Part II: Chapter 25
Queen Metaria
Darien's eyes opened groggily as he felt searing pain ripple across his chest. He exhaled sharply as he attempted to sit up, only managing to lift his shoulders a few inches before the pain took his breath away. He slipped back against his pillows, groaning as the pain radiated through his chest. He tried again to sit up but his limbs wouldn't budge, feeling so weary that it was as if they were made of lead.
He groaned as his vision sharpened and the features of his room began to settle. His door was closed but the windows of his balcony were open, letting in a cool breeze. The fire cracked softly to his right, giving off just enough light to the side of his bed.
He glanced down at his body. Bandages covered his chest and part of his left shoulder. He could see specs of blood along his shoulder and could feel the familiar tug of stitches. His chest however, felt so tight that he feared if he breathed too hard his lungs would collapse.
"You're awake." A soft voice said to him.
Darien's gaze shifted from his torso to a dark shape at the foot of his bed. What had first appeared to be a heap of blankets was a woman with wild, firery red hair and vivid yellow eyes. He felt a lump grow in his throat as the woman stood, shedding the blanket around her and went to his side.
"You've got some bruised ribs, maybe a crack or two. I stitched up your shoulder and your side, you had some pretty deep gashes. You should be fully healed in a few weeks your majesty." She said with a slight curtsy, her eyes downcast.
Darien's eyes flickered nervously to the door. "Where are my generals?"
"Nephrite is just outside." She replied. "Kunzite trades shifts with him. No one has seen Zoisite since the attack and I believe Jadeite went with King Nikko and Prince Fabian—"
"What happened?" He asked as he started to remember the fight on Neptune. Where was Serenity? Where were the others?
"The attack on Neptune claimed many lives." She told him as her eyes finally rose to meet his. She lingered only for a moment before going to his wash bin and setting a cloth into the water. "Entire families were wiped out, hundreds of lives were lost." She whispered as she turned back to him and wrung out the cloth. "The galaxy has been thrown into chaos."
"Just like Barrick wanted." Darien said bitterly as he looked outside the window. He could see the moon rising into the sky, casting eerie shadows within his room. "Where is Serena? Why isn't she here?"
"The Moon Princess is on Jupiter, that's the last I heard." She said as she set the cloth on his forehead. "You must rest your majesty, your body needs to heal—"
"Nephrite!" Darien called, ignoring her pleas.
The door opened instantly and Nephrite entered the room, bowing to him respectfully but keeping a careful distance from Beryl. "Yes sir?"
"Send a message to Jupiter, I need to see Serena. Let her know I'm okay." He ordered as he glanced back at Beryl. "And send for Kunzite, I need to get up."
Beryl instantly moved to Darien's side, holding his good shoulder down. "I don't think that's wise—"
"I didn't ask your opinion." Darien snapped as he reached for Nephrite's hand.
Nephrite glanced between Beryl and his king several times before he reluctantly took his hand and put his other one on his back, guiding him up.
Darien groaned as he felt his chest shift. A sharp pain cut into his side, catching his breath in his chest. "What the hell happened to me?" Darien grunted as he clutched at his side. He swung his legs over the side of the bed but his bandages were already soaked in blood from the stitches on his side. "I… I don't even remember…"
"Barrick's soldiers surrounded you." Nephrite said darkly as he kept a hand on his king's shoulder. "It was like ants crawling over a piece of food. Kunzite, Zoisite and I pulled them off…. It was pretty bad."
"They were coming for me." Darien said as he coughed, wincing at the searing pain from the jarring of his chest.
"Seems like it." Nephrite agreed as he glanced at Beryl. "I'll go get Kunzite, take it easy until I get back." He advised as he turned and left the room.
Darien grunted as he tried to sit up straight, the pain once again rippling through him. "What I wouldn't give for some Tylenol right now or better yet, morphine—"
"If you would please…" Beryl said as she reached for his elbow, holding him steady. "I have something that could help."
Darien grimaced at her touch as beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face. He reluctantly nodded, still weary of her attentions. "What is it?"
"Herbs… when you boil them together it soothes pain." She said as she went to the medical cart along the wall and pulled out a vial. "Here, drink it."
