Out of the Darkness and Into the Light- BY: Selena- Chapter 5- Rated: PG-13 Hello! This story was posted at my homepage (The address is at the bottom.) for over a week. So if you were really azxious to read it, yo ushould have gone there first!! Wow! I got so much feedback on this story that I just might keep working on this one first! I honestly have to say that right now all my inspiration is on this one so...Cords of Silver and Gold will be out as soon as I have the time to work on it! Thanks to all the people who sent me mail: Fushigi Kismet, Princess Serena, Ricci, Anastasia, Carlo M? (I can't e-mail you back. The address you gave doesn't work), Dan, from the writer's corner, and many many more! I'm sorry if I haven't mentioned everyone but I'm doing this last minute and I can't seem to remember everyone. Enough blabbing and on to the story! Enjoy! And please let me know what you thought!! (s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu) Out of the Darkness and Into the Light Chapter 5 ************************** In a sitting room adjoined to her bedroom, Selenity sits in a large, comfortable chair. Unlike her usual hairstyle consisting of two odangos, her hair flows down in curls, having recently been washed. Rainbows dance on the wall from the prisms of a petite crystal chandelier. Having carefully examined her selection of dress material for her first ball, she sleepily pages through a book of patterns. A beautiful design embellished with pink satin sashes, lace, and ribbon catches her eye. 'I want to look like my mother. She is always the most beautiful woman in court. Maybe a fancy dress will make me look as pretty as she is.' She glances up at Darien suddenly. He sits across from her at a small desk, his nose stuck in yet another book. She peers at the title and cringes. 'Complex Quantum Physics. Amazing.' She thinks. 'He actually *wants* to read all that garbage. Humph.' A smile crosses her face as she watches his intent studying. 'Only a year and half ago, he couldn't read or write and now he's the smartest person I know…well aside from Ami anyway. But he's far from boring - the food fights, the 'annoying' comments, and so much more. Always ready to contradict every word I say, yet without spite or harshness. Sometimes I feel like…well…that he's the only person that understands me - the real me - not a princess - just me. Darien's…well…unpredictable…I guess. No…more…mysterious and utterly confusing. He can be so wonderful when he wants to be and his eyes are *so* deep and blue but haunted, sad. Hmm…sometimes…I wonder what he thinks of me…' She thinks as she drifts into the realm of dreams. Darien glances up from his book and smiles when he sees her asleep, her elbow resting on the arm of her chair and hand supporting her face. 'She looks like an angel when she sleeps - just like the first time I saw her. How could I ever forget? The most stubborn, obstinate, caring, loving person walked into my life and refused to leave it. It's funny, but now I can't imagine a world without her in it.' He puts his book down and carefully scoops her up in his arms. Darien walks through the large, French doors and lays her on her large white bed. Four, sheer, white curtains hang from the tops of each post. After pulling the covers over her, he can't help but stare at her radiance. He gently moves a few stray hairs out of her face, grazing her cheek ever so slightly. Darien can still remember the first time he watched her in peaceful slumber. He snuck in from the balcony, the night she offered her help, and sat in the shadows of a dark corner. 'I wonder what she dreams about. Probably flowers, dresses, and other things girls think about…All that's innocent and good.' His nights are restless and filled with dreams of mysterious import. Watching her gives him a sense of peace and makes him calm. It seems to chase away the darkness. Standing in the light of Earth, Darien takes her hand and whispers in a barely audible voice, "You are all that is good and pure. You've done so much for me…" There in my darkest hour, Somehow you knew how I felt. And just in the nick of time, You saved me from myself. Didn't know I could cut through my defenses, And see you through the mask. I figured you must want something from me, But you never asked. I just had to call And you were always there. I think you must have been the answer to my prayer. With you I've got nothing to hide. My heart is starting to pound. Now the walls are tumbling down. I wish I could find the words That linger just out of reach. I see myself in your eyes And loose my power of speech. I am someone now that I don't recognize. It took someone like you to shatter my disguise. Now I've got nothing to hide. My heart's remembering to pound. I can feel the walls crumbling down. I've got nothing to hide. All that I needed was you around. Now the walls are crumbling down. Head in the sky. Feeling like a lovesick child, I finally pull through. And I owe it all to you. Don't want to keep it inside. I am someone now that I don't recognize. I'm healing. I'm believing. You've made me realize… "I owe you everything. You *are* everything. Now, I have a reason to live…" He stares down at her, his eyes a glassy almost transparent blue. *You* are my reason. I'll do anything… give anything to make sure you're safe and that you get everything your heart desires." "Do you mean that?" A surprised, voice asks from behind him. Darien gulps, drops Selena's hand, and whips around, immediately falls to one knee in a low bow. "Queen Serenity?! Your Majesty, forgive me. I…" She can't believe it. 