Title: The Swan Princess

Summery: Serenity is the princess from the moon, and Endymion is the prince from Earth. The kings and queens of each kingdom desperately want the two children to marry when they grow up, so every summer Serenity is sent down to Earth to spend quality time with Endymion. They hate each other at first. But when Serenity finally grows up, Endymion sees her in a different light. Endymion's jealous, power-hungry brother, Alex, turns to the dark arts in hope that he can make Serenity become his wife so he can be king, by putting her under a spell. It's up to Endymion to find her and save her from her enchantment.

Characters:

The Moon Kingdom and Court-

King Leodegrance- King of the Moon Kingdom, born of the royal family of the Sun

Queen Serenity- Queen of the Moon Kingdom, born of the royal family of the Moon

Princess Serenity- also known as Serena to close friends, daughter of the King and Queen of the Moon Kingdom and future ruler and holder of the Imperium Silver Crystal

Princess Mina- Serenity's cousin from the planet Venus (one year older than Serenity)

Princess Amy- Serenity's friend and princess of Mercury (one year older than Serenity)

Princess Lita- Serenity's friend and princess of Jupiter (one year older than Serenity)

Princess Raye- Serenity's friend and princess of Mars and Prince Endymion's cousin (one year older than Serenity)

Earth Kingdom and Court-

King Gereint- King of Earth and High King of all the other provinces and smaller kingdoms, born from the royal family of Mars

Queen Arianna- Queen of Earth and High Queen of the other provinces and smaller kingdoms, born from the royal family of Earth

Prince Endymion- also known as Darien to close friends, son of the High King and Queen of Earth, first in line for the throne

Prince Alexander- also known as Alex to close friends, son of the High King and Queen of Earth, second in line for the throne

Princess Marietta- also known as Marie to a very exclusive branch of nobles, daughter of the High King and Queen of Earth, third in line for the throne

Malachite- head of the royal guard and friend of Prince Endymion

Zoycite- part of the royal guard and friend of Prince Endymion

Nephlite- part of the royal guard and friend of Prince Endymion

Jedite- part of the royal guard and friend of Prince Endymion

Disclaimer: I own neither Sailor Moon nor The Swan Princess.

A\N: This is just a brief piece of information:
Alex is a bad person and will not become good in this story.
Marietta is also evil and she gets a lot worse. Yes, you guessed it, Marietta does play the part of the old lady in the movie. But I am changing the end of the story to not have it quite end like the original one in the movie. . .

Chapter 10: Reunited for a Brief Time

*** "All right," Serena answered. She took a deep breath. "I'll do it."

Serena gently took off from her perch in the tree, and headed toward the lake water. She silently prayed that Darien would hold his arrow until she could transform. ***

Rose Castle

"Oh, Goddess of the Moon, please don't let Darien shoot," Serena prayed to the waning Moon. Its reflection glittered enticingly on the blue lake water. She could see Darien standing beside the edge of the lake. He was slowly searching the area around him for his prey he had lost in the trees.

A few clouds dotted the darkened sky. The wind came up suddenly and the water by Darien pulled back and then pushed forward in a small wave. Darien took a step back just as the water was about to hit him. His eyes were on his foot, so he didn't see the gold and white swan gracefully land on the surface of the lake.

A feather had fallen from one of Serena's wings and it floated with the wind to Darien. He caught it as it came near him. It was gold and gleamed in the moonlight. He looked out onto the lake and saw the swan finish landing on the water.

"Why did the swan come out into the open near me?" Darien asked to himself. He shrugged and raised his bow, aiming for the swan's heart. The swan looked up to Darien then, bright blue eyes blinked once at him. He faltered, but continued to perfect his aim.

"Goddess, he is going to shoot," Serena whispered. She looked around for the Moon's reflection on the water and saw it rippling to the right. Serena gulped. It was only about eight feet from Darien. Cautiously, she began to swim as fast as she could over to the reflection without causing the arrow in Darien's bow to be let go. "Come on, Serena, only a little bit more."

She watched Darien hesitate out of the corner of her eye. She surged forward, taking advantage of the hesitation. She was almost there. She heard Darien pull back on the string of his bow.

"Yes!" Serena cried. She made it to the reflection. She spread her wings, waiting for the transformation to take place. Closing her eyes, she felt it coming. Suddenly, the feeling was gone. Serena opened her eyes and looked around. The reflection was gone. She looked up to the sky. A passing cloud had covered the Moon. "No!"

