I don't know what happened with chapter eight. A friend faxed the reviews to me and I
honestly didn't know what any of you were talking about, until I had a chance to see it
for myself and I really don't know what happened. That was just awful and I apologized
to all had to read it.
Anyhoo, let's get to the special hellos and thanks.
Special Hello and Thank Yous to: Min (Hi. Sorry about the hard read, it threw me for a
loop as well.) Deny (What's up and thanks as usual. Those two Senshi are a surprise and
the reason for why they were there—well you and everyone else will just have to wait,
that's an even bigger surprise. ::Winks:: As for the updating thing, since I'm posting on
the run and haven't been reading anything myself, I really don't have an answer for why
it's doing that.) [Hey, if anyone can answer Deny's question, please do and let me
know too, I'm kinda out of the loop here. Thanks a bunch ^_^! S. W.] Ame. Serenity
(::Runs away screaming in terror:: Just kidding. Yes, you won the first battle, but I'm
back with balloons filled with shaving cream. Top that. Okay, what did you say? Okay, I
made you happy, but you know me, I'm going to have fun. A. S., do you have to ask,
c'mon now. Keep your sugar, drink tea, but don't ask that question, everyone knows the
answer to that question. What can I say, the men are civilized (aka wusses.) [For all
General, dark Kings, four horsemen fans, that's a joke. I love those guys, but this is a
Senshi butt-kicking and shaking off the stereotypes fic and for me personally washing the
entire Nega Moon Series out of my head. Especially that episode when Rei was fighting
Catzi at the shrine for the second time and Rei's all wimpy and sentimental. I haven't felt
clean since I saw that the first time. ::Shudders::] Alright, now that I have gotten out of
my system. As for Saffir, I hadn't thought of him as being anything other than worm
food. Remember that everyone associated with Nemesis in the future do exist in the
alternative timeline that Darien is from and they are not out planning the destruction of
Terra or to end Endymion and Serenity's (Princess Serenity not her mother) rule of the
system. If I were to say more here, I wouldn't have anything to put into the story. But you
have given me something to think about, so we will see. I don't care for Rubius either.
But the traitor was Pluto, Diamond just doesn't know which one, he doesn't know about
Patricia, let me just say this, as far as he's concern it was Ananke who betrayed them, but
the Accursed One knows what really happened and doesn't feel the need to share with the
pawns. As for the Dark Moon plotting against the Accursed One, I can say this without
giving anything away, nope. Remember, Diamond wants to be her daddy. On to
paragraph three: Since this is the last book for this Series, everything is coming out, what
you though you knew in the first and second book does not apply here, so everything just
didn't end with Beryl and Ananke started over anew with fresh blood, nor did it start with
Beryl, she was a pawn. In the second book, Kore said that she and Ananke saw six
versions of the future, five had peace, the sixth promised destruction and the rebirth of
Chaos, now I'm barrowing from other authors here and bringing about the seven deadly
sins, each as a major villain from the Sailor Moon Universe representing each sin and
serving the greatest evil. Did the Accursed One possess Ananke? Yes. Why did one of
the most powerful Senshi succumb to the powers of darkness, I will address that later as
the story progresses. Naw, she didn't hook up with any of them. She doesn't care about
Diamond romantically, he was just a pawn to her. And to you, evil author with a water
gun, I don't know what happened. I didn't write it like that and most defiantly did not
save it like that, but I am sorry. Don't chase me! Ame. Sere, I think you just asked every
question for all the other reviewers. Feel proud, if anyone had a question, I'm sure the
answer is in this reply somewhere. You go, girl.) Dove (Hey, thanks a mill. Sorry I
haven't e-mailed when I update, but I'm doing all my updating on the run.) Kuroi
(Hello.) Nene (Hi. Welcome back) Shinigami (Hello. I was going to post this chapter this
morning then I saw you review and I must know, are you Amethyst Serenity? Just
kidding. I have to answer your questions, but there are just so many. I promise, I will
have your answer in my notes in chapter ten. It took me five days to write this chapter
and I wanna post before I decide to make changes. But thank you, and please wait for
Ten.)
Chapter Nine
With the Moon Princess and the future Heir of Terra fed, the war council
continued.
"I'm still in favor of an all out assault," Eros declared as she put her cup of tea
aside. "We have the man power and since the reestablishment of the planetary kingdoms,
we have the Senshi. We can lead a raid into Nemesis' proper and in two or three days
wipe out all life on that floating piece of black crud and then destroy it."
"And throw Pluto's rotation off course." Troy told her.
Eros' eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't try to steal my thunder," she warned him. "I
have though about that and I am working on a possible outcome that will not destroy the
Solar System."
But Troy was not intimidated, "You are not thinking, Eros. Pluto's gravity is
supported by two moons, those moons hold the in it's rotation around the sun. If Pluto
were to sent a kilter, it will cause a chain reaction in the entire Solar System that will
disrupt the revolutions or worst."
Eros glared at him then turned to Athena Diana.
"It's one of many possibilities," the Mercurian Princess answered her
commander. "A way of preventing that from occurring would be to increase the power of
the garnet crystal and it's carrier."
"We have to make Patricia stronger," Eros said dubiously.
Athena nodded, "She would have to become as strong if not stronger than
Ananke. But we don't have millenniums to wait—"
"She will have to enter a chamber then." A frown appeared on her golden
brow as she tapped her finger nails on the table top. "Patricia is there a way to accelerate
the time you spend in one of those rooms?"
The Guardian of Pluto looked to her Queen, then she nodded hesitantly, "I do
believe so. How fast would you like it to be, Eros?"
"A hundred years a day."
It was as if all sound had been sucked out of the room. Patricia was staring at Eros
wildly.
"A hundred years?" the former terran soldier croaked.
Eros shook her head, "I want you in there for ten days—"
"A thousand years?" Kore whispered.
The terrans were watching this with interest. No one lived past a hundred years,
but a thousand? That was sheer madness, wasn't it?
"We need you be stronger than Ananke," Eros told Patricia, she ignored the
looks of fear and doubt on the other Senshi's face. "When Nemesis is destroyed, it going
to take every ounce of your power to hold your planet together and to keep it from flying
off its path. You are a Blessed Senshi now, blessed by the powers of your planet and
Chronos, but you are strong enough to support an entire planet in this form. Not even we,
as Alpha Senshi have that necessary strength."
"I understand why it must be done," Patricia told her, her soft brown eyes filled
with doubts as she looked at her, "It's just that I will die—"
"What?" Bella cried.
Nike smiled, then chuckled softly, "Eros, did someone forget to tell the recruit a
few things about a Planetary during her initiation?"
Eros wanted to laugh, but Patricia's fear was real and it would just be in poor taste
to laugh in her face. She would do it later.
"Pluto," she said after clearing her voice a couple times, "When you came to
Silver Millennium, you were exposed to the power of the Queen's crystal…"
"Of course, it was the cleansing ceremony," Patricia told her, she did not know
where this was going or what it had to do with her dying half a day of being in the
chamber.
"Well in that ceremony, you, along with the other terrans who were descendants
of peoples from the other planets were given longer life spans." Eros watched as
comprehension dawned on Patricia's face. "Then when you became a senshi you life span
took another meaning."
"You life became tied to mine and my mother's," Serena told her.
Endy was intrigued by this news.
"What do you mean, Princess?" Mike asked her.
"It's our bond to each other," She explained, "It's similar to a soul bond, which
Endy and I share, but for the Senshi and myself, it's like—I don't know how to explain
it?" She looked to Athena for help.
"Bonds are Eros and Bella's specialty, Sere, not mine." Athena told her.
"We are all tied to our leader," Bella told them, "A spiritual link was forged
with us on the day we took our oaths to protect our ruler and to do so we needed to know
where they were—sort of."
"You are saying you have a psychic lojack on the Moon Queen and Princess?"
Jamie asked skeptically.
"We are not cars, Mop." Serena snapped.
"Don't make me come over there, Princess," he sneered her title.
Serena tossed her head fearlessly, "Yeah, you can walk over but I can guarantee
that you will not be walking back."
The blond terran smirked, "You are all mouth, Princess."
Serena jumped up, throwing her napkin on to the table, "That's it, Mop-boy, you
are going down."
"Oooh, I'm afraid of a midget." He quailed in a mocking voice.
"My mama isn't a midget," Darien cried, jumping into the fray.
"Well she ain't exactly tall now is she, boy?" Jamie asked him.
Darien puffed himself up, the way he had seen his father do countless times when
he was ready to make his final declarations. "She is Cosmos, the most powerful senshi is
all the universes."
Jamie scoffed, "Not now she isn't."
Darien looked at Serena uncertainly. The Moon Princess was getting up and ready
to really hurt Jamie, but Endy beat her to it. The King of Terra leaned over and punched
his friend in the arm.
"Endy, we were just kidding," Jamie whined as he rubbed his sore arm.
Kris smacked him upside the head, "You upset my nephew, James," he growled,
"Now you are going to die."
Jamie paled then swallowed hard. "That's just ain't right, man."
"Excuse me," Eros snapped, "But we have work to do here. So let's focus,
people."
"I liked Eros better when she was a ditz." Jamie grumbled.
"I heard that." The Venusian Senshi said sharply.
Jamie dropped back into his seat and sulked. This was going to be a long
morning.
"After Patricia returns from the Chamber, I suggest that move towards our final
goal."
Nike pushed her plate away and looked at Eros firmly. "Are you prosing that
Terra and Venus attack Nemesis?"
"Of course not," Eros cried, "We, the Solar System go into this together—"
Nike shook her head, "You are asking us to shift our loyalty." She told her.
Eros frowned, "I don't understand your hesitation, Nike. I speak as leader of all
the forces of Silver Millennium, no one is shifting their loyalty."
"It seems as if you have adapted well to the terran rule," Nike said coolly. "You
defer to Endymion and have accepted him as your lord over Serenity—"
"Now wait a minute," Eros cried hotly. "I am loyal to my Queen and Princess."
"But you are not thinking as a planetary ruler," Nike retorted.
"You dare to insult me, Nike." Eros said dangerously.
Nike faced her bravely, "I do not say this to be hurtful or to reprimand you, my
sister, I just think you haven't thought about what we as rulers and our planets have gone
through since the Fall and our returns."
Eros made a silent 'ooh', then she sucked in a breath of air.
Endy looked from Eros to Nike, then to Queen Serenity. "What's going on, your
Majesty."
Serenity looked at him frankly, then she sighed, "The planets are nervous about
my rule."
"And?" He prodded.
"They believe me to be weak in will and judgement." She told him. She looked
at him expecting to find him either gloating or smirking, but was shocked to see the
serious look on his face and the frown creasing his brow.
"Ananke destroyed the planet's faith in the Lunar Monarchy?" He asked her.
She nodded, "In one solar year, there was to be meeting with all the planets to
discuss the revival of the Silver Alliance." She folded her napkin over neatly then put it
down. "What Nike was trying not to say and I am very grateful that she tried to protect
my dignity but this must be said, there is talk of replacing me as leader of the Alliance."
"With Serena?" He asked quickly.
Serenity shook her head, "No, but taking away all of our power and making Silver
Millennium a territory of Terra."
Kris whistled sharply. "Can they do this, your Majesty?" he asked respectfully.
