Love Conquers All!
By: Katie-lee Brady
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN NOTHING! The only thing I own is the story line, but the characters were used, which I totally don't own. I also don't own the story lines of X-Men 2, and some season of Alias… but there is a few characters made up… very original :)
Chapter 18: Perduto Anima (Lost Soul)
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Previously On: Love Conquers All! – Endymion had just found Serenity, but fell through his grasp, and is now stranded in a dimension that only she can set herself free from. Meanwhile, Endymion has to reunite with his people to give them hope, and clarity on the whole ordeal that is going on.
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"Mummy, Mummy. Wake up..." it was the sound of laughing children. Subconsciously she could feel herself on something soft, a bed maybe? Because she also felt herself jumping.
Slowly she opened her eyes and was looking at two children. Automatically she felt herself freeze over and looked at the children with every emotion possible.
One kid was a little girl, and the other was a little boy. The little girl had curly blonde hair and big blue orbs, and the little boy had jet black ringlets with dark blue orbs.
"What's wrong mummy?" the little boy said. Both kids then sat down on the bed and looked at her.
Slowly she looked at them and begun talking in a croaky voice, "nothing baby," she smiled at them, "What... umm... what's going on?" she asked them.
Both kids smiled wide and turned around to the bed room door. As she followed their gazes she saw the door open to reveal... Endymion? Carrying a tray with a stack of pancakes and juice.
"Happy Birthday!" they all said.
"Thank-you," she smiled as she watched the man get closer and put the tray on the bedside table. He then turned to her and kissed.
"Happy Birthday honey," he sat on the side of the bed looking at her.
She couldn't help but smile at them. She didn't even know what to do. Or what was going on.
"Open my present first mummy," the little boy said as he put his present in her lap.
"No, mine, mummy," the little girl laughed as her brother and her started to fight.
"Hush, hush, I'll open them both," She suggested as she watched the man settle down the children.
She decided to unwrap the little boys present first since he asked first. It was in light blue wrapping paper with a white ribbon around it. She picked it up and smiled, letting a small giggle escape. As she unwrapped all eyes were on her, watching her, waiting for her reaction to whatever this little boy had gotten her.
When she was finished she was looking at a photo frame with herself, the man and the two children at the zoo. They all looked happy and were smiling wide. The frame was silver with small butterflies linking the outer and inner rectangle. Without realising it, she was crying and a tear dropped down on the glass.
"It's only a photo mummy... why are you crying?" the little boy asked as he watched on.
"Oh, sweetie... it's because it's just so sweet," she smiled, taking him into a hug.
When she pulled away, she placed the photo down, and grabbed the next present which was on her lap. It was from the little girl. It was wrapped in light pink with white stripes paper. There was a bit of weight to the present. Slowly she unwrapped it to reveal a mug that was custom painted. There were little pictures of random things with colour everywhere. "Aww... this is too cute," she took the little girl into a hug. "Thank-you both," she smiled at them.
She sat silently looking at the presents, trying not to cry when she heard the man speak. "Okay kids, go downstairs and eat breakfast," he suggested as he pushed them out of the room.
Once they were out of the room, he came back and removed the presents from her lap and placed them on the side table with everything else. When he was done he came back and looked at her, "You'll have to wait for my present," he gave a small seductive smile.
"But I want it now?" she replied steadily. Looking at him through her lashes.
"How about half now... and I'll give you rest later?" he said leaning in closer.
"Mmm... I'm listening," she heard herself say... which was weird, because she had no control over the speech.
"Mmm..." he murmured as he lowered down and took her lips.
Suddenly she pulled away and held him at arm's length, just staring at him with her mouth agape; her breathing heavy.
"What's wrong darling?" he quietly asked her. His voice soft and concerned, "Serena? Serena?" his voice was louder.
"HUH?" she quickly asked, "Who is Serena?" she was now definitely and totally confused. Was she not Serenity? Serenity from the Tsukino family? So who was this Serena? Was she losing her mind?
"What has gotten into you?" he then asked, "You are Serena..." he paused to look at her, and then his eyes... they showed hurt, "Do you... It's me Darien. Your husband," he tried to get her to remember.
"Darien," she said slowly in a low voice. Did she ever in her life she knew a Dairen? The answer, no. And now she is married to one... weird... but he looked so familiar, so identical to Endymion... "When... how..." her voice was almost a whisper, confusion smothering her words.
Darien, most bewildered, gave her a small smile, "We went to college together, and one day we started to talk, and soon we became closer, till graduation where we got married... and then had our two adorable kids, Serenity and Endymion—" but he was cut off.
"What??" she almost shouted.
"Our kids...?" he said confused.
"No! What are their names?" she stressed.
"Serenity and Endymion... why?" he was definitely baffled.
