AN: Posting early this week everyone on account of handing in my English assessment! HOORAY for that last-assessment-being-handed-in-relief that we all feel! HOORAY I SAY! I'm feeling pretty happy right now, so feel free to send some reviews my way. Reviewing as you go is great fun! I encourage it to you all! XD
Disclaimer: I'll put that at the end today XD
Whilst the hustle and bustle of the preparations around the palace usually had been full of cheer and laughter, now it was simply business. The townsfolk had been informed of the up and coming war, and it was decided that the day after the ball, the army would be mobilised and put to forward defence. They would be going to Earth, in other words.
The Scouts were now in full-protective mode, as Serenity and Serena found out to their dismay. With the still-unexplained absence of the Generals, the Princess' guards were agitated and restless. They would quite often move, never staying in one part of the palace for too long. Before long, Serenity and Serena were training with them; Serena learning basic defence moves from Sailor Jupiter, whilst Serenity, who had been trained in that department some time ago, was blocking attacks from Sailor Mars and Venus. Mercury was on standby, continuously scanning the grounds with her computer.
Her eyes caught Luna in one of the windows, who nodded in acknowledgment. The training was vital now.
xXxXx
Luna turned from the window and jumped lightly off the sill as the door burst open. She, Artemis and Selene looked at the slightly out-of-breath Outer Scouts. They walked in hastily, giving brief bows of respect before launching into their explanations.
Sailor Uranus raised her arms helplessly before letting them fall back by her sides. "Pluto's gone."
"Gone?" the Queen asked with raised eyebrows.
"Gone," the Scout confirmed in a nervous tone. And for Sailor Uranus to be nervous, well this was big.
Sailor Neptune stepped forward, her eyes hard. "We looked everywhere for her. She's not on the plane. The gates are locked but we couldn't see anything that would reveal a disturbance or attack."
"Sailor Pluto... has gone?"
"Vanished," Neptune whispered.
Queen Selene sank into a nearby chair, one that maids often used for reaching above the dresser or suits of armour when cleaning. She covered her eyes with a limp hand as she processed the terrible news. Sailor Pluto? Gone? She would never abandon her post. Not for anything in the galaxy.
Unless she too, had been taken by force.
"Come in," she murmured, before the intruder had even knocked.
"Your Highness," Aria swept in quickly and curtsied. She eyed the two Sailor Scouts curiously, before whispering to the Queen. "I have some of that information you wanted."
xXxXx
"Announcing Princess Serena of the Moon and Prince Darien of the Earth."
The wide doors opened and the couple stepped through them, pausing briefly at the top of the stairwell for a small smatter of applause before descending down the steps.
"I hate doing this," Serena grumbled through smiling lips, making eye contact with people in the crowd. "I've done this three times and haven't enjoyed it once."
"At least you don't look like an idiot in this penguin suit," Darien countered back, without missing a beat. They reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to each other. Serena curtsied and offered her hand to Darien.
"Aww," she cooed as he kissed the gloved material. "I think you look very dashing in a tuxedo – it really suits you, it really does."
"Well maybe I should just go running around in these if I look so good," Darien replied mockingly as he dropped her hand and entwined their arms, leading them to the dance floor.
"Don't forget the roses," Serena muttered sarcastically. "They'd make you look like some kind of romantic hero."
Darien snorted, but the sound was lost in the music as the orchestra began to play the waltz.
"You know," Darien commented halfway through the song. "You seem to be really good at this."
"You're just waiting for me to klutz out, aren't you?" Serena grinned as she twirled past him. Darien shook his head.
"No, I'm serious. This seems to be your dance."
"Oh, that is so sweet!"
"Psst."
Serena and Darien turned their heads to see Serenity leaning over Endymion's arm to hiss playfully to them. "Stop being so caught up in each other and look where you're going."
"Wha…?" Thankfully the warning had come at just the right time, and Darien steered them out of harm's way as they nearly barrelled into another dancing couple.
"That was close," Serena whispered, laughing quietly. Her gaze landed on the four Sailor Scouts watching stonily from the platform where an empty throne sat. "Oh," she sighed sadly. "Look at that. Isn't that the most heartbreaking thing you've ever seen?"
Darien turned his head to see what Serena was referring to. He watched as Sailor Venus ducked her head before dropping completely out of sight, reappearing seconds later with a white cat in her arms. She held the feline by her ear as her face changed to a look of intense concentration. Her expressions then began to vary, switching from confusion to horror. She quickly nodded and rushed through an instruction before putting the cat back on the ground and turning to the Sailor Scouts.
Darien and Serena both paused as they watched the scene unfolding before their eyes. Why were the Scouts panicking? What was going on? Surely their enemy wasn't upon them yet?
