The Lost Prince
AN: Hi guys,
Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! I appreciate it! I am sorry for the delay in updates. I just finished my semester at college, and I had to write 6 papers in a matter of two weeks. Not fun! But I am back and on winter break, so expect more ramblings from me.
If you read, please review. (Even if you want to complain!)
Thank you again,
Vestal Hestia
Chapter 7
Darien closed his eyes as he laid his head on his mother's lap. Her voice was as smooth as silk as she song him a song. He felt his mind fall away into pleasant dreams.
His eyes shot open as he felt the splash of water hit his back. He swung his head around, glaring at what had attacked him. A young man laughed as he pulled on his reigns and led his golden horse through the trees. Darien instinctively clutched his reigns tighter and dug the heels of his boots into the side of his horse. "Come on, Midnight, fast!" he whispered into his horse's ear.
The wind breezed through his dark hair. It felt longer than it did only moments ago, but Darien did not bother to question. He lowered his front half closer to the black horse's neck, trying to create the least bit of wind resistance. The leaves on the trees flew by him as he rode deeper and deeper into the forest.
He could hear the laughter of the man in front of him, just as he could see the light blonde of his hair. Darien knew that his horse was much better than his friend's, so he was not surprised as he approached his friend.
Darien reached into his inner jacket pocket and removed a small dagger. His horse was almost caught up with the golden horse, his dagger clutched in his hand. The blonde man tried to urge his horse to ride faster, but Darien knew that his efforts were futile. Midnight was one of the best horses in the palace stables.
Darien removed one of his boots from his stirrups and swung his leg over the polished saddle. His horse galloped him within range of the blonde. Darien clutched the dagger in his hand, and just like his instructor taught him, he spun the blade into the wind, watching it fly. The blonde turned his head in time to see the blade cut through the reigns in his hands.
Darien, not wasting a moment, leaned down to his newly freed boot, and grabbed another dagger. The blonde was using his knees to control the direction of his horse. Darin and Midnight followed their pace, as Darien prepared for his second attack. The dagger was light and warm in his gloved hand. He twisted his left hand among the reigns and leaned as far as he could from his horse. Darien stared at the horse's underbelly, and let out a smile as he flung the dagger towards its mark.
The blonde let out a yell as he felt his horse jerk. The blonde was holding on to the mane, urging his stead on when he felt the shift. Before he could worry about the condition of his horse, he was tumbling off the horseback and falling into the wet grounds of the forest floor. The blonde rubbed the mud off of his face, and glared up at the laughing young man in front of him.
Darien dismounted from Midnight and lent the blonde a hand. "Nice tumble, Zoi." Darien heard himself say. He looked at the man in front of him. He looked more like an adult than the eleven year old boy he had shared floor space with a few hours ago. Darien looked down at his body and noticed how he had changed. He was taller and his hair was longer. He was still smaller than he was in his real lifetime, but years must have passed since his last visit with his mother. How was this all possible?
Zoi whipped the mud off his face and glared at his friend. "Where did you learn to through those daggers like that? Mal never showed me that trick!"
Darien chuckled, "How are you ever going to prove yourself worthy to protect the planet and the princess if you are not learning everything in your ability to be the strongest. I guess that royal blond doesn't account for everything, hmm?" Darien looked into the young man's eyes, and felt his mouth drop.
The man was smaller than Darien, much smaller from when Darien had seen him in his time. But his hair was the palest gold and his eyes were the color of the bright blue sky. He also had the same narcissus smile. Could it be… "Zoi… Zoicite?"
One of the four generals that had joined with Queen Beryl and the Negaverse that destroyed his life during the Silver Millennium and tried to destroy his life in Tokyo… How can he be laughing on an autumn day with him? How was he a friend? A friend from apparent childhood.
Zoicite stared at his bemused friend. "You look like you are seeing a ghost. Are you having a vision?"
Darien shook his head. Incredible. How much did he not know? "No… I am fine."
