Chapter Twenty-Four:

They arrived on Earth at her request.

It wasn't everyday that the fire princess came crying to Serenity, or anyone for that matter. However, Kasei had ran down the marble hallway, tears streaming down her face as she screamed for someone, anyone to appear before her. It had been Kinsei who approached her, Kinsei who held her as she fell to the floor, crying, and Kinsei who asked what had happened. And in a broken voice, Kasei had explained what she'd seen, what she'd been shown, and it felt as if it were happening all over again.

Jadeite's death had been the worse for her.

Aries had let her cry her grief out, held as she did so and said nothing. When he was certain she wasn't going to have a nervous breakdown, he kissed the top of her head and released her.

"I hope, child, that you understand now," he'd said to her just before he disappeared.

As soon as Kasei was certain her father was gone, she tore out of the room and down the hall. Scarlet hair flying as she ran, her voice screaming for her princess, she had ran right smack into Kinsei. And wasn't able to hold it in any longer.

"They…oh my goddess… They're dead," was all she could say at first, sobs overtaking her body. She cried into Kinsei's arms.

Kinsei looked up at the others, worry written across her face. Mokusei bent down, one hand on Kasei's shoulder. "Who are they, darling? Who's dead?" she asked in a soft voice.

Kasei just shook her head, scarlet swaying with the movement.

"Honey, you have to tell us what's going on, otherwise we can't help you," Kinsei said. She brushed some of Kasei's hair off from her forehead, the symbol for Mars glowing softly. "Now, now… Lets stop the crying, and tell us what's the matter is. I'm sure there's a way for us to fix it."

Kasei started crying harder. Then grabbing Kinsei's dress straps, she looked up into her golden eyes, tears falling harder down her ashen cheeks and said in a ragged voice, "His guards! They're all dead! Murdered!"

Kinsei stared back at her, her words hitting home as she felt her own tears began to form. "Kasei… Kunzite… " she was unable to say more when Kasei's head dropped down, the scarlet shaking back and forth. Eyes wide, face going pale, Kinsei looked up at Mokusei and said, "Call for Serenity. We are needed on Earth."

"Aye," the emerald princess said as she ran from the hall, towards the silver princess's room.

Once she was gone, Kinsei looked down at the fire princess's head, trying to hold her own tears in. She lifted Kasei's head, looking into her amethyst eyes, and saw the truth. "When?"

"I-I don't know... Aries showed up," Kasei said, in between hiccups. Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she pushed her hair back off her face. "I was chanting, in my room, when he appeared. Said that we didn't understand the enemy, that we had nothing under control. I didn't know what he meant, not until he made the fire show me." Moving, Kasei pulled back and out of Kinsei's embrace. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if the fire that flown through her veins had suddenly froze. "First it was Zoisite. I watched as Suisei plunged a knife into him, over and over. But it wasn't her, Kinsei. Suisei was in her room, we both could hear the harp that played."

"If it wasn't Suisei, then who could it have been?" Kinsei questioned.

"I don't know, but I am certain that it wasn't Suisei," Kasei replied. "After Zoisite, it was Nephrite. Then Kunzite, then….oh goddess, he was going to ask me to marry him, Kinsei. Jadeite had asked me to marry him and I killed him!"

"Kasei," Kinsei said, her hands on the fire princess's shoulders. "Did we kill them?"

Kasei looked at her. "It was us, but it wasn't. It was as if someone was using our bodies. Certain things, even they knew, weren't right. Such as Suisei claiming that the Moon was dull, or Mokusei not knowing the name of the flower that comes from Jupiter. They knew it wasn't us, yet they didn't let whomever was acting like us know."

The sun setting behind them, Serenity looked to her inner guardians and sighed. "Kasei, are you sure of what you saw? Perhaps it was just some joke made up by Aries himself?" she asked the girl clothed in red.

Kasei shook her head, the red hood falling from it to her shoulders, exposing her scarlet locks . "I'm sorry, highness, but no. I asked Aries the same question myself, even threaten him. However, the answer that came was that it was no joke, it was real," she replied, her amethyst eyes red from crying. "Aries may be cruel, but to show his own daughter the death of her beloved? No, it was all too real."

