Chapter 20 - Back To Life Part III
Sammy stood high up on the parapet of the palace on Nemesis overlooking the valley below. He marveled at the beauty and enjoyed watching the brightly colored birds fly by. He knew they didn't have anything like them on Earth. He idly wondered if they had bird books on Nemesis too. If they didn't maybe he needed to work on one. Surely he could corner the market on them if he did.
He had been working the whole day with the Engineers trying to figure out the self piloting program for the spaceship and they all finally decided to take a break and regroup in thirty minutes. Sammy smiled at the incredible experience he was having. He never had the opportunity to hone his skills and here he was talking to adults and contributing to the solution. He desperately wanted to save his sister and his future niece.
His eyes drifted shut and he took a deep breath of air and let it out. It was so peaceful and calming standing there. Then all of the sudden and even with his eyes closed he noticed it got darker and he opened his eyes and he shouted in surprise. He instantly knew he was on the moon and standing in front of him was a woman who looked quite a lot like his sister.
He knew who she must be and bowed saying, "Queen Serenity, it's an honor to meet you."
She indicated he should rise. "You don't need to bow to me Sammy. You are a gift from me to my daughter, and I brought you here to thank you."
He looked puzzled, "A gift? How does that work?"
She smiled at him, "You wonder why I chose the parents that I did for Serena." Sammy nodded. "The answer is that I didn't. I chose you for her and I couldn't change the family you would be born into. I have the gift of premonition. You will be a great force of good and support in my daughter's life. You are the brother I wanted for her. And you are the man who is best suited to be the brother of Neo-Queen Serenity." She smiled at him and handed him a sword. "You are not among those reincarnated from the Silver Millennium, but that doesn't stop the Sword of Ballantyne from being rightfully yours. Historically it has been used to protect those sitting on the throne of the Moon. Use it well."
Sammy looked at the sword in awe and swung it in large practiced swings with military precision. His eyes got large and he asked, "How in the world did I just do that?"
"The sword did. It will teach the owner and only the owner of the sword how to properly use it. No one else will be able to even lift it. It cannot be dropped in battle and turned against you. Use it well and be wise." Queen Serenity smiled at him and bowed.
Sammy stood shocked, the Queen of the Silver Millennium was bowing to him. He quickly collected himself and said, "Thank you! I am glad that I now have something that I can use to help protect those I love. Thank you for giving me Serena as a sister. I won't fail her, or you." Sammy stood tall and proud before Queen Serenity.
"You are a good man. Never doubt that. You belong, you are rightfully one of the group and you will do great things." Queen Serenity smiled.
Suddenly Sammy was back on Nemesis with a sword in his hand and he grinned and sprinted down the stairs and to Raye's office. Opal looked up startled as he barged in.
She said, "Slow down, should you be running with a sword?"
Sammy looked wildeyed and shrugged, "Probably not, is Raye in? I need to talk to her. Well, I need to talk to someone."
Opal went over and let Sammy into Raye's office. He walked in and plopped right down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. He then laid the sword carefully and horizontally on the desk in front of him. "Well, Queen Serenity gave me one too." He said with no greeting first.
Raye's eyes grew wide. "You met Queen Serenity?" He nodded. "Well, what does your sword do? Surely it doesn't have to teach you a lesson."
"In a way it does, it will teach me how to use it. And it can't be lifted by anyone else. Try it." Sammy indicated she should pick up the sword.
She walked over and tried to lift it and struggled, it didn't move even the slightest bit. She laughed, "I guess I am not worthy."
Sammy shook his head, "It isn't lifted by only the worthy, it can only be lifted by the one who owns it. She called it the Sword of Ballantyne and she said it was mine. How cool is that!"
Raye smiled at Sammy, "Very cool. Now we both have swords and no other powers. It is kind of Queen Serenity to keep us safe."
Sammy puffed up his chest and shook his head at her. "This sword is supposed to protect the rulers of the Moon, I am not just safe I am one of Serena's protectors."
Raye really looked at Sammy and she saw pride radiating off of him. She could see how much it meant to be part of Serena's guard. "I am thrilled for you. After you are done here you should go straight to Darien and show him. As proud of you as your sister will be, and she will be very proud, Darien enthusiasm will top her's this time. You know how he feels about her safety."
