A/N- Hey guys! Sorry it's taken me so long for me to update. Swimming has gotten harder because we have 9 practices a week now and I try to add a social life, work, and sleep into that. Plus I was at a swim meet and didn't have a lot of time to write. During this chapter, the rest of the story, and some of the past chapters I'm referring to Darien as Darien while his parents refer to him as Endymion. Endymion is too long to write and I'm lazy. Anyways, you guys can stop waiting for the duel because here it is.
serenity of serena- Don't worry, no more cliffies in the rest of the this story. I didn't use that many cliffies, I think like 4 or 5.
mysterious advisor- Everyone seems to agree, Seiya is evil. I like Seiya and all, but Darien and Serena are soul mates and that's how it will always be. The other couples will have their endings coming up since the end is almost here (sad I know).
ViscountessKiera- Don't worry, I'm not that mean. I'm just evil enough to leave a couple cliffies. The soul mates will always be together.
cosmoscrystal96- Seiya is a pain. But I know a couple guys in real life who can't move on for the life of them so I know how Sere's feeling. This is his last chapter of being a pain though.
RuuD BoY- Don't worry, I'm not horribly evil. Seiya doesn't think all that much. That's the one thing he has in common with Serena, they act on impulse.
Moon Titan- More action! Yay!
Ffgirlmoonie- He's not going to hell, at least in my story. He's getting what's coming to him though.
Sailor Saturn2- Sorry, It's nice when he's good, but then Darien has to be evil and I didn't want Darien to be evil in this story. But it has made the story interesting.
VcChick- The wedding is the next chapter, but this one is the last of the action chapters. Of course Darien will win!
Dertupio- Sorry, but they are going to fight. It's a law in their world that when a duel is made it must be accepted. It sucks I know, but they have to follow it. Don't worry though.
Alexandria18- And here's the duel so you can stop worrying about Dare and Sere.
LynGreenTea- Wrote more, not all that soon though, but here it is.
Gr33nJ3w3lRain- I wanted to put in one more twist. Seiya was quiet, but he was just waiting for the right time to jump up and be annoying again.
Candysis- Yep, a duel
raye85- here it is so you don't have to wait any longer.
Serentiy- Thank you! The whole thing is coming to a close so everything will be put together soon.
eliza-morgan22- Darien's gonna full fill your wish so don't worry.
BlAcKfIrE889- I was at Disneyland last week when they reopened the ride and it was pirate mania, but my mom and I both love POTC. In fact we have a swim meet coming up that my mom is putting together and it is now called the Pirate Meet because it's the same weekend the movie comes out and everything is pirate themed.
Chrissienuil- Yep, more action!
Sailor Libra24- I believe everyone (both real and the characters) share you thought. Seiya's just being an ass in my story.
"Dare, are you really going to fight him?" Rei asked watching as Darien put on some armor that Seamus had lent him. They were inside Darien's tent getting ready for the duel that was minutes away.
"I plan to not only fight, but kill him for once and for all." Darien answered with a straight face as he attached the sheath for his sword around his waist.
"No killing. I know it's in the rules for a duel and I know what happened with the duel between you and Diamond, but Serenity has had enough people die because of her. She just wants to be happy once and for all." Rei sighed.
"I know, but I'm tired of having to fight Seiya. He won't get away and he's so irritating. It's like when I'm finally happy and finally ready to move on with my life he has to pop up and make it hard for me." Darien responded.
"Well, just scare him a little. You know how to be threatening." Rei said.
"I am a pirate of course." Darien smirked.
"A pirate prince no less." Rei said.
"I said I was sorry for not telling you!" Darien huffed.
"I know. You've actually said sorry too many times. I'm just harassing you now." Rei smiled.
"You are my little sister you know that? You're just as annoying as any other sister is." Darien joked.
"Well sorry Mr. I'm-all-strict-and-serious-now." Rei mocked.
"Shut up." Darien smiled before engulfing Rei in a hug.
"Ok, what did I tell you about keeping your hands off my wife?" Jadeite asked walking into the tent with Malachite.
"Don't worry Jed, I have my fiancée to go save. Rei's my sister, not a prospective anything." Darien smiled.
"Well… um… ok then. Anyways, are you ready?" Malachite asked looking out into the arena and stadium where Darien was about to fight.
"Almost, I just need my sword."
"Endymion, I don't want you to use your regular sword." A voice said from the entrance of the tent.
"King Damien…errr… father?" Darien called.
"I want you to use this sword. I was planning on giving it to you the night of your wedding, but I think now is just as good of a time." Damien revealed a sword the same length of Darien's old sword, but the handle had different jewels and the top had a single diamond on the top.
"I can't take it." Darien said shying away from the weapon.
