Embracing Destiny
Disclaimer: Not mine; don't sue. Please?
By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)
Chapter Eleven: The Grove of Selene
Rated: PG
Serenity looked up and smiled at her Prince, who was approaching her. Her smile faded at the look of worry on his handsome face. "What's wrong, Endy?" she asked softly, watching the Senshi and Earth Guards working around the bridge.
He smiled faintly at her, kissing her temple softly, and sat beside her in the large helm chair, pulling her into his lap. He nuzzled her hair lovingly, wrapping his strong arms around her slender frame tightly. "I can't get in touch with Earth," he murmured into her ear.
"Oh, Endy," she whispered sympathetically, hugging him to her, attempting to comfort him as he would her. "I hope everything is okay."
He kissed her hair a few times before answering. "I do as well, Sere," he muttered. "I think it might be best to head to the Moon first."
She looked at him, surprised. "Truly?"
He nodded sadly. "There is always someone manning communications on Earth, Sere. If no one is answering, they are either dead or will be," he told her, his voice shaking slightly.
She gazed into his deep blue eyes worriedly. "Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "Not really. But I can't worry about it now."
"Endy-"
"No, Sere. I can't give in to it now. Please," he whispered.
She smiled sadly and nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck, squeezing him with all her strength. "Okay, Endy. Do you want to tell them?"
He shook his head. "No. Would you mind? I'd like to take a quick nap."
Smiling, she got off his lap, giving him a quick peck on the lips and watched concerned as he left the bridge. She sighed and turned towards the group. "Everyone?" When she had everyone's attention, she continued. "We've changed plans. We are going to the Moon."
~~~
The small ship landed on the lunar surface smoothly. Serenity smiled at Endymion and squeezed his hand reassuringly. He returned the gesture as well as the smile. She walked down the ramp, fingers entwined with his, her smile widening as she caught sight of her mother. She continued the rest of the distance to her mother gracefully. When she reached the Queen, Serenity nodded politely and then ran to embrace her mother. "Mama!"
The regal Queen smiled and hugged her daughter tightly before releasing her. "Good to see you, daughter," she told her softly. She glanced at the man who stood silently behind her daughter. "Is this Prince Endymion?"
Serenity nodded, motioning her love to come up beside her. "Mother, this is Prince Endymion of Earth. Endymion, this is my mother, Serenity."
Prince Endymion bowed and smiled at the Queen. "It's a pleasure."
The Queen grinned impishly and winked at Serenity. "He is a nice young man, isn't he?" she stage whispered, causing her mortified daughter to blush fiercely. "He certainly is gorgeous, dear. You sure know how to find the good ones," the Queen teased.
"Mother!" the Princess snapped embarrassed, glaring at Endymion when he laughed along with her mother.
"I apologize, Serenity, but it isn't every day that my daughter brings home a young and handsome Prince. Endymion, it is a pleasure to meet the man who has stolen my daughter's heart. Even in these circumstances." The Queen sobered a little. "Let's go inside."
The Princess nodded and took Endymion's hand once again, entering the large white castle after the ethereal Queen, the Senshi, and Guardians following them silently.
~~~
The Queen of the Moon sighed sadly after the Senshi and Guardians finished reporting. "I see. Mercury and Venus are lost. Earth is suspected of falling as well. I can't reach the other planets either." She shook her head slightly. "We must assume the worst and we are all that is left unconquered by this Beryl woman. I will send soldiers to each of the planets through Teleportation and see if we can come up with any information." She looked to each of the Senshi in turn, sympathy showing clearly in her crystal blue eyes. "I know how painful this must be to each of you," she began softly. "Your duty to my daughter is warring with your duty to your homes. I apologize. We will regain what was lost and we will destroy Beryl."
She turned to the Earth Prince and his guard. "Do you have any wish to travel to Earth instead of a lunar squad?"
Endymion coughed. "I would like to have my guard travel there. I would like to as well, but I promised your daughter I wouldn't put myself in danger like that and my guard agrees."
