AN: I recommend you read the Author's Notes before you read
any story in this series.
A.E.
Romancing the Planets - Earth and Moon
Rated PG
by Angel Eternal
e-mail: angel_eternal_01@yahoo.com
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
The Princess turned around. "What is it?"
The servant stopped, as always, he was awed by the Princess'
sheer beauty.
The incredibly long blonde hair, the large blue eyes...The servant
bowed. "Your Highness...Her Majesty wishes to remind you of the up-coming
Ball..."
The Princess sighed. "Yes, yes I know...tell my mother that I
promise not to go to the training..."
The Princess sighed again. She was getting so tired of these kind
of gatherings...but at least it gives her a chance to see her friends...
* * *
"Raye? Did you hear about the Silver Ball?"
Sigh "Yes...no offence Serena, but these things are getting kinda
boring...Do you think your Mother would mind terribly if I skipped
this one?"
"I don't know Raye...hey what's happening with your suitors?"
"Oh stop it Serena...just because...fan mail doesn't reach you at
the Silver Palace doesn't mean a thing."
Laugh. "Oh no? It means I don't have admirers like you!"
"You must be kidding! There are songs sung about you...I am
nothing compared to you!"
"Ever think that I am the Moon Princess and you are only the
Princess of Mars? I mean after all I would inherit the Moon
Kingdom you won't. Most of them are just hankering to be the
King of the Galaxy!"
* * *
Princess Serena absentmindedly brushed her long blonde hair.
Deftly she twisted them in her usual 'meatball' style as her mother
fondly referred to it.
She was so bored! She didn't want to go to the stupid Ball! What
was one more Ball in an endless succession of Balls?
She got up and wandered down to her private garden.
BANG!
"Oof!" She was knocked down, it felt as if she rammed herself
into a brick wall...which was odd.
Furious, she looked up...into the most beautiful eyes...They were
a deep, dark blue...like the blue of Earth's seas.
"Oh gee...I'm so sorry! I'm kinda lost and I...
"Kinda lost?" he helped her up. As soon as she was standing up,
she brushed specks of dirt from her skirt.
"What do you mean you're 'kinda lost'? No body just loses
themselves into m...the Princess' garden!" She realized that he had
no idea who she was.
He smiled sheepishly at her. "Truly my apologies...I didn't mean
to sneak into the Princess' gardens..." he looked up at the balcony.
"Is her rooms there?"
Serena lifted her chin haughtily. "Where Princess Serena's rooms
are, are none of your business."
He looked down at her thoughtfully. "Tell me, are you going to be
at the Silver Ball?"
"Why?" she asked suspiciously.
He grinned at her. "Just wanted to know...I'll be looking out for you."
With that he quickly turned and walked away.
Serena stared after him, she knew that she should alert security
and berate them for their incompetence...but somehow she didn't
want to...
* * *
Princess Serena wandered up the stairs. She stared down the at
the gardens, her thoughts on a tall dark hared man...
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!"
Molly, her maid, walked in. "Princess, your mother wishes you
to be at the Throne room."
Serena tilted her head to one side. "Do you know why?"
Molly nodded. "As a matter of fact Princess...several of the
diplomats from various planets have arrived..." Molly leaned
forward excitedly. "Oh Princess Serena, the Prince of Earth is here!
He is just the cutest!"
Serena smiled. "I'll be sure to look out for him." She walked out the
door, Molly following.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Serena of the Moon!"
Serena glided forward. She almost stopped...there he was, standing
right beside the dais! She lifted her chin up, intent on just making it
to the dais.
"Ah, there she is." her mother smiled at her.
Queen Serenity stood up and took her daughter's hand, guiding
her up the stairs. She turned to face the young man that was in
Serena's garden.
"Serena, darling, this is Prince Darien of Earth."
She stared at him, transfixed, he was the Prince of Earth?
Remembering where she was, and who she was, she extended
her hand to him. "Pleased to meet you."
