Sisterhood - Venuses crictical situation
Queen Athena sighed.
The water glistened and floated smoothly reflecting the light off the green crystaline surroundings. The room in which she stood resembled a sea cave with it's green shiny walls and eerie noises. The floor was smooth and cold and the pool of water in the centre of the room looked tranquil. The room glowed with different lights reflected from the water.
The Queen smiled appricating it's beauty before sliding out of her blue robe and plunging naked, head first into the salty water.
For a few minutes she allowed herself to drift downwards through the dark depths of the pool. The water carassed her hair and made her whole being feel weightless and free. She could feel the pull of the tides and the waves touching her skin. It was pure pleasure allowing herself to give in to the temptation the waves offered. The temptation of freedom and an existance with out pain.
A small voice in the back of her head would not let her.
You made your choice...a long time ago...you must except this existance unto the end...then you may return to the water...
Athena curled her knees to her chin. Her blue orbs opened and in them was reflected the colours of the water surrounding her. Of course salt water wasnt as good as her pure clean water...she could feel the tiny particals of salt attatch themselves to her exposed skin...still any form of water was comforting.
Sometimes...she wondered if she'd made the right choice. If she and her sisters had done the right thing...they had been young...or at least as young as they could have been. And they had looked at the new solar system and felt pity for it's inhabitants and vowed to protect them. But still...before they'd accepted their new bodies they'd never known pain. No pain nor sorrow. No loss nor grief. Yet as soon as they'd taken human shape...they'd felt...they'd gained new emotions...and eventually they had fallen in love...
And love...leads to pain...and grief...
She squirmed as a thumping sensation filled her chest. She longed to swim away and become one with her true form. She longed to forget the agony of love and the bitterness of despair. Her throat was burning and she found no end to the tears coming from her eyes.
My brave...beautiful...amazing husband...Carias...
She'd watched him for some time. Immortal humans had always fascinated her. And he loved the water. She could remember floating freely with him. Guiding him to shore...perhaps he was part of the reason for her choice. It would be human to say it was a coincidence that she'd been given rule of his Moon. Then she was Queen...and godly interest turned to something more...a emotion she could not place and disturbed her deeply.
She'd loved him.
And he was gone.
She was not stupid. She knew that he could die...but he was immortal. And they had a child...Mercury...who would grow up...without a Father. The pain she witnessed in her daughters eyes was heartbreaking. The fury she felt at those who took his life was tremendous. She longed to use her full potential on them...to let them know the pain and agony...yet...she could not...she could only watch...her time as a senshi was passed.
Suddenly a familiar presence filled the water and Athena looked up to see the pale form of her sister Amphitrite swimming towards her. Her sisters long sea green hair was fluttering like an eerie halo. Her body reflected the blue light and her eyes were as depthless as the ocean.
"Nee-san, you had me worried," Spoke Amphitrite issuing true words despite them being said under water.
Athena smiled and gave a watery chuckle before alowing her sister to embrace her.
"Amph...oh...Amph...I wish...oh...I...wish..."
"Shh," Cooed Amphitrite playing fondly with a lock of her older sisters glowing blue hair.
"Mirander is on the surface...I get the impression that she doesn't want to come down with us," Said Amphitrite smiling coyly with mischeif. Athena smiled rubbing her eyes before giggling slightly.
"What do you say we take her for a swim?" Winked the mischevious Ocean Queen.
Jupiter saw it.
A flash of bold white light racing towards them at a high speed. For one instant frozen in time she could watch as the white hot electric energy slammed into her body causing it to glow and spark. Her cousins screams echoed in her head.
They sounded terrifying. Like her cousin was having her soul pried from her body with red hot daggers. The screeches sounded inhumane to the young Princesses ears. The moment in time vanished as she closed her eyes as the lightening rammed itself into her body.
Blind pain creeped up her arms. Her insides were burning and the agony was beyond pain. It was wonderful, amazing and terrifying at the same time. Out of her mouth she could here screams issuing and out of the corner of her eyes tears were leaking. The energy that pulsed through her body electrifying her blood was fantastic yet deadly.
And she could feel it.
Every stroke. Every breath...every crackle of energy as the rain poured down from the heavens.
For once in her life she felt like she was truly alive.
