Neo-Queen Serenity shuddered as she stood upon the balcony of the Crystal Palace. Shortly after Chibi Usa had departed to find Helios, the skies above Crystal Tokyo had darkened, turning as black as night, and the air had quickly cooled. Serenity feared that this was the beginning of something terrible. She felt a presence behind her, but she was not afraid, for it was one she knew very well.
"What troubles you, my darling?" Endymion asked as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist, resting chin lightly on her shoulder.
Serenity sighed, but placed her hands over his, glad for his warmth. "I'm sure you already know," she answered softly.
Endymion smiled wryly. "Indeed, but it seemed fitting to ask. Yes, I know that you worry about our daughter, as do I; but I also know that she is strong, just like her mother, and that she will come back to us soon. Don't forget that she also has the strength of the Quartet to aid her."
"You're right," Serenity conceded. "It's not that I don't believe her, Endymion, because I really do. Even so, I am a woman as well as a mother; worry is only natural." She paused. "And though I wish I could say that's all it is, I just...can't seem to shake this feeling that something awful will happen."
Endymion moved his hands from her waist to her shoulders and gently turned her to face him. When he saw that her eyes sparkled with tears, he pulled her into his chest and held her tight. His embrace calmed her, and soon she was able to dry her eyes.
Suddenly, Endymion stiffened. Serenity pulled back, startled, and studied his face. "What is it?"
"I don't know," he replied. "Something has gone wrong."
Surely this was only a nightmare. Chibi Moon couldn't be awake, because if she was awake, then that would mean that Nehelenia had gotten her way, and that simply couldn't be. The sight of Helios kneeling before the Dead Moon's queen and kissing her pale hand could not be reality. Yet even as she denied it with every fiber of her being, Chibi Moon knew that this was no dream.
Nehelenia beckoned for Helios to rise, and he obeyed. She ran her hand along the side of his face, then turned to Chibi Moon to see the look of betrayal on the young princess' face. "I thought I would prove to you what I have already said; Helios belongs to me now, and there's nothing you can do."
"Helios...why?" Chibi Moon whispered, as uncontainable tears clouded her vision. "You said...you said you would never belong to her...how could you let her do this to you?" Helios remained silent, regarding her with indifference.
"It's quite simple; no one is a match for my power now, not Helios, nor you. Even if you had the Golden Crystal as you did before, you would never be able to stop me!" Nehelenia raised her right hand and blasted Chibi Moon with a bolt of energy.
Caught off guard, the youngest Senshi was unable to dodge. The attack hit her head-on and threw her against the far wall. She dropped to the floor, aching all over, but grit her teeth and rose to her feet anyway. "I won't let you get away with this..." she growled, releasing an attack of her own.
Nehelenia raised her left hand and brought up a force field around herself. Chibi Moon's attack destroyed the barrier but dissipated before it could reach its target. "You'll have to do much better than that!" she sneered, loosing another bolt of energy.
This time Chibi Moon threw herself to the side and was able to avoid the attack. Unfortunately, her relief was shortlived as the energy suddenly richocheted back the way it had come, hitting her square in her back. The force of it sent her sprawling on the ground at Nehelenia's feet.
"Don't you see, little girl? It is futile!" Nehelenia swung her foot up, kicking Chibi Moon's face. Chibi Moon's vision swam, but she scrambled backwards, breathing hard as she shakily wiped the blood from her lip. No, it can't end like this, she thought. I can't die here...I have to save Helios!
As if in response to Chibi Moon's resolve, her brooch began to glow brightly. Chibi Moon pushed herself onto her knees and raised her hands to the brooch. The Pink Moon Crystal appeared between her palms, gleaming brilliantly. "It isn't over yet, Nehelenia!" she declared. "Moon Crisis Power!" At her words, the Crystal fired off a beam of pink light at Nehelenia.
Nehelenia smirked, unconcerned.
So sorry for the late update! (I think I say that every time...) I got promoted at work (Yay!) and it has been very hectic! But I've finally been able to work on this, and although this chapter is a little on the short side, I have plans for the next one! Thank you for your patience and God bless you all!