Chapter 7: A Trial . . . in more ways than one
By - DreamHeart
AN- 'A Fallen Rose" has undergone some seious revisions. I hope that you enjoy it even more. Tell me what you think! I promise that I don't bite )
DISCLAIMER- I do not own Salior Moon or any of its characters BUT I DO own the story. Remember plagerism is bad!
Serenity paced back and forth in her chambers waiting for her court to arrive. She rubbed her hands together nervously and glanced at the clock on the wall.
Lita was the first to arrive in her green silk and white satin form-fitting gown and a headband of roses in her dark brown hair. "I've sent Ken to the throne room as you ordered, Serena. I am sure that Mina and Amy have done the same."
"Do you know what to expect of this trial, Lita?" Serenity asked worriedly.
"I know that I must do my duty to find justice for the deceased. I believe that Endymion did not kill Raye . . . and I hope that he is able to ebb away my doubt about the circumstances surrounding Rini's death."
Lita paused knowing this was not what her friend wanted to hear. "I promise, though, that whatever decision I make . . . I will believe whole-heartedly. But that is all I can do."
"I know. As the senshi of justice, it is your nature to listen to all of the facts before making a decision. But . . ."
She was interrupted by a knock at the door. It was Amy . . . dressed in her blue silk and white satin dress with sapphires gleaming at her ears. She timidly entered the room. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she stammered, "but I thought that you should know that . . ."Tears overcame her sea blue eyes and she could speak no more.
"No! It can't be. It just can't!" Serenity cried.
"Is it Mina?" Lita forced herself to inquire.
A silent nod was Amy's reply. But she forced herself to find the strength to whisper, "And Andrew."
"Was it the same as the other deaths?"
"No. They were in Raye's room . . . each sliced in two."
Serenity collapsed into the plush blue carpet at the sound of Amy's words. Both of her friends rushed to her side. Amy checked for a pulse and then nodded at Lita, who then picked up the fragile queen and placed her on her bed.
Lita stroked Serenity's hair and gazed upon her friend's weary face. "Was there any evidence that . . . Darien . . . could have been behind it?"
Amy did not look up. "Thank heaven, no, there wasn't. I guess the murderer figures that there's enough pinned on Endymion to condemn him. Poor Endymion."
"So, now it is only a three man jury."
"Yes. Do you know who will speak against Endymion at the trial?"
"A man . . . handpicked by Selenity. I believe his name is Diamond or Sapphire . . . or something like that. Anyway, he's from a different galaxy that way he'll be impartial . . . but who knows what ideas Selenity has given him."
"I know. She may be Serena's mother, but something about her makes me uneasy. I don't think she can be trusted. Besides, she is so willing to condemn Endymion . . . even though Serena loves him. I know that I too believed that he was guilty, because he jus couldn't answer certain questions about Rini's death . . . but with Raye . . ."
"I know nothing seemed to click and accusing him was a preposterous idea. Do you think that's why Mina and Andrew were in Raye's chambers . . . to prove Darien's innocence?"
"It is quite possible . . . for both Raye and Mina were very powerful."
"I suppose they both wanted to learn the creep's identity. I guess it's my turn now . . . . You are so sure of his innocence, but I still have my doubts, even though he is my friend, and has been for what seems like forever. There are just too many questions, too many loose ends. I'll never be sure, if I don't."
"Do you realize that it could be your death sentence?"
"I'd rather die being faithful and loyal to my friends than live and betray them."
"When will you do it?"
"After the trial begins, this thing isn't going to be short . . . so that probably means that I'll do it tonight."
Serena began to groan and slowly sat up.
"I know that this is hard . . .it's hard for all of us. But the trial will begin in approximately five minutes. Are you going to be ok with that?" Amy inquired tenderly.
Serenity's gaze drifted away from her friends and reality . . . back to a time when everyone was happy. Rini had just learned to walk and they were all attending Raye's birthday ball at the Mars Royal Palace. Raye was happily dancing and giggling playing with her daughter and Rini. The atmosphere was happy and full of love.
