AN: here it is minna-chan, chapter10 at last, please R&R and tell me what you REALLY think, or lie if you don't like it..hehe KIDDING. thank you soooooooooooooo very much for reading minna-chan *Gives minna-chan a BIIIIIIIIIIG hug* I luv ya guys *sniffle sniffle*
God I hate finishing this fic..*sniffle sniffle*
----------------------------
Love Always Has It's Way
Part 10
By: Silver Bunny
E-mail: moonsilverbunny@hotmail.com
@)-----------------------------------------
"He knows, then he DIES."
After Ray's last statement, everything went so fast. Her deadly weapon was about to stab Endymion in the heart when Serena threw herself in its way and shielded Endymion with her own body. The dagger was stopped an inch away from Serenas heart.
"Get out of the way your highness." Said Ray, directing her sentence to Serena.
"Never."
"He has to die, *Aaron *." Said Ray firmly
"And why is that, *Lady Rayanne*?" asked Serena with a very angry voice.
"Because he knows." She answered.
"Oh is that so? Okay then.. Jedite.." called Serena looking at Jedite. When he came closer to her she said.
"My real name is Serenity, and I'm a girl not a man, I'm only living like one because The King of Caria threatened to kill my mother if I didn't live as a man." Said Serena, then turned to Ray saying. "Now Jedite knows the truth. Are you going to kill him too Ray?"
When Ray heard Serena's question, she stood there in total shock, and a battle started between her mind and heart. Her mind was telling her to protect Serena at any price, even if the price was her only love. But her heart was pleading for her to stop this insanity, and spare the life of her love. Then, after a long battle, the dagger fell from her hand, indicating that her heart has won….
"Fo… forgive me." Whispered Ray, with tears in her eyes.
"Ray…" Serena came closer to her friend, and placed her hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to protect me anymore, I'm not afraid of him. It is time to face him, I will not hide anymore." Then she looked at Endymion saying "With Endymion by my side, I can fight the devil himself."
"Your father IS the devil Serena."
"Ray, you have no idea how hard it is to pretend to be someone you're not. You.."
"I KNOW how hard it is." Said Ray, cutting her off. "But he'll KILL you. I've known you since you were a five year old child. When I first came here I was only seven, but I always felt the hurt and sadness in you. It was hard for me to see you like that, and what pained me more was the fact that I couldn't do anything for you. I vowed to protect you Serena, but I couldn't protect you from what you feared most, your own father. Serena, you're putting your life on the line here, can't you see that?"
"RAY." Ray turned to Jedite in surprise, not expecting him to shout her name like that. "If you are really her friend, you would respect her decision and you would help her, instead of discouraging her." Said Jedite.
"Bu… but I only want her to be safe."
"She won't be safe unless she get rid of her fear and face her father."
"Jedite is right Ray. She has to face him. And don't worry, when she does I'll be there with her, I will NEVER leave her alone." Said the forgotten Endymion.
"Is that what you really want Serena? Do you really want to face your father?" asked Ray.
"Uh huh" nodded Serena in determination.
"So be It.," said Ray. "We'll do it together, and may Mars protect us all."
"Very interesting." Said a new voice.
"Malachite." Breathed Serena in surprise, and looked at the two figures who appeared from behind a bookshelf. "How did you get in here? The door is locked."
"The secret doors are all around the palace. Or did you forget that *Princess Aaron *." Answered Malachite in a cold voice.
"How long have you two been here?" asked Ray.
"Long enough." Said Malachite.
"Uh emm.. Ary… I mean Serena. I just want you to know that whatever you're going to do, I'm with you. I know we haven't been friends for a long time, but if you managed to make my cousin to take responsibility for the first time in his LIFE, then you're okay in my book." Joked Mina, trying to lighten the mood.
"HEY, that hurts." Said Endymion, smiling. "But thanks anyway, cousin."
"Thank you Mina, I do appreciate it." Smiled Serena gratefully.
"Don't mention it future cousin" said Mina winking. "We'll be happy to help, right Mal?"
Malachite just gave Serena a long look, a look that said so much and so little at the same time, a look that made Serena feel guilty without knowing why.
"Mal, I…." Began Serena.
"There's no time for talking Princess, we have to explain everything to the others and come up with a plan. We need all the help and time we could get." Said Malachite with the same cold voice.
"Okay then, let's go tell each of them separately, and meet here after an hour. Okay?" said Endymion. "Mina, you go to Zoycite and Amy. Ray, go to Neflite and Lita and take Jed with you. Serena, you go bring your mother. And Mal, since Artemis doesn't like me that much, you go to him and Luna. And let us meet here after an hour, agreed?"
