Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Lament ❯ Merci 5 ( Chapter 10 )

PinaPoe's notes:: Wow, I am sorry for the hiatus I started a second job and moved and have been battling a serious case of writers block. This chapter up until the end was a struggle to write, I hope it turned out ok. I know some have complained about the abruptness of the Merci story's pacing, and I apologize for that. This tale was not supposed to be as big as it turned out and I needed to cut it down to fit into the timeline on the Ami side of things. Because of timing, next chpt is also a Merci one.

 

As far as Usagi's hair color, I rewrote several scenes and two chpts. of Waking Ami to integrate elements of the live action show and to fix continuity. Usagi's hair is one of the small cosmetic changes. The director's cut is archived ONLY on fan fiction net The only continuity piece that is still frazzled is Ami's age I have her skipping between 15-16. At the start of this story she is 15.

 

 

Love & Lament

 

Chapter ten

 

“Husband, over here.” A brilliant smile crossed Hyperion's face as he turned to look upon his wife. Merci was lounging in the nude across a mound of Venusian silk pillows. She had been waiting for his arrival for over an hour, and had positioned herself in the most erotic pose she could imagine. She smiled to herself as she watched her husband's eyes trail her body, and a blush blanket his skin. Merci stretched slowly, making sure she had Hyperion's full attention. She smiled coyly as she stood from the pillows and slowly sauntered to her husband's side.

 

Hyperion was drowning in desire as he observed his wife. It had been eleven years since they had first met, and she seemed to get sexier with every passing day. Once she was in reach, he reached out and caught her up in his good arm. She yelped playfully until he silenced her with a breath stealing kiss. Happy to touch her husband again, Merci returned his passion ten fold. Hyperion moaned when Merci leapt up and encircled his waist with her strong, lithe legs.

 

Merci laughed playfully as she nipped at her husbands bottom lip. She loved being in his arms. While he was still muscular, Hyperion had not seen combat in five years; because of that, he lost a portion of his bulk. Merci's hand found its way into Hyperion's shirt. Hyperion gasped as she fondled his breast. That was another thing that Merci loved, now that he no longer needed to hide his body, Hyperion no longer bound his breasts. Since he stopped fighting, they have seemed to grow a bit, and Merci couldn't get enough of them.

 

“By Serenity, how I've missed you.” Hyperion gasped out between kisses and caresses. Merci was obviously not in the mood for words just now. He laughed as Merci tore off his shirt with a low growl. The lovers had been apart for three weeks; it was the longest separation they have had to endure since they settled on Venus five years ago.

 

They have been husband and wife for five years now. Once they had smuggled themselves onto Venus, the great queen Radiance had blessed them in marriage and welcomed them into her family. Unlike the other four populated planets, Radiance was the only person who held any major power on her planet. Because of that, no one could contest her decision to allow two women to marry. Not that anyone would have complained, Radiance was a beloved ruler and it seemed as if her people literally worshiped her at times.

 

Once they were settled, and after their honeymoon, Radiance gave both of them jobs in her household. Merci had started working with several of the royal doctors and scientists in her free time. She proved to be quite adept, and they begged their queen to take her on as an apprentice. Since then she has equaled if not surpassed the majority of her teachers in skill and knowledge. Because of his royal connections, Hyperion became Venus's official ambassador to all other planets except Mercury. Both he and Merci were forbidden from returning, on pain of death. Regardless, Merci still kept in frequent contact with her sister Tetisu.

 

Merci yelped as Hyperion carried her to her mound of pillows and tossed her into the center. She watched with blatant desire as he removed the rest of his clothes and joined her in bed. It had only been three weeks, but as far as Merci was concerned, it was three weeks too long. She smiled as she thought of the many ways she would welcome her husband back.

 

 

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After a day of passion, Merci and Hyperion lounged together in the living room of Radiance's private living quarters. Hyperion was engulfed in a mass of pillows and cushions with Merci seated comfortably on his lap. Every few minutes she would lean in for a kiss, or a gentle caress. The only other people besides them allowed in this room were Bruuna, Radiance, and her Major Domo and consort Artemis. All of them had caught the couple in far more compromising positions, so they were not worried about being walked in on. They were actually waiting for their new family to join them for dinner.

 

“Where is Radiance anyway?” Hyperion groused after an hour had passed. He loved relaxing with his wife, but he was starting to get really hungry.

