Disclaimer in Prologue.......
DEATH AND RENEWAL: PART 2
by Sarah Lynne
The sunlight streamed through the temple's
windows as Rei, Ami, Minako, Makoto,
Setsuna, Luna, Artemis, Mamoru, and Usagi sat and
talked of current developments. Nothing
had really happened since the great youma attack.
That was until Usagi mentioned the strange
girl in her class. At the description of the girl,
Setsuna's face took on a blank look. Everyone
noticed and fell silent. They had thought nothing
fazed the Guardian of Time and Space.
Obviously, they were wrong. "What is wrong, Setsuna?"
Usagi asked.
Setsuna looked at her and took a deep breath.
This was going to take a long time. "I
have bad news for you. There was a minion fitting that
description of an evil man in Crystal
Tokyo. Neo-Queen Serenity and Neo-King Endymion had
banished them for their evil deeds.
Now it seems that they have come into the past to take
revenge on the royal couple of the future
when they are not so powerful in the past. I see that
I have to tell you the tale."
*Tale*
The Crystal Tower shone in the sunlight. Neo-Queen
Serenity and Neo-King Endymion
walked hand-in-hand in the royal gardens with their
daughter, Neo-Princess Serenity, trailing
behind them. The blissful setting cheered the hearts
of their subjects. Life was good in Crystal
Tokyo.
Queen Serenity looked over at her husband and
smiled. There was never a moment
when he wasn't in the back of her mind. Her life
totally surrounded his. His black hair shone
with blue highlights in the afternoon sunshine. His
blue eyes shimmered with light as they gazed
into her own. Little did she know that she and her
husband had stopped walking. She was totally
absorbed with kissing her husband. Their lips met
in a soft and tender kiss. They had lived in a
married state of life for years now and yet their
love had not weakened, but only strengthened.
Nothing could shake their bond. Nothing.
Little did the royal family know that they
were being observed. General Mayhew's eyes
narrowed as he saw the king's and queen's kiss. No
one should lay hands on his Endymion.
Ever since he had seen the king, he had loved him.
The black hair and blue eyes struck a cord
deep within him that had never stopped vibrating.
No one seemed to suspect anything. But
General Mayhew had a plan. No one but him would
touch King Endymion.
* * *
King Endymion and Queen Serenity were walking
to their throne room when a shadow
leaped in front of them. They were surprised to find
their trusted leader of the armies, General
Mayhew, facing them with conflicting emotions in his
stormy green eyes. Love and hatred ran
rampant through his irises. He didn't look threatening,
but there was an air of hostility around
him. King Endymion stood before his love, ready to
protect her. He only had his staff of office
as weapon, but he would use his bare hands to defend
Serenity.
General Mayhew's eyes focused on Endymion,
and a saddened look flicked across his
face. Yet it was there for only a moment. He pulled
his jeweled sword and prepared to leap.
But before he could take the jump, four shadows fell
in front of the king. They materialized into
the four Senshi. General Mayhew was not prepared to
deal with the Senshi. He figured a sound
retreat was necessary. He turned tail and fled back
into the shadows. The four Senshi were
about to follow him when Queen Serenity stopped them.
She figured they wouldn't catch him.
He was probably scared away anyway. Why General Mayhew
would attack her was beyond her
comprehension. He had always given loyal service. Yet
she had always felt there was
something hidden in him. Maybe he was after the Silver
Crystal like every other evil person to
pop up. Oh, well. Everything was solved. Little did
she know that it was far from being solved.
* * *
General Mayhew couldn't believe Endymion had
turned against him. Queen Serenity
must have brain-washed him. There was no other explanation.
His mind wouldn't except the
possibility that Endymion loved the Queen. He would
get his love. Then a plan grew in his
mind. There was a ball that night. In the confusion
of dancing, he would make his move.
* * *
The lights twinkled on all the jewels and gold.
Bright splashes of color blinked as
couples danced. Queen Serenity was on her throne,
waiting for Endymion to come. He was
down, dancing with their daughter. Since she was
so small, not many men asked her to dance.
Her father felt he should give her a few dances.
Serenity's blue eyes roamed over her subjects.
They were so happy and content. Her mind wandered
to her long dead mother, Queen Serenity
of the Moon during the Silver Millennium. Her
mother had done this same thing. Her subjects
would dance while she watched, content. Just as
her mind was running in this direction, she saw
a flash of lavender on the edge of her vision.
She turned her head to see her husband trying to
sneak up behind her. She smiled. He was always
trying things like that. Sometimes Serenity
couldn't tell the difference between him and their
daughter.
His blue eyes twinkled with merriment.
He came around to her front and knelt. He
reached out with his gloved hand to accept hers.
Her smile brightened as she put her hand
lightly in his. She felt light as feathers as she
glided onto the dance floor. She didn't notice that
everyone stopped dancing as soon as she started.
She was totally captured in her love's eyes.
As he was with her. The floor seemed to melt away
and clouds seemed to take their place.
Serenity felt secure with her love's arms around
her. She rested her head on his shoulder and
sighed. This was how she always wanted it. She
knew her kingdom waited to be governed, but
she momentarily forgot it to be in her husband's
arms.
* * *
Luna felt tears start to prickle on the
edge's of her eyes. Serenity was so happy. There
were times when she was Sailor Moon when Luna thought
Serenity would never find happiness.
Now she had found it and more. The kick within her
stomach reminded her of her happ9iness.
Who would have ever thought that Artemis would be her
husband. He was different than when
they had been guardians of the Sailor Senshi in old
Tokyo. He had matured. There was no
signs of it on the outside. Yet, on the inside, it showed.
Another kick made her smile a kitty smile.
Yes, she was very happy.
* * *
Serenity and Endymion ventured to a secluded
balcony together after their dance. They
stood in each other's arms, looking at the moon in
the night sky. They both felt the content in
each other's arms. The dark, romantic night inspired
them both to turn and have their lips meet
in another tender kiss filled with their love for each
other.
* * *
Mayhew had found it difficult to take Endymion.
He was always in the line of vision of
someone. There was one time when he thought he had him.
