A fan fic by Caleyndar.
<simone@coastal.net.au>
Rating: PG.

Notes: This is the last chapter of Part One: Innocent Life.
This chapter covers the transition from Part One to Part
Two. Chapter One of Part Two: A Deeper Truth, follows.
        Thank you all who e-mailed me. Please do so it you
have the time, whether you liked it or disliked it. I vow
to reply to all e-mails.

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me; only the
few I make up. The story, however, is mine.

The Name Endymion...

Part One: Innocent Life...

Chapter Seven...

        The four of us walked slowly to the trees, where it
wasn't so open. My hard hat was held in my arm, pressed up
against my side. In my other hand, I held Serena's hand
gently, marvelling again at how perfectly it fitted into my
own. The sun was low in the sky now, and the light it cast
had a red tint to it, and it seemed as if the sky was on
fire.
        "What happened today?" I asked bluntly. "What hit
me?"
        "You were attacked. I think it was the Shadow
Kingdom. I very much doubt that the Dark Dragon Kingdom
would want you dead, since part of your kingdom is in
alliance with it," Serena said softly, still holding my
hand.
        "And the blast you were hit with; it was what they
call a 'Shadow Shock'. It is meant to hit the victim, knock
them out, and then embed in the victim a poison. It would
have killed you had not Serenity healed you. What you felt,
the coldness, that was the poison beginning to work,"
Sapphire said. He was standing next to Diamond, across from
Serena and myself. "The shock itself can be seen as a dark
purple black wave of energy. And the reason Nick and the
others didn't see it hit you was because I erased it from
their memories, as per Serenity's request."
        "Wait a second. How many kingdoms are there?" I
asked.
        "Seven known ones. The Earth, the Moon, the Black
Moon, the Crystal Star, the Dark Dragon, the Shadow, and
the Sun Kingdom," Sapphire replied, looking up at the sun
behind me.
        "And why does this Shadow Kingdom want me dead?" I
asked. "And how did it know who I am, and why did it attack
here and now?"
        "The Shadow Kingdom wants all the other kingdoms out
of the way so that it can be all powerful in the galaxy. It
may know who you are because of our presence here. It dares
not attack us because it know full well that if it does, we
would have back up, and they would be dead. On the other
hand, your kingdom, and everyone else in the galaxy thinks
you're dead. They probably wanted to finish the job,"
Diamond sneered at me.
        Serena glared at him. Diamond shut up and looked
away.
        "And the reason they attack here and now is most
likely to see if you really are Endymion. You were out in
the open, and we were there," Sapphire finished.
        "I see. And can someone tell me who is fighting
who?" I questioned.
        "The Earth Kingdom is split into two. It use to be
the most powerful before that. One side, whose name remains
the 'Earth Kingdom', is neutral. The other side, now named
the 'Dark Earth Kingdom', fights with the Dark Dragon
Kingdom against us, the Black Moon Kingdom. The Shadow
Kingdom fights against all of us," Sapphire explained to me.
        "What about the Moon Kingdom?" I asked, narrowing
my eyes. I had not forgotten that it was they who had
killed my mother and father and had split my kingdom into
two fragments.
        "It equals in power with the Black Moon Kingdom now
the Earth Kingdom is split into two," Sapphire said, as if
reciting from a text book.
        "I meant the role of it in the war, and who belongs
to it," I said, a little impatiently.
        "It has no role in the war," Serena said softly.
"No one you know belongs to it."
        I looked at her, sensing some uneasiness in her.
Diamond and Sapphire glanced at her too.
        "Actually, no one anyone of us knows belongs to it,"
Sapphire began, darting a look at Serena. "It isolates
itself completely from the rest of the galaxy with a
'Space Divider Field'. Nothing from the outside can
penetrate the field as it makes part of space non existent."
        "You're getting a little too technical for me, I'm
afraid," I said. "Anyway, I guess you must belong to the
Crystal Star Kingdom, right Serena?" I asked. "And I suppose
you're on the same side as the Black Moon Kingdom."
        "Yes," Serena replied.
        "Well, I think we've had enough heavy talk for one
day. Why don't we all go and get ready for dinner? I'll see
you at the dance, Serena," I said. With a kiss on her
forehead, I turned and ran back to my cabin to shower and
change. I sensed that something was not right though,
something the three of them were not telling me.
        All three of my room mates had already had their
showers, so I gathered my things and took mine. We still
had a little time before dinner, which was served promptly
at six in the evenings. From the information we had been
given, the dance would start half an hour after dinner.
That would give us enough time to change, thus we did not
have to wear that outfit to dinner and get all food over it.
        I got out of the shower, dressed in some causal
