Title: Crescent Mirror
Author: aaeris17
Author?s Notes:
Oh my!  It?s finally the Farewell Ball!  Or as I 
titled it, The Farewell to Childhood ball.  Please 
enjoy!  
Mucho thanks to all my readers and fans who have taken 
the time out of their busy lives to leave me a few 
lines of encouragement!  You guys are the reason I 
plan to continue this story and hopefully new ones!
***Starlit Warrior
Frozen Fire
Sun, Moon, Earth, Sky
Serena71
Airdreanna
XxIceEyesxX
BBM()
Zillagirl
CharmedSerenity3
Seren1tystar01
Sailor Lucia
Wicked_chiq
LilyFox
RuRouni?.
Urmi
Emma
Cherrybuny***

		****Chapter 14*********


	I heard Diamond?s voice and it broke my trance. 
With the feeling of Endy?s kiss still on my forehead, 
my body was burning for something more and my heart 
ached in a manner I was unfamiliar with.  *Was this 
love?* The locket?s song still hung on my lips and 
they longed for more than a haunting melody?but what?  
What was I feeling towards Endy?  What was going on? I 
suddenly felt myself fall into reality.  What in the 
name of the Goddess was Diamond doing?
	?You foul underling!!? Diamond continued to shout 
at Endymion as he held up his right hand and started 
to pull of the glove with his left hand.  I realized 
too late that Diamond was about to make the deadly 
mistake of challenging Endy to a duel.  SLAP! The 
white glove of Diamond?s made a horrible slap across 
Endy?s face and Endy?s eyes turned the coldest cobalt 
I have ever seen.  Endy flicked his fingers across his 
cheek where he had been slapped, ?You have been 
challenged, you worthless scum,? Diamond spit at 
Endy?s boots.  Endy quietly stepped back and neatly 
avoided the spittle.
	?Foul scum,? Endy hollowly repeated, ?Underling?  
Unworthy?? Endy?s anger was merely rising and I felt 
scared.  I clutched my brooch.  I sensed trouble 
coming and my link, or connection, or whatever to Endy 
was so strong and so open that I was trembling from 
the mere force.
	Diamond put his glove back on, ?As with the honor 
and tradition of duels, virtues you know nothing of or 
you would not have scorned my sister,? Diamond smiled 
wittedly.
	His sister?! I wanted to pull Diamond?s precious 
hair out of place.  Endy would have nothing to do with 
that red haired wench.
	?Poor girl,? Diamond continued, ?She was not 
happy to see that her offers were so readily?refused.  
Obviously you had your eyes set on higher prizes,? 
Diamond?s eyes wandered to me and I wanted to hide 
behind a shrub.  I knew not what the disgusting 
feeling I was being overwhelmed with was.
	?You have no right to mention the Princess,? Endy 
answered slowly staring Diamond down.
	?That is Your Highness to you, dog,? Diamond 
sniffed, ?Now when shall this unfortunate event ta-? 
POW! Without even a warning Endy knocked Diamond out.  
Blood sputtered down his of late spotless outfit and 
his eyes were beginning to swell over.
	?You mean, Prince Diamond, it is YOUR MAJESTY,? 
Endy stood over Diamond and pulled him to his feet, 
?Let us not FORGET, that I am His Royal Majesty King 
Endymion,? Endy released Diamond at his lapels, ?King 
Endymion, of the Earth, son of the late Queen Gaia,? 
Diamond?s eyes narrowed behind the red swelling, ?Let 
us not forget who has the most royal bloodline here,? 
Endy scoffed and looked over to me, ?She does.  Stay 
away from her or mark my words, young Prince, I have 
the ability to destroy a diamond,? Endy held out his 
hand to me and I ran to it, stepping away from 
Diamond.  Clasping it firmly, Endy managed to teleport 
us from inside the Mirror to outside onto the Greens 
again.
	?Teleportation! Oh! I wish I could master it!? I 
gasped breathing in deeply.  Endy was thoughtful and 
quiet.
	?Yes,?
	My shoulders slumped, and here was the everyday 
Endy again, ?Endy,? I began not to sure what I wanted 
to say or what should be said about his late mum or 
anything.
