Part II: Chapter 6
Deception and Fire
Mina glanced down at her dress. She wore a deep orange gown, trimmed in red over a gauzy cream skirt. She felt like a ballerina. The skirt flowed elegantly with each step she took. The top was tight and sleeveless. She wore elbow length red gloves. Her hair was down loose, hanging in loose curls just above her waist. A golden and ruby tiara was nestled on the top of her head, perfectly complimenting her attire. In her hand she nervously twirled her offering for the ceremony: a perfect white ash branch of the great tree that stood within her palace's courtyard. The tree had been planted by her great-great-great-great, who knew how many greats, grandfather centuries ago. The tree had begun as a small sapling but now stood towering over the palace, its large branches stretching outwards towards the sky.
Mina shifted from foot to foot as the crowd of royals passed by her tent to the temple for the ceremony. Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking… waiting.
"Mina, you look…" Fabian began as he pulled away from the crowd, approaching her with his eyes wide with admiration. "Beautiful"
Mina blushed as he reached for her hand, pulling it to his lips. He looked very handsome this night. His hair was combed and tied back from his face. He wore a tuxedo like many of those around him. A large blue sash crossed his chest with his family's crest embroidered at the bottom. His dark green eyes, so large and striking, took her in for a moment as he bowed to her.
"You look very handsome yourself, Fabian." Mina replied as she took his offered elbow.
Fabian grinned, beaming like a school boy as they walked together, joining the flow of traffic to the temple. Their path was lit by a river of torches, lighting up the darkness around them. Mars' two moons, Phobos and Deimos, lit up the night as well, casting an eerie glow on their surroundings.
"Your silence is unusual." Mina commented as they walked. She noticed that although his eyes were twinkling at her, there was a sadness behind them. His grip on her, usually relaxed and gentle was rigid and stiff. She remembered he had what appeared to be a troubling conversation with his brother just hours earlier. Could it be something that was said between them that upset him?
"My apologies." Fabian replied with a sheepish half-grin. "I'm not used to… attending these type of events. Usually it's Nikko that does all this royal stuff. I may be a prince but I'll never get used to the bowing and the scraping and the formality of it all. I miss Earth… at least, how simple life was there."
"Was it though?" Mina said with a half-hearted chuckle. "We were tormented there as we are now by evil." She too had thought of the life she had left. The news station had given her much joy. She loved walking the streets, talking with the people of her beloved city, seeing their happiness first-hand. She loved the independence of having her own apartment, small but cozy with a plush queen bed and small balcony that overlooked the city. She would often wake early just to sit and sip a cup of steaming hot tea on there, watching the city come alive as the sun rose.
"True." Fabian admitted as he began to relax his shoulders. "But at least we didn't have to waste time like we are now with these meaningless events. I feel like all I've done is attend balls and parties. We haven't had time to do the work we need to do."
"You're right." Mina admitted as her eyes followed those walking past them. They had been in the Silver Millennium for weeks but what had they accomplished during that time? "We don't have time to waste, we need to regain our powers, we need to train. We need to be together as a group."
"There lies our challenge." Fabian remarked. "How do we get powers we aren't due to claim for another year?"
"Serenity." Mina whispered as she stopped walking and turned to face Fabian. "Do you think perhaps she remembers what happened on Earth?"
Fabian's expression, so dark and sullen suddenly lit up. "She might… she may not have done anything just yet because Serena's memories are gone. I'm a fool. I spent my time with the Shadow Warriors and reaching out to the scouts when I should've gone to her first. She has the power. She can bestow it upon all of you whenever she wants."
"Fabian, we need to see her. We need to see what she knows. She may already have a plan!" Mina replied as she felt her heart lighten. All of their worries, all of their doubts could be eased if Serenity was already on their side. The power of the sailor scouts came from her. What if their training could start now? How powerful could they become before the first attack from Raven or the Negaverse?
Fabian grinned as they reached the temple. Together they walked inside, joining Serena's side. Serena was dressed in her traditional white gown of the moon. She held a moon rose in her hands, ready to feed to the growing flames as one by one each delegate stepped forward. Nikko stood by her, his eyes set right on Endymion who was standing next to a regally dressed Raven who was dripping with diamonds. He held a single red rose in his hands, watching the flames, oblivious to his mother's harsh glare that was focused on Serena.
