~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In the Fields of Elysian ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "The Songs of Elysian" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Metallia, I grow impatient. The prince must be stopped immediately, he must not reach the last stone." "I know, I will personally see the end of the young prince myself." Metallia bowed infront a tank of red liquid. It swirl around itself, making patterns in the murky liquid. "Good, do not fail me Metallia." The Darkness said. "I won't, excellency." She said, bowing again, her head of blue hair cascading over her shoulders. "I won't." She disappeared quickly, in a flash of lightening. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The weary travelors continued quickly on their journey, searching for the land of Alton. The last Elemental Stone was in their grasp, but yet so far away. "So Endymion." Endymion looked down to Serenity. "Yes?" He asked. "So your name is Endymion, not Mamoru." She said sadly, dropping her head. "You lied to me." "Serenity I-" He tried to explain, but was cut off. "It's alright, I understand why you did. You're a prince." She smiled. "With the whole world to save." "Thank you for understanding." Endymion said. He felt her slump back against him, a moan eminating from her soft lips. "Serenity? Are you okay?" "I'm so weak Endymion, I'm..I'm afraid I'm not going to last much longer.." She whispered, barely audiable. "Can we please stop?" "Sure." Endymion shook his head, turning his horse around to face everyone else. "We will rest for awhile." "But Endymion--" Jedeite protested, but stopped when he saw Serenity's pained face. "Okay, that be great." They stopped in the shade of a large weeping willow, with a small stream running by it. Endymion jumped off the horse and extended his arms to Serenity. She slid down to him and he walked over to a tree, carefully laying her down against it. He looked up to the tree and squinted at the two name written on it. "The Brother's Grimm? Hey, aren't they-" He turned around to face the group, pointing at it. "Yes, they're from your world. SOMEONE left the gate open to our world and they decided to take a joy ride around Elysian." Kunzite answered, looking accusingly at Zoisite. "It was and ACCIDENT!" He shrugged. Endymion laughed at looked back at Serenity, touching her cheek softly. "I'll get you some water." He said and went back to his horse to fetch a cup. Nearby in some bushes, red eyes flashed with a smile. Endymion knelt down to the stream, putting the cup in the water. All the while he was looking worridly at Serenity, who's complexion became worse with every passing moment. He looked back to the stream and gasped in surprise, dropping the cup with a splash. He backed away, falling to the ground. "Endymion?" Kunzite asked unsure. "It's..it's.." Endymion stuttered, pointing to the stream. Zoisite knelt down next to him and dipped his hand into the stream. He recoiled it, his hand soaked in red. "Blood." Zoisite finished for him. "The stream is blood!" Suddenly menacing laughter surrounded them, and they readied their weapons. Metallia stepped out from the bush she'd been hiding in and smiled at the prince. "Who are you?" Kunzite demanded, stepping infront of Endymion. "Why, I am Metallia, leader of The Darkness' forces." She answered, giving a mocking bow. "My minions have seemed to fail me miserably." "Perhaps because they have a bad teacher." Avanla hissed, placing her hands infront of her, ready to attack. "I don't want you darlings." Metallia smiled, raising her hand. "It's Endymion I have come for." Without their knowledge, a black crystal had formed behind the group, its pointed end aimed at Endymion's heart. Serenity looked up, to see the crystal looming above her head. "Endymion, look out!" She yelled the best she could, as the crystal raced towards him. Endymion turned around at the sound of her voice and watched as the crystal came towards him. Without any time to react, everyone watched as the crystal slid through Endymion, coming out of his back, soaked in blood. "ENDYMION!" Avanla screamed, horrified. She turned towards Metallia, her eyes filled with hate. "YOU!" She raised her hands, lifting Metallia off the ground with her mind. Zoisite threw his whip around her, helping Avanla hold onto her. "Kill her!" Kunzite drew three arrows, while Jedeite grabbed two of his daggers and Nephlite pointed his sword at her. "No!" Metallia screamed, her eyes growing wide. Kunzite released his arrows, as Jedeite threw his daggers and Nephlite released a green blast from his sword. Electricity went down Zoisite's whip, as Avanla tightened her grip on her, cracking her bones. The attacks hit Metallia as she screamed in agony, disintegrating into a pile of ashes. "Ashes to ashes." Jedeite said. "Dust to dust." Avanla finished, then turned to Endymion. "Endymion!" Serenity had managed her way over to him, and was now supported his head on her lap. "We have to get it out of him!" Kunzite said, dropping next down on Endmyion's other side. "We can't, it's going right through his heart. If we take it out he'll die." Nephlite said. "And if we don't the poison will kill him." Jedeite sighed. "Oh Endymion..." Serenity sighed, as she ran her hand through his hair. He turned his eyes up towards her and smiled faintly. "Wait-You can save him Serenity." Avanla spoke up. "Kiss him." "But she'll kill him! Remember she's a Lunarian!" Zoisite opposed. "He's going to die anyways!" Avanla bit back, and then turned to Serenity. "Kiss him Serenity, there's a one and a thousand chance that you could be soul mates. And if you don't save him, at least you'll have a soul to feed on now." Serenity sighed, looking down to Endymion. He smiled up at her, reaching his hand up to her face. "It's okay Serenity, I want you to live." He whispered, then put his hand behind her head, pushing her down to him. Their lips made contact, sending a brilliant white hot light through the air. The other's shielded their eyes as it exploded one more time, before disappearing. They