Title: Crescent Mirror

Author: aaeris17

Contact: Notes:

I would like to apologize for the uhhh, three month long stasis on this story. I have been super busy trying to finish this semester and pack up my apartment to move. I would like to let all my loyal fans know a few things:

(1) The story is pouring out of my brain like crazy and I have already started the next chapter (and ps Endy and Sere are finally about to get together)

(2) I managed to graduate successfully and would like to announce I am a proud owner of a B.A. degree from a top 15 university

(3) You guys are wonderful for putting up with this long wait. If you have time and happen to like my writing style check out my other two stories on Fan Fiction. Net

"The Great Freeze" and a one shot "Ever The Same:

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

A fist slammed the table, "How can you suggest sending any more spies into the Wraith Kingdom? Have you lost your mind?"

"Fine words, Captain!"

"Damn right, my lord Ares! I would like you to suggest sending your daughter into the darkness!" Lawrence shot back.

Ares' eyes flashed the same violet as Rei's, "She would go in a heartbeat! For her country and her Queen!"

"My son has risked life and limb and yet you want to send him back after I have JUST seen him alive? A notion that milord was eager to believe within six months!"

"DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY CHILD!" Ares shouted as he jumped to his feet from his table and Lawrence quickly crossed the room to see to the challenge.

Artemis lunged and stopped Lawrence with his arms, "No Ares, telling the Princess of Mars what to do has fallen to their Majesties and me. I doubt she will answer to you,"

Ares body stiffened with the insult that was so vicious in its cruelty.

"SILENCE!" The Lord Chancellor bellowed, "The Princesses behave better than their parents, good Goddess. Sit down!" He roared and turned a wearied head towards his daughter who had sat in on this Council while the others fretted over Serenity and Endymion and what to do about Sapphire. Mina's capable hands were gripping each other fiercely and wondering what words to use in this moment.

"My lords and ladies, we are here not to discuss past decisions. We have been summoned for an immediate threat on the persons of our Majesties and more specifically the Heir and Princess Serenity. The ability of these droids of Sapphire to enter the controlled sphere of Luster is disturbing—as is his ability to astral project himself here. We have one grain of knowledge: Sapphire has bitter feelings towards Diamond and if we can decipher anything it's the uneasy feelings Sapphire has towards Diamond and thusly towards Beryl. Endymion has provided enough information towards the single minded goal of Beryl's: domination through the reawakening of Metallica. Beryl most likely is furious at Diamond's resurfacing and the threat to her power. Sapphire is the odd one out: a begotten bastard that is the cuckoo in our nest of vipers. If we can get Sapphire before Beryl can fully estrange the brothers we have a chance at discovering…" she trailed off as she realized the pin-drop silence in the Library. Artemis nodded and her father cleared her throat, "At finally stopping this wicked darkness from permeating and destroying our precious happiness,"

Lord Hermes applauded, "Well said milady, if I may?" Mina nodded and Lord Hermes stood up, pressed a few buttons and projected in the middle of the room for all was a step by step deduction of how the droids worked and what harm they could do. Mina felt a sleepless night taking its toll and with a polite nod to her father, excused herself, making a note for her father to summon her and the Scouts before any plan of action was spoken of. These deliberations would allow her perhaps two hours of precious sleep. Mina fingered the cut glass bottle sitting in the deep folds of her skirt. Could she perhaps take an aide to sleep? Just a few drops of the filmy liquid in a glass of water and she could awake refreshed and without those awful dreams that were beginning to steal all her sleep.

"Your face is as easy to read as a book, Princess," a deep voice whispered in her ear and a hand closed over hers, "This is not an answer to your problems,"

Mina would have whirled around but Kunzite held her close, "I know you're scared, and I'm scared. We don't know what we're up against and that is frightening but you cannot weaken yourself with sleep aides," He chuckled softly and turned her around to face him, "Well?"

"How do you stop the dreams?" She asked in a small voice looking down at the marble floors as she handed over the glass vial, "Ever since we thought Endy was lost, they come more and more frequently. Since he's been back I've had no sleep…" She stopped and turned to give Kunzite a profile, "How can I protect her when I know not what to protect her from?"

