A/N: Okay so here is Part Two of my story Moonfalls It takes place almost a year after the fall of the Moon Kingdom. Hope you all enjoy this story.
Running
Ten Month's Later on Pheonix Island…
"Come now Artemis try to keep up" said Luna
"I'm trying, you know this would be a lot easier if Pluto helped out" said Artemis out of breath
"You know she can't he has to protect the door of time," she thought back to ten months earlier to the morning after the destruction of the moon kingdom.
(Flashback)
"Dear felines I'd love to help you, but this is your quest I cannot accompany you I must stay here and protect the door of time" said Pluto.
"But where should we start" asked Luna
"If we're going to travel the realm were going to need a ship" said Artemis
"And how do you suggest we steer a ship, we are just two small cats and Neptune is under the sandmen spell"
"Think positive Luna" said Pluto in a reassuring voice
"Easy for you to say" said Luna despondent when all of a sudden Artemis Looked up and said "I got it"
"Got what?" said Pluto
"All we have to do is send a message to Atlantis, they can help our cause. Plus, we know they will be on our side when the fighting starts up again"
Luna laughed bitterly "Where were they when Metaria's forces hit, huh, where were they when the Queen died, where were the Melinoë forces. Queen Nehelenia was here when the attacks happened what happened to her. All those you say were loyal to the moon where the hell were they when the moon needed them most, where were the gods!" Luna cried in anguish
"Luna, I know it all seems hopeless now, but we have to have faith" said Artemis
"Faith?"
"Yes, Faith now come on we have to prepare"
"Alright" said Luna with a slight smile
(End Flashback)
Back to the Present on Phoenix Island…
Standing before the Phoenix King Luna and Artemis bowed their heads in supplication "Your Majesty we beg of you to see reason" said Luna
"Reason" said the Phoenix King "I sympathize with your cause. But those who stand against the new Sun King and his Queen will surely suffer the same fate as the moon I cannot afford to take that chance I have to think of my people first"
"If you truly cared for your people then think of this" said Artemis "What makes you think that Beryl will be satisfied with just ruling Solaris, what is to say that she won't come after you and do to you what she did to us" Luna looked over at her companion with admiration and followed him when he turned to leave the throne room. The Phoenix King had a contemplative look on his face 'What if they were right, would Beryl be satisfied with just Solaris' The Phoenix King stood up from his throne and stepped down from the dais walking across the room. He made his way to his private chambers and watched as his pet phoenix burst into flames, only to be reborn from the ashes. The small bird chirped, and the Phoenix king stroked his tiny head.
"It's been the same everywhere we go Artemis, we ask, and they just give us the same response without the guardians and without the moon kingdom it's like they have all lost their hope"
"And their courage" said Artemis with a small chuckle. Luna gave him a stern look of reproach "I was just trying to make you laugh" he said
"It didn't work"
"Sorry"
"Oh no I'm the one who is sorry Artemis, it's just that this is so frustrating"
"I know Luna come one let's get back to the ship"
(Flashback)
"King Delphin we have sent for you because we need your help" said Luna
"I know what you seek, and the answer is 'yes'" said King Delphin
"You'll help us" said Artemis
"We've already started, the Seas cannot function without the light of the moon Luna, Artemis when the time comes our forces will be ready to fight, but in the meantime, you may use one of my smaller boats for your travels and you will have my best sailor at your disposal"
"Only one?" Asked Artemis
"One is all you will be needing anything larger and Metaria could catch wind of what we are doing"
"Thank you, your Majesty," said Luna and Artemis in unison before the king disappeared back into the sea.
"See all you need is a little faith, things are looking brighter already" said Artemis while Luna looked up into the blackened sky. "There has been no sign of the moon since that night Artemis" she said.
"I know Luna but don't worry we have less than a year before the moon shines brightly once again" she smiled and nuzzled against him.
(End Flashback)
Solaris back in the Present…
Beryl stood in the underground cavern and looked up into the giant hourglass that stood before her. "My Lady Metaria I know I promised to set you free but without the crystal I do not see any hope of releasing you" said the Lady Beryl
Metaria spoke in an angry voice "I do not need your excuses, you foolish girl!" She roared " I kept my end of the bargain now find a way to set me free!" And then all was silent. Beryl took her staff and walked out, she made her way back to the Sun Palace where Prince Darien awaited her.