He bowed over her hand, and placed a light kiss on it.
"The honor is mine." His dark blue eyes twinkled with merriment.
"Serena, darling, go on and meet the other young diplomats."
then Queen Serenity turned to Darien, "Darien, why don't you
introduce her. My daughter doesn't know many of them."
He bowed to her. "Of course your Majesty." he offered his arm
to Serena. She took it, her mind still in turmoil.
He leaned down to whisper to her. "Nice to see you again
Princess."
She lifted her chin haughtily. He smiled. "Tell me, why did you lie
to me?"
She looked up at him. "A simple precaution."
"Ah..." he turned and smiled. "Princess Serena, may I introduce,
Princess Beryl of the Negaverse."
Serena was startled. "The Negaverse?"
The young woman smiled coldly at her, "Yes your Highness, it is
quite far from here."
Serena's own smile cooled. "You have traveled a long way then,
please, do take advantage of the refreshments."
"I will do that your Highness."
Serena studied her. Very pale, with masses of red hair. Serena
supposed she could have been pretty, aside from the perpetual
scowl.
Darien studied her as they moved gracefully through the crowd.
So...this was Princess Serena of the Moon. They told of her beauty...
and they were right. All of his friends, at some point, pinned
after this lunar goddess. He could see the appeal, but there was
more to her...definitely more than a pretty face.
"Princess Serena, if I could be forward?"
She glanced up at him.
"You are..." he stopped and blushed, 'Idiot! She doesn't want to
hear about how beautiful she is, that's what they all tell her!
"Yes Prince Darien?"
"I was wondering if you would visit Earth someday..."
"Visit Earth? I must confess...I've always wanted to..." she studied
him. "Are you inviting me for some political reason?"
He added perceptive to her list of attributes. "To be perfectly
honest Princess, no. I have no ulterior motive...I just want...
I guess to spend time with you, away from all this." then he
flushed. "I'm sorry Princess...it's just that I truly detest these
kind of gatherings."
She smiled. "Don't apologize, I hate them too..." she glanced
around them. "Are you going to be here until the Ball?"
"I'm afraid not, Princess..."
She interrupted him, "Please, call me Serena."
He smiled. "Serena...I'm going to go back to Earth for the
meantime. There are already many who are staying, they are from
distant planets. I live quite close."
"I'll tell you something? I'll come to Earth with you."
"What?"
"I'll come to Earth with you, but I'll have to bring someone else
along."
Darien looked dazed. "Come to Earth with me?
Serena shrugged. "I'll be back in time."
"But...Pr...Serena...we can see each other tonight!"
She grinned, "I intend to know you very well by then."
Queen Serenity suddenly strode out, King Endymion of Earth
trailing after her, looking just as furious.
The Queen spun around to face him. "You sir, can consider
yourself excommunicated! There will be no contact between our
two planets!"
The King lifted his chin haughtily, "As you wish Queen Serenity.
We for one don't care about this puny planet you call the Moon.
We also don't give a damn about the so-called 'Silver Millenium!"
With that he strode towards the door. He then turned around.
"Darien! Come, let us leave this detestable place!"
Everyone stood there, dumbfounded. Earth was excommunicated? Impossible!
But it had happened. By doing so, Queen Serenity had made
them a pariah.
Exactly what had happened in that ante-chamber?
Serena stared after Darien. It can't be. They were just beginning
to connect when he was brutally torn form her by her mother.
Ex-communication...she would never see him again.
Something inside her rebelled against the idea. She didn't know
why, but all she knew that she must see him again...
* * *
"Knock, knock!"
"Mina!"
Serena was so glad to see her cousin. She was vital to Serena's
plans
"Se..."
Roughly, Mina was hauled in through the door.
"You and I are going to Earth."
"Earth? Serena...why?"
"Because I've got to see Darien!"
Mina shook her head, confused. First the frantic call, now this.
"Who's Darien?"
"The Prince of Earth!"
"Prince of Earth?"