Kunzite bent to kiss her peach complexion that was growing paler than Serenity's these past few days, "You know what to protect her from. The evilness of others. We have faces for our enemies, three, Beryl, Diamond, and Sapphire. They are human—though how human neither of us can fathom. But, Minako, you cannot forget this goal," Kunzite smiled. How wonderful he was. How absolutely perfectly he read her and knew her.

In another chamber…..

I awoke and the first thing I realized was that I was in my bed—again. For maybe the second time, third time? And the moon had not even a chance to rise again. My next thought was a groan at realizing that I had missed the second council meeting. I struggled to get up and nearly killed myself—need I add again? A wandering hand affirmed what I feared. Several red welts where Sapphire's fingers had been were rising against what felt like a deeply bruised neck. I opened my eyes and stared at the growing darkness in the canopy. I hate winter months. The night comes before the day has even a chance to begin.

Fool, fool, three times the fool! I muttered to myself as those agonizing last moments before my slip into unconsciousness. Why had I cried? What reason had I to cry? To think that Endy felt more for me than—I closed my eyes. I would always be a six year to him. Punching him in the gut while Mina held him down, him putting honey in my hair, racing recklessly on our horses, -- this was not the making of a grand romance.

I rolled over on my side. I was happy to be alone in my bed this time. Endy's close presence this morning had been disconcerting to say the least. How could I have so many different feelings for a boy I had grown up with? Sure I had never shared Mina and Lita's fantasies of a prince coming to sweep me off my feet. But…when had I a reason to? I knew what my future would be. I would grow up and be just like my mother. And that's turning into a fine state of affairs the little voice inside my bed reminded me. Would my mother have been foolish enough to let herself be attacked by her worst enemy twice within a day? Then again, my mother had a knight. My father who championed her from—what was that sweet tale Luna used to tell us girls when we were little?

How my father had heard of the legendary beauty of my mother and was reluctant to press his case as a suitor? For a woman so beautiful, so powerful, and so intelligent on her own could scarcely need a man. Then one fateful moonrise as the Goddess would have it, Father had snuck out of a Royal Ball in his honor and went fairy searching in the woods. There he happened across a nymph, he was sure of it. She sat by the water's edge and was gracefully dipping her feet. Well, my mother would add that in fact she had been twirling like a child when Father saw her. And she suddenly froze, like a deer and raised her large eyes to Father, smiled, and ran off. For unknown to him, she knew who he was and she was rather smitten as she says. Father did not know what to do but chase her into a large clearing where the trees stood so tall they seemed as if they would go on forever and a single beam of light from the moon was poised on Selenity amongst the wild fauna and flora. She smiled demurely and…what did she say? I struggled to remember

"Some myths would say that Apollo was the God of the Sun and his sister the Goddess of the Moon," She began sweetly still not looking at him, "But you and I both know that the moon and the sun could not live as brother and sister," She looked at his feet and slowly raised her head over her right shoulder, "The sun and the moon could only be lovers—equal partners in the circle of life," She met his eyes, "Do you agree Apollo?"

"The moon herself would be envious tonight of you," he stammered and tried to stop staring so blatantly in her face. Selenity laughed like a peal of bells.

"You do not remember me?" She teased and sat down in the large circle of violets. Apollo shook his head violently.

"I believe I would…" he had no graceful way with words. He was hardly eighteen and this beauteous nymph? She was like a fairy child—on the edge of womanhood but still maintained her innocence.

"I am Selenity, perhaps we shall meet again," She stood up, nodded her head, and ran out of the clearing.

"Wait!" Father had called but the nymph who called herself Selenity just turned around, still running away and held her finger to her lips as calls of "Princess! Princess! Thou art in a great deal of trouble!" Began echoing in the dark woods.

It was those words that made my father stop and realize that he had just met and fallen in love with the eternal Princess Selenity and the legendary woman was little more than a teenager.

Yes—that is the making of a fairy tale. Meeting as young lovers one night even though Mama insists that Father does not remember that they in fact had met years earlier at her tenth birthday party. Father would shrug his shoulders saying one Princess's birthday ball was like the next.

Yet, where was my fairy tale story? I am so stupid as to fall in love with the boy next door? Nay, the next floor below?

