Into The Vortex
by Mikazuki
Rated PG-13 - Adult situations, violence and language
Copyright & disclaimer:
As much as it pains me, I do not own Sailormoon nor its characters. SAILOR V, SAILOR MOON & all related material are © 1992 - 2000 NAOKO TAKEUCHI, KODANSHA LTD, TOEI ANIMATION, DiC ENTERTAINMENT, PIONEER ANIMATION & CLOVERWAY. SAILOR MOON, the SAILOR MOON characters & their respective names & likeness are trademarks of TOEI ANIMATION. All rights reserved.
This story was written by Mikazuki Naishinnou and is the property of Mikazuki Naishinnou. You may not distribute this story without permission. Published A Sailormoon Romance & Aria's Ink.
Chapter Two: Doppelgänger
"Serena!"
Both Darien and Endymion yelled as the scrambled to help the teenage girl who passed out. As their hands met electricity coursed through their bodies. They looked at each other; royal blue eyes meeting royal blue eyes.
"Oh my god," Darien said as his face paled as he looked at his mirror image for the first time. Both men wore a look of shock that neither could mask.
"My sentiment exactly," Endymion said as he looked at the man Serena mistook him for. "Let us get her inside," he said as he picked up the petite girl with ease. He brushed past Darien who was suspiciously looking at the man carrying Serena.
"Who are you?" Darien asked his doppelgänger. "He must be from the Negaverse!" He muttered under his breath.
Endymion placed the sleeping beauty on the couch and turned to face Darien. His hand went to the hilt of his sword ready to draw at the first sign that the man, this Darien, was actually one of Beryl's minions.
Silence filled the air as the two men looked each other over, so alike yet so different. Serena moaned as she began to come out of her slumber. Darien and Endymion both rushed over to where the girl laid and glared at each other.
"Where am I?" Serena asked as her vision cleared. She blinked once then twice. She looked at Darien then at Endymion and then back at Darien. "Wow, what a nightmare. Two Dariens!"
"It's no dream, Meatball Head," Darien replied sarcastically. "Are you going to be sleeping the rest of the day or are you going to explain to me what's going on?"
"Sir, you should not speak ill to a lady. Do you have no manners?" Endymion scolded his double.
Shock then anger, crossed Darien's face but he quickly put up a mask, one only Endymion could see.
"He is nothing like me yet he's familiar to me other then his appearance. Beryl's magic no doubt," Endymion thought to himself.
"She's no lady. She's Serena. A clumsy, cry baby who will most like succeed in getting fat off all the junk food she eats."
Serena jumped off the couch and stomped over to where Darien stood.
"At least I'm not a cold-hearted jerk who goes around hurting people's feelings!" She hissed at him.
"At least I'm not likely to fall on my face while walking and chewing gum," he countered.
"Gee, how witty. Think that up by yourself, moron?" Serena yelled at him.
"Enough!" Endymion yelled much to the surprise of Darien and Serena. "Now tell me where am I?"
"You're in Tokyo, Japan and in my apartment," Darien replied. "Don't think you can fool me, Negascum."
"Am I on Earth or on the Moon?" Endymion asked as he looked out the apartment window behind Serena.
"Uh… You're on Earth. Why would you be on the moon? You don't look to be an astronaut. Endymion where are you from?" Serena asked. "Why does he want to find Queen Serenity?"
"As I told you. I am Prince Endymion of the Golden Kingdom," he said as he bowed.
"Golden Kingdom? I've never heard of a 'Golden Kingdom' before." Darien glared at the man. "I think you're lying."
Endymion glared at the man before turning his attention to Serena. There was something about Darien that made him uncomfortable. "Serena, I really must be going," he said to the petite blonde as he stared at his double. "I must find Queen Serenity."
"I'll go with you," She said as she rushed to his side. There was no way she was going to let him go if he was searching for Queen Serenity. It was her duty to protect the princess and if this man was looking for the princess' mother she simply had to protect him. She was a Senshi and it was her duty.
"Serena, can I talk to you in the kitchen please," Darien said as he grabbed her by the arm.
