FADE TO BLACK
A Sailor Moon Fanfiction
By Jewel
As always, special thanks to my beta readers Syrinx!
(To those of you who reviewed the previous chapters, I would just like to say a big THANK YOU! Also, I hope that you'll keep reading and reviewing as it makes me happy. :p )
Chapter Three:
The Execution
Princess Serenity debated for almost a full minute against reporting to her mother before attending to the execution. Sailor Jupiter made her so angry! What did the old senshi have against her? Still angry over the unduly harsh words from her mother's closest advisor, Serenity nevertheless went to the Queen's office.
Upon arriving at her mother's private office, Serenity was rather surprised not to find Sailor Jupiter there. Glancing around, as if expecting the Sara to jump out from behind the heavy tapestry hanging against the far wall, Serenity stopped ten steps in front of her mother's desk and made a small curtsey. "Good afternoon, Mother."
"Good afternoon, Daughter. Where is Sara?"
"I don't know," Serenity said with a shrug. "She left the conference room before I did. I assumed she'd report to you right away."
"Do not shrug, Serenity," the Queen admonished. "It is unladylike. Why did you and Sara not leave together?"
"She didn't take to the Earth's envoys and rather disapproved of me being the least bit friendly to them."
Queen Serenity sighed and leaned back in her chair, observing her daughter with a stern gaze. "Serenity, you must stop antagonizing Sara. You are too old now for this kind of behavior."
"I am sorry, Mother." Serenity sat in the wing backed chair facing her mother's desk and tried to change the subject. "The Earth's prince was nice. We started laying the foundation of a treaty between the Earth and Moon. Tomorrow, or later this evening, we can go over the minutes and decide what needs further negotiation and what works for the Silver Alliance."
The Queen sighed again and allowed the topic to pass unresolved. "Tomorrow morning we can go over the points you and the Prince agreed on."
Serenity nodded. "Prince Endymion will be returning to Earth tomorrow, but Lord Basil will remain for another week. If both the Earth and Moon can agree on the basic points, then we can begin plans for a series of meetings and further discussions on how the bring the Earth into the Silver Alliance to the advantages of everyone involved."
"You have done well for your first diplomatic dealings with a kingdom outside of the Alliance," her mother said with a smile.
Serenity smiled in return. "Thank you."
A knock on the door preceded the arrival of Sara and Cassandra. Both senshi wore their battle uniforms. Flexible, white bodices hugged their upper bodies while short, flared skirts with pleats revealed their legs. Although no longer in their youth, neither woman showed any sign of her advanced years. Their bodies were as toned and trim as ever. Both looked fierce and ready for war, their swords strapped across their backs.
"The prisoner has been prepared for her execution," Sailor Mars announced after dipping into a low curtsey to her queen.
Looking grim and determined, the Queen rose from her chair. "Then let us not tarry."
The throne room was a large, cavernous chamber made of stone. The roof was domed and made of glass, allowing light to flood in on bright mornings. Now, in the late afternoon, torches were scattered on the walls, filling the room with light, but casting shadows over the cobblestone of the floor as people mingled and chattered anxiously. Courtiers and visiting diplomats stood against the walls, leaving the center of the room clear, for that was where the murderer would stand when the queen passed judgment.
The large oak doors were drawn open, and through them swept the Queen, the Princess and the two remaining senshi. Everyone dropped into a bow or curtsey as they walked to the throne. As the Queen sat in the grand and ornamented throne, the Princess stood off to her right, and Jupiter took her place at the Queen's left.
Mars turned to the guard standing near Queen Serenity's throne. "Bring in the prisoner."
The large doors opened once again to admit Beryl, surrounded by a tight wall of ten guards. At the center of the room, the two front guards broke the wall around Beryl and stepped to the side, each taking hold of an arm. She was still clothed in the black, sack-like dress she had worn last night, her flame colored hair free around her shoulders. She held her head high, despite the iron shackles that bound her hands and feet and the dark bruises that marred her sallow complexion.
