Well, it's been a busy fan fiction week for me, and this is one chapter I am super excited to get out. As always, thank you everyone who takes the time to review. I always appreciate your feedback, and I hope that you enjoy where this story is heading. :)

Chapter Seven

Serenity woke to the sounds of heated whispers and fists slamming against wood. She cautiously opened her eyes to find Endymion and Motoki glaring at each other from opposite sides of the table, deep scowls and creased brows. The blond planted his palms firmly against the grain, while his superior stood haughtily with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Endymion, be reasonable!" Motoki hissed. "You have to send her back."

"I will." His jaw clenched as he struggled to control his temper. "I just need to find out what they're planning."

"There's always an excuse!" Motoki threw his hands up in the air. "Let me take her back to the village with me. At least she'll have Unazuki to keep her company," he offered, knowing his sister would be thrilled to help care for the girl.

"She's safer here," Endymion replied, eyes narrowed and knuckles white.

"You can't keep her locked up in this cave," Motoki yelled, growing increasingly irritated by Endymion's stubbornness. "She's a princess."

"I know what she is," he snapped.

"I want to go with him." Serenity interrupted the arguing pair, her sudden input causing both men to turn their attention to her.

"No."

"Look, she wants to come," Motoki said, face softening as he tried again to appeal to his leader.

"No," Endymion replied resolutely, lips pressed firmly in a line.

"I thought you said that you didn't kidnap me," Serenity challenged, chin pushed forward as she stared at him defiantly.

"I didn't." His cheek twitched, and patience thinned.

"Then let me go with him," she pleaded, her posture straightening as he moved around the table and closer towards her.

"No."

"Please, I just want –"

"No," he boomed, voice echoing off the stone walls. "You nearly got yourself killed going out in that storm, do you realize that?"

"I didn't mean –"

"Do you know what those men would have done to you?" he continued, hands shaking and muscles tense.

"I didn't think that there –"

"You put our lives in jeopardy," he yelled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," she whispered, body curling as she pulled her knees to her chest. Her eyes dropped to the dusty floor, and she felt heavy tears begin to fall.

"Exactly. You don't know," he spat, unable to regain his composure. "You're a spoiled princess who knows nothing abou –"

"Endymion." Motoki stepped between them, and placed a firm hand on his arm. "Enough." Endymion flexed his jaw and pulled away.

"I need parchment and ink," he said, raising his brow when Motoki did not move. "I have to send a letter through Naru."

"I'm not your errand boy." The blond shook his head, forehead crinkling as he tried to read Endymion's expression.

"Fine. Stay here and watch her," he ordered, stalking pointedly from the room and slamming the door behind him.

"I'm sorry," Serenity choked, cheeks burning, and lips trembling. Her stomach twisted into knots, and a lump swelled in her throat, unaccustomed to being the cause of such raw anger. A concoction of guilt and self-deprecation simmered in her gut, and part of her wished she could tap into the power of the crystal heirloom that remained tucked under her thigh.

"Give him time." Motoki knew that Endymion would come to his senses, they only had to wait it out. Grabbing a canteen from the table, he handed it to the quivering girl.

Serenity's sniffles settled down, and a comfortable quietness befell the cavern. The girl carefully raked her fingers through the knots in her hair, slowly working out the tangles to keep herself occupied. Motoki slouched in the rickety chair, chin propped on his fist as he observed her.

"Stop it." Serenity paused, turning to glare at the man. "I mean it, stop staring at me," she demanded, brow furrowed as she pursed in irritation.

"You're very peculiar," he noted, refusing to avert his gaze.

"Who are you, anyway?" She snorted, defenses returning full force.

"Motoki." He smiled, and Serenity felt her shoulders relax. "Your highness?" he wondered, cocking his head to the side – was that how he was supposed to address her? He knelt before her, and cut the rope that bound her. "Here."

"Aren't you afraid I'll escape?" Serenity asked, taking in his unshaven face and dishevelled, sandy hair; he was the complete opposite of Endymion.

