The Weaker Sex

Chapter 7

Warnings and a Call from Home



Slowly but surely she made her way to the grand oak doors to the ballroom. Two guards stood at attention at either side of the door, and as she made her way to them they opened the grand doors to where a bright shinning light momentarily blinded her. Gathering herself she looked on into the massive room the held thousands of people. The high ceilings made it seem as if they were not incased in a room.... but out in the open spaces. So many people milled around the room, some sat at the sides and talked to one another, most of them danced. And as she enters the room the doors closed behind her, just as soon she noticed the King and Queen seated upon their throne. The Queen was most certainly a beautiful woman. Her son the Prince definitely had her beauty, but the strong lines and firm jaw a definite trademark of his father. And just as she was being announced her four male friends came to her.

"So you decided to make it?" asked Malachite.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," she smiled.

"Ya, well....we have a bit of a surprise for you," began Zoicite.

She looked at them quizzically, "You do?"

"Yes," said Jedite, "Look who we have with us,"

At that moment Zoicite moved aside and Mina came forward in an elegant orange sleeveless chiffon dress. Slit on both sides at mid thigh, and a dangerous neckline that almost showed too much cleavage.

She smiled a moment and thought, 'Mina always was the adventurous one,'

"Mina, my sister how are you?"

"I'm very well, but perhaps you'd like to introduce your new friends to our own," she smiled.

"You mean--

"Yep, they're here!"

And just as she stated it the other scouts came forward in their formal apparel. Each one in a matching cut as Mina's but in their own color. Rei in red, Ami in blue, and Lita in green.

"Well well well," said Jedite, "Aren't you going to introduce us Artemis?"

"Of course," she smiled, "You've already met Mina, and this is Rei, Ami, and Lita," each one nodded in turn.

"And these are my friends, Malachite, Jedite, Zoicite, and Nephlite," they each nodded in turn as well as going up to the one they thought most beautiful. Of course Zoicite paired up with Mina just as Nephlite took the arm of Ami, Malchite with Lita and Jedite with Rei. And in turn they all went onto the dancefloor to get better aquatinted (A/n: *Winks*).

She looked onto her friends and sighed, 'Why can't I catch someone as easily as they can,' she thought. She walked over to where the refreshments sat and received a drink from one of the servants. 'Than again, I guess I just have this silly dream of me and the Prince being together. Though I can't see that happening. All he sees me as is a man. He doesn't even know me!'

Just as she downed her drink and set it down someone spoke to her,

"Artemis...good to see you,"

She turned around quickly, and there before her eyes was the Prince, 'Oh no....what do I do?' she thought. 'Be calm, stay cool,'

"And you as well my Prince. I'm afraid I didn't see you today. Where were you if I may ask?"

"Oh, getting ready for the celebration. Putting my thoughts together,"

"Your Majesty?"

Endymion was about ready to burst with anger, 'I'm tired of this charade,' he thought, 'Soon, very soon I will have her.'

"Your sister, I had the pleasure of meeting her the other day."

"Yes, she told me of your visit."

"Oh did she?"

"Yes."

"Your sister...she is the blond haired one over there am I right?" he said pointing to Mina with Zoicite.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Well, I met her didn't I? Besides, Andrew pointed her out for me. Though.I must say," he said, "She does rather look....different from when I last saw her."

"Different," she gulped, "How so?"

"Well, her hair for one, it's much shorter. Cut I suppose,"

Serena nodded.

"But than again, her hair seems darker. I could have sworn your sister had more of a...silver-like quality to her hair. She also seems a bit taller than last time," he looked over at Serena who was just about ready to die.

'He knows,' she thought, 'He MUST know! Is he toying with me? Or is he really ignorant?' But just as Serena was in her own world he bent closely to her ear and whispered,

"I know something, something you will not tell. A secret. Do you know what that secret is?"

She choked out, "No..."

"I believe you do," he chuckled, "I know....that you're a-

But at that very same moment a soldier stormed into the room up towards where the King and Queen sat. Fiercely he whispered into the Kings ear that suddenly brought even the King into an uneasy manner.

The King stood from his throne as the soldier moved away quickly bowing to the King and Queen.

"Attention my people, Nobles, Royal Guards. I have disturbing news that has been brought to my attention from the Queen of the Moon Kingdom herself!"

An audible gasp could be heard throughout the room. Murmurings began.

"It has been seen by the Keeper of Time, Sailor Pluto.and the Queen herself that a great disturbing force named the Dark Kingdom has escaped its entrapment set by the Queen of the Moon Kingdom long ago. The leader of these forces is Queen Beryl."

Serena stared in horror. She knowing full well what Beryl could attempt. Having seen it in her dreams many times. Something her mother had always told her were truths of the past present and sometimes things that could be. A gift or a curse given to her as heir of the throne.

