The Return of the Negaverse

by The Lady Silver

It has been several years since the last of Earth's enemies were defeated by the Sailor Scouts. A new threat has pulled them together again and challenged what they thought they knew about their past lives with the re-emergence of the Shitennou. Can they remain a team and defeat their new enemies? Part 2 focuses on the Silver Millennium. Reviews appreciated.

38. Chapter 38

**please note in this story elements of the English version and Japanese version are used. Enjoy!**

Part II: Chapter 8

Alliance

Queen Raven gathered her long ruby skirts in her hands. The morning air was cold, heavy with dew that wet the bottom of her gown as she walked. Most days this would have bothered her. She would've had her servants carry her over the field or had them lay down heavy rugs in her path. Now she hardly noticed the dew saturating her skirt as she walked, pressing through the tall grass.

She cast one look over her shoulder at her palace. Dawn was approaching. Already the rich navy sky was glowing a deep amethyst that was melting to a dark burgundy. She used to spend her summers rising early just to see the sunrise. When the light of the sun hit the palace walls, the entire palace lit up, reflecting the brilliant light. It became a beacon in the darkness. The sight used to take her breath away.

Now all she could feel was bitterness.

She was at a crossroads. On one side was her past. She had stayed with her family as the darkness grew. She watched her husband die. She led her people to the darkness only facing resistance from her son.

Endymion. She lost him on that path. He chose the light. He chose the Moon. It was his desire but it was also his fate. Princess Serenity would be his death once more.

The second path before her was more inviting. If she left her kingdom she could gather the power she needed to combat the Moon …or the coming darkness. She was more concerned with the Moon than the Negaverse's arrival. After all, if she lost her son, she lost her purpose and she would lose everything.

No, she wouldn't be so foolish this time. She looked over at her ship, manned and ready to head to the outer planets. She would seek the darkness this time, seek its power and its potential. She could be so much more. The power she could gain could potentially turn the tide in the coming battle. She could be hailed a hero of the galaxy and thus keep the sailor scouts and Endymion… stuck in the Silver Millennium. After all, she had a gift. She could harness any energy for good or evil. Why not both?

"My lady." A guard said as he bowed to her. "The ship is ready for take off."

"Good." Queen Raven replied as she saw the palace one last time. She hesitated only for a moment as she felt her eyes stinging in the growing light. Her husband had only days left. No amount of power or even time travel could change his ailing heart. For all the powers she possessed, she could do nothing for a frail body.

She gathered her skirts in her hands as she tore her eyes from the palace. The ship was before her, the engines were on, whirring softly. She could see the crew on board, all running to get ready to leave. She hoped they were ready for the perils that were to greet them.

"Your majesty." The captain spoke as he bowed to her. He wore a deep green uniform with a heavily starched collar. Several medals hung from the breast of his jacket, catching the early morning rays of sunshine. "Where are we headed?"

Queen Raven smiled as the sun finally hit her, illuminating her rich ebony locks. "Saturn."

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"Princess Amara of Uranus and Princess Michelle of Neptune." The announcer called as the two double doors to the great hall on the Moon opened.

Queen Serenity watched as the two girls strolled into the hall. Michelle was dressed in a simple aquamarine dress and silver tiara. Her hair was gathered into a bun on the back of her head and covered with a net of silver and pearls. Next to her Amara was dressed in black leather pants with a transparent gray skirt over it that was open in the front. She wore a long sleeve black shirt on top with a golden and navy blue design along the edge. Both girls curtsied to Queen Serenity.

The soft patter of Amara and Michelle's shoes upon the marble floor echoed in the vast chamber as they approached. The hall was empty except for Amy and Raye who were both standing to the side of Serenity's throne. Usually there were nobles around the sides of the hall but the girls were alone in the room with the Queen.

"Amara and Michelle." Serenity smiled as she left her throne and descended the platform to greet both girls. She was dressed in a silver and white dress, cut to fit her body like a glove. The skirt sprouted around her like a puddle, dragging a few feet behind her. "Trista has informed me that you have your memories, is that true?"