Serena glared at her. "For heaven's sake Mina! Quit repeating
every bloody word I'm saying!"
Mina's mouth fell open.
Serena sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense...You see...
today I met the most wonderful prince. He's tall, dark, handsome,
with eyes you can drown in..."
Mina grinned.
Serena ignored her. "I thought everything was going perfectly.
For once I didn't regret missing a training session. I was just happy.
Earth has been ex-communicated! I'm more than certain that Mother would withdraw
the invitation to the Ball! It is a certainty. I'm never
going to see him again!"
Serena started to cry uncontrollably.
Mina stared at her, horrified. "There, there, Sere...I'm sure this would
all blow away in no time at all..."
Serena shook her head. "Mina I have never seen Mother so furious
before. Never."
She sat up and wiped her tears away. "We're going to Earth Mina...
first we go to Venus then from there, we go to Earth, using a
Venusian ship."
Mina shook her head. "What possible excuse will we have to go
to Earth for?"
Serena started to pace. "I know! A message, from...your mother
to King Endymion!"
"What!"
Serena smiled at her cleverness, "Knowing Aunt Aphrodite, when
she hears of this she would want to mend the breach. She would want to send a
note of apology...and
who better to deliver it but her daughter?"
Mina stared at her. "It's brilliant...but insane! Mother wouldn't just write a
note
of apology! She'd talk directly to King Endymion, via the comm. crystals."
Serena winked. "Not if all your comm. crystals are broken."
* * *
~ on Venus ~
"Serena do you know what you're doing?"
"Hush!" Serena was concentrating her power on the communication crystals.
There was a little spark, then the crystals darkened. Serena grinned, "Success!"
She turned to face Mina. "Okay, as I said before, we got to work fast, Raye
is coming to the Moon, I've got to be back by then. No-one must know that
I was here. Got it?"
Mina nodded.
"Okay, you go talk to your mother."
Mina sighed. "Okay, but this is crazy."
Serena watched her, anxious, but she herself had to do something.
She reached up and untied her 'meatballs' letting them flow around her ankles.
She sighed, hair like this wasn't easy to disguise. Deftly she twisted half of
it in
a bun, the rest she braided. She then took out a small wand, that she had
thought would be useful for this.
She lifted it in the air. "Disguise magic..." she whispered.
She felt the magic coursing through her. She took her mirror, examining the
result.
Her eyes were now, a very nice shade of green. She looked down, her dress
was also different.
"Serena?"
Serena looked up, had someone recognized her?
Princess Mina was staring at her, as if unsure.
"Yes! Well?"
Mina was still staring at her. Serena sighed and stepped up to her, and twisted
her ear, just like she used to do when they were kids.
"Ow! Serena!"
Serena giggled, "Hey, I just remembered don't call me that."
Mina sighed, "Okay...I got the note. Mother was confused, she had no idea why
the comm. crystals weren't working. Hey, what if they detect your magic?"
Serena shook her head. "I covered up the aura. Let's go!"
* * *
"Princess Mina, this a great honor. To what do we owe this visit?"
King Endymion had asked to receive them in a very comfortable room.
Princess Mina smiled. "Thank you your Majesty. I come as a messenger."
"A messenger? What message pray tell would warrant delivery by the Princess of
Venus?"
Mina smiled. "An important one."
Serena was nervous, what if someone recognizes her?
The King smiled. "Well then Princess, let's have this important message."
Mina handed him the note. King Endymion read it silently, he then looked up
and smiled warmly at her.
"It is good to know that the Moon Queen's stupidity has not been inherited by her
sister."
Mina smiled. Serena seethed
"Now, this is your first visit on Earth, yes?"
Mina nodded. "Yes your Majesty. I so love looking on Earth from a distance, I
knew
it would be breathtakingly lovely."
The King smiled and beckoned to a waiting servant. "Call my son."
Darien! She would see Darien.
"I believe I will ask my son to show you around."
"That would be very nice your Majesty."
