CHAPTER 2



 







As it turned out, Serena didn't have to go looking for her mother, her mother and the Sailor warriors came looking for her. When the Sailor warriors had transformed it went unnoticed because of the fact that all of the princesses were already in the closed off wing of the palace. Because they didn't want a repeat scene of panic like the one at the last gala, the Sailor warriors had agreed to transform where they could not be witnessed.



"What happened, Serena?" Her mother demanded, her brows furrowing as she noticed her daughter's flushed face. Actually, her daughter looked breathtakingly beautiful, yet flustered, her cheeks were flushed a becoming pink hue, her eyes were bright and flashing, her lips were swollen red, and her hair was actually coming undone out of her braids! Inspecting her daughter more closely, Queen Serenity also noted that Serena not only seemed slightly out of breath, but a steady, heighten aura of energy seemed to be emitting from her.



When Queen Serenity had felt the mind bonding between her daughter and the Earthling, her heart had jumped in awe and fear. Awe that the Legends foretold were finally coming true. Legends, even Queen Serenity had not wanted to believe in. Legends foretold even older than Queen Serenity, when the Moon Kingdom was nothing more than a few hundred inhabitants, and the Moon Kingdom was nothing more than the Moon.



Grandfather King Plantium of the planet Pluto, who was the oldest inhabitant of the Silver Millennium and Guardian of the Time Gate, had passed on the Legends to all the rulers of the surrounding planets. Legends foretold of a powerful prince and princess that would bind as Soul Mates, they would then become mates for life, combining their powers, which would begin the rulings of the Titanium Millennium. This would take place as the greatest ruling the entire Galaxy would ever witness. Yet, on the dark side, in order for the Titanium Millennium to become, the Moon Kingdom would be destroyed, and so would end the Silver Millennium.



Queen Serenity had known for centuries that this would come to pass, although she had no idea it would end so soon. Her heart already dreaded the things that would come, especially for her daughter. She had no idea who this man was, as King Planitum would not disclose much of the details, except that their love would bare the heights and depths of passion, desire and love in the old and new worlds that they would reign. Just in knowing that, she trusted her instincts to allow the man reign to teach her daughter in the ways of the worlds. She had wondered what planet he would come from, but now the answer was clear.



Earth.



She should have known. Earth was a culture different from all the other planets. Unique in its technology, and skeptic of magic. They were a society that believed only in the logical and mechanical power of technology. Even so, Earth was still centuries behind the rest of the planets in technology. They had scoffed at the power behind all the other planets, never realizing that one of the most powerful beings, besides herself and her daughter, resided on Earth. Their own prince. She had laughed quietly when she had felt the energy surge, remnants of planet Earth's essence identifying itself to her and who had elicited the power. And of course, her daughter's own infant power paralleling within the prince's.



Serena could only grumble a response to her mother's question.



"Really, mother, I am quite fine, as you can tell." she answered somewhat guilty at the way her mother's brow seem to crease even deeper. She knew her mother had felt the energy surge. She knew she had to tell her mother what happened, as if she didn't know! Her mother seem to know everything. She probably knew when that that disgusting man was born!



"And no, I didn't, Serena!" Queen Serenity laughed suddenly, reading her mind and startling her daughter somewhat. It was an ability they both had, but didn't use much, except sometimes when situations were unexpected. The Sailor warriors were perplexed.



"Oh, mother, can it really be?" she moaned, her mother's expression confirming the worst.



"Can what really be?" Sailor Mars asked, her hands on her hips, perplexed as the rest of the warriors.



"Yeah, we felt this huge surge of power," Sailor Jupiter stated looking back and forth between mother and daughter, knowing they had something to do with it, and the unknown power that was unidentifiable.



"The Legends are fulfilling themselves, ladies," Queen Serenity stated quietly, letting it sink. Blank stares greeted her answer.



Exasperated, "Me and that-that Earth Prince are destined together." Serena spat. Noticing her mother's quizzal gaze at her outburst, "I-I met him, by accident, and we exchanged words," when her mother's brows came up in disbelief, she burst out, "Well, he dragged me into his room and kissed me!" 