cloths, and dried my black hair with a towel. Nick was
sitting on the top bunk, staring off into space with a
dreamy smile on his face. Luke and David was quietly
talking on their bunk, no doubt planning some strategy to
get the girls from Diamond's and Sapphire's grasp.
        Despite the fact that some one from the Shadow
Kingdom had attempted to kill me this afternoon, I was in a
very good mood. The camp was wonderful, and the fact that I
would get to dance and spend the whole night with Serena
brightened my mood even more. And I really didn't care
about anything else right now. It could wait a few more
days, at least, until the camp was over.
        Once my hair was dry enough, I pulled out my bag
and took out the tuxedo I had brought along for the dance.
It wasn't a formal dance, but I wanted to wear it. I had
hired it out from a fancy dress shop, and I thought Serena
would like it. It even came with a cape, black on the
outside, lined with red velvet. I smiled as I looked at it,
knowing full well I would look rather foolish wearing it.
        Nick hopped down from the top bunk, landing with a
faint thump on the unpolished wooden floor boards. He looked
at the tuxedo, and couldn't help grinning. I glared at him,
but couldn't keep the smile from my face neither.
        "Well, at least I'll get noticed," I said with a
smile. "What are you wearing?"
        "Nothing as fancy as you are. Just a semi formal
outfit; black long pant, white long sleeved shirt, and a
black silk vest. You think Dawn would like it?" Nick asked,
looking dreamy again.
        "Of course," I replied. "Anyway, dinner's in about
ten minutes. Want to head over there and get first in line.
I'm starved. Riding all day sure gets to you."
        "Yeah, alright. Those two aren't exactly good
company right now. All they can do is plan some way to make
Diamond and Sapphire look stupid. How immature is that?"
Nick said.
        We walked to the door, and I pulled back the heavy
red wood door. "Immature? You use to act like that, before
you and Dawn started going out."
        "At least I was never obsessed with making other
people look like idiots just to get girls," Nick pointed
out, shutting the door behind him. The sun was almost
sitting on the horizon now; it hung just above it, pouring
golden red light into the world. "Besides, I was young
then."
        I laughed. "Nick, sometimes I wonder if you're not
the immature one." We fell silent for a while as we walked
the distance to the mess hall over the soft green grass.
"It's a pity that we have to go home tomorrow. This camp
has been one of the best we've ever gone to."
        "How can it not be?" Nick asked. "The first camp we
ever went to in year five, to that lake, it rained all
through it. And they still made us take bush walks! Do you
remember? The mud on our shoes were this thick!" Nick
showed me with his hands. "And then the one in year six,
when we went to the capital city, the motel we stayed in
was cheap, and everything was broken. For heaven's sakes, we
were locked in our little room because the lock got suck.
Then there was the one in year seven, when we went to some
ranch. The inland sea they made us swim in had sea lice,
and everyone got rashes. And the food! God, it was
terrible!"
        "Okay! I get your point!" I exclaimed, laughing.
"Still, we had alot of fun," I reflected, remembering those
good old days.
        "Yeah, especially in the year six camp. Remember,
how we were stuck in that double decker bus? You know, how
you kept on teasing that girl, and she finally slapped you
on the face?" Nick asked, reminding me of that old
embarrassment.
        "Please, not that episode again!" I begged.
        Both of us were laughing as if we were drunk when
we arrived at the mess hall. Lucky for us, there weren't
alot of people there yet. We lined up, and waited for our
dinner to be served, still grinning as we talked like kids
about this little incident or event that happened all those
years ago, when we were still innocent little children.
        Life seemed so perfect then, so normal, so innocent.
A great sadness came over me as I realised that this would
soon come to an end. My innocent life would end, and
something more sinister would take it's place. I would be
one who held the fate of millions within my hands. And I
would no longer be Darien, the human teenager who liked
nothing better than to take care of his horse and
girlfriend. I would be Endymion, the Prince with blood on
his hands.
        "The food looks nice tonight," Nick said to me as
he was handed his plate filled with hot delicious smelling
food. "I can't wait to dig in. I'm starved!"
        I shook my head slightly, trying to rid myself of
the unpleasant thoughts. I picked up my own plate and
followed Nick to the table we had dined at throughout the
camp.
        David and Luke promptly joined us, sitting down
roughly at the table. They didn't say much to Nick or me;
their minds were else where. Serena and Dawn joined us a
little later. Claudia had now permanently migrated to
another group, which David and Luke had dubbed "The Swoons".
Of course, that only showed how jealous David and Luke were