Darien had perfected his aim and was beginning to release the arrow. Serena closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable fate. Nothing happened. She peeked her eyes open and saw Darien's bow and arrow on the ground, and Chirp, looking pleased with herself, flying back to her safety spot in the trees. Darien was looked from one bird to the other and made a grab for his bow.

Moonlight hit Serena like a spotlight. Darien looked up, startled at the sudden golden glow coming from Serena in the moonlight. Serena flapped her wings and rose up into the air. Water poured over her, forming a sphere.

Darien shielded his eyes as water droplets hit him. He flung his arrow back into his pack and put his bow over his shoulder. He watched as the water melted away. His eyes widened.

Serena stood there, smiling at him. Water drops glistened off her skin. Darien's jaw dropped as he watched Serena stare at him. She looked like an angel, glittering in light.

"Serena!" Darien gasped.

"Darien!" Serena cried and flung her arms out. She ran towards him as he ran towards her. Darien caught her in his arms and twirled her around and around, spraying water everywhere. Catching her, he hugged her close and kissed her.

"I have missed you so!" Serena said between kisses. She pulled her head back to look at Darien.

"Everyone thought you were dead, but I knew you weren't," Darien whispered. Serena smiled. She brought her hand up and caressed his cheek. "I have waited to see you for so long. It was all my fault you were kidnapped."

"No, I should have fought back," Serena said. She kissed his cheek. "I am just so happy to see you."

"Come back with me now," Darien cried. He turned and pulled her closer to shore. Serena yanked her hand out of his grasp. Darien turned back to her confused. "Why not?"

"I can only be in my real form until the Moon's reflection leaves the lake water," Serena answered looking down sadly. "Then I turn back into a swan. I am under a spell."

"No," Darien moaned. All of a sudden, Chirp cried out. Serena jumped. She looked around.

"You have to go now!" Serena said. She pushed him towards the shore. Darien caught her hand.

"No! I won't leave you," Darien shouted. Serena covered his mouth with her hand and glared at him. "Tell me how to break the spell."

"I don't know! Something about a proclamation of love of some sort," Serena replied and kept pushing him into the woods once they were on the shore.

"I have to see you again," Darien looked into her eyes. An idea popped into his head. "There is to be a ball tomorrow evening for Mother's birthday. Come then."

"Serena?" the voice came from the trees a little to the left. Serena gasped and shoved Darien into the woods.

"He will kill you if he sees you! I promise I will be there! Now go!" Serena shouted. Darien kissed her one last time and stole away into the woods. Serena let out a sigh of relief when Alex's hand came down on her shoulder. She whirled around.

"I have been looking everywhere for you," Alex murmured. He caressed her hair. Serena pulled away from him. "Don't be like that." He paused and then smiled. "I bet you don't do that with Darien. At least you didn't a few minutes ago."

"What? How do you know?" Serena gasped. Alex smirked. Marietta stepped out of the shadows behind him.

"I can't very well have you going to Mother's ball, now can I?" Alex asked. Serena stepped back and into the lake. "That would ruin everything. So, you will have to stay here. Darien was a bad boy to find you. Now, I have to come up with a plan to keep this spell a secret and keep Darien from telling anyone." Alex laughed then. "But knowing Darien, he will want to surprise everyone with your return. Unfortunately, you won't be there."

"I will still find a way to go, Alex, and you know it," Serena cried. She stepped back even further into the lake as Alex and Marietta grew closer to her. Alex rolled his eyes.

"Of course you will," Alex smirked. He gestured to the Moon. "But how will you get to him if there's no Moon tomorrow night?"

Serena glanced at the Moon and laughed.

"The Moon isn't small enough yet for there to be no Moon," Serena laughed.

"Oh no? Well, then I will just have to make it small enough!" Alex shot a red bolt of light up to the Moon. Serena watched as the Moon started to fade until only a small sliver was left. She fell to her knees as tears began to course down her cheeks. Alex drew a sarcastic thoughtful look onto his face. "Now, I just have to figure a way to keep Darien from coming after you."

"You horrid man! I hate you!" Serena yelled. She glared at Alex and then Marietta. "What have I done to you, Marietta? Why? You are both evil!"

"At least I don't look horrible like you right now," Marietta sneered. Alex slowly began to smile. "What is it, brother?"