Beside them, Serena was faintly aware that Serenity and Endymion had stopped dancing too, and were watching the same spectacle. Serena felt Darien's hand tighten on hers, and she gulped nervously.
Darien tensed beside her and seconds later, she felt what he did. All dancing stopped as the room became deathly silent, the rumbling of the ground vibrating through their bodies.
A deafening blast sounded from one end of the palace, and the even the sturdy marble walls could not help but quake from the impact.
"Attack! We're under attack!"
Serena spun to the voice as Luna and Artemis sprinted through the crowd, alerting them to what they already knew. "People, to your stations! We are under attack!"
Both Darien and Endymion instinctively stepped in front of their respective loves, but before another move could be made, the closest wall to them exploded, sending marble and debris everywhere. Many people were hit and crumpled to the floor, whilst others screamed in pain as a limb was trapped, or a torso impaled. Smoke and dust was thick in the air, and made it hard to see.
"To your stations! Get to your stations!" Serena could still hear the felines yelling, but it was lost in all the chaos and confusion. She shrank into Darien's back, trying to see over his shoulder and into the dust as the silhouetted crowd split; the warriors and the defenceless. She couldn't see Queen Selene or the Sailor Scouts, but she knew they were in the chaos.
Something cold pressed into her hand and Serena jumped, before the object curled around her fingers. She looked down and saw it was Serenity's hand – she was shielded behind Endymion much the same as she was by Darien.
Darien swore under his breath. "Why has half the guard been dismissed?! Where's our back up?"
"They were fired, today," Serena whispered hurriedly. "Queen Selene said they couldn't be trusted."
"We've got to move," Endymion said as his eyes darted around for the danger. Serena's gaze lingered on the large hole in the wall, frightened of who was trying to get in. The air was clearing; she could almost make out shapes.
"Darien," she squeaked, eyes glued to the shadows. The chaos surrounded them, and her voice didn't make it to his ears. "Darien," she tried again, her throat dry. She raised a fist and hit him in the shoulder. "Darien, look!"
He half-turned to see what she was pointing to, and instantly froze. "It's an army!" he suddenly yelled. "There's an army and they're here!" The room froze for the smallest second before everyone was in action again. The guests were evacuated in a rush, but there wasn't enough time.
A blinding purple-white light shot from the gardens and hit a woman square in the back. She fell forward and lay unmoving on the floor. All eyes turned back to the source of the light. As the final layer of clouded air dispersed, and the large group stepped into the ballroom, Serena could not contain her gasp.
There, leering evilly as she held her staff high in the air, was Lady Beryl – but she wasn't the only shocking entrance. She held the head of the arrow formation of the army; there in the wings, looking no less evil than herself, were the Generals. Zoisite and Nephrite stood to her left, Jadeite and Malachite to her right. But it was the look in their eyes that made a cold shiver travel down Serena's spine. Their eyes were completely black, from what she could tell. Like there was no light, no life in them.
Beryl stopped, and her stare swept over the half-destroyed room. When her eyes connected with Serena's, they seemed to sparkle in glee, before passing over to Serenity. The sound of a sword being unsheathed broke the silence. Endymion held his weapon at the ready.
"You witch," he spat. "It was you all along."
In a similar move, Darien unsheathed his and held his in the same manner. "I knew you couldn't be trusted."
Beryl gave him a lustful look. "Well, I wouldn't put all the blame on myself. What is a great victory, without a great accomplice?" She nodded her head to the crowd, who quickly spun around looking for the culprit. A figure began pushing through the crowd, grinning triumphantly.
"No," Serena whispered as her heart froze up.
"Aria?" Serenity gasped beside her.
Beryl laughed cruelly, eyes sweeping the crowd for reactions. "I can't tell you how useful my spy has been, gathering information right from under everybody's noses!" She laughed again.
"Aria! How could you?" Queen Selene called over the angry crowd. The young girl shook her head, her dark hair bouncing around her.
"Not Aria," she corrected. "Astra."
Serena frowned, wondering why she'd bothered with a pretence if no one had even known her before she'd come to the palace. Serenity's hand tightened on her own.
"Her imaginary friend," she whispered in a fearful voice.
"A...Astra?"
Every pair of eyes in the room swung to the little girl making her way through the crowd. She was stumbling and shaking, her eyes wide and disbelieving.
The girl named Astra gave her an evil smile. "Why hello there, sister."
"A-Astra, W-Why?"
Beryl laughed once again and walked forward to join the girl. "I didn't have to even brainwash this one, like I had with the others." She indicated the army behind her, which Serena recognised the majority of as palace guards."She was very willing to serve the NegaVerse in exchange for a chance to see how her twin had survived."