They all nodded in agreement, but before they could go, Serena asked Endymion a question.
"And what are you going to do Endy?" asked Serena.
"I have something that I should take care of outside of the palace, but I'll get back in time, don't worry."
"Umm.. okay, but take care of yourself." She said.
"Don't worry love, I'll be fine."
======================
"Endyyyy, what took you so long? I was so worried." Said Serena, who was still dressed as Aaron, and threw herself in Endymion's welcoming arms.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you darling. So, is everybody familiar with the situation?" He asked, looking at the others.
"It was a shock at first, but I'm with you." Said Zoycite.
"Me too. I'm with you all the way." Said Neflite.
"Yes, the king has to be stopped." Added Artemis.
"So, what's the plan?" asked Amy.
"We'll all go to the king and confront him, and try to knock some sense into him." Said Endymion.
"Oh great, so we just go and say, excuse me your majesty, but we all know that your son is actually a girl. And we would greatly appreciate it if you stop this insanity and confess the whole thing to the world, oh while you're at it, tell them that you're nothing but a heartless bastard, who didn't have mercy on his own daughter. What A WONDERFUL idea Endymion." Said Malachite sarcastically.
"What's your problem Malachite? You've been acting like a JERK since you found out the truth." Said Serena, angrily. "If you have something to say to me, just SAY IT, and stop this ridicules act."
"Serena, that is enough, we shouldn't fight among ourselves." Scolded the queen.
"Uh.. I'm sorry, mother. Please forgive me, Malachite" Apologized Serena.
"I'm the one who should apologize. I know I acted like a jerk, Aary, but I was hurt. It pained me to find out that you have such a secret and you never told me. I thought I was your friend, but now, I'm not so sure what I am." Said Malachite.
"But you ARE my friend Mal. You always were." Said Serena, and held his hand lovingly.
"If I am, why didn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me?" He asked, looking at her with eyes filled with pain.
"That's not why I didn't tell you, Mal. I trust you with my life, and you know that."
"Then WHY????"
"I didn't tell you because I knew you would try and help me. When my father got angry with me, you always were there to defend me. I knew you would defend my right to live a normal life, and I didn't want you to do that."
"Why not?" he asked in puzzlement.
"I didn't want you to face my father's wrath. If you faced him, you would be dead by now." She explained.
Malachite looked at her with eyes filled with love, to him, Aaron was always the brother he never had.
"Aaron is like a brother to me, and I'll protect him with my life." said Malachite. "And that applies to Serena as well."
"And both Aaron and Serena think of you as their beloved brother as well." Said Serena in a tearful voice, and hugged Malachite gently. Malachite smiled and hugged her back. Everyone in the room looked at the whole scene with the same determined thought running through their heads, they'll all face the king, together.
"There's one more thing you guys should know about." Said Endymion, breaking the silence.
"And what is that, Endy?" Asked Zoycite.
"Plan B." he answered, with a devilish smile.
"Plan B??" asked Jedite.
"Yup. You can come out now." Said Endymion, looking at the wall, where the secret door Malachite came from earlier was located. The door was opened and a man came into the room.
"ANDREW???" shouted Serena in surprise.
"Hello, your highness, your majesty." Greeted Andrew, bowing to the queen. "It's an honor to meet you, your majesty. I…"
"Save it, Andrew, we don't have time for formalities." Said Endymion, cutting him off.
"W… what is he doing here?" asked Lita, pointing at Andrew.
"He's plan B." said Endymion. "You see Andrew is.."
"I'd like to explain, if you don't mind Endy." Interrupted Andrew.
"Be my guest."
Andrew took a deep breath, and turned around to face Serena.
"Aaron, or as I recently found out: Serena. What I'll say may shock you, but I think it is time for you to know. You see, your father was never the ruler that we deserve. He is in one word a TYRANT, and I believe you already know that, but what you don't know is that we, the people of Caria, hated him and planned a revolution, but then a new face came to the royal family, a prince named Aaron. When Prince Aaron was born, we thought that he'll turn out to be just like his father, but – to our surprise- he turned out to be nothing like his father. And then we realized that you – prince Aaron- are the ruler that we all have been dreaming of for many years. Now Endymion came to us and told us about your real identity, and he told us about what your father might do if you confront him. And that's why I'm here, I'm here to tell you that we're all with you, every and each one of us, and if it comes to a war, we'll be honored to fight by your side."
"Who do you mean by 'us' ?" asked Serena.
"We call ourselves the 'light of hope'. Or , as the king calls us, rebels." He answered.
"YOU??? You're with those… those REBELS???"
"Umm actually, I'm more like their leader." He said.
"LEADER?? AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?" To say Serena was shocked, will be putting it lightly.
