Always Watching You Act 5: Conclusions/Unions By: Sailor Jes e-mail: Sailor Jes@aol.com Well, my sincerest apologies to everyone for the untimeliness of this final chapter! I had a computer crisis and, when I was almost done with the act, lost the file and had to retype it agagin!!! AAAHHH!!! Plus, I'm super-busy with everything and don't even have time to think! GOMEN! Anyhoo, a warning for this final chapter of my story: it might be a tad more mature than its previous ones (a sexual situation, some adult language, and violence) but nothing over the PG-13 mark. Also, a request for all of you dear readers. If you have written me before (or haven't and would like to), I ask that you drop me a line again and tell me what you think of the whole, finished story. I'd like to hear if your opinions have changed since you first wrote, what you liked, what you didn't, and even if you have any ideas for me for the next time. It's been really fun doing this story and I hope to continue writing more! Stay tuned for my next fic, whatever it may be! Jaa! Jessi ************************************************************************ You stand quietly on cliff overlooking the valley below you. The wind rustles your hair around your sharp, handsome profile. Your expression is molded into a gaze of serious pondering. You seem deeply troubled and, in a way, it frightens me. An uneasiness quivers in my heart. I join you. A slight smile appears on your face when you see me and you protectively wrap your arm around me. Saying nothing, you resume staring at a village below. It is brightly lit at this late hour by a large bonfire and smaller torches. I see crowds and movement and activity, like the town is about to swell and burst. It must be some sort of festivity. "What are they celebrating? It looks like fun," I say lightly. You nod as a bitter, forced smile purses your lips. You look away and mumble something. I stare at you worriedly. "Endymion?" I ask. "What's wrong?" You shake your head and gaze out at the vacant black night sky. Are those tears that I notice in your eyes? My stomach is doing flip-flops now and my palms have broken into a sweat. You don't answer for a while. "Do you ever think about the future, Serenity?" you ask finally. I am puzzled by the question. Why this? Why now? I consider it before I answer. "Well, yes, sometimes," I reply. "Why?" "What do you see?" you say, ignoring my question. I furrrow my eyebrows. This seems too eerie. "I see different things sometimes. Usually, I see myself like my mother, a beautiful and wise ruler, eternally happy. But I don't usually ponder the Tomorrows, rather, I try to savor the Today's...Endymion, why are you asking this?" "Well...I've been thinking about the future a lot lately. I'm not sure why. Maybe if I think of what *will* happen, I don't have to think about what *is* happening. The future has become so clear, too; I can't wait until it's tangible. In my future, there's us, only us. I hear laughter and music. I can see us, years from now, growing old together..." Your voice drops to a near whisper. "I would do anything, *anything*, for that future." Instead of feeling excited or content, somehow, I am mildly disturbed. There is a hesitation, a kiss on the cheek before a dagger in the back. More is coming; I'm not sure I want to know it. "Never did I think I would witness the day when I would sacrifice the throne. Not even want it anymore..." you murmur, more to yourself than to me. "Everything changes, I suppose." "What's changed, Endymion?" I ask, softly, tilting my head to one side in an inquisitive manner. Again, you gaze down to the village and don't speak just yet. You collect your thoughts. "A rebellion. It isn't a celebration, Serenity," you murmur. "What?" I ask confusedly. What is this of rebellions? And what does it have to do with the Future you spoke of? The pieces of this puzzle do not fit. "I don't understand, Endymion." You look to me, with those eyes which have suddenly become glassy and scared. "Serenity, you better sit down. I have a lot to tell you." ************ Disbelief. Confusion. Shock. Fear. My mind zooms and mixes from each state to the next as I sit on this cliff, paralyzed. I stare down into the valley at that village and their little games of anarchy and become increasingly bitter. I feel betrayed that the people we, the Moon, have watched since the moment of Earth's creation will, given the opportunity, take us into their ignorant hands and want to crush us. Those adolescent, inexperienced hands. I don't know exactly *what* to think. *"It is a taboo for the Moon people to ever associate with the Earthlings. We are their unseen Guardians, nothing more."