"I will have everything I want…everything."+



			  The Dawn of Serenity

			   Chapter Twenty-Two



	As the Shitennou swept into the Crystal Hall, Zoicite took a 
moment to look around in wonder at how well the chamber had been 
decorated. They stood atop the tremendous steps that descended to the 
large circular area below. It was the largest room in the entire palace, 
taking up much of the southern structure. The high ceiling held aloft 
by impressive and ornately carved arching gothic marble supports, 
reminiscent of long, bony fingers grasping at the upper galleries that 
ringed the vast hall and its domed ceiling. A great chandelier dropped 
like a luminescent goddess’s crystal teardrop from its center, the 
light reflecting off the assembly of latticed pillars resembling a 
series of emaciated arms, twisted and gnarled like the branches of 
ghostly dead trees. Ten large fires burned eagerly in white marble 
hearths, the flames greedily smothering the logs, snapping and 
crackling like wild Youma on the outskirts of the vast floor, casting 
a fiery aura across the wide area held tightly within its glow. 

	"Now presenting, the Royal Shitennou!" The room erupted into 
applause and howls as the Youma below turned to praise them. The 
Shitennou bowed their heads in acknowledgement before beginning their 
long journey towards the bottom of the chamber. 

	As if in response to their entry, the flames burning within 
their crystal cradles making up the majestic chandelier changed color 
to an icy-blue as they descended, syncing themselves with the haunting 
music wafting up towards them.

	From above, the Youma looked like a mass of swarming ants, all 
black or grey in their attire. The Shitennou and Black Moons were the 
only ones allowed to sparkle this night. Zoicite glanced down the row 
of men beside him, finding each in a uniform of a different hue. His 
own a vibrant blue, while Nephrite wore a deep forest green uniform. 
Jadeite, aflame in red, and Kunzite shone with golden vibrancy. 

	Behind them followed their ladies, dressed in flowing gowns a 
shade lighter that complemented their master's colors. Kunzite's 
canines surrounded him, snipping at Youma daring to get too close to 
them on the stairs. Behind Nephrite, only Araya moved in their 
direction however, and nervously she caught the attention of the Youma
staring daggers at her.

	"Where are your other ladies?" Jadeite asked.

	"I know not," Nephrite, answered curtly, his jaw set in the 
frustrated manner Jadeite recognized easily enough.

	"Now presenting, the Black Moon Clan!" The applause they 
received blatantly less than those offered for the Shitennou, and 
Jadeite had to chance a look back at Demando and grin smugly. The 
self-proclaimed white prince was dressed in dark black this night, 
however, while Saphir' love of the color blue remained color of choice,
although his shade was a tad heavier than Zoicite's attire. Esmeraude
flaunted herself in a light jade dress that accentuated every curve, 
while Rubeus glowered at the crowd and shifted beneath his purple 
raiment. The Ayakashi sisters lingered behind, mirroring their leaders
after the manner of the Shitennou's ladies.

	Like a disjointed rainbow, they flowed through the dark crowd 
and made their way to their appointed places to stand on either side 
of the lavishly crafted thrones atop an impressive platform with 
another crystal staircase leading to these symbols of power.

	As they turned to face the crowd, the Youma once again erupted 
into shouts and cries, and the music lifted itself above the 
enthusiastic din in response. They began to dance in lines, disgusting
beasts moving together in perfect, proper formation. They mimicked the 
old dances of destroyed and forgotten kingdoms, and their feet pounded
the stone floor as if pounding out history itself, mocking it in a 
parody of graceful moves and elegant smiles. The Resurrection had begun.

+++++

	Irinushka arrived some time later, nervously smoothing down the
edges of her pale-rouge dress. She traversed the arc of the winding 
staircase and plunged into the writhing mass of Youma. The strategic 
steps had faded to a more modern dance, bodies coming closer together 
and the heat rising in the room. It was another step closer towards 
the Resurrection, as the flames flashed another color -- advancing down
the spectrum to a bright sea green.

	The Youma stared at her contemptuously, snarling and reaching 
for her as if to strike or scratch. But they always pulled away at the 
last possible moment, and quickly turned their noses up at her. It was 
on penalty of death to harm her and her sisters, but even this 
knowledge didn't ease her fears when they surrounded her like this. 
But she kept her head high, pushing down the nausea and anxiousness, 
as she continued her way to the front of the room. Unexpectedly, a hand
grasped hers firmly and she turned around, ready to glare at the 
disobeying Youma as she had at Danburite. But someone scarier was 
there to greet her.