"Uh... sure," she reluctantly followed her contemporary into the kitchen. "Say you wouldn't have any chocolate do you?"
"No." Darien shut the door to the kitchen as Serena began to raid his 'fridge. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"I'm hungry," she whined. "I missed breakfast and besides Endymion is probably hungry to."
"For all we know you could have brought a Negaverse youma into my place!"
"What? No way! Endymion isn't a youma! He's too nice to be a youma."
"Serena look you need to get out of here. ALONE."
"Uh Darien, now why would... well... why would the Negaverse want to make a duplicate of you and name him Prince Endymion? It doesn't make sense. You're no prince that's for sure! Maybe a FROG prince…"
Darien shifted in place. "Damn, that's right, she doesn't know I'm Tuxedo Mask. If I tell her she could very well blurt it out and tell everyone my secret identity," he said to himself. He looked at her contemplating what to tell her. "Who knows? Do I look like I'm a super hero or something?"
"You?" Serena began to giggle. "A super hero?" Her giggling turned into laughter. "That's rich. Darien a super hero. Let me guess, you're really Tuxedo Mask. Yea, and I'm Sailor Moon." She continued laughing and Darien joined in.
"Clumsy, stupid Serena, Sailor Moon? Now that IS funny."
Serena glared at him then her eyes went wide. "Did I just tell Darien the truth? Did I just tell Darien I'm Sailor Moon? Oh geeze, Luna is going to kill me!"
Serena coughed, "Yea, I'm Sailor Moon and you're Tuxedo Mask. And I bet you're also the Prince of Japan. At any rate," she said trying to change the subject," I don't think he's a Negaverse agent. He doesn't feel evil."
"And what would you know about evil? Don't be naïve, Serena. He could very well be from the Negaverse. Don't be stupid!"
"Stupid? Stupid? Look, Mr. Darien Chiba, I'm not stupid," she spat out. "Sure I don't get the best grades but that doesn't make me stupid!" She turned on her heel and went back into the living room. "Come on Endymion. I'll take you to Raye's maybe she can help figure out what's going on."
Darien hurried out of the kitchen. "Wait, Serena. It could be dangerous."
"Dangerous? No, Darien what's more dangerous is for me staying here and killing you for insulting me. I'm not your punching bag, Darien and I won't stay where I'm not welcomed."
Darien stepped in front of Serena and Endymion.
"Sir, I kindly ask that you step away from us if you know what is best. I trust Serena's judgment. I have no reason why I shouldn't, but you sir, I do not trust. Now move or I will move you myself," he said as he once again reached for his sword.
Darien eyed him and the sword. "Damn, Serena can get hurt if I try to stop them. Klutz or not she is still an innocent by-stander." The two men glared at each other. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."
Serena smiled, "Um, Endymion we have a small problem though," she said as she pointed to his armor. "I don't know why I didn't see it before but you look like you stepped out of a fairy tale and I think you could get arrested for carrying that sword." She tilted her head and looked over at Darien. "Um, Darien, can he borrow some of your clothes?" she asked with a sweet smiled at him.
Darien glared at her. She wanted him to loan the Negascum his clothes. He shuddered. "Fine. Come on, Endymion. I'll give you something to wear." He said as he retreated into his bedroom with Endymion following.
A short time later both men came out of the bedroom.
"Oh my god," Serena said as her jaw dropped open. "You two could pass for twins! Now you're Darien," she said to man with a scowl on his face. "And you're Endymion," she said as she pointed to the other man wearing a similar scowl on his face. The two men glared at each other then looked at Serena.
"What? Did I get that wrong?"
"No, Meatball Brain you got it right. Come on, maybe Raye can figure this out."
"So let me get this straight," Raye said as she flipped a strand of hair from her face. "You're hurrying to school and you bump into Darien only its not Darien but his identical twin brother. And this twin isn't he twin but a possible agent from the Negaverse?"
"Kind of..."
"Uh huh, and I'm the Empress of Japan."
"Raye, I'm telling the truth!" The blonde wailed.
"So where are they?" The Shinto priestess narrowed her eyes.
"Outside. But Raye, Endymion says he's from the Golden Kingdom and needs to see Queen Serenity!"