"HEY you never told me you were a girl. I think we're even. Besides, we're on you're side, we're not going to fight you or anything. We always wanted YOU to rule. YOU are our 'Light Of Hope'. And we will NOT let your father take that light away from us just because you're not a man. Serena don't ever be ashamed of who you are, even as a girl, you're better than a thousand man."
"Andrew… I … I don't know what to say … I.. thank you Andrew, thank you for believing in me. I wish I could repay you someday." She said, and hugged him gratefully.
"The only repayment I want is to see you become the ruler we always dreamed of." He said, smiling gently.
"I'll do my best." She said and turned to Endymion. "Endy, how did you know who Andrew was?" she asked.
"I didn't. I went to him to get the help of the citizens of Caria, and when I told him about you, he confessed to me and told me everything. " he explained.
"Endy… I… Are you sure about this whole thing? What if my father hurts someone? I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me." she said.
"Don't worry love, no one will."
"Yeah, Endy is right. " Said Andrew. "Besides, we're not fighting just for you, we're fighting for our freedom as well."
"Okay, now that we're all willing to face the king, why don't we get it over with?" suggested Artemis.
"You're right Artemis." Said Malachite.
" And princess…We'll all be with you, till the end." He finished in determination.
"Till the End." They all said in one voice.
"O merciful Bona Dea, be with us." Whispered the queen to herself.
======================
The king was standing by a window in the library, pre occupied by his own thoughts, when the door was opened and fourteen people, including his wife and Serena, entered the room.
"Serenity, I was looking all over for you, where were you?" Asked the king.
"Around." She answered.
" Ah Prince Endymion, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" asked the king, trying to sound nice. Then he realized that Endymion and Aaron are HOLDING HANDS????
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" Asked the now furious king, dropping his nice act.
"They know, Aaron, they all know everything." Said the queen.
"What do you mean by 'everything'?" asked the king, and then turned around to his daughter.
"Aaron, WHAT are you doing? "
"Aaron is.." began the queen, but she was stopped by Serena.
"No mother, I'll talk. It's time for me to stop hiding." She said, and let go of Endymion's hand. Endymion grabbed her hand again and gave her a concerned look. "I'll be fine, my love." She whispered to him and him alone, and gave him a reassuring look, then walked closer to her so called father.
"What do you want to know, your majesty?" she asked him with restored confidence.
"Everything." He said, still angry.
Serena took a deep breath, then began talking.
"Endymion, along with all the people you see in this room, knows my true identity, in fact, all Caria knows by now. They all know that I'm really a girl, and they all know what you did." She said.
"You… you betrayed me? you betrayed your own father?"
"I never betrayed you, and I never will. And you know that I am and always have been loyal to you. I just want you to accept me as who I am, not as who you want me to be. All my life, all I ever wanted is to know that you are proud of me, but you never were, were you? You never even liked me…"
"Stop this nonsense Aaron, or you'll know what will happen." Threatened the King.
"STOP IT." Shouted the queen. "I will NOT let you threaten MY daughter anymore."
"Serenity, you better watch what you're saying to ME." Said the king in a cold voice.
"You don't scare me anymore, Aaron." She said in the same tone of voice.
"You're digging your own grave, Serenity." He threatened.
"ENOUGH." Shouted Serena for the first time. "DON'T YOU DARE THREATEN MY MOTHER ANYMORE, WE'RE NOT SCARED OF YOU ANY LONGER. BESIDES, ALL OF CARIA KNOWS THE TRUTH, YOU CAN'T BLACKMAIL US ANYMORE. SO EITHER YOU ACCEPT WHAT IS GOING ON OR WE'LL LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE WHO STAYS AND WHO LEAVES."
The king looked at Serena with anger, then he turned to his wife and gave her a look filled with pure hatred, and slowly, without anybody's notice, he placed his hand on his sword, which was hanging from his belt, and started talking to the queen.
"YOU…. It's all because of you. You're the one who turned my only child against me. I HATE you Serenity, I never loved you, and I hate my father for forcing me to marry you, I always wanted to take your life. Nothing can make me happier than the sight of your BLOOOOD." The king shouted the last word and pulled his sword at the same time. He rushed to the queen with his sword aiming to her heart. With his eyes closed, the king embedded his sword in what he assumed was the queen's heart. And, a fracture of a second later, he heard the shocked and pained screams from the room's occupants…
"SERENA NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Screamed Endymion in shock and rushed to the wounded woman's side. When he heard that, the king opened his eyes to see his sword embedded in his daughter's chest instead of his wife's. The bewildered king pulled his sword from Serena's chest and rushed to his daughter, who was embraced by the shocked Endymion.
