Chapter 4: Pegasus Dream
Usa pushed through the milling crowds now dispersed over the hillside, coming to a halt at the edge of the cliff. Staring down at the mysterious beachfront in wonder, finding a small fleet of elegant white gondola's were anchored in sheltered bay nearby.
They looked carved from pale drift wood, with intricate Celtic knots of eternity, accenting the curving bow and stern. Boat men, wearing the very same tuxedos as the carriage drivers, stood upon the back of the boats, their guiding poles thrust into the water waiting for them. Tall and lean of build they accented the romantic atmosphere perfectly. It was like looking out at a scene from a fantasy romance novel. So surreal and beautiful, her heart swelled with delight.
She was overcome by an eagerness to continue her journey across the water , hopping on her toes, wanting to get going and not wait for the teacher's to round up their groups once again.
"Wow..." Was all Diana could say, her eyes wide with wonder as she moved up alongside Usa and took in the mystic scene of elegant boats floating below them.
"All right folks, each gondola will hold ten of you so please make your way down the slope." An older gentlemen with long wispy white hair spoke over the crowds. His grey eyes and stern, sharp features reminding Usa of a great bird of prey.
"I am not climbing down there!" A haughty, curly honey blonde cried. Her hair twisted up high at the back of her head, falling in waterfalls of curls around her ears. A curtain of bangs falling down either side of her elegant face. Crossing her arms over her breasts petulantly. Dressed in a fine gown of emerald green silk and satin, her soft blue eyes watering with tears.
The dark green haired young man who had been with the sulking red head back at the village strode from the crowds. He walked up to the tired, and emotionally spent young woman and merely picked her up bridal style. She squeaked in fright then wrapped her arms around his neck as she was left dumbstruck and staring up into his calm, soothing hazel eyes. Her body relaxing in his arms like a rescued damsel, swooning against his chest.
He calmly walked her down the shallow incline of loose stones towards the beach. With his younger, sour faced red haired companion scrambling in his wake.
"Who's prince charming?" Usa sniped, placing her hands on her hips in irritation. That whole insipidly romantic scene just pissed her off, no man had ever treated her so sweetly. She refused to count her father saving her life in battle as it didn't come close to counting. She had yet to even receive her first kiss, courtesy of her over protective father. Sometimes she could count on her mother to give her some space to cultivate a little romance. But mostly her father hung around, eyeing each man below the age of twenty one who dared to come within ten feet of her. With a deadly glare of caution that usually sent them running in the opposite direction.
So for her, it was totally unfair that a whiny, little brat like that got such special treatment from a handsome guy. She was just plain jealous and wasn't going to own up to it. So getting angry and acting a fronted was a better option.
"That would be Danik, he is from Nemesis nobility. Son of Prince Sapphire and Princess Prisma." A very short, young woman announced. She had a bossy, know it all sort of tone in her voice. With thick, black hair that was pinned back, and twisted into twin hoops over her ears, on the side of her head with simple black clips. Her doleful blue eyes were shielded with thick round glasses that she had to keep pushing up the bridge of her tiny nose.
With sharp features and high cheekbones. She looked no older then fourteen, dressed elegantly in a dark silk yukata, with bright red and orange splashes the looked like flames. The long sleeves were overly wide, allowing her to hide her hands as she stuffed them up each sleeve as she stood, glaring down at Danik with disgust.
"The loyal little dog, currently jumping at his heels is Crimson. The son of Duke Rubeus and Duchess Katzy. I would stay away from them if I was you. Nothing good comes from associating with Nemesis trash." She stated in a snotty matter, thrusting her nose in the air.
"And whom might you be?" Usa demanded. Understanding that most from Nemesis had to deal with a bad reputation. Thanks to that planets attempt to steal the throne decades ago and all the hassle King Diamond caused in the Senate, plus all the problems he had created for interstellar trade as well as her own parents. The fact that they came from a Dark Planet didn't help matters either.
The people under the White Moon's rule had an incredibly hard time accepting the people ruled by darkness. The two had a lot stacked against them to fit in here, they really didn't need anyone bad mouthing them behind their backs.
"Crown Princess Iona of Tankei Kingdom, on Planet Kinmoku. Pleased to meet you." She turned to Usa with a gentile smile. Usa noticed that her ears were slightly saucer shaped, she may be of mixed bloodlines. Her body structure was extremely fine boned and petite in every way, she may have been seen as fragile if it wasn't for her feisty personality.
"Chiba, Usagi." She answered cautiously, shaking her offered hand briefly. She ensured to give her civilian name instead of the full royal version that had been integrated into her memory years ago.
"This is my little brother Endy." Usa inclined her brother who had just reached their side. "And my dear friend Diana." She finished.
Iona squeaked when introduced to Diana and took several frantic steps backward in alarm. Stumbling and slipping down the narrow steep hillside to the beach.
Diana cocked her head never expecting such a severe reaction.
"Stay away from me!" Princess Iona commanded, backing up down the hill in a near sprint away from the now confused bunch.
"Well, she's a peculiar one. Isn't she?" Diana commented dryly to Usa, with a disconcerted frown on her face.
"I still can't find Lysa." Endy grumped, crossing his arms over his chest and brooding down at his shoes.
"Truly." Usa answered Diana absently. " But we have more important things to worry over than her issues." Usa assured her friend, glancing around in vain for Lysa. Finding only a shuffling sea of stranger's.
