"The Beginning" chpt 5 PG by Sailor ClearMoon Thanx to all of ya who e-mail me. It means a lot. later minna-chan! Oh yeah, SM, etc. don't belong to me. I own the characters: Stella, Sonja, Lionna (a.k.a. Clare), Shalom, and Mila. (and that includes their senshi forms.) 'nother thing, only these peoples are allowed to use my characters 'cause I created the characters for them: Shalom, Taylor, Emma, Sindhu, and Me! ************************************** Setsuna, Shalom, and Lionna stepped out onto a stone pathway on earth. The others were standing there too. "Good," Serenity nodded, "I was beginning to think we'd have to go back and find you. Come now, I think I see someone up ahead." The moon princess walked forward with grace and dignity. The others followed with heads high. Even though Serenity looked calm, inside her heart beat wildly, The figure that Serenity had seen was Zoicite. He bowed and smiled, "Glad you are all here. Please fix this up," he whispered. Serenity smiled, "We will do our best." Zoicite led them to the throne room where Serenity had gone the first time that she had come to earth. Galla, William, and Endymion sat in thrones on the dais in the room. Serenity noted that Kunzite, Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoicite were the only other 'earth people' in the room. The 14 women walked forward as Zoicite moved off to the side. Serenity saw William raise an eyebrow in question, Galla cleared her throat and spoke stiffly, "We were not expecting so many. We had thought that it would only be you and four others." Serenity replied, "Your majesty, my court consists of eight people. And then there are these five others," she motioned to Stella, Sonja, Shalom, Lionna, and Mila, "who are my new bodyguards." She wasn't sure if that was true, but it was a good enough excuse. Serenity didn't believe that Galla would let the five stay if she had known that Selene had sent them to try and help persuade the earth to join up with the Silver Millenium. William nodded his head slightly. Serenity didn't dare glance at the prince, she knew that her heart would start beating faster than it was now. "Well?" The king asked, "Is this to be another meeting like that of the last time?" His voice stung Serenity a little, but she blocked the pain. "It all depends on how things go. You see, we are here as representatives of our planets, and in some cases: solar systems, to get earth to join the Silver Millenium-" Serenity was cut off. "Really? Then do sit down and make yourselves comfortable, we do not intend to join unless you give a good reason." Galla's voice was mocking. Rei opened her mouth but Serenity glanced at Ami who quickly tapped Rei's shoulder. Once the princess of Mars settled down, Serenity responded, "Listen, we will stand here. We will wait all day if need be to get you to join. You *must*!" "Give us a reason," William's eyes were cold. Mina stepped forward, "Don't you want to be at peace with the planets? Then the only way is to join the Silver Millenium. It's not bonding you to the moon! It's just an alliance to get all of the planets in this system not to have wars!" Shalom spoke next, "Have you any idea how wars between planets turn out? I was banished with others from my planet because we wouldn't fight like our king said. Do you want war on your hands? Do you want to see your family split apart?" Her voice rose suddenly, "Do you wish to leave the next generation an awful mess to clean up?!" The dark, new woman quieted and breathed in deeply. Serenity was impressed. There was silence. The king and queen didn't respond. "Father!" Endymion glared at his father. William looked at his son, not exactly in hate, but not in the most kind manner either. "This all sounds the same. You need something new." Serenity looked straight into his eyes. Her face was rigid with no emotion. "Fine then. Setsuna, are you allowed to tell of what you know?" Pluto's princess stepped forward. The others moved back until Setsuna and Serenity stood facing each other. The generals had moved closer to get a better view and the royals of earth peered closer at the two standing in front of them. It was an interesting contrast. Serenity in white with long gold-yellow hair. And Setsuna in dark red with long, dark green hair. Setsuna closed her eyes as she whispered, "Pluto Planet Power." She transformed and she now held her time stick. Sailor Pluto and Serenity locked eye contact and slowly and scout began to talk. "In the near future, all of earth shall be over come by a dark evil. The cause is not known, and as far as I know no one will know the cause." Serenity continued for Pluto, she *read* in Pluto's eyes what would happen, "Earth will go to war with the moon. The kingdoms will be destroyed. .. only joining the Silver Millennium will save everyone. The evil.... Its coming... it's here. Somehow I sense it....." The two broke eye contact. Pluto nodded to the moon princess, "Now you know some of the prophecy. It has already started... it's almost too late." "Bah!" William exclaimed, "Silly tricks won't win us over." Serenity shook her head, "No, no. It's not tricks! It's true, there's evil already starting! Please, you must know that not joining the alliance is causing harm instead of protecting it from harm! Don't you see? Don't you understand???" She looked around the room. Her friends, the generals, and Endymion were the only ones who seemed to know. Galla spoke, "Even if it was a prophecy, it might not come true. So we won't be persuaded like that." The dismissal was in Galla's voice. Serenity looked at her. Begging wouldn't work, she had tried that. What else could she do? What else could she use to show them....? Lionna stepped forward with Mila. "Your majesties, I wish to request that Mila SHOW you