Part II: Chapter 5
The Journey
Serena exhaled deeply as she walked along the stone path to the top of the mountain, following the flow of people that were beginning the long journey to the temple for the ceremony. The palace was set high on the mountain but the temple was further up, at the end of a long, winding stone pathway that would take hours to follow. Beside her, Mina was chattering endlessly, talking about Fabian and their plans for the coming weeks now that their courtship was official. Serena could hardly concentrate on her words. Instead, her attention was focused on two figures ahead of them.
Serena pulled on her blue skirts nervously as she caught sight of Nikko and Endymion, walking just feet from each other. Kunzite was at Endymion's side, the two were laughing, talking amongst each other. Fabian walked beside his brother, Nikko. Their conversation was more serious, neither man was smiling and they spoke in hushed tones.
"You look nice today Serena." Mina remarked as she gestured to Serena's dress.
Serena's dress was short, stopping just above her ankles, a style she wasn't accustomed to. The sleeves were short, stopping just above her elbows. The neckline plunged into a U-shape, stopping just high enough to be questionably modest. Her long golden hair was up and pinned onto her head, exposing her slender neck. She worse simple diamond earrings the dangled just below her earlobes. While she looked put together and calm, inside she was attempting to fight panic. She wasn't exactly comfortable with her current situation.
"Thanks, you as well." Serena muttered as she continued to watch the men before them.
The procession up the mountain to the temple for the ceremony would take a full day. Most of those making the journey would travel on foot as the climb wasn't suitable for a carriage. Older individuals rode on the backs of mules, led by a guard or personal servant. The climb was Serena's favorite part. The scenery of the mountains was breathtaking and the chance for good exercise, clean air and good company was a nice change from the flow of everyday life in the stuffy palace.
This year the procession would be different. Serena had all but given her heart to Nikko but she couldn't escape the feelings she had experienced yesterday for Endymion, a man she had only met a handful of times before as a child. Their reunion yesterday had changed something within her. The images that had flashed through her mind within just a few seconds felt as if she had just experienced a lifetime. A lifetime with him, not Nikko. What could it all mean? The rush of emotions had been too much. She had come to in Raye's room, on her bed, surrounded by physicians who could not agree on a reason for her fainting spell.
Now all she could think about were those images. She could feel the warmth of his touch, his strong embrace, even the feel of his lips on hers. A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered. Were they just images? Was it more? Why did it feel so real? And why did she seem to think Endymion's name was Darien?
"Are you sure you're okay? You still look pale." Mina remarked as she watched Serena.
"I'm fine." Serena replied hastily with a shake of her head. "It's… it's just—" she hesitated. How could she explain what she saw? Mina would think she had lost her mind. "It's nothing."
Mina smiled, her blue eyes twinkling mischievously as she glanced at the two men walking before them. "Go talk to him." She urged.
"No…" Serena shook her head again as she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Though Mina hadn't said which man she was referring to, Serena knew she meant Endymion. "We don't know each other. Besides… I … I have feelings for… someone else." She stammered.
"There's something there. I think you two made a connection last night." Mina urged as she pushed Serena forward. "You owe it to yourself to see what that connection is. Just say hi, talk. There's no harm in talking."
Serena hesitated. What would Nikko think about her speaking to Endymion? She felt torn. Part of her felt it would be a betrayal while the other was more than a little curious to see why she had a connection with Endymion. Did he perhaps have an experience too?
"Endymion!" Mina yelled with a wave.
Serena felt the color leave her face as he turned towards them. He was dressed in black pants and a deep green shirt bearing the insignia of his home planet. His hair was tousled, not combed and styled as it had been the night before. His features curved into a smile that made Serena's knees feel just as weak as they had been the night before. His deep blue eyes twinkled at her as he approached the girls with a bow.
"Princesses." He said politely. "You look well Princess Serena, are you feeling better?"
"Uhhhh, um, yes." Serena stammered.
