A Love So Strong:
A Love Story about Serena and Darien
A LOVE SO STRONG: SERENITY AND ENDYMION
Chapter 6
I want to apologize to all who emailed me about getting out Chapter 6. Since I'm a business major in college, my classes got pretty hard. So I decided to focus on school rather than finishing the story. But every now and then I would get ideas for the next chapter and eventually I started putting together Chapter 6. Please forgive me everyone and I really did love all your emails. BTW, my guestbook now works so, please sign it and let me know who you are and if you have any story ideas, let me know. Well, enough of this, on with the show!! Website: www.geocities.com/tokyo/bay/2767
"Zoecite, calling Artemis!! Artemis, please come in!!"
Back at headquarters, Luna and Artemis was preparing for the final stage of the reuniting of the Scouts. Luna and Susan (Pluto) were going over the setting for the transfer of power.
"Artemis, here...what's the matter!"
"Artemis, we have a really big problem here!! Darien's out cold. He was talking to me and Nicole before he just passed out. He said something about....fear."
"Fear, what does that mean? Could he be linked to the Princess already without his memory fully restored? Zoecite, hold on. I have to check something."
"Artemis, calling Malachite!! Come in!!"
"Malachite, here...what's up, Artemis!!"
"Do you know where Serenity is at this very moment?"
"She was sleeping late in her room, why do you ask?"
"Do me a favor and check on her, okay" A dead silence was heard from the communicator.
"Damn!!! She's gone!! Hey Troy, Serenity's not in her room!!," was heard from the communicator.
"Artemis, she's not in her room!! I don't know where she is !! Troy and I will search the city and look for her energy signature...then we'll get back to you, Malachite out!!!"
"Zoecite, you and Neptune take Darien to the port and board the ship. You will be joined by the others shortly, Artemis, out!!"
"Alert the team!! Tell them to initiate plan Alpha 1, NOW!!," Shouted Artemis
A shimmering of magic alerted the occupants of a new arrival, Queen Serenity looked rather worried. "Artemis, what is going on?"
"Princess Serenity and Princess Venus has been kidnapped and I have initiated plan Alpha 1. Luna and Saturn will begin the search for Princess Serenity's energy signature along with Malachite and Troy. Pluto and myself will search for Princess Venus along with Daimon and Uranus. The rest of the team has transported to the port and are aboard the ship awaiting further instructions as well as preparing for the voyage. We have been successful, so far in protecting their identities, but somehow Prince Darien, Princess Serenity, and Princess Venus's identities have been discovered. I'll worry about the breach of security later, but now we've got to find them before the ship leaves port tomorrow."
"Gods speed, Artemis," said Queen Serenity as they teleported to their positions. "I think it's time for me to call in some favors of my own," she said while fading away.
The day was beautiful and bright. Generally, the moon had no atmosphere per se, but from the power of the crystal, artificial atmosphere was created and there were days as well as nights. One this day, there was much activity because the Moon Kingdom will be traveling to Earth for the transfer of Earth power and there was much to be done. The Moon Princess would finally be presented as the successor of the Crystal and her Royal Court will be presented as a whole. The first born of each Kingdom is designated for her Royal Court. Normally, all first born were female. But the Legends of the Past-Life foretold the birth of a first born male child. This child, along with the Crystal's guardian, will be needed for the darkness and chaos to come. The legend could not reveal which planet the child will be born on but it did say that the crystal's guardian and he must unite or time will cease. But very few knew about this legend. There was a feeling of relief and hope because of the victory that the Kingdoms armies obtained by repelling Queen Metallica from the galaxy. Queen Metallica wanted to destroy the Silver Millennium and the Moon Kingdom and have the ultimate power in the Universe, which is the Silver Imperial Crystal. But since Queen Serenity was the chosen guardian of the Crystal and ruler the Moon Kingdom, she could not let that happen. So she dispatched the armies of the Silver Millennium to defeat Queen Metallica. The war was bloody and there were many deaths, but Queen Serenity and the kingdoms prevailed. Now was a time of celebration and rebirth. Just before Queen Metallica's forces were defeated, in Queen Serenity's mind echoed an ominous warning, "You haven't won yet, sister dear...Not by a long shot!!"
"What....where am I?" She looked around and realized that she didn't know where she was. The room looked spacious and on the far wall there were many types of weapons for warfare and hand-to-hand combat. Serena recognized many of the weapons on the wall from her studies in self-defense but she was also very sure she could use each and every one of those weapons with expertise. **But that doesn't make any sense, I would remember if I had trained with any of these weapons, wouldn't I?** There was one particular weapon she had never seen before but she felt its power radiating across the room. It was encased in a glass box and it looked very old and valuable. It was a sword with a golden crescent moon on the hilt. It was about 4 feet long and gold & silver. Serena felt like the sword was calling to her..she felt drawn to the sword. The door opened and a soldier looked in.