"The planets have it within their power to chose who they want as their leader
and they have the power to hold my kingdom responsible for the collapse of the Silver
Alliance since it was my will to follow Ananke course for the future of the Silver
Millennium." She said with here head held high as she admitted her own lose of power
and the possibility of she losing her kingdom.
Endy was studying her over his steeple hands, his frown hidden behind his hands.
"Was there an alternative plan?"
"Several," Athena Diana answered him. "One thought is to making the Silver
Alliance a constitution monarchy. Another, a democracy, the Queen has the chance of
being the Prime Minister if elected—"
"Either way the Silver Alliance is dead," Nike said, interrupting the Mercurian
Princess. "We must come up with something that is strong and under one ruler if Eros'
plan is to succeed."
"Will the planets swear their loyalty to Terra?" Jamie asked her.
Eros shook her head, "As Queen of Venus, I cannot not see myself bowing to this
planet." She looked at Endymion and said, "I don't mean to offend you, but our planets
were enemies before your mother married Helios. High God Daghda Belenus de Danaan
challenged my grandfather King Anchises for my grandmother's hand before he wedded
your grandmother and the two warred even after Daghda had married Danu Erda. Peace
final came when your mother assumed her throne and she made the initial overtures
towards my mother."
"Gaia was fearless woman," Queen Serenity said with a wistful smile as she
remembered her friend. "She broke into the moon palace and appealed to my mother to
sent her to Magellan to speak to Aphrodite. She went dressed as a palace Guard and I
escorted her all the way. She was completely guileless, she talked constantly, babbled on
for hours about Terra and how Silver Millennium looked on the surface of Terra and how
she liked our palace, how she wished she could travel to all the planets, and flowers." She
let out a small laugh, "She loved roses. And after she returned to Terra she sent both
Aphrodite and myself bushels of roses?"
"Peach roses," Eros smiled as she remembered watching her beautiful warrior
mother tolling laboriously in her private garden caring for her roses. "My mother hated
flowers or anything that overly feminine, but she loved those roses. But I always
wondered about the color."
"Gaia thought that Magellan was truly beautiful, towering golden buildings,
dark yellow seas, amber trees, russet colored ground and the plants were a variety of
yellows and gold. She said it was like looking at the sun, it was beautiful but it needed
color, something that would complement it by not detract from Magellan's beauty, so she
chose peach roses." The Queen told her. "For my palace Gaia gave us red roses. She
started the tradition of giving gifts as a peace offering."
"So what will it take for the planets to accept Endy as the head of a new
Alliance?" Kris asked them.
"The possible re emergence of Sol," Serenity suggested, "Endymion, it is your
decision."
Endy had been waiting for her to say it rather than himself. He closed his eyes
briefly as he said, "Sol was bequeathed to me along with Elysium when my father died."
He opened his eyes and looked at the four Senshi rulers and asked "Will that satisfy you
and make the this transition any easier?"
They each looked uneasy, Athena Diana spoke up then with news that was going
to shock them all. "As a keeper of all the records and relics of the Solar System," she said
quietly, "I believe that it's not necessary for Endymion to ask for what is rightfully his."
Eros was looking at her with a wild look in her eyes, "I hope you are planning to
explain what you just said, Athena."
"I am," she took a deep breath and said, "When the Silver Alliance was created,
it was only an exertion of the ruling Golden Alliance. Helios temporarily transferred the
care of the system into the hands of his Guardian, Queen Selene who was then just his
Solar Senshi and chief guard. It's the same position the Queen holds today and the
Princess after her. They protect the universe but are not technically its chosen rulers."
"So, what you are saying the Queen is not our Queen?" Kore asked, slowly, she
was still reeling from this turn of events.
"Something like that," Athena told her, "But she is our overlord and defers only
to Helios—"
"Great Juno." Nike fell back in her chair and just shook her head.
"So what are you saying?" Kore asked, trying to keep the hysterical timber from
her voice. "What are you trying to tell us about our Kingdom—"
"Who the hell do we serve?" Apollo demanded. Composure be damned, he did
not want to deal with Endymion, just serving him as Andrew had taken years off his life.
"Calm down," Athena snapped angrily, "I am just telling you the facts, I don't
need any of you jumping down my throat…"
"Then you should have kept your mouth shut." Apollo shot back, he was just as
peeved.
"Now, children," the Queen said tersely, "Control yourselves."
Endymion had closed his eyes again and bowed his head, he didn't feel all that
great, and the bickering Senshi were only making things worst.
Serena glanced over at him while Apollo and Athena continued their battle of
words and noticed the slightly green hue around his now pallid features. "Endy," she
asked softly, her voice mirrored her concern.
He opened his eyes to see her staring at him and the worried look was on her
beautiful face and he forced a slight smile to his lips to reassure her. "I'm alright, Sere."
He said raspy.
Kris had also been observing his brother through this entire ordeal spoke up.
"No, you're not," contradicting him and bringing more unwanted attention to the King.
"When you found out that you were the Crown Prince, you had panic attacks for weeks
and it took Artemis and Terran months to get you to accept your throne. If the though of
ruling a planet distressed you, this must be making you physically ill."
Endy glared at him, "What are you, my doctor?"
Kris shook his head, "No, I'm your brother and your best friend." He said
reassuringly, "I know you, Endymion, I know this doesn't sit well with you. We don't
have time to coax you out of the woods, you have to accept this as part of your duty as
King of Terra and Protector of Elysium."
"I know my duties," Endy said harshly, "And I know who I am—"
"So go vomit and pace for an hour," Kris said with a cheeky grin, "I'm sure the
Princess Serenity will keep you company—"
"Hey, you inpertent little bastard," Bella cried, half rising.
"I meant to keep him out of Elysium." Kris said quickly, defending himself.
"What do you think I meant?"
A fiery blush stained Bella's cheeks, but she held herself up proudly. "Nothing,
other than that."
"Why are you blushing, Aunt Bella?" Darien asked innocently.
"Shut up." She told him.
Serena threw a grape at her, "Don't tell my kid to shut up."
"You haven't given birth to him therefore he isn't you kid, yet, your Highness."
Bella pointed out.
"In loco parentis ergo sum." Serena said smugly.
Bella looked at her strangely and then cried, "What?"
Athena laughed, "It's old terran dialect," she told her fuming friend. "Sere and I
have been studying all the old languages of the System."
"You two are strange." Bella told her. "What did she say anyway?"
"Since neither of his parents are here, Serenity has assumed her parental rights
over her son." Athena said breezily.
"Alright, that is well and good," Kris said briskly, "But can we focus here?
Your Majesty," Four Queens and two Kings turned to him. "I meant Queen Serenity."
"Next time clarify," Kore smiled at him.
"I'll remember than next time, Persephone." He said sheepishly.
Endy pushed his chair back and practically ran from the dinning room.
"What's wrong with him?" Eros asked pointing.
"The implications of what was said has finally sunk into his brain and he's
sick." Kris said nonchalantly.
"Shouldn't someone go after him?" Serena asked worriedly.
"Not unless you want to watch him puke out his brains for the next fifteen
minutes." Jamie said.
"I don't get it?" Kore confessed.
"Does he have a fear of responsibility?" Xanthe asked.
Kris shook his head, "I don't know," he told them, "He's always been like this, in
both lifetimes. If Endy could, he would just stay in Elysium—"
"Like Helios." Serenity said thoughtfully.
"I guess. I asked Artemis about it once, but he said he did not know why he did
it either."
"Elysium is infused with a comforting presence," Serenity told him, "It's
possible that he is communing with the Gods or the planets or the entire System. And the
thought of being taken away from it is what causes his distress."
"Lord Helios did remove himself to Elysium after the Senshi Wars," Kore
reminded her, "Maybe Endymion requires the same seclusion—"
"He is also of Terra and is a child of the Great Gods." Bella told her, "All of us
as descendants and ecopaths require—no we need to feel our planets and receive certain
nutrients that our souls need. He seclude himself in Elysium, for if he could, in the world
Ananke was trying to create, Serenity could have filled Terra with every crystal she could
find and he would have still survived and been stronger than that Neo-Queen."
"Point taken," Kore said.
"So I take it that we are going to establish the Golden Alliance?" Athena asked
Queen Serenity quietly.
"It depends on the planets and the other rulers and Endymion himself." She told
her.
"Wait a minute," Mike said, "Endy's coronation is two weeks."
"That's right," Apollo said. "We have to put off the attack, Eros."
She raised a brow in question. "No we don't."
"Yes, we do." Kris told her, "We need to set up the Alliance, and there will be
tons of paper work that needs to be handled, treaties with the planets, finalization of
plans—"
She wanted to scream in frustration. "You want us to wait until after your King's
coronation to take on the Accursed One and the Dark Moon?" She asked in a deceptively
calm tone.
"Actually, Eros," Apollo spoke up, "It's a pretty good idea."
"How so?"
"For starters, we could use the event as a chance to introduce the System and
Terra to each other and begin talks about the formation of the Golden Alliance."
"Yeah, it's just propaganda and hype," Jamie threw in, showing on his true
talents, "We can show all the planets the type of leader Endy is, show him participating in
the intergalactic discussions, showing true interest in the intergalactic affairs and let him
voice his support for the Silver Alliance."
"But we don't want the Silver Alliance," Nike reminded him, "We are trying to
establish the Golden one."
Jamie held up his left hand, "Just hear me out, your Divine Majesty," he winked
at her, then went on. "Will Endy is showing his support for a unified Solar System with
one ruler, Queen Serenity could start endorsing him, you know, praising his intelligence,
his wisdom in political matters and diplomatic skills. Just make him look and sound
pretty damn unbelievable. Then Kore or Nike, maybe both of you could start in talking
about Helios and Xanthe, you can remind your aunt that Endy is the Guardian's son and
the King of Mercury, if we can persuade him to our side, he can boost Endy's rep some
more, by telling her what type of leader he and remind her of how Helios fought valiantly
against the little bitch in the second war—"
"Don't worry about my father," Athena Diana told him, "Endymion has his full
support if the Queen will endorse him."
"The same goes for my grandfather as well," Bella said, "Mars will follow our
Queen's will."
Queen Serenity smiled at them both, "Thank you, my children." She said quietly.
Endy returned, wiping his mouth with his handkerchief. He dropped down into his
vacated chair. Kris patted his back compassionately as he handed him a breath mint.
Jamie nodded tersely and continued with his plotting. "To sew this entire web up,
we will have to create a love story. Now, Princess, I know Endy's been nothing short of
a pain in your Royal tush, but now, for the sake of expediency and the preservation of all
like in the Solar System, will you fall in love with our King?"
Serena looked as if she were going to laugh.
"Why don't I just cook up a love potion?" Eros snickered, "We have more
chance for success that way."
"Better yet, let's just get one of the Princesses of Neptune to moon over him."
Kore interjected, "Get it, *moon* over him, the King of Terra?"
The Senshi got it and round of bad jokes continued from the Imperial Guardians
of the Silver Millennium. That is until their princess and comrade decided to put an end
to tall speculations and the teasing.
Quietly, Serena pushed her chair back and stood up. She walked around to the
other side of the table to were Endy sat; She took his face in her hands and lowered her
mouth to his in a long, slow, deep kiss.