And she smiled as the world turned blank and the energy pulsed onwards.
Queen Aphrodite sighed as she gently combed through her sisters rich red curls.
Being at a scene of saddness never was her place. Out of all of her sisters she probably dealed with the emotion the least and that was because she was plain scared to death of it. In the dark recesses of the Fun Loving Queens mind pain held a small place of terror. At night she'd lay in bed listening to Ares gentle breathing...and sometimes the terror spoke to her.
I can be such a baka at times...heres Selenity with a missing husband. Athena and Hera with none...and...here I am scared of some emotion...
She gulped knowing that to here the mere emotion was a world of fear and suffering. A world which she couldn't fight...and a world she couldn't cope with. If she lost her husband...she didn't know if she'd be able to pick up the pieces.
And Pandora-chan? She...
Aphrodite shivered. No...that was her worst fear. A fear her mind wouldn't even enduce for a moment without wanting to fly away. Her beautiful daughter...no...Aphrodite vowed Venus would never know pain. The Goddess of love had no idea how her youngest sister copied. Aphrodite at times looked in the mirror and saw a monster looking back...what she had done...would haunt her for eternity.
Slowly a pearly tear leaked from her eyes.
"Aphrodite-chan...please...do not cry..." Begged Hera in gentle voice, lightly touching her younger sisters hand and prying her grip from the jade comb.
I can't help it...I can't forgive myself...oh...Pandora!
Aphrodite found herself fighting the overwhelming urge to find her daughter and hug her close and never allow her to leave her sight. No...truly that was Aphrodites hell...a world without her little sunshine.
I would never have thought this long ago...
A small smile lit up on her face and her eyes glittered with a hint of rebellion.
Aphrodite was the immature fun loving one. In the early days her kingdom knew no difference between night and day. Aphrodite lived for fun and pleasure and love. She would spread love...and she lived sorely for doing that. Her rebellious crazy ways often earned her a frown from her sisters. Unlike them she had no laws and sat drinking surrounded by wonderful men all day long...until she met Ares.
And I feel in love...and Venus was born...and well...I had no need for harems or endless parties...I had the greatest form of love in the universe...and thats something I may not have understood all those years ago.
"It's raining pretty hard Hera-nee-san. Are you sure Venus and Jupiter are alright?" Asked Aphrodite. Hera closed her eyes for a few moments before opening them again.
"Nature tells me they are alright...Venus-chan is slightly lost but she's in the right direction," Said Hera smiling. Queen Aphrodite nodded privately a little annoyed...what if her little Princess caught a disease in soaken clothes? She may have an extent of godly immunity but she was still a child...
"Aphrodite-chan...are you worried?" Suggested Hera in surprise at her little sisters frown.
"Hai, perhaps...I am..." Said Aphrodite softly, grinning as her sisters forest green orbs widened in shock.
"In the name of the Creator! Are you feeling feverish?" Asked Hera in mock sarcasim. Aphrodite rolled her eyes and tsked before a sudden emotion coursed through her heart. It blinded her making her senseless for a moment. Screams echoed in her ears...and fear pulsed in her heart. She kneeled over as the emotion shocked her into it's icy grip.
"Aphrodite-chan! Are you alright!" Asked Hera in panic jumping from her throne to catch her sister.
Images wavered...fear...shock...and power...they controlled her now fiercely. Aphrodite looked up with fearful eyes as the image of her daughter sprang into her mind.
"Venus-chan!" She screamed standing up and racing from the Throne room. Hera stood nonplused for a few moments before gather her skirts and running after her frantic sister. The guards stared in confusion unable to decide what was the best form of action before following their Queen.
Aphrodite didn't care. Only one thing mattered...her daughter was scared and in pain. Her daughter should never feel those things. Her daughter should smile always...no pain. These words traced through her mind as she ran ignoring the foreign feelings of pain clamping around her head seeping the life from it.
In fact she was so unaware of her surroundings that she nearly ran straight into Payne. The old guard looked saddened and he stared at the Queen in grief. The Queen gazed back before averting her eyes to the bundle in his arms.
She screamed.
Amphitrite smiled mischeviously allowing the ocean water to circle her body. Her exposed skin had a green tinge to it that reflected the crystals of light from the surface. The long locks of sea coloured hair spun around her body and she laughed propelling her arms upward to where her sister sat overlooking the waters surface.
