Fairytales: Revisited and Redone

The Frog Princess

By Kuroi Koneko

Okay peoples! I'm taking our old and favorite fairytales and changing them around. Kinda like my story "Lady Robin Hood", in a sense. This will be a growing collection as I don't know really when, where, or even how I'm going to end this; unless it gets so few reviews that it's not worth doing anymore.

As the stories progress they will probably become a bit more worthy of . . . higher ratings. I'm trying to build up enough courage (and practice) for later stories and such. Please leave reviews with any requests or suggestions or whatnot.

This first story features my fave couple first. If anyone wants a different pairing in this setting please tell me and I'll do a 'Special Edition/Version' for you.

That's it! Read and Enjoy please!!

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In times when faith and beliefs were the focal points of life, a young queen gave birth to her first, last, and only child; a son she named Endymion with her dying breath. It was apparent even from birth that he had inherited his mother's appearances. However, another son was born that night, with a twin sister; the children of the king's mistress. After his mistress had recovered from childbirth the king married her, with his late wife's soil barely settled on her grave. It was rumored that the new queen was a sorceress who had bewitched the king and cursed the queen to die in childbirth, but no one dared to breathe words of such in the queen's vicinity.

Years passed and the three children grew together. Endymion was not close to his half- brother and sister, Rubius and Beryl. The two had inherited their mother's exotic looks; hair a deep crimson that shone like blood in the sunlight, eyes of ever-changing shades of red, and skin of a sickly pale white. However, they also had their father's, the king's, blood, and they had also inherited their mother's temperament. They were as cruel as she, as short-tempered, ill mannered, two-faced, manipulative, and superficial. The king saw his children and how opposite they were. The queen's twins were much like she, and the king mourned that they had been born a scant few hours prior to Endymion who was his true heir. Endymion, the son he could not bear to look he so reminded him of his late wife. His ebony hair that seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it, eyes the color of the ocean at midnight with flecks of moonlight gleaming in them. Even his temperament was like hers: quiet, slightly withdrawn, he kept to himself, gentle and kind, but with a sense of justice that made him seem ruthless, and he was as stubborn as his mother was.

On their fifth birthday Endymion, Rubius, and Beryl mourned the death of their father. The queen put on the appearance of mourning her husband's death while inside she was scheming on ruling the kingdom now in her possession. She ruled for many years as the Royal Children grew older.

As the years passed Beryl began to show a very un-sisterly interest in Endymion. Endymion spent most of his time avoiding Beryl and finding rooms in the palace that no one used anymore. It was in one of those rooms that he found a golden ball; solid gold, perfectly round, with intricate etchings and designs of which he had never seen. He played often with the ball, entranced by its shine and glow as it reflected the sun's rays. He was very careful to keep the golden ball a secret. He searched the books he found in the same room for any information on the symbols carved into his precious toy.

In one of the books he found a legend containing the golden ball and its decorations. The carvings themselves were a compressed version of the legend. The legend spoke of a young princess who was so beautiful her family's sorceress grew jealous. Her jealousy soon turned to bitter hatred and she cursed the princess who was more beautiful than she. In a fit of rage she turned the princess into the ugliest creature she could think of at the moment: a frog . . . but not any frog, a toad. When the Queen found out what had been done to her daughter she ordered it to be undone; the sorceress refused. The Queen ordered her to be executed for treason. The Queen, heartbroken with the loss of her only beloved daughter and child, cast her own life energy and magic to create a garden in which she placed her daughter for protection. She also created the golden ball that, when in the right hands, would lead its current owner to the pond where Princess Serenity resides.

For all his belief in magic, Endymion regarded the legend of the Frog Princess Serenity as pure fantasy. Over the months and consequent years, Prince Endymion forgot the legend around the golden ball.

It was a hot summer day on the Princes' and Princess's 19th birthday when Prince Endymion's secret pleasure was discovered.

"Endymion, darling," Beryl purred as she sauntered over to Endymion, "I haven't seen you around very often anymore. But I can think of the . . . perfect . . . birthday present to make up for that." She pressed herself against him while trailing her finger across his chest.

Rubius snickered in the background as Endymion's face remained impassive while his eyes clearly displayed his disgust. Beryl mistook it for lust and slowly crept her hands up. Half way up Beryl felt an unusual lump.