The Queen nodded. "Fine. Your guard will be teleported to Earth in the morning. Serenity, I would like to speak with you privately, if you please. Now, the rest of you, sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day." When everyone had left, she turned to her confused daughter. "Tomorrow, you and I need to visit the Grove of Selene, dear." She sat in one of the large chairs tiredly. "Tomorrow, you will receive your destiny."
~~~
Serenity met her mother outside of the large gardens. Both had dressed in tradition white gowns the fell to their feet, the high waist accenting their busts. Serenity looked at her mother nervously. "Mother?"
The Queen smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Serenity," she told her and led the way into the large gardens. Serenity followed closely behind, curiosity peaking her despite her unease. What did the Grove of Selene have to do with her? She shrugged mentally and continued to trail after her mother towards the back of the garden. She suspected they were heading towards Selene's Temple. An ancient temple that hasn't been used in years. Serenity didn't know why it was placed here, as the only ones allowed in were the royal family usually. Why build a temple to Selene where no one but they could go? And as far as Serenity knew, her mother didn't visit the place often. She was told the last time was when her father died.
"Serenity?" her mother called and snapped her out of her reverie. She looked up and noticed they stood outside the ancient temple. 'It doesn't look as old as I thought it would.' The large temple was made of what appeared to be pure white marble. It was simple in its elegance; the tall building was essentially a large square building with columns holding it up at each corner. The only entrance stood before them and Serenity shivered a little as a tendril of fear swept up her spine. Her mother nodded at her to enter and she looked at the older woman in confusion.
"Aren't you going in with me?"
The Queen shook her head and smiled. "No, dear. This is your destiny. Enter and pray to Selene. Everything will become clear then."
Serenity looked back towards the foreboding temple and steeled herself. She walked gracefully up the steps, pausing only momentarily before entering. She allowed her eyes to adjust to the low light in the temple before looking around. It was almost bare; the only objects were a small alter at the front of the temple, a bowl lying atop of it. Below the altar was a white satin kneeling pillow, where she assumed she was supposed to pray. Serenity walked calmly towards the altar, her tiny shoes clicking loudly against the marble floor, echoing throughout the building.
When she reached her destination, she kneeled carefully on the cushion, folding her hands into her lap. She closed her eyes, not knowing what else to do. She was often called the Heir to Selene, but she had never before prayed to the Goddess of the Moon. "Selene," she murmured barely audibly.
"Princess Serenity."
Serenity gasped and whirled around. Her eyes widened in shock, as she beheld what was perhaps the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. The woman stood tall and regal as any queen, her long silver hair flowing to the floor like cascades of shimmering light. She wore a silvery-white gown, much like her own. What surprised Serenity the most was the crescent moon that adorned the beautiful woman's forehead, exactly like her own, only silver instead of her own gold one. She opened her mouth to speak, only to find her voice gone.
The woman smiled kindly at the startled princess. "I am sorry to have frightened you, little Princess," she said gently, her voice strangely musical and soothing.
Serenity nodded in forgiveness immediately, her head swimming with questions. "Who are you?" she asked softly, her voice coming back as the woman's soothing had intended.
The woman laughed. "I am Selene, daughter."
Serenity's jaw dropped. "How is that possible? I've always thought that gods couldn't appear in the mortal realm."
Selene smiled kindly. "We don't appear often, little one, but we can."
Serenity nodded. "Why now?"
The goddess smile faded and a worried look replaced it. "Because of you, daughter. There is evil in this realm that shouldn't have come. There has always been a balance between good and evil, and it was always suppose to be that way. However, Beryl has tapped into the demon Metallia's evil power and is using it to create chaos in the mortal realm. She wishes to destroy the light, daughter. And to do that, she must destroy you."
"Me?" asked the shocked woman.
"Yes, daughter. You are the last incarnation of the light, Princess of the Moon. You are born of my own blood."
Serenity blinked. "I don't understand," she said softly.
The goddess smiled kindly at the princess. "Your family was born from my own blood, daughter. The first Serenity was my daughter. Each child of every Serenity was a little girl who bore that name; no other children were born to them, keeping their powers centralized here on the moon. Every love of the past Queens were carriers of the powers of my brothers and sisters. And it has come down to you, daughter. You hold my power and blood, and you carry the powers of the rest of the gods. You are the incarnation of the light, my dear Serenity and heir to the Goddess Selene."