 

“Hmmm actually,” Merci drawled in a conspiratorial tone as she trailed a finger down the front of her husband's tunic. Hyperion shivered at the intimate touch.

 

Merci smiled brilliantly at her husband before continuing. “Radiance hasn't been in the palace all week. The rumor is that she is having an affair with someone in Serenity's court.”

 

“What about Artemis!” Hyperion immediately asked, almost shouting. Artemis, over the last several years had become his best friend, and he was concerned for him. Merci was confused at her Husband's response, having a lover outside of one's marriage was the norm. It was on Mercury and Venus at least. An icy chill ran down her spine when she realized she had no clue of Jupiter's cultural stance on the matter.

 

“Don't concern yourself with me ambassador.” Hyperion and Merci jumped as the stiff major domo entered the room. “I am well aware of all my mistress's lovers.”

 

“But I thought you were her consort, why would you allow her to take other lovers?” Hyperion could not understand where his friend was coming from. He would never under any circumstances be able to share Merci with anyone, nor would he willingly be with another. Merci was surprised by her husband's ignorance in this matter, as she thought Radiance's dalliances and sexual appetites were legendary. She felt guilty too, for reasons she would now never admit.

 

“Of course I am her consort!” The overly serious man balked indignantly. “My lady shares her bed with whomever she chooses. After all no one man, or woman, could ever fully satisfy a Goddess.”

 

Hyperion gave his friend an almost pitying look. “Look Art,” Hyperion started. “I know you're a bit biased, but as incredible a woman as she is, Radiance is not a goddess. And, I'm sorry it's just not right that she would expect you to share her.”

 

Merci froze as Hyperion spoke, she had made a big mistake, but it was a cultural misunderstanding and something Hyperion need never know about. Artemis looked mildly insulted as he began to respond. Merci shot him a pleading look begging him not to reveal anything about her. She was spared his response when Radiance herself, followed by Bruuna entered the room. Were they not in private, they would be required to bow. Thankfully, Radiance hated formalities outside her court.

 

Hyperion looked embarrassed at being caught talking about his friend. Merci's heart was still racing, and Artemis held the same bland expression he always did. Radiance smiled at them before embracing her consort from behind and casually starting to tweak his nipples. Everyone was well accustomed to the eccentric queen's overtly sexual nature, and didn't bat an eye.

 

“Actually.” Radiance drawled in her light melodic voice. Her eyes trailed from Artemis's chest to Hyperion's eyes. “I am a Goddess. Every planet has one; they need them to remain habitable.”

 

Hyperion looked doubtful, but humored his friend. “If that were true, then why haven't any of them introduced themselves as such?”

 

“Not all of us are people.” Radiance explained patiently. “Mercury's god is a giant sea creature, Jupiter's is the Tree of Life your people already revere, and Earth and Mars are themselves the gods. They are literally living planets.”

 

Still not convinced, Hyperion pushed on. “What about the outer planets?”

 

Radiance looked almost sad for a brief moment. The rare display of somber emotion shocked everyone in the room. It was the first time Hyperion or Merci had ever seen her frown. “The gods and goddesses of Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune died many years ago. They died during several of the great planet wars, back before a Serenity ruled over us all.”

 

“And Saturn?” Merci asked hesitantly. Evoking the name of Saturn was a common curse, but not many people truly knew when or why that started.

 

Radiance's face darkened. It was obvious that these were painful stories for her to tell. Although still not convinced, it gave credence to her claims. “Not many people know the true nature of Saturn, or the goddess that is imprisoned there.”

 

Radiance took a seat on a chair that Bruuna pulled up for her as she continued her tale. “She is a being of unequaled power, and was responsible for the executions of Pluto's and Neptune's deities. It was only through the combined efforts of myself, the great tree of Jupiter, Serenity the first, and the sacrifice of Uranus's God, that we were able to defeat her. Even then, she did not die. Serenity and I marshaled our powers to transform Saturn into a planetary tomb to which she could never escape. She remains imprisoned there, victim of an eternal sleep. If for some reason the Serenity bloodline ended, Jupiter's Tree, or I perished, then she would awaken and destroy everything. She was worshiped as a Goddess of death and rebirth; one can only pray that if she were to destroy our galaxy, then she would give birth to a new. But that is just legend, more than likely everything would just end.”

