Forgotten Dreams~ Part Three

"Forgotten Dreams"
Part Three



Rei groped behind her for something solid. She sank into a
conviently placed chair. Her purse hit the floor with a thud as it slipped
from her fingers. Her beloved, her soulmate had been taken from her. Her
fellow Senshi had been destroyed. Her planet, the Moon Kingdom, would all
be destroyed. The future, peace, were no longer anything, but forgotten dreams. Rei
bowed her head and let the hot tears rush from her eyes. One sob broke loose,
then another and another. Ami and Makoto came from their isolated places to site
beside her, one on either side. Minako crossed over to stand behind her, placing her hands on
Rei's shoulders. Together, they grieved for their friends, their worlds, their
soulmates and themselves. They all knew that it was almost certain that they
would not survive the coming battle. They wept together, four women united in their
grief and broken hearts. Endymion stood alone, in the center of the floor.

He and the Inner Court were not very close. The bonds between them had
been strengthened by his love for Serenity and theirs for his Generals. Now it seemed
they were united by another bond as well: Grief. Still, he was uncomfortable at the
current sight of them. Endymion had always seen them as the Inner Senshi, the
protectors of the Moon Princess. Now he was seeing them as women of their own
right. They were Princesses by birth, of royal blood, but they were seen only as warriors.
The Senshi had sacrificed so much. Now their soulmates had been taken prisoner and
their own lives would be lost to the ravages of war. Yet Endymion had no doubt that
they would fight. Oh yes, indeed he was uncomfortable at the sight of such united female
strength. He wished to comfort them, but he wanted so badly to seek out Serenity.
Minako looked up and met his gaze, as if she heard his thoughts. She spoke softly,
"Go. Protect her."

Her face was streaked with tears. She was wearing a dark blue velvet gown. Yet
they looked at each other warrior to warrior. Her voice a little stronger, she repeated,
"Go. Keep her safe."

The words "for as long as you can" hung in the quiet. Endymion gave a nod. He
crossed over to the door. Once there, he paused. Over his shoulder, he said,
"Farewell, until we meet again...in this world or the next."
With those final words, he strode out the doorway.

Silence reigned after Endymion left as the four women struggled to gain control
of themselves. Finally, Mars rose to her feet, turning to face Venus as Mercury and
Jupiter stood up as well. Venus moved around the chair so that they were facing each
other in a loose circle. They stood proudly, once more the Senshi of the Moon Kingdom.
Mars asked,
"So what do we do now?"

Mercury bent down to pick up Mars's evening bag. Holding it out to her, Mercury replied,
"We fight."

Endymion moved rapidly though the Palace hallways, trying to reach the Ball and
Serenity. However, he was hindered by the fact that he kept getting lost. He didn't want
to waste time and stop to ask for directions, though; he was sure he'd end up there
eventually. Endymion was so focused on his task that he didn't hear the voice calling
his name at first.

"Prince Endymion? Endymion, stop, please."

The urgent tone finally penterated his mind. Endymion stopped and faced the speaker.
"Queen Selenity? How may I aid you?"

"What are you doing here? I thought the Generals were coming."

Endymion's fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword. It seemed like it would never get
any easier. He forced himself to speak.

"The Generals' ship vanished en route. Given the recent information learned about
the Outer Planets, it is believed that the Negaverse has captured the Generals."

Queen Selenity's silver eyes caught his gaze and held it.
"What recent information?"

"It is believed that the planets Pluto, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn have
fallen to the Negaverse. Beryl is expected to attack soon, probably tonight."

The Queen reacted like Endymion had struck her. Her eyes closed and she staggered
backwards. Endymion reached out to steady her. Her hand closed over his with a
surprisingly strong grip.

"The Senshi...do they...?"

"Yes. I informed Lady Venus as soon as I arrived. The others joined us shortly
after that. Venus has asked me to stay by Serenity."

The Queen's grip tightened a moment at those words. She had been ruling long
enough to understand what he could not say. She forced herself to let go of the poor
boy's hand. Endymion brought his hand behind his back, flexing his fingers, trying to
regain some feeling. The Queen asked him,
"You are planning to attend the ball?"

