Part II: Chapter 4

Trapped

"What do I do? Raye, tell me, what do I DO?" Mina huffed as she paced restlessly, back and forth before the roaring fireplace in Raye's room. The two girls had snuck away from the ball amidst the start of the celebrations. Mina needed to time to think and Raye, sensing her unease, had guided her to her room to settle down.

"I can't tell you what to do, Mina." Raye replied as she plopped down on a nearby chair. She kicked off her heels, rubbing her throbbing toes with a wince. Heels weren't footwear she was used to, at least not in her previous life. "You've got to figure that out yourself."

"This is kind of a group decision Raye. That crazy witch has Lite and Nephrite. She's holding them hostage until she gets what she wants." Mina snapped as she stopped pacing and glared at her friend.

"She didn't ask me to marry Endymion, she asked you. It's your decision Mina. It's your life. We may not get another one. Regardless of what the repercussions are of your decision, it's still your life. It's not mine, it's not Raven's, it's yours." Raye said as she leaned back against the chair, pulling off her stockings as she spoke.

"If I don't marry Endymion, she might kill Lita and Nephrite." Mina said slowly as her blue eyes settled on the roaring fire.

"She might even if you do." Raye replied as she watched Mina pace. "But that's not your responsibility alone, that's our job as a team. Look, Mina, we can't live this life out with anymore regrets. I'm through living like that. Jed and I have missed our chance now, twice. I won't let there be a third. This time we are giving it a shot despite the fact we know the negaverse is coming and that Raven is lurking around and who knows what else. It doesn't matter. If we keep waiting for the 'right' time, it won't ever happen. Live your life like how you want to Mina. Our team is still here. We will save our friends. As a team, we will work together to defeat her. As a team we will get Lita and Nephrite back." Raye said.

Mina quieted as she considered her friend's words. She was right. There was no guarantee that Raven wouldn't harm their friends. After all, what was her end goal? It wasn't Mina's marriage to Endymion. What did she truly want? She wanted her son back, and it appeared she had his loyalty in this life, but what else did she want?

"She wants me to marry Endymion to keep him from Serena." Mina whispered as the realization dawned on her.

"Bingo." Raye muttered as she loosened the back of her gown, sighing with relief as her lungs properly expanded for the first time in hours. "That much is obvious."

"There has to be more behind her decision." Mina whispered as she turned back to Raye. "I mean, there are other things she could've done to keep them apart. Why a marriage? And why me?"

"Let's think…" Raye said as she closed her eyes, rubbing her temples. "What can you provide that the rest of us can't?"

Mina rolled her eyes. "Nothing! Without my powers there's nothing extraordinary about me, not in this life at least."

Raye's eyes popped open as she shot up. "Not you… Venus… what can Venus give her?"

"My kingdom can't give her anything. Earth doesn't need money, they have plenty." Mina said as she shrugged. "Our wealth can't be her goal."

"And how did Venus acquire that wealth?" Raye asked as she stood, looking Mina directly in the eye.

"Well that's easy, our planet is rich with mines and Saturn is…. Is…" Mina's voiced faded as her eyes widened. "She wants our stones."

"In the heart of your planet is a trove of precious stones. Stones that Saturn forges the galaxy's strongest weapons with." Raye said as she drew closer to her.

"I can't give her that, not in the amounts she would want if she's building weapons." Mina said as she looked at Raye. She could feel the anxiety building within her chest. If Raven had her sights on building weapons, Venus would have to be part of that plan. It was all starting to make sense. There was no way Venus would just give the stones to Earth or even allow them to buy the bulk that they would need.

"Raven can request access to the stones as part of your marriage agreement." Raye replied as a knock sounded on the door causing both girls to go silent.

Mina gave Raye a curious glance as she put her heels back on and went to the door. She opened it just wide enough to see outside. Her features quickly curved into a smile. "You know what Mina, I think I'll head back to the ball." Raye winked at Mina and slipped past the door.

Mina felt her nerves intensify as Fabian appeared in the doorway, his features dark and gloomy. A vein was apparent, snaking from his brow line to his forehead, as if he were quickly losing his cool.

"Don't do it Mina." Fabian said as he walked right into the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Fabian—" Mina began but he cut her off as he took her into his arms and planted a kiss right on her lips. Mina felt her knees weaken as he pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her. She lost her train of thought. All she could focus on was his strong grasp and the taste of his lips.

"You promised we would give this a chance. We can't do that if you're going to marry someone else." He said as their lips parted. His dark green eyes focused on hers, searching for a sign that she would fight for their relationship.

Mina laid a hand on his cheek. "I'm not." She felt a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she spoke. "I have a better plan."