"Who... how... where did the names come from?" she couldn't figure it, but the two kids looked identical to the pair of them... and their names happened to be hers and her lovers... so what was going on? What cruel trick was this reality playing on her? But more importantly, why was this happening? Was there something to be learnt? Taught? What?
"You named them," he smiled. His voice cheering up more. "You would always ponder about this dream you had... which you said was an old family tale. There was a Princess named Serenity, and a Prince named Endymion. They were both from two very different worlds, and yet they fell in love... a forbidden love. And they would have been killed if any one learnt of their love... and so on..." he had to stop due to Serena's face expression.
It was like déjàvu... That very story was handed down through her family... and that was what made her mother choose the name she chose... Then there was the fact that her and her love Endymion were from different worlds. She was a vampire hunter, and he was the vampire... but yet, they found love... which if discovered by anyone, they would have surely been killed... but this whole situation she was in... it made no sense... who was she? And why this Serena person?
"How about... you freshen up and I'll take your breakfast downstairs where you can eat with us... maybe you might get something from that," Darien said as he got up from the bed and grabbed the tray he brought in with pancakes.
"Wait," Serena quickly said as he started walking towards the door, "What... do you know my parents names?"
He gave her a smile, "Kenji and Ikuko," he said, then left the room.
'WOW... my parents... but... this is just too weird...' she said as she removed the bedspread off herself and made her way towards the bathroom. She went straight to the mirror and nearly had a heart attack. She looked at same, but her eyes where bluer and her hair... was lighter...almost silver, but had the yellow blonde tinge to it... her skin was a warm cream.
'Maybe... this is my future? But don't I die? Or maybe, this was meant to be a past life of mine... or what would have happened if there was a 'what if' in my life...' she thought just staring at herself in the mirror.
After continuous staring, she got a hold of herself and went back into the bedroom in search of clothing. She found a large chest of drawers and opened them. The second draw down held many colourful dresses. She didn't know what exactly she wanted to wear, but grabbed the first thing that caught her eyes.
It was an elegant light blue summer dress that had two layers. The bottom layer was plain, while the top layer was a lace like design of flowers. The dress had an empire neckline and came to her knees.
Slowly she wandered to what looked like a wardrobe and opened the doors to reveal even more cloths. At the bottom, along the ground, were rows upon rows of shoes... 'Heaven,' she thought, gawking at all the shoes that laid so vulnerable in her sights.
Setting her thoughts right, she replaced the thought of shoes with the current predicament at hand...
She quickly chose a pair of white strappy sandals and made her way back to the bathroom where she brushed her hair. Once she was done, she admired herself in the mirror again, and left.
What was she to do now? Well she knew she was wanted for breakfast... Which was down stairs... so she left her bedroom and headed for the stairs.
As she walked through the hall, she couldn't help but admire at all the picture there were. They all looked so happy... full of fun, happy memories... she, herself... her image, looked happy. Smiling big... being embraced by the man she loves... her children which were born of this 'love'...
It was becoming unbearable... she moved faster towards the stairs... which had more photos plastered long the wall. She quickly glided past the photos, down the stairs and threw the short hallway towards where the noise was coming from... the kitchen, she assumed.
As she rounded the corner, she assumed right. The whole room was basically marble. The bench tops were marble. The tiled floor was marble... which she only just noticed since she was preoccupied with the photos that happened to be everywhere. The cupboards where white. There was a dishwasher, and a stainless steel double door refrigerator... Was she rich in this life? OBVIOUSLY!!
"Mummy!" she children ran to her as she walked to them.
"Ha...ha" she laughed as she bent down and hugged them back. What was she to do? Ignore them cause she had no idea who they were? Well yes, she could... but that would be weird... and right now she needed answers... so she had to play along for now.
"So... how are you feeling?" her husband, Darien, asked as the children ran back to their seats to finish their breakfasts. He watched her carefully, concern covering his words, and vision.
"Yeah..." she laughed, "I don't know what has gotten into me," she laughed it off.
He gave her a reassuring smile and moved towards her. "It's alright, as long as your back to normal," he said taking her into his embrace, "my love," he whispered.
Serena/Serenity could feel herself shiver under his warm breath... 'My Love' burned with in her... she had never really known love... and when she did it was from the man she loved... and obviously, this man loved her... the man that looked so familiar... so identical to Endymion. But Darien? Was it a sign?
Quickly getting out of her daze, she gave him a small, soft smile and looked straight into his eyes. They were still the dark colour of the night sky... The same pair of eyes she would constantly lose herself in... But who was this man? Who was she? Was she not who she thought she was? Or was this just some cruel thing fate was playing on her? But... she was in a 'game'... she was not in the known world... or what she thought was 'normal' to her, but in this make believe, make-shift reality world... a weird dimension that played with her feelings; her mind... everything! But what was she to do? She had no idea why she was here... or what she was here for... but she knew one thing; she had to get out of there... she had to learn fast and learn whatever she had to, to get out.
