A Divine Wind

Part 3-

Moon, worn thin to the width of a quill,

In the dawn clouds go flying,

How good to go, light into light, and still

Giving light, dying.

-Sara Teasdale, Moon's Ending

"Ah...nice day, isn't it Endymion?" I asked, trying to mask the nervousness in my voice. I was astride my favorite mare, a roan with dapples. Endymion was only an armslength from me, riding his own mount. It was a stunning day, bright and filled with light and warmth. Two weeks had passed since the Moon Kingdom had left us alone, and Swallow had informed me that the first spacebarge of silks was due to land in the Eastern Provinces within the next two days.

I had fidgeted and worried about the Endymion problem, stupidly going from near-silliness to concern. I had to do something, but I had no idea what, and no experience. I also couldn't think of anything, despite my ability to strategically plan just about anything else. In the end, I gave up. I asked Swallow. She had been delighted (of course) to help out, and had dragged me to Kitsune, and the three of us had a regular sleepover, discussing men. How amusing. Swallow had been advocating me inviting him to dinner, or something terribly romantic. I was trying not to laugh at her, her eyes full of little hearts. Especially since she claimed she "knew I loved Endymion all along!" in her words. Kitsune, ever practical, had suggested the ride outdoors, which we were on now. It was a tour of the countryside, and vaguely I remembered a much younger Endymion and myself, with Kitsune and his four generals, taking a ride when I first arrived here. How long ago that was!

"You'll be more comfortable there," Kitsune had told me sagely, shifting around in her pillows. Swallow and I had propped her up, broken leg sticking out straight. The pins were gone, and the splint and magical web removed so she may heal more naturally. A few more weeks, and she'd be almost as good as new. She would still have a slight limp, but she was coming out of her rooms more often, and was harassing the servants. Sure signs she was getting better, and interested in the world again. I was glad. "You'll be more comfortable there, and you both can ride. It should be nice out, take a picnic. Tell him then. Even if he doesn't feel the same, at least he'll know. There's more at stake than your broken heart. He has to know."

"But he will feel the same!" Swallow commented dreamily, chin in hands, doing the spacey lovelorn look. "He can't fall in love with anyone else. Oh, I'm so happy for you! Another year maybe, for the wedding, isn't it? I'll have to contact Willow. You liked her tailoring, didn't you? Lace, oh yes, lots of lace...."

I ignored Swallow. I hated lace, but she was off in Swallow-is-happy-in-love-land and I didn't feel like bringing her back. Besides, she usually got touchy when I did that. But her confidence in me made me feel a little better, and I liked Kitsune's idea. So, here we were, trotting along on the backs of our mounts, a picnic basket in my saddlebag. He had been confused when I asked him to ride out, but he had agreed, saying something about the others, (being the tag-along-quartet) being busy with other matters. I had frowned, wondering what 'other matters' were, but I got the feeling it was personal.

"It's so...sunny, isn't it?" If I had been outside myself, I would have hit myself in head. Stupid! I sounded like a complete idiot. Of course, Endymion wasn't helping. He kept looking up at the sky and staring. I wondered what he was thinking about. "A good day for a ride?"

"Oh, yes, a very good day. Doesn't this look familiar?" He glanced at the rocky hills around us, and I smiled.

"I was thinking that a moment ago. Didn't we come this way a long time ago? When I first got here?"

Thoughtfully, he agreed, nodding his black haired head. "Yes, I think so. That was...more than ten years now, isn't it? Gods, how things have changed."

How very much.... I tried to say it casually, but he looked at me oddly, so I must have brightened. "Why don't we stop here for lunch? Remember when we first talked?"

Hesitating, he shrugged. "Sure. Might as did you bring?" He swung gracefully down off his horse, being a gentleman and taking the halter of mine. I will not blush, I will not blush, I will not blush! I am not a stupid, ditzy princess, and I will not blush! Get off the horse, take the food, spread out the cloth, set out the food... there you go...much better, usefulness over embarrassment. Much better. Yes, much. Breathe. Ah.