* The words from Luna that I thought had long ago dissolved from my memory return with a vengeance. Then, I see the face of my mother when she discovered of my illegal travels, and her sky-blue eyes, so wise and loving, filled with tears and anger for me. Because of me. This is happening. Something in my heart becomes very heavy. Sadness wells up in me like the morning dew in the flowers. My lower lip trembles. "It's my fault," I whisper, holding my temples with my fingers. "Serenity?" I hear your gentle voice say. "My fault..." I mumble, as I bury my face in my hands and start to cry softly. "Oh, Serenity," you say, cradling me in your arms. I press my cheek against your sleek, cool, black armor. My weeping becomes heavier. "No, love, no. It isn't your fault. The wicked ambitions of others have nothing to do with you. Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you or your home." Your hand strokes my head lovingly and every so often your lips kiss my hair. The sobs diminish. I sniffle and regain myself. "You'll have to inform your Mother." I nod but my insides tremble with fear. She will be most displeased upon hearing that I disobeyed her intentionally. And I know she will be frightened and scared for her kingdom. I dread it. "I promise you, Serenity, I will allow nothing to happen to you." I raise my head and look into your eyes that seem so strong yet fearful. "I know," I whisper gently, and I allow the back of my fingers to stroke your cheek. You smile and then lean towards me. Tenderly, softly, our lips meet. Delicate are our kisses, at first, yet soon they grow to something more. A conversation, an urgency. A beginning and an ending. Something I want to cherish. We sink to the soft, grassy earth. "Let me protect you always, Moon Princess," you murmur, our faces no less than a few inches apart. Smiling, I wrap my arms around your neck and pull you down towards me for another lingering kiss. Time pauses for us and our troubles seem further than the last second of infinity. The soft, blue moon bathes us in her light. I feel myself being consumed by an emotion that I have never before experienced. I want to stay forever with you in this Eden. Blanketed by a ceiling of stars. Cushioned by flower petals. Wrapped in the warmth of love. With you. Forever. For this is paradise. This is eternal. *********** I remain awake the entire night, simply staring at your peaceful sleeping face. Your full, rosy lips rise upwards at their corners in a small slumbering smile. Wispy golden tendrils fall freely about your shining, feminine face accenting the perfection of your porcelain skin. My heart swells with love as I marvel how the sleeping goddess I hold in my arms is mine. It is almost that time. When the sun will caress the horizon with his light and guide the world into a new day. How I dread it. It will take every ounce of will in me to manage to let you go, to see you disappear into the black porthole for God knows how long. I know I must wake you, but every inch of me screams for just one more minute to gaze at your face, touch your skin, breathe you in. I kiss your shoulder gently and then your lips. Your eyes flutter open and you smile drowsily at me. I push the flaxen hair away from your forehead and draw your face to mine and kiss you deeply. "I love you, Endymion," you murmur. I smile at you. "And I, you. But, Serenity, it's time." You groan and cover your eyes with your arm. "It can't be. We're still sleeping. This is only a dream." I laugh. "If only it were, love!" Then I become serious. "Serenity, you must go back before your mother discovers your abscence. Besides, it's dangerous for you to be here." Uncovering your shimmering eyes, you nod with understanding. You must go home. We arrive in front of the gaping, black porthole, holding hands, not speaking. Your sadness is apparent, as is my own, and I want to do anything to flush it away. Sighing, you look to the darkness. "Stay with me," I exclaim suddenly, abandoning all pretenses and going back on what I told you before. You look at me with your eyes wide with surprise. Then, you furrow your eyebrows and your expression becomes soft and injured. Those all-loving eyes throb with tears. "For a fleeting moment, I almost accepted your offer," you whisper hoarsly, "But, I can't. I am needed at home. We will meet very soon again." You smile then. Not forced or pained. Genuine, radiant, like two people sharing a secret only they know. I nod and swallow the lump in my throat. We search each others eyes and then share one last kiss. Still holding my hand and never turning your gaze from mine, you begin approaching the darkness. Our hands still remain intact. The coldness drags you in. I release my grip a bit. Only palms touch. Fingers