"Endymion, what is this?" Beryl reached into his vest pocket and took out the golden ball. Beryl's eyes widened in awe and greed. "Beautiful . . . " she whispered.

Endymion narrowed his eyes in barely repressed anger. "Give that back to me, Beryl," he growled through clenched teeth.

Beryl seemed to snap out of her greed-induced trance to stare smugly at her half-brother.

"Now dearest, what could you possibly want with such a . . . cheap . . . bauble?" She gave a smirk. "But it'll a pretty little ornament as a birthday present, don't you agree Rubius?" she shouted over to her brother.

Rubius turned his red eyes to gaze indifferently at his sister and half-brother. He gave an impassive shrug saying, "I don't care."

Beryl frowned at her brother before turning her attention back to Endymion. She was a bit startled to see him glaring at her. Endymion's hands shot out to grab the ball away from Beryl but she quickly moved it out of his reach. Endymion growled angrily and demanded its return. Beryl laughed and danced out of his reach.

The reach-and-leap-away game continued for several long minutes before Endymion became so frustrated that he leapt for Beryl instead of the ball. Beryl was so surprised by the action that she let out a little scream, dropped the ball forgotten, and ran back for the palace.

Endymion cursed under his breath as he caught the ball rolling down a hill. He chased the ball for several long minutes as it made odd turns through the palace grounds. At last the gold ball stopped its journey, coming to rest beside a crystal clear pond. The light of the fading sun slanted off the pond and into the Prince's eyes, temporarily blinding him. When his eyes adjusted he looked to the bank for his gold toy.

His eyes widened in shock.

"No, where is it?!" he whispered fiercely.

"If you ask of that golden ball, it rolled into the pond's center," a soft silvery voice murmured near Endymion's feet.

The Prince jumped, startled, at the unexpected voice, especially coming from so close to his feet. When he looked down he saw only a hideous toad and could not censor the grimace that crossed his face at the sight.

The toad - female by voice distinction - looked down in sadness having seen the Prince's expression.

"It's all right," she whispered sadly, "you do not have to look."

The toad's tone struck a chord in his heart and soon he found himself apologizing. After the toad accepted the apology and gave her forgiveness she inquired about the ball's importance.

"It does not have very much importance, but it fascinates me for some reason, so it's more sentimental. But I'll never get it now. I can't even see it on the bottom!" he cried mournfully.

"Well . . . I will get it for you on one condition."

"Anything!" Endymion cried eagerly. "What is it you want . . . uh . . .?"

"Serena," the frog supplied, "I was called Serena." Serena's face fell a bit at the past tense.

Endymion didn't seem to notice Serena's melancholy. "You may have anything Serena, just please return my golden ball."

Serena waited a moment, staring solemnly into Endymion's eyes, looking for something. She nodded once, satisfied, and leapt into the pond. She returned to the surface moments later with the toy clasped securely in her front . . . uh . . . hands.

"Before I return this to you, I wish to make known my condition." She waited until Endymion nodded. "I wish to be your companion."

Endymion stared blankly, not even blinking. The words kept repeating in his head. Then he saw a forlorn expression flash on Serena's face a moment before she lowered it.

"Um . . . nevermind. Here is your ball. Good day," she rolled the ball to Endymion's feet and turned back to the pond.

Again Endymion felt a pang in his heart and reached a hand out to prevent Serena from jumping back into the pond. "No, no. A deal is a deal, come, you will be my companion, Serena. By the way," he said with a gentle smile, carefully cradling her in his hand while also balancing his golden ball, "my name is Endymion."

Serena smiled.

The sun had already set when the strange companions entered the palace. It was eerily quiet in the halls as Endymion made his way to his private chambers. His bedroom was very dark, the furniture merely darker shadows. Luckily, Endymion knew his room as well as he knew his own name.

"Endymion . . . " a husky voice purred from the vicinity of his bed.

Despite the lack of light Serena could clearly distinguish Endymion's disgusted grimace. She silently leapt to his shoulder and murmured into his ear, "Would you like me to get rid of her for you?" She felt him nod his head. "Put me on the bed."

When he had done what she requested she softly hopped to the woman's head.

"Endymion?"