I set out cheese and bread, some olives and the tin of wine. A light lunch, but who wanted ants to swarm all over everything? We settled into the hillside, and I kept quiet. Despite some practicing in the mirror, I had no clue what to say, and Endymion usually wasn't very talkative. I was picking at the crumbly white feta cheese, and it was falling in bits onto my lap. This wasn't going very well. "So...Endymion, the quartet...I mean, Kunzite and them...what's keeping them so busy? They usually don't let you out of their sight."

He shrugged, swallowing. "They have personal lives. Not much of ones," he said amusedly, and I smiled, trying to encourage him. "but lives. I actually caught Jadeite writing poetry."

Ppsst! The wine I had been sipping spat out of my mouth as I choked. Endymion actually laughed at me as I wiped my mouth with my hand. I didn't care I looked stupid, spluttering. Jadeite? Poetry? Endymion pounded me on the back to help me

clear my windpipe. My eyes bugged out, and I squirmed away, smiling weakly. Think about Jadeite, not Endymion. This isn't the moment, not yet... "Love poetry? Jadeite?"

Endymion nodded. He looked up at the sky for a moment, then quoted, "'Sweet lady Mars, whose eyes are all stars...' It's pretty bad. The four of them have been acting funny since the Moon Kingdom left. I think they enjoyed the company of the princesses."

"The giggle squad?"

Endymion frowned, and I silenced myself. What? Why was he getting upset that I called the five princesses the giggle squad? They were! Surely he could see that! "Actually, I'd encourage it," Endymion stated thoughtfully, turning back to the scenery. I waited for him to explain, and he did. "Think about it. If they- any of them- married, it would cement the deal between Mother and Queen Serenity. High nobility of both the Earth and the Moon, married. We would have peace."

"We have peace now."

"A cold war isn't peace. It's a balancing act. Who's stronger? Both sides step cautiously to avoid upsetting the balance of the other. If Kunzite married Venus, or Nephlite Jupiter...imagine the benefits."

"You'd let them marry into the Moon Kingdom?"

"I already said I'd encourage it."

"But..." I was spluttering, in disbelief, "you were the most against their coming here in the first place! What made you change your mind so much?"

I could see the walls around Endymion go shooting up, and he backed away from me mentally. I wanted to curse myself. This wasn't going how I hoped at all.

"I have problems seeing such a peaceful people go to war. I don't think they want us to be their enemy-"

"Then you're a fool! I will not allow any of our people to mingle their blood with the blood of alien intruders!"

He stared at me, frowning. He always seemed to be frowning at me. Why wasn't he seeing reason? I was overreacting, I knew. I should never have let politics come up. This was going to be a problem later on, I could tell. "Why did you support their coming here in the first place, if you're so opposed to them?"

"A good strategist knows her enemy first. When better to see them? Know them? We'll have to face them in upcoming years."

He shook his head, and I settled in glumly. Our argument had completely ruined any mood that I could have begun to set up. Swallow would be so disappointed.

"Do you see that?"

I perked my head up, looking at him, then, following his gaze. Now what? Finally, picking out what he saw, I noticed a small, jutting break of rock. It was black, and had pushed its way out of the ground. It was only a few lengths away, and stood a couple feet high. Endymion stood and approached it. "Have you seen anything like this before?"

I followed him, and tapped the black rock, noting the iciness of the stone.

"Looks like obsidian. But..." I angled my head, trying to get a look at the sharp corner. "It can't be. The edges aren't clear. It's solid jet."

"I wonder what's going on."

I shrugged. "I don't know. We'll have to get someone to check it out later."

He agreed. I wanted to run away. This was going badly, and now we were caught up in a bunch of black rocks. Big deal.

The rest of lunch went by in silence, and we mounted our horses. Glancing to the sky, I saw that a swirl of dark clouds had begun to form overhead. I supposed it was going to rain soon.