A shriek rang out through the Triton Castle.
The cheeky Water Nymph resurfaced with a grin on her face as she gazed at her drenched sister.
"Amphitrite! This is your doing isn't it?" Glared Mirander, wringing out her long blonde braid. Amphitrite nodded proudly and stepped from the waters surface onto the cold sleek green floor. The water curled around her skin forming a dress to hide her body, however the green tinge never left her skin and her hair remained looking permantely wet as she bursted into a fit of giggles.
"You are hilarious Mirander-chan!"
"Haha...where is Athena-chan?" Asked the displeased Queen gazing around for her other sister. Amphitrite smiled secretively watching as her innocently naive sister once again leaned over the edge of the pool to look into it's murky depth.
Splash!
A huge tsunami of water knocked Mirander flying of her feet. The water finally fell draping itself around the form of Athena covering her naked body in an icy dress. The wisdom Goddesses face smiled in amusement and her blue eyes sparkled.
"Remind...me...how...old...are...you...two?" Gasped Mirander irritatedly as she heaved herself to her feet. Her white dress clung to her soaken body and she growled at the two laughing Water Queens.
"Oh but Mirander-nee-san whats life without a little frivolity?" Suggested Amphitrite innocently while Athena pressed a hand against her mouth to surpress a giggle. Her own blue curls spiralled loosely around her shoulders taking on the same wet appearence as Amphitrites own. Her skin was likewise tinged with icy blue.
A cold breeze penetrated the room causing both Queens hair to sway as Mirander chuckled.
"If you wish me to enter this...frivolity?" Suggested the Air Goddess in a sugary tone causing the smiles to disappear from both Athena and Ampitrites faces.
"Mirander-chan! No! I will not have you blowing apart my palace," Said Amphitrite in a warning tone as her eyes narrowed.
"Hai, my men are still repearing the hole you made in the southern wall!" Barked Athena in a tone of accusation. Mirander sighed and shrugged.
"It was just a little hurricane..."
Athena snorted.
"Just a little Hurricane? You nearly blew that wall to pieces!"
Amphitrite smiled with satisfaction. Her objective had been furfilled. Her cold heart warmed as she watched the two sisters interact. Miranders pale grey eyes sparkled with Athena's own deep blue. The two were laughing...
At least her mind is off it right now...it's at ease...
The plan of soaking Mirander...well that was just good sense. The manipulative Queen couldn't pass the chance to play a trick on her own sister...and it had helped Athena too.
A cold shudder passed through Amphitrites spine...she found herself involuntarily shivering. She never shivered...she couldn't feel the cold. Her eyes widened as she found foreign images running through her mind.
"Amphitrite-chan? Are you alright?" Asked Mirander catching site of her sisters distress.
Amphitrite gritted her teeth to block the visions and waved a hand over the pool. The waveless surface rippled for a second before faces appeared on the surface. The two Queens gasped as they saw the lightening storm surrounding Io Castle...and they both clamped their hands over their mouths as they watched the two Princesses.
Jupiter-chan...Venus-chan...
Worry spread through Amphitrites body like a disease. The images vanished leaving the sisters in a cold silence so unlike their previous emotions. It was Mirander who spoke first. Her voice was full of bitterness.
"Athena...they'll need your healing skills...we must go...now!"
Amphitrite shook her head.
We'll never make it in time...and even if we did...Athena...can't cure...that...much injury...
"No," Sighed the Ocean Queen as her voice echoed with sorrow, "There's only one person who can heal to that degree..."
Athena nodded her eyes turning grave.
"Would she be willing to though?" Stated Athena.
"Of course! She's their Aunt Athena! She's not cold!" Yelled Mirander in fury.
Hai...but...is it right? We took away her happiness...what does she owe us?
Hera gazed at the scene as sweat trickled down her forehead.
The Princess lay on the clean sterile infirmary bed. The crisp white blankets were pulled up to her chest covering most of her body. Long red locks lay drifting around her face as though in a breeze. Her green eyes were shut to the world and it seemed as though she was in sleep.
She's not...unconsious...not asleep...this isn't a nightmare...this is real...