"NO!" Aria shouted, tears forming in her eyes. "Astra, she's lying, isn't she? Tell them she's lying!" But Astra just shook her head, grinning.
"Why should you have lived with the luxury and safety of the palace while I was left to fend for myself? You didn't even come to look for me, after you were found. Your selfishness has gotten you where you are today, and you'll get everything you deserve."
Beryl put a hand on Astra's shoulder, her long nails glinting in the light. "Well, as much as I had hoped to draw this reunion out just a little longer." Her snake-like eyes slid to Serena, and then Serenity. "It seems I am just too impatient for my own good. I have strived for this battle for too long. Nothing will stop me now." She raised her staff high in the air, and black mist materialised at the head, swirling around the clear crystal orb.
It must have been a signal, because all at once, the army – tens of thousands it must have been –spurred to life, scrambling over the broken marble and sprinting into the fray. Battle cries sounded from behind Serena and the palace guards began leading the defence charge. Even some of the townsfolk had joined in, holding makeshift weapons aloft.
The princesses could only watch as several warriors met their deaths instantly – on both sides. Swords were thrust through entire bodies, bolts of light were shot at figureheads by Beryl, and the sounds of metal meeting metal – as well as screaming – consumed the hall.
Serena shifted nervously behind Darien, waiting for someone to attack them openly. Suddenly, she felt someone grab her wrists from behind. She screamed and spun around, but it was only Aria – or was it Astra? Endymion spun, while Darien kept his eyes forward. The small girl held both her and Serenity in her grip and was tugging at them urgently, begging them to come with her with her eyes.
"No!" Serena yelled, trying to break free. "You're the spy!"
Aria shook her head, tears in her eyes. "No, I'm not! It's me, Aria! We've got to go now!"
But even Serenity wasn't biting. She just stood there, staring at the girl.
"Please," the dark haired girl begged. "Ask me anything, I can tell you I'm Aria!"
Serena wracked her brains for something, but Serenity beat her to it. "Where did Endymion propose to me?" Aria would only know this from the time she'd been with Serena and her in her room. Endymion held up his sword.
"Next to the fountain of Selene, after you'd looked up at the Ea-"
She was cut off as Serenity nodded. "Endy, it's her!"
Endymion pushed Serenity towards Aria. "Go," he shouted over the noise. "Go with her; you'll be safer once hidden."
"Wait, I'm not leaving you!" Serenity cried in outrage. Endymion turned back around, but glanced over his shoulder, giving her a pleading look. "Please," he begged loudly. "Hide where Aria tells you to."
Darien turned to Serena, but she held up a hand. "I'm not leaving you either, mister!"
Darien's eyes softened as he drank up her determined expression. "Please, Meatball Head. I can't fight knowing that you could be hurt."
Whilst the fighting roared around them, the four stood immobile. Endymion groaned. "This is getting us nowhere! It's too dangerous." He shared an exasperated look with Darien and they both groaned, knowing how stubborn the girls could be. "JUST GO!" they shouted. Aria's tugging became even more insistent and they reluctantly allowed themselves to be dragged away.
"We'll come for you when it's safe!" Darien shouted after them. Serena felt her heart constrict painfully as he turned his back on her, raised his sword once more and ran directly into the fight, Endymion not far behind him.
A choked cry bubbled past her lips, before she focussed once more on the present. She turned and began running alongside Aria, bunching her skirt in her white fists and jumping over bodies and debris alike.
Just as they made it to the base of the stairs, four tall figures leapt in front of them, blocking their escape.
The three girls screamed and skidded to a stop. Malachite, who led the group, took a step forward.
"You aren't going anywhere," he said in a menacing voice. Serena gulped as her eyes landed on the big sword, which he held at his side. Her eyes darted around the group for a means of escape, but she couldn't see one. They'd have to knock off at least three of them for a chance at the stairs.
The doors at the top of the stairs burst open and she glanced up. There, in ready battle poses, stood the four Sailor Scouts. Sailor Venus' eyes dropped to meet Serena's, and she let out a loud, strangled cry. She'd seen Malachite. As it dawned on the Scouts that their Generals were back, and helping their princess escape, they began running down the stairs.
It was only when Sailor Mars noticed Jadeite's cold, dark eyes that she picked up the evil auras pressing down on the men. "Stop!" she screamed, flinging an arm out. Her psyche felt like it was on overload, the high quantity of negative energy surrounding her friends. "It's not them!"
"What?" Sailor Jupiter yelled.
"That's not them! I – I can't pick up their psyches! They're working with the enemy!"Jadeite leered at her in a frightening manner, and her face drained of all colour. How could they fight against the ones they loved?
