Title:Rebels & Royals.Part 2
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Rating:PG
Standard Disclaimer Apply
Story Began:31st Jan 2001
*denotes thought
To dream is to wish,
To wish is to see,
To see will be reality.
~*~Tapestry~*~
A little confused???Check the bottom for all the listed rebels and royal
guards.(Those with powers)And when the Princess is at the palace,think
of Princess Serenity in SM just without the crescent moon on her head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche,the ruler of the Silver Kingdom was angry.A crystal vase
shattered against the wall.The once flawless expensive vase was now in
worthless pieces of brilliant shards of crystal on the tiled floors of the
throne room.
The Royal Guard standing before her either winced or cringed.When the
Queen was in one of her fits,she had a habit of throwing things.
"What do you mean my sister was carried off by rebels??"hissed Bruche,
her whole form glowing a eerie silvery blue.
"I beg your pardon,my Queen.We failed to retrieve the Princess.The
rebel,Beryl distracted us."said Makoto,her head bowed.
"Filthy monsters."spat Bruche balling her hand into a fist.Her sister
was in the hands of the rebellion.And there was no way her sister could
fight them.Not with those 6 descendents around.
"We beg your forgiveness,my Queen."said Malachite.
"Begone,all of you.I need to think."sighed Bruche rubbing her forehead.
The 5 bowed and exited the throne room with military precision.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week later..
Serenity watched in fascination as the rebels made weapons,cleaned their
little huts and cooked food.There were even little children in the
rebellion camp.But early each morning,they were taken to a safe haven
in case the Royals ever discovered their hide-out.
Serenity had been here for a week.She was not blind.She'd seen the
loathing hatred on some of the rebels faces.She was sure,if Endymion was
not their leader,she would have been dead,long ago.
"Keep out of my way,royal!!"spat a dumpy woman.
Serenity winced.The woman had said the word 'royal' as if it was
obscenity.Did the commoners hate the Royalty so much???Sure...there were
still a few who were loyal to the royal family.But how many???
A soft mewing reached her ears.Curious,Serenity looked around and spied
a mangy bedraggled black kitten.Bending down,Serenity tried to coax the
kitten out from under the pile of wood.
"What are you doing!!??"came a voice.
Serenity gave a tiny yelp and jumped up.Spinning round,she came face to
face with the hostile face of the sandy strawberry-blonde man named,
Zoycite.
Zoycite scowled at the silver-haired girl in front of him.What was she
doing,scuttling about the wood pile that way.He eyed her suspiciously.
She was a curious thing.If half the information provided by the spies in
the palace were correct,the Princess was nothing like her sister.It was
rumoured the Princess was kind,fair,helpful and just.Which led Zoycite
only to wonder,how the late King Apollo and Queen Rena,had sired such a
prodigy of a daughter with their attitudes.
If Zoycite had met Serenity's grandmother,the Queen Dowager,the deceased
Queen Selenity,it would have answered all his questions.
"I'm trying to get a kitten out,sir.And you,probably scared it to the
end of it's wits."huffed Serenity as she stared at the offending man.
Zoycite almost smiled despite himself.Though she was not in the Palace,
the Princess Serenity still carried a commanding and graceful air about
her.
"By all means then,your highness.Don't let me stop you."Zoycite replied
snidely,amgry at himself for nearly forgetting who this woman was.
"There's no need to bite."snapped Serenity as she once again bent down to
search for the black kitten."Goodness knows you almost sound like Iolite."
sighed Serenity as she saw two gleaming golden eyes.
"Io-Iolite??"choked Zoycite.
"Uh-huh...here kitty..."she answered absent-mindedly.
"How is she??"
"Fine I guess.She had the utter torturing task of waking me up."
laughed Serenity as she scooped the kitten into the crook of her arm.
"I-Is..is she happy??"he rasped out.
Serenity tore her gaze away from the kitten and stared oddly at the
man before her.His face had gone pale and he seemed to have difficulty
breathing.
"I guess.Why?And how do you know Iolite anyway??"
Silence.
Serenity frowned.Then...it came to her.
"YOU'RE Iolite's brother!!"exclaimed Serenity in wonder.
Zoycite could only nod.His eyes were glazed.
"This is confusing.I don't understand.Why did Iolite not become a
rebel like you??"Serenity asked sitting down on a log.She stared hard at
Zoycite's features.There was nothing of Iolite in her brother.Iolite had
pale lavender hair while he had strawberry blonde.Except for their
similar eyes,but still,Zoycite's was slightly darker like wet jade.
"Iolite isn't like me.She scorned the rebels and damned them.She said
I was a fool to join them.She argued,your family had founded the kingdom
so long ago and had existed for 9 generations.I think her respect for me,
died that day when I told her I'd joined the rebellion."
Serenity stroked the kitten thoughtfully.True..Iolite had never spoken
of her brother.But she had these melancholy moods of staring at something
around her neck.
~FLASHBACK~
"What's that??"asked Serenity playfully.
"Nothing.Just a memento.An old reminder of disappointment."said Iolite,
shoving the necklace back into her vest.
"Want to talk about it??"
"No.I do NOT want to talk about that misbegotten older brother of mine."
Iolite spat viciously,kicking her horse into a gallop,leaving Serenity to
follow her.
~END FLASHBLACK~
"I think she was just disappointed you'd joined the rebellion.I know
her dream was to one day serve the royal family as a Royal Guard as her
ancestors before her.I guess,she hoped she'd be fighting alongside you.
Not against you."shrugged Serenity.
"Maybe."sighed Zoycite.
"Enough of all this somberness.What do you think of the kitty's name.
I'm going to name her Luna."smiled Serenity brightly.
Zoycite smiled faintly at the girl.He'd been rude to her and yet,she'd
brushed it off with a casual toss of her head and tried to console him
on his sister.He stared at the kitten she held in her hands.The kitten
had a strange bald scar in the shape of a crescent moon on it's head.
"It suits her."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion stared up from his plans when Beryl burst into his tent,shoving
the tent's flap roughly.Her auburn hair was wild and her yellowish green
eyes were blazing with anger.
"I can't believe you,Endymion!!"snapped Beryl angrily.
"Believe what,Beryl?"asked Endymion coolly.He did NOT need anymore grief.
"This is a rebellion camp,Endymion.NOT a baby-sitting camp,in case you
didn't notice.What the hell do you think you're doing,letting the royal
brat walk around without anybody escorting her or keeping a leash on her?
If you've forgotten,we're in the middle of a war with the blasted monarchy
meaning HER family."hissed Beryl.
"Very enlightening,Beryl.Just get to the point."
"Why AREN'T we using her to threathen her sister??From the rumours,it's
said Queen Bruche adores her younger sister very much."
"I will do NO such thing.Princess Serenity is innocent this whole war.
It's not her fault her parents were tyrants.Neither is it her fault her
sister is vindictive.The whole royal line wasn't like them you know.
I should know.I heard my parents speak of the old Queen Selenity enough."
"Like the royal's GRANDMA is relevant???"screeched Beryl.