Serenity's head began to swim with all this new information. It was just too much to take in at once and luckily for the little Princess, the goddess seemed to know this and smiled again at her. "Don't worry, little daughter. Today, you receive your destiny as your mother told you. But first, I wish to speak with you of Endymion."
Blinking in surprise, Serenity opened her mouth to ask the goddess what Endymion could possible have to do with this, but Selene held up a slender hand to forestall her. "Endymion and you have bonded as it was written in the stars a millennium ago. He is your other half and carries the powers of both light and dark, Princess. He is a balance and his powers reflect that. He will protect you from the dark, with his very being if need be. He loves you even beyond the meaning of the word. You haven't known him long, I know, but you love him just as he loves you. Together, you and he can conquer this evil. With the Senshi, who hold the powers of their planets and the Earth guardians, you can win. You only have to place faith in your love and your bond to him. Love does truly conquer all, little daughter."
The goddess paused, walking towards the immobile Princess. "Now, it is time for you to ascend."
"Ascend?"
The goddess nodded and touched the young Princess' forehead softly. "Close your eyes, daughter."
~~~
Queen Serenity looked up as her daughter stepped out of the temple into the bright sunlight. She smiled proudly at her dazed daughter and knelt before her, much to the younger woman's surprise.
"Mother? What are you doing?"
"I am kneeling, my daughter."
"Why?" Serenity asked in confusion.
"Because it is customary to kneel before your superiors," the older Serenity told her in amusement.
"But-"
"You, my daughter, are now Queen."
~~~
AN: ...I winced as I edited this part. ^_^;
Thanks to SilverWingPhoenix (Because they meant Beryl's monsters, not really she herself of course. It's a simultaneous attack ^_^;, it'll be explained better later on), Cookie Pixie (You'll see the emotions of the other Senshi, promise ^_^), and Cool whom I forgot last chapter! Sorry!!
Lovies!
Disclaimer: Not mine; don't sue. Please?
By: Selenity Jade (Jadesama@aol.com)
Chapter Eleven: The Grove of Selene
Rated: PG
Serenity looked up and smiled at her Prince, who was approaching her. Her smile faded at the look of worry on his handsome face. "What's wrong, Endy?" she asked softly, watching the Senshi and Earth Guards working around the bridge.
He smiled faintly at her, kissing her temple softly, and sat beside her in the large helm chair, pulling her into his lap. He nuzzled her hair lovingly, wrapping his strong arms around her slender frame tightly. "I can't get in touch with Earth," he murmured into her ear.
"Oh, Endy," she whispered sympathetically, hugging him to her, attempting to comfort him as he would her. "I hope everything is okay."
He kissed her hair a few times before answering. "I do as well, Sere," he muttered. "I think it might be best to head to the Moon first."
She looked at him, surprised. "Truly?"
He nodded sadly. "There is always someone manning communications on Earth, Sere. If no one is answering, they are either dead or will be," he told her, his voice shaking slightly.
She gazed into his deep blue eyes worriedly. "Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "Not really. But I can't worry about it now."
"Endy-"
"No, Sere. I can't give in to it now. Please," he whispered.
She smiled sadly and nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck, squeezing him with all her strength. "Okay, Endy. Do you want to tell them?"
He shook his head. "No. Would you mind? I'd like to take a quick nap."
Smiling, she got off his lap, giving him a quick peck on the lips and watched concerned as he left the bridge. She sighed and turned towards the group. "Everyone?" When she had everyone's attention, she continued. "We've changed plans. We are going to the Moon."
~~~
The small ship landed on the lunar surface smoothly. Serenity smiled at Endymion and squeezed his hand reassuringly. He returned the gesture as well as the smile. She walked down the ramp, fingers entwined with his, her smile widening as she caught sight of her mother. She continued the rest of the distance to her mother gracefully. When she reached the Queen, Serenity nodded politely and then ran to embrace her mother. "Mama!"