slide. And fingertips wistfully caress. Then, the blackness consumes you. But our gazes never falter. ********* The clock in the Moon Palace reads 4:32. Night envelopes the hall and weaves a mysterious spell over the place. I know I should be tired but I am not. Tonight was...I can't even describe it. Beautiful, magical, heavenly. I smile and hug my shoulders thinking of you. Anticipating the next time we meet. Suddenly, I hear voices down the hall. My heart jumps and I scramble behind a column as to not be caught. The speech is muffled but I hear the tone. It serious and sharp. A grave conversation. Who would be up at this hour? I suck my breath in and hold it anxiously as the shadowed figures pass. Looking down the blackened hall, I see the outlined silhouettes of three people. The person in the middle is my mother, recognizable by her gallant walk and distinctive hairstyle. The other two, I'm not so sure of. Both garbed in Sailor-fukus, the one to my mother's left has short, boyish hair and supercedes her height by a few inches while the one on the left has wavy, shoulder-length hair and is just under my mother's height. They seem familiar and they are obviously Sailor Senshi, but my memory jogs me as to where I have seen them. No matter. I yawn as the time finally catches up to me. My eyelids droop as I saunter to my bedroom. Too weary to even change out of my dress, I flop on my soft bed, close my eyes, and dream of only you. ********* I awake to the sound of pawing at my door and the muffled cries of "Serenity, wake up!" Groaning, I squint my eyes as the bright sunlight streams in through the window. I sigh, rub my eyes, and the first thing that pops into my head is the memory of the preceding night. I wonder if it had all been a dream. The sight of my rumpled dress tells me it wasn't. "Princess! Wake up!" I recognize the voice as Luna's. What could she want? As a friend, she's first rate but sometimes she can be so annoying and overprotective. I roll my eyes and remain lying on my bed, trying to ignore the pawing. After a good two minutes, I hear the door creak open; all that pawing must have finally allowed the door to be released from its hold. Luna slips in, panting and glaring at me. She pounces onto the bed and stands on my stomach, her venomous gaze turning to that of puzzlement. "Why aren't you in your nightclothes? And why is your bed still made?" she asks "I was so tired last night that I just fell asleep by accident without changing my clothes," I say, only in half-truth. She raises an eyebrow suspiciously. "And, why didn't you answer the door?" I look at her innocently. "I was sleeping." She shakes her head. "Right, Princess. And I can fly," she mutters sarcastically. "Did you just come in here to spoil my morning or do you want something?" I demand. Luna's face becomes serious. "Princess, I have orders from your mother, who is in the Communications Room and could not come herself. She has left Palace duties under your control for the day, so you must get up and see to them." My heart jumps a little. I try to appear ignorant and calm. "Oh? What is she doing in the Communications Room?" I ask. Luna hesitates. "Well, I'm not so sure I understand it completely. But, something...has come up. The Senshi are with her so it might be serious." I gulp and my throat tightens. I attempt a plastic smile. "Oh. Well, I'm sure its nothing." Luna shakes her head. "I don't think so, Serenity. I'm-I'm not supposed to tell anybody this but...two of the Senshi of Legend...they are here-" I gasp as my eyes grow wide with fear. The Senshi of Legend!! Here!! Those warriors that conceal themselves behind a veil of mystery, tens of times more powerful than the Inner Senshi, three never seen by the eyes of anyone except my mother and the last...I shiver...she is never to be seen. The two figures that I saw with my mother, it must have been two of the four! Involuntarily, my hands begin to shake. With desperation, I try to pull myself together, but I feel like a sinner on Judgement Day. A guilt like I have never felt rises within me. If two of them have been summoned, this is more dire than I imagined. Luna continues talking but my ears can't absorb a word she says. For the first time, I know the worst won't be coming. It is already here. And sooner than anyone could have imagined. ******** I pace back and forth in the throne room with much worry. Swallowing, I try to maintain the butterflies that flutter furiously in the pit of my stomach. My forehead is sweaty and feverish. I await important news. I rub my weary, sleep-deprived eyes and run my fingers through my short, black hair. *He should be here by now* I think. *What's keeping him?