Chapter 21
Darkness
The drone of Lady Anne's voice was growing unbearable. Her shrill tone carried through the large ballroom, echoing off of the stone walls and piercing the ear drums of anyone unfortunate to be nearby.
"Princess Lita, your movements must be graceful and light. Your heavy footfalls sound like a herd of thundering elephants!" She shrieked as she rushed to Lita's side, guiding her strides across the room.
Lita's cheeks flushed a bright red as she corrected herself, exaggerating her movements to please Lady Anne, if only to keep her quiet.
"Princess Raye! Shoulders back! Back! More!" Lady Anne scurried over to Raye who was currently descending the polished staircase to the ballroom floor, one hand on the railing while the other held her skirts up. Lady Anne grabbed Raye's left shoulder and pushed it back abruptly, while her other hand went to lift up Raye's chin. "Chin up! Up! Your guests must see your eyes!"
Raye stumbled, nearly falling onto the next step from the force of Lady Anne's grasp but she hardly noticed.
"Oh sweet goodness I'm next…" Mina whispered to Serena as Amy descended the staircase after Raye, holding her head up high with one hand gliding over the railing.
Serena bit her lips to keep from bursting into laughter.
"Very nice Princess Amy!" Lady Anne stated as Amy seemingly floated down the stairs, meeting the glares of Lita and Raye with a sweet smile. "Watch how her movements are clean, smooth and graceful!"
Four hours.
Four hours of nothing short of hell.
Serena fought the incredible urge to grab her skirts and run out of the room. While she was excited to have the princesses Mina, Amy, Raye and Lita at her side in the Moon Palace, they could not escape the monotonous duties of princesses. Queen Serenity
ensured that between scout training sessions all of the princesses were to continue their studies, the least popular of which was royal etiquette. The princesses all referred to it as torture. Hours were spent learning how to properly enter a room, learning how to properly introduce other prominent members of the galaxy and the governing bodies that operated within them. Though each princess had spent years learning how to work within their own kingdoms and how to properly behave as princesses, their scope was limited to their homes only. There was much more to learn about the galaxy yet Lady Anne chose to focus on trivial aspects like curtsying properly, keeping the right amount of eye contact during conversation, and using annunciation when speaking publicly.
Serena glanced at the closed door to her left. Behind that door was her mother's private office. An office that for the moment, housed not only the Queen of the Moon Kingdom but the prince and heir to the throne of Earth, Endymion. She bit her lip as her mind ran through the endless scenarios that could be unfolding just feet from her. What were they discussing at that moment?
Endymion had told her that he was to formerly inquire about Serena's protection, hoping that he and his generals could aid in her protection against his mother. His four generals: Kunzite, Zoisite, Nephrite and Jadeite, were excellent fighters and could help train the sailor scouts, at least that was his desire. Serena had grown fond of Endymion in the short time they had known each other, she hoped that her mother would agree to his request. She wanted to see more of the prince from Earth. His smile alone made her knees weak and her heart race. She hadn't forgotten how he held her during their dance on Venus, and even his gentle touch in the Moon Palace gardens. She could still feel the brush of his lips on the back of herhand. The thought alone sent a shiver down her spine.
"Princess Serena!" Lady Anne's shrill voice called. "Pay attention! I have asked everyone to sit for tea and you alone are still standing!"
Serena's cheeks flushed as her gaze flickered over to one of the oval tables along the back wall of the ballroom. Mina, Lita, Raye and Amy were all seated, napkins pressed onto their laps with their backs perfectly straight, several inches from the back of their chairs. They were taking turns pouring tea into their porcelain tea cups but they had all paused to watch Serena.
Serena gathered her heavy white silk skirts into her hands and dipped into a polite curtsy to Lady Anne before she scurried over to the table, bumping into it as she plopped ungracefully into her seat. The tea in the tea cups splashed upwards from the
force of her bump, and Princess Mina shrieked as her tea splattered her vibrant yellow dress.