The fleet set off over the lake, gliding over the still surface like knives slicing through the clear water. The unobstructed view of the forest and mountain range beyond, from the lakes surface was breathtaking. The evergreens seemed to go on forever, thrusting upward into the fading daylight like deep green spears. With the majestic peeks and jagged overhanging cliffs of the mountains sitting oppressively behind. The natural beauty that surrounded them reflected upon the rippling water as they past.
This place was completely protected by that mighty stone barrier, the sheer mass and berth of the lake cutting off the Academy securely from the mainland.
"What is this lake called?" Usa asked toward Diana who sat next to her. The Mau shrugged. Princess Iona who sat a few benches behind them, cleared her throat.
"The Sea of Serendias." She called back, in a pompous know it all tone. "This is all that remains of the eternal sea that surrounded the Moon Palace during the Silver Millennium."
Usa's eyes widened in surprise, wondering if her mother had been able to resurrect the Moon Palace from that time as well.
Night was falling as the gondola's cut across the lake, the lanterns attached to the prow of the boat flickered to life to guide them. Soon they were sailing through the darkness, with only the faint glow of the lanterns to navigate by. The fleet now resembling a cloud of fireflies, floating lazily over the surface of the dark water.
An awed hush fell over the boats at the first glimpse of the Tsukishima Academy came into view. Everyone was silent, craning their heads back and staring at the Majestic Castle that lay ahead. A pure white Palace of grand proportion. It rose like a jewel with slender tower's, massive glass rotundas, elegant curving archways and flanking turrets. A glorious basilica that glowed with an ethereal light in the dead center of the lake.
The pearl white, smooth stone storm wall rose over their heads, it glistened as if carved from crystal. It's length so obscene that it faded away into the horizon on either side. It loomed overhead as they drew near. Guard turrets abutted the storm wall just behind, with soldier's in full White Moon battle dress marching the length of the battlements. A grande barbican with siege towers dominated this side of the curtain wall. The mighty gateway rose so high it disappeared out of view into the stars above.
As much as Usa felt it was over kill she knew there were many dangers that could come from being unprotected at a school so far beyond the Crystal Palaces borders. They could become prime targets as hostages, or the school itself could be used as a strategic foothold in an attack on earth. Her mother had taken that into account and had a full contingent of White Moon solider's stationed at the Academy.
The boat men lifted their oars as they came along side of the wall, allowing the natural current to carry them through a massive archway of smooth stone. Depositing them into a dark tunnel the led directly beneath the floated along in dead silence until a flickering white light in the distance, created a hush of nervous theories as to what it was. Some kids were now complaining loudly while others started to cry, as they were now overcome with nerves and a long day of travel. As they floated into an underground harbour, of simple wooden docks with crystal shard torches glowing against the stone recesses. The boatmen put their oars back into the water and guided the gondola's towards the row of docks.
There was another small army of dock workers in grey overalls and knee length yellow rubber wading boots. Standing at attention at the edge of the docks, awaiting the boats.
"I must admit mother outdid herself." Usa muttered to herself, looking everything over carefully. When it came to the overall emotion her mother had been feeling while designing this Academy. Only one word would describe it, it would be protective. She made sure this place was well guarded.
As boatmen wadded into the water and pulled the gondola to the docks. The teacher's quickly rallied the students under their care and started filing them down the docks towards a narrow set of stone stairs the led upward into the castle. A time worn oak door greeted them at the top of the staircase in a huge flag stone landing that overlooked the underground harbour below them. A few students wandered to the simple stone railing to take one last look at the boats that brought them here.
"Why do I have a strange feeling it's going to take me a month to memorize a single route anywhere in this huge place?" Usa questioned softly. Hearing no response from Diana, she presumed it was made to soft for anyone else to hear.
The ancient door swung open from the other side, with an unearthly deep, resonating groan, revealing a huge foyer of white marble and Grecian columns. Long arching windows and a glass rotunda overhead showed the night sky outside. The cold twinkle of stars could be seen through the swirling iron partitions in the glass. That looked oddly organic, like the thorny vines of a climbing rose.
A grande staircase that led up to the floors above, dominated the foyer. Carved from white stone with elegant flanking railings resembled the strong arms of an oak tree, bowing towards the floor with oak leave accenting it's length, it was the rooms primary feature. The balconies above braced on columns and secured against the back wall of windows. The railings above were all carved from the same white stone as the storm wall.
The students were paused in the Great Room, gawking at the intricate details of the carvings all around them. The buttress's of angels, who's wings held up the glass rotunda. The floral headers of roses atop the pillars and the many tapestries or paintings that depicted great events from all over the Universe that hung on the surrounding walls.
"This way, to the Welcome Banquet." Professor Maus instructed, snapping her finger's and gaining instant attention as she lead the way down a huge entrance hall just to the right of the long staircase. The hall was lit only by the crystal shards embedded into torches. The buttressed ceiling above them was to high to see clearly, arching away out of sight.
Usa wondered if this was what it was like for her mother during her own time in the Silver Millennium. This feeling of being small and overwhelmed by such grandeur. This Palace seemed to dwarf that of the Earth Castle in both size and ornamentation. The drone of hundreds of voice echoed down the hall as the whole student body wandered towards their final destination. She partially wondered why they didn't live here but then knew that answer quick enough. Everyone her mother loved was on earth.
Still it didn't stop her from admiring the recreation of where her mother once lived thousands of years ago.
