AN: Guess who's back? I have returned from the brink with this final chapter just for you. Thank you to all that have been so patient with me. MoonGoddess, this is for you. : )
DISCLAIMER: Guess what else? I still don't own BSSM.
Queen Aphrodite waved her hand over Serenity, Ami, Minako and Hotaru. Four black boxes slowly opened. A loud gasp was heard from the table. Shattering crystal served as its echo. Every eye in the ballroom was fixed on the round table in the center of the room. There was no golden heart in any of the boxes.
"What? Who? What is the meaning of this?" Endymion hesitantly looked at Queen Aphrodite. "What has happened to my favor?"
Queen Aphrodite smiled enigmatically. "Now this is interesting. Endymion, please come to me." The young man apprehensively approached the fair-haired queen. "Is something troubling you? You look like a man facing his executioner."
"I mean no disrespect your highness, but this is not fair. Not only am I being denied the woman I love, but now I am still clueless as to whom I have been sold."
The smile on Aphrodite's face grew. "You doubt my powers? I will have you know that my mother and her mother before her were responsible for the greatest unions that this galaxy has ever seen. The blessing of Venus is all a marriage needs to survive. It seems to me that you do not want my blessing."
The crowd collectively gasped. No one had so openly rebuked Queen Aphrodite. This did not bode well for Earth's prince.
"Your majesty--"
"Quiet." Queen Aphrodite placed a finger on Endymion's lips. "As I was saying, you don't want my blessing. Luckily for you and your betrothed, you don't need it."
Confusion marred Endymion's face. "I…I don't understand. I thought that a marriage without the blessing of Venus was a marriage doomed."
"Under normal circumstances that would be true. However, these are not normal circumstances."
Endymion still seemed to be confused.
"By the goddess, do I have to spell it out for you?" Queen Aphrodite rubbed her forehead. "To be so cute, you are quite dense." The Venusian monarch turned toward the round table. "Minako, Ami, Serenity, Hotaru, please stand in front of Queen Serenity." The young woman obeyed the command of Queen Aphrodite. "One of these women will be your wife."
"What do you mean Nehelenia and Dyanera?" Queen Serenity utilized the telepathic link she shared with Apollonia.
"Apparently, the oracle was a court jester somewhere in the history of time. I was sitting, as I always do, trying to find the traitor when it hit me. Literally. I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head. There was a flash of light and I clearly saw Dyanera holding Nehelenia's hand. They were walking toward Crystal Palace."
"Are you certain?"
Apollonia arched one flame red eyebrow.
"What would Dyanera's motive be for harming Serenity? She has nothing to gain by doing so."
"Remember what I told you -- wounded pride."
Queen Serenity tried to think of a plausible reason that Dyanera would want to hurt Serenity. Sensing the queen's discomfort, the priestess expanded her explanation.
""Your majesty, she wants you to hurt the way that she does."
"I've barely interacted with the woman. Why would she bare a grudge against me?"
Apollonia looked past Queen Serenity to King Rodrick.
"No…no. There's never been anything between Rodrick and me. He's like a brother. Serenity considers him to be her uncle. And Nehelenia, what does she have to do with all this?"
"She's in love."
Queen Serenity tilted her head back. "Endymion."
"Your highness, you know as well as any that love is a volatile emotion. It is malleable. Its ultimate expression will depend on how it is nurtured."
"By the goddess." Queen Serenity abruptly ended her conversation with Apollonia when Queen Aphrodite had the remaining princesses stand before her throne.
"Ladies, hold your left hand out in front of you." Queen Aphrodite raised her left hand, and then slowly let it fall to her side. A golden mist surrounded the young women. Queen Aphrodite bowed her head, saying a few indecipherable words. The mist dissipated. A miniature crystal rose materialized from the mist.
Dyanera watched the spectacle from her seat. 'What in the name of the goddess is going on? Only Aphrodite would make a show out of the betrothal ball.'
"That's not my favor…" Endymion was disappointed.
Queen Aphrodite shook her head again. "Have you not studied the history of the betrothal ball?" A blank stare occupied Endymion's feature. "Young prince, do you recall the story of King Everett and Queen Anjelina?"
"Who among us is unaware of them? Their love was legendary. They are the standard by which all unions are judged. One can only hope for a fraction of the happiness that they shared."
"Now, if you know that story, you should be able to figure out your own." Queen Aphrodite stepped back to let the gravity of her statement sink in.
Endymion's eyes widened. "By the gods, Serenity is my soul mate? She and I have a connection beyond the constructs of space and time?"
