Luna's Decision

After being granted permission to leave the palace and make rounds around the kingdom, Mystery took the chance to pay her parents a visit. Shira and Serin were very excited to see her and she was excited in the same way. Even Jirachi, Mawile, and Meowstic were happy to see each other again. They hadn't seen each other since the prince's birthday party.

"We're so happy that you've come, Mystery," said Shira. "We saw your performance at the palace and we loved it. What you and your friends did was really sweet."

"And really spectacular," Serin mentioned. "I have to admit, your friends are really something else. Seeing you look so happy with them reminds me of how things were like for me when I lived in the palace as a child."

"But you were an orphan," Shira told him. "Mystery has us and her friends and the royals. I say that makes the best family anybody in this kingdom can ask for."

Mystery shakes her head. "I think I'm just lucky to have such wonderful, caring people for a family. And that I can share it with everyone else."

Shira walks over to Mystery and places her hand on her shoulder. "I think the proper term would be 'blessed'. A gift can be shared with anyone else, but most times, that gift can be taken for granted or abused. On the other hand, to be blessed with something means it can never be taken for granted. It must be recognized, appreciated, and valued." She kisses her daughter on the forehead. "It's all right if you don't understand now. You will someday. But on another note, did anything exciting happen lately? Did you get to go on any new adventures?"

"We learned about the legend of the Knights of Light and Darkness," Mystery answered. "And about the White and Black Dragons."

After taking a sip of his water, Serin smiles and says, "Oh, yes, I know those stories. The magicians riding the Legendary Dragons and stopping the battle between their clans."

Jirachi nods. "And guess what? We met Masters Reshiram and Zekrom."

Shira and Serin's eyes widen hearing that. "Reshiram and Zekrom?" Serin asked. "Are you serious?"

Mystery and Jirachi both nod. "It was amazing, Papa. And with their help and the help of my friends, we were able to unlock another one of my powers; my very own Shadow Creature. Well, I don't think I should say that since she is actually a creature of light, but she is still the monster of my soul."

Serin had learned almost everything there was to know about Shadow Creatures since they helped bring the royals victory in the wars that happened eight years ago. A Shadow Creature was nothing to be feared of until it was captured or unless it was controlled. Due to that matter, Serin was both curious and afraid about what kind of monster lived in his daughter's soul.

"I wish I could show you," said Mystery, "But I can't. I made a promise never to summon her."

"Is she powerful?" Shira asked.

"Yes, and that makes her dangerous. But she told me that I can control her and that she won't harm anyone against my wishes, so I trust her. But I still don't want to take my chances." After saying that, Mystery describes Rainbow Dragon's appearance and powers. "But you know; I bet I'll learn more about my Shadow Creature and learn more about my spells at the same time."

Shira and Serin face each other for one moment; then put their eyes back on Mystery. "Yes, that'll be very good for you," said Serin. "In the meantime, do you want to do something fun with us while you're here? We could ride horses or head to the river. Or we could go to the Valley of the Kings."

Mystery takes her time to think about it. "Actually, I was thinking, maybe we could have lunch with our friends at Council Rock."

As much as Serin wanted his daughter to spend less time with monsters, he remembered that all of Mystery's human friends were all at the palace. He also knew that the council members would be gathered together at this hour. Shira, on the other hand, was delighted about Mystery's idea about meeting her old friends. After all, she did have an adventurous side and used to be a demon tamer.

"That sounds like a great idea," said Shira. "We'll go as a family; the six of us." Serin knew there was no point in debating over the matter, so he agreed and started getting things ready for lunch. Mystery decided not to fly to Council Rock; so Jirachi used his teleportation powers and brought the family out to the desert.

When they came to Council Rock, only the Swords of Justice and the noble dogs were present. Even they took on the shape of humans. Eons ago, Magical Creatures wanted to live among their human companions as one of their kind. When they found a way to change their shape and look like humans, the power to transform had been passed down to their kin. Soon many Magical Creatures lost the power to change into humans; leaving only few to do so. It wasn't just Magical Creatures, but many other kinds of demons.