 

“Oh but enough of that!” Radiance smiled brightly

 

“Alright.” Hyperion accepted the subject change, but still pressed on with his questions. “If you're a Goddess, then how come the Lady Serenity rules?”

 

“Oh please, I'm way too fickle to rule a galaxy.” Radiance laughed at the absurdity of the idea. “Besides, I would loose patience with the barbarians on Earth and Mars.”

 

A dreamy look crossed the golden goddess's eyes. “Although, the Martians can be very, very passionate.”

 

Hyperion fought the urge to blush at the sheer sensuality that was radiating from his friend. Merci swallowed a lump that was forming in her throat and quickly forced her thoughts to other topics. She started to dwell again on the previous subject. With equal parts curiosity and desire to change the focus, Merci ignored Radiance's unspoken warning to stay away from this topic. “Radiance, Saturn is a great distance from here and the earth. With you and Serenity so far away, what's to stop someone from going there and tampering with your spell?”

 

Radiance looked annoyed for a moment before shaking it off and answering her friend. “My dear, haven't you ever heard the tales of Hivial and WaterLilly?”

 

“The super soldiers of Uranus and Neptune?” Bruuna, who was previously content to stand in the background, perked up at the mention of her childhood heroes.

 

“Those are children's stories.” Hyperion protested. “My father's fathers were raised on tales of their valor. If they were alive today they would be old crones.”

 

Radiance smiled mischievously, raising an eyebrow. “Actually dear heart, they are still quite young. Only last week Hivial turned nine hundred and twenty three. WaterLilly on the other hand is still a baby, she is barely four hundred.”

 

Every one looked at Radiance with shock, with the exception of Artemis, who was pulled into his lover's lap and teasing embrace. “Oh please.” Radiance rolled her eyes and bit Artemis's ear for good measure. “That's nothing; I stopped keeping track of my age at the million year mark. I tend to measure it in kingdoms now.”

 

Radiance continued to babble on, either oblivious or unmindful of the skeptical looks of her friends. “Of course the first several hundred thousand years I was nothing more than a scattering of energy… What!?!

 

“Oh, I see.” Radiance slowly trailed a finger down Artemis's trim, fit, frame. “Artie love, I do believe they want proof. So my friends, what will it be, natural disasters?” Everyone jumped as eight massive lightning bolts and a deafening roar of thunder spilt the Venusian sky.

 

“Or perhaps something that can't be coincidence.” Three sets of eyes widened in disbelief as Radiance stood up, and was bathed in a brilliant golden flame. The fire burned bright, never touching Artemis though he stood in it's midst. When the flame faded a golden Adonis stood in Radiance's place.

 

“This happens to be my dear consort's favorite face.” The Adonis smiled at his overly serious consort. As he wrapped his strong arms around Artemis's body, Artemis actually swooned.

 

“Isn't that right lover?” The Adonis's rich voice blanketed his trembling lover.

 

“Yes… Yes my Lord.” Artemis whispered before the Adonis pulled him into a rough, overly erotic kiss. Artemis whimpered as he melted in his Adonis's embrace.

 

“Before you ask,” The Adonis interrupted Hyperion as he was about to speak, a look of hope on his face. “Artemis loves me dearly, just as I do him. But…” The Adonis looked at Hyperion with utter seriousness. “Artemis is gay, and is only physically attracted to me when I am Lord Radiance. Your wife is similar to him in that way.”

 

Hyperion turned to Merci, a surprised look on his face. Merci hugged her husband tightly, but did not speak. Lord Radiance did not speak until he saw understanding dawn upon Hyperion. “That is why I never transformed you into a man.”

 

Not much could be said after the volley of revelations. It was obvious that Hyperion needed some time to speak with his wife. Dinner was cancelled; the five friends retreated to their respective quarters in Radiance's massive palace. Artemis and Radiance's intentions were obvious, Bruuna as always followed Radiance until dismissed. Hyperion and Merci had much to talk about.

 

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A frantic beating at their chamber door startled Merci and Hyperion awake. Hyperion took a second to get oriented, remembering fondly the previous night. After dinner had ended he had taken Merci to bed where they talked and made love long into the night. The frantic pounding increased in tempo. The interruption of their sleep was most unwelcome, as they had just closed their eyes an hour before.

 

“I'm coming!” Hyperion shouted at the door as he kissed his lightly grumbling wife. He made his way to the door not bothering to cover his nudity. Long before, he had been very bashful about his body, but thanks to his wife and overly horny hostess, he overcame his hang-ups.