He took it from her, his fingers nervously clasping the thin glass vial with a murky looking liquid within. "Side effects?" He asked curtly as he examined it. "You're not trying to kill me… are you?"
She laughed lightly as she sank next to him on the bed. "You're my king Endymion, I'm your physician… the only female one at that. It wouldn't do well for my career if I killed you." Her yellow eyes settled on his as she spoke.
He was surprised at the warmth in her gaze and in the way she regarded him. The last time he had seen Beryl she had been an entirely different person. She had been corrupted by the darkness to such an extent that the woman before him, the first Beryl he had ever known, was nothing but a memory. Was the same fate to befall her this time? What would be the cause of her deviation to the darkness?
He popped open the vial and downed the liquid which tasted as terrible as it looked. He coughed again as the last of the medicine trickled down his throat but Beryl was ready with a cup of warm water which eased the pain in his torso. "Thanks." He muttered to her, still weary of her intentions.
"You've already made tremendous gains in your recovery, your majesty." She said as she set the cup down. "Don't push your luck."
"I didn't ask your opinion." Darien said bitterly as he inched closer to the edge of the bed, finally feeling some relief from the pain in his limbs and chest.
"I'm your physician." She said sternly as she crossed her arms. "You trusted me to join your service, I would think you would also trust my medical judgement."
Darien's jaw tightened as he met her gaze fiercely with his own. "You may be a palace physician, it doesn't mean you've earned my trust—"
"Endymion—" Kunzite said as he appeared in the doorway of his king's room, Nephrite behind him. He bowed low to him though his gaze remained cautiously on Beryl. "You wished to see me?"
Darien winced once more as he got to his feet and held onto the post of his bed for support. He fought the grimace that threatened to creep up on him as his legs shook, threatening to collapse beneath him. "We're going to the Moon… now."
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Mina stared at the ceiling of her room as the fire beside her crackled softly, breaking up the uneasy silence that had settled. She was beneath three layers of blankets and a heavy robe but still the cold on Charon was unrelenting. Her nose felt as if it was about to fall off.
"You sure you want to sign up for this?" She whispered to Serena who was huddled next to her. "Cause technically it's summer here…"
"I'm not signing up for anything." Serena said back to her from between chattering teeth. "Nikko will come to the moon, Fabian will stay—"
"Serena, come on…" Mina said softly as she turned to face her. "You just agreed to marry Nikko. He's giving up his throne for you, but I know his type, he craves power. He won't settle for just being your husband." She said as she turned and met Serena's gaze. "You know it too."
Serena's lips pursed into a thin line as she drew the blanket tighter around herself. "I hope it won't come to that. The way we're going, we won't even have enough time to marry—"
"And then what?" Mina interrupted abruptly. "We go back to Tokyo and it's like all of this never happened? Or do we pick up from where we left off? Or…" Her deep blue eyes grew darker. "We're stuck here forever."
"I don't know." Serena whispered as she felt tears filling her eyes. "I can't think like that right now."
"You need to." Mina said bitterly as she glanced outside the window. The surface of Charon was always dark, they were too far from the sun for a normal day and night transition outside but she could see people moving around outside. "You have to think about the future, however dismal it may be… we have to keep hope that there's some purpose to this. There has to be a reason why we've lived three different lives, never quite getting what we want in each of them. Maybe there will be a fourth, maybe then we'll finally get our happy endings."
"I want to go home." Serena confessed as her voice grew louder. "I can't stay here… I can't do this. I belong with Darien. I can't be with Nikko, not even for Barrick…"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Mina asked as she sat up, ignoring the bitter cold that enveloped her limbs as she rose. "Let's go."
"We can't just leave." Serena said as she brushed away a stray tear that had trickled along her frozen cheek.
"Sure we can. You're no one's property. You can do as you please." Mina said as she reached onto the floor and pulled on her shoes.
Serena didn't argue. She pushed back the heavy blankets and slipped on her cold shoes. She didn't even bother to run a brush through her hair as she pulled on her robe to cover her long, white nightdress. Together she and Mina went to the heavy iron door and pulled it open to the dimly hit hallway.
They both stopped as a figure turned towards them, barely noticeable in the darkness. Heavy footfalls echoed through the stone hallway as the figure approached them, coming to a stop just before a flickering torch.