Keldeo is the first to notice them. "Look, everybody, Mystery and Jirachi are here. And they've even brought their family."

Cobalion smiles and greets his guests. "Welcome, Master Serin, Lady Shira, and Mystery. I also welcome your Magical Creatures." Cobalion and the other council members knew that Serin was once a royal courtier to the king and had always considered him a master.

Serin chuckles and says, "Please, it's not necessary to address us with such noble names. We're commoners."

"But like the rest of us, you are friends with the royals," said Terrakion.

"It's good to have you and your family pay a friendly visit to us, Mystery," said Virizion.

"We were wondering if we could join you for lunch," Mystery told them.

Immediately, Terrakion told her, "But, of course. We would love for you to. Come and make yourselves comfortable and we can eat." So they all gather around and sit together. While Mystery and her family brought their own food, the council members shared some plants and berries. While they ate, they all talked about their usual routine. Things weren't the same for the council members without Mystery working with them, but the people and monsters they helped together were still inspired to be like their heroes. Even Serin found a change in his attitude and seemed happy to spend time with the council members as friends.

After lunch, the council members decided to rest their stomachs before heading out on their next mission. There hadn't been any calls yet about any dangers, so they were all right with just resting for a while. Shira and Serin were ready to head back home, but Mystery wanted to see the rest of the desert before returning to the palace. Hopefully, she would get to see Luna again.

Watching Mystery and Jirachi head off, their friends and family say 'goodbye' and wish them well. Seeing a disturbed look on her husband's face, Shira asks him, "Are you all right?"

Instead of answering her, he says to himself, "I wonder if I should have told her before she left."

"Do you mean about the Shadow Creatures and why they live inside of us?" Shira asked.

"No," Cobalion immediately said. "I understand that as her father, it is your place to tell her, Serin, but I don't think she needs to know about that just yet. Not even the royal children know anything about it except what their masters have been telling them. Mystery and her friends will know when the time comes." The rest of the council members agree. Even though they knew, they had sworn to keep quiet about it.

Serin finds that he has no choice but to acknowledge Cobalion's words. "Very well," he sighs.

On the way home, Shira asks, "Does it have to do with what happened in the outskirts?"

"I wish I could say 'no', but that would be a lie," Serin told her. "Shira, something happened when the ritual was being performed. A border between our world and the Realm of Shadows opened up. Something tried to cross over into our world, but got trapped. Many other things got loose: Shadow Creatures; so called because they live within human souls in order to survive."

Shira had heard the story many times before because Serin took part in the ritual that was performed in order to save the kingdom. Some of his friends were sent to the Shadow Realm, but he was spared.

Serin continued with the story. "The only thing keeping what was trying to come into our world trapped is a sacred stone; the resting place of the Millennium Items. If the Items are placed in the stone, the border will open up again and the monster that's trapped will break loose. But honestly, I more worried about if-" he stops himself.

"What could be more threatening than whatever's trapped in the stone?"

"I'm afraid that Cobalt's true heir is somewhere out there. And if he knows our Mystery is his rival, then he'll come after her and attack everyone she loves."

"If that's so, then be quiet about it," Shira warned. "He could be anywhere." Shira and Serin both assumed that since the people offered to the Great Goddess were followers of Cobalt, then his true heir would have lived in the village of Kul Elna as well. But no one inspected the village and searched for his true heir. If he was still alive, he would be seeking revenge and searching for Mystery. If he was sacrificed, then it would explain the darkness. In either case, Cobalt was still threatening the Egyptian people and would soon make his move.

Just as Mystery hoped, she found and met up with Luna. Walking along the river, the girls talked about their days and how things were for them in life. Again, Luna found herself envying Mystery for all that she had accomplished in these past few weeks. When Mystery talked about learning about the legend of the Light and Dark Knights, Luna said that she too had learned about the legend. Being reared in the palace, Luna was taught everything there was to know about the Great Goddess and the Dark Lord and other connecting stories.

