A Pain Filled Life- The Story of Serenity

Chapter 2- Now What Happens

*********The Next Morning************

Serenity opened her eyes, panting hard, and sat up straight. She had been caught in a nightmare, until she heard the sound of a bird singing outside her window. You wouldn't think that such a small sound would wake anyone up, but it did wake Serenity, she had been trying to escape from the dreams for days. Ever since the first of her people died, while she sat on her throne and could do nothing.

In her dreams, she saw those who had died, and they spoke to her, yelled at her, accused her of not caring about her kingdom, and saying she must die for her sins, and broken vows. As far as the Moon Queen knew, she was the only one being plagued by these dreams, and rightly so, she guessed. She had let her people die, and now she was paying the price. But she would avenge them, she had to.

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Later that day found her exploring her grandmother's great palace, after making sure that her little Rini was safe and playing with the toys she found in her room. She had never imagined that a castle could get so much like a maze, such as this one did. There were so many different rooms, almost everyone done in a different style. It was amazing, but she mustn't get attached, especially since it belonged to the person that had ruined her mother's life.

" I wonder just what Selene is up to? She said we were to talk last night, but I fell asleep. I guess I shall just have to seek her out." That said, Serenity closed her eyes and focused her magic on finding out where her grandmother was.

A white aura surounded her, though this time it was a little darker than before, and her eyes turned silver with the magic coursing through her. After a few minutes, she found that Selene was in her room, all the way on the other side of the castle. She sighed, deciding not to waste her energy on teleporting, and began the long walk to her grandmother's room. All the time thinking about what she would tell the Goddess, and what she wouldn't.

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About 20 minutes later, Serenity arrived at the door of the Goddess Selene's bedchamber. She knocked lightly and was rewarded with it being opened by a servant, and asked to come in. Strangely enough she hadn't noticed any of the servants, ladies-in-waiting, serving men, or butlers before. They went around as if trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, and they were good at it. Not at all like at home...well, what was once home.

"Yes, Serenity, what do you need?" asked Selene, sitting at a desk, writing in something. She turned around to look at a serious Serenity and figured that it was now time to talk about why her never-before-seen granddaughter was here.

"We need to talk about why, Rini and I are here." she answered with some difficulty, after all, it was a touchy subject. Selene didn't answer, just stared at her expectantly, and so Serenity continued. "My...my kingdom was attacked four days ago. The people that attacked us called themselves Tortallans, but that was all. They said that we had something they wanted, and they wouldn't stop until we gave it up. We were at war for four days, and then they won, but they didn't get what they came for. I-"

Serenity was interrupted by a frowning Selene, who asked her, "What was it that they wanted?"

"They wanted my crystal, the Silver Crystal. I don't know why, but if we had forsaken it, then I would die, followed by my kingdom! I couldn't give it to them, and because of that, because of me, everyone died! All trying to protect me, and I could do nothing! It was all my fault that my kingdom now lies in ruins, that my daughter will never get to have a father, that my people are dead, and that I will never make my mother proud of me!"

At one point during her speech, tears began another trail down her cheeks. She felt so guilty, selfish, helpless, and worthless. She had done nothing to ensure that any of her people would survive, and because of that, they had all died.

Selene, now unnoticed by Serenity in her grief, pondered to herself if the Tortallans Serenity had talked about could be the same Tortallans that worshiped her as the Mother Goddess? It was certainly possible, ever since Jonathan of Conte was crowned King of Tortall.

Selene was brought out of her thoughts when she heard a small sob come from Serenity. The older woman stood up and walked to where Serenity was standing in the middle of the room, and against her better judgment, embraced the younger woman in a motherly hug.

Serenity, surprised, stopped crying almost at once in her shock. She was very surprised that the Goddess would show such an act of affection, all her life she had heard nothing of her but how horrible and powerful she was, but she didn't pull away either.

After of moment or two, Selene pulled away and looked long and hard at her granddaughter. She decided that she would tell her of her speculations, in case that they were true after all.

"Serenity, I believe that I know who these Tortallans were, and why they wanted your crystal. That is, if they are who I think they are. And if they are, then you've a lot of trouble ahead of yo-"

"What do you mean? How would you know them, and why would they want my crystal, or even know that it was in my kingdom? Or better yet, how did they find us? We never even saw them coming!" Serenity interupted bitterly.

Selene continued on as if she hadn't heard her.

"If they are after your crystal, then they will stop at nothing until they get what they want, I'm afraid. You have already lost your kingdom to them, your family, and your people. You mustn't let them take anything, or anyone, else! You must protect yourself, and your daughter, lest they should try to take her as well."

Serenity looked heartbroken at the thought of losing her only child, the one that looked so much like her beloved Endymion.

Then, something occurred to her, and she asked, "How do you know so much about the Tortallans? What is it that you have to do with them? What aren't you telling me?"

Selene looked hesitant to answer her, and instead looked down at her hands. After a moment, Serenity realized what she should have already figured out; Selene was a Goddess that they worshiped. "You're one of their Goddesses aren't you?! They worship you, and you aide them! Why didn't I think of this before?! How could I have been so stupid?! The only reason you are trying to help me is because you are trying to help them aren't you?! AREN'T YOU!" at this point, Serenity has become hysterical, with everything that had happened in the last couple days.

Selene's eyes had a hurt look in them, but then they became firm, she knew what she had to do.

The resounding smack could be heard all through the large room, and Serenity's head snapped to the side, a red mark adorned her face. Her head was bent, and she didn't look up for a few minutes.

Selene still had her hand raised in the air, the firm look still in her eyes. She hated to do this, Serenity rightfully still needed time to grieve, and Selene didn't blame her for getting hysterical; but time doesn't wait for anyone, and it certainly wasn't going to wait for Serenity.