"In fact, she's still a little weak, but she's stubborn. She thinks she can make this climb and is quite insistent. Endymion, you don't mind keeping an eye on her do you? I should hate to think what would happen if she were to faint again." Mina said as she nudged Serena with her elbow.
Serena felt her jaw fall open as Mina spoke. She opened her mouth to protest but was quickly elbowed in the side again.
"Of course I will." Endymion agreed with another striking grin. "I should hate to think of you taking a spill on this rough terrain princess, though I admire your spirit. We will get up this mountain together." He assured her.
"Wonderful!" Mina quipped as she pushed Serena forward towards Endymion.
Serena stumbled, nearly tripping over a loose stone in the path but Endymion's arms were lightning fast, catching her around the middle before she could lose her footing.
"I see Mina wasn't exaggerating." He said as he held her.
Serena felt the heat rise in her cheeks again. She nervously laughed and stood as she felt a tingling feeling rush through her. His grip was familiar. It was the same sensation she had felt the night before only he hadn't physically touched her then. Were those images real as the feeling she had now? Were they of her future or something else?
"Tell me princess." He began as he released her and gestured back to the path that was full of other nobles and royals, all trekking up the mountain in high spirits. "Why haven't I seen you since we were children?"
Serena smoothed out her wrinkled skirt and walked with him back to the path, joining the herd of people. "Please, just call me Serena… and well, for being such close neighbors, I'm not sure why we haven't seen each other much."
Endymion snickered as he thrust his hands into his pockets. "Well, I am being slightly dishonest. I think I know why we haven't seen each other… my mother."
Serena felt a giggle escape her lips as she glanced at Endymion's mother, dressed in a grand ruby gown perched on top of a mule that was slowly ascending the mountain, being pulled a servant who appeared as if he wished to be anywhere else than where he currently was. "She's never seemed to like the moon…my mother… or myself… " Serena admitted. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was saying. "I mean, she seems lovely…"
"It's okay." Endymion laughed. "She never hides her emotions, she's very open and honest about what she feels. She has definitely made her sentiments towards the Moon well known. You know, she wanted me to court Princess Mina." Endymion admitted as his gaze flickered over to Mina who was on Fabian's arm, giggling with him as they walked. "I'm not even sure why I allowed her to push me to her…I like Mina, just not in that way."
"It's your life Endymion." Serena said. "You should be able to choose who you spend it with."
"You of all people know that as royals, that's not always the case." Endymion replied, his tone suddenly darker and solemn. He tore his gaze from Mina and Fabian to Serena who had bit her lip.
"True…" Serena admitted as she thought of Nikko. What would her mother say if she knew that her daughter was becoming attached to her guard? Even though Nikko was a prince, his kingdom was small and across the galaxy. As the only heir to the moon, Queen Serenity had made it clear that when it came to Serena's marriage, she would have to marry a man of power, capable of leading the Moon kingdom. Nikko wasn't what the Queen had pictured for her daughter, Serena knew that much. Perhaps that was why she felt so relaxed. Serenity had remained on the Moon, sending Serena to represent the kingdom instead.
"Endymion, have you ever been in love?" She asked as they continued their climb, pushing through a forest of red leaf trees.
Endymion glanced at her curiously. "No... not yet. Though, it's the strangest thing, I feel like maybe I have before." He shrugged as he chuckled, shaking his head back and forth. "That doesn't make sense I know—"
"It might." Serena said as she caught his eyes. "Tell me…"
Endymion paused as he regarded her for a moment. Serena could see him pondering his words carefully. She sensed his longing to open up, to share with her what truly kept him from actively pursuing Mina. "Well, I've been having these dreams…" He sighed and looked around them, making sure no one else could hear. He walked towards the edge of the path, out of ear shot to most of the others walking around them.
Serena followed him, keeping close to him, wondering if perhaps she wasn't alone in her visions. Was he experiencing them too?
