Chapter 19

Masquerade

The air was sultry and sticky. The sweet smell of summer filled the ballroom, settling over the hundreds of guests that were packed inside. Above the crowd was a balcony for the orchestra that was playing softly in the background. The guests below hardly noticed the gentle music as they moved around, engaged in their own conversations.

The kingdom of Venus traditionally kicked off the summer with a masquerade ball. This year was no different. Royals and nobles from across the galaxy filled the white marble ballroom, each in extravagant gowns and tuxedos complete with matching masks. Everyone was dressed in rich silks and satins, covered with jewels and dripping with diamonds. The King of Venus and his daughter, the Princess Mina, were seated on their thrones at the front of the ballroom on a raised platform. Their eyes watched their guests milling about, waiting anxiously for the dancing to begin.

From among the crowd a girl appeared in their view. Her long blond hair was braided and intricately pinned onto the back of her head. Her gown was a masterpiece of heavy white silk covered with thousands of silver and white beads. She wore a mask made of silver, intricately designed to appear like vines, twined together just tight enough to keep her identity a secret but loose enough to allow parts of her face to be seen. A matching diamond and silver tiara sat on top of her head, nestled amongst the pinned braids. She wore no jewelry apart from simple diamond drop earrings that dangled just above her slender, bare shoulders. She turned a slow circle, her deep sapphire eyes scanning the sea of masks around her, searching.

"He's not here." A voice said from beside her.

The girl turned abruptly. There, leaning against one of the large pillars on the side of the ballroom, stood a man. He wore a sharp black tuxedo with a rich burgundy sash across his chest. The insignia of his kingdom was missing but the sash suggested he was royalty. A plain white mask obscured his facial features from view, leaving only his snide smile visible. He had rich onyx hair, full and perfectly groomed, but what caught her attention were his eyes. They were a vibrant blue, so striking that she felt herself drawn to him. What struck her as odd was the peculiar flower that sat in the front pocket of his tuxedo jacket. It was a deep red, almost matching the color of his sash. She had never seen a flower like that before. Oddly enough, the same shape of the flower was evident on the hilt of the sword that rested against his hip.

"You don't know who I'm looking for—" She began, unsure of how he could know what she was doing amidst the other guests.

"Oh but I do… I know you're looking for someone who shouldn't be here. Someone who you aren't supposed to see…" He replied as he stood upright, straitening the jacket of his tuxedo.

She shuffled nervously from one foot to another as she tore her attention away from him, opting to scan the crowd one last time. "I don't know you. Please leave me alone."

Before she could say another word she suddenly felt his presence right behind her. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and even smell the scent wafting from the flower in his front pocket. Her heart began to race as she felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

"Princess Serenity…" He whispered in her ear. "You may not know me, but I know you."

She jumped and spun away from him just as the orchestra began the first song of the night. Music filled the ballroom as conversations were lost within the resounding gentle notes that carried throughout the room. He caught her hand as she spun and pulled her back to him as one hand settled onto her hip, guiding her into the dance as if that was what they had intended to do all along.

"Don't be scared." He assured her as they began to match the beat of the song. He took her hand and rested it against his shoulder as he guided her around the ballroom floor expertly. "I won't harm you." He promised.

"I don't know you." She repeated again, unsure of how to feel about dancing with a stranger. She scanned the crowd again, this time looking for her mother. Queen Serenity was busy speaking with the King of Venus. Her attention was not on her daughter or the mysterious stranger she was dancing with, at least for the moment. Princess Mina however, was staring right at them, fascinated. "You're making me uncomfortable." Serena told him.

"It doesn't seem that way." He commented as he spun her out and back into his arms. Serena was surprised by the grace of his movements. His grip on her was strong but gentle. Despite his cocky demeanor, she found herself intrigued by this strange prince.

"Who are you?" She asked as he twirled her again. Her heavy silk skirts spun out around her, growing in size as she moved before falling again to her ankles.

"An ally." He stated simply. "Though it seems the Moon is in short supply of those."

"The Moon has many allies, what makes you think I would trust you?" She asked as he guided her to the edge of the dance floor. A gentle breeze was wafting in from the open windows. The smell of rain was evident as the air had turned from sweet to muggy. Sure enough a low rumble of thunder boomed in the distance.

"Do you see the woman in the black and white dress?" He asked her. His tone had changed. His cocky, arrogant demeanor had transformed to a serious persona.

Serena's eyes scanned the room for what felt like the hundredth time. She noticed a woman, standing at the edge of the crowd. She wore a black mask, similar to many around her and her long red hair hung past her shoulders, curling just above her waist. Though she fit in with those around her, her dark eyes were transfixed right on Serena, following her every move.

"Who is she?" Serena whispered as goosebumps crawled across her arms.

"Not sure, but she's been watching you since you walked in. Her and three others that are scattered around the room. They're all wearing the same masks." He stated as he spun her again, this time outward towards the crowd.