what will happen..." William rolled his eyes, "Sure, sure." Mila tugged off a ring that she had been wearing and held it in front of her. she let it go, but it still floated, "Planets and the stars, join together now, and show what could be ours...." an image appeared of peaceful times, no war was in sight. But then Mila chanted again, "Galaxies and Planets, now that they have seen, peace and harmony, show them what *will* be...." this time a dark scene appeared. At first there appeared to be no one around. There were ruins all about. First they saw the kingdom of earth. It was okay, but not in the best shape. Then the image changed to what looked like the remains of the moon. There were ruins of buildings everywhere . Then they saw war. The people of the earth and moon fought each other. Above the tangle of people was a dark cloud, it laughed and got bigger and bigger. All of the sudden everyone in the room saw an image of Selene, the sailor Scouts and the Senshi sisters. All wore horror on their faces. Slowly the image turned to two people. A sword came after the woman, but the man stepped in front of her. Endymion! He fell and the woman cried, she looked like she was screaming though no sound was heard. Serenity backed away in fright as she saw that the woman was her. Then the woman in the image picked up a sword... and the image faded. Mila's eyes were wider than they should be. Serenity still held a hand over her mouth as she realized that those were scenes from the future. Mila groaned and fell back, Lionna and Stella caught her. "Now what do you say?" Rei's voice was unsteady, as if she was about to cry. (? huh?) Galla and William were shocked, "Why- why it was just a trick. Just a foolish trick!" Serenity turned on her heel. All of her anger let out, "SHUT UP! Damnit! Can't you see that was real! That's what's going to happen!" she was shouting now. Lita and Mina yelled out, "Don't be stupid! We've all had enough of this naive behavior!" Yes, they all realized that the shouting would get them nowhere, but face it. Nothing else had gotten Galla and William to wavier. Rei had tears in her eyes, "That image was true. I can do fire readings and I have seen that before. I just didn't want to believe it. There isn't anyway to get away from that fate unless earth joins-" "The Silver Millenium," Galla finished. All was silent, "No." Alex sneered, "Fine then! Curse you! For all I care go and let your planet be destroyed! But if you're going to destroy your own planet, don't get the moon or other planets caught up in the fight!" Michelle looked worried, "Please! You must understand!" "Well we don't!" William snapped, "And I think it's time that you all leave." Serenity stood her ground as she spoke, "We are not leaving until we want to." Her voice was low and a little uneven. She was close to tears. Holly shook her head, "This is all going to end up in doom!" Mila was waking up now and she joined in the argument, "Won't you see? Won't you stop being so damned blind for a minute and see what's going on?" Pluto took a breath before speaking, "Selene was wrong it is too late. Please," she looked up, "it will all end! There will be no peace!" Lionna murmured, "They have been possessed..." "Already?" Shalom asked. Pluto nodded, "We cannot do anything now. We must return to the moon. Sere," her voice was sad, "I'm- I'm so sorry. But it's too late. The evil one has already started to take over." Serenity shook her head in denial, "No! They're just being stubborn. We can do this! We can fix this! I *will* fix this! So help me!" "No," Rei shook her head as tears fell, "it's too late. The only thing we can do now is protect you. The moon cannot thrive without you. You must stay alive." Nothing was making sense. Serenity had seen the image and did understand it. She realized that she could die in the battle that was coming. But she had to live? The moon couldn't thrive? what? She shook her head. "No!" She screamed, she turned back to Galla and William in frustration , "Damnit! Can't you understand? Please!" She walked straight up the dais and stood a foot in front of William, "Why don't you see! Curse it! Curse this stupid life! Nothing is working out anymore!" Ami walked up and placed a hand on Serenity's shoulder, "We will go now... majesties." Her last words were spit out in despair. Serenity didn't even glance at her prince. He had been quiet the whole time as everything sunk in. Now he saw the women all walk out with no polite gesture. He understood why, and he now hated that his parents couldn't see what was goin on. Everyone walked out of the room leaving the royals and the generals to think about what had happened. It only took a second for Endymion and the generals to run out the door after the people who had spoken for the moon. They headed out to where that had come. On a far hill, Setsuna spotted a dark cloud. She sucked in her breath, "That- that's it!" She cried. The others looked to where her head was turned. "What is it?" Ami murmured. Endymion and the generals ran up, "Good you're not gone yet. Please, those images those are really to be what will happen?" They all turned to look at them. There wasn't any welcoming face in the crowd. Not even Serenity. They were all tired out from their shouting with the king and queen. Mila finally answered, "They are true. There is only one way to prevent war, earth has to join the Silver Millenium. But that won't happen. I know. Then the only way to keep Serenity from dying is to have her watched at all times. No longer can you and her just be alone." All was silent, Setsuna asked, "When did that appear?" She was referring to the dark cloud and the odd assortment of stones on the hill. "Not too long ago. I think it appeared the night that my mother, father, and I