Hello everyone! The computer issue has still not been resolved, but I am now up at my cousin's house! So I am allowed to type on the computer here, so I am able to get this chapter out, but when I get back home and our computer is still crashed then we have a problem. Anyway, about three more chapters and an epilogue to go, enjoy!
I don't own Sailor Moon.
Alexandria18: Thanks for the sympathy, the computer issue will eventually be resolved, but as long as I can type somewhere I'll be happy
Jen: All of your hopes will come true, I would never allow my stories to end un-happily. Diamond will die and Serenity will heal, it will all happen in time.
Girl of Darkness: Fear not, I will be writing more fanfictions in the near future. I'm glad that you'll be around for a while, and don't worry if I don't finish it before you leave, my story is not going anywhere.
Elen-Di: Calm down Diamond will die fear not.
Sailor Saturn2: Don't worry I've seen many freaky things in my life and I know you don't really mean any of you threats…right? Lol.
Cresentpal: You didn't sound conceded at all and it warms my heart to know I have such faithful reviewers I hope to see your reviews on my other fanfictions when they get posted, it would be a shame to lose you.
IamTheBattleMaiden: I like Diamond as a good guy too, I just chose him to be evil in this fanfiction. And yes the girls will be making another appearance; they'll be in the epilogue as well. The parents of course will feel very guilty in the end, but they will eventually let Endymion marry Serenity, and I haven't forgotten about Endymion's mother don't worry.
Melis: Thank you for the sympathy I feel very insecure when I don't have a computer, but I must cope for now, and if worst comes to worst I can go to the library type everyday. Thanks for the review as always
Sweetie: Thank you so much for the compliments. I don't mind getting constructive criticism, there is always room for improvement As I've said before spelling and grammar are the bane of my existence and will haunt me for the rest if my life…
Justsukiya: I'm flattered that you had a dream about my story I'll say that's something that's never happened before, but wow! I don't go much into detail as to where Diamond takes Serenity, but don't worry about this fanfiction ending so soon. I will write more!
Fire Dolphin: Thanks a bunch! Serenity does get better and there is a happy ending. Just a few more things have to happen before I swing around to it.
SaziAngel: Thanks for all of the comments, I love to hear that my readers are hooked on my stories. Once I get some more fanfictions posted I will try what you have suggested and put in more twists and turns, but you'll have to let me know how I do on that.
Chapter 21: RescueSerenity was sitting on the couch in her room, her prison. She gasped for breath trying to force air through her lungs, but everything she inhaled seemed ridden with evil and clogged her throat. She could actually feel the dark energy swirling through her body taking control of her slowly, creeping up on her from behind.
I really hate to do this Serenity.
Diamond's voice still echoed in her head from last night. She had accompanied him like he'd said to, he showed her around the palace making it seem like a tour. But Serenity knew he was really testing how much control he had over her now, and Serenity hated to admit it was quite a bit. When he'd demanded she kiss him again she'd still been able to resist tossing herself to the ground again, but he'd grown angrier with her.
As her screams had echoed again through that evil chamber as he added yet three more marks. He'd just talked to her calmly.
If you would just do as I say we wouldn't have to do this.
Serenity was trapped, and she would never be able to escape the darkness if Endymion didn't get here soon. She felt as if she would never see light again, maybe it was too late, maybe she couldn't be saved.
Serenity stood with some difficulty and walked over to the desk and with a shaky hand she reached out and grasped a silver letter opener that was sitting on the desk. She held it up and stared at it in fascination, she pressed it to her finger and a drop of blood appeared.
It would be so easy to end now…all her suffering could end if she just…The letter opener rested against the skin of her wrist.
"That's how I went"
The letter opener dropped from Serenity's numb fingers and she slowly turned around to see who had spoken in such a resonating voice. Standing before her was the most beautiful women Serenity had ever seen. Her long brown hair tumbled to her waist and her bangs framed startling green eyes. But there was something wrong.
In a kind of daze Serenity reached out a hand to touch her hair, but her hand only passed though air. If Serenity wasn't mistaken she was in fact seeing a ghost, to otherworldly being.
"Who are you?" Serenity asked.