Raye's eyes went wide in shock. "Queen Serenity? Are you sure? But she's dead!"
Serena nodded her head. "I know."
"You didn't tell them we are Sailor Senshi did you?"
The blonde shook her head. "No. All I said, to both Darien and Endymion, was maybe you could help. After all you are a Shinto Priestess and have visions. Can you figure it out?"
"I don't know. The Sacred Fire usually only shows me the present or the future rarely the past and even then I can't just snap my fingers and get results... What about Amy? Do you think she could use her Mercury computer?"
Serena shook her head again, "No, Amy is in school. I only skipped because of Endymion and when mom finds out I'm dead! Hey come to think of it why aren't YOU in school?"
"Teacher-parent conference. No classes."
"Ahhh. Well what do you think?"
"Fine, I'll give it a try but first I want to see Darien's twin. Is he as cute as Darien?"
"Better. He's actually nice to me!" Serena smiled widely.
"That'd change once he sees your klutz side," Raye said as she stuck her tongue at Serena.
"Hey! Be nice!" Serena said as she stuck her tongue back at the raven-haired beauty. The two engaged in a full-scale tongue war much to the annoyance of Darien who walked into the room with Endymion.
"Are you two done yet? Or are you going to kiss?" He asked in a hostile tone.
Both girls jumped back from each. "Ewww, don't be such a perv, Darien!" Raye yelled at him. "Do you want my help or not?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Actually, no. I'm only doing this because Serena asked and frankly I'm curious myself on your doppelgänger." She smiled sweetly to him.
"Doppelgänger?" Serena asked.
"Geeze, don't they teach you anything in school?" Darien asked as he rolled his eyes.
"Shut up. Jerk."
"Meatball Brains."
"Stop this childish behavior at once!" Endymion barked at the two as he entered the room. "Milady, Serena tells me you can possibly be of help. Can you tell me how I got here? And exactly where or when am I?" He asked as he kissed her hand.
Serena's face grew red with jealousy while Raye's blushed with embarrassment. Darien continued to glare at him.
"Um... uh... I'll try," she stammered. "But like I was telling Serena, the Sacred Fire isn't like a TV where you can turn it on and get the right channel."
"TV?" Endymion asked, confused again. "What is a TV?"
"Uh... never mind. Suffice it to say that the Sacred Fire might not tell me anything but I'm willing to try." She motioned for Endymion and Darien to the door. "Would you two please excuse us for a minute. I need to talk to Serena about something else... privately."
"As you wish, milady," Endymion said as he bowed to her then exited the room with Darien in tow.
"Oh he IS cuter then Darien but I think it's his manners that make him more appealing. Otherwise, I think they look exactly the same."
"I found him first, Pyro," Serena said annoyed that her friend would try to put the moves on this Prince Endymion.
"Oh alright. I'm happy with Chad anyways so it doesn't matter." Raye gave her friend a smug smile. "At any rate, see if you can contact Amy. What time does your school have lunch period?"
Serena checked her watch. "Actually, it's lunch time now," she said as her stomach responded to the knowledge that it was lunch. "Knowing Amy she's in the library. I'll contact her while you go get ready."
Raye nodded her head. "Don't take to long, 'k."
Serena nodded and watched Raye exit the room. She then opened her school bag and pulled out her communicator pad and pressed the Mercury symbol. "Come on Amy, pick up..."
"Serena? Where are you? You should be in school right now," Amy said as she whispered into the communicator.
"I'm at Raye's. Look I need you here as soon as possible. There's a possible youma with us impersonating Darien."
"Did you hit your head Serena? Did you say a youma is impersonating Darien?"
Serena shook her head. "That's the thing, we don't know. He claims to be Prince Endymion of the Golden Kingdom and get this! He is searching for Queen Serenity!"
Amy's face became serious, "I'm on my way. Want me to get the other girls in case this impersonator is a youma?"
"Good idea. Better safe then hungry."
"Uh, Serena, you're spending too much time with Mina." Amy said as she sweat dropped.
"Huh? Why?"
"Never mind. See you in a few," Amy said as she cut the communication off.
