Title:Rebels & Royals.Part 3 Author:Tapestry Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879 Standard Disclaimer Apply *denotes thought To dream is to wish, To wish is to see, To see will be reality. ~*~Tapestry~*~ Hey,I just read this really sweet thing and I'm going to share it with you guys too. :)) I'll probably stop with those words on top and replace them with these... "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-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Two months had passed with no success of locating the Princess Serenity. "Those cursed rebels.When I find their little hidey place,I'm going to decimate the place."hissed Bruche. The Royal Guard stared at their Queen.Her temper had been flaring dangerously.Currently,their Queen was like a keg of dynamite.One spark and she would explode. "Those scum.How dare they keep Serenity a prisoner."breathed Bruche. "We have searched,your Majesty.But they could be anywhere."said Jadeite tiredly. "We have captured a rebel,your Majesty.Perhaps he will know."reported Makoto. "Take me to him."hissed Bruche. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What's wrong??asked Minako as she bit into a piece of roasted meat. Her golden eyes staring at Serenity. "I'm just not hungry."sighed Serenity staring at the fire.Her fingers twisted a lock of silver hair.Her blue eyes watched the flames dance and leap.She'd been feeling uneasy since late morning. "Come now...at least drink,then."came a deep velvet voice. She shivered.His voice always sent a warm jolt down her spine.Sapphire met ocean blue.Serenity took the drink from his hand. "Thank you Endymion." "You're welcome,silver rabbit."he smiled,turning back to the spit to carve more meat. Serenity kept her eyes on his dark head and strong back,absorbed into the task of carving meat for everyone from the large deer they'd managed to kill that afternoon. Greenish-gold eyes watched her back from the dark shadows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion turned to look at the silver-child who stared absent-mindedly. Sometimes looking at the stars,sometimes looking at the fire.Other times, she merely stared off into empty space.Something was bothering her. Returning to the task at hand,he handed a plate to Seiya. "Something wrong,cousin??"asked Seiya. "No.Nothing."Endymion answered. "You've been distracted lately.And I know it has to do with a certain princess."smiled Seiya. "What are you hinting??" "Well...the only thing I can say is,don't take too long to woo her. I'm only giving you way,because I can see she's as enamoured as you." "Seiya,what nonsense are spouting about??"demanded Endymion,his brows knitting at the thought of Seiya and Serenity. "Great Goddess....I can't believe you can't see how attracted she is to you."breathed Seiya."Even Taiki and the others can see." "She is but a woman-child,and there is a war going on,Seiya.I do not have time for idle love.She is an innocent." "But the fact remains,Endymion.You are falling in love.And whether you admit it or not.You would protect her to the very end."stated Seiya getting up and leaving with his plate.Leaving,a very confused Endymion behind to stare at the blade in hand and the meat on the spit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You've been very quiet this evening,Serenity.Is something bothering you??"asked Ami. "No." "Are you sure.You look like you haven't been getting much sleep either." pointed out Minako. "Don't worry,Ami..Minako.I'm fine.Sleep.Both of you."smiled Serenity. "If you are sure."hesitated Ami. "Yes.I'm sure.Thank you." "Good night then.Don't stay up too late."advised Minako. Serenity watched as Ami and Minako blew out their lamps,plunging the whole room into darkness.Slowly,she got up and walked out into the cold night's air. She'd been doing it a lot lately.The dreams of Endymion had continued to haunt her.She'd been seeing too much of him.But tonight,it wasn't only the dreams that were bothering her.It was the feeling of foreboding. The feeling...that something was going to happen.Soon... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Dawn~ Horns blared loudly in alarm,waking everybody as they scrambled out to investigate the alarm. "What is going on??"shouted Endymion towards the watch. "Royal troops,Endymion!!Along with the Royal Guard!!" Everybody gasped. Endymion's mouth tightened."Alright,you all know what to do...evacuate the camp.Immediately!!"ordered Endymion. Soon,the camp was in a flurry of men,women and children as they made their way to their escape routes. "How did they find us??"gritted Nephrite angrily as he took position to try to hold the invaders off as rebels scurried to get away. "How the heck should I know??"bit out Zoycite tersely. "You,Princess,are moving THIS way."said Beryl icily as she tugged at Serenity's arm hard,pushing her in the direction of Ami. Nearly everyone was out of the village,but unfortunately the Royal Guard headed the soldiers with flawless military precision.The Royal troops surrounded the village and cornered the few remaining rebels within. Along with the 6 descendents and the Princess... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Makoto stared haughtily down at the prisoners."You have lost,rebel scum." Endymion glared at Makoto,but his eyes switched to the way Serenity was struggling and protesting at the Royal Guard. "Ser-"his words were cut off by a sharp jolt of pain as he was hit by one of the Royal Guard's powers. "Hold your insolent tongue!!You will address the Princess Serenity as, your Highness."spat Rei angrily. Endymion merely glared boldly back at her. "Rebel filth."hissed Rei as she shot another burst of energy at Endymion, knocking him down to the ground. Serenity's eyes widened. "Endymion are you alright??"asked Minako and Zoycite. "You royal dogs!!"spat Nephrite furious. This time,the power hit Nephrite.He was thrown backwards slightly. "Malachite!!"exclaimed Serenity as she stared at the white-haired man with ice-blue eyes behind her. "You're nothing but-"began Endymion. More energy hit him,throwing his back.Blood trickled from his mouth. "Endymion!!"she gasped,her face turning white at the sight of his blood. "Stop this!!"shouted Serenity at the Royal Guard. They didn't acknowledge her.The Royal Guards' faces wore smirks. Energy hit all 6 of the rebels. "Stop it!!"screamed Serenity as tears welled up in her eyes. "They are rebels,Princess.They DESERVE to die."grounded out Malachite coldly not ceasing his attack. A scream tore from Ami's throat. "Ami!!"choked Serenity whirling to face them.The Royal Guard weren't stopping.They were determined to kill them. "ENOUGH!!!"shouted Serenity,her whole body flaring a silvery glow,which knocked the Royal Guards off their feet and sent the Royal troops into cowering fear. Endymion blinked.He tasted blood in his mouth.He didn't care.He hurt all over,but he didn't care.His gaze was locked on the Princess.He'd never seen her so angry before.It was a sight to behold...The Princess floating a few inches off the ground,her whole body glowing silver.She looked like an avenging angel. "You are disobeying my commands."said Serenity,her sapphire eyes shining with fury.Each of the Guards recognized the storm brewing in their princess's eyes.The volatile temper that matched her sister's. "We beg your pardon,Princess."they intoned. Serenity glared at each and every one of them. "You,Iolite...You would murder your own brother???"hissed Serenity as she stared daggers at the lavender-haired girl. Zoycite stared at Serenity in shock.His gaze turning to his sister's. Her face going ashen. "I-I...I HAVE NO more brother!!" Everybody turned to stare at her,and Zoycite could almost feel his breathing stop. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You surely cannot mean that."gasped Serenity in shock,her anger dying. Iolite glared defiantly at her older brother,who was slowly standing in shock. "I mean every word,Princess.My brother died long ago when he decided to join the rebellion."spat Iolite bitterly. Rei slowly got up.Once again interrupting an impending tirade. "Forgive me,your Highness.But the Queen's orders were to bring you back home.AND any rebel we found,still ALIVE." "Then you shall bring them back.My sister isn't here.She said nothing about killing them.So I am commanding you,Rei." "As you wish,Princess."growled Rei angrily."It will make no difference. The Queen will want to kill them,anyway." "We'll see about that."declared Serenity haughtily. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Queen Bruche sat on the throne,her eyes locked on the red liquid swirling around in the glass she held. Her eyes narrowed.Her Royal Guard had returned with her sister AND prisoners.The descendents.The traitors.. The tall doors burst open as an angry sapphire-eyed girl marched in, her white skirts trailing behind her. "Hello,Serenity."Bruche greeted coolly,as she stared at her furious sister. "You had no right!!I didn't want to return to the Palace!!What are you going to do with Endymion and the others???"questioned Serenity as she pointed an accusing finger at her older sister who was seated comfortably on a dark silver and blue velvet throne. Bruche slowly stood,meeting her sister's glare. "No right??I am YOUR sister AND this Kingdom's Queen.YOU,Princess Serenity,belong HERE in the Palace."snapped Bruche,her anger beginning to rise.Turning towards the tall glass windows,Bruche continued,"As for the rebels,they will be executed a week from now,under the charge of rebellion and kidnapping." "They did NOT kidnap me!!!"protested Serenity. "There will be no more about those rebels.They chose their lives.They made their beds.Now let them lie in them.They are traitors to the Silver Kingdom."snapped Bruche. "Only because they CARE for the people of this kingdom.It wasn't their fault,father and mother were cruel and the people hated them.IT was the fault of Father and Mother themselve-" "Do not speak of our parents that way,you ingrate!!Bruche burst out,her power flared,hitting Serenity. Bruche stared in horror as her sister flew backwards,landing a good distance from where she was originally standing.Bruche's face went pale. She'd never struck her sister before.The sight of her fragile silver-haired sister in her white gown,sprawled on the floor,was a sight she did not like."Sere-" "No.I AM an ingrate,but at least I'm not blind with vengeance.I loved our parents but I could never turn a blind eye to how they ruled.Whether you like it or not,our parents were tyrants,and that's the truth."whispered Serenity as she got up slowly and stumbled slightly towards the doors. Wretched guilt hit Bruche.It was horrible.She'd struck her sister.In all her life,she'd never struck anybody.Whether it was a maid,a stable-hand or a guard.She had never struck anybody.Was Serenity right??Was vengeance driving her to madness??