| Much had happened over those past three years. Nemesis fought against the kingdom of Pluto, and because it was so far off in the galaxy, there was no possibility of sending soldiers out there to help them, it would be a suicide mission. Frank Toneil disappeared from his jail cell right before his execution and soon after that it was discovered that he was the cause of his wife's mysterious death. James had been sent into the wars and came back with a broken leg about a month later. General Tinugio asked Queen Serenity to marry him and of course she happily accepted receiving plenty of blessings from Serena and the rest of the family. Serena celebrated her sixteenth birthday and not too long after that Endymion was sent to fight on Earth in James' place. And so, that was where they were. Everyone rejoiced except Serena and Endymion who were dying without each other. One day, Serena was walking through the rose gardens, when she remembered that magical moment on her sixteenth birthday.
FLASHBACK: Endymion and Serena were sitting on the bench near that same lake where Toneil had tried to drown Serena those three years ago. Endymion took her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. He then took from behind his back a large bouquet of red roses. A large smile spread across Serena's face as she delicately took them into her arms. She looked down at her engagement ring and saw how well the diamond was cut, it looked exactly like a rose. "I got these right from the rose garden, I picked them myself. I hope you like them!" said Endymion. "Oh Endymion," said Serena. "They're beautiful!" "I have something else for you, I saw it and I knew that you wouldn't be able to live without it." Endymion pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to Serena. She opened it and a small pink locket with a golden crescent moon on top of it was revealed. Serena opened the locket and a tune began to play. Serena leaned over and kissed Endymion gently. "Thank you! I love you my prince!" They continued to kiss with nothing but the Earth to light their way into each other's hearts.
END OF FLASHBACK Serena pulled that same locket out of the pocket of her dress and looked at it lovingly. She opened it and let the tune play. She laid down on the bench and fell asleep to the music that her love had given her. Two weeks later, Serena squeezed herself into a long honored and long hated traditional piece of clothing: a corset! It had been the first time she'd ever worn it, she was trying it on to make sure that it would fit for her mother's huge party the next night, and it hurt like hell! Serena felt that she couldn't breathe. Just then, she heard the "Luna Scratch" at her door and ran immediately to let Luna in. "Hello Serena, my how elegant you look!" said Luna. "I feel elegant, but I can't breathe!" replied Serena. "Well, why don't you put your gown on, it will make you feel a little bit better." "All right Luna." Serena put the beautiful white gown over her head and realized how great the corset makes you look, no matter how painful it is. She was so excited, Endymion was going to be there the next night, and she would finally be able to tell the galaxy how much in love she was with him. Although Serena assumed that after telling Princess Mina about it that the whole galaxy knew about it anyway, but it would still be fun to tell them herself. Meanwhile, General Tinugio ran into Queen Serenity's office in a mounting panic. "Serenity!" he shouted. Queen Serenity kissed him a little shocked and found that he relaxed slightly. "What is it darling? What's happened?" "We have terrible news. I ask permission for an emergency meeting of the Imperial Moon Senate, and I insist that Serena attends." Queen Serenity began to feel panic overcome her senses, Robert (AN: That's General Tinugio's first name, ^_^ but you probably knew that) hadn't acted like that since Toneil had disappeared. That afternoon, the whole Senate and Princess Serenity gathered for a meeting. Serena thought it was strange because she was hardly ever invited unless she was in her queen training class. When all of the senators were ready, they began. "Queen Serenity," said General Tinugio. "I ask permission to speak." "Permission granted." said Queen Serenity. General Tinugio walked to the speaking platform and began. "We have received word from Earth that a tragic event has occurred." Queen Serenity had that familiar feeling of the day she lost her husband. "Earth was attacked by Nemesis, apparently they have a new leader." "Oh my God! What about Endymion?" asked the panicking Serena. "Don't worry," said General Tinugio. "Prince Endymion is all right and to add to the good news Prince James is off of his crutches." Laughter rang out throughout the chambers but General Tinugio held up his hands to silence them. "Please stay serious senators, for this is a serious matter. The Earth royalties are on their way up here for protection. They were going to be sent to Pluto but with the recent attacks it's definitely not safe enough. That is all, thank you Queen Serenity." General walked off of the speaking platform and sat down. Senator Reikop stood and said, "The most likely reason that Nemesis is attacking Pluto is because they knew that the Earth royalties would be going there, this will put the Moon Kingdom at great risk. What information do you have about the new Nemesis leader?" Queen Serenity stood and said, "The only information we have about their new leader is that they call her Queen Baryl, she's very young but she is powerful. She is able to recruit people by fooling them into thinking that she will make them the next heir to her throne. I would like you to keep in mind that many men had to die to bring you that information. Let