Yes, yes, and yes! The only question now is—was he trying to kiss you too or trying to ease your embarrassment?

With a moan I rolled back onto my pillows. If this was love, than Mina and Lita could take it and hurl it to the moon. For I wanted no part in this dance.

Outside Serenity's Apartment….

Selenity was about to knock and paused. She was a horrible mother. How could she eavesdrop on her own daughter? She had not meant to but she felt such a strong need for love and heard her own love story and she had not meant to…but she had. And in one sense she was utterly relieved that Serenity wasn't worried about the threats on her life and on the other hand she felt that somehow a love between her daughter and her daughter's best friend was even more dangerous.

She was being ridiculous. She knew this would happen. She and Gaia had been pleased beyond anything that their own children would one day fall in love and marry and they would be grandparents together.

Perhaps that's what got her the most. Was that the future was not as solid as Setsuna made it seem. That wasn't fair either. She knew Time was fluid—it ebbed and flowed like the tides of the ocean. All controlled by the Moon. No, that wasn't true either. She smiled and stepped away from the door. Serenity could be bothered later. And her breath caught. For how long could she postpone facing the fact her daughter was growing up—was in love—was a warrior in her own right, and the lists went on and on and suddenly she was feeling very old again and decided to try and focus her energies elsewhere.

"My Queen," came a soft voice from behind her, "May I intrude?"

"Michiru," Selenity turned around and took the arm the aqua haired beauty had offered, "I have such fond memories of you and your mother," she smiled and walked down the hall.

"Ah yes, I was always looking forward to your visits. We do not get many visitors out in the Asteroid Kingdoms,"

"I have never liked having inner and outer parts of the Kingdom," Selenity admitted as they descended down the back stairs into the smaller version of the private Rose garden. Selenity inhaled the sweet smell of the Roses. They always made her feel more peaceful and reminded her of Gaia.

"After Mother died, my lady Gaia and thyself was the closest things I had," Michiru paused and smiled, "Anyways, we do not mind being Outer. It is our honor, my Queen,"

"Michiru," Selenity smiled at the girl who was now a young woman, "You have always been too kind for your own good,"

Michiru blushed, "Those are high words of praise, your Majesty. I am not sure I deserve them,"

"Why ever not, child?" Selenity watched as the girl stepped away from her and wandered over to the small koi pond. Suddenly she saw the little five year old who had lost her mother and was huddling by the water, crying and ignoring everyone. The girl just as quickly melted into the tall girl whose shapely body was barely hidden by light sea green dress.

"I do not know if I am willing to fight alongside the younger girls," Michiru whispered quickly.

"Michiru?" Selenity was shocked.

"I just, we do not think they understand the importance of what we are doing. They are young and inexperienced, respectfully speaking my Queen," she hastily added looking guiltily down at her slim hands.

Selenity felt like her heart had been pierced by an arrow, "Do you understand what you are saying?"

"Your Majesty, I mean no offense but I worry—I—we have not seen the girls in action and we cannot carry the burden of their lives as well as those of our respective kingdoms. The Outer Kingdoms have and always will serve the greater good while I think the hearts of the Inner girls are—too pure," Michiru's soft voice had teetered off into a whisper.

Selenity's first selfish thought was that these girls from the Outer Kingdom had no right to say whither or not they would fight with the younger girls and that considering they were trained for two separate missions that this was…well, frankly it was crap.

"Michiru, does Haruka feel this way as well?" Selenity coolly asked. Michiru seemed to steel her backbone and nodded almost defiantly, "Your feelings are important to me but the feelings you feel against the younger girls have no space in your relationships as Sailor Senshi. The Senshi are only as powerful as they are connected. The Sailor Crystals will not respond if two of nine are feeling…like they are babysitting," Selenity paused searching for the right words beneath the rage she was feeling at these two girls. Who did they think they were? Was the age difference so great they felt a right to be more—what was that word?

"Despite what you may feel, Michiru, the decision to fight with the girls of the Inner Kingdom is not a decision you may make. If you do not want to fight for a common good, than please, we can visit Setsuna and have your planet powers revoked and placed into a—" Selenity bit her lip and forced her voice to be softer, "a more suitable vessel,"

Michiru's eyes flashed with sadness and her eyes glittered. Once again Selenity saw the five year old who had refused anyone's intrusion into her private world. "Oh, gomen nasai," Michiru dropped to her knees and beat her right fist across her chest repeatedly, showing penance in the old Lunar fashion. Tears streamed down her face, "We just…do not know these girls…my Queen…we are scared," she whispered.