The squat Tauian woman stopped before a set of double doors, waving her heavy arms towards a huge sheet of paper hanging beside the doors. There were eleven header's, with lists of names under each title.
"This is the list of Houses, find your name and the house you are assigned to. Then you may enter the dining hall and take your seat at your house table. Your destiny here at the Tsukishima Academy is determined by your House. That is the banner you will live under for the rest your school life here in the Palace." She stated, turning on her heel and slipping into the dining hall, leaving the students to figure it out from there.
The once intelligible voices of the crowd grew to a deafening din as the students began to scan the sheet for their names. Usa and Diana were crushed against the bodies in front, as the crowds became overly anxious to find out where they were assigned. Surging towards the sheet of paper en mass.
"Endy!" Usa shouted, as her brother was swallowed up by the swelling crowd. She could hear him complaining as his voice was carried away into the horde of students. As he had been jostled and swallowed up to fast to gain any footing.
"Let's just get out of this, Usa-chan. Endy will be alright." Diana pleaded, searching the sheet over head for their kanji symbols.
"Were are both in Selene House." She finally stated, grabbing Usa's hand as the strawberry blonde hadn't broken her frantic search for her brother. Refusing to even acknowledge the sheet, desperately searching the crowds for any sign of him. She knew he was in a sense her responsibility and didn't want to lose him and for him to panic, freak out and inadvertently do what she used to do…cry out and blast her power like a beacon for the world to see. She didn't need him to discover his powers that way!
Diana dragged her off through the now open double doors and into the splendour of the Great Dinning Hall. Usa took in the opulence of the room, awestruck like a small child. The room was just as huge as everything else in at the Moon Palace. With eleven long tables dressed with wide, cotton runners of various colors that belonged to the various planetary houses. With the house emblem emblazoned on the peak of the banner on either end. Long stone benches flanked the tables.
The center of each table laden with platters of food, ranging from delicacies to the common staples of the everyday. Tureens of soup and rice were close to overflowing and tower's of sweet pastries and puddings for dessert stood at the very end of each table. Silver plates and thin stemmed wine glasses lined the edges of the tables.
The outer walls were carved from the same white stone, with thick support pillars to hold up the roof. Angelic buttresses and stone roses accented the higher reaches of the walls. The back wall was curved like the naive of a mighty cathedral. With a long table set up on a dark velvet covered dais, that ran the width of the flanking house tables. Laden with gleaming gold plates and fine crystal wine glasses. Ten high back wooden chairs were pulled up to the table, with the central chair being somewhat more ornate then the rest. A grand banquet in steaming covered silver trays was set upon the vacant table.
The ceiling overhead was even higher then out in the hall and was made of glass, showing off the eternal beauty of the night sky above. A glorious blue and emerald green orb filled the apex of the skylight, as the earth reigned supreme in the sky. Usa's mouth fell open in awe at the sight of her home world hanging over her head. It made her feel somewhat better that she could at least look at it even if she wasn't there.
She had to laugh internally to herself as her white moon bloodline came from where she currently stood. Where more than likely her mother in her previous life had once stared in wonder up at that the earth. It was amazing to her to feel the connection to her moon bloodline grow stronger. Earth born she may be but the ties to the white moon was in abundance within her.
"All right, Selene is a Silver Crescent on a field of white." Diana instructed, leading a spell bound Usa over the furthest table on the right side of the room.
They settled down together on a long bench with other students who had already found their names. Waiting patiently for the rest of the assembly to find their places at the other tables so they could see who and where.
Usa watched the groups filing in, finally taking a deep breath, her anxiety cooling when she saw Endy walk in. He was looking a bit flustered and nervous as he headed towards the table on the furthest left side. It had a bright gold banner with a flowering dark red rose. The House table of Elysian.
"Really...different houses?" Usa complained, turning to Diana who merely shrugged. The pink haired princess huffed and crossed her arms. "I am starting to doubt my mother's planning again." She stated bitterly. Trying to still find a way to blame something on her mother, it was one of her favourite past times since finding out she was coming here. Blaming her mother was at the top of the list.
After everyone was seated and the drone of hundreds of voice once again filled the air the teacher's who had guided them all on this journey to the Tsukishima Academy mounted the forwards dais and sat down at the head table.
Usa watched avidly as all the teacher's sat down but the central chair still remained empty of its occupant. There was one teacher missing? She glanced around the room, finding several other students doing the same thing.
A soft click echoed over the room, sending all eyes back to the dais and the now standing teacher's at the Head table. A hidden door had opened behind the dais, within the naive. As a short ancient woman stepped into view, mounting the dais with cautious steps. Like a wizened cardinal from the ancient Vatican. The teacher's all sat as she moved to stand in front of the central chair. Wearing the same dark school uniform as the female teachers.
Her small round face was heavily wrinkled, the bronze skin looked almost cracked from her immense age. As if she was ready to fall over and crumble to dust. With sunken milky grey eyes, gave the impression of being blind, with deep discoloured bags beneath. Her long grey hair was tied up in a single tight, severe bun, with a trailing ribbon of hair falling down her hunched back.
Usa swallowed hard at the haggard sight of her, a lump of trepidation forming in her gut rapidly. This old woman had a commanding presence and a crone like exterior that had goose flesh of warning prickling up her arms.
Where the heck did mother find this crazy old hag?
