Cords of Silver and Gold Written by Selena (s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu). The characters, name, and places in Sailor Moon, both the manga and the anime, belong to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha Comics, DIC, and Mixx. Chapter 4 "Venus?" Kunzite whispers in disbelief. His gray eyes squinting, he searches the planes of her face. 'Those same eyes. That long, sensuous hair. Is it really her?' Her eyes widen. She slowly backs away and stands, allowing him to get up. "Who..." She stares at him. 'I know this man. But from where?' Her heart knows. No one else has those piercing gray eyes and silky, pearl-white hair. She gasps. "Kunzite?!" They stand directly across from one another, staring and speechless. "It IS you." He says at last. "I don't understand. What are you doing here?" He asks hoarsely. He never expected to see her again. All of the forgotten moments and hidden emotions begin to surface. "Um...I ...I...came to find someone." She stares at him. 'Why? Why?! Why did it have to be him? Will I never feel the absence of my guilt? Or is this some cruel joke the fates play upon me?' She screams inside. 'Oh Gods! How I've missed you! But how will you ever forgive me?' "You have changed so much. You've grown so much taller and stronger. And your hair has gotten long." She says wistfully. 'He's even more handsome now than when I left. He's lost his boyish exterior.' He looks deep into her eyes, the pain in his unmistakable. "Why didn't you come back? I had no idea what happened to you." He says in a hurt tone. Realizing how he just sounded, Kunzite quickly hardens his voice. "You just left-without a word, without a goodbye, nothing!" She looks down, tears forming in her eyes. "Kunzite, please!" She looks up, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I had no choice. I was called to my duty. That is my mission." He walks over to her and brings her close, each of his hands gently gripping her arms. "Why didn't you tell me? Didn't I at least deserve to be able to say goodbye?" He asks harshly. "There were so many things left undone...unsaid." "I couldn't!" She sobs. "I knew that if I stayed any longer, that I would never have been able to leave. I was so young. I did as I was commanded to do...what I thought was the right thing to do. You, of all people should understand." She buries her face in his shoulder and cries harder. 'Oh, I understand only too well.' He holds her close and runs his hands down her back, trying to calm her. Kunzite holds his eyes tightly shut, fighting to hold back tears. 'It's been so long. She still smells like the orange blossom scent that I gave her.' He thinks. 'No! What am I doing?' Kunzite roughly pushes her away. He sits down, looks at the ground and shakes his head. "No. It's too late. I won't let this happen again. We each have separate lives and separate missions." She kneels before him and puts her hand to his face. "Kunzite, I cannot bring myself to regret being a soldier." She smiles. "I love my princess, and I would do anything for her. There is no one like her." She looks deep into his eyes, her own still quivering. "But I did love you. I never meant to hurt you." She looks down, beginning to cry again. "I love you still." She whispers, her hand falling. He lifts her chin, gently wiping away her tears with his hand. "Don't cry, Venus." He touches his lips to her own. She wraps her arms around his neck and deepens the kiss. Tears still stream down her cheeks. 'I've missed him so much!' 'God! What have I done?!' He knows, at the moment, that he cannot fight against the strong feelings that have stayed locked inside for so long. 'Somehow, no matter how right this feels, I have to let her go. This is wrong, and never should have been. Our worlds are too different.' The ocean breeze blows across the crashing waves. Clouds cover the moon as the sun begins to rise. A storm approaches. ********************** In barren, icy terrain winds of blackness and death howl in victory, claiming the air as its captive. Dead plants and corpses of both animal and human surround a massive stone castle. Screams of the dead howl in the wind, crying out for justice. Frozen swamps and marshes, swirling with black death, consume their bones. Within the dark structure an evil, snake-like creature beckons. Closer and closer. The air becomes thicker until there is nothing but the emptiness of space. Glittering. Bright, blood red pockets in a gaseous mass flash with wicked