Serena took a step backwards as a tall man came into view. He had a sharp chin and short gray hair.
King Albert.
His eyes, a deep black, settled on her as his features curled into a smile. "Princesses… I've been waiting for you… both of you. There is much we need to discuss."
"I have nothing to say to you Albert." Serena said bitterly as she reached for Mina's hand. "We have somewhere to be—"
"Oh I think you'll want to listen what I have to say, especially if you want to stop - from helping the Negaverse rise to power… and to save the life of your prince." Albert said cruelly as his grin only stretched further.
"Endymion is a king." Serena corrected as her eyes narrowed. "And I don't need your help."
"He's king for now… you forget, his mother lives still and she's going to reclaim her kingdom sooner rather than later. Then there's the fact princess Mina's father is more than a little upset his daughter married a commoner, the Moon won't find him to be an ally. Barrick has Jupiter and as we speak, Mars is under attack." Albert said as he crossed his arms. "So you see… you are quite alone."
Mina and Serena both gasped, their horrified hands lifting to their mouths.
"Now that I have your attention princess, let's try this again. We need to talk." Albert said again as he stepped back into the shadows.
"What is it you want?" Serena asked, knowing full well that the King of Saturn wasn't here to play nice. He wouldn't help her out of the goodness of his heart, he wanted something, badly.
"A few things." Albert said as he turned to walk back down the hallway. "Let's start with this one: we need to get Nikko out of here."
"What are you talking about? He's not in danger here." Serena said firmly as she cast an uneasy glance at a stone-faced Mina.
"She's coming." Albert said firmly as his eyes locked onto hers. "You know who I'm talking about."
"Queen Metaria?" Mina dared to whisper.
Albert nodded as a crash of thunder sounded. "She's nearly here and she wants the one person who she can corrupt with the most power. And right now… that person isn't Beryl."
"How do you know about Beryl?" Mina asked in a whisper as she raised one eyebrow.
"Raven." Albert said as his expression darkened. "Everything she's said has happened so far. All of it. She may be crazy, but too many things she's said have come true." He could see the doubt on their faces as the two girls looked at each other hesitantly. "We don't have time to waste!" He yelled. "We must leave now."
"And go where?" Mina asked as she reached for Serena's hand. "You said it yourself, the galaxy is divided!"
"Saturn is ready for this fight." Albert said as his demeanor suddenly changed. His voice was dark but calm, as if he had anticipated this. "We've been forging weapons for weeks. We can outfit as many soldiers as you can find."
"Swords won't defeat Queen Metaria… nor will they bring Venus back to the alliance." Serena said carefully as she took Mina's hand.
"Not just swords princess." Albert said as he drew a dagger from his belt. The blade was black, and the moment he touched it, it glowed a brilliant blue. "Weapons forged with magic… weapons that give our ordinary soldiers a chance to fight against the darkness."
The two girls went silent as their eyes took in the sight of the blade.
Serena could feel the power radiating from the dagger, giving her strength and heightening her mind. "Where are we going?"
"You get Nikko, then to the transportation room. We've got to go to the Moon before we head to Mars." Albert said as he put the dagger back onto his belt.
"Mars? Who is attacking Mars?" Mina asked as she looked at Serena, as if she had heard something.
"I told you… Queen Metaria lives. She's made her first move but she is not at her full strength yet. We can keep her at bay, at least for now." Albert replied as his expression turned grim.
"Let's go." Serena said as she nodded to Mina and together they took off running down the hall, Albert close behind.
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"Where is she?!" Darien asked as he limped into Serena's study in the Moon Palace. It was just after dawn, as the morning sun was just rising into the sky. Amy, Lita and Raye followed, all of them still in their sleeping dresses.
Lita yawned widely as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "It's good to see you're okay Darien." She said wearily.
"Serena is on Jupiter." Amy said solemnly to Darien as she crossed her arms. "She's with Barrick."
Darien cursed under his breath as Kunzite and Nephrite entered the study.
Lita's eyes widened as she caught sight of Nephrite and ran across the room, jumping into his waiting arms. Their lips met while everyone in the room watched, each harboring their own feelings of regret and fear for the fate of their loved ones.