"Why? Why did you shield her with your body?"
Asked the king, then looked at the shocked queen, who was just shaking in her place. When the queen saw how her daughter covered her body with her own, and how she got stabbed instead of her, she froze in place and lost all ability to talk, move, or even cry, she just looked at her wounded daughter in total disbelief.
"Because she's my mother, and I love her." Answered Serena weakly.
"I envy her for having your love." Said the king in tearful voice.
"I would've done the same for you..Father."
"You…. You never called me father before… Serena…" whispered the king hoarsely.
"And you never called me Serena before." She whispered back, and for the first time in her life, she allowed her eyes to show the great amount of love she held for her father. The love that none of the room's shocked and tearful occupants knew it existed, the love that she never dared to show to anybody.
"I'm sorry…. For everything. I never wanted to hurt you. I thought that by making you my heir, I would have given you what every soul desired… Power and Wealth, but now I know how wrong I was…. Forgive me. I love you…. My dear daughter." Finished the king.
"I love you too, father." She said, raising her hand slowly and placing it on her father's tear struck cheek.
"Endymion, take care of my daughter." Said the king in a sad but determined voice and kissed his daughter's hand, then he rushed out of the room. Endymion gestured to Jedite to follow the king.
"AMY SNAP OUT OF IT AND COME HELP HER." Screamed Endymion, bringing Amy out of her shock. Amy rushed to her friend's side and tried to examine her, and after a few minutes she shook her head in a defeated manner and started crying along with all the other females in the room. As for the men, each of them tried to hide his feelings with no use, so they just gave up their tries and surrendered to their hot tears of sadness and grief. Jedite entered the room with sadness all over his face, and a blood stained sword in his hand, Endymion took one look at the sword and understood what happened, the king has taken his life by his own hands. Apparently, he couldn't live with the knowledge that he stabbed the only person he ever loved and cared for… his daughter.
"Endy…." Called Serena in a very weak voice.
"Yes love?" he whispered, trying to pull his self together.
"Am I going to die?" she asked, her voice weaker than before.
"Oh darling, of course not, you're going …to… be… just… fine." He's last words were filled with tears he could not hide any longer, and sadness he could not conceal.
"Endy, don't cry, please? I hate to see you so sad, my love." She whispered.
"Don't leave me my sweet, life is not worth living without you."
"I…I'll be waiting for you Endy, and someday we shall be together."
"Fate is so cruel, it pushed us toward each other and now, it's separating us. Why is life so unfair? Oh dearest, I don't want to lose you, I love you."
Said Endymion, running his finger softly over her face, trying to memorize every inch of her angelic features.
"Forever?" she asked.
"Forever what?" he answered her with a question.
"Will you love me forever?" she asked again.
"Oh no Serena, much MUCH longer than that." He said and lowered his face to hers. And gently, ever so gently, he placed his lips on her cold ones, and tried to transfer the heat of his hot lips to her dying body. He kissed her softly at first, but then he made her weak mouth open to his heated kiss, and explored her mouth with his tongue the same way he explored her face with his finger earlier, softly and lovingly.
Endymion tenderly broke the kiss, and looked at her pale but happy face.
"I love you." She whispered, and closed her eyes, sleeping the sleep of death.
"NOOO." Screamed Endymion in grief, and hugged her cold body in his arms….
"Look…" breathed Mina.
At her word, everybody looked at Serena's body and noticed the white and golden light that was covering her body. They watched, in disbelief, her body float in thin air. The white light changed into a beautiful white gown, and the golden light surrounded her head and changed into long gold strands of her hair, and a small crescent moon was revealed on her forehead.
"Oh god, she's bearing the sign of the gods." Whispered Ray in surprise, pointing at the crescent moon. "Which means that the gods were protecting her all along." She continued saying.
Everybody looked at the floating princess with total awe and no one dared to say a thing. Serena opened her eyes and looked at her friends, then she looked at Endymion. When their eyes met, she smiled at him lovingly. With that smile she looked like an angel, or a goddess fell right down from heaven. Slowly she descended to the ground again in front of her awed prince.
"Are you a ghost?" asked the out of breath prince.
Serena smiled again and placed her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the love she held for him. Endymion froze in place at first, then he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and kissed her back with passion he never knew he was capable of giving.
"No, you're not a ghost." He whispered in her ear. "You're an angel… MY angel."
"I love you, Endy." She whispered back.
"And I love you, my sweet *prince* Serenity." He said smiling, and gathered her in another passionate kiss.
"How much?" She asked, breaking the kiss. "How much do you love me, Endy?"
