Once again, thank you all for your reviews and support. It make me very happy to see a new review alert in my email and reminds me why I love writing stories.

Well enough of the mussy stuff, onward to the chapter.

Chapter 5: Nemesis

Serenity shifted uncomfortably in her sit as she attempted to listen to Ami's report. She was having trouble concentrating, more than usual, lately. She just hasn't been feeling herself. She really should talk to Ami about her current health, but she didn't want to worry the soldier of Mercury at the moment. She also didn't want to concern her husband, who became a nightmare to be around whenever he was concern about her.

"A new planet has been found within our solar system?" Endymion asked once Ami had finished her report. "How can such a thing be possible? We surveyed and explored our solar system number of times and we saw nothing beyond the nine known planets."

"I thought the same thing, but the Outers have confirmed a new planet on the very edge of our solar system," Ami said. "Although our sensors have not been able to detect it at all even with the exact coordinates the Outers have provided."

Endymion turned towards his wife. "Serenity, do you sense anything?"

Serenity snapped out of her own thoughts. "What?"

"Do you sense anything from this new planet?" Endymion asked, his eyes now had a touch of worry in them.

Serenity closed her eyes and used the powers granted to her by the Silver Crystal to feel for life in her galaxy. She felt all the living auras on the Earth before moving her consciousness into the darkness of space. She then felt the auras of the people who had colonized Mars before she moved deeper into the solar system. She kept going until she passed Pluto where she felt the auras of the Outer Senshi.

She smiled as she gave a mental wave to each of them.

It has been years since she had seen Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru. The three soldiers of the outer planets had chosen to leave Earth once the kingdom of Crystal Tokyo was fully at peace. It took centuries of struggle and hardships after the last major rebelling was stopped, but the Earth for the most part was enjoying an era of peace and prosperity that hasn't been seen since the days of the Silver Millennium. There were still those who were wary of Neo-Queen Serenity and her philosophies, but it rarely ended in violence.

Without any more battles to be fought on Earth the Outers, specially Uranus and Neptune, became restless and asked for permission to resume their original duty of guarding the Crystal Kingdom from outside invaders. Serenity didn't like the idea since it meant sending Haruka and Michiru into the isolation of space, but at the same time she understood their needs. Those two needed to be challenged and would have never been truly happy in a world at peace.

The real surprise came when Hotaru asked to join them. Hotaru's philosophies were always more in line with the Guardian Senshi than that of her surrogate parents, so Serenity was not expecting Hotaru to also leave. Hotaru made it clear, however, that she wanted to stay with her family even if it meant leaving Earth.

Getting her mind back on the task at hand, she searched for any indication of this new planet. She searched for what felt like hours and sensed nothing. She was eventually forced to give up and returned to her physical body.

"Nothing," Serenity said as she opened her eyes. "If this planet exist, it is beyond even my power to detect."

"Is such a thing possible?" Endymion asked.

"Luna, do you think?" Artemis asked anxiously.

Luna nodded. "It has to be."

Ami turned towards the two cats. "You know what it is."

"We think so, but we thought it was only a legend," Artemis said. "Since the time of the Silver Millennium there have been stories of a tenth planet."

"A tenth planet," Ami repeated.

"A planet shrouded in darkness so thick that not even the Silver Crystal's light can penetrate it. The dark planet known as Nemesis," Luna said as if she was repeating something told to her.

"Nemesis," Serenity whispered. Why did that name sounded familiar?

"What do you know of Nemesis?" Endymion asked, his interest peaked.

Artemis looked towards his king. "I'm afraid not much. As I said, Nemesis was thought to only be a legend. But as the story goes, Nemesis is a planet that appears and disappears at random with no set orbit. The planet is said to be able to absorb light much like a black hole, which is why the Silver Crystal can't detect it."

Endymion folded his arms in worry. "Do you think that there could be any life on this planet?"

"Next to nothing is known about Nemesis," Luna said as she shook her head. "It could be just a dead hunk of rock as far as we know."

"Or filled with hostile life," Endymion added darkly.

"The only way we will know for sure is to send someone to explore the planet," Ami said as she put her hand on her chin.

"Are you suggesting we send Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru?" Serenity asked, not liking the idea.

Ami turned to face her old friend. "We do not have much of a choice. Our sensors here in Crystal Tokyo cannot even detect the planet and neither can you with the Silver Crystal."

Serenity sighed, knowing that Ami was right, per usual. "Sill, what if the planet is filled with hostile life? They would be in danger."

"It's a risk we have to take, Usako," Endymion said in a gentle voice. "Have fate in the power of the Outer Senshi."

