Title:After the Moon.Part 5 Author:Tapestry Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879 Standard Disclaimer Apply *denotes thought 6/3/01 "Woman was created from the ribs of man Not from his head to top him Nor from his feet to be walked upon She was made from his side to be his equal From beneath his arms to be protected From very near his heart to be loved." --Anonymous-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The three senshi bowed. "Greetings." smiled the one called Sailor Neptune. Sailor Uranus smiled. "Our scientists detected the surge of Lunarian energy. The Princess's awakening??" asked Uranus. "Yes." nodded Luna gesturing towards Serenity. "But, we also detected something else with the energy surge...Our scientists however could not identify the-" began Neptune. "It was a bonding." answered Artemis. "A bonding?? But, that is only a myth. Supposedly between soulmates." said a soft voice. "That is correct, but also very wrong. We have the living proof in front of us. Princess Serenity is the soulmate to the Prince of Earth." pointed Artemis looking at the Senshi of Destruction or the Soldier of Death and Rebirth also known as Sailor Saturn. Uranus, Neptune and Saturn turned to look at the pair. Endymion frowned at their scrutiny and held Serenity tighter to himself as he glared at them, challenging them to try and take his angel from him. To his surprise, the three dropped to their knees and bowed. "Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion. Your highnesses." Their sailor uniform melted away to leave cloaks and terran peasant clothes. They rose from their position and smiled. "Lady Mars, Lady Mercury, Lady Jupiter and Lady Venus." they acknowledged. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this lady thing." sighed Lita. Uranus laughed. "I am Lady Uranus.But you may call me Alex." Neptune smiled and followed suit. "I'm Lady Neptune.You may call me Michelle." "I am Lady Saturn.You may call me Holly." "That definately sounds better than calling you lady everytime." sighed Mina wiping her brow with shamness. Raye bonked her on the head. "This is better than we expected. With Lady Uranus, Lady Neptune and Lady Saturn here, they can train the girls."exclaimed Luna. "Train???" echoed Mina. "Yes. Start your training. You can't expect to be just able to transform and go off into battle did you??" asked Artemis. "When do we start this training??" asked Raye tentatively. "When we go to the city of course." answered Luna. "But...what will Endymion's family think of us?? I doubt we should tell the King and Queen of Earth, our origins aren't exactly terran." pointed out Alex. "Gaia's wrath, you cannot hide such a thing. You have to trust the King and Queen with the knowledge of your origins if the universe is to survive." sighed Zoiscite. Michelle sighed. "Such a discovery will shock your scientists. After all, they have speculated there are no other life on the other planets." "Which reminds me. How is it, you managed to conceal your civilization from our scientists??" asked Zoiscite. "Ugh...more science talk." groaned Jadeite. "Our technology is far more advanced than what you can find here on Earth. The civilization of the Silver Millennium are very familiar with the art of magic. Even after Queen Serenity passed on, her shield is still protecting us." said Alex. "The shield is still there??" asked Luna. "Yes. It is still powered by the Imperial Silver Crystal." said Hope. "That means the Imperial Silver Crystal is still in existance. It was not destroyed." mused Artemis. "However...we do not know where it is." stated Michelle. "What is this Imperial Silver Crystal??" asked Nephrite curiously. "It is a power so great, in the wrong hands, it could destroy the whole universe. It is an heirloom to the Moon Kingdom's rulers." informed Luna. "Destroy the universe???" echoed Jadeite. "Nobody could wield such power and not go corrupt." exclaimed Malachite. "The fact remains all the Moon sovereigns were gentle and just rulers." said Holly. "I am familiar with the Silver Millennium history." "Enough about history and scientific-techno babble already!! I'm hungry. It's bad enough this is the third time a youma targeted us, that I have to go around with an empty stomach." sighed Mina. Everybody laughed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Is everything packed?" asked Malachite. "Affirmative." joked Jadiete with a mock salute. "When we reach the city, what will you call us?? I hear royalty are very strict with status." whispered Serenity. Endymion laughed. "Don't worry. My parents are very lenient." Serenity frowned. "Really. Come my lady, we have a long journey ahead of us." coaxed Endymion holding his hand out toward Serenity. Hesitantly, Serenity placed her hand in his hand, his long fingers closing on