"No more than the late King and Queen and the current Queen.I am this
rebellion's leader and I make the decisions here,Beryl.The Princess
agreed not to try and escape,and it was clear enough she did not want
to return to the palace.End of discussion."growled Endymion.His eyes
flashing with anger.
Beryl's rage grew.*He's besotted.It isn't fair..*With those last
thoughts,Beryl spun on her heal and stormed out of the tent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More days passed by just as quickly.Serenity spent her days looking
over the camp.Today...she sat on a grassy hill near the woods with the
blonde called Minako watching her.
Weaving the flowers she's gathered into a little crown,Serenity placed
it on the dozing girl's face.
Golden eyes snapped open and turned to stare at her.
"What's this??"asked Minako fingering the little crown.
"It's a crown."smiled Serenity as she began to weave another one.
"I didn't think royalty knew how to do domestic chores."teased Minako.
"Usually they don't."replied Serenity with a smile.
Everything had been much easier at the rebellion village.They had come
to accept her presence there and not scorn her anymore.In fact,none had
showed her that hatred and loathing she'd seen in their eyes when she
first came.They now treated her with friendly courtesy.Everybody had been
enchanted by the silver-haired innocent who tried her hardest to help.
No one could stay hostile to her for long...except for Beryl.
"Having fun??"came a deep voice.
Serenity glanced up and saw Endymion's tall frame towering over them.
"Sit down.You'll give Serenity a neckache."scolded Minako as she waggled
her fingers.
Endymion chuckled and plopped down beside them."My apologies,ladies."
Serenity plopped the second flower-crown on his head and stared at the
picture he made.Her lips quirked slightly.The pale pastel flowers clashed
with his dark panther like looks and dark sooty midnight hair.
Turning to Minako for an opinion,Serenity didn't need to voice her
question as he saw the golden goddess's lips tremble with mirth.Her eyes
crinkled beneath as she tried to hold in her amusement.
Endymion snorted and pulled the crown off.
"No thank you.I don't think a crown of flowers like a flower-girl's
suits me.I'd rather have a crown of leaves,thank you very much."said
Endymion in disgust.
"Really???I would have thought thorns suited you much better."quipped
Minako innocently.
"Please,the both of you."smiled Serenity."Besides..I think flowers on
you are cute."
"I despise being cute."said Endymion as he looked down at the silver
girl with big watery sapphire eyes.
"I guess."shrugged Serenity as she poked him in the ribs.
"Do not poke me,unless you want me to retaliate,woman."said Endymion
indignantly.
Minako and Serenity exchanged an evil look of mischief and together,
poked him and ran down the hills.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You know Minako...I don't think I've ever been this happy."whispered
Serenity as she hugged a pillow.
Minako smiled sleepily.She understood.Not even at the palace,had she
been this happy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another week flew by for Serenity.She felt exhilarated.She felt...free
and in control of her own destiny.She loved the feeling.
Serenity stooped to pick up firewood with one of the girls in the rebel
camp named Naru.
Serenity smiled slightly as the shoulder lengthed chocolate haired girl
went on chatting happily about her boyfriend with a bubbly sense of
happiness.Her dark green eyes twinkling with every mention of Umino.
Serenity sighed to herself as Naru walked ahead with a pile of firewood
in her arms.How could anyone be so happy???She wished she could experience
this emotion called love.
A picture of Endymion flitted through her mind,causing a flush to rise
to her face.Shaking her head,she wondered what had made her think of the
rebellion's leader in that way.
About an hour later,Serenity stretched tiredly,massaging her stiff
limbs as she sat on a log.Her lips quirked upwards slightly as she
imagined one of her teachers standing before her now.Haruna-sensei would
have a fit if she saw her pupil sitting on a log,dirty and sweaty.
In her earlier years,Haruna-sensei hadn't even approved of the two
princesses to be learning about their powers and self-defense techniques.
In fact,she'd abbhored it saying holding a sword gave their hands blisters
and calluses.Haruna-sensei had said,"It just isn't ladylike!!"
Serenity smiled at the memory.
"What's so funny??"
"Oh!!"gasped Serenity jumping slightly.Endymion chuckled and sat down
besides her."Scared you,didn't I."
Serenity stuck her tongue at him.
Endymion grinned."So,what was that smile all about??I've never seen
a tired woman being able to smile at something after a hard day's work
gathering firewood."he teased.
"Oh,if you must know,I was thinking about a teacher back at the palace.
She taught my sister and I lots of domestic girlish subjects."
"How many teachers do you have??"asked Endymion quizzically.He remembered
going to school,there had been only two teachers there.One for study
subjects,the other for PE,which meant warrior training for boys.His
parents had thought him to control his powers.
"Oh,I had 4 teachers."shrugged Serenity."One for study subjects,one for
warrior training and control over powers,another for ruling and diplomacy,
and the last teacher tought,as I said,all the girlish subjects like,sewing,
dancing,curtsying,painting,manners and plenty of other things."
"It must have been a very stifling life."grinned Endymion as he tried
to picture the Princess of the Silver Kingdom sitting demurely and quietly
on a chair,sewing.The thought to him,was absolutely ludicrous.
"It was a very BORING life."grinned Serenity."You wouldn't believe the
priorities Haruna-sensei had.Being able to dance and curtsy was better
than being able to hold a sword and debate a subject with an ambassador."
"So...did you pass your,'girlish' subjects??"Endymion teased,his lips
quirking into a smile.
"With flying colours."boasted Serenity proudly.
Endymion gave a sharp crack of laughter.
When they finally stopped laughing,Serenity wiped the tears from her
eyes and turned to peek at Endymion who was gasping and holding his sides.
His eyes met hers.A tingle of excitement ran through her.
Both said nothing as they continued to stare at each other.
Serenity's pink tongue snaked out to moisten her lips and that got an
instant reaction.Endymion's gaze now seemed welded to her lips as he
watched her tongue.
Unknown to them,they had moved closer.Like some magnet had pulled them
together.
Endymion leaned down to kiss Serenity,her eyes closing.
It was only a feather-like brush but that sent tingles up and down his
body.He pulled back slightly ro stare at the pinkish flush on Serenity's
face.He had hardly kissed her and already he felt intoxicated.Leaning down
slowly again,....
"Endymion!!"came a loud voice.
Both of them jumped apart their faces flaming,looking like little
children being caught red-handed raiding the cookie jar.
Zoycite burst out of the woods,his face red from exercise.He smiled
not noticing their condition."Ami told me to get you guys for dinner.It's
a good thing,Minako isn't the one doing the cooking."grinned Zoycite.
Serenity and Endymion only gave nervous chuckles and giggles.
"Come on,otherwise,Nephrite will have eaten everything."called Zoycite as
he pushed through the bushes.
Serenity and Endymion stared after Zoycite's retreating back,then turned
back to stare at each other.Their faces showing their confusion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beryl who was standing in the shadows,clenched her fist.She'd witnessed
their near kiss.She felt something...yet,didn't know what it was.She
leaned back against a tree trunk,clutching the tree.She lay her cheek
on the rough tree bark.Tears fell from her eyes.