hatred and jealousy. Eagerly, it awaits its surmounting victory. A woman- no a thing-emerges form the shadows. Long, black eyelashes slowly lift to reveal red eyes, consumed by revenge. Her yellow pupils anxiously crave their next victim. Her every move brings with it venomous poison. She bears a long, bony staff. Above, hovers a midnight crystal, the source of her power. Indeed, she sold herself to the devil. Its contents swirl round and round. A tiara composed of various bones mounts her forehead. In the center, a large stone rests, ensuring her slavery for all time. In a hellish, low, rasping wind, the creature calls its servant. The 'woman' slithers near and bows in submission to her growing leader. "You called, my master." "It is not enough, Beryl! I need vast amounts of life energy, not this simply this petty, human energy. They are easy to control but I need power! You need not toy with small numbers. Take away the beams and the roof will collapse! The Four Lords are your first real task. Beryl, I planted the seeds long ago. Now, you will cause the hatred from within to grow. It is the easiest way to gain control." Beryl rises from her abject position. "But Queen Metallia, The Four Lords are powerful. They will not surrender easily." The stone on her forehead glows. Her eyes swirl into a flat, life-less black. "Fool! Their power is NOTHING!!" The ground beneath the castle rumbles and quakes with its anger. "You forget how easily you were taken. Yes, Beryl, you were strong - the strongest one outside those chosen. All four cords ran through your blood. Yet, you were an easy target. Now the blood that once flowed through your veins has been given to me. Remember The Mystical Silver Crystal! Why, it has the power to destroy an entire galaxy! I need enough energy to conquer The Moon!! In order to do that, we must take this planet. If you take your four generals now, you will have an instant army, the likes of which this universe has never seen! Take them, and you take their people as well." Something flickers through Beryl's eyes- a longing and a craving. "And Endymion?" Metallia's snake-like voice echoes against the cold, hard, stones. She wickedly cackles. "No Beryl." She hisses. The cold wind that claimed her blood so long ago blew past her again. Could she remember a time when her heart was filled with warmth and happiness? No. It is gone. All life is gone. She took it - the witch - the Moon Princess. Yes, she would have her revenge. Then she would take what is rightfully hers. "I discern your black thoughts even now. I have not forgotten your lust for The Prince. By conquering The Four Lords, you will weaken his power. To completely take this planet, Elysion must be destroyed! You will have Endymion. Together with his generals, he will add an insurmountable source of power. Everything is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen. Now go!" ********************** Jadeite stands behind a cherry tree. His sky-blue eyes narrow. Their icy stare burns through the shadows created by the dawn. Beautiful, white cherry blossoms with pink tips flitter to the ground. These ancient trees have guarded the east for centuries. The trespasser stops and looks up. A long feminine hand reaches to the sky. 'So, it's a woman!' She begins to dance in the shower of petals. Twirling round and round, her hood falls from her head. Immobilized, Jadeite stares at this wondrous beauty. Long, raven hair falls just below her knees. The morning breeze gently blows the silky strands away form her body. Stealthily, Jadeite makes his way toward her. A snapping twig alerts her to his presence. 'Damn her beauty!' He curses himself. 'I would never have done that!' Then, he meets with the most intriguing pair of eyes he had ever seen. Those intoxicating, cool, violet eyes seem to burn with a hidden flame deep within their depths. For a moment Mars stands silent. 'Gods! What am I going to do now?' She certainly hadn't anticipated running into an Earthling. 'I sense something about him. He has power. Who is he?! And why is he looking at me like that?! I don't care how handsome he is! How dare he!!' She boldly stands in a battle stance, eyes burning and hair flapping behind her. "Who are you?" The warrior calls. 'What a change! One moment an angel, the other a fiery goddess. Hmmm...intriguing... WAKE UP IDIOT! You're not here to play games. Remember, the prettiest are the most deadly. Ah...but what a way to die!' Jadeite almost smiles, but suppresses it in time. He narrows his eyes and points his finger at her. "I should ask the same of you. After all, I'm not the invader, am I?" He drawls. Her eyes blaze with anger. 