"It is your majesty." Michelle replied as she returned Serenity's warm hug. "We have been training for weeks to make sure we stayed in shape."

"Good." Serenity replied with a nod of her head. "I fear we cannot wait for the events of the past to unfold as they have before. I sense a darkness growing, a stronger evil than the Negaverse. We must be ready."

"Who do you think this new enemy is?" Amara asked as her eyebrow perked.

"I'm not sure." Serenity spoke as she regarded both of them. "But its power grows. I can feel it…"

"We need the others." Amara said as she glanced at Raye and Amy. "We can't take them on by ourselves."

"That's our problem." Serenity replied as she walked past the girls to the window that overlooked the gardens. She watched some of the occupants of the palace moving amongst the flowers and within the hedge maze. They seemed so calm and untroubled. If only they knew the threat that faced them. "As you see Raye and Amy have arrived. Queen Raven has taken Lita and Mina has not responded to our invitation. I worry that evil has already found her. And Serena… she has lost her memories."

"Michelle and I can get Lita out." Amara said quickly. "And then we can look for Mina."

"I know Raven's castle well." Michelle said bitterly as she crossed her arms. "I can find her."

"There's no need." Trista's voice floated over to them as she stepped out of a spinning portal that had opened by the hall's door. She was dressed in her sailor uniform but lacked her usual staff. "She's escaped."

"Where'd she go?" Amy asked as she descended the platform to join the others. Raye followed her, her deep burgundy skirts rustling as she walked.

"That we must find out." Serenity replied as she turned back to the platform. "You can come out now."

All five girls turned to see two people walk out from the curtains behind the platform. One was a woman, tall with wavy black hair. She wore a dress of yellow silk, striking against her dark locks. Next to her was a man with short blond hair. He wore a white uniform, similar to one the nobles wore at official events. Both of them had a crescent moon in the middle of their forehead.

"Luna? Artemis?" Raye asked as both eyebrows lifted. She glanced over at the others whose jaws had all dropped.

"I thought we could use some extra help." Serenity replied with a smile.

"Princesses." Artemis spoke as he gave them a light bow.

"This is so weird." Amara said as she crossed her arms. "But then again, you weren't always … cats…"

"They will prove more useful to us back in their original forms." Serenity said with a smile. "I have given each of them powers of their own."

"And it is time to return your powers to all of you." Luna said without missing a beat. She reached behind the platform and withdrew a silver tray. Six transformation pens laid upon it, shinning hauntingly in the bright lights of the great hall.

"Reclaim your pen." Artemis instructed as he gestured to the tray. "We have enhanced the powers within but your transformation incantation will remain the same."

No one moved as silence fell over the room.

Amy glanced at the others, all lost within their own thoughts as they stared at the pens on the tray. She cleared her throat and bravely stepped forward, stopping just before Artemis. She reached forward, glancing at all of the pens. The light blue pen called to her. It glowed slightly, drawing her hand to its warmth. Amy's fingers curled around it, lifting it from the tray. She could feel the power within, pulsing into her palm.

"Whoa." She whispered as the others snickered.

One by one the other girls stepped forward, claiming their pens until only Mina and Lita's remained.

Artemis stared at Mina's pen, fighting a lump in his throat as Luna returned the tray back to the platform.

Serenity stared at all the girls as they held up their transformation pens. "The same words—"

The hall doors burst open, causing everyone in the room to jump.

Fabian, his clothes torn and covered in dirt appeared. His jet black hair was disheveled, falling into his face in grimy strands that stuck to the side of his cheeks. His boots were caked in mud, leaving a trail behind him. He stumbled into the room, fighting two guards as he set his sights on Queen Serenity. "He… he took her!" He gasped as two more guards rushed forward, grabbing him under his arms.

