ÒDid I dream this belief?  Or did I believe this dream?  For I canÕt handle 
this.  I grieve for you.Ó
~ÔI GrieveÕ  Peter Gabriel

ÒTempt not a desperate man!Ó
~Romeo and Juliet



Without Darkness, There Can Be No Light.
By Antigone 1999


Ò...yet, somehow, without light, darkness can still exist.Ó

The silence stretched over the crystal courtyard oppressing everyone 
around, and forcing them to reach inside their minds and hearts to face what 
was about to happen.
	The girl stood, head high, eyes strong beneath their tears, her shorn 
auburn hair fluttering in the slight breeze.  King Endymion of Earth stood 
about a hundred feet in front of her, in the beautiful wrought iron and marble 
theatre box above the courtyard, surround by the senshi and his bodyguards.  
He wasnÕt far enough away from the girl not to sense her fear, her desperate 
thoughts, and most strongly, her sharp loathing of him.  The hatred she felt 
surged through him, in his veins, and he welcomed it and agreed with it.  Yes, 
he agreed with her completely.  But that would not impede her death. 
	ÒMegumi Eden, you are sentenced to High Treason to the Crown of Earth,  
Unauthorized Assembly, and Planning to Overthrow the Government in a Violent 
or Illegal Manner.  Do you repent?Ó  MarsÕ voice rang over the silent 
onlookers and caused Megumi to narrow her eyes.
	Jupiter stood second when Megumi didnÕt answer.  ÒYou are aware that if 
you repent it will not effect your punishment now, but will ensure a proper 
burial and rights to your remaining family.Ó  It was impossible to hear any 
emotion in JupiterÕs voice, to decipher how she felt about this punishment.  
But then again, perhaps she felt nothing.  Emotion had long ago been burnt out 
of the senshi, it seemed.  
King Endymion watched the girl struggle with the binds that held her to 
the crystal spire.  Her young age suddenly became apparent behind the murky 
green of her eyes.  She may have been beautiful once, perhaps she still was, 
he had no idea.  He never saw beauty in anything anymore.
	ÒChoose your means of death.Ó  The king said to her, the impassiveness 
in his voice somehow more disturbing than if he had yelled at the woman he was 
killing.  
	ÒOld age.Ó  She answered immediately, drawing a mixed reaction from the 
crowd.  Where they secretly rooting for her?  Endymion didnÕt care.
	ÒThen I will chose,Ó he continued as if she hadnÕt spoken.  ÒThe most 
painless, the most humane.Ó  As if death was humane.  As if life fading before 
your eyes was humane.  As if looking into what were once the brightest eyes in 
the world and knowing they would never see again was humane.  Endymion shut 
his eyes suddenly, feeling the darkness in him swirl once again, comforting 
his pain with twisted hatred.  He gave the signal.
The spire pulsed with energy.  And she screamed.