"Sacred Fire, hear my prayer. Help me see what cannot be seen. Clear my vision so that I may see what is unseen." Raye sat in front of the Sacred Fire and began to chant in a soft even voice. Sweat beaded on her face as she concentrated on the fire in front of her.
The men sat behind her waiting for an answer.
"Well?" Darien asked impatiently.
"Shhh," Endymion leaned over to Darien. "She is a Priestess and needs her concentration. The Priests of my kingdom would sit by the fires for hours on end before a vision would be revealed to them."
Darien rolled his eyes. "Hours are something we don't have."
Raye's head snapped back and her concentration lost. "Well, Darien, it's going to take even longer if you keep yapping. Look, why don't you go outside with Serena while I do this. Endymion, why don't you get Chad or grandpa to fix you some lunch. I'm sure you're hungry and I know Serena is."
"Thank-you, m'lady. Come to think of it I am rather famished." His warm smile made Raye blush once again.
"Too bad Darien isn't like this. He's so cold compared to Endymion." Raye thought. "If only Darien was more like him..." Raye turned her thoughts back to the fire and began chanting once again.
"So she kicked you two out huh," Serena said in between bites of a sandwich. "Here Endymion, have one. Raye's grandfather made them and they're really good."
"Thank-you, Serena," he replied as he took a sandwich.
"What about me, Meatball Head?" Darien asked.
"What about you? If you're hungry go home and cook." She took another bite of the sandwich. After she finished it she wiped her mouth. "So Endymion, tell us more about yourself." Cutting Darien off before he could make a nasty comment.
Endymion put his sandwich down and wiped his mouth. "Well, as I have said before, I am from the Golden Kingdom on Earth. I am the only child to King Endymion VI and Queen Gaia."
"So who is this Queen Serenity?" Darien asked.
"She is the goddess of the moon and our only hope."
"What do you mean? Oh here comes Amy!" Serena said as she waved Amy over.
"Serena, here's your homework you missed." Amy said as she handed the blonde the schoolwork she missed that morning. She eyed Endymion and Darien. "Say Darien, I didn't know you had a twin brother."
"I don't."
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Endymion of the Golden Kingdom," he said as he stood and kissed Amy's hand.
The petite girl blushed. "A prince? Wow." She pretended not to have been filled in by Serena. She blushed even more as she noticed Serena's look of anger.
"I was telling your friends a little about myself. Now that you're here I'll continue." He smiled warmly to the shy girl. "Right now, Earth, my Earth, is under attack by a woman named Beryl. She plans on taking over the world and reign as Queen. My generals are waiting for me to return from the Moon with Queen Serenity. I hope to align our world with hers in order to defeat Beryl."
"Beryl? You mean she isn't a queen?" Amy asked.
Endymion shook his head. "No, is she queen here? There are many rumors surrounding her but the most popular rumor has it that she was a simple peasant who made a deal with a creature called Metallia after begin rejected by a man she was in love with. She wanted to punish the man and everyone else for her humiliation. There are other rumors about her but in all of them she made a deal with the demon."
"Wow! Well here in our world there are women called Sailor Senshi who are fighting a Queen Beryl and her demons called Youma." Amy replied. "Queen Serenity... I take it she is the queen of the moon?"
He nodded. "Yes, she has a daughter named after her as well..."
"Princess Serenity?" Amy gave Serena a look that told her that this man was not to be trusted, at least not yet. He knew more about Queen and Princess Serenity then they did. Maybe he knew where to find the missing princess.
"Have you ever met them?" Amy asked.
"Why all these questions Amy?" Darien asked.
"Oh, just curious that's all. After all, we hear about the famous Sailor Senshi daily and here's a man, a prince no less, who may know them!"
"Alas, I do not know them. I have never met them before. I was to meet them last night near my castle. They were to take me to Queen Serenity."
"So you don't know what Princess Serenity looks like then?" Darien asked.
"Why do you want to know that Darien?" Serena asked.
"My own curiosity. It's not every day a man who looks exactly like you walks into your life with a klutz, who is a thorn in my side."
She glared at him. "So tell us more."
