Nightmares of the King
Chapter 5
Roiyaru stared at the orange light and sighed heavily. He thought of Endymion when he saw the light so following instinct he entered the bright orange light. He found himself in a murky cave with Shadows everywhere. He saw cages with lifeless bodies within them. They sickened him. The flesh of these men looked elastic and unmoving as if under some sort of horrid suspended animation. Their eyes had no iris or pupil, just the whites of the sclera. What a nasty sight, Roiyaru thought looking over the rest of the cave.
He came upon four particular cages. In the first three he recognized his friends, alive yet distraught. He could not see well in the fourth cage so without a thought, Roiyaru wanted to go help them but he knew he could not without Kunzite's help. So he decided to go back through the light and get Kunzite.
"Kunzite," Roiyaru called running through the orange light. When he got there he saw Kunzite plagued by Shadows beating him senseless and there was nothing the ex-general could do to defend himself. Around him were three Shadows taking form as Tuxedo Sun, Tuxedo Kometto, and Tuxedo Asteroid and one more... the face of Kunzite but not the body. "How can that be?" Roiyaru said aloud.
The Shadow with the face of Kunzite came towards Roiyaru. It had no eyes whatsoever and when it opened its mouth, only darkness was seen.
"Roiyaru," Kunzite called in agony. "They're getting stronger, that's why they can do this."
Roiyaru did not know what to do. Would hitting the Shadow hurt Kunzite - Wait a minute, he thought, "Do I care?" With that a small jab to the face of the Shadow knocked it over and Roiyaru rushed to Kunzite but to be stopped by the image of his friends. When these images opened their mouths, there were teeth and a tongue. He knew Tomoshibi, Kasai, and Zachary wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. That was when Kunzite toppled the Shadows that took form as those three Tuxedoes.
"Where were you?" Kunzite asked supporting himself on Roiyaru's shoulder.
"Finding a way out," Roiyaru replied. "It's this way!" Roiyaru helped Kunzite into the bright orange light. The four shadows were left on the other side unable to enter. Hiding behind a pillar, Roiyaru looked over Kunzite. He was bleeding from his mouth which was only the most recognizable sight of pain. Showing compassion, Roiyaru wiped the blood away with his own arm.
"Arigatou, Roiyaru." Kunzite responded. "Don't get too comfortable, though" he added. "My Zoicite is here, and it would be awkward to be seen cozy with you."
Roiyaru smiled.
Kunzite smiled back at him. "So does this mean I'm forgiven for killing you?"
Roiyaru held back a chuckle. "Just don't think of it as friendship." He replied using Kunzite's earlier words against him.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Kunzite stared into Roiyaru's blue eyes. "You are a very beautiful man."
Roiyaru didn't reply to the statement but moved on. "I think I know where Zoicite is."
Kunzite agreed. "I feel his presence."
"I might have a way to get there, follow me."
"I hope you know what you're doing because if you don't it'll cost us both our lives." Kunzite hissed.
"Hey, remember me; I always have hope."
---
The Senshi and Serenity made a circle around Endymion as he was placed on a mat and told to calm himself and concentrate on where he was going. As Sailor Mars chanted and the rest of them focused on helping him, Endymion began to fall asleep.
"Now," Sailor Mars said. "Remember, when you're done what you're supposed to do, you're just going to wake up the next morning, of course unless you die."
"Rei," Serenity hissed.
"Sorry, I mean you'll wake up tomorrow."
"And getting the Tuxedoes out?" Endymion asked groggily.
"They'll wake up too," Sailor Mars responded.
Endymion beckoned Serenity nearer before the task was complete. He put his tired hand around his beloved and kissed her long and hard, putting every ounce of his love into it. Before long, he was sound asleep leaving Serenity puzzled. Something was not right about that kiss.
---
Roiyaru and Kunzite were close. Hiding behind pillar after pillar, they were only some feet away from the cages that held the Tuxedoes and probably Zoicite. Slowly and quietly they made it to the first cage.
