Chapter Forty-Six

Changing Thrones

Thanks for the great reviews for the last chapter! Only five chapters left before we reach Ever After. The countdown to the end starts now. Here's the latest installment of Ever After. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

"All rise for the His Royal Highness Prince Alexander of Earth!" Everyone in the small courtroom rose as Cain walked in dressed in black robe with a thick black binder tucked in his arm as he sat in his high chair.

He said in a serious tone, "You may all be seated." Everyone sat down. Two guards stood by the judge's bench as Cain opened his binder reviewing the case. On the left side sat the prosecutor, who was surprisingly Evelyn Martin and her second chair was her cousin Lord Philip Bowman of East Village, a small town on the outskirts of Midas. Lord Bowman was an ambitious man in his early forties with a degree from Oxford. Serenity learnt only hours before the case begun by Sammy that Evelyn was going to the prosecutors representing Elysian and that apparently she was a genius with a law degree from Duke. She was wearing a form fitting black jacket and tight fitting knee length matching skirt and black pumps. Her makeup was modest and her ebony locks were brushed up into a tight bun with a diamond studs and red granny glasses and a serious expression on her face.

On the opposite table across was the defendant Serenity Shields with her nervous brother Sammy sitting next to her. Next to her a jury of twelve members of society sat with very serious faces as they watched her scrutinizing her every movement. Behind him was a group of seats for the audience that filled two hundred in total including both sides of the aisle. Behind them stood the journalists and photographs taking notes and photographs throughout the trial.

Serenity was still dressed in orange scrubs and her wrists handcuffed in front of her. She glanced behind her and saw Ami and Mina sitting together in the back of the courtroom on her side. Mina was dressed in a black two piece and Ami wore a black jacket, blue blouse and black slacks. Serenity smiled at them. They did not smile back at her. Her smile quickly faltered as she turned back around in her chair.

Serenity whispered, "My friends no longer liked me."

Sammy gritted irreverently through his teeth as Prince Alexander still reviewed the case file. "Yeah, they never forgave you for marrying the devil and bearing his child."

Cain looked up and said, "Good morning my fellow Elysians." He turned to the jury and addressed them. "You have been selected as the jury in the case of Ergon vs. her royal majesty Queen Serenity Shields of Elysian. Her majesty is charged with second degree murder for the death and disappearance of Lady Camryn Luckington of Luckington and a member of the House of Endymion and his majesty cousin. Her majesty the queen has entered a plea of not guilty to these charges." Serenity could see the glint of amusement in Cain's eyes behind his staid expression.

"I advised you to all to remember that in Elysian law like Earth law, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden of proof is on the representative of Elysian to prove." Evelyn mouth twitched in a little in amusement listening to her twin brother as she reviewed her notes. "We do not have the body of Lady Luckington, but there is alleged evidence against her majesty the queen's involvement. Your job is to come collectively to the conclusion whether the queen is guilty or not guilty of the death of Lady Luckington by reasonable doubt." He turned to Serenity. "If the queen is found guilty, she will be strip of her titles and styles and will be beheaded at noon tomorrow."

Serenity looked unfazed as she met her brother-in-law's eyes for a moment. Cain addressed both Evelyn and Sammy. "You may begin presenting your case. I'll let the defendant party go first." Sammy cleared his throat that suddenly became dry. He took a sip from his glass of water. The back door suddenly opened. Serenity glanced behind her and was surprised to see her parents. She smiled as she met their eyes across the room. Her father looked slightly disappointed at her, but her mother smiled warmly at her like she believed in her. They took a couple of seats next to Ami and Mina, who quietly greeted them.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of Elysian." Sammy stood before the court as he buttoned up his jacket. "We are here because her majesty the queen has been accused of murder of Lady Camryn Luckington, a respected member of our society that disappeared on February sixteenth, the night of the ball thrown by the king in honor of his new wife and our Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, Sailor Moon, and the love of the king's life."

Evelyn stood up pressing her hands against the table. "Objection. This is a case about facts not opinions."

Before Cain could object him, Sammy said, "Fine, strike the last part from my statement." He glanced at his sister as he spoke. "Sailor Moon is a defender of love and justice. She has saved Earth from several apocalypses and she is a good mother and a woman of character. Anyone who knows Serenity Shields, Serena Tuskino, Sailor Moon, or whatever you prefer to address her as, knows that she would not kill a person in cold-blood. It is not in her character. She saves lives from evil not take them." He extended his hand to the prosecutor. "The evidence that the prosecuting party will present to you is only circumstantial. They have no real evidence against her majesty except a blood stained glove with the queen's fingerprints on them. But what they neglected to mentioned was that the glove has other people's fingerprints on it too. I mean how many of us have actually shaken someone's hand?" The jury and some of the audience laughed. Sammy smiled stuffing a hand in one of his pockets. He turned to the jurors. "The case that the prosecutor will present to you is weak at best. Please do not let our beloved queen suffered for personal vendettas." He glanced at Evelyn, who looked at him coolly. He sat down in his seat.

