A fan fic by Caleyndar. Rating: PG. Notes: This is the last chapter of Part One: Innocent Life. This chapter covers the transition from Part One to Part Two. Chapter One of Part Two: A Deeper Truth, follows. Thank you all who e-mailed me. Please do so it you have the time, whether you liked it or disliked it. I vow to reply to all e-mails. Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me; only the few I make up. The story, however, is mine. The Name Endymion... Part One: Innocent Life... Chapter Seven... The four of us walked slowly to the trees, where it wasn't so open. My hard hat was held in my arm, pressed up against my side. In my other hand, I held Serena's hand gently, marvelling again at how perfectly it fitted into my own. The sun was low in the sky now, and the light it cast had a red tint to it, and it seemed as if the sky was on fire. "What happened today?" I asked bluntly. "What hit me?" "You were attacked. I think it was the Shadow Kingdom. I very much doubt that the Dark Dragon Kingdom would want you dead, since part of your kingdom is in alliance with it," Serena said softly, still holding my hand. "And the blast you were hit with; it was what they call a 'Shadow Shock'. It is meant to hit the victim, knock them out, and then embed in the victim a poison. It would have killed you had not Serenity healed you. What you felt, the coldness, that was the poison beginning to work," Sapphire said. He was standing next to Diamond, across from Serena and myself. "The shock itself can be seen as a dark purple black wave of energy. And the reason Nick and the others didn't see it hit you was because I erased it from their memories, as per Serenity's request." "Wait a second. How many kingdoms are there?" I asked. "Seven known ones. The Earth, the Moon, the Black Moon, the Crystal Star, the Dark Dragon, the Shadow, and the Sun Kingdom," Sapphire replied, looking up at the sun behind me. "And why does this Shadow Kingdom want me dead?" I asked. "And how did it know who I am, and why did it attack here and now?" "The Shadow Kingdom wants all the other kingdoms out of the way so that it can be all powerful in the galaxy. It may know who you are because of our presence here. It dares not attack us because it know full well that if it does, we would have back up, and they would be dead. On the other hand, your kingdom, and everyone else in the galaxy thinks you're dead. They probably wanted to finish the job," Diamond sneered at me. Serena glared at him. Diamond shut up and looked away. "And the reason they attack here and now is most likely to see if you really are Endymion. You were out in the open, and we were there," Sapphire finished. "I see. And can someone tell me who is fighting who?" I questioned. "The Earth Kingdom is split into two. It use to be the most powerful before that. One side, whose name remains the 'Earth Kingdom', is neutral. The other side, now named the 'Dark Earth Kingdom', fights with the Dark Dragon Kingdom against us, the Black Moon Kingdom. The Shadow Kingdom fights against all of us," Sapphire explained to me. "What about the Moon Kingdom?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. I had not forgotten that it was they who had killed my mother and father and had split my kingdom into two fragments. "It equals in power with the Black Moon Kingdom now the Earth Kingdom is split into two," Sapphire said, as if reciting from a text book. "I meant the role of it in the war, and who belongs to it," I said, a little impatiently. "It has no role in the war," Serena said softly. "No one you know belongs to it." I looked at her, sensing some uneasiness in her. Diamond and Sapphire glanced at her too. "Actually, no one anyone of us knows belongs to it," Sapphire began, darting a look at Serena. "It isolates itself completely from the rest of the galaxy with a 'Space Divider Field'. Nothing from the outside can penetrate the field as it makes part of space non existent." "You're getting a little too technical for me, I'm afraid," I said. "Anyway, I guess you must belong to the Crystal Star Kingdom, right Serena?" I asked. "And I suppose you're on the same side as the Black Moon Kingdom." "Yes," Serena replied. "Well, I think we've had enough heavy talk for one day. Why don't we all go and get ready for dinner? I'll see you at the dance, Serena," I said. With a kiss on her forehead, I turned and ran back to my cabin to shower and change. I sensed that something was not right though, something the three of them were not telling me. All three of my room mates had already had their showers, so I gathered my things and took mine. We still had a little time before dinner, which was served promptly at six in the evenings. From the information we had been given, the dance would start half an hour after dinner. That would give us enough time to change, thus we did not have to wear that outfit to dinner and get all food over it. I got out of the shower, dressed in some causal cloths, and dried