Serenity smiled at her husband. He always seemed to know what to say to ease her worries. "I will send the order to them now."

From there, weeks passed without any word from the Outer Senshi leaving everyone on edge in the palace. Serenity kept searching the stars, trying to feel anything from this mysterious planet. Still, she felt nothing except the emptiness of space. It had gotten to the point where Serenity wanted to go to the planet herself, which all her guardians adamantly opposed.

"Are you crazy!?" Rei growled. "You can't be seriously thinking about going there by yourself!"

All of the senshi were gathered in Serenity's sitting room as they discussed the current situation with Nemesis.

"But Rei..." Serenity started.

"Rei's right, Serenity," Makoto cut in. Her voice was more harsh than usual. "We don't know a thing about this planet. It would be a disaster if we lost you."

"I don't care about that!" Serenity snapped.

"Maybe so, but you're the queen. Crystal Tokyo and all its people depends on you," Makoto said as she crossed her arms. "Besides, how do you think we'll feel if you go and get yourself hurt?"

Serenity lowed her head.

"I'm sure they're fine," Minako assured, attempting to calm everyone. "Those three have survive in space for over three-hundred years. I doubt some strange planet would do them in."

Serenity said nothing for a moment. "It...it's just this planet is given me some bad feelings."

"Do you remember something from the Silver Millennium?" Ami asked, putting down her book.

Serenity shook her head. "It's more recent than that. It feels like I should know what that planet is."

Rei lowered her head in thought. "Honestly, I've been having the same feeling."

"When we were frozen during the Second Ice Age, a lot of our past memories were lost," Ami said. "It could be possible that we dealt with something pertaining to Nemesis, but we can no longer remember."

"Maybe we should asked Pluto," Minako suggested. "She seems to be the only one whose memories weren't affected."

Rei snorted. "Like she would tell us anything. If you haven't notice, Pluto has been secretive since we've awoken. Heck, we haven't even seen her in over one-hundred years."

"It could be because they're something in our past that she doesn't want us to remember," Ami surmised. "Pluto first duty has always been to the Gate of Time."

"Well, it still wouldn't hurt to..." Before Serenity could finish her sentence her face suddenly became pale and the room began to spin around her.

"Serenity, what's wrong?" Rei asked in a near panic.

She reached Serenity just in time as she fainted in Rei's arms.

"Serenity!" Makoto and Minako yelled as they ran towards their friend.

"Stand back!" Ami ordered as knelt beside Serenity. Rei had lowered Serenity until her head rested gently in her lap.

Ami quickly got out her computer and took Serenity's pulse, temperature, and breathing rate. No one talked or moved as they waited for Ami's analysis.

"Nothing seems physically wrong," Ami muttered. Her eyes widened for a moment as she read something from her computer screen.

Makoto began panic when she saw that look cross Ami's face. "Ami, what's wrong with her?"

"Let's take her to the medical ward," Ami said as put her visor a way. "She is not in any danger, but I want to do a more complete test."

"Do you want me to get Endymion?" Minako asked.

Ami thought about it for a moment. "I don't want to worry him, but I think that would be best."

Minako left to get Endymion while Makoto carried Serenity to the palace's medical wing.

The moment Endymion heard what had happened, he cancelled all his plans for the day and rushed to be by his wife's side. Since Ami was still running her tests, Endymion was forced to wait outside with the other senshi. It took all his discipline to keep from knocking the door down.

"Relax, Endymion," Minako said. "Ami said that Serenity was fine. She's just running some tests."

"How can I relax when Serenity is in there ill?" Endymion asked in frustration. He then turned towards Rei. "You said she just fainted?"

Rei nodded. "She was fine and talking to us about Nemesis when she suddenly went pale and passed out. It could be that she's just overwhelm by all the recent events."

Endymion frowned. "I knew she was going to worry herself sick over this." He then sighed. "Why haven't the Outers reported back yet?"

Before anyone could answer, Ami walked out of the medical room. Everyone rushed her before she had a chance to speak.

"Is she alright?"

"What happened?"

"Did that idiot overwork herself?"

The questions flew out before Ami could think.

"Please calm down!" Ami said forcibly, stopping all conversation. She quickly calmed herself and cleared her voice. "Serenity is fine, but I need to talk to Endymion and Serenity alone for a moment."

All the senshi looked at each other in confusion as Endymion was led into the medical room. He walked with Ami until they reached a private room that was reserved exclusively for the royal family. Serenity was lying peacefully in bed and appeared to be asleep.

"Serenity!" Endymion grasped as he ran towards his wife.

Serenity's eyes opened and she smiled as Endymion took her into his embrace. "I'm okay, Mamo-chan. Just tired."

