AN: Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed last chapter's cliffhanger! I'd like to take a second just to thank everyone who's reviewed so far, you'd made me so happy! At the moment, the review count stands at 142 (almost 150 woo!!) and I'd really like to make the 200 mark by the end of the story (chapter 17), so please drop me a line, telling what you loved/liked/didn't like/hated/were confused about and I'd be happy to answer/reply/something else to you! So that's my AN today. I really hope you enjoy this chapter.
No Disclaimer since everyone knows who Sailor Moon really belongs to. What's that? I just made one? Psssh, don't be silly! Of course I didn- oh.
Serena groaned as her building agitation threatened to overflow. She remained slumped in a dark corner of the small room, from where she'd first sat what surely had to be hours ago. But the truth was, in the silent darkness, it was hard to have a sense of time at all. It could have only been ten minutes, for all she knew. Her eyes flicked around the room for the thousandth time. It reminded her strongly of Harry Potter's cupboard under the stairs. But that would be like giving this room an upgrade. She'd take the cupboard any day.
Her eyes settled on the still form of Aria. The young girl sat poised by the door, half-hidden in similar shadows, although Serena had no idea where the light was coming from. There was no window, after all. It was probably just the natural illumination that the planet had.
Aria shifted slightly and Serena snapped back into focus. The dark-haired girl rubbed her bloodshot eyes tiredly for a few seconds before returning to her gargoyle-like position. Serena sighed internally at the sight. The poor girl. Having just found out that your twin was alive, after all these years, must have been hard. But finding out she was working with the people upturning your life and killing all your friends would have been devastating. Serena couldn't even begin to empathise, because she couldn't imagine what it must be like to be in her shoes. It truly was a sorry sight. Serena turned her head slightly to the left, where Serenity sat. Serenity, of all of them, probably felt the most useless, sitting out of the fight. She couldn't use the crystal since Queen Selene had it, and they had no idea where the Queen even was. But even in their current situation, the blonde was still radiating the grace of a born-princess. It made Serena slightly envious that she could remain so calm and collected while her fiancé was out there, risking his life to protect her, but she knew the inner turmoil was probably eating away at her.
Why, even she herself could swear she was almost... in tune with Darien. Like, she could feel him. In a way. Deep within her, possibly even at the bottom of her soul, she could feel some kind of connection. But that was crazy. It was most likely just her stressed-out mind playing tricks on her. Trying to coax her into false hope or something stupid like that. Serena flexed her fingers, and then realising how sore and achy her body was, decided to stretch her arms and legs too.
After settling back into her hunched position, she lay her head on her knees and closed her eyes, trying to empty her crowded mind of all the possible scenarios racing through it. Silence settled over the trio once more, and it wasn't for several minutes that it was broken again.
Serenity's sharp intake of breath had them instantly alert. Serena's head snapped up. "What? What is it?"
Serenity closed her eyes and began shaking her head slowly, a pale hand clutching desperately at her heart. "No," she murmured through still lips, eyebrows drawing. "No."
Aria stood up, tense. "Your Highness, what is it?"
Serenity's eyes snapped open and her hand flew to the wall, which she used as support as she got to her feet. She was visibly shaking and that unnerved Serena, who got to her feet also.
"I... I..." She gulped as a lump wedged its way into her throat. "I... I have to go."
Aria and Serena exchanged looks.
"Are you sick?"
"Do you need the bathroom?"
"No!" she whispered desperately in the dark. "It's Endy!"
Aria blocked the door, trying to look as assertive as possible. "No. Princess, I can't let you do that. We have to stay here until someone comes to get us."
"I don't have time for this. He's hurt!" Pushing off from the wall, she tried to manoeuvre around the human barrier to her only exit. Aria matched her advances step for step. Fed up after their cat and mouse game, Serenity drew up to her full height and put her hands on her hips. "Aria, I order you to move this instant!"
"I can't let you leave! They could be combing the halls right as we speak."
Serenity took a few quick steps back. "Then I'll just have to go around – or under."
She spun and with surprising agility, she rushed past Serena and into the small side door, throwing it open and disappearing into the darkness.
Serena could have slapped herself for letting her leave. "I'm such an idiot!" she hissed, scrambling for the door. She tried the handle, but was surprised to find it locked. "What the hell?!"
Aria reached for it too, and after a few seconds of jittering it, she concluded much the same. "It locks from the inside."
Serena didn't have to think twice. "We've got to head her off. Come on!"
"No!" Aria howled as quietly as she could. "I have to keep you HERE! Where you're SAFE!"