Serena's cheeks, if possible, grew redder as she rushed to help dab Mina's dress, knocking over Raye's cup in the process.
Raye screamed as the steaming hot tea poured onto her lap, soaking her gown and scalding her knees. "OWWWWWW!"
"Quite elegant." Lady Anne remarked sarcastically as she put her hand to her forehead, shaking with frustration. "What am I to do with you? Princess Serena, you are undoubtedly the most—"
"Excuse me." A voice cut in before Lady Anne could finish.
All six heads turned to see the doors of Queen Serenity's office had opened. Prince Endymion stood in the doorway, one hand over his chest apologetically. "Forgive my intrusion. I wish to speak to Princess Serena for a moment."
"Princess Serena is not finished with her lesson—" Lady Anne snapped, glaring at Endymion.
"Prince Endymion." Serena stated as she held her head high, interrupting Lady Anne. Endymion's rich sapphire eyes caught hers as she spoke. She felt her chest begin to tingle, as if thousands of tiny fireworks were exploding underneath her skin. "I would love for you to accompany me on a walk through our gardens. Lady Anne, please excuse us." She stated as she pushed past her gaping instructor and approached Endymion. Instructor or not, Lady Anne was simply a subject of the Moon Kingdom, Serena was still the princess of the Moon.
Endymion gave her a sly grin and offered her his arm which she gratefully took. He guided her out of the room and into the waiting gardens with a polite nod to the other princesses who were all watching them intently.
"Your friends looked upset." Endymion remarked as they emerged into the gardens. The sun, for the moment, was shrouded behind several dark clouds, however the heat of the summer was still present.
"They're jealous I was able to leave, we still had another hour with Lady Anne for royal etiquette." Serena replied as they walked down the first flight of stone steps to the gardens.
"Oh, I thought it was because you alone, get to spend your afternoon with me." Endymion remarked with a cocky smile.
Serena felt her cheeks flush a bright red. She wasn't prepared for his comment. Her mouth opened and closed as she attempted, in vain, something to say. Her foot missed the next step but before she could trip and fall down the next flight of stairs, Endymion's
arm shot out, as quick as lightning, catching her around the middle.
"Maybe I should have left you in there, aren't princesses supposed to be graceful?" He whispered to her as he pulled her closer to his chest for a moment before releasing her. "You could use some more practice."
"Prince Endymion, your words are not the words of a dignified prince!" She stated, suddenly finding her voice though her cheeks were still a vibrant red.
He shrugged as the corner of his mouth tucked into another wide grin. "I never said I was dignified but then again that's what you Moon people think isn't it? That all the people of Earth are savages?"
"Well, you aren't putting that myth to rest at the moment." Serena snapped back as she took a step away from him, her brow furrowing in frustration. Endymion certainly wasn't acting like the prince she had met on Venus. "A prince does not behave in the manner that you are."
He folded his arms as Serena huffed and grabbed her skirts, descending the rest of the stairs while muttering under her breath. "Princess Serena, I'm beginning to think you haven't been around many princes."
"You're wrong about that!" Serena huffed as she gave him an annoyed glance as she narrowed her eyes. "I have met many refined princes, but you already know that don't you?"
"What are you talking about?" He asked as his cocky smile vanished and he began to descend the remaining stairs, following her closely.
"Don't play dumb!" She scolded as her hands went to her hips. "You told me at the ball on Venus that the man I was looking for wasn't there."
Endymion's snide smile returned as he threw back his head and laughed. "Princess, now I am truly convinced you haven't met many princes. I say that to every woman I want to dance with. It works like a charm. Every prince has his own way of charming princesses…I
would say my method is definitely effective."
Serena's jaw dropped as her hands balled into two tight fists. She could feel the rage building within herself. She was furious, not only with Endymion but herself, she had been tricked and foolishly, she had believed she had a connection with this foreign
prince. Before she could stop herself her right hand flew through the air, connecting with Endymion's cheek.
"OW!" He cried as he took a step back from her, holding his cheek with his eyes wide in amazement though he didn't look upset. He appeared amused, pleased even.