"I told you that you were exhausting yourself," Endymion said as he pulled away.

Serenity lowered her head in shame.

"Being overwork did not help her condition, but she did not faint because of it," Ami said.

Endymion turns towards Ami. "What's wrong with her?"

Ami gave a bright smile. "Congratulation, Serenity is pregnant."

There was silence as the royal couple took in the news.

"Pregnant!" Serenity repeated in shock. "But how...I mean why did it happen now? Mamo-chan and me have been trying for years."

"From what Luna has told me, the line of Serenity does not become fertile until they passed their one-thousandth birthday," Ami stated. "That would explain why you have only become pregnant now."

Serenity leaned against her husband in shock.

"How many weeks?" Endymion asked, clearing his mind as the shock wore out.

"From what the test shows she is about a month and half," Ami answered.

"That's why I've been feeling ill lately," Serenity thought to herself. "Is the baby healthy?"

Ami smiled. "Yes, everything is fine. The fetus is healthy and is developing nicely."

"Oh thank goodness," Serenity muttered.

"You should, however, relax more," Ami suggested. "All this stress you have been under lately could cause harm to the baby."

"I understand, Ami," Serenity said with a nod as she touched her stomach. Unbelievable, she was going to be a mother.

The news of the queen's pregnancy spread like fire across Crystal Tokyo. Within days, people were already sending gifts and well-wishes to their soon-to-be princess. Some people were surprise since it had become a common belief that Serenity was unable to bear a child since she was an otherworldly being.

Serenity was still in a state of shock as everyone congratulated her. The thought of her pregnancy and getting ready for the new baby made her almost forget about Nemesis. Endymion made sure of that by dealing with anything having to do with the shadow planet himself. Serenity needed rest and peace of mind while she carried their unborn child, and he wasn't going to risk her health if he could handle the situation himself.

It was nearly a month later before anything news of Nemesis finally reached the Earth.

"Uranus, it has been too long," Endymion greeted over the communicator. He sat alone in his computer room with only the flicker from the monitors given any light.

"Sorry for taken so long to get in contact with you," Uranus apologized. "Getting any kind of communication through on Nemesis is nearly impossible. I'm currently on Pluto speaking to you."

Endymion frowned when he heard this. "So Nemesis does act like a black hole. Have you found anything?"

There was a short pause. "Yeah, we did. We've found that there's life on that planet."

Endymion's eyes widened in shock. "What, intelligent life?"

"More than just intelligent. Do you remember that prison ship that disappeared nearly a thousand years ago?" Uranus asked.

"The one that carried the rebel prisoners who refused to be cleanse?" Endymion asked.

"The same. Apparently, the people that now lives on Nemesis are the descendants of those prisoners," Uranus stated.

"What!?" Endymion exclaimed. It all made sense. It would explain how that ship seemly disappeared without a trace. "So, all those rebels have been on that planet for nearly a thousand years."

"Yeah, and they've built quite a society despite how hostile that planet is," Uranus said. "Nemesis is livable, but just barely. The air is so thick with negative energy that it's hard to breath and it's always cold since the planet is so far from the sun. The worst, however, is the rain."

"Rain?" Endymion repeated.

"It rains acid here. It's so strong that it eats through even Saturn's Silent Wall," Uranus explained.

"By god," Endymion whispered. "How did they survive there for so long?"

"From what we've observed the people of Nemesis has evolved to live on this planet. Everyone, especially their royal court, have inherited some strong powers that can rival even our own," Uranus said.

"They have a royal court?" Endymion asked.

"We don't know much about them at the moment, but they call themselves the Dark Moon Clan," Uranus stated.

Endymion felt a chill run down his spin. Where have he heard that name before?

"Do they know about you?" Endymion questioned.

"No, we've been keeping out of their sights," Uranus stated. "We've been using caves found on the planet to keep the people of Nemesis from finding us. So far, I don't suspect they know about our existence."

Endymion leaned into his chair. "This is more than I ever expected."

"What do you want us to do now?" Uranus asked.

"Stand by, I have to tell Serenity and the others all of this," Endymion sighed. "I don't look forward to telling her given her condition."

"Is there something wrong with dumplings," Uranus asked fearfully.

Endymion chuckled at the old nickname. "Nothing serious. Serenity's pregnant."

Uranus began to laugh on the other side of the line. "Well, congratulation. It's about time too. From way you and Serenity go at it, I expected you two to have a mountain of children by now."

Endymion blushed when he heard this.

"Give dumplings my regards and tell her not to worry about us," Uranus said as the signal cut off.