She glanced at Diana who seemed totally unaffected by her ancient appearance, waiting patiently for the woman to speak. The rest of the students also seemed to take her strange appearance in stride, no one seemed a bit curious at all.
"She is rather striking, isn't she?" Diana whispered, with obvious admiration.
Usa gaped and gave her a double take of disbelief. "Are you - " she began but was cut off mid whisper as the old woman spoke.
"Welcome to the very first year of Tsukishima Academy!" The old woman raised her arms opening them wide to encompass the students seated below. Beaming at them all, with a bright hopeful grin. Looking very pleased to see them all. "Before we start our feast, I would like to say a few words about this esteemed Academy and introduce our teaching staff. " She turned to address the students, a warm inviting smile spreading across her face.
"This Academy was built in the hopes that all the future generations of the Silver Alliance could come together in one place, to learn, to understand and strive for a peaceful co-existence. The universe is a broad and lonely space, the expanse of stars that separate our planets is far to vast. Here, in this school Neo Queen Serenity aims to close that gap and make the Silver Alliance stronger, more stable and above all to create a deeper bond friendship between all our planets." Nehelenia took a deep breath, when the room irrupted in applause of approval. When the din settled she turned to incline the teacher's to her left beginning the introductions.
Her droning voice became an intelligible blur in the periphery of Usa's hearing, as the Dining Hall over her head exploded into a cloud of shimmering white feathers. Usa gasped in awe as thousands upon thousands of feathers floated down like a blizzard of snow flakes, to blanket the tables and floor. Her eyes narrowing skeptically, as none of the other students seemed to notice. Focused solely on the introductions of the teaching staff, who were standing when introduced and sitting when Zirconia moved to the next teacher.
Usa meanwhile was mesmerized by the other worldly event now surrounding her. It was beautiful, yet an undertone of sorrow and loss predominated the falling feather's. As quickly as the feathery down touched the ground they all faded away into nothing.
"Usa...aren't you hungry?" Diana's concerned voice called her back from the fog of magic that had enveloped her.
She shook her head to clear away the last of the weird feelings, turning to Diana with a weak smile. Finding the Mau with a serving bowl of rice, she nodded and quickly took the offered bowl. Needing to conceal her odd zoned out behaviour by acting normal.
"You were quite the space cadet, princess." Diana muttered out the side of her mouth.
Usa blinked and swallowed nervously, now noticing how everyone around her had plates full of food. While hers was empty except for the rice. She must have dozed off...but with her eyes wide open?
Well that made no sense...what just happened?
"I just saw something...Diana..." She whispered conspiratorially, knowing the Mau would not think she was crazy. Having grown up around the Senshi and the Queen. Dealing with magic and supernatural events were common place for her.
"Let's talk about it later...when we are in private." Diana whispered back. Catching sight of Iona who ended up in their house, sitting a few places down the bench. Giving her princess a look of heavy scrutiny from behind her large round glasses.
Diana figured she was the nosey sort, and her Princess did not need any rumours about her starting on the first day. She needed to avoid them like the plague.
Usa nodded again, focusing down on her bowl of rice and picking at it with her chop sticks, she suddenly wasn't very hungry. Diana cast her a concerned look, then without permission began to fill her plate with modest amounts of food.
"You need to eat more than that." She chided, when Chibi Usa gave her an incredulous look. "And this self-imposed fast, when surrounded with such an array of delicious food is both rude to our hosts and draws unwanted attention to us. Unless you want to do such a thing." She finished with a thin lipped grimace.
"Fine..." she huffed and forced herself to finish all the food on her plate. Diana was right, she needed to get a hold of herself and start acting normal. If she didn't then people would focus their attention on her and wonder. She wanted to blend in, fit in and NOT be the start of something that could rile anyone's feathers. At least not like that.
By the end of the meal, she was feeling warm and sleepy. The amiable chatter around the table had fallen into a lazy, over full hush as all the students were now reclining and smiling blissfully in delight with the fine end to a long day of travel.
"That was the best food I have ever tasted." A smooth, deep voice floated down the table.
Usa turned in the opposite direction from Diana, finding the green haired young Casanova from earlier. He was leaning back against a shaggy dark haired boys shoulder and patting his belly contentedly. It looked like Danik was in her house as well. She searched the adjacent tables finding that his little companion was once again separated from him. Seated three tables away. It's banner was a flame red with the emblem of twin black birds entwined. No doubt the table belonged to Mars.
A contingent of servers in tuxedos swarmed the tables and cleared away the meal and dishes in a matter of minutes. They were swift and efficient, disappearing through the unassuming archways tucked behind the forward dais. Then a rattling echoing rang through the cavernous room, as their Head Master, Zirconia slowly rose from her chair again.
Eleven White Moon foot soldier's in grey and white leather armour entered the room through the main doors. Their white capes billowing behind them, as they each carried small chests reverently against their chests. Each soldier moved solemnly to the head of each house table and set the chests down. Stepping back and falling to attention, staring up at Zirconia awaiting her next set of orders.
"As you can see there are eleven houses here at Tsukishima. They symbolize the Guardian's of this solar system. You have all been chosen into the house that best suits you, in heart, mind and body in the hopes that you will flourish under that Guardian's banner." She paused to appraise the tables, " A brief introduction of the houses is in order." She smiled approvingly, opening her arms wide and with a nod towards the farthest table on the right. The Soldier opened his box, showing deep blood red stones clasped in heavy golden chains.