"Good." Zoicite looked around and kicked his boots into some pebbles. "Now how am I supposed to get back to the palace now? My horse is gone."
Darien shrugged his shoulders as he put his foot in his stirrup and straddled his horse. "Maybe this will teach you to watch your surroundings before you race blindly!" He looked pointedly down at his friend's saddle. The leather straps that secured the saddle to the horse had been neatly cut by Darien's dagger. "And maybe you can work your magic to make a new horse.. or at least find yours!"
With a snap of the reigns, Darien galloped back to the palace. For what reason he was not sure.
Serena stood in the great hall, not sure how to react to the fact she was having hallucinations. First she thought she was being killed by a ghost. Next she had spent time with the human form of her cat as a child. Now she looked like she was 10 years old and she was going to be finally meeting the mother she never knew.
Did the hospital have room for crazy aides?
The Queen of the Silver Millennium walked out of the corridor and into the great hall. Her attendants, four female guards, walked by her side. The Queen walked to her throne, ignoring her impulse to go to her daughter. The room was filled with representatives of the solar system. The protocol had to be followed in order to keep her land secure. Her blue eyes finally sought out her daughter's. She looked lost and confused. Selentiy frowned. She knew the burden of power was great, but it was time for Serenity to prepare to take over the throne. Today was the beginning.
Selenity removed her wand and let the light of the silver crystal illuminate the room. There was a small collective gasp. Only the queen and her attendants remained unmoved. They remembered this day well. It had only been thirty years since her own ceremony when Selenity began her training to be Queen.
The light of the crystal swirled around the room. Serena sighed as she felt the familiar comfort of warmth fill her person. She felt like she was transforming into Sailor Moon but slightly different. She felt calm and centered. She felt like she could accomplish anything.
The light stopped, and the Queen spoke. "Greetings to all my peers of the realm, and thank you for coming to the transference of power. You all are aware that the life of those from the Moon, although equally blessed, is not blessedly long. My daughter, Serenity, has finally reached her tenth birthday. As she has now reached her majority, she is able to begin her training and learn how not only to use the silver crystal in its full capacity, but also to learn how to be fair and honest in her rule as Queen." The Queen paused to let the room comprehend her words. She continued, "I ask my guardians to step forward." The four attendant moved forward from the shadows. "Ares, Athena, Juno, and Aphrodite, I commend your exceptional experience as the ladies of the four. I know it makes you uncomfortable, but it is time for to leave me. Your planets need their Queens." Each woman nodded.
Selenity removed the crystal from the wand and touched each woman on her forehead as she passed by her. "As it has been a burden for you to leave your daughters in the hands of your families to raise, I must ask you to allow them to take your place as the four. They will be raised with my daughter, and I hope in thirty years she will be as blessed as I have been. Please go and present your daughters to their queen."
The four women passed Serena as they walked down the great hall to the four corners of the room. Selenity motioned for her daughter to join her. The people in the room hushed as the Queen enclosed her crystal into her daughter's hand. "Raise it Serena, darling" She whispered into her ear. Serena's eyes opened. Her mother knew her Earth name. How was that possible?
Serena let her mother guide the crystal over her head and the light shone through her cupped hands. The four women walked back to the thorn with four young girls with them. They stopped in front of her. All looked a bit older than Serena. She guessed that they were between 11 and 12 years old.
The woman who her mother had addressed as Ares approached first. The young girl looked into Serena's eyes. The brown burned red as the girl spoke to her future queen. "Time is both short and long for you, dear Serenity. I see you through out time, lost. But know this, dear princess," the raven haired girl dropped to her knees in reverence, "I will be guarding your side throughout your challenges."
Raye? Serena thought. This was her fiery friend? The silver crystal warmed in her hand as it bathed the young girl. Ares spoke, "I offer my daughter, Princess of Mars, to your service, Princess. She has the gift from her ancestors to read of the past, present, and future. She will give your clarity for your justice. All I ask your daughter has reached her majority that you allow our princess to come home. And never stop her from her true love, as your mother did not prevent me from mine. The line of Mars needs it heirs to watch our fires."