All that seemed like an eternity ago to Serenity. For now . . . she was surrounded by death and the castle was full of pain and sorrow. How she longed for her life to return to normal . . . but it never would. For everything she had ever loved was slipping through her grasp.
"We'll take that as a 'no'," Lita remarked, sending Serenity back to reality.
"But I promised Dare that I'd be there," Serenity whispered.
"He'll understand," Amy replied as she moved a stray strand of hair out of Serena's face.
"He needs me."
"We'll explain it to him. He loves you . . . he'll understand."
"And if I see you place a foot inside that conference room today, I'll zap you all the way back to your chambers," Lita chimed in to ease the tension.
Serenity weakly smiled. "Fine. I'll stay here and rest. But I shall watch the proceedings from here, deal?"
"Deal!" Amy and Lita shouted in unison.
Lita and Amy walked into the conference room. They saw Endymion and Artemis sitting in the far corner and decided to approach them.
"Your majesty," they both murmured as they curtsied before Endymion.
"Good day. When will Serenity be coming?" he replied.
"That is what we came to speak to you about," Lita answered.
Amy sighed and looked at Artemis, silently asking if they could have a moment alone.
He nodded and then rose to leave the conference room.
"Now that we are alone . . . . Serenity is not coming, Darien," Amy stated.
Endymion closed his eyes and whispered, "But she promised."
"I know. But she has been under so much stress . . . everyone she loves is dying around her and it is killing her," Lita sighed.
"Endymion, look at me," Amy commanded. "You are the most powerful man in the universe and you are our friend. We'll take care of you just like we're taking care of Serenity. We think that's why Mina, Andrew, and Raye died. They were all trying to prove your innocence. So, stop thinking that you have no friends among the senshi because Lita is going to do the same thing tonight. And she may die too, trying to protect this kingdom."
He sighed knowing that she was right. He had thought that all his friends had abandoned him. Not one of them had seemed to believe him and that cut like a dagger through his heart. "I'm sorry it just seemed like all of you never believed me, even Sere. I wasn't aware that Mina and Andrew were dead. How's Serenity? She isn't taking this well, is she?"
"No, she's not," Lita sighed, thinking of how Serenity had collapsed when she learned the news. "And I fear that she may breakdown again. That is why I have forbidden her from coming today. I think that coming today would be the straw that breaks the camel's back and sends her to the brink of suicide. So all she is allowed to do is watch it from her chambers with Luna there to look after her."
Taking Lita's hand, he looked her in the eye and said, "Thank you. Thank you both for taking care of her."
Just then Selenity walked in. Her blue eyes blazed as she gazed upon the man suspected of her granddaughter's murder. True, he might be innocent but she was not going to chance it and avenging Rini's murder justified putting him, and her daughter, through this whole ordeal. "Ladies, we will begin shortly. Please come with me." Lita looked at Amy questioningly and was disappointed when Amy nodded her consent. Thus they both bid a quick farewell to Endymion and proceeded to follow Selenity out of the room.
She led the two queens to the throne room and in then into an adjoining room. It was made entirely out of ivory marble. In the center of the room there stood a glass statue of the goddess Selene. Around her there were fresh roses, violets, sunflowers and every other flower that could be found in the palace gardens.
There before the statue of Selene, Selenity kneeled and motioned for Amy and Lita to do the same. Her body then began to glow and she called, "Selene, hear my call. Oversee this trial and see that my granddaughter's death is avenged."
Before Selenity the statue came to life and gently took Selenity's hand to raise her up. "My dear child, revenge is not the answer. Justice must be what you seek. Think of your daughter and remember that. I will oversee this trial for the sake of Endymion and Serenity." Then she turned her gaze upon the two women who were still kneeling before her and smiled. "Call to your gods and ask them the same. Ask them to help you see that justice is served."
Obediently Lita and Amy followed the goddess's orders. Within a moment the gods Zeus and Hermes materialized beside them and greeted their queens warmly.
Politely Selene greeted the other two gods and then left the queens to converse with them to find Endymion.
She found him with Artemis in the conference room. And she smiled when he kneeled before her. "My dearest king, do not be afraid. I am here to protect you and this family from any further harm."