* No sooner do the words formulate in my thoughts, does a small, lanky boy burst in to the room, sweaty and panting. "Well?" I snap. He tries to catch his breath. "Prince......Your Majesty...I-" "Out with it, boy! Tell me of the news!" I yell. The messenger's eyes widen in fear. I can't help feeling a tad guilty at my loss of temper, but time is running short. "The eastern lands...Your Majesty, they-they...They have also abandoned you." My face turns sour. "Damn!" I sputter. Furiously, I turn away and kick the leg of a nearby table, overturning it and shattering a vase with fresh-cut roses on it into a thousand pieces. The boy jumps and cowers with fear. I rub my temples with both hands. "Damn you," I mutter. "Sire, I...th-the Dark Kin-Kingdom, uh...," stammers the boy, his voice cracking with terror. "Leave," I say with a chilling calmness. "But, Your Highness-" "Go! Get out of here! Leave me be!" I yell. With lightning speed, the pathetic messenger bows and races from the deserted throne room. I am left alone. All of this is happening to fast. First, the Northern lands, then the Western, and now the Eastern. Betrayed by all for the Dark Kingdom. Like a child, I feel tears well up in my eyes. With much struggle, I try to hold them back. I stride to the window and gaze out at my beautifully green mountainous kingdom, like heaven. I become lonely then. I wish you were here for me to cuddle in my arms and whisper in my ear that everything will be okay. The last time I saw you was well over two days ago. And I've never missed anyone so horribly. Since then, I haven't gotten any sleep. My thoughts are interrupted by a sudden, frigid gust of air. My senses become as sharp as thorns when I feel the tingling of another presence in the room. A sinister presence. Low, sardonic laughter echoes through the room as I see an entity form no more than a few feet away from me. Taking a shape, I recognize the figure to be- "Beryl!" I sneer. Now fully appeared, she cackles again and smile wickedly. She looks terrible. White, ashen skin, dark bags under her bloodshot red eyes, sunken cheeks, frail, bony arms, and small fangs peeping from her lips. Sarcastically, she bows low. "Greeting, *Prince* Endymion," she says, showing off her teeth and those horrid fangs. Her face changes from a saccharine smile to a look of mock embarassment. "Oh, I'm *horribly* sorry. I guess you can't be considered a Prince anymore, seeing as you have no subjects!" She bursts into deriding laughter. I narrow my eyes at her, and try not to lose my temper. Anger is a weakness, after all. "What can I do for you, Beryl?" The corners of her lips turn upwards slightly and something flashes in her eyes. Seductivly, she walks slowly towards me. "Oh, Endymion," she mutters. "Still so distrustful of me even though I've already defeated you! When will you ever learn? But, I hold no grudges. No, dearest Endymion, the question is: What can *I* do for you?" "What do you mean?" Again, she smiles, bearing those ugly canines. "Endymion, I can give you everything you want. Your kingdom, power, wealth, respect. Everything you've lost, I can return it you. Just say the words and you'll have them." I shake my head. "You're a liar." The remark bounces off of her like light off of a mirror. "Queen Metalia has awesome powers. Enough to conquer the universe and make it ours-" "Metalia? You?" I shout. "Your power is an illusion. You can't possibly understand what real might is." Beryl seems taken aback. However, she quickly regains her senses. "It's the Moon girl, isn't it? You'd betray your home for some lousy simp of a princess! She can't offer you anything! Endymion, I'm placing the world in your hands, don't be a fool and reject it!" She extends her arms to me and feigns an innocent look. "Endymion...I can give you anything you want. Come join me...Endymion." I glare at her hateful red eyes and suddenly find myself becoming lost in them. Words jumble and swim in my head. I can't look away. *Join her*...*The universe*...The idea sounds promising. I smile and I become lightheaded. "Endymion..." she says and her arms reach out for me. Her eyes glow and a massive, black entity gathers behind her, smiling evily. It lures me towards it. I'd like power. And regaining my kingdom wouldn't be so bad, either. Hmmm, maybe this Queen Metalia isn't too bad. Looking at Beryl, I notice that she is beautiful. Why couldn't I see it before? No matter. My heart tells me this woman is the one I want. Not you...uh, what's your name? I can't remember. It only bothers me for a millisecond and then disappears as all my pain is soothed over by a frost. I walk towards those outstretced arms and my eyes become glazed over. Lifting my hands, I reach for the seductress in