	It was over in a second, less than a second, and her lifeless body hung 
limp on the spire.  The guards were just walking forward when a shout ensued 
from the crowd.  The senshi gasped and jumped us as suddenly a band of armed 
men and women stormed the courtyard.  Chaos erupted and the senshi jumped into 
the fight amongst the screams and running, scattering people.  Swords clashed, 
power swirled and punches rang.  They carried no guns.
	The guards by the spire were knocked out cold and taken down, and a 
figure jumped onto the dais on which the tall structure rested.  The band of 
people stopped their onslaught and watched, the crowd watched, and the king 
stood, his dark hazel eyes taking in the scene.
	The young man hurriedly untied Megumi, and cradled her in his arms, 
murmuring something softly.  They watched as he pressed his fingers to her 
wrist, her mouth, her neck, each time panic growing in his features.
	ÒNo...Ó he murmured, shaking, Òno...  masaka... please...please donÕt 
be...Ó
	He looked up suddenly, mouth hanging open, disbelief and grief 
spiraling though him and around him binding him with thorns and darkness and 
helplessness.  Pain. 
	ÒMEGUMI!!!!Ó he howled.  Head thrown back, her name tore from his 
throat again and again.  Fists clenched, lungs palpitated, pulse raced, and 
mind churned.  Endymion felt it, felt it from the young man.  But he didnÕt 
cringe.  These feelings couldnÕt touch him anymore.
	Pain.  Hatred.  The young manÕs bottle-green eyes fell on the king, 
sharp and focused.  His utter loathing filled him completely, sharp as if the 
boy had thrown a spear at the king.
	ÒYou...Ó the manÕs face twisted and ugly, seething with rage, Endymion 
knew, because rage was easier then grief.  So much easier, rage filled you, 
filled you and let nothing else in.  Until you were numb.  Numb for eternity.  
ÒIÕll kill you, you who dare to call yourself a king!  I will kill you the way 
you killed me...Ó
	The guards captured him quickly, twisted his hands behind his back, 
leading him away in cuffs and linked with power.  Yet the manÕs eyes never 
left EndymionÕs.  The piercing, desperate, disgusted gaze in a defeated face.  
ÒIÕll never forgive you...Ó he whispered.  Despite himself, the king found 
that he was following the manÕs gaze with his eyes, turning his head as the 
man was taken away.
	ÒMost of the others in the attacking party have either been captured or 
fled, my lord.Ó  SailorUranus made her report in a business-like manner.
	Endymion nodded curtly.  ÒThey will be tried in the days to come.Ó
	Slowly, SailorVenus walked toward the group, eyes downcast and face 
set.  She motioned toward MegumiÕs body, being carried away.  ÒThey had a 
bond,Ó she said softly, shaking her head, ÒheÕll never get over it.Ó
	There was shifting, heavy silence.  Eyes met and then looked away from 
each other, heads lowered and all were lost in their memories.  All but 
Endymion, it seemed.  Violet-black hair fluttered for a moment in the breeze, 
an ironic expression on his perfect features.
	ÒWell, if the trial goes as it will, he wonÕt have to, will he?Ó  
Endymion asked, before turning and entering the Crystal Palace. 
	ÒThat was uncalled for, Venus,Ó Mercury said quietly as she watched 
Endymion leave.
	ÒWhat was uncalled for?Ó she asked, her voice raising and cracking, ÒI 
spoke the truth.Ó
	Silence.
	Venus then exploded, sobs shaking her body, ÒHow can he do this, minna?  
How can he do this after what happened to-Ò
	UranusÕs voice was harsh, ÒHe has to keep the peace somehow.  He has to 
maintain his power!  The rebels have to be made examples of.Ó
	Ò*She* would never haveÑÒ
	ÒWell, sheÕs not here is she?!Ó  Mars demanded, her eyes filling with 
fury as she turned to her comrade, ÒShe was my best friend!  My best friend!  
But shit happens, ok?!Ó
	Silence reigned for a moment at the unusual outburst.  Usually the 
senshi were so cold, so professional.  Mars covered her mouth with her hands, 
feeling as if her tongue were burning from such words.  ÔOne thousand years... 
almost one thousand years and we still canÕt talk about it, can we?Õ
	
	One thousand years.  Endymion poured the amber liquid into a cut-class 
goblet but didnÕt drink it.  For a moment he stood and watched the light 
bounce off the glass and filter through the brown alcohol.  By a rule he 
wasnÕt a drinker.  By a rule he wasnÕt much of anything... he knew what the 
people were saying about him.  Intelligent, yes, nearly a genius.  But cold, 
cruel, zombie-like, heartless.
	He couldnÕt deny it.  He had stopped caring, stopped trying.  ÔYou 
liar.  When there was no ÔstoppingÕ.  When did you ever care?  When did you 
ever try?Õ
	When did it stop mattering?  The funeral?  When Pluto told him it was 
now up to him to lead the neo-kingdom?  Or was it then... at that moment when 
he broke down the door to her dressing room, and saw her, sightless eyes 
staring up at him, blood still soaking through the delicate lace of her 
wedding gown...
	The glass hit the wall and shattered, the light reflecting in it 
exploded, scattered and flew at him.  Light cut him, light burned him, but he 
was lying to himself as he reached out his hands trying to capture it, to keep 
it, to fill himself with it and he fell the ground.  There was no light.  Not 
in his life.  Not anymore.
	ÒYour majesty?  Sire?Ó an urgent page stood at his side, suddenly, and 
the king realized he was standing, and still held the glass in his hand, 
unbroken and empty.
	ÒYes?Ó  
	ÒThe others seek audience with you.Ó

