Chapter 2 - Corruption and Truth

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A blonde flash sped through the halls of the palace at an alarming speed, nimbly zigzagging through the people. The girl almost collided with a few of them before saving herself and them from certain disaster just in time. A grin was plastered on her face as she ran toward the bedchambers. Serenity was so close to making it there when a voice rang out through the hall that she could not ignore, the voice of her caretaker and 'nanny' as well as her mothers advisor.

"Serenity! You stop right this instant! What have I told you about running in these halls? It's dangerous and a girl of eight should be learning to control herself." The woman shook her head and started to chuckle. Why did she even try to reason with Serenity, the moment she turned around, Serenity would just be off doing as she pleased once more.

"I'm sorry Luna, I'll be more careful next time." Serenity was bouncing up and down, anxious to get moving again. Luna wondered what she possibly had on her mind at that moment but decided she would rather not know.

"Off you get then Serenity, just...be more careful." Luna watched as the Princess barely had time to nod before she was off once more at a fast walk. The slap of Serenity's feet sped up as soon as she had turned the corner and Luna shook her head once more.

Meanwhile, Serenity came to a halt outside Minako's bedchamber and knocked hurriedly. It was not often that Serenity was up before everyone else, but when she was it was time to get up. Minako's groans could be heard from inside the chamber and Serenity laughed slightly. A moment later the door swung open and Serenity slipped inside, shutting the door behind her before hopping onto the bed, quite bouncy.

Minako climbed back onto the bed sluggishly and spoke first, quite unceremoniously to Serenity, "Whadda you wan?"

Serenity squealed slightly and bounced with every word. "Guess what, guess what, guess what!"

"The end of the world is finally here?" Minako replied through a yawn, trying to wake herself up so her mind would process all of what the fast speaking Serenity was saying.

"Mother is throwing a ball tonight for my eighth birthday! Even the Terran Royals will be coming!" Few knew but Serenity actually had a strange obsession with the Earth. Every once and a while you could catch her stopped in her tracks just to watch the pearly blue planet on it's trek through the sky.

Minako was truly just as excited as Serenity for the ball, although it was still to early for her to really show it. Instead all the reply she gave was another yawn while she said, "Great! I'm really excited."

Serenity seemed slightly put out by Minako's unenthusiastic reply, but her grin came back full force after only a moment. She hopped off the bed and exited Minako's room, yelling over her shoulder, "I'm going to tell the others!" And with that, she was gone towards Rei's room. It was the closest to Minako's. She reached it withing moments and hammered on the door impatiently. It opened rather quickly to reveal an annoyed Rei, who had already been dressed and was obviously meditating only a moment before.

"What Serenity?" Rei was always rather touchy with her meditating, Serenity couldn't even understand how she did it. If Serenity was to stay in one place that long it would only be because she was passed out or dead. What did an nine year old need to meditate for anyway?

Serenity was a bit more composed with Rei than she had been with Mina, but she still showed a lot of excitement. "Mother is throwing me a birthday ball to celebrate my turning eight today! We have to get ready!"

Rei barely had time to process the statement before Serenity was off, heading towards Lita's apartments to give her the news as well. Lita's room was only a moment away, so Lita had already heard the commotion outside in the hall. As Serenity was about to knock, the door opened slowly to let a curious Lita poke her head out. As Serenity spilled out the newfound information, she was glad to see Lita start bouncing excitedly as well.

"We're finally old enough to be escorted too! This is going to be so exciting!" Lita squealed to Serenity. The two of them rushed down the hall together, both of them dressed, towards Ami's room.

Ami's room was a little further than the others so she could be closer to the Library, but again, it still wasn't very far before the two stopped in front of it. The both of them knocked together and waited for the door to open. Ami opened the door to let them in, already knowing who it was and why. When Serenity and Lita gave the information, they were surprised to find out that Ami already knew.

"A guard told me this morning on my way back from the Library." Ami stated simply, she was already very well read for her age and it showed in her vocabulary and choice of words.

"You've already been to the Library this morning...it's so early!" Serenity accused, her and Lita's mouths agape at the information. They recovered quickly however and waved away their statement to get back to more important things.