 

Hyperion flung the door open while wiping the sleep that had crusted over his eyes. “What in Saturn's name is so important that you…”

 

Artemis stood outside Hyperion's chambers; he was trembling and still knocking on the air where the door was. “Art, what happened, are you alright?” Hyperion was immediately concerned for his friend. Artemis's skin was remarkably pale and his face a mask of shock.

 

“Come here Artemis, have a seat before you pass out.” Merci had appeared from behind her husband to take Artemis's hand. Merci was shocked by her friend's appearance and sat him in Hyperion's chair. With the exception of the previous evening, Artemis was unerringly unflappable; his loss of bearing had Merci more on edge than she had felt in a while.

 

“I… Bruuna she… My lady called to… The militia I need to get everyone ready.” Artemis mumbled wide eyed.

 

“Art, get a hold of yourself! You're not making any sense.” Hyperion shook his friend's shoulders trying to snap some sense into him.

 

Artemis looked at Hyperion reason once again returning to him, along with a look of fear and uncertainty. “My lady was summoned by Queen Serenity to a war council. An immense army approaches our galaxy even as we speak.”

 

Hyperion's visage turned grim. He was no stranger to war, having fought so many years in a war against his brother. That had been a civil war, and for thousands of years war had never left the individual planets. Even then, Mercury had not seen true war for over two hundred years, and it was longer still that the Venusians had to take up arms. Hyperion looked at his friend, knowing that he was way out of his depth. The man was a genius when it came to running Venus's household and ruling in her absence, but he was no warrior. It was painfully obvious how lost and nervous he was.

 

Nodding to himself, Hyperion, for the first time in years put himself in the mindset needed to organize armies and win wars. “Art you rest here for a few minutes. When you're calm get the chefs awake and have them prepare to feed as many as they possibly can.”

 

Hyperion turned to his wife who looked nervous, but ready to help. “Wife, I need you to get the hospital ready for mass casualties. The threat could be imminent or months away, but we need to be prepared now. I will call together all able bodied men and women and the militia. I need to see if they are even battle ready, then I can start on defense plans.” Hyperion's mind spun. He was not familiar with Venusian defense or capabilities, and had no idea how to defend against an otherworldly invader.

 

Artemis nodded solemnly and Merci moved to grasp her husband's hand. “Husband, leave the army to Bruuna; she knows what they are capable of and has been working with them since we arrived here. You should start contacting the other planets to see about combining our efforts and coordinating our defense. Maybe one of them will have more information for us.”

 

“You're right.” Hyperion agreed, lifting his wife's hand to his lips and kissing it gently. “Let's get dressed and get started. We have a lot to do.”

 

 

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Thirty eight hours after they were told the dire news, Merci and Hyperion were finally able to take a nap. Everyone was dead tired, having worked nonstop to prepare what defenses Venus had, and to begin immediate training of the mostly all volunteer army. Hyperion had spent most of the time in communication with Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. As expected, everyone was in the dark, their respective leaders having yet to return. Merci had made sure that the hospital was prepared for mass casualties before she started helping Bruuna and Artemis however she could. Now, after only three hours of sleep they were again awoken by an exhausted Artemis.

 

“My friends, you are needed.” Artemis spoke loudly as he gently shook Hyperion's shoulder to rouse him and Merci from their slumber. He had knocked at their chamber doors, but they had not heard it.

 

“Art, is everything secure?” Hyperion mumbled as he grasped at wakefulness. He was concerned that something had changed for the worst. He had left Artemis with instructions to wake them only in an emergency.

 

“Lord Hektor of Jupiter and Lady Tetisu of Mercury arrived moments ago.” Artemis's handsome face was drawn and pale. He held a look of tired resolution, which unsettled Hyperion and Merci, who was awake and at her husband's side. It was obvious that their family did not come bearing good news.

 

“Lord Hektor needs to leave as soon as possible and bade that I wake you.” Artemis stood at attention next to his friend's bed, careful not to look at them, as they frequently slept without clothing.

 

Hyperion yawned and ran a hand over his face and through his many braids. Merci sat up next to him and began to gently rub his shoulders. “All right, tell them we'll be out in a …”

 

“MERCI!” The door to their chambers was thrown open as Tetisu, frantic and teary eyed, came running in. Lord Hektor followed behind her, although he retained a regal bearing.