"Stop!" Serenity commanded them as she rushed over. She kneeled before a shaking Fabian. She could see tear-streak lines cutting through the dirt on his face. His dark green eyes were rimmed with red. "Fabian, what happened?"

"He took Mina." Fabian repeated as his chest heaved with each breath. He shook off the guards who took a cautious step back, their eyes still on him. "I tried to stop him. I almost had her. I… I failed her…"

"Who took her Fabian?" Serenity asked as she put a hand under Fabian's chin, raising his head to be level with hers.

Fabian stared into her eyes, taking only a moment to gather himself. "Him… Serena's old boyfriend from Tokyo… Blake."

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"Princess…. Princess!" A soft voice whispered.

Serena groaned as she rolled over, pulling her pillow to cover her ear. "Femi… it's too early."

"I think you need to get up." Femi persisted as she reached over and shook Serena's shoulder. "There are many visitors to the palace this morning. The princesses from the outer planets have arrived…. Oh… and a delegation from Earth—"

Serena shot up, her blond hair was a mess of tangles and loose ringlets. She squealed excitedly and pushed off her blankets. "Femi! Why didn't you wake me earlier?!"

Femi crossed her arms as she watched Serena run to her closet to dress. She was dressed in her usual light blue dress cut tightly to her thin body. Her white blond hair was in a single braid that snaked down her back. She shook her head as she watched her fuss before a mirror, fixing her hair as quickly as she could. "You should be careful princess… we both know Prince Nikko won't be pleased."

Serena paused as she stepped away from her mirror. She met Femi's eyes with a guilty glance. "I haven't spoken to him. I just know that… well…I feel as if I have betrayed him and nothing has even been said."

"It's not betrayal." Femi replied as she sat on the edge of Serena's bed. "You promised him nothing. You are not engaged in a courtship or pledged to each other. I suggest you be honest with him before things get worse."

"Very well." Serena replied as she pulled her dress on over her head. She grabbed a pair of shoes as she skipped towards the door. "I'll find him after the delegation leaves." A smile graced her lips as she peered through her window, seeing the people from Earth below, all entering the front of the palace. "I have to see Endymion first."

"Serena, wait!" Femi called but it was too late. Serena had left the room, skipping down to the hallway, her sights set on one individual that she hoped had arrived with the delegation.

Serena felt her fingers tingling as she walked briskly through the vast hallway of the Moon Palace. She wore a simple white dress that flowed as she walked. The skirts were light and made of a tulle-like material. The sleeves fell elegantly off her slender shoulders. She wore a simple silver tiara, nestled between two buns that trickled strands of hair down her back. Her heels clicked quietly on the marble floor as she moved, the sound amplified considerably within the open space. She passed a series of paintings, all of her late ancestors. Their white blond hair was noticeable in all of them until the very last one.

She paused her gaze settled on the portrait of her and her mother, completed just weeks ago. Queen Serenity was breathtakingly regal in the picture, wearing her beautifully crafted white gold crown. Her gown was made of the shiniest and purest white silk, cut perfectly to frame her thin body. Next to her sat Serena, clad in a gown of white and gold. Her blond hair framed her face while the rest was held back into two buns. She wore her silver tiara in the painting, the same she wore now. Serena's eyes shifted to the other portraits along the hall, each containing women and men with white blond hair. How different she appeared from her mother and her ancestors. All the women in the royal line had white blond hair and yet here she was with her golden locks.

What did it mean? Was it an omen? Was she cursed? It certainly felt that way. She was so infatuated with Nikko, so charmed by his grin and strong embrace… only to now feel completely different for Endymion.

Endymion.

A week ago she hadn't given him a second thought. She had last seen him when she was eight, back when relations between the Moon and the Earth were at its peak. She would often spend summers at the palace, accompanying her mother on her visits when she could. Endymion was different then. He was often busy training with the other nobles of the galaxy at Earth's renowned training center. He would only make brief appearances and most of those he spoke little to her. Serena never seemed to mind, as there was a considerable age gap between them. What was there for the two of them to talk about anyway? Now she was grown, practically a woman and Endymion had turned into quite a man.