"Well, your last attempt didn't fare too well," he said, turning to a pack on the floor and rifling through. "And I'm prepared to with you." He pulled out a large, red apple, and began to cut it.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I have no reason to be anything but." He handed her a slice of fruit, and flashed her a charming grin. The princess accepted the fruit, and hastily devoured the sweet, white flesh. Motoki watched as she dragged the back of her hand across her chin, and his attention fell to the purple bruise that stained her porcelain skin. "Does your face hurt?"

"Only when I touch it." She gingerly ran a finger along her eye, wincing at the added pressure.

A silence passed over the pair, and Serenity rose to her feet to pad around the small space. Her joints cracked, her muscles stiff and sore, yet she savoured each step, grateful to no longer be bound.

"You're in the Black Cloud, right?" She had turned and leaned against a nearby wall, inspecting Motoki from a distance. His clothes were similar to Endymion's, yet the fabrics were tattered and faded from the sun.

"I am."

"Why did you rob us?" Motoki could feel her eyes upon him as she searched desperately for an answer – something to make sense of it all.

"You ask a lot of questions," Motoki remarked, slumping back into the chair, and crossing his arms behind his head "Are all people from the Moon this curious?"

"Are all people from Earth bandits and thieves?" she countered, continuing her journey around the cave, fingers caressing the stone.

"We may very well be." He chuckled, his laugh warm and eyes bright, and for once Serenity was beginning to feel at ease.

"Why won't he let me go?" Serenity's voice squeaked as the question that had been nagging her was finally released.

Motoki considered her question, before answering with simple shrug and shake of his head. "I don't know what Endymion has planned," he admitted, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "But I do know as long as you stay here, you will be safe." He turned in his seat to look at the princess, "I promise."

Serenity made her way back to the straw bed, energy drained from her short walk. She sat down, focusing on the man before her, mouth twitching at his stubbled face and tanned skin.

"You have kind eyes," she said suddenly, earning a whole-hearted smile from the bandit. "Why do you follow him?" Her lips moved from side to side, awaiting his answer as she tried in vain to understand this new planet and its inhabitants.

"Because he's a good, just man, who truly wants what's best for the people," Motoki answered; the princess finding nothing but honesty and admiration in his reply.

"Is that why he hates the King?" she ventured.

"That is not my story to tell." Motoki shook his head, bangs falling messily across his forehead.

"Fine, then tell me your story," Serenity implored, crossing her legs and folding her hands primly in her lap. The man rubbed his chin, considering her demand. Unable to deny the regality in the girl, despite her dishevelled appearance and sand smeared skin.

"I will on one condition." He smirked as hesitation washed over her face.

"What's that?"

Motoki leaned forward, face filled with earnest. "Give Endymion another chance."

The four Sailor Senshi assembled in the Queen's chambers, waiting on the arrival of their ruler and her advisor. Seated around a circular table, Mercury and Venus concentrated on the map marked out earlier, discussing the plausible locations to begin their search. Jupiter paced the length of the room, hands rubbing together as she lost herself in thought, and Mars tried everything to distract her mind from memories of nightmares and prophets.

The door creaked open, and the girls stood in respect as the Queen entered the room with Artemis at her heels. Venus stepped from her position, offering her chair.

"Any signs of her?" the Queen asked, stoic exterior melting into hopefulness.

"We have word that she's alive," Sailor Venus reported. The Queen released a relieved breath, eyes closing momentarily as she struggled to maintain her composure. "We don't know her whereabouts," Venus continued, "but I believe we made some progress." The solider motioned to the map, nodding at Mercury to continue.

Queen Serenity listened carefully as the soldiers recanted their missions, working to piece together the most probable sequence of events. Her brow furrowed as she digested the information – Black Cloud and Daboia, how did Earth become so littered with outlaws?

"We've been told scouts are being sent to scour the projected camp site areas," Venus said, palms flat against the table as she studied the map once again.