looked down surprised, to find the two still locked in a kiss, only the crystal had disappeared from Endymion's chest. They parted, breathless, and stared at each other surprised. Serenity's crescent moon symbol still glowed faintly. "We're..." Endymion breathed. "Soulmates." Serenity finished with a smile, the color returned to her cheeks. Avanla stood above them, her arms crossed and a pleasant smile on her face. "I knew it, I knew it!" She laughed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* They continued their journey the next day, and reached Alton before the sun went down. They stood on the bank of a large lake, the size of the Mediterranean Sea and the Hudson Bay combined. "The Water Stone is located at the center of this lake on a small island." Zoisite informed Endymion and Serenity. "And how exactly are we supposed to get over there?" Endymion asked, trying to see the water in the darkness. "Well." Avanla sighed, tilting her head slightly. "Swimming is out of the question. I can zap myself over there, but I can't support all of you. Serenity could probably carry us...maybe." "Well..." Serenity whispered, grasping her chin. "I could try. Form a circle, Avanla stand away since you can transport yourself. Cairan must stay." The big tiger whined, but Endymion shook his hand, and Cairan laid down on the ground. Serenity closed her eyes tightly, a light eminated from her crescent moon. She moaned slightly, before the light exploded, transporting everyone to the small island. Avanla followed next, disappearing in a flame of blue. They opened their eyes to find the green island, a temple on top of a small hill infront of them. The temple was lit up by torches in the window, the only light on the entire island. "The Water Stone is located up there." Avanla said, turning to Endymion, who had his arm wrapped around Serenity's waist protectively. *They're so cute.* Avanla smiled as they started walking. "Wait a minute." Endymion stopped, before they reached the hill. "Everytime we've gone after these stupid stones, there's always something to stop us. So what monster do we have to deal with now?" As if an answer to his question, a song started to weave its way around them. "Well, there's the Sirens." Avanla sighed. Something came from over the temple, two huge birds, one white, one brown. "Cover up your ears!" But it was too late, the boys were hyptnotized by the sound of their voices. "Endymion!" Serenity shouted, waving her hand infront of Endymion's face. "Endymion?!" The birds landed infront of the girls, their female human heads smiling at the two girls. The white one had long orange hair and matching eyes. She laughed at the girls, as the brown one, with green hair and matching eyes continued to sing, forming the boys into a circle with her song. "Hello girls." She laughed. "We might not be able to effect you, but we will kill you, when we're done with the men." They flew into the air, doing circles above everyone. "Come, follow our voices to your doom!" The brown one laughed, starting to lead the men to the shore. "We have to do something!" Serenity said, pulling on Endymion's arm, trying to stop him. But he pushed her away, causing Serenity to fall to the ground. "They're going to kill them!" "Common Serenity! We have to get the stone!" Avanla yelled, pulling her up. "But-" "We'll get them later!" Avanla interrupted, pulling her up the hill. They entered the temple and ran up to the platform and gazed at the last stone. It was cut in a square, with the Water Symbol engraved in its glossy aqua surface. Avanla grabbed it quickly and stormed out the temple, Serenity following on her tail. "Oh no! They're going into the water!" Serenity screamed, pointing to the shore. The Sirens continued their song, driving the men into the lake. They were waist deep, and continued on, their eyes blank. "Endymion no!" Serenity sprouted her wings and flew down to the water's surface. "Endymion please! Snap out of it!" She cried desperately, being dragged along. They went underwater, Serenity helpless to stop them. Suddenly two beams of golden light hit the Sirens, silencing their songs. They flew around in confusion, their voices totally gone. Endymion and the Generals emerged from the water, gasping for breath. "Wha..What happened?" Jedeite muttered, shaking his head. Endymion looked to the shore to see a white pegasus floating above Avanla. "Beat it Sirens!" The pegasus bellowed. The Sirens flew off into the night, disappearing into the darkness. Elios turned into his true form and hugged Avanla. "Oh Elios! Long time no see!" Avanla smiled. "Yes, I can no longer hold back The Darkness on my end, so I thought I'd join you." Elios explained. "And it seems I came and the right moment. "Well it's good to have you along." Endymion smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "Endymion!" Serenity sighed, throwing her arms around his neck. "You scared me!" "Who is she?" Elios asked. Serenity smiled at him and gave a a curtsy. "My name is Serenity, Princess of the White Moon." Serenity introduced. "And I'm Elio-" "I know who you are Lord Protector Elios." She nodded. "I've read about you in our history books." "Wow, you're famous." Avanla winked, then dug into her satchel and picked out the four stones. "Well guys, we've got all four Elemental Stones. Now all we have to do is find the person that can control them, the Keeper of Life." Suddenly the sky erupted into colors of blue and dark purple, as lightening streak across the sky. The black bubble of The Darkness could be seen in the distance, growing larger with every passing second. "We don't have time for that. Soon The Darkness will be on Zion Hill, we'll have to take our chances." Elios said, making a portal. He walked in first, with the rest of the group following behind him. Endymion took one glance back before sighing and stepping into the portal. It collapsed behind him, and moments later The Darkness settled right where they had been. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Stay tuned for Chapter Eight! The last and final one!