Prince Darien, strode in. "You called for me Father?"
Serena's breath caught, he seemed to grow more handsome by the minute.
She heard Mina's in drawn breath.
King Endymion smiled at his son. "Ah Darien, please meet Princess Mina of
Venus."
Darien glanced at her, clearly not very interested. "A pleasure Princess."
"The pleasure is mine Prince Darien."
"Darien, would you be so good to show the Princess around? This is her first
visit to Earth."
Darien bowed to his father, then turned to Mina. "Princess?"
Mina stood up, and curtsied to the King. "Your Majesty."
"Princess Mina, you really must visit Earth more often."
"I will try to your Majesty."
She followed Darien, and her 'maid' followed.
As soon as they were out of the room, Mina expected Serena to run to Darien.
But she didn't. Which was wise.
"Princess Mina?"
"Yes?"
"I hope I'm not being too forward..."
Mina and Serena stiffened. "But you look so much like your cousin."
"Oh...yes...I suppose."
He turned to face her. "Do you know if she...likes anybody?"
"As a matter of fact..."
"I should have expected it...a beautiful, wonderful girl like that..."
He really looked depressed. "Aren't you even going to ask who she likes?"
He sighed, "Alright...who?"
Serena, held Mina back. "You."
Darien's head snapped up and stared at Mina. "I'm sorry, but for a second there
you sounded exactly like her."
Serena giggled.
Darien glanced sharply at her.
"Darien...it's me."
His eyes widened. "Serena? Serena!" he made a move to hug her, but she motioned
him away.
"Not yet Darien."
He pondered her for a second. "I know...wait for me at the gate."
Serena and Mina watched as he ran off.
"Serena...he's really something."
"I know."
* * *
"Oh my god...look that hunk!"
Serena turned around and smiled. "Isn't he?"
Darien was dressed in casual clothing.
"Not Darien, darling cousin...the hunk he's with!"
Serena focused on the young man that was walking beside Darien. He was about the
same height. Blonde, athletically built. He looked cute enough...nothing like
Darien
of course.
"Ah Ha! I knew it! Darien you liar."
Darien smiled. "You idiot, she's in disguise, remember...ex-communication?"
The young man studied her face. "Still don't believe you boy."
Darien sighed, "Just for a second Serena, show him."
Serena stared suspiciously at him "Darien, who is this?"
"This is my dear cousin, Prince Andrew of Leumeah."
He flashed her smile.
Serena sighed. "Fine, but just for a second. " she let the disguise magic drop
for an instant. Andrew saw the large blue eyes, and the blonde hair.
He whistled, "Well if I can say so Princess...you look just as good now...then
again, I think you'd look good in a garbage bag."
Serena smiled. "That's very nice of you Prince Andrew, this my cousin,
Princess Mina of Venus."
He turned to her, and gallantly bows and kisses her hand. "Princess."
Darien grinned. "Andrew, why don't you take Mina somewhere..."
Serena interrupted, "No, it would look very odd, if you head out with a
servant."
He grinned at her. "Smart, kind and beautiful...what a catch hey Drew?"
Andrew glanced at him "Ya better believe it Dare." he turned to Mina.
"So...I hear you're part of some special force?"
Darien grinned. "Later Drew." he took Mina's arm. "Princess Mina, let
us show you Earth..."
Mina smiled, "Delighted."
* * *
"Do you really think it's safe?"
"Trust me Serena, there wouldn't be any palace spies this far from the palace.
They're mainly concerned with the inside of the Palace."
She sighed. "Sorry Darien...but the ex-communication...did you find out what
it was about?"
Darien sighed. "No...Father was very uptight about it."
"Mother too..."
They looked at each other. Then Darien grinned. "Let me show you fun on
Earth."
~ ~ ~
"What is this?"
Darien smiled at her. She was like a curious child. "It's a rose."
She looked up at him, her eyes wide and questioning. "Is it a type of flower?"