"Tomoshibi," Roiyaru whispered. "Tomoshibi, it's me." Roiyaru waited for Tomoshibi to turn in the small cage and look at him. The cages were only big enough for them to sit and pull their knees towards them.
Tomoshibi looked wretched. He seemed as if there were another Shadow around him, he'd give up and die right there. When the young man turned his eyes to Roiyaru, he wondered if it was an illusion. As tears began welling up in his eyes, Kunzite scorned him.
"Tell him to shut up." Kunzite said appearing in front of Tomoshibi.
"No, leave me alone!" Tomoshibi shouted. Tomoshibi thought he was being tortured; there was Roiyaru with his worst enemy Kunzite from the Negaverse. Hiding again behind a pillar in order not to be spotted by the Shadows, Kunzite and Roiyaru felt they were almost dead men.
"Tomoshibi, calm down." Kasai said from his cage beside the young man. "Don't make the Shadows come here.
"I just saw Roiyaru with Kunzite, the general of the Negaverse." Tomoshibi whispered.
"You're hallucinating." Zachary said sounding more wretched than the two of them. The man's blue-haired roots had become a darkened navy.
"No, he's not." Roiyaru said appearing between the cages of Kasai and Zachary. The two men looked at Roiyaru and Kunzite and were confused.
"Have you betrayed us?" Kasai asked. "If you were real, I'd come out and kill you!"
There was that fighting spirit Roiyaru knew Kasai for. If he had been anymore cockier he'd have been the good version of Kunzite. Making that remark to Kunzite only produced more scorn.
"Shut up," Kunzite hissed. "Hurry this up so we can get out of here."
"Zachary," Roiyaru asked. "If I was the real Roiyaru, how would I get you out?"
Zachary thought for a minute. What did he have to lose if this was not the real Roiyaru? His life, no doubt, but how precious was life in a place where there were no means of escape. "Do you see that sword over there?" he said meaning the sword that was held in an aura of dark glow. "I've seen every Shadow try to get at it; it must hold some kind of power."
"I'll get at it." Roiyaru told him. "Just stay strong." Creeping around on the ground, Roiyaru surprisingly got through without being seen and now all was left was to get the sword. As he reached for it, dark lightning struck him and he yelled in pain. Rushing to his aid was Kunzite who was caught up in the lightning as well. They fell, blown back a few paces backwards as Shadows appeared blocking the sword.
"Nice of you to join us, Kunzite." A familiar voice said to him.
"Zoicite?" Kunzite asked.
"Hello Kunzite." Zoicite said. "How have you been?" Zoicite came from between the Shadows with his hair tied behind him and in his old grey general's uniform.
Kunzite looked at Zoicite and almost cried. "I've been fine, and you?"
"I've been great; why have you come?" Zoicite asked.
"To save you, my love." Kunzite answered choking back tears.
Zoicite laughed haughtily. "Save me? It seems like you are the one who needs the saving."
Kunzite was confused. "Zoë-chan, it's me."
"I know perfectly well who you are. Your Zoicite's lover, the one he swore would come for him one day. It looks like you've come a little too late!"
Kunzite denied Zoicite's words. "Then if you're not Zoicite who are you? Of course you're Zoicite," Kunzite said trying to make himself believe it. Do not attack my dignity and say you are not my love."
"Love," Zoicite laughed. "Oh Kunzite, what made you ever think we were in love?" Kunzite was confused. How could Zoicite say this? "I could never love a man as weak as you!"
"Don't listen to him," Roiyaru said putting his hand on Kunzite's shoulder. Kunzite abruptly pushed Roiyaru's hand off. Roiyaru put his hand back and looked deep into Kunzite's eyes. "Don't listen to him."
"Isn't that sweet; it seems you two have kissed and made up... and what a kiss it was." Zoicite said in a maniacal tone. Kunzite and Roiyaru were shocked. How had he known? "Don't think I wasn't watching," Zoicite began. "You too looked pretty involved."
"Shut up!" Roiyaru shouted. He wouldn't want to risk his friends to hear what Zoicite was saying. "Don't fill his head with your lies!"