"Every night I have the same dream. There's a woman. She's looking at the Moon. I can't see her face. I can only see her eyes. They're blue. Bluer than the ocean water back on my planet. They're so vivid that it seems as if she can see into my soul. When she looks at me, I just feel like whatever she asks of me, I'll do it." He exhaled deeply as he ran a hand through his unruly hair.
It dawned on Serena that the prince appeared to not have been sleeping well. His unkempt hair and discoloration around his eyes were giveaways that she had missed. He was being honest in that aspect, whatever dreams plagued him at night, they were keeping him up.
"So this woman just looks at me. She's talking, her mouth is moving but I can't hear what she's saying. Then I look around us and the ground just starts shaking. All around us, people are running and screaming. I look back and we're on the Moon. Only, it doesn't look like how I remember it, It's in ruins. There's just dust and heavy stones. I realize that I'm holding her in my arms and she kisses me. In that moment I have this sudden urge to protect her, that no matter what, I have to keep her safe. She clings to me and I can feel her body just trembling. She's scared and I'm angry, I promise to keep her safe. I tell her that I love her and I see her smile. This incredible feeling comes over me. I've never felt so happy. Then I look down into those blue eyes and suddenly she's being pulled from me, screaming. I run after her but I can't keep up. She's going too fast. Someone is dragging her away from me and no matter how hard I push myself, I can't catch them. That's when I wake up… and every time I have this dream I wake up feeling as though I've failed her." Endymion explained as they continued to walk. His voice shook as he finished.
Serena could hear the pain in his voice. She could see it etched in the features of his somber face. His dreams sounded eerily similar to her experience the day before only those images didn't haunt her at night and she knew who it was she was seeing in those visions. Would it be too much to hope that she was the one he was seeing in his dreams or was it another? "I feel the same thing. I can't explain it. I mean, this sounds so crazy, but I almost feel like… like…" She struggled to find her words. How could she explain what she experienced last night to him without sounding like she had lost her mind? "Like the person I have seen I love too."
"Do you have these dreams?" Endymion asked as he stopped walking, suddenly turning to face her. His gaze was hard, as if he were wishing that she too, was tormented as he.
"Not a dream." She admitted. "Yesterday, when I fainted… I fainted because of what I saw… I… I saw—"
"Princess!" Nikko's voice cut through the air as he jogged towards her.
Serena turned on her heel to see Nikko approach. His white blond hair set him apart from the crowd. She could see him moving through the crowd, rushing towards her, his hair hanging down between his cut shoulder blades, held back with a tie. He wasn't dressed in his usual armor but was still wearing the rich blue cape of the Shadow Warriors. His sword, which rested at his side, hit the side of his leg as he moved, finally coming to a stop between her and Endymion. She felt her heart sink somewhat. She wasn't finished talking to Endymion and with Nikko present, she couldn't explain what had happened to her the night before. Nikko wouldn't understand.
"Nikko." Endymion said, his voice laced with disdain. His expression had turned hard, almost cruel, as he glowered at Nikko who looked back at him just as fiercely.
"Endymion." Nikko said through clenched teeth. He took Serena's hand in his own, drawing her to his side. "I am the princess's guardian, and you are a stranger. Keep your distance."
"Nikko, Endymion is a friend. He is a prince, same as you. He is honorable." Serena replied with a slight blush. She noticed Nikko's grip on her intensify as he stood between her and Endymion. She could feel the tension building between them as they stood just inches from each other. Endymion's hand curled into a fist as Nikko took another step forward.
"All the same, he is not charged with protecting you. I am. I must trust my instincts. Stay away from her Endymion." Nikko said with a glare as he guided Serena away.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
"So what exactly is this ceremony for?" Jadeite asked as he walked alongside Raye up the winding stone path to the top of the mountain. The temple of Kuya, the largest on Mars, was their destination. It's dark structure loomed before them, a tiny speck now but growing larger with each step. The scenery around them was lush with red leafy trees littering the sides of the path, with springs of violet wildflowers scattered in between. The higher up the mountain they climbed, the more hints of violent and burgundy were displayed in the leaves. The trees at the very top of the mountain appeared as dark violet as Raye's large eyes.