He nodded, and knelt down beside her. "Yes, that's a red rose and signifies
love."
"Ow!" Serena dropped the rose and placed her finger in her mouth. She looked
up at him, again questioning.
He took her hand, and gently kissed her finder. "It has thorns, on Earth we say
nothing is perfect...thus the rose has thorns."
Serena frowned. "But if the red rose symbolizes love..."
Darien shrugged. "Sometimes love can hurt."
"Not with the right person."
Darien looked into her eyes, and felt like drowning. What he would give to spend
eternity with her. They've only spent a few hours here on Earth, but he can't
imagine
life without his Princess.
"Serena!"
They turned to see Mina running towards them. "Serena we've got to get you back
to the Moon! Raye is on her way there...if they find you gone from the
Palace..."
Serena stood up to leave, but Darien grabbed her hand. "Wait! When can I see
you again?"
Tears started to well in her beautiful blue eyes. "Never."
* * *
"Serena? Meatball Head?"
"Ugh! Raye, would you quit calling me that?
Raye smiled. "Not a chance Meatball Head."
Serena stuck out her tongue at Raye, "I'm the Princess of the Moon...show a
little respect!"
Raye laughed like I said Meatball Head...not a chance!"
Princess Raye of Mars smiled at Mina. "Mina! Nice seeing you again."
Mina grinned. Then she and Serena stared over Raye's shoulder. A tall,
lanky young man walked in, his long brown hair fell constantly into his eyes.
He was dressed as a servant, but there wasn't anything subservient about him.
In fact he walked in quite confidently.
"Umm...Raye...who is that?"
Raye looked over her shoulder and sighed. Her black eyes snapping with
repressed temper. "That is my body-guard."
Serena's and Mina's jaws hit the ground. Hard.
Princess Raye of Mars, was one of the most aggressive of the Scouts. Her
fire attacks never missed, and her temper is notorious.
"Shut your traps." she snapped.
Beep, beep.
Mina flicked open her communicator. "Venus here."
"Mina...Lita has been kidnapped."
"What!"
Serena took Mina's communicator and hooked it up to the main communication
crystal in her room.
Princess Amy of Mercury appeared.
"Go on Amy."
"We just found out that Lita has been kidnapped. We need all the Scouts here
at Dartenion pronto."
Serena shook her head, "I can't come."
Amy bowed to her. "Understandable Serena...Raye, Mina. Dartenion. Now."
Raye and Mina turned to Serena.
Serena tapped on the crystal. "Have our fastest ship ready to fly to Dartenion.
Now."
She turned to back to them. "Tell Amy that I would be working on finding out
who are kidnapper is and what they want. Maybe try and negotiate." she
hesitated, "It would be nice if one of you stayed with me to help."
Raye shook her head, "Serena, I really think that we should look for Lita."
Serena nodded, then Raye's body-guard stepped forward. "Please, let me
help Princess Serena. I can help you discover who the kidnapper is."
Serena considered him. "What's your name?"
"Chad your Highness."
"Well Raye? Can I borrow your body-guard?"
Raye shrugged. "I'm not going to complain." she turned to Mina. "Let's move!"
Serena watched them go. She was almost glad that this happened. It gives
her something else to think about besides Darien.
She turned to stare at Chad - Raye's body-guard.
She watched him...there was such a look of longing on his face, it reflected
her own feelings for Darien.
"It's almost impossible."
He turned to her, startled. "What?"
"I said it's almost impossible."
His expression darkened, "Yes...impossible."
She grinned. "I said almost."
He looked at her startled.
"Well...putting that aside. Let's work on finding out who would be foolish
enough to kidnap Princess Lita of Jupiter."
* * *
"Princess here are the tapes you requested."
Serena turned and smiled, "Thank-you, Chad if you would be so kind?"
Chad bowed to her and took the tape. He waited for the servant to leave.
"If I may ask...what is this?"
"That dear Chad is the tape of the 'Lightening', Princess Lita's personal
ship. It is the ship that she was on when she was abducted."