Sammy nodded, "That's a great idea! I will do that." He then picked up the sword and headed back to work.
Raye called Opal in after Sammy left, "Can you please inform Topaz to take Sammy to Darien and Serena's house when he leaves here?"
Opal smiled and nodded, "Of course. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, there is." Raye handed Opal a piece of paper. "I was hoping you would agree to be my Assistant permanently for the amount written on that piece of paper."
Opal got a huge smile on her face and then looked at the piece of paper. She looked at Raye in shock, "Yes! Is this number for real? It looks like it has an extra zero in it."
"Shouldn't the assistant to the Queen be paid very well? You will have a lot to do. I won't be idle, so neither will you be." Raye informed her.
"Thank you! I am so glad to be your Assistant! I love working for you. I will go tell Topaz about Sammy now." Opal practically floated out of the room.
Raye smiled and yelled after her, "Don't forget to tell your dad!"
Opal headed over to Topaz's desk to inform him about the change to Sammy's schedule. She admired him on the way over, he was working hard and she stared at his masculine jawline and his strong biceps. She had to admit she was definitely a bicep girl.
She quickly found her voice once she got to his desk. "Topaz," she paused and waited for him to look up. "Sammy's schedule has changed and he will be heading to Darien and Serena's house after he finishes up here."
"Thank you for letting me know." He paused and thought of Sapphire's words. Should he chance it and ask her out? Was she worth the risk to his pride and to his heart? Once he asked himself that he immediately knew the answer was yes.
Opal fidgeted and then she gave him a small smile and he was done for.
"Opal, I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner with me after work. I, um… I would like to take you on a date." He didn't know if he should congratulate himself on getting it all out or cringe that he tripped over his words.
She smiled at him and he decided then and there that she had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. She nodded and said, "I would love to go on a date with you tonight."
Topaz's heart beat faster at her words and he smiled, "I will walk you out then at the end of the day."
"Sounds perfect." She blushed and gave him a sweet smile.
As soon as she left he walked into Sapphire's office. "It looks like I am going to get the girl after all. She agreed to go out with me for dinner tonight."
Sapphire walked over and patted him on the back, "Make it a celebration then. She just got offered a permanent job working for Raye today."
Topaz looked thrilled, "I am so glad to hear that. I will make sure we celebrate her new job. Now I am even more glad she said yes. If she had turned me down I would have constantly been stuck running into her."
That night Sammy stood in front of Darien and Serena and showed off his sword. "Look, it's the Sword of Ballantyne." He went on to tell them about his conversation with Queen Serenity and about how the sword works. Darien's expression of pride was something that Sammy knew he would treasure for a long time.
OooooooO
Kunzite stomped down the stairs and saw Sammy sitting on the couch in the living room reading one of his textbooks. He realized that Sammy didn't hear him come down so he picked a book up off the end table and dropped it on the ground. It made a loud banging sound and Sammy jumped up out of his seat.
Sammy looked wildeyed and said, "What was that for? You almost scared me to death!"
"How did you find out the code to my safe?" Kunzite demanded. "Zoisite admitted that you gave him the code and I know for a fact you didn't see me enter it in."
Sammy thought about his options and decided he would tell Kunzite the truth. After all, he had a new plan now on how to mess with them all and it didn't involve the safes. He also knew he could deflect some of the blame. He gave a dramatic sigh and said, "I guess I have to tell you. Luna gave me a device that can crack the code to any safe. Once you all went to purchase your own she immediately gave it to me. Wasn't that nice?"
"Luna started this!" He sighed. "I guess it makes sense for her to do that. She would get more tuna out of it after all. I can't believe we were all outsmarted by a kid and a cat!"
After that comment Sammy knew Kunzite would be his first target for his new prank he had devised.
OooooooO
Nephrite had spoken with Jasper and he knew now that all of the others were engaged Lita would be feeling left out. He wanted to completely take her by surprise and tomorrow night was the night. He had the perfect ring and he had the perfect girl. He just needed the perfect spot.
