AN: WARNING, this is a sort of tear-jerker chapter so don't flame me for making you tear up. I'm VERY proud of this chapter and I hope you enjoy it. And keep on the lookout for chapter 4! READ 'N' REVIEW, onegai!
Part 3: "Death and Rebirth"
"Endy-papa? Who am I?"
King E looked into the little girl's large blue eyes and smiled. "Why, Rosey, you're Princess Rose of the Earth. Why do you ask such a silly question?"
The little girl looked thoughtful for a moment and then spoke again. "How old am I?"
"You're seven, of course," said the king, "Why do you ask such questions?"
"Why am I here?"
"Because your mommy and I decided to have a baby. Why do you ask?"
"I know about the rose garden."
The king was floored. How could she know about the rose garden? That had been almost eight years ago. No one had spoken of it since, and only he and the three fairies knew of what happened there. He hadn't even told his beloved queen who meant more to him than life itself. What was he going to do now? His daughter knew. She would probably continue to ask questions until she knew the whole story. Oh, why had that day ever happened?
He still remembered the day. It was right after Apey left him at the party when he heard the scream. It was completely inaudible to anyone else except for himself. The minute he heard her scream he ran into the night until he spotted the three fairies standing over the corpse of his beloved friend. "Apey!!! No!!" he screamed and ran to her. He knelt beside her and took her into his arms, crying and whispering. "Apey...no...April Rain...no, you can't - you can't leave me...I love you...I love you, damnit! You can't leave, no!!!" He sobbed and moaned and cried his eyes out. Apey's body slowly began to fade into little bubbles that floated into the air. One stopped in front of his face. It had her image in it.
"Mamoru...Mamo-chan...I'm right here," said the image in the bubble.
Mamoru looked up in shock. "Apey? Apey, is that you?"
"Yes, Mamo-chan. Don't cry, I'll be back. Just bury my heart crystal in the rose garden. I promise I'll come back one day. You'll see. Just remember, nothing is more amazing than rain on a clear day. Farewell, my prince." The image blew him a kiss and then the bubble popped.
Mamoru looked up at the three fairies, and only then did he notice the one holding a heart-shaped crystal in her hand. "You..." he said, his voice shaking with a mix of anger and sorrow, "You did this to my April Rain - my Apey. Why?"
The three fairies knelt on one knee before him, bowing their heads. "We are sorry, Prince Endymion, but what we did had to be done," said one fairy.
"She was a criminal and that was the punishment for her crime," said another.
But, I don't understand what crime she could've committed that deserved this kind of brutal punishment," said Mamoru, "She had a kind and gentle soul and a huge heart. How could you do it? What did she do?" he was starting to tear up again.
The one with the crystal spoke up. "She was going to disrupt the fabric of time. We could not let her do that. Pluto awakened us so that we could stop her."
"Enough of this!" he shouted, "I wish to hear no more of this. Who are you people?"
"Your loyal subjects, creations of Mother Earth programmed to do your bidding," said the crystal holder.
"If you're programmed to do my bidding, then give me that crystal and then take me to the rose garden," he roared, "Now!"
The three fairies paled. "Yes, sire," they said and gave him the crystal, then they formed a triangle around him and started to quietly chant. They joined their staffs over his head and in a flash of light they were in a large rose garden. Mamoru walked to the center and kneeled on the ground. Then he started to dig with a trowel someone had left there. Once he had a big enough hole, he placed the crystal inside and lovingly patted the rich soil back on top. The he turned to the three fairies. "I want no one and no thing to ever disturb this crystal - do I make myself clear?" He shot them a look of impending doom.
The three fairies paled once again. "Yes sire," they said and then transported them back to Tokyo. Once back, the former crystal holder looked at her companions and they nodded. Then, while He wasn't paying attention, she tapped him on the head with her staff and whispered, "Goddess of Fire, grant him and these people, loss of these memories of this girl and today." Then she and her companions vanished. Mamoru looked around him. "Now where did I park?"
The king's eyes got distant as he remembered this time. "Oh Apey," he thought, "What might have been if you had not come?"
His daughter stared at him curiously. He seemed to have these spells a lot. Sere-mama had said that he wasn't always like this, that he had been cool as a cucumber when she first met him. She said the spells had started two years after they were married. That was curious. However, they had happened to him all Rose's life, so she was used to it. She wondered what Endy-papa thought about when he stared off like that.
Meanwhile, King E was still deep in thought. Oh, how horrible it had been the day he regained his memories. It was supposed to be a relaxing day. The work agenda was blank, there were no meetings or functions to attend, his wife was having tea with her friends. He was looking forward to resting for an hour or so. He wandered out to the hammock that was in his rose garden, his special secluded place where there weren't even guards to bother him. Flicking on his portable stereo, he lay down with his head on the pillow and lazily stared up at the sky. Suddenly he felt something fall on his arm. Then another. Then one on his nose. He glanced down. Water. Raindrops. Then he glanced up again. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. But, why the rain? Then something clicked in the back of his mind. He heard a girl's voice calling to him as if from afar. Then images came that seemed like memories from the past:
"America, I'm a writer."
"I'm just another one of the guys."
"C'mon, Mamo-chan, its time to wake up."
"I made breakfast."
"Aren't rainy days great, Mamo-chan?"
"Thank you, my prince."
"I promise I'll come back one day."
"Just remember, nothing is more amazing than rain on a clear day."
He couldn't believe it. All of his memories were coming back to him in a rush. All the time he had spent with that mysterious girl named April Rain. The day she left him. Oh, why did the memories have to come back?! Why did he have to live through this torture. He missed his blissful ignorance, before the memories resurfaced, before SHE came back into his life.
When the queen had returned home that day, she had noticed the distance in her husband. He seemed displaced, and although he refused to tell her what, she knew something was wrong. She kept quiet and never said anything, even when he had gone through his first spell, but she also knew that there was nothing she could do to help. So over the years she had learned to live with it.
When she had had their first child, Small Lady, he had been overjoyed. At first she thought that maybe he'd returned to his normal old self, and it seemed like that for awhile, but the first time she left, it was obvious he wasn't the same. When Small Lady was home, he was great. He spoiled the girl rotten and he treated Serenity like he had when they were dating in the 20th century. But when Small Lady left, he became distant again. Then came their second daughter.
Rose was their second daughter. She was nothing like her sister, Small Lady, at all. Where Small Lady had her mother's hair (in pink, though, to match her aura like every moon princess's), Rose had a combination of her mother and father's. Where Small Lady had laughing blue eyes like her mother's, Rose had stormy blue - a mix of her mother's laughing blue and her father's ocean blue. Where Small Lady had her mother's cheerful disposition and silly personality, Rose was more somber and detached. Serenity looked upon her daughter's serious attitude in worry wondering what was wrong with her.
When Endymion first saw Rose, he turned white as a sheet. The look in his eyes was genuine fear of the little girl Serenity held in her arms and he had kept his distance for quite some time. This was getting worse. It wasn't until a month later when Small Lady returned from her final training session did he start to seem normal again. By this time, however, Small Lady was a teenager, so she spent less time with him and more time with either the her friends, Amazoness Quartet, or her boyfriend, Elios. This worried the queen more.
Now, as she eavesdropped on her husband's conversation with her daughter, she knew something had to be done.
Rose got bored with her father's space-out and looked around the room. In the very corner she saw a faint shadow behind the curtain. She walked over and opened it up. "Sere-mama?"
"Oh, hello, darling," said the queen as she knelt down to her daughter's level, "I guess you caught mommy spying on you and daddy. Do you think he'll be alright?"
"Hai, Sere-mama," said Rose.
Serenity stared into her child's large curious eyes and wondered. Why was this child so serious? The she glanced over at her husband. Slowly, a though crept into her mind. She kissed Rose on the forehead. "Mommy's got to go make a phone call, honey, go run along and play the animation game again, alright?"
Rose leaned forward and gave her a hug. "Alright, Sere-mama." Then she ran off down the hall.
As Rose raced down the hallway, she paused. Outside the double doors was her secret shortcut to the rose garden. "Oh well," she thought, "Daddy's having a spell, he won't know I'm there." Then she changed course and ran off toward the garden.
Rose didn't know what it was, she just felt a special connection with the rose garden. She couldn't tell anyone else about it, they wouldn't understand, so she simply slipped into the garden whenever she could to be by herself. To tell the truth, she actually liked the animation game. She could make anything levitate to look like it was animated, although she usually used marbles and stuff to make a model of the universe. Sere-mama said that Queen Hotaru used to play the same game when she was little. Rose had never really met Queen Hotaru before, except for a spit second at parties and such. She seemed like a very nice lady, though. She was pretty and her black-purple hair was really lovely. Rose wished she looked like Queen Hotaru.
Oh, well. She was only seven. She had quite some time to wait before she'd grow up. She sighed and concentrated on her game. Right now she had two clumps of dried out, dead rose petals floating in the air. She concentrated, and started to mold them into two figures. She remembered the stories she'd heard when she was little, about the wars that Sere-mama had fought through with Endy-papa. Slowly, as she recalled the memories, the two clumps formed into miniature versions of her parents, slightly younger looking, in their senshi fukus. Then the two figures became the former prince and princess, dancing a waltz across the earth in front of her. Partway through, she paused the scene. That was what her father used to be like. Romantic, smiling, and full of life. She was having trouble imagining it. Oh sure, it was easily to see her cheerful mother as the carefree spirited girl that one day became the courageous senshi Sailor Moon. However, her father was a stiff. He'd been blank since as long as she could remember - just a shell of a man, a robotic King that wandered around eating, sleeping, and going to work. She sighed. Maybe, someday when she grew up, she could find a way to return him to his normal self. Until then, she would just wait patiently and study and train and obey her mother like a proper princess.