"It's an ancient tradition, dating back several generations. Many centuries ago, before the galaxy was united, wars were frequent and savage. The goddess of fire visited each planet, gifting them the gift of warmth with cinder and embers. In exchange for her gifts she asked that they pay homage to the element by visiting her temple every three years. The frequent visits brought everyone together and the galactic council was formed, officially uniting our galaxy. At least, that's the legend…I'm sure the actual events aren't as exciting." Raye smiled as she drew closer to Jadeite. She was dressed in a short lilac dress that hung just below her knees. It was similarly styled to the other women around her only her dress was embroidered with dark purple flowers, matching the wildflowers that surrounded them. Her long, ebony hair hung in one braid that snaked down her back.
Jadeite glanced at the temple unsurely. He could see dragons carved onto the edges of the temple, their mouths open in a silent but mighty roar. The temple was several stories high, reaching towards the heavens. It was old but well maintained. Every planet had a temple, but Mars' was the largest of all. He was never gifted in magic as some were nor did he believe in the old gods as others did. "What happens during the ceremony?" He asked.
"A delegate from every part of the galaxy feeds the fire in the temple with something from their kingdom. Earth generally brings the branch of a cherry blossom. Venus varies between a branch of their golden trees or an ash limb. Every planet and their moons bring something unique. Mars brings the violet flowers along our path, we call them kuyi in honor of Kuya." She gestured to the beautiful wild flowers. "They only grow on this mountain. You will find them nowhere else on the planet or across the galaxy."
"They're stunning… like you." Jadeite remarked as Raye bent to pluck one of the flowers.
Her cheeks flushed despite the cheesy line. Jadeite was making an effort, even if he wasn't as romantic as Nephrite, sweet as Zoisite or protective as Kunzite, he was a little bit of everything. "Jed, I've been meaning to say something." Raye began as she turned to him, her eyes darted around, looking to see who could be watching.
Jadeite sighed deeply, sensing what she was about to say. He held up his hand, shaking his head. "No need … you want me to be discreet in my affection for you."
Raye sheepishly shrugged as she went back to the path, walking alongside him again. "I don't want to be cruel. It's just, things aren't as simple on Mars as they were on Earth. Earth gave me freedom. I didn't have any parents, just grandfather. I was free to do as I wished, especially after he passed. Here, I have obligations. My parents are strict. I may be a princess but I have practically no freedom. Every moment of every day is planned and structured. If they found out about you… I don't know how they'd react."
"So?" Jadeite said as he shoved his hands into his pocket. He kicked a loose stone from their path. It rolled into a patch of kuyi.
"So…" Raye trailed off, unsure of what else to say. She glanced at Jadeite who was focused on the rocky path before them, climbing higher and higher up the mountain. "What do you want from me Jadeite?"
"I want you to stop thinking of excuses." Jadeite responded quickly, finally lifting his focus from the ground to her. "You said it yourself, we've had two lives where we've run out of time. How much time are you planning on wasting now? I'm here now Raye… right next to you. What is truly stopping you from being with me?"
Raye hesitated as she bit her lip. He was right. She was giving him excuse after excuse. Her eyes flickered over to Amy and Zoisite who were walking just ten feet from them. Their arms were linked and they were laughing, talking so casually with each other. Though Amy's memories were still lost, their bond was still so strong. She knew they had already married in secret though Amy had told no one. A marriage to a solider had been acceptable to the king of Mercury but would be as good as a death sentence to the king and queen of Mars. Their tempers could be just as savage as Raye's, she would hate to think how they would react if they saw her being affectionate with Jadeite. "Please, Jed… just… just give me some time."