"Well, I suppose we should go and find Endymion then. Perhaps, he'll know what's going on," Serenity said as she started off towards the woods. They stood on the a small sliver of beach, the sand soft under their feet.

Suisei kept in step with the princess, but the others fell behind. She hadn't spoken very much since she'd heard that Zoisite might be dead. Suisei knew better than anyone, that the great fire never lied. If Kasei said he was dead, then Zoisite was dead. Nothing was bringing him back, this she knew too. Keeping her head down, the dark blue hood fell over her face, hiding the tears that fell silently from her sapphire eyes.

Behind Suisei and Serenity, the others spoke in soft whispers. They were worried for Suisei, but also for their loved ones. Mokusei and Kinsei knew, just like Suisei, that the great fire never lied. However, perhaps just this once….? They both prayed that it was wrong, that neither Nephrite nor Kunzite was injured but safe and sound within the Golden Kingdom's palace walls.

Serenity's feet hurried, her mind playing over and over what her fire guardian had told her. If Aries had delivered the message, had shown Kasei what had happen, what was to come; then she needed to warn Endymion. It was never good news if one of the Gods delivered it. Pulling her white hood up further around her head, hiding her silver hair completely from view, Serenity stopped inside a small clearing. Looking to the left of her, then to the right; she realized she didn't know which way the small cabin was.

"Princess?" Mokusei's voice sounded loud through the quiet of the forest. She, along with Kinsei and Kasei, moved closer to the two other girls. Always on guard, Mokusei felt uneasy. "Princess, I think we should move along. I don't have a good feeling just standing here."

"Aye, I agree," Kinsei said, her blonde locks falling free as she pulled the yellow hood from her head. "Something isn't right here, princess. We need to move on."

Serenity's cerulean eyes searched the trees, looking. "Mokusei."

The thunder princess looked at her, one green eyebrow arched. "Aye?"

"Ask for help."

"For… Alright, princess." Freeing her emerald hair from the confines of the pine green hood, Mokusei closed her eyes, the symbol for Jupiter glowing dark green. "Father Zeus, I call on thee. Hear my voice high, in the trees. My path has grown misty, hard to see. Help me, Father, to find my way. So I see what will be, shine upon me the light of eternity. Light my path, and show the way to my goal." As soon as the last word was taken from her lips, a small path to the right began to glow.

"Ah, I thought so," Serenity said as she started to follow the path, her white slippered feet walking over dead tree branches and fallen petals. As they followed the path before them, she noticed that most of the trees were either dying or already dead. Flowers, so full of life and color, looked dull to her eyes, wilted as if poisoned. What is going on? Why is everything dead in this area? Cerulean eyes looked forward, worry written across her brow as every step they took lead them further into death.

Once more coming to a clearing in the woods, Serenity recognized the small wooded cabin that was the prince's. Running, she took off for the small building, calling his name. "Endymion?" she called out as she ran to the door, her feet making no sound.

"Princess Serenity!" Kinsei yelled as she ran after her charge. The others followed close behind.

"Endymion, are you here? Its me, Serenity!" She went from room to room, but there was no trace that anyone had been there. Sighing, she sat down on the bed. "He's not here."

Breathing hard, Kinsei appeared just inside the doorway; blonde hair stuck to her forehead. "Princess… oh my goddess… Please… hold on," she said, bending over. Trying to catch her breath, one hand on her hip, she began to breathe normally. Looking over at Serenity, her topaz eyes narrowed. "Princess, you mustn't do that! What if someone we didn't know was here? You must stay with us, your highness."

"Sorry, Kinsei," Serenity said. "I thought for sure he'd be here."

"Who'd be here?" a male voice asked from the back, through a open window. Serenity turned her head and a smile appeared on her lips.

"Endymion!"

"Well, hello to you too, princess," he said, smiling. Looking over to the doorway, he tilted his head to Kinsei. "Lady Kinsei."

"Hello, Prince Endymion," she said, her topaz eyes on the prince. Lady Kinsei? He has never called me by my formal title before. Kinsei went to go step further into the room, when all of a sudden she was pushed from behind, her whole body flying to the ground. Landing hard with a grunt, she laid there for a moment before rolling over and looking at the other three girls. "Were you three raised in a barn?"