Evelyn stood up in the center of the room and addressed everyone. Her high heels clicked against the hardwood floor. She turned to jurors and said, "Good morning, my fellow Elysians also. Let's get real. I loved my cousin Lady Luckington like anyone else. She was quite the beauty in our youth and in often cases was said to have beauty that rival yours truly." She smiled as she held out her hand towards Lord Luckington sitting in the audience directly behind the prosecutors' table. "Then she fell in love with Lord Luckington and was happily married to him for fifteen years. Of course, there were rumors that circulated around town that Lady Luckington was indeed my brother's mistress. Whether the rumors were true or not, Lady Luckington spent quite a lot of time with my brother for eight years." She turned to Serenity with a penetrating gaze observing Serenity's blank facial expression. "It would be hard for any woman, especially a woman only married to her husband for a second time for only fourteen days, to find out about her husband's mistress." Evelyn looked at the women throughout the courtroom from all background. "I mean I would be upset if I found out that my husband was cheating on me. For Serenity to have murdered Lady Luckington…"

"Objection!" Sammy abruptly stood from his seat. "This is a court where we believed the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. Mrs. Martin is clearing trying to imply with her statement that the queen is at fault and her argument about her generalization of a women's reaction towards infidelity is clearly her opinion, even I know that all women are not the same…" Some of the audience laughed.

Cain turned to Evelyn and said, "Sustained. Evelyn, prove your point already."

Evelyn smiled. "Yes, your honor. I was not implying that the queen was guilty. I was simply stating that any reasonable woman would be upset to find their husband having an affair with another woman." She glanced at Serenity. "And younger I might add." Serenity rolled her eyes at her. Evelyn said turning towards the jury, "Today, I will prove that her majesty indeed killed Lady Luckington." She strutted back to her seat and sat down crossing her long legs.

They listened to witness after witness giving accounts of the king's relationship with Lady Luckington. Serenity listened with a troubled look on her face full of anguish and hurt as she heard testimony after testimony of her husband's love affair with Lady Luckington. It was clearly proven that he was indeed having an affair with a married woman. It disgusted the audience that he was having relations with his cousin. Lord Luckington acted horrified hearing the overwhelming evidence that his wife was indeed cheating on him with the king.

Serenity internally rolled her eyes at him. She knew that he gave his wife willingly to the king to advance his political career. She remembered men like him. When they lived in Maryland, some of their well-off friends were swingers and tried to get them to join in. Serena and Darien joked about it, but the idea of sharing his wife with anyone else revolted Darien.

Evelyn stood up and said, "The prosecution calls the head housemaid of the Shields' household, Rose Magellan to the stand." Serenity stiffened in her seat as the crowd murmured amongst themselves as Rose walked into the courtroom dressed in a mundane black long sleeved, ankle length dress and her hair in a tight bun that she always wore it is.

"Raise your right hand and place your left on the Bible." She did what the bailiff asked. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

Rose said, "I do."

"You may be seated." Rose smoothed her dress as she sat down in the witness stand.

Cain said, "Mr. Montgomery, you may direct the witness first."

Sammy smiled. "Thank you, your honor." Sammy took a quick sip of his water before placing the glass down and standing up. He unbuttoned the top button of his jacket as he approached the stand. He smiled warmly at Rose. "Hello, Miss Magellan."

Rose said, "Hello."

"How long have you been working for the royal family household."

Rose said, "All my life since I was a little girl." She looked at Evelyn and Cain. "I watched your Royal Highnesses Alexander and Evelyn grow up to be fine young people." Evelyn and Cain smiled.

"And how long have you known King Endymion?"

Rose said, "I knew him as a child when his parents, the late King Henry and Queen Katherine, brought him to Elysian to visit. He was a lovely child and quite adventurous. He protected his little sister and was happy when his brother Adam was born." Rose glanced up at Cain. "Prince Alexander and Prince Endymion always disliked one another. Their mother had to stop them from killing one another on several occasions. But it was obvious that the brothers loved one another."

Cain disliked her answer and said, "Counselor, could you please get to your point."

Sammy smiled. "Yes, your honor. And what about now? How long have you watched over the king and his children?"

Rose said, "For eight years. Well, mostly the king since he sent the children away to boarding school shortly after Princess Katherine ran away and he started seeing Lady Luckington."

Sammy asked, "Did Lady Luckington convinced the king to send his children away?"

Rose nodded. "Oh yes, she despised those children."

Evelyn shouted out, "Objection, your honor. It's clearly Miss. Magellan's opinion."

Cain said, "Sustained." He turned to Rose. "Rose, please stick to facts only. Not your personal opinion."

Rose nodded. "Yes your majesty."

Sammy asked, "And the king was indeed having an affair with Lady Luckington?"