"I take it, that it didn't go well" he said
"NO!" Beryl screamed throwing a pewter candlestick at the lingering servants. "Get out!" she screamed at them and sat down across from the prince in exasperation. After a while she looked up at the prince only to find that he wasn't looking at her but back out into the night sky. 'Even with her gone a part of him still pines for her' she thought. "Come now my love I'm tired let's retire shall we" she told him extending her hand to him beckoning him to follow her to their chambers "How can you think of sleep with Metaria still trapped we need to be concentrating on finding the crystal" he said in annoyance "Besides I'm not tired" he told her and she stomped off to her chambers alone.
'Ten months and nothing, he hasn't come to me and when he kisses me it's he really doesn't want to, why? I gave him a full dose of Metaria's darkness he should be completely mine right now' she thought but no matter how many times she ran it through her head she just couldn't work out why the prince wasn't completely hers.
Prince Darien walked off into the gardens and looked up into the night sky, he stared at the stars shining dully in the cosmos all except for one lone star that shone brightly he stared and wished he were anywhere else but here at the moment. Solaris was still prospering fear and panic gripped the masses the people cried for mercy from the gods, but none would come. Soon very soon the gods would all be dead and all that will be left is Metaria. But at that moment looking up at the shining star, he wondered if it would be enough.
Two weeks later…
"We have arrived" said the sailor
"Welcome to Kimora island home of the dragons" said Artemis
"Come on" said Luna and then turned and looked at the young merman "You know what to do" she told him, and he took off his bracelet and dove towards the water. Once on land, they started walking the stone path that leads deep into the woods they noticed the movement from both sides and stopped dead in their tracks.
"They know we're here" said Artemis.
"Maybe they can help us" said Luna.
"Or eat us"
"Artemis" she said in reproach
"What?"
"Do you hear that?"
"What?"
There was a growling sound coming from their left side and all of a sudden, a giant dragon head peeked out from the bushes. Both Artemis and Luna screamed and took off at a run deeper into the woods. "Dragons!" yelled Artemis
"We're surrounded" called back Luna just as Artemis collided with her backside.
"Why did you stop"
But Luna wasn't listening she was looking up into the sky as a dark foreboding figure descended on them. She had short spiked air and two large wings protruding from her back dressed in only a corset and red and black leggings with short boots, her breast were bare and her forked tongue stuck out from between her pink lips "Lookie what we found" said the young woman. "We are here to speak to the Dragon Queen" said Luna with an authoritative voice.
"What makes you think that the Queen wants to speak with two very small Lunarian scum" spat the young dragon.
"Because we are here to talk about the fate of the world" said Artemis coolly. The young dragon smiled a wide smile barring her teeth to them and then licking her lips laughing. "I have a better idea how about I eat you instead" she said getting ready to pounce on both felines when another voice came from the shadows calling her name "Alia, there is no need to be rude to our guest" said the voice and it sounded elderly the voice of someone with reason and compassion. "Forgive her" said the voice "you may leave now Alia and take your friends with you" She did as she was told and flew off into the tree line.
"Who are you" asked Luna
"I am Merek, and I know who you are"
"Do you? Then you must know why we are here"
"Indeed, I do"
"Show yourself" said Artemis
Suddenly gargantuan elderly dragon rose from the shadows and bowed its head at the felines. "We thank you Merek for saving us from that other dragon, but we have important business to discuss with your queen…"
"Wait Merek, I know that name" said Artemis
"I know, you are the Dragon General and Lita's grandfather, aren't you?" she asked
"Indeed, I am" said Merek "Now come the Queen has been expecting you"
"She has?" questioned Luna
"She has heard of your exploits in trying to recruit the rest of the nations against Solaris"
"We are not against Solaris, we are here to unify the nation's against Metaria, you know what happened all those millennia when she wreaked havoc on our world"
"Yes, I know what Metaria is capable off, but the decision is not mine to make you will have to speak to the Dragon Queen" said Merek. They walked in silence when all of a sudden Merek stopped turned and asked the question that has been burning in his mind for the last ten months. "My granddaughter?"
