IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS #11 A Sailor Moon Sekkushiaru Roman, Based on a Story in Lunatic Party #1 by Sailor Mac One of the things about the peace that follows a battle is that you suddenly find yourself doing all the nine thousand things you put off when you were up against the enemy. Like cleaning. I'd let my apartment go during the last stage of our war against the Deathbusters. I'm normally tidy. . .but now there's piles of papers here, piles of clothes there. And a *real* mess on my desk. I'm sorting through stacks and stacks of paper (old notice from my mailbox at college, throw out. . .expired detergent coupon, throw out. . .love letter from Serena, *definitely* keep. . .) And then, I see something sticking out from under my desk blotter. I slide it out. It's a floppy disc. . .one of the floppies that Amy and Serena had found near the Negaverse portal. I thought I'd gone through them all. . .I'd definitely missed this one. I pop it into my floppy drive and open the text file inside. . .and when I see what it is, my heart freezes. "The personal record of Queen Beryl the Negian. . ." Beryl. Whose obsession with me led her to capture me and turn me into a slave to evil. My memory of that terrible time is spotty. . .but what I remember makes me not want to remember any more. Do I really want to read this? I think. Do I want to know about her? Part of me just wants to close the file and throw the disc where it can't be found again. . .but another part of me is insatiably curious, and leads me to start reading it. . . * * * THE PERSONAL RECORD OF QUEEN BERYL THE NEGIAN I was born the daughter of a general of the Earth Kingdom and a Negian woman he had captured in battle. The Negaverse and the Moon Kingdom were at constant war with each other, even then. . .or, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Negaverse rose up against the Moon Kingdom and was defeated on a regular basis. Some said that my mother had married my father willingly, others that he had enslaved her. I never got a chance to ask her the truth, because she died when I was less than a year old. The Negians have long claimed it was a suicide. My father raised me on Atlantis as a human noblewoman, Lady Beryl. I was sent to the finest school and taught culture and high manners. But I never quite felt like I fit in. My classmates all knew about my half-Negian status, and they shunned me. I didn't care much for them, anyway. They struck me as a bunch of shallow ninnies who were interested in nothing but fashions, parties and attracting the opposite sex. My interests ran deeper. From an early age, I was fascinated with the magical arts. I studied under a pair of magician/priests, who felt that I had a true gift. I was declared an adept by my 21st birthday. My ambition was to be declared the official court sorceress to Queen Cassiopeia. It was around that time when I was first approached by an old man from the Negaverse. I was sitting on the grass outside our home, studying a scroll, when he came up to me and said, "Hail, Queen Beryl!" "Whatever are you talking about?" I replied. He then proceeded to tell me about an ancient prophecy the Negian people held dear. . .that when they reached their darkest hour, their Messiah would appear, a person described as a "halfing," who would lead them to ultimate victory and conquest of the Universe. Since I was half human and half Negian, he had determined that I was the one. I told him that I considered myself a human, not a Negian, and that I had no interest in being their Messiah. But he came back, a few weeks later, and repeated his request. . .as did other representatives of the Negaverse. I sent them all away, telling them all the same thing. I had no faith in their prophecy. . .I had my own destiny to fulfill. When I received an invitation to the Earth Palace, I thought Queen Cassiopeia had heard of my talents and my goal was in sight. Unfortunately, the purpose of my visit was because she'd known my father many years ago and wanted to see how his daughter had turned out. But the trip turned out to be fateful anyway. . .because it was then that I met Cassiopeia's son. Endymion was several years younger than me. I didn't care. He was everything a woman could want in a man. . .handsome, strong yet sensitive, with a keen intelligence and excellent skills as a warrior. I fell in love with him instantly, and decided then and there that he would be mine. Suddenly, my ambition to be court sorceress meant nothing anymore. . .I was determined instead to be the next queen. I also met the four military officers who were his guardians - Jaedite, Nephlite, Zoicite and Malachite. I cultivated a friendly acquaintance with them. . .because they became my source of information. They told me there was someone who came to visit him on a regular basis. . .a little blonde princess from the moon. . .I scoffed. I knew the person they were talking about. She was little more than a child, clumsy and a crybaby. There was *no way* that someone like him could be even remotely interested in someone like her. His mother and her mother were long-time friends, I knew. He probably saw the Moon Princess just to please both their parents. I thought that if that were my only competition, I'd have no problems at all winning him. I stopped taking lessons in sorcery. I stepped up my attendance at charm school instead. I decided I wasn't going to win him with love magic - my teachers had always told me that love spells had a nasty way of recoiling on the caster - but with my own allure. Over and over, I rehearsed the scene in my head. Him meeting me again, and being swept off his feet. . .me becoming queen, and making all the people who shunned me regret the way they'd treated me. . . Through my contacts with the guardians, I got myself invited to a royal ball. I prepared for hours, wanting to make myself look as fetching as possible. I left my home with high hopes. . . As I was