She saw them. Four people, all standing nearly motionless, all watching her intently. Their masks were of the same black mold, plain despite those around them whose masks were elaborate and decorated with fine jewels and precious metals. She noticed that all four of them were armed. The men had swords at their hips while the woman seemed to be reaching for something behind her.

"They've noticed you're watching them." He spoke as he drew her closer to him. Serena's nose took in the scent of the beautiful burgundy flower that was in his front pocket. How strange that a smell so sweet could resonate within her as fear began to take her over.

Serena hardly dared to turn her head this time. She could see one of them from the corner of her eye, pushing past several guests that were between them. He was headed right for her.

"When I tell you to run… head straight for the King. His guards will be able to protect you until these four can be stopped. Don't stop, don't turn to look, don't slow down. You run, as fast as you can." He told her urgently as the four individuals closed in on them. He stopped as the music stopped and the crowd began to clap. He took the flower from his pocket and as he bowed to her he tucked it gently behind her ear. He then took her hand in his own and brought it to his lips.

Serena felt her stomach drop as the stranger brushed the back of her hand ever so gently with his lips and then suddenly drew his sword. "RUN!" He screamed to her as his sword clanged, clashing with the sword of one of the men in the black mask.

Serena gathered her skirts in her hand and ran, plowing through the crowd as screams and shouts followed in her wake. She set her eyes on the approaching platform where the King had jumped to his feet, pointing at the dance floor and shouting to his guards as Serena's legs carried her forward. She saw Princess Mina grab a nearby dagger off the belt of a passing guard and she thrust it in Serena's direction.

Serena screamed as she felt something catch the back of her dress. She fell forward, crashing to the ground as an agonizing scream pierced through the ballroom behind her. She turned onto her back to see the woman in black and white, standing behind her, clutching a piece of Serena's white silk gown between her fingers. Her mouth was open wide in a silent scream. Mina's dagger stuck out of her chest right above the top of her dress. Blood trickled quickly down the front of her bodice, pooling onto the floor as she fell to her knees and finally to the ground.

Serena felt someone behind her, pulling her to feet as all around her the guests of the ball began to panic and run for the doors.

"Princess Serena!" A voice called to her, seeming so far away amongst the terrified screams all around them.

Serena turned to see Princess Mina holding her up. Her brilliant yellow gown was stained with the blood of the woman on the ground. The dagger that had once been in her chest was now in Mina's hands, still wet with her blood. Mina's brow furrowed as she pulled Serena to the doors. "We have to leave! We have to get you to safety Princess."

Together they ran alongside the crowd, rushing past guards that were following their king to the middle of the dance floor where the stranger in the tuxedo was fighting two men at once. Serena turned to see his sword, glistening with the blood of one of the men that was lying in a heap on the ground, plunge towards his accomplice that charged at him. Their swords met for a brief moment before the man in the tuxedo pushed his attacker off, and slashed at his chest, cutting through the fabric and flesh as easily as if it were butter.

Serena turned away, unable to watch as Mina pushed her through the doors and into a side chamber. She shut the door behind them, locking it quickly to keep anyone from entering. Neither of them spoke for several moments. The only sounds that greeted their ears was the thundering of the guests, running by the room and the clang of swords making contact.

"Are you okay?" Mina asked as she helped Serena to one of the chairs nearby.

Serena sank onto the chair numbly. She vaguely felt her hands shake as her heart rate continued to climb. All she could do was nod at Mina as the princess looked her over thoroughly, looking for any cuts or wounds that would need attention.

Mina nodded, satisfied with her answer and her own visual evaluation. She plopped down next to Serena, discarding the dagger onto a nearby table. "Good thing Prince Endymion was there… he saved your life."

"Who?" Serena asked as her eyebrows raised. The name sounded familiar.

"Endymion." Mina repeated as she pulled the flower from behind Serena's ear. She handed it to her, her expression grave. "The flower was a dead giveaway. It's a rose. You can only find those in one place in this entire galaxy. Earth."

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Serena's eyes popped open. She stretched for a moment, raising her arms above her head. She felt the warm, heavy blankets on her shift, sending a breeze of cool air beneath that hit her bare legs. She shivered and drew the blankets back around her as she curled onto her side. The spot next to her on the bed was empty but a dent left in the sheets and pillow suggested someone had been there. She slid her hand over the mattress, right into the indention that was still warm.

Nikko was gone. She hadn't heard or felt him leave. Serena yawned as she sat up in the bed. Her long blond tresses cascaded around her shoulders, keeping some warmth to her. She wore a simple white sleeping dress but with the cold that was seeping in she found herself yearning for Nikko's warmth.

Charon was cold. Very cold. Even with a fire raging in the fireplace and heat seeping through the walls from the hot springs below the palace, the air never lost the cold bite that seemed to be everywhere. Despite the chill that was settling onto her arms Serena's thoughts drifted to her dream.

Endymion.

Her destiny.

