Chapter Two - Waiting
Demeter impatiently paced the tent, her golden eyes filled with the strain of having to do nothing but stare at the enemy for the past moon. Nearby sat her young son, Endymion, his deep blue eyes watching his mother walk to and fro.
"Demeter!" A tall man clad in armor, with Endymion's eyes and a matured version of his face burst in. Demeter turned around and clutched at him. "My love, I cannot stand this any longer! Tell me something has changed out there, and for the love of Earth let it be good."
"I do not know whether it is good or bad," Helios frowned. "I have received a message from Aerin, and he asks us to retreat."
"Retreat?" Demeter repeated. "Why? The Black Moon troops still stand! Has the Moon Kingdom given up all hope?"
"I don't think that's quite it," her husband interrupted. "He asks us only to retreat somewhat, just enough to fool the enemy into thinking we are gone. At the same time he wants to keep a sharp eye open so we know when we can break through their lines."
"A ruse?" Endymion suggested. Helios nodded at his son. "Pehaps, but that cannot be their entire plan. I believe that they have found a way to weaken the lines here in order for us to break through."
"All we need is a small opening." Demeter was suddenly thoughtful. "But... how?"
"The end of his message was interesting," Helios added. "It said 'Trust the Senshi'."
"The Senshi..." Demeter mused, unaware that Serenity and Aerin were giggling over their little joke. "They are still children, from what I hear, and yet they have held the Palace for so long." She let out a sigh. "The stars send that they will be able hold out awhile longer."
Endymion quietly slipped out of the tent. The camp was heavy with tension, a drawn string ready to snap. He stared off into the direction of the enemy troops.
"Endymion?" The Prince turned at his name, to see his older brother and the four Generals of Earth walking towards him. "Have you heard the news, little brother?" Rion asked. He was a head taller than his sibling, with Helios' golden hair and Demeter's eyes to match.
"About the Moon Kingdom?" Endymion nodded. He had only been to the kingdom once, but the memory of the breathtaking Palace, the gentle Queen that was his father's sister, and the Princesses of the other planets that were the Sailor Senshi was still fresh in his mind. Suddenly he shot a mischievous glance at his four Generals. "Worried about the Senshi?"
Kunzite did not flinch, although the diamond hanging from his ear did do a slight jump, while Zoicite's pretty face turned red and stared up at the sky. Jaedite and Nephrite exchanged glances and looked away. Rion chuckled at Endymion, who grinned.
The older Prince turned his head to where Endymion had been looking a minute before. Endymion followed his gaze, his expression darkening. "I still don't understand why the Black Moon troops attacked so suddenly. Or why the Moon Kingdom is so helpless right now."
"The Queen is with child," Jaedite reminded him. "Her power is at its lowest right now, or so I hear. The system of the Moon Kingdom rests on one pillar - its ruler. If she is weak, the entire kingdom is vulnerable."
"Dangerous," Kunzite said bluntly. "The Black Moon clan have always had jealousy towards the Moon Kingdom. Some say both clans actually have equal rights to the territory."
"That may be," Rion broke in. "But the Black Moon clan has still violated the treaty among the planets and stars by attacking Serenity. She and her Senshi protect the entire solar system."
"The Moon Kingdom is beautiful, no?" Zoicite reminisced, his green eyes dreamy. Kunzite rolled his eyes a bit while the rest of them grinned. "You mean someone in the Moon Kingdom, right?" Nephrite prodded.
Before Zoicite had a chance to retort, Helios' voice made them all snap to attention. "Rion! Endymion!"
The Lady was right behind her Consort. "You six will stay here," she said shortly. "Report to us the moment you see the opportunity for us to break through."
"How far will you retreat?" Endymion asked.
"Not far. No more than half a day's distance," Helios clapped a hand on his younger son's shoulder. "Can you handle it, my son?"
"Hai!"
As Helios ordered the troops to break camp, the six young men stood facing the enemy lines. Endymion's thoughts wandered to the child in Serenity's womb, indirectly the cause of this chaos, and to his surprise he felt a sudden urge to protect the yet unborn babe. I hope there will be a kingdom left for her to rule....
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Just a few kilometers away, the Black Moon troops weren't feeling much different from their enemies. They were so close to finally doing away with their lifetime enemies - if it hadn't been for the Senshi, the Moon Kingdom would already have been dead by now.
"Damn those wenches!" Hecate cursed. She was a tall woman, with hair like night spilling down her back in waves and eyes as silver as the moon itself. Her smooth face was twisted in annoyance. "Why can't they mind their own business? I never will understand how Serenity bribed those girls to her side."