	Red-rimmed green eyes stared straight ahead, unseeing, burning, 
swirling with near- madness.  The young man sat in jail, in the corner of the 
cell, arms linked over his knees, unmoving.
	A force, a force bred of wanting, of need, of desperation, grief and 
longing twisted, writhed and formed around in the cell, calling strength from 
every broken heart, empty home and tear-watered grave.  The force pulsed 
before the man, asking:
	ÔWhat do you want, Sean?  What is it you seek so badly?Õ
	ÒMegumi.Ó  His mouth formed the word, soundlessly.
	ÔWhat do you want, Sean?Õ it persisted, not receiving the answer it 
needed.
	ÒRevenge...Ó he murmured again, his eyes widened as the force surged 
and penetrated and seeped into his eyes, black to green and back again.  And 
Sean collapsed to the floor of the cell, reaching for the blackness around 
him, reaching for a way to capture it...  It pulsed once and the young man was 
gone.
	The cell was empty.
	The sun was setting over Crystal Tokyo.



The doors to the chamber room opened grandly and Endymion marched in, 
face expressionless as always, eyes portraying the numbness inside him.
	ÒYou asked to speak with me?Ó he asked.
	Uranus bowed.  ÒHe wouldnÕt say, sire, but we have reason to believe 
the young manÕs name is Sean Kato.  The leader of this band of rebels and the 
mind behind most of their plans and previous attacks.Ó
	Endymion nodded.  ÒWhat do you plan to do with this information?Ó
	Before she could answer, a guard came bursting into the doors.  Bowing 
before Endymion and the others, he caught his breath enough to gasp, ÒSire...  
Kato... he has... escaped.Ó
	The room erupted with noise.  Uranus caught the man by his collar and 
rammed him to the wall, ÒHow many guards did you have on him?!  I thought I 
ordered high security!Ó
	ÒProtect the king!Ó  Mars shouted, ÒHe was talking assassination.Ó
	ÒPerhaps he is still in the palace,Ó Mercury said, ÒI need the link to 
the main-frame computer for the dungeons perhaps I canÑÒ
	Endymion slumped against the wall, putting a hand to his head.  ÔIÕll 
kill you.  IÕll kill you like you killed me.  Like you killed me...like 
you...Õ
	In a flash of light, another figure entered the room.
	ÒPluto-san?!Ó
	It was not the time for reunions or greetings.  ÒSomeone crossed the 
time corridor.Ó  She said simply.
	There was a moment of silence before all the senshi began talking at 
once.  ÒYou donÕt think it could be...Ó
	ÒA lowly prisoner couldnÕt just cross the plane of space and time...Ó
	ÒThere was an outside force,Ó Pluto stated, Òextremely powerful and 
invisible to me until it was too late.  With that sort of supernatural help, 
anyone could.Ó
	ÒDo you know when he is?Ó  Uranus demanded.
 	ÒI need to be hooked up into the time matrix computer for an estimate.Ó  
Mercury said, ÒItÕll take a while, though.Ó
	SailorPluto bit her lip for a moment.  ÒI can give you a ballpark.Ó
	Neptune rolled her eyes, ÒBallpark like...Ó
Venus and Jupiter were securing the room, while Saturn quickly adjusted 
the power settings and lighting the room to allow for the amount of power 
MercuryÕs computer would take.
	ÒBetween ten and two thousand AD.Ó
	ÒYou call *that* a ballpark?!Ó  Mars barked, as she motioned to the 
guards by the door to be wary in case Kato wasnÕt the one who crossed the 
barrier.
	Mercury hooked up her computer, searching spreadsheet after matrix 
after compile chart, the numbers flipped by...stopped...  ÒTwentieth century!Ó
	ÒIf he wants Endymion dead what is he doing back then?Ó
Endymion stared straight ahead at the chaos ensuing in the large room, 
but not seeing any of it.  ÔLike you killed me...Õ 
	Sean screaming his loverÕs name, grief overtaking him as her body lay 
in his arms.  ÔIf that isnÕt death...Õ
	*..Then what is?*
	
	ÒLate twentieth century!Ó  Mercury cried.
	