	Endy just took me by my shoulders, ?Promise me 
you?ll stay away from him, Sere.  No matter what, do 
not trust him or his sister.  Do not hesitate to use 
your powers on him,? Endy stared deep into my eyes, so 
full of concern I couldn?t help but acquiesce to his 
demands.
	I nodded.  Endy?s arms dropped from my shoulders 
and I lost the warmth.  I bowed my head so he couldn?t 
see the look of disappointment in my eyes.
	?Are you okay? I did not mean to upset you,? Endy 
softly asked.  I shook my head, ?Does that mean yes or 
no, Meatball head?  You know I can?t read your mind,? 
Endy teased.
	?Yes, you can,? was all I could get out without 
beginning to cry all over again.  I looked up and away 
from Endy.  The moon was high in the sky. I?m sure 
that our absence from the ball was noticeable.  How 
long had we been like this?
	?As long as I can remember,? Endy answered 
quizzically.  I looked at him, furrowing my forehead.  
What on Earth was he talking about?  ?You?re right.  
We ought to be returning,? Offering his elbow I 
carefully took with my right hand.  In silence we 
proceeded the remaining distance.  The noise from the 
ball growing distinguishably louder and merrier.  With 
my left hand I wiped my eyes and pinched my cheeks, 
plastering the smile for a ball on my face.  A smile I 
did not feel anymore.  A smile I was sure would not 
ever be the same?especially with Endy leaving me.
	?Be careful,? I asked quietly as we began to 
ascend the stairs of the Verandah.  
	Endy gazed at me, slightly sadly, ?If you promise 
me you will too,?
	I clutched the Star Locket at my neck and put my 
right hand on his chest, where part of the Crystal had 
gone into him, ?You have my word,?
	Endy put his hand on top of mine, ?And you will 
always have??
	?WHERE have you two been?? Luna exclaimed with 
Artemis running by her side.  Both of their faces 
seemed to be red from the heat of running yet I felt 
there was something more important.
	?Nowhere!? Endy and I exclaimed as one, quickly 
jumping apart.
	?And you two? You didn?t try to contact,? I 
accused Luna causing her face to turn an even darker 
shade of pink.  Hah! I knew that she was fancying 
Artemis!  Luna seemed to guess what I was thinking and 
her eyes made me cower, ?Your mother seeks you,? she 
quietly hissed, ?The farewell ceremony will be soon 
and then we shall sit down for dinner,?  I nodded. 
Taking one last look at Endy, under hooded eyes, I 
turned my back on the three of them.  Endy and the 
boys would not join us for dinner.  The farewell 
ceremony marked their last time with us and then the 
men adjourned and ate separately.  Endy?s eyes bore 
into my back and I squeezed tears back.  Still 
smiling, the non stop smiling of a Princess, I braved 
the multitude of people to find my mother.  I saw the 
other girls with their parents.  Doing a double take I 
saw for the first time in years the Princesses of the 
Outer Kingdoms.  Now I knew why Mother desired my 
presence.  To finally meet the other Princesses I only 
knew faintly from my childhood and I had only 
corresponded with infrequently over the years.  
	Mother caught my eye and motioned for me to come 
towards the High Table.  I had missed the girls? 
presentation for they came before me.  
	?Serenity, I am so pleased to finally find you,? 
Mother teased lightly under the regal tone, ?I would 
like you to finally meet the Princesses of the Outer 
Kingdoms, beyond the Asteroid Kingdoms.  You no doubt 
remember their parents, but here are the dear 
Princesses,? She gestured with her right hand, ?Our 
youngest Princess, Hotaru of Saturn, whose cousin is 
our dear Lita, ? a pale small girl, hardly of six or 
seven years came forward.  Her hair was as black as 
the night and her eyes large and violet.  She curtsied 
quietly before returning to hide behind the long 
skirts of her mother, the Queen Ops whom I remember as 
a shy friend of my mother?s.  The Queen smiled 
apologetically and led Hotaru away.  Mother smiled, 
?Our next princesses are the Princess Michiru of 
Neptune and the Princess Haruka of Uranus,? A young 
woman with long flowing aquamarine hair stepped 
forward on the arm of a slender male whose blonde hair 
was cut slightly long for a boy and his sky blue eyes 
flashed mischievously.  