Yet, the crowd had cut off his line
of vision. When next he saw Endymion, he was dancing with
that slut Serenity. Mayhew waited
patiently while the dance went on. When he saw the couple
leave the crowd and head towards a
balcony, he followed in the shadows.
* * *
The couple's kiss ended with a sigh from each of
them. That was when Serenity saw a
shadow behind her love that was not supposed to be there.
Her eyes grew wide and she tried to
utter a warning.
Endymion saw her wide eyes staring behind him.
His blue eyes flashed behind. He saw
the dark shadow crouching in back of him. He twirled so
that Serenity was behind him. General
Mayhew stepped into the dim light of the moon. He smiled
a smile of pure malevolence. "It is
time to join me, my love, my Endymion. It is time to
stand by my side and help me kill this little
harlot. She doesn't deserve your love."
Endymion couldn't believe his general was saying
this. He hadn't been aware that
Mayhew felt this way. A wave of revulsion swept through
him. Never would he go to this
abomination.
* * *
General Mayhew saw that the little whore had taken
over his Endymion's mind. Well, he
thought, I'll just have to take Endymion to a safe
environment and tell him the truth.
With that thought on the tip of his mind, he leaped
forward. His hands clasped the King's
shoulders and sent a short wave of dark energy through him.
Just enough to render him
unconscious. King Endymion slumped forward as the world
went dark around him.
* * *
Queen Serenity's screams of panic and fear rang
throughout the ballroom. The Senshi's
heads shot up with alarm. They quickly transformed
into the Sailor Senshi and ran to help their
Queen. The Princess Serenity wanted to help her
parents also but the crowd held her back.
Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus
erupted onto a dismaying scene. General
Mayhew was holding the senseless King in his arms
as he gazed lovingly down at the slack face.
Queen Serenity was being held back by forcefield
made of dark energy. Every time she banged
against the shield trying to get to her love, tentacles
of dark energy would snake out and drain
her of a small amount of energy. Yet she kept trying
to get to Endymion, so her energy was
draining fast. The Senshi also couldn't launch an
attack against the General because the King
was in the way. So Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter
opted for the physical side of attacking.
They both leaped at the same time, aiming their
pointed heels at the interloper's head. Yet, they
bounced off a protective forcefield. Both landed,
stunned, at the feet of Sailor Mars and
Mercury. The hit of the Senshi woke Mayhew from
his reverie. He looked up and sneered at the
Senshi. "Say good-bye to your precious King. He
will no longer be the King you remember
when I am done with him. He will only love me and
serve me. Good-bye, pitiful Sailor Senshi."
With those words, he vanished, taking the
still-unconscious King, into a swirl of black
energy. With him went the dark barrier over the
Queen. She slumped into a quaking form,
crying her heart out. He was gone! Her true
love, her Endymion, her soulmate! Taken by that
evil monster! The Senshi tried to console their
Queen, but all efforts were for naught. That was
until Princess Serenity finally broke through the
crowd and rushed to her distraught mother's
side. "What's wrong, Mommy? What's wrong?" rang
through the night. Queen Serenity turned
her tear-filled eyes to her little daughter.
Endymion's daughter. A wan smile appeared on her
red lips. Endymion's daughter! Yes!! She would
rescue her love and bring him back to his little
girl. Nothing would stop her.
* * *
Mayhew and Endymion appeared in a dark cavern
deep underground. Water dripped in
lonely echoes. The cavern ceiling seemed to soar to
impossible heights with rock formations
that defied nature.
Mayhew looked down at the resting face of his
love and smiled. Finally! Endymion was
his. No one would ever take Endymion from him.
Not that so called Queen or any Sailor
Senshi! Endymion's flickering eyelashes brought
him back to the present. Yet, when those
incredible blue eyes filled with anger and hatred,
Mayhew was taken back. He had always
thought Endymion really loved him and was only
posing with the Queen. Endymion's incoming
punch quickly brought that dream to an end.
Mayhew reeled under the blow. Dang! That King
was powerful!
* * *
Endymion quickly jumped from Mayhew's arms
as soon as they loosened. Where the
hell was he?! This underground cavern didn't look
familiar at all. A quick flash of white uniform
brought his eyes back to where Mayhew had been.
As soon as Endymion noticed his enemy had
moved, he felt strong arms seize his and pull them
hard behind his back. The King of Crystal
Tokyo winced at the power in those arms. "Endymion,
it seems that witch has cast a stronger
spell than I thought. I'll just have to break you
out of it. This will hurt me more than you."
Endymion felt himself being dragged to a tie
ring on the opposite wall. Mayhew chained
his arms to the ring. Where the chains had come from
Endymion didn't know. Then he felt his
uniform jacket and shirt being ripped from his body
till the cold, damp air of the cave made him
shiver. He looked behind him and his heart froze at
the sight! There stood Mayhew with a
cattlewhip in his hand. Endymion didn't even have time to
brace for the impact of the leather
with his unprotected back or the rush of agony that came after it.
Endymion clenched his teeth
together and held the scream in his throat. The following
cracks of the whip seemed to merge
into one sound. The new agonies of his back seemed to
merge into one big agony. He slowly
slid into a pain-filled pit of darkness after the
thirtieth crack of the whip sounded.
* * *
Queen Serenity jumped up at the feeling of pain
that ran down her back. He was in
pain! She could feel it. She didn't know how, but she
did. Her resolve hardened to save him.
She would never give up!
She turned to her Senshi and ordered them to
clear the ballroom and to report to the
warroom. Before she went there herself, she went to her's
and Endymion's chambers after
sending Serenity to her chambers. Queen Serenity went
to her bureau by the window. She
opened the top drawer and withdrew an old, old relic from
long ago. It was an old locket with a
star imprinted on the front. Tears welled up at the memories
that this locket brought to Queen
Serenity's mind. Inside there would be a shining crystal.
The Silver Imperium Crystal! She
remembered when she had put the crystal back into the locket
after Neo-Princess Serenity had
accidentally messed with it. Well, this locket was being
brought out from retirement. Queen
Serenity held the locket over her blond hair and shouted
the words "MOON CRYSTAL POWER,
MAKE-UP!" Swirls of ribbons enveloped the Queen's body
as she transformed into Sailor Moon.