"Rose! Rose, honey!" Rose heard the queen's voice calling off in the distance, "Chiba Rose, get your butt in here this instant missy!"
"Coming, Sere-mama!" Rose called back. The rose petals fell to the ground and she got up and ran out of the garden. A soft wind came and blew the petals around in a whirlwind. A soft rain started to sprinkle down and they fell to the ground, magically rejuvenated, as if they'd just fallen from the rose.
Neo-Queen Serenity heard soft footsteps pattering down the hallway. "Finally," she thought, "I wonder where that girl runs off to all the time." Just then, Princess Rose rounded the corner and ran up to her. "Hugs!" she said.
Rose leapt into Serenity's arms and gave her a big hug, which the queen seemed to linger in. Finally, she set the girl down. "You called me, Sere-mama?" Rose asked.
"Yes, dear," replied Serenity, "I have something important to tell you -" she paused and looked into the little girl's eyes. There was pure youthful curiosity in those eyes. Sweet innocence. How she would miss her. "Darling, let's go get some crescent moon cakes first, and then I'll tell you."
Rose took the queen's hand and walked with her down the hall to the kitchen. She wondered why her mother was acting so odd, and it worried her. When they got to the kitchen, Serenity sat the little girl on the counter on the counter and handed her a cake. Then she sat down in a chair with one of her own. "So what is it, Sere-mama?" asked Rose as she took a bite of cake, "Why did you call me in?"
Serenity sighed. Well, it was now or never. "Rose, darling, we're sending you away."
Rose stared at her in awe. Did she hear right? "But, why?" she asked tearful, "Did I do something wrong? Is it because I went in Endy-papa's rose garden? I'm sorry I did it, its just so pretty and quiet in there. I promise I won't do it again, I swear!"
Serenity hugged her. "Oh no! No, that's not why, honey, that's not it at all!" she stroked the girl's hair trying to shush her, "You see, we're sending you to live with Queen Michiru and Queen Haruka."
Rose pulled away from the queen. "Why are you sending me to live with them?" she asked.
Serenity smiled. "When your big sister, Small Lady, was your age she went away, too. She trained with your father and I, and the inner senshi in the past. But, if I sent you to the past, also, it would disrupt the time-space continuum. So, I did the next best thing, I called up the outer senshi, and I made an agreement to move you out there. You'll leave tomorrow. Don't worry about it too much, you'll have fun and I think it'll be good for your father if I took him on vacation for awhile," she gave her another hug, "Now run along and finish your cake. I'll help you pack after dinner."
"Alright, Sere-mama," said Rose and scampered off down the hallway to her room. She just had to tell the three fairies about this. "I wonder if they're coming with me?" she wondered.
The queen sighed as she watched her little girl run down the hall. Oh, they grow up so fast! Staring off into space, she finished off her moon cake and walked back to the library to talk to her husband. This time he was active, up looking through the books. "Endy...Endy, hon. I need to speak to you for a minute," said the queen.
"Just a minute, Sere, I'm looking for something," he called back.
Serenity blew some air out through her clenched teeth and marched up to the king. She snatched the book out of his hand and slammed it shut on the desk. "No," she said flatly, "You listen to me, Chiba Mamoru," he looked in her eyes and could see her frustration, "Now, I don't know what's the matter with you. You've been practically a zombie since the third year of our marriage. But, I've learned to live with it. When Small Lady was around you seemed like you may return to normal again, but now you're just a robot. We haven't had sex since Rose was born and I can't remember the last time you did something even slightly romantic for me! And you just space out when you're talking to Rose! Every time! She's only seven and she's all weird and detached from the world. I've decided that I've had enough. Tomorrow, I'm sending her to live with Haruka and Michiru and then I'm taking you on a vacation. I don't want to hear any protests or anything. The kingdom will be fine with Luna and Artemis in charge for awhile. You aren't the same Mamoru I married, and I'll be damned if I don't do all in my power to bring him back!"
King Endymion looked at his wife in utter disbelief. Where had all this come from? "I...I don't understand," he stuttered.
"You don't have to," she replied, tears forming in her big blue eyes, "Just start packing after dinner and say your good-byes to the rose garden." And with that, she picked up her skirts and marched out of the room, leaving a stunned Endymion in her wake. When she reached the hallway she let the tears flow freely. But she had done what she had to do, so now she had better go start the curry for dinner.
Rose reached her quarters a few minutes after she left her mother in the kitchen. Her crescent moon cake was gone by then and she needed to wash up. Rushing into her rooms, she searched around for her three guardians. "Earth, Air, Fire! Come out, I've got some news!" she shouted playfully. After a minute she got frustrated and used their real names. "Ivy, Oralee, Ella! C'mon, its Rose! I've got to tell you something."
One by one, the three fairies appeared before their princess. "Please, Rose-hime," said Ella, "There is no need to shout. What do you need?"
"Oh, Ella!" said Rose, "I'm moving away!"
The three stared at the little girl in shock. "Moving away?" asked Oralee, "But, where? What for?"
"Sere-mama is sending me to live with Queen Haruka and Queen Michiru to train," said Rose, "Just like when onee-san went to the past. And Sere-mama and Endy-papa are going on vacation."
"Oh, Rose-hime," said Ivy, "You're just growing up so fast! We'll miss you so much!"
"You can't come with me?" asked Rose.
"No, dear," said Oralee, kneeling down in front of her, "You're going off to train, yet we must stay here. It is our duty to guard this Earth well. And that starts with guarding its core. We will most likely be ordered to guard Luna and Artemis while they fill in for your parents."
"Oh, but we'll all miss you so much, Rose-hime!" said Ivy giving her a big hug.
"That's right," agreed Ella, "So don't you dare forget to write. And take care."
"Thank you, Ella," said Rose, hugging her, "I promise I'll keep in touch. Come visit me if you can."
"Don't worry," Ella replied, "We will. But now you better go wash up before dinner. You have crescent moon cake all over you."
"Alright," said Rose, then she turned to Oralee, "Could you set out one of my pretty dresses for dinner, please? This is the last family dinner I'll have for awhile."
"Alrighty, cutie," smiled Oralee, "I'll set out my newest design for tomorrow, too, so you can look pretty for the queens."
"Thank you," smiled Rose. She kissed all three of them and ran off toward her personal bathroom.
In the kitchen, the queen smiled. The curry was done to perfection. The only problem was her horrendously messy kitchen. The cook wouldn't be too happy with her. She never liked it when the queen cooked because she always made a mess like this. However, this time serenity didn't care because it was her last dinner for with her little girl for awhile, so she wanted to make her special dish. She remembered the first time she'd made this curry.
It was when she was still a teenager and Chibi-usa had first come to live with her. She was going to help Chibi-usa make curry for her school's cook-off and no one believed she could do it. By the time she'd finished, both Chibi-usa and Mamo-chan had sung her their praise. Oh, that night Mamo-chan had taken her out to the park for a lovely dinner. He had been so romantic about it, too. He swept her off her feet with a lone blood-red rose and a picnic basket and blanket. That was also the time they sat watching the sun set together before he drove her home.
Remembering this, tears started once again forming in the queen's eyes. "Oh, Mamo-chan!" she thought, "What did I do? Where did I go wrong? Why are you acting like this?" She sobbed and sobbed until she was disgusted with herself and then shut off the burners. Handing the food to the maid to set out, she walked over to the intercom. First she clicked the button for Rose's quarters. "Rose, darling, dinner is ready."
From the other end came Rose's voice. "Coming, Sere-mama."
Serenity smiled and wiped one of her eyes clear of tears. She clicked open her star locket and held it up to the speaker. Then she pressed the button for the library, speaking as the music played. "Endy...Endy, love, dinner is ready. I made curry."
A still rather shaken King E answered. "Your curry? Sounds good. I'll be in momentarily, Usako." Then there was the click.
The queen sighed and closed her locket, replacing it around her neck. Then she bustled into the dining room. A short time later, Rose walked in wearing a newly starched stormy-blue dress. She curtsied to the queen saying "Greetings, Sere-mama," and then took her seat at the middle of the table. A few more minutes passed before the king walked in. He stiffly bowed to his wife, "Greetings, Serenity," and she nodded at him. Then he glanced at the princess, "Rose," he acknowledged, and took his seat at the other end of the table. The queen nodded and Rose started prayer.
"O Mother Earth, goddess of this fair planet, thank you for the flora and fauna that were used to make this meal, Sere-mama's special curry. We shall take care of your planet always in thanks for what you've given us. In the name of the queens, the senshi, and the planets, bon appetit!"
At that, they all dug in. The dinner went by rather quietly, as most did when Small Lady wasn't there. There were comments here and there, but nothing that could truly be counted as conversation. Serenity was getting rather upset with her husband as the minutes wound by. All this time he hadn't said thing one to their little girl. She decided she'd had enough. "Rose, darling," she said, "Why don't you tell your father what you did today?"
Rose stared at the queen in surprise, turned to her father who was waiting patiently. "Well, Endy-papa, after I talked to you in the library, mom told me to run along. I was going to go to the game room, but I decided to go outside to the rose garden to play the animation game with some dead rose petals. You aren't mad, are you?"
Endymion looked at Rose long and hard, then sighed. "No, I'm not mad at you, Rosey," he said, "Its good to hear that you get outside once in awhile. The rose garden in a nice place to get some fresh air and sunshine." He gave her a reassuring smile, and she smiled back.
"I'm glad you think so, Endy-papa, because I love the rose garden. Its pretty," she looked reflective for a moment and her stormy-blue eyes lit up a bit, "I just wish it would rain more. The flowers look lovely when it rains. But, I suppose it won't rain too often with all the clear days we have here."