"She looks like she's about to jump." Mina commented as she noted Raven's expression.
"She won't do anything, not here at least." Fabian said, reassuring her as he put his hands on her shoulders, guiding her through the crowded room.
"What are we going to do about Serena and Endymion?" Mina whispered as Serena moved forward and tossed the moon rose into the flames. The flames turned a bright blue as the rose dissipated within. Serena curtsied to the flames and went to Endymion's side as he too threw his flower into the flames. They smiled once at each other as Raven's intense glare only grew more ferocious. Nikko watched Endymion just as viciously though neither Serena nor Endymion seemed to notice.
"About that…" Fabian nervously sighed as he shifted uncomfortably to another foot. "Nikko… he remembers."
"WHAT?" Mina gasped, drawing attention from nearby nobles who turned to stare.
Fabian gave them a grin and took her other hand in his, leading her back to the line that was passing by the flames, each feeding their chosen item to its fiery reach. "Keep calm Mina… Nikko told me on the trail he remembers. He is still as delusional now as he was on earth. He thinks he can keep Serena this time instead of admitting defeat. He knows who she will prefer once her memories come back, or the events of the previous Silver Millennium come to pass again. He has something sinister planned to prevent that from happening."
"What are you saying?" Mina asked as her brow furrowed. She glanced back at Nikko, who had not let up his fierce glare to Endymion. "Are you saying he is once again our enemy?"
Fabian hesitated as he considered his response.
Mina watched his expression turn solemn as he glanced at his brother. Had they ever been enemies? From what Fabian had told her, he had always followed his brother's lead. She had seen how far his loyalty extended for herself during the last Silver Millennium when he chose darkness to remain by Nikko's side. Now she could see the division growing between them. Nikko was still lingering within that darkness while Fabian had pulled away. Had she been the cause of that shift? She felt a cold, sinking feeling wash over her as the realization hit her hard. Yes, she had.
"I'm saying Nikko is working for his own advantage, not ours." Fabian answered as he looked at Mina. "And I am not sure I can sway him from that mindset. His strength would be invaluable to us if he were on our side but if he were to be against us, Mina… I won't lie… I can't fight my own brother."
"I wouldn't ask that of you." Mina said as she looked over at Nikko. He met her gaze questionably, as if he were trying to figure out what she was speaking to Fabian about. She watched as he gave her a sly grin with a taunting bow. "We don't need him." Mina said as she turned her attention back to Fabian. "We have you."
Fabian scoffed as he straightened the front of his shirt. "I'm not as strong as Nikko. His strength would be more useful to you."
"No." Mina protested as she took Fabian's hands in her own, dropping her branch onto the cold stone floor. She looked him straight in the eye, meeting his deep green eyes with her own. "We need you… You saved us from being completely destroyed on Earth. It wasn't Nikko's strength that kept us from falling to Raven, it was your wit and your desire to keep protecting us." She laid her hand on his cheek as she spoke, drawing close to him. "You are strong. You have protected me, you have protected all of us."
Fabian gave her a sad smile as he put his hand over her own. "You always manage to see the best in me Mina… even when I cannot. I… I love you…" His other hand went to her hip, pulling her to his waiting lips.
Mina's eyebrows lifted as she felt a ripple of warmth rush through her. Her lips met his tenderly as the fire gave a mighty roar, soaring high to the open roof, licking the rafters. Screams filled the temple as the flames grew higher and higher.
Fabian gripped her tightly, pulling her from the flames as people around them began to run, pushing their way to the exits. The flames continued to grow, stretching upwards, threatening to set the temple ablaze.
Mina watched in horror as Raye stepped forward, the vivid purple flowers still in her hands, ready to be offered. She watched as she threw them onto the fire which roared one last time before slowly descending back to its original size but the damage had been done.
"Mina, I have to get you out of here!" Fabian yelled as he pulled on her arm but Mina kept her feet planted firmly on the ground. She kept her eyes on the other side of the fire where Raye had her eyes closed in concentration.
Behind her Endymion had grabbed his mother, pulling her to the exit while his gaze was on Serena who was thrown over Nikko's shoulder. She glanced over at him, their eyes met briefly before they disappeared into the crowd. Amy, Zoisite and Jadeite stood behind Raye, cautiously watching her while everyone else around them were running and screaming in fear.