of Diamond and Sapphire. Boys will be boys.
        I looked at Serena and smiled at her. She smiled
back, and took my hand and squeezed it, as if telling me
everything would be alright. Together, we would get through
this.
        Sometime through our dinner, I looked up and saw
Nick and Dawn glancing at each other and then quickly
looking away. I smiled at their actions. It reminded me of
all the times I had seen people around me do exactly the
same thing. Couples, before they started going out, would
always slip each other glances, as if it was a crime to
stare into each other's eyes lovingly. Youth.
        When all six of us had finished dinner, we returned
to our cabins to get ready for the farewell dance. Dawn and
Serena decided to meet Nick and I outside the dance hall
before going in.
        Nick, David, Luke, and I hurried to get changed.
Nick into his semi formal outfit, and me into my tuxedo.
The cape was just the right length when I put it on; it
hung a fraction above the floor. When I walked, the cape
flowed out behind me, a great black sail of sorts.
        The evening was almost fully dark. I left the cabin
and walked out onto the veranda, looking out at the dark
landscape. A strange feeling came to me. I looked at
everything, felt everything, as if this would be the last
time. Did that mean somehow that everything would end and
begin tonight? I didn't know. My hand gripped the wooden
rail on the veranda, the wood smooth from years of touch.
How many people had touched this before me? And how many
would after I leave this world?
        I looked up at the night sky.
        What have you seen passed? What will you yet see?
Have you seen countless lives lost and conceived? Wars won
and lost? Whole races wipes out? Continents too? You, night
sky, are older and wiser than I shall ever be. But can you
tell me my future? Can you see my fate, my destiny?
        I smiled ruefully at myself. The lights I saw were
millions of years old. I saw the past when I saw the light
of the stars; it takes that long to reach Earth from the
source. Besides, I did not believe in gods or goddesses. At
least, not in the way countless millions did. Perhaps, when
I was young I did. But not now. Not after all that has
passes. There was no God, nor Heaven. But I could very
easily believe in a Hell. Because I was sure I would soon
be in one.
        Nick stepped out of the cabin behind me. He walked
silently until he stood next to me, gazing up into the
night sky also. "Darien, I think I should say this to you
now. Before everything starts in motion," he said in a
whisper. He did not look at me. It was as if he was afraid
to do so. "I'm no fool. I know what happens around me. I've
seen what you've gone through." He paused, and ran a hand
through his loose golden hair. "I know who you really are.
Who Serena, Diamond and Sapphire are. I listen, and I've
put various pieces together. And the blanks in my memory. I
suppose that was your handy work, or one of the others. But
that doesn't matter now. You have, and always will be my
best friend, Darien. All I can say is be strong. Never give
up. One day, you'll reach the top. You'll achieve your goal.
Just don't forget about your old buddy here, okay?"
        I looked at him. I should have known that sooner or
later Nick would find out. In a way, I was glad he knew. He
understood how I felt, what inner turmoil I was going
through. I smiled at him weakly, wanted to pour out
everything to him. All the pain and confusion that had
built up inside of me since the beginning. I did not.
Instead, I just turned my head and looked back up into the
sky.
        "I'll be leaving soon," I finally said in the same
hushed voice. "But I won't forget you, or anyone else here.
Never the less, it would do you good to just forget I ever
existed."
        "Darien, I will not. You're my best friend. And
I'll be here, always, if you ever decide to come back,"
Nick replied, voice strong. He looked uncertain though.
        "I doubt I'll ever come back," I answered. I looked
at him, and grinned. "Well, we still have the rest of this
camp. What say we just enjoy it?"
        "Yeah, sounds like a good idea," Nick said, grinning
back.
        Only thing though, was that neither of our smiles
were genuine.
        "Just one more thing, Nick. Make sure that Wild
Spirit goes to a good home. And that you don't blow your
chances with Dawn," I said, the grin still on my face.
        Nick laughed. "Sure, Darien. Anything for my best
mate."
        I glanced away when he said that. Well, after
tonight, I doubt we'll ever see each other again. My deep
blue eyes dropped down to the new watch on my wrist. It's
face reflected the faint light of the moon like a pond did.
We had about ten minutes before the dance party was
officially suppose to start. Nick and I were silent for a
little while, both deep in one's own thoughts. Luke and
David came out of the cabin, shutting the wooden door with
a loud bang. They rushed past us without even a word. I did
not even want to think about what sick plan they had devised
for tonight.
        We followed Luke and David at a civil pace, both of
