"Your highness, I don't know how to tell you this but"
"You're in love with another." Queen Serenity interrupted him with a smile.
"How did you know?"
"Give a woman credit for being a woman Endymion...anybody could clearly read it in your eyes." Smiling, she continued. "I have seen this for some time, it is the same woman from the first ball, is it not?"
"You saw that?" He inquired, his head bowed in shame. How long had this woman known that he would never, could never, devote to her daughter? What did she know? Exactly how much did she know?
"I saw a man look at a woman as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him." Her reply was soft, gentle, and very understanding; from her words alone he fathomed why this woman held the respect of so many people.
"I do love her." He looked up into her eyes, allowing her to see the truth within.
"I sensed that this would happen, I knew from that moment that you were in love with her." She grasped his hand within her own giving him the reassurance to continue.
"Then you understand why I must abandon this quest?"
"I understand," She began; he interrupted.
"Well then, if you will give me pardon, I must be leaving now."
"No, sit down." Her voice became firm, and he reluctantly followed orders. "I understand something else as well. I understand that it's time I tell you a story."
"A story, I'm sorry your highness but I must go to her before I lose her."
"Sit down, it's very important that you hear this." The authoritative way in which he spoke to her let him no that she would not be taking no for an answer, so he waited for her to continue. "We have always been watching Earth from a distance, that when one day when it became advanced enough, we would expose it to our realm...So we took careful precautions to make sure our goals would be attained. First, we made sure to make a law that states that none of the members of this realm may associate with those of Earth. We monitored your planet, being sure to watch for those who would dare try to go to Earth and defy the laws. We thought we were so clever in guarding Earth from Moon dwellers who had knowledge of more advancement than the Earth dwellers could possibly comprehend." She paused. "Or so we thought, until one moon dweller managed to evade us and escape to Earth's atmosphere. It was some time before we even realized that this moon dweller was escaping to be with a lover."
"Serena." It was all suddenly coming together, what she had said about being ashamed, why she was on the Earth already before he even knew of habitants on the moon.
"She was very smart, that one, and knew that a special bond would be able to stop me from halting her Earth visitations. She also knew, that it wouldn't be long before we discovered a repetitious break in Earth's atmosphere. So, in order to stay on Earth with her love, she made sure that they would conceive a child that would give her reason to stay with him."
"Justin." She nodded her head.
"But we discovered her disappearance; by we, I mean the Millennium Council and I. I had to punish her as Queen, otherwise no one would take the law seriously. A deal was made however, for she made claims to her lover being her soul mate, if she could prove this, then she would be pardoned. You see, in our realm, we strongly believe in the finding of one's soul mate as being very sacred...it is not something that occurs accidentally. In proving that he as her soul mate, she would be proving that fate is what brought them together, not her own free will. So she was banished to Earth, and both her and her lover's mind of the knowledge of which the other was, was erased. And then they were tested, should he ever find her again, just as before, it would be known that she was telling the truth and she would be allowed to come back to the moon." She paused. "But it seems that she has come to forget her mission and fall in love all over again. You do know who Justin's father is, don't you?" she asked finally.
"Yes I do...I am sorry to have interrupted with your plans, your highness." He could see why she had been so torn up that night they spent together. "So she has to chose between being with me and never coming back to her homeland, the moon, again...I did not realize."
"What are you talking about?" He looked up and was surprised to be faced with confused eyes.
"I know that James is Justin's father, Serena told me." He watched as a series of emotions crossed her face, from bewilderment, to dawning, to fear, and finally anger.
"James…oh Selene!" Her body stiffened with the words, her hands clenching. "Why that manipulative Martian urchin." She paused. "Endymion, you must waste no time, come, Serena, your love, is in grave danger!" She arose from her seat in her private chambers and motioned for him to follow her.
"I don't understand, what is going on?" He asked.
"He is Captain James Viladi of Mars, and he is a traitor to the millennium and a lying fiend! We expelled him off the board of the Millennium Council when we suspected him of trying to conquer the universe. We could not dispose of him because we had no solid proof that he was a traitor. He had covered his tracks too well. He was also banished from the moon, the only way he can come back is if he marries some one from the moon."
"Serena said that they were not getting married anymore." He said puzzled.
"Sure, but that will not stop him. He shall only come back and take her by force. I thought that you had understood who the father is, Viladi is not the father, you are!" Darien's face became one of true shock, as he finally understood, what he thought was an accident taking away his memories all along was not an accident. "I'm surprised you never saw, the boy looks just like you, the hair, the eyes, and the stubborn attitude." She paused. "I had been watching Serena from up here, and also sent each one of the other Princesses to watch her, and make sure she kept secret the knowledge of the moon. She had been watched from time to time by one of the four guardians, each taking the turn of baby-sitting her and her son. When Minako told me about you, I knew right away who you were, and it was just a matter of time. Moon habitants are not supposed to become intertwined with those of Earth, so I made these test in order to be sure you loved her, because it would change her life forever."