"The House of Elysian were dwell those brave of heart, stout of mind and chivalrous in nature. The Agate stone, is your key to your dormitory. It also holds the powers of strength and courage. It will aid in toning both your body , your mind and your spirit. To ground your thoughts and stabilize your emotions, for those in Elysian House tend to be rather passionate." Head Master Zircona smirked knowingly, as all but a few students at other tables who knew people in Elysian chuckled quietly.
"It will help you accept your true self and accept the truth about others. In healing it will cleanse you of negative energy, soothes and calms the mind, body and spirit." Zircona finished, then rose her arms up.
"Please stand, Elysian House and receive your keys." The soldier, quickly handed out the necklaces as the students rose to stand.
Usa watched mildly, as Endy rose and accepted his key. Scrutinizing the necklace briefly before deciding to wear it around his neck. She sighed, her little brother had such trouble blindly trusting anyone or anything. His actions through brief had been rude and drawn Zirconia's narrowed gaze. Usa noticed the cold change in their head master's eyes, towards her brother. It wasn't a very inspiring first impression on her brother's part. He had already drawn negative attention to himself.
Zirconia moved on to the next table, and then the next explaining each house and their crystal keys fully. Each house was named after the Guardian Planet's Castle, Nemesis Castle was known as Kurai. A deep purple banner with a black full Moon. The occupants who dwelt at that table were a serious and somber sort, who merely acknowledged her introduction of their house quietly. The Soldier handed out a dark crystal to each student, handling it rather nervously as he past them out.
The table under Mercuries banner was called Mariner House. Mars was Phobos & Deimos House. Io was the House of Jupiter. While Magellan was the House of Venus. The table that held the students under Uranus's banner erupted into a flurry of shouts and hollers of excitement after their keys were given out. It seemed Miranda House was a rowdy and boisterous bunch.
It didn't surprise Usa as she was used to Haruka, and how charming and out going the Uranus Guardian could be. While as a soldier she was cunning, fast, serious all the time but otherwise she was a fun loving, jokester who was also very students under her banner seemed no different.
Triton House was under the banner of Neptune, while Charon House was under Pluto. The house of Saturn was known as Titan. The last table to be introduced was Selene House, under the banner of the White Moon.
Zirconia stopped her introductions, to gaze down at the group of students under the Neo Queen's banner with a measured stare. Searching each face briefly until her pale blue eyes fell on Usa's. Her eyes suddenly cooled as she recognized her as the Queen's own daughter. Becoming somewhat callous and calculating.
Usa shifting uncomfortably under her cold stare, unwilling to show weakness she merely stared right back. Meeting the woman's brief considering scowl with one of her own. Merely begging internally for her to NOT say anything to anyone or announce her being there. Glare her down sure, she didn't care but she didn't want to be made a big deal out of.
Zircona recovered her jubilant personality quickly enough.
"Ah, Selene House..." She took a deep breath, assessing her words as to make sure nothing condescending or venomous accidentally spat out. It was something Usa found odd. A slow, brilliant smile crept up upon her aged face as her eyes warmed once more. "The ones guided by the heart more than the mind." She began.
Usa's eyes narrowed cautiously. Even Diana caught the statement and made a mental note to let the Queen know of how her house was being described. The old hag seemed to be calling them all stupid and ignorant in a very back handed, sort of way but none of her fellow house mates caught the sugar coated insult.
"Their compassion for other's is unmatched, as is their ability to find joy. Reluctant leader's who easily draw other's to their cause. Charismatic, gentle and resilient." She gave the soldier at the head of the table a curt nod. He opened his box, revealing graceful pearl color crystal shards clasped in a fine silver chain. "The Celestite Crystal will guide you on your journey here at the Academy." Zirconia explained, Usa still looked at her warily.
"It has a gentle, calming and uplifting aura much like yourselves. Bringing a spiritual harmony to yourself and all those you hold dear in your heart. It has the ability to unmask what is hidden and reveal the truth. To invoke insight in how to resolve conflict. A source of positive energy that cleanses the environment. It will help you access the purity of your soul. Focus your spiritual development and urge you towards enlightenment. Please stand Selene House and receive the keys to your dormitory." She nodded once more for the Soldier to hand out the pendants.
As soon as everyone at the table had their crystals hanging from their necks, Zircona once more addressed the assembly. "The soldier's will guide each house your dormitories for the evening. I will see each one of you bright eyed and yearning to learn tomorrow morning in the Main Gym for Orientation. Where you will be assigned your homerooms and prepared to begin your year here at Tsukishima. Good night and may you have sweet, sweet dreams." Her final smile did not seem to carry the good meaning of her words. It looked sly and somewhat snide to Usa.
The soldier's led their tables out of the large double doors and back into the massive entry hallway. Usa had attempted to catch up with Elysian House, ducking and weaving through the chattering crowds with Diana at her heel. But she never seemed to make much distance through the throng, when her group veered down a side corridor behind the great staircase in the castle's foyer, while Elysian took to the grand stairs to the upper level. She had no choice but to give up for now, she would try and track down Endy in the morning at the assembly.
"Com'on Usa...he will be just fine." Diana grabbed her hand pulling her reluctantly, down the wide corridor as they were now falling behind.