That was it, Endymion had to look away. This little girl caused him so much pain, each time she spoke these horrid memories would resurface of what they did in the rose garden.
The queen watched this play of emotions on her husband's face worriedly. Their little girl - this odd little girl - was what was causing this. She brought up all these repressed memories that she could tell he'd tried a long time to forget. At least this was reassuring. This meant there was hope that she could cure her poor Endymion. "Oh, my love," she thought, "Why are our lives tainted so?" That night, after dinner and after the packing, the queen lie awake in her bed wondering "What shall become of my family?"
The next morning, the three fairies helped Rose gather her luggage and get ready. Rose got dressed in her new dress from Oralee, a beautiful black dress with a stormy-blue sash, and skipped down with them to the front door. The King and Queen were there waiting to say good-bye. Serenity got all misty-eyed and hugged her saying over and over again how much she'd miss her. When Rose looked up at the King, she spoke first. "Endy-papa, I know you're not well, and I hope you get better and learn to let go of whatever is bothering you. I'm going to go now, and I may not return for quite some time. So, I'd just like to say, that no matter what I still love you and all I ask is for one hug good-bye."
The king listened to every word of her speech, staring into her stormy blue eyes, then nodded and bent down. She threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug, and he returned it the best he could. "I'll miss you, Rosey," was all he said before it started to rain. Rose ran down toward her ride, glanced back once, waving, then turned away. Serenity hugged Endymion's arm as the car rounded the bend and drove out to the world beyond the Crystal Palace. "Its for the best," she reminded herself, "Even if it kills me inside."
************
Serenity wandered through the halls of the great Crystal Palace. She knew her husband said he had work to finish, yet she also knew that that same work could easily be done by some underling. It was almost as if he feared going off on this vacation, as if he feared being alone with his own wife. She just couldn't make heads nor tails of it.
Looking around, she suddenly realized where she was. It was the attic way off in the depths of the palace. This day reminded her of a day many years ago. Way in the back of her mind was the memory of the day she had tried so hard to forget. That she wished she could forget. The memory of the day she'd killed April Rain.
It was a dark, rainy day like that one. Some time before, the King had started his odd behavior. Serenity was still alone with him and cooped up all day in the large crystalline palace. That day she had just told herself she needed a break from her worries and went for a walk around the palace. She hadn't been around it too much in the few years they'd lived there, so she figured she needed to get better aquatinted anyway. She wandered down the halls and up the stairs, winding round and round. Eventually, she had come to the attic. This was surprising, since she wasn't aware she even had an attic. It was a musty old place with no windows and only a few lights. There were boxes and assorted items stacked everywhere, as well as an old sofa and some other furniture off to one side.
Serenity smiled to herself, remembering how excited she was when she had found the stuff leftover from when she was a teenager. Before all of this happened. And then came the mystery box. The mystery box was your average run-of-the-mill cardboard packing box. It didn't seem to have any apparent clues as to what was inside, except for a little note on the top that read: "Before Usako." This got her curiosity going. "It must be Mamo-chan's stuff from before I met him!" she thought, "Although, it does seem rather small, considering." She simply shrugged and opened the box carefully.
Inside the box were some old photographs, a video cassette, and other things. Flipping through the photos, she found several assorted group shots of Mamoru, Motoki, Reika, Unazuki, and some girl that she faintly recognized. Others, however, didn't have the girl, but a boy instead. This was rather mysterious. Both people seemed oddly familiar, but she just couldn't place either one. She continued to look through the pictures and found a photo album containing pictures of just Mamoru and the girl as well as just him and the boy. When she got to the fifth page, she stopped. There were two pictures, side to side, of Mamoru - one with the girl and the other with the boy. Yet, in both pictures the second person is wearing the same shirt. That's when it clicked. "The shirts!" she exclaimed, "That's Apey, Mamo-chan's roommate, and his girlfriend April Rain! No wonder they looked so familiar. I had forgotten all about them. Hmmm, I wonder what happened to them? I haven't seen them in ages."
She decided that she'd probably forgotten that, too, so just shrugged it off and moved on through the pictures. But, once again, something caught her eye. There was one lone picture where Apey's face wasn't obstructed from view. She held it up, and then picked up a picture of April. They were identical. They were the same person. They were the same damn person! All that time - all that time she and Mamoru had lied to her! April Rain was his roommate! Which meant, that morning when she had gone to his apartment all those years ago, she had been sleeping with Mamoru! Of all the nerve! And all this time! She was blown away. She dove into the box looking for more incriminating evidence. She found another picture, this one in a small silver frame, of just April in a pretty black dress, smiling broadly. Then she looked at the video. The label said "Mamoru and April - vacation". That was it. She was furious now. She took the video with her and marched down the stairs. When she reached the t.v. room she locked herself in and put it into the VCR. By the end of it she was in tears. It was beautiful and infuriating at the same time. It was a video tape of a vacation the two had taken together, and they actually seemed like a lovely couple. They didn't argue once, and they got along wonderfully, always having something to talk about. Meanwhile, she'd never been like that with Mamoru, even before the spells.
After awhile she managed to regain her composure. She had come to realize that Mamoru had lied to her and that he'd been living with another woman before her. Yet, she still had faith in her husband and their eternal love, and so she just told herself that April probably left so that Mamoru could be with her. But she wasn't about to take any chances. She called in Setsuna, Guardian of the Time Gates, and had her take all of the things from the attic far away forever. All except for the picture of April in the little black dress. She went to the top of the hill and burnt it, then watched as the ashes floated away and whispered "Farewell to thee, April Rain."
************
That attic and its bad memories. She wished she'd never gone there.
The queen walked briskly down the hall in search of her husband, determined to drag him off on their vacation, irregardless of any bullshit excuses he made to stay. Just as she expected, he was in the library. She walked right up to the desk and put a hand on either end. "Endymion, its time to go. Don't bother with the excuses because I've heard them all and no matter what it is you have to say, I refuse to be swayed from my objective."
The King took one look at her eyes and could tell she wasn't joking. "Yes, dear," he replied. He sounded like a wounded puppy when he spoke like that. But, she didn't care. She grabbed his hand and led him down the hall to grab their luggage so that they could leave. She just hoped that this trip to the tropics would help.
************
You have cordially been invited to the wedding of:
Princess Lady Serenity
And
Elios, High Priest of Elysion
On June 30th of the year 2922
At 4 o'clock
In the Golden Chapel in the Gardens of Elysion
RSVP
Rose stared at her invitation. It was finally happening. Her big sister was getting hitched to that priest. They all knew it would happen eventually, it was just a matter of time. Just like now it was only a matter of time until Small Lady had a child. She sighed, it would be nice to go home again, even if for a short stay. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be alive long enough to see her sister's children. But, that's the way life is sometimes, and sometimes you just have to accept your fate - no matter how grim.
She returned to her packing just as the queen of Saturn walked into the room. "Rose? How are you doing, dear?" she asked.
Rose gave another small sigh and continued to pack. "Oh, hello Hotaru-mama. I'm fine, I guess. Thank you for asking, though."
"You don't sound fine," said the queen, "Are you sure you're comfortable with this?"
"As much so as I'll ever be," Rose replied, "But...I guess I must except my fate, for better or for worse, and move on."
Hotaru walked up to Rose and placed both hands on her shoulders, turning her until they were face to face. "Oh, Rosey," she sighed, "Please don't be so depressed. I know this is going to hurt you, but you must go to the wedding and act as cheerful as possible for your family's sake! Remember, for every evil there is a balance of good to go with it," Rose's eyes were completely devoid of any emotions and that got Hotaru even more worried, "Remember, don't tell a soul. Now, finish packing and then we'll leave."
Rose said nothing, but nodded her head in agreement and returned to her packing. A few minutes later she was ready. She walked into the foyer, suitcase in hand, and waited. Minutes later Hotaru appeared with her own suitcase and led her out to their carriage. The driver loaded their luggage and they got inside. "Where are Queen Michiru and Queen Haruka?" asked Rose quietly.
"In the other carriage," replied Hotaru, "Why, you don't want to ride with me?" She pretended to look hurt.
Rose laughed. "No, Hotaru-mama, its not that, I was just curious." She sighed and looked out the window. The sun was shining brightly and the scenery was a beautiful green landscape. They passed a small house in the middle of a field. Outside, a little black-haired girl with a hairstyle like the queen's played on a swing set. Rose felt like crying - but she couldn't. She hadn't been able to cry in years. But her heart felt like it was in a vice.
Hotaru noticed the pained look on her face. "Rosey? What's the matter, hon?"
Rose slowly turned her head to look at Hotaru. "Oh, its nothing," she said, "I was just thinking about...well...my family. Nevermind. Let's just get there and be done with it." Hotaru gave her another worried look, but said nothing more and watched the scenery herself as they rode off toward the wedding.
************
"Oh, Vesta! I just knew you'd look great in this dress!"
Vesta looked at Lady and smiled. "You know what Princess, you're right. It looks pretty good. But I think you look prettier in that wedding gown."
Small Lady blushed. "Oh stop! I'm getting enough of that from everyone else as is." She giggled as did Vesta and the other three girls.
Rose was standing in the doorway watching all this and trying not to gag. Her sister could be so prissy it was sickening. She finally got impatient and cleared her throat to get their attention. Lady looked over, squealed, and then ran over. "Oh boy," thought Rose, "Here we go."
"Baby Sister!!!!!" exclaimed Lady as she grabbed Rose for a big hug, "I missed you sooo much! I hope you liked your stay with the queens. I'm so glad that you made it! Another few minutes and you would have been too late to see me walk down the aisle!" She pulled away and gave her sister a big smile.
"Its nice to see you, too, Small Lady. And you girls as well," she said glancing over at the other four people in the room. Then she looked back at her sister. "I see you're all ready to go. Finally marrying that priest-guy. Well, it was bound to happen sometime. I love ya and I'll miss ya, sis. Good luck."