As soon as the transformation was complete, Sailor Moon
ran to save her love.
* * *
The Senshi had met in the warroom like the
Queen had ordered. They were very much
surprised when their old comrade and leader, Sailor
Moon, walked through the door instead of
Queen Serenity. Their hearts lifted to see their
leader's heart uncrushed. They saw her strength
and determination in her flashing blue eyes.
"Alright, Senshi. We have a rescue to perform.
Nothing will stop me from saving King Endymion.
I won't rest till he's back in the royal palace.
Sailor Mercury, I want all reconnaissance efforts
sent forth to find the King. All other projects
that are not a priority are to be dropped. Sailor
Jupiter, I want all Crystal Tokyo troops mobilized
and informed that their ex-leader General Mayhew
has been decommissioned. Their new
leader, as of now, is me. Sailor Mars, I want any
visions or omens you can get from a major fire
reading. No effort is to be wasted. Get every
priestess and psychic in Crystal Tokyo on this
project. Sailor Venus, you are to supervise all
efforts and coordinate them as I direct. While
everyone is working on their projects, I also want
you to hone your individual fighting skills.
Every aspect must be covered if we are to succeed.
Everyone out!"
The Senshi ran from the room to their
designated areas. Sailor Moon walked calmly out
of the room to the top of the Crystal Palace. There
she worked on powers that had not been
used in over 1000 years. Shouts of "MOON PRINCESS
HALATION" rang throughout Crystal
Tokyo.
* * *
King Endymion awoke with ribbons of
fire across his back. Yet that was not the thing
that had awakened him. He could feel, in the
back of his mind, a sullen anger and
determination. There could only be one reason
for that. Queen Serenity was angered off the
charts. Endymion tried to send a silent urge to
stay away from this place to his love, but the
anger and determination blocked his sending. He
wearily stopped trying and observed his
surroundings. He was in a dark corner of the
original cavern he and Mayhew had appeared in.
His arms were chained to a ring on the floor with
chain links that looked like they could hold an
elephant. His bare back and chest were cold from
the incessant damp of the cavern. The welts
on his back sent rivers of pain and anguish
whenever he moved slightly.
Footsteps brought Endymion's head around to
face behind him. He winced at the pain
that it cost him. Behind him stood Mayhew. The
General's love filled eyes gleamed in the dim
light. "So, you've finally awakened, my sweetheart.
Have I finally banished that little trollop from
your mind and heart?"
"Never, Mayhew. Serenity and I are bound
together for all eternity. You can never
separate us. NEVER!!"
"Is that so? We'll just have to do some
more experiments in pain endurance, wont we?"
With that, Mayhew took out a brass key from his
pocket and inserted it into the locking
mechanism of the chain. Mayhew moved Endymion to the
middle of the cavern room, confident
that Endymion's back injuries would keep him from
trying to escape. As if on cue, large, dark
shadows spurted from crevices in the cavern walls.
They materialized into ungainly youmas who
carried huge clubs in their massive paws. Mayhew
gave them instructions to beat Endymion into
submission, taking care not to hit Endymion's face.
Mayhew didn't want Endymion's good looks
spoiled. With those last words, the shadows
converged on the helpless form of the King of
Crystal Tokyo.
Endymion could feel the first flashes of pain
as the cudgels made contact. For some
reason, his body would not blackout, no matter how much
Endymion wanted to. Then he
realized that Mayhew had cast a spell preventing him
from passing out. That was the way of it
then. Well, Endymion would not give in. His teeth and
fists clenched as he endured the pain.
* * *
Sailor Moon felt her love's pain as
acutely as if the cudgels were landing on her body.
She curled up on the floor of the warroom as
the Senshi gathered worriedly around her. The
pain never seemed to stop!! Yet, soon the pain
did stop. That was when Sailor Moon couldn't
feel Endymion at all on their telepathic link
except as a faint presence. That presence was
weakening every moment! They had to save him now!!
The Senshi jumped back as Sailor Moon
leaped to her booted feet. "We have to save
him now!! He's dying! I can feel it! Screw
all those projects. I'll feel my way to him. Senshi,
join hands and prepare for Scout Teleport."
The Senshi quickly joined into a circle
and concentrated their powers. Their hair started
to flow upward and aruas of green, red, blue, orange,
and white started to surround them. After
a few moments of this, they disappeared to all other
viewers. Serenity took a hold on the fading
link with her husband and prayed that he would be alive
when they got there.
* * *
When Mayhew observed his minion's handiwork,
he was unaware that his youmas had
beaten Endymion within an inch of his life. Even as
Mayhew observed the King, Endymion's life
was fading away. Endymion could feel his hold on
life slipping. The internal bleeding and
crushed organs would finish him off. He felt great
sorrow at not being able to see his little
daughter, Serenity, ever again. He double hated the
idea that his Queen, Serenity, would be lost
to him forever. Never again would he hold her in her
arms. Never again would he breath in her
sweet scent and kiss her soft lips. Never again would
he sit by her side and admire her agile
mind as she governed her kingdom with justice and fairness.
Everything started getting colder
and colder. Goodbye, my Serenity, my Usako. I love you.......
* * *
The Queen and Senshi appeared in a dark cavern.
The dim light didn't illuminate much.
All that could be seen were shadows except where the
Senshi stood as their aruas illuminated
the area around them. Queen Serenity was frantic with
worry. She had heard Endymion's last
thought. Goodbye, my Serenity, my Usako. I love you ....
Something deep inside her told her to
find him quick!! Her blue eyes skimmed the cave with
an intensity born of need. Her eyes
alighted on a humped over shadow in a far corner.
Her heart quickened and her eyes teared up.
That dark shadow was Endymion. She could feel it.
She rushed over to his side, heedless of
any danger that might be lurking around. Her tiara
started to glow with a radiance unmatched by
anything in the cavern. In the white light, Queen
Serenity gasped at the wreck that was her
husband's body. There was not one place except his
face and head that was untouched. Black
and blue bruises the side of Serenity's hand dotted
his bare torso. His back was covered with
angry, red welts that seemed to pulse with menace.
