Love and Desperation
Part 8
Author: Moon Sparkle
E-mail: lovablegwen@hotmail.com
Rated: PG-13     


     Deep, dark blue eyes stared at a large screen on which statistics and charts were 
sketched messily by an elderly Council Member, making it rather difficult to read. Black 
eyebrows furrowed, and the young man’s mind struggled to stay focused on the discussion 
that was taking place in the War Room. 
     Endymion could not help but allow his psyche to wander off to the young woman with 
hair the color of molten sunshine, and eyes the shade of the most translucent blue lagoons. 
She had been so breathtakingly charming in the flood of soft moonlight that hit the golden 
sand of the beach. Her soft, suave skin had felt so deliciously soothing when it brushed 
his and her golden-silver tresses had cascaded so marvelously on her slender shoulders, 
that they had made his exercised self-control loosen. She had given him all of her the 
previous night and the Prince feared that many consequences would follow.
     However, he did not regret his actions because it had felt so…right to do what they 
did and this only brought a smile to his lips. He knew what to do. 
     “Phrince Endymion!” a loud, harsh voice interrupted his long train of thought, and 
the prince strove to convey his mentality to the present room and situation. 
     His mysterious sexy eyes gazed up, seeking the source of the ancient voice that had 
so rudely suspended his pleasurable thoughts. Without great exertion they rested upon 
Jens Lingtenstwine, the old ambassador of     Germany who had been summoned from his dark 
office to help solve the civil dilemma between Germany and France. One more problem atop 
the other endless difficulties of warfare. 
     Realizing that the whole world was in his hands, Endymion took a glance at his 
irritable father (who was sitting in a wheelchair), and decided that the only way to 
escape from the cold, and oh-so-familiar War Room, would be to cooperate. He just could 
not help but feel a pang of jealousy towards his not-much-younger brother, Safiru, who at 
the moment was probably wandering about in the rose gardens.
     “Well, I believe that the only way to solve this quandary is to strengthen security 
on streets and in public locations until the government and citizens of both nations 
understand that the economic decline is the fault of none other than Norway’s fraudulent 
business management.” The dark-haired prince spoke lazily. Why were they digging so deep 
into such a simple problem when Beryl’s forces were gaining power every second of every 
minute?
     Hastol threw a sharp glance towards his son and Lingtenstwine laughed merrily suddenly, 
startling the whole entire assembly of politicians and military heads. Endymion raised and 
eyebrow as he stared at the wrinkled envoy and let out a frustrated breath.
     “King Hhastol, I believe that youhr son iz rhight! Vherhe iz hiz bruder, Phrince 
Safihru?” The German ambassador inquired, a broad, cheesy smile spreading across his face, 
revealing old, crooked teeth.
     “I’d like to know myself, Jens.” The King replied.
     Endymion rolled his eyes and stood up, desperately feeling the urge to stretch his 
muscles that had been jammed in one position for the past three hours. 
     A strident knock disturbed the old man’s ridiculous chortle and Hastol’s eyes 
immediately darted to the door as a uniformed man walked in, a document in his hand. He 
saluted sharply and his dark irises landed on Endymion. The prince looked at him expectantly.
     “Highness, we have received a fax from Colonel Granam in Rabson at thirteen o-five. 
Spies have arrived with information that Beryl’s Southern Wing will attack there next. The—“ 
     “Wait a second, didn’t Beryl hit Rabson just yesterday?” Hastol inquired harshly. 
     “Yes, sir. This brings me to the second part of his message. They are in need of 
massive reinforcements, My Lord. Fast. He also asked for assistance from Prince Endymion 
and the Fours, sir. They are in awful state.” The man’s voice was loud and clear and the 
twenty men in the War Room listened to the message tensely. 
     General Jadeite looked at Endymion briefly, before dismissing the herald. 
     “Well, Endymion. What do you presume you should do?” Hastol inquired throatily, 
reaching for the papers that lay obediently on the long, marble table.
     Endymion looked at his Generals. They stood in a line, all attired in dark uniforms 
and seeming ready for any challenge that would provoke them. Thoughts and doubts clashed 
in his tired mind, only to successfully bring about a strong headache. 
     He glanced around the room, at the important men who seemed to always turn to him for 
orders and advice recently. Endymion supposed it was part of being the king he would soon 
become.
     Brushing his thumb, index and middle fingers together, he materialized a petite, 
golden ring encrusted with shimmering diamonds on the apex, in his hand. 
     “Our men need our service. Let’s go, gentlemen.” 