I pushed the door to Swallow's rooms open without knocking, catching her by surprise. When she saw me, her face lit up, then fell as she saw I was not smiling. She returned to the vidscreen a moment. "Thank you. Continue monitoring." The male face blinked out as she switched it off. "It didn't go well, I take it?"

"Go well?" I sat down on the corner of her sofa. "No, it didn't go well."

She ran a hand though her hair. "You fought, didn't you?"

"Politics."

Swallow smacked her forehead. "Didn't I warn you about talking official matters? Nothing makes romance sour like disagreements. You'll have to try again-"

"Not now, Swallow. I want you to find out more about the planetary princesses.

Apparently Endymion's quartet is-"

"In love with them?" She finished for me. First she smiled a little, then frowned. "You argued about that?" She shook her head, dismissing further talk about it with a flicker of her hand. "Bad move. Well, as for the princesses, that's what I was just being informed about."

I glanced at the blank vidscreen. "Swallow, exactly how extensive is your network of gossip?"

"Very extensive," she said flatly. I looked at her. She was serious, looking at me straightly. "Long ago...you told me to collect information for you. I did. I do now. Doesn't it help?"

"Yes, yes of course, Swallow, it does. Sorry."

She shrugged and sat on the other end of the sofa, stretching out. "As for Endymion's guardians...do you know the matchings they seem to be headed towards?"

"Yes. Kunzite with Venus, Zoicite with Mercury...Jadeite with Mars?"

She nodded, and began to braid her hair behind her head, thoughtfully looking at her lap while she did so. "And Nephlite with Jupiter. The matches would be solid, if allowed. I was farspeaking with one of my sources just now about the matter. The feelings seem returned, as far as I am able to discern. There's no telling for certain with this sort of thing."

"So if Gaia allowed it...."

"It could happen."

Hesitating, I thought a moment. If the planet princesses, then what of the Moon Princess? "And Serenity? The Princess Serenity? What say does she have in this?"

"Princess Serenity? No word, really. I'd think it would be more Queen Serenity you'd wonder...."

"She'll side with Gaia. They both want this peace agreement and trade deal. If Gaia will allow it, it's the perfect opportunity for Queen Serenity to get her foot in the Earth's door. I'm worried about the Princess. They're her guardians. If they marry, and move away, what happens?"

"I don't know."

"Who could she marry?"

"It's fairly well assumed someone within the Moon Kingdom's territories."

"The princesses have brothers?"

"No...." Swallow hesitated, then tied off the braid, settling back again to think. "Not that I know of, and that would have been mentioned before, if they did. No, they are the only children of their houses. The outer planets though....not much is known. Neptune and Uranus are terraforming moons around the main planets, since they're too volatile to live in. They are supposedly closely allied. There are rumors, but nothing solid enough to go on about those two. As for Saturn and Pluto...." She waved a hand helplessly, shaking her head. "Even less known. Those who chose Saturn as their world vanished into the planet's wilds not long after the arrival of the Moon Kingdom. They haven't been heard from since, and it's said they're ghosts. As for Pluto...who knows anything about Pluto?"

Then it would have to be some noble of the Moon itself. "Find out more about possibilities for the Moon Princess. I want a list, as soon as possible."

"I'll take care of it."

"Good." I stood, smoothing out the folds of my skirt. I was itching to get out. I was glad Swallow would take care of the information, but I was dying to take care of something now. There was nothing to do, either. Nothing like boredom to drive you crazy. "I'm heading out."

"Company?"

"No. Get on it. I want that list. Soon."

She nodded in understanding, and I headed out. The afternoon's argument was

still bothering me, and it got under my skin. I was tempted to go for a ride, but glancing at the clouds, I decided I'd rather not get caught in a downpour. Strangely, it didn't really feel like rain. Just those big, nasty, brooding dark clouds. Forbidding, that's what they called them. Forbidding. Creepy word.