"Good-bye, Baby Sister," said Lady, "I'll miss you. Sit up front where I can see you, o.k.? Now, you'd better go. The music will start soon." Rose nodded and left back out the doors as Small Lady and her entourage got into formation for the march.
************
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today, in the chapel garden in the heart of Elysion, to witness the joining of Princess Lady Serenity and High Priest Elios in holy matrimony, under the watchful eyes of the gods all around us, their planets of power, and the stars in the sky. Today marks the three hundred and sixteenth birthday of our beloved princess, who has time and again risked her life on our behalf, alongside her parents, the King and Queen, and at times being aided by her beloved priest."
"These two, our future rulers, have the purest hearts and the kindest souls, and shall rule our serene universe fairly and justly, throughout this Crystal Millenium, when their time comes. Do you, Elios, high priest of the temple of Elysion, take Princess Lady Serenity be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do and I will love you for eternity and forever after that."
"And do you, Princess Lady Serenity of the Moon, take Elios to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"You know I do."
"Then, in the name of the King and Queen, and under the protection of our serene universe, I now pronounce you, Elios and Lady Serenity, man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Rose watched as Elios swept Lady off her feet with a soul searing kiss. Damn she was jealous. Then they ran down the aisle and people threw rice as they went by. Then they climbed into their carriage and left for the reception, the rest of the group not too far behind. However, Rose took her time, waiting for everyone to leave. That's when she noticed something. The King was still there as well. "Well, better now than never," she thought as she walked over. "Endy-papa?" she asked, "Are you going to be alright?"
Endymion looked up at her, and then nodded sadly. "Yes, I suppose I'll be fine. I just can't believe Small Lady is all grown up. It seems like just yesterday she was running around the house with a cupcake she snatched from Makoto, and now look at her. She really is a married lady now. How time flies when- "
"When you space out through most of it?" offered Rose. He looked at her in curiosity and she just sighed. "Endy-papa. You spent all of the time I lived with you as a vegetable. Don't kid yourself."
He stood up and looked her in the eye. "You don't understand, Rosey," he said, "I couldn't be aware around you because it killed me inside. You remind me too much of - "
"Of April Rain," said Rose flatly, "I remind you too much of April rain, your lost love. You couldn't be a father to me because your soul still remembered mine from all those years ago - no matter what Ella did."
"Ella did-? What do you mean?"
Rose looked away. "I remind you of April because I am her. I have been reborn as your daughter. Ella tried to put a spell on you and the people to make everyone forget, but the rain killed it for you." Endy looked at her in shock. She looked back at him with a weak smile. "I told you I'd be back, didn't I?"
"Well, yes, I suppose," he said perplexed, "But I don't think I ever imagined you'd come back as my daughter." He suddenly grabbed her and gave her a big hug. "I thought I'd lost you."
"Oh, Endy-papa, don't say that," said Rose, "Now, c'mon. We've go to go now. But I promise, I'll stay with you till the end. No matter what." She took his hand and led him out of the chapel to the last awaiting carriage. They climbed in and rode on to the reception, so that Endymion could say his last good-byes.
************
"I went on the sloop John B. My grandfather and me. Around Nassau Town we did roam. Stayed up all night. Got into a fight. I'm so broke up. I want to go home." Rose smiled as she sang the little girl to sleep. Lady walked into the room behind her, smiling. Rose felt her presence and turned. "I must say, Lady, she is a wonderful little girl."
"Yes, she is," said Lady, "And she has a wonderful Aunt. Thanks for putting her to sleep, sis." They started to walk down the hall.
"No problem, Lady," said Rose, "I only wish I could have a child as well. I have to admit, I'm jealous. But, nevertheless, Serenity is still a sweet little girl."
"Ah yes, Princess Little Angel Serenity. Future heir to all the moon kingdom," Lady smiled and patted her stomach, "And the new Earth prince is on his way."
"I'm sure he'll be wonderful," sighed Rose with a reminiscent glint in her eyes, "I just wish...oh, nevermind, sister. I had better get going, I'm supposed to go visit Endy-papa to help mom while he's sick. You take care, sis, that baby is due any day now. Elios said he'll be home soon."
"Alright, hon," said Lady, "Give Mama and Papa my love."
************
Rose pushed the little crystal doorbell and waited. Immediately the door opened revealing Sailor Pluto. "Oh, Rose, you made it," said Pluto, "I'm afraid the king is on his way out. He's been keeping it secret how sick he is, but I fear he'll leave us any minute. Come. I'll take you to him. The queen needs a break anyway."
Pluto led Rose through the halls to the King's chambers. The queen came out just as they reached the doors and she looked shattered. "Oh, Rosey!" she cried and hugged the princess. Rose just stood there for a few minutes letting her sob and cry out all her worry. After a few minutes she looked up. "Oh, Rosey, thank you for coming," said Serenity, "I think it might do your father some good to see you again.'
"Alright, Sere-mama," smiled Rose weakly, "But I want you to try and cheer up. You're a wreck and I won't have it! I understand all of the scouts are here, so why don't you do some cooking with Jupiter? That always makes you feel better."
The queen nodded. "You're right, darling. I'll go find Jupiter and you can sit with Endy for awhile. Pluto will stand guard in case anything happens." She let go of the princess and started down the hall, still looking miserable as ever. Rose turned to Pluto and Pluto nodded and opened the door.
As Rose stepped into the King's chambers all sorts of memories flowed back into her mind of when she was a little girl and Serenity would let her and Small Lady in here to watch her put on make-up and then she would fix their hair. It seemed like it was just yesterday. Slowly, she walked toward the bedroom, readying herself. Unfortunately, no amount of preparation could've prepared her for the sight she saw in the bed. Her father looked the same way he used to when having a spell. He was staring off into space, probably at nothing at all, and he had a pained expression on his face as if some horrible memory had come back to haunt him. Rose gingerly stepped forward and knelt beside the bed. "Endy-papa?" Her voice was no more than a whisper as she stared down at the once great King that lay before her.
"Rosey?" said the king, startling Rose so much she nearly fell over. He continued to stare off into space as he spoke to her, "Rosey, what's happened to me? I used to be such a strong person. And now, I can't even find reason to get up in the morning. I was Prince Endymion of Earth, the best military leader and the greatest and kindest Earthling just under my mother and father. I died saving Serenity's life. I died for her! And then I was reborn! I was Chiba Mamoru. Someone who's parents died in a car crash when he was six and he was alone his whole life until he met the reincarnation of Serenity - Tsukino Usagi. And I fought to protect her, too. Constantly! I died and was reborn again! And even though it took me awhile to remember, my subconscious still fought to protect Usako. And from the moment I remembered her on, I stayed by her side, fighting to keep her safe from all harm and to protect this planet. We got married! We became king and queen! Everything was supposed to be fine after that - but, no. That memory! That cursed memory came back to me! AAARRRGH!" As he screamed he sat up and keeled over, grabbing his head as if it were I great pain.
Rose jumped up and hugged him, trying to calm him down. "Oh, its no use! Damn it all to hell!" he started to cry, "No matter what, whenever I feel that I'm finally going to be happy, there's something that comes up and kills it for me! There's something missing in my life. A part of my soul is missing and I don't know why. I always thought that once I settled down and married Serenity I'd be happy, but its just not happening. And now, you and Pluto are the only ones I can tell, but I know I'm going to die. All this for nothing. What did I ever do to deserve this punishme-" Suddenly he gasped.
************
Suddenly she gasped. "Elioooooos!!!!" screeched Lady.
Elios rushed into the room as fast as he could along with the Amazoness Quartet. "What?! Lady, what's wrong?!"
Lady glared at her husband. "I'm in labor you idiot! The quartet can watch Little Angel. Now, help me to the car!"
************
"No! Endy-papa! Don't die yet! You can't!" cried Rose as Endy gasped in pain, clutching his chest. Her body was shaking violently with her sobbing and her eyes clamped shut.
"I'll come back for you," said Endy in pain, "I promise."
************
"C'mon, Lady, one more push!" exclaimed Dr. Mizuno. Lady screeched out in pain as the doctor helped the baby come out. "There we go!" she said joyfully, "Your beautiful baby boy."
************
The king's eyes unfocused and he went limp in Rose's arms. "Endy-papa! Endy-papa! You left me! You...left me." Abruptly, Pluto walked into the room with the queen. Serenity immediately ran forward, crying her eyes out, and Rose stepped away and silently followed Pluto out.
************
The cliff was cold as the wind blew on the party. Tears stung Rose's eyes, but she refused to lose her composure. She stood proud and tall, with her side to the wind and her hands tied behind her back. Her long black dress flowed in the wind and the black ribbon threatened to fly out of her hair. Across from her stood the outer senshi as well as the three fairies, all in their respective fukus, with a lonely black ribbon tied to their arms. Saturn looked sadly at Rose and nodded to the three fairies. The fairies made a formation around Rose standing in the North, South, and East, with her in the West at the edge of the cliff. The four outer senshi remained in a straight line facing Rose. "Any final words?" asked Saturn.
Rose looked up at the sky. "Just remember, nothing is more amazing than rain on a clear day," then she looked back down at the group. "I promise I'll come back." And with that she closed her eyes and started to walk backwards. When she reached the absolute edge of the cliff, she fell backwards. Then it started to rain.
************
AN: *sniff* This chapter even gets ME choked up!*sniff* Anyway, our valiant heroine has just thrown herself off a cliff, our hero is dead, there's a new royal child, and everyone's miserable. This is shaping up to be a rather fine story if I do say so myself. The next chapter is the one I haven't written yet, so it'll take a bit longer to come out. However, if I get enough reviews I just might make it a priority above my other stories (published & non) So keep readin' an' reviewin'! Til next time, Ja ne, minna.