* * *        
     Leaving Makoto staring after her, Serenity ran down the giant majestic hallways, worry, 
anger, love, despair, thundering through her mind at the speed of silver light. Just the 
idea that Endymion would be going into battle when she was…well, in such a condition, was 
unnerving! How could he? How *dare* he?
     Heaving, she reached the War Room where she knew he would be. Her pasty pink dress 
ruffled about her ankles as she moved toward the metallic door on which WAR COMMAND CENTER 
was imprinted in large, black letters and pressing her ear against it, her mind recalled 
that the door was soundproof and she let out a sigh, before rotating the heavy knob and 
entering. 
     Fifteen pairs of eyes turned their attention to her frail appearance and the princess’s 
sapphire irises immediately registered the fact that Endymion and the Generals were not 
present in the room. She smiled somewhat nervously at the men, including the injured King, 
and a blush that complemented her dress completely crept up to her soft cheeks. 
     “I’m sorry for interrupting gentlemen, but I am searching for Prince Endymion and I 
imagined that he would be amongst you. Apparently, I was mistaken.” Serenity smiled 
charmingly, although her stomach contracted painfully and she wished infinitely that she 
would not be in the situation in which she was. “Would any of you know where I might find 
him or one of the Fours?”
     The men moved to some extent in their cushioned seats and Serenity stood motionless, 
waiting for an answer, until an old man with a ludicrous smile playing on his chapped lips, 
spoke.
     “Phrince Endymion and the Genehrals have hrepohrted to theihr chambehrs, I believe. 
Theihr sehrvice haz been hrequested by the Tehran Ahrmy. Hahrsh wahr we ahr in, Phrincez.” 
Although hard to understand, understand the man’s thick words Serenity did. She supposed 
that he was German, based on his solid accent. 
     She nodded, thanked the men and curtsied gracefully before exiting the chilly room. 
Taking snappy, quick steps, Serenity set out to Endymion’s chambers. As her legs carried 
her to her destination, the princess’s mind feverishly debated whether or not to tell the 
prince the fact (of course it was fact…Pluto informed her: she is all-knowing, right?) 
that she was with child.
     Of course not, fool! He would be distracted from his duties and would therefore get 
himself killed, she chastised herself. But…maybe…maybe he would stay? Perhaps he would feel 
obligated to remain at the palace and take care of her? No. That would be selfish of you, 
she scolded herself once more. The good of the people comes first.   
      Her steps wavered as she approached Endymion’s quarters and she finally stopped when 
she found herself facing the doors. Pressing her ear against the cool dark wood, she frowned 
when hearing nothing but empty silence. 
     Gently, her graceful hands reached the cold doorknob and turned it slowly, opening the 
door slightly and through wide, blue eyes, Serenity peered inside the prince’s room. 
     The large room was extremely dark since the lights were not turned on and the princess 
tried to recall the contents of the prince’s chambers. She remembered that the walls were 
painted the whitest, most impeccable shade, which contrasted greatly with the heavy navy blue 
curtains that hung from the massive windows. The king-sized four-poster bed was situated in 
the upper center of the room and it was attired in pouring silk sheets that were the color of 
the warmest, deepest blood. On each side of the bed, two nightstands held large white lamps 
and other irrelevant objects. There were three doors, one of which led to a luxurious 
bathroom, the other to the balcony and the third to the hallway through which she came. 
     Leisurely, Serenity closed the door behind her and reached to the wall, blindly seeking 
for the light switch. A flood of luminosity inundated the room and Serenity’s sapphire eyes 
discerned a figure sitting on the bed, back to her. 
      “Darling, what are you doing?” Serenity’s voice was sweet and angelic as she approached 
the sitting Endymion. She climbed on the bed, and slowly reached the prince who still seemed 
as though he hadn’t even acknowledged her presence.