What breathing Serenity could see was slow
and unsteady. Tears started to drip from Serenity's
cheeks as she cried for her love.
Mercury pushed past her Queen to her King's
side. She flipped her visor on and took out
her Mercury computer to analyze Endymion's injuries.
He needed medical attention and fast.
As Mercury was making these deductions, a darker
shadow than the rest of them
detached itself from the wall and started for the Senshi.
Jupiter heard faint footfalls behind her
and spun around, readying to launch her attack. But,
before she could, a hand came down
slammed her hard across the cheek. Jupiter went flying
into the cavern wall and slumped down,
unconscious. Everyone spun when they heard the slap
resound across the vast cavern. They all
gasped to see the face of Mayhew before them. They had
expected to get Endymion out before
the General showed up. Well, there was no use staring.
Mars decided to strike out before
Mayhew could do anything. Venus saw Mars getting ready
and decided to combine her attack
with Mars. Their eyes met, blue to violet. And they
nodded their agreement. "BURNING
MANDALA!" and "LOVE ME CHAIN!" rang across the cavern as
mars and Venus launched their
attacks against the General. The blast hit the General
full on and flung him up against a wall.
He slumped for a minute, gathering his wits, and then got
back to his feet, slightly dazed.
Mercury saw her opportunity to stun him for Sailor Moon
come and she didn't wait. She shouted
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" as she threw a freezing splash of
water at the General. Though the
General was dazed, he succeeded in dodging Mercury's
attack. A black portal opened by his
shoulder. He fell, rather than stepped, through and passed
out on the other side.
The Senshi worked to revive Jupiter as Sailor
Moon tried to save her husband. She took
her broach containing the crystal from her chest and
shouted the words "MOON HEALING
ESCALATION!". White light and moonbeams surrounded the King
gently and started to heal
him. Yet, the crystal took Moon's energy and used it to
heal Endymion. Sailor Moon started to
fall as her energy was drained from her. The Senshi knew
what was happening, but couldn't
think of a way to help their leader and Queen. Then they
remembered the final battle with
Queen Beryl. They had helped their Princess by giving
her some of their energy to use against
that wicked Queen. Their energy had given the crystal
enough boost to defeat Beryl. Maybe
their strength would help the Queen heal King Endymion
as well. It was worth a try. The Senshi
gathered around Sailor Moon and willed their energy to
flow into her. Soon the entire group took
on a white aura. The output of the crystal magnified
tenfold. Soon the light dimmed to nothing
as the King was healed of all injuries and was resting
peacefully. The Senshi sagged from their
lack of energy, but they knew they had to teleport back
to the Crystal Palace before stray
youmas should happen upon them. They stood wearily and
joined hands in a circle with
Endymion in the middle. Faint aruas gleamed around their
forms. They barely had enough
strength to get back to Crystal Tokyo. When they finally
arrived, the Senshi fainted from
weariness. Guards who had seen them arrive raised the
shout saying the Senshi were back and
in need of help. That is when Endymion awoke.
* * *
Endymion had been floating on a sea of nothingness.
He had expected to die right after
his last thought, but something seemed to be holding him back.
Then a warm glow enveloped
him, and he started to heal. All the while, he heard faint
sounds in the back of his mind. He
heard fighting and shouts. But most of all, he heard
Serenity's thoughts. They kept telling him
not to die and that she loved him. Those thoughts started
to fade as he healed more. His mind
tried to raise those thoughts so he knew Serenity was okay.
Then four different sets of thoughts
joined Serenity's. He knew them to the Senshi. Then everything
disappeared in a white,
soothing haze.
* * *
Endymion awoke to the sun shining down on his face.
He turned his head slightly to see
his wife sleeping peacefully beside him. He smiled and
sat up. His wife was always falling
asleep at the most inopportune times. Yet she had reason
to be so tired. He stood and scooped
her into his arms as guards came running to see what was
the matter. They were surprised to
see their King standing whole and healthy and their Queen
sound asleep in his arms. "My
Queen has saved me from a very dangerous enemy. Yet she
had to use the Silver Crystal to
heal me of my injuries. If I can get some help to carry the
Senshi back to their respective
chambers to rest, I would be most grateful." Four trusted
Generals came forward to carry the
exhausted Senshi to their chambers.
* * *
Endymion opened the door and went to their bed.
He gently lowered his Queen onto the
white cover. She had transformed back from the energy
drain. Her white gown billowed in the
wind coming from the open window. The same wind ruffled
her golden hair with gentle fingers.
Endymion smiled at his love and place a gentle kiss on
her brow. He then turned and went in
search of his daughter.
* * *
The gardens gleamed from night lights.
The flowers, especially the roses, seemed to
take on a special radiance in the night time.
King Endymion and Queen Serenity walked through
the winding pathways of the gardens with their
little daughter, Princess Serenity, between them.
A sense of peace and love hovered around the royal
family of Crystal Tokyo. Many prayed it
would stay that way.
*End of Tale*
"As you can tell, General Mayhew was never
captured. He and his minions escaped to
an unknown destination. One of his main henchmen was
the evil lady, Zoomite. She was a lady
of the Crystal Tokyo court. Yet, she served General
Mayhew with total devotion. She
disappeared at the same time as General Mayhew. The
description you gave, Usagi, fits Lady
Zoomite exactly. This does not sound good."
Everyone digested the information and started
talking all at once. It took Luna's shout of
"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!!!" to settle everybody down
except Setsuna who was already calm
and collected. Soon everyone was settled and were
discussing possible solutions to this new
enemy. As the discussion was going on, Rei started to
feel an evil prescence lurking within the
confines of the temple. She got up to check it out.
Everyone was so engrossed in the discussion
that no one noticed her departure. As she turned a
corner, a horrible sight met her eyes. Youma
after youma were leaving a black portal hanging over
the temple courtyard. After the youma's
had entered the courtyard, Rei noticed a slight woman
leave the portal. Purple hair shone in the
sunlight. Rei gasped and ran to get the other Senshi.
Between gasps for breath, she managed
to get out the situation.
TBC.......