"Defending your boyfriend are you, Roiyaru or have you come to be stabbed in the back again?" Zoicite laughed. "Pathetic."
Roiyaru knew it wasn't Zoicite even though that was probably what Zoicite would say to him. Zoicite began explaining to Kunzite and him how the real Zoicite had waited pitifully for Kunzite to save him and how he waited for the love of his life to come and help him escape. As Roiyaru listened and felt the melancholy swell within Kunzite he looked behind Zoicite, and there was Neo-King Endymion tip-toeing ever so quietly to the sword.
"It is a laugh to realize that Zoicite waited all these years to see you here, and now he'd have to see you die." Zoicite laughed heartily. "You know, I have him within me. His soul and spirit... I can feel him just itching to say hi but of course I won't let him."
Kunzite almost broke down. He was so close but had waited so long. Even more was the fact that Zoicite had loyally waited for him but now in vain. "Give him back" he managed to get out.
"You'll be seeing him shortly because once all five of you are engulfed in this Shadow Realm it'll have enough power to take over earth." Again the evil laughter came about.
"You can't do much without the key!" Endymion said from behind Zoicite.
"Arcturus," Zoicite asked turning around looking at Neo-King Endymion. Summoning Shadows, Zoicite continued to stare at Endymion. "No, I know who you are; you're Endymion, his son therefore the rightful owner of this key. Well, I'm sorry to say my lord, that we have no use for you anymore. We are no longer under your control!" Zoicite remarked. "Shadows show the new king what he will be expecting on earth!"
In that moment, Shadows swept Endymion off his feet and unto another part of the cave. "Endymion!" Roiyaru shouted.
"Roiyaru catch!" Endymion said. He threw the sword up in the air and Roiyaru caught it.
Zoicite looked troubled but then hid it behind a face of fatuity. "Not like you can do anything with it."
"I could kill you," Roiyaru told him.
"Kunzite, would you allow him to do that to me, your Zoicite?" Zoicite asked. Kunzite was still struggling with all that he had heard. Zoicite moved closer towards Roiyaru and Roiyaru put up his guard. "Now, will you strike me while in the presence of my love?" Zoicite asked Roiyaru.
"How much do you want to bet?" Roiyaru asked. Raising the sword high to strike down upon Zoicite, he shouted a battle cry and brought the sword down in a quick and stunning motion. However, before it could even touch Zoicite, Kunzite had knocked the sword out of Roiyaru's hands.
Zoicite laughed evilly as the sword slid his way. "Fools, the both of you." He mocked.
"Traitor!" Roiyaru cried. "The memories of the Shadow's torture flooded back to him.
"You're close to your friends aren't you?" Kunzite voiced with a hurt tone. "What's an eternity of pain when you are so close to them?" Kunzite fought back tears now! The evilest, most vile general of the Negaverse was about to cry. "You have them here with you and I have nothing!" he shouted at Roiyaru.
Zoicite picked up the sword and then moved towards Kunzite. "You still have me."
"Kiss me, my love." Kunzite pleaded. "Let me remember the sweet taste of your lips." Kunzite welcomed Zoicite with unbreakable hug and a passionate kiss. Breaking the kiss but not the hug, he looked deep into Zoicite's eyes and said, "I don't care what you have become. You are my Zoicite!" Kunzite's words pierced Roiyaru's heart. He was about to lose the battle. His king was taken away, his friends were almost dead, and here he was double-crossed.
Getting out of Kunzite's grasp Zoicite smiled evilly. "I feel the power in this sword – the key. With this I'll have the power to finally open a portal to earth and claim it for the Shadow Realm! And I'll start by destroying you, Roiyaru."
Roiyaru put up his guard but what was he going to use to defend himself against the sharp object? Knowing this information, Zoicite raised the sword up and laughed. "Finally, you'll be totally destroyed!" Before Zoicite saw it coming, Kunzite redeemed himself to Roiyaru by hitting the sword out of the Zoicite's hands. Embracing Zoicite tightly, body to body, Kunzite nodded at Roiyaru.