Serenity and Lita walked from Ami's room rolling their eyes. Ami had not been very excited, even about the fact that they would have escorts this year. They shrugged and skipped off down the hall again and were met up by a fully dressed Mina who was now bouncing just like them. The three girls laughed and giggled down the hall towards the dining room where they would have breakfast waiting. Upon entering the small dining hall, they found the King and Queen sitting there as well. Apparently they wanted to discuss some thing about the ball with Serenity.

Serenity was ecstatic as she sat down, she had never been asked her opinion about anything having to do with a ball before, but Selenity thought this year was a good year to start slowly bringing her into these sorts of things. The other girls sat down on either side of Serenity and grinned at everything. Selenity knew this ball would excite them and it made her grin as well to see them.

"Serenity, Queen Gaia and I have discussed the matter of all of you girls' escorts. And we have come to an agreement that she shall bring five boys from her court to escort you as we have no escorts here. Does that seem agreeable?" Selenity asked smiling.

The three girls nodded, but Serenity was the most enthusiastic. She never imagined that her escort would be from the planet she loved so much.

"Also, the three of you plus Rei and Ami will need to go to your rooms after breakfast to a dress fitting. I am allowing you to pick the material and color this year, I hope you are happy with my decision." Selenity knew they would be and smiled as the three girls nodded again, if it was possible, even more enthusiastically than before.

The rest of the short breakfast, they talked of small things that would be going on during the ball, and once all opinions had been stated, though small they were, everyone agreed and the three girls hurried off to their respective apartments for their dress fitting.

---

After the girls left the dining hall, Taranis and Selenity dove into a discussion they both knew was bothering them. They looked at each other worriedly before Selenity spoke. "It is unheard of that a Princess has no Royal Guard to be their escort and it is strange to have to borrow them. Taranis, why have we waited so long, we both knew from the start that Serenity would need a Guard."

Taranis nodded before speaking, "I know Selenity...I just hoped to speak face to face with Gaia before deciding anything. We have not seen her since before Serenity's birth and you and I both know our reasons for waiting."

After so long of not speaking of it, Setsuna's words had finally come up again. The couple had waited eight years for any information that may help them decipher the riddle, but none came. No news of a Prince of Terra was ever found. Taranis as well as Selenity both wished to speak to Gaia without messengers about this, it was a matter that needed to stay private.

Selenity nodded after Taranis' comment and looked down, seeming troubled. She had known why neither of them had brought this important subject up but now wondered if it had been a mistake. Selenity shook her head, there was no changing it now and they might as well speak to Gaia before actually doing anything since that had been their plan.

The couple said no more on the subject, they did not want any disagreements to come up so they would simply meet with Gaia and let it go from there. After moments of silence, the two stood up from the table together, each going their own way to ready for the nights ball.

---

Selenity was welcoming arriving guest most of the day, Gaia and the escorts were the first to arrive and were sent immediately to get acquainted with the girls. Gaia was welcomed warmly and sympathies were given for the recent death of her husband, however, Selenity made no mention of the 'riddles'.

The rest of the day, a few guests from other planets arrived, but not many for this wasn't an important ball. There would still be a considerable number of guests however.

---

All five girls were sitting in Serenity's rooms, talking excitedly about the upcoming ball. Each girl was rightfully curious about what their escort would be like and broke out into excited whispers after a maid came with a request that they come to the Small Atrium to meet the Terran guests. They followed the maid through the halls to the Atrium and entered as each of them was announced formally. In return, the five boys were also introduced to them.

They were told the pairings for the escort by a grinning Luna who was standing off to the side. "Princess Serenity, you will be escorted by the young man Theron, Lady Lita by Angelo, Lady Minako by Myron, Lady Rei by Sebastian, and Lady Ami by Damian." With that, Luna left the ten to their own devices and left the Atrium.

Theron was the first to speak, he had emerald green eyes beneath an untidy mat of brown hair that suited him well. "It's nice to meet you Princess's," was all he said.