Evelyn said, "Objection again. Whether the king was having an affair with my cousin or not is irrelevant. We're here to prove whether or not the queen murdered Lady Luckington. We are not here to discuss my brother, the king's torrid reputation." There were snickers in the audience.

Cain shouted, "Order in the court." He lowered his voice towards Sammy and said, "Prove your point counselor." He turned to Rose and said, "Rose, you do not have to answer the question." He turned to the typist. "Let's strike the question from the records." He glanced at Sammy. "Continue on."

Sammy nodded. "Yes, your honor." He turned to Rose. He said, "In your opinion, tell me what you think about the defendant? Do you think she is a cold-blooded killer?"

Evelyn said, "Objection your honor."

Sammy turned to Cain. "This is a case based on reasonable doubt. My job is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that my client did not commit the crime. Miss Magellan has been a member of the royal household for a long time. She knows about her employers and she knows what goes on in the household. Therefore, her opinion is an expert opinion on the matter at hand. I want Miss Magellan to tell the court of her expert opinion of the queen after knowing her for a short period of time."

Cain said, "Objection overturned. Miss Magellan, you may give your opinion." Evelyn was stunned. Was her brother trying to convict Serenity or get her off?

"Oh, yes highness. I think Serenity is a wonderful young woman. "She answered looking at Evelyn's peeved expression as Serenity smiled a little. "She brought the king back to life and made him and everyone around her happy. She's kind and respects everyone regardless of their station in life. She's the kind of person that can make even the most insignificant people in the room feel special. She knows all the staff's names and their families. For eight years, the king was miserable. For fourteen days, he was happy with his wife until she was taken away from him for a crime she did not commit."

Sammy smiled. "Thank you, Miss Magellan."

Sammy turned to Cain. "No more questions at the time, your honor."

Sammy sat down. Evelyn strolled up to the witness stand and asked, "Do you know what date the ball was on?"

"Yes, your majesty. It was on February sixteenth."

"From what times?"

"Seven in the evening to midnight."

Evelyn strode away from the witness stand. She glanced up at the ceiling like she was forming her next question in her head. "According to witnesses' report, the king left the ballroom feeling dizzy around nine thirty pm. The murder occurred between ten and ten –thirty pm."

Serenity leaned over to her brother and whispered as he leaned over to hear her, "How does she know when Lady Luckington was murdered with no body?"

Sammy shrugged. "I don't know." He wondered that also. They straightened up in their seats when they caught Cain glaring at them. Evelyn seemed pretty sure in her statements.

Evelyn was still speaking, "He walked away to his private chambers. The rest of the staff was busy in the kitchen and the ballroom taking care of the guests, so the private chambers were empty. Yet, I learnt that between nine-thirty and ten-thirty pm, an hour window, you disappeared from the kitchen and the ballroom. Where were you?"

Rose hesitated. Serenity sat up in her seat staring at Rose with wonder. Rose's eyes became frightful with fear and dread as she stared at Serenity.

Evelyn turned back you her and yelled, "Where were you?"

Rose panicked.

Evelyn yelled, "Answer the question, where were you between the hour gap of nine-thirty and ten-thirty when Lady Luckington was murdered?"

Serenity pressed her hand on Sammy's clenched fist. She pleaded quietly, "You have to do something."

Sammy's mouth tightened as he sat there.

Cain turned to Rose. "Answer the question." Rose looked at him. She looked at Cain's reassuring face. She saw Evelyn's angry face and Serenity's frightful face.

Evelyn yelled, "Where were you?"

Rose blurted out afraid, "I was with Lady Luckington." The crowd gasped.

Rose said quickly shaking her head as tears fell looking at Serenity. "It was me. I was the one who drugged the king. Lady Luckington threatened to hurt my son if I did not…"

The audience's voices grew louder all shocked as the photographers snapped cameras and quickly took notes and recorded the events. Cain banged down his gravel demanding order in the court.

Rose continued speaking hysterically to Serenity. "She was mean and cruel woman. I killed that spiteful woman!"

Evelyn yelled out, "She's insane. Get her off the stand."

Cain yelled banging his gavel. "Guards, take her into custody."

Rose shouted as they took her away kicking and screaming as she stared directly at a startled Serenity, "They are all evil your majesty. They made me drugged the king to frame you for her murder. I killed her. I killed that bitch and I would do it again." The juror mumbled amongst themselves along with the entire courtroom.

Cain yelled banging the gavel down, "Order in the court now!" The room quiet down.

Sammy stood up and said stand up, "Your honor, it was clearly an admission of guilt. Miss Magellan confessed to the murder of Lady Luckington. I asked that my client's case be dismissed immediately."

Cain lashed out angrily at Sammy, "You are beneath me, mortal! I am the judge, jury, and executor. I decide when the case is dismissed and Magellan is clearly unstable. So sit down now before I hold you in contempt." He looked around at everyone eyeballing him like he had clearly lost his mind.