	"Nephrite," she breathed out his name. His dark eyes were 
smoldering, and she cringed as the grip on her wrist tightened somewhat.

	"You're late," he ground out.

	"I'm sorry, I was tending to Min…the lady."

	"You're supposed to be tending me."

	None too gently, he embraced her, making her join the throng of
swaying hips all around them. She gasped as he pulled her closer to 
him, and for a moment, she could only drown in his scent.

	"You have two other ladies to attend you," she finally managed 
to reply.

	"I'm not in the mood to handle Araya, and Sayuri seems to have 
gone missing. Do you know where she is?"

	"No…" Irinushka frowned, looking up at him. "Did you frighten 
her again?"

	"It is not my fault she is so docile."

	"Yes it is. You chose her because of it, because you enjoy 
being dominant," she snapped back, her anger at him still burning like 
coals that refused to turn completely grey and soft in the hearth.

	She could feel his chest tighten, and could practically hear 
the heated words as he swallowed them down. They moved in silence for 
a long time, and soon his hands weren't so rough with her. His 
fingertips began to dance gently across her sides and over her hips. 
The touch brought an explosion of soft winged butterflies brushing her 
belly. Against her will, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back 
against him, while his hands moved towards her chest, fingertips 
tracing the neckline of her bodice. She wanted to hate him for all he
had done, but it seemed impossible when she was captured by his soft 
touch like this.

	He closed his eyes, feeling rather than seeing their every 
moment together against each other. He let himself relax into her 
embrace, shedding the worries having accumulated over passed weeks with
every sway and motion of their bodies. There was another reason 
Irinushka was his favorite. After every battle, there were moments 
like this, when they were joined, when they understood each other. He 
knew he never felt like this with anyone else, but some part of his 
awareness at the back of his mind disagreed.

	Smoke began to curl upwards across his dark vision, and at 
once, he flung his eyes open before the sultry fiery sprite could form.
He cursed himself for delving into his memories. Whenever he did, she
appeared, burning him with her haunting figure and words. Her presence 
continued to linger in his dreams, calling out the same command 
repeatedly. Irinushka felt him tense up, and turned her eyes up towards
him.

	"Are you all right?" she asked, concerned.

	"I will tell you a little secret, Rin," he whispered in her ear, 
changing the subject. "Today isn't the day when we truly overthrew the 
old dominion one thousand years ago."

	"What...?"

	"We have always celebrated the true date in secret, for none 
here are worthy of rejoicing in her deeds. Instead, this day marks the 
moment when Queen Beryl saw the light in Metallia's darkness so many 
long millennia passed. It was the true start of it all, the true 
beginning of her revenge, of her kingdom. Since then she was driven to 
return things to normal, to resurrect her life before the White Moon 
ruined everything, before he was taken from her." Nephrite didn't know
why he felt compelled to tell her, but the words fell like a great 
waterfall born of a wild river from his mouth, but sharing the 
knowledge made him feel at peace somehow. 

	"He...?" 

	"Yes-" Before Nephrite could finish, a loud and imposing horn 
blew out over the whole court. All eyes flocked to the top of the 
stairs where a primly dressed Youma continued to play the large brass 
instrument. Two more Youma, Beryl’s personal slaves, flanked the 
musician, holding two large silver feathers in their pale hands. 

	As the sound of the horn faded and its echo reverberated off 
the walls, a sturdy voice rang out, "Now presenting, her royal highness, 
Queen Beryl, and his royal highness, the Prince."

	The feathers rolled away dramatically to reveal the queen, and 
the answer to Irinushka's question.

	"Him…."

+++++

	Farther towards the back, the remaining Shitennou were no less 
affected by the presence of both monarchs, as was everyone else. Beryl 
shone in a pure white gown, golden chains draping down from her 
graceful neck. Her luscious hair was pulled back in the style of the 
women she had delightedly vanquished, mocking them with her teal 
ponytails.

	The man beside her was wrapped in ivory-plated armor, with 
intricate golden motifs across the breastplate, and continued to trail 
down a blue cape that matched the color of Beryl's hair. He stood tall 
and proud, but even from this distance, Kunzite could see the puppet 
strings holding him aloft. 

	"I can't believe it, it's the Prince," a Youma whispered in 
front of him.

	"I've never seen him before," replied another.

	"I don't think anyone ever has. I knew this anniversary would 
be special, but I didn't think it would be like this!"

	"So, she's finally let him out of his cage?" Jadeite muttered 
beside Kunzite.

	"So it would seem," Kunzite said dryly.

	"And I finally understand why we had to dress like this. She's 
mocking Serenity, and we're her lovely senshi-- minus the skirts. 
Great...where's the wine?"