Queen Serenity stood, her eyes fixed on the prisoner. "Beryl of the Dark Kingdom has murdered Sailor Mercury, Sailor Venus, and one of my personal guards, while carrying out an assassination attempt on my life. For this, she is hereby sentenced to death." The Queen surveyed the quiet audience as she spoke next, taking care to also look at the monitor that would be broadcasting the execution to all nine kingdoms of the Silver Alliance. "The Moon Kingdom will not allow evil to threaten its peace and stability. We do not as yet know who was behind this attack, but we will very shortly. And when we do ferret out who conspired with Beryl, the penalty will be death. The Dark Kingdom and those who ally themselves with it are now enemies of the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Alliance. If any kingdom feels at conflict -"
Suddenly Beryl broke free of her captors. Both Mars and Jupiter drew their swords and stood in front of the Queen and Princess. The guards standing on the perimeter of the room ran to the center. Even as the column of guards who had escorted her in tried to recapture Beryl, the red haired woman began to change. Her face contorted in pain even as two horns erupted on her forehead. Her arms thickened and busted free of the restraints, her hands twisting into claws. She opened her mouth and screamed, a wordless cry that sent flame spewing forth.
The guards froze, uncertain of what to do. The audience also stood still, awash in fear and morbid excitement. Beryl remained facing the Moon's monarch and her senshi. "We are the Dark Kingdom, and we are not to be taken lightly, Serenity. You cannot stand against us, we are stronger. We will destroy you and shatter your precious Alliance!"
Beryl laughed and continued to mutate, her body growing larger under the dress, ripping the seams. Purple stripes rippled up and down her exposed body, and hard, spiky ridges pushed out of her back. "We will kill you all!"
"Burning Mandala!" Sailor Mars screamed, channeling her energy into several fireballs directed at the monster. Beryl effectively dodged them and ran at the Senshi.
"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter cried, electricity coursing through her body and running along the ground to Beryl. The attack stunned Beryl long enough to allow Mars close enough to stab her through the chest. However, Beryl recovered quickly enough from Jupiter's attack and backhanded Mars before the sword's point got close to her heart. The senshi flew backwards and landed against the far wall. Beryl turned away from the senshi and looked for the Queen, but she and the Princess were gone from the chamber.
Screaming incoherently, Beryl rounded on Sailor Jupiter. Several guards lunged at Beryl simultaneously, and two managed to penetrate her thick skin with their swords. "Get out of the way!" Mars yelled at the guards as she found her footing again. "Mars Snake Fire!"
Large flames rushed from Mars's finger tips, taking on the form of a striking snake. In the blink of an eye it engulfed Beryl.
"Supreme Thunder Dragon!" Invoking her own special attack, Sailor Jupiter called lightning down from the empty sky, creating an enormous dragon. Together with Mars's attack, it consumed Beryl until she was nothing more than a pile of ashes.
"Where is the Queen?" Jupiter demanded, turning to the guard closest to her.
The guard snapped to attention. "My lady, she and the Princess fled with several other guards."
Jupiter nodded. "Double the guards posted around the castle. Nothing gets in or out without my express permission. Understood?"
"Yes, milady!"
Holding her bruised shoulder, Cassandra limped over to stand beside Sara. "They will be within the chamber that houses the crystal."
The two senshi quickly made their way into the deepest part of the palace, to the chamber that held the all powerful Silver Imperium Crystal. Fifteen guards stood outside the chamber, swords drawn, ready to defend their queen and princess. They sheathed their swords upon Mars and Jupiter's approach.
"Remain here," Mars commanded as Jupiter knocked once on the large marble door and announced their presence.
The doors opened immediately and Queen Serenity ran out. In a startling display of emotion from a queen who was typically reserved and graceful, Queen Serenity embraced both her senshi. "Thank Selene! I was so worried! I don't know what would happen to me if I were to lose either of you now."