Sammy said calmly, "Your honor, this is a case of reasonable doubt. Miss Magellan's confession is clearly reasonable doubt that my client did not murder Lady Luckington."

Cain looked peeved. It gave Serenity an inner satisfaction. Sammy was right. Rose's confession and nervous breakdown did untidy things for him. Her brother had proven that there is doubt that Serenity killed Lady Luckington. He stared at Serenity across the room. She sat stiffly in her seat. She looked more like a woman with a guilty heart then someone relieved that they were about to get away with murder. He would have to kill Rose and Serenity will have to live with that guilt for the rest of her life that an innocent woman died because of her.

With a heavy sigh, he dropped down his gavel. He said a disappointed tone like a child whose parent did not give him what he wanted. "Case dismissed. The accused party is acquitted of all charges and is freed to leave." Mina and Ami smiled. They watched as Sammy happily embraced his sister after winning the case. The jurors dismissed along with the audience members.

Irene and Ken rushed over to her daughter. Serenity held her hands out as one of the guards removed her handcuffs. She massaged her wrists.

"Serena…"

"Mom. Dad." She embraced them in a big hug as they held her tightly. She glanced over to the back to see that her friends Ami and Mina were already gone. She was sad then turned her head back to her parents. Her brother placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Serenity moved away from her parents and hugged her brother tightly inhaling his scent. She said, "Thank you. You were amazing."

Sammy said, "No, you made me remember who you really are." Her smile faded as she thought about Rose. She knew Rose was innocent.

On the steps of the courthouse, Sammy addressed the press announced that his sister's case was dismissed and she was cleared of all charges. After court, they went to a local burger joint and reminisced. For a few moments, it was the four of them like a family again. She tried to be happy, but what happened to Rose was eating her up inside. She became so depressed that she could no longer pretend to be happy. She dismissed herself from the table. The patrons and staff all stared at her as she tried to smile at them. News broke all over Ergon that Serenity was innocent and the real culprit was the beloved head housemaid Rose Magellan, who murdered Lady Luckington in cold blood.

Serenity walked into the bathroom and locked herself inside. She pressed her back against the door and slid down with tears falling heavily down her eyes nonstop. She landed on the floor and sobbed uncontrollably until snot ran from her nose.

Sarah nursed her neck later that afternoon as she sat up in bed. The sun was bright and high in the blue clear sky. She was usually a morning person, but she slept like a rock last night. She had this strange dream where Derrick was kissing her and begging her to save him. Then, he went crazy and threw her off a cliff. It felt real until she woke up back in the small guest room at Raye's temple.

She got out of bed and walked into the bathroom checking her phone. It was ten minutes after twelve in the afternoon. She checked her missed calls and saw that Derrick never called her. She was really losing it if she was dreaming about checking her messages and Derrick calling her back.

She relaxed in the hot bubble bath with her hair tied up. The hot, steamy bath fogged up the windows and mirrors in the bathroom. She closed her eyes listening to relaxing music as she soaked in the tub. She touched her flat stomach underneath the water wondering if she was pregnant with Rein's child. They never made love like that before. It was always sweet and passionate never rough and wild like the other night. She'll find out soon enough.

Raye woke up very late in the morning fully rested and naked in bed with a major headache and her memory was muddy. Her husband was gone and his side of the bed was made up. He was a neat freak. Raye felt strange from the way he made love to her last night. He was so rough and passionate and totally forgot that she was pregnant with his son. Her body was still leaking from his seed running down her legs.

Later on, she came downstairs in a blue maternity dress and saw her daughters eating cereal at the kitchen table. They were watching the news along with her husband Adam already dressed in a pink buttoned up dress shirt and chocolate colored pants. Serenity was acquitted of all charges in the case of the disappearance of Lady Luckington. The head housemaid Rose confessed to the murdered and was killed by beheading ten minutes ago. It was almost immediately after Serenity's trial was over. Raye was relieved. She knew that Serenity was capable of many cruel things. It was good to know that she was not a murderer.

Adam came behind and wrapped his arms around her wide waist. He kissed her neck. Their daughters were focused on the television in front of them since Adam changed the channel to cartoons. He pressed his body against Raye. His hands travelled up her silky legs and underneath her dress. Another hand cupped her breasts through her dress. They had grown bigger since the pregnancy. Raye whimpered quietly as his hands rubbed against her clit and slipped into her panties fingering her. She moaned. She had no idea what was going on with her husband. Why he was acting like this? She could feel his arousal for her pressing against her butt. Her panties were wet. She had no idea why she could not remembered anything from last night.

Something alerted the girls' attention and they raced out of the door not paying their parents any mind. Adam quickly unbuckled his pants and whipped out his groin. He ripped off her panties and started fucking her from behind. Raye felt her body growing weaker as she held on to the counter as if her life depended on it. He cursed underneath his breath as he released himself inside of her a minute later. She no longer remembered what she was thinking about.

He heard tiny footsteps running their way. They quickly fixed their clothes when they heard their daughters' voice.