"Ribbit. Ribbit."

"What . . . ?" A soft rustling sound was heard as Beryl, who lay half-naked in Endymion's bed, moved her hand around in search of the sound's source. She finally came across a rather bumpy lump that seemed to move. "What the . . . ?" she raised her voice a bit louder.

All of a sudden a small light illuminated the object under her hand.

"AHH!" Beryl screamed, her red eyes widening in horror at the grotesque shadow-enhanced toad she held in her hand. She ran screaming from the room without any regard to her state of dress - or rather, undress.

Serena's soft croaking and Endymion's satisfied and relieved chuckles filled the now dark-again bedroom.

"Thanks, Serena. Thanks a lot." The smile he wore on his face was evident in his soft tone.

"If I were human, Endymion, I do believe I would be blushing."

Endymion's chuckles filled the room again as he prepared himself for sleep. "Come, Serena, I have more pillows here than I could possibly use. Choose one to sleep on tonight."

He was met with total silence. There was no sound except for his own soft breathing. And then there was a soft, almost shy, reply.

"Thank you."

And then the only sounds heard were the sounds of soft, even breathing of sleep.

Days came and went in a rather lazy manner. Endymion played with his golden ball and spent his time with Serena. The more time he spent with her the more he forgot she was a talking frog. He grew very fond of her and even admitted - though only in his deepest and most secret thoughts - that if she was human he would marry her . . . because he loved her.

It was late one night when the duo went to bed. Endymion had been brooding on how much he loved Serena and regretted that she was not human. He was so preoccupied with his thought that he did not notice his half-siblings sneak into his room as he and Serena conversed. He also didn't realize he had kissed Serena until he heard three sets of gasps.

"Endymion!!" two feminine voice cried out in shock. Rubius merely gaped in disgust. Endymion whirled to face his half-siblings.

So no one noticed the soft silver glow that began to surround Serena . . . . and the golden ball Endymion treasured that resided on his dresser. The glow grew brighter and caught the attention of Rubius who was too transfixed to speak. His sudden stillness was noticed by his sister standing next to him. She became aware of the room's sudden brightness, as did Endymion.

The three watched in awe, and not a little fear, as Serena's form became pure silver. The warts and bumps shrunk and disappeared leaving the skin smooth and flawless; her body began to grow, her arms and legs lengthened into hands and fingers and feet and toes; her head and torso became that of a well-developed young woman of unsurpassed beauty; her hair grew and lengthened until it draped on the floor like a small pool of moonlight; and a gown of pure silver formed around her body, covering her skin from some unwanted eyes. Her transformation from hideous toad to unrivaled beautiful young woman ended.

"Serena?" Endymion whispered hesitantly.

Serena slowly opened her eyes as the silver light around her dimmed and diminished revealing silver draping hair, flawless creamy porcelain skin, and deep sapphire blue eyes.

The golden ball, which had been glowing softly in the background forgotten, gave a low humming sound. It regained the room's occupant's attention and then a loud snap emanated from a large crack that split the sphere in half. A clear, shining, glowing silver crystal emerged and moved to hover in front of Serena's heart as a gold upturned crescent moon appeared in the middle of her forehead. When the mark had fully emerged, the gem turned into a pendant; hanging off a silver chain, the gem resting lightly in the valley between her breasts.

Endymion's eyes widened in shock, awe and hope; Beryl's eyes widened in fear before narrowing in instant hatred; and Rubius' eyes instantly narrowed in lust.

"Serena?" Endymion whispered again.

Serena smiled shyly at him, a blush tinting her cheeks. She dropped into a small curtsy before saying, in a shy melodious voice, "I am Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, though I was often called Serena to distinguish me from my mother." She blushed a little harder and stared at the floor. "Thank you, Endymion, for freeing me."

"He is MINE!!" Beryl shrieked in rage. She saw the looks her brothers were giving Serena, especially Endymion. Beryl rushed at Serena, her hands twisted into claws with her nails pointed, teeth bared in a snarl of hatred, eyes flashing with madness.

Rubius, in a rare moment of kindness - though it was induced by self-interests - reached out and grabbed Beryl by her long crimson hair, effectively stopping her lunge.