Finally he had appeared to her, recovered from her lost memories. Nikko had been her first love but the connection she had felt instantly to Endymion was not something she had shared with Nikko. No, their bond had taken time, a long time. What did that mean?

Serena looked around the room. She was in Nikko's Palace, in his bedroom, and in his bed. She suddenly realized that somehow she had made her decision, at least that's what it looked like. She had chosen Nikko without realizing it. She had been so overwhelmed by the emotions of her past memories that she had forgotten the bond she shared with Darien. A bond that was undeniably stronger. A bond that had been so powerful that it carried through their reincarnation.

Was Darien her destiny or was it Nikko?

She climbed out of the bed and went to her dresser, pulling out a heavy royal blue robe. She pulled it on and shut it tightly across her body as her feet found her slippers. She needed to see Nikko. Even if she wasn't sure which man she belonged with, but was Nikko and his Shadow Warriors still a threat to her friends? From the beginning of their fight, it had been clear that Serena was the one Nikko wanted. Now that she had finally, come to him and was now with him, would her friends be left in peace?

She slipped out of the bedroom and walked down the winding hallway to the throne room where Nikko spent most of his time with his Shadow Warriors. Serena could hear their voices as she neared. As her fingers reached to push open the door she froze.

"The attack has already begun—"

She stopped, withdrawing her hand back into her robe and instead remained silently outside of the door, listening.

"You should rethink this plan Nikko." Femi's voice carried into the hall. It was light and airy but tinged with concern, almost fear. "Queen Raven is unstable. She will betray us."

"We owe her a favor." Nikko's voice responded. Serena could hear the loud thud of his boots as he walked around the room. "We have an agreement between us. Charon never goes back on its word. She brought us back to life. I have the princess, my desired price. Mina will come to you soon Fabian, it's only a matter of time. Rhea has been reunited with her sister and Femi, well Kunzite may still put up a fight...but once Mina leaves, he will come."

"Will she truly restore the galaxy to its prime?" Femi inquired, her voice seemed smaller now, as if she was farther away. "Does she have that power?"

"She has an immense amount of power." Nikko confirmed. "We will get her what she needs to do the restoration."

"Even if it means our lives?" Fabian inquired. "Cause that woman is crazy—"

"Yes!" Nikko shouted, silencing everyone within the throne room. "She wants the Earth, she will have it. She wants the powers of the Sailor Scouts, she will have it. She wants Queen Serenity's life, she will have it. She wants the Silver Crystal, she will have it!"

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Darien cringed as he watched the TV show the devastation in the city. Thousands of lives had been lost. Millions upon millions in damage. People were still trapped. Many more were homeless. For now, the destruction was only in one part of Tokyo. If Darien didn't move to stop Queen Raven, she would move on to the rest of the city, the country and eventually the rest of the world.

If anyone could stop her, it was him but he needed help. He needed the Sailor Scouts. He needed Sailor Moon.

Serena hadn't answered her phone. He had tried her line countless times after he had left the hillside but no answer, nothing. He hoped that she was safe and that the other scouts were protecting her.

"Don't watch that." Trista's voice cut into his thoughts as she appeared suddenly behind him.

Darien jumped. "What the hell Pluto? Don't just barge into my home like that, especially not with everything that's going on."

"My apologies." She sat down across from him, setting her garnet rod down beside her. "We have a problem."

"Yeah, no sh—" Darien began.

"They know." Trista cut him off, shaking her head. "The scouts, they know I've interfered."

"They're not stupid." Darien commented. "You should've known they would've figured it out eventually. Did they figure out why?"

"We are running out of time." She told him urgently as her dark burgundy eyes bore into his. She ignored his question. "Serena's gone to Charon… she's with Nikko. Queen Raven is rebuilding her old palace by the sea and growing stronger every second. The scouts have gone with Queen Serenity to the Moon Kingdom—"

Darien's lips pursed into a thin line as he suddenly stood. His hands balled into tight fists. "I've stood by long enough…" He walked across the room and opened his closet door. He reached in and grabbed something from the back, taking a moment as he withdrew it slowly.

Trista watched as he turned to face her. A sword was in his hands. The silver metal on the hilt of the sword was intricately bended and molded to form a perfect rose.

Darien's grip tightened around it as he took a step to the door. "I've stood by long enough." He stated simply as he threw open the door, letting the sun shine directly into the apartment.

Trista stood, grabbing her own garnet rod. "Where are you going?" She asked him, her voice tinged with panic. "We are running out of time!" She repeated.

Darien stopped and turned on one heel to face her. His features were hard as his dark blue eyes settled on hers. "I'm going to get her. You've played with me long enough Pluto. I know why this feels wrong now. You made your mistake. You fix it. I'm not helping you anymore, now you're messing with my future. I'm not going to lose her, not again."

"Darien, you'll die if you face Nikko alone." Trista stated as her eyes widened in fear.

"Not today." Darien replied as he glared at her. "Serena belongs with me and I will bring her back."