Her knees trembled as she thought of his gorgeous blue eyes, so dark and dreamy. His dark hair, as black as a starless night, felt as smooth as silk between her fingers. His smile made her heart skip a beat. The gentle grasp of his warm touch sent tiny fireworks off beneath her skin. And his kiss… she felt her knees go weak at the memory of his lips on hers.

The night she spent with him under the stars had changed her. She felt a bond with Endymion that she didn't have with Nikko. He had been dreaming of her, a woman he loved and needed to protect. Somewhere deep inside her, she longed for him too. His touch was so familiar, so warm and affectionate. When he looked at her, she could see the world shining in his eyes. She wanted nothing more than to gaze into those eyes for the rest of her life, lost in their wonder.

"Princess?" Endymion spoke, cutting through the silence.

Serena turned from the portrait, her eyes settling on Endymion's. He was grinning from ear to ear as he approached her. His dark blue eyes were twinkling as they caught hers, shining with a new light she had never seen before. He wore a dark blue soldier's uniform with a bright red sash crossing his chest. His sword was at his hip and a bright red cape sprouted from his broad shoulders, just kissing the top of the floor. He looked magnificent. She felt her heart skip a beat as he took another step towards her, reaching for her hand.

"Endymion, you came." Serena whispered as she laid her hand in his. Relief was evident in her words. She had hoped Endymion would be with the delegation from Earth.

"I had to come." He lifted her hand to his lips. "I had to see you again."

She shivered as she felt his lips, as soft as butterfly wings, brush against the back of her hand. "What… what are you doing here?" She asked as she saw more people behind him, all dressed in shades of blue and green, shuffling to the great hall.

"My father and I have come to speak to your mother. Actually, they're speaking right now in private." Endymion explained as he reluctantly released her hand. His eyes regarded her for a moment as his grin only grew.

"What are they speaking of?" Serena asked as she felt a flutter in her stomach. She suspected she already knew. Why else would Endymion be so happy right now? Despite the surprise, she was feeling a spark of excitement and oddly…anxiety.

"Us." Endymion whispered as he took her hand and led her down a nearby hallway that offered more privacy. He stopped before the hangings of a large window with a perfect view of the garden. The heavy hangings kept them obscured from the view of passersby but not anyone down below. He squeezed her hands once he was sure they were alone. "Serena… I haven't stopped thinking about you."

"I haven't stopped thinking about you." She whispered back as she felt a smile tugging at her lips. The fluttering in her stomach intensified as she felt herself drawing closer to him. "I'm so glad you came."

"Serena… since we left Mars all I've been able to think about is you. I can't live like this, I'm losing my mind every day I don't see you." He said to her in hushed tones. His eyes focused on hers.

"Endymion—" Serena began but he put his finger over her lips as he bent closer.

"Please… just let me say something before you get a chance to throw me out." He said quickly as he sighed. He leaned back against the frame of the window as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I know how crazy all of this sounds." He grabbed her shaking hands as his deep blue eyes settled on hers. "I feel… I feel like I've known you forever…and we belong together. We need to be together." He whispered as his eyes searched hers. "I know we haven't spent much time together and this doesn't make any sense at all…" He trailed off as he looked down at their hands, still clasped. "Serena, I'll leave now and never bother you again if you ask it of me but I have to know… do you feel the same way? Do you want me to stay? I can go in there and stop my father from asking your mother for permission—"

"No, don't." The words were out before she could stop herself.

Endymion took a step closer as Serena felt her heart pounding against her chest. She could feel the now familiar rush of emotions surging through her veins. She thought of those images, still clearly etched in her mind as when she first experienced them: Endymion, protecting her, holding her… loving her. She spent hours each day just sitting, thinking of where he might be, what he was doing, how she longed for him to appear and take her into his strong arms. Now as he spoke she felt her breathing grow faster, quicker as she felt a wave of excitement building within her. The things he spoke of, she felt too. The entire time he was gone it was if a part of her was missing.