"D-did I pass?" He followed her rushing body down a maze of corridors.
"You did exactly what I wanted you to, you threw away power, and the most beautiful woman in the universe, for your true love...though you shall understand later, why that was undoubtedly the hardest decision you ever had to make" She paused as they reached their destination. "Stand there." She told him and then called out. "Moon Teleport!"
"Let me go!" Serena screamed and squirmed within his arms as he held her tightly.
"OK." He dropped her suddenly; she hit the floor hard on her belly.
"Ohhhhhhhh." She mumbled as she took in her surroundings through slitted eyes; the dark cavernous and granite room was enormous and barely lit. "What do you want from me, I thought I made it clear to you, I don't love you!"
"Yes, Yes, but you see I still need you, and your life energy. It's just enough to complete my plan. Moon inhabitants have more energy that normal beings you know."
"Why you cad!" She screamed. "That's all you wanted from me!"
"Silence!" He waved a hand in front of her making her fly up to a nearby wall where some chains instantly appeared and clasped around her legs and arms to hold her in place. "Keep quite or I'll kill you where you are." He paused. "Now, I shall prepare for the transformation that will make me all powerful. Of Course, I do have plans for you Serena, I will make you the submissive wife you need to be. In time you will regain your energy, and then we'll be a happy family."
"I'll never love you again!"
"Oh, but you will!"
"Darien will find me...I know he will."
"Oh, I believe in that theory as well, which is why I am planning for his visit." He levitated to where she was on the cavern wall. "Here, eat this!" He forced a cool liquid into her mouth, her involuntary reflexes kicked in, and she swallowed it. Before long she was out cold, the drug taking its full affect. "That'll keep you quiet until I need you again."
They teleported to a dark room and he couldn't see a thing.
"Where are we?" Darien asked.
"Her house, on Earth." Queen Serenity said as the lights came on. They were shocked at what they saw; the place was a mess. Furniture had been thrown everywhere. It was evident that a struggle had taken place. "Oh Selene!"
"Serena!" Darien said somberly as he looked around the room. "If I had come sooner, I could have stopped this." He pounded his fist into his hand with determination.
"Sailor Warriors activate, James Viladi is at it again, this time we may be able to terminate him." His eyes focused on her as she spoke to no one in particular. "Teleport immediately!" In a flash of orange, red, blue, and green, four women who looked to Darien a lot like Princess Serenity's court were in the room, except they were wearing sailor fuku.
"You're, you're the legendary senshi?" He inquired incredulously.
"How else could we keep tabs on the princess so closely?" Venus smiled.
"Minako, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter?" He asked again and they all nodded respectively.
"We have no time for this, James Viladi is at it again, he most likely is working in his underground layer. I want you to go and retrieve Serena. I know that you've never had to kill before, but you know what you must do. Rescuing the civilian is your first priority!"
"A civilian?" Venus questioned; it took her a second to look around at her surroundings before she finally understood what was going on; Darien's presence only confirmed it. They were on a mission to save Serena.
"Yes, it has come to my attention that Viladi is using her as his only ticket in, therefore you must go save her."
"Yes your majesty." She responded in submission.
"All right, there is no time to waste!" In a whirl of light Queen Serenity disappeared. When she was gone, the senshi formed a circle and were about to transport when Darien called out.
"Wait!" He paused. "I'm going with you!"
"This is no place for a human to be." Jupiter replied flatly.
"I do not care! I love her, and I am going to go with you!" He said sternly with a stubborn look in his eye that meant he wouldn't falter from his decision.
"All right, but we won't be able to protect you, you heard the Queen, Serena's first priority." Mars retorted stringently.
"There's no need to protect me." He voice was firm and steady as they all placed their hands on him; in a few seconds, they were gone.
"Where exactly are we?" Jupiter was the first to speak when they had arrived at their destination.
"We're in the maze of the cavern." Mercury replied as she flicked on her visor and began surveying the area.
"Could we keep moving, we're not making the situation any better by just standing here." He looked around at four different long hallways, only one of which would probably lead to Serena.
"I agree with Endymion." Mars replied.
"Look guys, I understand how you feel, but one wrong turn and we'll just get lost and we'll never find her." The sound of Mercury's fingers tickering off the keyboard in her hand echoed throughout the sector in which they stood.
"Oh, Selene!" A few small rocks fell to the ground at the sound of his voice.
"Stop that, do you want to cause an avalanche!" Mars exclaimed, causing a few more rocks to fall.
"You mean the way you are with your big mouth!" He retorted.
"Oh, why I otta."