No one was expecting that which was obvious with all the bulging eyes and slack
jaws from Senshi and guardians alike. As she pulled away, Endy followed with a little
peck on her slightly bruised lips and she smiled slightly as he grinned roguishly.
Luckily, Serena remembered the others or she would have enjoyed taking that
grin off Endymion's face and leaving him speechless in the process. She winked at him
before returning to her seat. Calmly, she picked up her glass of juice and took a long slip,
completely aware of all the eyes on her and she smirked.
"While you all were in those chambers, Endy and I came to an understanding."
Endy sat back with a satisfied look on his face, "Please continue, Jade."
Jamie shook of his surprise and grinned lecherously at the two, "You dirty dog,
Endymion."
"What your mouth," Nike warned him, "She is our Princess, and you are
dangerous ground."
"James, for the sake of your well-being, I'd suggest you get on with it and then
everyone can go his or her own separate ways," Serena told him.
Jamie looked at Nike fearfully and swallowed hard. "Okay, since you and Endy
are now on speaking terms," he coughed to cover up his own amusement. "Try to work it
out in slow stages, you know the initial curiosity, infatuation and then the hanky panky,
but get caught by the other nobles, and when the issue is brought before the Queen, Eros
can announce that they are soul mates. This should be done at a ball or something after
the coronation when the entire planet is watching." He paused as he remembered her
reaction to Apollo and Xanthe's souls bonding. "Can you do it with all the lights, magic,
and dancing like you did on Jupiter?"
Eros nodded, a delighted smile graced her lips, "I will have the Priestess of
Aphrodite singing and praising, flowers raining down, sparkling lights, the works."
Endy was aghast at the though, but Jamie was caught up in the moment and
continued to contribute ideas. "We can make white doves appear, rainbows, and roses."
"What the hell are you planning?" Endy snapped, "All she has to do as say were
are soul mates…"
"But we want to make this believable," Jamie cried in protest. "This is to be a
blessing from the Gods, a truly sacred event that will make it easier for the people to
accept her when you two do eventually marry and it will allow the others planets to see
that you like their rulers, but then you are more, you are Helios' son and heir, you are the
ruler of the Golden Alliance and Serenity is your chosen mate, your gift from the Gods
and they will accept you."
Serena threw a grape at him, her silver eyes flashing dangerously. "Did you just
refer to me as a present?" she growled.
Jamie shook his head, bemoaning his fate. "It was a figure of speech, your most
kind and loveliest Highness." He said smoothly. He looked up at her, his hazel eyes
beguiling, "For you are truly a beauty beyond compare. I did not mean for what I said to
be an insult, I only meant, in my humble, yet in adequate ways of praising one so fair that
Gods themselves had to have been inspired to create a lady as beautiful and ethereal as
you, lovely Princess." He watched as the fire and fight died in her eyes and she had been
seduced by his words and he had been saved. He turned to his fellows, looking rather
proud of himself, before turning to the cold, deadly now black eyes of Endymion and he
suddenly wished it was Princess he was facing.
"Me and my big mouth," he moaned as he dropped his head into his hands.
Endy was still staring daggers into him as he ground out, "You got that right."
"Lord Jadeite," Eros said a bit breathlessly, "Your impassioned speech, it was
truly inspired."
"It was like music," Xanthe whispered. "Such a speech. I wish someone would
make a verse like that for me."
Apollo turned his angry glare on the poor Guardian.
Even the ever composed Kore was taken with his little verse. Jadeite might have
earned the animosity of best friends, but for the moment he had the protection of the
seven most powerful women in the universe and not even Endy would dare challenge
them.
They ended their talks for the day with plans of actions for the moment and things
to think about. Serena and returned to the training room, this time with Bella, a sword
Senshi. Endy had television appearances and interviews as well as couple photo shoots,
which left everyone else free to do whatever they needed to do before round two of their
talks.
They met in Endy's private sitting room a few hours after dinner. Terran and
Artemis had decided to join them after their earlier meeting with Kris and Eros and they
had brought Umino along at Endymion's request.
Serena was lounging on the floor before the hearth with her right leg propped p on
Erebus back. Endy sat on the opposite side, a dark golden glow emitting from his hands
that hovered over the Princess' injured leg.
"I knew it was broken." Bella yelped in pain as Kore set her fractured right arm.
Kore glared at the Fire Senshi and demanded, "What were you two doing, trying to kill
each other?"
Troy shook his head sadly, "They were trying to destroy our house." He told her.
"Those were titanium walls! Titanium!" He cried, "The windows are quartz with a
diamond coating, and they managed to destroy the room."
"Stop your whining," Bella snarled. "We just going at it with half our power."
She glanced at Serena, her eyes burning with a multitude of questions, but she asked the
most prevalent one. "Princess, how did you manage to stay my attacks? Even at half
power, I should have been able to defeat you easily."
Serena moved her once broken leg experimental and then sat up right as she
scratched Erebus behind his ears, a slightly thoughtful frown on her face. "I don't know,"
she said. She looked to her mother for answers, "Could it that I react to the Senshi's own
increase in power and strength?"
"I would assume that to be correct," Serenity told her, but even she did not seem
certain. "I was more power than my Senshi when were together, but I never questioned it,
I just accepted it as who I was and went from there. However, we can discuss this later,
right now let's find out were everyone is and plan for our next move."
"Well what can really do now other than wait?" Mike asked, opening the
dialogue for them.
"We will strategize," Eros told them. "It's imperative that we begin our initial
ground work for the destruction of Nemesis and plan for any possible counterattacks by
either the Dark Moon or the Accursed One or both."
"Eros, we should contact our home worlds as soon as possible and in my case
bring the Queen up to speed on what we shall be doing and our timeframe."
"Same here," Bella said, "Both Athena and I are here as representative of our
governments, we will need to see our Kings in person and let them know what's going
on."
"I must go to Uranus," Apollo told her. "I've spoken to the ministers and told
them of Atalanta's death and they support my succession, but I do need to be there to
claim my throne in person and present myself to the people."
"Then go," Eros told them. "Pluto will take you and Xanthe to your worlds
before she enters the chamber, we want everything all taken care of before we start to
fight. Bella, before you leave, I have a message for Ares. Athena, I'm sorry, but I do need
you here." She turned to the blue haired Mercian Princess, "Is there a way for you to just
send a transmission to Hermes before we all leave this planet?"
Athena Diana nodded, "I will do so once we have completed our business here."
Eros smiled gratefully at her, "Thank you, my friend." She reached out and patted
her folded hands. "Kore, once Patricia has completed her training, I want you to show
Patricia the Outer Gates and how to monitor them. And if you have time, can you run
through Tartarus and check to see if Ananke is there with Atalanta."
"Of course, Eros," Kore replied, "I was going to suggest that myself."
Eros nodded, "Nike, I want you to put together two inspection teams made up of
two members each from all the planets and send them to Pluto and Charon. I want to
know if there any Dark Moon agents or supporters on either one. All parties are to be
eliminated, there will be no trials or arrest, I want total eradication of all the factions."
"You are talking war," Kris pointed out to her.
Eros shook her head, "This is still Serenity's Kingdom and Pluto and its moons
are apart of it jurisdiction." A devilish smile graced her lips, "We are just checking over
the place as we have the right and I'm sending a message to the Accursed One and it's
lackey."
Nike flashed her a merciless grin, "It take that you want a few object lessons,
Eros?" She asked smoothly.
"The messier the better," Eros returned ruthlessly. "We want the Dark Moon to
know that we mean to protect this system and our Rulers and we will not play any of their
childish games, we will annihilate them."
"Will you be commandeering any terrans?" Kris asked, his ice colored eyes
were cool.
"Nope," Eros said brightly, "When Endymion told me to train you all as Senshi,
he made all of the soldiers of Terra Senshi and they are mine to command as well as all
of you."
"So we are still going with the plan to present the extraterrestrials to the
planet?" Jamie asked.
Endy nodded, "I want this to be done in grand style. The whole nine yards from
the beginning to the end, with Queen Serenity leading all the monarchs to Terra. Eros,"
he turned to Venusian Queen, "I want all the planets to being a small entourage of twenty
courtiers and fifty Senshi representing every part of their planets and their moons." He
rubbed Erebus coat thoughtfully, "Serena, you, my dear, are to be the perfect, innocent
fragile princess that everyone dreams of. I want my people to fall in love you." He leaned
forward and brushed his lips over hers.
"What are you going to do about Darien?" Bella asked them.
Serena looked up at Endy and he shrugged, "Since he looks like me, he will stay
here." He though of his son, the time traveler, who currently asleep in the room next door
to his own and smiled. "Until this mess is over we will say that he's mine and Kris'
younger cousin from America. The kid and I have already discussed it and he will go
along with the idea."
Eros looked at her Senshi questioning, they had nothing further to contribute until
they had for filled their duties and assignments. "We have nothing more to say," she
declared, "Terrans, is there anything you wish to discuss or add to any thing that might be
relevant to any of our missions?"
Endy did not know if she was being sarcastic or what, maybe it was just the way
Eros said that, but he knew that he felt offended.
Artemis must have sensed the sudden hostility from the terrans and their King,
because he shook his head at the Queen of Venus. She looked at him, then at the others
and blushed slightly.
"Oh, I did not mean sound so condescending," she told them, "I meant that we,
the Senshi, have nothing more to add, but we might have missed something or one of you
have a better idea of how something could be accomplished or—"
Endy held open his left hand, a small grin graced his lips as he said, "No more,
Eros, we all accept your apology and I apologize on all of our behalf."
Serena was looking at him like he was crazy. "What hell?" She whispered. She
was in complete shock. As was his closest friends and his teachers as well as Umino and
Apollo. Umino dropped his laptop from his nerveless hands and his jaw fell open.
Apollo's left eye was twitching violently. Never in all the years he had know the
madman had he ever, ever heard Endymion apologize to anyone. He'd berate, insult and
reduce a person to tears, but apologize…
Troy got up and started to leave the room, but he stopped at the door and just sat
down right there. Mike looked out of window to make sure that Heavens were not
collapsing in on themselves and Jamie was muttering to himself.
"Endy," Kris asked cautiously. His voice shook slightly with fear, "Bro, are you
alright?"
Endymion was not amused, "This is why I am never nice to any of you." He said
coldly, "Whenever I behave, you all start going off acting like the damn world is about to
end or something." He crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. "Next time I'll just
punch someone in their teeth, will that make me seem normal?" Then he muttered,
"Assholes."
Serena smacked him on the arm. "Watch your mouth," she scolded him. "Jamie is
present."
"Hey!" the blond guardian cried defensively.
"Whatever," Endy said tersely. He stood up and went to long table that served
as his desk and sat down in his chair. "Artemis, I want to bring Caroline in on a small
part of this."
Kris sat up as if he had been shot. "Hell no." He shouted angrily.
"Now I know you have flipped," Jamie said, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Endy
have you forgotten how that woman is?"
Endy nodded, "I know who is she and what she is and those are the very reason I
say bring her in." He looked at them then not as their friend, but their leader and King. "I
more reason than any of you to hate that woman. Some of them only Kris and Terran
know of, then there are more they know nothing of. But none of that has anything to do
with my decision or my will to protect this System and Elysium."
