Chapter 5 - Moon Kingdom Mystery Part 1

Author's Note

I originally planned chapters 5 and 6 to be one chapter, but I split it into two for reasons I consider pretty important. First, I hate writing really long chapters, (or reading them for that matter, unless the story is really, really good.) and second, I haven't completed part 2 of Moon Kingdom Mystery and I really needed to update this story before everyone thinks the story is dead. ^_^;

Note: The end of this chapter is a bit emotional, but not even close to what I would consider dramatic. Now, I'll quit blabbing and go on with the story.

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Usagi gazed at the vast blanket of snow that lay stiffly in front of her. How could this land of the dead be where the road to the moon would be found? But the voice of truth had led her here... she couldn't be wrong.

"Uh... hey Trunks, could you let go?" She questioned uncomfortably, realizing her awkward position.

"Oh, yeah. But can you fly? We aren't on land."

"Well, I know that... you don't have to stereotype all blonds to be stupid..."

"Uh... sorry." Trunks let go sheepishly. Thinking about it for a second, he decided that it was logical for Lunarians to have abilities that earthlings don't. Oh well. Sucks to be an earthling!

As his attention turned back to Usagi, he saw that she seemed to be trying to balance herself in midair.

"Hey, it's not like you're walking across a rope!" Trunks pointed out, laughing.

"It's been pretty long since I last flied." She retorted, holding out her arms to either side. "I'm okay now. We gotta find whomever the voice belongs to."

"How?"

"Like this." Usagi took out the ginzuishou that was embedded into her brooch. She closed her eyes as the lunar symbol embossed on her forehead began to glow, surrounding her in a flash of silvery light. The ginzuishou began to shimmer... and it shimmers... and shimmers...

...And stops.

"Huh?" Usagi opened her eyes again. "It refuses to lead me, Trunks."

"It must feel the evil that's here, too." Trunks commented, glaring deep into the icy interiors of North Pole. "That energy is starting to bug me..."

"But that voice..." It's true. Usagi too could feel the evilness that lurked the lone continent. Yet the voice she had heard earlier was dearly and comforting. Perhaps amidst all this evil, somewhere a righteous force remains?

"Maybe that voice is a --"

Before Trunks could finish his sentence, Usagi suddenly gasped as an epiphany struck her.

"That voice is my mother's!" She screamed, holding her hands together.

"Your mother? Talking to you from the moon?" He looked up at the moon and frowned. "She knows telepathy?" Telepathy... what Babidi used to communicate with us. Trunks thought bitterly, remembering his disgusting face.

"Something close to that." She replied dreamily, "Except we were talking through our hearts instead of our minds."

"...Big difference." Trunks mumbled, still remembering Babidi. Luckily Usagi was too "in-her-own-world" to notice.

* * * * * * * * * *

"She's coming. I sense her energy."

"So, you say it worked?"

The first voice chuckled slightly. "Of course. I never fail."

'Do not act so arrogant in front of me!" The second voice, apparently the boss, ordered angrily.

"Pardon me."

"Make SURE you lure her in here. The boy with her may sense our negative energy."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And definitely do not allow her to even be near the Endymion castle."

"Right."

* * * * * * * * * *

Dear child...

"Huh?!" Usagi snapped as she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Trunks turned to face her with a confused look on his face.

I will guide you to the road leading to the moon...

"You will?" Usagi's eyes wandered about, searching for the origin of her mother's voice.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Shhhh!" Usagi hissed as she closed her eyes, silently speaking to Queen Serenity.

* * * * * * * * * *

I didn't mean for fate to be this way. A red-haired woman dressed in a black gown mourned to herself. All I wanted was Endymion, not your lives along with him. She turned around to look at the crystal of truth. I have always opposed my father's plans to take over the world. She sighed. But you've left me no choice. I cannot stand watching you... and my love, together. The Goddesses of Fate have failed me.

Forgive me, Serenity-sama. And Usagi...

* * * * * * * * * *

Usagi and Trunks stood in front of what looked like an ancient castle abandoned thousands of years ago. Its enormous walls were cracked and chipped here and there. What seemed like a darkish colored paint had almost worn off completely.

"Usagi, this is where the evil energy originates! You can't go in there!"

Usagi smiled sadly. "I wish I could do as you say, but this is also where my mother's voice came from."

"It's dangerous... don't go."

"I... have to." Usagi whispered in a shaky tone as she took Trunks' hand and squeezed it. "I came from a thousand years in the future to see my kingdom, Trunks-san. Thank you for bringing me here. I'll never forget you."

Trunks gazed at Usagi awkwardly. "The future... your kingdom... Usagi, that means..."

"Yes, I'm the incarnation of Serenity."

Trunks jerked free from Usagi's grasp between gasps. He had heard of the Moon Kingdom princess, Serenity when he was younger. But ever since the king found out about her love for his son, Endymion, the relationship between Earth and the Moon had been worse than terrible. No one spoke much of the Moon after that... The princess's visits to Earth were no longer welcomed, even despised. But the prince continued to see her.

He had been a bit surprised when Usagi told him that she was a Lunarian... but learning that she was one from the future who was the reincarnated Serenity came as a shock to the young boy. The usually suspicious part of his mind seemed to have left completely, as he believed every word Serenity-Usagi has told him.

"Trunks-san," Usagi shattered the deafening silence, "Thanks again... you should leave now."

"Leave?"

"If what you said about the evil energy is true..." She glanced helplessly over her shoulder at the castle. "I... I don't want you to get involved with this mess I caused..."

"What? I can't leave you here by yourself!" He exclaimed, not knowing exactly why. "If you go, I go." He added.

Smile broke out on her face once again, this time of pure happiness. A lone tear escaped those eyes that shone with thankfulness.

"Thank you, Trunks." She murmured and hugged him lightly.

Trunks could hear the sound of two hearts beating together.

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Hi again, everyone! I really enjoyed writing this chapter, especially the castle scene. :) I hope to write more dramatic scenes in the next chapter. And no, that wasn't exactly romance, either. It's more innocent! ^_^ Sorry that Minako and Goten didn't appear in this chapter... and they probably won't in the next either since I'll be continuing MKM, but I promise they will appear in chapter 7! And remember, if you have any ideas for villains, feel free to leave me a comment. I'd love to hear any misc. ideas or suggestions as well! Thank you, thank you!