The Sailor warriors gasped in amazement. Serena taken unawares. Unheard of. This must be some prince! And how romantic! To be dragged into you're one and only's arms and kissed, as if he could not be without your lips! Sailor Jupiter sighed, and was followed by another sigh from Sailor Venus.



"Well, that it explains it all," Sailor Mars snickered, and Sailor Venus giggled. Even Sailor Jupiter grinned.



Serena glared at her friends. "It's not funny. I can't stand the man."



Even while her mother hid a smile behind her hand, the other parents of the princesses were showing up concerned. Queen Serenity noticed the Earth guards were arriving with King Damian and Queen Augusta following suit, their faces lined with worry.



Behind the King and Queen strode a tall, young man, his presence notable above the rest, his stride sure and powerful. Prince Darien. 



Serena, unaware that her eyes had instantly sought out the prince's, but was notably noticed by the rest of her court. So many emotions ran through her body as she continued to gaze steadily her destined, who stood back, insolently, gazing boldly back, uncaring of their audience.



"Umph!" Sailor Mars, remarked fanning herself with her hand, "no wonder your so flustered, Serena, he's totally hot!"



"You got that right, Mars," Sailor Venus joined in fanning herself, too.



"Ummph, ummmph, umph!" Jupiter hummed under her breath, while Serena glared at her friends.



 



 



"My God, Darien, she's absolutely breathtaking," Queen Augusta, breathed to her son. "No wonder she's the galaxy's guarded prize," she added, noting how the princess' gaze seem to be locked on her son's face. 



Queen Augusta had known the Supreme princess would be in attendance at the banquet, but Queen Serenity had not made an issue that all of the court of Earth meet every person of the moon court. So, the kingdoms had already agreed everyone would be formally introduced at a later date, within a month or so. Queen Serenity's daughter had not caught Queen Augusta's attention much, when they had mentioned she would be attending the banquet also.



"That she is, my dear," King Damian agreed, frowning. He had also noted the sparks flying between his son and the moon princess. The steady aura of silver energy seem to illuminate between the couple, casting a silver glow over everyone in the corridor.



"Where is that light coming from?" Queen Augusta asked, curious, as she gazed at everyone in the corridor.



"Yes, where is it coming from?" Her husband asked, equally confused by the light, and that the moon court seem to be so neligant about the light. Even his son didn't seem so concerned about it, as he continued to hold the moon princess's heated gaze.



"Perhaps, we should continue this conversation in the Ambassador Conference rooms?" Queen Serenity suggested, as everyone starting speaking at once.



"Yes, I do believe, that is a good suggestion, Queen Serenity," King Damian replied with concern. Queen Serenity nodded towards her group of warriors and Serena, who was still glaring at the prince.



 



 



 



When they had all settled in chairs around the large conference table, Queen Serenity decided to take the situation into her hands. Earth knew of the Legends of the Titanium, but to them, it was nothing more than a myth. Knowing how Earth scoffed at such things as magic, although they had somewhat, begrudgingly, bowed to the fact that Queen Serenity was very powerful indeed, in the wonders of magic. 



They were left stunned during the negogations between Queen Serenity's court and Prince Darien's delegating duties, when Queen Serenity and her entire court had teleported out the meeting, disappearing within an instant, before the stunned eyes of the Ambassadors of Earth, including King Damian and Queen Augusta's astonished faces, for an emergency call that was telephatically telecasted to the entire Moon court. That had been their very first encounter witnessing the power of the Moon Kingdom, and it had nothing to do with technology. 



Even now, Queen Serenity could remember the confusion the Earthlings had displayed as the Moon court began to sound the alarmed over what was being telephatically telecasted. Of course, they could not hear what was being said, but the alarmed faces of the Moon court was more than enough to convince the Earth court that something was happening beyond their experience, until they witnessed the abrupt disappearing of the moon court before their very eyes.



Now, Queen Serenity thought, she had to explain THIS to them.



Serena heard her mother's thoughts, and almost smiled, as she caught her mother's eye.