Selene spoke softly to the bowed woman before her, "I'm sorry, but I had to do that. You must understand, I am not trying to kill you, or get you killed. Or Rini. I am only trying to help, even though I know it doesn't seem as much. I know that you have no reason to trust me, especially after what Selenity must have told you, but believe me. I love you, you're my granddaughter for Mithros' sake! And I love Rini as well, and I don't want to see anymore harm dealt to you," she lifted Serenity's chin with her hand and looked into her pain filled eyes, " but you cannot stay here, it isn't safe. There are Gods and Goddesses here that would just as soon as have you killed. Not even my protection could save you, even here males rule over females. Although, there is one thing I could do," she stopped, looking uncertain.

Serenity now had a new look in her eyes, in front of the bitterness, pain, hurt, anger, and longing, she looked determined. But there was still something she had to know, she needed to know.

"I still want to know how you know the Tortallans, and weather you could help them over your family. I'm sorry, but I still do not fully trust you, this is the first time I have ever met you, after all. I know that you are one of the Goddesses that they worship, but do you trust them? Are any of them in your favor?"

Serenity looked at her expectantly, they were no longer in each others embrace, and so Selene answered.

" Yes and no. I do have one of them in my favor, Alanna of Pirates Swoop and Olau, but I have lost my faith in them ever since their current king began his reign. Jonathan of Conte, their king, has more than a small control problem, which is why he wants your crystal. Even though you lived in an entire different universe, he has magical people, called mages, that could sense the magic in you, your senshi, Endymion, the Lunarian people, and the other people of your home universe. Even in little Rini, who has but a small amount in her. They felt it because it was all over, with the rising of Crystal Tokyo, especially in your crystal. And they wanted it, for their lands and their people. To use it against their enemies, and those that opposed them."

"In Tortall there is something that is called The Domininion Jewel, which works in much the same way as the Silver Crystal, but not nearly as powerful. King Jonathan controls it, his Gift is laced with it, yet he is not satisfied. I do not know how they got through the Time Gates, it must have been because Setsuna was with you for your Coronation. Before you ask, yes I did know what was happening, but there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Mithros forbade it, I was not even able to watch. He does not know that you are here, Iwent against him and used my magic to shade you from his prying eyes. If he is to find out that you and your daughter are here, then I will be exiled, and you and Rini will be killed."

Serenity took just a moment to except all of this and she thought, I have no choice, I must do my duty, and I will so help whoever stands in my way. She looked at the other woman gravely and replied, "Tell me what I must do, and I shall do it."

* * * * * *

"Mama, where are we goin'? And why are we goin' at night?" Rini asked her Mama in a soft whisper, as she and Serenity swiftly walked out across the vast back acre of Selene's palace.

Selene had told her that that was one place she could go for now, a friend Goddess of hers. She had said that this Goddess had been exiled years and years ago, for falling in love with a mortal, and having his child. That in itself was not very uncommon, having Gods' having mortals' children, Selene herself had done just that, but falling in love with them was a sin among Gods and Goddesses everywhere. Mithros had taken the child from the Goddess, her name was Irinnia, and drowned it before her very eyes. That was over a thousand years ago, when Serenity was still a small child on the moon, and Irinnia was still in exile this day.

Selene had also told her that Irinnia had been a Goddess of power, protection, and strength. She would be able to keep her safe from prying eyes, and she could shade the magic "smell" of herself and her crystal.

She answered her daughter evasively, "Somewhere we will be safe, from the people that attacked our home, sweetie. Now, follow me quickly, we must hurry."

Together they quickly left Selene's territory, and hurried back to the spot that they had first entered The Realm of the Gods, and opened the portal once more. Yet this time, they didn't go back to the remains of Crystal Tokyo, they opened the portal that would take them to the dimension where Tortall was. In order to get to Irinnia, they had to go through Tortallan land first, and Serenity dreaded every bit of it.

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Sorry that this took so long to get out, I waited three whole days to start this, and it only took me four days to complete it! I am proud of me! Now, here we go with the author's note.....

1- For those of you who don't know about Sailor Moon, I am not going to fill you in, just tell you that they had a language called Lunarian. The maker of Sailor Moon never made it up, just mentioned it, so to represent it I will do this....*i-Lunarian being spoken. Not going to show up until later chaps, I think, though.

2- Voting is still in session, though I have changed the list, it is now....

Serenity/Joren

Serenity/Neal

Serenity/Roald

I knocked of some people cause they got on my nerves, and if any of you ask for a Serenity/Cleon, I will pointedly ignore you. I hate Cleon.

3- Since I have no reviewers to thanks, I will do dedications on this chap. Here we go....

This chapter is dedicated to the following people.......

Min(The Blind Assassin)- Because she helped me finish this chap, and cause she encouraged it the whole time. Luv ya girl!! Update soon, I can't wait to see how you fit "schizophrenic" into your storyline!

Serenity (Crystal-Serenity)- Cause she is such a great friend and also cause she encourages me on everything I write also! Luv ya too girl!!!

Julie- For being such a bitch, that I was in a permanently bad mood with everyone, and only wanted to write. Ya, thanks for being my "friend." What a great one you are.

And last but not least, Miranda(darksoul)- Ditto to the above, don't I have such great friends?? Yup, I sure do!!!!!! I luv ya all, cept Julie, I hate you.....;(

4- Lastly, I forgot to say in my last chap, I am now 12!!!! My birthday was on 2/5/03.

Well, that's all for now, and please review! Even if I don't base my story on them, I still like getting them all the same. Till next time, Bye, Ja-ne, adious, au revoir!!!