"What do you mean you can't take it?" Jadeite asked.
"I mean, I appreciate this gift. It's an amazing sword and it's beautiful, but it's new. I trust my old sword and I'd like to use it for this fight." Darien explained.
"I understand and that's a reasonable argument. Maybe it should wait for your wedding then?" Damien asked with a smile.
"That it shall." Darien smiled back.
"I believe you have a Princess to go defend?" Damien asked using the tip of the sword to open the flap of Darien's tent. Looking out he saw a stadium filled with people and a muddy arena.
"I have to fight in there? With all those people watching?" Darien asked.
"Yes, it is custom. Plus this is the biggest thing to hit our countries since… well actually since you arrived and were found out to be a pirate, but still." Damien said. "Ignore the people and just focus on Seiya. Just to let you know. He's been a pain in the neck for everyone around here. It's about time the spoiled Lord gets what he deserves. Don't you agree?" Damien put an arm around Darien's shoulder and squeezed him gently.
"I believe you're right." Darien smiled back and exited the tent heading for the battle arena.
"Why did we have to agree to this?" Serenity whined in her room. Lita and Molly were getting her ready for the duel and rushing around her. "You two are like annoying little bees right now you know that? Maybe I should just swat you." Serenity started flailing her arms around trying to smack one of them.
"You know that's no use because we're used to you trying that. You've been doing that since you were allowed to go to balls for more than an hour." Molly said.
"Is she still complaining?" Mina asked as she entered the room with Nephrite, Amy, and Zoicite trailing in behind her.
"I will not go down without a fight. OW!" Serenity exclaimed as her head was yanked backwards by Molly who was brushing her hair.
"You will calm down or your hair will pay for it." Molly said finally sliding the brush through Serenity's hair without getting it caught.
"Really Serenity, I don't see why you always create such a big fuss over this."
"The man I love is going to fight an insane obsessed man and I'm here getting my life pulled out of me through my hair. Yes there's no reason to be complaining." Serenity huffed.
"Serenity, Darien will be able to handle himself. He's been trained well by his father, the guards, and with some of our tricks as well." Nephrite said.
"I know, but… I don't know. I'm just worried about him getting hurt." Serenity sighed.
"You know your father couldn't refuse the request no matter how much he wanted to. The laws state that duels must be carried out. Especially if they are over brides."
"Thanks that makes me feel so much better now."
"You're ready." Lita finally announced.
"Serenity, you need to come with us." Selene said as she entered the room. Terra was following her with a face mixed with worry, sadness, and hope.
"I'm coming mother." Serenity looked at her friends before they all filed out of the room following the two queens.
"Why did I ever have to run away from your house in the first place? Then I wouldn't have worried you nor would I have met Seiya." Serenity asked, more to herself than anyone else.
"But through that whole ordeal you and Darien pieced together clues that have led to finding out who he really is." Amy whispered. Serenity just nodded and kept following her mother.
When they got to the stadium Serenity's jaw dropped at the sight of how many people where there to watch the duel. Serenity sat in the empty seat next her mother. Behind her were enough seats for Seiya's brothers and the group and Serenity and Darien came in with. Next to her was an empty seat next to where Terra and Damien were sitting.
"When will this start?" Serenity asked.
"Soon, Damien just went to talk to Endymion." Terra said.
"Ok." Serenity just started watching everyone come into the stadium.
"Seiya, are you crazy!" Yaten yelled at his brother.
"No, I'm in love." Seiya answered coolly.
"No, you're an idiot who is obsessed with a princess who he needs to learn, does not return his affections." Taiki said.
"Seiya, you need to back out of this." Yaten sighed.
"Why? So that pirate can have the woman I love and the woman I should have?" Seiya asked angrily as he got up from his chair.
"Haven't you been paying attention at all? Darien is Prince Endymion! They've been in love for years!" Yaten answered.
"You can't break what they have Seiya. No matter how much you try." Taiki continued. "Plus, it's thanks to Darien that you met Serenity. If they hadn't met, if she hadn't been scared of what she felt she would have never ran away from them and you would have never found her. If she never ran away from Diamond you realize that you would not know who she was until the wedding, if we would have even been invited?"
"Shut up." Seiya said. He picked up his sword and polished the blade a little more before placing it in its sheath and strapping it around his waist.
"You know we're right, but since you are blinded by lust, go ahead and get killed!" Yaten said. The two brothers turned around and left the tent leaving the third member of their family alone to his thoughts.
"My sweet Sere, what powers do you hold over me?" Seiya whispered as he looked out of his tent and studied the stadium. His eyes drifted over the royals' tent where the two kings were talking. His eyes lingered a little longer on Serenity's chair before he turned around and finished getting ready.