Fabian quirked an eyebrow as he saw her smile grow. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking Raven forgot that Serena is at this ball. How about we introduce her to Endymion?" She said as her eyes twinkled mischievously.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

"Hello? Hello?!" Lita screamed as she beat on the solid oak door. It was locked. It was always locked. It had been locked for weeks. She had not seen a single face or heard the voice of a single person during that time. Food would appear through a small slot on the floor three times a day. Once a week fresh sheets for her bed would appear as well as a basket for her laundry. Despite her pleas for answers, the people who took these items to and from her room did not speak. Other than the sound of the slot opening and closing, she did not hear them.

Her long, grueling days were spent in solace within a single room. It was large and spacious with a four poster bed, large fireplace, a small table and a window seat beside a barred window. The window was grimy and dirty. She could see nothing from behind the glass panes apart from the passage of day and night. Her wardrobe contained three dresses, each one sewn from fabrics she was not accustomed to. Though the room itself may have appeared luxurious, it was still a prison.

"PLEASE!" Lita screamed as the bottom slot of the door popped open. A tray of steaming food appeared beneath and it was quickly shut.

She felt tears of frustration filling her eyes as she leaned back against the wall, sliding to the floor as her shoulders shook. She had stayed strong for weeks. She was a princess, heir to the throne of Jupiter. She had believed it wouldn't be long before her uncle rescued her, but as the weeks dragged on no one had come. Was she a fool to keep hoping? Would she be saved? Would her gentle uncle, a kind but largely absent man, decide to take advantage of her disappearance to take her throne?

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!" Lita screamed as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It's no use." A faint voice replied.

Lita paused, shaking her head as she smoothed out her dark green skirt. There he was, ready as always to calm her when her frustrations mounted. She didn't know why this mysterious stranger was next to her just as she didn't know why she was there. All she knew was that his voice, a deep soothing baritone, had become a source of peace and comfort to her over the past several weeks. They spent hours upon hours talking through a tiny hole in the wall. They shared stories of their childhood and of their upbringing. He had lived on a farm, growing up along animals before joining the service to the crown. Now he was a prisoner, same as she.

"Screaming to empty halls won't do you any good. In fact, all you have achieved is to deprive me of much needed sleep." He continued.

Lita bit her lip. He was right, though she didn't want to admit it. She crawled along the wall of her room to the corner. The walls were covered with heavy fabric tapestries. They were various shades of green and blue, each one depicting a different scene from a battle Lita wasn't familiar with. She lifted the one closest to her to see a small hole about the size of a large coin. On the other side of the hole sat her friend, in a room much like her own she imagined, just as bored and frustrated as she was.

"How long have you been here?" She asked as she peered through. Sunlight trickled through the hole but she could not see anything else. She had asked him once before but he had never answered her, instead turning the conversation elsewhere.

"Several weeks, I suspect just as long as you." He answered her. "Although I ponder every day as to why, same as you."

"I'm a princess." Lita replied as she leaned back against the wall, staring at the white ceiling. "How can a princess be a prisoner on another planet and no one come to her rescue?"

"Princess, I must speak openly..." He said gently, pausing to make sure she was listening. "I can imagine why you are here, as I am sure you can as well. You have an uncle with his eye on your throne. Your parents have passed, leaving him as regent until you are of age which is still a few years away unless the high court of Jupiter decides otherwise." He said without any hesitation. "It seems perhaps your uncle does not wish to see that day."

"I hope you are incorrect in your assumption." Lita whispered back as she shut her eyes. She wiped away her tears with a heavy sigh, determined to stay strong. "Although, I must say that I have not come up with another plausible explanation."

"Princess, I am a warrior. I may not be from Jupiter, but I still am a man of honor. If I am able, I will help you escape. You deserve to live and not wither away in this place." He said, his voice turning into a whisper.

"I can't ask you do to that." Lita responded as her eyebrows lfited in surprise. An escape could be very dangerous and potentially deadly. Why would he risk so much for a stranger?

"You don't need to." He said. "I should hate to think of what would happen if I do nothing at all. I've never been one to sit back and watch. Plus, I plan on getting out of here myself, I don't see why you can't come along."

"How do you plan on escaping?" Lita asked as she leaned closer against the wall. "Those bars are very strong and the slot isn't large enough to fit through."

"There are more ways out of these rooms besides a window and through the door." He explained. "These walls aren't as strong as iron bars. I've already began to make a hole on my side of this room. Another day and it'll be large enough to fit through."

"This hole goes where exactly?" She asked.

"To a back hallway. From the looks of it, it isn't used often." He said. "I've been careful to not disturb the brick that rests on the other side. It has been tedious work but once I am finished, the brick will crumble as if it were made of sand."