"Wait." Mina told Fabian, finally tearing her gaze from the flames to look at him in the eye. "Raye is having a vision."
Fabian paused, holding onto Mina still as the temple emptied. Within moments they were the only ones remaining as everyone else had fled. Finally, after what felt like an age, Raye's eyes popped open.
"The fire was a warning… an omen…something evil is stirring." Raye warned as she glanced at her friends. "Dark... full of deceit and treachery. It wants blood."
"The Negaverse?" Jadeite asked as he took a step towards her, his blue eyes wide with alarm.
"No." Raye said with a shake of her head. "It's too early."
"Then Raven?" Zoisite asked as he glanced at Jadeite.
"No." Pluto answered for them from the dark doorway of the temple. She was dressed in her sailor scout uniform. She quietly entered the temple as everyone's eyes focused on her. "Something else is threatening us now."
"What do you know?" Mina asked as she held onto Fabian's arm tighter. She felt his grasp on her tighten as well. He drew her closer to his chest.
"We have changed the course of history." Pluto remarked as she looked at the fire. Her brow was slick with sweat. Her skin was pale, even more striking against her dark green tresses. "Anything is possible. We may have new enemies or we may have stronger old ones. We do not know what lies before us, even if we think we do." She warned as she turned to face the remaining scouts. "We need to regroup. We need our powers back. Whatever it is, it is evil, it is strong and it's coming for us."
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Amy silently walked back to the camp with Zoisite. The path which had previously lit with a line of torches had been extinguished. Only the light from the two moons above them guided them. The cool night air had a bite to it, causing her to shiver. She watched the glowing camp, busy with people packing to journey back in the darkness, too spooked to complete the ceremony or even wait for the light of day to return.
"Here…" Zoisite said to her as he shrugged off his jacket and laid it around her shoulders. "Amy… I have… I have something to tell you."
"I felt you might." Amy admitted as they walked. "It seems like there is something going on, something all of you are in on and I'm just … I'm just… lost." She stopped to face him. "I feel as if I've woken up in the middle of a dream. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong." He told her as he sighed and put his hands into his pockets. "Look, what I'm about to tell you sounds crazy. It sounds really crazy actually…"
"Trust me." Amy replied as she laid a hand on his forearm. "Please..."
"Okay." Zoisite huffed as he glanced up towards the sky. Deimos was right above them, a glowing orb that sent down a dull light, just enough so that he could see her soft features in the darkness. "What if I told you that reincarnation is real?"
Amy paused as she watched him gazing still at the sky, as if he were searching for answers amongst the brilliant stars. Reincarnation? Was he being serious? "There have always been theories that it exists but almost impossible to prove." She replied.
Zoisite finally shifted his gaze to her, looking at her from the corner of his eye. "It's real Amy. I have experienced it. I have lived… three times now."
"How do you know this?" Amy asked softly as she took a step from him, regarding him carefully. Three lives? How was that possible? What did that have to do with what was going on with Pluto and the other princesses?
"My first life was thousands of years ago during what we called the Silver Millennium, the time we are living in now. The events you are experiencing and I am experiencing… we've lived through once before. All of us have actually." Zoisite continued as he finally turned to face her.
"What are you saying?" Amy asked as a hand went to cover her mouth. Suddenly Pluto's words made sense. Changing the course of history… if they had already lived once and were going through the exact same events then any change would stimulate a different path, a different course of history. They could be causing a huge disruption. But was it true?
"I'm saying that I've married you once before Amy… I had you for some time to myself and then your father recovered. Then I didn't see you for a long time, not until you became a guardian to the princess, a sailor scout. Then… then… well… we were sent to the future." Zoisite's voice dropped low as he spoke. His gaze left hers in that moment and he turned back to the temple which was empty. The fire within was still visible, now contained within the iron gate that it had escaped from earlier.