Please leave reviews!
DEATH AND RENEWAL: PART 2
by Sarah Lynne
The sunlight streamed through the temple's
windows as Rei, Ami, Minako, Makoto,
Setsuna, Luna, Artemis, Mamoru, and Usagi sat and
talked of current developments. Nothing
had really happened since the great youma attack.
That was until Usagi mentioned the strange
girl in her class. At the description of the girl,
Setsuna's face took on a blank look. Everyone
noticed and fell silent. They had thought nothing
fazed the Guardian of Time and Space.
Obviously, they were wrong. "What is wrong, Setsuna?"
Usagi asked.
Setsuna looked at her and took a deep breath.
This was going to take a long time. "I
have bad news for you. There was a minion fitting that
description of an evil man in Crystal
Tokyo. Neo-Queen Serenity and Neo-King Endymion had
banished them for their evil deeds.
Now it seems that they have come into the past to take
revenge on the royal couple of the future
when they are not so powerful in the past. I see that
I have to tell you the tale."
*Tale*
The Crystal Tower shone in the sunlight. Neo-Queen
Serenity and Neo-King Endymion
walked hand-in-hand in the royal gardens with their
daughter, Neo-Princess Serenity, trailing
behind them. The blissful setting cheered the hearts
of their subjects. Life was good in Crystal
Tokyo.
Queen Serenity looked over at her husband and
smiled. There was never a moment
when he wasn't in the back of her mind. Her life
totally surrounded his. His black hair shone
with blue highlights in the afternoon sunshine. His
blue eyes shimmered with light as they gazed
into her own. Little did she know that she and her
husband had stopped walking. She was totally
absorbed with kissing her husband. Their lips met
in a soft and tender kiss. They had lived in a
married state of life for years now and yet their
love had not weakened, but only strengthened.
Nothing could shake their bond. Nothing.
Little did the royal family know that they
were being observed. General Mayhew's eyes
narrowed as he saw the king's and queen's kiss. No
one should lay hands on his Endymion.
Ever since he had seen the king, he had loved him.
The black hair and blue eyes struck a cord
deep within him that had never stopped vibrating.
No one seemed to suspect anything. But
General Mayhew had a plan. No one but him would
touch King Endymion.
* * *
King Endymion and Queen Serenity were walking
to their throne room when a shadow
leaped in front of them. They were surprised to find
their trusted leader of the armies, General
Mayhew, facing them with conflicting emotions in his
stormy green eyes. Love and hatred ran
rampant through his irises. He didn't look threatening,
but there was an air of hostility around
him. King Endymion stood before his love, ready to
protect her. He only had his staff of office
as weapon, but he would use his bare hands to defend
Serenity.
General Mayhew's eyes focused on Endymion,
and a saddened look flicked across his
face. Yet it was there for only a moment. He pulled
his jeweled sword and prepared to leap.
But before he could take the jump, four shadows fell
in front of the king. They materialized into
the four Senshi. General Mayhew was not prepared to
deal with the Senshi. He figured a sound
retreat was necessary. He turned tail and fled back
into the shadows. The four Senshi were
about to follow him when Queen Serenity stopped them.
She figured they wouldn't catch him.
He was probably scared away anyway. Why General Mayhew
would attack her was beyond her
comprehension. He had always given loyal service. Yet
she had always felt there was
something hidden in him. Maybe he was after the Silver
Crystal like every other evil person to
pop up. Oh, well. Everything was solved. Little did
she know that it was far from being solved.
* * *
General Mayhew couldn't believe Endymion had
turned against him. Queen Serenity
must have brain-washed him. There was no other explanation.
His mind wouldn't except the
possibility that Endymion loved the Queen. He would
get his love. Then a plan grew in his
mind. There was a ball that night. In the confusion
of dancing, he would make his move.
* * *
The lights twinkled on all the jewels and gold.
Bright splashes of color blinked as
couples danced. Queen Serenity was on her throne,
waiting for Endymion to come. He was
down, dancing with their daughter. Since she was
so small, not many men asked her to dance.
Her father felt he should give her a few dances.
Serenity's blue eyes roamed over her subjects.
They were so happy and content. Her mind wandered
to her long dead mother, Queen Serenity
of the Moon during the Silver Millennium. Her
mother had done this same thing. Her subjects
would dance while she watched, content. Just as
her mind was running in this direction, she saw
a flash of lavender on the edge of her vision.
She turned her head to see her husband trying to
sneak up behind her. She smiled. He was always
trying things like that. Sometimes Serenity
couldn't tell the difference between him and their
daughter.
His blue eyes twinkled with merriment.
He came around to her front and knelt. He
reached out with his gloved hand to accept hers.
Her smile brightened as she put her hand
lightly in his. She felt light as feathers as she
glided onto the dance floor. She didn't notice that
everyone stopped dancing as soon as she started.
She was totally captured in her love's eyes.
As he was with her. The floor seemed to melt away
and clouds seemed to take their place.
Serenity felt secure with her love's arms around
her. She rested her head on his shoulder and
sighed. This was how she always wanted it. She
knew her kingdom waited to be governed, but
she momentarily forgot it to be in her husband's
arms.
* * *
Luna felt tears start to prickle on the
edge's of her eyes. Serenity was so happy. There
were times when she was Sailor Moon when Luna thought
Serenity would never find happiness.
Now she had found it and more. The kick within her
stomach reminded her of her happ9iness.
Who would have ever thought that Artemis would be her
husband. He was different than when
they had been guardians of the Sailor Senshi in old
Tokyo. He had matured. There was no
signs of it on the outside. Yet, on the inside, it showed.
Another kick made her smile a kitty smile.
Yes, she was very happy.
* * *
Serenity and Endymion ventured to a secluded
balcony together after their dance. They
stood in each other's arms, looking at the moon in
the night sky. They both felt the content in
each other's arms. The dark, romantic night inspired
them both to turn and have their lips meet
in another tender kiss filled with their love for each
other.
* * *
Mayhew had found it difficult to take Endymion.
He was always in the line of vision of
someone. There was one time when he thought he had him.
