Out of the Darkness and Into the Light --- Written by Selena (s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu). http://www.geocities.com/selena_moongoddess --- The characters, name, and places in Sailor Moon, both the manga and the anime, belong to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha Comics, DIC, and Mixx. Chapter 4 *************************** Queen Serenity leads Pluto into a small pentagonal room in her chambers that is sealed off from prying eyes and ears. A crystal chandelier adorns the ceiling. The walls are a soft blue accented by sheers falling from each of the five corners. A small, white, brocade sofa and a chase, lined with plush pillows, are set up with a table in the middle. "Come and sit down." Serenity offers. Hesitantly, Setsuna takes a seat at the sofa. Serenity steps to the chase and gracefully sits. She bites her bottom lip and takes a deep breath. "Your Majesty, I..." "Please, just Serenity. Nothing has changed Setsuna. We are still friends, are we not?" She smiles sweetly. "Of course, it's just that I...there was a reason that I hadn't come in a while." Her voice turns serious. "I wouldn't have left the gate, but even the realm of time is no longer safe." The Queen's eyes widen. "Do you mean that Metallia has infiltrated your world as well?!" Pluto looks down. "It was years ago that she did." She stares incredulously. "Why didn't you say anything?" "The realm of time will always exist and can never be destroyed. It was not a matter of life and death for me. She...wanted...she...violated the gates of time. There was little I could do." "What did she want?" "She wanted you." Pluto continues urgently. "Metallia still wants you. Right now, she's just biding her time. This game is not over. She will not rest until she has won. You stand as a threat to her power and she knows this. Back then, she knew the planetary alliance was strong. The only way to get to the Moon was through an outside force." "Gaea..." Serenity stares at nothing, tears brimming in the corners of her silver eyes. "And...Apollo..." She says in a barely audible tone. "Yes. When Apollo went to help The Earth Kingdom, she was waiting. Gaea was already gone. It was a miracle that her son survived." "Setsuna...why did you never tell me how Apollo died?!" "Because I was ashamed. I had failed to protect the gate and violated the natural order by saving Endymion." "You?!" Pluto nods sadly. "I took him after he was born. Gaea thought Metallia had taken him. I would have told her, but it was the only way. When her spirit merged as one with nature, she did it to keep Earth alive, thinking that her son was no longer living." With tears brimming in her eyes, she pleads. "I had a choice. The time pool showed two possible streams, both would end the same, but one still had a chance of hope. So, I took him. For 6 years, I raised him. Then, Metallia invaded my world again. She knew what I had done. If he could have stayed with me in the realm of time unnoticed, I would have brought him back at the right time to be trained as a warrior. But she found out. I had to get him away, but my time was short, so I transported us to my mother's world." "The realm of the dead?" "Yes. From there, the closest place was Nemesis. My choice couldn't have been more wrong." She says with self-loathing and disgust. "I was never able to return. I was too busy fighting off her minions." "Are they gone?" "Yes." She says absently. "It doesn't make any sense. It's almost as if all traces of her have disappeared. When I found out that my little prince was nearly dead, I came as soon as I could. Your daughter saved him. She will save many more." Serenity sits quietly in repose, absorbing all that has been told. Then, she rises and sits back down next to Pluto. Taking her hand, she says, "I do not blame you for anything. You, Gaea, and I were the oldest ones in this universe and we were great friends. If she knew, what you had done for him, she would be eternally grateful." Setsuna hugs her tightly, tears falling from her magenta eyes. "Thank you." Pulling away, she says, "But he must be taught before she comes again. Can you teach him to be a warrior? Will you keep him safe." She smiles warmly. "You leave that to me. I'll guard him." ***************************** A few days later... Selena approaches a lanky figure standing on the balcony. Darien doesn't seem to acknowledge her presence as he stares up at Earth. She struggles to find something to say. "It...it's beautiful, isn't it?" Receiving no response, she tries something else. "Are you feeling well?" He remains silent. 