"That'll be useless," Jupiter scoffed, ponytail swinging as she shook her head.

Queen Serenity shifted in her seat, focus falling to the raven haired warrior who stared blankly out the window, fingers fidgeting, and brows drawn . "Sailor Mars," she said, instantly receiving her attention, "you've been quiet."

Mars licked her lips, considering her words before replying. "I don't know if there's any weight to this," she paused, fists clenching as she drew a deep breath. "But a prophet told us that the true prince would save Serenity."

"What does that mean?" The queen wondered, knowing that while the royal lineage of Mars was famous for their abilities in divination, the same hardly held true for those on Earth.

"Not the bastard," Mars answered, quickly correcting herself, "Elias."

"So Prince Endymion?" Mercury guessed, seeing no other viable candidate.

"We haven't seen him since we've arrived – still ill, apparently," Artemis interjected, hand stroking his chin in thought.

"Do you notice how squeamish everyone gets when he is brought up?" Jupiter observed. "Even the guards."

"We need to find out what they're hiding," Venus concluded, eyes narrowing in determination. "Also, I'm not sure the Black Cloud are what we've perceived them to be," she added. "I realize they robbed the caravan, and stole jewels and gold, but the people in Muadib really do seem to respect them."

"Bandits?" The Queen's head jerked back in surprise.

"No one seems to want to give us information about them," Mars explained. "Not about who they are, who their leader is, nothing." Her shoulders raised with confusion; nothing here made sense.

"If they're respected in Muadib, wouldn't it be safe to assume they frequently do business there?" Mercury surmised, causing Venus to shake her finger in agreement.

"I'm going back on my own," she said, picking up a cloak discarded on a nearby chair and draping it over her shoulders. "We need more information on the Daboia and the Black Cloud and we won't get any with those dolts hanging around."

"There may be something in the archives," Mercury volunteered. "I can scan the documents," she said, motioning to her visor.

"Good." Venus nodded. "Mars, Jupiter, I'd like you to look into the Prince's whereabouts. See if he really is sick in his chambers. "

"We're on it," Jupiter confirmed.

The Queen exchanged a nervous glance with Artemis, who in turn rested a steady hand on her shoulder . "Girls, please be careful. You're already on thin ice here," she warned, making a point to look them each in the eye. They bowed with a chorus of yes, your majesty as they prepared to leave.

Sailor Jupiter marched to the door, gently turning the knob and pulling it back, holding her breath as she tried not to make a sound. She peered into the hallway; both ends protected by a pair of guards.

"We need a way out of here," she whispered.

The four soldiers surveyed the room: one door, four barred windows, and taking on the guards was not an option; they were already unwelcome guests in the palace. They opened the window and shook the bars to no avail, and desperately opened wardrobes in hopes of finding a secret passageway – nothing.

"I have an idea," Sailor Mars announced, stalking to the window, hands wrapped around the grilles. Her body relaxed and she closed her eyes, whispering words and summoning fire as she channeled its energy into her fingers. Columns of heat ran up the metal, and slowly she pulled them apart, widening the gap just enough.

Mars turned, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Think we can squeeze through now?"

Her companions smiled as Sailor Venus clapped her on the back with an impressed nod, turning to the cobalt warrior. "Mercury, cover the ground in mist, that'll buy us all enough time to get out."

"Mercury Aqua Mist!" she chanted, and a thick fog rolled over the courtyard below allowing each of the senshi to drop undetected from the window. After a brief regrouping, they each took off on their own missions.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars tiptoed through the dewy grass and back into the palace, deciding the west wing would be the best place to start. Accompanied by the shadows, they slunk through the corridors, backs pressed tightly to the wall as they communicated with head gestures and hand signals. They paused at the west wing, hiding behind a giant pillar, noses crinkling at the winding, exposed staircase. Sailor Jupiter tightened her ponytail as she measured their opponent, glancing at Mars to see if she was ready to go.