her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. Then...she felt calm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Days later.... Golden City,Earth, Palace. Endymion dismounted from his horse and lifted a sleeping Serenity down from the horse and into his arms. They had been travelling for days and had just reached the palace by nightfall. "Your Highness!! Thank Gaia you have returned. A terrible situation has arisen and-" "If it is about youma attacks, I know." snapped Endymion brusquely at the counsellor. "Oh...you've heard. The King and Queen have been searching for you to inform you of the situation. They'll be very glad you're back. Such dark times on Earth. One cannot be too careful." babbled the counsellor. "Yes yes...thank you." nodded Endymion waving the man away as he held on to a dozing Serenity. Turning to the others, Endymion spoke brisk orders towards the servants. The Generals volunteered to escort the dozing women to their rooms. Luna and Artemis turned to the three Outer-senshi. "It is only proper we introduce ourselves to the King and Queen of Earth. Will you three be accompanying us??" asked Artemis. Endymion looked expectantly at them. "No." answered Alex. "The Princess' guard are untrained and also tired out from their journey to the Palace." said Michelle. "We must in their, place guard the Princess." remarked Holly. "We understand."nodded Luna. Endymion turned to stare at the two citizens of the fallen Moon Kingdom. "So...ready??" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion entered the throne room, sure of the uproar he was going to cause.He saw the worried faces of his parents as they talked with their advisors and counsellors. "Endymion!!" exclaimed his mother. "You, young man...have come back from that silly expedition of yours. Searching for the mythical Moon Kingdom-" "Umm...father. The Moon Kingdom isn't a myth." cut in Endymion. The King frowned. "May I present, Counsellor Artemis and Counsellor Luna. They are from the fallen Moon Kingdom." elaborated Endymion. King Titan scowled and the Queen Terra frowned. "Endymion...please, we have a very serious situation concerning the safety of Earth. Please escort your 'Moon people' out so we may turn to more important matters." sighed the Queen. "You cannot discuss what you know nothing about, your Majesty."said Luna. The Queen fastened her gaze on the woman with dark flowing curly hair in odd pigtails.She saw the cool calm of the woman and the determination in her blue eyes. "Who are you really???" snapped the King. "I am who Prince Endymion has said I am. Watch."said Luna. The King and Queen gaped as crescent moons suddenly appeared on their foreheads in a burst of golden light. "We only seek to protect our Princess and the remaining planets in the Silver Millennium Alliance. Without protecting Earth, I'm afraid the universe has no hope." stated Luna calmly. "Your Princess??" asked the Queen curiously. "Yes. The last heir to the Moon throne." The King made a snort. "Endymion.There is a very serious matter going on. We have no more time for your jokes." reprimanded the King. Endymion frowned. "This is no joke, father. They-" "Endymion is not lying!!!" shouted a feminine voice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Before he even turned...he already knew. He knew when she was near. He could feel her emotions and thoughts as they slowly explored their bonding as soulmates. She in turn, could feel him too and had blastedly, felt his fustration with his parents. "Who in Gaia's wrath are you!!??" bellowed the King. Endymion frowned at his guards as they rushed into the throne room. "We tried to stop her." shrugged Jadeite heplessly. "Arrest the whole lot of them!!" ordered the King. "No!!" shouted Endymion. Guards hurried to do their King's bidding, running forward to catch the girl, woman and man. "Silent Wall!!" came a shout. Out of nowhere, a purple barrier of energy surrounded the three Lunarians and repelled the guards, sending them flying to the ground. The King stood up in shock. "What??" A petite girl in a purple sailor suit holding a glaive staff exited the shadows. "You pardon, Prince Endymion. Princess Serenity merely woke suddenly and flew out of the room." bowed Sailor Saturn. "No apologies needed, Saturn." smiled Endymion. Turning to his aghast parents, Endymion smiled. "Father, Mother...meet Serenity. Princess of the 'mythical' Moon Kingdom. That is Sailor Saturn of the planet Saturn." "I think I'm going to faint." croaked King Titan. Queen Terra stared at her husband critically. "Really!! I thought you'd be made of sterner stuff. You ARE a MAN aren't you???" "My sovereign lady," began the King in a patronizing tone. "It is not everyday you meet people from other planets and find out everything the scientists have learned about the Solar system to be false." breathed King Titan. Endymion chuckled. "There you are!" exclaimed another voice. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune along with the five other girls stepped out of the shadows. "There are more???" choked King Titan. "Didn't I mention it??" laughed Endymion, amusement twinkling in his eye, as he moved closer and enfolded Serenity in his arms. "I believe introductions are in order." sighed the Queen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ King Titan and Queen Terra frowned at the new information provided by Luna and Artemis. "If what you say is true, Earth is in terrible danger." mused King Titan. "As well as your son. He is linked to the Earth. Your son must stay close proximity to Serenity. Without the help of his soulmate,Endymion will fall ill as he did in the country." stated Artemis grimly. The Queen stared at her son. "The girls must start their training as senshi straight away. Do you have any special grounds for training??" asked Luna. King Titan nodded. "Endymion and the generals use it to train. They can show you." "Thank you." said Luna. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Raye, Lita, Mina and Amy stared at the three sailor-suited women in front of them. "First things first. You need to transform." stated Uranus. "How do we do that??" asked Amy confused. "You have subspace pockets. That would be where your transformation sticks have appeared. "Umm...how do we get them out??" asked Lita. Neptune smiled. "Think about it. Imagine yourself grasping something." The four of them closed their eyes and imagined. They closed their hands around something. Opening their eyes, they saw their transformation sticks with their symbols on it. "Now...say your planet, and Planet Power, Make Up." "Mercury Planet Power, Make Up!!" "Mars Planet Power, Make Up!!" "Jupiter Planet Power, Make Up!!" "Venus Planet Power, Make Up!!" Coloured auras surrounded them, enveloping them in their warm embrace. When they finally lookd down at themselves, they were in Sailor suits. "Welcome, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus." acknowledged Neptune. "Oh my.." gasped Mercury. Saturn came to stand in front of them. "You, Mercury, are the Senshi of Wisdom, Star of Water and Ice. Mars, you are the Senshi of War, Star of Fire. Jupiter, you are the Senshi of Protection, Star of Weather. Venus, you are the Senshi of Love. Star of Light." finished Saturn. "You are the Inner-senshi." said Uranus. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serenity stared at them sadly, as the four girls came around the garden, chattering excitedly. Still in their Sailor uniforms. "Serenity!!" waved Venus excitedly. Serenity waved back at them half-heartedly. As they neared her, Mars peered at Serenity,confused. "What's wrong??" she asked. "It's nothing, Raye. I just...feel left out somehow. The four of you are senshi. And I'm...not.I guess, I just think this senshi-business will bring you four closer and leave me out." sighed Serenity sadly. "Awww!!! Never Sere!! No matter who we are or who you are...we'll always be best friends!! No matter what happens." smiled Venus. "Promise??" asked Serenity. "Of course!! Friends forever!!" laughed Jupiter. The five girls hugged each other... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Golden Palace, Earth Outside Ballroom. Serenity fidgetted with her silver white dress. Her hair was in her usual style with a string of pearls surrounding each bun and teardrop pearls dangling from her ears while a string of lusterous white pearls with one large black pearl adorned her throat. White roses were weaved into her hair. The others were in similar dresses of their uniform colour. "Why is the monarchy holding a ball at such a time like this?? The Earth could go into war any day." said Serenity tugging at the bodice, trying to cover more of her chest that to her, seemed scandalously low. "To give the illusion that nothing is wrong. All monarchs do that. It's to keep the people from panicking. It's a common tactic used by the Silver Millennium monarchy sometimes." smiled Alex. "Oh Serenity, do stop pulling at the bodice. You look lovely. Don't spoil the dress." said Mina fingering the white silk. "But this thing is too low. It makes me feel naked or like one of those tavern wenches at the village." complained Serenity. "Serenity! Don't use 'wenches'. Use 'women'." said Amy. "They're going to announce us soon!!" exclaimed Lita. The massive oak door swung open and the trumpets blared loudly. "Presenting, Lady Serenity, Lady Amy, Lady Raye, Lady Lita, Lady Mina, Lady Holly, Lady Michelle and Lady Alexandra." announced the man by the door. Serenity felt nervous. Many pairs of eyes were staring at them. Noblemen and noble ladies alike. Serenity met hungry stares from men and spiteful glares from women. She