"Endymion…" One of her hands left his as she laid it against his cheek. His skin was soft with just a small hint of stubble along his jaw. She could feel the heat in his face, growing stronger as she lingered, gazing deep into his eyes. "I can't imagine being without you. You occupy my every thought, my every dream. I yearn for you as you yearn for me. I want… I want to be with you." She whispered.

His hands went to her hips, pulling her closer until she was pressed against his broad chest. His left hand trickled up her side, ran along her shoulder, her neck, and finally cupped her cheek.

Their lips tenderly met.

Serena melted against him as she felt him pulling her closer still, his arms wrapping around her waist. The kiss deepened as she felt the heat from his body against hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pressing her chest against his as he lifted her from the ground. He chuckled into her lips as she giggled. Never had she felt so happy and so content than how she felt now in his arms.

A loud cough from behind them jarred them apart.

Serena jumped as Endymion released her abruptly.

Nikko stood just three feet from them, his arms crossed. He wore his usual uniform with his heavy blue cape of the Shadow Warriors. His sword was at his hip as always. His lavender eyes were narrowed, focused not on Serena but Endymion.

"Nikko…" Serena blushed as she caught his intense glare. She had totally forgotten about him, her thoughts were so caught up on Endymion that she had been avoiding Nikko for the past week.

"Serena… I'm hurt and surprised." Nikko spoke as he took a step towards them, his gaze shifting back to Endymion.

"Is there something you need?" Endymion asked as he met Nikko's glare with his own.

"You dream of having her for your own Endymion but she's mine. That's not changing." Nikko said as his hand went to the hilt of his sword. "I suggest you leave."

"You're joking right?" Endymion scoffed as he slid to his right, shielding Serena from Nikko's view. "You're her guard. She'd rather be with me."

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Nikko asked a cruel grin crossed his face.

"Serena?" Endymion asked as he looked over his shoulder. "What is he talking about?"

Serena bit her lip as her eyes went from Nikko to Endymion. To be honest she hadn't given Nikko much thought since they left Mars. The time she had spent with the prince from Charon had been lovely but paled in comparison to what she felt for Endymion. She couldn't escape the feeling that they belonged together, just as Endymion had said. But where did that leave Nikko?

"Nikko, I care for you..." Serena trailed off as Nikko's eyes shifted back to hers. She felt her body trembling. She should've known this moment would come. Nikko wouldn't give her up so easily. She should've been honest with him from the beginning. Femi had encouraged her to speak with him earlier and she should have listened. Once they returned from Mars she should've spoken with him about her feelings and ended things. She felt as if she had betrayed him as she stood next to Endymion. She could only imagine how he felt finding them in each other's arms. How could their relationship go back to being professional? Was there any going back now? "But… I feel so much more for Endymion." She finished as she felt her heart racing again, pounding painfully against her chest.

"I see." Nikko responded as he exhaled deeply. For a moment his harsh gaze softened. A glimmer of pain appeared and disappeared before Serena could blink. "I didn't expect you'd be a heartbreaker in this life Serena."

Serena's brow furrowed at his words. In this life? "I'm sorry Nikko but I belong with Endymion." She reached for Endymion's hand as she spoke. His hand clutched hers protectively. She felt a rush of warmth rush from his fingers, giving her much needed strength to face the man she thought she had loved.

"No." Nikko said simply with a shake of his head. "I don't accept that's true. I've fought too hard, I've done too much to lose you now."

"Nikko, what are you talking about?" Endymion asked as his jaw went rigid. "She gave you her answer, be a man and leave."

"You want to talk about being a man Endymion? The entire reason we are here is because you weren't man enough to kill your crazy as hell mother." Nikko spat as he withdrew his sword, pointing it right at Endymion. "Unlike you, I'm not weak. I've lost Serena twice, I won't lose her a third time."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Endymion shouted as he too withdrew his sword, his eyes flickering over to Serena as he spoke. "What's going on here?"