us take a moment of silence for them." Queen Serenity sat down as everybody bowed their heads and silently thanked those men for what they had done. When they had finished, Queen Serenity said, "Anything else Senator Reikop?" He stood again. "I do not wish to have the Earth royalties here, it's much too risky. I think we should vote on this matter and send them back to Earth as soon as they arrive." "Very well then," said Queen Serenity. "We will vote." "No!" cried Serena. "Mother, I ask permission to speak!" Queen Serenity looked out at the senators. "No Serena, I don't think that would be appropriate." Serena stood up. "Does anyone here have an objection?" Nobody spoke or made a sound, the room was silent. Serena once again looked at her mother. "All right Serena, you have my permission to speak." Serena walked nervously out to the speaking platform. "Senators," she began. "I know what it's like to have death in my life, it's the worst feeling that can ever be felt when you loose a loved one! Senator Reikop, let us play make believe for a moment. Pretend that you are the king of the Moon Kingdom. Now, there is a large emergency and you and your family are in grave danger. They decide that the situation is so bad that you must be taken from your people and evacuated immediately. So, you're on your way down to Earth and as soon as you get there, you are told that your shuttle must be turned around at once and that you must leave. And then senator, you are forced to look upon the faces of your children who have not yet lived at all and tell them that they will die when they get home. You know that's what will happen to them, if they are sent back, you know that Nemesis will find out and will have a nasty welcoming party all set for them when they return. Their deaths will then come from your soul. And so senators, in conclusion, sending them back would be completely amoral and wrong. I will not stand for this and I will push for an override of your decision, thank you." Serena walked off of the speaking platform and sat down. Senator Reikop then stoop again, wide eyed at what he had just heard. He said, "I have never heard such a young woman talk in that manner. You speak truth and it comes from your heart with nothing but good intentions. You have much wisdom Princess Serenity, wisdom far beyond your years. You obviously take after your mother and if I live long enough, I will be honored to serve under your rule." Queen Serenity stood. "On that note, let us have our vote." Serena said a small prayer. 'Please God don't let them send Endymion home, I cannot live without him!' "All in favor of sending home the Earth's royal family?" There was not a sound to be heard within the chambers. "All opposed?" A large amount of I's sounded out. Serena stood up and hugged General Tinugio. "Well then, that matter is settled." said Queen Serenity. "They will be coming here after all. Good, now moving on to new business. We have had several threats on the party tomorrow night, and I'm questioning if it should happen at all. My instincts are telling me that it would be best to cancel the event, but I leave it to the Senate to decide. Any comments? The floor is open for discussion." Senator Tyzic stood and said, "This party has been planned for years, every diplomat in the galaxy is probably on their way here, it would by unwise to cancel it now and then have every important person in this galaxy mad at the Moon Kingdom. I think the party should go on as planned." "Are you sure? It really doesn't feel right to me." said Queen Serenity. "Yes, I'm quite certain." Senator Tyzic replied. "All right then. Well, if there is no business, I motion to end the meeting." Queen Serenity said. "I second the motion." said Senator Tyzic. "All in favor?" All of the senators said I. "All opposed?" The room was silent. "This meeting stands adjured." No one knew that that was the last meeting the Imperial Moon Senate as a whole would have. The next morning at about 12:00 a.m., the Earth's royal family arrived on the Moon and were taken into a safe place in the Moon Palace. Endymion immediately took Serena into his arms when he saw her, he'd felt like he hadn't eaten in weeks, and his hunger was finally fulfilled. They kissed each other and then realized how tired they were. Serena saw James' face and knew that something was wrong. When they were safely inside the palace walls, Serena asked Endymion, "What's wrong with James?" Endymion put his head down and then said, "His fiancé Princess Hotaru was killed the other day. She was visiting Princess Trista of Pluto when the wars broke out." Serena let a tear fall. Hotaru was only twelve years old, she had hardly known what life was. Serena had only met her a few times, but she liked her a lot and hoped that they would have a chance to become friends. "That's terrible," Serena said. "Is he all right?" "He's more shocked than anything else. James really didn't know her that much. He'd only met her a few times. She was very quiet, her only real friend was Princess Trista. He never loved her like he loved you though. But, he was still shocked to hear the news. Now they don't know who he will marry." "Don't worry about that," said Serena drying her tears. "I'm friends with every princess in the galaxy and only one of them isn't available. Princess Mina of Venus is engaged to a diplomat's son on Earth. The rest are perfectly single." "He'd rather have you. He won't accept anyone else. James says he's over you, but who could be?" Serena thought about what Endymion had said, it hit her very hard. But she knew that she hadn't made the wrong decision, her heart screamed for Endymion when he wasn't around, that had never happened with James.
I'm sorry this story is ~Neo Queen Tori~ |