"What is wrong with you?" Serena snapped. "Why are you smiling?"
"That I can work with." Endymion stated as he straightened his shirt. "I need you angry Serena, how else can I teach you to fight?"
Serena's jaw dropped as she gaped at him. "What? All of that, that you just said—"
"Was to get you angry enough to strike." He finished for her with a smile as he crossed his arms. "Your mother is allowing me and my generals to train you. I will work specifically with you. You'll find that the enemy will play worse mind games with you and you have to be ready to defend yourself. Your anger can be a blessing and a curse. I will teach you how to properly control your emotions so that you become stronger." He said as he took a step towards her. "Maybe I'm not such a savage after all."
"Perhaps." Serena stated, not sure how she felt about the turn of events. "Was that all true? About the ball?" Her tone softened as she spoke. She couldn't help but feel a pang at the thought of him playing with her emotions.
"No… I knew you were looking for Prince Nikko." He stated as his gaze softened. "He almost had the Silver Crystal, what he wanted more than anything else. He wanted the power it could give him. If I hadn't intervened and stopped him from leaving the Moon
with it, the evil that is taking over this galaxy would've had all it needed to end this fight."
"What?" Serena asked as the color drained from her face. "Nikko wouldn't—"
"He did." Endymion stated as he laid a hand on her shoulder. "Prince Nikko is corrupt, his soldiers are following him to the darkness, all except his brother, Fabian. Queen Serenity hoped that by keeping him here, away from the other Shadow Warriors, that he could become an instrumental ally against the darkness. Serena, don't believe for a second that Nikko felt anything for you… you don't know him like I do. I grew up with Prince Nikko, we trained together for several years. He's not the man you think he is."
Serena fell to her knees as she felt a wave of nausea hit her. She felt sick to her stomach. Sick that she had been played with, lied to, and betrayed. Nikko didn't love her. All of the time they had spent together and the memories they had created were all lies. His words had been poison, breaking down her walls enough to get what he wanted.
"Hey." Endymion whispered as he went to one knee, taking her into his arms as finally she gave in to the sobs and tears that overcameher body. Serena cried against his chest as his grip tightened. His hands, strong but gentle, ran through her hair and settled onto her back. "I won't ever let him hurt you again."
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"This is incredible." Michelle stated as she and the rest of the sailor scouts and generals walked through the basement levels of the Moon Palace. The space was large and seemingly entirely intact. The stairs had led to a series of long hallways dotted with torches. Many of the scouts had grabbed some of the torches to light their way as they walked creating creepy shadows that danced along the walls.
"How did this level survive the destruction that tore apart everything on the Moon?" Amy inquired as she ran her hands along a tiny crack on the wall.
"We had excellent architects and engineers that built the lower levels to withstand a bombardment. We wanted to be able to use it as a shelter for our people. Unfortunately, the attack was too swift for us to save those that this shelter was built for…" Queen Serenity stated as she felt her eyes begin to sting.
Lita ran her hands along the smooth pillars that dotted the winding hallway. They passed room after room in what felt like an endless maze. The lower levels were simple but everything was crafted beautifully. She could only imagine what the rest of the palace had looked like. "What else was this area used for?"
"Our armory is down there." Serenity replied as she gestured to a hallway that splintered off to the right. "As well as our vault that contained the crown jewels, lots of storage and at the very end is an entrance to the tombs—"
"Armory?" Kunzite stated as he stopped to peer down the right hallway. "Anything useful still in there?"
"There is plenty that is useful down there." Serenity grinned as Luna walked past her to look around the corner. A cool gust of wind charged through the hallway making everyone shiver.
"There's no… ghosts here right?" Mina asked in a tiny whisper.
"Seriously?" Amara stated with a roll of her eyes. "Ghosts should be the least of your worries."
"She's right, I'd worry about the rats." Jadeite stated as he glanced around them.
Raye, Lita, Amy, Michelle and Amy all shivered at the same time.
