Sailor Charon Chapter 2- Ancient History Hi! Sorry it's been so long since I've written here, but I've had a hard time getting on the computer for any length of time. My brother, Adam Allgood, is being nice enough to type this for me. Please read his "Mutual Dilemma" Star Trek/Sailor Moon crossover if you have time. Much thanks to all of you who wrote to me about the first two sections. (I was jumping around the house in happiness) Also - special thanx to Lianne for all of her greatness. Please read her fics also. Thanx Adam!!!!! Thanx Lianne!!!!! Chapter 2: Epsilon sat on his bed in silence. His room was dark, and an air of depression and gloom hung around the young prince's shoulders like a shroud. In his fist he held a rose. A decaying, broken, dying rose. And all of Epsilon's tears falling onto the drying petals could not water the flower back into vivaciousness. Darien was not there. He was lying in the Royal Infirmary, close to death. He wasn't even there to save his rose from Eppie's crushing grip, the petals littering the floor as Eppie broke down into sobs. "Darien...." Queen Terra slipped into the room like a shadow spirit, quietly sitting next to Epsilon, who didn't bother turning away in grief. He muffled his tears and stared straight ahead. "Epsilon," the queen began, "Endymion is sleeping quietly now; you can go and see him if you wish. Do not worry, he will be fine." Epsilon didn't respond. He shifted his weight slightly on the bed. Terra didn't know what to say next. Epsilon had never distanced himself before, and Terra wasn't accustomed to having to reach out to him. "All of the Moon Kingdom visitors are all right, Epsilon. The people who caused the explosions will be found soon. Things are quiet for the moment. Now would be a good time to visit Endymion." She paused, seeing that she was not getting a reaction. She switched tactics. "Your father and I have decided to bring some guards to the palace and train them to become generals. An incident like this one should never happen again." "It should have never happened in the first place!" Epsilon looked up at his mother now, his rage and anguish showing through in his gaze. "Darien should have never gotten hurt! Why did they set that explosion! Darien didn't do *anything* to them! He just tried to save the princess..." Epsilon's voice faded away as the tears returned. His mother pulled him close and comforted him. "Endymion is fine, Epsilon. He got a cut on his head, but he will be absolutely normal in a few days, I'm sure. You've made him tough," she concluded teasingly. Epsilon didn't smile. "Go and see him, Epsilon. He will know you are there even if he isn't awake yet. You both need to be together." Epsilon slowly slipped off his bed and walked out the door, leaving his mother to sit on his bed alone. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Darien always looked so peaceful in sleep. His face was soft in a state of relaxation, a bit of midnight hair fallen into his closed eyes. Eppie hesitated a moment, and then reached out to brush the hair from his brother's face. His fingers stayed on Darien's face, however, gently running along the white gauze that covered the side of his head. The child on the bed sighed, and shifted in sleep. Eppie pulled his hand away. Darien had always been a light sleeper. The older prince pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down. He didn't leave until Darien woke up and asked him to get some sleep. Even though he was young and hurting, the younger prince wasn't immune to the haggard appearance of his brother. They both slept peacefully that night. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A week and a half later, the Moon Kingdom visitors left, but not before each of the princesses said good-bye to the two princes. Prince Endymion was feeling much better, and gave each princess a sapphire rose -except Princess Serenity, to whom he gave a scarlet rose. The royal leader grinned at this display, and quietly beamed as Epsilon gave the princess a kiss on the cheek, showing acceptance. Maybe the union would work after all. That afternoon, the four future generals arrived at the palace and began their training to be the guardians of the princes. The ten year-old boys became instant friends of Epsilon and Endymion, but never once came between them. The spy from Queen Metalia framed another man for the explosion he had caused at the palace and he continued to look for opportunities to spread evil throughout the land. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sorry this chapter was so short, I'm going away this weekend and that's why my dear twin is typing this. ^_^ The next chapter will be longer. Ja, ne! -Sailor Charon