"Right…" Jadeite's jaw tightened as he spoke. "Come find me when you've decided what to do princess." Jadeite said as he gave her a polite bow and took off, jogging further up the trail to join Kunzite and Endymion.
"Nice going Raye." Mina said casually as she walked past her friend.
"Oh please Mina!" Raye groaned as she rolled her eyes. "Your father wouldn't freak out too if you brought Kunzite home?"
"We'll never know will we?" Mina asked with a shrug. "All I know is, if Kunzite was begging me to be with him as Jadeite is to you right now… I'd already be with him. Don't pass up this chance Raye, the Negaverse will be coming for us soon… that is if Raven doesn't beat them to it." She nodded once to her friend and rejoined Fabian's side.
Raye huffed as she watched them walk away, catching up to Serena who was speaking with Endymion. They were all right even if she hated to admit it. She turned her attention to the path behind her. Her mother and father were both seated on mules, watching all those around them making the journey. They were not speaking. In fact, Raye rarely saw them converse in public. Their marriage had been arranged and though they'd been together over twenty years, it seemed as if love had never grown. Was she to suffer a similar fate or take matters into her own hands? What was she to do?
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
"What are we going to do?" Mina asked Fabian as she saw Nikko and Endymion size each other up from across the path. Endymion had come too close to Serena, causing yet another standoff between the two. The tension was overwhelmingly obvious as many of the other nobles had taken notice. She saw the prince of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, push the two men apart.
Nikko sauntered off, dragging Serena with him who cast one last look behind her at Endymion. They locked eyes for a moment before the crowd climbing the mountain moved between them, breaking their gaze.
"They don't remember each other but something inside them does. They're drawn to each other. Their bond is still present even now. They just need a little push." Fabian admitted as he watched his brother and Serena move to the other side of the trail, pushing forward to the temple at the top of the mountain.
"That won't be easy. Your brother is determined to keep them apart." Mina remarked as she watched Nikko whisper into Serena's ear. She chuckled and flirtingly pushed him away from her. It seemed as if, for the moment, Endymion was forgotten.
"No, he won't make this easy." Fabian replied as he ran a hand through his dark hair. He was torn, just as Serena was. Nikko loved Serena, that hadn't changed, only she would come to love Endymion more. How could he work to break his brother's heart? He knew how their story would end, but his actions would only speed up the inevitable. Could he do that to him? Serena had been the only glimmer of happiness in his brother's dark life. Charon fell so easy to the Negaverse because of how isolated and lonely life on the planet was. Nikko had clung so desperately to Serena after his downfall that it drove him to madness. Could he save him from the same fate?
"Fabian, we have to do something." Mina whispered as Serena turned towards them and waved her over to join her. "Fast." She cast him one long look as she went to Serena, locking arms with her as the procession continued to move up the mountain.
Fabian watched as Nikko hung back, grinning from ear to ear at his brother.
"You look troubled Fabian." Nikko remarked as he put an arm around his brother's shoulders. "You should be happy. You've got the Princess of Venus all but locked down. She's infatuated with you. Keep on this path and you'll be King of Venus one day. Hell of a step up from Charon if you ask me."
Fabian shifted uneasily at Nikko's casual tone. He hadn't thought of being king as much as he had thought of being with Mina for the rest of his life. Power had never been his ambition. That was Nikko's. A sense of belonging, companionship, was his true desire. The Shadow Warriors had provided that for a time and before that, his relationship with his brother. It was a relationship that had pulled him into the darkness during the Silver Millennium and for a large part of his previous life. Now Mina was pulling him to the light, showing him that he could be more than just a follower. He could think for himself. He was powerful in his own right, able to do just as much for those he loved than for those he followed.
"I see you are facing a dilemma." Nikko commented as he pulled his brother onto the side of the path, away from the throng of individuals still journeying upwards, absorbed into their own conversations. "You've never been able to hide anything from me brother. What conflict has grasped you now?"