Endymion slowly nodded.
Selene's expression turned solemn. "I know that you are angry, sad, and confused that I did not stop any of the events that have occurred but I assure you that it was their time and they are in a better place. But I ask you to help yourself . . . . Call to the goddess Aphrodite, the goddess and protector of your dearest friend."
Without hesitating or wasting time asking his goddess questions, Endymion called to the goddess Aphrodite.
Meanwhile, Selene did not call but demanded the presence of the god Aries. Both appeared before her and thanked them for responding to their call. Then she beckoned them to follow her back into the shrine where the others awaited their arrival.
Once they entered, Selene made several overstuffed white chairs appear in a circle and asked the gods to sit next to their queens. Aries and Aphrodite looked at each other hesitantly and sat down quietly next to each other.
Zeus was the first to speak. "What do you request of us, Selene? Because it has to be important for ALL of us to be here," he chuckled.
Selene shook her head and smiled to herself. "You have to know what is happening. The death of the two queens and the moon princess effect us all. That is why I have asked you here to decide the fate of the accused." Then taking a breath she continued to speak telepathically to the gods. 'For we all know the true identity of their murderer and that the deaths of the remaining queens are eminent . . . and yet they are the only mortals participating in this trial, at the moment, and they are crucial. So stop treating this lightly, for you know that tonight the Queen of Jupiter will die. Therefore it is imperative that we get through this quickly before it is Amy's time as well. Will you help me? For you know that all fates are intertwined.'
There was a silence.
Then after a few moments Aphrodite nodded.
Aries leaned back into his chair. But Selene, even though we know the events that will happen, we cannot change them. It is their fate. We must allow them to play themselves out.
I know, but . . .
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted, by a man brazenly walking into the shrine.
He wore a dark navy blue suit with black dress shoes. Around him there seemed to linger an air of regality. For his deep piercing green eyes demanded respect, but then again all of his facial features did the same.
Selene's eyes narrowed at the sight of this stranger and his interruption, but she quickly regained her calm expression.
Not noticing her goddess' disdain for this man, Selenity moved past the gods and welcomed the stranger with a warm embrace. "This is the esteemed Prince Sapphire. He will present the evidence against Endymion."
Endymion sat in the throne room at a glass table enraged as he listened to this so-called 'prince.' For the tale he was spinning would have put Pinocchio to shame.
No matter how eloquently he worded his lie . . . it was apparent that it was just that and nothing more.
The gods were seated in several high backed chairs where Serenity and Endymion's thrones had one been. At their feet before them were Amy and Lita sitting in the same white overstuffed chairs that had been in the shrine earlier.
Prince Sapphire paced before them spinning his web. He spoke of Rini's death being planned since the day she was born, because of the love the Queen felt for her child. It had caused an overwhelming amount of jealousy to fill the king and husband . . . and he would stop at NOTHING . . . ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, he pounded on the table before Endymion for emphasis . . . to guarantee that the queen's heart belonged to him alone. So this like every other of the king's actions was simply . . . for Serenity.
Endymion was screaming inside. His anguish was apparent for he would frequently ruffle his hair by running his hands through it or covering his face with his hands. "Damn it! Who the hell is going to believe this bull shit?! Oh, yes, I hated my daughter that's why she was my little angel and went absolutely everywhere with me. I was simply looking for an opportunity! Ha! But to kill her for Serenity?! This is killing Sere . . . and me . . ."
At that moment Sapphire turned his back to the gods and
allowed his eyes meet Endymion's and silently but haughtily declared,
'I will win . . . and there is nothing you can do about it.' Endymion
hit the table in front of him. A reproving look from Selene was the
only thing that kept him from jumping across the table and strangling
Sapphire.
"You see his anger that he displays now." Turning and walking back to the safety of the gods. "This is the anger that made this KING kill the Queen of Mars. For you see she learned of his plan and like all the women of Mars she was a slut," Sapphire announced to the jury.
Aries eyes flamed. He did not like his queen to be spoken of in such a manner . . . let alone his people. Thus he vowed that this jerk would pay dearly for insulting him and the Royal Family. Yet the insults did not stop there. We must not interfere.