* * *

     It’s now or never, Endymion. 
     Two subtle arms curled around the prince’s solid abdomen and he closed his eyes as the 
sweet fragrance of lunar roses reached his nostrils. He felt Serenity’s form press up against 
his back and her warm lips placed a kiss on his neck. He fingered the tiny ring in his hand 
before turning earnest eyes to Serenity.
     She smiled at him and situated a butterfly kiss on his lips. 
     “I’m waiting for Kunzite to complete his packing. I’m sorry sweetheart, but I have been 
called—“ 
     “Into battle. Yes, I know.” Her beautiful azure irises looked down sadly and Endymion 
sighed.
     It’s now or never, Endymion.
     His mind spoke to him, repeatedly urging him to do what he had planned out to do ever 
since he had first realized he loved this angel. How could he leave her here, alone…with his 
father? She might suggest …insist rather…that she go with him. He would not allow her, under 
any circumstances, to join him into battle. 
     He stood up from the silk-covered bed and looked down at the princess. The golden sphere 
in his hand was becoming progressively warmer and he wondered if this was the right time to 
do this.
     It’s now or never, Endymion...
     “Love, remember the promise I made to you before we arrived here?” he asked tenderly, 
bending down and lovingly brushing a silver-blonde strand of silky hair from her face. 
     Serenity frowned slightly.
     “Which one was that?” she asked quietly.
     “I promised to you that I would never leave you.” The prince swallowed. He had not 
exactly thought about how he would make this proposal.
     Serenity nodded.
     “I made the same promise.” Her lips formed a sweet smile and her head whipped around 
when a knock came at the door.
     “Hold on!” Endymion barked and taking a quick glance at the piece of jewelry that 
Serenity hadn’t detected hitherto, the prince decided to get to the point. 
    “Well,” he began. “I want to *make sure* that everyone— every soul in this universe – 
comprehends that.” 
     Serenity’s eyes widened.
     “Be mine, Serenity. Eternally.”
     “Oh, Endymion!” the princess exclaimed before jumping up and flinging her arms around 
him, squeezing him as tightly as humanly possible. Endymion chuckled and kissed her balmy 
lips. 
     He looked into her soft blue eyes and couldn’t help but grin at what he saw. Pure 
happiness. Her face was beaming like the sun on a hot summer’s day and her trembling arms 
held him lovingly. Endymion, realizing that the precious ring was still located in his palm, 
brought the sphere up to her hand. To his astonishment, Serenity’s eyes suddenly lost their 
glow and Endymion felt panic accumulate in his veins. 
     “Darling, I would marry you even if the sky was falling. But, I am going to wait until 
you return, to accept the ring.” Her tone was both joyful and sad at the same time and the 
prince frowned. 
     “Endymion!” Zoicite’s voice called from the door. “We need to go!” 
     The prince looked at the door and back at the princess.
     “I’ll come back, Angel. I promise.” Endymion said silently. Serenity’s clutch on him 
tightened and he bent down to kiss her.
     Her lips were warm and soothing and Endymion felt wisps of lightening dart between them 
as their mouths melted into one another. Wetness touched his cheek and the prince felt his 
heart plummet when he realized that it was her tears that damped it. 
     “ENDYMION! What the hell are you doing?!” 
     The prince ripped away from Serenity and his ocean eyes absorbed the appearance before 
him. His love. His life. His everything. 
     “I love you,” he whispered. She nodded as she sniffled and he felt extremely tempted to 
kiss her again. But duty called, and he, the soon-to-be king, had to answer. 