"Guys, guys, we're here to work together, not to tear each other apart." Venus said authoritatively.
Serena! He screamed in his mind. I know this is stupid...but if you by any chance can hear me...help me find you like I did once before. I couldn't live without knowing you were safe. Come on...I know you can hear me! Please! You have to- The sound of a faint voice caused him to suddenly cease his movements.
Darrieeennnnn, I'm in here. It was barely even a whisper, but he held onto it as much as he could.
In where Serena? He cried out to her.
Just follow your heart, it'll lead you right to meeohhhhhhh. She screamed in pain.
Serena, I'm coming, just hold on! "Follow me." He didn't wait for them to listen to his orders, he just ran.
"Wait you imbecile, you'll get lost!" Mars exclaimed as she ran after him.
"Mars wait!" Jupiter yelled as she ran after Mars.
"You guys!" Mercury bellowed. Venus looked at her and shrugged.
"Let's go or we'll lose them." She said and trailed after Jupiter with Mercury not far behind.
Serena was on all fours in front of him, her body chained in that position.
"I shall make a deal with you." He began, a cynical grin upon his face. "You can either have your free mind while you serve and love me, or you could lose your will and be controlled by me."
"You can never force me to love someone as twisted and bitter as you are!"
"You will pay for that comment." He opened the palm of his hand and black energy formed and hit her full force; she fell on her stomach, the power of his magic keeping her there.
"Even...if you...force me, it will never be…be real." She said coldly. "It won't ever be love!" Blood trickled down her chin, as she had to force herself to even breathe. "You'll never...ever touch Justin!" She continued. "You'll...never have...our son!"
"You insolent wench!" He replied. "Haven't you figured it out by now, I'm not the father of your bastard child! I'm only using you to gain access to the moon. Once there, I will start the revolution against the Silver Millennium, and I'll have both the Queen and Princess killed!"
"But I thought, I-I thought" She felt her body tremble at the revelation; she had lost the battle. His real father was still out there.
"That I was your past lover?" He finished for her. "Oh, Selene no! In fact, I already have a companion, and she actually loves me."
"Then marry her." She replied bitterly.
"No you see, that's not part of the plan." He smiled. "But you are. You see, Metallia has given me great powers, and soon with her power, and your energy, I shall rule the universe."
"Why don't you just take my energy, and leave my body, you won't need it for anything more." She coughed on her words, fighting for every moment to stay alive. "I'll give you all the energy you want, just let my soul, and my body alone." Deep in her heart, she knew what she was doing, she was stalling for time; he would come for her, and she would be alive to see him.
"No, no, no you bad little girl." He tarried. "You know exactly what I need your body for...I need a suitable heir to make sure my Reign of terror continues, a moon born to be exact."
"It's time." She heard a familiar feminine voice say.
"Endymion, do you know where you're going?" Venus called after the man running in front of her.
"Yes." He yelled back in annoyance.
"How do you know-" Mars began.
"Wait Mars, before you begin your accusations." Mercury interrupted. "According…to my calculations...he's going the right way...I finally got the schematics unscrambled...and I have to tell you that Serena...is in torture already...wherever she is." She paused. "We can't waste...any more time talking, keep running…we're almost there." She huffed.
"You know what honey, you're looking rather pale." He crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at Serena's lifeless form. "Almost as if...you've had the energy sucked out of you!" He laughed.
"James you have company." The woman from before interrupted as she entered the room, her fiery red hair coming in waves down her shoulders, her body clothed in a dark purple velvet dress that clinged like a second skin.
"Thank-you, Beryl." He acknowledged. "Oh Serena, I don't think you've met my companion, Beryl. Beryl, Serena, Serena, Beryl." She crossed her arms in anger and jealousy.
"You're, you're the woman from the rink." She looked on with wide eyes as Beryl bowed before her.
"So there is a coherent brain inside that little head of yours." Her voice rang like the sound of cats and high pitched bells mixed with scratch marks on the chalkboard.
"Hope I didn't put your little friend out of commission for too long" She laughed. "Don't worry though, looks like I'm going to have the last titter."
"You're jealous of my win?"
"You pathetic little fool, that whole thing was staged so that you would use your energy to the fullest capacity." She smiled triumphantly as Serena's brow's rose in shock and confusion.
"I don't understand."
"Well, I needed to find out how much energy you had, had to create the right sized container before I transported it you know."
"Hmph...I don't understand why you insist on keeping her, she doesn't look like much to me."
"Come now, jealousy will get us nowhere my love, you must be patient, for soon we shall rule the universe together." He looked towards a clear globe on the other side of the room where Serena's energy would be kept temporarily. "Now, be off, I have to tend to our guests." Beryl turned her back and walked away. Serena's gaze dipped from the scene that unraveled before her before going into subconscious on the examining bed that she was strapped to.