"Count the stars and multiply them by a million, and you won't even get close." He answered in a voice filled with pure love, and seeked her lips for another kiss, not giving any thought to the audience, who looked at the whole scene with wet eyes and wide smiles……
And they lived happily ever after…No, MUCH longer than that…
THE END
God I hate finishing this fic..*sniffle sniffle*
----------------------------
Love Always Has It's Way
Part 10
By: Silver Bunny
E-mail: moonsilverbunny@hotmail.com
@)-----------------------------------------
"He knows, then he DIES."
After Ray's last statement, everything went so fast. Her deadly weapon was about to stab Endymion in the heart when Serena threw herself in its way and shielded Endymion with her own body. The dagger was stopped an inch away from Serenas heart.
"Get out of the way your highness." Said Ray, directing her sentence to Serena.
"Never."
"He has to die, *Aaron *." Said Ray firmly
"And why is that, *Lady Rayanne*?" asked Serena with a very angry voice.
"Because he knows." She answered.
"Oh is that so? Okay then.. Jedite.." called Serena looking at Jedite. When he came closer to her she said.
"My real name is Serenity, and I'm a girl not a man, I'm only living like one because The King of Caria threatened to kill my mother if I didn't live as a man." Said Serena, then turned to Ray saying. "Now Jedite knows the truth. Are you going to kill him too Ray?"
When Ray heard Serena's question, she stood there in total shock, and a battle started between her mind and heart. Her mind was telling her to protect Serena at any price, even if the price was her only love. But her heart was pleading for her to stop this insanity, and spare the life of her love. Then, after a long battle, the dagger fell from her hand, indicating that her heart has won….
"Fo… forgive me." Whispered Ray, with tears in her eyes.
"Ray…" Serena came closer to her friend, and placed her hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to protect me anymore, I'm not afraid of him. It is time to face him, I will not hide anymore." Then she looked at Endymion saying "With Endymion by my side, I can fight the devil himself."
"Your father IS the devil Serena."
"Ray, you have no idea how hard it is to pretend to be someone you're not. You.."
"I KNOW how hard it is." Said Ray, cutting her off. "But he'll KILL you. I've known you since you were a five year old child. When I first came here I was only seven, but I always felt the hurt and sadness in you. It was hard for me to see you like that, and what pained me more was the fact that I couldn't do anything for you. I vowed to protect you Serena, but I couldn't protect you from what you feared most, your own father. Serena, you're putting your life on the line here, can't you see that?"
"RAY." Ray turned to Jedite in surprise, not expecting him to shout her name like that. "If you are really her friend, you would respect her decision and you would help her, instead of discouraging her." Said Jedite.
"Bu… but I only want her to be safe."
"She won't be safe unless she get rid of her fear and face her father."
"Jedite is right Ray. She has to face him. And don't worry, when she does I'll be there with her, I will NEVER leave her alone." Said the forgotten Endymion.
"Is that what you really want Serena? Do you really want to face your father?" asked Ray.
"Uh huh" nodded Serena in determination.
"So be It.," said Ray. "We'll do it together, and may Mars protect us all."
"Very interesting." Said a new voice.
"Malachite." Breathed Serena in surprise, and looked at the two figures who appeared from behind a bookshelf. "How did you get in here? The door is locked."
"The secret doors are all around the palace. Or did you forget that *Princess Aaron *." Answered Malachite in a cold voice.
"How long have you two been here?" asked Ray.
"Long enough." Said Malachite.
"Uh emm.. Ary… I mean Serena. I just want you to know that whatever you're going to do, I'm with you. I know we haven't been friends for a long time, but if you managed to make my cousin to take responsibility for the first time in his LIFE, then you're okay in my book." Joked Mina, trying to lighten the mood.
"HEY, that hurts." Said Endymion, smiling. "But thanks anyway, cousin."
"Thank you Mina, I do appreciate it." Smiled Serena gratefully.
"Don't mention it future cousin" said Mina winking. "We'll be happy to help, right Mal?"
Malachite just gave Serena a long look, a look that said so much and so little at the same time, a look that made Serena feel guilty without knowing why.
"Mal, I…." Began Serena.
"There's no time for talking Princess, we have to explain everything to the others and come up with a plan. We need all the help and time we could get." Said Malachite with the same cold voice.
"Okay then, let's go tell each of them separately, and meet here after an hour. Okay?" said Endymion. "Mina, you go to Zoycite and Amy. Ray, go to Neflite and Lita and take Jed with you. Serena, you go bring your mother. And Mal, since Artemis doesn't like me that much, you go to him and Luna. And let us meet here after an hour, agreed?"
They all nodded in agreement, but before they could go, Serena asked Endymion a question.
"And what are you going to do Endy?" asked Serena.
"I have something that I should take care of outside of the palace, but I'll get back in time, don't worry."