"They've been brainwashed!" Aria cried, but it was too late.
Whilst the others had been distracted, Zoisite had edged close enough to Aria to lunge at her. Serenity screamed and pushed the girl out of the way. Zoisite managed to grip the princess's elbow, and his newly-given strength was tested as he began to increase the pressure, crushing her arm.
"No!"
The Sailor Scouts leapt into action, which the Generals mirrored. Serenity was released from Zoisite's grip, and as Serena yanked Aria from the floor, they darted their way around the group and took off for the stairs.
Serena faulted in her steps and stumbled when she heard Sailor Venus' pain-filled cry. As she tried to pick herself up from the floor, she turned her head. Sailor Venus had been deeply cut in her thigh, but had managed to procure Malachite's sword. As she stumbled back in shock, she looked at the weapon in her hands. "Malachite, please," she tried, begging him with her eyes. He lunged for the sword, but she dodged his advance. "Mal, it's me. Sailor Venus..."
The man roared with fury as she dodged another swipe. "Don't do this to us. Don't do this to... me." As one of his wild swings managed to grip at a chunk of her hair, he hauled her close to him. Sailor Venus stared up at him with wide eyes, unshed tears gathering at the brim. Was it any good? Was she getting through to him at all? The sounds of her friends fighting their loved ones rushed in her ears. They were fighting a losing battle too, by the sounds of it. Malachite's upper lip curled as he realised he'd gotten her. While one hand held her captive, he reached out with the other for the sword, leaving him open for attack. Agony ripped across her face as she lifted the sword and drove it into Malachite's chest. It missed his heart, being somewhat closer to his shoulder, but it did the damage.
Serena felt like she was watching some movie – the kind where the drama happens in slow motion. As Venus held the sword firmly in Malachite's body, his eyes glazed over, and a spark of recognition flickered within them.
"Come on!" an urgent voice hissed in Serena's ear, making her jump. She was picked up by both her upper arms and hauled to her feet, where she ran up the remaining stairs. As they burst through the open doors to the corridors, Serenity and Aria spun around and each pulled one of the heavy wooden doors shut. They sprinted back down the corridor, fleeing from the sounds of the battle in the ballroom.
Serena didn't know how long they ran for, but before long she was gasping for breath and the stitch in her side was beginning to slow her down.
"Just a bit further," she heard Aria gasp up ahead. "Come on!"
Serena groaned but said nothing as she straightened up and took off again. Moments later, in the next corridor, she saw Aria haul open a door and usher them inside. They darted in and she slammed the door shut behind them.
"No one followed us. I'm sure of that," she panted. Serena sank to her knees, landing heavily on the floor, hardly caring if they were found anymore. She was so tired.
"Why are we here?" Serenity asked softly in the dark. Serena's head snapped up and for the first time, took in her surroundings. They were in a small room, which had nothing but a bed, a sink, and what looked like a million candle stumps on the low shelves. Serena stood up and felt her hair brush the roof.
"This is a room the guards use between shifts. It's mostly for those who guard the dungeons, but sometimes those who have close patrol shifts will use this for a short relief period," Aria said.
Serena shuddered at the memory of the dungeons, trying to work out if she remembered what area of the palace it was in.
"We're directly above it," Aria explained, as if she knew what Serena had been about to ask. "That door over there in the corner takes you down to them, so it's close by if we need to run and find a new hideout."
"If we need a new hideout?" Serena echoed dully. "You expect them to find us?"
"They know we could never leave the palace, what with half the army probably surrounding it," Serenity explained. "So they will come looking for us, should they –"
"– succeed," Serena finished flatly. "Should we lose. Oh, well, as long as we're being optimistic!"
"We're being realistic, now stop whining and concentrate!" her twin snapped. "You just need to focus on keeping yourself alive for Darien, all right? We can pull through this. We will pull through this."
Serena deflated at the sound of Serenity's determination, and walked over to the darkest corner. As she slid down the walls and into the shadowy corner, she wondered if she would ever see Darien alive again.
Well, there you go folks. As many of you have already figured out by now, this is a fic about the downfall of the Moon Kingdom - with Darien and Serena witnessing it. I couldn't say anything before, because I didn't want to go and ruin the ending for you, but don't worry! Three more chapters to go! Also, I feel it only right to put my disclaimer here now. I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters; however, I do own Aria and Astra (and Moira and Sarah). YAY!
Also, on an awesome note, I got my inspiration for the Venus/Malachite tidbit from this image I found on deviantart one day. Look up Immortal Regret by vbabe1! Don't you just love it in a heart-constricting kind of way?
Tell me what you all think, and don't forget to fave and save!
xoxo
Carmen