Princess Serenity trailed behind her mother, her manner more sober. "Is everyone all right?" she asked Mars as the senshi pulled away from the Queen. "Did everyone get out of the chamber in time?"
"Yes, Princess," Mars answered, "The nobles and diplomats fled in time. No one was hurt." She winced. "Much."
"We will retire to my office and discuss this," Queen Serenity said to her senshi. She looked at her daughter. "Serenity, I want you to go to your private chambers and stay there for the rest of the day. Take your dinner in your chamber and do not go for a midnight stroll in the garden, even with guards. You are to remain in the palace until we understand what is happening. Is that understood?"
Resisting the urge to protest, Serenity grudgingly nodded. "Yes, Mother."
To the guards, the Queen said, "Escort the Princess to her chambers and post guards in the garden under her rooms."
Queen Serenity and the senshi departed, taking five guards with them. The remaining ten flanked around Princess Serenity and began to trek to her chambers.
Night settled over the palace, though no one noticed its onset. The Queen had still not emerged from her private office with her senshi, and the court was buzzing with gossip... or so Princess Serenity's maids told her when they brought her dinner. That had been two hours ago, though Serenity had not yet touched the meal. She sat by the window overlooking the garden below. It was not her favorite garden, but it was tranquil enough. Usually, anyway. Tonight there were too many guards down there, carrying on hushed conversations or trampling about, ruining the peaceful silence Serenity normally enjoyed.
But more than a calm night in her garden, Serenity wanted to know what was happening. She understood why her mother might not want her at the private meeting, but it didn't lessen Serenity's worry. Something was wrong. The Dark Kingdom had been unheard of up until today, and yet they were powerful enough to kill two senshi. But more importantly, what did they have against the Moon Kingdom? Ever since the formation of the Silver Alliance almost a thousand years ago, there had been less interplanetary war inside the solar system. Even Earth wanted in on it. So who would want to destroy the Moon Kingdom, the very catalyst for the Silver Alliance?
"Princess Serenity, would you like to prepare for bed now?"
Serenity turned away from her window and heavy thoughts. Serenity's head lady's maid stood in the door way that led from the sitting room to the bedroom. "Yes. I might as well retire for the night."
It took almost an hour to prepare Serenity for bed, her hair alone taking up most of the time. It first had to be loosened from its royal buns-and-ponytails style, combed out and brushed until it gleamed, and then dressed again in the same style. With her hair taken care of and her bath complete, Serenity dismissed the servants for the night.
They were reluctant to go at first, insisting that they should spend the night in the outer chamber to protect the Princes. But out of sheer obstinacy Serenity managed to talk them out of it. Finally they bid her good night and left. Serenity collapsed on her bed, thankful to be by herself for the first time all day. As she mulled over the day's events, she realized that she had never gotten the chance to talk to Prince Endymion again.
Settling her mind on the Earth's Crown Prince, Serenity freely admitted that he was much more handsome than any of the noblemen at court on the moon. Or from the courts of the other kingdoms that she had visited. He certainly had more sense. Of course, she supposed, he would have to if he would one day rule Earth. He had been very charming, though never to the point that he seemed insincere. Hoping that she would have another chance to speak to the Prince before he left the next day, Serenity eventually drifted off to sleep.
Athena, Queen of Mercury, was not amused. Princess Amy stood at the other end of the table looking very apologetic.
The great hall, used for dining by the royal house, foreign diplomats, and nobles who were special guests of the Queen, was flooded. Water lapped at the ankles of the diners even as more water dripped down from the ceiling. Some bare piping peeked through the ruined walls of the large chamber. The Queen pushed her soaked locks out of her face and pinned her eyes on her daughter.
A strange symbol glowed under the Princess's short, dark hair.
"I was choking and needed a bit of water," Amy offered in way of explanation. Her mother looked unconvinced.
"How did this happen?" a lady sitting beside the Queen asked.
"I believe," Athena said slowly, "that our princess is now Sailor Mercury, the Senshi of Water and Ice."
End of Chapter Three
Jewel
(02.20.2005)