Endymion nodded.

"It is a masquerade. Do you have a tuxedo? A mask?"

"No, there was no time. I had to leave immediately to...to bear the news."

The Queen thought for a moment and then gestured towards a convenient room. He followed her
inside and she handed him a transformation pen.
"Our scientists have been developing transformation pens that will work for those
who do not have Senshi power. Just hold this pen and say, "Tuxedo Transformation."

Endymion complied and was instantly enveloped in a silver glow. When the glow
disappiated, he was wearing an elegant black and white tuxedo. Endymion looked at his
reflection in a conviently located mirror. He frowned.
"I really think I look better in my Uniform. And what's with this cape? It swishes
like a dress!"

"Oh stop fussing and hand me a rose from the Vase next to you."

Endymion reached out a gloved hand and pulled a red rose from the vase. Queen
Selenity looked at the reflection of a young man in a tuxedo, a white mask concealing
his features, and holding a rose. Her heart twisted a little. Endymion turned to face
her, saying,
"I have been trained in the art of battle for most of my existence. Yet I have
always envied the gardeners their ability to create such beauty. I dreamed that one day
I might be able to create, rather than destroy."

He paused a moment, twirling the stem in his fingers. Then Endymion held the rose out
to the Queen, saying, "Now I suppose it is a dream better off forgotten."

Selenity stiffened as she took the rose. So many futures wasted now, so many dreams
turning to ashes. She wished that she could think of some way to prevent such a tragic
loss. Now, Selenity just prayed to the Goddess that her daughter would manage to escape.
A futile hope, perhaps, but one she clung to fiercely.

"Queen Selenity? Are you all right?"

She looked up at Endymion and forced a smile.
"Yes, I was just thinking that the rose isn't really needed. You look quite dashing
as you are."

Endymion grimaced again.
"I suppose so. I'm just glad I don't have to wear a hat as well."

Selenity let out a laugh.
"Oh, just go and be with my daughter."

She turned serious.
"Endymion, if Beryl does attack, will you help defend my Kingdom?"

"Of course." He looked down at his clothing. "Even if I have to do it wearing this."

"Just picture yourself wearing your regular clothes and you will detransform."

He nodded.

"Farewell, Endymion."

"Farewell, Queen Selenity."

They looked at each other for a moment, both realizing it could be the last time
they saw each other. Finally, Endymion turned and left the room. Selenity stood alone in
the room, staring at her own reflection. She didn't know how long she stood there,
trying to reconcil herself with ther situation at hand. She didn't notice Luna and
Artemis's arrival into the room. Luna's voice startled her.
"Your Majesty, the ball has begun. They are asking for you."

Staring intently at his Queen, Artemis asked, "Your Majesty, what is wrong?"

Selenity looked down at them. Using as few words as possible, she outlined the
current situtation. The Cats listened in stunned silence. Taking a deep breath, she continued,
"You two find the Senshi and remain with them tonight. I will go to the Ball and
attempt to keep the peace."

She stopped speaking abruptly. Marshalling her strength, the Queen of the Moon Kingdom
headed to her last Ball.

The Moon Princess felt strange. She was surrounded by people laughing and enjoying
themselves. She felt like she was the only one who knew of Beryl's inimment attack.
Serenity was not experienced enough to realize that the dancers were wearing other masks
besides the cloth ones on their faces. Deseperation and fear can intoxicate someone as
easily as alcohol. Serenity wandered around the second floor of the ballroom for a while
before she decided to head downstairs. She had almost reached the bottom when a gloved hand
on her wrist stopped her.

"May I have this dance? It could be our last one."

Serenity's eyes flew to the masked stranger's face. She knew that voice. She tripped
down the few remaining steps as she whispered,
"Endymion?"

He swung her into a dance as an answer. Serenity felt as if the rest of the ballroom had
faded away.

"What are you doing here? I thought the Generals..."
She trailed off as he dipped her. It was too hard to think when he was touching her.
The fact that he looked unbelievable in his tuxedo was also wreaking havoc with her
thought processes. Endymion whirled her outside to a balacony. He told her what had
happened.