Roiyaru, picking up the sword, knew what he had to do with it. "You can deceive me with his body you evil Shadow but you cannot impersonate his soul!" Kunzite told him. "You'll pay for the shit you have put us through! Do it now, Roiyaru!" Kunzite ordered. Roiyaru hesitated. He knew that once the sword had pierced through the Shadow there was no stopping it from piercing through Kunzite. "Roiyaru, for God's sake, kill it!"
"He can't do it, Kunzite; he's weak, just like he was before." The Shadow posing as Zoicite mocked.
"I am not weak!" Roiyaru protested depleting the space between 'Zoicite' and him to only inches.
"If you aren't, kill him!" Kunzite told him again.
Zoicite laughed the annoying laughter that had plagued Roiyaru's mind and that used to be comfort to Kunzite. "My, my, my, it seems he has feelings for you, Kunzite; have you been cheating on me while I was away?"
"Roiyaru kill the blasted thing now!" Kunzite shouted trying his hardest to ignore the image of Zoicite.
"I can't do it!" Roiyaru yelled back.
"He doesn't have the guts to stab someone in the back like I do, that's why you love me right, Kunzy-chan?" Zoicite pouted half-hysterical, half-mockingly.
"I swear, if you don't do it, I'll kill you again!" Kunzite yelled, veins popping from his neck. Roiyaru had no more time to think, he did exactly what he was told to do. As the sword pierced through the Shadow, it yelled and disappeared. However, the sword had stabbed Kunzite.
Roiyaru was shocked. Even though he knew it was going to happen, he couldn't believe he was watching it. This was what I wanted, he thought. This was one of the last things he dreamed of before dying during the Silver Millennium, yet now, it was a bittersweet victory.
"Get me off the sword." Kunzite gagged. Roiyaru pulled the sword out and let Kunzite fall into his arms. Roiyaru looked sad and confused.
"You really got him." Kunzite said breathing heavily.
Roiyaru forced himself to chuckle. Kunzite chuckled with him and began to cough continuously and abruptly. Roiyaru held Kunzite's hand as he was ready to pass.
"There's something different in your eyes..." Kunzite said to him. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he added, "Last time, I saw within your eyes that when I killed you, I killed your hope and your purpose. Now these same eyes will slowly kill me and bring me a hope of seeing my Zoicite again. But I ask you one more favor, Roiyaru-san."
Roiyaru was already willing to do anything for the man who had saved his life. It was ironic that the man who took it had saved it. Now Roiyaru's revenge looked like a misled vengeance; a vengeance that he regretted.
Kunzite opened his moth to speak. "Let me feel something real before my time is up." Kunzite draped his arm around Roiyaru's neck and kissed his lips. Roiyaru blushed, hoping his friends weren't watching. "Arigatou, Roiyaru." The time had come, Kunzite was to die. "This time, I'm coming to you, Zoicite... the real Zoicite; I'm sorry I made you wait so long." With that Kunzite disappeared.
Roiyaru had no time to think before Endymion had come back a little bruised but ecstatic from the fight with the Shadows. "Roiyaru, Kunzite you both did it! When you got Zoicite the Shadows disappeared!" Endymion saw only one man in the lair and was confused. "Where's Kunzite?" Endymion asked him. The perplexingly depressed look on Roiyaru's face said it all for him. "I think he has redeemed himself," Endymion told Roiyaru. Roiyaru nodded in agreement.
---
Roiyaru and Endymion opened the three remaining cages with the sword. "We thought you weren't going to make it through." Kasai told Roiyaru clasping his shoulder looking revitalized.
"We were thinking that you were going to give up." Zachary added as his natural blue hair had taken its bright sheen again.
"But he's Roiyaru," Tomoshibi began with a smile. "You can always count on him and his hope."
Tomoshibi went up to Roiyaru and was contented by seeing him. They embraced each other tightly and rubbed each other's scarred backs. Roiyaru looked into the eyes of his friend and smiled. This time, he thought, death did not catch them. Now, he had the chance to explore life with Tomoshibi by his side (with Kasai and Zachary too.) Roiyaru began to think that maybe, just maybe he would bring up the question that Kunzite had planted within his mind during their... awkward moments. It didn't matter, though; he had a long time to figure the answer out.