front of me like a child running to its mother. I can feel an overwhelmingly powerful aura as our fingers are on the brink of touching. Suddenly, from a remote, hidden corner of my head I hear a barely audible voice. "Endymion...," it whispers. I body screeches to a halt. That voice. I struggle with my memory to remember whose it is. So sweet and loving. "Endymion...," it says again. "I love you..." Beads of sweat erupt from my forehead as a battle rages in my mind. I feel...a warm light...spreading slowly over the darkness that has penetrated my senses. Beryl's eyes narrow. "Endymion!" she commands. Her voice is a harsh contrast from that of the sweet enigma's in my head. It sounds like jagged gravel. "What are you doing, Endymion! Don't be swayed. It is I you desire!" I slowly shake my head. No. I want the other. I want it to speak again. I want it to warm my soul, unfeeze the bonds in my heart. "Wake up, Earth Prince," it sings strongly. The shade over my eyes vanishes and I can see again. Once more, Beryl has become a hideous beast. I step back in disgust as she lunges for me. "No! Endymion!" she cries. "Come back! Don't you remember? You can have anything you want! I can give it to you!" I shake my head and my chest heaves up and down. "You can't," I say. "Yes, I can! Anything...*anything*." "No," I reply. "You can't give me the most imporatnt thing! Love. You don't know what it is. You think love is a thing that people must be forced into, a reparation, a consolation. You think it's a result of domination. You're wrong. Love is a war. It's a stuggle. Something people fight for. It just happens. You don't want pain, but love is painful! It why people keep on going! When there's pain, there's hope. And when there's hope, there's love. It's a cycle you can't understand!" Beryl's eyes grow increasingly dark and her lips scowl even more. I see her fists clenched and her nails digging into her flesh. "You...I'll show you what war is! In your wildest dreams, you'll never see a battle that will be as bloody as this. And when it's over and I'm laughing over your decaying corpse, then we'll see what love is!" With that, she dematerializes and I'm left shaken and sweaty and alone by the window. Surprisingly, I find myslef panting and trembling; my nerves completely shot to hell. So, I didn't think it could get any worse until I look out the window. My jaw drops and my throat emits a strange squeak as I look at the sight coming over the hilly terrain. Troops, thousands of them, march in a sturdy phalanx with spears and catapults and horses and torches. So many of them! Marching, marching for a cause they know absolutely nothing about, a cause whose affect will only end in a pool of their blood. My fingers wobble as I cover my mouth with them. I know time runs short and I must go to the Moon. I must warn you. I must prepare for the fight. Time runs very short... ********** Thunder rumbles low in the distace. The sky in dark and heavy with black clouds. It is hot and still and there is nothing to do but wait. Wait. It seems that is all that I have been doing lately. That is all that anybody can do anymore. I sigh and fold my arms over the railing of the balcony and breathe in the humid air. I haven't seem my mother in a couple of days; she's been in the Communication Room with Luna and Artemis and probably the two Senshi of Legend. The other Senshi have returned to their planets to gather troops for the inevitable war that no one wants to metion even though it looms over us like these swollen rain clouds. Just ready to burst. My heart clenches up when I realize I haven't seen you in days, either. I wonder how conditions are on Earth. Much worse than here, I'm sure. Sighing loudly, I turn and walk back into my room to try to ease my mind. At this point, I don't think it will help. I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at the pattern in the carpeting. It blurs back and forth into indistinguishable colors. Focusing on a single spot on the floor, I let my mind wander from thought to thought. Then, I hear something a sharp noise at my balcony door, like something was thrown against it. I look but nothing is there. My heart races; lately, it seems that anything will scare the life out of me. Assuming it's the wind picking up and scattering things about, I try to forget it and resume my previous thoughts. But it happens again. I gulp and my stomach becomes queasy. I wonder who could be out there playing such a nasty game with my head. Reluctantly, I decide to investigate. The door swings open slowly and I step out still, heavy air. No wind. Just stillness. And a single red rose on the floor. I pick it up suspiciously and peer over the balcony, trying to find