"Umm.. okay, but take care of yourself." She said.
"Don't worry love, I'll be fine."
======================
"Endyyyy, what took you so long? I was so worried." Said Serena, who was still dressed as Aaron, and threw herself in Endymion's welcoming arms.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you darling. So, is everybody familiar with the situation?" He asked, looking at the others.
"It was a shock at first, but I'm with you." Said Zoycite.
"Me too. I'm with you all the way." Said Neflite.
"Yes, the king has to be stopped." Added Artemis.
"So, what's the plan?" asked Amy.
"We'll all go to the king and confront him, and try to knock some sense into him." Said Endymion.
"Oh great, so we just go and say, excuse me your majesty, but we all know that your son is actually a girl. And we would greatly appreciate it if you stop this insanity and confess the whole thing to the world, oh while you're at it, tell them that you're nothing but a heartless bastard, who didn't have mercy on his own daughter. What A WONDERFUL idea Endymion." Said Malachite sarcastically.
"What's your problem Malachite? You've been acting like a JERK since you found out the truth." Said Serena, angrily. "If you have something to say to me, just SAY IT, and stop this ridicules act."
"Serena, that is enough, we shouldn't fight among ourselves." Scolded the queen.
"Uh.. I'm sorry, mother. Please forgive me, Malachite" Apologized Serena.
"I'm the one who should apologize. I know I acted like a jerk, Aary, but I was hurt. It pained me to find out that you have such a secret and you never told me. I thought I was your friend, but now, I'm not so sure what I am." Said Malachite.
"But you ARE my friend Mal. You always were." Said Serena, and held his hand lovingly.
"If I am, why didn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me?" He asked, looking at her with eyes filled with pain.
"That's not why I didn't tell you, Mal. I trust you with my life, and you know that."
"Then WHY????"
"I didn't tell you because I knew you would try and help me. When my father got angry with me, you always were there to defend me. I knew you would defend my right to live a normal life, and I didn't want you to do that."
"Why not?" he asked in puzzlement.
"I didn't want you to face my father's wrath. If you faced him, you would be dead by now." She explained.
Malachite looked at her with eyes filled with love, to him, Aaron was always the brother he never had.
"Aaron is like a brother to me, and I'll protect him with my life." said Malachite. "And that applies to Serena as well."
"And both Aaron and Serena think of you as their beloved brother as well." Said Serena in a tearful voice, and hugged Malachite gently. Malachite smiled and hugged her back. Everyone in the room looked at the whole scene with the same determined thought running through their heads, they'll all face the king, together.
"There's one more thing you guys should know about." Said Endymion, breaking the silence.
"And what is that, Endy?" Asked Zoycite.
"Plan B." he answered, with a devilish smile.
"Plan B??" asked Jedite.
"Yup. You can come out now." Said Endymion, looking at the wall, where the secret door Malachite came from earlier was located. The door was opened and a man came into the room.
"ANDREW???" shouted Serena in surprise.
"Hello, your highness, your majesty." Greeted Andrew, bowing to the queen. "It's an honor to meet you, your majesty. I…"
"Save it, Andrew, we don't have time for formalities." Said Endymion, cutting him off.
"W… what is he doing here?" asked Lita, pointing at Andrew.
"He's plan B." said Endymion. "You see Andrew is.."
"I'd like to explain, if you don't mind Endy." Interrupted Andrew.
"Be my guest."
Andrew took a deep breath, and turned around to face Serena.
"Aaron, or as I recently found out: Serena. What I'll say may shock you, but I think it is time for you to know. You see, your father was never the ruler that we deserve. He is in one word a TYRANT, and I believe you already know that, but what you don't know is that we, the people of Caria, hated him and planned a revolution, but then a new face came to the royal family, a prince named Aaron. When Prince Aaron was born, we thought that he'll turn out to be just like his father, but – to our surprise- he turned out to be nothing like his father. And then we realized that you – prince Aaron- are the ruler that we all have been dreaming of for many years. Now Endymion came to us and told us about your real identity, and he told us about what your father might do if you confront him. And that's why I'm here, I'm here to tell you that we're all with you, every and each one of us, and if it comes to a war, we'll be honored to fight by your side."
"Who do you mean by 'us' ?" asked Serena.
"We call ourselves the 'light of hope'. Or , as the king calls us, rebels." He answered.
"YOU??? You're with those… those REBELS???"
"Umm actually, I'm more like their leader." He said.
"LEADER?? AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?" To say Serena was shocked, will be putting it lightly.
