Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Crystal Flaws - Book 2 - Crystal Fears ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

With a triumphant grin, Mercury turned to Terrance. She looked him dead in the eyes and clearly stated, “I know who you are!”

 

Terrance blanched and lowered his head in defeat.

 

Mercury then said, “Either you can tell them or I will. It's up to you.”

 

With a sigh, Terrance said, “I'll do it.” Everyone looked at him expectantly.

 

Terrance raised his head and met their gazes steadily. With a firm voice, he said, “I am Prince Terrance Donovan, son of Princess Beryl, of Earth's Northern Kingdom, also known as Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom.”

 

Everyone stood in shocked silence at his revelation while Mercury smiled and vigorously nodded her head yes.

 

The King seemed to take this news especially hard as he whispered, “Beryl's…son?!” then fainted.

 

Terrance instinctively moved to catch the King. In a flash, Sailor Uranus halted him, with the blade of her Space Sword at his throat.

 

Sailor Neptune and Elios had managed to catch the King. Mercury walked over to check his pulse and said, “He'll be fine.” They gently put him down on the ground.

 

Terrance swallowed, and for the second time, he felt the cold, arcane metal of Uranus' sword against his neck. Everyone turned to look at Terrance, Uranus and Mars as they wondered what would happen now.

 

Mercury started to chuckle at their worried expressions. She said, "Um, there's more.”

 

“More?!” They all exclaimed.

 

Mercury was valiantly trying to keep a straight face. [How does Pluto do this so seriously?] she wondered.

 

Finally managing to compose herself, Mercury again turning to Terrance. “Terrance, I'd like to introduce you to your father, King Endymion of Earth,” as she pointed to the unconscious King.

 

Everyone gasped, and Sailor Uranus slowly lowered her sword as Mercury's words sunk in.

 

Terrance stared at Sailor Mercury incredulously. Whispering, “My...my father?!” he promptly joined the King in a dead faint on the ground.

 

Mercury looked at the two men. “You know, I'm surprised we didn't figure it out before. They do look very much alike.”

 

Everyone stood silently processing this incredible information as the King and Terrance came to.

 

Terrance sat up and looked at the King with a mix of hope and dread in his eyes. “Is it true? Are you my father?” he hesitantly asked.

 

King Endymion sat up, sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He answered, “I'm pretty sure I am. Your ability to use the Earth's power proves it.” The King paused as his eyes filled with tears. Suddenly hitting the ground with his fist, he blurted in a strangled voice, “Damn it! I wish she had told me!” He then looked up at Terrance. Tears streamed down as he asked with pain and regret in his voice, “Did you have a father? Were you alone? I'm sorry. I wish I could've been there for you!”

 

Terrance was very surprised by the King's strong reaction. He tried to smile reassuringly as he answered, “My mother never married, which was probably a good thing. She ignored me for the most part, but I wasn't alone. I had four, very dedicated, generals who raised me and were my family.”

 

Everyone gasped again. King Endymion's voice broke with emotion as he asked, “Were their names Kunzite, Zoisite, Nephrite and Jadeite?”

 

Surprised, Terrance answered, “Yes, they were. How did you know?”

 

King Endymion smiled sadly and whispered, “They were my personal guard, advisors and closest friends on earth before Beryl captured and brainwashed them. Unknowingly, they continued to serve me by caring for you. I'm glad they were there since I couldn't be.”

 

The group stayed silent as they all tried to accept this and comprehend the implications.

 

Lady Serenity suddenly started to laugh out loud. Everyone looked at her and wondered if she had snapped under the strain of her first real battle. Finally, looking at Terrance, she said, “You know, this means you're my brother - my half-brother!”

 

Terrance started to laugh too. “Yes, I guess it does!”

 

Elios was very surprised and confused that they would laugh about it. “Doesn't that cause a problem for your relationship?” he blurted out.

 

Terrance and Lady Serenity looked confused. Terrance asked, “What do you mean by our relationship? We've been friends and now we know we're half-siblings. Why would there be a problem?”

 

Elios was dumbfounded. He responded, “Friends? You didn't look like friends when I saw you kissing!”

 

Lady Serenity jerked her head around toward Elios and sharply asked, “When did you see us kiss?”

 

Elios blushed and answered, “By a pond in the forest.”

 

Terrance stood up and angrily glared at Elios. “That pond is deep in the woods and far from the roads. Did you follow us and spy on our date?”

 

Elios quickly clarified, “No! I was flying on a Pegasus over the forest on my way to meet with the King. I heard a woman scream like she was being murdered and I went to see if someone needed help. I then saw both of you coming out of the water together.”

 

Suddenly, Terrance and Lady Serenity looked very embarrassed.

 

King Endymion decided he needed to interrupt. He asked Terrance with concern, "A woman's scream? Was it Lady Serenity? Why did she scream while on your date and why were you swimming?”

 

Terrance rubbed his eyes and shook his head. He realized how bad this was starting to sound. “I...well she...Um, it was a practical joke,” he lamely answered.