	Jadeite vanished from sight and Kunzite watched as the crowd 
parted for the queen and her pet. Like a vulture, she swooped to the 
front of the room, climbing the few steps to assume the seat of power
before her and look down upon the congregation. The Prince was not far 
behind -- always in his place right beside her. For a split second, 
the eyes of Kunzite and the prince locked but it was enough to send a 
jolt down the general's spine. The blurry image of the sun-bathed field
filled his vision, as the four figures sprung to life before his eyes
once more. His mind felt hot and clouded, and for a moment, he felt as 
if he would never catch his breath again.

	"Are you okay, Kunzite?" Zoicite's question pulled him back to 
the Crystal Hall, but his voice refused to rise in response.

	Nephrite was soon to join them with Irinushka and Araya on his
heels. He shared a quick look with Jadeite when the fair-haired lord 
returned with a glass in his firm grip.

	"How could she risk bringing him out here?" Nephrite asked.

	"She's the queen, she can do whatever she wants," Jadeite 
shrugged noncommittally.

	"My children," Beryl spoke, her voice filling every ear and 
crevice within the hall. "Tonight we celebrate our destiny, our birth
right! One thousand years our glorious darkness has reigned supreme..."

	Although Kunzite adored his queen, something else desperately 
needed his attention. His eyes swept the hall and he hardly needed his 
heightened senses to realize something was very wrong.

	"They're gone..." 

	"Who...?" Nephrite asked and soon the Shitennou quickly noticed
that half of their colorful assembly was missing.

	"The Black Moons, they're not here, and I do not like what that
implies. Stay here, close to the queen. Asa, Sera."

	Kunzite melted into the crowd with his ferocious wolves close 
behind. Whatever peace the Shitennou might have accumulated this night 
was erased as the warriors within them rose to the surface. They 
scanned the crowd, eyes and ears alert, with their swift hands clasping
their weapons beneath their capes.

	"...But now," Beryl's voice continued, "There is one of us that
should be honored, and tonight is the perfect night for new beginnings,
Danburite." The golden dressed lord stepped forth from the throng,
kneeling ceremoniously before his queen. "You have served your queen 
selflessly and bravely. For that, you must be rewarded. You came 
before me as a dedicated soldier. Now rise...as a noble Shitennou."

	The crowd cheered for their newest leader, but the other 
Shitennou were not impressed.

	"So, she actually did it," Jadeite grumbled. 

	"This isn't right," Zoicite whispered, shaking his head.

	"Bring her forth," Beryl ordered, motioning off to the side. 
Two Guard Youma brought forth a shuddering small mass-- a human woman, 
whose long, curling orange hair spilled over pale shoulders.

	"Sayuri...!" Irinushka gasped beside Nephrite.

	"What is she doing...?" asked Araya. As if in answer, a 
bejeweled dagger appeared mysteriously in Beryl's hand, her arm poised 
in mid-air as she held out the hilt of the weapon before Danburite.

	"Take her life, spill the blood of the weak, and claim your 
honor," she said callously. Danburite accepted the weapon without 
hesitancy, and stood behind the kneeling woman.
	
	"Nephrite...!" Irinushka grabbed his arm firmly. "Do something!"

	For a moment, even Nephrite was too shocked to move, but this 
was all the time Danburite needed. In one swift motion, he brought the 
dagger across her exposed neck, the diamonds and rubies on the hilt 
sparkling in the light as a life was taken.

	"No!" Nephrite and Irinushka cried out together. Blood 
splattered upon the floor and on nearby Youma, who danced and howled 
at the sight. The room erupted into madness as Sayuri's limp body fell 
to the floor, and Danburite could only stare down at his bloody hands. 
Beryl laughed, an evil and vicious sound that scratched through 
Nephrite's ears. Irinushka and Araya clung to him desperately, but he 
seemed an unworthy tower upon which one could hope.

	"Dance my children!" Beryl shouted, raising her hands up 
towards the sky. "Dance in the blood of the betrayers!"

+++++

	As the queen and her wicked offspring relished in the evils of 
this world, Minako finally managed to reach the top of the palace. It 
had taken an hour of patiently waiting in shadow for guards and tardy 
partygoers to pass, but she had managed to retrace the steps she and 
Kunzite had taken not long ago. The higher halls were deserted it 
seemed, and Minako let herself relax for a moment. She let out a puff 
of air as her back crashed against the cool surface of the wall. She 
closed her clear blue eyes, and slowly tilted her head back. 