Serena felt her mouth go dry. All she could would nod at the Queen of fire.
The attendant known as Athena approached the princess. Behind her trailed her daughter. Amy… Serena thought as she looked at the blue haired child with wisdom in her eyes.
"Dear princess, I am schooled as any of the scholars of Mercury. I will help you by informing you of what you need to make your decisions. I will train to protect your life as I will train you to use your judgment. I will be loyal." She kneeled next to Raye.
Athena spoke, "My daughter is still learning how to use her voice to speak her wisdom, but as your mother knows, that will change with time. Listen to her knowledge even when she is unsure of herself. Help her know she has found her true love, for she will doubt it, and let her come home when her time is done. Mercury is loyal, but will miss its princess as it had missed its Queen." Athena, like Ares had before her, left her daughter with her commander.
The attendant known as Juno brought a tall young girl to Serena. Lita: Serena knew it was she. The princess from Jupiter even wore her hair in the same style. This was getting creepy.
Lita spoke, "From Jupiter's lightning, I will be able to be your guard. I will show you how courage makes you just. My temperament is yours." She kneeled, "I will follow you through out time."
Juno continued the tradition, "Let my daughter fight for you my Queen. But teach her how to love, for courage easily turns into foolhardiness. It was one of the best gifts your mother gave to me. As with the others, when you are no longer in need of my daughter, please let my daughter protect her planet."
Aphrodite followed, and Serena was shocked by the beauty of the Queen of Venus. Her hair was as golden as the sun. Just was her daughter… Mina. The princess recited, "Dear cousin, I am here for two purposes. I have been entrusted to lead your guard as my mother before me. But I have also been entrusted to show you your true love. For the responsibilities of the Moon might get in your way to recognize it for yourself!"
She knelt down and gave her self-assured smile.
Aphrodite just added, "You are her first priority. I know I will see her one day."
As the former attendants moved into the background, and as her new attendants moved to her side, Serena was stunned. She never realized how much of her life from the past she never realized. Her friends had families that they lost. Serena was never able to return them to their homes. Her reign never completed. The tears swelled in her eyes at the lost that these girls never knew…
Selentiy removed the crystal from Serena's hand. In her soft voice, she called attention to the room. "Persephone, Rhea, Amphrotrite, and Hecate: your charge is to instruct your daughters how to use their powers to protect our galaxy. As you four did, you will bring them for their right of passage when my daughter turns twenty. Protect our borders well my friend." The four dark women in the back nodded and faded into the walls.
The Queens attention turned to the last dignitary in the room. "Terra. Where is your daughter?"
Serena felt her throat close as she watched the dark haired woman walk to her throne. Her guardians automatically moved closer to her. A young girl of 16 moved along side the Queen of the Earth.
Selentity stepped in front of her daughter. The young girl had fire red hair and a cruel mouth. She curtsied out of respect, but her eyes spoke of other things. The crystal glowed in the presence of the princess of the Earth.
Serena was confused. Where was Darien? Who was this last girl… she looked familiar…
Concern crossed Selenity's eyes. "Terra, your power is weak. The crystal barely recognizes the Earth in this child."
Terra smiled, "The price we on Earth pay to allow you to have your home. I will train her in our ways, but I fear that Earth will soon be unable to join in the magic of the universe." The queen of Earth looked unconcerned. She whispered into her daughter's ear.
The young girl bowed before the ten year old, and did as her queen told her. "I swear my allegiance to love. I will continue the Terrain line, and allow for the Earth to house refuge for you. I will follow the treaty and remain on my planet until needed."
Serena felt her stomach hurt. Something was much different then what her glimpses of the past had shone her before.
The princess of Earth was the Beryl.
AN: Oh no, what is happening. Review and let me know what you think!
Vestal Hestia
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