She watched as Endymion laughingly offered his arm to Serenity and asked
to escort her to dinner,which Serenity in turn accepted his proposal with
a teasing curtsy.
Beryl bit her lip as more tears fell from her eyes and she slid down
the tree to the ground.She buried her face in her knees,her dark
burgundy hair falling around her.
*It isn't fair...I've been around Endymion for almost my whole life.
I've known him longer than the royal.*
She had always watched the leader of the rebels,Endymion,from afar.
Marvelling at his leadership skills and control of power.She'd loved him
from afar.But he had never noticed.Never reciprocated the feelings she
had.As she watched them walk away,she ached even more.
Why couldn't it have been her,Endymion showed affection to??Why had
the Royal Princess Serenity be the one who caught his attention??Tearing
it away from the battles,plans and nightmares she knew he had.
Lifting her head,in her mind's eye,saw the laughing silver-princess.Her
eyes narrowed.*I hate you...*
The green eyed monster was rearing it's ugly head...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Her eyes darted towards the two figures.They had hardly touched their
meal and here they were.Sneaking peeks at each other.Minako rolled her
golden eyes in exasperation.Endymion was definately coming down with a
case of the 'loveritis'.
Her lips quirked.That was what she called anybody whe fell in love or
even got infatuations.
Shooting a glance over at Serenity who sat near the fire,her silver hair
glowing a bright orange.
*Who would have imagined Endymion would pay such attention to a royal??
But still....*staring at Serenity,*it wouldn't be difficult to fall in
love with her...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sighed to herself.*I doubt I'll ever be able to get over the
amazement of watching the rebellion start a new day.*
Her eyes found Ami and Zoycite chatting with one another.It was clear
they cared deeply,for one another.In such perilous and strife filled
times,it was amazing how one could just forget the world and fall in love.
And that,was exactly what was happening to Ami and Zoycite.
A horn blared loudly.Signaling the arrival of something...
Endymion pushed back the flap of his tent.
"What's the horn for??"questioned Endymion as his hand went to rest on
the sword at his hip.
"It's Elios,Endymion.He brings news of the Royal Alpha Guard,who have
taken the village of Elora hostage.They will be sent to the slave mines
because a few of our rebels were found there."informed the man,his face
had many wrinkles and a greyish pallor due to exhaustion.
"Thank you,Galin.Go get some rest."sighed Endymion.
The man nodded.
Serenity turned her attention to the man behind the older man.He looked
fairly young.Probably only in his early teens.He had pale white hair and
beautiful expressive orange-gold eyes.
"Endymion,"spoke the man-child.
"Speak your news,Elios."
"Yes,of course.The Queen has been busy lately,searching for..you know.
So the Royal Guard has taken charge of the Queen's forces.Two squads of
the Alpha Guard forces were defeated by some rebels.And so,Malachite,
the Head of the Royal Guard has ordered the village captured."said
Elios rubbing his head.
"And,they will be sent to the slave mines???"asked Serenity,her throat
constricting.
How could Malachite be so cruel??So cold??She had not gotten that
characteristic impression from him.
"Yes."answered Elios turning to look at her.
"And the rebels??What of them??Who are they??"prodded Endymion.
Returning his attention to the leader of the rebellion,Elios shut his
eyes,expecting a stream of words from Endymion when he said the names.
"Setsuna,Haruka,Michiru,Synergy,Motoki,Seiya,Taiki and Yaten."
"For the love of heaven,whose hair-brained idea was it to go to the
Village of Elora anyway??"snapped Endymion.
"I believe,it was Seiya's."
"I should have guessed.He always had the strangest notions."growled
Endymion irritatedly."I just cannot believe Haruka went along with it."
"What do we do,Endymion??We cannot allow them to ship the men,women and
children of the village to slave mines can we??"asked Zoycite.
"Indeed,we cannot.But I doubt we can simply charge headlong in.We will
discuss the plans tonight."stated Endymion as he swept away with a
flourish,leaving Serenity staring after him in amazement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makoto tossed down her drink and slammed the glass down onto the bar.
Flipping her green hair over her shoulder,she stared at the ice cubes in
her glass.
"I cannot believe.We've been searching for the Princess intensively for
weeks now!!And still not a trace of her."spat Makoto.
"It seems like she has disappeared off the face of the planet hasn't
she??But there's no doubt she's still in the kingdom."sighed Rei shaking
her drink and watching the amber liquid swirl around in the glass.
"I think the Princess just hates to be bound.I'm sure the Princess is
given the rebels consent to run about freely like a-"began Malachite his
eyes glinting with amusement.
"An ill-bred half-wit animal!"snapped Rei,the glass she was holding,
shattered in pieces.
"Watch your strength,Rei.You never know when it might be somebody's
neck,you're holding."drawled Malachite.
"Shut up,Malachite.Nobody asked you."hissed Makoto her hand balling
into a fist."I've a yen to test my strength on somebody's jaw."
"Play nice now,you two."laughed Jadeite as he twirled a raven strand
from Rei's hair around his fingers.
"I don't want to play.As the Royal Guard,we are obligated to find the
Queen's sister."bit out Makoto slamming her hand into the bar.
"I agree.The rebels are traitorous turn-coats.Treason to the kingdom."
spat Rei,clenching her hand into a fist.
There was silence...
"Now what??"questioned Rei staring a them in anger.
"Rei,your hand is bleeding."whispered Iolite.
Looking down at her hand,Rei's nose wrinkled.Bringing her hand to
her lips,Rei tentatively stuck her tongue out and licked some of the
blood running down her hand to her arm,soaking her wristbands.
From the corner of her eye,she saw Jadeite suck in his breath.She knew
that act of hers had been sensual in Jadeite's eyes.Her eyes glinted with
mischief as she stopped at the back of her hand and grinned at Jadeite.
Makoto's emerald eyes sparkled with amusement,recognizing what Rei was
doing.The fiery beauty was trying to seduce Jadeite.
"Oh,Rei...you naughty wicked temptress.Are you trying your hand at a
teasing game with Jadeite??"laughed Makoto staring at Rei when Malachite
and Jadeite had left to inspect some military affair.
"However did you guess,Mako??"replied Rei a smile on her lips.
Makoto laughed.The Fiery Goddess was going to try to steal,Jadeite's
attention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion pressed his body against the shadows offered by the buildings.
Surveying the area,Endymion noted the villagers were about to be
transported to the slave mines.
"It's a transport wagon."whispered Elios.
"How many guards??"asked Endymion in a hushed voice.
"About 20-30.Two of the Royal Guard."informed Nephrite as he peered
through the binoculars.
"Who??"questioned Endymion as he watched the forces begin loading the
transport.
"I can't see wh-wait!!They've moved into the light.It's General Malachite
the leader of the Royal Guard and General Jadeite."breathed Nephrite.
Endymion nodded at Zoycite to fire the flaming arrow to signal the
rebels to attack.Suddenly,enchanting blue eyes and a cloud of silvery
curls came into his mind's eye.It was Serenity.She was smiling and
laughing.