"Where's he going?" Mars whispered, pointing to a hooded figure slipping through the arches. "It's nearly midnight."

"Is that Elias?" Jupiter asked, squinting in the darkness.

"You keep looking for Prince Endymion," Mars suggested, "I'll follow the bastard."

Her companion nodded. "Be careful."

"You too."

Now alone, Sailor Jupiter began her ascent, crouching below the bannister as she swiftly climbed the stairs. The faint patter of boots on marble reached her ears, her breath catching in her throat as she ducked into a dim alcove. Her muscles tensed as the guards marched passed, completely oblivious to the intruder. She watched as they turned in unison, and made their way to the floor below. Mapping out the mostly likely patrol course, she knew she didn't have much time.

The solider edged out into the corridor, senses strained and on alert for any sign of movement. She passed the heavy chamber doors one by one, trying in vain to figure out which could possibly belong to the prince. A faint light flickered beneath one of the doors, and Jupiter crept up, pressing her ear against the wood. She heard muffled conversation, tones rising and falling, volume increasing until she could make out partial phrases.

"Mies," she noted, cupping her ear for better clarity.

"She was right," he seethed, "you know he has that blasted moon child."

"What will you do, your Highness?" Jupiter tried to decipher the voice – Mazarin, perhaps.

"I'll arrest him. Enough of his games."

"Sire, he's – "

The clanging of armour pierced her attention, and she instantly pulled away from the door. Her head swung frantically from left to right, searching for a safe spot to hide as the guards' approach grew louder.

"Shit," she cursed, moving down to the next room. "Please gods let it be empty," she whispered, pushing down the handle and slipping inside just as the patrol rounded the corner.

Sailor Jupiter stepped into darkness, save a thin beam of moonlight that shone through a crack in the curtains. She made her way to the window, hands out feeling for obstacles, and pulled back the fabric, allowing the light to filter through.

"What the – " she gaped, taking in her surroundings. Dusty sheets clung to the furniture, and the four-poster bed looked as if it hadn't been touched in years. She padded around the room, peaking under covers and opening closets, but found nothing of interest. Her gaze fell to a book sitting on the nightstand, and she leafed through its pages stopping at an inscription on the inside cover.

"To my dear Endymion," she read, fingers tracing the letters – was this the Prince's room? Fuelled by curiosity she searched between cushions, and opened drawers, her fingers finally coming to land on a smooth golden ring. Jupiter pulled it out, squinting as she examined it in the light, touching the engraved crest on its face. She slipped the ring onto her thumb, and moved to the bookcase, opening book by book hoping to find further proof that the belongings in the room were those of the prince.

Four in a stack of nearly two dozen bore Endymion's name, and as she grabbed for another from the shelf, she was jolted by its lack of movement. She grasped at the book again, fingers against metal where leather was expected. Using both hands she pulled at it again, hearing a faint click as the entire shelf shifted right to reveal a hollow passage. Brushing off her hands on her skirt, she did one last sweep around the chamber and disappeared down the tunnel.

Keeping Elias in her line of sight, Sailor Mars found herself in a forgotten corner of the castle. Layers of dust covered the statues that once stood polished and proud, and cobwebs decorated lamps which had long since flickered out. Elias stopped at a darkened solarium, overrun with plants and invaded by weeds, checking over his shoulder as Mars darted behind the nearest corner. She watched as he pulled something from his pocket, tinkering with the lock until it finally gave way and allowed him inside.

She inched closer, only his silhouette visible though the dense vine. As he left the solarium, he fastened a pouch to his belt, and pulled the door until it clicked. Drawing a hood over his head, he continued down the hallway, soon reaching stone stairs. He unhooked a torch from the wall, and ignited a match.

Mars stayed back until the remnants of light could no longer been seen lurching against the walls, and tiptoed down, step by step. Her heart pounded, and breath hitched in the back of her throat. She reached the bottom to see Elias exiting another room, stopping again to reattach his bag. He murmured something under his breath, fingers moving in succession.