'Finally…after all this time!' Her mind breathes a sigh of relief. Then she stops. When she saw him, holding her hand, whispering to her gently, a realization dawned on her. 'He loves her. Perhaps it is time. But how will handle the power? Can he handle it? Will he use it or abuse it? There's only one way to find out.' "Darien, did you mean what you said?" She repeats in a clear forceful voice, still staring at him intensely. "Would you do anything to protect her?" He's confused. 'The queen has barely spoken to me since I came here. Why would she ask me this? I thought she'd be furious that I was in her room. What's the use? I can't lie to her. Why should I?' "Yes. I meant it." He says seriously as he rises from the floor. She nods her head. "Very well, then. *You* have decided your fate. Come with me." Serenity turns around and walks through the door and out into the hallway. She leads him to the large silver plated doors of the formal audience chamber. Two elegantly dressed guards open the massive doors. Darien cautiously follows behind her and enters the most beautiful room he had ever seen. White carpets trimmed with an iridescent silver band line the floors in several paths, all leading to the throne at the far end of the room. Serenity's shoes tap lightly as she moves across the delicate crystalline floor. Blue, pink, and purple shadows dance along the walls. Gigantic vases of moon lilies adorn the entrances to 7 small balconies. At the far end of the room, a dark silent figure awaits their presence. As they come closer, her figure clears and Darien can't help but stare at her. Her red lips part in a radiant smile and her magenta eyes twinkle with fondness and love when she sees him. "Hello, young Darien." She still wears her mother's black gown of satin and taffeta, ornamented by silver buckles, shaped into the sign of Pluto, that hold the straps in place. Long, sheer raven gloves rise above her elbows. Darien looks at Queen Serenity questioningly. 'Who is this woman? She looks so familiar to me…' He muses to himself. Serenity approaches the throne and sits upon it. "This is Pluto, Guardian to the Gates of Time and to the underworld. As the last and only member of the remaining Council of Stars, beside myself, she serves as a witness to this event. Kneel, Darien of Earth, for yes, that is where you are from and where you were born." Serenity stands and holds up a large sword, with an ornate hilt, so that its tip points at a 90-degree angle to the dome above. She lowers the blade and doves each shoulder. "With the Holy Blade of Legend, I, Queen Serenity of the Moon, do name you personal guard to the Princess Selenity, my daughter and heir to throne of the Moon. Rise Darien, Golden Knight to the Silver Millenium." Darien stares at her with confusion written across his face. "Your Majesty, I don't under…" Pluto reaches out a hand to touch his shoulder. "You have been given a special title. These are dangerous times and the Princess needs all the protection we can give her. You have reached your 17th year and now have a sacred duty, with it you will yield a great power. Use it wisely to defend the innocent and protect the ones you love." 'He looks the same - just older. And so handsome too with his azure eyes and midnight hair! I hope they'll be happy for all eternity. I'll fight with my last breath to make sure it is so.' Holding back tears, she encases him in a hug and quietly leaves the room. 'I'll miss you, my little prince…' Still in a state of shock, Darien can only stare after her. 'Why did she feel so familiar as if I should know who she is? And how does she know how old I am? I was never even sure.' The Queen snaps him out of his thoughts. She smiles brilliantly at him. "If what you said proves true, then I know you will fight with your last breath to keep her safe. There a dark forces at work. They have taken all of the surrounding planetary systems save the Earth and the Moon. A wondrous destiny awaits you should you choose to accept it." Darien notes the way her eyes seem to pierce into the depths of his soul, searching. 'But for what? It all seems to be some sort of test and why would she do this for me? I'm no one special, am I? This all seems so unreal.' He ponders. An image of Selenity sleeping peacefully flies through his mind along with others of her laughing, teasing, and smiling when he first learned to read. Despite all the questions and doubts he has, he can't help but think of her. 'How could I not accept. It's true. I'd do anything for her. I'll keep her safe even if it means my own life. Perhaps it was destiny that brought me here.' "Yes, I accept." A wave of relief rushes over her. 