"HEY you never told me you were a girl. I think we're even. Besides, we're on you're side, we're not going to fight you or anything. We always wanted YOU to rule. YOU are our 'Light Of Hope'. And we will NOT let your father take that light away from us just because you're not a man. Serena don't ever be ashamed of who you are, even as a girl, you're better than a thousand man."
"Andrew… I … I don't know what to say … I.. thank you Andrew, thank you for believing in me. I wish I could repay you someday." She said, and hugged him gratefully.
"The only repayment I want is to see you become the ruler we always dreamed of." He said, smiling gently.
"I'll do my best." She said and turned to Endymion. "Endy, how did you know who Andrew was?" she asked.
"I didn't. I went to him to get the help of the citizens of Caria, and when I told him about you, he confessed to me and told me everything. " he explained.
"Endy… I… Are you sure about this whole thing? What if my father hurts someone? I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me." she said.
"Don't worry love, no one will."
"Yeah, Endy is right. " Said Andrew. "Besides, we're not fighting just for you, we're fighting for our freedom as well."
"Okay, now that we're all willing to face the king, why don't we get it over with?" suggested Artemis.
"You're right Artemis." Said Malachite.
" And princess…We'll all be with you, till the end." He finished in determination.
"Till the End." They all said in one voice.
"O merciful Bona Dea, be with us." Whispered the queen to herself.
======================
The king was standing by a window in the library, pre occupied by his own thoughts, when the door was opened and fourteen people, including his wife and Serena, entered the room.
"Serenity, I was looking all over for you, where were you?" Asked the king.
"Around." She answered.
" Ah Prince Endymion, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" asked the king, trying to sound nice. Then he realized that Endymion and Aaron are HOLDING HANDS????
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" Asked the now furious king, dropping his nice act.
"They know, Aaron, they all know everything." Said the queen.
"What do you mean by 'everything'?" asked the king, and then turned around to his daughter.
"Aaron, WHAT are you doing? "
"Aaron is.." began the queen, but she was stopped by Serena.
"No mother, I'll talk. It's time for me to stop hiding." She said, and let go of Endymion's hand. Endymion grabbed her hand again and gave her a concerned look. "I'll be fine, my love." She whispered to him and him alone, and gave him a reassuring look, then walked closer to her so called father.
"What do you want to know, your majesty?" she asked him with restored confidence.
"Everything." He said, still angry.
Serena took a deep breath, then began talking.
"Endymion, along with all the people you see in this room, knows my true identity, in fact, all Caria knows by now. They all know that I'm really a girl, and they all know what you did." She said.
"You… you betrayed me? you betrayed your own father?"
"I never betrayed you, and I never will. And you know that I am and always have been loyal to you. I just want you to accept me as who I am, not as who you want me to be. All my life, all I ever wanted is to know that you are proud of me, but you never were, were you? You never even liked me…"
"Stop this nonsense Aaron, or you'll know what will happen." Threatened the King.
"STOP IT." Shouted the queen. "I will NOT let you threaten MY daughter anymore."
"Serenity, you better watch what you're saying to ME." Said the king in a cold voice.
"You don't scare me anymore, Aaron." She said in the same tone of voice.
"You're digging your own grave, Serenity." He threatened.
"ENOUGH." Shouted Serena for the first time. "DON'T YOU DARE THREATEN MY MOTHER ANYMORE, WE'RE NOT SCARED OF YOU ANY LONGER. BESIDES, ALL OF CARIA KNOWS THE TRUTH, YOU CAN'T BLACKMAIL US ANYMORE. SO EITHER YOU ACCEPT WHAT IS GOING ON OR WE'LL LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE WHO STAYS AND WHO LEAVES."
The king looked at Serena with anger, then he turned to his wife and gave her a look filled with pure hatred, and slowly, without anybody's notice, he placed his hand on his sword, which was hanging from his belt, and started talking to the queen.
"YOU…. It's all because of you. You're the one who turned my only child against me. I HATE you Serenity, I never loved you, and I hate my father for forcing me to marry you, I always wanted to take your life. Nothing can make me happier than the sight of your BLOOOOD." The king shouted the last word and pulled his sword at the same time. He rushed to the queen with his sword aiming to her heart. With his eyes closed, the king embedded his sword in what he assumed was the queen's heart. And, a fracture of a second later, he heard the shocked and pained screams from the room's occupants…
"SERENA NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Screamed Endymion in shock and rushed to the wounded woman's side. When he heard that, the king opened his eyes to see his sword embedded in his daughter's chest instead of his wife's. The bewildered king pulled his sword from Serena's chest and rushed to his daughter, who was embraced by the shocked Endymion.
"Why? Why did you shield her with your body?"