Slowly, Darien returned her smile and leant down to kiss her on her lips. It was a chase kiss that started from the corner of her lips to the centre, where he intruded her mouth and then the kiss turned hungry.
Slowly she un-tensed under his sudden actions and returned it with a sudden hunger herself. Surprisingly it felt like it lasted for ever. There was no need to part for air.
When they did pull apart, she closed her eyes as she felt him rest his head on her shoulder. They were both breathing heavy. But they never pulled entirely apart. She held onto him around his neck, and he never let go of her waist.
"Mummy?" she heard a small male voice ask, "What are you and daddy doing?" he asked.
She felt Darien's head lift off her shoulder and loosen his hold on her. As she did she slowly opened her eyes and turned her head towards where the little voice was coming from.
When she did she got the biggest shock of her life. She automatically stiffened and turned abruptly turned towards Darien. But it wasn't Dairen... it was... she knew him. She had seen him before... but she couldn't place him... she couldn't name him... she was too scared to...
He was... was a man she never thought she would see again... a man that she was meant to spend her life with... but due to certain obstacles, namely Endymion, she could not fulfil that request of marrying him. This man was Diamond.
'But why is he here? What is he doing here? Why?!?' Serena kept asking herself as she stared at him.
"What is it darling?" his smooth sensual voice asked her. It was smothered in concern as his featured creased in worry as he looked at her.
"..." Serena opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
Quickly diverting her eyes, she looked back at the kids, and once again was surprised at what she saw. Both of the kid's hair was silver... like Diamonds. They both had deep blue eyes... and had no sign of Darien in them.
Silently she cried to herself as she turned back to Diamond. "Sorry...but I have to go," she quickly said as she ran out of the kitchen and tried to find her way out.
When she was out of the kitchen, she was struck by fear again as the house was different. The house she was in with Darien had cream walls with chocolate designs and furnishings'. Marble like tiles and woolly carpet... everything was very homey. This house was... shiny. There was hardly any memorabilia like photos... just huge pieces of art work everywhere.
Rushing through the hallway, she finally found the foyer. Next to the door was a small table that held keys, and along the wall was a coat rack. She took a coat and a pair of keys while exiting the house.
As she closed the door behind her, she turned to see a huge centre garden with a circular driveway that had two cars parked. She took the keys and studied them, trying to figure out which car they belonged to. Luckily, the keys had a picture of the Lexus logo, and the cars in the drive way were both different. One was a Lexus, the other was a BMW. Once she was settled in the car, she turned the ignition on and flew down the driveway onto the road.
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"I am sorry to hear about Serenity," Trista said walking up to Endymion. "I know it must be hard..." she turned to her generals and motioned for them to disappear. "Can I have a word... alone with you?" she asked quietly.
Endymion paused for a moment and nodded, "This way," he gestured to a door as he looked at his generals. 'If anything happen, be sure to tell me,' he telepathically told them.
Endymion had led Trista outside to the pagola area. "What is it you wanted to talk about?" he turned sharply to her. His words having a certain cut to them. Like he knew she was going to say something inappropriate.
"Endymion," she turned to him, "I do not think of you as a stupid man... nor do I think your father could have left his work to a better man," her eyes were fixated on his. Never showing a sign of weakness, or letting go, "But you are controlled by your emotions. A weakness that many great leaders have... and was ultimately their downfalls... but can I ask you a question?" her voice was soft and damaging. Her eyes showing strength.
"What is it you want to ask me?" His voice still wavering impatience.
"What is it you see in Serenity?" she saw him featured harden by her question, "please don't get me wrong. I think Serenity is lovely, and you make a perfect couple. But she had also caused you so much pain."
"What is it you want to ask?" he demanded.
"You fight so hard for her, and yet she is always undecided. Have you not looked at her at functions, or when she is merely looking at you?" her eyes creased in stress. He was not understanding.
"No I do not," he lazily replied.
"I certainly do," she retorted straight away, "and I see the way she violently tears herself apart when she looks at you."
"What are you trying to say? I do not understand," Endymion maintained his cool calm voice, but his features were betraying him.
"She always knew, Endymion. She knew the life she was taking when she decided to reborn herself. Do you not think for one moment that she could have waited till after the war to return? Or maybe something like this? She knew. And the only reason she came back to this particular time is because she could actually do something useful then ruin people's lives like she did in her previous life." Her eyes stared hard into Endymion's, her voice hard with a sharp note to it. "When she looks at you, she tears herself apart because she knows she could never make you happy. She knew that you will be in dyer pain for her actions... she knows."
They both maintained eye contact for a moment before Endymion diverted his eyes from Trista and tuned his whole body away from her watchful eyes. Slowly he took steps away and breathed slowly.