	In his mindÕs eye, Endymion saw Sean untying Megumi so gently, dread already 
on his features.  She was limp, not breathing, the spire still cackling with 
energy... why did he bother to take a pulse?
	*Why had he bothered to take a pulse?  She was covered, *covered* in 
blood, the crimson liquid already drying across her dress.  The pretty blue of 
her eyes was faded, glazed, two tears still falling down pale cheeks.  So 
*why* did he rush to kneel beside her, to check for a heartbeat that would 
never come again?*
	
	Mercury, was scanning the numbers intently, breath catching as a 
horrible idea began to form in her head. 
	ÒNineteen nineties!Ó
	
	Endymion buried his face in his hands and memories came and went 
through his mind like a some sadistic slide show...
	Sean holding Megumi so gently, so close, even though she would never...
	*...feel anything again ...blood was 
everywhere, everywhere...*
	 Ô...she canÕt be...Õ Sean whispering, 
	*...she canÕt be dead, because I love her...*
	
	ÔYou.Õ the accusatory look in SeanÕs haunting green eyes, directed at 
Endymion.  ÔIÕll kill you like you killed me.Õ
	Killed me.
	*She was so light in his arms, so light, silky strands of platinum and 
gold falling across her face... she was looking right at him...right at him, 
but not seeing... so bloody, not breathing... no pulse.  
	No pulse.  
	Desperation, panic... and he screamed her name as the pull of 
blackness, thorns, and pain choked him, choked him until he was blind swimming 
in madness just screaming and screaming with insane, defiant cries.  He sat 
there with her in his arms, silent and subdued, but inside... inside he 
cringed, he screamed, he went insane...and he died.  He died.  Forever.*
	ÔLike you killed me...Õ
	*'Forgive me, my love, my wife.  I lied when 
I vowed.  Till death do us part...but I will never part with you.  Never.Õ  It 
was his grave, too.*
	ÒNineteen ninety five...Ó Mercury said, her voice no more then a 
fervent whisper.
	ÒJuly, 1995?Ó  Sailormars murmured in horror.
	King Endymion looked up, ÒJuly 1st, 1995.  6:27 p.m.  Partly cloudy, 74 
degrees.Ó  His voice was emotionless but his eyes were wild.
	ÒSire...Ó
	But before anyone could react, he had cornered SailorPluto and held her 
against the wall.
	ÒGive me the time key.Ó
	ÒYou canÕt just...Ó
	He pressed her arms harder against the marble.  ÒI canÕt just what?!Ó
	ÒMess with the timeline like that...Ó
	Endymion shook her, screaming in an outburst of emotion the senshi 
hadnÕt seen from their stone-hearted king since as long as they could 
remember.
	ÒDamn you!  You said yourself it wasnÕt supposed to happen.  *It wasnÕt 
supposed to happen*!!Ó
	Pluto was silent for a moment.  ÒDo you believe you can stop him?Ó
	Dark hazel eyes lightened for a moment to violet, intensified and 
shook.  ÒI have to try.Ó
	She pressed the key into his hand, the cold metal shocking his heated 
skin.  He closed his hand around it and stepped back a few feet... frenzied 
desperation that was buried for nearly a millennium came forth and directed 
him as he commanded the time key to take him to Kato...and Usagi.
	A flash of light.  And he was gone.
	Mars whispered, ÒPluto-san, what did you do?Ó
	Venus slumped into a nearby chair, pale and with tears streaming down 
her face.  ÒWhoÕd have thought?  Who knew?  Oh, Usagi-chan, we are so, so 
sorry...Ó
	ÒDo you think he can... do you think he will...Ó Saturn found she 
couldnÕt finish her sentence.
	Pluto stood, eyes unseeing but filling with tears.  ÒNeither of them 
has anything to loose.  But Endymion has much to gain.Ó
	ÒAn advantage...Ó Uranus said.
	ÒOr a disadvantage.  His blind, mad desperation to save Serenity may 
cloud his mind from thinking clearly.Ó
	ÒYeah, well, 1000 years of mourning can do that to a person.Ó  Mars 
muttered bitterly.
	Pluto raised her eyes heavenward, whispered softly, ÒGood luck, my 
king.  For the sake of us all, may you win this battle.Ó