its owner. No one is there. I bring the perfect, scarlet bud up to my nose and inhale its delicious fragrance. I have a good idea who might have left this for me. My assumptions are confirmed when I see the tiny white note attached to the stem. "Meet me in the Tower." There is no signature but I know immediatly that you are the author of the simple, laconic message. My immediate response is a violent surge of joy. At last, I can meet with you! However, I realize why you are here. I can feel it. The revolution has begun. I panic, considering not meeting you. What you don't know can't hurt you, right? But I *do* know. I clench my fists and fight down those salty tears that spring up often. And with a pseudo-determination, begin my march to the Tower. Once I am there, I stand quietly outside, gathering my strength, for I know I will need it. I exhale and, opening the door, the first thing I see is you, bathed in warm candlelight, appearing almost heavenly. You turn to face me when you hear the creaking of hinges. We stare at each other for an instant, seemingly reading each others thoughts. A sadness exists in your eyes. My heart feels like melting. No, dearest love, it isn't you who has failed me. Not you. "We have to be brave," you whisper. Your voice is husky and tender and I know you are struggling to keep your emotions in check. "They are coming." I inhale slowly. "What do we do?" I ask shakily. You shake your head and look away. "Did you inform your mother?" "She knows. Troops are coming." You nod once and take a few steps towards me. We stand facing each other for a quiet moment. finally you speak. "I've missed you." This brings a smile to my lips. "And I, you," I murmur gently. I stare up at you, into your endless eyes. A gentle smile plays on your mouth and you run your fingers across my cheek. Our lips meet and we savor a long kiss. Suddenly the door swings open and there stand two figures clad in the Senshi-fukus. We separate and stare with a look of surprised guilt. "Serenity! Prince!" Mars says, looking from me to you. "You shouldn't be here, Princess!" "You're back...," I say. "There is danger!" Mercury exclaims harshly, glaring at you, yet speaking to me. "You shouldn't be here, either, Prince. Not now." "Go back to the Palace," Mars orders. "But-" I protest. "Serenity!" Mercury snaps. "Now..." I can't believe they want me to desert you now. Don't they know what is happeing? Do they possibly think that you are the enemy? I am outraged and desperate. With a hopeless look, you gaze down at me. "Serenity," Mercury warns. "Forgive me," I say, staring towards my friends. Then I yank your arm and push my way through the two Senshi harshly, knocking Mars to the ground and tripping Mercury, causing them both to cry out in surprise. We run past them, out of the Tower, to where, I do not know, we just keep running. "Serenity!" you gasp, as I pull you along. "That wasn't very Princess-like!" I smile. "I know." We continue sprinting until we get to the top of a hill, where we slowly come to a halt. At the same time, I laugh and cry. I'm so scared right now I can hardly think straight but you cradle me in your arms and we stand there, overlooking the entire Moon Kingdom. It feels peaceful now and I close my eyes, hoping that when I open them, all of this will seem like a misty fog. Suddenly, I feel you suck in your breath. "Endymion, what?" I ask. Your horrified gaze is fixed on the valley below and I turn my sight to follow it. "Oh, my God!" I cry and place my hand over my mouth in sheer terror. Below, is an army with a magnitude I have never seen before. Like waves in the ocean, the march steadily, beating out their deadly rythym. I begin to panic. "We have to warn them hurry we can't be up here oh god what are we going to do there's so many of them we're going to die I don't want to die I have to fight oh god oh god I'm scared what are we going to do-" Whack! I feel your hand crack against my cheek, knocking me to my senses. I shake my head and hold my burning red cheek, as my chest heaves up and down. You seem shocked that you did that. "I-I'm sorry, Serenity," you say apologetically. "But-but we have to remain calm...We have to be brave. Let's go" I nod my head as fresh tears smart in my eyes, more from shame and fear than anything else. You notice them. "No more crying," you say. I nod again and you take my hand gently and again, we run. Thunder crashes and lighting lights up the sky. Finally the sky bursts and heavy rain pours down from all directions. I feel the cool wetness on my face like tears as we run. Thunder booms again and I jump. I feel your hand tighten around mine safely. I don't know what is happening but I can already hear the repulsion