"Last one," he sighed, a yawn escaping his lips.

The solider remained in her hiding spot, watching intently and waiting to follow. Elias' torch to flickered wildly, and rusty hinges wailed into the damp passage. Silver light flooded the doorway, disappearing as quickly as it had come.

Left in complete darkness, Sailor Mars pressed her fingertips together, willing a small flame to appear. She navigated to the room Elias had emerged from, trying the handle to no avail. Wiping grime from the glass, she peered through the window making out jars of preserved roots and bottles of what she assumed were salves - stock of a healer.

"What are you up to?" she murmured, sprinting towards the exit in hopes that Elias had not gotten too far.

"Come on," Mars prayed easing open the door, lips clenched in pressed in concentration until she managed to create an opening just wide enough for her to slip through. She climbed up an unkempt path, emerging to find Elias sitting at the edge of a well, dipping a vial into a bucket before sealing it with a cork.

Mars stepped closer, snapping a twig snapped under her foot, sending her scampering for cover behind a tall set of overgrown shrubs. The bastard's head instinctively turned towards the sound, and he shoved the vial into his pocket, hurrying back inside.

Confident that the coast was clear, the warrior stepped out of hiding, and approached the well. A thick, murky liquid filled the bucket, and she leaned down, inhaling its subtle, nutty fragrance. She pulled off her glove and dipped her hand inside, rubbing the substance between her fingers.

"Oil," she said, dabbing a taste on the tip of her tongue. "Jojoba," identified, furrowing her brow at the peculiar aftertaste. Knowing Sailor Mercury could examine the properties of the concoction, she pulled a handful of moss from between the stone cracks, and soaked it in the oil.

With her evidence in hand, Mars turned to head back inside, cursing at the door which was now locked. 'How the hell am I supposed to get back in there?' she screamed inwardly, kicking at her wooden opponent before beginning her search for another way in.

Sailor Mercury scurried into the palace, darting behind a large pillar and pausing to get her bearings. Since they arrived, she had been mapping the palace grounds, observing her surroundings as guards escorted them from one room to the next. She activated her visor, scanning all possible routes to the library from her current position.

Arriving at her destination undetected, she took a moment to admire the architecture: curved ceilings painted with monsters and gods, and decorative granite columns that stretched to the skies. A tall window stood opposite the entrance, looking out to sandy moors and glistening stars. Her eyes travelled along myriad of books, each section clearly labelled in an ancient tongue. Torch in one hand, she paced through the rows in search of the palace archives, finger running along the book spines.

Eventually she reached a darkened corner filled with stacks of dated journals, and piles of papers. She sifted through the materials, grabbing anything that related to the people's voice or the royal lineage, and settled down at a nearby table, lighting the awaiting lantern. She shook out her shoulders, and cracked her knuckles; it was time to get down to some research. She started with archivist journals, scanning for any mention of Prince Endymion, King Mies or the Black Cloud – nothing of interest. She moved onto citizen published gazettes, finding only a few snippets of anti-royalty propaganda that were hardly unbiased and worth noting.

"Can I help you?" Mercury froze, heart pounding and a lump rising in her throat as she slowly turned in her seat to see a man leaning against a shelf. Her gaze swept over his appearance: uniform of a general, polished boots, blonde hair tied back neatly, piercing green eyes.

"Hi." She plastered on a smile. "I'm –"

"Sailor Mercury," he interrupted. "I know who you are."

"And you are?" she asked, keeping her tone cordial.

"Zoisite," he said, offering no further explanation. "It was my understanding that you were to be accompanied at all times," he said, observing her carefully. "I don't see an escort." He made a point of looking around the room, and Mercury fought back a twitch of annoyance.

"I couldn't sleep." She shrugged, pushing a strand of cobalt hair behind her ear. "My escort knows where I am," she stated, refusing to break eye contact lest she lose their silent battle.