	The hum of the electrified walls could be heard from where she 
stood, and in some strange way, it brought comfort to her. It was 
constant and quiet -- something her life had been far from as of late. 
Had it ever been? The dark canvas behind her closed eyelids began to 
dance with light, as quickly the shimmering landscape once again took 
form. She could hear the ocean moving in its endless dance, and the 
coldness of the wall was soon replaced by the warmth of the sun. She 
felt the wand in her pocket, and as if she had been shocked, Minako 
flung open her eyes, breaking apart the illusion.

	"No...not now," she whispered to herself as she pulled out the 
mystical device. It was the key to unlocking the door to her way home. 
It was a symbol of peace, of strength long forgotten, a time of heroes
and heroines and flourishing worlds under a bright sky. It was 
everything. She finally pushed herself away from the wall, determined 
to continue her dark duty. As she turned towards the door, her walk 
with destiny was quickly halted as a dagger buried itself into her 
back. She gasped as a strong arm wrapped itself around her throat, and
she could feel the hot, wet breath of her captor against her cheek.

	"Hello, little princess," he said, and Minako recognized the 
voice.

	"Demando…."

	"I'm touched you remember. What are you doing here, off the 
chain Kunzite has wrapped around your neck?"

	"What are you doing here, aren't you missing a fabulous party?" 
she questioned back.

	He pushed the blade a little farther against her flesh, and she
cried out as she felt it pierce her skin. "I ask the questions, Miss 
Venus. Now start walking, please."
 
	She followed his orders hesitantly, and he led her towards the 
doors. He let go of her neck and pressed his palm against the hidden 
panel. The electricity died, and for a moment, all she could hear was 
his ragged, excited breath against her ear before the doors finally 
slid open.

	He led her across the room and passed the looming, obsidian 
curtains that had revealed her destiny only days before. He paused for 
a moment, mocking her with a low chuckle. "I don't know how you managed
to escape their chains, but I must say, I am impressed with your 
persistence."

	"Escape...?"

	"Hmm, I guess Kunzite would grace you with a fitting lie to 
cover up the truth. I would tell you the reality of your situation, 
but I do not have the time to relive that particular history lesson." 
They pressed on, and soon they stood before the door Minako noticed on
her first visit. The security was tighter, as Demando had to scan his 
eyes and hand, but it wasn't long before the door relinquished its 
secrets to the white prince and his unfortunate guest.

	The room beyond wasn't very deep, and they soon found 
themselves face to face with the soul occupant of the tomb. As he 
brought her nearer, Minako felt her heart stop in her chest, and a 
breathless gasp formed on her lips. 

	She was beautiful; an ageless woman caught somewhere between 
adulthood and youth. Her pale skin was covered in a shimmering white 
gown that caressed her body and left the curves of her shoulders and 
neck exposed. Transparent ribbons formed wings behind her, and hair 
spun from the sunrise fell from two spheres on her head. A crown of 
gold and ruby encircled her head, and between her closed eyes was a 
distinct marking, a golden crescent moon that shone even in the 
darkness of the room. 

	But like the others, she was a prisoner as well it seemed. Her 
whole body was encased in a thick crystal cocoon, suspending her in 
mid-air and creating the elusion she was floating. She realized Demando
had loosened his hold on her, and his breathing was muted in her ears. 
She dared to turn her head, and caught the look of infatuation in his 
blue eyes.

	"Perfect," he whispered, and a lump in her throat formed as he 
turned his attention back to her. He reached out, taking a strand of 
her hair between his greedy fingers. He brought it to his face and 
inhaled her scent, making her squirm beneath him. "Blondes are hard to 
come by in these dark times."

	His hand was moving before she realized, and she gasped as she 
felt his cold hand slip beneath the collar of her dress.

	"No!" she shouted defiantly, struggling against his strong 
embrace.

	Despite the dagger in her back, she kicked and flailed, 
managing to make contact with his gut. He grunted and released her 
momentarily, but her freedom was short lived. As she turned to escape, 
he grabbed her arm in a crushing grip, and all she saw were his 
flashing eyes before his fist connected with her cheek, sending stars, 
like white fireworks across her vision.
	
	She fell to the floor and he was quick to follow, hitting her 
repeatedly until the fight was beaten out of her. His hands turned from
violence to violation as they roamed over her frantically, nails 
racking and fingers bruising her soft skin. He grabbed her lips with 
his, and then trailed invasive kisses down her face and neck, biting 
and licking like a lion after the kill. He stopped to grab the dagger 
and she groaned in protest as he began to cut away the top of her dress. 
He took her exposed flesh in his filthy hands, and through her blurry 
tears, she could see the evil smirk on his face.