'Why won't he talk to me?' "You can stay here if you like..." After a moment he unexpectedly turns to her. "How, Your Highness? As what? What am I fit to be in this place?" He asks bitterly, his long hair flying in the breeze. Selenity bits her bottom lip and holds her breath. "Well...you...you could stay as a...a servant...for now." She looks up at him hopefully. His eyes widen and his pupils turn a dangerously dark color. "A servant?! Are you out of your mind?!" "Wait! I didn't mean to..." "No." He holds up his hand to silence her. "I understand. Look, I work hard for every single thing I get. It may not be for satin clothes or an expensive place to live, but I like it that way. I like the smell of the air in the wind and the feel of the Earth between my fingers. I've lived under someone for too long. And *you* expect me to give all that up...my freedom? And live cooped in a stuffy palace like some...some..." She can feel her temper flare. "Like who? Me?" 'Who does he think he is?! I am the Princess of the Moon! How dare he talk to me like I'm some common idiot!' Darien just realizes that he's insulted her. "No!" He says quickly. 'How do I explain this? How do I tell her that I hate everything about her...her rich clothes...her fancy room? And yet...I don't hate *her*. It's so confusing.' His confusion and her glare of contempt only serve to arouse his anger again. "All I'm saying is that you have a lot to learn about those who aren't like you. There are people who break their backs just to have enough food to feed their families, but they're happy. Yet, you live in a palace with servants, marble terraces, and more food then they see in a year! Are you truly happy with all of it?" Selena stares at him. 'Everything he said is true, but it's so hard to believe. I would do something if I could. I never knew there were problems like that on Earth. It's not *my* fault!' "That is none of your business!" She spits. He approaches her and says smugly, "You'd never been outside a palace before, had you?" "Of course, I have! I'm *not* stupid!" "It has nothing to do with being stupid! It has everything to do with being wrapped up in your own little world and being blind to the things around you!" "How dare you! I wouldn't be pointing fingers if I were you!" She stumbles for some words to get him back...anything to save what little pride she has in herself. "Besides, you should be grateful! At least, I made an effort to save your life!" Darien stops, his anger temporarily gone. He feels a sharp pain rip through his heart. He closes his eyes. 'That's all I'll ever be...Am I worth anything in someone's eyes? You just insulted her, idiot!' His mind tells him. 'I didn't mean to, though. Still, even to a stranger, who knows nothing about me, I am less than the dust underneath her feet. Why did God give me life? If I only knew a reason why I'm alive...' Seeing the pain written on his face, she immediately regrets what she has said. "Oh...Darien...I'm sorry. I never should have..." He opens his eyes and stares at her quizzically. Much to his surprise, her look of loathing has turned to one of genuine concern. "N...no." He sputters. "You were right. I do owe you. You saved my life, and I'll always be in debt to you for that. I'm just sorry, you had to waste your time on someone so unimportant..." With that, he turns and leaves the room. Selena slowly walks to her bed and lies down. After replaying everything that just happened, she buries her head in her pillow and sobs. Mars walks in and gasps as she sees the princess. She runs up to her and wraps her in a hug. "Selena, what's wrong?!" Venus enters shortly after. She had seen Darien leave. "What did he do?!" She demands. ******************************** "I still think we should get rid of him!" Mars blurts out as she and Venus walk down the hall toward Darien's room. "Be careful." A voice warns from behind. Venus whips around. "Artemis?" A beautiful woman with bluish-silver, wavy, hair flowing from four buns comes out from the North Hall. She wears a yellow and black dress. Beside her stands a man with long white hair and ocean-blue eyes. He wears a long tunic and a gold moon medallion around his neck. "Is that what *she* wants, Mina?" Luna asks. "Well..." Venus begins. "What do you mean?!" Mars screams. "He made her cry! He's not worth all the trouble. He should go back to where he belongs!" Artemis's eyes go wide. "Err...Luna, I think I'll let you handle this one..." 