Yet, the crowd had cut off his line
of vision. When next he saw Endymion, he was dancing with
that slut Serenity. Mayhew waited
patiently while the dance went on. When he saw the couple
leave the crowd and head towards a
balcony, he followed in the shadows.
* * *
The couple's kiss ended with a sigh from each of
them. That was when Serenity saw a
shadow behind her love that was not supposed to be there.
Her eyes grew wide and she tried to
utter a warning.
Endymion saw her wide eyes staring behind him.
His blue eyes flashed behind. He saw
the dark shadow crouching in back of him. He twirled so
that Serenity was behind him. General
Mayhew stepped into the dim light of the moon. He smiled
a smile of pure malevolence. "It is
time to join me, my love, my Endymion. It is time to
stand by my side and help me kill this little
harlot. She doesn't deserve your love."
Endymion couldn't believe his general was saying
this. He hadn't been aware that
Mayhew felt this way. A wave of revulsion swept through
him. Never would he go to this
abomination.
* * *
General Mayhew saw that the little whore had taken
over his Endymion's mind. Well, he
thought, I'll just have to take Endymion to a safe
environment and tell him the truth.
With that thought on the tip of his mind, he leaped
forward. His hands clasped the King's
shoulders and sent a short wave of dark energy through him.
Just enough to render him
unconscious. King Endymion slumped forward as the world
went dark around him.
* * *
Queen Serenity's screams of panic and fear rang
throughout the ballroom. The Senshi's
heads shot up with alarm. They quickly transformed
into the Sailor Senshi and ran to help their
Queen. The Princess Serenity wanted to help her
parents also but the crowd held her back.
Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus
erupted onto a dismaying scene. General
Mayhew was holding the senseless King in his arms
as he gazed lovingly down at the slack face.
Queen Serenity was being held back by forcefield
made of dark energy. Every time she banged
against the shield trying to get to her love, tentacles
of dark energy would snake out and drain
her of a small amount of energy. Yet she kept trying
to get to Endymion, so her energy was
draining fast. The Senshi also couldn't launch an
attack against the General because the King
was in the way. So Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter
opted for the physical side of attacking.
They both leaped at the same time, aiming their
pointed heels at the interloper's head. Yet, they
bounced off a protective forcefield. Both landed,
stunned, at the feet of Sailor Mars and
Mercury. The hit of the Senshi woke Mayhew from
his reverie. He looked up and sneered at the
Senshi. "Say good-bye to your precious King. He
will no longer be the King you remember
when I am done with him. He will only love me and
serve me. Good-bye, pitiful Sailor Senshi."
With those words, he vanished, taking the
still-unconscious King, into a swirl of black
energy. With him went the dark barrier over the
Queen. She slumped into a quaking form,
crying her heart out. He was gone! Her true
love, her Endymion, her soulmate! Taken by that
evil monster! The Senshi tried to console their
Queen, but all efforts were for naught. That was
until Princess Serenity finally broke through the
crowd and rushed to her distraught mother's
side. "What's wrong, Mommy? What's wrong?" rang
through the night. Queen Serenity turned
her tear-filled eyes to her little daughter.
Endymion's daughter. A wan smile appeared on her
red lips. Endymion's daughter! Yes!! She would
rescue her love and bring him back to his little
girl. Nothing would stop her.
* * *
Mayhew and Endymion appeared in a dark cavern
deep underground. Water dripped in
lonely echoes. The cavern ceiling seemed to soar to
impossible heights with rock formations
that defied nature.
Mayhew looked down at the resting face of his
love and smiled. Finally! Endymion was
his. No one would ever take Endymion from him.
Not that so called Queen or any Sailor
Senshi! Endymion's flickering eyelashes brought
him back to the present. Yet, when those
incredible blue eyes filled with anger and hatred,
Mayhew was taken back. He had always
thought Endymion really loved him and was only
posing with the Queen. Endymion's incoming
punch quickly brought that dream to an end.
Mayhew reeled under the blow. Dang! That King
was powerful!
* * *
Endymion quickly jumped from Mayhew's arms
as soon as they loosened. Where the
hell was he?! This underground cavern didn't look
familiar at all. A quick flash of white uniform
brought his eyes back to where Mayhew had been.
As soon as Endymion noticed his enemy had
moved, he felt strong arms seize his and pull them
hard behind his back. The King of Crystal
Tokyo winced at the power in those arms. "Endymion,
it seems that witch has cast a stronger
spell than I thought. I'll just have to break you
out of it. This will hurt me more than you."
Endymion felt himself being dragged to a tie
ring on the opposite wall. Mayhew chained
his arms to the ring. Where the chains had come from
Endymion didn't know. Then he felt his
uniform jacket and shirt being ripped from his body
till the cold, damp air of the cave made him
shiver. He looked behind him and his heart froze at
the sight! There stood Mayhew with a
cattlewhip in his hand. Endymion didn't even have time to
brace for the impact of the leather
with his unprotected back or the rush of agony that came after it.
Endymion clenched his teeth
together and held the scream in his throat. The following
cracks of the whip seemed to merge
into one sound. The new agonies of his back seemed to
merge into one big agony. He slowly
slid into a pain-filled pit of darkness after the
thirtieth crack of the whip sounded.
* * *
Queen Serenity jumped up at the feeling of pain
that ran down her back. He was in
pain! She could feel it. She didn't know how, but she
did. Her resolve hardened to save him.
She would never give up!
She turned to her Senshi and ordered them to
clear the ballroom and to report to the
warroom. Before she went there herself, she went to her's
and Endymion's chambers after
sending Serenity to her chambers. Queen Serenity went
to her bureau by the window. She
opened the top drawer and withdrew an old, old relic from
long ago. It was an old locket with a
star imprinted on the front. Tears welled up at the memories
that this locket brought to Queen
Serenity's mind. Inside there would be a shining crystal.
The Silver Imperium Crystal! She
remembered when she had put the crystal back into the locket
after Neo-Princess Serenity had
accidentally messed with it. Well, this locket was being
brought out from retirement. Queen
Serenity held the locket over her blond hair and shouted
the words "MOON CRYSTAL POWER,
MAKE-UP!" Swirls of ribbons enveloped the Queen's body
as she transformed into Sailor Moon.