As they talked about the story, Mystery revealed to Luna about how she felt about fighting. Luna knew that despite her bravery and strength, Mystery wasn't violent, so it was natural of her to oppose the idea of taking part in the battle.

"Complicated, isn't it?" Luna asked. " Like the Gods are dictating the course of your destiny?"

"Although it may seem like that, I have to remember that I brought all this upon myself," Mystery debated. "I chose to give myself to Millennia. But now, I've been second-guessing myself, forgetting my reasons and changing my mind about what I want again and again."

Luna snickers. "Sometimes, I don't think even the Gods are thinking about what it is they want for themselves or their children. I mean, why fight a war that's never going to end? Then again, why deny your gifts? You get so much and they ask for so little." Although Luna sounded certain, even she was too proud to admit that she was just as unsure of what she wanted. Bakura told her to gather information on the Children of Millennia, but she never had anything against any of them. Just because they were born on opposing sides of the same battle didn't mean that they had to be enemies either. Other than that, Mystery trusted Luna and would never force herself to hurt a friend even if she was a follower of the Dark Lord.

Getting back to the last topic, Mystery tells Luna, "You know, when I was little, I knew right away that I was different from all of the other children, but never knew why. And although I liked being different, I sometimes wanted to be like everyone else."

Luna couldn't believe that a girl so popular and loved by all would have a hard time fitting in and being accepted by her own kind. Not that she was one to talk. Luna never interacted with her fellow villagers because she never lived in the village. Other than that, she knew she was adopted and couldn't be a follow of Millennia no matter how much she tried or learned. It wasn't what she wanted and it wasn't who she was. But although Luna didn't have her own place among either kind, she knew what a lot of people were like and she was no different from any of them. So she asked, "You wanted to be petty and dishonest?"

Unlike Luna, Mystery could only see the good within others and not the bad things. That was why she had to say, "Everybody's not like that."

Looking at her reflection in the river, Luna protests, "Yes, they are."

"You're not like that."

Luna turns around and asks Mystery, "How do you know what I'm like? You don't even know the first thing about me."

Mystery had to admit that she didn't know the first thing about Luna. But the Millennium Star gave her the power to look inside people's hearts and see their truths. That would help her to see what kind of person Luna was. "I do know this," she was explaining, "although you have been bitter and harsh, you have been very honest about the things you have told me and the rest of our friends. I also know that there is a small spark inside of you trying to light itself. That spark has been surrounded by pain and loneliness. In other words, you have been paying the price for someone else's crime and trying to survive ever since."

After hearing what she was being told, Luna had to admit that Mystery was right. "My parents' death," she clarified. "I'd hate to admit it, but you're right about everything."

Mystery had to remember to consider Luna's feelings. Recalling what happened on the day they first met, it wasn't a pleasant experience. She apologizes for prying into personal matters that didn't concern her. "I'm sorry. It's not my business and I shouldn't be concerned. We don't have to go further into this-"

"No, it's all right," Luna interrupted. She wasn't one to consider other people's thoughts or feelings and wanted to agree about it not being Mystery's business, but she thought it would be all right to talk about it. After all, they were friends and could talk about anything. "The truth is, I actually don't remember much about it anyway. All I know is I was a little girl when it happened; about five years old. It happened so fast. One minute, I'm in the desert with my parents, and the next, they're bloody and dead. The soldiers who found us accused me of losing my mind and killing my own parents. I've lived in the dungeon and in chains ever since."

Just hearing the story was enough to make Mystery shudder. She could never stand for someone to lose her family at such an early age and be accused of a crime that wasn't hers.

Luna wasn't finished. "I try to remember, but at the same time, I don't want to. It's like a haunting nightmare and I end up seeing nothing but blood and shadows. I've been escaping the palace since that night in hopes of finding answers, but have found nothing. Maybe the truth is, I'm afraid of what I might find."

"Did you have that impression when you saw what became of your village?"

"You could say that. It's also because of the nightmares. But you know, getting into situations like these only makes me stronger. That's why I've always gotten into trouble and put up with the punishments I had to face; they were just tests of survival."