"Ladies and Gentleman, as you all know. Lord Seiya has challenged Prince Endymion to a duel for the honor of Princess Serenity's hand! The challenge is a sword to sword fight. Let them begin!" A servant bellowed from the corner of the royals' tent.
Darien walked out onto the field in black and silver armor with his usual pirate sword in his hand. Seiya walked out with blue and silver armor with a new sapphire encrusted sword. Before they reached the middle Seiya bowed to Serenity, who just rolled her eyes, while Darien just gave her a small smile and kept focused on his enemy.
The two met and clinked their swords as they started walking in a circle, sizing each other up. Darien waited for Seiya to make the first move, but after a couple trips around the circle Darien stopped pulled back his sword and turned his back to Seiya. The crowd gasped and Serenity squeaked and even tried to closer her eyes, but her eyes forced her to keep watching.
"What is he doing?" Rei exclaimed.
"Calm down Rei." Malachite said with a knowing smile.
Seiya, not knowing what Darien was doing or what he should do, charged Darien's turned back. Right before Seiya would have hit Darien, Darien turned around and dodged Seiya's sword. Coming up behind Seiya Darien rammed Seiya so he fell to the ground and his sword was knocked away from him. Seiya turned over and watched as Darien approached him and put the tip of his sword to Seiya's neck.
"You see that was just too easy." Darien said.
"Since I'm a good sportsman and I know these people don't get a lot of shows. Get up and get your sword. We're going at it again." Darien walked back, but this time never took his eye off of Seiya who was getting up and getting his sword from where it had flown.
"Now make it a little more interesting and a little bit longer." Darien said as he prepared to fight Seiya…again. Seiya let out a small growl and waited for Darien to attack this time. Darien lunged for Seiya and for a while they threw their swords to the left, blocked, to the right, block, right again, block, left, block, etc… Finally Seiya was able to knock Darien's sword out of his hand and Darien landed on the ground.
"Well it seems you are good in the short fights, but in the long run. I win." Seiya smirked as he approached Darien.
"You do realize there is more to a sword fight than the actual sword right?" Darien retorted.
"What?" Seiya stood up a little more, but still kept approaching Darien who was standing still. As soon as Seiya was close enough Darien kicked out his legs and was able to kick Seiya down on the dirt with him. Darien walked over to Seiya and kicked him in the side before going over to get his sword.
"You have to be good at hand to hand, or in this case foot to foot or foot to stomach fighting as well." Darien smirked. He held the tip of the sword at Seiya's throat. Seiya was ready for Darien to push the sword through his neck, but soon found the tip lifted and Darien walking over to the Royals' tent.
"Prince Endymion, the rules state you must kill the other challenger." The servant from before said.
"I know the rules of a duel, but I do not wish to take someone's life for I believe my lady would not like it that way." Darien said smiling at Serenity, who had a large grin on her face.
"Darien!" Serenity's smile fell and she gasped out Darien's pirate name. Darien turned around as Seiya lunged at him with his sword in hand. Darien was able to move out of the way as Seiya went crashing into the wood planks that kept the royals' tent up.
"Lord Seiya, I believe you should admit your defeat." King Seamus said looking down at the lord who was breathing hard.
"But he has not killed me!" Seiya gasped.
"He has nearly killed you twice. That is enough and he has done the honorable thing by letting you live." Seamus said. "Now get ready to leave because I don't trust you here anymore. I believe you might try to destroy this union more than you already have! Which to say, is not much."
"But."
"No buts! Guards, please help Seiya and his brothers pack and leave." Seamus ordered. Yaten and Taiki quietly got up and went to the castle where they gathered their things and waited for Seiya. Seiya, on the other hand, would not leave before he got a few words out. The guards were forced to drag him out, through him in a carriage, roughly gather his things, and throw them on top of the carriage. Luckily, the carriage soon disappeared and Seamus made sure that everyone knew Seiya was no longer welcomed in Ceinlys.
"Well that was interesting." Selene said. She watched as her daughter got up and ran to the prince standing before them. Darien tried to stop Serenity from jumping on him with the excuse of him being too sweaty, but Serenity was too quick and soon giving him a big kiss.
"Don't ever scare me like that again! Do you understand me?" Serenity hollered at Darien.
"Yes luv, don't worry."
"The sooner we're married the better." Serenity huffed.
"C'mon, I need to go get cleaned up and then we can talk about that." Darien smiled. He encircled Serenity's waste with his arms and hugged her to his chest.
"Ok, you are really sweaty so… get off of me!" Serenity ran from Darien's grasp and into the safety behind Rei and Mina.
"C'mon, Dare we'll help." Zoicite said as he laughed at the couple's antics.
