Serenity and Endymion

Chapter 15: Betrayal of the Inner Ladies

Ever since Ann and Al left Earth, the Inner Ladies have been plagued with nightmares. The ladies had gathered to discuss the nightmares, without the knowledge of Luna, Artemis, Mamoru and Usagi. 

"Girls, I've been getting evil vibes since Ann and Al have left." 

"You too? I've been plagued with nightmares since they left." 

"Same here! Every night, I hear a female voice. She keeps saying that if we stay close to Usagi...." 

"...Then we'll bring her harm. Maybe we should stop her from fighting as Lady Moon?" Rei suggested. 

"We can't! She doesn't want that." Lita replied. 

"We have no choice, we must protect her." Ami said with tears in her eyes. 

Standing up, Lita asked the Inner Ladies, "Are you protecting her because she's your princess, or because she's usagi?" 

Minako looked at Lita, "We will always prioritize the prince and princess' well being." 

Ami nodded her head, "I want Usagi to be safe, and if it means keeping her away from us then I'll do it." 

"You do know she will be able to sense all of our transformations, right?" 

"We just have to finish the fight before she arrives at the scene. We should be able to handle the enemy with our new powers." Rei said she avoided Lita's eyes. 

"Fine, do as you wish. But just letting you know, you may be protecting her physically but...you will cause her sadness by doing this." 

Lita then left to tell her princess and prince of the Inner Ladies' plan. 

"I see, so they're planning to kick me out for the time being." 

Mamoru frowned, "Why can't they just protect her as they always have." 

Lita shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe they feel as if they've not contributed enough in our previous battles? Or maybe they're still lacking the confidence in their strength." 

Shingo hit his forehead, "They're making everything more complicated than it is. Why can't the girls just ignore the nightmares? Can't they see that kicking you out will only make it harder for them and hurt you in the process?" 

I hugged Shingo tightly, "If only the girls can recognize it but, they're blinded by their duty. Right now, they protect me as their princess...not Usagi." 

"So, what will you do?" Lita asked me. 

"I'll watch from the sideline, just in case they need it. You can fight with them, it'll help me worry less." 

"I got it." 

Just then, my mother; Queen Serenity came to visit us. 

"Serenity, my daughter." 

"Mother!" I instinctively transformed into my princess self. I could sense Mamoru changing into his Endymion form behind me. 

Tears ran down as I hugged my mother. 

"Serenity, you must trust your Inner Ladies. They will eventually realize that what they must protect is not only your physical body but your heart." 

I wiped my tears away and nodded, "I know mother, it's just...it's painful to think about what they will say when they kick me out." 

"Be strong, my daughter. If not for yourself, for your daughter." 

I nodded my head and steeled my resolve.

Time Skip: Midnight

The Inner Ladies were fighting against a droid made out of fire. It was clear that they were struggling.  

'Of course they're struggling. They're trying to protect Chibi-usa while fighting against two opponents.' 

I watched as a Black Moon member supported the droid "Droid, capture that child quickly! We must bring back the rabbit to Rubeus!" 

She had a black crescent moon on her forehead, except it was facing the opposite direction of my golden crescent moon. Her dark purple hair and eyes looked beautiful. Yet, I could feel so many emotions from her aura. Admiration for someone, desire, suffering, anger... 

'Just what has caused them to attack us? We should have been negotiating to save their people.' 

Luckily, they had managed to protect my daughter while defeating the droid with Jupiter's attack. If she was in danger, I would have rushed in right away. 

After making sure the enemy left, I saw the Mercury, Venus and Mars leave her with Jupiter. Tuxedo Mask changed back into Mamoru, and pretended to be out on a walk. Chibi-usa called out to him, and by the time she turned to check on Jupiter- she was already gone. 

After seeing Mamoru take her to his place, I quickly snuck back into my room. Meditating, I checked on the Ladies' condition. For some reason, their injuries weren't healing. Lita was fine though. 

Just then, I could hear Luna and Shingo enter my room. 

'Thank Goddess Selene, Chibi-usa is sleeping over at Mamoru's tonight. She doesn't know I'm Lady Moon nor her future mother yet.' 

I transformed into my princess form, it made it easier to concentrate for some reason. Taking the silver crystal out of my locket, I said my wish, "Imperial Silver Moon Crystal, please fulfill my wish. Heal and re-energize my Inner Ladies." 

A flash latter, I felt pain all over my body. 

"Usagi!" 

"Usagi-chan!" 

Luna and Shingo ran over to my side. 

"What happened?!" 

I smiled and waved the pain away, "It seems the crystal transferred their injuries to me." 

Luna frowned with worry, "But why?! You asked it to heal not transfer."

I couldn't really focus on what she had said, I was busy re-assuring Mamoru over our bond. 

'How hurt are you right now?' 

'A bruised ankle, some scratched on my left arm and a light injury to my side.' 

'That's where Mars, Mercury and Venus got hurt today. Just why did the Silver Crystal do this?'

Our questions were left unsolved. Even my mother didn't know why this was happening. And so, Mamoru sent his knights to the Moon. They would research with mother, and protect her and the castle. 

'We can't be too careful with the Black Moon clan around.' 

Shingo had snuck in ointment and bandages into my room. He helped me dress my injuries. I could tell he was worried about me. 

"Don't worry kiddo." I said as I ruffled his hair. 

"These injuries will be healed by morning." 

The entire night, Luna kept an eye on me. And the next morning, I greeted Shingo with a bright smile. 

"Good morning!" 

"Usagi, are you okay?" he whispered. 

"All healed." I whispered back. 

Not believing me, he double checked my injuries on my arm and ankle. 

"They're gone." 

"I told you! Now, let's go eat!! I'm starving!" 

"Wait for me!"