	"I will have what I want."

	When he had enough, he turned her over roughly, pushing the 
skirts of her dress up. The dagger sliced into the skin of her thigh 
as he carelessly cut her undergarments away and with excited, shaking 
hands, he readied himself. He grabbed her hair, pulling it into two 
ponytails like the vision of his obsession. He kept his eyes glued on 
the frozen figure before them as he took her, and Minako cried out as 
tears mixed with the blood on her cheeks.

+++++

	Minako opened her eyes, fighting against the solid tears that
had collected on her eyelashes. The world was blurry and distorted for 
a few minutes until she finally regained her senses, but she found no 
comfort in the reality of her world. She cried out, her voice broken 
by pain and hurt. Her face felt stiff and her insides burned sorely. 
She wanted nothing more but to close her eyes and disappear, but when
her eyelids fluttered open, she saw the innocent smile of Shing gazing 
down at her, full of friendship and hope -- full of everything this 
woman before her could give. 

	It proved difficult, but Minako bravely made her way over to 
the trapped monarch, and extended a trembling hand to caress the sleek 
crystal casket. She dipped her hand into her pocket, thankful that 
Demando had been too distracted to think of why she would be up in 
these halls, and slowly pulled out the wand. She took it in both hands 
then untwisted the top of the stick from its base, tilting the rod and 
into her blood-splotched palm fell a slim, circular device. 

	For a moment, she dropped her dismantled wand to the ground and
with a pained moan rose to her knees. Pressing the sides of the tube, 
its base fanned out in response, spreading like a morning flower 
embracing the sun. She placed it against the crystal and released her 
grip as it firmly attached itself to the crystal shell as if it had 
always been part of it. She gripped the end of the protruding wand and 
at her command, a pulsating red light appeared beneath her thumb. 

	With that final act, she fell back. Worn out and defeated she 
could barely keep her eyes open, but had enough sense to reassemble her
wand and conceal it once more. With that done, she lay on the floor, 
her burning body taking comfort in the coolness of the stone floor. 
Through heavy lashes, she watched as a light abruptly engulfed the 
woman and crystal before her. It embraced every facet, and its pink 
aura bounced off the dark walls. But as quickly, as it had come, 
however, the light vanished, taking with it the captive Hope of the 
entire world.

	"Save us..." Minako whispered, before her eyes could stay open 
no longer.

	In her dreams, she found herself surrounded by white light, 
filling her with warmth she found comforting to both her aching spirit 
and battered body. Three figures soon came into view, and from each she
saw a different emotion: Concern, relief, hope.

	"Are you all right?" She nodded in response, her fists shaking 
at her sides. “This wasn’t supposed to happen…I’m so sorry for what he 
has done.”

	"But you did it, we have her now. You’ve given us our hope back."

	"Please...please let me come home," she begged, her voice 
cracking desperately.

	"Be strong; you are the only one who can complete this mission,
there is no one else. You know that. We will not leave you alone...we 
will always be with you."

	The glow around her enveloped them, and like a tidal wave, 
washed over her, filling her with rejuvenating strength and peace. She 
didn't know how long she had been lying there before she felt something
cold and wet nudge her face. With great effort, she pried her eyes 
open once more, and found a face full of whiskers in her view. It took
her a moment, but his green eyes gave him away eventually.

	"Asa..." she whispered, lifting her hand. He brought his long 
snout to her, a low concerned whine coming from his throat.

	"Asa...!" Kunzite's strong voice filled her ears, and for once,
she was glad to hear it. He rushed into the room with Sera at his side,
but skidded to a stop when he saw her. Blood smeared on the floor 
around her, reaching out like distorted worms towards her. Her clothes
were shredded and ripped, bearing her red smeared skin. Kunzite felt 
himself sick as he gazed at her pale face, finding it caked with dry 
blood and streaks where tears had forged their way down her cheeks.

	"Minako...!" He was by her side in an instant, gently gathering
her in his arms. He unclasped his cape and carefully wrapped her in it,
cringing when she yelped at his touch. "Minako, what happened, who did
this to you?"

	She reached up, his breath stopping as she grazed his face with
her bruised fingers. Her eyes shimmered with tears, and her brow 
furrowed and her lips formed a thin line as she tried to keep her grief
contained.

	"Demando...he..." Minako’s voice faded away as her eyes closed, 
and Kunzite followed the graceful descent of her hand as it fell to the
floor. For the first time he noticed there was no longer a looming, 
frozen figurine hovering above them, and his heart raced as he raised 
his head. 

	She was gone.

+++++