'Please let this work. We have so little time left!' "Now it is time to begin your training. Come with me." He raises a brow. "Training? What kind of training?" ******************************** "A real Prince?!" Selena squeals. "Yes." Mina answers. "His planet is Nemesis." Mars interrupts pointing her finger at Selenity, "You know the one beyond Pluto." "I know which one it is, Rei!" She answers glaring. Mina rolls her eyes and continues. "Anyway, he's been training on Earth for the past 9 years. Since there is no guardian for Earth, he's coming to seek an audience with the Queen. There's some sort of dispute, heaven only knows why, over his rite to rule. From what everyone says about him, he's one of the most eloquent, distinguished people. He's always so gentile and could never hurt anyone. He's also supposed to be a wonderful conversationalist." "You're forgetting the best part!" Jupiter gloats. "That's not the only reason why he's coming here…" "No? Why?" Selena asks, now *very* intrigued and sitting on the edge of her seat. "Well duh." Rei smirks. Ami blushes and says quietly, "He's coming as a suitor to you. He'll be at a great banquet your mother is hosting this evening in his honor." Her face lights up. "There will be a ball right after to welcome his arrival." "For me?! Really?! Oh gods! I'm so nervous. What if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks I'm horrible? And he's coming tonight! A ball?! But…oh no! My dress isn't even cut yet! Oh Mina, what will I do?!" She grabs the collar of her yellow, chiffon dress, nearly choking her. She pushes her away and after regaining the ability to breathe says, "You have nothing to worry about. All you have to do is act like a perfect princess. We'll take care of the rest!" Selena slumps back into her chair. "I don't know if I can do it. I've never met a *real* prince before. And he wants to marry me…" 'Marry me? Why does that seem so odd? I guess I knew I'd have to marry someone someday, but I didn't think…And he doesn't even know me! But…oh…could this be when dreams and fairy tails come true - of a dashing, handsome prince that will save you not only from evil but also from yourself?' She sighs dreamily. 'I hope so…' She looks at her friends pleadingly. "Will you help me?" "Of course!" The four girls chorus. "You realize, this is not going to be easy." Rei comments, skeptically. "If you ask me, you should just be your self." "Goodness no! And it's going to be *very* easy." Jupiter answers. "We just need to put on a few finishing touches." Venus nods her head. "She's right." She walks into her large closet and pulls out an enchanting gown of a pale pink silk and holds it up to Selena. "This ought to be stunning on you. We're the same size so it shouldn't need much altering except maybe for the hem." "Oh Mina! Isn't that the gown Adonis sent you in tribute?" "Yes, but this is much more important! Besides, what he doesn't know won't hurt him." She giggles. "Ami, will you go and get your box of satin and lace hair ribbons?" She nods and vigorously exits Mina's room, heading for her own. "Lita, you still have those pearls your father sent you, right?" "Oh that's a wonderful idea!" She follows behind Ami. "Mars, get a needle and some thread. Oh and get all the brushes, combs, and clips you can find. We're going to need them." "Right." Mina leads Selenity to a vanity set against the back wall and sits her down. "Just wait!" She sings as she pulls her hair out of her odangos. "We're going to make you look like a Queen!" ******************************* Darien slowly makes his way out of the in-door training room, or the doors of hell as he refers to them, and down the hall toward his room. 'Learning to control all your thoughts no matter what faces you is worse than death. I still don't understand why the Queen insists I learn all this. Fighting and mental control are two entirely different things. Oh well, at least I spent the last hour sitting instead of dodging those electric spears Lita threw. She almost fried me twice! Sometimes I think she wants revenge for all of the dishes I broke. Hmm…' A servant rushes past him, nearly knocking him over. He drops his sword and shield and shoes fly everywhere. Slim arms scurry to pick them up. "Oh I'm sorry, My Lord Darien!" He grimaces at the use of any title attributed to him. 'That feels so wrong. I can't stand the idea of me being anything like him.' He shudders. 'But you're different…' A voice in his head answers. He shakes it off and turns to see the bubbly face of a short auburn with pale green eyes. "Molinda, you don't have to call me that! Darien is just fine for me." She smiles warmly then blushes. "Oh…alright." 'Goddess, he's handsome!' The faint sound the orchestra practicing a waltz sounds from a short distance down the hall. "Molly, what's going on?" He asks. She stares at him with wide eyes. "You mean you don't know?!" She shrieks. "No. I've been in that crummy room for the past week and a half. The only people I've seen are the girls and the Queen. Anyway, I thought the ball wasn't for another week." 'Boy Selena is going to go crazy. Her dress isn't done yet.' "Oh, it's been moved. There is a visiting Royal Family coming to the Moon! They're due any minute now! I have to hurry and get the princess a new pair of shoes." She winks and then giggles. "She broke two pairs of heels…" Darien smiles and drifts off as the picture forms in his head of his princess stumbling with shoes that are impossible to walk in. 'Why women put up with that is beyond me. She tries so hard to be perfect. If she'd only realize that she already is…' "…from Nemesis. I can't wait to…" "What?!" He chokes. His vision grows blurry, he closes his eyes, and his hands form into tight fists. He can't even feel the fingernails digging into the flesh of his hands. 