Author's Note: um hey here's the next chapter, hope you like it. I'm trying to get my butt in gear, but its kinda hard when I have so much else to do. <sighs> I can't help feeling sorry for myself. If it isn't school or work, its working on my site or reviewing other people's sites or adding to my fanfics(which takes a lot of my time) or going out with my friends. I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have a major social life. Thank God I do!! So read it and enjoy it or whatever. "This is not the end. It is not even the begginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." -Churchill The Darkness In The Night Chapter 2: The Beginning of The End The Planet Earth      Relena's heels clicked through the palace halls as she made her way toward Treize's office, where she imagened he sat going over paperwork as he usually did this time of day. The news she carried was important and she needed to tell him as soon as possible.      She walked in, found him surrounded by paperwork."Treize, I need to talk to you."      He looked up at her, a grin coming as he stood and walked around his desk to her."Relena, your back already."he hugged her, but came pulling back when she shoved at him."Whats wrong?"      "I need to talk to you!"she said it furiously, desperate as she began to pace."Its those colonies. The leader was kind, he was just as kind as always, but....."      He stared at her, became impatient when she didn't answer."What is it?!"      "Its the leaders son, Dimando. He's so......"she thought of the word to describe him,"so restless."      Treize raised a brow."Restless? Well shit, what are we going to do about it?"      "Shutup Treize, I'm serious."she ran a hand through her hair."He's restless, he's full of hate and resentment toward us. I can tell. The leader of the colonies adores his son and would never think anything evil of him, but I can see it. I swear to you he'll.....I don't know. I don't want to jump to conclusions about him."      "Which is something you seem to do all the time."he shook his head."Relena, you know I trust you, but sometimes your just overly paranoid. How was the overall situation over there?"      "Well overall, it was good. The leader is old, but his objective's are the same as ours."she smiled in memory."He's a good man."      "Yes, he is. So what is it you think Dimando might do since you seem to be picking up bad vibes from him?"he sat back at his desk, began sifting through his papers.      "I think he'll kill his father and take over the colonies, then start a war with us."she said quickly, halting to see Treize's reaction.      He didn't even blink."Is that right?"      Angry now, she marched forward and slapped her hands on his desk."I'm serious Treize! Your just laughing at me, I know you are, but I'm serious!"      "Sometimes I can't help but laugh at you."when she hissed at him, he sighed."Ok ok, I'll keep what you said in mind."when she threatened to pop him one, he held up his hands." I will! I swear!"      "I'm only saying this because if that does happen the first place that will be attacked is the Moon and thats where Darien and Serena are!"she turned her back and walked toward the doors to leave."And if that happens, it will be up to us to stop them."      After she'd left he sat considering what she'd told him. He didn't want war. It was the one thing he strived to keep at bay throughout the universe, but lately he'd felt odd, as if something was going to happen and there was nothing he could do to stop it.      He shook himself and got back to work. Nothing was going to happen. He was just beginning to listen to Relena's rambles way to much. Nemesis The Colonies....      "I'm sick of him!"the voice was fierce, full of surpressed anger and hate as he spoke with his two closest friends, who shared his feelings."He's always thinking about peace and never about allowing a war to break out."      "The universe is primed for war right now."Heero's voice was quiet when he spoke, a slight chill in it."Its been peaceful long enough. You have it in you to lead the colonies into war."      "Heero's right."Seiya walked to the balcony in Dimando's rooms, looked out at the view of the setting sun."They say when the universe is ready, its master will come."he looked back at them."Its more then ready."      Dimando rubbed his chin, a smirk coming to his face."Now all I have to do is get rid of my father. I think the people will allie themselves to me because they thirst for war as much as I do. No one will care if my father dies."      "Its time that you made your move."Heero smiled slightly."Its time for Earth and Treize to find out who the true rulers are."      The Moon......      "Zechs, I can't believe you told her no!"Darien had to shout over the noise of the party being thrown at the palace, where there was a celebration for the leaders birthday and several people had come, most already drunk after drinking to much.      Zechs shrugged, drinking from his beer and watching people dance and laugh around them."I  wasn't interested. Whats not to believe about that?"      "She was good looking AND drunk enough to guarantee an easy score!"Darien chuckled, not at all surprised that Zechs had done what he'd done. It was so like him."Oh well, you always were the picky sort."      "I don't have the fine taste you were blessed with."he shot back, pleased when his best friend threw back his head and roared with laughter. Darien was already drunk and he could feel himself getting there also if he didn't watch how much he drank.      "Yea, well I-"he halted in what he'd been saying, spotting Serena coming toward them only to be stopped by a man who, laughing and obviously drunk, swung her into his arms. He was up and out of his chair in a blink.      It took Zechs a moment to realize why Darien had shot out of his seat and across the room, then he saw Serena struggling to make a man put her down. He followed his friend.      Before Zechs could stop him, Darien had planted his fist into the man's face, then caught Serena in the next second when the man let her go. He placed her behind him and prepared to murder the man on the floor.      Serena grabbed his arm."Darien, thats enough!"      "No it isn't."he advanced on the man, his vision hazed red, then was stopped when Zechs took a hold of his arm and pulled him back."Let me go!"      "I think you've done enough."Zechs nodded to the man, who was unconscious on the floor.      Darien glared down at him a moment, then kicked him one last time."Your right."he turned and hauled Serena tight against him."This gorgeous thing is mine."he gave her a hard kiss.      "Your drunk."she tried pushing him away, only to let out a gasp when he swung her up into his arms and walked with her outside onto the balcony, shouting for Zechs to come with them. Shaking his head, Zechs followed.      Once outside he put her down, kissing her again as she laughed."I think I like you when your drunk."      He nuzzled her neck."Sugar, you like me ALL the time."      "Maybe I should go back inside."Zechs made a move to leave, but Darien grabbed his arm and stopped him."Or maybe not."      "No, there's something I want to say, with the three of us right here."he put an arm around each of them, linking to him the two people who mattered most in his heart."If the war comes-"      "Darien, there isn't going to be any war!"Serena cut in, halting when he held up a hand.      "Just hear me out."he took a moment as the alcohol went to his head and everything spun, waited until the world had settled back into place."If the war comes, I want to know the two people I care about the most will look out for each other. We all have to look out for each other. As long as the three of us remain united, nothing will fall."      "For someone who's plastered, you can make a pretty speech."Serena smiled engagingly at him when he gave her a look."But ok honey, whatever you say."      "I'm serious!"Darien rolled his head over to look at Zechs."Well?"      "Agreed."uneasy and not knowing why, he steadied Darien when he threatened to fall over and take Serena with him."Lets just hope we'll never have to worry about that."      The next morning Zechs awoke early and walked out and about the palace, which was already clean and looking as if there hadn't been any party the entire night before. Amazed at these moon people, he made his way out into the gardens, where he stopped a moment to take in all of the beauty and the fresh scent in the air.      This was the second time he had come to visit Darien since he had come to the Moon. The first time Darien had begged him to come because he said he had needed him there, that he had something important to tell him. Intrigued by how desperate his friend had seemed, he had come, only to be shocked with the news that Darien was in love with Serena. He was afraid to tell her, afraid she wouldn't feel the same way. Zechs had never seen Darien afraid to go for anything in his life and the sight had made him laugh at his friend.      Of course he had told her and she had told him she felt the same way, and they had promptly become engaged. The engagement had been announced and everyone on both Earth and the Moon had celebrated. Relena had been somewhat skeptical about Serena, and wanting to meet her for herself, had come to the Moon and found she couldn't help but like the woman Darien had chosen to love and marry. They had become the fastest of friends.      He approved of Serena himself. The woman knew how to handle Darien, something he had never seen anyone do except himself. And Darien adored her. It made him happy, put joy in his heart to know that Darien had found someone to love.      There were soft footsteps behind him and he turned to see Serena approach him, smiling and glancing about the gardens."There beautiful, aren't they?"      He nodded, his light blue eyes taking it in much as she was."Yes, they are. Peaceful too. I like peace."frowning suddenly, he looked down.      She noticed his sudden thoughtfulness."Worried that there might be a war?"she smiled when he looked at her sharply."Its not hard to see you hope for peace."      