"Dear, Marietta, you have given me the best idea in the world," Alex replied. He smirked at Serena and then turned to Marietta. "You will go to the ball tomorrow in Serena's place. I will make you look just like her. No one will know the difference. And then Darien can make his true love proclamation to the wrong girl." Serena shook her head. "And then when he does, the spell will break and Serena won't become his, but mine. For he will love you, Marietta, his own sister, and Serena will become mine, for her only way of escaping my spell has shattered just like her heart will."

"Brilliant," Marietta simpered. She laughed cruelly. Serena sank lower into the water. The Moon's reflection left the water and she turned back into a swan. "Not so fast birdie."

Serena tried to fly away. She leapt up into the air, but Marietta whipped out a sack and caught Serena in it. Alex pointed at the sack and zapped it to a small dungeon in the bottom of the castle. Alex and Marietta left the lake laughing to go and prepare for the ball.

~~~~~***~~~~~

Earth Palace

"What on Earth are you so happy about?" King Gereint asked his son as he walked in the door. Darien only smiled and hugged his father tightly. "Are you mad?"

"Of course not! I am only extremely happy about the ball tomorrow," Darien replied. He stopped in the hallway to admire himself in the mirror. "How is the ball coming for Mother?"

"Splendid," King Gereint replied. He leaned closer to Darien. "Your Mother wants you to find a wife at the ball tomorrow though. You are of age, since you're 21, and it's high time after that dreadful event to get married. I want to have grand-children before I die."

"I will pick out a wife tomorrow, Father," Darien answered. King Gereint looked startled, having expected to have a fight with Darien on the matter.

"Do you already know who you want?" King Gereint asked. Darien smiled and patted his father on the back. Winking, he continued on his way to his chambers whistling a very happy tune. "I guess so. Wonder who that could be. I have to tell the queen."

~~~~~***~~~~~

Rose Castle

Serena squawked as she fell from the air and onto the cold dungeon stone floor. She got up quickly and looked around. A small barred window was high up on one wall, but other than that, there was no hope of escaping.

"Serena!" Milo, Chirp and Acorn yelled and jumped on her. Serena fluttered a bit and then settled down.

"He got you, too?" Serena asked her friends. They nodded sadly. Tears fell out of Serena's eyes. "Now I will never see Darien again. He is going to pronounce his love to some one else. And I will be Alex's forever."

"We will figure something out," Milo tried to comfort Serena. Acorn hugged her.

"Yeah! Let's think of a way to get out of here," Chirp cried. She hopped up and flew up to the window. "The ground is right out there, but the bars are too solid and close together for me or you guys to get out."

She flew back down. The other animals began to think of a way to escape so Serena could go to Darien the next night at the ball.

~~~~~***~~~~~

The Next Evening

~~~~~***~~~~~

Earth Palace

The palace was lit up with candle light and torches. Guards bustled around watching the silent night. The castle was empty with activity except for the ball room. The ball room's large tall windows were open to let the starlight filter in. A small wind rustled through the trees. Long billowy curtains hung loosely but pulled back by the windows. Ladies and gentlemen laughed and talked and danced in the airy ball room.

The ball room had been decorated in gold and white. Lilies and white roses scented the room from tables in a corner. The orchestra was seated at the opposite end from the windows. A waltz was being played.

Jedite, Nephrite, Zoycite and Malachite were dancing with Raye, Lita, Amy and Mina, who had come down from the Moon to see who Prince Darien was going to pick as his wife and also for the queen's birthday. The king and queen of Earth sat on their thrones smiling and laughing with the courtiers who came up to talk with them. Prince Alex was standing in the corner smiling darkly, waiting for the event that was to happen that night. Darien stood by his parents occasionally dancing with a maiden who came to ask. Every now and then he would look to the door where the princesses, dukes, duchesses, counts, and many other nobles came in. King Leodegrance had stayed at his own palace, still grieving for his lost daughter.

Just as the last dance ended, some one at the doors knocked loudly. The sound echoed through the room causing everyone to stop and look at the source of the noise. King Gereint chuckled half-heartedly and glared at the chamberlain, silently asking who was at the door so late.

The chamberlain, a stuffy old man, quivered as he opened the doors. Once he saw who was standing outside, he screamed and fell backwards, almost falling down the stairs.

Everyone in the room held their breath as the figure stepped into the room. The nobles and king and queen gasped at the lady standing on the top of the stairs. She was dressed in a deep gold gown, shimmering in the torch light. Her hair was piled on top of her head. Bright blue eyes blinked at everyone.