"Sorry, Kinsei," Suisei said as she pushed her way through and into the small room. Pulling her hood off her head, she let loose her dark blue hair and looked around. "So, this is where you stayed that week you were gone."

"Aye," Serenity said. She turned cerulean eyes towards her lover. "Endymion, we need to speak to you. Its about your generals."

He didn't say anything, just shook his head and was gone from the window. Serenity wasn't sure the other girls saw, but she was certain his eyes had narrowed. Something doesn't feel right. Serenity's gaze shifted over to Kinsei, who only nodded her head. So, she's thinking the same thing as I. Something isn't right. Making sure Endymion wasn't anywhere near, she mouthed the words 'Be on guard' to her senshi. Four heads nodded, each agreeing with their princess.

He stepped into the room, his footfalls heavy against the wooden floor. Moving to the only other piece of furniture in the room, he picked up his cape from the chair and fasten it to his shoulders. "What was it that you needed to speak to me about, princess?" he asked as he turned back around, his ebony hair falling into his eyes.

Knowing then that this wasn't the man she was in love with, for he hardly ever called her princess, Serenity narrowed her eyes. A smile played on her lips. "Where is he?" The question was simple, her voice soft.

"Where is who?" he asked.

"Endymion."

He'd been in the process of filling a drinking cup and when she'd said his name, stopped. Serenity noticed he'd stilled, as did her senshi. She continued to watch him, as he lifted the small cup up to his lips and took a drink. He didn't say anything, just continued to drink before sitting the cup back in the bin of water. "Why do you ask such questions, princess? Endymion is before you." he said as he turned back around to stare at her.

"Kasei, Mokusei," Serenity said. The two girls looked at her. "Check the house, both inside and out."

"Aye, princess," voices rang out in unison.

Serenity's attention went back to him. She eyed him, standing from the bed, her movements slow. She knew Kinsei and Suisei could stop whomever this person was, but if they couldn't… "No, you are not Prince Endymion, Crown Prince of the Golden Earth Kingdom," she said as she inched closer to the ice princess.

"Oh come now, Princess Serenity," he said as he began to walk closer to them. However, he stopped when he saw Kinsei raise her hand, the golden belt in between her fists. Holding both hands up, he took a step back. "Tis I, Prince Endymion."

"Princess! Outside!"

But it was too late. The man posing as Endymion, knowing he'd been found out, threw a ball of fire at the three girls who stood inside the small cabin. Suisei was quick enough to put it out, but wasn't quick enough to put out the other one the person before them had thrown towards the bed.

Serenity, Suisei, and Kinsei all ran from the cabin as it burst into flames, the fire licking at the edges. Standing near the forest edge, they watched as the creature who had taken Endymion's form emerge from the inferno.

Her hair was long, curling at the ends and black as midnight. She wore the clothes of a peasant, slippers barely covering her feet as she walked from the raging fire behind her. Eyes, blue as the sky, seemed dull and lifeless; as if what walked before them was already dead. However, it was her smile that sent shivers through Serenity, for what smiled back at them was pure evil.

Kinsei was the first to act, throwing her body in front of Serenity, shielding her. "Halt!" she cried out, as the others gathered around her, all shielding the princess. "Who goes there?"

She stopped, tilting her head to the side as if in confusion. Then something seemed to shimmer inside her, and she bowed before the five. "I am Metallia."

"You're the creature causing so much trouble, aren't you?" Mokusei said, emerald eyes scanning the girl. They could all feel darkness as it rolled off of her in waves. "What business do you have here?"

Metallia smiled that smile again, making Serenity turn her head. However, once she spoke, Serenity's head whipped back around to face her. "I am here to kill the princess," she said, her voice drained of all emotion.

"I think not, Metallia."

Six heads turned to see Prince Endymion, sitting atop of his horse, sword drawn, come into the clearing. His cape was gone, his ebony hair a mess, and his clothes covered in dirt. Serenity's face lit up upon seeing him, her heart already feeling lighter. She watched as he got down from his horse and walked over to where she and her guardians stood.

"Serenity, are you alright?" he asked. She nodded her head, the silver pigtails moving in the wind. He smiled down at her. "Good." Turning his attention back to Metallia, he narrowed his dark eyes and said, "I suggest you leave, Metallia. Unless you are ready to taste the end of my sword."