 

Lady Serenity saw that Terrance's answer wasn't helping. Sighing, she said with exasperation, “Poppa, listen. It wasn't anything wrong. I'll explain.” She started with Terrance falling asleep after their picnic and her jokes. She then said what he did in retaliation.

 

Everyone was silent then Jupiter started to giggle. Soon, Venus followed and then the whole group fell down and laughed until they cried. It was great tension relief for most everyone. The only ones not laughing were Elios, Terrance and Lady Serenity.

 

Venus finally caught her breath and asked, “Okay, we now know about the scream, but didn't Elios say something about a kiss?”

 

Terrance scowled and said, “I guess it's my turn to straighten something out. Lady Serenity was sad because I was leaving Earth and we *were* on a date. I kissed her to try to take her mind off my leaving. It worked, but we were both confused because the kiss didn't do anything for either of us. No passion, nothing. We do care for each other, but that's when we realized we weren't meant to be lovers. We agreed to be best of friends and that was our ONE and ONLY date!” Terrance stated this last sentence pointedly, and emphatically, in Elios' direction.

 

Elios opened his mouth and then closed it again. Looking from Terrance to Lady Serenity, he did it again. Elios looked like a fish out of water as he tried to absorb what was said. Finally he spoke. “You mean, you're not a couple?” Elios suddenly went pale as he realized all the time he had wasted staying away from Serenity. He looked at her with a mix of contriteness and hope in his eyes, but she wasn't buying it.

 

Glaring back at Elios, Lady Serenity furiously hissed, “That's why you haven't come to see me? You just gave up? You didn't even try to find out if what you thought you saw was true? How dare you!” Her voice choked at the end. Turning, she ran from him and everyone so they wouldn't see her cry.

 

Crushed, Elios hung his head. He muttered, “I guess I deserved that. I'm such a fool. She'll never forgive me for this.” He rubbed his eyes and sighed.

 

The King stood up and went to Elios. Putting his hand on Elios' shoulder, he said, “My daughter and her mother both have an amazing ability to forgive a fool. I think if you sincerely ask her to forgive you, she will. Go to her.”

 

Elios looked up at his friend hopefully, but then his insecurities and shame over what he had done overwhelmed him. Shaking his head no, he whispered, “I've hurt her so badly. She can do better than me. She should find someone who is brave and strong and can protect her. I can't do those things. All I can do is hurt her worse!”

 

Elios quickly turned and walked away from the King and everyone. He felt like his heart had been removed. He was numb. All he wanted to do was get on the Pegasus and fly home before the numbness wore off and he would be able to feel the pain that he knew was going to be there.

 

*************************************

 

While all this was happening, Mercury had been doing some scans of the area and more typing. As Elios walked off, Sailor Mercury walked over to King Endymion and cleared her throat. He looked at her questioningly and she said, “I think I've discovered some things that may interest you. First, the dimensional filter fissure has closed completely and the Earth's power levels have gone back to full capacity.”

 

The King looked surprised and pleased. He was going to say something but Sailor Mercury stopped him and said, “There's more. I scanned you and Elios during the power transfer and found that there is a triune relationship between you, Elios and the Earth's power. Elios' prayers control the power conduit's volume. His lack of effective prayers caused the Earth's power depletion. Then, his sincere prayers requesting forgiveness for his part in halting the power flow, and his request for restoration of the power flow, corrected the situation.”

 

King Endymion stared at Sailor Mercury as he thought about what she had said. He asked her, “Did Elios say what had happened that caused him to fail in his prayers?”

 

Mercury answered, “He didn't say directly. What he prayed was for you to not pay for Elios' own self-centeredness and bitterness. Having witnessed the exchange between Elios, Terrance and Lady Serenity, I believe it is reasonable to conclude that Elios' emotional turmoil had to do with him thinking that Lady Serenity and Terrance were lovers.”

 

Incredulously, King Endymion loudly exclaimed, “This whole fiasco with the dimensional filter failure, my powers being reduced and the dimensional monster all happened because Elios was love-sick?”

 

Sailor Mercury nodded her head yes and tried not to giggle. The thought of quiet Elios almost destroying their world because of his broken heart, struck her as funny. The King however, did not look amused.

 

King Endymion frowned as he looked at Elios' retreating back. He firmly stated, “Well, I'm not going to let him do it again!”

 

The King quickly strode toward Elios and caught up to him. Grabbing Elios, the King turned him around. King Endymion then pushed on Elios' shoulders until the cleric was kneeling at his feet. Everyone could hear the King as he uncharacteristically yelled at Elios. “You will go to my daughter and beg on your knees for her to forgive you! I will not take no for an answer. I can't take it anymore and the Earth can't take it anymore either! I am ordering you as your King. Go to her and get this straightened out *NOW*! Clear?!”

 

Elios was visibly shaken. Everyone felt a bit sorry for him, but they also knew it was necessary. They really did not want to deal with any more evil dimensional beings, or worse!

 

The King finally let go of Elios' shoulders and pointed toward the palace. Elios stood and left in the proper direction.