The next day, Endymion called a meeting with all the senshi. He wasted no time repeating everything Uranus had told him about the situation on Nemesis. No one spoke until Endymion was finished given his report.

"All this time," Serenity whispered as she lowered her head. "All this time those people were right in front of us. I should have known. I should have searched harder."

"It wasn't your fault, Serenity," Luna said gently. "As I have explained, Nemesis is a shadow planet that not even you can sense. Unless you knew exactly where to look it's impossible to find that planet."

"How did they even get there?" Rei asked. "I mean, did those rebels willingly decided to settle on that planet?"

"I doubt it," Ami said. "What most likely happened is that they crash on Nemesis. Our sensors today cannot sense that planet and given what Uranus has reported, Nemesis is hard to see even if you are looking directly at it since it absorbs light."

"That was my conclusion as well," Artemis said. "If given a choice, I doubt anyone would want to live on that planet given what Sailor Uranus had told us. It's a miracle that they even survive."

"I more worried about how those people have evolve," Rei said in deep concern. "Uranus said that planet is filled with negative energy and those people had grown to have powers similar to ours. If left alone, they could become a danger to all of us."

"Rei, how can you speak that way?" Serenity asked. "Those people on Nemesis are humans."

"Were human," Rei corrected. "They may have been like us a thousand years ago, but centuries of being filled with dark energy could have change them into something different. Maybe even something evil."

"Rei is right. It has been documented that beings who are born on planets with a high negative energy concentration tend to become evil or highly corrupted," Luna stated. "That was how the Dark Kingdom created their youmas."

"They're still people. We can't just assume that they're all evil just because they were born on Nemesis," Serenity said firmly. "At the very least, we should give them the chance to prove themselves. Maybe we can even integrate those people back to Earth."

"You're too idealistic," Rei said in mild annoyance. "Have you forgotten that those people are the descendants of the rebels who tried to kill you and most of Crystal Tokyo."

"In fairness, it was their ancestors who committed those crimes," Minako said. "The people who now lives on Nemesis are guiltless of any wrong doing."

Serenity nodded. "Exactly."

"Problems is that they could have been taught to hate us," Artemis said. "The rebels that were banished hated Serenity and the ideal of Crystal Tokyo. If they've passed down that hatred to their children, on top of their supranational powers, Nemesis could easily be a ticking time bomb."

"What would you have me do, kill those people because they may become a threat?" Serenity asked in heat.

"No one is asking you to kill anyone," Makoto said as she took in everything she had heard. "I can see both side of this issue and I agree with both. We can't just leave the people of Nemesis alone now that we know about them, but we also can't just blindly attack them just because of who their parents were."

"Perhaps it's best to extent an olive branch," Endymion suggested. "Set up contact with Nemesis and try to build an alliance. If that works out well, we maybe able to consider integrating them back."

Serenity smiled. "Mamo-chan, that's a wonderful idea."

"I will get in contact with Uranus and tell her our plan," Endymion said. "The Outers can then extend our message to their royal family."

"Tell them that I will personally visit Nemesis as soon as I'm able," Serenity suddenly said.

"Oh no you don't!" Rei yelled, standing up so fast that she knocked her seat over. "You're not going anywhere near Nemesis!"

"How can we build an alliance of trust if I don't go see their leaders?" Serenity asked.

"It's too dangerous," Luna said firmly. "Not just because of the Black Moon Clan, but the planet of Nemesis itself could be harmful to you."

Artemis nodded. "Plus, we don't know what that negative energy could do to your child."

"The Silver Crystal will protect me and the baby from any negative influence," Serenity stated confidently. "I also won't be going alone. I will have the best bodyguards in the universe protecting me."

All the senshi in the room blushed at the compliment. The pure trust Serenity put in them warmed each of their hearts.

"I also think it's important that I go," Serenity said as she looked down at her hands. "The reason why those people are on that planet is because they're ancestors didn't trust me. If they see for themselves that I didn't become the monster that they fear then they maybe more willing to live peacefully with us."

Endymion folded his arms. "Maybe so, but I don't like it." He remembered all too well what those rebels wanted to do to both his wife and his city.

"We have to try," Serenity said. "I would never do something that would endanger our child if I wasn't certain it could work."

Endymion turned towards Luna. "Can the Silver Crystal protect Serenity on Nemesis?"

Luna was silent in thought for a moment. "In theory, it should. But too little is known about Nemesis to make any accurate prediction."

Serenity clapped her hands together. "Then it settled."

Rei rubbed his hand over her forehead in frustration. "You're so stubborn."

Endymion didn't say anything, but he had a bad feeling that things were not going to work out.

What are the secrets of this dark planet?

Until next chapter.