"I'm Mira Endymion's mother, and I have watched you suffer as I had many years ago,"
"T-then you would understand I can barley stand on my own two feet anymore. The darkness creeps in more and more every minuet, I don't know how much longer I can fight it, and if I can't fight it…" Serenity's voice broke off in a sob, her hand flying to her mouth to muffle it.
Apparently she couldn't touch Mira, but she could touch her. She laid a comforting hand on Serenity's shoulder and steered her to the couch and sat down beside her.
"You must not give up Serenity as I did, you have something to go back to."
"If I can't hold on then Endymion will risk his life for nothing, I'm only being a problem, if I just end my life Endymion won't have to worry about saving me,"
"But what would it do to him Serenity, and you would only end up like me,"
"Like what?"
"Still here, I thought I could escape by ending my life. But my soul has haunted theses halls since my death, I cannot break free of this place," she said sadly.
"You cannot leave this place?"
"No, I cannot, for two reason., I've longed to leave this place more than ever, my love awaits me in the Otherworld."
"Endymion's father?"
"Yes, but I think that maybe you are the key to me moving on…" she said thoughtfully.
"What? I would do anything to help you find peace, I'm in fact honored to have met even one of Endymion's parents."
"Where I have failed you must succeed, hang on like I did not, wait for my son to come and claim you."
"Is that what I must do?" Serenity asked.
"That and I cannot rest until my son is truly happy," she gave Serenity a soft smile, "And I believe you can do that as well."
Serenity answered her smile with a wane one of her own, but it faded quickly. Her head dropped and she began to sob uncontrollably, for her, for Mira, for all they had lost. How could so many people endure such pain? Her head dropped to Mira's lap and she cried as Mira's ghostly hand passed through Serenity's golden hair.
"I'll set your soul to rest, I promise," Serenity cried against her lap. Mira smiled down at Serenity then leaned down and placed a kiss on top of Serenity's head.
"Make my son happy,"
When Serenity looked up she was gone, but Serenity was terribly sure that it wasn't a dream, and she'd meant what she said. If there was one thing she could do for Endymion and his parents, it would be this.
Endymion and his company of warriors was small, but were not to be underestimated. The four Generals were of course with him and about twenty other trusted warriors. They traveled down the coast in a small boat from their camp. They kept completely out of sight, and laid low until dusk. Once twilight had fallen their boat moved quietly into the harbor, as they made their way through the small town no one was out, most of them had already moved to their fort to run away from the upcoming battle.
Diamond unexpectedly barged into her room some time later; Serenity almost swooned as all the dark energy inhabiting her body leapt toward him. As it was her treacherous body got up and walked towards him as she tried to keep her mind as the black energy fought to push her under.
"Come Serenity, it seems we have some unexpected guests, this time you will sit beside me where you belong," he said leading her out of her room. Several guards flanked them and that inwardly made Serenity wonder what was going on. She was led by Diamond to what she knew as the throne room, and he led her up the stairs to where two thrones sat.
Serenity stared at the smaller one in dismay, but was shoved into it by Diamond. She didn't have time to hear what he said as always in his presence the dark energy was swirling inside of her again, rising up to consume her again, and for some reason it seemed much stronger than before. Before Serenity could even fight back the darkness consumed her, took over, she cried out in her mind, but it was too late.
Endymion frowned and ordered his men to be on full alert. They'd made it to the castle with no problems, there weren't even guards posted at the many doors, it was like they were being invited in. Endymion cursed under his breath, Diamond must already know that they were here. Only he would toy with people like this, but Endymion knew Diamond well. He wanted to torture Endymion, which meant an ambush was set up for them somewhere; Endymion was sure it was on the inside.
"C'mon men, they wait for us inside, be ready for an ambush," Endymion said stepping out into the open, and walking boldly up the path. As they walked up to the castle doors, Endymion went through the possible scenarios in his mind. Diamond was cocky, he would think his forces invincible, and that would be his downfall. Endymion's men were a force to be reckoned with, and he would need them to watch his back while he saved Serenity.
As they reached the castle doors Endymion wasn't surprised when they opened up for them. Endymion and his group walked right into the throne room without being attacked. Endymion didn't miss the guards coming in from all sides, enclosing in on them, but Endymion could see they were poorly trained, and could be easily defeated. These men had known luxury for to long, and had rarely seen battle, they had no experience to go on.