my black hair with a towel. Nick was sitting on the top bunk, staring off into space with a dreamy smile on his face. Luke and David was quietly talking on their bunk, no doubt planning some strategy to get the girls from Diamond's and Sapphire's grasp. Despite the fact that some one from the Shadow Kingdom had attempted to kill me this afternoon, I was in a very good mood. The camp was wonderful, and the fact that I would get to dance and spend the whole night with Serena brightened my mood even more. And I really didn't care about anything else right now. It could wait a few more days, at least, until the camp was over. Once my hair was dry enough, I pulled out my bag and took out the tuxedo I had brought along for the dance. It wasn't a formal dance, but I wanted to wear it. I had hired it out from a fancy dress shop, and I thought Serena would like it. It even came with a cape, black on the outside, lined with red velvet. I smiled as I looked at it, knowing full well I would look rather foolish wearing it. Nick hopped down from the top bunk, landing with a faint thump on the unpolished wooden floor boards. He looked at the tuxedo, and couldn't help grinning. I glared at him, but couldn't keep the smile from my face neither. "Well, at least I'll get noticed," I said with a smile. "What are you wearing?" "Nothing as fancy as you are. Just a semi formal outfit; black long pant, white long sleeved shirt, and a black silk vest. You think Dawn would like it?" Nick asked, looking dreamy again. "Of course," I replied. "Anyway, dinner's in about ten minutes. Want to head over there and get first in line. I'm starved. Riding all day sure gets to you." "Yeah, alright. Those two aren't exactly good company right now. All they can do is plan some way to make Diamond and Sapphire look stupid. How immature is that?" Nick said. We walked to the door, and I pulled back the heavy red wood door. "Immature? You use to act like that, before you and Dawn started going out." "At least I was never obsessed with making other people look like idiots just to get girls," Nick pointed out, shutting the door behind him. The sun was almost sitting on the horizon now; it hung just above it, pouring golden red light into the world. "Besides, I was young then." I laughed. "Nick, sometimes I wonder if you're not the immature one." We fell silent for a while as we walked the distance to the mess hall over the soft green grass. "It's a pity that we have to go home tomorrow. This camp has been one of the best we've ever gone to." "How can it not be?" Nick asked. "The first camp we ever went to in year five, to that lake, it rained all through it. And they still made us take bush walks! Do you remember? The mud on our shoes were this thick!" Nick showed me with his hands. "And then the one in year six, when we went to the capital city, the motel we stayed in was cheap, and everything was broken. For heaven's sakes, we were locked in our little room because the lock got suck. Then there was the one in year seven, when we went to some ranch. The inland sea they made us swim in had sea lice, and everyone got rashes. And the food! God, it was terrible!" "Okay! I get your point!" I exclaimed, laughing. "Still, we had alot of fun," I reflected, remembering those good old days. "Yeah, especially in the year six camp. Remember, how we were stuck in that double decker bus? You know, how you kept on teasing that girl, and she finally slapped you on the face?" Nick asked, reminding me of that old embarrassment. "Please, not that episode again!" I begged. Both of us were laughing as if we were drunk when we arrived at the mess hall. Lucky for us, there weren't alot of people there yet. We lined up, and waited for our dinner to be served, still grinning as we talked like kids about this little incident or event that happened all those years ago, when we were still innocent little children. Life seemed so perfect then, so normal, so innocent. A great sadness came over me as I realised that this would soon come to an end. My innocent life would end, and something more sinister would take it's place. I would be one who held the fate of millions within my hands. And I would no longer be Darien, the human teenager who liked nothing better than to take care of his horse and girlfriend. I would be Endymion, the Prince with blood on his hands. "The food looks nice tonight," Nick said to me as he was handed his plate filled with hot delicious smelling food. "I can't wait to dig in. I'm starved!" I shook my head slightly, trying to rid myself of the unpleasant thoughts. I picked up my own plate and followed Nick to the table we had dined at throughout the camp. David and Luke promptly joined us, sitting down roughly at the table. They didn't say much to Nick or me; their minds were else where. Serena and Dawn joined us a little later. Claudia had now permanently migrated to another group, which David and Luke had dubbed "The Swoons". Of course, that only showed how jealous