"Are there rats on the Moon?" Nephrite asked with a glance at Serenity. "I thought all life perished…"
"There shouldn't be any rats." Serenity stated with a smile. "And if there any ghosts, Amara is right, they aren't our biggest concern right now. Our first priority is to get into the armory and power up. There are many weapons that could be useful and the power within this palace should make your own attacks more potent…"
Kunzite, Nephrite, Jadeite and Zoisite stopped, mid-step, all at the same time creating a traffic jam in the hall.
"What the heck?" Mina stated as she crashed into Kunzite's back. "What is up with you?"
"It's Endymion." Queen Serenity stated as she watched the generals all turn to look at each other.
"He needs us." Zoisite stated as he sent Amy an apologetic look. "We need to go."
"You can't just leave!" Raye stated as she punched Jadeite's shoulder. "We need your help!"
"We are all fighting the same fight soldier of Mars." Kunzite said as he put his hand over his chest. "We will return." He extended his arm and ripped a hole in the air, creating a dark portal against the wall.
"Our prince needs us." Zoisite squeezed Amy's hand once before jumping through the hole. Jadeite followed without any hesitation.
Lita grabbed hold of Nephrite's hand as he turned to leave. She could feel the eyes of all the scouts on her back, watching their every move. "You come back to me quickly, you hear?" She told Nephrite as her hands went to his shoulders. "We still have to go on a proper honeymoon."
"The ruins of the Moon kingdom weren't romantic enough?" Nephrite asked as his hands went to her hips. Their lips met in a gentle, yet passionate kiss.
"Be safe." Lita whispered as their lips parted.
"I will." Nephrite promised her and without another word he jumped through the portal as well.
Mina felt her heart begin to pound against her chest as Kunzite turned to move through the portal too. "You aren't even saying goodbye?" She asked him, feeling a twinge of anger within her.
"I won't say goodbye. This isn't one of those moments." Kunzite replied with a half grin. "I'll be back Mina, just … stay away from Fabian until I return."
Mina rolled her eyes but gave him a quick kiss just as he stepped through the portal. She watched as the portal shrank to almost nothing and disappeared.
"Men." Amara huffed as she came to the door of the armory. "We can handle this on our own. Let's see what's in here."
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Serena's hands were shaking as her heels clicked softly on the frosty stone floor. She cautiously approached Nikko's study, attempting to control her anxiety. Pluto's words stuck in her mind like glue. Was she truly destined to be Nikko's queen? Was she to spend the rest of her days beside a man that was working as part of the Negaverse? That was the hardest part to swallow. The future that Pluto had revealed to her didn't feel right, it couldn't possibly be true.
She glanced around the desolate hallway. The royal palace on Charon was in desperate need of repairs. The walls were aged and covered with dusty, fading portraits of Nikko's ancestors. The majority of the palace was crumbling and with only the Shadow Warriors and herself occupying the palace, she couldn't foresee them being able to make necessary repairs. Plus, the chilly air was starting to settle in her chest, giving her a nasty cough. She couldn't fathom spending another day on Charon much less a lifetime. Serena couldn't accept Pluto's words as truth but then again, if she left, would Darien be doomed?
"Serena, come inside." Nikko's voice stated as she approached the doorway to his study. Nikko was clad in his usual uniform but his armor and cape were nowhere in sight. His sword remained at his side permanently which Serena found odd that even within
his own home, he felt the need to keep it on his hip.
"Something is troubling you." He stated as he looked up from the papers before him. He dropped them onto his desk and rose, crossing the room and taking her into his arms.
Serena inhaled sharply as she felt his strong arms grasp her tightly for a moment before he stepped back. She no longer felt the warmth rushing through her veins at his touch.
"It must be serious." He stated as his lavender eyes regarded her.
"Nikko… my friends… are they in danger?" She asked as she met his eyes with her own. She knew that she needed to proceed with caution. If she was doomed to live out her days on Charon, she had to be sure everyone she cared about and loved, would be safe.