"Then why would you want her brought into this?" Kris asked him. "Endymion,
that woman has gone out of her way to ruin your life. She hates you in a way that no
normal parent could feel for their own child."
An inaudible gasp escaped Serena's lips, she looked at each brother, and her heart
broke for their pain. Queen Serenity had gone to her daughter and was holding her tight.
Their crystal hearts could not comprehend the hurt and negative feelings coming from
Kris and Endymion.
"It has no bearing on me," Endy nearly growled at his brother. "We need her to
perform certain things while we prepare for war."
"Things?" Kris spat, "What can that bat do that any one of us is incapable of
doing?"
Endy looked him over and smirked, "Will you have time to plan all those parties
and ceremonies for the coming of the Lunar Queen and her court?" Kris did not answer.
"I though so."
"So you want the bit—witch to be a party planner?" Jamie asked, hoping to
divert the brothers attention for each other. That did not work as their tension soared and
then everything seemed to become calm and both Endy and Kris began to glow, a faint
incandescent light formed around them. Jamie and the other's thinking the worst, started
to run for cover.
Bella just happened to look over at the two Lunarian Royals and noticed that they
were going, but the light was stronger and the insignias on their brows were flashing
dangerously.
"Eros," Bella cried out in fright, "The Queen."
Eros pulled her eyes from Kris and saw that had caused the sudden change in the
two and jumped. "Kore, Athena," she snapped, "Get them out of here. Nike and Bella,
with me. Artemis, help Endymion before the spell gets any deeper into his soul."
Athena and Kore went to their Queen and Princess and rushed them from the
room. Neither Serenity had known that they had started to glow and spirits had begun to
reach out to heal the pain and to remove the source. So much darkness almost triggered a
complete healing of their souls and wipe away Endymion's and Kris' desire to fight,
which would have ruined all of their battle plans. A faint gold light appeared around
Endy to counter the effects of the Queen and Princess. With a painful cry, Endy collapsed
almost falling out of his chair, but Terran and Artemis were at his side, Terran caught him
and pulled him up.
Endy had subconsciously released his brother from the spell at the same time,
catching the three Senshi off guard when the giant white haired youth fell back on the
unawares Bella.
The Princess of Mars screamed in protest at the sudden weight. "Get him off me!"
Eros grasped him around the waist, Nike moved behind him and together they got
him up, Bella crawled away from him, Eros and Nike eased Kris onto a couch and the
Queen of Jupiter laid a gentle hand over his brow to search out any coercion caused by
either Queen Serenity or Serena.
"Kris," Eros cried worriedly as she tapped his face. "How do you feel?"
A happy smile graced his stoic features as he looked up at his fiancée, "I feel
Bella rolled her eyes as he continued to babble.
"The effects are temporary," Nike told Eros, "He should be able to sleep it off."
Terran hoisted Endy up and half carried-half pulled him towards his bedroom,
praying that they made it to the toilet or any kind of receptacle before Endy cleared his
stomach.
"He's not going to make it." Came Artemis frenzied cry. He turned over the
metal waste basket then rushed after them and shoved it under Endy's face. Both he and
Terran turned their heads away as he emptied the contents of his stomach for the second
time that day.
Apollo whistled, "I guess all that positive emotion and empathy doesn't agree
with Endy's black heart."
Kore returned and reported to Eros that the Queen and Princess had gone to their
chambers. Terran carried Endy to his room while Artemis, Artemis handed the bucket to
Troy and ordered him to clean it.
He then turned to the others, "Endymion knows what he wants Caroline to do, it
will not have anything to do with the Senshi," he said when he saw Eros start to question
him. "This meeting is over. Senshi, I wish you all luck in your missions and may the
Gods bless you all." He turned to the terran Guardians, "Gentlemen, we have our own
duties to attend to."
Eros rose and the Senshi with her and faced them. "All of you, good luck and will
meet in ten days." She turned to Persephone and held out her right hand, "You do not
have to enter the chamber with her." She told her, "But you are to be commended for
doing so."
Kore took her hand. "I am her superior," she said formally. "I would be remised
were I to send one of my Senshi in alone."
"If I were not needed out here, I would accompany you both." Eros embraced
her. "May Selene and Aphrodite guide you."
"And may Selene and Hades protect you." Kore replied in kind as she stepped
back from her friend. Then she smiled wry. "See you in a thousand years, Commander."
"Until then, my Senshi." Eros whispered.
Kore let Eros go and turned to Patricia. "Pluto, let us depart." Apollo and Xanthe
step forward, the saluted Eros and then stepped behind the Senshi of Saturn.
"My friends," Eros said. "Be well. And may the gods keep you all."
Kore nodded to Patricia. Patricia raised her right hand and the crystal key
appeared in her hand and then she rapped it on the floor three times and they were
surrounded in a garnet light and then they were gone.
Eros turned to Bella and Nike, "Come to my room," she told. "I will give you the
message for Ares and Nike, we can finalize our plans before you are to depart."
"Umino," Artemis said, "Accompany them, you have full authority of the crown
to dispense the assistance that Eros ask for."
Umino bowed to him and then he picked up his laptop and followed the three
Senshi out of the room.
The Guardians left shortly after, Jamie and Mike carrying the sleeping Kris.
"God, this kid's gotta go on a diet," Jamie gasped. "He weights a freaking ton!"
"Quit your whining," Terran barked, "Two female Senshi were able to lift him
and put him on a couch."
"Then they could carry him to his room." Mike said tersely.
"Are you saying that two women are stronger than you?" Terran asked
sarcastically.
Jamie and Mike looked at one another over Kris's broad back and then back at
their mentor. "Yes," they replied in unison.
Terra gave them disappointed looks and just ordered them out. Troy followed
with the bucket as far away from himself as possible.
Artemis and Terran were the only two left excluding Erebus in Endy's sitting
room. The two long time comrades looked at each other in and by unspoken agreement
both collapsed on various pieces of furniture. A decanter of brandy appeared on the
coffee table with two glasses.
Artemis looked at it and groaned, "I'm still recovering from my training session
with the Princess."
Terran gave him a dirty look, but he poured them both drinks and handed the
other to the long haired hippy as he liked to think of his oldest friend. He returned to seat
near the hearth, Erebus had moved over to its side and the big wolf was resting
peacefully. Darien had been running the great wolf ragged all day.
"Sleep well my friend," Terran told him as he reached down to scratch him
behind his ears. "This Endymion has none of the reserve of our Master."
Artemis glanced at the wolf and then laughed, "I never thought I would see the
day that animal run from anyone. But he did today when Darien wasn't looking."
Terran laughed as well, "And to think, in the future there are going to be three
more just like him."
Their laughed stopped and both men downed their drinks and had another.
Artemis shook his head in disbelief. "Why?" He asked no one in particular,
"Raising one was bad enough, but four?" He gulped the fiery liquid then poured himself
another. "Are the Gods trying to punish us?"
Terran laughed at him, "You are lucky that you can't become drunk or you would
have a serious problem."
Artemis flashed him a goofy grin, "It's the Venusian blood," he told him. "King
Dionysus V created the special enzymes in all the guardians and soldiers bodies that keep
us all alert incase of attack no matter how much we drink."
"Good enzyme," Terran grunted.
Artemis nodded his agreement, "It's the best, it just has this one side effect." He
glanced at Terran, "Everything runs through us like water."
Terran had been in act of drinking, but upon hearing that he spewed out his drink.
Artemis valiantly fought the grin which threaten to appear on his face. "But other than
that, it's a wonder enzyme." His demeanor suddenly became serious. He locked outside
at the mountains that surrounded them and had hidden their school for the last thousand
years from the prying eyes of the world and those beyond. But in the little protected shell,
Artemis could not shake the feelings that someone or something was watching them.
"We will have to raise the Golden Palace," Terran deep, rumbling voice broke
the tense silence that had descended on them.
Artemis said nothing for a long time. Terran knew that Artemis was thinking,
Endy had picked that annoying habit up from the white haired man, but with Artemis, he
knew it was not meant to be insulting.
"We will have to prevail on Endymion to rise all of Atlantis to do so." Artemis
sat up, Princess Serenity had done a number on his back, he was lucky that his spine was
still intact. "Will we want the world to watch."
Terran shrugged, "I was thinking that we just raise the palace and transport it to
some nice quiet part of the world without destroy and oceans or causing the massive title
waves that could wipe out half of the world's population."
"Do you think Endymion can do it?"
"He carries Elysium around like it's some pocket toy, I think he can managed to
raise a old palace from the bottom of the sea."
Artemis looked at the other man irritably, "I hate it when you are flip."
"Sue me." Terran told him laughingly. Then he sobered. "Well, Art, do you
think this is going to work?" He asked, worry tinting his words.
Artemis shook his head and shrugged, "To be honest my friend, I am not sure."
He said, "There are just too many wild cards, and everything is unpredictable."
"It believe Eros has the good idea," Terran nodded, "We should strike first, hard
and fast."
"Eros is going to love you." Artemis laughed.
"Ack!" Terran cried irritably, "You keep your crazy Queen away from me."
"Ah, come on, Terran," Artemis teased, "I think you would make me an
excellent son-in-law!"
"What?" the Royal Guardian of Terra shouted in horror.
Darien started at the bellow, but then calmed down when he recognized Terran's
hearty voice. The little boy looked back at the bed were his father's younger self slept in
a magically induced sleep and he crept forward.
Darien had awoken from a nightmare and had forgotten for a moment that he was
not in his home. He left the small room that Endymion had set aside for him and came
here looking for a familiar comfort.
He climbed up onto the bed and snuggled down next to the dark haired young
man.
"Goodnight Mama, Mani, and babies." He whispered. He fought the tears rising
in his eyes and whispered, "Goodnight, Father."
Endy reached out and pulled the little boy close, "Goodnight, son." He mumbled
sleepily. He yawned, "Don't worry, Darien, I will protect you and your mother."
Darien looked up at him expecting him to be awake, but Endy fast asleep so
Darien decided to follow his example. If his father said he was going to do something the
young Prince knew to believe him.
"So do you think it's going to work?" Bella asked she hurried through the Great
Castle of Mars with Serena and Eros at her side..
Serena nodded. "Naru is going to cover going to cover me if we are late."
"And Athena will be leading the first meeting in place," Eros told her. She stood
up and strapped on her sword belt. "It's not like the chamber, but your grandfather can
manipulate it that it will seem like we've been in here for three years. She looked at
Serena and nodded. "Are your ready Cosmos."
Serena's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't start, Eros," She said darkly.
"Get used to it," Eros told her. She looked at the flame haired Princess and said,
"Bella, open the door."
Serena checked her sword belt and drew her weapon. "Let's do this."
"May Selene and Ares strengthen you." Bella told them.
The two blondes nodded their farewells then stepped into the chamber and the
door disappeared.
"May the Gods bless us." Bella prayed.
Anyone if favor Book One being reposted? If you were wondering why it's taking me so
long to put chapters, that's sort of the reason, well one of the reasons why; I've been
editing Books One & Two and I've made changes in One that based off what's been
written in this book and I've been tossing around the idea of reposting. I think I should
wait until I've finished with this, but then who in their right mind other than me would re-
read this once put up a second time?
I'm just rambling, it's time for me to work on something else.
Later
Sean.