Endymion cursed softly.Why did her damn siren face have to haunt him
during a mission??Why couldn't he just forget her cloud of silver hair
and damned innocent sapphire eyes that sparkled like the stars??Her image
seemed to be positively welded to the recesses of his brain and memory.
The cry of battle broke him out of his thoughts.
"For freedom!!!For the rebellion!!!"shouted the rebels.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity stared at the hand mirror.Her reflection staring back at her
with confused wet eyes.She was worried.Worried for the leader of the
rebels!!The man who was leading the rebellion who longed to knock her
sister from the throne and replace it with their own choice of ruler.
Her free hand reached up and touched the cold mirror.Touching her
reflection.Minako had told her there was nothing to worry about.Her golden
eyes had gleamed with pent up excitement.
A face appeared before her in the mirror.He was smiling,grinning and
laughing with that deep seductive voice of his.His looks were in the
pose of a devil's grin.The dark midnight hair falling into his eyes.
A ruby stud winking at her from one of his ears.His ocean eyes merely
crinkling in amusement at her.She should have frowned at the image.But it
seemed...all she could do was suck in her breath and murmur a name.
"Endymion..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Malachite and Jadeite looked up at the sound of the battle cry.Rebels
were swarming around them,they hands holding spears and gardening
equiptment over their heads as they raced at them.
Malachite smirked.He'd anticipated this.Endymion would never have allowed
the whole village to be sent to the mines as slaves because of a few of
his rebel agents.
His hand glowed a bright white and he threw a ball of energy at a small
band of rebels charging him.The rebels gave a scream and were thrown
backwards.
Malachite snorted."Come,come Endymion.You really don't expect us to
fall before a few garden tool wielding men do you???"snorted Endymion.
"You will take none of this village,"spat Nephrite as he unleashed his
own power on Malachite.
"Do you plan on boring me to death with your speeches of freedom and
justice,Nephrite??"asked Malachite.
"These villagers are innocent,Malachite."shouted Zoycite.
"They harboured traitors against the Queen.They can share the fate of
all the treasonous populace."
"The Queen is an evil tyrannical-"
"Be still your tongue and speak no ill of her Majesty,or I will
personally take your vocal cords out,you rebel."spat Malachite.
"We outnumber you,Malachite.You cannot win."pointed out Endymion.
Malachite stared around and saw his men dropping to the ground
unconcious.He cursed.
"You may have won this time,Endymion.But you cannot win forever and
you will soon see your rebellious efforts will be futile."smiled Malachite
before turning to his remaining men and shouting orders.
Endymion watched as the royal party high-tailed away.His mouth in a
grim line.What had Malachite meant??
The rebels and villagers broke into a round or cheers and applause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity stuck her head out of her cottage as she heard hoofbeats.
Endymion was back!!
She rushed to the middle of the forest clearing.She saw the men Endymion
had taken and the villagers!!
She saw Beryl,Ami and Minako congratulating them on a job well-done.
She lingered in the shadows of the trees and smiled slightly.
Suddenly,somebody grasped her wrists and pulled them behind her back.
She bit her lip to stifle to cry of pain.
"Who are you???And what are you doing hiding in the shadows??"hissed a
voice angrily.
Serenity struggled.
"No use struggling little one.I am an expert at apprehending people."
laughed the voice.
"Release me at once!!"hissed Serenity in a dangerous voice.Her eyes
were glittering with anger.
"Hah,you wish!"scoffed the man.
"I will warn you only once,you lewd ruffian."
"I am trembling.Now answer,who are you??Why are you lurking here??"
Serenity held her power in check and stomped hard on his foot.
The man let out a curse loudly.This caught the attention of the people
who were standing and congratulating Endymion over the victory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion heard a familiar voice curse loudly."I know that voice."
Pushing past the rebels,Endymion gaped at the sight before him.He saw
Serenity's flushed furious face with somebody's arm locked around her
waist and holding her wrists pinned behind her.The man was standing on
one foot and his face was in the shadows.
A irrational surge of anger welled up.At least,he thought it was anger.
*How DARE that man hold Serenity to him like that!!*shouted his mind.
Minako's mouth dropped open as she finally made it to the front through
the sea of curious rebels.
"WHAT THE HELL are you doing to Serenity???"shouted Minako at the
new-comer,whose face was hidden in the shadows.
Serenity glared at the rebels in front of her,who were doing nothing but
gaping like owls.Her booted feet came down again on the man's other
foot.
"Let go you pervert!!!"shouted Serenity.
"Stop stomping my foot,woman!!"growled the man.
Endymion clenched his fists.
"Release her,or-"
"I missed you too,cousin."drawled the voice.
"Seiya."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Seiya!"exclaimed Minako.
"Hello,Minako.Was that any way to greet your friend???"laughed Seiya
as he released Serenity.
Serenity spun to face the man who had attacked her.Her eyes narrowed as
she saw the man.
"What is the big idea of attacking me like some loose animal!!You-you...
you rat!You baboon!You-"
"By the blessed heavens,where did you get this silver-haired dragon,
cousin??Crushed my feet,she did."growled Seiya.
Serenity glared at him.Her anger rising.Then,she felt a comforting hand
on her shoulder.Looking up,it was Endymion.
"This,cousin...is the Princess Serenity.I found her in the fields and
she is a guest here.Now,what brings you here??And where are the others??
I'm surprised Haruka didn't clobber you yet."smiled Endymion amused,raising
his eyebrow at his cousin.
"Oh,believe me.Haruka really nearly did hit me.She really can't stand
me,you know."laughed Seiya,then his eyebrows snapped together.
"The Princess??"
Seiya gaped at the ravishing silver-haired woman-child before him.Her
cheeks slightly flushed,her blue eyes glittering with anger and wrath
as she glared at him.He nodded to himself.
"Yes..I can see that royal stance and noble commanding anger on her
face.But how did a harpy like her possibly pass for a princess???"
Serenity's faced flushed with anger even more.She sputtered in anger.
"You rude,callous,pig-headed-"began Serenity once more.
"Endy,curb the little dragon.She's going to leap at me from where she's
standing."
Endymion laughed and placed both hands on Serenity's shoulders.He felt
a shiver run through Serenity and he looked down at her to see her staring
up at him.
"This little princess is a rabbit,cousin.Not a dragon."abolished Endymion
with a laugh.
"You think I'm not capable of ange-"
"A rabbit with teeth."smiled Endymion.
Serenity glared at the two cousins,which evoked laughter from the rebels
who had come to be enchanted by the princess's presence.
Behind the crowd,Beryl stood unnoticed.Her eyes flashing in jealousy,
her lips pursed together in a thin line as she stared hatefully at the
princess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Okay,here's the list of the main rebels and royals. :))
Rebels: Royal & Royal Guard:
Endymion Queen Bruche
Beryl Malachite
Ami Jadeite
Minako Iolite
Zoycite Makoto
Nephrite Rei
*Princess Serenity is caught somewhere in between.* :) So,tell me what
you guys think.Pleeeease???????