The Queen moved a trembling hand towards her daughter. She looked so fragile...as though one touch could shatter her. She looked peaceful...like she was asleep...but her skin was eerily pale. Paler than the crisp white sheets...and there was drips of perspiration sliding down her face and neck...and her poor lip...was gashed. The wound had been cleansed but there was a thin red mark left.
N-Not...meant...to happen...
The Queen had seen many things in her immortal life. Battles and wars that lasted milleniums. Stars exploding, worlds ending. She was the one they hailed as the courage bringer. Yet those names sounded positively hollow now. For the so called courage bringer couldn't even find the strength to pull back the blankets and see the true damage the lightening had done.
My lightening...my force of nature...this...is...all...my...fault...
Tears burned her throat and they chocked out. The force of them shook her body. Tears of fury...how could she! Her daughter...and it was all her fault! She couldn't even look herself in the mirror. Hera would give anything...to trade places.
My daughter must bear pain...I don't die...but...but...
"Your Majesty?" Called the doctor hesitating slightly. The sight of a Goddess lying crying over the form of her child was a bit impressive and plain scary. He cleared his throat cautiously and the Queen looked up at him through red rimmed eyes and sniffled.
"You Majesty...um...we have the results back from the tests on Princess Jupiter..."
The Queen nodded and looked at him pleadingly.
Please let it be good news...please Creator...let it be good news...
"Well it appears you daughter may have some bruising," Continued Dr Klatch, "However she does not appear to have in internal damage...only bruising and slight scaring, like she's fallen of a high wall if you will."
It took some moments for the words to fully comprehend themselves in Hera's emotionally exhausted mind.
"So...no...long lasting damage?" Asked the Queen as though it was too good to be true.
The doctor smiled reassured that he would not be fried on the spot by a lightening bolt.
"None whatsoever your Majesty. I'd go so far as to call your daughter a medical miracle! I mean...ten thousands vaults of pure electrical energy!"
The Queen smiled shakily.
She...she...must...have...my...powers...
"No...long lasting damage," Murmured the Queen stroking her daughters forehead fondly before remember her sisters plight.
"What of Princess Venus?" She asked hopefully but the hope vanished at the doctors expression and was replaced with a fresh bought of guilt and fear.
"I-I'm...I-I'm afraid...not your Majesty. Princess Venus...is in a crictical condition. I'm afraid...the damage...may be more permanent..."
"What!" Glowered Queen Hera standing on her feet towering over the doctor. Dr Klatch felt his heart race as he saw the lightening crackle in his Queens eyes. Her height increased and her voice became unnatural to human ear.
"Tell me now!"
"Uh...well...the best possible outcome could be that she somehow regains conciousness. In which case she may only substain physical wounds...at the worst...well..crictical.." Stammered Dr Klatch.
Hera stared at him and as she did she shrunk in height. Her godly aura vanished until she was left looking forlorn and human. Not a powerful Queen...just human. And tears dripped from her eyes.
Venus-chan...oh...what have I done! Aphrodite...
"I'll be back soon," She whispered kissing Jupiter lightly on the forehead.
"My Queen...have you by any chance sent word to your sisters? Queen Athena perhaps? Or Queen Demios?" Asked the doctor.
Bet Demios didn't see this coming...
"They are both on their way as we speak. Now if you'll excuse me Dr Klatch I must go and speak to my sister," Said Hera tiredly.
"Of course Queen," Piped the Doctor watching as Hera left the room. He gazed at the Princess for a few moments before shaking his head.
"I wonder what happened?"
"Venus-chan?" Said Usagi anxiously. Her big blue eyes were widened in fear as she turned over to look at Amaterasu.
Amaterasu nodded. Her face looked sad and her eyes looked distant as they stared into her twins. She couldn't help but feel awkward...and powerless. Powerless to help her cousin. Memories of the beautiful bubbly Princess flooded through her mind.
Venus-chan...how did this happen to you...
"Ama-chan...do you think she'll be alright?" Asked Usagi grabbing her sisters arm for comfort. Amaterasu sighed burrying her face in the pillow so Usagi wouldn't see her tears. When she spoke her voice came out harsh.
"Of course! Don't say such things! We're Princesses and Princesses don't die!" Shouted Amaterasu. Usagi cowered slightly before nuzzling her face onto her twins shoulder.