getting into my carriage, I was approached by another group of Negians. They begged me to accept my destiny as their Messiah, even more fervently than before. I told them in no uncertain terms to get lost, that I was going to become a queen, all right. . .but not of the Negaverse. And then, when I got to the ball, everything changed forever. When I arrived, I noticed the admiring looks on the faces of men and women alike. For once in my life, I was truly alluring. I looked around for the prince. . .and saw no sign of him. I came across one of his guardians, Malachite, and asked him where Endymion had gone. He replied that he was in the garden. . .and as I took off, I heard him shout, "Lady Beryl, don't go out there!" I paid no attention. I went outdoors, where I saw the back of his head. I thought that he was spending a quiet moment alone, that it was an ideal time to make my move. . . Then, I noticed he wasn't alone. That blonde puffball from the Moon was with him. They were talking, their heads close together. His arms came around her, and she leaned her head on his chest. . . Jealousy raged within me. This was obviously not a just-to-please-their-mothers relationship. And then, I heard him say to her, "I love you, Serenity. I love you with all my heart. I could never love anyone but you. . .I haven't looked at another woman since you came into my life." It was hopeless. Utterly hopeless. She had him completely entranced. This *child*. . .And then, I saw them kiss, and he was pushing her gown down so he could cup a breast in his hand. I'd seen enough. I stormed back into the palace, where I was met by Malachite. "My lady," he said, "I *told* you not to go out there." I replied, surprising myself with how calm I was, "He really *is* serious about her, isn't he?" "Why? What's going on out there?" "It seems. . .that your prince is out there fucking the little Moon Princess senseless." He looked shocked. "My lady!" The more I thought about it, the more furious I got. I hated everyone and everything. . .Endymion, his guardians, the Earth Kingdom, and especially little Princess Serenity and her Moon Kingdom. I wanted to make them *all* pay. And I knew just how I could do it. I turned to the four guardians, and said, "I'm leaving now. But mark my words. . .you *all* will see me again." And I turned and stormed out of the palace. When I got home, the Negians were still there. I told them, "All right. . .I'll do it. I'll fulfill my destiny as your Messiah." I was taken instantly to the Negaverse, where I was hailed by the people as Messiah and Queen. They murdered their ruling royal family and put me on the throne. And I immediately began plotting my ultimate vengeance, my takeover of the Universe. . . * * * I stopped reading, abruptly. My head was flooding with visions, memories. . .the night that Beryl had described was coming back to me vividly. . . I saw myself slipping out to the gardens holding tightly to my Princess's hand. She was giggling. "Endymion. . .somebody's going to notice we're both gone." "Let them notice," I replied. We ducked behind a hedge, and I pulled her into my embrace. That beautiful face, illuminated by soft moonlight. . .Looking at her, I thought I was looking at a goddess. She leaned her head on my chest with a sigh. "Endymion. . .I don't know how much we're going to be able to see each other over the next few months. . .my tutors went to my mother and told her that I'd been neglecting my studies." "Have you?" "No. . .well, maybe a little. . .it's just that. . .I can't concentrate on my work, because all I can think about is when we're going to be together again." "Serenity. . .your studies are important, you know. You're going to be queen someday. You're going to want to have all the knowledge you possibly can." She backed away from me, her eyes wide, her hands clasped together. "Are you saying. . .that you agree with my tutors? That we can't see each other anymore?" "Serenity, Serenity!" I pull her into my arms again. "Darling. . .I couldn't live without seeing you. We'll work something out. . .we have some renowned tutors here on Atlantis. Perhaps we can persuade your mother to let you come here for some extra help. . .but remember, if we do that, you're to *study.* We can be together after you're finished with your work." She nodded, leaning her head on my chest again. "I couldn't bear being separated from you, Endymion. . .I know there's all these beautiful and elegant women who look you up and down all the time. . .I'd be so afraid that one of them would take you away from me. . ." "I love you, Serenity. I love you with all my heart. I could never love anyone but you. . .I haven't looked at another woman since you came into my life." She brought her sweet lips to mine, passionately. I kissed her with all the aching love in my heart, pulling her closer and closer, feeling her heat, the satin of her hair under my fingertips. The kiss broke, and she turned in my arms, so her back was against me. I reached up and began to push her gown downward, my hand coming up to cup and caress a breast as the fabric fell to her waist. "Ohh, darling," she moaned. "Yes. . .mmm. . .that feels good. . ." "Serenity. . .Serenity, my darling. . ." My lips caressed her neck as I stroked my fingers over her nipples, thrilling when I felt them harden under my touch. My manhood was stiffening in response, and I found myself rubbing against her. . . The gown and her undergarments landed on the ground. I eased her into a sitting position beside them so she was leaning back on her hands, her legs up and out. I let a finger slowly trail down her body, feeling her shiver a bit as I passed over her nipple, as my lips caressed hers again. When I probed her soft folds, she gasped. "Hmm," I said between kisses, "this feels nice. . ." "Ooooh. . .yes, Endymion. . ." "I wonder if it'll taste as nice as it feels." And I lay on the ground so I could bring my head to her nether lips, kissing them softly. She