They all looked to be about eleven or twelve but each of them seemed to have a pompous air about them already. The five girls could tell that they weren't the type of people they liked and were now not as excited for their escort. Before arriving there, the girls thought to take them on a tour around the palace, but now the idea didn't seem as appealing. Rei thought of something first and spoke up.

"We were just about to head on to the Garden's, but if you don't want to come, you can explore the palace on your own." To all of their dismay, the five boys had decided to go with them, sticking the girls with the boys for a while yet.

The ten children headed off towards the Gardens together, the girls skipping merrily, trying not to let the boys dampen their mood for the ball, and the boys some three feet behind them, talking in whispers about the girls ahead. When they reached the gardens, the girls immediately headed a game of their own making while the boys stood in the archway, still speaking quietly, ignored by everyone else.

---

The boy with short blonde hair, Damian, spoke in a small whisper, smirking at each of the other boys, greed showing in his young gray eyes. "They all will be beautiful one day, we got so lucky. Now we just have to win them over and our futures will be in the bag. Imagine the power we'll have being married to these five."

Anyone who was listening would wonder how boys so young could already be thinking like this. These boys already wanted immense power and were going to do what it took to get it. They were all low in the Queen Gaia's court, but were the only ones of the right age to escort the Princess and her Ladies. All of them loathed Queen Gaia with a passion, for she would not allow them to raise their rank, though still they were young. Little did they know that Gaia had sensed their greedy nature early on and had decided to keep an eye on them, it had hurt her to have to bring them as escorts to Selenity.

Theron nodded and smirked as well, watching the Princess run towards the four other girls laughing. "Yes...winning the princess's over would make us unstoppable..." All the possibilities that came with power rushed through their corrupted young minds within moments. Who knew what these five would do if they had control over anything, let alone the entire galaxy.

---

The girls collapsed on top of each other, breathing heavily and laughing. They all looked over at the whispering boys and wondered what they could possibly be saying, none of them even coming close to the horrible nature of their thoughts. They didn't like the boys at all and hoped that tonight would be the last time they saw them. Serenity would be sure to tell her mother not to invite them anymore.

Ami, who rarely let a bad word slip about anyone spoke all of their thoughts aloud, "I don't like them. There's something about them...but I don't know what." They all nodded in agreement, but not a one of them would know for years yet what it was about the boys that made them dislike them so.

The girls would speak for a while and start playing on and off throughout the day, till they were considerably dirty and in need of a bath. Excusing themselves from the boys who had were now sitting by the archway on the steps. Each girl headed off to their own apartments to start getting ready for the ball that was in a few hours.

---

Serenity entered her room, an extra bounce in her step. She was eight now, old enough to have an escort and a ball for her birthday, it was very exciting for her. Upon entering the antechamber, she turned into the large room on the left which was where the bath was. In the center of the room was a large bowl in the ground as the tub. The bath was already drawn and had a scent of roses, Serenity's favourite flower. A few maids were already waiting in there for Serenity and they helped her into the bath, where she stayed for a good forty minutes, and into her waiting dress.

Soon after, Luna entered and smiled warmly at the little girl before her. Serenity's dress was soft pink summer dress, though with a little more elegant look to it. Unlike Serenity's other dresses, this one was actually made of a silky material and made it much softer and more comfortable.

When Serenity noticed that Luna had entered, she looked up sheepishly as one of the maids was brushing the tangles out of her hair. Serenity opened her mouth to say something , but looked around embarrassed. Luna understood right away and politely dismissed the maids from the room, attending to Serenity herself. She took up the brush and worked out the remaining knots.

"How would you like me to put your hair? Down? In a braid?" Luna asked Serenity, waiting for her to say what she had wished to say earlier.

Serenity cleared her through before speaking. "Luna...doyouthinkIcanweartheRoyalOdangoes?" It all came out in a jumble and Luna had to ask her to repeat it before she actually understood. Serenity had never worn the Royal Odangoes before, and letting her wear them would mean she was old enough to do so. Luna thought she was and consented with a nod to a beaming Serenity.