'Ohhhhh...This had to happen to me!!!' "I see. We have a slight problem, don't we?" 'You want to play games, then be my guest.' He slowly approaches her. Mars can feel her rapid pulse and she gulps down her heart, which is now in her throat. 'He must have strange powers. He can't do this to me!' Insolently Jade answers, "Not the way I see it. You tell me why you've entered my domain, and then I decide weather or not to kill you. It's really quite simple. Either way, I win." 'Ha! You don't even know what you're dealing with!' 'Wait a sec! MY domain!! Is he one of them?! It looks like I have no choice. You owe me big time, Selena!' "Let's find out shall we." Jadeite raises his eyebrows. 'Now this is something I've wanted to do for a long time...do battle with a gorgeous woman!' Mars closes her eyes and grasps her pendant... ************************** Nephlite closes his eyes. The vast regions of space appear in his mind's eye. Slowly he travels though the fathoms. He passes countless stars and planetary systems. A pair of piercing, emerald eyes glow behind the moons of a near by planet. Lightning flashes through their pupils. A loud crash of thunder causes him to jump as he realizes that it's not a part of his vision. Something cracks and howls. He turns his head to see a huge Sequoia barreling towards him. "Look out!" A voice cries. Jupiter peers though the greenery. 'Gods!! That tree is going to hit that man! I've got to do something!' Without thinking, she runs at top speed toward the handsome stranger. She pushes him to the ground as the tree buries itself just a few meters away. Echoes of the thunderous crash sound throughout the mountain ranges surrounding the valley. Slowly she raises her head from the man's chest. The dust, thrown into chaos, begins to settle. Breathing heavily, she peers up at his face. She almost gasps aloud when she looks into the smoldering, brown eyes encased by sharp angles and set off by wavy, umber hair. Nephlite stares back at the woman. A sweet face encompasses soft hazel eyes. Honey-chestnut hair flows form a long ponytail. 'As swift and agile as the stars! The beauty and power of the planets rings through her blood! Who is this angel?' Realizing the position she's in, Jupiter scrambles to a standing position. "I'm sorry. Are you all right?" She blushes and smiles. 'Why is he STILL staring at me? Although, if it's for the right reason, I don't mind.' Finally able to speak through the desert in his mouth, he breathes, "No, my Lady, Do not apologize to me." He takes her hand and kisses it. 'She may have intruded, but she saved my life. Someone dangerous to Earth would not have done that. How could she? She's so tall and elegant. I feel the strength pulsing through her like the graceful beauty of the panther. Ah, but I forget. The panther is also deadly. No, no.' He shakes the thought away, burying it deep within his subconscious. A strange, tantalizing sensation flies through Jupiter's stomach as he presses his lips to her hand. 'Can this be true? A man taller than I? And he thinks that I am beautiful?! Or is he just grateful because I saved his life? Oh no. This feeling I sense is too strong. So, this is what Venus meant when she talked of a shock that runs from your head to your toes with lightning speed and agility.' He stares deep into her eyes, and she feels her heart melt. "Thank you. Please, tell me your name." "Jupiter." She whispers dreamily. He takes her hand again and brings her close. "Thank you, my savior, the beautiful Lady Jupiter..." ************************** Mercury stands in frigid, ankle-deep, white powder. She gasps. 'This looks like snow! It's been so long since I've seen the great storms.' Shaking off her reverie, she takes out a small hand-held computer. Placing her fingers on her temple, a transparent, blue visor spreads across her face. "Moon Base One, analyze the surrounding area." Loads of information pours across her visor providing knowledge as to the type of animal and plant life and weather conditions. A simulated voice answers from the small device she holds. "You have arrived in the early part of what Earthlings simply refer to as a day. Earth is currently in the 356 day of its orb around the Sun. Position: West Europe." "Do you have any other additional information on the whereabouts of these lands?" "Negative. All data banks were erased Lunar Phase 2016." Mercury sighs deeply. "Thank you Moon Base One." She switches off her visor and closes her computer. She looks around at the wide expanse. 