Selenity raised the girl by her chin and brusquely wiped her tears. "These events have been draining on us all darling, this conversation shall not go past the two of us," Selenity mentally crossed her fingers knowing that as soon as she left Michiru she would break this promise.

Michiru kissed her Queen's hand and quickly left the garden. Selenity did not turn around to watch the girl leave. Caught between emotions of fury, failure, and complete inadequacy, Selenity gathered her skirts to go see the one woman who had answers for all her questions—Setsuna.

The walk to the Time Door was long enough for her emotions to settle down and analyze why Michiru had abruptly decided that she was feeling unsettled. What was going on in the Outer Kingdoms that calm Michiru was as disturbed as the seas she was the Goddess of?

The pathway seemed longer and Selenity suddenly remembered cold words that Setsuna had spoken perhaps years ago—that one day her right to enter the Time Door would disappear and another heir would stand in her place. Selenity concentrated harder—no! This was not that time! Serenity knew nothing and besides, Selenity was coming as a friend to Setsuna and not as a Queen seeking advice.

Suddenly the familiar fog rolled around her and Selenity saw the Time Door in all its ancient glory. The Door eased open without her opening her mouth.

"My Queen, what ails your heart? I can feel your heavy thoughts all the way across the dimensions," Setsuna spoke lightly with worry etched on her face. Her ruby eyes glittered with concern and she held out her arms.

Selenity felt like a child again as Setsuna's arms wrapped around her tightly. The two old friends spoke without speaking and felt sheer comfort by their physical proximity.

"I feel as if I am losing all I ever knew," Selenity whispered in the silence of the space between Time.

"That is not true;" Setsuna answered softly, "All you know is simply changing into a form which you will come to recognize as the same as the old form,"

Selenity shook her head, royal white gold odangoes shaking in turn, "My daughter is more confused than ever—I thought a return by Endymion would be enough to set her right again and it seems to have made things worse,"

Setsuna pulled herself out of the embrace—her face slightly contorted in a chuckle, "And how are the two lovebirds?"

Selenity rolled her eyes, "One is ready to throw the entire concept of love out the window and the other is so obsessed with duty that love is more of an idea than a feeling that rules his life,"

Setsuna raised her trim hunter green eyebrows, "Is that so? Little Endy obsessed with duty? I wonder at whose knee he learned that?"

Selenity felt a smile come over her lips, "I do believe you are mocking my sympathies,"

Setsuna nodded, "And those two do not seem to be the only ones who are romancing in the lovely Luster castle…"

Selenity actually laughed and raised her hands helplessly, "If it is not an attack on Serenity than it is finding a young couple hidden in the darks of castle halls,"

"So tis true that Artemis caught the Princess Mina and young Kunzite?" Setsuna continued to push gossip onto Selenity.

Before the two of them knew it, they were discussing the finer points of teenage romance and the soon coupling of Ami and Zoiscite—only a matter of time of course.

"But really Setsuna, I cannot believe that I am asking this, how can I get Serenity and Endymion to admit their love?" Selenity put her face in her hands and pushed her bangs back.

Setsuna let loose a veritable squeal of delight, "Be careful of what you ask for, dearest Queen, you might get it!"

Selenity laughed, "I suppose I might regret this but I feel as if anything is better than this confusion,"

Setsuna looked thoughtful, "I believe you may be onto something there, Selenity,"

Selenity tilted her head, "And what might that be?" Setsuna shook her head.

"No, no, no dearest, one must not interfere. Everything shall reveal itself," Setsuna nodded her head almost dismissively.

Selenity stood up and stretched, wondering how much time had passed since she entered the Door. Surely none if Setsuna had anything to do with it.

"Oh, and my Queen," Setsuna stopped Selenity's departure, "as far as the Outer Scouts go, leave those girls to me," she winked, "I need to have some strong words with certain teenagers,"

Selenity smiled and returned Setsuna's wave pleased to find herself feeling more secure and happy than she had in months.