Kayla and Raven ran it both equally happy.

Kayla asked happily, "Guess who we found on the front porch?"

Adam's eyes widen when Derrick strolled into the kitchen smiling. Raye smiled back at him as she walked over to greet her nephew. She said, "Derrick, I'm so glad to see you." She held him tightly in her arms .Derrick grinned over her shoulders at a frowning Adam.

"It's good to see you to Aunt Raye. You look so beautiful."

Adam's eyes narrowed when Derrick's hands started lazily caressing Raye's back and went lowered to the small of her back. He waved a hand over her ass like he wanted to cup it and squeeze it.

Right before Derrick was about to fondle her ass, Adam interjected happily, "Hey girls, why don't you go upstairs and show your mother the baby gift you made."

The girls happily smiled. Raven said, "Okay dad." Before Raye could speak, her daughters were holding each of her hands and leading her away.

Derrick turned to his uncle in amusement. Adam quickly walked over to him closing the door behind him. Madeline had been helping him learn everything about Derrick Shields' life.

Derrick laughed. "You're fucking away your wife's visions. She hasn't had a vision in years because you block her thoughts."

Adam bit out angrily, "Would you prefer for her to find out our plans?"

Derrick walked towards his uncle and took a seat on the stool. He grabbed the remote and flipped on the television. They were still talking about Serenity being acquitted of all charges and Rose being immediately executed afterwards. "It looks like my stepmother has put a damper in our plans. She's probably telling him everything she knows now."

Adam cursed, "Damn it!"

Derrick scoffed. "It seems uncle that your happy little marriage is coming to an end."

Adam said, "Raye loves me."

Derrick said, "She loves her queen more. She's not going to forgive you when she finds out that you have been blocking her visions. Every time you make love to her, you can read her thoughts and wipe out her visions."

Adam ran his hands through his hair like he wanted to explode. He said taking a deep breath, "I am not a part of this. This is Evelyn and Cain. Cain forced me to be a part of this."

Derrick said, "You are an Elysian and you are my descendant. As long as my blood runs through your body and my power surged in you, you are a part of this. Stop running away from who you are. Accept that you are a prince of Elysian, a god to the mortals. You'll never be like one of them."

Adam sighed. "What do you want, Derrick?"

Derrick said, "Keep your wife distracted. If she or any of the other sailors interfere, I will kill them." Derrick disappeared. Adam heard a crash. He ran out into the living room. A family portrait of that he took along with his wife and kids shattered on the floor. He glanced at the broken photograph. He saw a long crack that separated him from his wife and children.

Raye stood shaking holding the banister for support. She had heard everything they said. Her eyes were misty with tears.

"Serenity…" Serenity's eyes widen when she heard the sound of Endymion's voice and fist banging against the door.

"Give me a second." Serenity slowly stood up wiping her tears away. She grabbed a piece of tissue from a bathroom stall and blew her snotty nose. She tossed the tissue in the nearest garbage can and washed and dried her hands. She glanced up at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red from crying and her face was puffy. She walked over to the door and unlocked the door. She was overwhelmed when she opened the door to find a relieved and emotional Endymion on the other side. He pushed her back inside of the bathroom and stepped in quickly closing the door. He shoved her backwards until her back was flat against one of the toilets' stall doors. He pressed his hard body against hers as he smashed his lips against hers in a desperate, hungry kiss full of pent up passion and desire. His big hands roamed and fondled all over her body. Their moans and groans were so loud that the patrons passing the women's bathroom outside heard them.

Endymion walked into the restaurant excited to see his wife who was finally freed. Parliament refused to allow him to attend the trial citing that the public did not think highly of their king and that it could reflect unfavorably upon the queen. He had no idea where the children were. He could not sense any of them. They had all disappeared. He was disappointed that none called him about the case or even went to check on their mother in jail.

He saw the Tuskinos now the Montgomerys sitting at a dining table eating burgers. Serenity was not there, but Sammy called him to inform them that they won the case. He greeted his parents-in-law who embraced him for the first time in eight years. Even Sammy shook his hand as Endymion wholeheartedly thanking him for saving his wife's life. Sammy smiled warmly. They hardly spoke to one another, but their bond to Serenity and his children was stronger than any animosity they had towards one another.

Endymion asked, "Where's Serenity?"

Irene said worried, "She's been in the bathroom for ten minutes."

Sammy joked, "Maybe she's on the toilet." Irene frowned at her son.

Endymion smiled. "I'll go check on her."

Serenity closed her eyes groaning softly arching her head back against the stall's door as Endymion sucked on her neck before lifting up his head and kissing her soft lips again. He broke away from her lips and his mouth latched onto her breasts that were fully exposed. He unbuckled his pants with his hands. She wanted to forget today, even though she knew it would haunt her for the rest of her life. She saw his groin poking out. She dropped to her knees. His erect groin poked her in the face when he stepped forward waiting for her to suck him off. She looked at it and it seemed less than what she was used to.