'No! This is impossible. I left that part of me behind. That world is dead! Has it come back to haunt me?! No! Not now.' Anger and pain surges through him as the memories of repeated whippings and beatings surface and play over and over again in his mind's eye. "Darien?!" Molly's small hand on his arm sends him flying back to the present and his eyes snap open, not quite fully aware of his surroundings. He stumbles as words refuse to come out of this mouth. "I…I…I'm sorry, Molly. I…I have to go. I'm tired and I need to…I need rest." He starts to walk away from her. "Wait! You have to get ready. The banquet is in an hour and the Queen surely expects your presence. Do you want me to have evening clothes brought to your chamber?" "Huh? No…Just…No…I'll take of it. Thank you…Molly." He turns slowly, his eyes distant and dark, and continues toward the audience chamber. Passing an open door, he hears three voices talking rather insistently. One he recognizes as Artemis's. Approaching the door, he hides behind it and listens. "I still don't understand why we're doing all this?! We're welcoming him, for gods' sakes! He should be banished and never let within 20 billion star leagues of this palace!" He waves his arms violently, his long white hair flying into his face. "Artemis! Calm down!" Luna scolds. She sits down and pulls him down to the stoop with her. Taking his hand, she tries to calm him as much as possible. "There is more to it than that. We have to be careful. We have no idea what he is capable of. If he is in league with the dark forces, he could be very powerful. Getting on his bad side might not be a good idea." He springs up again. "That's exactly my point! And I'm not suggesting that he's dangerous I'm flat out saying that he is! You know very well what he is capable of!" Queen Serenity stands, pacing in the distance. She stops and after a moment's contemplation turns and approaches them. "You're both right. He is dangerous, but we can't afford to let him know that we are fully aware of just who he is and what he stands for." Too angry for words, Artemis shakes his head and flies back into a sitting position. "Really Artemis! You're acting like a child!" Luna chides, annoyed. "I think you're right, my Queen. Until we know what he is up to, we have to play this game of deception. But, what of the princess?! He comes as a suitor to her. Will you let him continue to see her?! Suppose she grows attached to him?! What then?! It would hurt her so much…" Queen Serenity bites her lower lip. 'May the gods forgive me for all I do.' "We will tell her soon, but now. It's too dangerous. I want her to remain as innocent in all of this as possible. The less she knows, the less responsible she will be for whatever happens." Artemis narrows his eyes and looks up bitterly. "She doesn't know about Darien yet. Will you keep that from her forever? It seems like she's a pawn in all this. I don't like it! And I still think we should close the shields." Luna sighs. "That's exactly how you felt when we talked to Eros! Everything has turned out fine since then. Have a little confidence in the Queen. She knows what she's doing. And as long as we tell Selena before anything serious develops, everything should be fine." "Alright." He says in defeat. "Just as a precaution, I want you both to stay in your feline form. You will not be seen in human form the entire time he is here. Keep an eye on him and most importantly watch Selenity. Make sure she is alright." "Shall we tell the girls?" "Not yet." Serenity answers Luna. Darien leans against the back of the door, taking ragged, deep breaths. 'This is *not* happening! It can't!' Sweat pours down his face and he feels lightheaded. The tall vases, the red runner, the lights from the chandelier swirl into one big mass of light and color. 'A suitor to her? To *my* Selena?! But…she isn't mine…And what doesn't she know about me?! Could the Queen possibly know what happened to me? Does the Queen really know what he's capable of…what he could do to her?! He can't, will *not* lay a hand on her!' His stomach turns upside down and his face turns a shade of green. Turning to the side, he falls to the floor and vomits. Serenity, Luna, and Artemis run out of the room. Artemis kneels and helps him to his feet. His pale features and sickly appearance frighten him as he looks into his haunted eyes. "Darien, are you alright?" "Uh…yah…I'll be alright. I…I…I'm just not feeling very well right now." He says absently. His face bears a far off look and his voice sounds far away. The Queen and Luna catch each other's glance, wondering how much of their conversation he just heard. Serenity looks at him with worry. 'I hope you'll be alright. I didn't know this would affect you so badly. Perhaps it would be best it you avoided him all together. The time for your confrontation has not yet arrived. You're not ready.' Artemis, take him to his room. See that he sleeps for a few hours and that no one disturbs him. One of the palace guards approaches Luna and whispers in her ear. He then turns and hastily retreats toward the main audience chamber. ***************************** To be continued in Chapter 6!! The Song Lyrics were written and composed by Richard Marx. All Characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi and not me. Well?! What did you all think? Was is good, boring, suspensful?! Tell me! Write to me at s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu. Don't forget to visit my homepage at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/5811 Chapter 6 will appear there soon!! ____________________________________________________________________ More than just email--Get your FREE Netscape WebMail account today at http://home.netscape.com/netcenter/mail