"Well my generals had set up a meeting with the Senshi... You said there were Senshi here? Can I met them?"
The girls shook their head. "I don't know if that's possible considering that they only show up when there is trouble," Serena said.
Endymion sighed.
"I'm sorry Endy," Serena said blushing immediately as she realized she called him by a pet name. "I'm sorry I shouldn't call you that," she said as she continued to blush.
He smiled warmly. "That is alright Serena, I like it."
The warm smile was something Serena had never seen Darien do and she liked how it looked on Endymion's face. So very much like Darien yet nothing like him and it confused the girl. She blushed again. At that moment Raye walked in.
"Anything?" Darien demanded.
The priestess shook her head. "Nothing. But I can tell you that he," she said as she pointed to Endymion, "is not evil."
"Damn, what time is it?" Darien asked as he looked around for a clock. "I have to get to work."
"Uh, it's a little after one." Amy said as she looked at her watch.
"Damn, I'm late. I've got to go. Endymion, I hope you go back to where ever you come from. I can't say it's been nice to meet you because it hasn't." Darien said as he stood up to leave. "You can keep the clothes."
"Uh, Darien. Can he stay with you? After all where else can he stay? Plus his armor and sword are at your place." Serena said.
"No. No way in hell."
"Please?" She begged.
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"With sugar on top?" She said as she batted her eyes and gave her best puppy-dog look.
Darien rolled his eyes as he sighed. "One night. Do you still have the key to my place?"
"Key? She has your key?" Raye replied in shock. "Exactly what's going on between you two?"
"Nothing! Really! I'll explain later, Raye." Serena said as she turned to face Darien.
"Yes, I still have it. Thank-you Darien," Serena said as she jumped up and kissed Darien on the cheek. Darien stepped back in shock while Raye glared at her. She realized what she had done and blushed. "Why did I kiss Darien?"
"Whatever, Meatball Head," Darien said as he left. "What was that about? He asked himself as he walked out of the room. When Serena kissed him, he felt an electric shock. He didn't know if he liked it or was repulsed by it.
"Girls can I talk to you alone for a few minutes," Amy asked.
Serena and Raye nodded and followed Amy out of the room.
"The only way I will be able to determine if he is a youma or not is to use the Mercury computer. Do you two think it'd be a good idea to reveal our selves to him as Senshi? Or wait until there is an emergency?"
"What if I'm wrong and he is a youma or worse one of her generals?" Raye asked.
Serena shook her head. "I don't think let alone feel that he is evil. There is something familiar about him but I don't know what."
"Familiar? Since when did you and Darien hookup?" Raye asked as she glared at Serena.
"Eww! As if Raye!"
"Come on you two. Stop arguing, we have better things to do. Well, what if I hide out side in the trees and you two get him outside. I can scan him from a distance."
"Now there's a plan." Raye said.
Amy nodded as she fished the Mercury Computer from her sub-space pocket. Like her transformational pen, she could access the computer while in civilian form much like Serena could access her Lunar Pen. Amy then hid herself behind some bushes to scan the prince.
"Endymion," Serena called out to him. "Can you please come here?" She looked at Raye, "I hope this works."
"Yes, m'lady," the tall handsome man said as he came outside.
"Would you like a tour of Tokyo?" Raye asked.
"I would like that."
"Great! Let me go change clothes and Serena and I can take you around." She said as she hurried off leaving Serena "alone" with Endymion.
"So Endy... you've never met Princess Serenity, huh?"
"No, I am sorry. Why do you ask?"
"Uh, well... uh... rumor has it the Senshi are looking for her too."
"Tell me Serena do you know any other 'rumors' surrounding these warriors? And why would the Senshi be looking for her?"
"Uh... a few..." Serena saw Amy returning. "Amy! There you are. Anything?"
"Serena, I need to talk to you alone?" Amy said as she grabbed Serena by the elbow. "It's about school."
"Yea, ok. Sorry about this Endy," Serena said as she followed Amy leaving a confused prince behind.
"Serena," Amy said as soon as they were out of hearing distance.
"Endymion and Darien share the same soul."
To be continued...