Mystery tried to understand Luna's thoughts about the matters, but would never think of beatings as tests of endurance and survival. Instead, she just felt sorry for Luna and not realizing all that she had gone through in life. After a tear falls down her face, she tells Luna, "I could never imagine all that you had been through. It's even worse when you've had to go through all of that alone."

Luna was about to lose it. Wake up, Mystery. Don't you know that every one of us is alone in this world? She wanted to say that out loud, but decided not to. She knew Mystery wouldn't be able to understand because she never lost anybody in her life. Just thinking about all the things Mystery had that she didn't made Luna feel bitter and envious of her. But she knew Mystery too well and admitted it couldn't be helped for her to feel the way she felt. Instead, Luna looks away and debates, "Sometimes it's better to be alone." That was always the kind of life Luna was accustomed to after her parent's death; solitude and seclusion. She was forced to live in the dungeon and have her arms chained to the wall because she was considered to be a danger to the people around her. That was why she explained by saying, "That way, nobody can hurt you."

After learning everything there was to know about Luna, it gave Mystery several more reasons to want to be her friend. She kneels besides her and promises, "I would never, ever do anything to hurt you, Luna. And to be honest, I would rather die by the hands of an enemy than murder a friend."

Luna senses that Mystery is serious to her word and finds her feelings for her changing and wanting to accept her kindness. Although Luna didn't like Mystery that much, she had to admit she was considerate and understanding and no one ever had those kinds of expressions towards her. For once, Luna decides to be true to her feelings and confesses to Mystery, "And I don't want to hurt you either." It was a fact. Luna didn't hate Mystery so much that she wanted to kill her. She even felt like she wanted to protect her from Bakura because friends look out for each other. But Bakura was also her friend and she didn't want to betray him. Feeling confused and torn between two friends to trust, Luna wraps her arms around Mystery and buries her face in her lap as she sobs.

Mystery places her hand on Luna's head and strokes through her hair. "I will always be here for you, should you need me," she promises. "If you need to cry, you can cry around me. And I know you don't want to come to the palace, so rather than come to me, I will come to you."

Without letting her say anything more, Luna sits up, dries her eyes, and repeats the same promise. "I'll be there for you too. I've also decided to return to the palace when I'm ready. Until that time comes, however, you and I will have to go our own ways. But like I said, I'm your friend and I'll be here for you." She reaches into her pocket and takes out the Crystal Rings she stole. She puts the silver one on and gives the gold one to Mystery. "Take this Crystal Ring as a symbol of our friendship. Like the Knights in the story, this is the friendship between a Millennial and a Cobaltite. Besides, the light blue crystal is a good color on you," she smiles and winks.

Mystery smiles back and hugs Luna. "Thank you," she said gratefully. "No matter what our differences, we won't let anything come between our friendship." Then she flies back to the palace.

Before Jirachi follows Mystery, he tells Luna, "Mystery really trusts you, Luna. Please don't break that trust." Then he catches up to Mystery.

Luna waves 'goodbye' as she watches them fly back to the palace. Admiring her Crystal Ring on her finger, she soon scolds herself. "What's wrong with me? Why was I being so nice to her?" On the way home, Luna starts to wonder if she meant any of the things she told Mystery. There were a lot of things she wanted to say, but she didn't want to hurt Mystery's feelings. Even though she got the same treatment from everyone else back at the palace and only ended up getting hurt, Mystery seemed more honest and loving. Luna had to admit, Mystery had a big heart. It was her biggest strength, but also her greatest weakness and would soon lead her to her demise. But Luna had to be honest with herself and admit that she really didn't want to hurt Mystery.

Unbeknownst to Luna, Bakura had been watching and listening in on the interaction between the girls and he wasn't happy with it. He had to make Luna change her thoughts and feelings on Mystery and the others. If he was going to stand against Millennia, he needed help. But he didn't think it would come to Luna needing more help. That was when he knew what he needed to do.