"Uncle Perisan and Uncle Carias...they died..." Murmured Usagi.
"Hai...well he's not blood related...he shares none of our Aunts blood," Said Amaterasu stubbornly burring her face further into her pillow. She felt a sinking sensation in her heart and her stomach was hurting painfully and her emotions had taken on a mind of their own. It was like they were out of her control...the whole situation was out of her control. And if there was one thing Amaterasu hated it was the feeling of powerless.
Venus-chan! Please...be alright...
"Does that mean that Father-sama can-"
Usagi was cut off in mid sentence. A sharp stinging sensation errupted in her cheek and she winced blinking in surprise and confusion as she witnessed her sisters hand follow through the slap.
"Don't...ever...say...that," Hissed Amaterasu in a deadly posionous voice. The orange gleam in her eyes was magnified and a fiery aura spread through her body.
Father-sama...will...never...ever...die! He's strong...and...he's powerful...and he isn't weak...
Usagi stared in numb shock.
Of course they had, had sibling fights before. Stupid arguements...the type most sisters had in their childhood. But...Ama had never spoken to her like that before. Like she hated Usagi...and Usagi felt terrified as she burst into tears.
Amaterasu stared for a moment feeling strangely empty as she watched large silvery tears pour from her twins eyes. Then she felt guilt knaw away at her conscience and suddenly she felt the overwhelming desire to slap herself too. Indeed she dug her nails fierceley into her fist ignoring the pain that it caused her. If her twin was in pain...so should she. Amaterasu hugged Usagi warmly and Usagi sniffled allowing the warmth of her twin to fill her up inside.
We are twins. When you laugh...I laugh. When you cry...I cry...when you are suffering I seek revenge...and when you feel pain...I feel pain...
"Usa...Usa-chan. I am so sorry...Bunny...I am so sorry," Said Amaterasu bitterly as she cuddled in closer to her twin. Usagi sobbed so hard that her body was shaking. In fact Amaterasu could feel a damp spot developing on her nightdress.
"You...You...called me Bunny," Snuffled the Moon Princess.
"I guess I did," Said Amatersu softly.
Long ago they had shared nicknames for each other. Amaterasu called Usagi Bunny and Usagi Called Amaterasu Sunny. Sunny and Bunny...they were known as that. Like a little double act the whole Palace knew about. Then somehow...people were more reluctant to address them as that...as they got older they had to take on proper titles...and Bunny and Sunny had faded away.
"Sunny," Mumured Usagi playfully.
"Bunny," Murmured Amaterasu smiling micheviously as she burried her face in the tresses of soft white hair.
"Sunny...do..you think that...well...what you said earlier...about being Queens?" Asked Usagi in a hopeful voice. Amaterasu smiled pulling the blanket over them both so they were hiden in their own little world under the blanket. Shutting her blue eyes the Sun Princess allowed herself to drift on a wave of dreams.
"Well...I suppose I'll have to re-establish my empire first..." Said Amaterasu thinking logically about ruling an empire in civil war.
"How will you do that?" Asked Usagi curiously.
"I don't know..." Said Amaterasu softly.
"We'll find a way...together. After all I'm a Sun Princess too!" Said Usagi with sheer determination. Amaterasu giggled slightly and ruffled her twins hair in affection.
Yes...you are...
Queen Aphrodite knew quite clearly what emotion she was feeling.
It was unfamiliar though but she felt an overwhelming desire to destroy everything she saw. It was like there was an angry monster rearing within her begging her to unleash it's fury. Rage...it was always an emotion she'd laughed at, why feel rage? What was the point in getting angry? Would it help?
I am...a prize fool. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Her fists balled as angry tears leaked from her eyes. She had been stupid...a baka to underestimate the conditions of anger. She felt it now...as she watched her daughter. The sunny warm locks of curly golden hair were plastered to her face in sweat. Her peachy complexion had turned dead and hollow and scars and bruises littered her face.
I am a Queen damit! This isn't supposed to happen! She's not meant to be there!
But she was. She was there lying in that horribly lifeless infirmary room surrounded by twittering doctors and nurses. She was there...lying like a marble pillar. No life...just a hollow empty emotionless shell.
"Aphrodite..?"