"It's hard to explain." Fabian admitted as his dark green eyes focused on the back of Mina's head. Femi had taken position behind Serena, watching her while Nikko and Fabian had paused. Femi cast him a warning glance as she followed the princess, her eyes wide in alarm.
"Let me see if I can help." Nikko offered as he released his hold on his brother and walked before him, turning to face him head on. "You are considering how much damage to inflict upon my relationship with the princess. You are conflicted between your brotherly obligation and your guilty conscience."
Fabian felt his heart sink as a cold feeling of dread washed over him as harsh as a ferocious wave crashes upon the shore. How did he know? How did Nikko sense that his brother was considering sabotaging his relationship for the sake of brining the sailor scouts back together? "I… I don't know what you speak of." He stammered, hoping that he was misunderstanding him.
"Come now, we are brothers. Speak openly to me as I always have to you." Nikko said as he gave Fabian's shoulder an unusually hard squeeze. "I know you are up to something. I know it involves the princess and for some reason… Endymion. What I want to know is why you are trying to pull her from me. You have no love for Endymion. You hate him just as much, if not more than I do."
Fabian felt a lump growing in his throat. He felt a trickle of sweat run down the back of his neck as his eyes shifted to his brother's cold lavender eyes. He felt a shiver run down his spine as his gaze intensified. Lying to his brother had never been easy for him. Nikko could always sense dishonesty around him which was why they were having this conversation now. It had always been a trait Fabian admired. Now as he sat on the other side of his brother's intensive stare, he was rethinking his admiration. "Nikko, what do you think is going to happen with Serena?" Fabian asked as he took a step back, returning his brother's harsh glare.
Nikko's eyebrows lifted in surprise. It wasn't often that his brother resisted his interrogations. In fact, Fabian had never made a decision that was against his wishes.
"Nikko, you're a prince, same as Endymion but think for a moment. You're the prince of Charon. One day you'll be king. Do you really see Serena leaving the Moon for Charon? Do you see Serenity allowing that to happen?" Fabian said as he pushed his brother's hand off his shoulder. "You're setting yourself up for a huge disappointment brother. Endymion will win the fight for the princess's hand. I am merely trying to save you from another loss at his hand."
"Save me?" Nikko asked with a chuckle. His cold eyes regarded his brother for a moment, as if he were seeing him in a new light. "You think me unworthy of the princess? You think that she will choose him over me?"
"I think you're being selfish and stupid." Fabian corrected as he met his brother's glare. "Think about the ramifications of what you seek. You pursue the princess… what if you two even fall in love… what then? Queen Serenity will go ballistic. She will suspend all trade and relations with our kingdom. Father will be overjoyed at the thought of having the power of the Moon kingdom come into the family but at what cost? There will be strife. Serenity will fight back. Serena will be caught in the middle while both of our kingdoms suffer. Think of what you are doing here brother!"
Nikko paused for a moment, his gaze turned to the steady flow of nobles, still trekking up the mountain. They were nearing the camp, just at the base of the temple. Already he could see Serena, Femi and Rhea settling before a newly constructed tent, making the camp ready for the night. The sun was slowly setting in the distance, shrouding those left making the climb in a rich red shadow that was only growing darker by the second. "You know Fabian… perhaps I have underestimated you all these years." Nikko said with a shake of his head.
"What are you talking about?" Fabian said as he crossed his arms. He watched his brother pace just before him, his hands on his hips.
"No, brother, something in you has changed." Nikko insisted as he gestured to the camp that was being constructed before them. "I think that change has come from one person, the princess of Venus."
"Mina has nothing to do with this." Fabian replied as a twinge of annoyance crossed his face. Nikko was changing the subject, hoping his brother would drop the subject. Fabian knew better.