Asked the king, then looked at the shocked queen, who was just shaking in her place. When the queen saw how her daughter covered her body with her own, and how she got stabbed instead of her, she froze in place and lost all ability to talk, move, or even cry, she just looked at her wounded daughter in total disbelief.
"Because she's my mother, and I love her." Answered Serena weakly.
"I envy her for having your love." Said the king in tearful voice.
"I would've done the same for you..Father."
"You…. You never called me father before… Serena…" whispered the king hoarsely.
"And you never called me Serena before." She whispered back, and for the first time in her life, she allowed her eyes to show the great amount of love she held for her father. The love that none of the room's shocked and tearful occupants knew it existed, the love that she never dared to show to anybody.
"I'm sorry…. For everything. I never wanted to hurt you. I thought that by making you my heir, I would have given you what every soul desired… Power and Wealth, but now I know how wrong I was…. Forgive me. I love you…. My dear daughter." Finished the king.
"I love you too, father." She said, raising her hand slowly and placing it on her father's tear struck cheek.
"Endymion, take care of my daughter." Said the king in a sad but determined voice and kissed his daughter's hand, then he rushed out of the room. Endymion gestured to Jedite to follow the king.
"AMY SNAP OUT OF IT AND COME HELP HER." Screamed Endymion, bringing Amy out of her shock. Amy rushed to her friend's side and tried to examine her, and after a few minutes she shook her head in a defeated manner and started crying along with all the other females in the room. As for the men, each of them tried to hide his feelings with no use, so they just gave up their tries and surrendered to their hot tears of sadness and grief. Jedite entered the room with sadness all over his face, and a blood stained sword in his hand, Endymion took one look at the sword and understood what happened, the king has taken his life by his own hands. Apparently, he couldn't live with the knowledge that he stabbed the only person he ever loved and cared for… his daughter.
"Endy…." Called Serena in a very weak voice.
"Yes love?" he whispered, trying to pull his self together.
"Am I going to die?" she asked, her voice weaker than before.
"Oh darling, of course not, you're going …to… be… just… fine." He's last words were filled with tears he could not hide any longer, and sadness he could not conceal.
"Endy, don't cry, please? I hate to see you so sad, my love." She whispered.
"Don't leave me my sweet, life is not worth living without you."
"I…I'll be waiting for you Endy, and someday we shall be together."
"Fate is so cruel, it pushed us toward each other and now, it's separating us. Why is life so unfair? Oh dearest, I don't want to lose you, I love you."
Said Endymion, running his finger softly over her face, trying to memorize every inch of her angelic features.
"Forever?" she asked.
"Forever what?" he answered her with a question.
"Will you love me forever?" she asked again.
"Oh no Serena, much MUCH longer than that." He said and lowered his face to hers. And gently, ever so gently, he placed his lips on her cold ones, and tried to transfer the heat of his hot lips to her dying body. He kissed her softly at first, but then he made her weak mouth open to his heated kiss, and explored her mouth with his tongue the same way he explored her face with his finger earlier, softly and lovingly.
Endymion tenderly broke the kiss, and looked at her pale but happy face.
"I love you." She whispered, and closed her eyes, sleeping the sleep of death.
"NOOO." Screamed Endymion in grief, and hugged her cold body in his arms….
"Look…" breathed Mina.
At her word, everybody looked at Serena's body and noticed the white and golden light that was covering her body. They watched, in disbelief, her body float in thin air. The white light changed into a beautiful white gown, and the golden light surrounded her head and changed into long gold strands of her hair, and a small crescent moon was revealed on her forehead.
"Oh god, she's bearing the sign of the gods." Whispered Ray in surprise, pointing at the crescent moon. "Which means that the gods were protecting her all along." She continued saying.
Everybody looked at the floating princess with total awe and no one dared to say a thing. Serena opened her eyes and looked at her friends, then she looked at Endymion. When their eyes met, she smiled at him lovingly. With that smile she looked like an angel, or a goddess fell right down from heaven. Slowly she descended to the ground again in front of her awed prince.
"Are you a ghost?" asked the out of breath prince.
Serena smiled again and placed her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the love she held for him. Endymion froze in place at first, then he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and kissed her back with passion he never knew he was capable of giving.
"No, you're not a ghost." He whispered in her ear. "You're an angel… MY angel."
"I love you, Endy." She whispered back.
"And I love you, my sweet *prince* Serenity." He said smiling, and gathered her in another passionate kiss.
"How much?" She asked, breaking the kiss. "How much do you love me, Endy?"
"Count the stars and multiply them by a million, and you won't even get close." He answered in a voice filled with pure love, and seeked her lips for another kiss, not giving any thought to the audience, who looked at the whole scene with wet eyes and wide smiles……
And they lived happily ever after…No, MUCH longer than that…
THE END