"Ah!" Chad inserted the tape in the player.
Intent, they watched the tape. "Oh my God! That's Prince Ken's men!"
Chad glanced at her. "Who is this Prince?"
"Prince Kenneth of Dracoria, a very distant planet. As far as I know Dracoria
is a very mighty planet. My mother is seeking their alliance. Prince Kenneth
must be here for the Silver Ball! This could get tricky."
"Tricky in what way?"
Serena turned to him, her beautiful blue eyes, wide with confusion. "As I said
Mother is seeking an alliance with Dracoria...we can not risk angering the
Prince. The matter of the alliance is in a delicate situation. We have to handle
this tactfully, and at the same time retrieve Lita."
"Can't we say the Scouts acted without the sanction of the Moon Kingdom?
After all you are not going to be there."
She shook her head, blonde pigtails flying. "No...the Scouts are the elite
warriors of the Moon Kingdom. The Inner senshi, Mercury, Venus, Mars and
Jupiter are my personal guard. Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto protect
the Moon Kingdom itself. They act constantly under the Moon Kingdom's
sanction. That is what they exist for."
He nodded, he glanced back at the film, he played it back, listening.
"By the Stars! Princess Lita wasn't their target!"
"What?"
Chad turned to her. "Princess Lita was taken by mistake!"
"That's good. They're sure to return her."
"No...you don't understand. Raye must not go to rescue her!"
"Why?"
"Because, it appears that this Prince Kenneth wants Princess Raye of Mars."
* * *
"Mina? We have information."
Sailor Venus turned to her. "We could use all the information we can get!"
"Lita has been abducted by Prince Kenneth of Dracoria."
Sailor Mercury stepped into view. "Prince Kenneth of Dracoria? This is going to
get
sticky."
"Wait...there's more."
Sailor Venus' eyebrows rose. "More?"
Serena nodded grimly. "Princess Lita of Jupiter was not their target."
Sailor Mars stepped into view. "Who was it then?"
Chad stepped in front of Serena. "You."
Sailor Mars stepped back, surprised. "Me? Why would Prince Kenneth of Dracoria
want with me?"
"He's just one of your numerous...admirers Princess."
Sailor Mars was silent.
Chad pressed on. "Raye you have to listen...you must not go to save your friend,
let
the others deal with it. We have no idea what this Prince Kenneth is capable of!
Please!"
Sailor Mars' eyes narrowed, "You of all people can not order me around." with
that she turned around and walked out of view.
Sailor Venus appeared, sighing. "Don't worry Serena, we'll do what we can. Do
you know anything else?"
Mutely, Serena shook her head.
* * *
"Chad...who are you?"
He looked up startled. "Excuse me?"
"Who are you?"
He looked down at the ground. "You know who I am Princess Serena."
She shook her head. "No I don't. You were not born a servant. I have been
surrounded by them all my life. You don't have the aura of one who was born
as a servant. Who are you?"
He did not say anything.
Serena stood up and started to pace around him. "You talk as if you were
born a noble. Who are you! As the Royal Princess of the Moon Kingdom,
I demand you tell me."
Finally he looked up. "Few care to look twice at a servant, or notice things
about him. They are anonymous, invisible. But not to you...the fabled
Princess of the Moon...so lovely it almost hurts to look at you."
Serena's eyes narrowed. "Flattery will not get you anywhere."
He grinned at her. "I trust you can keep a secret Princess Serena?"
Cautious she nodded.
"I am Prince Chad of Illium." he bowed gallantly to her.
Serena's eyes almost bulged out of her head. "But...but...he's...I mean....
you..."
He grinned at her. "I'm what?"
"You're supposed to be dead!"
He bowed his head. "Is that what they said?"
Serena nodded, then she moved to sit down. "Kind Romen told us that
his only child...Prince Chad...you...died in battle. It was shocking. You
were supposed to be invincible. The Warrior Prince."