"No!" she hollered. Causing all others of the room to look at her.

The King smiled knowingly and replied. Do not worry young guard.Queen Serenity has always been known to exaggerate. I'm sure it will be nothing," he dismissed.

"I must disagree," she said sternly. Causing even more outbursts to her lack of respect. "You do not know the horrors of which she has caused to my people. You have not seen the things I have seen. Do not put it off so lightly King of Earth. You have a duty to your people to keep them safe."

The King looked at her in anger until his wife came to his side and lightly touched his arm, in which he looked back upon her and sighed.

"Young guard," she said, "We know you have come and lived upon the moon all your life, so thus we will take you and your Queens word for what she says into serious consideration."

Serena bowed, "Thank you."

Everyone was silent as they watched as all this went on until the King finally called for music in which he was answered immediately as people began to mill about once again.

The Prince moved to her side and spoke softly, "You were fortunate my mother took up for you, otherwise your neck would have been stretched quite a bit at high noon," he looked down upon her and brought forth the image of her in his mind.

Serena sensing she was being stared at looked up at Endymion for what seemed eternity until he finally took her left arm and dragged her out into the entranceway to the ballroom.

"What do you think you're doing!" she cried out once they were out.

"That's funny.I should be saying the same to you.m'LADY!"

She looked at him in a moment of surprise but quickly recovered with a masked look of confusion. But he didn't miss a beat.

"I have no idea what you're talking about,"

"Don't give me that line of crap." his eyelids slit as he peered at her, "I saw you in the garden that night," he whispered. "I know you're a woman! I saw you change myself."

She kept looking at him, refusing to give up, her pride unwilling to give up, to admit that she had been found out. She shivered a moment but took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes full on.

"I AM a Royal Guard in which who serves and protect you Prince Endymion without question,"

He was ready to break in and argue with her once again when the four girls burst through the door.

"Ser-uh.Artemis!" called out Mina as they approached the two.

"Excuse me," began the Prince, "But I was speaking with-

"I know your highness," interrupted Rei.

"But this is a matter of high importance," finished Ami.

"Oh? Pray tell."

"Well," began Lita turning to Serena, "We must go back to the Moon Kingdom! It is urgent that we must!"

"I can't." replied Serena.

"You must!" commanded Rei.

"You know what will happen if you are not by her side," Mina began, "You could be found and killed, or worse, the Kingdom could fall."

"That is just superstitious nonsense,"

"No!" said Rei vehemently causing Serena to look at her with surprise. "I have seen it in the fires. I have seen many paths. But you must see the Queen. There is much to be done."

Serena looked onto her friends than back to the Prince. Torn between the two worlds that she loved dearly. Until she sighed in defeat and replied,

"I will go."

"Good. We will leave immediately."

"Excuse me, but anyone mind explaining what in the world is going on?!" questioned Endymion.

"Girls, will you leave us?" questioned Serena.

"Of course," they answered. Knowing the Princess needed her time alone for perhaps a goodbye.

"We will meet you at the front gate," assured Lita as they left the two alone once again.

"What the hell was that all about?" questioned the Prince.

Serena sighed and looked up at him, "There will be many hardships to come. Things you may not understand now but will come to you I am sure. Do not worry for me. I have learned many things from your people, Andrew, the Generals.even you. But always know that even though I am for the Queen of the Moon and bound to her by more than allegiance, I will always be a loyal servant unto you as a Royal Guard. But know.I must go to my people."

"Your people?"

"Yes, MY people," slowly she lifted her veil of disguise, a pale pink and blinding white light flowed around her body; swirling in a never ending circle of power and innocence. Until finally he could see her true self. Still dressed in her formal uniform but with the beauty of a woman it now held.

Looking onto her now in the bold lighting of the room she still was a sight to behold.

'Who is she really,' he wondered. Slowly reaching out to touch her golden tresses, slowly making its way to her cheek.

"I have always wanted you to know who I really was. I have watched you from afar for so long. But I was to afraid," she whispered, "to tell you. In fear that perhaps you would reject me. I don't understand why I tell you this, but I wanted you know.for there is a possibility.I may never come back again to Earth."

"What is your name?"

"My name?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes, your name."

"Ser--.Serena."

"Serena, do not worry. I will be here when you need me. Just.whisper my name.and I will there you. In mind and in spirit."

Slowly he brought her to him, closer, to where they finally kissed. An innocent and loving kiss that poured forth and flooded them in a ray of pure light.

"Goodbye Endymion,"

"No.not a goodbye. For I will see you again. Now go, they need you.Princess." He smiled

She looked at him again in surprise at his formality but smiled in return and left. Leaving the one she now believed to be her love.

'I think I've fallen in love,' he thought.







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I think this version is TEN times better than the last one..what do you think? I totally dig this one a lot more. Sooooo...send in your review on how you liked this revised chapter.