Metallia's sapphire eyes narrowed as she glared at him, her small fists at her side. "Nay," she said. "I have business to discuss with her highness." Her midnight curls lifted up with the breeze, the skirt of her gown moving in waves around her slender body. She moved her hand up, and as they watched, began to twist her finger. "You all will die, your bodies cut down by those you love. This I promise." Slender feet began to walk backwards, towards the fire the burned brightly behind her. "I shall leave you a gift," Metallia said, as she disappeared into the flames, her index finger still twisting around in circles.

"Twist, turn, hollowed in, blowing winds come forth. Sound such as thunder upon the ground, raise and burn. Twist, turn, hollowed in, blowing winds come crashing through. Cover them, and all they see before, in sin."

The winds picked up, as the sky turned green, the air turned hot then cold. Clouds gathered, green upon gray upon black and as the group watched, they began to form a funnel. Mokusei knew what the woman had called upon, her emerald eyes going wide, as the funnel shaped clouds began to descend towards the ground, picking up speed and strength.

"Hurry!" she yelled over the wind, one hand on her skirts the other holding her hair from her face. "We must hide! Tis a tornado she has called."

Endymion looked at her, before grabbing Serenity's hand. "We must leave, love," he said as he started for the woods. But stopped short when he heard the voices.

"Twist, upon the sky," one voice sang out.

"Twist, upon the ground," a second voice joined.

Then in unison "Twist, into nothingness. And leave this earth."

His breath caught when he and the others watched as two women walked out of the woods, their hands uplifted towards the sky. The tornado stopped spinning, seemingly to be sucked back up into the clouds from hence it came. The air stilled, the sounds of birds and bugs dancing in the woods seemed to come back, three fold.

One was the color of light. She wore a soft see-through gown upon her frame, the color that of breaking dawn, as her sleeves hung from invisible threads on her arms. Her eyes were a deep, dark blue that smiled as did she. Hair, the color of breaking surf upon the sand, was divided into fours by ribbons of blue. The crescent moon that sat upon her head, surrounded by a chain of golden stars, was the color of breaking dawn.

Selene.

The other was the color of darkness. Skin, the color of sand, was covered by a red and golden gown, the bodice hanging from her shoulders, the skirt small and flowing freely behind her. Her amber eyes shined as she smiled at the group before her. Long raven hair flowed freely behind her, overlapping in some parts, braided in others. She wore a golden chain upon her head, a bright red teardrop hanging from the middle, upon her forehead.

Gaia.

"Hello, children," Gaia greeted them as they walked towards the young royals. She engulfed Endymion in a hug, her heart lifting in joy at her son being safe. "Tis glad I am to see you, my son."

"Mother?" Endymion stood, arms at his side as his mother hugged him. He wasn't too sure if he was awake, or perhaps this was all a dream. It seemed as if the last few weeks were nothing but dreams, or rather nightmares. It was when he could smell her, that smell of honey and tea, that he knew she was real and he wasn't dreaming. Arms, large and his, came up and around her to crush her in a hug. "Mother." He buried his face in her dark hair. "Oh my god, Mother…"

Selene smiled at the scene before her. She then shifted her gaze to the others, and the smiled fell. "Gaia," she said softly. "We hadn't much time."

Removing herself from her son's arms, Gaia nodded her head. "Right," she said as she looked past Endymion's shoulder to look at the five girls with him. "Children, you must listen and listen closely. You are in grave danger on Earth. You mustn't be here."

"But…" Suisei said, her eyes going to Kasei. The fire princess was distraught, her ruby gown and cloak lifting up in the breeze that blew by them. Her scarlet hair lifted with the breeze, moving as if it were on fire, dancing. Suisei's gaze went back to the dead queen's. "Kasei… Endymion's generals are in danger."

Selene's eyes flicked over to Gaia, before going back to the ice princess. She stepped towards the girl of blue, holding out her hands before she engulfed her in a hug, her hands smoothing down the girls dark blue hair. "Endymion's guardians are gone. Killed by Beryl herself."

It was these words that made Suisei step out of the woman's embrace, sapphire eyes filling with tears. "No," she whispered. "No, it cannot be true! They are alive and well, just in danger. We have come to save them!" And then Suisei could say no more as the truth sank in, and sobs over took her body. She dropped to the green ground below her, her body shaking with sobs.