Princess Serenity trudged after Diana, her feet feeling heavy and her belly overly full even though she hadn't over ate? They moved through several more corridors and up an elegant silver iron staircase that wound ever upward. It seemed endless, until they reached the very top of the East wing. The soldier guided them down another cavernous hallway, the walls filled with only landscape paintings. The pink haired princess was curious at first. Drawing close to the series of paintings, admiring each one slowly.
She was drawing close to figuring out where these magical places of deep forests or golden prairies may be located...on earth or perhaps here on the moon during the time of the Silver Millennium?
"Usa..." Diana called faintly.
She turned quickly finding her beckoning from the end of the hall. She quickly broke into a dead run as she watched the students disappearing through a huge open portal that had just formed in the middle of the wall. No doubt that was how their keys worked, warping the very fabric of the Palace to create secret portals into their dorms. It fit as crazy as it was, a Magic Castle had to have Magic doors. It was also a precaution her mother had installed in the Academy to prevent after hours fraternizing. Each dormitory was hidden and would hopefully remain secret from the other Houses.
The princess shook her head ruefully, there went her mom, way over the top again.
As she past through the iridescent quick-silver of the portal, the ticklish sensation of crystal magic swept over her skin. She was used to the odd sensation but she figured some of the other students would be a bit disconcerted by it. Sure enough when she reached the other side, she found all but a few students rubbing their arms up and down and shivering. Danik wasn't one of them, he grew up in the dark reflection of the Crystal Palace far away on Nemesis. So he was used to crystal barriers he felt them all the time.
Iona as well being from planetary royalty, wasn't at all disturbed. The two would be enemies were on opposite sides of the common's room. That was quite small compared to the rest of the Palace. A cozy bay, jutting off from a corner bailey tower on the East side of the Palace. The whole back wall was covered floor to ceiling in picturesque windows. The wooden casements divided into squares, the apex of the glass softly rounded off. In a half moon shape.
It was charming and magnificent at the same time. The overall design of the room looked like something one might find in a beautiful villa in Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean. But the view from their windows was far more mountainous, with tall evergreens obscuring the ground far below. The room was silver in tone, with comfy arm chairs and white side tables. With a grand cheery wood fire place against the side wall.
Along with that was a matching plush couch that sat before the fireplace with a slender cherry wood coffee old world charm evident in every small detail of the room. Everything was set up to make the students feel comfortable.
The soldier moved briskly through the room to the giant windows, spreading his arms wide to show the blonde wooden French doors flanking either side of the common's room. Usa had to admit this room was elegant, beautiful and grand.
"The men's dorm is on the left, the women's on the right. Your luggage has arrived and been set in your rooms, please retire to your bed chambers and get some rest. Your crystal will glow when you reach the door to your room." He stated in a business like tone, before clasping his hand before his heart in the traditional White Moon show of respect. He bowed deeply and left the room.
"Well, I for one am not tired at all!" Danik stated with a slow, lazy smile. Stretching out on the sofa and kicking off his dress shoes. He had a smooth ego, he wasn't pompous or loud but he knew his own worth. Self assured and charming he would easily drawn others to his side. A regal aura that spoke of his heritage. Though more like his uncle than his father. Something that he had a feeling irritated his mother while his father ignored it.
Iona folded her arms more tightly over her chest. "Are you planning on staying up all night basking in your good fortune at getting into the Neo Queen's very own house?" She stated snidely from the windows. "Though how, must surely have been a mistake." Taking his nature as very cocky and not liking it one bit. She definitely didn't approve of him in Selene house let alone near her in any way.
He had left her side on purpose trying to evade the waves of contempt coming off of her.
When he ignored her she took one last jibe. "Your uncle would be so proud." He looked at her in question, "Why, you are in a perfect position to woo her eldest daughter Princess Serenity. Thus giving him an in to be around the Queen he so desires. It's pathetic. " She stopped and thought a moment more on her words. "I think I might petition the Head Master, I am thinking that perhaps your King has influenced this decision?" As far as she saw him and his family the lot of them were beyond contempt.
Usa instantly blushed and ducked her head. Diana cleared her throat and took her princesses hand, pulling once again towards the French doors to their rooms. Feeling the temper's rise between the two she wanted to get her princess out of harm's way. Most of the other students had filed away to prepare for bed as instructed. Leaving Danik and Iona alone in the common's glaring dangerously at each other.
Iona was glaring dagger's at Danik, who refused to take her bait. Knowing very well of his uncles never ending infatuation with the crown princess's mother Neo Queen Serenity. It was an embarrassment on his family to have their King so in love with a woman that was not only taken but had three children by her loving, loyal king. He had been so caught up in trying to avoid the embarrassment his uncle brought on them that he hardly even knew what the crown princess looked like.
Though if she were any bit like her mother, not that he'd seen her mother other than rare news feeds, he could understand the reason for the jibe.
Neo Queen Serenity wasn't just known for her large heart, caring nature, the ability to handle her enemies or her protectiveness she was also known for her timeless beauty and her goddess like looks. Something his uncle obsessed over and loved about her. If her daughter was the spitting image even he when put into that irresistible path wouldn't be able to keep from admiring. Didn't mean he was going to take the brats bait for it. If he ever crossed paths with the crown princess he promised himself to maintain his control and then try to avoid her at all costs.
Crossing his arms behind his head he sighed loudly in disinterest, as he stared up at the clay tile and gabled ceiling. Not giving her an once of credit.
Moving down the circular hall that wound around the broad tower, with flag stone floors and cherry wood panelled walls. Diana found their room near the end and swiftly turned the silver knob, ushering her princess inside. Once sealed away in the relative safety of their room Diana let out a soft whistle.