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Rating:PG
Standard Disclaimer Apply
Story Began:31st Jan 2001
*denotes thought
To dream is to wish,
To wish is to see,
To see will be reality.
~*~Tapestry~*~
A little confused???Check the bottom for all the listed rebels and royal
guards.(Those with powers)And when the Princess is at the palace,think
of Princess Serenity in SM just without the crescent moon on her head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche,the ruler of the Silver Kingdom was angry.A crystal vase
shattered against the wall.The once flawless expensive vase was now in
worthless pieces of brilliant shards of crystal on the tiled floors of the
throne room.
The Royal Guard standing before her either winced or cringed.When the
Queen was in one of her fits,she had a habit of throwing things.
"What do you mean my sister was carried off by rebels??"hissed Bruche,
her whole form glowing a eerie silvery blue.
"I beg your pardon,my Queen.We failed to retrieve the Princess.The
rebel,Beryl distracted us."said Makoto,her head bowed.
"Filthy monsters."spat Bruche balling her hand into a fist.Her sister
was in the hands of the rebellion.And there was no way her sister could
fight them.Not with those 6 descendents around.
"We beg your forgiveness,my Queen."said Malachite.
"Begone,all of you.I need to think."sighed Bruche rubbing her forehead.
The 5 bowed and exited the throne room with military precision.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week later..
Serenity watched in fascination as the rebels made weapons,cleaned their
little huts and cooked food.There were even little children in the
rebellion camp.But early each morning,they were taken to a safe haven
in case the Royals ever discovered their hide-out.
Serenity had been here for a week.She was not blind.She'd seen the
loathing hatred on some of the rebels faces.She was sure,if Endymion was
not their leader,she would have been dead,long ago.
"Keep out of my way,royal!!"spat a dumpy woman.
Serenity winced.The woman had said the word 'royal' as if it was
obscenity.Did the commoners hate the Royalty so much???Sure...there were
still a few who were loyal to the royal family.But how many???
A soft mewing reached her ears.Curious,Serenity looked around and spied
a mangy bedraggled black kitten.Bending down,Serenity tried to coax the
kitten out from under the pile of wood.
"What are you doing!!??"came a voice.
Serenity gave a tiny yelp and jumped up.Spinning round,she came face to
face with the hostile face of the sandy strawberry-blonde man named,
Zoycite.
Zoycite scowled at the silver-haired girl in front of him.What was she
doing,scuttling about the wood pile that way.He eyed her suspiciously.
She was a curious thing.If half the information provided by the spies in
the palace were correct,the Princess was nothing like her sister.It was
rumoured the Princess was kind,fair,helpful and just.Which led Zoycite
only to wonder,how the late King Apollo and Queen Rena,had sired such a
prodigy of a daughter with their attitudes.
If Zoycite had met Serenity's grandmother,the Queen Dowager,the deceased
Queen Selenity,it would have answered all his questions.
"I'm trying to get a kitten out,sir.And you,probably scared it to the
end of it's wits."huffed Serenity as she stared at the offending man.
Zoycite almost smiled despite himself.Though she was not in the Palace,
the Princess Serenity still carried a commanding and graceful air about
her.
"By all means then,your highness.Don't let me stop you."Zoycite replied
snidely,amgry at himself for nearly forgetting who this woman was.
"There's no need to bite."snapped Serenity as she once again bent down to
search for the black kitten."Goodness knows you almost sound like Iolite."
sighed Serenity as she saw two gleaming golden eyes.
"Io-Iolite??"choked Zoycite.
"Uh-huh...here kitty..."she answered absent-mindedly.
"How is she??"
"Fine I guess.She had the utter torturing task of waking me up."
laughed Serenity as she scooped the kitten into the crook of her arm.
"I-Is..is she happy??"he rasped out.
Serenity tore her gaze away from the kitten and stared oddly at the
man before her.His face had gone pale and he seemed to have difficulty
breathing.
"I guess.Why?And how do you know Iolite anyway??"
Silence.
Serenity frowned.Then...it came to her.
"YOU'RE Iolite's brother!!"exclaimed Serenity in wonder.
Zoycite could only nod.His eyes were glazed.
"This is confusing.I don't understand.Why did Iolite not become a
rebel like you??"Serenity asked sitting down on a log.She stared hard at
Zoycite's features.There was nothing of Iolite in her brother.Iolite had
pale lavender hair while he had strawberry blonde.Except for their
similar eyes,but still,Zoycite's was slightly darker like wet jade.
"Iolite isn't like me.She scorned the rebels and damned them.She said
I was a fool to join them.She argued,your family had founded the kingdom
so long ago and had existed for 9 generations.I think her respect for me,
died that day when I told her I'd joined the rebellion."
Serenity stroked the kitten thoughtfully.True..Iolite had never spoken
of her brother.But she had these melancholy moods of staring at something
around her neck.
~FLASHBACK~
"What's that??"asked Serenity playfully.
"Nothing.Just a memento.An old reminder of disappointment."said Iolite,
shoving the necklace back into her vest.
"Want to talk about it??"
"No.I do NOT want to talk about that misbegotten older brother of mine."
Iolite spat viciously,kicking her horse into a gallop,leaving Serenity to
follow her.
~END FLASHBLACK~
"I think she was just disappointed you'd joined the rebellion.I know
her dream was to one day serve the royal family as a Royal Guard as her
ancestors before her.I guess,she hoped she'd be fighting alongside you.
Not against you."shrugged Serenity.
"Maybe."sighed Zoycite.
"Enough of all this somberness.What do you think of the kitty's name.
I'm going to name her Luna."smiled Serenity brightly.
Zoycite smiled faintly at the girl.He'd been rude to her and yet,she'd
brushed it off with a casual toss of her head and tried to console him
on his sister.He stared at the kitten she held in her hands.The kitten
had a strange bald scar in the shape of a crescent moon on it's head.
"It suits her."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion stared up from his plans when Beryl burst into his tent,shoving
the tent's flap roughly.Her auburn hair was wild and her yellowish green
eyes were blazing with anger.
"I can't believe you,Endymion!!"snapped Beryl angrily.
"Believe what,Beryl?"asked Endymion coolly.He did NOT need anymore grief.
"This is a rebellion camp,Endymion.NOT a baby-sitting camp,in case you
didn't notice.What the hell do you think you're doing,letting the royal
brat walk around without anybody escorting her or keeping a leash on her?
If you've forgotten,we're in the middle of a war with the blasted monarchy
meaning HER family."hissed Beryl.
"Very enlightening,Beryl.Just get to the point."
"Why AREN'T we using her to threathen her sister??From the rumours,it's
said Queen Bruche adores her younger sister very much."
"I will do NO such thing.Princess Serenity is innocent this whole war.
It's not her fault her parents were tyrants.Neither is it her fault her
sister is vindictive.The whole royal line wasn't like them you know.
I should know.I heard my parents speak of the old Queen Selenity enough."
"Like the royal's GRANDMA is relevant???"screeched Beryl.