Then Serena felt it again, that presence. His presence. Within her, touching her, where she didn't want to be touched, but yet somehow did. She felt that surging anger rise within her, bringing a red flush to her cheeks. How dare he! She pushed at his presence within her, but he retaliated by wrapping the coils of his powers insolently around her body, quite negligently caressing her warm skin, here and there, almost illicting a moan that she managed to subdue by clasping with both of her hands over her mouth. Glaring at him, with her wide eyes, while he merely smiled indolently. 



'Not now and not here, young man! You have plenty of time to get know her, and I won't stand in your way, seeing as your determined to have her, even if your ownself doesn't understand it, yet,' Queen Serenity telepathed to Prince Darien. He had almost jumped out of his chair, as she caught him unawares in his seduction of her daughter. She was a mother first, after all, and she could not let him seduce her daughter in front of the whole congregation. Even though, she suspected that he was merely preparing her daughter to accept the fact that they would become Soul Mates.



Darien bowed his head slightly, respectfully to Serena's mother. He had been dimly aware of another presence besides himself and sa. He hadn't known it was Queen Serenity, although, he had had a hunch it was her. Apparently, Mother and daughter were far better at communicating telephaty than he was. Then again, he had never had anyone to practice on. 



"That light," Queen Augusta voiced again, concerned, "it's still here, and we're out of the corridor," all of the court of Earth murmured in agreement, as they and everyone else glanced around the room. Serena's face flushed deeply as she continued to glare at the prince, who's luminous blues eyes gleamed wickedly in the silver glow, a slow sardonic grin began to take shape on his lips.



"That glow belongs to Serena and me, mother," Prince Darien drawled, before Queen Serenity could answer. "Actually, its the combining power of Serena's and mine, our aura energy are infusing together." he continued, "it's really a very pleasant experience," he finished, of course, they didn't know that it was the surging power of desire that him and Serena were experiencing, they didn't need to know that, pinning Serena with his gaze. 



Serena could feel his coils of energy spiralling around her body, touching a leg, caressing her bare arm, lightly lifting her silver hair away from her neck to slightly graze the sensitive hollow where her neck and collar bone connected. She in turn, could do almost nothing, the desire to push his energy back was almost as overwhelming as it was to freely enjoy the new sensations that were careening wildly within herself.



And the cad! She thought, he knew what he was doing. She was resenting the fact that she was inexperienced to execute a retaliation, and for invading where he had not been invited. She even understood the fact that he had effectively made sure that, this time, her mother was unaware of what he was doing to her daughter.



He slanted another one of those grins that she was beginning to hate, enjoying her unknowingly aroused discomfort.



"What are you talking about, Darien?" His father asked harshly, confused. There were undercurrents here, that he knew his son was not letting on between him and the moon princess.



"The Legends of the Titanium Millennium are unfolding, before our very own eyes," Queen Serenity answered, still confusing everyone in the room. "My daughter and your son," Queen Serenity nodded towards the couple, empathizing the point, "are fulfilling the Legends by becoming Soul Mates." she said.



"I still don't get it, Queen Serenity," Queen Augusta frowned, "the Legends are nothing but a myth, aren't they?" she appealed to the moon court.



"No, they are not, mother, Serena and I are destined to be together."



"And who says?" Serena exclaimed, jumping up from her quiet sitting position, stunning everyone, but of course, not him! "the Legends? They are all gone, our ancestors, dead and buried, moon dust, if you please!" she burst out, angry at the unfairness of fate.



"Serenity!" exclaimed Queen Serenity, surprised anger lining her features.



"I won't be coupled with him, mother!" Serena continued as if she hadn't heard her mother, "I don't like him."



Serena's face grew redder at the sound of Prince Darien chuckling under his breath.



"My sediments, exactly, Princess," he drawled, " but considering, I take the Legends seriously, and I 'know' that you do, too." he added, as Serena mouth tighten at the comment, then turning to Queen Serenity, " I take it, that means the forces of Beryl are moving swiftly?" at her nod, he continued, " well, it seems that we have much to do, and as we are all aware of, as the court of Earth is also appraised of, the forces of Beryl are closing in their ranks, gathering their armies to began their attacks."