	?Princess,? Princess Michiru gurgled as she 
curtsied and took my hand, ?I look forward to seeing 
more of you,? Her smile was angelic and her hand so 
slim.  I hope that I am that graceful when I am 
sixteen.  
	The young man came and bowed.  I returned his bow 
assuming that he was a proxy for the Princess of 
Uranus.  I would have been glad to see Haruka again?I 
remember her always taking my side against Endy, 
especially once the boys came.
	?Princess, you grow prettier everyday,? the boy 
hid a laugh as he stood up.  The shine of an earring 
caught my eye, ?Does thee honestly think I could be 
forced into a dress at my age?? He laughed. Haruka!! 
She had always been slightly tomboyish.  I managed to 
hide my laughter well as I warmly held her hand in my 
own.  Michiru playfully tapped her fan on Haruka?s 
arm.  Those two were always close.
	Mother laughed at the joke she was obviously in 
on, ?The Princess of Hades is detained, but she sends 
her love, dearest,? Mother?s eyes glazed over slightly 
as she pecked the side of my head.  Her gaze shifted 
over to the rest of the crowd beginning to sit down, 
?It looks as if the Farewell ceremony is about to 
begins, girls, we shall see you shortly,?.  Michiru 
and Haruka gracefully swept away.  Mother squeezed my 
hand.
	Where were Endy and the boys? Were they going to 
be seated separately from us?  The faces of Mina and 
Lita showed such desolation.  I knew it!  My heart 
fell ten thousand feet?they were going to be gone 
before I could say goodbye.  I followed Mother to my 
place behind the High Table.  I couldn?t even take 
excitement in my mini throne besides Mother.  The 
chair was marble and only went up to my mid back.  I 
was not yet of age.  The chair was pure and laden with 
pink silk cushions.  No other jewels or ormentation.  
I was still ?a young girl?.  Young girl my ass, I 
cursed silently to myself, full of emotions I could no 
longer deny or explain.  Had I fallen in love without 
even knowing it?  Could I just be upset that one of my 
best friends is leaving and I never even knew how 
important he was to me?  Could Endy and I be more than 
friends?  In a secret place inside my heart I wished 
to the great Goddess above that Endy loved me and at 
the same time I would never want things to change 
between us.
	But, they have.  Things have changed and I could 
tell by the fire burning within me that a star, a 
connection had been born inside of me.  My eyes 
frantically searched for the familiar dark blue eyes.  
Why was I not finding comfort in my friends, my 
family?  Why was I acting like such, a child?  
Suddenly Mina and Lita no longer seemed silly.  My 
heart tore further in two: was I doomed to be a love 
unrequited?  Was I to be like Mina?  A Goddess unloved 
having cast her only love into a rock?  I couldn?t 
swallow the lump in my throat.
	Somewhere during the course of my recollections, 
the ballroom had fallen silent and Mother had rapped 
her Scepter against the marble floor of the High 
Table.
	?Greetings my lords, ladies, and dearest 
friends,? Mother began, ?We have gathered here once 
more at the heart of our wonderful kingdom to again 
celebrate the age old honorific traditions we hold so 
dear to our hearts,? she paused as the crowd burst 
into applause.  My eyes rounded, and I was supposed to 
be able to rile a crowd as she does someday?  Suddenly 
my troubles seemed compounded.  Mother continued, 
?Tonight we once again send out our sons into the 
world to prove that they are the men from whose loins 
they sprung and that they always rule with the Goddess 
in their hearts first, and all other laws second.  I 
once again ask of the Mothers to give their sons into 
the duty of the kingdom and the way of the Goddess,? 
Mother raised her scepter high, ?Do thee, mortal 
mothers of this realm surrender thy child to the 
immortal goddess? To honor, serve, and protect the way 
of life that we cherish?  To fight the darkness with 
the light?  To uphold the code of honor and never 
bring disgrace to themselves or their kingdom?  If 
thee accept, then let me hear thy agreement!? Mother 
challenged.