The door burst opened and there stood Endymion with a shocked expression on his face. He looked down at Serenity. He noticed the messy clothes and hair. Her breasts were exposed and another man's groin was in her face. The man quickly tucked it back into his pants and hastily buckled up his pants. A horrified Serena did a double take. She covered her mouth in shock when she saw that the man was not Endymion but Martin. She quickly got to her feet fixing her clothes.

Endymion was breathing heavily. He was livid as Martin turned around panting. He cried backing up until his back was against the wall, "I'm sorry. They threatened my family. They made me do it." Endymion could not hear him as he saw red and his eyes turned golden. He held out his hand. Serenity panicked racing towards her husband. He slapped her harshly to the floor with the back of his other hand. Serenity was shocked as she touched her stinging cheek. He never hit her before. She could not control him anymore. He reached a dark place inside of himself that she could not follow. A golden energy erupted from Endymion's hand. Serenity screamed, "No!"

Martin screamed as his body exploded into smithereens. Cain smirked as he felt Endymion's energy from his office in the Capitol. Serenity trembled and screamed hysterically after watching her husband kill Martin. Endymion stepped towards Serenity as she backed away yelling, "Stay away from me!"

The patrons at the restaurant froze as they stayed glued to their seats and staff hid behind the counter. Everyone was afraid to trigger Endymion's anger. All afraid of them feared the wrath of their king.

Sammy frowned as he listened to his sister's screams as his parents cowered in their seats along with everyone else. "Screw this."

Ken cried, "No, Sammy." Sammy was already gone losing breath as he raced to the bathroom. Serenity looked horrified and said, "Sammy, stay away. I'll be okay. He won't hurt me."

When Serenity came back, everyone thought he changed and now he murdered someone else. Endymion towered over Serenity. He bent down and grabbed her arm.

Endymion's head slowly turned to Sammy. His eyes were golden and deadly. Sammy stepped back like Endymion was holding a loaded gun. The only difference was that Endymion himself was the loaded gun ready to fire at any sudden movement. He glanced down at his sister and felt sorry for her. She sat there frightened like a battered woman in a domestic violence situation. She could control his anger, his drinking, and his lust for women, and this was her life. Protecting an atomic bomb from exploding. He sighed. His parents had accepted that this was his sister's life. They were a crazy couple together, but were miserable apart. A part of him wanted to be her savior and tell her that she could do better than Endymion even if he was the King of the Earth. But she loved him as much as he loved her. And to get between them was as dumb as trying to stand in the middle of two lunatics with guns trying to kill each other.

He watched as Endymion grabbed Serenity's arm and disappeared with her.

In the king's bedroom with the large dark curtains drawn blanketing the entire room in darkness, Endymion's grunts echoed throughout the cold, dark room. The headboard of the king's bed slammed hard against the wall as the bed legs underneath grind into the hard floor. Their clothes were scattered across the bedroom floor. As Endymion pounded himself hard into his wife's numb body, Serenity's head turned sideways as her cheek rubbed against the dark, messy silk sheets. Her lifeless blue eyes stared out vacantly into the darkness. Her body jerked up every time he thrust forward. She received no pleasure in this act. But it was the only way she could tame the beast inside of him by letting him take her like the maniac he had become. She watched her husband murder an innocent man in cold-blood and he didn't give a damn. Human life meant nothing to him now. She hated herself more because she still loved him. She did not want to love him anymore, but her heart and body still desired him.

Lost deep in his deleterious thoughts, Endymion was still furious with her for allowing another man to touch what only belonged to him. He knew he arrived before anything really happened, but it still drove him over the edge. As he fucked her ruthlessly like she was nothing more than one of the many whores he bedded over the years, she suddenly faced him with compassionate blue eyes and slipped her arms around his strong back. She knew he was punishing her for being intimate with another man. The faster he came, the faster he would return to her. She spread her legs farther apart giving him deeper access as his entire length filled her body. Her body responded to him and joined him lifting her hips meeting his every powerful thrust. The image of Serenity with anyone but him infuriated him into madness. He arched up his head back with his eyes shut tightly and his fists planted firmly on either side of her body. He thoroughly pounded his groin so deep inside of her that his balls thrashed her clit into a jittery, pulsing sensation. He could still smell another man's scent on her skin. She whimpered as she took the pain. He could hear the Dragon laughing at him in his mind. She cried out his name between short breaths. He saw an image of the devil fucking his wife and his wanton wife enjoying every second of it with sinful blue eyes. He grew angrier and cried out in anguish. He did not hear her cries as he began fucking her harder whipping her wet, sweltering core into mush as his large groin pounded deep and frantically inside of her. Her wet lips repeatedly swallowed his dripping groin. Her arousal started making farting noises as he merciless fucked her insides up at a brutal pace.