"Where's… where's Jed?" Raye asked softly as she sank into a chair.
"Still with Nikko on Charon." Kunzite answered for her as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He's safe."
"Is Serena Barrick's prisoner?" Darien asked as he turned to face Amy. "How long has she been gone? Has she sent any messages?"
"I'm safe." Serena's voice said as she entered the room, still dressed in her sleeping dress and robe.
The girls gasped as Serena crossed the room and went to Darien's waiting arms. She collapsed against his chest, sobbing onto his shoulder as he held her, fighting the pain in his chest.
"What happened to you? What did Barrick do?" Darien asked as he smoothed back her hair from her face. His hands sank to her cheeks, cupping her cold flesh as tears flowed down to his fingers.
"I'm so sorry…" Serena said in between sobs as she put her hands over his. "Please forgive me… I had to do it."
"Do what?" Darien asked as the sound of heavy footsteps grew in volume. He looked up and nearly did a double take as King Albert and King Nikko entered the room followed by a stone-faced Mina and Jadeite.
"Take your hands off my fiancé." Nikko said as his hand went to his sword. "Let her go now."
"WHAT?!" Raye said as she glanced, bewildered at Serena.
Serena continued to cry, her eyes wide as she felt Darien grow rigid against her.
Darien took two quick steps back from her, bumping into her heavy desk which caused a glass sand timer to fall and shatter against the marble floor.
"Tell him Serena, tell him about our deal." Nikko said smugly as he came to a stop just behind Serena.
"The… the baby is his." Serena whispered through her tears as she looked into Darien's eyes. "I… I'm so sorry… I… I didn't have my memories…" She pleaded as she fell to her knees as her shoulders shook with her sobs.
Darien's jaw clenched as she spoke though he tore his gaze from her and instead focused on Nikko's smug grin. He glanced back at Serena, struggling to keep his breathing even. "Why… why would you chose to marry him instead of me?"
Nikko crossed his arms as he met Darien's fierce glare. "Unlike you, Endymion, I don't come with strings attached and a threat for civil war."
"I don't believe that." Darien said as he shook his head, looking back at a silent Serena. "Serena… tell me!"
"I can't be selfish." She whispered as she lifted her eyes to meet his hard gaze. "I've been trying to be with you for my past lives and they've all ended the same way. I was selfish and did everything I could to be with you. Maybe the answer is to make the sacrifice for this galaxy…you." She got to her feet as she spoke, her knees shaking dangerously as she kept her attention on him.
"You're giving up." Darien whispered as he took her hands in his. "I'm not giving up Serena. We've fought too hard to be with each other. You have made sacrifices. Many in fact. We both have… this… this isn't the answer." He insisted as his expression softened. "We belong together."
"I know." She whispered back. "But the universe doesn't want us together."
"Unhand her." Nikko said firmly as he put a hand on Serena's arm and pulled her back towards him. "You've got your answer. The princess has chosen to be with me and as a gentleman and king, you must honor it."
"Get off of her!" Darien shouted as he pushed Nikko's hand off of Serena's arm.
Serena barely had time to get out of the way before Nikko's fist went flying, connecting with the edge of Darien's jaw. She scuttled away as the two went at it, falling to the ground in a flurry of punches.
"STOP!" Serena screamed, looking to the generals for help.
Kunzite sighed and stepped forward, reaching for Nikko's shoulder to pull him off but Jadeite was fast. He jumped into the fray, pushing Kunzite off of Nikko and following up with a punch of his own.
Mina and Raye both jumped to their feet, screaming while Amy merely stood to the side shaking her head.
"She's mine!" Darien bellowed as he sent a kick to Nikko's face as Kunzite attempted to drag him away.
Nikko grimaced as the heel of Darien's boot caught his chin but thankfully Kunzite's grip loosened and he fell forward, sending another punch to Darien's face. "She chose me Endymion, deal with it!"
"Should I?" Nephrite asked Lita as he took a step towards Darien but Lita shook her head, keeping her hand on his forearm. "You don't need to jump into that mess."
"Do something!" Mina shouted as she watched Kunzite get punched over and over again by Jadeite.