 

Merci met her sister halfway into her chambers, both unmindful of her nudity. Tetisu pulled her younger sister into a hug and tried to speak, but try as she might she could not speak around her tears. Merci held her and tried to calm her even though she was at a lost for what had happened.

 

Hyperion wrapped a sheet around his body before rising to greet his younger brother. Hektor gripped his forearm in a firm grasp, before pulling his brother into a hug. “It has been too long since we have seen each other Hyperion; I wish it were under better circumstances.”

 

“What is it Hektor?”

 

Hektor took a deep breath, while running his gloved hand through his long hair. It was a nervous gesture that he picked up from Hyperion when they were younger and inseparable. “I imagine that the Lady Tetisu and I have similar news to deliver.”

 

Tetisu nodded through her tears as Hektor continued. “As you have probably heard, all the planet's royalty were summoned to a war council by Queen Serenity. To put things bluntly, the situation is grim. Queen Serenity mentioned that her Outer Planetary Guard is already preparing to engage the advancing armies, but I don't think she believes they will be successful.

 

“I think Queen Serenity knows more about the advancing enemy than she is telling us, but whatever her reasons, she is keeping her own council on the matter. She must think it is extremely powerful though, because she is calling for the activation of her Inner Planetary Guard.”

 

“You mean…” Merci began, but was cut off by her sister's hoarse voice.

 

“Her legendary disposable super warriors.” Tetisu spat angrily.

 

Hektor nodded gravely. “From what we have been told by Queen Serenity the women who take the mantle of her guard will be gifted with extraordinary abilities. The five of them will be responsible for the moon and by extension her protection. That usually involves attacking and defeating the enemy head on.

 

“Unfortunately lady Tetisu is morbidly accurate. The survival rate for these women is infamously low.”

 

“Why tell us?” Hyperion asked needlessly. He already knew the answer, but was trying his best to deny it.

 

Hektor grasped his brother's shoulder. It was meant to be a comforting gesture, but whether it was for Hyperion or himself was questionable. “Queen Serenity requires one female of royal blood from each of the inner planets.”

 

Hyperion looked angry, but accepting of his fate. “Hyperion,” Hektor spoke. “I know that your spirit is that of a man, but your blood is still female. Aside from mother, who's too old, you are all Jupiter has to offer.”

 

Tetisu squeezed her sister tighter, Merci did'nt notice as she was shocked by the news delivered to them. “Father volunteered you without telling any of us what happened. The only reason I found out was through one of my lovers in his advisory.”

 

Tetisu was on the verge of tears again, but fought through them. “I went to father… No, I spoke to that old bastard as soon as I heard. I fought with him and begged to take your place. He didn't even consider. He already told Queen Serenity to accept no one but you, and she agreed. He kept saying that you betrayed him and because of that…”

 

“I am expendable.” Merci finished for her.

 

“You are not expendable!” Hyperion bade vehemently as he knelt beside his wife, enveloping her and Tetisu in a tight embrace.

 

“No matter what happens, we will go through it together.”

 

“As will I.” Everyone's head turned to the door where the Lady Radiance stood.

 

“My lady NO… You, you can't.” Artemis paled and looked as if he had just been run through with a blade.

 

Radiance glowed in golden flame as she crossed the room to her worried consort. As before, when the flames melted away Lord Radiance stood in her place. Tetisu's and Hektor's eyes bugged out at the transformation. Ignoring them, Lord Radiance grabbed Artemis in a rough embrace, kissing him for all he was worth. “I'm sorry lover. I have been the leader of Serenity's warriors since they were first created. This time cannot be any different.”

 

Lord Radiance kissed him once more before pulling away. “If it makes you feel any better, I have sent Bruuna ahead to the moon with One hundred soldiers to help Serenity with security.”

 

Lord Radiance turned to face the couple who over the last few years have become great friends, if not family. “Hyperion, Merci, we leave in a half day. You don't need to bring much; I'm sure Serenity will provide for all you wants or needs. Speaking of which…”

 

Turning back to Artemis, Lord Radiance grabbed his hand and started to lead him out of the room. “C'mon lover, this may be our last night together. So I'll play bottom for you, just this once.”

 

Artemis blushed furiously as he was led from the room. The remaining companion's confidence was bolstered slightly. After all, if Radiance could maintain her sense of humor and sexual appetite, then things could not be all that bad.