Serenity went to her, gathering in her in her slender arms and holding her as she cried. The princess of light looked up, her gaze on Selene's. "Why? Why would Beryl kill them?" she asked.

"No," Kinsei said. "Beryl didn't kill them, we did." Kinsei had been looking at Suisei, watching as she lost control, but now her attention shifted to that of the dead Earth queen. "Isn't that right, Queen Gaia?" she asked as she stepped forward, her golden eyes upon amber ones.

Gaia studied the princess of love. She knew that her heart was hurting the most, knew that she had lost the only person she would ever love, in this lifetime and the next. And as such, her pain was the worst. "In a way, you are correct, Princess Kinsei," Gaia explained. "Beryl took your forms, tricked the generals, and murdered them. First with Zoisite, then next with Nephrite. Kunzite and Jadeite were the last to go. Murdered each by Beryl, in your forms."

"Why?" This came from Kasei, her voice soft. Lifting her head, she stared at the two dead queens. "Why would Beryl kill them? They have never caused any harm to her."

"They were killed in order for her to brainwash them," Selene said.

"Brainwash them?" Mokusei spoke up. Emerald eyes followed as Serenity helped Suisei to stand, and they all looked at the goddess. "What do you mean by brainwashing them?"

"Hades never received their souls," Gaia said. "In order for a person to pass on, their souls must travel down to the Underworld, where Hades awaits. From there, they will either go to Tartarus to await punishment or to the Elysian Island to live in harmony. However, Hades never received their souls. Not even when Atropos cut their thread of life, they didn't not appear before Hermes to be carried down to the Underworld. When Hermes appeared before Hades, with only a handful of souls and not theirs; he was outraged. However-"

"However," Selene interrupted, "upon finding out what had transpired, Zeus sent us to you."

"Father sent you to us?" Mokusei asked. "But… Father doesn't get involved in the Underworld's affairs."

Gaia nodded her head, in agreement with the young thunder princess. "You're right, Mokusei; however this time, since it involved his own daughter, he spoke to his brother. Hades had Clotho and Lachesis look at the thread, before having Atropos cut it again. Only again, nothing happened. It was then that Phoebe, goddess of prophecy, appeared. She said that four stones held their souls, now and forever more. Their souls would never reach the Underworld to be judged."

"Four stones," Endymion whispered. His dark eyes shifted to his mother, held her amber ones for a moment before he spoke. "My generals are….were named after stones. They were not born upon this earth, but granted life. Granted life, and given power to watch over me. It was the only way Zeus allowed me to live, and why I'm not a god."

"Endymion?" Serenity's voice was soft, as she looked at him. Helping Suisei to stand, she shifted her gaze between the two goddesses. "What does that mean?"

Endymion looked at her. There were some things he'd kept from her, such as his birth and the way he'd come to have his generals. The story of his birth was painful, knowing what his mother had to go through in order for him to live. It was only after what Phoebe had showed Zeus, that the God of Thunder allowed him to live. However, there was a catch. He was to have four companions, one for each corner of the Earth.

Kunzite represented the South.
Zoisite represented the North.
Jadeite represented the East.
Nephrite represented the West.

They were to watch over him, protect him. He would never become a god, but none of that had ever mattered to Endymion. He had his brothers, the truest friends any person could ever have. And they had died for him, for Serenity, and for their loves.

"Mother, would you care to explain?" he said, his face grim.

Gaia lowered her head, her brows together in deep thought. It was Selene who spoke, "Now is not the time. You six must lea-"

"Yes, do please try to leave," a voice interrupted.

Endymion drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the sunlight, as he backed up towards Serenity and the others. Holding out one hand towards her, he motioned for her to stay where she was. "Who goes there?"

"Why, your highness," the voice chided. "We thought for sure you would know us."

"For we," another voice joined in. "We are your brothers."

Four men stepped out from the trees, their form and clothes the same as when they died. However, there was something about them, something not quite there. Something evil. Gasps could be heard as each man emerged from the shadows, but it was the spoken name that came from Suisei, that made them look at the blue princess.