"Well, if Serenity's running around out there, I'm going too." Serena pressed her ear against the wooden door, but had to hold her breath, as her loud panting obstructed her hearing. When it was decided that the coast was clear, Serena threw open the door and sprinted off in the direction they'd come... however long ago it was.
"Please," Aria begged as she tried to keep up. "Come back. You have to remain - "
"- safe, I know," Serena cut in bitterly. "But I'm just not the kind of girl you can lock up in a battle."
She zoomed around the corner, bypassing the library, as it's usual stony-silence sent a chilling shiver up and back down Serena's spine. She raced across the corridor and down another. Before long, she was lost. And Aria was nowhere to be seen either.
"Shoot," Serena muttered to herself as fear clawed at her heart. She was lost, in the open and the silence was really beginning to get to her nerves now. Where was the fighting? Where was everybody? She spotted a window down the end of the next corridor and ran to it, pressing herself against the wall and peeking out. It held the view of the transportation docks. She was in the northern wing.
Pushing off the wall, Serena hitched up her skirts once again and set off, this time finding it much easier to navigate through the maze of corridors. The only sounds she could hear as she raced towards the ballroom was her heavy panting, her shoes clicking on the marble floor, and the rustle of her dress as the back of it dragged behind her.
Finally, as she spied the familiar staircase that would lead her to the ballroom, she slowed, tiptoeing up the slippery steps. Once again, the lack of noise was disturbing. Who had won? Where was the fight now?
Hitching up her skirts again, Serena braced herself as she ducked a head around the pillar, poised for the slightest of movements. Seeing none, she crept along to long, empty corridor, always pausing before every door. Somewhere close by, she heard the sound of a familiar voice – crying out in pain. Serena took off again. As she neared, the sounds of voices floated towards her.
"No! Please! Don't hurt him anymore!"
"It's not him I want to hurt," another voice sneered. "It's you. But he's getting in the way."
"No, please, Endy, stop! You'll be okay, you will. You'll be okay..."
"Stand aside handsome, or I'm afraid I will have to kill you."
"If...you think.... I'll just step aside.... and let you take her from me.... You've... learnt nothing.... about... love..."
The second voice laughed. "Love? Who needs it? Now, Prince Endymion. Let me have the girl, and I'll let you go free."
"Endy, just move!"
"NO!"
"Very well then."
The unmistakable crackle of power zinged through the room and Serenity screamed. Serena had to cover her mouth as tears flowed freely down her face. Endymion. Sweet, charming Endymion. The past reincarnation of Darien. Her soulmate.
"No! Oh Selene, no!" Serenity's broken cries echoed around the room, while Beryl laughed at her loss. "I'll be back to find your mother dearest and her crystal, and then, I'll finish you off."
Serena had just enough time to leap behind a blood-splattered pillar as Beryl sashayed out of the room and into the opposite direction. Serenity's wails penetrated her very soul, and she could feel her legs turning to jelly. This nightmare just would never end. The clattering sound of a sword scraping against marble made its way to her ears and her eyes widened. Oh no! Serenity was in trouble.
She threw herself from the pillar and through the door but it was too late.
"Oh my god," was all she could manage, before turning to her side and retching horribly. The sight that had greeted her was worse than any horror movie she'd ever seen. Endymion's body was lying limply on the floor, his blood smeared across the pristine-white marble. His head lay in a bundle of white – Serenity's lap. As Serenity's eyes, quickly losing their light, raised themselves to meet Serena's, she mouthed two words.
I'm sorry.
Her hands fell from the sword's handle and she slumped sideways, her body hovering protectively over Endymion. Her bright blue eyes, glassy and unblinking, gazed into Endymion's closed ones.
Serena retched once more.
The quick footsteps of someone running registered in her mind, but at that moment, she didn't care.
Hands grabbed her from behind, but before she could feel them, she'd already been spun around. "Serena!"
"Darien?" she breathed in disbelief. He was here? He was still alive?
Suddenly, the strain from the whole situation was too much to bear. She burst into tears. Darien said nothing, instead, rubbing his hands up and down her arms in soothing motions. His eyes looked over her shoulder and saw the bloody mess of their past selves.
"Holy mother of God."
"She....And she...." Serena hiccupped, wiping the back of her hand across her face. "She killed herself after.... after he died..."
Darien steered Serena around, and together they walked towards the pair. His eyes roved over his twin's battle-worn body, and his soulmate's glassy stare. He turned to Serena. "We should give them a proper farewell, shouldn't we?"
She nodded, even though she had no idea what he was saying. He gently released her and knelt down, brushing his fingers across Serenity's eyes, closing them. Even with that minor adjustment, she looked almost peaceful, as if in slumber...
Serena gazed down at her, almost missing the click of heels. Almost.