As soon as the transformation was complete, Sailor Moon
ran to save her love.
* * *
The Senshi had met in the warroom like the
Queen had ordered. They were very much
surprised when their old comrade and leader, Sailor
Moon, walked through the door instead of
Queen Serenity. Their hearts lifted to see their
leader's heart uncrushed. They saw her strength
and determination in her flashing blue eyes.
"Alright, Senshi. We have a rescue to perform.
Nothing will stop me from saving King Endymion.
I won't rest till he's back in the royal palace.
Sailor Mercury, I want all reconnaissance efforts
sent forth to find the King. All other projects
that are not a priority are to be dropped. Sailor
Jupiter, I want all Crystal Tokyo troops mobilized
and informed that their ex-leader General Mayhew
has been decommissioned. Their new
leader, as of now, is me. Sailor Mars, I want any
visions or omens you can get from a major fire
reading. No effort is to be wasted. Get every
priestess and psychic in Crystal Tokyo on this
project. Sailor Venus, you are to supervise all
efforts and coordinate them as I direct. While
everyone is working on their projects, I also want
you to hone your individual fighting skills.
Every aspect must be covered if we are to succeed.
Everyone out!"
The Senshi ran from the room to their
designated areas. Sailor Moon walked calmly out
of the room to the top of the Crystal Palace. There
she worked on powers that had not been
used in over 1000 years. Shouts of "MOON PRINCESS
HALATION" rang throughout Crystal
Tokyo.
* * *
King Endymion awoke with ribbons of
fire across his back. Yet that was not the thing
that had awakened him. He could feel, in the
back of his mind, a sullen anger and
determination. There could only be one reason
for that. Queen Serenity was angered off the
charts. Endymion tried to send a silent urge to
stay away from this place to his love, but the
anger and determination blocked his sending. He
wearily stopped trying and observed his
surroundings. He was in a dark corner of the
original cavern he and Mayhew had appeared in.
His arms were chained to a ring on the floor with
chain links that looked like they could hold an
elephant. His bare back and chest were cold from
the incessant damp of the cavern. The welts
on his back sent rivers of pain and anguish
whenever he moved slightly.
Footsteps brought Endymion's head around to
face behind him. He winced at the pain
that it cost him. Behind him stood Mayhew. The
General's love filled eyes gleamed in the dim
light. "So, you've finally awakened, my sweetheart.
Have I finally banished that little trollop from
your mind and heart?"
"Never, Mayhew. Serenity and I are bound
together for all eternity. You can never
separate us. NEVER!!"
"Is that so? We'll just have to do some
more experiments in pain endurance, wont we?"
With that, Mayhew took out a brass key from his
pocket and inserted it into the locking
mechanism of the chain. Mayhew moved Endymion to the
middle of the cavern room, confident
that Endymion's back injuries would keep him from
trying to escape. As if on cue, large, dark
shadows spurted from crevices in the cavern walls.
They materialized into ungainly youmas who
carried huge clubs in their massive paws. Mayhew
gave them instructions to beat Endymion into
submission, taking care not to hit Endymion's face.
Mayhew didn't want Endymion's good looks
spoiled. With those last words, the shadows
converged on the helpless form of the King of
Crystal Tokyo.
Endymion could feel the first flashes of pain
as the cudgels made contact. For some
reason, his body would not blackout, no matter how much
Endymion wanted to. Then he
realized that Mayhew had cast a spell preventing him
from passing out. That was the way of it
then. Well, Endymion would not give in. His teeth and
fists clenched as he endured the pain.
* * *
Sailor Moon felt her love's pain as
acutely as if the cudgels were landing on her body.
She curled up on the floor of the warroom as
the Senshi gathered worriedly around her. The
pain never seemed to stop!! Yet, soon the pain
did stop. That was when Sailor Moon couldn't
feel Endymion at all on their telepathic link
except as a faint presence. That presence was
weakening every moment! They had to save him now!!
The Senshi jumped back as Sailor Moon
leaped to her booted feet. "We have to save
him now!! He's dying! I can feel it! Screw
all those projects. I'll feel my way to him. Senshi,
join hands and prepare for Scout Teleport."
The Senshi quickly joined into a circle
and concentrated their powers. Their hair started
to flow upward and aruas of green, red, blue, orange,
and white started to surround them. After
a few moments of this, they disappeared to all other
viewers. Serenity took a hold on the fading
link with her husband and prayed that he would be alive
when they got there.
* * *
When Mayhew observed his minion's handiwork,
he was unaware that his youmas had
beaten Endymion within an inch of his life. Even as
Mayhew observed the King, Endymion's life
was fading away. Endymion could feel his hold on
life slipping. The internal bleeding and
crushed organs would finish him off. He felt great
sorrow at not being able to see his little
daughter, Serenity, ever again. He double hated the
idea that his Queen, Serenity, would be lost
to him forever. Never again would he hold her in her
arms. Never again would he breath in her
sweet scent and kiss her soft lips. Never again would
he sit by her side and admire her agile
mind as she governed her kingdom with justice and fairness.
Everything started getting colder
and colder. Goodbye, my Serenity, my Usako. I love you.......
* * *
The Queen and Senshi appeared in a dark cavern.
The dim light didn't illuminate much.
All that could be seen were shadows except where the
Senshi stood as their aruas illuminated
the area around them. Queen Serenity was frantic with
worry. She had heard Endymion's last
thought. Goodbye, my Serenity, my Usako. I love you ....
Something deep inside her told her to
find him quick!! Her blue eyes skimmed the cave with
an intensity born of need. Her eyes
alighted on a humped over shadow in a far corner.
Her heart quickened and her eyes teared up.
That dark shadow was Endymion. She could feel it.
She rushed over to his side, heedless of
any danger that might be lurking around. Her tiara
started to glow with a radiance unmatched by
anything in the cavern. In the white light, Queen
Serenity gasped at the wreck that was her
husband's body. There was not one place except his
face and head that was untouched. Black
and blue bruises the side of Serenity's hand dotted
his bare torso. His back was covered with
angry, red welts that seemed to pulse with menace.