All gathered nodded their head, solemnly, aware of this evil force that was gathering their strength in numbers. It was another one of the missing pieces to the puzzle, that was beginning to fall into place when concerning the Legends. 



How else would the Silver Millennium come to an end, Queen Serenity thought, sadden at what must come, and yet she could do nothing. She looked over at her daughter, thoughtfully, acknowledging the grace and beauty that had been bestowed to her at birth. How proud she was of her. Even according to the Legends, she and her prince would be one of the most powerful forces ever known to the galaxy to defeat the forces of Beryl. She wondered what their ruling would be like. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes, and she couldn't afford for them to see her weak. 



Thinking about the forces of Beryl, she couldn't understand, even after all these centuries, why the people of Beryl had rebelled to the her rulings and her forefathers. It was rumored that when the Legends were created, the people of Beryl had rebelled then, disbelieving in the moon magic and wanting the rulings for themselves. They were powerful indeed, but their philosphopy was evil and tainted with greed and power, which is why all of the surrounding planets had disinherited any association with the people of Beryl of the planet Beryl, a distant planet from Pluto.



"I take it that the Silver Millennium Crystal is embedded within our planet?" Prince Darien remarked to Queen Serenity, startling everyone, at the mention of the crystal.



"How did you know?" Sailor Mars asked, amazed that this Earthling seemed to know so much about the Moon rulings, and yet they knew so little about him.



"Darien, would you please, be so kind as to inform your mother and I what is going on?" King Damian demanded angrily, he had a feeling of being drowned, and he didn't like the feeling of being at the bottom of the ocean.



"Yes, it is," Queen Serenity sighed, she didn't like this part at all. "And it's up to only you and Serena to retrieve it, no one else, but the two of can touch the crystal, and without it, all is lost."



"Yes, now I'm beginning to understand the logic of the Legends," Darien replied dryly, looking at his parents, "The crystal is the sole source of power that binds the planets together, in the hands of the wrong persons it has the capabilities of destroying galaxies. Of course, the crystal, doesn't just let any one use it, it picks it's own users, good or evil. But certainly, never more than one or three users in an eon."



"My mother cloaked your planet to protect it from the forces of Beryl, and discovering the whereabouts of the crystal, but with the cloak gone, they certainly know now it must be on your planet," Serena joined, she gritted her teeth when Darien raised a brow at her.



"But who put the crystal on our planet and when did that happen?" Queen Augusta asked still confused.



"My mother did, centuries ago, when I was nothing more than a child myself," Queen Serenity stated. "But, I have no idea where on your planet it is, nor do any of my powers detect it's energy. The crystal cloaks itself from any type of disturbance, but it will reveal it's self to your son and my daughter and any other user it picks. So far, only my daughter and your son are known users of the crystal, since they are Soul Mates. If there is another user, the crystal has picked he/she doesn't know or hasn't revealed themselves." She finished.



"And what happens to those that try to use the crystal and are not picked by the crystal?" King Damian asked, although he already knew the answer.



"They die, of course," Serena said quietly.



"That they do, and since Serena and Darien must retrieve the crystal as soon as possible." Queen Serenity continued never missing a beat. "Which brings us back to the point as to when they must retrieve the crystal."



Serena felt her heart thud loudly within her, and had the feeling to dread beginning to fill her, which was confirmed the moment her mother spoke. 



"Before my daughter leaves the palace, she must be wed," Queen Serenity declared quietly, over her daughter's outraged denial, pinpointing her stare to her daughter. "It will be done, Serena, whether you want it or not, it is written, in the Legends, so be it." Looking at Prince Darien she acknowledged him also, "You know it must be done, she will not be taken unwed, that I will proclaim ," Now Serena was growling and spluttering, her face beat red. The Sailor Warriors snickered, yet they covertly looked at the prince with longing. King Damian burst out laughing heartily. While Queen Augusta looked outraged.



Those ninnies, Serena thought, warriors, ha! Yet, with her lowered lashes, her eyes sought out the steely planes of Prince Darien's face.