David and Luke were of Diamond and Sapphire. Boys will be boys. I looked at Serena and smiled at her. She smiled back, and took my hand and squeezed it, as if telling me everything would be alright. Together, we would get through this. Sometime through our dinner, I looked up and saw Nick and Dawn glancing at each other and then quickly looking away. I smiled at their actions. It reminded me of all the times I had seen people around me do exactly the same thing. Couples, before they started going out, would always slip each other glances, as if it was a crime to stare into each other's eyes lovingly. Youth. When all six of us had finished dinner, we returned to our cabins to get ready for the farewell dance. Dawn and Serena decided to meet Nick and I outside the dance hall before going in. Nick, David, Luke, and I hurried to get changed. Nick into his semi formal outfit, and me into my tuxedo. The cape was just the right length when I put it on; it hung a fraction above the floor. When I walked, the cape flowed out behind me, a great black sail of sorts. The evening was almost fully dark. I left the cabin and walked out onto the veranda, looking out at the dark landscape. A strange feeling came to me. I looked at everything, felt everything, as if this would be the last time. Did that mean somehow that everything would end and begin tonight? I didn't know. My hand gripped the wooden rail on the veranda, the wood smooth from years of touch. How many people had touched this before me? And how many would after I leave this world? I looked up at the night sky. What have you seen passed? What will you yet see? Have you seen countless lives lost and conceived? Wars won and lost? Whole races wipes out? Continents too? You, night sky, are older and wiser than I shall ever be. But can you tell me my future? Can you see my fate, my destiny? I smiled ruefully at myself. The lights I saw were millions of years old. I saw the past when I saw the light of the stars; it takes that long to reach Earth from the source. Besides, I did not believe in gods or goddesses. At least, not in the way countless millions did. Perhaps, when I was young I did. But not now. Not after all that has passes. There was no God, nor Heaven. But I could very easily believe in a Hell. Because I was sure I would soon be in one. Nick stepped out of the cabin behind me. He walked silently until he stood next to me, gazing up into the night sky also. "Darien, I think I should say this to you now. Before everything starts in motion," he said in a whisper. He did not look at me. It was as if he was afraid to do so. "I'm no fool. I know what happens around me. I've seen what you've gone through." He paused, and ran a hand through his loose golden hair. "I know who you really are. Who Serena, Diamond and Sapphire are. I listen, and I've put various pieces together. And the blanks in my memory. I suppose that was your handy work, or one of the others. But that doesn't matter now. You have, and always will be my best friend, Darien. All I can say is be strong. Never give up. One day, you'll reach the top. You'll achieve your goal. Just don't forget about your old buddy here, okay?" I looked at him. I should have known that sooner or later Nick would find out. In a way, I was glad he knew. He understood how I felt, what inner turmoil I was going through. I smiled at him weakly, wanted to pour out everything to him. All the pain and confusion that had built up inside of me since the beginning. I did not. Instead, I just turned my head and looked back up into the sky. "I'll be leaving soon," I finally said in the same hushed voice. "But I won't forget you, or anyone else here. Never the less, it would do you good to just forget I ever existed." "Darien, I will not. You're my best friend. And I'll be here, always, if you ever decide to come back," Nick replied, voice strong. He looked uncertain though. "I doubt I'll ever come back," I answered. I looked at him, and grinned. "Well, we still have the rest of this camp. What say we just enjoy it?" "Yeah, sounds like a good idea," Nick said, grinning back. Only thing though, was that neither of our smiles were genuine. "Just one more thing, Nick. Make sure that Wild Spirit goes to a good home. And that you don't blow your chances with Dawn," I said, the grin still on my face. Nick laughed. "Sure, Darien. Anything for my best mate." I glanced away when he said that. Well, after tonight, I doubt we'll ever see each other again. My deep blue eyes dropped down to the new watch on my wrist. It's face reflected the faint light of the moon like a pond did. We had about ten minutes before the dance party was officially suppose to start. Nick and I were silent for a little while, both deep in one's own thoughts. Luke and David came out of the cabin, shutting the wooden door with a loud bang. They rushed past us without even a word. I did not even want to think about what sick plan they had devised for tonight. We followed Luke and David