'I guess I'm on my own.' She looks down at the snow. Bright, white light shimmers across the surface. She takes some snow in her hands. It reshapes into an ice-castle at the base of her palm. 'The Mariner Castle...home.' She thinks. It all seems so - far off -as if she knows that world, but the memory has since been long past and forgotten. "Father..." She whispers. From around her wrist, she unravels a long, silver chain. A snowflake charm hangs from it. ################(Flashback) A ten year-old girl runs into an ice, blue thrown room. A tall man with blue hair and gray eyes opens his arms to her. She runs into them and hugs him. "Oh poppa, thank you so much!" "It was your mother's. You look so much like her. She wanted you to have it when you were old enough. Always keep this close to you. It will keep the cold from reaching inside..." ################(End of Flashback) Two silent, trailing tears seep from her eyes. Her once steady grip on the computer loosens, and it flies to the ground. Mercury wipes away her tears and bends down to pick it up. Before she is able to reach it, a strong hand grabs it. Wide-eyed, she gulps. Slowly, she moves into a standing position. 'Oh no.' White drifts cover the tips of highly polished, black boots rising to a man's knees. Gradually, she casts her eyes upward past the close-fitting, brown pants, white tunic showing finely shaped muscles, and blue cape flapping in the wind. Locks of wavy, golden blonde hair rest on broad, strong shoulders. Her eyes meet with the intense gaze of a beautiful sea of green set amidst high cheekbones and a square jaw line. 'What is it about her?' Zoisite thinks. 'So soft and perfect. Hair the color of the finest tea. Pools of a cool, blue...yet they look so warm. Here in the snow...it seems as though she belongs here.' He lets his eyes wander to notice and admire her slim waist, long arms, and smooth, graceful neck. 'She's beautiful! But there's something different, something that I can't seem to put my finger on.' His eyes catch on the powder blue object he still holds in his hand. A strange symbol marks the cover. It is then that he notices the tear-stained cheeks that give her a look of angelic grace. 'God, she looks so sad. No...frightened now. Damn it! I almost forgot! How am I going to get by this one?' He inwardly groans. 'Why did it have to a woman? No. It couldn't have been some ugly thing that I could blast apart. It just has to be the most delicate creature that with one spiteful look could destroy me forever. Hmm...got to approach this carefully.' He holds out the computer. "Did you drop this, my Lady?" "Oh. Y...yes. Thank you, sir." She curtsies as she removes it from his hand. She can feel the color rise to her already rosy cheeks. He bows slightly in return. A broad smile plasters across his face. 'Ohhh...what am I doing? Curse Jed's flirting influence! Oh well, maybe this'll work.' "I am Zoisite, Lady..." "Mercury." She finishes. "Well then, Lady Mercury, allow me to escort you to the castle just a short distance yonder. I'm sure you will find whatever or whomever it is you seek there." Her eyes widen. 'How does he know that I'm looking for someone...No! That's impossible! He's just being nice. But I shouldn't trust him.' "Thank you, sir...Zoisite. But...I...I really must go. I can't..." "I insist. A severe storm approaches. A blizzard is not a friendly thing to come to terms with." He holds out his hand. Mercury bites her lip. 'What do I do?! A storm is brewing...and a bad one at that!' She can feel the oncoming cold and snow. 'I can survive, but what good would it do in unfamiliar surroundings?! What choice do I have?' With an uncertain half-smile she takes his hand. Immediately his warmth overpowers her being. Arm in arm, he leads her toward a tall stone castle. 'Oh please, Selena! Please, please, be all right!' ********************** Selenity lies with her back against him. She closes her eyes and rests her head on his shoulder, her face buried in his neck. Endymion gently moves the blowing hair out of her face. 'How can this be?' She muses. 