'Angry females are *not* my specialty.' He starts to step away. "Wait a minute!" Luna grabs his sleeve and pulls him to a whispering distance. "You can't leave now! We have to do something!" "You're right. I trust you." He plants a quick kiss on her cheek. Eyes like saucers, she lets him go in surprise. He then quickly slips away. Still blushing, Luna mumbles angrily, "Ohhh...Just wait till I get my hands on him!" The girls snicker at the *other* implication behind her words. "Ahem! As I was saying...You know how Selena is. She wants to help him. Let her. She'll keep trying until she succeeds. I'm not saying that I like him. I just think you should cut him some slack. At least do it for Selena." "I'll do it." Venus answers after a moment of thought. "I'll go with you." Mars says reluctantly. "But only for moral support. I still don't like this." **************************** Darien sits in the corner of the room on the floor. Even a simple room in the servant's wing makes him feel uncomfortable. After all, he'd never really had any furniture to sit in. Venus sits on the single bed, talking to him. Mars stands next to her, her arms crossed. "Why do you want me to stay?" Darien asks in a skeptical voice. Mars narrows her eyes and storms up to him. "Look, pal, if it were up to me, you wouldn't! You made her cry, you big idiot!" "Raye!" Venus yells through her teeth. "You're not helping me!" She jams her elbow into her stomach. "Knock it off!" "I didn't mean to hurt her..." Darien says lowly as he stares at the floor. "You both had a bad start. She only wants to help you. Like it or not, Selena *did* save your life. She of all people deserves a chance. Give *us* a chance. Please stay." Mina looks at him hopefully. After a short time, he slowly raises his eyes to meet her yellow ones and nods in acceptance. In his feline form, Artemis smiles and hops off the window and into the garden below. "I knew it would work out ok." He turns to jump out of the bush he landed in, when a pair of feline, turquoise eyes meet his. "Not that you did anything to help!" The smokey-gray cat replies, annoyed. "Uh oh..." **************************** A month later, Queen Serenity sits on her throne in her audience chamber. Luna and Artemis stand before her on the white runner with gold trim. The ceiling reaches 150 feet to the glass dome, showing all the stars in the endless heavens. "I just don't know what to do! Hasn't he even showed any signs?" "None, my Queen." Artemis answers. "Selenity keeps trying, but he still hasn't responded." Luna adds. "She closes her eyes and rubs her temples. After sighing deeply, she opens them again. "I can't train him, until *he* makes the effort. He has to want to...And right now...I just hope we can do something before it's too late." "I have an idea...you might not like it, but I think it's a last resort type thing. "Do you remember the book Apollo had?" Serenity nods. "Well, I think you should..." ***************************** Selena sits in a horribly uncomfortable chair. The back is hard, she's tired of sitting, her corset strings refuse to let her breathe properly, and the book she's reading is giving her a huge headache. 'Curse these stupid lessons!' She lifts her gaze from the printed text to glance around the room. A cheery fire rages in the marble hearth in the corner of the large library. The light is low, but bright enough to read. Venus had left her poetry book sitting on a small table. Mars and Mercury are swimming in one of the pools. Jupiter went to see why the tea was taking so long to get here. 'Oh I'll bet she'll bring some tarts with her too!' The thought of food makes her stomach grumble with hunger. 'I hope she comes soon!' Suddenly, two large doors at the far end of the room open and Darien walks in slowly, holding a silver tray with a teapot and two cups on it. His hair has been cut short against his neck and above his ears. His long bangs still fall into his eyes. Darien wears a white shirt and black pants. He walks across the large room and sets the tray down on a nearby serving table. 'Hump. No tarts.' She thinks, disappointed as she glances at the tray's contents. Darien goes to the fireplace and places more thermo-shraps onto the fire. Selenity finds herself watching him sadly. 'He's always the same. He never speaks to anyone except to answer their questions. He does what he's told and that's it. How does he live like this? It's almost as if he's dead inside.' After finishing his tasks, he turns to leave. "Darien, wait! Would you like some tea?" He starts at her unexpected offer. "Uh...I can't...I mean, I shouldn't." "No, really. I insist." She says, smiling warmly and pours him a cup of tea. "Are you busy?" "A little." He answers. "Well, at least you don't have to stay cooped up in here for eight hours a day memorizing things that don't even make sense." She says with a smile. "I mean, listen to this verse... "In every color bears the light, In every stone sleeps a crystal..." His head snaps up. He stares at her incredulously. 'Those words...