"They may be harmed, but not killed." He assured her as he leaned back against his desk. "My Shadow Warriors have their orders and unfortunately, they involve your friends, however, your sailor scouts will live."
"What do you want with them? They were only trying to protect me from you!" She protested as her heart began to race. She could feel panic washing over her body as a sense of hopelessness settled in. What could she do so far away from home to help her
friends? Sailor Moon never would have abandoned her friends and yet she had willingly left Mina and Kunzite to be with Nikko without even thinking. Maybe she truly wasn't even Sailor Moon anymore. She hadn't felt like part of the team in five years and now, without being able to transform, she could do almost nothing to help those that needed her.
"Queen Raven needs something the sailor scouts have. There is no need for anyone to die or even to be harmed if they willingly give up what she desires." Nikko responded casually.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you working with someone who spent years trying to kill me and who is now trying to take over the last remaining living planet in this galaxy?" She asked.
"Princess…" Nikko moved away from the desk and approached her again but this time Serena took a step back, away from him.
"Tell me the truth Nikko." Serena warned him.
"I made a deal with Queen Raven." He stated with a sigh. He ran a hand through his long, white blond hair as he turned from her to peer outside of the frosted window. "I made a deal with her a long time ago actually, during the Silver Millennium. She promised that she could return you to me and keep Queen Serenity from tearing us apart." He turned back to face Serena, his expression dark. "I did as she instructed, my Shadow Warriors joined our fight after some convincing."
"Nikko… why?" Serena felt tears filling her eyes, unable to keep from jumping to what was truly bothering her. "Why did you join the Negaverse? Why would you do that?"
He took a moment, tearing his gaze from her as he contemplated his words carefully. "Serena, when your mother banished me I knew that she would never allow me to see you again. Actually, her threats had started long before she banished me. She knew we
were falling in love, she didn't want us together."
"I don't have any more memories of you after you left." Serena stated as she felt her knees begin to shake. Tears began to spill down her cheeks rapidly. "You never came back as you promised—"
"Your mother turned this galaxy against my kingdom!" He shouted as his fist slammed onto the desk beside him. "No other kingdom would receive me! My own father contemplated taking my crown and giving it to Fabian! I was on the verge of losing not only you, but a lifetime that I prepared every waking moment for! What else could I do? I was losing everything I cared about!"
"Nikko…" Serena approached him cautiously. "Do you not hear yourself? You lied to me! You wanted the Silver Crystal, that is the only reason you came to the Moon and the only reason you tricked me into loving you!"
"I came to you with good and honorable intentions." Nikko stated as his hands balled into fists. "Your mother came to me when she saw us getting close and promised to do all she could to keep us from getting any closer. She threatened my family, my kingdom and even my father! She was pushing me away when she saw us falling for each other. Queen Raven promised that if I gave her the Silver Crystal, she would give us sanctuary to be together and keep Queen Serenity from tearing us apart!" He shouted. "I did what I had to for you Serena!"
She bravely crossed the room and found herself reaching forward, settling her hand onto his cheek. "No…you lost yourself to the darkness Nikko… you must've known Queen Raven was evil. You changed after you left, you never did come find me… you desired the power that the Negaverse gave you and you let it consume you. Even if you had returned for me, I wouldn't have left with you, not if you were working with the Negaverse."
"I did come for you Serena." He whispered as his tone suddenly changed. He laid his hand over hers as their eyes met. "But I was too late… you were gone… I took you into my arms and you were cold as ice… that was the last image I had of you, cold and lifeless in my arms. I lost you twice Serena, I vowed that if I had another chance, I would never lose you a third time."
"Nikko—" Serena's gaze softened as she felt a shudder tear through her. "I care for you, I truly do. But I… I don't love you. I don't love the man that you have become. I don't love the things that you have done and are about to do. I can't stay here with you, not anymore. My future is with Darien and even if it is a short one, it is one that I will fight for, until my last breath."