	?Aye!? A roar of affirmation came from the crowd 
including Mother?s own voice, eyes glistening with 
tears.
	?Then welcome our knights in training! Sons of 
the Order of Luster!? Mother commanded and the doors 
of the Great Hall swept open, the boys began marching 
in two by two, all in their kingdom?s regalia
	?Zoicite of Mercurious!  Jadeite of Mars! 
Nephrite of the Jovian Kingdom!  Kunzite of Venusian! 
Welcome the four sons of the inner Kingdoms!? Father 
roared applauding enthusiastically.  
	The page announced the four knights from the 
Outer Kingdoms. Boys I did not know primarily cause 
the girls of the Outer Kingdoms were stronger than the 
knights.  The boys were the last line of defense in 
the Outer Kingdoms.  The Princesses and their warriors 
went down first.  Where was Endy?
	?Endymion of Terra and Luster!? Father finally 
roared over the great dim everyone was making.  Terra?  
I hadn?t heard the original Earth kingdom?s name out 
of anyone?s mouth except Artemis?s or Luna?s.  And 
THAT was only for historical accuracy.  The crowd 
began to hush as Endy walked in black and blue armor.
	?Endymion of Terra and Luster, your lineage 
grants you the honorific title of Terra, we ask you to 
prove that you are deserving of this title,? Father 
began.  Sir Lawrence had now appeared at the High 
Table and he looked so full of pride and sadness at 
the same time.  Now I know why Mother had spoken 
earlier?she stood as mother, releasing Endy into the 
unknown.
	Endy fell to one knee, right hand in a fist 
across his chest, ?Your Majesties, I ask you to grant 
me the right to prove myself a worthy heir to my title 
and my lineage.  Give me and my men leave to prove 
ourselves worthy of the titles you wish to confer on 
us,? Endy vowed, looking straight at my mother, 
father, and his father, ?We ask for your leave, 
gracious Queen and good King,?
	Mother and Father stood together and he placed 
his hand below hers on her Crescent Moon Scepter, ?We 
doth give you leave,? Mother whispered, holding back 
tears as she lowered her Scepter over the boys, 
blessing them as their Goddess on Earth.  Endy rose as 
if he was a God reborn and a new light was in his 
eyes, ?Goddess keep you and the king and the dear 
Princess,? Endy blessed and his eyes shifted suddenly 
to me and I swear on the Goddess that I heard him in 
my head, ?Goddess keep YOU, my Princess,?.
	A sob escaped my voice sounding like a croaking 
dying toad and I pressed my nails into my palms so 
tight I could feel myself drawing blood.  Please, 
please, give me one more moment alone with Endy.  I 
didn?t know what I wanted to say but I had to say 
something.  Maybe a thousand things, maybe nothing.  
	?Goddess bless,? the crowd murmured unanimously. 
	?At attention!? Artemis cried out, ?One, one, 
one, two, one, two!? Artemis called out the time.  
	Two by the two the boys left, this time Endy led 
the out without a second look behind.  I desperately 
searched for that link that I knew we must have.  The 
golden rose at my neck glowed and I knew not if it was 
me or him.
	?Come, come friends! We are not here to weep but 
to celebrate!? Mother put her royal smile back on and 
bowed to Father who immediately led her out onto the 
dance floor.   Poor Mama, always on stage.  I noticed 
that with my parents on the dance floor everyone else 
had started dancing.  I immediately left the dais and 
the room, receiving winks from the Guards who 
discreetly let me out.
	Where could they have gone?  I stopped and was 
immediately run into by several other forms.  I turned 
around to see a very red faced Rei, Ami, Lita, and 
Mina.  My mouth fell open as they hurried to re 
arrange themselves.  I crossed my arms and gave them a 
look.
	 Rei was the first to respond as she flipped her 
hair, ?We couldn?t let you run off on your own, 
Odango, we are your guard,?
	Mina was quick to pick up the flow, ?Yes Sere, we 
MUST accompany you on your search for Endy and Kunzite 
and the rest,? she immediately yelped as she realized 
her mistake.