'Is it truly possible to find the other half of your soul...your very being in such a short time? It's as though I've known you forever, for I can't even conceive of a time without you. His eyes, a deep, all consuming, sea of midnight blue. I cannot imagine ever looking into any others. I feel so protected when he holds me in his arms. Here...here, away from everything and everyone. Oh don't let go, love! You're so warm.' She thinks. 'His scent is that of the sun and of nature. Let me stay here forever! The beauty of everything I've seen is reflected in his heart...in his soul. It's as though he reflects this planet.' Suddenly the realization dawning, her eyes snap open, and she sits up. "What is it? What's wrong?" He asks startled. Those thoughts, still haunting him had surfaced once more. 'You know you can't have her. It's forbidden. Are you willing to risk everything? Yet here, in his arms-impossible though it might seem, an angel of light sleeps. Fate deals it hands cruelly. No! Look at her! How could you? You love her and you know it. Yes, it's worth fighting for! But is it strong enough to survive?' Her sudden movements send him crashing back into reality. That perfect, beautiful face of an angel looks at him in surprise and confusion. 'She knows.' Selena looks deep into his eyes. "You..." She breathes almost inaudibly. 'Can it be? Or am I just fooling myself? The power I feel inside him - is it...' "Endymion, are you one of The Four Lords?" She bluntly asks. "No." "Then who are you? I feel the power inside you. You are a guardian. I know it. I don't know how, but I do. Who are you?" "I am like you, Selenity. I watch over the Earth just as you someday will watch over the Moon. We have the same mission, but in different places." He moves his face closer to hers. "The Earth and the Moon orb each other." Endy whispers. "The moon controls our tides and brings us light. The Earth offers support and balance. "Then, without each other, the two would be lost." She replies, moving even closer to him. He gently kisses her lips. 'How can I ever walk away from this? She pulls me in, binding me forever to her soul. There must be a way...a place...somewhere we can be together...' Selenity brakes away from the kiss, her dreamlike state melting away to the questions in her head. "How did you know who I..." "Wait. Before you ask anymore questions, come with me." He offers her his hand. Selenity looks deep into his eyes searching for something. At the moment, they remain unreadable. She tilts her head sideways. 'Where have I seen those features before? It's almost as if I know those eyes from somewhere.' Her head turns forward and her eyes widen in remembrance. 'Gaea!' Selena takes his hand, her eyes never leaving his face. She places her hand on his cheek, memorizing the angles and curves. "You...you're the pri..." "Shh..." He leans in and kisses her gently. "Come on. I want to take you somewhere very special. No one else but The Four Lords have set foot on this land. I want you to see it." With a bright flash, the two disappear. Selenity slowly opens her eyes, only to shut them again. A blinding light reflects off a tall structure. "Don't worry. Your eyes will adjust in a minute." Slowly, she opens her eyes and gasps. All around her feet grow exquisite beds of roses. Every color imaginable looms up the bases of green trees. Lush, green plants grow everywhere. A beautiful waterfall cascades down from the low rocks of snow-tipped mountains into a crystal-clear lake. The breeze blows steadily, but gently, caressing the lines of her face. She closes her eyes and drinks in the aromas of her surroundings. 'The music...Earth's song. It's almost like she calls you. It's so loud and clear in this place.' Cautiously she tiptoes forward through the tall grasses and wildflowers, still heavy and wet with dewdrops, and peers into the water. Upon seeing her reflection, she shrieks. "My hair! It's gold!" Endymion chuckles. "Yes, but only here. Actually, I think it looks beautiful. But don't worry. It'll turn back to normal when we go back. I mean look at mine." He points to his head. His once jet-black hair is now a deep violet, the color of sunset. Selenity looks back into the water. 