went to the moon. Though it might have been there earlier... why?" Setsuna and Mila paled. Because they were the two that could travel through time, they knew of every prophecy and every legend. Now their fears were confirmed, "It means that was the night that the evil one entered their minds...." Setsuna paused, "It was caused by Beryl, I know it!" Everyone looked at Setsuna and Mila, confused by their reaction. "What's wrong?" Serenity asked worriedly. Mila was about to speak, but Setsuna stopped her, "I'm so sorry Sere, but I must tell Selene first. Then if it's alright with her, you can find out." They all stood in silence as they realized how bad things were. Serenity shivered, only partially from the breeze. "Mila, uh, Setsuna?" She spoke softly, as if afraid of something. "Yes?" Serenity bit her lip for a moment before asking, "Am I really going to - to die?" She was afraid of the answer. She wanted to hear the truth, and she wasn't sure if she would. Setsuna looked at Sere thoughtfully, "You want the truth. I see that. Alright then, from what we know there is a possibility. Though it's not for sure..." "And sometimes the images that I get from my ring aren't correct. I mean that they can be altered...." Mila said. Serenity nodded, though she still worried. "Let's go," the moon princess's voice was flat, "I feel evil. let us leave and tell my mother." The others nodded. Endymion and his generals looked at the women before them. They all prepared to leave and Setsuna opened the porthole. The last to go through was Serenity. she looked gloomily at Endymion, "Huh, looks like we might not see each other again. Oh well, it was so wonderful to know you. And you'll always know that you are my first and only love," she smiled, fighting to hide back tears. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. She was about to go through when he grabbed her hand, she slowly pried the fingers off of her and looked at him. "I must go." His eyes revealed the pain of separation but she just continued with the little fake smile. "Rena, if you need help. Let me know. I'll fight for the moon. Not the earth if it comes to war." The princess turned away as she nodded, then she disappeared. "Rena...." *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Selene stood glumly at the window and looked out at earth. "Setsuna, you are right. It *is* too late. Oh, if only I had figured it out sooner!" she shook her head. The Senshi Sisters, Sailor: Aurora, ClearMoon, Time, Elara, Orbit, and Sailor Pluto stood in the room. "I'm so worried for the princess," Elara commented, "Y'know, it's really hard on her ta be leaving the prince..." The queen nodded sadly, "Yes... but now we must have her under guard at all time. There is always to be at least three scouts with her. There must be! But the attack, when will they attack?" Selene was talking more to herself than the others. Selene had contacted all of the rulers of the planets in the solar system. The thing was that they could not all meet until two weeks later. She was afraid that would be too late. "Should we leave now?" Sailor Orbit asked, the usually hyper and happy girl was glum. "Yes, yes. Setsuna? Please, will you go back to your time gate. I don't want you to be in this battle. Guard the time gates well. Tell the other scouts about the guard rule...." The six bowed the left. When they were out of the room, ClearMoon asked, "Do you have any idea when they'll attack?" Sailor Time and Pluto shook their heads. The yellow-haired young woman said, "It is undecided. It could happen at anytime....." And yes, it did happen at 'anytime', if you want to say that. When the attack came, there was NO warning. It came around a week later and in that time, Serenity and Endymion became very close friends. They felt like they'd do anything for the other, it was as if a bond held them together. And so the attack happened when Pluto was gone and it actually happened, oddly enough, on one of the nights that Endymion slipped up to the moon....... Mars, Venus, and Elara were with Serenity as she went for a walk through the gardens. As they sat down to talk, there was the sound of feet and the three scouts jumped up and circled around Serenity. "Whoa! You guys, it's just me." Endymion walked into the light. The girls relaxed. "Good. I was so afraid that it was someone evil, or something..." Mars commented. "No," he shook his head, "I'm worried though. There's this really strong sense of evil on earth. And that cloud is *really* big and *really* dark. Serenity bit her lip, "Then perhaps it's coming. Perhaps it's almost here...." "Oh Rena, I didn't mean to frighten you!" She shook her head and smiled. "No, no. That's okay. But to think that only last week Ami, Rei, Mina, Lita, and I were teasing one another about liking someone from earth..." she smiled sadly, "I miss those days. Why did this have to happen? Why-" she didn't finish for right then *the* dark cloud appeared. Amazingly, Serenity could make out a face of sorts. "It's an attack!" Mars screamed, "We must get Sere outta here!" Elara, mars, and Venus grabbed Serenity's shoulders and pulled her along. Endymion ran behind with his sword drawn. Dark portholes opened in odd places, above a stream, in the middle of the gardens, etc. And the people poured in at vast amounts. Then there was the one woman that could be seen from all view points. There she was, sorceress to the cloud Metallia: Beryl. ************************************* So whatcha peeps think? Like it? Hate it? Luv it? Wanna reread it? Hmm? Send flames, comments etc. to senshisis@juno.com Thanx to all of ya out there that write to me! And special thanx ta Shalom-chan who reads my 'fics for I post 'em and also reads my wacky e-mail. Later! Gotta book it! -ClearMoon a.k.a. Clare