Chapter 4

Serenity paced back and forth, wondering when her forces would return. They had been missing for nearly a week, and she was beginning to worry about them. She glanced out of her window at the moon. “Mother Moon, protect my army, for they face almost certain doom. Bring them safely back to me, I beg you.”

Instantly, she heard a voice that sounded like the ringing of bells. “Dear Queen Serenity, you cannot know what you ask for,” it said. “As I have told you many times, the Moon Kingdom is doomed to fall. That day will soon be at hand, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it from coming.”

Serenity lowered her head and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Mother Moon, I beg you, at least spare my family; they’re all that I have left. Please, don’t take my family from me!”

The ringing voice returned and replied, “If you are willing to give your own life, your loved ones will be spared. Are you prepared to make this sacrifice?”

“Yes!” she cried, her tears flowing freely. “I would gladly give my life, but only if you promise my family’s safety.”

“Your wish is granted, Queen Serenity. All the same, the Moon Kingdom will perish. However, I will appoint a Chosen One to preserve its memory.”

“Thank you, Mother Moon,” Serenity whispered as she sank to her knees.

“Queen Serenity!” cried a loud voice. Serenity rose and looked at the speaker, who was covered in blood. “My Queen, your army returns!” The queen looked behind him, and indeed, her forces stood, weary, but none had been lost. “I bring good tidings, my Queen. We have captured a traitor in our midst!”

Serenity blinked and shouted, “Bring the one to me at once!”

Two guards emerged, carrying the traitor between them. They threw him unmercifully to the floor. His face had been covered in a black curtain, so that the Queen would be the first to unmask him. With an anger that had never been seen before, she snatched the cloth away, revealing his shame to all that were present.

His long black hair had been cut unevenly in several places, and blood stained his entire face. An open wound along his cheek dripped freely with a near black liquid. His gray eyes shone with a undeniable fire, as if he was proud of his treacherous act. “Go ahead and pass judgment on me, Serenity. Your throne shall be destroyed by the Negaverse,” he said with an eerie smile.

A nearby guard struck the back of his head with a club. “Filthy dog! You will address the Queen with the respect she deserves!”

“Leave us,” Serenity said quietly. The army was gone in seconds, along with the guards. “How could you?” she asked as she stared at him.

“It was my destiny,” he answered. “I was destined to rule the Negaverse, and I still intend to do so!”

Serenity turned away, tears falling from her eyes. “You leave me no choice then, Luke.” She looked at him and grabbed his shoulders, lifting him from the ground. He shook his head and blinked, as if seeing her for the first time. “Now and forever, I name you traitor to the throne. You are stripped of your title and your name. You are no longer worthy of my love or my heart, which you held since the day I laid eyes on you. I cast you out of this kingdom, as well as my heart, never to return. Leave my sight, so that I will not be forced to kill you here and now.”

He sank slowly to the floor, as if he had been shot. “Take them back, Serenity,” he whispered. “Take back the cruel words you now speak to me.”

“I can’t, young man,” she said quietly. “I do not know you. Not anymore.”

The words hit him like a brick, even as he heard them for the millionth time. “Curse you, my angel. It is you that torments me so. But I will win your love, one way or another.” His eyes blazed with a blue light, and he raised the Time Staff in his right hand. “Take me home!” he shouted, even as the portal opened in front of him. “Welcome me, Mother Moon, for your forgotten son returns!” The portal closed around him, his head reeling from the impact. Then as he saw the bright lights of his home, tears blinded him, and the man called Sailor Earth whispered a silent prayer of thanks.