* * *
     Through hot, blurry vision, Serenity watched the prince close the large door behind him 
and a violent sob escaped her throat. How she managed to run out of Endymion’s chambers and 
through the unpleasantly cold hallways until she hit something tall and hard, Serenity would 
never manage to find out.
     “Princess?”
     “Oh, I’m so sorry Kunzite! I was in a bit of a rush and I didn’t see — wait a second…why 
have you not left yet?” The words rolled off her tongue like bowling balls and Serenity looked 
up at the towering General whose lips sang of a smile…a very small smile. 
     His silver eyebrows formed a small frown when he observed the drying tears on the 
princess’s cheeks and not answering her inquiry, he led her gently to a columned balcony to 
which the corridor led. As they stepped outside, Serenity shivered slightly and looked up at 
the afternoon gray sky. It spoke of rain to come and the wind whistled a pessimistic melody 
in her ears. 
     “Serenity, I have not left yet because I was searching for you.” He spoke quietly and 
his eyes were like clear diamonds that had been buried in the darkest mines for years, before 
they saw light. Serenity noticed the black uniform in which he was attired and for the first 
time, she realized just how many emblems were pinned on his well-built chest. She found this 
amazing…about a man that was barely twenty-two. Realizing that she had lost herself in thought 
again, Serenity snapped her attention back to the present. 
     “Why?” she asked, looking out into the horizon. 
     “I wanted to thank you, princess.” He said. 
     “Whatever for?” Serenity inquired, slightly befuddled. 
     Kunzite turned to her then, and his irises spoke of sadness, yet bravery and 
determination. His moonlight hair flew with the wind and his handsome face that would have 
made any girl’s knees melt beneath her, was a concoction between appreciation and urgency.
     “Serenity, I never expressed my gratitude to you for saving my life at Trascar and I 
just wanted you to know that I am much obliged. I will never be able to make it up to you in 
any way.” He smiled kindly at her and she beamed back at him through kept back tears. 
     “Oh, Kunz, I would have never forgiven myself if I didn’t do what I did in the first 
place!” She exclaimed shakily. She wondered what thoughts struck his mind when he had felt 
her magic surge into him, and she realized that she felt very close, very connected rather, 
with the General.
     “But, there is one thing I want you to do for me.” She voiced softly. He looked at her 
questionably and then at his watch. Realizing that she was keeping him, Serenity decided to 
rush her request. “Kunzite, I’m pregnant.” His eyes widened at this, but she didn’t pause. 
“Do not tell Endymion, but I want you to do anything in your power to return my baby’s father 
back to me. He shall find out when he comes back.” 
     Endymion’s second in command gazed at her through shining gray eyes and his mouth opened 
somewhat, as if to say something. But, after a moment, he nodded sharply and placed his large 
hands on Serenity’s slim shoulders.
     “I will, Serenity.” He said resolutely. “Good-Bye!” He turned on his heel and walked to 
the door with every intention to leave. However, Serenity stopped him.
     “And you, Kunzite. You make sure that you return as well because if I remember correctly, 
the woman that is my best friend is madly in love with you and she is also the Senshi of Love. 
Come back to her, Kunz. Don’t leave her.” Serenity smiled at him and he turned to face her and 
grinned in return.
     “I will.”

* * *
     Minako’s arms were crossed and her face expressed worry as she waited outside the Royal 
Gate’s entrance. Her fuku felt suddenly uncomfortable and small beads of sweat formed on the 
back of her neck. A knot was tied in her throat as her mind clouded with concern and a clock’s 
ticking bore in her head as the moments passed. Where was he?
     “Minako? What are you doing here?” the voice was deep and filled with a reassuring thunder 
that made beams of electricity trickle through Venus’s bones and she whisked around to find 
herself nose to nose with her lover.
     “I came to tell you that you better come back or else,” she said, grinning strikingly and 
he smiled back.
     Oh Goddess, he’s so gorgeous, Minako’s mind yelled in her head and she couldn’t help but 
reach up and cup his cheeks with her delicate hands. His skin was warm and smooth and he looked 
at her lovingly, bending down to place a kiss on her forehead... but slowly descending until 
he reached her rosy lips and he kissed them fully as well, his heart beating in his ears. How 
could he leave when he had this treasure here, worrying about him and hating him for leaving, 
but loving him nonetheless? 
     “I will come back, love. But until then, be careful. I don’t want to come back here and 
find anything wrong... Are the Outer Senshi not supposed to arrive tomorrow?” he asked gently, 
aware that everyone was waiting for him on the other side of the doors that they stood in 
front of. He had been called twenty times in the past ten minutes, but he had turned off his 
communicator and ignored the long and loud irritating bleeps.
     Minako nodded and kissed him again, her breath hot on his neck and her golden hair 
cascading on her back like a waterfall of sunshine. Her cerulean eyes cried out to him, 
begged for him to stay, but he couldn’t. Duty called, and he, High General of the Terran 
Army, had to answer. 

* * *
     The days crawled by like years and the southern weather conditions turned colder as 
February neared. The situation in the castle and its surroundings was in a composed state, 
but Selene knows just how much Serenity had to withstand for it to be so. Queen Galia had 
officially refused to even *try* and cooperate with her bad-tempered husband, and therefore 
Serenity had been appointed the job of co-ruling with Hastol.     
      Serenity had told the Senshi that Endymion proposed to her and she had left them 
wide-eyed and grinning. However, her mouth did not articulate the fact that she wanted
them to know most: that she was carrying a child. Mercury had informed Serenity that she 
would have to tell Hastol and Galia of their son’s wedding proposal very rapidly before 
they would find out in a different manner. It would make the princess appear discourteous. 
     Consequently, Serenity decided that she would tell Hastol on the night of January 
twenty-fourth, when she would <unfortunately> be alone with him in the throne room to 
solve certain predicaments.