Tears began to flow from Princes Serenity's eyes. She looked at one of her best friends. Serenity then looked at her mother. Queen Serenity had kept this a secret. Part of the young woman wanted to be angry, but there were so many emotions vying for supremacy. There simply wasn't any room for anger.
Endymion took slow careful steps toward Serenity. The smile on his face let his parents know that they had been forgiven. Endymion took Serenity's hand and kissed the back of it.
"I can't believe it," Endymion whispered. "My mother told me that she had my best interest in mind." Endymion kissed Serenity's hand repeatedly. "By the goddess." Endymion stared into his intended's eyes. The crowd hushed in an attempt to better hear the exchange between Serenity and Endymion. However the young couple was oblivious. It was as if everyone and everything disappeared.
Dyanera was fuming. How had she missed this? Queen Serenity managed to get this past her. Apparently she kept this from everyone, including her daughter. The disgruntled Dyanera rushed to Nehelenia's side.
"How can this be happening?" Nehelenia whispered.
"When it comes to Queen Serenity, anything is possible." Dyanera looked at Serenity and Endymion. Then, she looked at King Rodrick and Queen Serenity. Rodrick was so proud. The fool could not even see that his daughter was hurting. He was too bust emotionally kow-towing to the perfect Queen Serenity. Dyanera had reached her breaking point. The injustice would not go unanswered.
"Nehelenia, you must put a stop to this," Dyanera urged.
"But how? The arrangements are binding. What am I supposed to do?"
"Nehelenia my dear, do what you feel you must." Dyanera placed her hand on the dark princess' shoulder.
Nehelenia nodded. She walked to the center of the ballroom. The noise began slowly tapering off as people noticed Nehelenia in such an auspicious location. Queen Serenity eyed the young woman suspiciously.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Alliance, I have an announcement to make." Nehelenia surveyed the ballroom to make certain that everyone's attention was fixed on her. "A heinous crime against the throne of the New Moon has been committed. The guilty party has escaped due punishment."
The room was hushed. All in attendance waited in anticipation.
"A murderer sits among us, gloating over a crime fifteen years old."
"Nehelenia!" King Rodrick exclaimed. "What is the meaning of this?"
Nehelenia glanced over at her father. There he was groveling at the feet of Queen Serenity. This would be the last time that she watched her father subjugate himself.
"My mother's light was extinguished long before its time," Nehelenia continued.
"Nehelenia, no one is to blame for your mother's death. It was a tragic accident." King Rodrick attempt to reason with his child.
Dyanera, standing beside Nehelenia, waved her hand. "Silence," she whispered. King Rodrick tried to speak again, but found he had no voice.
"The treacherous individual poisoned my mother's tea," Nehelenia spat. "All in a misguided attempt to replace her in my father's heart."
Queen Serenity looked over at King Rodrick. He appeared as confused as she was.
"Nehelenia," Queen Serenity began, "I think that you have been given the wrong impression about your mother's --"
"Enough!" Nehelenia screamed. "I don't have to listen to this. Nothing you say will justify you killing my mother!"
Another collective gasp was heard from the guests. All present were horrified by Nehelenia's accusation. King Rodrick was shaking his head furiously, trying to tell his daughter that she was wrong. He wanted a chance to explain again that her mother died of the most natural of causes. King Rodrick attempted to approach Nehelenia. Dyanera glared at the worried monarch, stopping him in his tracks.
"Don't take another step. This is long overdue. It's time that everyone saw their precious Queen Serenity for the duplicitous wench that she is." Dyanera directed her venomous words at the bewildered Moon Monarch.
"Nehelenia," Princess Serenity weakly uttered, "You have known my mother as long as I have." The young woman took a step toward her friend. Endymion attempted to hold her back, fearing for her safety. Young Serenity shrugged him off and continued her advance.
"You have to know in your heart that my mother had no part in that. I know that your father told you what really happened." Serenity was now face to face with Nehelenia. She placed her hand on Nehelenia's "You have to see the truth." Serenity looked into her friend's eyes, which were now an eerie shade of gold. She saw those golden eyes flicker. Suddenly Serenity was thrown into a far wall by a black beam of energy that emanated from the very hand she held in friendship.
"What do you know of truth?!" Nehelenia spat. "You and your mother have been twisting the truth to suit your purposes. First your mother tries to steal my father away. Now, you are trying to take Endymion away from me. I will not stand for it." Nehelenia stamped her foot.
Endymion was shocked. He came to Crystal Palace for many reasons, but hearing a twisted declaration of Nehelenia's love was not one of them. "Nehelenia, please. This is not Serenity's fault. Please don't hurt her anymore." Endymion's eyes were wet with tears. It pained him to see Serenity slouched in that corner. "I'll do whatever you want. Please just stop this."