He heard Diamond's mocking laugh, and looked up to see Diamond sitting on the throne staring down at them.
"I'm glad you could make it Endymion, see where your precious Serenity sits now," Diamond mocked deliberately baiting Endymion. Endymion, who had been prepared for Diamond's snide remarks, had not been prepared for the sight of his beloved Serenity.
She sat hunched over as if she had a weight on her back that she could no longer hold up. She looked defeated and dead, her face was as pail as the marble floor he stood upon in a sickly way. Her blue eyes looked dead, and stared at him with no recognition at all. Her blond hair had lost its luster and hung limply against her, she seemed devoid of any life at all.
"Serenity," he whispered is disbelief. Diamond gave a triumphant smile, but Endymion could've sworn that he saw her give a little twitch as he said her name.
Serenity cried out in anguish into the darkness that had consumed her. She could hear his voice, but she could not see him, she could not reach him. She heard him whisper her name and a rush of pure golden energy pulse in response through her two marks, which had all but faded. But Endymion was here, he was here!
But I can't reach him, how can he possibly reach me! She cried out again.
"What have you done to her!" Endymion demanded seeing red, Malachite laid a hand on his shoulder incase he should try to do something foolish.
"Tit for tat Endymion. You marked her, so I made my mark as well," Diamond said reaching over and tipping Serenity's head to one side so Endymion could see two of the horrid marks marring her neck. Endymion could barley take it all in, the marks looked horrible, evil. They seemed to let off a faint glow of dark energy, and seemed to be engraving itself into Serenity's skin.
"Serenity!" Endymion yelled in anger, he saw her take a gasping breath. Diamond didn't seem to notice, but stood and glowered down at Endymion.
"She's mine now Endymion, with as many marks as I've placed on her she completely belongs to me now," Diamond said, "Come here Serenity."
As smoothly as if she had her own will, Serenity stood and walked over to stand before him here eyes completely blank. Diamond let out another laugh and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You see Endymion, she responds only to my command,"
"You bastard! Let her go!" Endymion roared, now having to be restrained by Malachite and Nephrite. They couldn't attack just yet, and Diamond's guard was still up, they had to wait for the exact moment for them to launch their attack on the many guards surrounding them.
"Kiss me Serenity," Diamond commanded softly. Serenity's body moved towards his leaning up like she had done so many times with Endymion.
Inside herself Serenity was desperately trying to regain control of her body, but it did not belong to her any more. She could feel herself leaning closer to Diamond's lips, could feel his triumph of his win. Serena yelled and screamed Endymion was here! She could not fail him now. In a desperate attempt Serenity latched onto the weak string of energy flowing from the two marks Endymion had given her, and held it close to her. Once she used up all this energy she wouldn't be able to use it again, it would be gone, and she would be vulnerable to the dark energy. But she could not let Endymion see her with Diamond like this.
She hurled the entire small amount of energy behind the most powerful command she ever made,
STOP! She commanded her body.
Serenity's body had been smoothly leaning upwards to bring their lips together, but everyone saw her body jerk to a stop suddenly. Even Diamond looked surprise as her body began to shake as if battling two wills at once.
Feeling the energy slipping away form her all to quickly Serenity shouted, You are my body, and you will shove away!
"Serenity!" Diamond said imperiously. Serenity's body continued to shake and tremble, then with surprising force her hands that had been against his chest shoved away from him and her body went sprawling to the floor, then all hell broke loose.
Diamond roared in denial and snatched Serenity's wrist and began to drag her away, his guards were already charging in a full force attack. Endymion let out a roar of his home as he saw Serenity and Diamond disappear form sight, and broke out of his General's holds to charge into the fray after them. He heard them call out to him, but his mind only thought of one thing, Serenity.
He plunged into the battle easily cutting down anyone in his path, he wasn't worried about his men, they would be fine, and would come and find him when they'd run out of time. He soon found himself clear of all the guards, and charged down the hallway he'd seen Serenity and Diamond go down. Every once and a while a guard or two would appear from no where, but they were no match for Endymion at all.