* * *
     Three pairs of eyes peered through petals and leaves frantically, all staring at the 
small figure of a blonde princess sitting at a desk next to the golden throne on which 
Hastol sat, frowning. 
     “Move *over*!” came the hushed, irritated voice of Minako as three of the Inner Senshi 
crammed behind a planted shrub of foliage in the throne room.
     “No! *You* move over! Look at all that space you have. You practically have three whole 
plants to yourself!”  Makoto hissed. Rei scowled and pushed them both for more space for 
herself. 
     “When the hell are we getting out of here?” Makoto whispered impatiently. 
     “When the fat lady sings.” Came Minako’s reply. Makoto frowned.
     “And when exactly will Rei decide to do that?” She murmured heatedly. Rei glared at her, 
wishing terribly that she could scream and smack Jupiter, but held back by the situation that 
they were in.
     “It’s an expression they use here,” Venus explained quietly, her sapphire eyes never 
leaving Serenity who seemed as though she felt extremely tense and twisted the pen she held, 
with her fingers nervously.
     “C’mon Serenity, spill it...” Rei urged animatedly. 
      However, the princess did no such thing. 
     “Serenity, go to the Library and find the book titled ‘Warfare in the Golden Era’ by 
Thomas Williams. Hurry.” Hastol requested - ordered - to be more precise, and Serenity stood 
up, glad to be leaving the tension that hung in the atmosphere, and quickly walked out of the 
room. 
     “We should have captured Ami and dragged her here!” Rei hissed to the other two Senshi. 
“What do we do now?” 
     “Teleport,” Makoto replied.
     “Idiot! The Throne Room has a Block Field, naturally. We can’t teleport.” The Senshi of 
Mars felt extremely irritated and she looked every bit akin to the sentiments that were 
boiling inside her.
     “We can distract him...” Minako spoke quietly, her brain furiously working overtime. 
     “Oy!” came the two disgruntled retorts.                  

* * *

     Serenity found herself walking through the hallways *again*. She was not just acquainted 

with them by now, but her heart and senses were linked to them. She sighed.
     She felt overly worked and her weary brain was hazy. 
     Once she was in the palace’s Library, a serene stillness seized her thoughts. 
     But not for long.
     Why had she not told Hastol of Endymion’s marriage oath? First of all, she was scared. 
She felt as though she was the rabbit and he the famished wolf who would chew her up to her 
last bone. Second of all, law forbade inter-planetary marriage. But...Endymion *was* (no, 
*will* be) the law. Surely, he would be able to change it. Correct?   
     Hopefully, yes.
     “’Worship of the King’...’Wizardry’... ‘Witchcraft’...” Serenity whispered to herself 
as she strode down the ‘TITLES W-Z’ aisle, her hands softly pulling out books for her to read 
the title on the front cover when the label on the edge was too old, too depleted, and hard
to decipher. “’Will to Live’...’White Wolves’...’Weeping Wa—‘” Her brain rewound to the words 
that had just escaped her lips and her eyes darted back to the book before ‘Weeping Waters’.
     Gently, she drew out the large hardback titled ‘White Wolves’ and gasped when it almost 
dropped out of her small hands. She treaded to the crystal table nearby quietly and placed 
the book down on the clear surface. Her head tilted slightly to the side as she studied her 
discovery. It was massive and *very* old and it was lined with silver thread. The picture on 
the front, although hard to discern, was of a hoary wolf on a cliff covered with snow. 
Serenity recognized it immediately, for it looked very much like Anjuli and her companions. 
     She noticed something strange then...
     In the dark sky that was painted in the picture, a sapphire planet hung. The view was 
*so* familiar that Serenity felt a pang of homesickness hit her heart. This was strange...
the White Wolf was on the Moon. 
     Curiosity increasing in her mind, Serenity opened the book and found herself gazing at 
large, old, fading, dark golden pages on which silver ink inscribed a language that was 
familiar to Serenity, but meant nothing to ninety-nine point eight percent of the Terran 
population.  
     “Lupilii Albolas malinet ri Luna si le flahi.” Serenity’s brow puckered slightly. ‘The 
White Wolves are creatures of the Moon’. 
     Not taking her eyes off the colorful ancient pages, Serenity seated herself on the navy 
crystal chair. Her sapphire irises, filled with utter inquisitiveness, scanned the information 
eagerly and quickly. Every five pages or so, a painted image illustrated what the words said 
and Serenity had no idea how speedily the time flew. 
     ‘The White Wolves were creatures of the Moon Kingdom for one thousand years during the 
Golden Era. They served as loyal servants and advisors for Queen Selenity II and Queen 
Laslina III. Although loved and appreciated by the monarchs, the servants and Lunar population 
did not trust the Wolves and had always feared their immense power...’
     ‘When White Wolves congregate, they have a power that only one other being in the 
Universe has: to read and change the Time Cipher willingly. The Senshi of Pluto (The Time 
Guardian) is the only human being- the only *other* being that is granted with this gift...’
     “Greetings, Princess.” Serenity’s head snapped up and she smiled kindly at the 
aqua-haired woman who stood just a small number of feet away. The princess closed the book 
shut with a satisfying thud and although her mind was still on the ancient Lunarian script 
she had just read, she strove to turn her full attention to Sailor Neptune. 
     “Hello, Michiru. Is there something wrong?” Serenity inquired.
     “Not exactly. The King has sent me to fetch you. He said that you have been absent for 
nearly two hours.”  The Senshi of Oceans spoke, a pretty, perfect smile playing on her lips. 
     Serenity’s eyes widened. It had been that long? 
      “Tell him I’ll be back shortly.”
* * *