"Just as fancy as home." She stated approvingly at the two four poster beds, with silver curtains tied back with white ropes. A shared night stand with a goose neck lamp sat between the beds. The lamp had twin shades in the shape of lily's that they could adjust towards their beds for reading. An arched window was embedded into an alcove just behind the beds. One could read inside of it if curled up just right.
Each side of the room had a five drawer dresser and desk set on either side of the door. A closet was built beside the dressers on either side of the room. With one odd extra door on the left hand side of it.
Diana had been curiously taking in every nook and cranny of the room like an excited kid on a family vacation. She threw the extra door open to find a huge bathroom all in white with a soaker tub and shower like in the American Districts back on earth. Another door sat on the other side of the room. She wondered with it went.
"This is fantastic!" She exclaimed, feeling like she truly had gone off world and not just to the Earth's satellite.
"Yeah, it blows all my expectations right out of the water." The pink haired princess replied sleepily in approval.
Diana's exuberance was instantly tempered. "I bet our luggage was stuffed away in our closets. Get some night clothes on before you fall asleep." She advised, finding the princess already sprawled out on her bed. Wisp's of pink hair fluttering about her shapely frame.
"Fine." She muttered, with a groan she forced herself to roll out of bed and delve into her closet and roll out her large pink tote. Rummaging through it briefly. She had packed only enough clothes for a month. She intended to gather up another month's worth when she went home for Golden Week at the end of April.
Soon they had both gotten ready for bed and lay hidden from each other behind their curtains.
"I can't wait for tomorrow!" Diana called, cheerfully.
The princess sighed and turned her head towards Diana's bed. She could hear the mattress squeaking and the shifting of the sheets as Diana in true Mau fashion prepared her bed for sleep, unable to rest with out finishing her night ritual. She needed to knead the mattress and adjust the bedding to get it just right before settling down.
"Did you set the alarm? I don't want to sleep in." Usa reminded her friend, wiggling herself under the cover's and flopping her head down on her fluffy pillow.
"Yep!" Diana responded full of pep.
"Ok, Sweet dreams then Diana." she called, closing her heavy eyes and eager to fall asleep. It had been a long and honestly happy day for her. She would never admit it to her mother till perhaps she was older and had a chance to swallow some of her pride.
"Sweet dreams, Princess." Diana called back.
As sleep claimed her Usa groaned she had forgotten to talk to Diana about what had happened down in the dining hall and the threatening impression she had from their headmaster. She decided not to wait Diana, she was far to tired. There would be time tomorrow to talk.
The tranquility of the crystal lake just outside the Palace, surrounded her. As the pink haired Princess Serenity glided effortlessly across it's smooth ice like surface. As if she was walking across the surface of a dark mirror. Her flowing white gown of state, billowing at her ankles by some mysterious wind. The rich, dark green curtain of pine and spruce covered the edges of the lake, with the snow capped peeks of the mountains hiding shyly behind.
The night sky covered in an eternity of star's twinkled above her. She glanced around the barren, lonely lake apprehensively. Clutching her hands to her breast, as a somber melancholy feeling washed over her. She suddenly felt like crying in despair it was so strong.
Swallowing hard and unable to stop her forward momentum, she walked onward across the lake as if something was pulling her to it's dead center, it was heavy and strong like gravity.
Then the soft sound of bells echoed over the lake. A gentle, ringing sound that was so pretty.
"Young maiden you must help me..." A smooth, deep voice rose up along with the wind.
Princess Serenity had to grab her skirts in an effort to tame them, before they billowed up over her head and destroyed her modesty. She did not want to embarrass herself if the bearer of the voice suddenly showed up.
The princess's heart was beating fast and hard in her chest, the charge of adrenaline shocking her senses like lightening.
"A thousand years has now past and the new moon will once again be covered the shadow of the sun. It will bring forth the age of darkness once more. Beware of the ones who hide among you, the lemures that lurk beyond the mirror." His words were eerie and floating upon the wind. It was making her shiver and hold herself tighter, a sick feelings churning in the depths of her stomach. The warning was clear that something evil was coming.
"Who are you...show yourself!" She commanded, as the wind snapped her long pink tails over her shoulder, gusting with a gale force intensity. As millions of sparkling lights converged before her, forming the body of a pure white horse. Magnificent wings unfolded from it's back, as the Pegasus regarded her with warm soft blue eyes. That were more alert and more intelligent than a mere beast. They were the aware and soulful eyes of a human being.
"I shall aid you, my beautiful young maiden." He bowed his elegant head towards her.
She blushed and could not help but swoon at his romantic turn of phrase. Though part of her was wondering why she was blushing at the form of a horse. Human like qualities or not this was still a horse, a Pegasus she was speaking with. Yet it wasn't as strange as she thought it would be. A talking animal wasn't uncommon where she came from but as far as she knew a true Pegasus was only in the imagination. She mentally smacked herself on the head for that one, she was dreaming, they were in her mind, of course she conjured up a Pegasus.
Or so she thought.
"For I have been searching for you for far to long." He butted his head forward, urging her to raise her hand and press her palm against his forehead. As he bowed his head reverently to her. Her heart sped up at the contact with his short, velvet soft white fur. The allure he had was enthralling, like the attraction one might feel towards a lover.