"No more than the late King and Queen and the current Queen.I am this
rebellion's leader and I make the decisions here,Beryl.The Princess
agreed not to try and escape,and it was clear enough she did not want
to return to the palace.End of discussion."growled Endymion.His eyes
flashing with anger.
Beryl's rage grew.*He's besotted.It isn't fair..*With those last
thoughts,Beryl spun on her heal and stormed out of the tent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More days passed by just as quickly.Serenity spent her days looking
over the camp.Today...she sat on a grassy hill near the woods with the
blonde called Minako watching her.
Weaving the flowers she's gathered into a little crown,Serenity placed
it on the dozing girl's face.
Golden eyes snapped open and turned to stare at her.
"What's this??"asked Minako fingering the little crown.
"It's a crown."smiled Serenity as she began to weave another one.
"I didn't think royalty knew how to do domestic chores."teased Minako.
"Usually they don't."replied Serenity with a smile.
Everything had been much easier at the rebellion village.They had come
to accept her presence there and not scorn her anymore.In fact,none had
showed her that hatred and loathing she'd seen in their eyes when she
first came.They now treated her with friendly courtesy.Everybody had been
enchanted by the silver-haired innocent who tried her hardest to help.
No one could stay hostile to her for long...except for Beryl.
"Having fun??"came a deep voice.
Serenity glanced up and saw Endymion's tall frame towering over them.
"Sit down.You'll give Serenity a neckache."scolded Minako as she waggled
her fingers.
Endymion chuckled and plopped down beside them."My apologies,ladies."
Serenity plopped the second flower-crown on his head and stared at the
picture he made.Her lips quirked slightly.The pale pastel flowers clashed
with his dark panther like looks and dark sooty midnight hair.
Turning to Minako for an opinion,Serenity didn't need to voice her
question as he saw the golden goddess's lips tremble with mirth.Her eyes
crinkled beneath as she tried to hold in her amusement.
Endymion snorted and pulled the crown off.
"No thank you.I don't think a crown of flowers like a flower-girl's
suits me.I'd rather have a crown of leaves,thank you very much."said
Endymion in disgust.
"Really???I would have thought thorns suited you much better."quipped
Minako innocently.
"Please,the both of you."smiled Serenity."Besides..I think flowers on
you are cute."
"I despise being cute."said Endymion as he looked down at the silver
girl with big watery sapphire eyes.
"I guess."shrugged Serenity as she poked him in the ribs.
"Do not poke me,unless you want me to retaliate,woman."said Endymion
indignantly.
Minako and Serenity exchanged an evil look of mischief and together,
poked him and ran down the hills.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You know Minako...I don't think I've ever been this happy."whispered
Serenity as she hugged a pillow.
Minako smiled sleepily.She understood.Not even at the palace,had she
been this happy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another week flew by for Serenity.She felt exhilarated.She felt...free
and in control of her own destiny.She loved the feeling.
Serenity stooped to pick up firewood with one of the girls in the rebel
camp named Naru.
Serenity smiled slightly as the shoulder lengthed chocolate haired girl
went on chatting happily about her boyfriend with a bubbly sense of
happiness.Her dark green eyes twinkling with every mention of Umino.
Serenity sighed to herself as Naru walked ahead with a pile of firewood
in her arms.How could anyone be so happy???She wished she could experience
this emotion called love.
A picture of Endymion flitted through her mind,causing a flush to rise
to her face.Shaking her head,she wondered what had made her think of the
rebellion's leader in that way.
About an hour later,Serenity stretched tiredly,massaging her stiff
limbs as she sat on a log.Her lips quirked upwards slightly as she
imagined one of her teachers standing before her now.Haruna-sensei would
have a fit if she saw her pupil sitting on a log,dirty and sweaty.
In her earlier years,Haruna-sensei hadn't even approved of the two
princesses to be learning about their powers and self-defense techniques.
In fact,she'd abbhored it saying holding a sword gave their hands blisters
and calluses.Haruna-sensei had said,"It just isn't ladylike!!"
Serenity smiled at the memory.
"What's so funny??"
"Oh!!"gasped Serenity jumping slightly.Endymion chuckled and sat down
besides her."Scared you,didn't I."
Serenity stuck her tongue at him.
Endymion grinned."So,what was that smile all about??I've never seen
a tired woman being able to smile at something after a hard day's work
gathering firewood."he teased.
"Oh,if you must know,I was thinking about a teacher back at the palace.
She taught my sister and I lots of domestic girlish subjects."
"How many teachers do you have??"asked Endymion quizzically.He remembered
going to school,there had been only two teachers there.One for study
subjects,the other for PE,which meant warrior training for boys.His
parents had thought him to control his powers.
"Oh,I had 4 teachers."shrugged Serenity."One for study subjects,one for
warrior training and control over powers,another for ruling and diplomacy,
and the last teacher tought,as I said,all the girlish subjects like,sewing,
dancing,curtsying,painting,manners and plenty of other things."
"It must have been a very stifling life."grinned Endymion as he tried
to picture the Princess of the Silver Kingdom sitting demurely and quietly
on a chair,sewing.The thought to him,was absolutely ludicrous.
"It was a very BORING life."grinned Serenity."You wouldn't believe the
priorities Haruna-sensei had.Being able to dance and curtsy was better
than being able to hold a sword and debate a subject with an ambassador."
"So...did you pass your,'girlish' subjects??"Endymion teased,his lips
quirking into a smile.
"With flying colours."boasted Serenity proudly.
Endymion gave a sharp crack of laughter.
When they finally stopped laughing,Serenity wiped the tears from her
eyes and turned to peek at Endymion who was gasping and holding his sides.
His eyes met hers.A tingle of excitement ran through her.
Both said nothing as they continued to stare at each other.
Serenity's pink tongue snaked out to moisten her lips and that got an
instant reaction.Endymion's gaze now seemed welded to her lips as he
watched her tongue.
Unknown to them,they had moved closer.Like some magnet had pulled them
together.
Endymion leaned down to kiss Serenity,her eyes closing.
It was only a feather-like brush but that sent tingles up and down his
body.He pulled back slightly ro stare at the pinkish flush on Serenity's
face.He had hardly kissed her and already he felt intoxicated.Leaning down
slowly again,....
"Endymion!!"came a loud voice.
Both of them jumped apart their faces flaming,looking like little
children being caught red-handed raiding the cookie jar.
Zoycite burst out of the woods,his face red from exercise.He smiled
not noticing their condition."Ami told me to get you guys for dinner.It's
a good thing,Minako isn't the one doing the cooking."grinned Zoycite.
Serenity and Endymion only gave nervous chuckles and giggles.
"Come on,otherwise,Nephrite will have eaten everything."called Zoycite as
he pushed through the bushes.
Serenity and Endymion stared after Zoycite's retreating back,then turned
back to stare at each other.Their faces showing their confusion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beryl who was standing in the shadows,clenched her fist.She'd witnessed
their near kiss.She felt something...yet,didn't know what it was.She
leaned back against a tree trunk,clutching the tree.She lay her cheek
on the rough tree bark.Tears fell from her eyes.