cried out, her hips jerking upward to bring her womanhood in closer contact with my mouth. I ran my tongue all over her folds, delighting in the taste, the feel. . .When I thrust it inside her, she tangled her fingers in my hair, trying to hold me down there forever. . .and oh Gods, I'd like to *stay* there forever. Slowly, I pushed my tongue in and out of her, feeling my own blood run blazing hot in response. "Ohhh. . ." I heard her moan. "Endymion. . .oh Gods. . .I feel like I'm going to explode. . ." Ah, that's my cue, I thought. I moved my tongue up to her pearl, stroking it very softly at first, then lashing it faster, harder. Her entire body stiffened, then she let out a wail as she trembled with her climax, as the sweet, sweet honey poured from her. She collapsed onto the ground, and I bent over her, kissing her tenderly. Her tongue flickered in and out of my mouth, and I knew she was savoring her own taste on my lips. When I leaned back from her, she looked at me, a sly smile playing over her lips. . . "Endymion. . .you're wearing *far* too many clothes. That won't do." "Why, you little minx. . ." I stood up, shed my garments, and then lay on the ground beside her. "Does this please you more, your highness?" "Very much so, your highness." She got on all fours atop me, so her womanhood was brushing my hardened manhood. . .just enough to tantalize me. She leaned forward, so her luscious breasts were positioned near my lips. . .That was an offer I couldn't refuse. I pulled her close and began to suckle hungrily, feeling like I was drawing life itself from those delicious little buds. I took one out of my mouth, licked at it, switched to the other, sucked, then back to the first. . .Her moans are the sweetest music I have ever heard, I thought. "Ohh Gods, my love. . .I have to have you inside me. . ." I ease my mouth away. "Have you been keeping up with your potion?" "Yes! Oh, yes!" (Every day, she made and drank a magically-powered herbal brew to prevent pregnancy.) "Then you have my leave to take your pleasure, my princess," I said. She began to ease herself slowly onto my erect manhood. . .too slowly. I wanted to be fully inside her, to feel all that hot, wet velvet enveloping me totally. . . And then, she gave a huge thrust, and we were one. I sprang up into a sitting position, our arms coming around each other, our lips clashing in a fierce, hot kiss as she pumped her hips. Her tongue stroked mine as she thrust faster and faster, my heart hammering, my whole body feeling like it was going to burst into flames . . .I had to check myself to keep from losing it. I wanted her to have as much pleasure as she could stand. She was chanting my name over and over, a litany of love, tossing her golden hair in every direction. . .I reached for her sweet breasts again, my fingers kneading the nipples, and she shrieked as her sheath tugged and pulled at me. Oh Gods. . .that did it. . .My hips were rising to meet her thrusts, harder and faster, and my endurance was in shreds. I was going to come, any second now, any second. . "YES! SERENITY!" I shouted as the hot joy exploded through me, as I released my seed into her. And she cried out as she climaxed again as well. Both of us fell to the grass, panting heavily, kissing each other's faces softly. "I love you so much," I whispered. "I love you, too," she answered. And we lay in each other's arms, dreaming of our future together as man and wife. . . A future we would never have, at least in that lifetime. . .thanks to the jealous woman who had spied on us. * * * A familiar knock on my door snaps me back to reality, to the present day. I jump up and open the door, preparing to be tackled. . .She doesn't disappoint. Having the wind knocked out of me never felt so wonderful. "Muffin!" She kisses me. "What's up?" She looks beyond me, sees the text file on the computer. . . "Homework?" "No. . .no, it's another one of those discs from the Negaverse." "Really? What's this one about?" "Beryl." The look on her face. . .Serena usually isn't capable of hatred, but it's obvious that she's *very* glad the woman is dead. Her arms tighten around me, as if to protect me from Beryl. . . "What does it say? How much she hated us all?" "It's about her past. . .she grew up as a lonely, rejected half-breed. . . She fell in love with me, I think, because she saw becoming queen as a way to get the love and respect she never had as a child." "That's still no excuse for what she did to you!" She buries her head in my chest, tears leaking from her eyes. I stroke her hair. "It's all right, honey. . .that part of our past is long behind us. We've moved far beyond Beryl." I gently tilt her head up so I can look in her eyes. "You were just coming out of being a child then. . .and now, you've become a beautiful, strong, courageous young woman. The woman I love." "Darien. . ." She kisses me, soft and sweet. . .and it's as delicious as the first time we kissed, centuries and centuries ago. No matter what happened to me during that dark time when Beryl enslaved me, as part of her twisted revenge on the entire universe, it doesn't matter now. Serena's love has washed away the stains on my soul and made me whole and pure again. I go to the Mac, close the file, pop the disc out. I throw it in the very back of a drawer. "Come on," I say. "Let's go to Crown Cafe for ice cream." Her eyes light up. . .I've said one of the magic words. "Ooooh, yes!" She heads out the door, practically dragging me with her. . .And I walk away, away from Beryl for good. AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sailor Skuld, keeper of the Sailor Moon Romance archive, told me about this particular doujinshi story some time ago. The original is brief and simple. . .I thought it offered me a very good opportunity to speculate on Queen Beryl's past and what made her what she became. Standard Sailor Moon disclaimers apply. These characters ain't mine, I'm just borrowing them for a little while.