Remember: NO FLAMES, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS DON'T READ IT.
honestly didn't know what any of you were talking about, until I had a chance to see it
for myself and I really don't know what happened. That was just awful and I apologized
to all had to read it.
Anyhoo, let's get to the special hellos and thanks.
Special Hello and Thank Yous to: Min (Hi. Sorry about the hard read, it threw me for a
loop as well.) Deny (What's up and thanks as usual. Those two Senshi are a surprise and
the reason for why they were there—well you and everyone else will just have to wait,
that's an even bigger surprise. ::Winks:: As for the updating thing, since I'm posting on
the run and haven't been reading anything myself, I really don't have an answer for why
it's doing that.) [Hey, if anyone can answer Deny's question, please do and let me
know too, I'm kinda out of the loop here. Thanks a bunch ^_^! S. W.] Ame. Serenity
(::Runs away screaming in terror:: Just kidding. Yes, you won the first battle, but I'm
back with balloons filled with shaving cream. Top that. Okay, what did you say? Okay, I
made you happy, but you know me, I'm going to have fun. A. S., do you have to ask,
c'mon now. Keep your sugar, drink tea, but don't ask that question, everyone knows the
answer to that question. What can I say, the men are civilized (aka wusses.) [For all
General, dark Kings, four horsemen fans, that's a joke. I love those guys, but this is a
Senshi butt-kicking and shaking off the stereotypes fic and for me personally washing the
entire Nega Moon Series out of my head. Especially that episode when Rei was fighting
Catzi at the shrine for the second time and Rei's all wimpy and sentimental. I haven't felt
clean since I saw that the first time. ::Shudders::] Alright, now that I have gotten out of
my system. As for Saffir, I hadn't thought of him as being anything other than worm
food. Remember that everyone associated with Nemesis in the future do exist in the
alternative timeline that Darien is from and they are not out planning the destruction of
Terra or to end Endymion and Serenity's (Princess Serenity not her mother) rule of the
system. If I were to say more here, I wouldn't have anything to put into the story. But you
have given me something to think about, so we will see. I don't care for Rubius either.
But the traitor was Pluto, Diamond just doesn't know which one, he doesn't know about
Patricia, let me just say this, as far as he's concern it was Ananke who betrayed them, but
the Accursed One knows what really happened and doesn't feel the need to share with the
pawns. As for the Dark Moon plotting against the Accursed One, I can say this without
giving anything away, nope. Remember, Diamond wants to be her daddy. On to
paragraph three: Since this is the last book for this Series, everything is coming out, what
you though you knew in the first and second book does not apply here, so everything just
didn't end with Beryl and Ananke started over anew with fresh blood, nor did it start with
Beryl, she was a pawn. In the second book, Kore said that she and Ananke saw six
versions of the future, five had peace, the sixth promised destruction and the rebirth of
Chaos, now I'm barrowing from other authors here and bringing about the seven deadly
sins, each as a major villain from the Sailor Moon Universe representing each sin and
serving the greatest evil. Did the Accursed One possess Ananke? Yes. Why did one of
the most powerful Senshi succumb to the powers of darkness, I will address that later as
the story progresses. Naw, she didn't hook up with any of them. She doesn't care about
Diamond romantically, he was just a pawn to her. And to you, evil author with a water
gun, I don't know what happened. I didn't write it like that and most defiantly did not
save it like that, but I am sorry. Don't chase me! Ame. Sere, I think you just asked every
question for all the other reviewers. Feel proud, if anyone had a question, I'm sure the
answer is in this reply somewhere. You go, girl.) Dove (Hey, thanks a mill. Sorry I
haven't e-mailed when I update, but I'm doing all my updating on the run.) Kuroi
(Hello.) Nene (Hi. Welcome back) Shinigami (Hello. I was going to post this chapter this
morning then I saw you review and I must know, are you Amethyst Serenity? Just
kidding. I have to answer your questions, but there are just so many. I promise, I will
have your answer in my notes in chapter ten. It took me five days to write this chapter
and I wanna post before I decide to make changes. But thank you, and please wait for
Ten.)
Chapter Nine
With the Moon Princess and the future Heir of Terra fed, the war council
continued.
"I'm still in favor of an all out assault," Eros declared as she put her cup of tea
aside. "We have the man power and since the reestablishment of the planetary kingdoms,
we have the Senshi. We can lead a raid into Nemesis' proper and in two or three days
wipe out all life on that floating piece of black crud and then destroy it."
"And throw Pluto's rotation off course." Troy told her.
Eros' eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't try to steal my thunder," she warned him. "I
have though about that and I am working on a possible outcome that will not destroy the
Solar System."
But Troy was not intimidated, "You are not thinking, Eros. Pluto's gravity is
supported by two moons, those moons hold the in it's rotation around the sun. If Pluto
were to sent a kilter, it will cause a chain reaction in the entire Solar System that will
disrupt the revolutions or worst."
Eros glared at him then turned to Athena Diana.
"It's one of many possibilities," the Mercurian Princess answered her
commander. "A way of preventing that from occurring would be to increase the power of
the garnet crystal and it's carrier."
"We have to make Patricia stronger," Eros said dubiously.
Athena nodded, "She would have to become as strong if not stronger than
Ananke. But we don't have millenniums to wait—"
"She will have to enter a chamber then." A frown appeared on her golden
brow as she tapped her finger nails on the table top. "Patricia is there a way to accelerate
the time you spend in one of those rooms?"
The Guardian of Pluto looked to her Queen, then she nodded hesitantly, "I do
believe so. How fast would you like it to be, Eros?"
"A hundred years a day."
It was as if all sound had been sucked out of the room. Patricia was staring at Eros
wildly.
"A hundred years?" the former terran soldier croaked.
Eros shook her head, "I want you in there for ten days—"
"A thousand years?" Kore whispered.
The terrans were watching this with interest. No one lived past a hundred years,
but a thousand? That was sheer madness, wasn't it?
"We need you be stronger than Ananke," Eros told Patricia, she ignored the
looks of fear and doubt on the other Senshi's face. "When Nemesis is destroyed, it going
to take every ounce of your power to hold your planet together and to keep it from flying
off its path. You are a Blessed Senshi now, blessed by the powers of your planet and
Chronos, but you are strong enough to support an entire planet in this form. Not even we,
as Alpha Senshi have that necessary strength."
"I understand why it must be done," Patricia told her, her soft brown eyes filled
with doubts as she looked at her, "It's just that I will die—"
"What?" Bella cried.
Nike smiled, then chuckled softly, "Eros, did someone forget to tell the recruit a
few things about a Planetary during her initiation?"
Eros wanted to laugh, but Patricia's fear was real and it would just be in poor taste
to laugh in her face. She would do it later.
"Pluto," she said after clearing her voice a couple times, "When you came to
Silver Millennium, you were exposed to the power of the Queen's crystal…"
"Of course, it was the cleansing ceremony," Patricia told her, she did not know
where this was going or what it had to do with her dying half a day of being in the
chamber.
"Well in that ceremony, you, along with the other terrans who were descendants
of peoples from the other planets were given longer life spans." Eros watched as
comprehension dawned on Patricia's face. "Then when you became a senshi you life span
took another meaning."
"You life became tied to mine and my mother's," Serena told her.
Endy was intrigued by this news.
"What do you mean, Princess?" Mike asked her.
"It's our bond to each other," She explained, "It's similar to a soul bond, which
Endy and I share, but for the Senshi and myself, it's like—I don't know how to explain
it?" She looked to Athena for help.
"Bonds are Eros and Bella's specialty, Sere, not mine." Athena told her.
"We are all tied to our leader," Bella told them, "A spiritual link was forged
with us on the day we took our oaths to protect our ruler and to do so we needed to know
where they were—sort of."
"You are saying you have a psychic lojack on the Moon Queen and Princess?"
Jamie asked skeptically.
"We are not cars, Mop." Serena snapped.
"Don't make me come over there, Princess," he sneered her title.
Serena tossed her head fearlessly, "Yeah, you can walk over but I can guarantee
that you will not be walking back."
The blond terran smirked, "You are all mouth, Princess."
Serena jumped up, throwing her napkin on to the table, "That's it, Mop-boy, you
are going down."
"Oooh, I'm afraid of a midget." He quailed in a mocking voice.
"My mama isn't a midget," Darien cried, jumping into the fray.
"Well she ain't exactly tall now is she, boy?" Jamie asked him.
Darien puffed himself up, the way he had seen his father do countless times when
he was ready to make his final declarations. "She is Cosmos, the most powerful senshi is
all the universes."
Jamie scoffed, "Not now she isn't."
Darien looked at Serena uncertainly. The Moon Princess was getting up and ready
to really hurt Jamie, but Endy beat her to it. The King of Terra leaned over and punched
his friend in the arm.
"Endy, we were just kidding," Jamie whined as he rubbed his sore arm.
Kris smacked him upside the head, "You upset my nephew, James," he growled,
"Now you are going to die."
Jamie paled then swallowed hard. "That's just ain't right, man."
"Excuse me," Eros snapped, "But we have work to do here. So let's focus,
people."
"I liked Eros better when she was a ditz." Jamie grumbled.
"I heard that." The Venusian Senshi said sharply.
Jamie dropped back into his seat and sulked. This was going to be a long
morning.
"After Patricia returns from the Chamber, I suggest that move towards our final
goal."
Nike pushed her plate away and looked at Eros firmly. "Are you prosing that
Terra and Venus attack Nemesis?"
"Of course not," Eros cried, "We, the Solar System go into this together—"
Nike shook her head, "You are asking us to shift our loyalty." She told her.
Eros frowned, "I don't understand your hesitation, Nike. I speak as leader of all
the forces of Silver Millennium, no one is shifting their loyalty."
"It seems as if you have adapted well to the terran rule," Nike said coolly. "You
defer to Endymion and have accepted him as your lord over Serenity—"
"Now wait a minute," Eros cried hotly. "I am loyal to my Queen and Princess."
"But you are not thinking as a planetary ruler," Nike retorted.
"You dare to insult me, Nike." Eros said dangerously.
Nike faced her bravely, "I do not say this to be hurtful or to reprimand you, my
sister, I just think you haven't thought about what we as rulers and our planets have gone
through since the Fall and our returns."
Eros made a silent 'ooh', then she sucked in a breath of air.
Endy looked from Eros to Nike, then to Queen Serenity. "What's going on, your
Majesty."
Serenity looked at him frankly, then she sighed, "The planets are nervous about
my rule."
"And?" He prodded.
"They believe me to be weak in will and judgement." She told him. She looked
at him expecting to find him either gloating or smirking, but was shocked to see the
serious look on his face and the frown creasing his brow.
"Ananke destroyed the planet's faith in the Lunar Monarchy?" He asked her.
She nodded, "In one solar year, there was to be meeting with all the planets to
discuss the revival of the Silver Alliance." She folded her napkin over neatly then put it
down. "What Nike was trying not to say and I am very grateful that she tried to protect
my dignity but this must be said, there is talk of replacing me as leader of the Alliance."
"With Serena?" He asked quickly.
Serenity shook her head, "No, but taking away all of our power and making Silver
Millennium a territory of Terra."
Kris whistled sharply. "Can they do this, your Majesty?" he asked respectfully.