Part 3: "Death and Rebirth"
"Endy-papa? Who am I?"
King E looked into the little girl's large blue eyes and smiled. "Why, Rosey, you're Princess Rose of the Earth. Why do you ask such a silly question?"
The little girl looked thoughtful for a moment and then spoke again. "How old am I?"
"You're seven, of course," said the king, "Why do you ask such questions?"
"Why am I here?"
"Because your mommy and I decided to have a baby. Why do you ask?"
"I know about the rose garden."
The king was floored. How could she know about the rose garden? That had been almost eight years ago. No one had spoken of it since, and only he and the three fairies knew of what happened there. He hadn't even told his beloved queen who meant more to him than life itself. What was he going to do now? His daughter knew. She would probably continue to ask questions until she knew the whole story. Oh, why had that day ever happened?
He still remembered the day. It was right after Apey left him at the party when he heard the scream. It was completely inaudible to anyone else except for himself. The minute he heard her scream he ran into the night until he spotted the three fairies standing over the corpse of his beloved friend. "Apey!!! No!!" he screamed and ran to her. He knelt beside her and took her into his arms, crying and whispering. "Apey...no...April Rain...no, you can't - you can't leave me...I love you...I love you, damnit! You can't leave, no!!!" He sobbed and moaned and cried his eyes out. Apey's body slowly began to fade into little bubbles that floated into the air. One stopped in front of his face. It had her image in it.
"Mamoru...Mamo-chan...I'm right here," said the image in the bubble.
Mamoru looked up in shock. "Apey? Apey, is that you?"
"Yes, Mamo-chan. Don't cry, I'll be back. Just bury my heart crystal in the rose garden. I promise I'll come back one day. You'll see. Just remember, nothing is more amazing than rain on a clear day. Farewell, my prince." The image blew him a kiss and then the bubble popped.
Mamoru looked up at the three fairies, and only then did he notice the one holding a heart-shaped crystal in her hand. "You..." he said, his voice shaking with a mix of anger and sorrow, "You did this to my April Rain - my Apey. Why?"
The three fairies knelt on one knee before him, bowing their heads. "We are sorry, Prince Endymion, but what we did had to be done," said one fairy.
"She was a criminal and that was the punishment for her crime," said another.
But, I don't understand what crime she could've committed that deserved this kind of brutal punishment," said Mamoru, "She had a kind and gentle soul and a huge heart. How could you do it? What did she do?" he was starting to tear up again.
The one with the crystal spoke up. "She was going to disrupt the fabric of time. We could not let her do that. Pluto awakened us so that we could stop her."
"Enough of this!" he shouted, "I wish to hear no more of this. Who are you people?"
"Your loyal subjects, creations of Mother Earth programmed to do your bidding," said the crystal holder.
"If you're programmed to do my bidding, then give me that crystal and then take me to the rose garden," he roared, "Now!"
The three fairies paled. "Yes, sire," they said and gave him the crystal, then they formed a triangle around him and started to quietly chant. They joined their staffs over his head and in a flash of light they were in a large rose garden. Mamoru walked to the center and kneeled on the ground. Then he started to dig with a trowel someone had left there. Once he had a big enough hole, he placed the crystal inside and lovingly patted the rich soil back on top. The he turned to the three fairies. "I want no one and no thing to ever disturb this crystal - do I make myself clear?" He shot them a look of impending doom.
The three fairies paled once again. "Yes sire," they said and then transported them back to Tokyo. Once back, the former crystal holder looked at her companions and they nodded. Then, while He wasn't paying attention, she tapped him on the head with her staff and whispered, "Goddess of Fire, grant him and these people, loss of these memories of this girl and today." Then she and her companions vanished. Mamoru looked around him. "Now where did I park?"
The king's eyes got distant as he remembered this time. "Oh Apey," he thought, "What might have been if you had not come?"
His daughter stared at him curiously. He seemed to have these spells a lot. Sere-mama had said that he wasn't always like this, that he had been cool as a cucumber when she first met him. She said the spells had started two years after they were married. That was curious. However, they had happened to him all Rose's life, so she was used to it. She wondered what Endy-papa thought about when he stared off like that.
Meanwhile, King E was still deep in thought. Oh, how horrible it had been the day he regained his memories. It was supposed to be a relaxing day. The work agenda was blank, there were no meetings or functions to attend, his wife was having tea with her friends. He was looking forward to resting for an hour or so. He wandered out to the hammock that was in his rose garden, his special secluded place where there weren't even guards to bother him. Flicking on his portable stereo, he lay down with his head on the pillow and lazily stared up at the sky. Suddenly he felt something fall on his arm. Then another. Then one on his nose. He glanced down. Water. Raindrops. Then he glanced up again. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. But, why the rain? Then something clicked in the back of his mind. He heard a girl's voice calling to him as if from afar. Then images came that seemed like memories from the past:
"America, I'm a writer."
"I'm just another one of the guys."
"C'mon, Mamo-chan, its time to wake up."
"I made breakfast."
"Aren't rainy days great, Mamo-chan?"
"Thank you, my prince."
"I promise I'll come back one day."
"Just remember, nothing is more amazing than rain on a clear day."
He couldn't believe it. All of his memories were coming back to him in a rush. All the time he had spent with that mysterious girl named April Rain. The day she left him. Oh, why did the memories have to come back?! Why did he have to live through this torture. He missed his blissful ignorance, before the memories resurfaced, before SHE came back into his life.
When the queen had returned home that day, she had noticed the distance in her husband. He seemed displaced, and although he refused to tell her what, she knew something was wrong. She kept quiet and never said anything, even when he had gone through his first spell, but she also knew that there was nothing she could do to help. So over the years she had learned to live with it.
When she had had their first child, Small Lady, he had been overjoyed. At first she thought that maybe he'd returned to his normal old self, and it seemed like that for awhile, but the first time she left, it was obvious he wasn't the same. When Small Lady was home, he was great. He spoiled the girl rotten and he treated Serenity like he had when they were dating in the 20th century. But when Small Lady left, he became distant again. Then came their second daughter.
Rose was their second daughter. She was nothing like her sister, Small Lady, at all. Where Small Lady had her mother's hair (in pink, though, to match her aura like every moon princess's), Rose had a combination of her mother and father's. Where Small Lady had laughing blue eyes like her mother's, Rose had stormy blue - a mix of her mother's laughing blue and her father's ocean blue. Where Small Lady had her mother's cheerful disposition and silly personality, Rose was more somber and detached. Serenity looked upon her daughter's serious attitude in worry wondering what was wrong with her.
When Endymion first saw Rose, he turned white as a sheet. The look in his eyes was genuine fear of the little girl Serenity held in her arms and he had kept his distance for quite some time. This was getting worse. It wasn't until a month later when Small Lady returned from her final training session did he start to seem normal again. By this time, however, Small Lady was a teenager, so she spent less time with him and more time with either the her friends, Amazoness Quartet, or her boyfriend, Elios. This worried the queen more.
Now, as she eavesdropped on her husband's conversation with her daughter, she knew something had to be done.
Rose got bored with her father's space-out and looked around the room. In the very corner she saw a faint shadow behind the curtain. She walked over and opened it up. "Sere-mama?"
"Oh, hello, darling," said the queen as she knelt down to her daughter's level, "I guess you caught mommy spying on you and daddy. Do you think he'll be alright?"
"Hai, Sere-mama," said Rose.
Serenity stared into her child's large curious eyes and wondered. Why was this child so serious? The she glanced over at her husband. Slowly, a though crept into her mind. She kissed Rose on the forehead. "Mommy's got to go make a phone call, honey, go run along and play the animation game again, alright?"
Rose leaned forward and gave her a hug. "Alright, Sere-mama." Then she ran off down the hall.
As Rose raced down the hallway, she paused. Outside the double doors was her secret shortcut to the rose garden. "Oh well," she thought, "Daddy's having a spell, he won't know I'm there." Then she changed course and ran off toward the garden.
Rose didn't know what it was, she just felt a special connection with the rose garden. She couldn't tell anyone else about it, they wouldn't understand, so she simply slipped into the garden whenever she could to be by herself. To tell the truth, she actually liked the animation game. She could make anything levitate to look like it was animated, although she usually used marbles and stuff to make a model of the universe. Sere-mama said that Queen Hotaru used to play the same game when she was little. Rose had never really met Queen Hotaru before, except for a spit second at parties and such. She seemed like a very nice lady, though. She was pretty and her black-purple hair was really lovely. Rose wished she looked like Queen Hotaru.
Oh, well. She was only seven. She had quite some time to wait before she'd grow up. She sighed and concentrated on her game. Right now she had two clumps of dried out, dead rose petals floating in the air. She concentrated, and started to mold them into two figures. She remembered the stories she'd heard when she was little, about the wars that Sere-mama had fought through with Endy-papa. Slowly, as she recalled the memories, the two clumps formed into miniature versions of her parents, slightly younger looking, in their senshi fukus. Then the two figures became the former prince and princess, dancing a waltz across the earth in front of her. Partway through, she paused the scene. That was what her father used to be like. Romantic, smiling, and full of life. She was having trouble imagining it. Oh sure, it was easily to see her cheerful mother as the carefree spirited girl that one day became the courageous senshi Sailor Moon. However, her father was a stiff. He'd been blank since as long as she could remember - just a shell of a man, a robotic King that wandered around eating, sleeping, and going to work. She sighed. Maybe, someday when she grew up, she could find a way to return him to his normal self. Until then, she would just wait patiently and study and train and obey her mother like a proper princess.
"Rose! Rose, honey!" Rose heard the queen's voice calling off in the distance, "Chiba Rose, get your butt in here this instant missy!"