"Oh, no! The Senshi, I need to go to them!"

He restrained her.
"No, wait, Serenity. They want you safe her with me. Besides, there is more."

Endymion paused, staring down into her liquid blue eyes. He swallowed.
"Your mother has asked me to stay and help defend her kingdom."

"But what about Earth?"

"When knowledge of my death reaches Earth, there is a plan to evacuate Atlantis. The
refugees will find another planet outside this galaxy."

Serenity remained fixated on one word, the blood draining from her face. Alarmed,
Endymion reached out and grabbed her arms. She spoke, her voice unsteady.
"You said when."

Endymion gazed down at her lovely face, his throat closing. What could he say? There was
nothing left, except,
"Serenity, you're in my heart."

"And you will always be in mine."

They kissed. It was flavored with regret and sorrow. Serenity broke the kiss, reaching
for something on her wrist. She cleared her throat and held the object out to him.

"It is my Star Locket. I was going to give it to you when we reached Earth, but now..."

She trailed off as he took the locket from her. Their hands brushed. The locket began to
play. Hearing the music, Serenity pressed on.

"I give you my vow as well. I will always be true to you and our love. In my heart,
I will always remember you and I will make sure I catch your attention in this world
and the next."

Endymion let out a low chuckle.

"If I don't fall instantly in love with you, then I deserve whatever you throw at me."

She smiled back at him. Yet the mood sobered quickly as they both realized they
were talking as if their deaths were a certainity. They kissed again, and tears trickled
down Serenity's face. Overhead, the fireworks illuminated the sky.

Venus watched the fireworks send sparks across the sky. The Senshi were patrolling
outside the Palace. It was quiet and they could hear strains of music from the Ball. Luna
and Artemis had come to find them shortly after Endymion left. Mars, Mercury, and
Venus changed while Jupiter, already transformed, did a preliminary sweep outside. Venus had
spared a moment of regret for her dress. It had been nice to wear something besides her
Fuku for a change. Oh, well. She had been born to be a Senshi and she would die a Senshi.
Venus steeled herself not to flinch at that thought. The pyrotechinics began to set the
fireworks off to form different designs. Venus sighed and her mind wandered to thoughts
of Nikko. He was the Leader of the Generals as she led the Inner Senshi. They understood each
other and the pressures of being a leader brought. With him, she wasn't a commander, but
an equal. Goddess, she loved him. She couldn't believe this was the way it would end,
with him a prisoner of the Negaverse. It was small comfort that he was still alive. Her
bond with him would tell her if it was otherwise. Venus noticed that the fireworks had
died off. Even though her memory dwelled on the Past, she was still actively scanning the
area and the skies. Suddenly, Mars's arm shot out.
"She's coming. The Evil, the Negaverse, it's close."

Mars's eyes lit up with violet fire. Venus knelt down to Luna and Artemis.
"We've been ignoring you. Our apologies, but please go warn everyone that we are
under attack."

Luna nodded and raced off towards the Palace. Artemis hesitated a moment to say,
"Fight well, Sailor Senshi. May we meet again," before running after Luna.

Venus stared after the two cats for a moment. She wished she had gotten to known
them better. Venus discontinued that train of thought and turned to her fellow Senshi.
No words would come. She could sense the massive Evil coming closer now. Every nerve in her
body was screaming. Now was the time to say everything that needed to be said. Finally,
Mars reached out a hand. Jupiter held it and Venus grasped Jupiter's. Mercury put
her hand on top and said,
"For our loves and our fellow Senshi."

Jupiter's voice came low, but true.
"For the Princess and the Moon Kingdom."

Then Mars.
"For this world and the next."

Venus found her voice.
"For ourselves. Let us fight well and true. If we must die, let us do so proudly.
We are the Inner Senshi. Not time nor death can break our ranks."
As one, they let go and turned to greet the Incoming Evil.