OooooooO
Jadeite yelled for Sammy that he was ready to take him to school and Sammy yelled down that he would be there in a minute. Jadeite grew suspicious of what was going on. After all, they now all knew who was behind the safe cracking.
Jadeite walked up stairs and saw Sammy placing a sword on Kunzite's bed and resting the hilt on his pillow. "What is the point of that?" he asked.
Sammy gave a devious smile and said, "Go ahead and pick up the sword."
Jadeite walked over and went to pick it up and all of the sudden he was jerked back down. He struggled again trying to pick it up. "What the hell?! I can't lift it."
"Only the owner of the sword can lift it. That would be me." He went and easily lifted the sword and swung it around and then placed it back on Kunzite's bed.
Jadeite shook his keys and said, "Time to get you to school. First though, we are stopping by the Arcade and I am buying you a hot chocolate. That's brilliant!"
OooooooO
Luna was miffed that Sammy had been discovered and had sold her out. She wished she had opposable thumbs.
She needed a new plan to get more tuna.
OooooooO
Kunzite came home to find a sword and a cat laying on his bed. "Hello Luna how are you?"
Luna smiled, "Great, I am just waiting for you to try and lift the sword up."
He shook his head and said, "Easy" and then failed to lift it even the slightest. He struggled with it again and he grew frustrated. "Want to tell me what is going on?"
Luna stood and stretched, arched her back, sat and then groomed her paw. "Want to give me a can of tuna?"
Kunzite opened his safe and then opened the can of tuna and laid it down on his nightstand for her to eat.
Luna stalked over to the nightstand and jumped up and began eating. After a few bites she paused and said, "It's Sammy's sword. Only the owner can lift it." She then went back to her treat.
Kunzite shook his head and commented, "So this is payback for calling him out. Well done kid."
OooooooO
Nephrite was feeling really proud of himself and loved how the evening had started and was now progressing. He had made reservations at the restaurant that Lita had heard wonderful things about and had been wanting to go. Dinner was even better than they expected and no one had dumped food in Lita's lap. He figured that was a huge win right there over Darien.
They finished dinner and Lita looked nervous and he grew concerned that she knew what was coming. He began to sweat and fidget. He had to place his hands under the table on his knees to keep himself from playing with his silverware.
Dessert was just about to come when Lita sighed and said, "Can we talk? You told me to not ever be afraid to say something to you especially when it's bothering me. I am trying to honor your desire for honesty and trust."
He nodded and almost visibly gulped. Dang this wasn't going according to plan anymore. He wanted desperately to go back to the perfect night they were having.
She looked him in the eye and said, "I am happy and I don't want you to think otherwise. I also don't want to marry just because everyone else is, but I am a little jealous of my friends and I feel like the biggest jerk because of it."
Nephrite took a big sip of his water and said, "Um…"
Just as he was about to say more the dessert came with the perfect piece of cake and her ring nestled in a beautiful fondant rose.
He started again, "Lita, you are incredibly strong, you are the toughest woman I know. I adore that about you, I also love that I am the one you feel safe to show your softer side around. It makes me feel special that I get to experience every nuance of your personality. You are an amazing woman and I love everything about you. Will you marry me?"
During his speech she had grown wide eyed and was smiling so much that she had drawn other's attention to them. "Yes, darling Nephrite yes I will marry you. I love you so much!"
He leaned forward and kissed her and everyone in the restaurant applauded.
OooooooO
The next morning at breakfast Sammy and Zoisite had just finished up eating as Kunzite came into the kitchen.
Zoisite asked, "Do I need to help Sammy make a quick exit and take him to school early? I heard what he did to your bed yesterday."
Kunzite laughed and shook his head, "He's safe this time. It was so funny that I am not even mad. I think he is going to quickly end up being my second favorite person."
Sammy looked curious, "Second?"
Kunzite smiled and said, "You'll catch on to that when you are older Sammy. Mina beats you in every way."
Sammy shrugged, "Works for me. I don't want to be kissing you."
They all chuckled.
OooooooO
The program that Sapphire, Amy, and Zoisite worked just like it was supposed to until the alien egg was three hundred feet over Japan. All of the sudden the program lost sight of the trajectory of the egg, the alarm still went off to alert Jasper.
The egg had landed and the hunt was on.