"Son!" Queen Guinevere cried out.
Endymion held up his hand and shook his head. He had made up his mind. If sublimating Nehelenia's desires would ensure Serenity's safety, then so be it. Endymion felt that it would be better to walk away from Serenity, letting her live, than to refuse Nehelenia and watch Serenity die.
"Again with the undying loyalty to this wench," Nehelenia said under her breath.
Endymion walked to Nehelenia and stretched out his hand. Nehelenia placed her hand in his.
"Odd, I had hoped that this would be more fulfilling." Nehelenia used her free hand to send another energy beam toward Serenity's prone form. Endymion snatched his hand away.
"Why Nehelenia?" Endymion shouted. "Why did you do that? I agreed to marry you. Serenity is not a threat. Why do you insist on hurting her?"
Nehelenia laughed at Endymion naïveté. "As long as Serenity is alive your heart will yearn for her. You will reach out for her. If she is dead, you will eventually forget her." Nehelenia could see the dumbstruck look on Endymion's face. "Don't feel bad. Even the best of men have had their feelings wan after the passing of their loves. Look at my father."
King Rodrick stood powerless as his daughter lay to waste every relationship she ever had. He wondered where he had failed her. Somewhere along the line, Rodrick missed a sign that his daughter was in pain. If Nehelenia got through this situation unscathed, King Rodrick promised himself that he would get his damaged offspring the help she so desperately needed. But right now, the most important thing was stopping Nehelenia.
Apollonia was still behind Queen Serenity's throne, hidden from sight. The scene before her was worse than she could have imagined. This night should have been a joyous occasion for all. Instead, through a fit of jealous rage, Nehelenia had decimated it. The priestess looked over at young Serenity. The princess was barely conscious. Another hit like the one she just took and Serenity would surely die.
'This is my only chance,' Apollonia thought. 'If this doesn't work, we're all doomed.'
Apollonia closed her eyes as she tried to establish a telepathic link with Princess Serenity. It was unlikely that it would work since Serenity had not come into her powers. However, Queen Serenity was not the only one who noticed the change in the princess' hair color. Apollonia hoped that it meant young Serenity's powers were simply dormant, waiting for an opportunity to emerge.
"Serenity, you have to wake up. Please, you have to hear me," Apollonia mentally pleaded.
From deep within the recesses of Serenity's mind a force broke free. The young woman could feel an unknown power cursing through her veins. The energy pulsated, willing Serenity to wake up. Her eyelids began to flutter. Serenity slowly became aware of what happened to her. As her eyes opened, Serenity found herself under the intense gaze of Apollonia.
"Serenity, I know you can hear me. Don't make any sudden moves. Slowly get up and come here." Apollonia noticed that Nehelenia had again started berating the intergalactic community for their blind allegiance to Queen Serenity.
Serenity's body was wracked with pain from the impact with the wall. She fought against the pain and slowly stood up. As quietly as she could, Serenity started walking toward Apollonia and her mother. The Moon Kingdom's heir nearly made it. However, Dyanera noticed that Serenity was ambulatory.
"Oh no you don't!" Dyanera exclaimed as she sent an energy beam to stop Princess Serenity.
Time seemed to slow. Queen Serenity spun around to see the beam hurtling toward her daughter. The queen screamed in despair. She tried to run, to protect her daughter. Queen Serenity was held back by King Rodrick. There was no reason to let the Moon Kingdom lose its princess and its queen in the same night. The entire ballroom was deadly silent. Each individual was preparing for the loss of the beloved Serenity. The momentary silence was broken by the distraught shout of Selene's high priestess.
"SERENITY!!!"
Just as the beam was about to hit, it was deflected. Dyanera's jaw dropped. It was virtually impossible for that to that to miss. While Dyanera was trying to figure out how she missed, another stronger beam hit her in the side. The impact came so quickly that Dyanera wasn't able to brace herself. The warm crimson energy traveled through her body. Dyanera could feel her body shutting down. As she slipped away she uttered a curse. Princess Serenity would never to truly enjoy the love she shared with Endymion. In this life, and all that were to come, their love was to be difficult and painful. Only in death, would either of them be happy. Even then, their happiness would be short-lived as they were destined to continually be reborn. With her final words, Dyanera collapsed in a heap at Nehelenia's feet.
Nehelenia watched in disbelief as her mother figure was taken from her. "Dyanera…Dyanera."