"Coming, Sere-mama!" Rose called back. The rose petals fell to the ground and she got up and ran out of the garden. A soft wind came and blew the petals around in a whirlwind. A soft rain started to sprinkle down and they fell to the ground, magically rejuvenated, as if they'd just fallen from the rose.
Neo-Queen Serenity heard soft footsteps pattering down the hallway. "Finally," she thought, "I wonder where that girl runs off to all the time." Just then, Princess Rose rounded the corner and ran up to her. "Hugs!" she said.
Rose leapt into Serenity's arms and gave her a big hug, which the queen seemed to linger in. Finally, she set the girl down. "You called me, Sere-mama?" Rose asked.
"Yes, dear," replied Serenity, "I have something important to tell you -" she paused and looked into the little girl's eyes. There was pure youthful curiosity in those eyes. Sweet innocence. How she would miss her. "Darling, let's go get some crescent moon cakes first, and then I'll tell you."
Rose took the queen's hand and walked with her down the hall to the kitchen. She wondered why her mother was acting so odd, and it worried her. When they got to the kitchen, Serenity sat the little girl on the counter on the counter and handed her a cake. Then she sat down in a chair with one of her own. "So what is it, Sere-mama?" asked Rose as she took a bite of cake, "Why did you call me in?"
Serenity sighed. Well, it was now or never. "Rose, darling, we're sending you away."
Rose stared at her in awe. Did she hear right? "But, why?" she asked tearful, "Did I do something wrong? Is it because I went in Endy-papa's rose garden? I'm sorry I did it, its just so pretty and quiet in there. I promise I won't do it again, I swear!"
Serenity hugged her. "Oh no! No, that's not why, honey, that's not it at all!" she stroked the girl's hair trying to shush her, "You see, we're sending you to live with Queen Michiru and Queen Haruka."
Rose pulled away from the queen. "Why are you sending me to live with them?" she asked.
Serenity smiled. "When your big sister, Small Lady, was your age she went away, too. She trained with your father and I, and the inner senshi in the past. But, if I sent you to the past, also, it would disrupt the time-space continuum. So, I did the next best thing, I called up the outer senshi, and I made an agreement to move you out there. You'll leave tomorrow. Don't worry about it too much, you'll have fun and I think it'll be good for your father if I took him on vacation for awhile," she gave her another hug, "Now run along and finish your cake. I'll help you pack after dinner."
"Alright, Sere-mama," said Rose and scampered off down the hallway to her room. She just had to tell the three fairies about this. "I wonder if they're coming with me?" she wondered.
The queen sighed as she watched her little girl run down the hall. Oh, they grow up so fast! Staring off into space, she finished off her moon cake and walked back to the library to talk to her husband. This time he was active, up looking through the books. "Endy...Endy, hon. I need to speak to you for a minute," said the queen.
"Just a minute, Sere, I'm looking for something," he called back.
Serenity blew some air out through her clenched teeth and marched up to the king. She snatched the book out of his hand and slammed it shut on the desk. "No," she said flatly, "You listen to me, Chiba Mamoru," he looked in her eyes and could see her frustration, "Now, I don't know what's the matter with you. You've been practically a zombie since the third year of our marriage. But, I've learned to live with it. When Small Lady was around you seemed like you may return to normal again, but now you're just a robot. We haven't had sex since Rose was born and I can't remember the last time you did something even slightly romantic for me! And you just space out when you're talking to Rose! Every time! She's only seven and she's all weird and detached from the world. I've decided that I've had enough. Tomorrow, I'm sending her to live with Haruka and Michiru and then I'm taking you on a vacation. I don't want to hear any protests or anything. The kingdom will be fine with Luna and Artemis in charge for awhile. You aren't the same Mamoru I married, and I'll be damned if I don't do all in my power to bring him back!"
King Endymion looked at his wife in utter disbelief. Where had all this come from? "I...I don't understand," he stuttered.
"You don't have to," she replied, tears forming in her big blue eyes, "Just start packing after dinner and say your good-byes to the rose garden." And with that, she picked up her skirts and marched out of the room, leaving a stunned Endymion in her wake. When she reached the hallway she let the tears flow freely. But she had done what she had to do, so now she had better go start the curry for dinner.
Rose reached her quarters a few minutes after she left her mother in the kitchen. Her crescent moon cake was gone by then and she needed to wash up. Rushing into her rooms, she searched around for her three guardians. "Earth, Air, Fire! Come out, I've got some news!" she shouted playfully. After a minute she got frustrated and used their real names. "Ivy, Oralee, Ella! C'mon, its Rose! I've got to tell you something."
One by one, the three fairies appeared before their princess. "Please, Rose-hime," said Ella, "There is no need to shout. What do you need?"
"Oh, Ella!" said Rose, "I'm moving away!"
The three stared at the little girl in shock. "Moving away?" asked Oralee, "But, where? What for?"
"Sere-mama is sending me to live with Queen Haruka and Queen Michiru to train," said Rose, "Just like when onee-san went to the past. And Sere-mama and Endy-papa are going on vacation."
"Oh, Rose-hime," said Ivy, "You're just growing up so fast! We'll miss you so much!"
"You can't come with me?" asked Rose.
"No, dear," said Oralee, kneeling down in front of her, "You're going off to train, yet we must stay here. It is our duty to guard this Earth well. And that starts with guarding its core. We will most likely be ordered to guard Luna and Artemis while they fill in for your parents."
"Oh, but we'll all miss you so much, Rose-hime!" said Ivy giving her a big hug.
"That's right," agreed Ella, "So don't you dare forget to write. And take care."
"Thank you, Ella," said Rose, hugging her, "I promise I'll keep in touch. Come visit me if you can."
"Don't worry," Ella replied, "We will. But now you better go wash up before dinner. You have crescent moon cake all over you."
"Alright," said Rose, then she turned to Oralee, "Could you set out one of my pretty dresses for dinner, please? This is the last family dinner I'll have for awhile."
"Alrighty, cutie," smiled Oralee, "I'll set out my newest design for tomorrow, too, so you can look pretty for the queens."
"Thank you," smiled Rose. She kissed all three of them and ran off toward her personal bathroom.
In the kitchen, the queen smiled. The curry was done to perfection. The only problem was her horrendously messy kitchen. The cook wouldn't be too happy with her. She never liked it when the queen cooked because she always made a mess like this. However, this time serenity didn't care because it was her last dinner for with her little girl for awhile, so she wanted to make her special dish. She remembered the first time she'd made this curry.
It was when she was still a teenager and Chibi-usa had first come to live with her. She was going to help Chibi-usa make curry for her school's cook-off and no one believed she could do it. By the time she'd finished, both Chibi-usa and Mamo-chan had sung her their praise. Oh, that night Mamo-chan had taken her out to the park for a lovely dinner. He had been so romantic about it, too. He swept her off her feet with a lone blood-red rose and a picnic basket and blanket. That was also the time they sat watching the sun set together before he drove her home.
Remembering this, tears started once again forming in the queen's eyes. "Oh, Mamo-chan!" she thought, "What did I do? Where did I go wrong? Why are you acting like this?" She sobbed and sobbed until she was disgusted with herself and then shut off the burners. Handing the food to the maid to set out, she walked over to the intercom. First she clicked the button for Rose's quarters. "Rose, darling, dinner is ready."
From the other end came Rose's voice. "Coming, Sere-mama."
Serenity smiled and wiped one of her eyes clear of tears. She clicked open her star locket and held it up to the speaker. Then she pressed the button for the library, speaking as the music played. "Endy...Endy, love, dinner is ready. I made curry."
A still rather shaken King E answered. "Your curry? Sounds good. I'll be in momentarily, Usako." Then there was the click.
The queen sighed and closed her locket, replacing it around her neck. Then she bustled into the dining room. A short time later, Rose walked in wearing a newly starched stormy-blue dress. She curtsied to the queen saying "Greetings, Sere-mama," and then took her seat at the middle of the table. A few more minutes passed before the king walked in. He stiffly bowed to his wife, "Greetings, Serenity," and she nodded at him. Then he glanced at the princess, "Rose," he acknowledged, and took his seat at the other end of the table. The queen nodded and Rose started prayer.
"O Mother Earth, goddess of this fair planet, thank you for the flora and fauna that were used to make this meal, Sere-mama's special curry. We shall take care of your planet always in thanks for what you've given us. In the name of the queens, the senshi, and the planets, bon appetit!"
At that, they all dug in. The dinner went by rather quietly, as most did when Small Lady wasn't there. There were comments here and there, but nothing that could truly be counted as conversation. Serenity was getting rather upset with her husband as the minutes wound by. All this time he hadn't said thing one to their little girl. She decided she'd had enough. "Rose, darling," she said, "Why don't you tell your father what you did today?"
Rose stared at the queen in surprise, turned to her father who was waiting patiently. "Well, Endy-papa, after I talked to you in the library, mom told me to run along. I was going to go to the game room, but I decided to go outside to the rose garden to play the animation game with some dead rose petals. You aren't mad, are you?"
Endymion looked at Rose long and hard, then sighed. "No, I'm not mad at you, Rosey," he said, "Its good to hear that you get outside once in awhile. The rose garden in a nice place to get some fresh air and sunshine." He gave her a reassuring smile, and she smiled back.
"I'm glad you think so, Endy-papa, because I love the rose garden. Its pretty," she looked reflective for a moment and her stormy-blue eyes lit up a bit, "I just wish it would rain more. The flowers look lovely when it rains. But, I suppose it won't rain too often with all the clear days we have here."
That was it, Endymion had to look away. This little girl caused him so much pain, each time she spoke these horrid memories would resurface of what they did in the rose garden.