---
It was time, Endymion thought. After taking the sword, which was the key to the Shadow Realm from Roiyaru, Endymion slashed through the air and a portal was created. It was only left for the five men to step through. One by one each man stepped through except Endymion. "Goodbye Serenity," he said aloud. "I intend to see you in my dreams."
Out on the other side, it was as if Serenity heard Endymion speaking those words to her. "No!" she shouted. She began shaking Endymion's unconscious body in front of her as tears rolled down her face. Serenity thought that the kiss Endymion had given her before seemed like a goodbye but she hoped it wasn't. It was evident to her then that Endymion wouldn't be making it back.
Once the four Tuxedoes had made it through the portal, Endymion, with tears streaming down his face, again expressed his love for Serenity. Endymion took the sword on two sides with the intention cracking it. With one deep breath he began trying to break it – the key.
Serenity wailed as she saw blood flow from Endymion hands. "Mamo-chan," she cried. "Mamo-chan!!!"
Endymion somehow heard his wife's screams and he cried harder. Sobbing sadly and creating a puddle of tears below him, he tried his hardest to ignore Serenity and continue his task. A crack appeared in the sword and the task was almost finished. The portal in front of him got smaller and smaller until it was closed.
"Mamo-chan," Serenity said banging the floor beside him. "Wake up, wake up!"
He heard it all. Endymion heard the bangs and the cries of pain but he couldn't stop. More fissures appeared in the sword. Again and again, the crevices lead from one to another as if mapping out a road on the sword. When it was ready to broken, Endymion looked up to the heavens with teary eyes and shouted, "I LOVE YOU USAKO!"
After proclaiming his love for his wife and queen, Endymion broke the sword on a wall and the shards disappeared as they were to hit the ground. The task was finished.
Serenity stopped crying. Through the room, there was only a sound of a broken heart beating normally but wishing it would fail. Silent tears rolled down her face and she knew what just happened; he was now in eternal sleep. Serenity did not whimper, did not moan. All she allowed were the tears to fall down her face as she said, "I could be pregnant." She did not blink, she did not twitch... she stood as still as a statue and as loyal as a puppy awaiting its master.
As her Senshi filed out to go fetch the Tuxedoes, she did not even so much as think a goodbye. All she was thinking of was her unborn child and her husband. There he was laying there; his skin still that beautiful shade of Japanese cream, his lips still flushing pink and soft – still ever so kissable. His heart was still beating... this was confusing. He was not dead, yet he was not awake. Serenity's frozen state of perplexity and sadness drained the color from her face, darkened her beautiful blue eyes, and placed an emotionless grin on her face.
---
Sailor Mars closed the door to where Serenity and her sleeping lover laid. She still had not moved an inch yet her tears were formulating a puddle from under her. What happened to Crystal Tokyo, the New Era of Peace and happiness? What happened to the future that the Royal Family was supposed to experience? There was supposed to be a future of togetherness and that is when she conceived an idea. She resolved to fall into an endless sleep too, right beside her beloved and if the child should be born, then Crystal Tokyo would fall into the child's hands. Kissing Endymion's lips as if there were some sweet poison on them she fell asleep on her lover's chest. Awaiting, awaiting, awaiting for eternity to come.
---
The next morning, Serenity became conscious and whispered her husband's name, "Mamo-chan." It must have been a dream, yet she did not feel as if she was in her own bed. When she finally opened her eyes she realized she was in the same room she had slept in but there was no Endymion around. Breaking into the same silent tears, her eyes became clouded and she could only but crawl to the door. When she heard footsteps of someone coming into the door she voiced her anguish.
"Please tell me where you've taken him." After whimpering a couple of times she broke her sobs and said boldly, "By order of the queen, tell me where you have taken him!"
The man took her chin and raised her up softly. "Could I take the place of your king?"