"Serenity can be very charming if she feels like it." Aidoneus commented in his deep voice, pouring himself a glass of wine. "A skilled cat, if there ever was one - how do you think she made the Moon into one of the strongest political forces in the system, when the Moon is but a satellite of the Earth?"
"Well, they can't last forever." Hecate allowed herself a smile. "Perhaps the Senshi might be convinced to become one with us... after all, the Moon Kingdom is the one who started this entire war. They should be executed as traitors in front of the entire solar system. A bunch of stuck-up traitors, the lot of them!"
"Calm down, my love," Aidoneus said soothingly. He was a man with infinite patience, unlike his hot-tempered wife - he would wait forever and then some for the Senshi to weaken so that they could finally crush the throat of their enemy. Putting down his glass of wine, he walked over to Hecate and enfolded her in his arms from behind. "Soon we will hold the Moon within our grasp, and then there will an end to the suffering of the people. Serenity and all who follow her will be seen for what they are, and their crimes will be accounted for."
"And after all, Aerin isn't half as handsome as you," Hecate murmured, meeting her husband's lips in a passionate kiss. She reached up to run her hands through his silver hair as his strong touch on her calmed her nerves. As his lips gently caressed her neck she let out a soft moan of pleasure. I will kill anyone who enters at this moment...
Outside, Diamund roughly pulled his brother away from the flap of the tent. "Safire! Are you crazy? Do you think Mother will spare you just because you're her son?
"Take it easy, brother," Safire held up his hands defensively, grinning. "No harm done. Just wondering what Mother and Father were planning, now that we're almost in sight of the Palace."
"Almost." Diamund crossed his arms, his grey eyes impatient. "Almost. Always almost!! Because of those girls that call themselves Sailor Senshi, we missed the chance to flatten the Moon Kingdom once and for all. I hope Father doesn't intend to let them live."
"They are useful warriors," Safire said seriously. With his bluish-silver eyes he looked as level-headed as his father was. "If they were are on our side things would be very different. You have to admit Mother's not much of a diplomat, although she really does care about the people. If she had been more careful they might be on our side right now."
Diamund waved his hand in dismissal. "We have our own source of power. If Mother and Father wouldn't be so cautious about it-"
"NO!" Safire hissed, his eyes darting to make sure they hadn't been heard. "Diamund, don't mention that. Ever! You know that's forbidden. That... source you talk of has the potential to destroy us as well. Which is why Father won't have it released."
"If Mother had tried to bring ...that source ... up as she did us, things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand," Diamund retorted. "It would be completely loyal to us."
Safire frowned, silently agreeing. From what I hear it is to be brought out at the very last. That way it can't have second thoughts - it will obey us because she will not know enough to do anything else. But that is still dangerous...
Nearby, Saturn cocked her head from her hiding place behind the tent. She had discarded her Sailor fuku and was now dressed in a simple violet gown that clung to her like shadows. A dark shawl covered her face.
Is that what Mars was talking about? she mused. From the way they talk it seems quite possible that the source is a person, perhaps even their sister or brother. But that still doesn't explain why it is so powerful, or why her power could work against them as well as for. Is it locked away, or bound somewhere? Perhaps I should try to find it... things could get dangerous if it-
"You!" Saturn was startled as a strong hand grabbed her by the arm. She looked up into the eyes of Safire. "What are you doing here?"
Saturn quickly dipped into a curtsey, and the words from her mouth flowed in the soft, dark accents of the Dark Moon clan. "Forgive a foolish girl, my lord - I lost my way wandering the camp. I meant no harm."
Diamund broke out into laughter as he began to saunter away. "She's a pretty one, if not quite developed enough for my tastes... have her washed up and set her in your bed, Safire. There won't be an attack this night, at least - you might as well enjoy it.."
Saturn flinched at the crude expression, although outwardly she gave no sign of hearing. For a moment she considered fleeing, but she didn't want to bring attention down on herself. With a sigh she resigned herself to the inevitable. It would probably be an easier way to get information anyway... although Serenity would be shocked to say the least. But she needn't know. No one need know.
While the Senshi was busy with such thoughts, Safire was taking the opportunity to closely exam his captive. Her dark purple hair did not quite reach her shoulders, framing a small, pale, child-like face with large purple eyes that had no measurable depth. She was small and slim, but the simple gown failed to hide the subtle curves of her figure, hinting at something much more inciting than the innocence of her countenance. The beauty of the Princess of Saturn clouded his usual clear judgement, and more or less sealed the fate of the Moon then and there.
"May I?" was all he said, and Saturn allowed him to lead her away, noting with distant surprise that his hand was warm and firm, enclosing hers completely. Despite all her reserve she suddenly felt something cold in the pit of her stomach. Dear stars, please help me to be strong... for the Moon and for my Queen, and for my fellow Senshi...
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