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Iolite wandered the hallways.Her face was bleak,her eyes unseeing. Serenity had said she didn't believe she would deny her brother.In fact.. Iolite herself could not believe what she had said. *Lord forgive me.*prayed Iolite. Pulling out a round locket around her neck,Iolite opened it ans stared at the handsome man in the picture standing with her.The second picture was of their parents.A lump welled in her throat. "Zoycite..I'm sorry."she whispered as a single tear fell from her eye, landing on the locket. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion winced as Ami applied pressure to his bruises.His body felt as if it would fall apart.Upon arriving at the palace,Ami,Minako,Nephrite, Zoycite,Beryl and himself had been placed in a special cell that negated their powers. "Just bruises.Not much damage,Endymion."informed Ami. "Thank you."he replied.But his mind was on the Princess Serenity.Not his wounds.For the past two months he'd known the silver-haired siren, she'd haunted his dreams.He'd always had this absurd impulse to protect her when he was near her.Always the instinct to snatch her away and flee. The desire to take her and hide her from danger and the eyes of other men. His thoughts puzzled him.She'd entered his world and turned it upside down,resulting in their capture right now.Shaking his head...he tried to banish the thoughts of the silver-haired princess,named Serenity. Beryl stared at Endymion.His dark hair was falling in his eyes,his head rested back against the hay pile.He was thinking of the royal brat again. Her cat-like eyes narrowed at the thought of the Princess Serenity.With her silver hair,her sapphire eyes,her graceful movements,manners and soft voice.A born aristocrat.Not warrior material. What did Endymion see in the royal??What did the Princess have that she, Beryl...did not??She herself and every other person in this cell had once been an aristocrat.Their forebearers had once been part of the Royal Guard. Until everything changed with the rising of the rebellion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ During King Apollo and Queen Rena's reign,they had turned to their true nature with the demise of the Dowager Queen Selenity.The rebellion had risen rebelling against their cruel rule. Due to attacks,the King and Queen had kept a low profile,a tight rein on their daughters and an even tighter rein on the kingdom.unfortunately for them,they had been assassinated anyway despite their precautions.And now...their eldest daughter,the current Queen was now following in her parents's footsteps. Beryl shook her head from her thoughts.Why was she thinking about the late King and Queen for???Her parents had rebelled against them.That was why she was a rebel. Beryl clutched at the hay pile.She wanted to be respected.A respected person in the kingdom.Why had her parents rebelled???They'd had the fear and respect they deserved.They'd had power. But then...if her parents hadn't joined the rebellion,she never would have met Endymion.So,sometimes...people had to look on the bright side.At least if they were executed.She wouldn't be dying alone.Endymion would be there.And best of all...the Princess Serenity would not be the one with him.Beryl smirked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Two days~ Serenity breathed a sigh.The Royal Guard hadn't let her out of their line of sight for the past two days.Muttering a prayer of thanks, Serenity peeked around the corner.Currently,she'd managed to give her 'protectors' the slip and so far,had managed to evade any patrolling guards.She had to get them out before they were killed.Before she herself went mad with guilt. She squeezed her eyes shut.Since the capture,her dreams had been haunted by a certain dark-haired man with bewitching eyes.Then,the nightmares had pursued her. ~FLASHBACK~ "Endymion??"whispered Serenity. Dark blue eyes smiled down at her,tracing her cheek.As she leaned up to kiss him,suddenly,his eyes went wide,staring at her with accusation. "Endymion!!??" He'd slid from her grasp.Hitting the ground with a lifeless thud.When she'd looked at her hands,there was blood along with a bloody heart. Endymion's heart. She fought the nausea. But it did not end there...figures,bloody figures surrounded her,pointing at her.Minako,Ami,Zoycite,Nephrite...they were reaching for her with rotting flesh on their hands and accusation in their eyes. "Why did you do it??"asked the bloody Minako. "I don't understand!!" "You killed Endymion!!"shouted Ami. "You led us to our deaths." "We should have listened to Beryl." She clamped her ears shut."I'm sorry!!It wasn't my fault,-" "You're to blame...royal.." "Royal!!" "Royal!!" "Royal!!" Tears rolled down her face,they were shouting at her,accusing her and chanting the word,'royal' over and over. The chanting stopped and Beryl stood before her. "I warned Endymion you were bad news.But he would not listen.You are the reason we're dead!!!" "No!!It wasn't my fault,I'm sorry!!Please-" They'd aimed their powers at her then... ~END FLASHBACK~ Serenity hugged herself as a cold chill crept into her bones.Everynight had been that same nightmare.She knew,if she didn't do something soon,she was sure she would go mad from the dreams and the guilt. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion stared at the guard dozing outside the cell.The guards here were probably the laziest he'd ever seen.For the past few days he'd been here,the only things the guards did were eat,gamble and sleep.He doubted they would have been able to catch anybody with those lazy legs and wobbling bellies. The sound of soft footsteps almost silent coming down the long winding stone steps of the dungeon,caught his attention.The faint light of a candle was distinguished.Endymion frowned. The next thing he saw,was a small foot encased in thin white slippers. White skirts and a cloud of silver hair illuminated by the candle's flame came into view.It was Serenity!! He was about to call out to her when Serenity frowned at him and pressed her index finger to her lush pink lips. He watched in confusion as she walked silently towards the wall next to the sleeping guard.To him,she seemed to float on the ground like an enchanted fairy.Lifting the sets of keys,he watched in mounting amusement as she suddenly bashed the guard over his head causing the guard's chair to topple and the guard to fall to the floor with a grunt. As Serenity approached,Endymion grinned at her. "Look,Endymion...the little princess is wearing a white gown.Doesn't she look much like the royal little thing she is."cooed Beryl,her voice dripping with sarcasm. Ignoring Beryl's snide remark,Endymion smiled at Serenity."I can't believe you did that,sweeting."breathed Endymion. "Neither can I.Now,hush.I believe my guards will be searching for me. Too much chatter here will lure some guards down to check on you." reprimanded Serenity as she turned the key in the cell. They exited the cell,Endymion was the last one to step out of the cell and went to stand over Serenity as she unlocked the cell to Seiya and the others. Serenity tugged open the cell door.Seiya and the others bounded out of the cell. "I've arranged a safe passage for you out of the palace.This way. You must hurry.If you are caught,you will be executed on the spot."said Serenity as she pointed to a wall and pulled at the unconcious guard and tugged into Seiya's cell. "Thank you,Serenity."whispered Michiru. Serenity turned to smile at the aqua haired girl.Michiru,Haruka,Setsuna, Taiki,Yaten,Motoki,Elios..and *ugh* Seiya. "I wish you luck." Beryl snorted. "Come.Let's go."exclaimed Ami softly as she held open the secret door. One by one,they disappeared through the wall.The only one who was left, was Endymion. "What are you doing still standing here???Go!!"exclaimed Serenity as she stepped out of the cell and closed the cell door,her sapphire eyes wide. Endymion didn't hear her protests at his lagging behind,as he took her hands in his own. "Serenity..." "Endymion,you REALLY should go."begged Serenity. "Little rabbit." "Endy!!"she protested trying to pull her hands from his. "You rescued us."smiled Endymion as he kissed her hand and released it.Serenity sucked in her breath. "It was only fair.You saved me once and it was my fault you and your men got caught.I had to help you."breathed Serenity,a blush staining her cheeks."Now you must go."pleaded Serenity as she turned to go up the stone stairs. Strong arms encircled her waist,and pulled her against his body,his head resting at the side of hers,while his lips brushed against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "Endymion??" "Come with me." "I can't.This is my home.."she rasped. "But not where you belong." "I can't go with you.My sister will never allow it.She will hunt me." "But you don't belong here,Serenity.You know you will never abide by your sister's rule."breathed Endymion,his breath tickling her ear. "I-I know...b-but I can't do anything-" "You can.You can join us." "Endy-" "My little rabbit...you cannot deny your nature for long."smiled Endymion.Wickedly he bent down slightly.Serenity felt his breath on her lips.His voice came out in a carressing whisper,"Nor can you deny,that there is something between us." She felt his lips brush hers lightly.... And with that,he was gone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be continued... Well???What do you think??Email me with your comments. :) Yes,minna.Writing mania is overtaking me again.In fact,right now as you read,I'm probably writing down the new fic that has taken root in my brain. :p (Blame my brother) Come on,minna.My mail box is getting REALLLY lonely. :( Cheer me up pleeeease??????