January 24th / 3.49 AM- Rabson, Earth.

     The loud, long, familiar siren rang in the prince’s ears and he groaned as he struggled 
to awaken from his very short and very uncomfortable sleep. 
     Rapidly and skillfully attiring himself with the proper uniform, he realized that it was 
barely four in the morning. His remaining men were already shouting yells and orders to ready 
for battle: again. 
     After arming himself with the appropriate artillery, Endymion ran outside and hurried to 
his horse. The air smelled of gunpowder and burnt flesh and the prince felt the atmosphere 
surge into his blood, his adrenaline rising.
     “Endymion!” yelled an approaching Nephrite. “Those bastards attacked the sleeping town 
of Fluctines five miles from here!” The General shouted over the commotion of the readying 
camp. 
     Endymion’s heart plunged to his feet and he growled in animalistic anger. Beryl was 
cheating. She was killing thousands of innocent lives! The number one law of warfare was 
to fight on the battlefields, not attack naive, defenseless towns.
     Mounting his midnight black stallion, Endymion barked orders to his generals and 
squadron. They would ride as swiftly as possible to Fluctines, where Beryl’s forces would 
suffer greatly.

* * *
     The town was in unqualified chaos when Endymion’s troops arrived. The Negaverse’s 
fighters, which consisted of humans with heads of animals and men that were half alive-half 
deceased, were ending the lives of every soul that happened to cross their way. 
     Suddenly, a scream louder than all the other cries (if that was possible), reached 
Endymion’s ears and on instinct, he stirred his horse in that direction.
     “Endymion! Where are you going?!” Kunzite shouted over the heads of the fighting men. 
He, himself, was in the middle of combat as he yelled the words. 
     However, the prince did not answer. 
     Through the dead and living, he bolted on his horse toward the scream that seemed to 
be so young, so desperate and so frightened all at the same time, that it made the blood 
in his veins freeze. His navy eyes darted from location to location at the speed of 
lightning until they finally fixed on a dark, gloomy corner of a small street where 
carcasses lay unmoving. 
     He ticked his horse and slowly approached the shadows. 
     “Hello, Highness.” The voice was low and dangerous, yet young and familiar. It came 
from the darkness of the bend and Endymion dismounted his horse dexterously. The sword in 
his hand dripped with blood and his breathing was shallow as he circumspectly drew near 
the voice.
     A low whimper was heard followed by a comforting, scared female voice and Endymion 
frowned.
     A man stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight that hit the blood-spattered 
ground. His face appeared innocent and his eyes were the color of the blackest night, but 
there was something very odd, very evil, about him. He looked awfully familiar, if only 
Endymion could put his finger on who he was...
     “Samson,” he growled. The young man laughed a wicked snicker and he nodded. 
     “Precisely,” he pronounced. 
     Endymion felt weary. His muscles were in pain suddenly and his hawk vision became 
muddled. 
     However, through the fog that was his sight, Endymion discerned a large, hazardous 
firearm in Samson’s hand. His eyes followed to where it was pointed and bells of alarm 
began to ring in his head when he realized what his ex-soldier was intending to do.
     A middle-aged woman and a little boy crouched in the corner, their eyes wide with fear. 
The child whimpered loudly and the mother tried desperately to comfort him...but she needed 
comforting herself. 
     “What do you want?” Endymion inquired coldly, his muscles becoming increasingly weak. 