"The planets have it within their power to chose who they want as their leader
and they have the power to hold my kingdom responsible for the collapse of the Silver
Alliance since it was my will to follow Ananke course for the future of the Silver
Millennium." She said with here head held high as she admitted her own lose of power
and the possibility of she losing her kingdom.
Endy was studying her over his steeple hands, his frown hidden behind his hands.
"Was there an alternative plan?"
"Several," Athena Diana answered him. "One thought is to making the Silver
Alliance a constitution monarchy. Another, a democracy, the Queen has the chance of
being the Prime Minister if elected—"
"Either way the Silver Alliance is dead," Nike said, interrupting the Mercurian
Princess. "We must come up with something that is strong and under one ruler if Eros'
plan is to succeed."
"Will the planets swear their loyalty to Terra?" Jamie asked her.
Eros shook her head, "As Queen of Venus, I cannot not see myself bowing to this
planet." She looked at Endymion and said, "I don't mean to offend you, but our planets
were enemies before your mother married Helios. High God Daghda Belenus de Danaan
challenged my grandfather King Anchises for my grandmother's hand before he wedded
your grandmother and the two warred even after Daghda had married Danu Erda. Peace
final came when your mother assumed her throne and she made the initial overtures
towards my mother."
"Gaia was fearless woman," Queen Serenity said with a wistful smile as she
remembered her friend. "She broke into the moon palace and appealed to my mother to
sent her to Magellan to speak to Aphrodite. She went dressed as a palace Guard and I
escorted her all the way. She was completely guileless, she talked constantly, babbled on
for hours about Terra and how Silver Millennium looked on the surface of Terra and how
she liked our palace, how she wished she could travel to all the planets, and flowers." She
let out a small laugh, "She loved roses. And after she returned to Terra she sent both
Aphrodite and myself bushels of roses?"
"Peach roses," Eros smiled as she remembered watching her beautiful warrior
mother tolling laboriously in her private garden caring for her roses. "My mother hated
flowers or anything that overly feminine, but she loved those roses. But I always
wondered about the color."
"Gaia thought that Magellan was truly beautiful, towering golden buildings,
dark yellow seas, amber trees, russet colored ground and the plants were a variety of
yellows and gold. She said it was like looking at the sun, it was beautiful but it needed
color, something that would complement it by not detract from Magellan's beauty, so she
chose peach roses." The Queen told her. "For my palace Gaia gave us red roses. She
started the tradition of giving gifts as a peace offering."
"So what will it take for the planets to accept Endy as the head of a new
Alliance?" Kris asked them.
"The possible re emergence of Sol," Serenity suggested, "Endymion, it is your
decision."
Endy had been waiting for her to say it rather than himself. He closed his eyes
briefly as he said, "Sol was bequeathed to me along with Elysium when my father died."
He opened his eyes and looked at the four Senshi rulers and asked "Will that satisfy you
and make the this transition any easier?"
They each looked uneasy, Athena Diana spoke up then with news that was going
to shock them all. "As a keeper of all the records and relics of the Solar System," she said
quietly, "I believe that it's not necessary for Endymion to ask for what is rightfully his."
Eros was looking at her with a wild look in her eyes, "I hope you are planning to
explain what you just said, Athena."
"I am," she took a deep breath and said, "When the Silver Alliance was created,
it was only an exertion of the ruling Golden Alliance. Helios temporarily transferred the
care of the system into the hands of his Guardian, Queen Selene who was then just his
Solar Senshi and chief guard. It's the same position the Queen holds today and the
Princess after her. They protect the universe but are not technically its chosen rulers."
"So, what you are saying the Queen is not our Queen?" Kore asked, slowly, she
was still reeling from this turn of events.
"Something like that," Athena told her, "But she is our overlord and defers only
to Helios—"
"Great Juno." Nike fell back in her chair and just shook her head.
"So what are you saying?" Kore asked, trying to keep the hysterical timber from
her voice. "What are you trying to tell us about our Kingdom—"
"Who the hell do we serve?" Apollo demanded. Composure be damned, he did
not want to deal with Endymion, just serving him as Andrew had taken years off his life.
"Calm down," Athena snapped angrily, "I am just telling you the facts, I don't
need any of you jumping down my throat…"
"Then you should have kept your mouth shut." Apollo shot back, he was just as
peeved.
"Now, children," the Queen said tersely, "Control yourselves."
Endymion had closed his eyes again and bowed his head, he didn't feel all that
great, and the bickering Senshi were only making things worst.
Serena glanced over at him while Apollo and Athena continued their battle of
words and noticed the slightly green hue around his now pallid features. "Endy," she
asked softly, her voice mirrored her concern.
He opened his eyes to see her staring at him and the worried look was on her
beautiful face and he forced a slight smile to his lips to reassure her. "I'm alright, Sere."
He said raspy.
Kris had also been observing his brother through this entire ordeal spoke up.
"No, you're not," contradicting him and bringing more unwanted attention to the King.
"When you found out that you were the Crown Prince, you had panic attacks for weeks
and it took Artemis and Terran months to get you to accept your throne. If the though of
ruling a planet distressed you, this must be making you physically ill."
Endy glared at him, "What are you, my doctor?"
Kris shook his head, "No, I'm your brother and your best friend." He said
reassuringly, "I know you, Endymion, I know this doesn't sit well with you. We don't
have time to coax you out of the woods, you have to accept this as part of your duty as
King of Terra and Protector of Elysium."
"I know my duties," Endy said harshly, "And I know who I am—"
"So go vomit and pace for an hour," Kris said with a cheeky grin, "I'm sure the
Princess Serenity will keep you company—"
"Hey, you inpertent little bastard," Bella cried, half rising.
"I meant to keep him out of Elysium." Kris said quickly, defending himself.
"What do you think I meant?"
A fiery blush stained Bella's cheeks, but she held herself up proudly. "Nothing,
other than that."
"Why are you blushing, Aunt Bella?" Darien asked innocently.
"Shut up." She told him.
Serena threw a grape at her, "Don't tell my kid to shut up."
"You haven't given birth to him therefore he isn't you kid, yet, your Highness."
Bella pointed out.
"In loco parentis ergo sum." Serena said smugly.
Bella looked at her strangely and then cried, "What?"
Athena laughed, "It's old terran dialect," she told her fuming friend. "Sere and I
have been studying all the old languages of the System."
"You two are strange." Bella told her. "What did she say anyway?"
"Since neither of his parents are here, Serenity has assumed her parental rights
over her son." Athena said breezily.
"Alright, that is well and good," Kris said briskly, "But can we focus here?
Your Majesty," Four Queens and two Kings turned to him. "I meant Queen Serenity."
"Next time clarify," Kore smiled at him.
"I'll remember than next time, Persephone." He said sheepishly.
Endy pushed his chair back and practically ran from the dinning room.
"What's wrong with him?" Eros asked pointing.
"The implications of what was said has finally sunk into his brain and he's
sick." Kris said nonchalantly.
"Shouldn't someone go after him?" Serena asked worriedly.
"Not unless you want to watch him puke out his brains for the next fifteen
minutes." Jamie said.
"I don't get it?" Kore confessed.
"Does he have a fear of responsibility?" Xanthe asked.
Kris shook his head, "I don't know," he told them, "He's always been like this, in
both lifetimes. If Endy could, he would just stay in Elysium—"
"Like Helios." Serenity said thoughtfully.
"I guess. I asked Artemis about it once, but he said he did not know why he did
it either."
"Elysium is infused with a comforting presence," Serenity told him, "It's
possible that he is communing with the Gods or the planets or the entire System. And the
thought of being taken away from it is what causes his distress."
"Lord Helios did remove himself to Elysium after the Senshi Wars," Kore
reminded her, "Maybe Endymion requires the same seclusion—"
"He is also of Terra and is a child of the Great Gods." Bella told her, "All of us
as descendants and ecopaths require—no we need to feel our planets and receive certain
nutrients that our souls need. He seclude himself in Elysium, for if he could, in the world
Ananke was trying to create, Serenity could have filled Terra with every crystal she could
find and he would have still survived and been stronger than that Neo-Queen."
"Point taken," Kore said.
"So I take it that we are going to establish the Golden Alliance?" Athena asked
Queen Serenity quietly.
"It depends on the planets and the other rulers and Endymion himself." She told
her.
"Wait a minute," Mike said, "Endy's coronation is two weeks."
"That's right," Apollo said. "We have to put off the attack, Eros."
She raised a brow in question. "No we don't."
"Yes, we do." Kris told her, "We need to set up the Alliance, and there will be
tons of paper work that needs to be handled, treaties with the planets, finalization of
plans—"
She wanted to scream in frustration. "You want us to wait until after your King's
coronation to take on the Accursed One and the Dark Moon?" She asked in a deceptively
calm tone.
"Actually, Eros," Apollo spoke up, "It's a pretty good idea."
"How so?"
"For starters, we could use the event as a chance to introduce the System and
Terra to each other and begin talks about the formation of the Golden Alliance."
"Yeah, it's just propaganda and hype," Jamie threw in, showing on his true
talents, "We can show all the planets the type of leader Endy is, show him participating in
the intergalactic discussions, showing true interest in the intergalactic affairs and let him
voice his support for the Silver Alliance."
"But we don't want the Silver Alliance," Nike reminded him, "We are trying to
establish the Golden one."
Jamie held up his left hand, "Just hear me out, your Divine Majesty," he winked
at her, then went on. "Will Endy is showing his support for a unified Solar System with
one ruler, Queen Serenity could start endorsing him, you know, praising his intelligence,
his wisdom in political matters and diplomatic skills. Just make him look and sound
pretty damn unbelievable. Then Kore or Nike, maybe both of you could start in talking
about Helios and Xanthe, you can remind your aunt that Endy is the Guardian's son and
the King of Mercury, if we can persuade him to our side, he can boost Endy's rep some
more, by telling her what type of leader he and remind her of how Helios fought valiantly
against the little bitch in the second war—"
"Don't worry about my father," Athena Diana told him, "Endymion has his full
support if the Queen will endorse him."
"The same goes for my grandfather as well," Bella said, "Mars will follow our
Queen's will."
Queen Serenity smiled at them both, "Thank you, my children." She said quietly.
Endy returned, wiping his mouth with his handkerchief. He dropped down into his
vacated chair. Kris patted his back compassionately as he handed him a breath mint.
Jamie nodded tersely and continued with his plotting. "To sew this entire web up,
we will have to create a love story. Now, Princess, I know Endy's been nothing short of
a pain in your Royal tush, but now, for the sake of expediency and the preservation of all
like in the Solar System, will you fall in love with our King?"
Serena looked as if she were going to laugh.
"Why don't I just cook up a love potion?" Eros snickered, "We have more
chance for success that way."
"Better yet, let's just get one of the Princesses of Neptune to moon over him."
Kore interjected, "Get it, *moon* over him, the King of Terra?"
The Senshi got it and round of bad jokes continued from the Imperial Guardians
of the Silver Millennium. That is until their princess and comrade decided to put an end
to tall speculations and the teasing.
Quietly, Serena pushed her chair back and stood up. She walked around to the
other side of the table to were Endy sat; She took his face in her hands and lowered her
mouth to his in a long, slow, deep kiss.