He sighed."When I was younger I actually hoped there would be a war."at her look, he quickly explained."I wanted to show off my flying skills, you see. I wanted everyone to see how good I was. I was just a child then anyway. I didn't know what I was thinking."      "And now you do?"      "I have a better idea. Don't get me wrong, I still don't have the world figured out, but I don't want a war. If I go through my whole life and I'm never able to fight in real combat, thats fine with me. My father pretty much beat the war out of me, the desire to fight."      She could see it in his eyes, the shadow of past pains."That must have been hard for you."      He shifted, uncomfortable for some reason with her pity."It was, but it taught me a lot too. I can only be grateful my father changed my out look on war."       Seeing that her pity made him nervous, she folded her hands and looked out toward the distance."Its sad to say, but its in our human nature to fight, to want to fight one another. Its something we can't help."      "Yea, your right."he angled his head at her."Makes me wonder how an idiot like Darien got someone as smart as you."      She laughed, a soft sound that seemed to sooth away his nerves as only Darien had ever been able to do."I like idiots. There my favorite's."      That was how Darien found them. The both of them laughing together, there laughter filling the air around them. Pleased with the sight, he walked forward.      "Well now, whats this?"he commented, going to Serena and leaning over to nip at her earlobe."Whats so funny?"      "Its a secret."her eyes bright, she turned them to Zechs."Right Zechs?"      "I'm afraid so."still chuckling a bit, he eyed his friend."And hows the head this morning?"      "Pounding harder then a bitch in heat."he stopped when Serena raised a delicate brow at him."I mean, it hurts pretty bad."      Zechs let out another laugh at this."Now if that isn't a first."      "Your aiming for me to pop you one there."Darien said, but there was no real threat in his  voice as he nuzzled through Serena's soft hair."Get lost Zechs."      He felt a twinge inside at the sight, but tucked it away immediately. "I'll be seeing you two later then."      "Bye Zechs."she turned into Darien's arms, kissing him when he brought his lips to hers.      He left them embracing one another, walked away out of the gardens and toward where he knew the front of the palace was. The Moon was a beautiful planet, full of tranquility, of the same peace that was on Earth. He liked it here and imagened he wouldn't mind living her either, though his home was Earth. For him wherever Darien was would be home after all.      He was to return back to Earth that day and he packed the few things he'd brought, meeting up with Serena and Darien later in the early afternoon to go to the shuttle departure port with them. He stood watching as Darien spoke with the pilot of the shuttle, went over to have a last private word with Serena.      "You take care of yourself."she told him, her eyes bright and warm.      He nodded."I will. You do the same."he glanced back at his friend."Take care of him too."he frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets, wondering how to tell her.      She waited patiently."What is it?"      He looked up at her, then down again."I have this feeling....."      When he didn't say anymore, she had to bite back her smile. The fact that he was both shy and nervous around her was charming."What feeling is that?"      Blowing out a breath, he looked at her, squinting his eyes against the sun."That something's coming. I can't explain it.....its just this hunch I've had, this sort of itching at the back of my neck for the past few months. Somethings coming and there's nothing we can do to stop it."he fell silent.      She studied him."I won't tell you not to worry, I can't exactly reassure you that nothings coming, because I believe you may be right."she placed her hand on his arm, not noticing how his muscles tightened at her touch."But I can tell you that what Darien said last night was right. As long as the three of us remain united, nothing can fall. Believe in that Zechs."      Amazed that that one statement had eased the nerves racing through him, he nodded, smiled at her."Your right. Yea, your right."      Darien came back over, rubbing the back of his neck."Time for you to go."he said it good naturedly, but Zechs could hear the catch beneathe it."Come on."     He turned back to Serena, leaned over and kissed her cheek delicately, catching a wiff of the soft scent she wore."I'll be seeing you."      "Bye Zechs."understanding they needed there own moments alone, she remained where she was and watched them walk toward the shuttle.      "Treize gonna have you train more pilots when you get back?"Darien asked him, staring at the shuttle with an odd intensity.      Zechs swung his pack over his shoulder, nodded."Yea, a fresh new bunch of them. It should keep me busy for another couple of months."he flicked a glance at his friend."And you?"      "Yea, I start again tomorrow. There's no rest for the best."he joked, then sobered immediately, staring at him."You better take care of yourself."      "Same goes."confused with the unusual seriousness in Darien, he punched him lightly."Come on, buck up. Your not gonna miss me that bad, are you? You've got Serena now."and though his own heart yearned, he forced himself to be cheerful.      "I know, I know."he glanced back at her, where she stood laughing with some of her people who had come to have a word with her."She's my heart."he looked back at him."And your my brother. Thats why I need to ask you to do me a favor."      "You name it, its done."he spoke without a moments hesitation.      "I want you to make me a promise."he stopped shuffling about and looked Zechs dead in the eye, the intensity there almost frightening."If something happens to me I want you to take care of her. I need to know she'll be looked out for, that she won't be left alone."      He could feel anger coming that his friend spoke this way, but more panic then anything else. It choked his throat, nearly left him speechless."Why are you saying this? Nothings going to happen to you."      Darien thought of his latest conversation with Relena and new the time was drawing near. She and him both knew it. And it was worse that they knew there was nothing they could do. "Just promise me Zechs. Never mind that and promise me."      "Darien, nothings going to-"      "Zechs! You have to promise!"he whispered furiously, shocking him.      He was silent a moment, watching him, but he nodded."All right, I promise. But how about instead of me having to keep that promise you don't let anything happen to yourself."      Darien was quiet a moment, then suddenly grinned, slapping Zechs on the back so hard he lost his footing and almost fell."Yea, nothing will. Its me after all."      Relieved that his cocky attitude had returned, he nodded."That sounds better."they shook hands for a moment, neither letting go."Take it easy."he murmured.      Darien nodded slightly."You too."he let go and watched him board the shuttle, the doors closing behind him as he was taken back to Earth once again.      Serena approached him and slid her hand into his, smiling up at him when he looked at her."You ok?"she whispered.      He nodded, looking back at the fading shuttle."Yea. Its just hard to see him go everytime. We've been together our whole lives, this is the first time we've seperated for so long."      "I think its cute how you two are so loyal to one another."      He looked at her sharply."Cute? Shit, only a woman could describe something like that."      "Well I am a woman, in case you've forgotten."amused, she watched his eyes narrow on her.      "Yea and quite the woman too. Come on sugar, lets go see if we can get into some trouble together." The Planet Earth      "I don't see why you have to go out to the colonies again Relena."Treize said frustrated, watching as she smoothed down her blouse and skirt."You just got back a week ago I don't see what could have changed between now and then."      "Nothing and everything could have."she replied shortly, turning to board the shuttle when Treize caught her arm.      "Be careful Relena."he said softly.      She watched him a moment, then nodded."I can handle things. Don't worry. You worry about getting those pilots trained just in case we need them."       She got on the shuttle and waved bye to Treize one last time, spotting Zechs standing in the distance watching her also. She waved to him as well, then sat back as the shuttle blasted off of Earth and into space.      She knew Treize had been worried when she left. She could see it in his eyes. Even though he refused to hear what she was telling him, he still worried over letting her go out to the colonies so often.      She fell asleep on the way over, dreamed of battles and the cries of agony filling the air, of bombs and death throughout the universe. She saw soldiers dying, saw blackness descend over the galaxy, but through it a light shone and illuminated the evil. She saw Darien in the light, just as the darkness took hold of him and took him, dragging him down and away. The center of the light broke, shattered, and the universe seemed to be dying.      She woke up with a start, sweating and gasping for air. Her hand immediately went to her heart, where it was in a riot of emotions.      What had she just seen? God, what could the dream have meant? And why had Darien been taken that way?      So many questions were running through her mind, but she had no time to think on them. They had arrived at the Colonies and were already landing, coming to a stop. Wiping her hair back from her eyes, she waited until they'd stopped to unbuckle her seat belt and stand, heading for the front of the shuttle, where the doors were already opening.      She stepped out into the sunlight, squinting her eyes against it and seeing the leaders son approaching her, two large men on either side of him. She was about to smile when her eyes landed on the man on his left, who was extremely good looking, but with a rough air to him. She could see danger in his eyes, unleashed power. His brown hair was unruly and wind blown about his head, his eyes a deep blue she couldn't help staring at it just as he was staring at her, studying her from head and to foot.      