Nehelenia knelt down and held the fallen woman in her arms. She stroked her guardian's silky locks. "What have you done?!" She shouted at Princess Serenity. "What have you done? Wasn't it enough that I was denied my birth mother? You had to take Dyanera from me too." Nehelenia sobbed into Dyanera's hair.
King Rodrick ran to Nehelenia's side. With the demise of Dyanera, her spell was broken. "Nehelenia…"
"No father. Nothing you say will bring Dyanera back."
Endymion took this chance to return to Serenity's side. "Are you alright?"
Serenity looked into Endymion's eyes. "I'm fine. Just a little sore."
Endymion observed the aftermath of Nehelenia and Dyanera's tirade. "How did you dodge that beam?"
"What beam Endymion?"
"The beam that Dyanera shot at you. I was most certain that I had lost you."
Serenity appeared confused. "I didn't dodge any beam. I just knew that I didn't want to die. Then I heard Apollonia…" Serenity searched her immediate vicinity for the priestess. "Endymion, where is she? Where's Apollonia?"
Endymion shrugged his shoulders. He was unaware that the revered priestess even came to the ball.
"Nehelenia!" Queen Serenity stood and cast her gaze on the crestfallen princess. Nehelenia looked up at Queen Serenity, but remained silent.
"What you have done is unforgivable. You conspired not only against my kingdom, but your own. Such treasonous acts are punishable by death."
Nehelenia laughed bitterly. "What right have you to chastise me? You are a murderess who now seats in the seat of judgment. This is laughable."
"Nehelenia, you know that is not true. Please be silent. Don't not aggravate this situation," King Rodrick did not wish for this to go one any longer. "You highness, I will accept any punishment you see fit."
"Father!"
"I can not excuse what you have done. You tried to kill Seren and you accused her mother of such a heinous crime. Why? What would make you do such a thing?" King Rodrick did not want for his daughter to answer. He turned his back and walked to Queen Serenity's throne.
"You see that's it."
King Rodrick stopped walking to hear what Nehelenia had to say.
"You, and everyone else, have always favored Serenity. Even when it wasn't deserved. Even this joke that you promised me to wishes he were Endymion right now. She was always smarter, kinder, and more beautiful. What about me father? What about me?" A single tear fell from Nehelenia's eye. As she held Dyanera's lifeless body, her anger was renewed. "I am tired of being second. This ends today."
Nehelenia used all the pain and rage within her to send an energy beam at Serenity. "This is for Dyanera."
Endymion wrapped his arms around Serenity. This time, if she were to die, he wanted to be with her.
"If you wish to avenge Dyanera's death, you should target she who struck her down." Apollonia held her hand in the air at halted the beam. The priestess cocked her head to the side. "Hmm…you were trying to send Serenity away? Even in anger, you incapable of killing." Apollonia addressed Queen Serenity. "Might I suggest a fitting punishment for this misguided princess?"
Queen Serenity nodded.
"I suggest that Princess Nehelenia be sent to the very place she intended for Serenity."
"No, you can't send me there."
"Now Nehelenia, did you just not just say that you were tired of being second to Serenity? Did you not imply that you were entitled to everything that was meant for her?"
Nehelenia stood silent, for she understood that she had damned herself. Apollonia lowered her hand and the beam spiraled toward its creator. The dark princess dropped her head and accepted her fate. As the beam consumed her, Nehelenia vowed to return. She promised that as long as Serenity lived she would as well. She would come back to claim all that was denied in this life. Then, it was done. Nehelenia was gone.
Queen Serenity fell back onto her throne. She placed her hands on her face and prayed to the goddess for strength. She returned to her feet and made a proclamation.
"From this day forward, the name Nehelenia II shall be stricken from all monuments, books, scroll and tablets. The name of Nehelenia II shall not be uttered by anyone in this kingdom. The name Nehelenia II shall be erased from the minds and hearts of all that were acquainted with her."
Queen Serenity raised her scepter. King Rodrick pleaded with his eyes to be allowed to keep the memories that he had of his child. Queen Serenity nodded. She waved her scepter and erased all evidence of Nehelenia's existence. Once it was completed, Queen Serenity excused herself. She told everyone to enjoy the rest of the ball. As she left, Queen Serenity pulled Endymion to the side.
"Protect my daughter."
"With my life," Endymion replied.
Serenity approached Endymion once her mother had retired to her chamber. "What was that about?"
"I'm not sure. Let's get back to the ball." Endymion kissed Serenity on the cheek and ushered her to the dance floor.
AN: Well that's it. It's finished. Now I can concentrate on Happily Ever After or Something Like That. Thank you to everyone that supported my work. I love you all.
Until next time,
The Deadly Diva