	?Regardless, Sere, here we are,? Ami tried to 
laugh it off.  Lita rubbed her hands together.
	?Well, what are we waiting for?? Lita grabbed 
Ami?s hands, ?They must be heading to the dining hall 
attached to the Knight?s quarters!?
	Mina  slipped her shoes off, one mustn?t run in 
high heels she used to tease during practice, ?I know 
a shortcut!? And off was the blonde one followed 
quickly by Lita and a somewhat reluctant Ami. 
	?Come on slowpoke!? Rei teased.  Flustered, I ran 
after them, following the well-known path out the side 
entrance to the Verandah, across the gardens, and to 
the sloping hill that hid majority of the noises 
coming from the Knight?s quarters.  How good the night 
air felt as we slowed to a brisk walk.  I always loved 
nighttime practices.
	The brisk walk quickly fell into a stroll.  In 
silence we proceeded until we were in the shadows of 
the Knights? Great Hall.  My heart fluttered.
	?Faint heart never won fair lady,? Mina whispered 
into my ear.  I couldn?t believe that she actually got 
the saying right that the implications of it were lost 
on me for a bit, ?well?? she pressured.
	?And you?? I turned the question around for what 
must have been the billionth time.
	Her eyes clouded slightly, ?I am never unloved,? 
she said with only the slightest hint of uncertainty, 
that I only as her cousin would recognize.
	?The Princess of Venus can never hide in the 
shadow,? a low voice murmured stepping into the light 
in front of us.  Kunzite looked more devilish than 
secret lover and I took a step behind Mina. ?You came 
searching for me, did you not?? He teased and I had to 
stifle a laugh. Mina had never seen this side of 
Kunzite.  Kunzite made a poor flirt, at best.  Yet 
tonight, he took Mina by the hand, making her 
absolutely speechless.  A rarity for Mina.  The other 
girls and I watched Kunzite lead Mina over the hill 
and away from us.  
	Lita giggled and we stalked further.  I knew the 
other guys must be about?we had not been quiet in our 
approach.  Endy! I thought fervently.  
	Lita pulled my hand and pointed to the boys 
walking towards us.  We linked hands and called out, 
?Wejaboo, wejaboo, where are you??   Our warning call 
before Lita and I released large bursts of energy at 
them, skewing their balance and making them double 
over in laughter.  
	?Not?.fair!? Nephrite burst out in laughter 
raising his hand towards us.  I successfully twirled 
out of the way but Lita was easily caught in the vine 
his hand shot to tie her up.  
	I turned to roll my eyes at Rei but she looked in 
deep concentration before she suddenly screamed and 
shot an arrow into the darkness above us.  
	?My lady! That was completely, and utterly, 
unnecessary!? Jadeite screamed as he tumbled towards 
us clutching his left arm.  I sighed.  Jadeite 
immediately brought his arm forward towards me and I 
placed my left palm above?making a feeble attempt at 
stopping the bleeding.  If Endy was here he would have 
this fixed in no time, I automatically thought in my 
head.  I found myself releasing a little huff of air.  
I was getting so impatient with myself and all this 
pairing off.  Why did everything have to go change?  I 
released Jadeite into Ami?s able hands and knew that 
magically Zoiciste would appear to help Ami and they 
could figure it out quite easily without me.  
Silently, I was able to slip back into the shadows we 
had come in. 
	I kicked a stone listlessly, and the sound echoed 
in the darkness. I wondered at what would happen when 
all the girls settled down.  Surely they would always 
be my guardians?but what would happen when, Goddess 
save me, I was queen? 
	I shivered in the moonlight.  Why was there no 
comfort for me?  Why was I left alone to figure out 
issues I knew not existed?  I felt the tears in my 
eyes for the hundredth time this evening and I 
clenched my teeth to angrily wipe them away.  I was 
such a stupid, little, crybaby!   I hate myself! I 
screamed in my head.  I stomped a slipper clothed foot 
into the grass and found myself tumbling towards the 
grass.  Landing promptly on my rear, I mentally added 
clumsy to the adjective crybaby.  Even Mina was about 
to feel love, I thought quite bitterly and unfairly of 
my best friend and dearest cousin.  A thousand and one 
emotions ran through my head and I was choking on my 
heart.  Oh Goddess!  Why is growing up so hard to do?  