"If I call for the guards right now they'll confirm your story?" he challenged, lips pulling into a smirk.

"Of course," she affirmed, showing no sign of untruth. "Why are you here at such an hour?"

"I also couldn't sleep," he played along. "You're interested in our history, I see," he said, gaze sweeping across the books littering the table.

"To be honest, I don't know much about Earth's royal family, so I thought I'd start here and work my way back," she explained, pink rising to her cheeks as he continued to stare.

"Well, in that case, might I make a suggestion?" He pushed himself forward and sauntered over to a dusty shelf.

"That would be much appreciated." She watched as he glanced over the titles, finally pulling out a heavy title.

"Here," he said, handing her the book. "I think you'll find the material very interesting."

"Thank you." She forced another smile, but couldn't help her brow from creasing with confusion.

Zoisite leaned over her shoulder, lips at her ear. "There's a passageway behind that bookcase…" He paused to point. "…that will lead you back to your room. Much more difficult to be detected that way." He took a step back and winked at the girl. "Good night, Sailor Mercury."

"Zoisite." She nodded, eyes following him until he was out of sight.

Mercury sighed and rubbed her face, analyzing every moment of their interaction – was she safe? It was clear he knew she was lying, yet he decided against involving the guards – why? She looked down at the book in her hands, Medicinal Herbs and Salves.

"What does this have to do with anything?" she wondered, thumbing through, and stopping as she landed on a yellowed letter wedged between the pages. She opened the letter, scanning its contents only to go back and read it again, a small gasp escaping her lips.

"What have we stumbled into," she breathed, folding the document and slipping it into the arm of her glove before grabbing the lantern, and heading through the hidden passage.

Having memorized the route she needed to take, Sailor Venus crept along the palace wall, identity hidden by the hood on her cloak, and moonlight illuminating her path. The patrol outside of the main keep was thin, with no more than a dozen guards to avoid. With the intention of borrowing a horse for her journey, she headed to the stables, lifting the iron latch and sliding open the door.

Hay spilt from the stalls to the cobblestone floor, and the air hung thick with the scent of molasses and oats. She walked down the rows, reading the names of each horse as she passed, peering at the animals through metal rods as she measured them up. She settled on a bay gelding, and slipped his bridle from its hook as she entered his stall.

"Come on Quain," she whispered, fastening the buckle and taking the reins in her fist, leading him to the gate. The door swung open, and Venus' heart leapt to her throat as she found herself staring down the end of a sword.

"Who are you?" A watchman demanded, the grip on his weapon softening as she lowered her hood; she was just a girl.

"Princess Minako of Venus," she replied, glancing down at the blade and feigning a fearful expression.

"Where are you going?" His voice cracked, and he resheathed his sword, cautiously resting his hand on its pommel.

"I'm hoping to Quain here," she motioned towards the horse, "for a ride." She smiled, and placed her palm against the gelding's neck.

"The King has orders," the guard insisted, shaking his head. "You're not supposed to leave the palace." He swallowed nervously, stomach flipping as she gently ran her hand down the horse's hair.

"It's such a lovely night, and with everything that's going on, I thought that a nice ride would help me relax so I can sleep," she rambled, words filled with emotion and blue eyes shining as she craned her neck towards the starry sky. "Surely it could be our little secret?" she asked, leaning towards him, lips parting slightly.

"I'm sorry, m'lady," he stuttered, cheeks reddening, "I'm under strict orders." He shook his head in disappointment; his hands were tied.

"I understand." She nodded cordially, hiding the twitch of her cheek as she laid her fingertips on his forearm. The guard dropped his gaze, and before he could react, Venus grabbed the sword from his belt, and struck him in the chin with its hilt. The man tumbled to the ground, instantly out cold.

"Sorry, but I don't have time for this," the blonde muttered, shaking her head and setting his weapon down beside his body. She did a quick check of his pulse, and mounted her horse, setting across the desert plains for Muadib.