"It can't be," Raye whispered. Darien smiled and stepped forward.

The lady looking remarkably like Serena stepped down the stairs and curtsied to Darien. He smiled and took her hand. Turning to the people he addressed them.

"You thought she was gone, but after weeks of searching, I have found her. She was kidnapped, but tonight, I free her. I present to you, the Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom," Darien announced. Gasps filled the room, and then applause rang out as tears fell from everyone's eyes. Serena friends ran over to her and hugged her and greeted her.

"I missed you girls too," Serena whispered. She turned to Darien and took his hand. "But he saved me."

"May I have this dance?" Darien asked as the orchestra struck up a chord. Serena nodded and walked onto the dance floor with him. The girls sighed and began to dance with Darien's friends.

~~~~~***~~~~~

Rose Castle

The stars were shining brightly also down into the dungeon through the small window. Serena, in her swan form, lay on the floor in a corner. Acorn was scratching at the door, trying to see if it would open. Chirp was up at the window trying to squeeze through the bars. Milo was encouraging them both.

"Give it up," Serena whispered to her friends. She got up from dozing. Chirp flew down to Serena. "We are stuck in here, and I am going to marry Alex, and my kingdom will fall and everyone is going to die."

"It's not going to be that bad," Acorn said as Serena burst into tears. He scampered over to her. Milo followed. "We will find a way."

"Yeah!" Milo agreed. Serena shook her head. She through her wings out and laid back on the stone floor.

"Give up. It's not worth it to hurt yourselves for a lost cause. I am going to be stuck here until Alex comes back and - EW! I am wet!" Serena cried and jumped up. Her feathers were wet on her right wing. She fluttered the wing, spraying water everywhere. "Where did that come from?"

"Look," Milo said. He pointed to a small trickle of water coming from a crack in the stone and dirt wall. Serena, Chirp, Acorn, and Milo stared at each other. Slowly, smiles formed on their faces.

"Dig!" Acorn yelled, and everyone began to dig at the wall. Dirt and flew everywhere. The trickle of water grew stronger and stronger.

An hour (A\N: It takes more than an hour but, pretend it doesn't) later, there was a hole in the wall large enough for all the animals to get through. Water was pouring out of the hole.

"Everyone hold your breath!" Milo yelled and dived into the stream of water. Serena followed with Chirp. Acorn wrinkled his nose, but soon dived in as well. They all swam up stream and surfaced on the top of the lake.

"Go, princess, go!" Acorn shouted. Serena was panting for breath. She flopped a bit and then rose into the sky, flying faster than she had ever gone before.

"Get your prince!" Milo yelled.

"Bring back some of those yummy royal acorns!" Acorn exclaimed. Milo bonked him on the head. Acorn went underneath the water and then surfaced, coughing and spitting water at Milo. Chirp rose into the air and flew over to the edge of the lake. She shook the water off her feathers. They watched as Serena flew out of sight.

~~~~~***~~~~~

Sky

"Hurry, Serena, hurry," Serena encouraged herself. The wind was blowing harshly against her. The Earth was dark with no Moon to light up its features. Clouds were floating here and there, and whenever Serena flew through one of them, she came out damp.

A bird colony called to her as she flew by, in greeting. Serena didn't even call back. Up head, the tall Granite Hills, and then the plains and forests before she could reach the palace.

Serena closed her eyes and willed herself on. A pang of pain shot through her side as her velocity increased. She had to reach the palace before Darien proclaimed his love for another.

After what seemed like hours to Serena, she could see the flickering light of the palace. Serena smiled happily and began to go even faster. The forest seemed cold and quiet that night. No firefly was hovering in between the trees, and no bats or owls greeted her as she flew by.

"Yes!" Serena shouted as she reached the outskirts of the palace. The guards took no notice of her, so she flew over and around the palace to the ball room, near the gardens. "Darien!"

She flew all around looking for an entrance to the room. The tall windows were closed, and the blinds had been dropped so one could see in, but not very well out. Serena cried in frustration and peered in.

Darien was dancing with Marietta, who looked exactly like Serena, as the last chords of the song they were dancing to slowly came to an end. Serena pecked desperately at the windows to no avail. Everyone was too preoccupied with "Serena", and so they didn't hear her pecks.