Endymion had also rushed to stop Beryl's attack, but he had moved to Serena's side to protect her. After realizing that Beryl had been temporarily contained his temper flared in a rare display of uncontrolled anger.

"OUT!" he screamed. His midnight ocean eyes glowed a faint gold in his rage. His arm tightened around Serena's waist reflexively, pulling her closer to his side. He absently noted how perfectly she fitted against him. He scowled even harder. "I said OUT!!" he roared.

Beryl and Rubius took one look into his now gold rage filled eyes and scrambled for the door, their reason for coming - whatever it had been - now completely forgotten about. When the door slammed shut behind them silence descended once again.

Serena snuggled closer to Endymion's warmth, fitting her curves and contours into his. She stopped when she felt his arm tighten its hold on her and the other wrap itself around her shoulders, pressing her even closer. She buried her head in the crook of his neck.

"En-Endymion?" came her muffled inquiry.

Endymion lowered his head so his lips were next to her ear as he whispered, "I love you, Serena."

Her head jerked up at his admission, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes as they sparkled with hope. Her only reply was to throw her arms around his neck, which stretched her body flush against his, and press her lips to his in what was meant to be a chaste kiss. It quickly turned passionate when Endymion hugged her so tightly her breath left her in a gasp that gave him access into the depths of her mouth. As their tongues danced and caressed and explored the others they finally had to separate when their lungs demanded life-giving air. "I love you too," Serena whispered breathlessly when the kiss ended, her forehead resting against his as their breaths mingled.

The next morning four women appeared at the palace. One was blonde, two had green tinged hair, and the fourth had deep purple hair. When Serena saw them she ran towards them with a large joyous smile on her face.

"Haruka! Hotaru! Michiru! Setsuna! You're here!" she cried in delight, embracing each as she called their name.

"Princess," Hotaru began after a respectful curtsy, "we, too, were freed of our enchantment when you were released."

"It just took some time to locate you, Kitten." Haruka smirked.

Endymion came up behind Serena, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin atop her head. Setsuna and Michiru smiled at the obvious affection, while Haruka glared and Hotaru gave a slight upturn of her lips. Haruka glared a little longer before smiling widely and exclaiming,

"So this is the Prince!" Her expression turned serious again. "You better take good care of her or else . . . " she left the threat hanging.

"I will," he replied, equally serious.

The Hotaru spoke up. "Where are you stepmother and half-siblings, Prince?" she asked politely, but with an edge to her tone.

Though Endymion did not care for his remaining "family" he did not want undue harm to befall them. "Why do you want to know?" he asked.

It was Setsuna who answered his question.

"We have unfinished business with the queen and penalties to deal out to her off-spring."

Endymion thought it wisest not to ask any further and gave the four directions to their most likely whereabouts.

"Tomorrow shall be your Wedding Day, Majesties," Michiru spoke for the first time, her tone brooking no arguments. She waited until both Endymion and Serena nodded their assent before she left to follow the others.

"Well, they're an interesting bunch, Beloved," Endymion remarked lightly.

Serena blushed at the endearment but did not let it deter her. "You get used to them. But come, if the wedding is to be tomorrow we have much to prepare." She led him away in search of organizers for the upcoming wedding.

The wedding took place the next day as planned, though the guest list was rather small for a Royal Wedding, including only close friends and loyal servants. After the wedding Endymion took the four women aside and inquired about his family. It was Hotaru who answered in a grave and cold voice.

"They have been killed." She held up a hand to silence Endymion. "Your stepmother was the sorceress of our kingdom and the one to curse our Princess. She was guilty of treason; we merely carried out a sentence long overdue. As for those disgusting twins-" her expressionless mask twisted into one of disgust and hatred before becoming expressionless again "-the Princess Beryl was killed as punishment for attempting to attack and kill Princess Serenity. We had no interest at the present time in Prince Rubius, however, he attacked us and was killed in our self-defense."

Endymion nodded and returned to his bride.

And so ends the tale of the Frog Princess. No one in the kingdom mourned the disappearance of the sorceress Queen and her cruel children. Serenity and Endymion were named King and Queen of Earth shortly after their wedding, much to the joy and relief of the people.

Serena's four guardians became advisors to the young rulers and peace and prosperity reigned for many years over the Earth.

The End.