She watched as Endymion laughingly offered his arm to Serenity and asked
to escort her to dinner,which Serenity in turn accepted his proposal with
a teasing curtsy.
Beryl bit her lip as more tears fell from her eyes and she slid down
the tree to the ground.She buried her face in her knees,her dark
burgundy hair falling around her.
*It isn't fair...I've been around Endymion for almost my whole life.
I've known him longer than the royal.*
She had always watched the leader of the rebels,Endymion,from afar.
Marvelling at his leadership skills and control of power.She'd loved him
from afar.But he had never noticed.Never reciprocated the feelings she
had.As she watched them walk away,she ached even more.
Why couldn't it have been her,Endymion showed affection to??Why had
the Royal Princess Serenity be the one who caught his attention??Tearing
it away from the battles,plans and nightmares she knew he had.
Lifting her head,in her mind's eye,saw the laughing silver-princess.Her
eyes narrowed.*I hate you...*
The green eyed monster was rearing it's ugly head...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Her eyes darted towards the two figures.They had hardly touched their
meal and here they were.Sneaking peeks at each other.Minako rolled her
golden eyes in exasperation.Endymion was definately coming down with a
case of the 'loveritis'.
Her lips quirked.That was what she called anybody whe fell in love or
even got infatuations.
Shooting a glance over at Serenity who sat near the fire,her silver hair
glowing a bright orange.
*Who would have imagined Endymion would pay such attention to a royal??
But still....*staring at Serenity,*it wouldn't be difficult to fall in
love with her...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sighed to herself.*I doubt I'll ever be able to get over the
amazement of watching the rebellion start a new day.*
Her eyes found Ami and Zoycite chatting with one another.It was clear
they cared deeply,for one another.In such perilous and strife filled
times,it was amazing how one could just forget the world and fall in love.
And that,was exactly what was happening to Ami and Zoycite.
A horn blared loudly.Signaling the arrival of something...
Endymion pushed back the flap of his tent.
"What's the horn for??"questioned Endymion as his hand went to rest on
the sword at his hip.
"It's Elios,Endymion.He brings news of the Royal Alpha Guard,who have
taken the village of Elora hostage.They will be sent to the slave mines
because a few of our rebels were found there."informed the man,his face
had many wrinkles and a greyish pallor due to exhaustion.
"Thank you,Galin.Go get some rest."sighed Endymion.
The man nodded.
Serenity turned her attention to the man behind the older man.He looked
fairly young.Probably only in his early teens.He had pale white hair and
beautiful expressive orange-gold eyes.
"Endymion,"spoke the man-child.
"Speak your news,Elios."
"Yes,of course.The Queen has been busy lately,searching for..you know.
So the Royal Guard has taken charge of the Queen's forces.Two squads of
the Alpha Guard forces were defeated by some rebels.And so,Malachite,
the Head of the Royal Guard has ordered the village captured."said
Elios rubbing his head.
"And,they will be sent to the slave mines???"asked Serenity,her throat
constricting.
How could Malachite be so cruel??So cold??She had not gotten that
characteristic impression from him.
"Yes."answered Elios turning to look at her.
"And the rebels??What of them??Who are they??"prodded Endymion.
Returning his attention to the leader of the rebellion,Elios shut his
eyes,expecting a stream of words from Endymion when he said the names.
"Setsuna,Haruka,Michiru,Synergy,Motoki,Seiya,Taiki and Yaten."
"For the love of heaven,whose hair-brained idea was it to go to the
Village of Elora anyway??"snapped Endymion.
"I believe,it was Seiya's."
"I should have guessed.He always had the strangest notions."growled
Endymion irritatedly."I just cannot believe Haruka went along with it."
"What do we do,Endymion??We cannot allow them to ship the men,women and
children of the village to slave mines can we??"asked Zoycite.
"Indeed,we cannot.But I doubt we can simply charge headlong in.We will
discuss the plans tonight."stated Endymion as he swept away with a
flourish,leaving Serenity staring after him in amazement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makoto tossed down her drink and slammed the glass down onto the bar.
Flipping her green hair over her shoulder,she stared at the ice cubes in
her glass.
"I cannot believe.We've been searching for the Princess intensively for
weeks now!!And still not a trace of her."spat Makoto.
"It seems like she has disappeared off the face of the planet hasn't
she??But there's no doubt she's still in the kingdom."sighed Rei shaking
her drink and watching the amber liquid swirl around in the glass.
"I think the Princess just hates to be bound.I'm sure the Princess is
given the rebels consent to run about freely like a-"began Malachite his
eyes glinting with amusement.
"An ill-bred half-wit animal!"snapped Rei,the glass she was holding,
shattered in pieces.
"Watch your strength,Rei.You never know when it might be somebody's
neck,you're holding."drawled Malachite.
"Shut up,Malachite.Nobody asked you."hissed Makoto her hand balling
into a fist."I've a yen to test my strength on somebody's jaw."
"Play nice now,you two."laughed Jadeite as he twirled a raven strand
from Rei's hair around his fingers.
"I don't want to play.As the Royal Guard,we are obligated to find the
Queen's sister."bit out Makoto slamming her hand into the bar.
"I agree.The rebels are traitorous turn-coats.Treason to the kingdom."
spat Rei,clenching her hand into a fist.
There was silence...
"Now what??"questioned Rei staring a them in anger.
"Rei,your hand is bleeding."whispered Iolite.
Looking down at her hand,Rei's nose wrinkled.Bringing her hand to
her lips,Rei tentatively stuck her tongue out and licked some of the
blood running down her hand to her arm,soaking her wristbands.
From the corner of her eye,she saw Jadeite suck in his breath.She knew
that act of hers had been sensual in Jadeite's eyes.Her eyes glinted with
mischief as she stopped at the back of her hand and grinned at Jadeite.
Makoto's emerald eyes sparkled with amusement,recognizing what Rei was
doing.The fiery beauty was trying to seduce Jadeite.
"Oh,Rei...you naughty wicked temptress.Are you trying your hand at a
teasing game with Jadeite??"laughed Makoto staring at Rei when Malachite
and Jadeite had left to inspect some military affair.
"However did you guess,Mako??"replied Rei a smile on her lips.
Makoto laughed.The Fiery Goddess was going to try to steal,Jadeite's
attention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion pressed his body against the shadows offered by the buildings.
Surveying the area,Endymion noted the villagers were about to be
transported to the slave mines.
"It's a transport wagon."whispered Elios.
"How many guards??"asked Endymion in a hushed voice.
"About 20-30.Two of the Royal Guard."informed Nephrite as he peered
through the binoculars.
"Who??"questioned Endymion as he watched the forces begin loading the
transport.
"I can't see wh-wait!!They've moved into the light.It's General Malachite
the leader of the Royal Guard and General Jadeite."breathed Nephrite.
Endymion nodded at Zoycite to fire the flaming arrow to signal the
rebels to attack.Suddenly,enchanting blue eyes and a cloud of silvery
curls came into his mind's eye.It was Serenity.She was smiling and
laughing.