Serenity's blonde hair was quite long already and her hair looked wonderful in the Odangoes. Luna started comparing the small girl to her mother, their hair was the same texture, although only the color was different. While Serenity's was a golden halo of blonde hair, Selenity's was a soft lavender that glowed with the moonlight. Of course, Selenity had the full body and facial figure of a woman, but Serenity would one day look just as gorgeous as her mother. However similar the mother and daughter looked though, nobody could ignore the lack of a glowing white crescent moon birthmark on Serenity's forehead. She was not yet old enough to contain the power of the Imperium Silver Crystal which was why the mark did not yet show.

Luna pulled out a necklace and matching earrings from Serenity's jewelry box and fastened them on the girl. The necklace and earring were matching with their pink stones and silver chain and bases. Though young, Serenity still looked wonderful and would be the life of the party. Luna left smiling, off to tell Selenity of her daughter wanting to wear the Royal Odangoes.

---

Serenity was the first in the hall where they were to meet before entering the Grand Ballroom. The rest of the girls came at different times, but all arrived before the boys.

"I wonder where they are, the ball is about to start." Minako started impatiently. Just as her comment was finished, Sebastian entered, followed by Angelo, Myron, Damian, and Theron. Some men helped shuffle them into their places before the doors were opened and a voice rang through the hall.

"Princess Ami of the Inner Planet Mercury escorted by Master Damian of the Terran Court." The two entered through the large double doors and separated, each going the opposite direction to stand waiting at the stairs.

"Princess Rei of the Inner Planet Mars escorted by Master Sebastian of the Terran Court." Rei and Sebastian entered next and followed the same routine as Ami and Damian, waiting one step higher than them for the rest to enter.

"Princess Lita of the Inner Planet Jupiter escorted by Master Angelo of the Terran Court." The pair entered as well, the voice ringing out again. "Princess Minako of the Inner Planet Venus escorted by Master Myron of the Terran Court." Mina entered next with her escort, leaving Serenity behind with Theron feeling very uncomfortable with the boy.

"And Princess Serenity of the Silver Moon escorted by Master Theron of the Terran Court." Serenity smiled at the large crowd of people that had come to her ball as she entered through the doors. She released herself from Theron's arm as soon as soon as politely possible and continued down the left staircase without stopping, the other four girls following soon after. The same routine went on with the boys on the right staircase and the ball began.

Serenity quickly found her way to her parents, many friendly faces stopping her to wish her a Happy Birthday on the way. Upon reaching her mother, she was swept into a hug by Taranis and Selenity who wished her a Happy Birthday as well. She did not stay with her parents for long however, because soon people would venture to her asking to dance and she had no desire to. Serenity knew how to dance, but not well, maybe next year she would dance, but certainly not this year.

The birthday girl stayed as long as she thought necessary before leaving out one of the many doors to the grassy field before her. She marveled at the beauty and detail about the palace as she always did when she went outside. It was already dark out, stars twinkling in the night and the sparkling blue Earth winking at her from the Eastern sky. Serenity sighed and began to twirl around in the grass merrily. No matter how much she loved day, it would never compare to the loveliness of night.

Surprisingly, she found the rest of her friends also outside, huddled together talking. Apparently they had not noticed her presence, but not for long. Lita looked around to see Serenity hopping towards them and motioned for her to hurry. Serenity complied and upon joining her friends found out why they had sought refuge in the night as well.

Rei did the honours of explaining, "Those boys all asked us to dance." She spat dangerously. It was obvious they hadn't had a good time.

It was odd, they could not explain why they so disliked these five strangers, but they knew they did, and there was nothing anyone could do to change it. And together, the girls spent the rest of the night together, laughing and joking and playing together, but careful not to ruin their dresses and such.

---

It was late into the night when guests began to leave the ball, wishing the Queen and her daughter well on her Birthday, some leaving gifts for Serenity. Queen Gaia was to leave early the next morning, so it was now or never if the King and Queen wished to speak with her.

Selenity was the first to locate Gaia in the small crowd and greeted her warmly, asking her how her night was, being polite before asking her question. "Gaia, we are...old friends. And I only wish to speak with you before you leave. Will you meet Taranis and myself in the Library so that we might be able to talk in private?"