He roared shoving his entire length inside of her with one final hard thrust emptying his entire seed inside of her. He panted opening his eyes and coming back to his senses. He sensed her anguish and stopped moving. He stared down at her and cringed when he saw her swollen cheek and her naked body covered in sweat and trembling underneath him. He couldn't believe he hurt her. He was losing control of his temper. He was always able to control himself. Now he was worried he could not anymore. He caught her big beautiful blue eyes now glistening with tears in the darkness and wondered why she stayed with him. She deserved better than him. She deserved to be with someone not sick and crazy like he was. He descended his head. She flinched turning her head. His lips landed softly on her cheek. Her cheek and the rest of her body instantly healed from his kiss and the pain went away.

He said quietly and ashamed lifting his head, "I'm sorry."

She said turning to face him, "I know." She drew his head down to hers and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Cain called an emergency meeting with Parliament. He stood in the center of the room with his brother and sister dressed in their royal attire sitting on their thrones in the front of the room. Cain said, "The king has gone mad. He murdered an innocent man in board daylight." He turned to the House of Mortals side of the room. He said, "He murdered an innocent mortal man in board daylight for no reason at all. He is like a mad dog and it is time to put him down!"

One of the lords shouted out, "What do you suggest, Prince Alexander? He is the Earth king."

Cain said, "It is time to strip the Earth King of his powers and titles."

Another of the lords shouted, "That's blasphemy. Elysian will fall without the Earth King."

Evelyn stood up and said, "That isn't true, milord." She turned to the lord and said looking up at him, "The Sword of the Earth has chosen his royal highness my nephew Prince Derrick as his heir. We no longer need Endymion." Adam diverted his eyes.

Evelyn turned to the mortals. "This is the king that murdered your friends and families in cold blood. He destroyed your lives on Judgment Day. He is a monster!" The House of Mortals mumbled loudly amongst themselves.

One of the mortals asked, "What are you suggesting Alexander?"

Cain said bluntly, "Remove Endymion from the throne and make Derrick the new king." There was a large ruckus amongst them.

Evelyn said loudly, "Uno approves of this. Otherwise, he would not have approved of Derrick being the new king. The Era of Endymion has been miserable for us all. Let's closed this chapter and start afresh with a new king in a new time where Elysians and mortals can co-exist. As long as Endymion lives, we can never truly be happy or united." Adam's eyes widen. They were going to kill Endymion.

Evelyn sensed her brother's fear. She turned to him. She said loudly, "What do you have to say about this Adam? You are a prince of Elysian. We must be united."

Adam glanced across the room and in the shadows. He saw Derrick staring at him with red eyes. He saw an image of Raye and his daughters dead. Derrick grinned at him then disappeared.

Adam did not want to be a pawn in his brother and sister's scheme. Yet, Raye was the love of his life and the mother of his children. Derrick will have no qualms with killing them even though his daughters were from Derrick's bloodline. He hoped Endymion's soul would forgive him.

Adam reluctantly stood up. He said in a deadpanned voice, "My brother is mad. He murdered eight hundred and ninety thousand women, men, and children on Judgment Day because he was upset that his daughter left him. He killed the mortal members of the New World Regime in cold blood. Mortal life is meaningless to him. He is a selfish and horrible king. I agree with my siblings. Endymion should be removed from the throne, strip of his powers and title. His era is over. "He diverted his eyes to the ground. "It should have been over one thousand years ago."

Lord Davenport said, "This is a first in Elysian history." He sighed. "Let's take a vote to decide on this matter."

He said loudly, "All in favor of stripping Endymion of his crown, titles, and powers. Say aye when your name is called."

As Parliament decided Endymion's fate, Endymion ran his fingers through Serenity's silver hair. She rolled on top of him with the covers tangled around them and kissed him. She stared down at him looking like a goddess as their blue eyes staring at one another.

Endymion cupped his cheek in his hand as he stared at her with remorseful eyes. The angry inside of him was gone and all he was left with was regret for killing an innocent man in hatred like the night he took Serenity by force. His eyes glistened with tears. He was a mess and he did not deserve her. Yet, she refused to leave his side no matter how much he hurt her. Was she as sick as he was?

He said softly shaking his head, "I am so sorry."

Serenity smiled leaving kisses on his cheeks and nose. "I know."

He asked caressing her cheek, "Why do you stay with me? I'm a mess and you deserve to be with someone who isn't crazy."

Serenity grinned at him. "Because I love you." He moaned as her hands brushed his bangs aside. "And we're just alike."

Endymion arched his eyebrow. "And exactly how is that?" Serenity smiled and leaned down and kissed him. He flipped her over until she lied flat on her back. He smiled. "Just like I like you."

She laughed. "You pig. " She quieted with a soft moan when he pushed himself inside of her again.

Lord Davenport said, "One hundred and fifty to fifty. The ayes have it. Endymion will be stripped of his powers, his titles, and crown. Prince Derrick will be the New Earth King." The crowd cheered as Evelyn and Cain smiled at one another. Adam looked at his siblings with repulsed eyes.