The beast of Fury roared as Aphrodite recognised the voice. She didn't want to hear that voice...never again. It was all her fault! If only she'd been able to keep a lid on that worthless temper of hers!
"What..do..you want Hera?" Hissed Aphrodite with an uncharacteristic look malice on her face. The beast sighed happily as Aphrodite felt the emotion of fear and guilt on her sister.
Good...
"J-Jupiter...she's alright..I...uh..." Stammered Hera.
Aphrodite felt her temper soften for a moment. She wasn't so far in her rage to forget her niece...no...she felt the beast being supressed slightly and she prayed to the Creator for at least sparing her niece...at least Jupiter-chan was alright.
But not Venus...
"Congratulations Hera...where is Demios?" Asked Aphrodite quietly wrapping her arms around her form to give herself more warmth.
"On her way...Ares is too..." Said Hera, her voice amounting to a frail whisper.
Aphrodite sighed...right now she needed her husband. She needed him...and his strength because she didn't think she could cope for much longer.
"Demios...why didn't she see this?" Spat Aphrodite thinking of her pyschic sister.
"I...I...don't know. She...can...only see things at certain times.." Murmured Hera.
What good is that?
An attendant took a few tentaive steps forward. Aphrodite turned around immediantly zooming in on his emotions. Slowly she nodded feeling the warmth and heat that was penetrating through the palace.
"Demios is here isn't she?" Said Aphrodite grimancing as the attendant nodded before dashing out of the room. A few moments later Queen Demios entered and her pyschic aura filled the room temporaily blinding Aphrodites empathic one.
Demios stared at her sister sadly before her eyes flickered to her niece.
"Why...didn't...you...see...this?" Demanded Aphrodite bitterly.
Demios bowed her head hiding her face from view. When she spoke her voice was full of emotion.
"I did Aphrodite...but I could not do anything...you know what my place is," Whispered Demios quietly.
You saw this! And you let it happen!
"You could have prevented this! How could you...you..!"
Aphrodites fury increased as angry tears flooded out of her eyes. The golden aura pulsed around her body dangerously causing Hera to eye her nervously. Aphrodite was on the verge of hysteria when she spoke.
"How could you! She's my daughter!" Screeched Aphrodite
Tears gleamed in Demios's eyes before she too rose to her full height. Red heat pulsated through the room and when Demios spoke her eyes sparkled with fire and her voice was loud and beyond human hearing.
"I had no choice Aphrodite! Don't you dare question my feelings about Venus-chan!"
Hera glanced fearfully at each of her sisters. The room was overcome with fierce golden and scarlett aura's. Demios and Aphrodite faced on another and glared angrily while on the bed Venus lay ignorant to the arguement enfolding.
"Stop it! This isn't helping!" Protested Hera.
Aphrodite teared her attention away from Demios to round on Hera.
"Don't tell me what to do Hera! This is all your fault! If you couldn't keep that idotic temper of yours in line in the first place! You can't even control your own powers anymore!" Yelled Aphrodite with a manical edge to her voice.
"Aphrodite. Compose yourself," Said Demios gravely before sitting down. The heat faded from the room as Demios calmed. Aphrodite stood shaking in anger as her eyes glinched from sister to sister until they finally rested on Venus. She sighed and sat down.
"Good," Said Demios sternly, "Aphrodite do not question Hera's control over her powers when it was not even her who caused the lightening storm."
Hera glanced up in surprise.
"N-Not me?" Stammered the Nature Goddess.
"No," Continued Demios," It was your power who caused the thunderstorm but the lightening was drawn from a completely different source...a source which knows not how to control it's power."
Hera stared as the answer dawned on her.
"Jupiter-chan," She murmured.
Aphrodite raised her head and her voice lost it's anger immediantly.
"Jupiter-chan...in the name of the Creator how?"
"They are the new senshi Aphrodite. You already know this...I've known for quite some time now ever since the prophecy but we only really discovered the nature of their powers last year...after...after..." Words suddenly failed the Queen as she bowed her head in shame.
"Hai, Demios-nee-san, but for Jupiter to awaken so soon is a surprise," Said Aphrodite patting her sisters arm affectionately.
"She will need to be trained," Murmured Hera thoughtfully as her mind lingered to her small daughter. She was too young...
"Not yet though," Said Demios, "We must await the others first."