"So you're awake, princess. My master will be very pleased." "Wait a minute!!! Why did you call me princess? Who are you? What am I doing here?," Serena asked. The soldier just ignored her and closed the door. She ran to the door and tried to kick the door down, but the door wouldn't move. She backed away for the door completely frustrated and she was becoming a little scared. *Serenity, Serena, can you hear me?* a voice called out to her.
"What!!....Who said that!?!," Serena said looking around for the voice.
*I'm speaking to you telepathically.*
"Who are you?"
*Why don't you use your telepathic powers instead of your voice. I don't want your captors to know about me, ... yet.*
"I don't know how."
*Just think the words in your mind and I'll hear them.*
Serena closed her eyes and concentrated in thinking the words, *Who are you? Where are you? And how do you know my name?*
*You may call me Onyx, for now...I want to know if you're okay, are you injured?*
*No, I don't think so, I just have a slight headache and a nasty taste in my mouth.*
*That's from the chloroform they used to knock you out, you'll be fine in a while.*
*Can you tell me why I'm here? And why did that strange guard call me 'Princess'?*
*All your questions will be answered in due time, for now rest and prepare to meet the master. The master is a powerful man and he will be testing you. Be careful what you say around him, he is not known for his even temper. Don't panic and be calm, and you will survive the interview. I'll be meeting you soon, until then.*
The outside door opened silently and in walked a masked guard motioning her to get up and follow him. "Who are you? What do you want with me?" she asked. The guard ignored her and continued to wall down the hall.
*Well, I should find out who is behind kidnapping me and why.*
Serena was lead to an office overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The sun was setting in the east giving off a subdued orange and purple glow. An executive chair was turned towards the window looking at the sunset. The guard motioned for her to sit in the nearby chair and left the room. The office was very well decorated and she was impressed with the attention to detail and the antiques that were arranged in the room. This told Serena that who ever kidnapped her had a lot of money.
*So why was I taken if not for money?*
"It is as you thought, Ms. Tsukino. I have no need of money, what I need from you is your memories. When your memories come, so will the power," said a voice behind the chair. The chair slowly turned and a smiling young man faced Serena. He had light blue eyes and dark blond hair. But when he smiled, the smile never reached his eyes. His eyes appeared to be soulless and empty. His hands were interwoven together to make a pyramid.
"What are you talking about, my memories! And why am I here! Who are you working for, some author competitor? Look, I don't know who you are or what exactly you're talking about but I want you to let me go, NOW!!" *Don't ATTACK, Serena! Remember, stay calm.* The voice said again.
He leaned toward Serena, saying, "I want you to remember your past and claim your heritage. Your Lunar heritage." Suddenly, the door opened and a woman walked in and handed him some papers to review. While he signed the papers, the woman, who had caramel, colored skin and deep brown eyes, looked at Serena with a very intense look. Serena had a definite sensation of suppressed power radiating from her. Serena felt her aura but could not understand why she knew what it was. Then the woman turned and walked out of the room with the papers signed.
"My Lunar...heritage? Who exactly are you?," she whispered, getting sort of scared now.
He sat back in his chair and looked at Serena through the steeple of his fingers. "You may call me Mezzenite. I live to serve the power that will rule the universe and they require you to remember your heritage and power. You have a family member you were never introduced to but that will soon be corrected," he said with a very sinister smile.
As he reached out his hand to touch the Silver Imperial Crystal, he spoke the words ringing in his heart, "Earth Celestial Power!!" The surge of power coursing through him was incredible. He has never felt like this before in his whole life. It was like another piece of the puzzle of his life was finally in place. He felt renewed and very powerful. And all of this happened within about a minute. The next thing he knew, when he opened his eyes, was his uniform had changed into a silver suit of armor. He had two plates of silver on his shoulders with a silk cape attached and on his legs was also covered with silver plates. On his wrists were silver bracelets with a white stone with pink and green streaks running throughout. It was the gemstone of Earth. At his side was a silver sword with a crescent moon eclipsing the earth on its hilt. Then he heard Queen Serenity say, "May I now present, Sailor Earth, of the Silver Millennium!!!"
There was still silence, then a thunderous applause arose from the audience. The Moon Princess turned with her mother and faced the audience standing on each side of the new guardian.
"Welcome, Prince of Earth, to the Guardians. I hope to have the chance of sparring with you in the future, to see how well trained you are. I've heard some good reports about you," said Princess Serenity with a smile.
"What do you mean sparring with me? You're the Moon Princess, you're not supposed to fight. Besides, I don't want to hurt you. The guardians are suppose to fight and protect you, princess, not the other way around."
Her smiled died as she said, "First lesson, don't ever underestimate anyone's ability...because they have a way of surprising you. I may be the Moon Princess but I will fight to protect my kingdom. Remember that!" Princess Serenity then walked away from him towards the other guardians who had already transformed back to their original clothing and mingling with the guests.
All of a sudden, there was a weird taste in his mouth and a loud pounding in his head. **That weird dream again, but this time it was continued** There was still a feeling, behind all of his confusion and pain, of fear. He could hear water lapping against something, and he could smell salt in the air. He shook his head to loosen the hold of sleep on him and to reduce the pain. "Where am I," he said while trying to sit up.
