Chapter 1 The Moonlit Kingdom

Princess Serena was sleeping. One side of her face was stuck to an old book entitled "The Dark Art Of Manipulation", the other side was mostly covered in her long black hair. Her hooded black robes which were lined with silver, rose up and down with her steady breathing. She slept on an ivory oak desk in a magnificent room. Lush black drapes covered the windows, a queen sized canopy bed with silk black sheets, ivory oak dressers, and floors. Truly this was a room for royalty. She awoke with a start to the sound of footsteps as someone entered her room.

This man was a little shorter than her, had the same light brown skin, short wavy hair, and a mustache and goatee, giving him a clean cut look. "Good morning Princess," He said giving a short bow. "Good morning General Andrew." she said, sitting up, her long black hair fell past her shoulders. She was very beautiful, like her mother, but always was odd and out of place. " I see you've been studying hard." The general said, looking at the book on her desk.

He raised a gloved hand and the book vanished in darkness, and reappeared in his hands. "You are trying to learn manipulation?" He asked, skimming through the book. "Mother wants me to learn it." Serena said, yawning and wiping sleep out her eyes. " Its really nothing to it, just force your mental energy into a fatigued mind." Andrew said, looking her full in the face. "You should try to make sure the waste energy and then try, if they are fully alert and ready, it won't work and you will waste mental power." He then handed the book back to her and headed for the door. "Wait," Serena said, "doesn't manipulation have other uses?" Andrew thought a moment and said, "yes, it can also be used for information on an unconscious or dead mind, it can be used to see what the person experienced last." He said and made his exit. It should all come effortless to her, after all she is the princess of the moonlit kingdom, he thought.

Andrew walked down the hall of the magnificent Moonlight Palace, of the Moonlit Kingdom. His job was to guard the citizens of the kingdom and protect the royal family. He had defended the kingdom most of his life and was in so many ways a great asset to his king. But this thing, he thought as he continued to walk, this will push my abilities to their limits. He stopped in his tracks and looked at his black gloved hands. Do I have enough power? Am I strong enough? Even I have my limits, I'm only human after all. The other generals are just as strong as me, we are no different when it comes to strength. But wait, he thought, I did have great knowledge of all the kingdoms, not to mention I learned some of their arts. Maybe I can pull this off, Arkahm wouldn't take no for an answer.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice a child dressed in silver lined black robes had walked quietly behind him. This little boy's hood was pulled so far over that you couldn't see his face, he clutched a white furred, plush teddy bear. He held it close to him, as if it was all he had. "Andrew, you should calm down, nothing is worth this much worrying." He said calmly. Andrew turned on his heel, and his torso met with the boys face. "Oh, good morning, Prince Damien, I hadn't noticed you there." Andrew said clearly startled. How could he have jus walked up on me and I didn't notice? He was only 10 and had the grace of an assassin. Damien held his bear close and walked down the hall to his room.

Andrew had forgotten: every thought sent off a negative and positive vibe. He must have been shooting off negative vibes nonstop, easy for an experienced Dark Elemental to pick up. He headed for the throne room to talk to his King Arkham, he stopped in his tracks as he heard the distinct sound of water dripping in the hall. Water?! He thought. Before he could turn around, someone yelled, "Water Arts: Torrent!", Andrew was blasted off his feet with icy cold water, the pressure of it slammed him into the wall and he hit the floor drenched.

While on the floor he heard someone yell, "go to the treasure, I'll take care of the general!" He heard footsteps echo then go away. He then rose to his feet livid, and looked in the face of his foe. The man in front of him had long blue hair, bright blue eyes, and blue and white garb. A Water Elemental, in his kingdom, what had happened to the guards? He thought. "Water Arts: Tidal Wave!" The water elemental ran his right hand across the floor, where water appeared in a straight line, he then raised his left hand and the water grew until it became a 7 foot wave that headed toward Andrew. Andrew focused his mind and said, "Dark Arts: Dark Shield!" Andrew folded his arms in front of him, and looked intently at the water rushing toward him. Just before it came crashing down on him, a dark sphere emitted from his body covering him in darkness. The water attack covered the walls and splashed the floor. When the shield cleared the water elemental prepared for a counter attack. But what he saw was the drenched wall and floor. Where had his opponent gone? He thought.

"Dark Arts: Shadow Thief!" The water elemental gasped as his very shadow rose of the floor and towered over him . It was shaped just like him, except the face, it was Andrew's. "Your finished." Andrew said smiling calmly. "No!" The water elemental said, clearly frightened. His shadow seemed to stretch, expanding it blocked out everything from view, so all he could see was Andrew's head floating in darkness. "Water Arts: Water Torrent!" He said focusing and raising his hand. Nothing issued and he began to panic. "Its no use." Andrew stated calmly. "I'll end this quick." The water elementals scream was never heard as his shadow rapped around his mouth, neck, and legs. With the pressure on his throat and mouth he quickly lost consciousness. Andrew stood over his victim and thought, what were his motives? His thoughts were shattered by a blood curling scream.

How had forgotten, there was another intruder. He ran to the prince's room where the scream still echoed. When he crossed the threshold he immediately noticed the blood splashed on the walls, floor, and door. The remains of the intruder lay mutilated in the corner of the room face down not breathing. Damien sat on the edge of his bed clutching his bear close. He looked up at Andrew and asked innocently, "can I have a new toy? This one is broken."

Coming up in chapter 2, Serena sees the water elementals last moments with Damien, King Arkham goes over the plan with Andrew, Queen Luna makes her entrance, and of course more fighting!