He reached to the small of his back where his heavy handgun waited, but he grimaced in 
anger. It was gone. 
     Samson laughed again, but this time, his wicked chuckle was accompanied by a female 
one and Endymion knew immediately to whom it belonged.
     “Oh, well, it’s quite simple. I want the princess and the Queen wants you.” Samson 
informed him lazily, the gun never leaving the direction of its target. The prince knew 
exactly what the soldier had in mind. 
     “Never,” he snarled and ignoring the feebleness of his muscles, he lunged himself at 
Samson. The soldier was obviously caught off guard, but he didn’t falter. Immediately, he 
turned his full attention to Endymion whose hands materialized spheres of navy energy.
     Samson’s eyes rolled back into their sockets and whiteness replaced their dark pupils. 
A loud hollering witch laugh echoed in the shadows and Endymion looked up, only to find 
himself staring at a massive black eagle who through his beak cackled evilly. 
     Jorak Samson perceived this through his pallid pupils and grasped his chance. 
     With unnatural strength, he thrust forward, a golden dagger in his hand, and as 
Endymion stood unmoving and entranced, he sunk the spiky blade deep into the prince’s 
abdomen. Serenity’s lover choked painfully and although the strength streamed out of him 
like a waterfall, he wrenched the weapon from his flesh.
     Samson however, did not see this, for his attention had completely turned to the mother 
and child who seemed as though they were pinned to the soiled fortification of the shack by 
an aberrant power. An evil grin spread on his young face and Endymion recalled, through a 
tousled mind covered in a mist of pain, that the Negaverse’s area of expertise was to murder 
citizens and take their remains to drain of chemicals that were necessary to them. 
     The pistol in Samson’s hand fired and Endymion leaped forward, in front of the screaming 
child and mother, his flesh absorbing the fiery bullet. 
      Blackness enveloped his thoughts and through muffled hearing, he perceived the last of 
Samson’s words, who seemed as though his power was becoming weak. 
     “Tsk, tsk, tsk, Endymion. Always the noble Prince.” His presence was gone, but a new 
one, a familiar one, arrived almost immediately.
     “Endymion! Oh, Dear God...” the voice was that of Kunzite and the prince made a great, 
excruciating effort to open his eyes.
     The silver-haired General’s face was a mask of wild concern and fury as he struggled 
to receive vital signs from the prince who was now lying on the grimy, cold earth. A warmth,
a light, began to call to him, but he decided to fight it. The pain in his abdomen and 
lungs was unbearable and he gritted his teeth as Kunzite strove to place him in a sitting 
position.
     “Kunzite!” a voice called.
     “Get help, *now*!” came the reply. 
     Endymion gazed up through bloody vision at the ever-so-faithful General whose arms 
were supporting his head. 
     “Kunz...” he whispered weakly. “Tell Serenity that I’m sorry...I didn’t keep my 
promise. Tell her I loved her."  He coughed and frostiness commenced to fill his body as 
he shivered. 
     “No...Endymion. Stay...God, you have a beautiful woman carrying your child back home! 
Don’t let go!”    Kunzite’s voice trembled, although he tried to a great extent to keep it 
calm. Endymion’s eyes widened.
     - - - ‘Stay with me, tonight...’ - - - 
     - - - ‘I am going to wait until you return...’ - - - 
     Her voice was as crystal clear in his mind as it had ever been and his will to live 
increased, but his body’s strength decreased twice as much. A baby...a child?
     “You’re going to be a father, Endymion. A daddy. Don’t give up your soul!” 
     But Kunzite’s voice was fading and Endymion’s grasp on the world slipped away.

End Part Eight.