Still she couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of him. "You are a Pegasus..." she breathed, then cringed as she stupidly stated the obvious.
"Dear young maiden who possess beautiful dreams." He spoke in a hushed voice.
"Me..." she gasped, her eyes growing wide in amazement. "I'm your maiden?" She finished, unable to stop how her voice wavered. She was completely fixated on this magical horse who is so romantic and chivalrous. Unable to draw her eyes away from his, her breathing becoming shallow, spell bound by his words of need. Butterflies were now swirling in her stomach, as she blushed a warm sweet rose. Forgetting for a moment that she was responding passionately to a horse, her confidence hiding away bashfully under the yearning in his eyes.
"Please climb onto my back." He urged, bending his legs and spreading his great wings wide.
When she stands there uncertain, wide eyed with nerves, he chuckles patiently. "Please, I need to show you something." He pleads.
"Right." she nods, brushing aside her trepidation and quickly mounts his back.
He trots over the frozen water, picking up speed into a full gallop before leaping into the air and spreading his wings wide to catch an up draft.
She held on tight to his neck, squeezing her eyes shut to keep her fears in check. The air in her lungs was knocked out with a grunt as his leap causes her to fall harshly against his powerful thick neck.
Soon their are airborne and circling lazily over the towers and spires of the Palace and the sprawling grounds of courtyards and out buildings.
"Wow!" the young princess exclaims, her voice awed in amazement. The view from the sky surrounding her was amazing. The Palace glittered in the night like a pure white jewel, the thousands upon thousands of windows glowing warmly. Out beyond the lake she could see the glowing lights of Bella Luna. Just above her the beautiful blue green orb of the Earth, dominated the sky like a majestic heavenly body. So much more alive and grande then the moon's tranquil pale glow she was used to seeing.
"Amazing, we're flying. What an incredible view of the Academy..." She paused, turning upward to stare in overwhelmed awe up at the earth. "This is what my mother must have seen back during the Silver Millennium..." she smiled in a renewed sense of understanding now, "I understand now how she fell in love with earth. It's just so beautiful..." She whispered, trying hard not to cry at the sight of home. It was making her miss her family far to quickly.
She took a deep breath and pulled her eyes away from the dark sky back to the romantic landscape below. Her sadness forgotten, when she noticed a patch of total darkness forming over the East Wing of the Palace. It swallowed up the tower's and keep effortlessly.
"Weird...that darkness...it's like a hole swallowing up that part of the Academy." She frowned, her heart pounding with dread as the darkness spread like a virus, consuming the Palace and then the lake. It was swarming up the banks of the forest until the village lights of Bella Luna was cast into darkness. It was snuffing out the glow of the white moon, as earth's satellite turned completely black.
"Yes, this is the plague to follow the Eclipse." Pegasus stated, his voice cold and foreboding.
She gasped, as tears beaded at the edges of her eyes. Stricken by the death of the White Moon she craned her head back. Hoping that the Earth survived this plague, gasping in fright as tears streamed down her face. Finding her home planet now frozen, petrified and as lifeless as the now Dead Moon.
"This is to be your future, if the invader's from the Dead Moon are not stopped." He answered her unspoken question. "If you so desire, I can assist you in this manner again." he offered, the nightmare transforming back into the tranquil surrounding of the midnight lake as he landed elegantly upon it's calm surface.
The young princess shuddered as she slipped off his back, unable to shake the fear possessing her body now.
"Yes...please. I will be fighting this alone...I will need an ally." She moaned, feeling sick and nauseous. She couldn't ask Diana to aid her, she needed her to protect her little brother. To make sure he was out of harm's way while she fought.
The Pegasus merely nodded and then galloped away, launching himself back into the sky.
"If you should ever need me..." His voice echoed on the wind again. "Please ring this bell to call me to your side."
A tiny golden bell, with a heart shaped handle shimmered before her. She gently reached out to grasp it.
"Who are you...?" She whispered through her tears.
"I am your friend...that for now is all you need to know." He responded, humbly.
"To save your world you must find that which was lost, the golden crystal must be reclaimed. Otherwise all hope is gone. I am afraid." His final words vibrated through her dream world. Filling her full of dread. Her father had never been able to call forth the golden crystal, it had remained beyond his reach to claim. It was something she knew in a deep sense bothered him as her mother held her silver crystal and controlled it. He was left weaker and unworthy to claim his own heritage.
But he was able to use its powers to an extent, as if it were trying to call out to him but unable to stabilized that connection. The way her mother had to her own crystal. The most he could do was a few attacks and the ability to heal. If someone as powerful as King Endymion couldn't resurrect the golden crystal then how was she going to? She had no bonds to Elysian. Her soul was tied to her mother's heritage...she could only use the Silver Crystal.
Her turbulent thoughts were silenced as the dreamscape blurred into the fog of deep sleep.
Out beyond the storm wall of the Palace, in the middle of the late night lake a young man walked briskly across the water, as if he was as light as a feather. His booted feet causing ripples upon the water at every stride. Dressed in worn weathered jeans, a white button down t-shirt that billowed in the wind. With a grey hoody and jean jacket undone. The hood pulled up low over his face. Hanging onto a large travel pack, hanging off one broad shoulder. His black leather boots were scuffed, and tinted a pale grey as if he had just crossed the barren moon dessert on foot. Tousled pale silvery blonde hair danced in the wind, as his soft blue eyes stared with conviction straight ahead towards the Academy.