"One last thing!" Setsuna's voice called strongly from the rolling fog, "Tis time for our Serenity to receive another transformation—do you not think so?"

Selenity felt shocked and felt a large object appear in her hands, "The Spiral Heart Moon Rod," she heard herself whisper. Born out of the love of two soul mates she herself had once had this rod. She lovingly fingered the long pink handle and red enamel heart on top with its gilded golden edges, the lovely ivory bow underneath the heart, oh, so many memories attached to this beautiful weapon. For in reality, as Selenity's heart sank slightly, it was a weapon. A most powerful one that can only be borne by a heart that has achieved true love.

So how does one force one's daughter into love? Selenity wondered who she could get in on this plan. A mischievous smirk, unlike her daughter's, began to dance across her face.

THE WRAITH KINGDOM

Beryl laughed successfully as she stared into her crystal ball. Her trial miasma, one that was 1/100th of the strength of her real one, was working well. She decided to send it to the waters of Neptune where one of Sapphire's clones could easily slip it into the water supply and from there, Nature took its course.

Once slipped into the water supply, the miasma evaporated into the air and breathed in by every person in Neptunian. Specifically if Beryl had planned right, just the Royal Family. And perhaps, if all of Beryl's spies were correct, the continually visiting Uranian princess as well. Beryl smirked at the rumors that flew about those two. Let the two girls have their fun. Their families will have many other words to say when the Royal Princesses of the two Outer Kingdoms decide to canoodle in bed together. Beryl switched her attention to other matters—primarily how to control Diamond. Sapphire was getting beyond her grasp but, oh Diamond. Those two had not been raised as brother and sister and while Diamond may have no scruples or morals, Beryl recognized a chance for control when she saw it.

A man like Diamond could only be controlled by one thing and that was his desire to dominate others—and if she could play the needy little sister in want of a strong father figure, well more power to her as they say. She watched as the Neptunian Princess argued frantically with the Uranian girl. Heated words that she could barely catch due to the strong Luster protective barriers around the castle. Her magic could barely penetrate the old magic of that bloody Kingdom. She bit her lower lip in frustration. Annoyed and still slightly pleased with herself, she pressed the palms of her hands against the cool ball until she had collapsed the ball into nothingness.

"Ah, sister, I see that you are rather pleased by the workings of my dear Brother," Diamond sauntered in barely knocking on her chamber door. She snapped her head up and put her best pouty smile on.

"I try so hard, my lord, but it seems the best I can do is create cat fights between two girls," she lowered her long lashes appearing to look sad and hurt.

Diamond quickly came up to her side and patted her shoulders soothingly, "There, there, sister. I have seen your magic. You cannot have failed at anything," Diamond gave his sister a toothy, almost sleazy, grin.

Beryl grinned in her lowered gaze, this was her chance.

"But my lord, not to argue with you, but if my magic was not faulted than why did the miasma not turn all of Neptunian into a violent mess? I was the only person who handled it, there was no way it could have been tampered with," she sniffed in accordance.

Diamond's smile disappeared and his eyes became slits, "No, no my dear, do not go blaming yourself," a few seconds of silence followed, "If my memory serves me correctly…did you not personally hand your miasma over to Sapphire to administer to the clones?"

Beryl managed a small nod, "But, Diamond, what are you saying?" She looked up at her brother whose face was contorting as his mind followed the path she was leading him on.

"My little Princess, I am sure you would never think that one of your own family would hurt you. I would never let that happen," his mouth was in a thin line, "I will deal with Sapphire,"

Beryl looked up wildly and grabbed Diamond's precious white suit, "No! Do not hurt him! Perhaps there was a fault with one of the clones! Sapphire would never try to sabotage one of your plans!" She pleaded and saw Diamond's face flash with anger. Perfect!

"No, Beryl, you are wrong in this area. A true blooded sibling would never do such a thing but one of a half blood would," he spit out, turned on his heel and left.

Beryl called after him unsuccessfully and waited a few moments before she was sure he was gone.

"Perfect," she whispered, "All hail Queen Beryl,"

"Amen," whispered her minions from the darkest corners of her space defying chamber.