The regal Queen smiled and hugged her daughter tightly before releasing her. "Good to see you, daughter," she told her softly. She glanced at the man who stood silently behind her daughter. "Is this Prince Endymion?"
Serenity nodded, motioning her love to come up beside her. "Mother, this is Prince Endymion of Earth. Endymion, this is my mother, Serenity."
Prince Endymion bowed and smiled at the Queen. "It's a pleasure."
The Queen grinned impishly and winked at Serenity. "He is a nice young man, isn't he?" she stage whispered, causing her mortified daughter to blush fiercely. "He certainly is gorgeous, dear. You sure know how to find the good ones," the Queen teased.
"Mother!" the Princess snapped embarrassed, glaring at Endymion when he laughed along with her mother.
"I apologize, Serenity, but it isn't every day that my daughter brings home a young and handsome Prince. Endymion, it is a pleasure to meet the man who has stolen my daughter's heart. Even in these circumstances." The Queen sobered a little. "Let's go inside."
The Princess nodded and took Endymion's hand once again, entering the large white castle after the ethereal Queen, the Senshi, and Guardians following them silently.
~~~
The Queen of the Moon sighed sadly after the Senshi and Guardians finished reporting. "I see. Mercury and Venus are lost. Earth is suspected of falling as well. I can't reach the other planets either." She shook her head slightly. "We must assume the worst and we are all that is left unconquered by this Beryl woman. I will send soldiers to each of the planets through Teleportation and see if we can come up with any information." She looked to each of the Senshi in turn, sympathy showing clearly in her crystal blue eyes. "I know how painful this must be to each of you," she began softly. "Your duty to my daughter is warring with your duty to your homes. I apologize. We will regain what was lost and we will destroy Beryl."
She turned to the Earth Prince and his guard. "Do you have any wish to travel to Earth instead of a lunar squad?"
Endymion coughed. "I would like to have my guard travel there. I would like to as well, but I promised your daughter I wouldn't put myself in danger like that and my guard agrees."
The Queen nodded. "Fine. Your guard will be teleported to Earth in the morning. Serenity, I would like to speak with you privately, if you please. Now, the rest of you, sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day." When everyone had left, she turned to her confused daughter. "Tomorrow, you and I need to visit the Grove of Selene, dear." She sat in one of the large chairs tiredly. "Tomorrow, you will receive your destiny."
~~~
Serenity met her mother outside of the large gardens. Both had dressed in tradition white gowns the fell to their feet, the high waist accenting their busts. Serenity looked at her mother nervously. "Mother?"
The Queen smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Serenity," she told her and led the way into the large gardens. Serenity followed closely behind, curiosity peaking her despite her unease. What did the Grove of Selene have to do with her? She shrugged mentally and continued to trail after her mother towards the back of the garden. She suspected they were heading towards Selene's Temple. An ancient temple that hasn't been used in years. Serenity didn't know why it was placed here, as the only ones allowed in were the royal family usually. Why build a temple to Selene where no one but they could go? And as far as Serenity knew, her mother didn't visit the place often. She was told the last time was when her father died.
"Serenity?" her mother called and snapped her out of her reverie. She looked up and noticed they stood outside the ancient temple. 'It doesn't look as old as I thought it would.' The large temple was made of what appeared to be pure white marble. It was simple in its elegance; the tall building was essentially a large square building with columns holding it up at each corner. The only entrance stood before them and Serenity shivered a little as a tendril of fear swept up her spine. Her mother nodded at her to enter and she looked at the older woman in confusion.
"Aren't you going in with me?"
The Queen shook her head and smiled. "No, dear. This is your destiny. Enter and pray to Selene. Everything will become clear then."
Serenity looked back towards the foreboding temple and steeled herself. She walked gracefully up the steps, pausing only momentarily before entering. She allowed her eyes to adjust to the low light in the temple before looking around. It was almost bare; the only objects were a small alter at the front of the temple, a bowl lying atop of it. Below the altar was a white satin kneeling pillow, where she assumed she was supposed to pray. Serenity walked calmly towards the altar, her tiny shoes clicking loudly against the marble floor, echoing throughout the building.