"No!" Serena whispered. She saw a better window across the room where there were no blinds and flew over there. As she reached the window, a wind blew up and red light shimmered around her. Blinking dots away from her vision, Serena began to drift downwards as the windows shattered.

~~~~~***~~~~~

A Little While Earlier

~~~~~***~~~~~

Ball Room

Inside, as the song ended, Darien and "Serena" stopped dancing. Darien smiled to her as she looked around nervously. He took her hand and turned to the nobles and his family.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Darien began. He pulled something sparkling out of his pocket. It was the necklace that Serena wore, from her mother. "You have come here today to celebrate my Mother's birthday, but you have another thing to celebrate as well. For many years people have been nagging me to get married and fall in love. Now, I have. Princess Serenity is my one true love. Here, right next to me, is the lady that I swear to love and cherish forever." Marietta as Serena smiled at Alex as he rose up and walked forward to get a better view. Darien turned to Marietta and placed the necklace around her while saying his last words. "My vow of everlasting love, my proclamation to the world, is for you, Serena."

The windows shattered and a wind blew up more strongly than ever before. Alex began to laugh an evil sinister laugh. The ladies and gentlemen gasped and screamed and tried to run from the room. Queen Arianna and King Gereint stood up and ran forward to Darien. Darien held "Serena" and was looking around at the glass pieces and at Alex who was laughing.

"Alex?" Darien whispered. Alex stopped laughing and smirked at Darien. His brown hair was tussled from the wind. "You did this?"

"Yes, dear brother, it is I," Alex said evilly. Darien shook his head. "Oh, yes, surprised? It was I who kidnapped Serena. I found the Dark Arts and made them mine. I hold the power. And now, Serena is mine!"

"No! I made my proclamation of love her," Darien shouted. He gripped Marietta, but she pushed him away. King Gereint and Queen Arianna helped him to his feet. He stared at Marietta in her fake image. "What?"

"You made your little vow to the wrong person," Alex laughed. He pointed at Marietta and her image shimmered and melted to reveal the real Marietta. "So, now Serena is mine."

"Marie?" King Gereint and Queen Arianna gasped. She laughed and wrenched the necklace from her neck.

"Yes, I get tired of being a good girl," Marietta whispered. She looked up to the high window and grinned. Darien followed her gaze and gasped. Serena in her swan form was slowly floating\flying down to the ground of the ball room. "Oh, dear."

"Serena!" Darien yelled. He ran forward to Serena and tried to reach her as she touched the ground. A red shield formed in front of her and Darien was thrown back and into his parents arms. "Serena!"

"She is mine now, Darien. You made your proclamation to the wrong girl so now I get her," Alex said. He walked over and picked up Serena. She was limp in his arms, her feathers a more dull gold. Her eyes were closed and every once in a while, she took a breath. Darien struggled against his parents. "Stay there or I kill you and everyone in here."

"Give her back! Don't take her! I love her!" Darien shouted. Marietta laughed and walked over to Alex.

"If you really feel that way," Alex said. Marietta placed her hand on his shoulder. "Then, I guess if you can make it to the castle before the sun comes up and the stars fade away tonight, she will be yours again. When you come, you will have to fight me for her. It will be a pleasant way of getting rid of you so I may assume the throne of both kingdoms and rule the entire universe more quickly. Come then, if you want to die, for Serena won't regain her true form until sun rise." Alex paused and laughed. "That's when the wedding will be."

"I will find you and kill you and Marietta," Darien whispered. Alex laughed and disappeared in a swirl of red light. As Marietta disappeared with Alex, she dropped the crystal swan to the floor. As it hit the floor, it cracked in two and bounced to a stop. Darien ran over to the crystal pieces and picked them up. He clenched them in his hand, staring at the place where Serena had last been. "I swear it."

~~~~~***~~~~~

A\N: Oh, no! Serena is Alex's! But I promise this story will have a happy ending - Serena\Darien forever! No worries! Sorry if this chapter was a little rushed, but I wanted to get it out to you because I am so happy! I have over 100 reviews! Yay! Thank you so much everyone! This means the world to me! Yay! Yay! I am so happy! I will try really hard to get more out as soon as I can! Thank you SO much! I luv you all! ^_^ Yay!

Next Chapter Preview:

~ Darien comes to the rescue, but is he too late? ~

~ Darien fights Alex for Serena. ~

~ Marietta has her own plans. . . ~

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