"Yes," he finally said, "I know what you are saying," he turned back to her, "and like you said, I act on my emotions. So I think you above all would appreciate the fact that I would be oblivious to all this... just so I could at least have some sort of happiness with her."
Endymion could see the corner of Trista's mouth tilt in a small smile. "Yes, suppose you are right. But you do understand that you will not see her after this night? Not able to talk to, or touch? She will be dead... physically and emotionally after this night." She lowered her gaze, "I do not wish you to think mean of me... but this is the truth. And I do not want you to have this false hope of seeing her again. And as a fellow leader, your clan will need you... You need to be strong... you need to forget her... and think I the devil... but you also need not have a hope of once again seeing her in the future. That hope... you do not know when she will come again... or in what form... but if you do wish to hope, please, for the sake of your clan, think. DO NOT command by compassion or emotion, but command with an iron fist. With strategy and a great deal of thought—"
"What is it you are getting at?" Endymion cut her off. His voice was sharp.
"I am leaving after this conversation. Back to my mansion on the country side. I know what is happening out there... but the fight is for nothing... they do not realise what is happening or why they are fighting. But when realisation settles in, everything will go black, and a new life will abruptly start. I just pray, and ask, that when this happens, you too start a new life... Maybe do things differently... I don't know... but I do wish you the best of luck," she looked him in the eyes, "And pray that one day, our next meeting will be on a better basis... good bye Endymion, and the best of luck." Trista said as she bowed her head and turned away from him. Walking away.
"Trista!" Endymion called out, "when I was a young boy, my father told me something... about you. About you having powers. A gift from our gods... what is it?" his voice held a hint of curiosity.
Trista let a soft laugh escape, "your father was a smart one. And he himself had a gift from the gods to see into people... maybe one day you shall too, receive his gift. And he himself asked me on many occasions what I had received. But unlike you, he will never know." She smiled.
"So what is it?" he asked.
"Time," she smiled wider. "I am the Mistress of time. I can look in to the future... The real future... but I cannot tell a soul of what I have seen... but I, like a prophet can hint... but for you... I cannot tell what they have in store for you. Your future is unclear, sorry," she bowed her head again and started walking.
"So the best advice you can give me, is to be cold and callous, then have hope in one day finding my true love?" Endymion asked sceptical.
"Yes," Trista replied. "You have been hurt so much by this woman. Do you not think this may be a punishment? Your future is unclear. Another warning... I do not think you stupid... but I also do not think you smart. But if I were you. I would heed these warnings. I would look into the future without a plan, and live day by day. But while I say this, I do not mean for you to give up all hope. You can still hope that there is a person out there for you. But do not obsessively hope that this woman will return to you, and love you... surely you can learn from your mistakes?" she smiled at him.
"Yes," he nodded his head, "And I thank you. And I will surely take your words in thought. I will heed your warning, and try my best in the future," he assured her. As he finished he turned away from her.
"By the way Endymion," Trista got him to turn around, "I think Serenity left you something in the office you gave her..." she smiled, "I assure you, you will not like it, but you will have understanding." With that she left Endymion to his thoughts.
Trista then returned to his mansion, gathered her things which her generals had already packed, and left his mansion.
Endymion on the other hand took the last of Trista's words and thought for a moment. 'When did Serenity have time to leave me something?' he asked himself. 'To do something... anything The only possibility would be that she woke during the day when everyone was out like a light, and did her thing then. Returning to bed before night'. He thought for a moment, and then headed inside, back to his people. He didn't want to make them worry any more than they should.
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As soon as Serena/Serenity hit the road, and found the streets, she noticed the city was very familiar. The same town city she grew up in... But this one was larger... and more modernised.
Suddenly a small chill went down her spine when she thought of Endymion. 'Maybe our house is still here?' she thought. 'Or maybe his mansion?'
She then turned the car around and tried to navigate her way towards the place she called home many times. After she got out of the city; which she noticed expanded outwards, she hit a familiar road that lead straight to hers and Endymion's house.
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Chapter started: 4th February 2008
Chapter finished on: 1st March 2008
Haha... sorry peeps... it's been awhile... but like any high school will know; there just ain't enough time to do homework, assignments, AND fan fiction... lol, but I do try... cause today I started and finished an essay... I was still in a writing mood, so I completed this chapter... good, aye! Hehe...
But what I would like to say, is, has anyone noticed how at chapter 12, my story line, like... changed? Lol. Cause since it had been awhile since I last wrote a chapter, I quickly scanned over the chapters, and I wowed myself. Haha :) It seriously changes. And if you also noticed, at chapter 11, my writing style changes too... haha... how bizarre? Lol, I think it is... hehe...
Well, till next time... which hopefully, isn't too far away... hehe :P
Katie-Lee :)