Stars of Destiny

Chapter 13

"We've been looking all over for you. It's almost time." Sailor Mars hastened to Princess Serenity's side. It was the princess' birthday celebration and preparations were nearly complete for the party that evening. It hadn't escaped Mars' notice that Serenity had been acting strangely for the last couple of days. She'd been unusually quiet and had started taking long solitary walks, seemingly deep in thought. Serenity continued to lean against a pillar in the folly, her eyes focused on the stars...as if she could read something in them no one else could. It was moments like these that Mars could see Serenity's potential. Cool, serene, regal. Just like her mother.

"There's something wrong, isn't there?" Princess Serenity broke the silence between them. Sailor Mars froze, surprised by Serenity's sudden change in tone. She didn't look away from the stars. Mars debated what to tell her. She hadn't wanted to keep secrets from Serenity...even if it meant defying their queen's orders.

"You can tell me. I won't overreact." She continued as if she could sense Mars' indecision.

Mars squeezed her eyes shut and sighed. "Yes. There is a growing darkness on Earth and it seems likely another war will break out soon." The words tumbled from her mouth. Just the facts as they knew them. Nothing more, nothing less. Mars observed the princess carefully, waiting to see how she would react.

"Why did all of you keep it from me? Did you think I couldn't handle it?" Serenity turned to face Mars for the first time. Her eyes were bright with a sheen of un-shed tears. Gone was the cool expression of the future monarch. In her place was the fragile princess still learning the extent of her power.

"No!" Mars protested, pulling Serenity in for a tight hug. "We just didn't want to hurt you. You were so happy after your engagement, we didn't want to ruin it."

Serenity sniffled, some of her buoyant personality returning. "That's silly. You know it hurts me more when people I love are worried."

Mars smiled ruefully. "I know." She pulled away and wiped away Serenity's tears. "Don't be such a crybaby. You know we don't think you're not capable. We just wanted to keep this situation under wraps unless it became a real threat to Silver Millennium."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Serenity pleaded.

Mars shook her head. "We can't get directly involved without Earth's kingdom asking for assistance."

Serenity nodded. "Thank you for telling me."

"Don't look so down. Your birthday celebration is tonight." Mars gently tugged on one of Serenity's golden locks. "You need to finish getting ready."

***

Queen Serenity paced her room, her mind occupied with thoughts of the coming darkness. She feared the premonition of darkness she'd had was already in motion. Earth had been taken over by this entity. She could feel it. A cosmic cry of pain in the void. A cold presence had turned its malevolent gaze on Silver Millennium. She'd put all the Sailor Guardians and palace guard on high alert for anything unusual. However, she feared it wouldn't be enough. The feeling of impending doom twisted her heart. She felt as if everything she held dear was about to slip from her grasp.

She stifled the sob that threatened to escape her lips.

***

Serenity sat at her vanity table and readied herself for her birthday celebration. She added a few miniature red roses to her bun. She pursed her lip, scrutinizing the effect of the red flowers in her golden hair. Satisfied, she added more to the other side. While she finished her hair, her thoughts inevitably turned to Endymion. She wished he could be here. She missed him and still worried about him. She prayed he was safe.