"But who knows how long that could take. It could be years yet Demios and I don't want another accident like this repeated," Said Hera firmly.
"I know how long it shall take. As far as I can forsee there will be no more accidents...and in a few years the rest shall awaken," Said Demios calmly.
"But what about Venus?" Choked Aphrodite.
"That answer is on it's way nee-chan," Said Demios quietly.
Queen Selenity silently obserbed her sleeping daughters and smiled.
The two had fallen asleep together with their heads resting against each others allowing the rivers of gold and sliver to mingle. Their hands were interlocked and they slept soundly and peacefully.
My daughters...
The scene warmed Selenitys heart as she smiled and walked soundlessly through the room filling it with a pearly light until she reached the side of the bed and sat down in the small chair. Her finger lovingly carassed Amaterasu's cheeks before fiddling with Usagi's hair.
I love you both...
They looked so alike. And she knew both would do great things when they were older. Her fingers finally rested on Amaterasu's hair. As she gazed at the deep fiery locks her eyes filled with tears.
The same colour as Apollo's...
Selenity sighed wistfully. It had been six months...an no news. Not even Demios or Charon or even Pandora could give Selenity the answers she seeked. Apollo had vanished and nobody could find him. The last place he'd been seen was fighting the rebel forces...then he'd disappeared without a trace leaving Selenity to look after the twins. Selenity had wanted to dissolve into tears and hide but she couldn't. She forced herself to keep going for her daughters and she forced herself to keep hope that her husband would return.
Apollo would not be defeated so easily...I know him...he will return to me...to us...
But in the meantime she missed him sorely and she knew that her daughters did. It concerend her how much Amaterasu would push herself to impress her Father so that when he returned he would be proud of her. It worried her how much Usagi would stare off into the distance wishing to see him.
They need him...
She flinched as Amaterasu groaned. The Princesses eyes flickered open to reveal dark blue orbs rimmed with orange. She blinked for a few moments in confusion before her eyes rested on Selenity and she spoke sleepily.
"Mama.." She murmured tiredly. Selenity smiled.
"Hai, Ama-chan...why are you not sleeping?"
The Princess gazed around the room and yawned.
"Had a bad dream," She whispered. Selenity paled and watched as Usagi roused herself sensing her twins awakened state. The younger Princess gazed around the room disorientatedly before her pale orbs found her mother as she smiled tiredly.
"Mama."
Selenity moved gracefully and climbed on to the bed and lifted the silky white sheets tucking herself in between her daughters laying their heads on her chest.
"Shh my darlings. Ama-chan what bothers you?" Asked Selenity sensing a question in her daughters mind. Amaterasu hesistated slightly, for once unable to voice herself. Finally she spoke shakily.
"Mother...can...can...you die?" She asked in a scared voice.
Selenity hugged her daughter closer feeling the fear coming from her. Selenity gazed away until her eyes lingered out the window were the night sky drifted past.
I guess I should tell the truth...
"No my dears. I cannot die...you see theres two parts to a person," Explained Selenity gently.
"What parts?" Asked Usagi curiously.
"Well...theres the body which can be destroyed and theres the spirit or soul which lives on. When a person dies their body is destroyed but their souls are carried on to the next world. However if my body was destroyed I would not die as others do...my spirit would turn back into it's original and truest form," Said Selenity dreamily as a small smile crossed her lips.
"What from Mother?" Asked Amaterasu in surprise.
"Light...I would return to what I once was. One day I shall sit you down and explain it properly but you are too young to fully understand," Sighed Selenity.
"Mama...can we die?" Asked Usagi timidly.
A look of pain passed the Queens face.
"Not exactly...because of the genetics you inherited from me you would not die...you would be reborn. Your spirit would enter a cycle of rebirth...you would be reborn and live again," Said Selenity.
"What about Papa?" Asked Amaterasu quietly.
Selenity hesistated.
"Its time for sleep," She said finally resting her head into the pillows. Amaterasu and Usagi snuggled into their mother for warmth and eventually drifted off into sleep. Selenity however stared at the ceiling as her blue eyes filled with tears.
Come home Apollo...please...
Queen Charon sped down the corridor of the Royal Io infirmary. Her eyes flickered at the shadows but she did not stop until she entered the room containing the Venurian Princess.