	It was feeling of vertigo, spinning in blackness, stomach dropping and 
heart skipping as it tried to pump in such weightless space.  He could feel 
the key searching, and no, Endymion was never exactly sure *where* exactly the 
few people who traveled time were as the decades rolled past them as spokes on 
a wheel.  Outside the binds of space and time?  Or directly in the middle, in 
the darkness inside the ring of endless light, in the untouched, unchanged 
horror of nonexistence...
	Then *slamming* into reality.  Endymion stood, shakily, in a dim room, 
the sunlight from early evening slanting through the windows.
	ÔWho are you and what do you seek?Õ a darkness asked.
	ÔKing Endymion of Earth.  I seek Sean Kato.Õ
	ÔWhy?Õ it hissed.
	ÔTo save my love.Õ
	It laughed, rippled in amusement.  A horrible sound, feeling, sense.  
ÔNo, thatÕs not it.Õ  It said, ÔSo why have you come?Õ 
	The darkness didnÕt expect an answer, obviously, because it swirled 
from EndymionÕs sight just leaving the unanswered question in his mind.  ÔWhy 
have you come?  Why...Õ
	Endymion took a moment to look around the room he was in, although he 
didnÕt have to.  It was imprinted on his memory like a brand, forever fresh, 
forever burning.
	The make-up on the vanity, haphazardly flung aside by her bridesmaids 
as the wedding march started, the suitcases piled on the floor, packed already 
for the honeymoon she would never have, the light dress hanging on the door.  
The floor to the side of the door where...where she...  where they found her 
at 6:27 p.m.  She was still warm.  It was one minute or less after the 
coronerÕs official time of death.  
	A clock in the corner read 6:25:43.
A rustle in the room drew EndymionÕs attention away from the room 
itself and to the other occupant of it.
	Kato was poised behind the door, confusion for a moment coloring his 
face.  ÔWhat am I doing here?Õ he asked, wondering at the knife in his hand.
	A darkness gleefully twisted around Sean in a mockery of an embrace.  
ÔWhat you want.Õ
	ÔMegumi!Õ
	ÔNo.  Revenge.Õ  And the darkness filled him.
	And the door opened.
	ÔNO!!Õ  Endymion wanted to scream.  ÔTurn back, turn back now, 
please...stay away...let me fight Kato...Õ  But the blackness held him back, 
held him. ÔIf you stop Kato,Õ it whispered, Ôwho will you hate?Õ
	
	It had been centuries since he heard 20th century Japanese, and Endymion 
didnÕt try to decipher it.  A cheerful female voice said something, and Usagi 
answered back.  Her voice was as unfamiliar as a strangerÕs.  Her face was 
flushed and exhausted but happy, as she rolled her eyes at her friend and shut 
the door behind her.
	She locked it.
	Why did she lock it?  Why did she feel the need to twist the circular 
button in the door handle to bar her from the outside world?  
	To Endymion, she was nothing but a ghost, an apparition of the girl who 
would in less then two minutes be sprawled on the floor in her own blood.  
Whose name would, in one thousand years, be forbidden to be spoken. 
	Usagi ran her hand over her face, removing her veil and headpiece in 
one fluid motion.  White-blonde-gold waves of hair fell around her face, over 
her face, blinding her from the attack to come.
	She lifted her eyes just then, started almost directly at Endymion, 
hidden in the shadows.  Blue eyes shifted to the side, uneasily.  She knew 
something was wrong.
	The darkness merrily swirled to Endymion, in him, around him.  ÔLook at 
her.  You feel nothing.  You donÕt love her.  You donÕt love her.  You never 
did, did you?  You never could.  Lonely little orphan boy.  What did you know 
of love?  You let her die.Õ
	NO!  Endymion thought, wildly trying to rid the voice from his mind.
	ÔOf course you did.  And you are letting her die, again.Õ  With that 
the voice disappeared.
	Kato grabbed UsagiÕs arm and the girl screamed until his hand crushed 
to her mouth and nose and held her.  
	She struggled, a voice behind the door called to her.  KatoÕs face 
twisted in a horrible smile.
	The clock read 6:26:09