Serenity was surrounded by darkness, it was all she could see or feel. Sometimes she would catch glimpses of where she was but they would fade in at instant. She saw a familiar hallway, and she was tossed harshly onto a very familiar stone table. In the background she heard a familiar evil chant, and the roots of panic began to take hold of her. Surely he couldn't mean to add another mark, she had so many if he added yet another Serenity was sure she would never be able to surface again, and be lost forever.
Endymion stopped before a set of double doors, which he was sure Serenity and Diamond had gone into. The aura of evil surrounding even the doors was enough o make Endymion's stomach clench in protest. He pushed open the doors and his heart stopped at what he saw.
Serenity was sprawled out onto a stone table, looking more dead than before. Diamond stood above her his hands covered in blood, dark energy crackling around them. Diamond raised his hand to touch Serenity's forehead, but Endymion suddenly spurred into action.
Endymion ran at them and threw his body at Diamond knocking them both to the ground and rolling them away from Serenity. He came up facing Diamond and visa versa, Serenity hadn't moved at all, which worried him even more. All of his attention was now focused on Diamond, the man would've taken practically everything away from him, and now he finally had his chance for revenge. Red blurred into his vision as he remembered everything, and what he'd done to Serenity, Diamond would die!
"So we finally come face to face Endymion," Diamond said drawing his sword. Endymion said nothing, but drew his sword as well and soon they were facing off. Endymion was unwilling to make the first move, so Diamond charged forward.
Endymion lifted his sword to expertly block his blow, and parried with one of his own, but Diamond was just as good as Endymion and blocked his blow easily. They went back and forth going on the offensive and defensive within seconds. Endymion was the first to draw blood making a shallow cut on Diamond's upper arm. Diamond only attacked more with vengeance, they were to evenly matched there was no way wither of them could win. Their concentration was absolute, and both of them a distraction meant death. If either of them paused the other would kill them, and they knew it. However Endymion fought with a ferocity of a man that had lost o much. Even if Diamond managed to kill Endymion, Endymion would somehow manage to drag Diamond down with him. Diamond realized this and knew he was going to die, but this didn't faze him. He would take the one thing that meant to Endymion the most in the world. So he may die, but Endymion would suffer more than anyone in this world.
Keeping that thought in his mind Diamond let an evil smile take over his face. Diamond let out a piticularly vicious slash of his sword that caught Endymion on his leg. As Endymion absorbed the shock of the pain Diamond turned around and ran. Endymion looked after him in confusion, but immediately started after him.
Diamond wiped around with a gun in his hand and this seemed all too familiar to the scene on the ship. Endymion once again found himself facing the barrel of a gun, but Diamond must know that wouldn't stop Endymion. Since Diamond was holding a gun at him he couldn't hold his sword with the same strength. Endymion charged forward readying himself for the impact of the bullet, but to his surprise at the last moment, Diamond swung the gun away and pointed it at…Serenity.
The shot rang out and Endymion heard a cry of extreme pain, Endymion felt the impact as the sword plunged into Diamond's stomach. He looked up and he saw Diamond's face a mask of suffering. Endymion's sword had pierced him clean through and blood seeped out of the corner of his mouth.
When Diamond's body became a dead weight on his sword Endymion knew he was dead, finally dead. Diamond was no more and he had finally had his revenge, at last his people and his parents had had their vengeance.
But at what cost? The thought crept unbidden into his mind and he whirled around to rush to Serenity's side. The bullet had pierced her arm, and it was bleeding profusely. Endymion felt tears prickle in his eyes, he finally had her back, but she still hadn't awoken and the bullet wound needed to be taken care of. He quickly bound it with a piece of his cape the picked her up as gently as he could and ran out of the room.
His Generals met him halfway in the hallway worried looks on their faces.
"Don't worry Diamond is dead, but he shot Serenity at the last moment, we have to get her to the girls quickly," Endymion said. The Generals nodded, and took off running beside Endymion. The girls had arrived at the fort with the soldiers because they knew Serenity would have wounds that needed to be treated, and Endymion and the Generals had the war now to worry about, they would take care of Serenity.
I finally have you back Serenity, don't leave me now.