When Luna made it to the square of the village, Bakura jumped off of a roof and landed in front of her. Luna jumps back and gasps. "Don't scare me like that," she scolded. Seeing a look of anger on his face, she asks, "What's the matter with you?"

He tightens his eyes and growls a warning at her. "Never make a friend I can kill."

"What are you talking about? You told me to pretend to be Mystery's friend so I-"

"It didn't look like pretense to me," he interrupted. "You seemed quite serious about it. And don't lie to me by saying you were pretending to be serious so she could be fooled into thinking you were trying to be her friend. You and I both know that wasn't how it looked. Don't let her change who you are."

"Don't talk to me like you're my father," Luna retorted. "I can take care of myself."

Bakura doubted her. "I asked you to help me destroy her. Now you're promising to protect her. Why would you do that if you hate her?"

"I don't really hate her," Luna admitted. "I was just blowing off hot air. I know she's the heiress of Millennia, but it's not like she killed my parents or burned down my village."

Bakura regains his temper. "I see," he whispers. "The situation is more dire than I thought. You're confused and don't know what you really want. You've been backed into a corner; trying to choose between the people who raised you and the one you were born unto."

Luna was about to lose it. "Stop it," she warned.

But Bakura continued to torment her. "What's wrong? Are you upset because I know you better than you know yourself? There's actually an easy solution to this and it's right here." He carries a small chest and places it in Luna's hands.

She opens the chest and is shocked to see that it's the Cobalt Star. "What? What are you thinking?"

He smiles and tells her, "Mystery and her friends agree with you about the fact that you don't want friends, but think that you need friends. But I know what it is that you truly want and need. It's all there in the palm of your hand."

Luna looks at the Cobalt Star and starts thinking about the things she discussed with Mystery and the others. She told them about what she wanted and they thought they knew what she needed. How would Bakura know what she wanted and needed?

"What you want is power," he explained. "What you need is the Dark Lord's strength and guidance. Make a contract with him and he will give you everything you ever dreamed of. Of course, you'll have to hold your end of the bargain."

It was true that Luna wanted to make herself stronger. Talking about power was one thing, but actually getting it seemed a little scary to her. Other than that, if she made a contract, would the Dark Lord change who she was? Thinking about the promises she made earlier, she finally speaks and says, "Bakura, maybe we shouldn't go through with this."

"You don't have to give yourself to the Dark Lord if you don't want to," he told her. "I just want to help you get everything you want. After all, we both have our own priorities to commit to and don't really care about the Gods." But Bakura kept convincing himself that Luna wanted to accept the Cobalt Star. "But consider the Cobalt Star a gift from me to you. I figure you need his power more than I do."

Luna was feeling tormented, but another part of her was telling her to trust Bakura's words. He wants me to fight Mystery on his behalf. I won't do it. She decides to return the chest to Bakura, but stops herself. No, I won't let the Dark Lord see me as a coward. I won't let him think I'm disloyal to him either. If I am one of his children, then I've got to prove it. As she lifts her hand, she starts second-guessing herself again; feeling the same confusion Mystery was feeling about herself and her commitment to the Gods. Finally, she touches the Cobalt Star. She barely brushes it with her fingers, but it's enough for the Cobalt Star to react to her emotions and start a contract.

Watching what's happening, Bakura grins and wonders to himself, Excellent.

What have I done? Luna wonders to herself as the Cobalt Star circles her. Just like with Mystery and the Millennium Star, the Cobalt Star rushes for Luna's heart, black and purple shadows surround her, black bird wings grow out of her back, and so many different temperatures flow inside her body.

Once the transformation is complete, Bakura asks, "So, Luna, how do you feel?"

Luna said nothing, but her silence spoke more than a thousand words to Bakura. She spreads her wings out and opens her eyes. The Cobalt Star had turned her eyes from light gold to cobalt blue. Her eyes even carried a shadowy fire within them. This was enough of an answer for Bakura.


That's it for part one of this story. Tune in to Children of Millennia : Part 2