 

Everyone gave a collective sigh of relief.

 

King Endymion walked back to the group. He worriedly asked, “Was I too hard on him?”

 

“No!” everyone answered at once, and then they laughed.

 

*************************************

 

King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity slowly walked back to the palace together. Everyone realized they probably needed some privacy to discuss all that had happened. The Planet Senshi made sure the Queen had her communicator then they told the couple they'd meet them at the palace.

 

Mamoru was quiet and a bit nervous. He wasn't sure how his wife would react to the news of his having a son. Finally he couldn't stand waiting any more. He asked, “Usako? Are you upset?”

 

Usagi sighed. “I don't really like the idea that you have a son from that witch, but I do remember the circumstances back then. We already dealt with that and worked it out. I guess this is just another part of it. I admit it helps that I knew Terrance and liked him before I knew this. I also feel sorry for him. He was raised in the Dark Kingdom and had a mother who didn't love him. The generals did a great job in spite of their evil, but a mother's love is always needed, as you well know.”

 

Mamoru sighed with relief and hugged his wife. He said, “Once again you have shown me what a generous and loving person you are. I am so fortunate to have you as my wife!” He kissed her and handed her a rose. Mamoru quietly thought a moment then said, “If you are not opposed then I'd like to formally and publicly declare Terrance as my son.

 

Usagi nodded her head and said, “I had already realized you would do that. It's not a problem to me.”

 

Mamoru looked at her a bit uncertainly. He said, “This is probably asking too much. If so, that's fine. I will never mention it again.”

 

Laughing, Usagi asked, “Mamo-chan, what could you possibly ask me that would be more shocking than what has already happened today?”

 

Mamoru took a deep breath. “Would you be willing to think about filling the position of mother for Terrance? As you said, he never had a mother who loved him and I can't think of anyone more loving than you. As always, I've considered you the perfect mother for my child, and now, my children. It would be silly to formally adopt him since he's an adult. What he really needs is a bond from the heart. Would you consider this for me and for him?” Mamoru took another deep breath as he tried to catch up from saying all that so quickly.

 

Usagi smiled. “How could I refuse a request so sweetly put? Truly though, I won't mind. Don't force him to call me mother, though. It may make him uncomfortable. Let him decide what to call me and I'll love him regardless of what he chooses.”

 

They walked a bit in silence then Usagi spoke again. “Actually, it's kind of funny, Mamo-chan. I always felt bad that I wasn't able to give you a son, a second child, or give Serenity a sibling. This may not have been the way I would have chosen to go about it, but I am glad he's here.”

 

As they walked through the palace gate Mamoru again kissed Usagi and said, “Usako, I love you. Thank you for understanding. We should sit and talk with Terrance and Serenity and make sure this is all okay with them too.”

 

The King and Queen went to the library and requested a private lunch with Terrance and Serenity. The Queen asked, “Serenity, do you minded sharing us with Terrance?”

 

Serenity laughed. “I have always felt Terrance was more like a brother to me instead of just a friend. I think it would be great to make it official.”

 

Terrance was amazed, thrilled, and relieved with how things had turned out. He had always loved the King, the Queen, and the Princess, but never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined he was a part of their family.

 

While they ate, Terrance explained about his life in the Dark Kingdom dimension. “The Generals raised and trained me,” he said. “My mother rebuilt her army. Eventually a way was found back to the Earth's dimension and she invaded again. A general hid me at mother's deserted family estate in the Northern Kingdom on Earth. He left two Youma and a treasury with me. He said he'd be back when they finished establishing mother's kingdom, but never returned. When the Silver Crystal cleansed the Earth the Youma died. I had also expected to die from the crystal cleansing but I didn't. Now I know the Golden Crystal must have protected me. The cleansing did remove what was left of the Dark Kingdom's influence on me. I finally saw how evil my mother's kingdom was.”

 

Terrance continued his story. “I used what was left of the treasury to buy an identity and decided to join the military. Out of gratitude I wanted to help defend the Earth from any other evil it might encounter. It was a career I had been trained for and my enhanced abilities made me a good soldier. I was recognized and sent to apply to the CTEM. Right away I felt at home at the Palace and I knew I wanted to serve here. You know the rest already.”

 

Mamoru, Usagi and Serenity all wiped their eyes then hugged Terrance. They said they were glad he had found his way home, to them.

 

 

 

The End… ^_^

 

 

 

Author's Notes - I know I left some things unfinished, but that's what “Crystal Flaws -Book 3 - Crystal Clear” will be about. ^_^

 

 

 

Do you think you know who requested Terrance be sent off planet? If you do, send me an email with your guess. If you are right, I will send you a cool looking (totally worthless, but still slightly gratifying) picture award saying you guessed right. ^_^ The answer to this question is given in “Crystal Flaws - Book 5 - Crystal Ties”.

 

 

 

This story was edited by Meara. I was *SO LUCKY* to have had her help!! Thank you Meara! ^_^ Meara is also one of the greatest Sailor Moon Fanfiction authors around. If you haven't read her stories then do so right away! ^_^