Endymion cursed softly.Why did her damn siren face have to haunt him
during a mission??Why couldn't he just forget her cloud of silver hair
and damned innocent sapphire eyes that sparkled like the stars??Her image
seemed to be positively welded to the recesses of his brain and memory.
The cry of battle broke him out of his thoughts.
"For freedom!!!For the rebellion!!!"shouted the rebels.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity stared at the hand mirror.Her reflection staring back at her
with confused wet eyes.She was worried.Worried for the leader of the
rebels!!The man who was leading the rebellion who longed to knock her
sister from the throne and replace it with their own choice of ruler.
Her free hand reached up and touched the cold mirror.Touching her
reflection.Minako had told her there was nothing to worry about.Her golden
eyes had gleamed with pent up excitement.
A face appeared before her in the mirror.He was smiling,grinning and
laughing with that deep seductive voice of his.His looks were in the
pose of a devil's grin.The dark midnight hair falling into his eyes.
A ruby stud winking at her from one of his ears.His ocean eyes merely
crinkling in amusement at her.She should have frowned at the image.But it
seemed...all she could do was suck in her breath and murmur a name.
"Endymion..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Malachite and Jadeite looked up at the sound of the battle cry.Rebels
were swarming around them,they hands holding spears and gardening
equiptment over their heads as they raced at them.
Malachite smirked.He'd anticipated this.Endymion would never have allowed
the whole village to be sent to the mines as slaves because of a few of
his rebel agents.
His hand glowed a bright white and he threw a ball of energy at a small
band of rebels charging him.The rebels gave a scream and were thrown
backwards.
Malachite snorted."Come,come Endymion.You really don't expect us to
fall before a few garden tool wielding men do you???"snorted Endymion.
"You will take none of this village,"spat Nephrite as he unleashed his
own power on Malachite.
"Do you plan on boring me to death with your speeches of freedom and
justice,Nephrite??"asked Malachite.
"These villagers are innocent,Malachite."shouted Zoycite.
"They harboured traitors against the Queen.They can share the fate of
all the treasonous populace."
"The Queen is an evil tyrannical-"
"Be still your tongue and speak no ill of her Majesty,or I will
personally take your vocal cords out,you rebel."spat Malachite.
"We outnumber you,Malachite.You cannot win."pointed out Endymion.
Malachite stared around and saw his men dropping to the ground
unconcious.He cursed.
"You may have won this time,Endymion.But you cannot win forever and
you will soon see your rebellious efforts will be futile."smiled Malachite
before turning to his remaining men and shouting orders.
Endymion watched as the royal party high-tailed away.His mouth in a
grim line.What had Malachite meant??
The rebels and villagers broke into a round or cheers and applause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity stuck her head out of her cottage as she heard hoofbeats.
Endymion was back!!
She rushed to the middle of the forest clearing.She saw the men Endymion
had taken and the villagers!!
She saw Beryl,Ami and Minako congratulating them on a job well-done.
She lingered in the shadows of the trees and smiled slightly.
Suddenly,somebody grasped her wrists and pulled them behind her back.
She bit her lip to stifle to cry of pain.
"Who are you???And what are you doing hiding in the shadows??"hissed a
voice angrily.
Serenity struggled.
"No use struggling little one.I am an expert at apprehending people."
laughed the voice.
"Release me at once!!"hissed Serenity in a dangerous voice.Her eyes
were glittering with anger.
"Hah,you wish!"scoffed the man.
"I will warn you only once,you lewd ruffian."
"I am trembling.Now answer,who are you??Why are you lurking here??"
Serenity held her power in check and stomped hard on his foot.
The man let out a curse loudly.This caught the attention of the people
who were standing and congratulating Endymion over the victory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion heard a familiar voice curse loudly."I know that voice."
Pushing past the rebels,Endymion gaped at the sight before him.He saw
Serenity's flushed furious face with somebody's arm locked around her
waist and holding her wrists pinned behind her.The man was standing on
one foot and his face was in the shadows.
A irrational surge of anger welled up.At least,he thought it was anger.
*How DARE that man hold Serenity to him like that!!*shouted his mind.
Minako's mouth dropped open as she finally made it to the front through
the sea of curious rebels.
"WHAT THE HELL are you doing to Serenity???"shouted Minako at the
new-comer,whose face was hidden in the shadows.
Serenity glared at the rebels in front of her,who were doing nothing but
gaping like owls.Her booted feet came down again on the man's other
foot.
"Let go you pervert!!!"shouted Serenity.
"Stop stomping my foot,woman!!"growled the man.
Endymion clenched his fists.
"Release her,or-"
"I missed you too,cousin."drawled the voice.
"Seiya."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Seiya!"exclaimed Minako.
"Hello,Minako.Was that any way to greet your friend???"laughed Seiya
as he released Serenity.
Serenity spun to face the man who had attacked her.Her eyes narrowed as
she saw the man.
"What is the big idea of attacking me like some loose animal!!You-you...
you rat!You baboon!You-"
"By the blessed heavens,where did you get this silver-haired dragon,
cousin??Crushed my feet,she did."growled Seiya.
Serenity glared at him.Her anger rising.Then,she felt a comforting hand
on her shoulder.Looking up,it was Endymion.
"This,cousin...is the Princess Serenity.I found her in the fields and
she is a guest here.Now,what brings you here??And where are the others??
I'm surprised Haruka didn't clobber you yet."smiled Endymion amused,raising
his eyebrow at his cousin.
"Oh,believe me.Haruka really nearly did hit me.She really can't stand
me,you know."laughed Seiya,then his eyebrows snapped together.
"The Princess??"
Seiya gaped at the ravishing silver-haired woman-child before him.Her
cheeks slightly flushed,her blue eyes glittering with anger and wrath
as she glared at him.He nodded to himself.
"Yes..I can see that royal stance and noble commanding anger on her
face.But how did a harpy like her possibly pass for a princess???"
Serenity's faced flushed with anger even more.She sputtered in anger.
"You rude,callous,pig-headed-"began Serenity once more.
"Endy,curb the little dragon.She's going to leap at me from where she's
standing."
Endymion laughed and placed both hands on Serenity's shoulders.He felt
a shiver run through Serenity and he looked down at her to see her staring
up at him.
"This little princess is a rabbit,cousin.Not a dragon."abolished Endymion
with a laugh.
"You think I'm not capable of ange-"
"A rabbit with teeth."smiled Endymion.
Serenity glared at the two cousins,which evoked laughter from the rebels
who had come to be enchanted by the princess's presence.
Behind the crowd,Beryl stood unnoticed.Her eyes flashing in jealousy,
her lips pursed together in a thin line as she stared hatefully at the
princess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Okay,here's the list of the main rebels and royals. :))
Rebels: Royal & Royal Guard:
Endymion Queen Bruche
Beryl Malachite
Ami Jadeite
Minako Iolite
Zoycite Makoto
Nephrite Rei
*Princess Serenity is caught somewhere in between.* :) So,tell me what
you guys think.Pleeeease???????