*she* said them...the ones in the dream I had last night...' #######Flashback####### The mysterious figure appears again. This time her features are much clearer. Strong winds blow her hair and clothing. Darien can smell something in the air...the scent of dew-laden grass, roses in bloom, and air thick with moisture just after a spring shower. Her hair flows freely down her back in waves and she wears a wreath around her head. "Darien..." She calls mystically. "Please...you must accept it...don't fight...you have to pray...for... In every color bears the light, In every stone sleeps a crystal, Remember the dreams of man. Guard them well. My time is short. Just remember...don't fight it. Take the power from your dreams and fly!" Mist covers her body and the darkness sets in once more leaving him cold and alone. #######End of Flashback####### "What?! What did you say about stones?!" Selena stares at him, her mouth agape. She never in a million years expected an answer from him especially on this subject. She grimaces and lets out a long sigh, thinking he is teasing her again. "I'm serious. What did you just say?" Darien walks over to her. "Who wrote this?" Giving him a puzzled look, she raises a brow. "Why?" "Uh...I'm just curious." "Right." She breathes slowly, not believing his excuse. Selena eyes him carefully. 'You're hiding something. There's so much more to you, but how can I ever talk to you? You won't even let me near. I want to be your friend if you'd only let me get close. You're so full of pain. I can see it in you eyes. They always have a sad, haunted expression. Why? What happened to make you this way?" Catching her deep indigo eyes, Darien notes the softness in her eyes - an innocent, pleading glance. 'They're so deep...so - pure...so...so beautiful. She seems so gentle and understanding. - If only I could talk to her...' His eyes lighten from their - midnight blue to that of the sea on a clear day. Selenity blushes wildly under his intense gaze and quickly turns back to the book. "That's all it says." She answers breathing shakily. "It's an ancient manuscript from my mother's personal collection. She gave it to me as a present this morning. She says that all the words in this one have a special meaning..." She shyly hands him the book. "Perhaps you can find one." Darien stares at the scratches made of ink on the ancient, worn paper. After a minute of utter confusion, he slams the book shut and quickly hands it back. She reluctantly takes it. In embarrassment, he avoids her look of astonishment and stares at the elaborate designs in the carpet beneath his feet. "I can't...I can't..." "What can't you..." Selena stops as she realizes what he's trying to tell her. She had never heard of such a thing. She tries to think of something to say, but can only stare dumbly. "Darien I..." His eyes turn dark and his voice goes rough and cold. "Don't! I can't read. Now you can laugh all you like. I'm poor and stupid. I know I'm not worthy of being here and that I should be grateful to the mercy you showed me. I'm sorry. I won't bother you again." He abruptly turns to exit the room. "No!" 'I had no idea he thought so little of himself.' She runs to him and takes his hand in hers. "Never think that! Never! You are worth far more than you give yourself credit for. I didn't ask you to say out of pity. I did so because I had never met anyone like you. If it's hate your looking for, you won't get it from me. It's what's on the inside that matters. All the things you can learn from a million books can never compare with that. You've built this wall around yourself ever since you've been here. I can help you if you'd only let me. I want so much to be your friend. Please Darien..." She begs with tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. "Darien stares at the hand interlocked with his own. 'Did I really hear what I thought I just did? No one has ever...cared before.' He slowly lifts his once again light eyes to meet her pleading gaze. She looks at him so sweetly, yet so urgently as if a negative reply could break her forever. Selena sees the uncertainty clouding his dark, hypnotizing eyes. "Please." She whispers. He places his other hand on hers and nods his head. She lets out a sigh of relief and closes her eyes as she pulls him into a hug. "Thank you." He whispers brokenly. Feeling something wet fall on his sleeve he touches his cheek to discover that it is his own tears. *************************** To be continued in chapter 5... Send all comments to s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu. You can read my other stories at my homepage. Please visit it and sign my guestbook! My address is: http://www.geocities.com/selena_moongoddess. Thanks for reading!