"Nikko—" Serena began as her eyes widened but Nikko held his hand up.

"Enough words. You're coming with me Serena, we are leaving." He said as he extended his hand towards her.

"She's not going anywhere." Endymion growled as he gripped his sword with both hands.

"Yes, she is." Nikko responded as he swung his sword with a grunt.

Endymion jumped to the side, pushing Serena to safety as his sword hit Nikko's with a loud clang.

"Nikko STOP!" Serena screamed as she felt herself falling to the ground out of the way of another swing from Nikko's sword. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was as if Nikko had become another person.

"She's not yours!" Endymion yelled as he pushed Nikko off with the weight of his shoulder.

"She will always be mine!" Nikko took a quick step back to catch himself before charging again, his sword hitting Endymion's with more force than Endymion expected.

"She doesn't want YOU!" Endymion shouted as he lost his footing and fell to the ground. Amazingly he kept his sword in his grip as Nikko charged again, coming at him with a bestial yell.

"Enough!" a voice called from behind them.

Serena looked up to see Femi, standing with her staff at the end of the hallway.

Rhea stood behind her, her arms crossed. She wore a tight black dress that had a thigh high slit on the side. Her pink hair popped sharply as her dark eyes narrowed at those before her. Femi had her staff but she still appeared fierce as her fingers glowed. "Boys." She huffed with a roll of her eyes.

"Stop this now." Femi spoke as she tapped the staff three times on the floor, sending a flood of blinding white light towards them.

Nikko and Endymion yelled as they were temporarily blinded. A ripple of energy followed the blast, temporarily blinding them. Their swords fell from their hands, sliding away from their grasp as they used their hands to shield their stunned eyes.

Serena felt her body flying backwards at the moment the light hit her. She hit the wall at the end of the hallway, groaning as she felt her head smack the edge of the window ledge.

"Get up, both of you." Femi continued as she spun her staff again. "And you." She pointed her staff at Nikko as her green eyes narrowed. "You need to leave."

"What the hell Femi? Rhea? You work for me! You serve me!" Nikko grumbled as he slowly got to his feet. "I am your leader! The two of you are to follow my command."

"Not this time." Femi scoffed as she glanced over at Endymion who was slowly getting up as well. "If there's one thing I can change in this life, it's picking the right side… and it's not yours."

Behind her Rhea shrugged as Femi returned her staff to her. "Sorry Nikko, sometimes the best thing to do is to step back and let things happen." She said as she nodded at Endymion and Serena.

Endymion blinked several times as his eyes came back into focus. He looked around him, searching for Serena. He saw her slumped against the wall, the right sleeve of her dress saturated with blood. "Serena!" Endymion yelled as he scrambled to Serena's side.

Serena was slumped against the wall, clutching a cut on the back of her head that was bleeding onto her white dress. She felt the familiar rush of emotion surge through her veins as Endymion's fingers curled around her arm, pulling her to him.

She blinked several times as her dazed eyes tried to focus. She could see Femi, Rhea, and Nikko, facing her, their eyes wide in horror. She blinked again and felt Endymion's gentle hands circle her, pulling her against his broad chest. No… not Endymion…

"Darien…." She whispered as her vision came into focus. She could see his dark blue eyes on hers. He looked confused only for a moment as she put her hand on his cheek. "Darien." She whispered again. "Mamo…."

His eyes widened, the rich blue irises shimmered as he caught her gaze. Serena was before him, wrapping in his arms. He felt a rush of memories overcome him. Serena in a school uniform, waving at him. Serena in her sailor scout uniform, fighting at his side. Serena in her white gown as princess Serenity, holding him as a crescent mark glowed on her head. Her again at his side, clinging to him as a rolling wave of purple light overcame them. It was all coming back. He put his hand over hers as a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Usako."