'It does look good. Eeek! I wonder what mother would say right now?' Just thinking about her mother sends a pang of guilt through her stomach. But something else arrests her attention. Large splashes of gold reflect in the depths of the water. Following their traces, she looks up. A huge golden palace rises to the very heavens themselves. Four, tall, tapering minarets spire in a square format around its walls, reaching even higher than the several golden towers. Tall, Doric pillars and Corinthian columns support the massive structure of gold crystal. In the far distance a single tower stands apart from the palace. The obelisk-shaped structure has a tip sheathed in gold with hieroglyphs inscribed upon its walls. "Where are we?" She breathes. "This is the Holy Land, Elysion. We are deep in the heart of Earth." "But how can that be? The Sun shines and the sky reaches just above?" She asks, confused. "Well, this is a very special place. It's a sort of floating island. It protects and sustains the entire planet. If something happened here, the entire planet would be destroyed. That's why only five have the power to enter here." He takes her by the hand, and leads her toward the palace. They climb the grand stairs to reach the massive pillars supporting a high roof. Two large vases containing cascading, exotic plants rest on the landing of the side-rails. The huge portico is open to the outside. Colossal mosaics and the hand-painted ceiling of all patterns and colors mystify her. In the center of the floor is an engraved white rose with gold script covering it. "What is this room?" "This is the Basilica. From here, decrees are issued. In other words, this is a hall of justice. The four open entrances leading to this hall represent the four corners of the Earth." They walk through the ornate room, down another large set of stairs to an area enclosed within the palace courtyard. A pool with a large canal leading to the lake is situated in the center. A series of pillars and arches interspersed with statues surrounds the pool. The columns and lush greenery reflect in the water. Endymion looks at her carefully and cocks his head to one side. "I want you to see one of the statues." He leads her to a statue of a woman with two long ponytails flowing from two balls of hair. A crescent moon endows her forehead. She wears a long gown with moon lilies adorning her waist and sleeves. Her arms are raised and she holds a tall staff in her left hand. The details are perfect. The top of the staff bears a crescent moon shape. Selena can only stare. She gulps hard and turns around to face him. "You look so much like her." He says quietly as he stares into her indigo depths. 'It's almost as though it is she. God, I love her. Please, please if there's a way, let us never part. If I could keep you here forever, I would...close the seals...just you and I.' She looks down. 'Gods! His gaze is so penetrating. I feel as though he can see right through me. But I have nothing left to hide. He is The Prince. I give you my heart. I trust you and I love you.' "That's because she is my mother." "So, you are the Moon Princess." He says quietly with a quirky smile. She looks back at him with an intense gaze. Eyes locked, they stand in silence for what seems like hours. No words are needed. Selenity breaks the silence, feeling a need to lighten the mood. "Yes." She smiles and walks past him, teasing his face with a rose. "And you are the Prince of Earth." He grabs her by the arm and pulls her into an embrace. "Now you are my captive-a foreigner in a strange land. What shall I do to punish you for trespassing?" He brings his face VERY close to hers. 'Hmm...' She loses herself in his midnight fathoms, smiles, and whispers devilishly, "Kiss me." They kiss passionately as the sun reaches its peak. The cold, life-less statue of the Moon Queen looks on. ************************* Beryl gazes into the midnight crystal. Her eyes narrow to slits and she licks her lips, hungrily awaiting her first victims. Suddenly her eyes widen. She cackles wickedly. "So, the witches look for their princess. But wait! I see it in their minds - the generals...I see the weakness. Ah, but you! You, Lord Kunzite will be the one. You are the keystone. I see the hatred boil within your blood towards the moon. The love of Venus is strong, but I will win! There is too much hate within you to waste. I will redirect your efforts. You will serve our growing leader, but first you will serve me..." ************************ That's it for this chapter. Questions? Comments? Please send me your responses at JMcChick@juno.com. I'll try to have chapter 5 out soon. This is going to give me major problems though cuz it's going to be the hardest to write. The final parts of my story are already written. I just need to get this part done. Eeeeeek! When am I going to find the time?! See Yah! _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. 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