He nodded. "I ran away...I wanted to pursue my music...I was engaged
as well...to..."
"Raye."
He smiled. "Yes...the Fire Princess...I did not want my life to be dictated
to me. I would never have agreed."
Serena looked out the window. "Raye rebelled too...of course she didn't
run away..."
"What did she do?"
Serena smiled. "She set fire to one of the wings of the Fire Palace."
He gaped at her. "She brunt..."
Serena laughed. "I know, it sounds ridiculous...the Fire Princess burnt
down the Fire Palace." then she sobered. "So...you and Raye have a
past..."
He nodded. "I guess it was morbid curiosity. I came to the Fire Palace,
looking for a job as a musician. I was denied, but was accepted as a
servant...I took it. Everything was going fine, but I hadn't gotten close
enough to Princess Raye to see what she's really like. In fact today is the
first time that I've come this close to her. She's...fascinating."
* * *
"Lita!"
"Serena!"
Princess Lita of Jupiter threw herself into Serena's arms, it was difficult
as Princess Serena was much shorter than the statuesque beauty.
"I'm so glad you're okay Lita!"
Princess Lita laughed, her green eyes twinkling. "Did you ever doubt it?"
"So...Prince Kenneth didn't harm you?"
A faint blush appeared, "No...Ken didn't hurt me."
Serena stepped back, studying her friend. "Ken?"
Lita nodded. "Lots happened Serena..."
"We found her standing over him, he was trussed up like a turkey."
a dry voice stated behind them.
Raye was standing there, still as Sailor Mars. She looked over Serena's
shoulder at Chad. "As you can see I'm fine."
He bowed silently to her.
She sighed. "The Silver Ball is on tonight...I'm going to soak in a big
warm tub."
* * *
Serena wandered down the staircase, she noted that Princess Amy was
standing with a handsome young man. She wore an ice blue dress,
sapphires in her hair. Her mask was also ice blue. The man with her was
probably Prince Gregory.
Princess Lita wore a forest green dress, her mask was a lighter green,
complimenting her eyes. She was standing with...Prince Kenneth?
Princess Raye wore a ruby red, strapless dress. Her mask was of the
same color, her black eyes, emphasized. She was...with a mysterious
masked man. Serena, knew it was Chad...
Princess Mina was with...Prince Andrew! She wanted to run to him
and ask about Darien...
Someone placed a hand on hers. She looked down.
A young man held her hand, his dark hair swept into dark blue eyes.
He wore a white mask.
"Da..."
He placed a finger to his lips. Mesmerized, she walked down the stairs,
her eyes never leaving his.
She longed to move into his arms, lose herself in his eyes.
"Shall we dance Princess?"
Mutely, she nodded.
Effortlessly, he brought her in the circle of his arms and swept her onto
the floor.
Nothing was real, nothing except for this, She couldn't even hear the
music, she was aware of no one else but him.
"Why?" she whispered.
"Why what?"
"Why did you risk your life?"
"For you."
* * *
Serena tugged on his hand, "Come with me."
"I'll follow you forever." he stated simply.
Her heart soared. Until today, she didn't believe in love at first sight.
She led him out on a balcony, no one was there. He pulled her into
his embrace, kissed her deeply. Nothing else mattered...
A blast shook the palace.
Blindly, she reached for him. "Darien..."
He held her. Together, they looked up. Darkness was settling over the
Silver Palace.
"Darien..."
His grip on her tightened. She looked up at him, his expression was
grim.
"Darien, do you know what's happening?"
He shook his head. "No...not exactly, but I have an idea." He stilled.
They heard footsteps behind them. He let go of her. "Serena, please
believe that I will return to you."
"Darien...don't go! Please!"
He smiled lovingly at her. "Trust in me Serena."
Her hand flew to her locket. "Here, take this."
He looked down at it, "I will keep it close to my heart."
He leaped into the night. She stared after him, she clutched the rail of
the balcony.