us walking slowly, admiring the cloudless night sky filled
with distant stars and the silver moon. These stars were
beautiful, as was the moon. However, the Moon Kingdom will
regret ever hearing of the Earth Kingdom after I am through
with them. Revenge is such a sweet thing.
        "God, have I died and gone to heaven?" Nick's voice
broke the silence.
        I looked in the direction that had captivated his
attention. Instantly, I could see why.
        Dawn and Serena stood by the entrance of the hall,
both dress exquisitely. Dawn had on a black dress, which
showed off every curve of her young body superbly. The dark
material complemented the blond hair and pale skin
magnificently. Nick's jaw had dropped down, and he looked
as if he was going to faint. And Serena. She was dressed in
a pale silver dress, which glistened like pure light in the
dark. If she had wings and a golden halo, I would have
sworn she was an angel.
        We walked up to our girlfriends, hardly able to
look away from them. I put my hand behind my back and
willed a long stem red rose to appear. It was very much
like the one I had given her at Luke's party all those
weeks ago.
        I bowed to her, like a gentlemen, like a prince.
Taking her hand in mine, I lifted it to my lips and placed
a soft kiss on her bare skin. It felt so smooth, so much
like silk against my lips. Finally, I pulled away and
looked up into her innocent sky blue eyes and smiled at
her, presenting her the rose. She smiled at me and took it
from my outstretched hand. I bent down and stole a kiss
from her before we entered the dance hall with Nick and
Dawn.
        It atmosphere was already dark, and the disco
lights were already on, and some music was already playing.
The band was not yet playing, but we could all see they
were setting up. The hall itself was decorated wonderfully,
with streamers and balloons everywhere. Lights lit up
different parts of the hall; red here, blue there; it was
like different seasons.
        Another few minutes, and the band started playing,
signalling the beginning of the dance officially. I smiled
down at Serena as we moved in front of the band and danced
to the music.
        The song ended, and there was a small break. Serena
and I moved to the side to get a drink of punch. Of course,
it was then that Diamond and Sapphire decided to make their
grand entrance.
        The large double doors opened, and both of them
stood there, dressed in dazzling outfits. Diamond was
adorned in a pure white suit with fine patterns of silver
sown into the jacket. Diamonds made up the buttons, and he
even had a silver and white flower tucked into his breast
pocket. Sapphire wore a dark outfit. It was a midnight blue
suit that was exactly the same as his brothers. The blue
jewels that were embedded into his jacket were sapphires.
He too had a flower, only it was a dark blue.
        Gasps from the girls went up all around the hall;
the two brothers were a very breath taking sight. Groans
came too, only the boys were the source.
        "Do they always have to make a scene?" I whispered
to Serena.
        "Unfortunately, yes," Serena replied.
        The band started playing again, and we resumed
dancing. I glimpsed Diamond and Sapphire from time to time,
always dancing with different girls.
        A hour passed. Everyone had arrived, and the doors
were shut. The teachers stopped the music and got up on the
stage with some student representatives to say thanks for a
great camp to the camp organisers. Two of our peers
presented gifts to both the teachers and the people who ran
the camp. Everyone clapped and cheered, expressing their
thanks also.
        Suddenly, while everyone was still clapping, a
coloured vapour began to seep into the air. Everyone looked
rather confused, not knowing what to make of it.
        "If this is David and Luke's idea of a joke, it's
sick," Nick complained, standing beside me. "And it sure as
hell smells bad enough," Nick coughed.
        "Uh, Nick, we didn't do this," David said, coming
up to us, coughing also. "All we were planning to do was
spike Diamond and Sapphire's drinks so they would make
fools of themselves."
        "Then what is this gas?" I demanded, getting
annoyed from the thick fog that hung in the air and smelt
like who knows what. A cough erupted from my throat; I felt
as if I was chocking.
        "It's knock out gas," Serena whispered into my ear.
        People at the side of the hall who had gotten the
first dose was already weakening and dropping to the ground,
coughing. I felt myself begin to weaken; my eyes lids and
limbs felt too heavy. I tried to block out the gas with my
hand. Serena let go of my hand and covered her nose and
mouth.
        My legs gave out underneath me, and I fell to the
ground.
        "Serenity!" I heard Diamond's voice call out weakly
before he collapsed also.
        Serena fell beside me, her eyes closed.
        I could no longer stay conscious. But with the last
of my strength, I touched her angelic face one last time
before I closed my eyes and entered the world of eternal
darkness.

End of Part One, Chapter Seven.

End of Part One, period.