What breathing Serenity could see was slow
and unsteady. Tears started to drip from Serenity's
cheeks as she cried for her love.
Mercury pushed past her Queen to her King's
side. She flipped her visor on and took out
her Mercury computer to analyze Endymion's injuries.
He needed medical attention and fast.
As Mercury was making these deductions, a darker
shadow than the rest of them
detached itself from the wall and started for the Senshi.
Jupiter heard faint footfalls behind her
and spun around, readying to launch her attack. But,
before she could, a hand came down
slammed her hard across the cheek. Jupiter went flying
into the cavern wall and slumped down,
unconscious. Everyone spun when they heard the slap
resound across the vast cavern. They all
gasped to see the face of Mayhew before them. They had
expected to get Endymion out before
the General showed up. Well, there was no use staring.
Mars decided to strike out before
Mayhew could do anything. Venus saw Mars getting ready
and decided to combine her attack
with Mars. Their eyes met, blue to violet. And they
nodded their agreement. "BURNING
MANDALA!" and "LOVE ME CHAIN!" rang across the cavern as
mars and Venus launched their
attacks against the General. The blast hit the General
full on and flung him up against a wall.
He slumped for a minute, gathering his wits, and then got
back to his feet, slightly dazed.
Mercury saw her opportunity to stun him for Sailor Moon
come and she didn't wait. She shouted
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" as she threw a freezing splash of
water at the General. Though the
General was dazed, he succeeded in dodging Mercury's
attack. A black portal opened by his
shoulder. He fell, rather than stepped, through and passed
out on the other side.
The Senshi worked to revive Jupiter as Sailor
Moon tried to save her husband. She took
her broach containing the crystal from her chest and
shouted the words "MOON HEALING
ESCALATION!". White light and moonbeams surrounded the King
gently and started to heal
him. Yet, the crystal took Moon's energy and used it to
heal Endymion. Sailor Moon started to
fall as her energy was drained from her. The Senshi knew
what was happening, but couldn't
think of a way to help their leader and Queen. Then they
remembered the final battle with
Queen Beryl. They had helped their Princess by giving
her some of their energy to use against
that wicked Queen. Their energy had given the crystal
enough boost to defeat Beryl. Maybe
their strength would help the Queen heal King Endymion
as well. It was worth a try. The Senshi
gathered around Sailor Moon and willed their energy to
flow into her. Soon the entire group took
on a white aura. The output of the crystal magnified
tenfold. Soon the light dimmed to nothing
as the King was healed of all injuries and was resting
peacefully. The Senshi sagged from their
lack of energy, but they knew they had to teleport back
to the Crystal Palace before stray
youmas should happen upon them. They stood wearily and
joined hands in a circle with
Endymion in the middle. Faint aruas gleamed around their
forms. They barely had enough
strength to get back to Crystal Tokyo. When they finally
arrived, the Senshi fainted from
weariness. Guards who had seen them arrive raised the
shout saying the Senshi were back and
in need of help. That is when Endymion awoke.
* * *
Endymion had been floating on a sea of nothingness.
He had expected to die right after
his last thought, but something seemed to be holding him back.
Then a warm glow enveloped
him, and he started to heal. All the while, he heard faint
sounds in the back of his mind. He
heard fighting and shouts. But most of all, he heard
Serenity's thoughts. They kept telling him
not to die and that she loved him. Those thoughts started
to fade as he healed more. His mind
tried to raise those thoughts so he knew Serenity was okay.
Then four different sets of thoughts
joined Serenity's. He knew them to the Senshi. Then everything
disappeared in a white,
soothing haze.
* * *
Endymion awoke to the sun shining down on his face.
He turned his head slightly to see
his wife sleeping peacefully beside him. He smiled and
sat up. His wife was always falling
asleep at the most inopportune times. Yet she had reason
to be so tired. He stood and scooped
her into his arms as guards came running to see what was
the matter. They were surprised to
see their King standing whole and healthy and their Queen
sound asleep in his arms. "My
Queen has saved me from a very dangerous enemy. Yet she
had to use the Silver Crystal to
heal me of my injuries. If I can get some help to carry the
Senshi back to their respective
chambers to rest, I would be most grateful." Four trusted
Generals came forward to carry the
exhausted Senshi to their chambers.
* * *
Endymion opened the door and went to their bed.
He gently lowered his Queen onto the
white cover. She had transformed back from the energy
drain. Her white gown billowed in the
wind coming from the open window. The same wind ruffled
her golden hair with gentle fingers.
Endymion smiled at his love and place a gentle kiss on
her brow. He then turned and went in
search of his daughter.
* * *
The gardens gleamed from night lights.
The flowers, especially the roses, seemed to
take on a special radiance in the night time.
King Endymion and Queen Serenity walked through
the winding pathways of the gardens with their
little daughter, Princess Serenity, between them.
A sense of peace and love hovered around the royal
family of Crystal Tokyo. Many prayed it
would stay that way.
*End of Tale*
"As you can tell, General Mayhew was never
captured. He and his minions escaped to
an unknown destination. One of his main henchmen was
the evil lady, Zoomite. She was a lady
of the Crystal Tokyo court. Yet, she served General
Mayhew with total devotion. She
disappeared at the same time as General Mayhew. The
description you gave, Usagi, fits Lady
Zoomite exactly. This does not sound good."
Everyone digested the information and started
talking all at once. It took Luna's shout of
"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!!!" to settle everybody down
except Setsuna who was already calm
and collected. Soon everyone was settled and were
discussing possible solutions to this new
enemy. As the discussion was going on, Rei started to
feel an evil prescence lurking within the
confines of the temple. She got up to check it out.
Everyone was so engrossed in the discussion
that no one noticed her departure. As she turned a
corner, a horrible sight met her eyes. Youma
after youma were leaving a black portal hanging over
the temple courtyard. After the youma's
had entered the courtyard, Rei noticed a slight woman
leave the portal. Purple hair shone in the
sunlight. Rei gasped and ran to get the other Senshi.
Between gasps for breath, she managed
to get out the situation.
TBC.......
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