shivered. Her gaze sought out Endymion. She longed for the warm and protective embrace of his arms. She found him surrounded by scores of women who seemed to be laaughing at something he'd said. Fear and jealousy curled round her heart. Jealous because of the women and fear because did he already actually have a woman he loved but stayed with her because she was his soulmate?? "My lady, would you care to dance?" asked a low voice. "Who are you??" asked Serenity apprehensively. "My name is Lord Julian Eliot. WOuld you care to dance, Lady Serenity?" Serenity stared at his face. His eyes seemed to twinkle of some unknown emotion. "I'd love to, my lord." answered Serenity mechanically for she couldn't think of a suitable reason to refuse. The tutors had said to think of reasons if they wanted to refuse some young courtier. Serenity stepped out onto the dance floor and began to dance with Lord Julian. "You know, the seven of you ladies are new courtiers. I've never seen your faces before. Is this your debut??" "Yes, my lord." The man smiled. "My lord, it sounds lovely on your lips." Serenity felt his hand around her waist pull her closer before sliding down her hip. She gave a little choke. "D-Do you know much about the prince??" asked Serenity trying to distract herself. "His Highness?? Well, there are some latest rumours. The lady over there, with the black hair is said to be his latest courtesan." "Courtesan??" echoed Serenity confused. "Yes, paramour." "Paramour...his mistress?? Does he love her?" asked Serenity in shock. The man seemed to smile with glee. "It's rumoured he does." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion heard the announcer announce his lady love's name. He stole a small peek from the crowd of women surrounding him. she was beautiful. An angel in white. He returned his attention to the ladies as to break away now, would be considered rude. He felt her nervousness and noticed the hungry looks men shot at Serenity. His entire being seemed to fill with rage. The next emotion he felt was apprehensiveness and then anxiety which turned to shock and then sadness. This time, he didn't bother with the manners and marched away from the group. He spotted Serenity dancing with Lord Julian. A well known rake and he was maneuvering them towards the curtains of the balcony. A surge of protectiveness rose as he marched toward them. As he got nearer, he saw Julian back her out onto the balcony. The creep. "Sir!! I beg your pardon!! Why have we come out here?!" demanded Serenity. "For privacy. You're so lovely." "Lord Julian!!" exclaimed Serenity as he tried to kiss her. "Come now, you'll enjoy the kiss." said Julian. "I'll wager you've kissed plenty of men before." "Well, I CERTAINLY have NOT!" exclaimed Serenity. "Julian..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lord Julian turned to face Prince Endymion. His blue gaze was hard and biting like dark diamonds. "Endymion.." breathed Serenity with a sigh of relief. "Serenity." "I believe the lady doesn't favor your attentions and I would please to see you not press your suit on my betrothed." said Endymion in a low deadly voice. "Your betrothed??!!" "Yes. My betrothed." "I beg your apology your Highness." mumbled Julian as he fled from the balcony. "Did he hurt you, Serenity?" asked Endymion turning his gaze to her. "No...Endymion, you didn't have to say I was your betrothed you know." "Nonsense. I wanted to." Endymion enfolded her in a warm embrace. "What is troubling you?? I can feel your emotions." "Do you have a lover, Endymion?? Someone you care deeply about? I mean, someone you chose yourself instead of someone fate chose for you. You really don't have to remain with me, just because you and I are bonded as soulmates." sighed Serenity slipping from his arms. Endymion gaped at her words. "Why do you think that?? I don't have a lover. If you're talking about that rumour, well it is't true. Lady Isabella started that herself. The woman I love is standing in front of me." "Because I'm your soulmate and we have no choice." "No. Because I love you and have since I first saw you. Didn't you feel that current when we first stared into each others eyes???" asked Endymion. "I did... you felt it too?" "Of course, my love. I don't want you thinking I don't care about you. You're my life...my other half." "Endy-" "You complete me, my lovely Serenity. My heaven-sent angel." whispered Endymion as he leaned down and kissed her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Beryl stared at the crystal ball in front of her. "So...the terran who dares oppose me is the Prince of Earth is he?? Well, I'll eliminate this little eyesore and-" "Wait Beryl...he could be useful." "Useful??" snapped Beryl angrily. "Yes...he could be a source of great power for the Dark Kingdom." said the voice. "He could also help us find the Moon Princess. If she is on this planet instead of the on one of the Outer-planets." "Well...I suppose, Empress Metallia." "Yes...offer to him a proposition to rule by the side of the Dark Kingdom. And if he refuses, kill him." "By your command Empress." Beryl stared at the the crystal ball once more. Her hands running over the image of Prince Endymion. "He IS very handsome." smiled Beryl evilly. "I wonder if he likes older women." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One week later. Serenity sat in the rose garden smelling the wonderful smell of roses. She was quite bored and lonely. The other girls were training again. Bending down to sniff a beautiful red rose in bloom, Serenity inhaled deeply. The scent was heavenly. Suddenly, the ground seemed to shudder. Horrible rotting bodies of youmas emerged from the ground. Serenity screamed and grimaced at the horrible sight of flesh oozing liquid. She backed away as the youmas staggered to their feet and turning eye sockets and eye balls towards her. "Energy...." hissed one youma. Serenity backed further and turned to flee. *Why do they always pop up at me???* moaned her mind. "Energy!!" screeched the youmas as they ran after her. She proved no match for the swift footed youmas that easily caught up to her. *ENDYMION!!!* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion was practicing swords with his guards when the first piercing screamed echoed in his mind. He stumbled as he heard Serenity's shout for him. "Serenity..." Without another word, he turned and sprinted to the direction his heart led him. His black cape billowing behind him. His Guard surprised at his sudden leave ran after him. Serenity was backed into a corner in the garden. The youmas advancinng toward her with a single purpose. "Supreme Thunder!!" came a voice. "Deep Submerge!!" Serenity screamed one more as a charge of electricity and a heavy wave crashed at one youma. Another two were crushed by the grip of terra itself. "Fire Soul Bird!!!" "Crescent Beam!!" The fourth and last of the youmas were burnt by a beam of light and a ball of flame in the shape of the phoenix. The next thing she knew was of strong arms enveloping her and lifting her off the ground. Instinctively, she threw her arms around the person's neck and buried her face into the side of his neck. Endymion's soothing voice reached her ears. Comforting her "Shhh, love. Everything's fine now. You're safe." he whispered as he carried her back into the palace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luna arrived just as Endymion carrying Serenity brushed past her, cradling Serenity closely to him. Just like when Serenity had been attacked in the forest before. Luna and Artemis followed at his heels, running after him to keep up with his brisk pace. Behind them, the senshi followed. Endymion kicked the door to Serenity's room open and strode in. Gently, he laid her down onto the bed. "You're safe love." whispered Endymion as he brushed her hair from her temple with the back of his hand. Wide trusting blue eyes stared up at him. He stared down at her with all the tenderness he felt. Leaning down, he kissed her head then moved to brushe her lips lightly. "Sleep, my love. It's over." "Endy..." "I love you." "I love you too." whispered Serenity shyly. Endymion closed the door softly and turned to stare at Luna and Artemis. "Why is it youmas always follow us?? At Black Wood Forest it was also this way. Why always Serenity??" snapped Endymion angrily. "We don't think the Dark Kingdom knows Serenity is the Moon Princess, but we believe the youmas see her as the largest source of energy next to you and are attracted to it." explained Luna. "They see Serenity as a buffet???!!" asked Sailor Mars coming up next to Luna. "If you want to put it crudely, yes." answered Artemis. Endymion turned his attention back worriedly to Serenity's door. "If the Moon Kingdom still existed and the inner-senshi trained, they would be the ones to guard the Princess, however, they have not finished their training. So I will take their place." came a voice. "Alex, that really isn't necessary-" began Endymion. "Prince Endymion is right Lady Uranus." objected Artemis. "It IS necessary. Prince Endymion cannot protect her. He is a man. It is not proper." argued Sailor Uranus. "That's right..." agreed Luna. Endymion frowned. "Alright..." he conceded. Though heaven knew he would rather protect his beloved himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be continued... Argh!! I don't know what else to write already!! So, this is as good a place to stop as any. Sigh....I think the story that bears the largest brunt of my writer's block is 'Illusions on Ice'. C'mon people, email me?? Just to show you actually want to read this story. <:( A little MORALE support over here!!!