The queen watched this play of emotions on her husband's face worriedly. Their little girl - this odd little girl - was what was causing this. She brought up all these repressed memories that she could tell he'd tried a long time to forget. At least this was reassuring. This meant there was hope that she could cure her poor Endymion. "Oh, my love," she thought, "Why are our lives tainted so?" That night, after dinner and after the packing, the queen lie awake in her bed wondering "What shall become of my family?"
The next morning, the three fairies helped Rose gather her luggage and get ready. Rose got dressed in her new dress from Oralee, a beautiful black dress with a stormy-blue sash, and skipped down with them to the front door. The King and Queen were there waiting to say good-bye. Serenity got all misty-eyed and hugged her saying over and over again how much she'd miss her. When Rose looked up at the King, she spoke first. "Endy-papa, I know you're not well, and I hope you get better and learn to let go of whatever is bothering you. I'm going to go now, and I may not return for quite some time. So, I'd just like to say, that no matter what I still love you and all I ask is for one hug good-bye."
The king listened to every word of her speech, staring into her stormy blue eyes, then nodded and bent down. She threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug, and he returned it the best he could. "I'll miss you, Rosey," was all he said before it started to rain. Rose ran down toward her ride, glanced back once, waving, then turned away. Serenity hugged Endymion's arm as the car rounded the bend and drove out to the world beyond the Crystal Palace. "Its for the best," she reminded herself, "Even if it kills me inside."
************
Serenity wandered through the halls of the great Crystal Palace. She knew her husband said he had work to finish, yet she also knew that that same work could easily be done by some underling. It was almost as if he feared going off on this vacation, as if he feared being alone with his own wife. She just couldn't make heads nor tails of it.
Looking around, she suddenly realized where she was. It was the attic way off in the depths of the palace. This day reminded her of a day many years ago. Way in the back of her mind was the memory of the day she had tried so hard to forget. That she wished she could forget. The memory of the day she'd killed April Rain.
It was a dark, rainy day like that one. Some time before, the King had started his odd behavior. Serenity was still alone with him and cooped up all day in the large crystalline palace. That day she had just told herself she needed a break from her worries and went for a walk around the palace. She hadn't been around it too much in the few years they'd lived there, so she figured she needed to get better aquatinted anyway. She wandered down the halls and up the stairs, winding round and round. Eventually, she had come to the attic. This was surprising, since she wasn't aware she even had an attic. It was a musty old place with no windows and only a few lights. There were boxes and assorted items stacked everywhere, as well as an old sofa and some other furniture off to one side.
Serenity smiled to herself, remembering how excited she was when she had found the stuff leftover from when she was a teenager. Before all of this happened. And then came the mystery box. The mystery box was your average run-of-the-mill cardboard packing box. It didn't seem to have any apparent clues as to what was inside, except for a little note on the top that read: "Before Usako." This got her curiosity going. "It must be Mamo-chan's stuff from before I met him!" she thought, "Although, it does seem rather small, considering." She simply shrugged and opened the box carefully.
Inside the box were some old photographs, a video cassette, and other things. Flipping through the photos, she found several assorted group shots of Mamoru, Motoki, Reika, Unazuki, and some girl that she faintly recognized. Others, however, didn't have the girl, but a boy instead. This was rather mysterious. Both people seemed oddly familiar, but she just couldn't place either one. She continued to look through the pictures and found a photo album containing pictures of just Mamoru and the girl as well as just him and the boy. When she got to the fifth page, she stopped. There were two pictures, side to side, of Mamoru - one with the girl and the other with the boy. Yet, in both pictures the second person is wearing the same shirt. That's when it clicked. "The shirts!" she exclaimed, "That's Apey, Mamo-chan's roommate, and his girlfriend April Rain! No wonder they looked so familiar. I had forgotten all about them. Hmmm, I wonder what happened to them? I haven't seen them in ages."
She decided that she'd probably forgotten that, too, so just shrugged it off and moved on through the pictures. But, once again, something caught her eye. There was one lone picture where Apey's face wasn't obstructed from view. She held it up, and then picked up a picture of April. They were identical. They were the same person. They were the same damn person! All that time - all that time she and Mamoru had lied to her! April Rain was his roommate! Which meant, that morning when she had gone to his apartment all those years ago, she had been sleeping with Mamoru! Of all the nerve! And all this time! She was blown away. She dove into the box looking for more incriminating evidence. She found another picture, this one in a small silver frame, of just April in a pretty black dress, smiling broadly. Then she looked at the video. The label said "Mamoru and April - vacation". That was it. She was furious now. She took the video with her and marched down the stairs. When she reached the t.v. room she locked herself in and put it into the VCR. By the end of it she was in tears. It was beautiful and infuriating at the same time. It was a video tape of a vacation the two had taken together, and they actually seemed like a lovely couple. They didn't argue once, and they got along wonderfully, always having something to talk about. Meanwhile, she'd never been like that with Mamoru, even before the spells.
After awhile she managed to regain her composure. She had come to realize that Mamoru had lied to her and that he'd been living with another woman before her. Yet, she still had faith in her husband and their eternal love, and so she just told herself that April probably left so that Mamoru could be with her. But she wasn't about to take any chances. She called in Setsuna, Guardian of the Time Gates, and had her take all of the things from the attic far away forever. All except for the picture of April in the little black dress. She went to the top of the hill and burnt it, then watched as the ashes floated away and whispered "Farewell to thee, April Rain."
************
That attic and its bad memories. She wished she'd never gone there.
The queen walked briskly down the hall in search of her husband, determined to drag him off on their vacation, irregardless of any bullshit excuses he made to stay. Just as she expected, he was in the library. She walked right up to the desk and put a hand on either end. "Endymion, its time to go. Don't bother with the excuses because I've heard them all and no matter what it is you have to say, I refuse to be swayed from my objective."
The King took one look at her eyes and could tell she wasn't joking. "Yes, dear," he replied. He sounded like a wounded puppy when he spoke like that. But, she didn't care. She grabbed his hand and led him down the hall to grab their luggage so that they could leave. She just hoped that this trip to the tropics would help.
************
You have cordially been invited to the wedding of:
Princess Lady Serenity
And
Elios, High Priest of Elysion
On June 30th of the year 2922
At 4 o'clock
In the Golden Chapel in the Gardens of Elysion
RSVP
Rose stared at her invitation. It was finally happening. Her big sister was getting hitched to that priest. They all knew it would happen eventually, it was just a matter of time. Just like now it was only a matter of time until Small Lady had a child. She sighed, it would be nice to go home again, even if for a short stay. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be alive long enough to see her sister's children. But, that's the way life is sometimes, and sometimes you just have to accept your fate - no matter how grim.
She returned to her packing just as the queen of Saturn walked into the room. "Rose? How are you doing, dear?" she asked.
Rose gave another small sigh and continued to pack. "Oh, hello Hotaru-mama. I'm fine, I guess. Thank you for asking, though."
"You don't sound fine," said the queen, "Are you sure you're comfortable with this?"
"As much so as I'll ever be," Rose replied, "But...I guess I must except my fate, for better or for worse, and move on."
Hotaru walked up to Rose and placed both hands on her shoulders, turning her until they were face to face. "Oh, Rosey," she sighed, "Please don't be so depressed. I know this is going to hurt you, but you must go to the wedding and act as cheerful as possible for your family's sake! Remember, for every evil there is a balance of good to go with it," Rose's eyes were completely devoid of any emotions and that got Hotaru even more worried, "Remember, don't tell a soul. Now, finish packing and then we'll leave."
Rose said nothing, but nodded her head in agreement and returned to her packing. A few minutes later she was ready. She walked into the foyer, suitcase in hand, and waited. Minutes later Hotaru appeared with her own suitcase and led her out to their carriage. The driver loaded their luggage and they got inside. "Where are Queen Michiru and Queen Haruka?" asked Rose quietly.
"In the other carriage," replied Hotaru, "Why, you don't want to ride with me?" She pretended to look hurt.
Rose laughed. "No, Hotaru-mama, its not that, I was just curious." She sighed and looked out the window. The sun was shining brightly and the scenery was a beautiful green landscape. They passed a small house in the middle of a field. Outside, a little black-haired girl with a hairstyle like the queen's played on a swing set. Rose felt like crying - but she couldn't. She hadn't been able to cry in years. But her heart felt like it was in a vice.
Hotaru noticed the pained look on her face. "Rosey? What's the matter, hon?"
Rose slowly turned her head to look at Hotaru. "Oh, its nothing," she said, "I was just thinking about...well...my family. Nevermind. Let's just get there and be done with it." Hotaru gave her another worried look, but said nothing more and watched the scenery herself as they rode off toward the wedding.
************
"Oh, Vesta! I just knew you'd look great in this dress!"
Vesta looked at Lady and smiled. "You know what Princess, you're right. It looks pretty good. But I think you look prettier in that wedding gown."
Small Lady blushed. "Oh stop! I'm getting enough of that from everyone else as is." She giggled as did Vesta and the other three girls.
Rose was standing in the doorway watching all this and trying not to gag. Her sister could be so prissy it was sickening. She finally got impatient and cleared her throat to get their attention. Lady looked over, squealed, and then ran over. "Oh boy," thought Rose, "Here we go."
"Baby Sister!!!!!" exclaimed Lady as she grabbed Rose for a big hug, "I missed you sooo much! I hope you liked your stay with the queens. I'm so glad that you made it! Another few minutes and you would have been too late to see me walk down the aisle!" She pulled away and gave her sister a big smile.
"Its nice to see you, too, Small Lady. And you girls as well," she said glancing over at the other four people in the room. Then she looked back at her sister. "I see you're all ready to go. Finally marrying that priest-guy. Well, it was bound to happen sometime. I love ya and I'll miss ya, sis. Good luck."