Amy felt her blood run cold at his words. Her father recovered? Sailor scout? Another life in the future? Suddenly her hands began to shake. She could feel her heart beating faster and faster. She shut her eyes as a flurry of images hit her. Her secret marriage to Zoisite. Her father, smiling at her again. Curtsying before Queen Serenity in a blue sailor uniform. Standing before the princess, covered in blood and sweat. Death. Rebirth. Another woman with short blue hair and glasses, smiling at her. A brick building with children. Streets filled with smiling people, weird carriages moving on their own. A tower. The moon princess in another time with her, back in her blue sailor uniform. Zoisite again, this time in his gray uniform. He attacks her, his dark green eyes etched with rage. An evil queen dressed in purple with fiery red hair. Pain. Then a hospital. The other princesses dressed in regular clothes. Serena and Endymion, apart. Another enemy… Fabian and Nikko. Zoisite again, this time his gaze gentle and loving. An earthquake. Raven. Dark power. A blinding purple light.
"Zoisite." Amy said after several moments. She was panting. Her breathing had grown uneven as if she had just ran a marathon. She could feel her body trembling. "Tell me everything."
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Serena tossed uncomfortably, turning from side to side. The bed was hard. The sheets were plain cotton and scratched at her soft legs. The mattress was made of straw instead of plush feathers like her bed at home. It sagged beneath her weight, causing lumps and holes. She couldn't sleep and the uncomfortable bed wasn't helping.
The camp was just a temporary home for the nobility of the galaxy for the ceremony. Its purpose was to give them shelter and a place to rest until they could journey back down the mountain to the palace and eventually, home to their own planets. Serena shared a tent with Raye and Amy. Each girl had an attendant that slept by the flap of the tent. A fire, nearly extinguished now, glowed in the middle of the tent, offering some warmth and light in the darkness. Outside of the tent she could hear the cough of one of their guards. Their soft voices were muffled but she could hear them talking amongst each other, trying to stay awake as the night dragged on.
Serena groaned and rolled onto her back. Her eyes ached with weariness but her mind was racing. What had happened earlier? The fire had never reacted as dangerously as it had tonight. She had attended many ceremonies before, all unmemorable. The scene had caused many to flee down the mountain in the darkness but Serena had opted to wait until the morning with the other princesses. Sighing, she rose from her bed, slipped on her pink slippers and pulled on her heavy cloak. Perhaps a late night walk would help her rest.
She pulled up the hood of her cloak, tucking her blond tresses into the folds as she poked her head out of the tent. Her guards were seated around a fire, drinking and talking amongst themselves. Their attention was on each other, not the tent behind them. Quietly, Serena slipped out unnoticed. She followed the back of the tent, careful to keep from the watchful eyes of other guards that were milling about, and headed for the tree line.
The cool air felt good on her cheeks. She gazed upwards to see the star filled sky, so beautiful between the two glowing moons. How was it that the night sky on Mars differed than that of her own moon? She wondered how the sky appeared on Saturn or Pluto or even Charon. Did they stare at the same heavens?
"It's late princess." A voice said to her.
Serena jumped as she turned, not expecting to run into anyone so late at night.
There stood Endymion. He was dressed in black pants, shirt and a red cloak. He was leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree, his arms crossed as he regarded her. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"Shouldn't you?" She asked as she approached him.
"I don't sleep well… remember?" He said with half a smile.
"Well, it seems we have the same problem tonight." Serena replied as she came to a stop before him. He towered over her, standing nearly a foot taller. He was just as tall as Nikko she realized but that seemed to be the only relation between them. Nikko's white blond hair and lavender eyes were a stark contrast to Endymion's jet black hair and deep blue eyes. Even their personalities seemed to differ. Nikko was cold, direct and firm. Endymion had been kind, gentle but strong. Now that Nikko had grown closer to her, she could see a gentler man beneath but still, it seemed as if his kindness was reserved only for her.
"Well, as it seems neither of us will be getting any sleep, come join me." Endymion said as he took a seat on a nearby stone bench. He nodded to the spot next to him, inviting her to sit next to him.
Serena quietly sat next to him as her gaze shifted to the stars again "Isn't Mars beautiful?" She asked.
"It's something." Endymion agreed as his gaze followed her own. "I'm surprised you're out here on your own, Nikko generally doesn't let you far from his side."
Serena chuckled lightly. "That's his job. He is my guardian."
"Seems like he's got it in his mind that's he's something more." Endymion replied as he turned his head to look directly at her.