Mina came. "Princess...we are being attacked, it's not safe for you to
be here."
Serena, shook her touch off. "He came Mina."
Mina understood instantly who she meant. "Please Serena..."
Numbly, she allowed Mina to pull her back inside.
* * *
"Serena! We were so worried when we couldn't find you!"
She looked up at her Mother's anxious face. "As you can see, I'm fine
Mother."
Queen Serenity looked over at the Scouts, and the other rest of the
royal party. "I have decided on a temporary truce with Earth...I only hope
that King Endymion would agree to help and that their troops would
arrive in time."
Raye stepped forward. "Your Majesty, are the attackers known?"
"We are not certain, but we believe it's the people from the Negaverse."
* * *
They waited tensely, for the Earth troops to arrive. The Moon forces
were only barely holding out. They have also called for the forces from
the other planets, but as yet none have arrived.
Serena, sat deathly pale.
The doors slammed open, all eyes turned fearfully to the entrance.
King Endymion stood there, his son by his side.
Serena's eyes lit up, glad to see Darien. Queen Serenity noticed how
her daughter, sat up, her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks have
become a pretty pink.
King Endymion strode forward. "Dear Queen Serenity."
Queen Serenity stood up. "King Endymion...you did not have to come
personally."
He smiled at her. "How could I not?"
Queen Serenity was silent.
Then King Endymion straightened. "The Negaverse is attacking the Moon.
Our Galaxy's protection is at stake. It was very clever of them to attack
now. The Silver Ball, all of the Galaxy's aristocrats in one place. Let's
not waste any time!"
* * *
"Darien...don't go."
He looked down at her. "My precious Serena, you and everything you hold
dear is in jeopardy. How can I not go?"
"Please Darien...I don't care if the whole galaxy blows up, as long as you
are with me!"
He smiled tenderly at her, and gently brushed away a golden lock. "Serena
you don't mean that..."
She sighed. "No I don't."
"Darien! You betrayed me!"
They looked up. A flame-hared woman floated above them. Her eyes
of malicious green shot daggers at them.
"Beryl?"
She floated to stand on the balcony. "My love, how soon you forget."
she glanced at Serena. "So, this is what you replace me with. I suppose
she's a pretty little thing..."
Serena's blue eyes flared, "What do you want?"
Beryl smiled, "Why nothing, but to have my betrothed by my side!"
"Betrothed?" Serena looked up at Darien.
"Oh, he didn't tell you? That your precious Prince Darien is to marry me?"
"Darien, what is she saying?"
Darien didn't answer her. "Beryl you are the one with selective memory.
I broke off our engagement, today. I told your father I could no longer
honor it as I have given my heart to another."
Beryl, Princess of the Negaverse, let out a furious roar. "No! You are
mine! I am not about to let a little blonde-haired hussy take you from me!"
She flung dark energy at Serena.
"Aaaaggghhh!" she was thrown out of Darien's arms, and knocked to the
ground.
"Serena!" Darien ran to her. He helped her to stand up.
"See Darien? She's just a worthless doll, she won't make you a good wife."
"Shows what you think!"
Serena brought her hands together, and flung energy at her.
"Aaaaaaaggggggghhhhhh!"
Serena collapsed into Darien's embrace. "Serena!"
Her eyes fluttered open, "Darien..."
He picked her up and bore her inside. "Serena!"
Queen Serenity saw her daughter. Darien placed her on a nearby chaise.
"What happened?"
Darien bowed to her. "Your Majesty...we were attacked by Princess Beryl
of the Negaverse."
* * *
"Serena, you're too weak, you can't go!"
"Mina, don't tell me what to do." she bowed her head. "I promise you Mina,
we will find each other again." she looked at the Scouts. "We will all find
each other."
She ran out, after her love.
* * *
"Darien!"
He was flung into the air. Risking everything, she flung herself after him.
"Darien!"
"Serena!"
He reached for her hand, she for his...
They held onto each other, as their world collapsed...
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