Darien's back stiffened, and the hairs on the back of Serena's neck jumped up. Lady Beryl stood at the door, watching them with her cat-like red eyes.
"Well, I must say," she began in her hissing voice. "I was disappointed that I missed the chance to kill the lovely princess myself, although her grief-stricken impromptu death was just as sweet... But I am glad that I had waited this long to do so. Now I get a second go." She gave a humorous smile.
Serena and Darien both rose, gritting their teeth as they stared at the woman who had caused all this trouble. Darien shifted in front of Serena. "You'll never touch her."
"Oh? Won't I?"
The staff was pointed in his direction and immediately a blast of dark energy was sent their way. Darien collided with Serena and they were sent flying backwards.
"Are you sure about that?" Another blast was sent their way, with Darien jumping in front of Serena just in time.
Beryl gave a humourless laugh and walked forward until she was standing beside the bodies. She gazed down into Endymion's face in what could only be described as carnal lust.
"I wouldn't bother protecting her, Prince Darien," she said sweetly, looking up at him. She kicked Endymion in the side with her shoe. "It didn't do this Prince too good in the end, as you can see."
"DON'T TOUCH HIM!" Serena exploded. "DON'T. TOUCH. HIM!"
Beryl raised an amused eyebrow and sent another powerful blast, which they both dived out of the way from just in time. She circled Endymion's body and took in his 'pillow' – Serenity's lap. Her tears were even still wet on his face. Using the base of her staff, she separated the pair, shifting Endymion's head to the floor, and sending Serenity's body toppling over again, right onto the sword.
Serena roared in rage and stood up, with great difficulty. Darien followed suit.
"Ready for more?" Beryl said with an icy smile.
Serena reached for Darien's hand, and gritted her teeth. She would stand up to this witch. She would show her. But with a lazy flick of her wrist, Beryl sent a charge of power careening towards them. The duo stood their ground. A glint of fear passed through Beryl's eyes, before she laughed, and it was gone again.
"You can't defy me, no matter how much you believe in your love." She said the word with distain.
"What would you know about love?" Darien panted.
"Who needs love when you can have all the power imaginable?"
They braced themselves as she shot another bolt of power at them, but their strength was weakening. With her eyes fastened on Beryl's, Serena muttered under her breath.
"Darien, in case we don't make it through this... I want you to know..."
" - not now, Meatball Head," Darien cut her off. "If you say goodbye, then there's nothing stopping us from trying our hardest to beat this witch."
"Darien, open your eyes! She's killed our friends, our family. She's killed US! There's nothing left. So I want you to know that I love you. And I always will – even in death."
Darien swore under his breath but turned to stare at their clasped hands, before travelling up to her eyes. They were filled with so many emotions; he didn't know where to start. His shoulders slumped. "I love you too, Meatball Head. My princess."
"Aw," the witch cooed sarcastically. "How sweet, a final parting for the prince and the princess. It's a shame there's no one here to witness it. I will just have to tell everyone you begged for mercy at my feet."
Even as she spoke, Darien lifted Serena's hand and brought it to his lips, where he gave her a light kiss. "Forever and ever," he whispered.
Beryl watched this exchange, and the jealousy increased tenfold. With a roar of rage, she threw another powerful attack, which knocked Serena and Darien off their feet.
Though falling on their stomachs, they remained linked by their hands. Beryl sent another blast at them, where they were sent flying across the floor. Winded and coughing, they tried to inch closer to each other, to tighten their entwined fingers.
Attack after attack had them skidding across the marble, but never once did they let go. It was at this stage that Serena was coughing up flecks of blood, and Darien had hit his head on the wall.
"Never again will anyone defy me," Beryl declared to the empty room. "From now on, I will be referred to as Queen Beryl, ruler of the Negaverse!" Her eyes slid down to the unmoving forms of Serena and Darien. Aiming her staff directly to their clasped hands, she called on her most powerful attack. "And you are no longer a threat!"
*emerges from behind her hands* Ooooooh, wasn't that angsty and scary and dramatic and and and and yeah! So, I think here is a good time to say that one of the ideas that inspired me to write this story was Queen Selene's famous line "Oh no, she's taken both of them." I think you understand what I mean. Now, that scene does take place after this Beryl one, although I didn't write it, so think it up in your minds if you want to! Also, I used the manga death instead of the anime death since this is a much better death scene in my opinion, and it just seemed to work better with the plot, regardless. Just thought I'd mention that XD
So anyhoo, who thinks Serena and Darien survived? Who thinks they/one of them died? Let me know! (I think I know what you'll all think, so before you say it, no, it's probably not that.)
xo
Carmen Delta