"I'm sorry?"
"My granddaughter is she well?"
"She is safe, still under the sandmen spell which according to our calendar should be broken in two months' time" said Luna.
"That is good to hear" said Merek "I have missed her for so long"
"She is truly a great guardian and a great friend"
"Merek chuckled then said "She was always so a lovely girl strong and independent"
"Yes" agreed Luna
"What about that other dragon girl, what did you call her?"
"Alia"
"Yes, she seemed lovely" said Artemis sarcastically
"Alia has always been jealous of Makoto, and of her being chosen for the position of guardianship and jealousy can do ugly things to you"
"Yes, we have a firsthand account of what jealousy can do to you and others"
"Forgive me" said Merek stopping and bowing his head
"Nothing to forgive" said Luna and Artemis in unison
"We are here" he said
They stopped in front of two large stone doors carved into the mountainside, both Luna and Artemis strode towards the doors and looked back when they noticed that Merek had not moved an inch. "Aren't you coming" asked Luna
"No, the Queen will respect you more if you go in alone. I will wait for you out here" and suddenly the doors opened and Artemis and Luna both jumped. They walked slowly towards the large and opulent throne room, there in the center of the room stood a large foreboding figure dressed in knee-high boots the striped stockings with a checkerboard bodice and a long flowing skirt slit at the side. Her large majestic wings were spread out to her sides while she sat on the throne her red hair flowing down her side. The Dragon Queen looked down at the two felines unaware as they started talking that somewhere up above there was one dragon daughter listening to their conversation.
Once the explanations were done Ali took off from her perch on the high window and took flight. She landed on the beach waiting when all of sudden a dark figure in a black robe covering her from head to toe appeared behind her. "What news do you have for me" said the figure
"The Lunarian familiars are trying to rally the kingdoms against her ladyship" said Alia
"The guardians will awaken soon in which time the fighting will resume we need to get into Lunarian territory now while they are still vulnerable and take them out"
"How do we do that? For months you have been trying to breach the barrier around the capital city and nothing. Face it the power of the crystal is no match for her ladyship"
The figure stayed quiet and then disappeared into the abyss. Soon after the figure appeared in the dark cavern and spoke "My Queen" said the figure.
"The two Lunarian familiars are trying to gather the forces of all five kingdoms against you, it is just two months before the guardians awaken again and we still haven't been able to breach the barrier on the Lunarian capital. We are running out of time" reported the dark figure.
"Yes" said Metaria "and once more, that imbecilic Lady Beryl still hasn't held up her end of the bargain, we have two months, two months to get into Lunaris and find the crystal and two months to SET ME FREE!" she screamed "Get to work and don't show your face here again until you have something good for me"
The hooded figure left the cavern and ascended into the woods. She was stopped when she noticed a figure moving in the trees it stopped right in front of her "Well?" said the figure "We have work to do"
Back on the ship…
Luna was sleeping in her quarters next to Artemis "Luna" said a voice "Luna" the voice kept calling until she rose from her sleep. Luna made her way back up on deck and looked out into the sea. A light started shining from above and Luna looked up to see the moon shining bright but there was something else the moon was broken in pieces. All the pieces shone down on her and suddenly she heard her name called out again.
"Who is there?" she asked
"Go back" said the voice
"What?"
"Go back, come back to the moon, there is danger heading your way, Go back" yelled the voice and suddenly a violent wind blew a massive wave sending it crashing down onto the ship. Luna woke up gasping and coughing "What is wrong Luna?" asked Artemis "We need to get back to Lunaris, Now!" she said running out of the room "Captain! Captain!" she yelled.
"What is it my feline friend?" said the captain
"We need to head back to Lunaris now"
"Alright" said the captain taking hold of the wheel and turning it so the ship would turn as well.
"Luna" cried Artemis "What's wrong"
"We have to head back to Lunaris, there is something wrong, the guardians they are in danger I can feel it, I know it"
And in one swift motion the ship turned fully heading back in the direction of the Moon Kingdom.