The request seemed odd to Gaia, they were old friends and she loved Selenity as such, but what need did they have to speak in private. However odd the request was, she consented, if purely out of curiosity, for Selenity and Taranis would not need to meet her in private for small talk.

"It looks as if most of the guests are already gone, I assume they will all have taken leave withing the next few minutes, and so I shall meet you in the Library after they all have gone." Selenity looked rather relieved and nodded, smiling, before walking back to her husband to repeat Gaia's words. Gaia at the same time, left for the Library right then, having no other interest in the ball.

---

The King and Queen did not have to wait long before all the guests had dispersed and were glad to have it so. They made their way together toward the Library for their private meeting with Gaia.

The Library was completely empty at this time of night, which only made it so much easier. They located Gaia, standing within one of the private rooms waiting for them. She smiled as the regal pair entered and asked her to sit while they took seats as well.

"What is it that you two needed to speak to me so privately about?" Gaia asked merrily, waiting for them to speak. Taranis' face looked serious while Selenity's just looked worried. This did not seem like a good sign.

Taranis look a deep breath before speaking, "We need to speak to you about your...your son."

"I have no son." Gaia stated, perhaps too quickly for truth, even then, there seemed to be an uncalled for fear in her eyes now.

It was now Selenity's turn to speak, calmly so as not to frighten Gaia more. "When my daughter Serenity was born Setsuna, you know Setsuna, the Senshi who guards the Gates of Time, she came to me in voice and told me something as well as Taranis that we could not ignore. Setsuna does not lie, so we know her words for truth, although she does speak in riddles. One thing that was clear however was that you...have a son." At this, Gaia looked down, no longer meeting Selenity's eyes. The Queen continued, "We have brought you here to speak of your son, but before, we wish you to hear the words Setsuna spoke. Maybe you can decipher the riddles yourself."

Gaia nodded, waiting for one of them to tell her what Setsuna had said, but was surprised when Setsuna's own voice sounded in her head. Selenity was sending Gaia her own and Taranis' memories. Perhaps if Gaia heard Setsuna's voice herself, she might be more willing to speak.

Gaia's eyes went strangely blank as their memories repeated themselves to her, after about a minute her violet eyes came back into focus, her face was contorted in thought. Selenity and Taranis gave her a moment to think before she spoke.

"My son...will have a part in saving the galaxy?" The couple nodded. They had already known this small piece of the puzzle, but by saying this, Gaia had admitted to having a son.

"So you do have a son?" Selenity asked expectantly, already knowing the answer. As expected, Gaia nodded sadly.

"I will tell you my story..."

:Eleven years previous:

It was common knowledge that the Queen Gaia was spending her summer in the valley, needing some privacy. Her husband was at the palace, taking care of all the issues that needed tending without his wife's help. He seemed awfully calm considering his wife had been taken deathly ill on her small vacation. But it was to be expected, a world leader could not break down at the first sign of distress. He was a good King, and Gaia, a good Queen.

In the valley where the Queen was taking her leave, there was a mansion house where she was laying low for a while, having been taken ill. Most people hadn't even seen the Queen for a long while, but every once and a while, someone would spot her on her balcony with a blanket wrapped around her body, even in the summer heat. Many sent their hopes for her well being, at least they knew she was still alive when someone spotter her outside.

The Queen was now laying in her bed in the large room that belonged to her. A midwife bustled in disguised as a healer. There were only two that knew the Queen was in fact pregnant and those two were this midwife and her husband. It took a long while for Gaia to find someone she trusted enough to be her midwife, but in a strange meeting, Cara had been introduced to her. Gaia knew that Cara would never tell a soul that the Queen was actually pregnant for she had been present when that strange scene in the lake had occurred.

The heavenly Goddess of Wisdom had risen out of the lake as the pair of women and Gaia's husband walked and addressed them in a prophetic voice. She fixed Gaia with an accusing stare that told of the consequences if her words were cast aside.

'You shall have a son with a power you know not,

But if word shall spread to the ears of thine enemy,

Darkness shall reign and death shall rule all.

Gaia will carry a savior in her womb,

But naught of this birth shall be shown.