"You're in my cabin for the time being," said the woman sitting by the bed. "You may not remember me but my name is Zoecite." She looked directly in his eyes and said, "Your name is Darien, right?"
"Yes, but how did I get here? And why are you here with me?"
"Well, while Nicole and I were talking to you, you passed out. We brought you here and had the ships' doctor look at you. She said that you were overwhelmed and needed to rest, so that's what we let you do. We found identification on you and notified your family." said Zoecite.
On the other side of the room, the door suddenly opened and in walked Nicole with a tray laden with food. "I hope that you are hungry, Darien, because there's plenty." As he was sitting up straighter as overwhelming wave of fear hit him hard. It sent him reeling back onto the bed.
"Endymoin! Darien, are you alright?," asked Nicole putting down the tray and running at his side.
"Someone is very afraid and I can feeling it. It's almost like I'm linked with someone but I don't know who. It feels like 'she' is calling for help." He shook his head, trying to clear it.
"Can you pinpoint where she is? Maybe with your help, we can help her," said Zoecite as she looked at Nicole.
"What do you mean by...pinpoint?," said Darien looking at Zoecite and Nicole suspiciously.
"Do you feel some how that you could find her if you wanted to?" asked Nicole.
"Yeah, but what is 'this' and who is 'she'?"
"Well, it's pretty hard to explain, but your are psychically connect to this person and obviously she is in trouble. And we can help her if you'll let us."
"How? And exactly who are you people?"
Zoecite looked at Nicole. She closed her eyes and made a decision. "Believe it or not, we are friends of yours. You won't remember right now, but in time you will. Right now, we really need to find that person you are connected to. Because you see, that person is the key everything. I can't say anymore than that." She sighed and looked at him. "Look into my eyes and you will see that I am telling you the truth. The more time we waste, the less time she has."
"Who is she? And why am 'I' linked to her!"
"I can't tell you that either. But believe me when I tell you that you're not ready to know everything. But in two days time, you will 'have' to know everything in order to survive the coming darkness. She is the key to victory on either side. If who ever has her and gains her power first, their battle is halfway won."
"What are you talking about? What coming darkness? Are you some kind of wacko or something? And why all the mystery and cloak and dagger?"
Nicole pulled Zoecite aside and said, "You know how he was on the moon. Always wanting to know what was going on especially anything that concerned the princess. Find a way to intrigue him into helping us without give too much information away. You're right, he not ready for full disclosure but his curiosity can work in our favor."
Zoecite walked back to Darien and say on the bed to look at him. "I know why you're going to Alaska. You're doing a dig there to verify that the great battle between good and evil took place there. Want to know how I know? I was one of the bad guys before I was killed. There were several lives lost there but the Crystal revived them and they now live in this time."
"What? How do you know this? Do you know something about the moon princess and the moon kingdom?," he said while looking at Nicole and Zoecite.
"Yes we do, but before we can give you more information you must help us help her."
"Darien, focus and your connection to her will help us save her. We don't know who took her but we need to find her before she comes to power," said Nicole.
"You've mentioned this 'power' before. What kind of power is it? And if I help you find her, do you promise to tell me everything about the moon kingdom and the princess?"
"You will know all in two days. And this power is the ultimate power in the universe, the Silver Imperial Crystal."
"Wait a minute...the Silver Imperial Crystal really exists? I've been having dreams about the moon kingdom and the moon princess for years. You mean to tell me that I was there and the princess was real?"
"Everything will be revealed to you in two days time. Please Darien, help us find her and keep her safe until she comes into power," said Zoecite.
"Well, I feel that she is near by. Not within the city but within the state. I get the impression of a sunset and a bridge, maybe the San Francisco Bridge."
"Zoecite calling Artemis..."
"Artemis here. Any leads on the princess?"
"Yes, Darien senses her near a bridge, maybe the San Francisco Bridge.
"Alright, Team Three is already in San Francisco. I'll alert them to intensify the search near the San Francisco bridge. Anymore information you receive, please let me know. For the time being, prepare for your voyage and stay alert!! Artemis out!!"
******************
The room was dark and the atmosphere was oppressed. In the darkness stood a figure. The figure suddenly knelt and a whisper of winds echoed thoughout the room.
"Is all in readiness, Messinite?" A voice whispered through the darkness.
"Yes, my Queen. Princess Serenity is in our possession and in two days time, she will remember her heritage and the Crystal and her power will be yours. The princess is very strong and assertive, but I feel we can control her. Do you want to see her, my Queen?"
"No, the time is not right. Mezzenite, don't underestimate her. She may not remember her past, but she is still very powerful. But soon and very soon, my niece and I will reunite and I will finally rule this Universe and this time my sister can't stop me." Then the voice started to laugh. Quietly, at first, but it grew to a loud triumphant and sinister laugh. But the Queen heard a small voice whisper in the back of her mind saying, "I won't bet on it, Sister!"
End of Chapter 6
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