Lord Davenport banged his gravel then nodded to his nephew Cain. Cain nodded. Cain held hands with Evelyn. Cain frowned at Adam until he reluctantly agreed to join them and formed a circle. Their eyes turned golden along with the rest of the House of Lords including Lord Davenport.

They began to chant an ancient Elysian chant calling upon the spirits of the earth, wind, fire, and water, and the spirits of the kings of the earth to remove Endymion's powers as a bright golden light emitted from the Original Elysians. The planet shook as they continued chanting.

Endymion threw his head back as he thrust hard inside of Serenity. Serenity clutched the sheets tightly as Endymion continued to move inside of her. Endymion felt something strange happening inside of him like a piece of him was being ripped out of him. His felt himself growing weaker as a golden light shot out of his body. He felt Endymion's spirit leaving him once again to return to the realm of the kings and an inner peace as his eyes turned from golden back to blue. Serenity watched in surprise as she felt his powers leaving him. She expected him to be afraid or upset, but he did not care as he continued to move Inside of her. He lowered his hand and kissed her passionately on the lips as he thrust harder inside of her. She wrapped her hands around his neck as she slowly kissed him. He was at peace. The madness was gone from inside of him and he was simply Darien Shields again. He lifted his head and smiled happily down at her.

She smiled. "I love you, Darien."

He smiled. "I love you too, Serenity." He lowered his head again and stopped midway.

She said, "You can call me, Serena."

He smiled before kissing her again as they reached euphoria together. Both of them were unaware that their lives were in danger now since Darien was no longer Endymion or the King.

Derrick appeared before Parliament next to the high priest. Derrick was sworn in surrounded by his Uncles Cain and Adam and his Aunt Evelyn and her daughters. Edward was there along with their cousins Jacob and Philip. A golden aura shone over Derrick as he felt himself finally becoming king as his clothes transformed into the golden armor. The Sword of the Earth appeared on his hand, while the golden crown appeared on his head. He thrust the sword in the air as they applauded their new king. He turned around to them and watched as all the members slowly bowed down to him. He could feel the Elysians throughout Ergon bowing down to their new king.

Serenity continued to make love to Darien in bed. They stilled when they heard footsteps approaching. It was the sound of the castle guards coming to arrest them. Darien knew they were going to kill him. Serenity and Darien quickly gathered their clothes. The castle guards burst into the room. They searched the chambers for Darien and Serenity. They walked into the king's bedroom and saw that the bed was messy with evidence of their lovemaking. Some of the guards checked the balcony to see if they had jumped down. The leader of the guards yelled, "They have escaped. Find the former king and queen and when you do, King Derrick wants them dead." They left out of the chambers.

Serenity's eyes widen as Darien covered her mouth with his hand. They were hiding inside the walls, in the secret hallways of the castle that only Darien knew about from his previous life. Even though he was not Endymion anymore, he still had all of Endymion's memories. They heard everything. He was no longer the king, Derrick was, and his son wanted them dead.

In the Underworld, Dragon laughed from his throne room. Derrick was finally the Earth King and soon Darien and Serena would be dead. Everything was going smoothly. It was time for the next phase of their plan.

Kimberly played with her dolls with blue flames surrounding her.

In a dark room, a sleeping Rini's eyelids showed signs of movement.

Meanwhile somewhere in Ergon, Nathaniel sat at his desk in his room doing his homework, he heard the cries of his mother as his father beat her for the umpteenth time. His could hear the sounds of the leather belt cracking against her skin as she cried out loud from the other room. He dropped his pencil and walked out of his room. Nathaniel's eyes turned into black marbles as fire formed in his hands. He walked out of the room covered in flames that did not harm him. Soon, there were screams and the entire cottage exploded into flames as the boy walked trancelike into the darkness of the forest.

Sarah smiled happily when she returned to the temple that night. There were parties throughout the kingdom in honor of Derrick being sworn in as the new Earth King. The royal guards were searching for Darien and Serena Shields. They were considered armed and dangerous and both wanted in the murder of the former king's personal assistant. Anyone who saw or knew about their whereabouts was to inform the authorities immediately. The person whose tip led to their capture would be thoroughly rewarded.

Sarah bathed and dressed for bed. She was relieved to take a pregnancy test and find out that she was not pregnant. She promised herself never to scare herself like that again. She slid opened the door to her bedroom and screamed when she saw Derrick standing there with a twisted look on his face. She stepped back and he disappeared. She bumped into something hard. She tried to scream again

but he covered her mouth with one hand and twisted her arm painfully behind her back with the other hand.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear in a dark voice, "Hello, my queen. We meet again." A horrified look came across her face as he disappeared with Sarah. Her phone rang on her dresser with Raye's name on the caller id calling to check on her. When Sarah did not respond, Raye teleported into Sarah's room and saw that all her things were still there, but Sarah was gone.