Until those protected by the moons shining rays

May repeat the prophecy unknown.'

The Goddess' words left a strange weight upon the three travelers and it was then that Cara made a pledge of secrecy to the King and Queen and agreed to become Gaia's midwife then and there. From then on Cara had stayed with the Royal family. Everyone thought her to be their personal healer and the fact was not challenged.

The birth of Gaia's son went smoothly with no trouble for the mother or the child. Gaia was only allowed time with her son for a couple days before Cara insisted upon leaving him with a family that would take care of him. Cara had been watching one particular mother who lived alone for quite some time and had decided she would be the one.

The night came for Cara to bring the boy to his new mother and Gaia let him go reluctantly, shedding silent tears all the while. The midwife was at the door when she was stopped by a pleading 'wait' from Gaia. Cara turned to face her Queen, the brown bundle in her arms.

"His name...his name is Endymion. Please...make sure his name is Endymion..." Cara nodded silently. She would make sure he was named Endymion for Gaia if her life depended on it. Cara turned swiftly and left the room silently, making her way through the dark halls without being seen and slipping off into the night.

The midwife did not return for a fortnight, but upon her return she brought news that Endymion was safe with his new mother and, indeed, named Endymion. The mother had spun a tale that the child had been her sisters and since she died, it was her sisters wish that she take care of her son. This story was accepted by all without much cause to believe otherwise.

Twice, and sometimes three times, the King would disguise himself and go look up on Endymion to make sure he was safe and well, which he always was. There was little need to worry, and although the two parents were sad they could not bring up their son themselves, the two could not help but be happy that he was safe.

:End Memory:

During Gaia's whole recitation, tears had begun spilling from her eyes and she wiped them away hastily. Selenity and Taranis had been silent for the whole story and now looked at Gaia, quite shocked. It must be so hard for her to know she has a son, but never see him.

Selenity broke the tension in the room by speaking first. "What shall we do? The boy must be brought here..."

Gaia thought about this for a few minutes, in deep thought. "Yes...yes, why did I not think of it before? He should come here to be trained as a night. Please say you will consent to having him in your Court Selenity?" Gaia's face was desperate. Before her husband had died, the last report from him had been that their son was safe and well, but he was suffering. Gaia had to do something.

Taranis and Selenity nodded with enthusiasm. It was just what they had hoped for unconsciously. Taranis was next to speak out, "He can be the beginnings of our daughters Royal Guard, if you consent because, no offence Lady Gaia, but the escorts you brought this night were..." Taranis didn't have the right words but Gaia waved it off.

"I know what you mean, I like them not either. But one more thing. It will seem strange if only one boy is brought to be trained on the moon, people may get suspicious." Gaia said, then losing herself in thought.

Taranis nodded, "We will think on this, but it is true, we need four other boys to be on the Royal Guard. Worry not dear Gaia, we will think of something, we will keep your son safe."

Gaia thanked them repeatedly for their kindness but they were waved away by a smiling Selenity. In a gesture of friendship, Selenity dropped all formality and hugged her old friend who hugged her back graciously. Gaia then turned away quickly and left the Library and the two Royals behind.

Taranis turned to Selenity and swept her up into a hug, kissing her lovingly. Finally things seemed to be coming together, after eight years. The two left the Library smiling, they would discuss the retrieval of Endymion tomorrow. The Kind and Queen walked through empty halls, knowing everyone was happily asleep, including their daughter and the other princess's.

---

Sorry it took a little longer for this chapter to come out, but I was at a Biker Rally and I couldn't do much without a computer, lol. And then the Harry Potter book came out, put me out for a day, and then some more because I was thinking about it and how much I hate it. Those of you who read Harry Potter will understand, lol.

Anywho, hope you all enjoyed the chapter and continue to read.

As always, please read and review:D

Thank you to all my reviewers as of right now:

Eternal Moon Power - I'm glad you liked the Prologue, I hope you liked the first chapter as well as this one!

FireSenshi2 - I hope this is soon enough for you, lol. :D

Starlit Warrior - Thank you much! Hope you like this chapter!