"And how will I get through?" Lita asked as she pressed against the wall. The wooden wall stayed firm, strong. She couldn't imagine forcing her way through. "I cannot reach your room."

"Oh, that's easy." He said. "Stand back."

Lita quickly scooted backwards from the wall. She heard a loud thump followed by a click. The tapestry fell back against the wall, rippling forward as if a breeze had just trickled through. Lita held her breath as it moved once more and then a man appeared beneath.

She yelped as he crawled forward, pushing dust off his shoulders.

"Hey, it's okay. This castle is old, I'm sure our captors forgot many of these rooms connect to each other with hidden passageways." He got to his feet as his dark hair fell into his piercing blue eyes which caught hers.

Lita got to her feet, nervously clutching her skirt as he held up his hands. "I won't harm you princess. You want to get out of here don't you?" He asked.

"Yes, please." Lita whispered. "Who… who are you?"

He grinned at her as he held up the tapestry, revealing the sliding door to his room. "My name is Nephrite."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Serena giggled as Nikko spun her around again, sending her white silk skirts into a flurry of motion, swinging around her ankles before billowing outwards from her waist. The music was lively, the dance steps quick and light. Her long golden hair was up as it always was, caught in two buns with strands of hair falling from each. She wore a small diamond and silver tiara, nestled comfortably on her head. All around her were other notable people of the galaxy, enjoying the first night of the ceremony. Tomorrow they would all venture into the mountains for the actual ceremony. It was the first time Serena had attended in many years and she had to admit, she was glad Nikko was here to share the experience with her.

"You look so beautiful tonight." Nikko said as he guided her along the dancefloor.

Serena's cheeks flushed as she felt herself giggle again. She wasn't accustomed to so much attention from a man. No matter how often he spoke sweet words to her she would always feel her cheeks warm and her heart skip a beat.

"Excuse me." Fabian interrupted as the song ended. He bowed politely to Serena as Nikko's features twisted into an annoyed grimace.

"Fabian, you look well tonight. I heard about your courtship with Princess Mina, congratulations." Serena said with a wide smile.

"Thank you, princess." Fabian nodded as he looked at his brother. "You'll have to forgive my intrusion but Nikko, father is looking for you. He wants to introduce you to some people from Neptune."

Nikko groaned, rolling his eyes as he bowed politely to Serena. "Princess, I shall return. Fabian, you've got the princess."

"Go on then." Serena urged as Nikko nodded and took off.

Fabian offered her his arm. "How about a walk outside, princess?"

"That sounds wonderful." She smiled as she took his arm. "You know, I am really happy for you Fabian. Mina is very sweet."

"She is quite a woman." Fabian agreed with a smile. "I am lucky."

Serena smiled as she saw a sparkle in Fabian's eye as he spoke. She had never seen him so happy. They joined a line of people that were moving outside to view the ongoing fireworks. It wasn't often she visited Mars. The days were uncomfortably warm and the nights were chilly and cold. The extreme variation was not something she was used to but thankfully many fires lined the terrace, warming the chilly night air.

""Fabian!" Mina waved as they came to the railing of the terrace. She was standing with a group of people but separated from the group to greet them. She curtsied politely to both of them as she gave Serena a familiar embrace.

"You look pretty tonight." Serena remarked as she admired Mina's white and golden dress.

"And you." Mina nodded as she gestured to Serena's dress. "You know Serena, now that we are of age these balls are much more fun. In fact, there's someone I think you haven't seen in a while. I think the two of you would really get along well..."

"Oh? Who?" Serena asked as Mina took her arm, pulling her from Fabian and guiding her back to the group she had originally been standing with.

"Serena, this is Endymion—" Mina said as a tall man, towering over six feet wearing a black tuxedo turned to face her.

Mina's voice faded into the background as Endymion's deep blue eyes caught Serena's.

Serena felt her heart skip a beat as their eyes locked. She saw a flash of light behind him, illuminating his features before suddenly disappearing. She could see rain falling, the ground saturated as Endymion, shirtless ran towards Nikko. Another flash of light. Endymion, shielding her with his body as two men run towards them, swords drawn. Another flash. A single red rose tucked behind her ear as a gentle hand ran down her cheek. Another flash. The moon palace in ruins. Endymion's hand on hers, pulling her to him as tears fall down her cheeks. He pulled her close to him, she could feel the warmth of his body as their lips meet. Another flash. She's in a field, Endymion was before her, a knife to his throat. Queen Raven was next to him, her eyes wide with rage. She screamed as his eyes caught hers. Another flash and another and another.

Serena felt her knees shake as the room began to spin.

"Princess are you okay?" Endymion asked as he saw her sway dangerously.

"Darien." Serena whispered as her eyes rolled back and she fell to the ground.