responded simply. The High Priest threw up his hands in disbelief and looked toward her incredulously. "In fact, your pharaoh is hands down the darkest presence I have ever sensed."

"And yet you wish your princess to remain with him? Your logic is dizzying." Seto bit sarcastically. Luna sighed. "This is who we are. Do you think I want him to be unhappy? He may be the Pharaoh but he's also the closest friend I've ever had. This isn't a choice. It isn't possible to live by the Alliance's way of life and rule this country…he's not a hypocrite like that damned Endymion!" Suddenly, Luna surprised the High Priest with a smile.

"Serenity brought love and light into Atem and into this world. Ruling with hatred and iron will is both powerful and effective, but the light will always outshine the darkness." Seto appeared confused as Luna placed a hand gently on his arm. "You understand better than you think. I watched as Kisara brought love and light into you that never existed before. Don't stand in the way of what Serenity has brought to Atem, because I can assure you, the results will be even far more astounding." Seto was silent for a few moments.

"But, the people of Egypt-"

"It will take some adjusting to, but if you're patient I promise you that the light will always shine through even the blackest dark. You just have to give it a chance." Seto seemed skeptical but finally sighed.

"Perhaps you should speak with the Pharaoh." Luna opened her mouth to speak when suddenly her face contorted in horror.

"It's Serenity. There's something wrong, she's in danger!" The Maurian nearly shrieked. Seto's eyes flew open.

"Come on! This way!" The two took off running hastily down the corridor toward the throne room. In their pursuit they blew past a small atrium where Mana and Kisara were attempting to calm Mahad.

"Who was that woman with Seto?" Kisara asked with a pout.

"There's something up. Let's go!" Mana announced. With a quick affirmation from Mahad the trio fell into the speed step of Seto and the stranger. Seto approached the great heavy doors and as Mahad arrived shortly after, the two used their combined strength to push them open. Seto burst into the room with the others in tow.

"Pharaoh!" He called. Atem regarded him with a stinging glare but narrowed his crimson eyes in examination upon noticing the stranger.

"Serenity's in danger." Luna gasped in short breath. "And if you even had the slightest of feeling for her ever-"

"Silence!" The Pharaoh roared as he leapt from his seat. "How dare you-" he paused upon noticing the symbol of Serenity's home emblazoned on the new woman's forehead. He rushed to the small group with alarm deep seeded within his expression.

"Where?" He demanded of the woman.

"A storm of unnatural negative energy surrounds Elysion. We must hurry!"


"Endymion!" The tortured scream roared from the sky as the people of Elysion scurried to safety in fear of the dark purple clouds riddled with powerful and dark energy. As the people ran, only one remained still and vulnerable in the open. Her blonde hair blew wildly in the increasing wind as leaves pelted her rose colored dress.

"Beryl!" Serenity called out into the sky and the screaming momentarily stopped. A distance away from the Princess a black shape slowly began to form. Long and flaming red hair appeared on a woman in a skin-tight royal purple gown. A black tiara sat just above her forehead.

"Well, well." The former Queen of Elysion seethed. "And the husband thief has finally shown her pretty face." Pain swept through the one called Beryl's eyes as she studied the woman that stood before her.

"Please, listen!" Serenity nearly sobbed. "I condemn what Endymion has done to you!" Beryl narrowed her eyes at the heiress of the light. "He tricked us both. Let go of the hate in your heart because you deserve so much better than someone who would cause you this pain!"

"Shut up!" Beryl yelled as she pointed a narrow finger toward the Princess. "Nice try, you think I'm just going to give up and let you keep him? Endymion will be mine!" She screeched. Serenity shook her head violently.

"I want nothing more to do with him!" She screamed into the sky earning a shocked look from the evil Queen. "Please, don't take your anger out on the people of Elysion. They've done nothing wrong!" Beryl seemed to ponder for a moment, and for a fraction of a second Serenity saw the true woman beneath her red hateful eyes.

"Serenity!" Both women turned to look as Endymion, followed by soldiers, ran fearlessly into battle. "Leave her be Beryl! Harm her and live to regret it!" He barked. Beryl's mouth snapped into a snarl as she turned to face the Moon Princess once again.

"No! This is all your fault!" She cried and lifted a bony finger pointing it directly toward Serenity. The Princess took a step back as she felt fear paralyze her mouth. "Besides," Beryl smirked, "as I lay there dying, at the shore's edge where Zoisite and his men left me. A demon came to me." She howled ominously while Serenity could only stare at her in horror. "And I traded her my soul for the power to destroy you!"

A blindingly bright-dark purple beam of energy flew at the Princess and everything in her world went black.


THANK YOU to: Atem's Sister Atea, Sesshy's Mistress, SailorMoonRocks1433, soccernavybrat02, Cosmic-lover, princess moon shadow, Serena-hime, Failisse, angel313, Henio41, Fire Dolphin, Anexya, Little Khaos, Princesa de la Luna, devafiend, Sakura Waldorf, Alycee Lanet, Animecartooncomicgirl, and minnieshon!

The next chapter will take place in the "present" time—where the prologue began!

I thought there would be only 2 chapters left (including this one) but now I'm thinking 3...we'll see!

To address one comment…I too felt Atem didn't "express" how hard it was on him to have to let Serenity go in the last chapter but it's tricky because from the perspective this is written in…only Serenity's thoughts are available to the reader. So I tried to include some of Atem's "visible" feelings in this chapter!

Hopefully there's not too many typos, I'm exhausted!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!