Third Time's the Charm
By Bashfulglowfly
Chapter Three
When they opened their eyes, the group found themselves on a gray, featureless plain.
"Well, isn't this special." Said Mars dryly.
"What were you expecting? Wine and Roses?" The new voice came from behind them causing the four Senshi to emit various squeaks.
The group turned and looked. There stood a woman with long dark green hair, ruby eyes and a uniform similar to the Senshi but black and white with garnet accents. She was also carrying a staff that looked like a key with a ruby orb on top.
Kunzite took a step forward and bowed solemnly to her. "Sailor Pluto, it's good to see you. I'm glad that you were able to join us."
Sailor Pluto bowed back just as solemnly. "Lord Kunzite. It's good to see you as well." She smiled sadly. "This was not the way I planned on finally meeting my younger sisters but…Serenity needs us."
Mars, eyes glittering angrily, started to open her mouth but Mercury stepped on her foot, Jupiter elbowed her in the ribs and Venus hissed out of the side of her mouth "Do NOT piss this woman off. I don't care how you feel but SHUT UP!"
Mars glared at the other three but did as she was told. Venus stepped forward until she was at Kunzite's side. "I greet you, Sailor Pluto." She bowed to the woman. "I don't wish to be rude, but we don't have time to waste. Would you please take us to Serenity."
Pluto smiled "I greet you, Sailor Venus. Look behind you."
The group turned back around. Shocked gasps echoed.
It was the Moon Castle.
"Oh, I have forgotten how beautiful it was." Breathed Jupiter.
Venus turned to Mercury who already had her mini-computer out. "Do you see her?"
Mercury shook her head, "No, there is too much interference."
"She's going be in her rooms. Where else would she be?!" Said Mars as she began to stride off in the direction that she remembered from so long ago.
"No. She isn't there." Everyone looked at Endymion. He had spoken with calm authority.
Sailor Pluto smiled. "And why do you think that, young prince?"
Endymion bowed to the Senshi that he had never met but was beginning to remember the stories that Serenity had told him about her. "Because THAT never existed in the gardens before."
The others followed his pointing finger and stared at a huge green wall that seemed to overtake part of the garden where there should have been a small, private seating area.
"That's were Serenity and I would go to hide from everyone. That's where she's hiding now."
"Let's go!" cried Mars as she dashed off towards the wall. The other three girls followed.
Kunzite looked at Sailor Pluto then they both looked at Endymion who hadn't moved. Kunzite spoke first. "Aren't you going to go?"
Endymion smiled "Yes but I don't think there really any need to hurry…at least not yet."
Zoicite raised an eyebrow. "And why is that, my Prince?"
Endymion pointed at the wall. "I don't know what that is. But it doesn't belong here. So, even though I don't have a connection to the Moon like I do the Earth, something tells me conventional attacks won't work."
Thunder roared in the distance. They could see flames as well as lightning cover the top of the wall. "Well, shall we see if the Prince is correct in his theory?" Asked Sailor Pluto.
Kunzite gave that small smile that Endymion remembered so well. "Yes, let's have him prove it."
Endymion, the Shitennou and Sailor Pluto walked to where the four Senshi were attacking. When they got there they could see that the wall actually consisted of plants. "Roses. Those are rose bushes!" Whispered Endymion. He could see where flames, fire and ice had covered parts of the leafy wall but also that the wall was fighting back. A thick green vine lashed out at Jupiter who barely ducked out of the way. The hand length thorns barely missed slashing across her midsection. Other vines lashed out at Mars and Venus who also ducked in time but another grabbed Mercury by the ankles and was swinging her around to smash her into the even longer thorns of the main wall. Zoicite leapt forward, sword in hand and severed the tendril. He grabbed Mercury by the waist and jumped out of the reach of the vines that thrashed angrily at being denied their prey.
"FALL BACK!" The angry roar came from Endymion. Mars ignored him as she readied another attack. Endymion grabbed her by the back of her collar and flung her towards Jadeite who caught her before she landed in a heap at his feet. "I told you to fall back, dammit!" Snarled Endymion, his dark blue eyes flashing angrily with flecks of gold.
Mars opened her mouth to argue and Jadeite quickly covered it with his hand, hissing in her ear. "Do. Not. I am seriously not kidding. He's very angry right now. Do not cross him!"
Nephrite laid a hand on Jupiter's shoulder; her hand unconsciously rose up and covered his. "Jade's right. I haven't seen him this angry since his parents were murdered. Stay here."
The group watched as Endymion stood in front of the wall. Slowly it calmed down. The vines retreated back into it. They could still feel tension in the air, as if the wall was waiting to see what would happen next. Endymion stepped forward, carefully approaching the wall. As he grew close, the wall began to stir restlessly but suddenly stilled as he produced a rose in his hand. He gently kissed the bud and held it out to the wall. A thin vine reached out and wrapped around the stem of the rose and pulled it into the wall.
After a few minutes, the wall began to move. Venus took a step forward but Endymion, without looking back, raised a hand stopping her in her tracks. "No. You aren't welcome…at the moment at least. If you try, the wall will attack again. This is something I and I alone must do." A section of the wall opened up. Just wide enough for Endymion to walk through without turning sideways. He stepped forward into the path that had opened up and the wall closed up behind him.
"And now, we wait and see if the Prince can bring out the Princess." Sailor Pluto grounded her staff and rested her weight on it.