No one was expecting that which was obvious with all the bulging eyes and slack
jaws from Senshi and guardians alike. As she pulled away, Endy followed with a little
peck on her slightly bruised lips and she smiled slightly as he grinned roguishly.
Luckily, Serena remembered the others or she would have enjoyed taking that
grin off Endymion's face and leaving him speechless in the process. She winked at him
before returning to her seat. Calmly, she picked up her glass of juice and took a long slip,
completely aware of all the eyes on her and she smirked.
"While you all were in those chambers, Endy and I came to an understanding."
Endy sat back with a satisfied look on his face, "Please continue, Jade."
Jamie shook of his surprise and grinned lecherously at the two, "You dirty dog,
Endymion."
"What your mouth," Nike warned him, "She is our Princess, and you are
dangerous ground."
"James, for the sake of your well-being, I'd suggest you get on with it and then
everyone can go his or her own separate ways," Serena told him.
Jamie looked at Nike fearfully and swallowed hard. "Okay, since you and Endy
are now on speaking terms," he coughed to cover up his own amusement. "Try to work it
out in slow stages, you know the initial curiosity, infatuation and then the hanky panky,
but get caught by the other nobles, and when the issue is brought before the Queen, Eros
can announce that they are soul mates. This should be done at a ball or something after
the coronation when the entire planet is watching." He paused as he remembered her
reaction to Apollo and Xanthe's souls bonding. "Can you do it with all the lights, magic,
and dancing like you did on Jupiter?"
Eros nodded, a delighted smile graced her lips, "I will have the Priestess of
Aphrodite singing and praising, flowers raining down, sparkling lights, the works."
Endy was aghast at the though, but Jamie was caught up in the moment and
continued to contribute ideas. "We can make white doves appear, rainbows, and roses."
"What the hell are you planning?" Endy snapped, "All she has to do as say were
are soul mates…"
"But we want to make this believable," Jamie cried in protest. "This is to be a
blessing from the Gods, a truly sacred event that will make it easier for the people to
accept her when you two do eventually marry and it will allow the others planets to see
that you like their rulers, but then you are more, you are Helios' son and heir, you are the
ruler of the Golden Alliance and Serenity is your chosen mate, your gift from the Gods
and they will accept you."
Serena threw a grape at him, her silver eyes flashing dangerously. "Did you just
refer to me as a present?" she growled.
Jamie shook his head, bemoaning his fate. "It was a figure of speech, your most
kind and loveliest Highness." He said smoothly. He looked up at her, his hazel eyes
beguiling, "For you are truly a beauty beyond compare. I did not mean for what I said to
be an insult, I only meant, in my humble, yet in adequate ways of praising one so fair that
Gods themselves had to have been inspired to create a lady as beautiful and ethereal as
you, lovely Princess." He watched as the fire and fight died in her eyes and she had been
seduced by his words and he had been saved. He turned to his fellows, looking rather
proud of himself, before turning to the cold, deadly now black eyes of Endymion and he
suddenly wished it was Princess he was facing.
"Me and my big mouth," he moaned as he dropped his head into his hands.
Endy was still staring daggers into him as he ground out, "You got that right."
"Lord Jadeite," Eros said a bit breathlessly, "Your impassioned speech, it was
truly inspired."
"It was like music," Xanthe whispered. "Such a speech. I wish someone would
make a verse like that for me."
Apollo turned his angry glare on the poor Guardian.
Even the ever composed Kore was taken with his little verse. Jadeite might have
earned the animosity of best friends, but for the moment he had the protection of the
seven most powerful women in the universe and not even Endy would dare challenge
them.
They ended their talks for the day with plans of actions for the moment and things
to think about. Serena and returned to the training room, this time with Bella, a sword
Senshi. Endy had television appearances and interviews as well as couple photo shoots,
which left everyone else free to do whatever they needed to do before round two of their
talks.
They met in Endy's private sitting room a few hours after dinner. Terran and
Artemis had decided to join them after their earlier meeting with Kris and Eros and they
had brought Umino along at Endymion's request.
Serena was lounging on the floor before the hearth with her right leg propped p on
Erebus back. Endy sat on the opposite side, a dark golden glow emitting from his hands
that hovered over the Princess' injured leg.
"I knew it was broken." Bella yelped in pain as Kore set her fractured right arm.
Kore glared at the Fire Senshi and demanded, "What were you two doing, trying to kill
each other?"
Troy shook his head sadly, "They were trying to destroy our house." He told her.
"Those were titanium walls! Titanium!" He cried, "The windows are quartz with a
diamond coating, and they managed to destroy the room."
"Stop your whining," Bella snarled. "We just going at it with half our power."
She glanced at Serena, her eyes burning with a multitude of questions, but she asked the
most prevalent one. "Princess, how did you manage to stay my attacks? Even at half
power, I should have been able to defeat you easily."
Serena moved her once broken leg experimental and then sat up right as she
scratched Erebus behind his ears, a slightly thoughtful frown on her face. "I don't know,"
she said. She looked to her mother for answers, "Could it that I react to the Senshi's own
increase in power and strength?"
"I would assume that to be correct," Serenity told her, but even she did not seem
certain. "I was more power than my Senshi when were together, but I never questioned it,
I just accepted it as who I was and went from there. However, we can discuss this later,
right now let's find out were everyone is and plan for our next move."
"Well what can really do now other than wait?" Mike asked, opening the
dialogue for them.
"We will strategize," Eros told them. "It's imperative that we begin our initial
ground work for the destruction of Nemesis and plan for any possible counterattacks by
either the Dark Moon or the Accursed One or both."
"Eros, we should contact our home worlds as soon as possible and in my case
bring the Queen up to speed on what we shall be doing and our timeframe."
"Same here," Bella said, "Both Athena and I are here as representative of our
governments, we will need to see our Kings in person and let them know what's going
on."
"I must go to Uranus," Apollo told her. "I've spoken to the ministers and told
them of Atalanta's death and they support my succession, but I do need to be there to
claim my throne in person and present myself to the people."
"Then go," Eros told them. "Pluto will take you and Xanthe to your worlds
before she enters the chamber, we want everything all taken care of before we start to
fight. Bella, before you leave, I have a message for Ares. Athena, I'm sorry, but I do need
you here." She turned to the blue haired Mercian Princess, "Is there a way for you to just
send a transmission to Hermes before we all leave this planet?"
Athena Diana nodded, "I will do so once we have completed our business here."
Eros smiled gratefully at her, "Thank you, my friend." She reached out and patted
her folded hands. "Kore, once Patricia has completed her training, I want you to show
Patricia the Outer Gates and how to monitor them. And if you have time, can you run
through Tartarus and check to see if Ananke is there with Atalanta."
"Of course, Eros," Kore replied, "I was going to suggest that myself."
Eros nodded, "Nike, I want you to put together two inspection teams made up of
two members each from all the planets and send them to Pluto and Charon. I want to
know if there any Dark Moon agents or supporters on either one. All parties are to be
eliminated, there will be no trials or arrest, I want total eradication of all the factions."
"You are talking war," Kris pointed out to her.
Eros shook her head, "This is still Serenity's Kingdom and Pluto and its moons
are apart of it jurisdiction." A devilish smile graced her lips, "We are just checking over
the place as we have the right and I'm sending a message to the Accursed One and it's
lackey."
Nike flashed her a merciless grin, "It take that you want a few object lessons,
Eros?" She asked smoothly.
"The messier the better," Eros returned ruthlessly. "We want the Dark Moon to
know that we mean to protect this system and our Rulers and we will not play any of their
childish games, we will annihilate them."
"Will you be commandeering any terrans?" Kris asked, his ice colored eyes
were cool.
"Nope," Eros said brightly, "When Endymion told me to train you all as Senshi,
he made all of the soldiers of Terra Senshi and they are mine to command as well as all
of you."
"So we are still going with the plan to present the extraterrestrials to the
planet?" Jamie asked.
Endy nodded, "I want this to be done in grand style. The whole nine yards from
the beginning to the end, with Queen Serenity leading all the monarchs to Terra. Eros,"
he turned to Venusian Queen, "I want all the planets to being a small entourage of twenty
courtiers and fifty Senshi representing every part of their planets and their moons." He
rubbed Erebus coat thoughtfully, "Serena, you, my dear, are to be the perfect, innocent
fragile princess that everyone dreams of. I want my people to fall in love you." He leaned
forward and brushed his lips over hers.
"What are you going to do about Darien?" Bella asked them.
Serena looked up at Endy and he shrugged, "Since he looks like me, he will stay
here." He though of his son, the time traveler, who currently asleep in the room next door
to his own and smiled. "Until this mess is over we will say that he's mine and Kris'
younger cousin from America. The kid and I have already discussed it and he will go
along with the idea."
Eros looked at her Senshi questioning, they had nothing further to contribute until
they had for filled their duties and assignments. "We have nothing more to say," she
declared, "Terrans, is there anything you wish to discuss or add to any thing that might be
relevant to any of our missions?"
Endy did not know if she was being sarcastic or what, maybe it was just the way
Eros said that, but he knew that he felt offended.
Artemis must have sensed the sudden hostility from the terrans and their King,
because he shook his head at the Queen of Venus. She looked at him, then at the others
and blushed slightly.
"Oh, I did not mean sound so condescending," she told them, "I meant that we,
the Senshi, have nothing more to add, but we might have missed something or one of you
have a better idea of how something could be accomplished or—"
Endy held open his left hand, a small grin graced his lips as he said, "No more,
Eros, we all accept your apology and I apologize on all of our behalf."
Serena was looking at him like he was crazy. "What hell?" She whispered. She
was in complete shock. As was his closest friends and his teachers as well as Umino and
Apollo. Umino dropped his laptop from his nerveless hands and his jaw fell open.
Apollo's left eye was twitching violently. Never in all the years he had know the
madman had he ever, ever heard Endymion apologize to anyone. He'd berate, insult and
reduce a person to tears, but apologize…
Troy got up and started to leave the room, but he stopped at the door and just sat
down right there. Mike looked out of window to make sure that Heavens were not
collapsing in on themselves and Jamie was muttering to himself.
"Endy," Kris asked cautiously. His voice shook slightly with fear, "Bro, are you
alright?"
Endymion was not amused, "This is why I am never nice to any of you." He said
coldly, "Whenever I behave, you all start going off acting like the damn world is about to
end or something." He crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. "Next time I'll just
punch someone in their teeth, will that make me seem normal?" Then he muttered,
"Assholes."
Serena smacked him on the arm. "Watch your mouth," she scolded him. "Jamie is
present."
"Hey!" the blond guardian cried defensively.
"Whatever," Endy said tersely. He stood up and went to long table that served
as his desk and sat down in his chair. "Artemis, I want to bring Caroline in on a small
part of this."
Kris sat up as if he had been shot. "Hell no." He shouted angrily.
"Now I know you have flipped," Jamie said, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Endy
have you forgotten how that woman is?"
Endy nodded, "I know who is she and what she is and those are the very reason I
say bring her in." He looked at them then not as their friend, but their leader and King. "I
more reason than any of you to hate that woman. Some of them only Kris and Terran
know of, then there are more they know nothing of. But none of that has anything to do
with my decision or my will to protect this System and Elysium."