"Enough!" Amy shouted as she stepped forward a heavy bowl of water in her hands. She threw the water over Darien and Nikko, causing them both to stop instantly.
Jadeite and Kunzite paused mid-punch as the sound in the room died away instantly.
"Stop this ridiculous fighting!" Amy continued as she threw the bowl onto the ground. "There are more important things to fight about like the Negaverse growing and Barrick trying to take over the galaxy!" Tears filled her eyes as she spoke. Her hands were visibly shaking as she turned to look at Serena.
"And you… you need to get it together. You're our princess… and our leader. We need your strength now more than ever." She whispered as she reached her hand out to Serena, offering to help her up.
Serena quietly slipped her hand into Amy's and got to her feet, ignoring the panting Darien and Nikko behind her. "Amy… I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing and DO SOMETHING!" She shouted as tears rolled down her cheeks. "We're all here waiting for you to be our leader and tell us what to do so we can stop this madness and go home!"
"Amy… where's Zoisite?" Serena asked softly.
"I don't know." Amy said as she broke down into tears.
Serena quickly wrapped her arms around her, trying to soothe her friend while glancing towards a silent King Albert. "Where is he?" She asked, knowing that if anyone knew, it would be him.
"Raven saved him… well… what was left." He remarked as his expression hardened. "I'm afraid he is as good as lost to you princess."
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"The galaxy is divided." A cold voice spoke as the sound of soft footsteps grew in volume. "It lacks direction… leadership."
"It's not my problem." Fabian whispered as he glanced outside of the window. Neptune was rising into the sky, shining so brightly that light trickled down to the dark, icy surface of Charon. The normally fluorescent foliage that surrounded the palace faded in the light as the icy surface twinkled, resembling the starry sky above.
"You have an opportunity to take charge. You will be king of Charon… why not also king of the galaxy?"
Fabian's brow furrowed as the words floated towards his ears, taking hold of a reality he wasn't yet ready to face. "Nikko should be king. I was never meant to rule—"
"You are the better brother. You are smarter… faster… and soon, stronger."
Fabian exhaled deeply as he shut his eyes, not wanting to hear anymore. His brother had been his rock. Wherever Nikko went, he followed. They had endured everything together. Had the time come for him to be his own man now? How was he to navigate the end of the Silver Millennium without him? Would there be another rebirth or was this their final chance at life?
"There is always more to be had." The voice continued. "As ruler of the galaxy, you will live for an eternity with the world at your feet. Take hold of your life now, you belong here… with everything you desire."
"I won't have Mina…" He whispered as he felt a stinging in his eyes. "What's life now without the woman I love?"
"The princess of Venus is a fool… though she won't admit it. She craves power just like the rest of her kind. She will return to you once you are king, once you control this galaxy."
"She's married to Kunzite, she can't leave him now." Fabian muttered bitterly as he turned from the window. He turned to face the empty throne at the top of the platform. A single crown sat on the velvet cushion, waiting to be placed on the head of the next king of Charon.
Him.
"Kunzite will perish along with the other traitorous generals… and the king of Earth."
Fabian took a step towards the throne, his eyes set on a large ruby at the center of the crown. He could see his reflection in the precious stone as his hands gripped the edges of the golden rim, lifting it up. It was heavier than he had anticipated, but then again, being king wasn't for the weak. He never imagined Nikko would give up his claim for Serena. Perhaps his brother wasn't the strongest after all.
"No, Fabian. You are the strongest. You are the bravest. You will do what must be done to restore order and preserve the Silver Millennium. You are king."
"I am king." Fabian whispered as he set the crown down on his head. He turned towards the empty hall, once again looking out the large glass windows at his icy kingdom. What if his kingdom was more than just a hunk of ice? What if there was more?
"All you need to do is say the word and all the power… will be yours…."
Fabian took a deep breath as he shut his eyes, feeling the familiar tingle of the darkness in his fingertips. How he had missed that feeling. "Let's begin."
At the edge of the hall, hidden within the shadows of the corridor, Femi stood, watching Fabian. She could feel her nerves turn to ice as he spoke, walking the length of the hall to the throne and placing the crown on his head. She craned her neck, trying to see who he could possibly be speaking to but the hall was abandoned.
There was no one there.