	A questioning voice muffled from behind the door.  Panicked murmuring, 
a loud knocking.  ÒUsagi!  Usagi-chan!!?  Usagi, open this door.Ó
	Running footsteps.  Many voices outside the door.  Outside time.  
Outside.  ÒUsagi-chan?Õ  ÔUsagi!Õ  ÔTsukino-san, please!Õ  ÔOnee-chan?Õ  
ÔUsako!ÕÓ
	The voices were long, drawn out in slow motion.  The pounding on the 
door matched the heartbeat of someone in deep sleep.  Outside the little dark 
room, time moved differently.
	Pound!
	The clockÕs glowing second display flipped to :10, slowly.
	As if he was moving through water, Kato raised the knife as UsagiÕs 
head bobbed down, her eyes closing as unconsciousness over-took her.  
	Pound!  Voices crying.
UsagiÕs eyes fluttered closed... but...ÔHer eyes werenÕt closed.Õ  At 
the memory, Endymion snapped out of his stupor and jumped at the young man 
before him.  
	ÒStop, Kato!Ó he cried.
	The young man looked up, Usagi fell the floor before him, unmoving.
	ÒYou!Ó  Kato said, hatred twisted his features.  ÒYou killed Megumi.Ó
	Endymion shook his head slowly.  ÒNo,Ó he whispered.  ÒYou did.Ó
	Another pound at the door.  
Denial.  Pain.  ÒNO!  You dirty, lying murderer!Ó  Sean pointed a 
shaking finger at the king, green eyes were wild with fear, hate and other, 
stronger emotion.
	ÒNo, Sean, IÕm telling the truth,Ó Endymion said, calmly.  ÒBy stabbing 
this girl, you stab your own Megumi, right in the heart.Ó
	Challengingly, Sean raised the knife over UsagiÕs chest, and tensed his 
arm for the first blow.  ÒHow?Ó he asked.
	Endymion walked slowly forward, and Kato made him freeze by putting the 
knife directly on UsagiÕs throat.
	The clock read 6:26:17.
	ÒIf you love her, youÕll stay away.Ó  Kato hissed, pressing the knife 
harder into UsagiÕs neck, almost drawing blood. 
	Endymion blinked for a second.
	KatoÕs eyebrows knitted together.  ÒYou do love her, donÕt you?Ó
	Pound.  Scream.  6:26:21.
	ÒNo.Ó  Endymion whispered, his eyes fading to the granite shards they 
usually resembled.  ÒI canÕt.  I am incapable.  ItÕs been so long...too many 
years...Ó  He fell to his knees with the blow of that discovery.
	The knife lifted a bit from UsagiÕs neck.
	ÒI have forgotten how to love.  How to feel anything.Ó  The darkness 
danced in ecstasy at EndymionÕs words, swirling and swirling.
	Sean backed away in horror.  Utter horror.  ÒHow do you forget..?Ó
	The darkness paused.
	ÒIs that what you are afraid of, Sean Kato?Ó  Endymion asked.  ÒOf 
forgetting love?  Of loosing it?Ó
	This time the door shook with the force of the pounding.  They were 
trying to break it down.
	Endymion kept talking.  ÒYou went back in time, Kato, back in *time*.  
Instead of going back to that morning to save Megumi, you came back one 
thousand years to destroy the soul of a man you never talked to.Ó
	SeanÕs green eyes flashed with guilt, denial, hatred.  ÒYou bastard!Ó 
he cried, lifting Usagi up in his arms again and raising the knife in a wild 
frenzy.
	The clock read 6:26:25.
	ÒHate is so much easier than love, isnÕt it, Sean Kato?Ó  the king 
sighed, eyes not leaving the peaceful face of the girl Sean held.  ÒThatÕs why 
you didnÕt save Megumi.  ThatÕs why you came after me.  You are weak.  Just 
like me.Ó
	The door pounded, shook on its hinges.  A panicked voice cried out to 
his bride.  Chiba Mamoru.
	ÒSean,Ó the king leaned forward, nodding his head toward the door, Òhe 
loves her.Ó
	Sean took a deep breath.  Eyes not leaving the kingÕs face.  The 
darkness cried in denial.
	ÒHe loves her like you loved Megumi.  More, maybe.  She is his 
everything.Ó
	Sean looked confused for a moment.
	ÒSean, do you love Megumi?Ó
	He nodded, suddenly revealing himself to be nothing but a messed-up, 
scared little boy.  Scared of the truth.
	Endymion knew the feeling.
	ÒDo you think,Ó Endymion whispered intensely to the man in front of 
him, Òthat he would sentence Megumi to death if he could still feel something 
inside of him?  If his true love ruled at his side?Ó
	Sean looked at Usagi.
	ÒIf the purest, most uncorrupted heart in the world belonged to your 
Queen, would you even be rebelling in the first place?Ó
	Green eyes narrowed as the king challenged his cause.
	ÒYou hate me, Sean Kato.Ó
	Pound.
	6:26:38.
	A few more seconds and the door would break open.  Would Mamoru find 
Usagi dead, his life over?  Would he turn into such a bitter, cold, 
untouchable man?
	ÒBut you created me.Ó
	The knife fell. 
	6:26:41.
	