of the forces, a battle. The angry voices yelling, and the clash of metal, and the screams of death. I have never known war. Nausea washes over me. We keep running until we return to the Moon Palace. "Stay right here!" you command harshly and your steel blue eyes become hard. Droplets of water drip from your hair and roll down your chiseled face. My lower lip trembles and my eyes brim with anxiety and fear. I don't want you to leave me. Then, your eyes become soft and your hand brushes my cheek. "I won't let anything happen to you. Even if it means my own life," you whisper huskily. I shake my head. "I fear not for *my* life..." Then, a smile forms on your lips. "I won't die." I try to smile back, but it doesn't work. I'm too frightened. You run off and I am left by myself, standing under the pillars, amisdt a bloody battle. My heart pounds in my chest, my palms are damp, and my breath becomes labored and shallow. I hear an explosion and I nearly jump out of my skin. The sound of crumbling rock echoes in the air. Loud thunder, blinding lightning. And there are the screams, those awful, blood-curdling, howls of pain in the distance. Rain splatters on the ground. There's so much chaos. Squeezing my eyes shut and covering my ears, I try to block it out. When are you returning? My mind begins to envsion horrible scenes of your bloody demise and I try to remember the happy times. But it's hard. Beacuse there were so few. My knees quiver a bit and I concentrate hard on simply standing. A cold gust of air blasts by my body sending chills down my spine. Opening my eyes, I see that girl Beryl standing on the bottom of the steps to the entrance under which I stand. She looks hideous. I shiver and stare at her. "Well, if it isn't the Supreme Princess of the Universe," she says saccharinly and curtsies. A sardonic grin plays on her lips. I notice two long fangs in her mouth. "It's all your fault, do you realize it? This! You caused this!" She flings open her arms and gestures to all of the destrustion around her triumphantly. "All for a meaningless love affair! Do you see what happens when something was never meant to be? War!" My jaw drops and no words come to my lips. Beryl laughs low and wicked and then continues. "Your people are losing, you know. Half your Kingdom is ruins already and once I unleash Queen Metalia's power it won't even be a memory." She walks slowly and menacingly up the steps and I move backwards as she approaches me. Sneering, Beryl goes in for the kill. "Oh, and Endymion has given up on you and the Moon. He promised his eternal loyalty to the Dark Kingdom and...to me. It was only a matter of time before he came to his senses, don't you think?" For a moment, I stand, mouth agape in shock, heart stepped on. Have you betrayed me? Were these always your intentions? Is this why you have taken so long to return? Beacuse you're not returning at all? No. I know they weren't. I can't believe, that even for a second, I trusted anything that came out of that horrible snake's maouth! Suddenly, I discover my missing speech. "You lie! Endymion would do nothing like that! You mean, horrible, ugly, bitter snake! You and your Metalia are nothing and when we crush your pathetic *Kingdom*, I will be the one holding a sword to your heart!" Her mouth clamps shut and something in her eyes throbs. For a second, I regret the words that have erupted from my mouth. I see the pain in her face, that very same hurt I saw so often on mine when I gazed into athe mirror, and realize that she loves Endymion. A wave of pity swells in my heart because, somehow, in some twisted way, I know how she feels. To love someone so much it hurts. She stands there, no more than a few feet away, now, and then suddenly releases a scream that would wake the dead. Things begin to happen in slow motion. A long sword appears in her hand and I see a cloud of black energy, smiling, frigid and evil, behind her. She raises the sword high over her head and charges at me, shouting "Die, Moon Princess!" I scream and instinctively throw my arms out in fromt of me, knowing it will do absolutely nothing and that in ten seconds, I will be dead. Then I hear it. "Beryl!!!! NOOOOO!!!!" It is your voice. And then I see you running, leaping, and throwing yourself in the way of the crashing sword and me. Then your eyes wide, face twisted in pain, a low moan escapes from your lips. Blood splatters on my dress and I struggle to catch you and break the fall. "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" I hear myself scream. So ear-piercing and loud is it that I think my head will explode. I look up and notice Beryl's ugly, warped face, with an expression of shock upon it, for she knows she has just brutally