Serenity and Endymion broke from their kiss at the panicked screams coming from inside.
They could hear Luna and Artemis shouting,
"We're under attack! Arm yourself!"
Endymion grabbed Serenity's arm and began to pull her through the crowd. He held
her close and said,
"We've got to get outside. Don't worry, it'll be all right."
Serenity wished he didn't quite look so grim when he said that.

The Senshi could see the foot soldiers first. Dressed in shades of gray, they came
charging towards the Palace. Dark clouds rose and obscured the Earth from view. They
tensed, preparing to fight. A lightning bolt came from nowhere and struck the Palace. The
Senshi watched in horror as the columns began to crumble. Screams shattered the air as
people began fleeing the Palace. The gray soldiers began to ruthlessly cut down the Nobles
like a farmer harvesting wheat. It was Mercury, who made the first move,
"Mercury Bubble Blast!"
Her rage added such power to her attacks, that she froze the entire first line of foot
soldiers. Venus grabbed her arm, and pulled her back.
"NO! Save your strength for her."
She pointed to a figure floating on a cloud of dark mist. Mars felt her stomach clench
as she gazed upon that woman. This was evil, this was Beryl. Behind her were seven large
shadows. Venus whispered to Jupiter,
"Get her attention."
Jupiter nodded.
"JUPITER THUNDER CLAP ZAP!"
She fired the glowing disk straight at Beryl. Beryl saw the disk and raised her staff.
Pointing her staff, black energy shot out, decimating Jupiter's attack. Beryl floated
over to face the Senshi. She sneered at them, saying,
"If it isn't the little Princess's playmates! And where are your boy toys? Hiding
behind her skirts?"
Mercury stepped forward, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"We want them back! Give them back to us, Beryl!"
Beryl looked slightly confused and then gave a laugh full of contempt.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Ice Princess, but your Generals are not with me. Too
bad, they would've made a nice addition to my Army."
The Senshi trembled as waves of shock and betrayal slammed through them.
"No, you're lying! VENUS CRESCENT BEAM SMASH!"
Golden light whipped towards Beryl. She deflected it easily with another blast of
black energy.
"Believe what you will, it's no concern to me as you will all soon be dead anyway.
I'm more concerned with that Princess of yours. Shadows, finish them off."
Venus was about to attack Beryl again when she was distracted by the Shadows. They
began to combine, forming one immense dark being.

Selenity ran faster through the falling rubble. She clutched the Moon Crescent Wand
and the Crystal. She was almost there...just a few more minutes.

The Senshi exchanged a look. They knew this was it. As one, they turned to face the
Shadow, and shouted,
"MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!"
"MARS FIRE IGNITE!"
"JUPITER THUNDER CRASH!"
"VENUS CRESCENT BEAM SMASH!"
Four separate beams of color shot into the creature. The body shifted and then
seemed to absorb the energy. It began to laugh loudly. The Senshi stepped back, but
stood firm. It spoke in a gravely voice,
"Silly humans, you cannot vanquish me!"
A hand formed from the amphorous matter and extended towards the women. Still
laughing, green lightning burst from the fingers and rained down on the Senshi.

Venus fell to the ground from the force of the blast. The laughter ringing
through her ears, every cell felt as if it was being torn apart. That pain was secondary
to the one in her heart. She couldn't believe it. Nikko would not betray her...would he?

Mercury felt a curious detachment. She could remember screaming as the lightning
invaded her body. She could remember the agony. But now she only felt frozen. She only
saw Mizu's face and heard his promise, "I'll always find a way to you." It was locked in
an endless loop. Everytime she heard his words again, her heart shattered. Soon there
would be nothing left, but dust.

Mars was already dead. Her soul had died the moment she realized that Beryl wasn't lying
and he wasn't dead. Her inner fire had met the fire of betrayal and the flames burned each
other out. Now there was only a shell.

Jupiter was faring the best out of the four. Her body was already used to lightning.
The pain was intense, but she could still think. And she thought. She thought about his face
twisted with rage. She thought about his promise to always be there. She thought about the
wind through her hair. She thought about the Princess. She thought about how they failed
the Princess. She thought about how He was at fault. She thought about the rage building in
her body. She thought about what she would do if she met him again in the Next World.
And then, then she stopped thinking.