When she reached her destination, she kneeled carefully on the cushion, folding her hands into her lap. She closed her eyes, not knowing what else to do. She was often called the Heir to Selene, but she had never before prayed to the Goddess of the Moon. "Selene," she murmured barely audibly.
"Princess Serenity."
Serenity gasped and whirled around. Her eyes widened in shock, as she beheld what was perhaps the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. The woman stood tall and regal as any queen, her long silver hair flowing to the floor like cascades of shimmering light. She wore a silvery-white gown, much like her own. What surprised Serenity the most was the crescent moon that adorned the beautiful woman's forehead, exactly like her own, only silver instead of her own gold one. She opened her mouth to speak, only to find her voice gone.
The woman smiled kindly at the startled princess. "I am sorry to have frightened you, little Princess," she said gently, her voice strangely musical and soothing.
Serenity nodded in forgiveness immediately, her head swimming with questions. "Who are you?" she asked softly, her voice coming back as the woman's soothing had intended.
The woman laughed. "I am Selene, daughter."
Serenity's jaw dropped. "How is that possible? I've always thought that gods couldn't appear in the mortal realm."
Selene smiled kindly. "We don't appear often, little one, but we can."
Serenity nodded. "Why now?"
The goddess smile faded and a worried look replaced it. "Because of you, daughter. There is evil in this realm that shouldn't have come. There has always been a balance between good and evil, and it was always suppose to be that way. However, Beryl has tapped into the demon Metallia's evil power and is using it to create chaos in the mortal realm. She wishes to destroy the light, daughter. And to do that, she must destroy you."
"Me?" asked the shocked woman.
"Yes, daughter. You are the last incarnation of the light, Princess of the Moon. You are born of my own blood."
Serenity blinked. "I don't understand," she said softly.
The goddess smiled kindly at the princess. "Your family was born from my own blood, daughter. The first Serenity was my daughter. Each child of every Serenity was a little girl who bore that name; no other children were born to them, keeping their powers centralized here on the moon. Every love of the past Queens were carriers of the powers of my brothers and sisters. And it has come down to you, daughter. You hold my power and blood, and you carry the powers of the rest of the gods. You are the incarnation of the light, my dear Serenity and heir to the Goddess Selene."
Serenity's head began to swim with all this new information. It was just too much to take in at once and luckily for the little Princess, the goddess seemed to know this and smiled again at her. "Don't worry, little daughter. Today, you receive your destiny as your mother told you. But first, I wish to speak with you of Endymion."
Blinking in surprise, Serenity opened her mouth to ask the goddess what Endymion could possible have to do with this, but Selene held up a slender hand to forestall her. "Endymion and you have bonded as it was written in the stars a millennium ago. He is your other half and carries the powers of both light and dark, Princess. He is a balance and his powers reflect that. He will protect you from the dark, with his very being if need be. He loves you even beyond the meaning of the word. You haven't known him long, I know, but you love him just as he loves you. Together, you and he can conquer this evil. With the Senshi, who hold the powers of their planets and the Earth guardians, you can win. You only have to place faith in your love and your bond to him. Love does truly conquer all, little daughter."
The goddess paused, walking towards the immobile Princess. "Now, it is time for you to ascend."
"Ascend?"
The goddess nodded and touched the young Princess' forehead softly. "Close your eyes, daughter."
~~~
Queen Serenity looked up as her daughter stepped out of the temple into the bright sunlight. She smiled proudly at her dazed daughter and knelt before her, much to the younger woman's surprise.
"Mother? What are you doing?"
"I am kneeling, my daughter."
"Why?" Serenity asked in confusion.
"Because it is customary to kneel before your superiors," the older Serenity told her in amusement.
"But-"
"You, my daughter, are now Queen."
~~~
AN: ...I winced as I edited this part. ^_^;
Thanks to SilverWingPhoenix (Because they meant Beryl's monsters, not really she herself of course. It's a simultaneous attack ^_^;, it'll be explained better later on), Cookie Pixie (You'll see the emotions of the other Senshi, promise ^_^), and Cool whom I forgot last chapter! Sorry!!
Lovies!