Serenity was baffled. How could anyone try and take the place of her beloved king and husband; her life, her freedom, her better half? She began to cry once more until interrupted by a soft kiss. Serenity knew those lips even if the voice was a mystery to her. His lips were like rose petals; his embrace was smothering yet careful enough as if not to break fine china. It was the way she loved to be hold – to be held with such importance.
He wiped her tears and as sure as she had questioned, there was her beloved Endymion standing in front of her. "Usako..." he whispered, his voice cracking as an adolescent finding his way to manhood. "I am so sorry." He tried to hold back his emotions but tears began flowing down his face. Looking at his wife's face, he knew she was suddenly overcome with questions. "As I sat there, stunned at what had happened a bright light came to me; a vision of your love. It comforted me and it was all I needed and when I arose from sleeping, I was here. I knew you would find a way to visit me, but to bring me back is true love – a love that I will always be devoted to." He kissed her passionately.
Serenity smiled joyously as tears continued to stream in a happy flood off her face. "You can never run away from my love, you see? Never! Promise me; no more secrets!" she said seriously. Endymion nodded. "No, promise me! Promise me!"
"I promise, my love." He told her. Embracing and kissing once more, friends came into the door. Taking a few steps inside, they halted at the sight of the perfect image of love before them.
"You'd think they could get a room." Sailor Mars said looking at the beautiful sight before her.
"They are in a room." Sailor Venus responded lifting everyone else's spirits.
"Well, did it have to be a room in my temple?" Sailor Mars asked. The four Senshi broke out into content smiles seeing the two lovers together again.
"You'd think we'd be the center of attention, after all that's happened." A familiar male voice said from the doorway.
Serenity, opening one eye to see who had said that looked at a four men in the doorway. "Roiyaru-kun!" she exclaimed as she and her husband came to see them. "Roiyaru-kun," she exclaimed again.
"Serenity-sama, Endymion-sama," Roiyaru said bowing in front of them. Tomoshibi, Kasai, and Zachary followed Roiyaru's action.
Welling up with more tears, Serenity put her hands on Tomoshibi and Kasai's shoulders. "Tomoshibi-kun, Kasai-kun, Zachary-kun."
"Endymion-sama, we would like to," the jet-black haired Tomoshibi began.
"That is to say, if you would like us to... if it's your will," Zachary said fixing Tomoshibi's terminology.
"And if you have the consent of your queen," Kasai added.
"It would be our honor to be of service to you as apart of your court." Roiyaru finished. "There'd be no better purpose but to live for the king."
Endymion's chest rose heavily with a happy sadness and a humble pride. On his face was a smile too big to contain with one person. It was so big that Serenity and each Senshi began smiling too. "Live for yourselves my friends," Endymion said picking his friend up by his shoulders. "But it will be my honor if you'd serve as apart of my court, overseers of the Points of Crystal Tokyo, and friends among my friends." Tightly embracing the man, then the other three, he didn't think the morning could ever get any better.
That was until Serenity cleared her throat for attention. "He's going to need all the help he can get." She said to everyone but no one understood why. "Do queens get maternity leave?" The Senshi were overjoyed and if Endymion's chest could have risen any higher, it would have. O the joys of fatherhood, he thought. Endymion knew that this was where life was supposed to be.
Shuensha Roiyaru did too. As centuries came and had gone, peace had become more than just a term, war was something only glanced at in history books, and memories remained life's eternal gifts. Roiyaru, Kasai, Tomoshibi, and Zachary reminisced about their lives fighting for the Silver Millennium only to fail, receive redemption, and assist the Senshi to awaken the New Era. A man must live for a purpose and in a way they did not actually begin serving their purpose until these bright days of Crystal Tokyo. Generals in the King's court and overseers of different respectable points of the utopia were their purpose all along.
Even in the days of Crystal Tokyo, many still asked for the meaning of life. To the Tuxedoes the meaning of life could have only been found in death; they were just lucky enough to get another chance at it.
-The End-
Stay tuned for the epilogue telling you what I have planned next ;-) Thanks for another great writing experience