Inside the room was clean and sterile with a single bed in the centre. In the bed was the body of her niece. The Princess of Venus looked a mess with scars and bruises on her pale face. Charon sighed gazing at the faces of each of her sisters. All of them save one were gathered in the room. The only one sitting was Aphrodite and her hand was clutching the weak feeble one of her daughters.
Such saddness...
"Where is Pluto-chan?" Asked Selenity attempting conversation.
"She is with the others in Jupiters room," Said Charon refering to where she'd left her daughter moments before. Her eyes never left the pale dying body of her beloved niece. She felt her heart lurch fearing she'd once again loose another niece.
"Can anyone help her?" Asked Aphrodite in despair.
Suddenly a powerful aura seeped into the room. Coldness penetrated Charons skin and she felt a silent yet strong presence. Everyone in the room gasped and turned to face their last sister. Aphrodite looked up with hope while everyone else looked with guilt.
"I can heal her," Said the voice quietly carrying agony and saddness in it's wake.
Princess Pluto gazed at the scene with quiet amusement.
Childhood was a foriegn thing to the Princess. Her years of living outside time had put a quick end to her childhood. She had, had no choice but to grow up faster. Her senshi training had already began but she could feel time lingering on each figure in the room.
Amaterasu and Usagi were in one corner eyeing each figure with curiosity and wariness while Uranus was busy playing with Jupiter. The Air Princess was sat on the side of Jupiters bed and the two were engaged in a game of cards. Mercury was in a corner talking to Neptune in a hushed voice while Mars was standing closely to Pluto.
Pluto smiled at the young Martian Princess. She could sense that for her the illusion was also broken. That she too could see things for what they really were.
You will make a good senshi some day...
The rest of her cousins viewed Pluto with a sort of respect. They could sense that the Princess had the same type of wisdome each of their mothers had so they viewed her as the authority figure.
"Pluto-sama...is there any news on Venus chan yet?" Asked Usagi quietly her voice wavering nervously.
"I'm afraid not Usa-chan. We shall just have to wait paitently," Said Pluto wisely. Her gaze shifted from the Moon Princess to the Martian one as she felt the girl flinch.
"Mars-chan is everything alright?" Asked Pluto. Mars frowned slightly.
"No...I can feel someone...an aura of power moving through the palace," Said Mars quietly. Pluto nodded and Neptune looked up with surprise in her deep green eyes.
"I felt it too," Said Neptune brushing a lock of sea green hair out of her eyes.
"I don't feel anything," Said Jupiter.
Interesting...it seems that Mars and Neptune have each got a pyschic gift like their mothers...
"How about we all play a game?" Suggested Amaterasu boldly. Everyone turned to face the Sun Princess who held her head high.
"How about we play a guessing game?"
Everyone slowly nodded and Pluto smirked.
It appears we have an elected leader...
Venus moaned.
The darkness was all around her. Her limbs felt heavy and her muscle were aching. Her head was filled with a throbbing pain and she felt like her body had been rammed against a wall. In the recesses of her mind she could sense an overwhelming saddness. Slowly her eyes flickered open and the first thing she saw was a pair of wide eyes.
Beautiful eyes...with fading colours of deep purple and dark blue. They bore into her own and she felt a warm sensation rush through her body. The pain in her head lessened and body felt pleasently heavy and sleepy.
"Go to sleep," Said a soft melodic voice.
Venus smiled and obeyed.
"Thank you," Smiled Aphrodite as tears of happiness glistened in her eyes.
"It was no problem Aphrodite-san," Said the person quietly gazing at the Princess of Venus with sad eyes. The figure sighed and Aphrodite bowed her head.
"I am forever in your debt..." Said Aphrodite sincerely.
"It was no problem...now I must go," Said the figure fading from view like a shadow caught in the wind.
"Wait! Please...don't go so soon!" Cried Aphrodite but the figure faded into nothingness leaving Aphrodite alone.
"Pandora-chan...I am sorry," She murmured taking her seat next to the bed of her daughter.
Long chapter...anyhow I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter skips ahead a few years to when they start their senshi training. I don't really know how long this story is going to be...I'm planning to take it right through their senshi training and beyond.
Anyhow please review because this took a lot of effort and I want to know it was appricated xxxxxxxxxxxxxx