"Where are we?" Darien asked. For once he had no clue what to do next. He followed his instincts all the way through and it led him to this empty cavern.
"We should be asking that of you." Mars arched her brow and crossed her arms in response.
"For someone who's supposed to be a great legend, you sure don't seem to be much to me." He eyes narrowed as he glowered over her.
"Look almighty who was stupidly chosen as the next leader of the universe, I don't see-"
"Look you guys! Serena's in trouble, now is not the time to argue! If you don't quit this bickering, I'll tie you two together with my chain!" Venus said sternly, giving the two of them a hot glance before facing Mercury.
"Look."
"I'd listen to her if I were you." Mars mumbled under her breath, interrupting him.
"Mercury, could you get the schematics on our current position, and it's relation to where Serena is." Both opponents crossed their arms and turned their backs to each other.
"Well, according to my computer." Mercury began. "No, it's not possible." She said in shock.
"What, what's not possible." Darien turned his attention to Mercury, attempting to understand what was going on with that little computer of hers.
"According to my computer, Serena's in this room." She replied.
"That's impossible, we're in a cavern, and I can see the walls, and she's not in here." Jupiter pointed out.
"Well then that must mean" Darien began.
"That this is all an illusion." Mercury finished.
"Right you are Mercury." A deep voice echoed throughout the room.
"Viladi!" Venus scowled.
"Nice of you to join the party Venus." He continued. "Unfortunately for you, and your friends, it won't be a pleasant one." Suddenly their surroundings began to dematerialize before them to reveal over fifty henchmen who were separated from them by a wall.
Darieeennnn. He heard Serena mumble weakly.
"We have to hurry, something's wrong with her." He paused as he pulled out his sword. "She sounded weak…hey, what will you fight with, you have no weapons?"
"Humans." Mars retorted as she shook her head.
"Get ready to rumble girls." Venus exclaimed with a giggle as she looked at Darien's confused look. "Man, I hadn't had action like this in a while. Oh, and Endy, try and keep up with us okay?" He arched his brow in wonder; had never before seen the Sailor Warriors of Legend fight, nor were their means of fighting described. He had always had speculated as to why, and he realized that he would find out soon enough. The wall that was separating them from the henchmen began to rise. "Mercury, could you handle their vision problem."
"What vision problem?" Mars rolled her eyes at his comment, deciding that allowing Mercury to do her thing would be a better shocker than just coming out and telling him.
"Getting right on it Venus." Mercury crossed her arms before her before beginning a slow chant. "Mercury...Bubbles...Blast!" Before them, and all around, hundreds of bubbles were released that when collided, created a fog; Darien was shocked that this girl, no woman, was controlling water.
"All right everyone, we're going with plan Alpha, divide and conquer."
"Gotcha Venus." Jupiter replied.
Darien fought intensely beside these warriors, each person taking on over ten men. He fought as fiercely as they did, but he decided not to use his powers yet, but only as an element of surprise. He had to admit, having them by his side felt like a safe comfort, it was as if he had his own generals near him.
"Venus...Love Chain...Encirrrrrccclllee!"
"Mars Celestial Fireee…Surrounddddd!"
"Jupiter Thunder Clap…Zaaapppppppp!"
"Mercurrrryyy Ice Storrrrrm…Blaaastttt!"
"Venus Cresennnnt Beaaammm…Smashhh!!!"
"Marrrsssss Firrrreeeeebirdddd…Strikeeee!!"
"Mercury...Shabon....Sprayyyy!!!!!!!"
"Jupiter...Supreme Thunder...Attaaaccck!!" Before they knew it, all the henchmen were gone; the scouts turned to Darien who had already placed his sword in his hilt.
"Not bad, for a human." Mars retorted.
"If anyone calls me human one more time." He scowled.
"Mmphhh." Serena mumbled as she turned her head towards the sound of the door.
"How are we feeling, the process should be just about done." He paused. "You know, it would have been easier, if you had not resisted it at first...You look so serene like this." He passed the back of his hand across her smooth cheek. She wanted to jerk away from his touch, but she felt like she had most of her energy being depleted of her; she couldn't move a muscle, she could barely speak.
"My…my friends." She mumbled softly, her eyes fighting to say open. "Darieennn." Was the last word she emitted as she felt her heart beat slowing.
Lubb…Dubb.
Lubb…....…Dubb
Lubb.......………Dubb
Lubb………………………Dubb
Lubb………………………………Dubb
Lubb…………………………………………
................................................................
"Oh, don't worry, I'm taking care of them, using your energy plus my own, and the power of Metallia, I shall be unstoppable. Don't worry, you may be dead for now, but I'll revive you in time...with your new memory."
Stay tuned for the final chapter.........