murdered the man she loves. That he died for me and she knows he would have never done the same for her. Taking a few retreating lunges backwards, she drops the sword with a loud clank and vanishes. "You coward!" I yell hysterically after her. Low, dirty coward! She couldn't even stay to finish her own battles! I hear you muffle a groan of pain and I look down at your face. Blood is everywhere: on my hands, and white dress, on your face and body. I wrap my arms around your neck, tightly and bury my face into the warm, soft hollow in between your neck and shoulder. All I can do is sob. All of my bottled up tears pour from my eyes. I whimper and moan and release peals of agony. My chest is tight and my breath come is shallow gasps. "She's right," I wail, amidst low sobs. "It's my fault. Oh, Endymion, why? Why did you do it? You should have let me die! It's all my fault." A wail escapes my throat and more tears pour from my eyes. I look down at your tortured expression and my blood-soaked hand caresses it gently. Your hand comes to meet it. "No," you moan. "No, Serenity. Please...don't say...that." I wrap my arms around your neck and hug you fiercly. "I'm so sorry, Endymion. This is all my fault. It-it would have been better if-if we had n-never met." Tears trickle from your eyes now, as well. "Oh, Serenity...that hurt me more than...that sword through my back. I would rather die right now, in your loving arms, than live all my life never having met you, or held you, or kissed your sweet lips. Serenity, I-" You wince with pain. "Shhh, Endymion, please don't talk. I'll find a doctor, we'll make you better." You nod and force a grin and your eyes glaze with tears. "You were always so positive...That's why I love you. Always..." Another wince and you close your eyes. "Endymion? Endymion!!!" I scream. Oh, god! Is this the end?? No, it's too soon. There are too many things to say. Oh, God, no! I feel so nauseous. Your eyes flutter open and you look at me with so much tenderness and love. I shake my head, sobbing wildly, and lean down and press my lips gently against yours. I can taste warm, fresh blood. "Always...Moon Princess," you mutter almost so quietly that I can barely hear you. Your eyes shut and I feel your body go limp. For a moment, I sit there in stunned silence. And then: "YAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" I scream so loud I think I'll faint. Sobs rack my shoulders and I pull and tug on your neck with some hope that maybe you'll be revived. My head spins and so many visions and noises pound in it. I can hear the explosions, the destruction, the cackling laughter, and blood-curdling screams. The ear-splitting thunder. The clanking of metal, and the voices, oh god, so many voices, and the screams. And smell death and blood and ashes. Feel the red, hot blood on my hands and lap. Your blood. See the flash of lightning. And tears stream down my cheeks and blind my sight and I hear a scream and I know it is mine. Chaos, so much chaos. My head spins. I hold my head and gasp for air. My gaze becomes transfixed on a single object lying on the scarlett-stained marble. A sword. And then I know what I must do. What I *want* to do. The noise and confusion and pain suddenly ceases. And there is silence. Precious, still silence. No tears, no voices. Just the soft, light patter of rain. I feel...relieved. Like I know where I am going and that I will be with you when I get there. I brush your cheek and look down at your beautiful, peaceful face and kiss your lips softly once more. No more tears. Then, with a new found determination, I grasp the hilt of the sword tightly. My hands do not shake; I am calm. I lift it high and feel it's metallic smoothness. And I face the blade towards my heart. For one millisecond I doubt myself, but it is gone when I glance at you. That face. Just like that first day in the Communications Room when I saw you. A solitary remaining tear trickles slowly down my cheek. I was so blissfully happy then. I was always happy when I was with you. From that Room or in the Garden or in your arms, always. "I love you, Earth Prince," I whisper. "Always..." Looking up to the sword again, I hear distinct cries in the distance. They are of my friends. "Serenity, no! Don't do it!" they yell in vain. But it is too late. With full force, I thrust the sword towards my body and... The pain is not as awful as I expected. I hear faint screams as I fall on top of your chest, but I am peaceful, with a tranquility I have never felt before. Our blood mingles and we become one again. And the rain washes it away. I look my last upon your still face. My last vision, before I shut my eyes eternally, is of you. It seems I was always watching you.