"She has everything to do with this." Nikko said with a hearty laugh. "You are a blind fool if you do not see it!" He pointed at a glowing light in the distance. It was Venus, appearing just as the sun set, rising into the sky. "She has changed you. You're a different man, Fabian. "
Fabian watched as Nikko continued to pace. His expression had darkened as his lavender eyes glinted cruelly in the fading light of day. Fabian wasn't used to seeing Nikko's cruelness directed towards himself.
"Mina has done to you what I thought no one could." Nikko continued as he finally stopped pacing, turning to his brother at last. "She's turned you into a man. A righteous one at that. Suddenly you are concerned with what is right, what will be the best for everyone and not for your only brother."
"We can't be selfish Nikko." Fabian replied as his eyes narrowed. "It will be our downfall."
"Oh, you can see the future now?" Nikko laughed cruelly. "Let me paint that picture for you now that I have your attention. Mina is a princess of power, just as Serena. She is the only heir to her kingdom. Lucky for you, you are not the primary heir to yours. You have no problem moving to Venus to rule at her side as king. Hell, Venus is a damn good upgrade from our kingdom. Charon is wealthy but small. No woman wants to move to our dark, cold moon. Only you've forgotten one thing Fabian. This man you are pretending to be… self-righteous… kind…. Loving and good… it's not in your nature. Darkness lingers within you just as powerfully as it does within me. It is why we are so good at our jobs as warriors. Taking lives does not bother us. Killing gives us pleasure in a way nothing else can. We are mercenaries, playing protector is growing old. Your hands long for the kill just as much as mine do and if you keep repressing that feeling, it'll overcome you." Nikko's tone had changed. It was cold, dark and direct. There was no malice in his voice, only truth, cold and hard.
"I am not a killer like you." Fabian corrected as he took a step towards his brother, stopping just before his large form. Nikko stood just an inch taller but he was always the stronger one of the two. His large muscular form was imposing, making him seem feet taller than his brother. What Fabian lacked in strength he made up for in speed and precision which made the pair so lethal. "Mina has made me a better man. She has changed me. If Serena hasn't done that for you, then I'm sorry to say, perhaps she isn't the one."
Nikko laughed, his shoulders shook, causing the metal plates to clink against each other, echoing his amusement. "You are a fool Fabian! That's all that's she changed within you. You used to be smart, cunning. Now all I see is a lost puppy dog, looking for someone to pet him on the head and tell him he's a good boy."
"Is it so ridiculous that people change?" Fabian asked as he felt anger rising within him, boiling just beneath his skin. "Mina is good for me, she is what I need and want. I will do right by her and be honorable. I will fight for her, I will kill only for her. I will be by her side as long as she will have me."
Nikko's laughter intensified as he clutched at his sides. Passerby's watched them as they walked, eyebrows raised questionably at what could be so funny after the tiring journey they had made. "You ARE a fool… you've fallen in love with her."
Fabian's jaw clenched as his brother suddenly stopped laughing and approached him again, his eyes narrowed.
"Let me rephrase so you understand." Nikko began as he put his hands on his brother's shoulders. His voice dropped to a whisper as he looked directly into Fabian's emerald green eyes. "She likes you. She might even like you a lot, but she won't love you. She won't reciprocate your feelings… and you know why? One word. Kunzite."
Fabian jumped as his brother spoke Kunzite's name. What did he know of their past? Was he in fact lying about his lack of memories? Could Nikko truly remember their previous life?
"Now you see." Nikko whispered as he took a step back from his brother, his eyes glinting menacingly. "All your goodness will achieve is to bring her closer to him. You won't win a standoff against the man she truly loves. You're just a replacement. A filler, until he gets those memories back. Once they come you've lost… but go on, hold her hand, whisper sweet nothings into her ear. Continue this courtship, propose even… but know that your clock is already ticking."
"You remember then… why pursue Serena then, if you already know her heart is Endymion's? You know how this ends." Fabian retorted as he felt a cold, sinking feeling wash over him. There was a cruel truth to Nikko's words but he wouldn't let his brother see how much his words cut into him. Mina was attached to Kunzite. He hoped that with what time he had, he could sway her to love him, as he cared for her.