"Then why would you want her brought into this?" Kris asked him. "Endymion,
that woman has gone out of her way to ruin your life. She hates you in a way that no
normal parent could feel for their own child."
An inaudible gasp escaped Serena's lips, she looked at each brother, and her heart
broke for their pain. Queen Serenity had gone to her daughter and was holding her tight.
Their crystal hearts could not comprehend the hurt and negative feelings coming from
Kris and Endymion.
"It has no bearing on me," Endy nearly growled at his brother. "We need her to
perform certain things while we prepare for war."
"Things?" Kris spat, "What can that bat do that any one of us is incapable of
doing?"
Endy looked him over and smirked, "Will you have time to plan all those parties
and ceremonies for the coming of the Lunar Queen and her court?" Kris did not answer.
"I though so."
"So you want the bit—witch to be a party planner?" Jamie asked, hoping to
divert the brothers attention for each other. That did not work as their tension soared and
then everything seemed to become calm and both Endy and Kris began to glow, a faint
incandescent light formed around them. Jamie and the other's thinking the worst, started
to run for cover.
Bella just happened to look over at the two Lunarian Royals and noticed that they
were going, but the light was stronger and the insignias on their brows were flashing
dangerously.
"Eros," Bella cried out in fright, "The Queen."
Eros pulled her eyes from Kris and saw that had caused the sudden change in the
two and jumped. "Kore, Athena," she snapped, "Get them out of here. Nike and Bella,
with me. Artemis, help Endymion before the spell gets any deeper into his soul."
Athena and Kore went to their Queen and Princess and rushed them from the
room. Neither Serenity had known that they had started to glow and spirits had begun to
reach out to heal the pain and to remove the source. So much darkness almost triggered a
complete healing of their souls and wipe away Endymion's and Kris' desire to fight,
which would have ruined all of their battle plans. A faint gold light appeared around
Endy to counter the effects of the Queen and Princess. With a painful cry, Endy collapsed
almost falling out of his chair, but Terran and Artemis were at his side, Terran caught him
and pulled him up.
Endy had subconsciously released his brother from the spell at the same time,
catching the three Senshi off guard when the giant white haired youth fell back on the
unawares Bella.
The Princess of Mars screamed in protest at the sudden weight. "Get him off me!"
Eros grasped him around the waist, Nike moved behind him and together they got
him up, Bella crawled away from him, Eros and Nike eased Kris onto a couch and the
Queen of Jupiter laid a gentle hand over his brow to search out any coercion caused by
either Queen Serenity or Serena.
"Kris," Eros cried worriedly as she tapped his face. "How do you feel?"
A happy smile graced his stoic features as he looked up at his fiancée, "I feel
Bella rolled her eyes as he continued to babble.
"The effects are temporary," Nike told Eros, "He should be able to sleep it off."
Terran hoisted Endy up and half carried-half pulled him towards his bedroom,
praying that they made it to the toilet or any kind of receptacle before Endy cleared his
stomach.
"He's not going to make it." Came Artemis frenzied cry. He turned over the
metal waste basket then rushed after them and shoved it under Endy's face. Both he and
Terran turned their heads away as he emptied the contents of his stomach for the second
time that day.
Apollo whistled, "I guess all that positive emotion and empathy doesn't agree
with Endy's black heart."
Kore returned and reported to Eros that the Queen and Princess had gone to their
chambers. Terran carried Endy to his room while Artemis, Artemis handed the bucket to
Troy and ordered him to clean it.
He then turned to the others, "Endymion knows what he wants Caroline to do, it
will not have anything to do with the Senshi," he said when he saw Eros start to question
him. "This meeting is over. Senshi, I wish you all luck in your missions and may the
Gods bless you all." He turned to the terran Guardians, "Gentlemen, we have our own
duties to attend to."
Eros rose and the Senshi with her and faced them. "All of you, good luck and will
meet in ten days." She turned to Persephone and held out her right hand, "You do not
have to enter the chamber with her." She told her, "But you are to be commended for
doing so."
Kore took her hand. "I am her superior," she said formally. "I would be remised
were I to send one of my Senshi in alone."
"If I were not needed out here, I would accompany you both." Eros embraced
her. "May Selene and Aphrodite guide you."
"And may Selene and Hades protect you." Kore replied in kind as she stepped
back from her friend. Then she smiled wry. "See you in a thousand years, Commander."
"Until then, my Senshi." Eros whispered.
Kore let Eros go and turned to Patricia. "Pluto, let us depart." Apollo and Xanthe
step forward, the saluted Eros and then stepped behind the Senshi of Saturn.
"My friends," Eros said. "Be well. And may the gods keep you all."
Kore nodded to Patricia. Patricia raised her right hand and the crystal key
appeared in her hand and then she rapped it on the floor three times and they were
surrounded in a garnet light and then they were gone.
Eros turned to Bella and Nike, "Come to my room," she told. "I will give you the
message for Ares and Nike, we can finalize our plans before you are to depart."
"Umino," Artemis said, "Accompany them, you have full authority of the crown
to dispense the assistance that Eros ask for."
Umino bowed to him and then he picked up his laptop and followed the three
Senshi out of the room.
The Guardians left shortly after, Jamie and Mike carrying the sleeping Kris.
"God, this kid's gotta go on a diet," Jamie gasped. "He weights a freaking ton!"
"Quit your whining," Terran barked, "Two female Senshi were able to lift him
and put him on a couch."
"Then they could carry him to his room." Mike said tersely.
"Are you saying that two women are stronger than you?" Terran asked
sarcastically.
Jamie and Mike looked at one another over Kris's broad back and then back at
their mentor. "Yes," they replied in unison.
Terra gave them disappointed looks and just ordered them out. Troy followed
with the bucket as far away from himself as possible.
Artemis and Terran were the only two left excluding Erebus in Endy's sitting
room. The two long time comrades looked at each other in and by unspoken agreement
both collapsed on various pieces of furniture. A decanter of brandy appeared on the
coffee table with two glasses.
Artemis looked at it and groaned, "I'm still recovering from my training session
with the Princess."
Terran gave him a dirty look, but he poured them both drinks and handed the
other to the long haired hippy as he liked to think of his oldest friend. He returned to seat
near the hearth, Erebus had moved over to its side and the big wolf was resting
peacefully. Darien had been running the great wolf ragged all day.
"Sleep well my friend," Terran told him as he reached down to scratch him
behind his ears. "This Endymion has none of the reserve of our Master."
Artemis glanced at the wolf and then laughed, "I never thought I would see the
day that animal run from anyone. But he did today when Darien wasn't looking."
Terran laughed as well, "And to think, in the future there are going to be three
more just like him."
Their laughed stopped and both men downed their drinks and had another.
Artemis shook his head in disbelief. "Why?" He asked no one in particular,
"Raising one was bad enough, but four?" He gulped the fiery liquid then poured himself
another. "Are the Gods trying to punish us?"
Terran laughed at him, "You are lucky that you can't become drunk or you would
have a serious problem."
Artemis flashed him a goofy grin, "It's the Venusian blood," he told him. "King
Dionysus V created the special enzymes in all the guardians and soldiers bodies that keep
us all alert incase of attack no matter how much we drink."
"Good enzyme," Terran grunted.
Artemis nodded his agreement, "It's the best, it just has this one side effect." He
glanced at Terran, "Everything runs through us like water."
Terran had been in act of drinking, but upon hearing that he spewed out his drink.
Artemis valiantly fought the grin which threaten to appear on his face. "But other than
that, it's a wonder enzyme." His demeanor suddenly became serious. He locked outside
at the mountains that surrounded them and had hidden their school for the last thousand
years from the prying eyes of the world and those beyond. But in the little protected shell,
Artemis could not shake the feelings that someone or something was watching them.
"We will have to raise the Golden Palace," Terran deep, rumbling voice broke
the tense silence that had descended on them.
Artemis said nothing for a long time. Terran knew that Artemis was thinking,
Endy had picked that annoying habit up from the white haired man, but with Artemis, he
knew it was not meant to be insulting.
"We will have to prevail on Endymion to rise all of Atlantis to do so." Artemis
sat up, Princess Serenity had done a number on his back, he was lucky that his spine was
still intact. "Will we want the world to watch."
Terran shrugged, "I was thinking that we just raise the palace and transport it to
some nice quiet part of the world without destroy and oceans or causing the massive title
waves that could wipe out half of the world's population."
"Do you think Endymion can do it?"
"He carries Elysium around like it's some pocket toy, I think he can managed to
raise a old palace from the bottom of the sea."
Artemis looked at the other man irritably, "I hate it when you are flip."
"Sue me." Terran told him laughingly. Then he sobered. "Well, Art, do you
think this is going to work?" He asked, worry tinting his words.
Artemis shook his head and shrugged, "To be honest my friend, I am not sure."
He said, "There are just too many wild cards, and everything is unpredictable."
"It believe Eros has the good idea," Terran nodded, "We should strike first, hard
and fast."
"Eros is going to love you." Artemis laughed.
"Ack!" Terran cried irritably, "You keep your crazy Queen away from me."
"Ah, come on, Terran," Artemis teased, "I think you would make me an
excellent son-in-law!"
"What?" the Royal Guardian of Terra shouted in horror.
Darien started at the bellow, but then calmed down when he recognized Terran's
hearty voice. The little boy looked back at the bed were his father's younger self slept in
a magically induced sleep and he crept forward.
Darien had awoken from a nightmare and had forgotten for a moment that he was
not in his home. He left the small room that Endymion had set aside for him and came
here looking for a familiar comfort.
He climbed up onto the bed and snuggled down next to the dark haired young
man.
"Goodnight Mama, Mani, and babies." He whispered. He fought the tears rising
in his eyes and whispered, "Goodnight, Father."
Endy reached out and pulled the little boy close, "Goodnight, son." He mumbled
sleepily. He yawned, "Don't worry, Darien, I will protect you and your mother."
Darien looked up at him expecting him to be awake, but Endy fast asleep so
Darien decided to follow his example. If his father said he was going to do something the
young Prince knew to believe him.
"So do you think it's going to work?" Bella asked she hurried through the Great
Castle of Mars with Serena and Eros at her side..
Serena nodded. "Naru is going to cover going to cover me if we are late."
"And Athena will be leading the first meeting in place," Eros told her. She stood
up and strapped on her sword belt. "It's not like the chamber, but your grandfather can
manipulate it that it will seem like we've been in here for three years. She looked at
Serena and nodded. "Are your ready Cosmos."
Serena's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't start, Eros," She said darkly.
"Get used to it," Eros told her. She looked at the flame haired Princess and said,
"Bella, open the door."
Serena checked her sword belt and drew her weapon. "Let's do this."
"May Selene and Ares strengthen you." Bella told them.
The two blondes nodded their farewells then stepped into the chamber and the
door disappeared.
"May the Gods bless us." Bella prayed.
Anyone if favor Book One being reposted? If you were wondering why it's taking me so
long to put chapters, that's sort of the reason, well one of the reasons why; I've been
editing Books One & Two and I've made changes in One that based off what's been
written in this book and I've been tossing around the idea of reposting. I think I should
wait until I've finished with this, but then who in their right mind other than me would re-
read this once put up a second time?
I'm just rambling, it's time for me to work on something else.
Later
Sean.
Remember: NO FLAMES, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS DON'T READ IT.