Shaking herself abruptly, she smiled, although she felt an uneasy sensation that the leader of the colonies hadn't come to meet her. He always did."Hello again. Its good to see you Dimando."      "You too, Embassador Valentine. Your looking well."he let his cold eyes move over her and she straightened, immediate suspicion coming.      "Yes well, where is your father? He usually comes out to greet me."she glanced around for him.      "Oh well, he's not here anymore."just then several men in uniforms rushed forward, dragging the pilot of the shuttle out and right in front her, tying his hands behind his back and gagging him.      Eyes wide with horror, she moved to stop them, but the man who'd been studying her grabbed her into his arms and pinned her arms down to her sides, holding her to him."Now there's no need to help him."      "What the hell is going on here?"she struggled in his arms, tried to ignore the way her body immediately responded to him."Let me go!"      "No, we can't do that."Dimando moved toward the  pilot, took a pistol out of his pocket and had her hissing." You see, my father and his ideals were just getting to old. He wanted peace, he was the only person here in the colonies who wanted peace. Of course no one could do or say otherwise because he was the leader."he smiled thinly at her."But not anymore. Now I am."      She stared at him, thought about her dream."What have you done?"      "What needed to be done. My father is no longer a problem. Now Earth and your side of the universe will have to deal with me."laughing now, he raised the pistol and put it to the pilots head."How much will you beg for his life?"      "No! Don't, please!"she tried lunging forward, only to be held back."Why are you doing this? He's nothing, its me you want. Hold me, kill me!"she said desperately.      He considered her."What will you give me if I don't kill him?"      She knew exactly what it was he wanted and she felt the man holding her stiffen."Dimando, just get it over with."      He sighed."Your right."he turned and aimed the pistol again.      "NO!"her screamed echoed just before the shot was fired. Her eyes filled with the horror of what she had just witnessed and she began to scream and struggle violently, only to have a cloth placed over her nose and mouth, in moments letting the world go black around her. The Moon      Darien was up early that day, sipping his coffee and reading over the moon's newspaper. He had a long day ahead of him. The pilots he was training were men who seemed to not have a clue as to even what an airplane was. It had made him almost lose his patience, only to snap it back when Serena had come and smiled at him, calming him.      He wasn't looking forward to the day ahead of him when suddenly, as he brought his coffee cup to his lips to drink, the floor beneathe his feet shook with a sudden violent jolt. The hot coffee spilled onto his hand and he jumped out of his chair, watching as most of the things in his room fell to the floor.      The jolt was so hard and quick and felt as if it hadn't come from the ground, but from somewhere else. Alarmed and feeling an uneasy feeling coming, he raced out of the rooms he stayed in, located near the airspace.      Running out into the sunlight, he shielded his eyes against it and saw several Space Fighters descending onto the Moon, already beginning to shoot toward where there own space fighters were kept.      He wondered what they were doing, if some of the pilots he had trained in the past were testing out the equipment, but then they shot at the warehouse holding there own Space Fighters and he had to duck back into his bunkhouse, place his hands over his head and cover his ears as explosions ran off around him and the warehouse went up into flames.      He watched the Space Fighters in the warehouse burn for a moment, then a thought occurred to him and he moved into action, acting exactly as he had been trained by Treize to do.      "Holy shit!"scrambling for the phone, he called the other hidden airport they had only two miles down."Jack! Yea, its Darien! Get those space fighters ready, were going to need them! I'l be heading over there with my pilots!"shots were fired near him and he had to duck beaneathe his desk, waited until the rumbling had stopped."Get them ready! And I mean it!"he tossed the phone away, ran out again and saw his pilots already heading toward him, away from the main hanger warehouse, which was already half blown up and on fire."Lets go, lets go! Were going to Jacks!"signaling them to follow, he began running toward the cars they kept parked near the bunkhouse.      Loading most of his men into one car, he made the others got into there own also."Follow me!"he shouted after them, gunning the motor and speeding out into the open."And the rest of you, stay down!"he ordered them.      And as he drove to where he hoped the base was still standing at, the rumbling and shots fired around him, the thought came to him and he nearly closed his eyes with the agony of it......     Its the beginning of the end...... Stay tuned for Chapter 3!!~sailorperfect@yahoo.com