"For you see . . . Raye was constantly throwing herself at Endymion and saw this as a perfect opportunity to have the king all for herself. She blackmailed him . . . threatening to reveal his plan to Serenity if he did not comply. So they spent many a day in a quiet little cabin on Mars . . . and her daughter is his as well. How else would the two young princesses bond so quickly, if they were not sisters? But things had gone too far and his actions were simply to protect Serenity . . . knowing that Raye would break down and confess everything to his beloved when she learned of the manner in which Rini was killed. Besides, if it were ever learned that the king had been blackmailed it would have been a symbol of weakness and no king would EVER TOLERATE that," Sapphire icily spoke.
Enough was enough. Endymion rose abruptly and slammed his fists once again upon the table before him, but this time he caused it break. Shards of glass slammed into his fists. "Enough! Stop your lies.For I will not stand idly by any longer and listen to this scum slander the memories of the deceased OR question my honor!"
"I quite agree. This is enough for one day. Tomorrow those willing to speak for Endymion may," Selene stated.
"Wait my liege. I have one more bit of evidence to present to this court if you will permit me," Sapphire pleaded.
Selene glanced at Aphrodite seeking her approval. To her dismay she nodded. "All right, Sapphire, but make it quick."
"While Endymion was in the dungeons the night Rini was murdered, he tried desperately to escape. He tried clawing his way out and throwing his 'magic' roses at the door. And finally in a last ditch effort to escape his powers grew isn't that right, Endymion?" Sapphire demanded.
Endymion nodded.
"He gained the ability to control blades of energy. Please demonstrate this to the court."
Endymion stood and aimed at the chandelier. He took a deep breath and thrust two purple blades of energy at it. They instantly caused the chandelier to come crashing down.
"So you see he not only killed Princess Rini and Queen Raye, but with this new power he no longer had to stab his victims, he need only slice them in two. Let me remind the court that the King and Queen of Venus were murdered in this fashion, and since none of the senshi or anyone else in the palace could control such a power it must have been Endymion who killed them as well.
Serenity had only been able to watch the trial occasionally . . . for she would pass out when her beloved friend and daughter's memories were being tarnished . . . which was frequently. For this was too much to bear the death for Rini had been enough . . . but now with the death of her friends were killing her as well. And now listening to these lies was making her ill with grief.
Thus, when Luna had offered to bring her some soup, Serenity quickly bustled her out of the room . . . . But that may not have been wise.
For now the angelic queen sat in front of her vanity fixing her hair and makeup just as if it were just an ordinary day. However there was a new addition to her vanity amongst her makeup, brushes, and ribbon. It gleamed there amongst her jewelry. Rubies, diamonds, sapphires, amethysts, and emeralds glistened at its sheath. It had been a gift from the senshi the day she had become queen.
Serenity's eyes glanced upon its sheath and she picked it up quietly letting her hands dance across the jewels until the blade was visible. It was funny that such a beautiful thing could cause so much damage.
'This is the only way,' she reminded herself, 'to free myself from the pain and guilt of their deaths. I know that this is ALL because of me . . .'
She brought the knife to her chest, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and drew it back to plunge it into her breast.
But she was stopped.
She felt someone's firm grip wrench the knife from her hands. She heard them sheath it and hurriedly place it amongst their robes.
"My love," the stranger whispered, "please don't open your eyes . . . though how I wish for them to gaze upon me once more." Sighing a hand reached to stroke Serenity's face.
She did not recoil. Rather she listened attentively to the speaker's silky voice . . . struggling to identify it.
"Death is not the answer my angel. Soon you will find comfort in my embrace. Peace in my eyes and love, only for you, in my heart. Remember that always. This is all for you." With that the speaker bent and kissed her lightly on the lips and quickly quit the room.
After she heard the quiet click of the door opening and shutting, Serenity slowly opened her eyes and lowered her gaze to her hands. Then she fiercely rubbed her lips clean of the stranger's kiss. "I am not . . . nor will I ever be your angel or love. It will be my greatest desire and pleasure to rip your heart from your chest, just as you ripped the lives of friends from them."