Serena quieted as she met his gaze. "It's true we like each other." She sighed and pulled her cloak tighter around herself as the wind around them picked up. "But… as time passes, I feel something in him changing, something dark. It almost feels as if I don't even know who he is anymore."
"The line between good and evil has always been blurry for Nikko. He has been that way since we were children, I see he hasn't changed." Endymion admitted as he pulled off his heavy cloak and wrapped it around her. "I suggest you share what you told me with him."
"I'll try." Serena said as she gave him a thankful smile. "When do you go home?"
"Tomorrow. Mother doesn't like to linger long at these events. I'm surprised she didn't want to go down the mountain tonight like so many others. She didn't seem that spooked by the fire's reaction as many did." He remarked with a shrug. "Then again, she hasn't been in a good mood."
"I heard." Serena replied as she pushed back a stray lock of hair that had fallen from the hood of her cloak. "I'm sorry about Mina."
He chuckled lightly. "I think mother took it harder than me. Besides, Mina and I wouldn't have worked. She seems happy with Fabian, happier than I could make her at least. Anyway… there's someone else I've got my eye on…"
"The woman from your dream?" She asked.
"Yes." Endymion admitted as he rested his elbows on his knees and ran his fingers through his hair. "I know now that she's real. I just wish I knew why I keep getting these dreams. I think it's because I need to find her… and protect her."
"How can you find someone if you don't know what they look like?" Serena asked as she watched him.
"I have to at least try." Endymion replied as he sat up straight, sighing in frustration. "Earlier you tried to tell me something but we were interrupted, what was it? I could tell it was troubling you."
Serena hesitated as she watched him. Should she tell him what visions she had when they locked eyes at the ball? His dark blue eyes settled on hers as she wrestled with her thoughts. He had trusted her enough to confide in her with his own struggles, the least she could do was place the same trust in him. "I have to admit Endymion, when I saw you at the ball… something … happened."
"You fainted." He said as he regarded her.
"Yes…" She admitted as she turned on the bench, bringing her knees up to her chest as she spoke. "But the reason I fainted is because the moment you looked at me, I saw something… only what I saw I don't think anyone else could see." She laughed nervously as her gaze shifted to the skirt of her sleeping dress. "I'm not crazy okay... but I saw a vision."
"What did you see?" He asked as he inched closer to her. He reached over and put his hand over hers, encouraging her to continue.
"You." Serena replied as she finally lifted her eyes to meet his. She saw his eyebrows lift in surprise but she continued. "Only we weren't at the ball. We were on Earth but it seemed different. There were structures I've never seen. Tall ones with lots of glass and stone. Then it changed and we were in a field, you were battling Nikko. Then it changed again and we were alone… together…" She trailed off as her heart began to race. Was she really going to do this? Was she really going to tell him about the kiss they shared? The intimate moments that she experienced as if they were real? What would he think of her? What would he do?
"Go on… tell me more." Endymion encouraged as he squeezed her hand.
Serena felt a shock of energy race up her arm and fill her chest at his touch. She inhaled deeply as she felt her eyes begin to burn and sting. She had to just tell him. She wanted to but part of her was scared. What would he think? What would he say? "Then I felt your hand on my cheek… I saw the world in your eyes…suddenly I felt different… happy…full of warmth and then I…I felt your kiss…"
Silence fell between them as Serena shut her eyes. She could feel the rush of emotions again that she had felt only the night before. Her heart seemed to yearn for him, longing for his touch. But why? Why did she feel this way for him? She didn't have these strong feelings for Nikko. Endymion was practically a stranger and after what she had just shared, he probably thought she was insane.
"Serena." Endymion finally spoke after a long pause. His hand left hers and tenderly cupped her cheek.
Serena's eyes popped open, full of tears, as he gazed deeply into her eyes. The rush of emotions grew stronger as he came closer to her. She could feel the heat of his body, so strong and luring. His hand was rough but gentle, sending ripples of warmth beneath her skin.
"I have to tell you something too." He admitted as his gaze intensified. "The woman in my dreams, tonight I could finally see all the features of her face… Serena… it was you."
Serena gasped quietly as his hand left hers and went to grasp her trembling shoulder. She felt herself being drawn to him as their lips met as last.