Nikko's lavender eyes suddenly turned dark as his hands went to grasp her shoulders. "NO!" He yelled as he shook her roughly. "You are MINE! I won't lose you again Serena, not after all I have done for you!"
"Nikko, you're hurting me." Serena yelped as his nails dug into the soft flesh on her shoulders. "Let me go, now!"
Nikko released her shoulders but his arms wrapped around her tightly as he pulled her against his chest. "Listen to me now Serena, you're not leaving Charon. Not now, not ever, I've made sure of that. One way or another you will accept that I am your future now, even if I have to go all the way down to Earth myself and rip out Endymion's beating heart and bring it to you." He whispered into her ear.
Serena felt tears filling her eyes as he spoke. She trembled against him, terrified to struggle even against his tight grasp. She remembered Trista's parting words vividly as silence fell between her and Nikko. She had to make the best of it, if she went back to Earth, Darien would die. She broke down into sobs as her hands began to shake.
"Accept me Serena." Nikko stated as he slowly released her. "We can be very happy together. We can have the life we were robbed of during the Silver Millennium."
Serena collapsed onto the ground as her body shook with sobs. Her hands began to shake more violently, turning a bright blue that spread all the way to her elbow. She could feel the power surging to her hands. She knew it was the dark energy, manifesting just as it had with Fabian at the news station. This time she was ready. She thrust her hands forward, straight at Nikko, sending a ball of crackling dark energy right at his chest.
Nikko shouted as he attempted to dodge the attack but his left leg caught the blast in full, sending him flying back against the wall.
Serena quickly got to her feet, her tears forgotten as she felt her hands turning blue again. She didn't know how much dark energy she still had left, but she knew she was going to make this next hit count. She stared at Nikko hard as he struggled to get back to his feet. She could feel something burning against her forehead as the black crescent illuminated against her skin. All she could think about in that moment was the anger and rage she had built up within her. She loathed Nikko in that moment. She couldn't accept that he was her future, she couldn't accept that she had wasted the past five years without Darien, she couldn't accept that her fate was to be Nikko's queen.
"Stop." Nikko stated as he finally stood, staring hard at her. His white blond hair was in disarray, sticking to side of his face. His cheeks were pale as he was reeling in pain. He hobbled forward, wincing as he placed his weight on his leg, heading straight for her. "The more you use that energy, the more darkness will fester within you until it takes control."
Serena hesitated, taking a step back as she considered his words. Jadeite's warning rang through her ears: he had told her the same thing. Every time she used dark energy she felt different, darker.
Her hesitation was all Nikko needed. He lunged forward, wrapping his arms back around her as they crashed to the ground. Serena screamed as she felt him fall on top of her. She thrashed against him, trying to push him off as he gripped her wrists tightly, keeping her beneath him.
"LET ME GO!" She screamed as they struggled.
Nikko sneered at her as he pulled her upright to a standing position. His grip on her wrists tightened though his expression grew solemn. "I don't want to do this Serena, I fell in love with a young princess of the Moon… a princess that was in every way… good." His lavender eyes softened for a moment as Serena paused.
"Nikko, let me go." She pleaded as she felt her body begin to tremble. If the dark energy overcame her, she would never be able to return to Darien or her friends that so desperately needed her.
"The dark energy will take that goodness away… just as it did to me. The darkness will bring you to me. If it is the only thing that will keep you here, then so be it." He stated, ignoring her as his hands turned blue, just as hers had earlier.
"NO! Nikko no!" Serena screamed as she felt the dark energy begin to seep from his hands to hers. She could feel her body growing warmer and warmer but as quickly as it began, it stopped. She felt Nikko's hands fall from hers in an abrupt movement.
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!" Darien shouted as he charged forward, ramming into Nikko's side.
The two men rolled onto the ground in a flurry of punches and kicks as Serena collapsed onto the ground. Her vision blurred as she struggled to keep conscious. The last thing she saw was Darien and Nikko getting to their feet, their swords drawn. Her eyelids fluttered closed as they charged at each other, ready to fight to the death.