"Good-bye, Baby Sister," said Lady, "I'll miss you. Sit up front where I can see you, o.k.? Now, you'd better go. The music will start soon." Rose nodded and left back out the doors as Small Lady and her entourage got into formation for the march.
************
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today, in the chapel garden in the heart of Elysion, to witness the joining of Princess Lady Serenity and High Priest Elios in holy matrimony, under the watchful eyes of the gods all around us, their planets of power, and the stars in the sky. Today marks the three hundred and sixteenth birthday of our beloved princess, who has time and again risked her life on our behalf, alongside her parents, the King and Queen, and at times being aided by her beloved priest."
"These two, our future rulers, have the purest hearts and the kindest souls, and shall rule our serene universe fairly and justly, throughout this Crystal Millenium, when their time comes. Do you, Elios, high priest of the temple of Elysion, take Princess Lady Serenity be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do and I will love you for eternity and forever after that."
"And do you, Princess Lady Serenity of the Moon, take Elios to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"You know I do."
"Then, in the name of the King and Queen, and under the protection of our serene universe, I now pronounce you, Elios and Lady Serenity, man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Rose watched as Elios swept Lady off her feet with a soul searing kiss. Damn she was jealous. Then they ran down the aisle and people threw rice as they went by. Then they climbed into their carriage and left for the reception, the rest of the group not too far behind. However, Rose took her time, waiting for everyone to leave. That's when she noticed something. The King was still there as well. "Well, better now than never," she thought as she walked over. "Endy-papa?" she asked, "Are you going to be alright?"
Endymion looked up at her, and then nodded sadly. "Yes, I suppose I'll be fine. I just can't believe Small Lady is all grown up. It seems like just yesterday she was running around the house with a cupcake she snatched from Makoto, and now look at her. She really is a married lady now. How time flies when- "
"When you space out through most of it?" offered Rose. He looked at her in curiosity and she just sighed. "Endy-papa. You spent all of the time I lived with you as a vegetable. Don't kid yourself."
He stood up and looked her in the eye. "You don't understand, Rosey," he said, "I couldn't be aware around you because it killed me inside. You remind me too much of - "
"Of April Rain," said Rose flatly, "I remind you too much of April rain, your lost love. You couldn't be a father to me because your soul still remembered mine from all those years ago - no matter what Ella did."
"Ella did-? What do you mean?"
Rose looked away. "I remind you of April because I am her. I have been reborn as your daughter. Ella tried to put a spell on you and the people to make everyone forget, but the rain killed it for you." Endy looked at her in shock. She looked back at him with a weak smile. "I told you I'd be back, didn't I?"
"Well, yes, I suppose," he said perplexed, "But I don't think I ever imagined you'd come back as my daughter." He suddenly grabbed her and gave her a big hug. "I thought I'd lost you."
"Oh, Endy-papa, don't say that," said Rose, "Now, c'mon. We've go to go now. But I promise, I'll stay with you till the end. No matter what." She took his hand and led him out of the chapel to the last awaiting carriage. They climbed in and rode on to the reception, so that Endymion could say his last good-byes.
************
"I went on the sloop John B. My grandfather and me. Around Nassau Town we did roam. Stayed up all night. Got into a fight. I'm so broke up. I want to go home." Rose smiled as she sang the little girl to sleep. Lady walked into the room behind her, smiling. Rose felt her presence and turned. "I must say, Lady, she is a wonderful little girl."
"Yes, she is," said Lady, "And she has a wonderful Aunt. Thanks for putting her to sleep, sis." They started to walk down the hall.
"No problem, Lady," said Rose, "I only wish I could have a child as well. I have to admit, I'm jealous. But, nevertheless, Serenity is still a sweet little girl."
"Ah yes, Princess Little Angel Serenity. Future heir to all the moon kingdom," Lady smiled and patted her stomach, "And the new Earth prince is on his way."
"I'm sure he'll be wonderful," sighed Rose with a reminiscent glint in her eyes, "I just wish...oh, nevermind, sister. I had better get going, I'm supposed to go visit Endy-papa to help mom while he's sick. You take care, sis, that baby is due any day now. Elios said he'll be home soon."
"Alright, hon," said Lady, "Give Mama and Papa my love."
************
Rose pushed the little crystal doorbell and waited. Immediately the door opened revealing Sailor Pluto. "Oh, Rose, you made it," said Pluto, "I'm afraid the king is on his way out. He's been keeping it secret how sick he is, but I fear he'll leave us any minute. Come. I'll take you to him. The queen needs a break anyway."
Pluto led Rose through the halls to the King's chambers. The queen came out just as they reached the doors and she looked shattered. "Oh, Rosey!" she cried and hugged the princess. Rose just stood there for a few minutes letting her sob and cry out all her worry. After a few minutes she looked up. "Oh, Rosey, thank you for coming," said Serenity, "I think it might do your father some good to see you again.'
"Alright, Sere-mama," smiled Rose weakly, "But I want you to try and cheer up. You're a wreck and I won't have it! I understand all of the scouts are here, so why don't you do some cooking with Jupiter? That always makes you feel better."
The queen nodded. "You're right, darling. I'll go find Jupiter and you can sit with Endy for awhile. Pluto will stand guard in case anything happens." She let go of the princess and started down the hall, still looking miserable as ever. Rose turned to Pluto and Pluto nodded and opened the door.
As Rose stepped into the King's chambers all sorts of memories flowed back into her mind of when she was a little girl and Serenity would let her and Small Lady in here to watch her put on make-up and then she would fix their hair. It seemed like it was just yesterday. Slowly, she walked toward the bedroom, readying herself. Unfortunately, no amount of preparation could've prepared her for the sight she saw in the bed. Her father looked the same way he used to when having a spell. He was staring off into space, probably at nothing at all, and he had a pained expression on his face as if some horrible memory had come back to haunt him. Rose gingerly stepped forward and knelt beside the bed. "Endy-papa?" Her voice was no more than a whisper as she stared down at the once great King that lay before her.
"Rosey?" said the king, startling Rose so much she nearly fell over. He continued to stare off into space as he spoke to her, "Rosey, what's happened to me? I used to be such a strong person. And now, I can't even find reason to get up in the morning. I was Prince Endymion of Earth, the best military leader and the greatest and kindest Earthling just under my mother and father. I died saving Serenity's life. I died for her! And then I was reborn! I was Chiba Mamoru. Someone who's parents died in a car crash when he was six and he was alone his whole life until he met the reincarnation of Serenity - Tsukino Usagi. And I fought to protect her, too. Constantly! I died and was reborn again! And even though it took me awhile to remember, my subconscious still fought to protect Usako. And from the moment I remembered her on, I stayed by her side, fighting to keep her safe from all harm and to protect this planet. We got married! We became king and queen! Everything was supposed to be fine after that - but, no. That memory! That cursed memory came back to me! AAARRRGH!" As he screamed he sat up and keeled over, grabbing his head as if it were I great pain.
Rose jumped up and hugged him, trying to calm him down. "Oh, its no use! Damn it all to hell!" he started to cry, "No matter what, whenever I feel that I'm finally going to be happy, there's something that comes up and kills it for me! There's something missing in my life. A part of my soul is missing and I don't know why. I always thought that once I settled down and married Serenity I'd be happy, but its just not happening. And now, you and Pluto are the only ones I can tell, but I know I'm going to die. All this for nothing. What did I ever do to deserve this punishme-" Suddenly he gasped.
************
Suddenly she gasped. "Elioooooos!!!!" screeched Lady.
Elios rushed into the room as fast as he could along with the Amazoness Quartet. "What?! Lady, what's wrong?!"
Lady glared at her husband. "I'm in labor you idiot! The quartet can watch Little Angel. Now, help me to the car!"
************
"No! Endy-papa! Don't die yet! You can't!" cried Rose as Endy gasped in pain, clutching his chest. Her body was shaking violently with her sobbing and her eyes clamped shut.
"I'll come back for you," said Endy in pain, "I promise."
************
"C'mon, Lady, one more push!" exclaimed Dr. Mizuno. Lady screeched out in pain as the doctor helped the baby come out. "There we go!" she said joyfully, "Your beautiful baby boy."
************
The king's eyes unfocused and he went limp in Rose's arms. "Endy-papa! Endy-papa! You left me! You...left me." Abruptly, Pluto walked into the room with the queen. Serenity immediately ran forward, crying her eyes out, and Rose stepped away and silently followed Pluto out.
************
The cliff was cold as the wind blew on the party. Tears stung Rose's eyes, but she refused to lose her composure. She stood proud and tall, with her side to the wind and her hands tied behind her back. Her long black dress flowed in the wind and the black ribbon threatened to fly out of her hair. Across from her stood the outer senshi as well as the three fairies, all in their respective fukus, with a lonely black ribbon tied to their arms. Saturn looked sadly at Rose and nodded to the three fairies. The fairies made a formation around Rose standing in the North, South, and East, with her in the West at the edge of the cliff. The four outer senshi remained in a straight line facing Rose. "Any final words?" asked Saturn.
Rose looked up at the sky. "Just remember, nothing is more amazing than rain on a clear day," then she looked back down at the group. "I promise I'll come back." And with that she closed her eyes and started to walk backwards. When she reached the absolute edge of the cliff, she fell backwards. Then it started to rain.
************
AN: *sniff* This chapter even gets ME choked up!*sniff* Anyway, our valiant heroine has just thrown herself off a cliff, our hero is dead, there's a new royal child, and everyone's miserable. This is shaping up to be a rather fine story if I do say so myself. The next chapter is the one I haven't written yet, so it'll take a bit longer to come out. However, if I get enough reviews I just might make it a priority above my other stories (published & non) So keep readin' an' reviewin'! Til next time, Ja ne, minna.