The breeze picked up just then, making her blue gown, cloak, and hair fly about her in waves as she raised both hands up to cover her mouth, tears streaming down her face in rivers as she stared at the dirty blond-haired man before her. "Zoisite…" she breathed. Suisei couldn't believe her eyes. Was it really him? Was he truly standing before her?

She didn't hear the other voices yell at her to stop, didn't feel the hands on her shoulders as she stepped towards the man she'd once given her heart to, her soul. Reaching him, she moved her hand from her mouth and went to touch his shirt. It was when she looked into his blue eyes however, that her hand stopped in mid-air.

His eyes were different. Those eyes that once looked at her with a deep love and understanding, those eyes that wanted nothing more than to love her, weren't there anymore. Instead, what stared back out at her were pools of nothingness. They were blue, but black and coldness ringed the edges of the pupils. Suisei took a step back, her soft slipper making no sound as she did so, and raised a hand to her mouth.

"Suisei, you must come away from him," Serenity cried out. She started towards the couple, but was stopped by Endymion. "Endymion, I must-"

"Shhh…" Endymion said, his eyes not leaving the ice princess and what used to be his second in command. "She knows its not him."

"Hello, Princess Suisei," the man who had taken Zoisite's form greeted the young princess. He smiled, and it sent shivers through her. And when he held up the dagger to the sunlight, Suisei's blood ran cold. "Would you like to give your lover a hug?"

Everything happened so fast. The dagger came down, voices screamed out and magic was performed. When it all ended, Endymion had Serenity in his arms, protecting her. Kasei and Mokusei were only a few feet from Suisei, who realizing what was about to happened, called on her most powerful attack.

Using the harp that Zoisite had made for her, she had called out the water from within her and blasted him back. Zoisite lay upon the ground, his head in his hand as he glared at the ice princess. "You will regret that, little girl. I will make certain you pay."

"Leave," Selene said, her blue eyes shifting to the prince and princess. "You need to leave. Take the prince with you, tis no longer safe for him here." Her voice held no room for argument.

Serenity nodded her head, silver shinning in the sunlight. "Suisei," she called. Leaving Endymion's embrace, she walked over to where her friends stood, staring. "Suisei, Mokusei, Kasei, we need to leave now. We need to take his highness with us."

Mokusei nodded her head, emerald waving. She took Kasei and Suisei's hands and pulled them away from the four men, back towards where the other three stood. Gathering hands with Kinsei and Serenity, the held Endymion trapped in the middle; and bowed their heads.

"From water I come, of water I cry. Pour from the sea, flood from the sky," Suisei whispered, her voice soft and full of emotion. Rain poured down upon them. "Daughters of might, hearts of ice, send onwards to the planet of light." She began to glow a soft blue.

"Of fire I desire, of fire I yearn. Bold and bright, cleanly burn," Kasei chanted, voice loud and proud. Fire spring up around them. "Daughters of light, hearts burning bright, send onwards with pride and might." She began to glow a soft red.

"Of earth I nourish, of earth I entreat. Quake and quiver beneath my feet," Mokusei said, her voice deprived of all emotion. The ground began to tremble, move. "Daughters of might, hearts nourishing life, send onwards to the planet of light." She began to glow a soft green.

"For love I heal, for love I sigh. Pour from the heart, flood from the mind," Kinsei almost sang, her voice full of love. Warmth spread throughout the group. "Seeking safe passage, these daughters of light." She began to glow a soft yellow.

Eyes wide, Serenity stared at Endymion. "Repeat after me, Endymion," she told him before closing her eyes. Endymion followed suit, his dark eyes closing as well. Together, in heart and mind, they said the last words.

"From Water we cry. From Fire we burn. Earth and Love hold us stern. We are the children of light, seeking safe passage into the night. With one hand on heart and the other in sight, we beseech the Gods. Give us, we six, the power to fly, the power to soar. Away from fear, away from lore. Onwards, now, to the planet of light!"

They finished speaking the last words, the beam of white light came to gather them.

Watching them go, Selene held Gaia's hand and called out, "Be safe, children. Be safe and blessed be!"

Gaia looked at Selene, her amber eyes shining. "Shall we finish what the Heavenly Kings started?" she asked the white queen.

"Oh, yes, lets," Selene answered, turning her head away from the beam of light as it began to disappear. However, when her sapphire eyes went to where the four men had been, there was nothing there but trees and grass.