at a civil pace, both of us walking slowly, admiring the cloudless night sky filled with distant stars and the silver moon. These stars were beautiful, as was the moon. However, the Moon Kingdom will regret ever hearing of the Earth Kingdom after I am through with them. Revenge is such a sweet thing. "God, have I died and gone to heaven?" Nick's voice broke the silence. I looked in the direction that had captivated his attention. Instantly, I could see why. Dawn and Serena stood by the entrance of the hall, both dress exquisitely. Dawn had on a black dress, which showed off every curve of her young body superbly. The dark material complemented the blond hair and pale skin magnificently. Nick's jaw had dropped down, and he looked as if he was going to faint. And Serena. She was dressed in a pale silver dress, which glistened like pure light in the dark. If she had wings and a golden halo, I would have sworn she was an angel. We walked up to our girlfriends, hardly able to look away from them. I put my hand behind my back and willed a long stem red rose to appear. It was very much like the one I had given her at Luke's party all those weeks ago. I bowed to her, like a gentlemen, like a prince. Taking her hand in mine, I lifted it to my lips and placed a soft kiss on her bare skin. It felt so smooth, so much like silk against my lips. Finally, I pulled away and looked up into her innocent sky blue eyes and smiled at her, presenting her the rose. She smiled at me and took it from my outstretched hand. I bent down and stole a kiss from her before we entered the dance hall with Nick and Dawn. It atmosphere was already dark, and the disco lights were already on, and some music was already playing. The band was not yet playing, but we could all see they were setting up. The hall itself was decorated wonderfully, with streamers and balloons everywhere. Lights lit up different parts of the hall; red here, blue there; it was like different seasons. Another few minutes, and the band started playing, signalling the beginning of the dance officially. I smiled down at Serena as we moved in front of the band and danced to the music. The song ended, and there was a small break. Serena and I moved to the side to get a drink of punch. Of course, it was then that Diamond and Sapphire decided to make their grand entrance. The large double doors opened, and both of them stood there, dressed in dazzling outfits. Diamond was adorned in a pure white suit with fine patterns of silver sown into the jacket. Diamonds made up the buttons, and he even had a silver and white flower tucked into his breast pocket. Sapphire wore a dark outfit. It was a midnight blue suit that was exactly the same as his brothers. The blue jewels that were embedded into his jacket were sapphires. He too had a flower, only it was a dark blue. Gasps from the girls went up all around the hall; the two brothers were a very breath taking sight. Groans came too, only the boys were the source. "Do they always have to make a scene?" I whispered to Serena. "Unfortunately, yes," Serena replied. The band started playing again, and we resumed dancing. I glimpsed Diamond and Sapphire from time to time, always dancing with different girls. A hour passed. Everyone had arrived, and the doors were shut. The teachers stopped the music and got up on the stage with some student representatives to say thanks for a great camp to the camp organisers. Two of our peers presented gifts to both the teachers and the people who ran the camp. Everyone clapped and cheered, expressing their thanks also. Suddenly, while everyone was still clapping, a coloured vapour began to seep into the air. Everyone looked rather confused, not knowing what to make of it. "If this is David and Luke's idea of a joke, it's sick," Nick complained, standing beside me. "And it sure as hell smells bad enough," Nick coughed. "Uh, Nick, we didn't do this," David said, coming up to us, coughing also. "All we were planning to do was spike Diamond and Sapphire's drinks so they would make fools of themselves." "Then what is this gas?" I demanded, getting annoyed from the thick fog that hung in the air and smelt like who knows what. A cough erupted from my throat; I felt as if I was chocking. "It's knock out gas," Serena whispered into my ear. People at the side of the hall who had gotten the first dose was already weakening and dropping to the ground, coughing. I felt myself begin to weaken; my eyes lids and limbs felt too heavy. I tried to block out the gas with my hand. Serena let go of my hand and covered her nose and mouth. My legs gave out underneath me, and I fell to the ground. "Serenity!" I heard Diamond's voice call out weakly before he collapsed also. Serena fell beside me, her eyes closed. I could no longer stay conscious. But with the last of my strength, I touched her angelic face one last time before I closed my eyes and entered the world of eternal darkness. End of Part One, Chapter Seven. End of Part One, period.