My eyes deceived my heart with two fat trails of 
glistening tears.  I felt them drip off my chin as I 
stared up at the moon.  The tears will never end, I 
bemoaned.  
	?Can I not leave you for ten minutes without you 
bursting into tears?? The voice I had wanted to hear 
teased and suddenly I wanted to cry even more.  We 
weren?t going to have these day to day arguments 
anymore.  He wouldn?t be calling me Odango, Meatball 
Head, crybaby, or Princess Brat attack.  I wanted him 
to know that things were never going to be the same.  
I wanted him to know that I would think about him 
every second of every day and that his face would be 
the last thing I saw at night and the first thing in 
the morning.  I wanted him to know that I would live 
to see his face again and hear him call me Odango-
Atma.  I wanted him to never forget me.  I wanted him 
to?
	?Sere, why are you here?? He asked sadly, not 
meeting my gaze.
	?To say bye,? I whispered just as softly, almost 
fearing that the trees were judging our conversation.
	?Don?t cry, please, I don?t want to,? Endy began 
as I started crying silently, tears racing down my 
face, ?Oh, Sere,? he threw his arms around me and I 
gave him a hug?a hug that was not between two friends 
but much, much more.
	?Endy, you have to come back, promise me,? I 
whispered shakingly.
	?I already did, silly,? Endy tried to tease but 
choking on his own emotion.
	?Endy, look at me,? I bent his neck down so our 
foreheads touched, ?You will come back to me,? I 
ordered, speaking slowly and strongly.
	Endy?s eyes were wide and within them were 
emotions that at the time I could not decipher and 
would, years later, agonize over, finally 
comprehending their meaning.
	?I will never leave you, Serenity, my Princess,? 
he whispered something about my title of Princess and 
I couldn?t understand it.
	?Attention, boys!? Artemis? voice rang out far 
and wide, ?We leave at dawn!  Lights out!? 
	I heard giggles and scampering of feet and 
whispers.  I knew the girls would be over the hill 
shortly.
	I hugged Endy again?I couldn?t? say what I wanted 
to say because I didn?t know that what I was feeling 
was true.  I would regret this moment in the days to 
come.
	?Don?t have too much fun without me!? I tried to 
cheerfully relinquish my hold on him.
	Endy?s eyes turned a darker shade of black. They 
began to match the darkening sky, ?Aye, aye,? was all 
he said as he mocked a bow, ?Until then, Sere,? he 
waved nonchantly.
	I reached my left hand out to him, my right 
already around my star locket, ?I?ll burn a candle for 
you!! Just so you can find your way back!?
	Endy chuckled heartily, ?Please do!  I would be 
awfully embarrassed to arrive home to the wrong 
castle!?
	I found a small smile, ?Be safe!?
	?Please, take care,? and with that he was over 
the hill and gone.  I watched his shadow disappear and 
mingle with the shadows of the girls coming up the 
hill and the boys meeting him at the base.  I ran 
back.  I couldn?t face my friends right now.
	*				*				*

	As Sere ran past the ballroom, Selenity felt an 
awful pull in her heart.  She wanted so badly to 
follow her but a look from Apollo stopped her.  She 
had to let Serenity grow up, but at what cost?

	*				*				*
The Wraith Kingdom
	Wiseman chuckled evily as he watched Diamond make 
an utter fool of himself in front of the Princess and 
that knight, Endymion who called himself King of 
Earth.  What a pair of fools, he thought bitterly.  He 
cracked his bony knuckles.  The boys leaving gives me 
time, time to finally begin preparations for my 
launch.  Perfect.

*********************************************
Questions, Comments, Concerns?  Please be nice!
Aaeris17@yahoo.com
Thanks again for reading! I have such a wonderful time 
writing for you guys
  Saturn is often regarded as the father of Jupiter, Ceres, and Juno.  Hence if 
Lita is from 
Jupiter, her father is related to the Kingdom of Saturn as well