	ÒDamn it!  It just wonÕt break!!Ó
	ÒSir, um, perhaps breaking down the door isnÕt exactly...Ó
	ÒCan it, jerk, my friendÕs in trouble.Ó  Rei gave the man a look that 
made him back down, choking.
	ÒAre you sure itÕs trouble?Ó  Haruka was whispering to Mamoru.  UsagiÕs 
parents and brother were concerned at MamoruÕs panic, but most people were 
trying to convince him that Usagi was probably fine, and breaking down the 
door was a little extreme.
	All but those who knew him.
	Mamoru gave Haruka a Look. 
	ÒWould he be breaking down the door if he didnÕt sense anything?!Ó  
Minako asked.  ÒI heard her scream, I swear it!Ó
	Almost there...  Mamoru rammed his shoulder against the door again.  It 
shuttered on its hinges.

	6:26:46.
	The darkness tried to swirl around Sean Kato, to enter his mind and his 
heart but something was stopping it.  A girl with long auburn hair and murky 
blue eyes and a slow, intuitive smile.  A girl that would save him.  Sean gave 
up the darknessÕ control and his power to stay in this time faded.  He faded 
away, all the while dreaming of Megumi, his eyes closed.  Time claimed him.  
Who knew what lay ahead?
	6:26:47.
	The darkness reeled toward the king, embracing him.  But for once he 
didnÕt embrace it back.
	Usagi stirred a little.
	ÔIÕm scared, too, Sean Kato.Õ  Endymion thought.  For a moment he 
brushed his hand across UsagiÕs face. 
	The touch shocked him, sent sharp nerve pulses through his entire arm.  
When had he last touched anyone?  When had he last touched her?  He felt like 
a starving man before a feast, like he would over gorge himself and die if he 
took too much.  It had been too long.  He was ready to die.	
	The door made a cracking sound.  Voices rose, still in slow motion.
	6:26:52.
	Endymion watched Usagi stir, dusky lashes fluttering for a moment, a 
lace-covered hand running over her delicate forehead for a second.  She didnÕt 
open her eyes.  She was breathing.  Her heart was beating.  She was alive.
	The door cracked again, almost fell.  He lifted Usagi up, slowly, and 
placed her beside the door, so it wouldnÕt fall on her, taking such delight 
from the feeling of her pulse beneath his fingers. 
	Slowly, Endymion leaned down, brushed his lips against her cheek, once.  
A jolt ran through him and million dead, dormant, controlling feelings rushed 
to him.  ÒI loved you...Ó he breathed.  So he had felt love. Once. He had forgotten.
But now... hee was going to die with the joy of 
it.
	Die from the million points of light shattering the darkness.  Die from 
the light engulfing him, consuming him.
	6:26:59.
	The door broke down.

	He watched as her friends and family crowded the entrance way, crying 
her name in relief.  He saw Rei and Minako rush to her side, lift her up and 
hug her as she slowly came to.  He saw himself, so much younger, black-haired 
blue-eyed and dressed as he was on his wedding day, rush to their side.  He 
watched as Usagi put a confused hand to her head, shaking it, and Rei scanned 
the room for evil.
	He drifted away as Minako made a quick joke and pushed Usagi toward 
Mamoru so he caught her, and Endymion watched as they held each other tightly. 
The light took him as he saw the laughter in the eyes of those around her, and 
saw her smile, her blue eyes alive and bright and seeing and loving.
	Light.  
	Sheering, blinding, white, white light.


	It was light that killed the darkness, and it was light that killed 
Endymion.  Dying with the darkness that had consumed him for so, so long, it 
was light that shone in his eyes.  Light that woke him up, in a morning in 
Crystal Tokyo.  Peaceful and warm.
	Shaking his head, he let the confused thoughts and feelings drain from 
him with the familiar sounds of activity elsewhere in the palace, the birds 
singing from the trees, and Serenity breathing as she slept beside him. 
The darkness stirred, and danced in its shadowy balance with light. 

The end.





ÒItÕll all work out somehow.Ó
ÒHow?Ó
ÒI donÕt know.  ItÕs a mystery.Ó
Shakespeare in Love