"Why not?" Nikko asked with a shrug. "She is my weakness as Mina is yours. I know I'll lose her… at least I did the last time. This time I intend on keeping her. Unlike you Fabian, I'm not corrupted with the desire to do good deeds. I see something I want and I take it. That'll never change. The princess has come to me willingly. I have my plan set. I suggest you make yours for Mina." He turned back to the trail as the last few travelers reached the camp. Above Serena waved at Nikko, inviting him to the ready tent for her and her Shadow Warriors. Next to her the other princesses, Raye, Amy and Mina were laughing around the fire.
"What are you planning Nikko? What have you done?" Fabian asked as his eyes narrowed. Nikko was ruthless. He was cruel. Whatever he had planned, Fabian knew that those plans were already underway.
"Tick tock brother… tick tock." Nikko grinned as he jogged back to the trail, his eyes set on the camp. "Let me know how the light works out for you. All that goodness that is seeping into your heart will have a wonderful outcome I'm sure. Once Mina breaks your heart and hardens it back to its original darkness, let me know." Nikko winked at his brother as he disappeared, running the rest of the way to the camp.
Fabian watched as Serena jumped into Nikko's arms. He spun her around with a laugh, the evil glint gone from his eye, at least visibly. Fabian knew the darkness was there as it always had been, festering within his desires. The truth behind his brother's words had cut through Fabian deep. He had tapped into the insecurities that had formed in this new life. What would bringing everyone back together achieve? He was working to bring the sailor scouts back together, to rekindle their memories so they could fight against Raven and eventually, the Negaverse's invasion. The generals were part of that plan. The scouts would need their power. Kunzite would regain his memories eventually and though Mina had promised him a chance, he knew that chance would disappear the moment Kunzite, the original Kunzite, came back. Then what? He would be doomed to watch Mina, the woman he … loved… go to another.
He sank to his knees as the realization hit him. He loved her. There was no other explanation. Why else would he do all of this but for her? The fate of the sailor scouts and generals mattered little to him as a whole. As he had lamented before, the negaverse had given him a second chance at life, why not a third when it triumphs again? His actions could change that… but change it for what? He watched Mina at the camp, laugh with the others as she sat around the fire. Her dark blue eyes sparkled, twinkling even within the growing darkness. All around them the night life of Mars seemed to come to life. Bugs flew around. Somewhere, something was croaking like a toad on Earth would. A large bird, three times larger than an owl, chortled as it soared overhead, lazily circling the camp once before disappearing into the forest below, hunting its dinner. How could everything seem so normal when he was feeling his life crashing around him? Suddenly, his brother's plan to just take the woman he loved seemed inviting to Fabian. He could take Mina, keep her against her will or he could just take out Kunzite and skip all the worries of what could happen if he regained his memories. After all, Nikko had pointed out a harsh truth: killing was second nature to Fabian. He wasn't troubled by all the lives he took as a Shadow Warrior or an agent of the Negaverse. No, the thought of killing Kunzite to keep Mina made him sick to his stomach. The old Fabian wouldn't have hesitated but he was different now. Nikko was right. He had a conscience.
"Prince Fabian." A voice said from behind him.
Fabian jumped, quickly rising to his feet as he peered into the black forest behind him. The sun had completely set. The rich, red sky had darkened to a deep, almost black purple, dotted with faint stars. The two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, had yet to rise into the sky. "Who's there?" He asked.
A woman walked out from the forest. She wore a long, white silk gown, out of place in the wilderness of Mars. Her white blond hair was striking, almost glowing in the night. It was braided and pinned onto her head like a crown.
"Idra?" Fabian said as he took a cautious step back. How was she here? Had she not died on earth? Did the Time Orb send her back as well?
"Prince Fabian." Idra spoke as she gave him a curtsy. "I think we have something important to discuss."