The royal gardens always intimidated me. They were formal and arranged, geometric and perfect. Pristine, with gardeners running around pruning and weeding and cleaning all day. I hated that. Flowers did just fine without us before we tended them, and they would do fine long after we were gone. The temple garden seemed much more natural, and when I couldn't go out, or needed a breather, this place was far more tranquil. The white roses were closed up for the night, since the sky was dropping into evening shades of red and purple.

"Helios!" I saw Lilith tear out of the cottage on the skirts of the garden, wiping her hands on an apron. The boy was running before her, laughing, and straight into me. He fell back with a plop. Lilith stopped running as I helped him to get up.

"Sorry, Princess," he bowed awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, my lady. He got away from me." Lilith shook her head, and took Helios' hand. "I told you it's going to rain. You don't want to get caught outside, do you?"

He shook his head, then looked up at me, eyes rounding. "Your hair is black," he informed me.

Well, yes, my hair was black. So? Bemused, I asked, "What color did you think it was?"

"Black. But sometimes it's red."

Well, I hadn't dyed my hair recently...or ever. Children get such odd things into their heads sometimes. "Sorry, Helios. It's black. Always has been. I like it like this, so I doubt I'll ever go redhead."

He shrugged, but angled himself closer to Lilith. "I'd better get him back in. Come on, Helios. It's dinnertime." He didn't seem very enthusiastic, but just kept looking at me. Lilith bobbed a curtsy to me, and then began to head Helios back to the cottage. I shook my head and turned back to the path, wandering down it. Metallia would be there, in the temple. I hesitated. I didn't really feel like talking to her. But she was a good mental challenge, and I needed to do something. Anything, to get my mind off this afternoon. Off Endymion. I took a breath, placed my hand on the door, and yanked it open.

The temple was unbearably hot, and I could smell smoke. "Metallia?" I called out, not too loudly, but enough so I could be heard. I glanced at the gods painted onto the walls. They looked distorted in the haze, and shadowy. Zeus Thunderer looked fierce, the lightning bolt in his hand gleaming as though real. In fact, it almost seemed as though the gods on the walls were angry, charging at the main room that was their temple. How strange. Eerie.

I was beginning to sweat, and I stepped into the main room. The fire was low, but clouds were billowing like a forge. I was surprised they didn't smell the furnace and smoke outside. Come to think of it, I hadn't on my way in. Odd.

"Metallia? What are you doing?"

"You've returned. I'm feeling ever so much better."

I felt some smoke sting my eyes. "You're full of hot air, Metallia. Can you cut the theatrical smoke? I can't even see you."

Instantly, the vapors around me shifted, drawing away. "I'm surprised that Lilith and Sybil don't know you're in here." Well, they may, but neither had ever said anything...and Swallow had never mentioned any smoke creatures in her daily reports, so I assumed I was the only one aware of her presence.

"I keep myself secret," Metallia mentioned languorously. "Don't like visitors much."

"Yet you like me?"

"Certainly. You're intelligent."

How nice for her to notice. Anyway, I settled down against a pillar, trying to ignore the fumes. "You needed to escape for awhile?"

"Keep your business to yourself."

"You only come when you're worried. I'm just concerned for you."

Sure you are. The Big Floating Head is worried about my welfare. Sure. "You mentioned you're feeling better. How?"

"Mmm..." The smoke swirled, and I thought she was stretching. "I have found ways to get stronger. It's so time consuming. But I heard about your argument with young Endymion. Pity."

My head was now snapped up. "That was far out of your earshot. How did you know about that?"

"I've been stretching my ears."

Oh yeah, stretching her ears. "You spied on me!"

"The Mercury princess was right to say to you that you listen to others as well. You could be called a hypocrite."

"I don't spy-"

"You have your friend do it for you, isn't that it? Do your dirty work? Don't play innocent with me, you know it just as well as I do."

I wanted to yell at her, but I figured that screaming would bring me nothing, except maybe a contingent of palace guards. I kept my lips tightly shut, drawn in a fine line. "I'm glad you've decided to express your feelings to the Prince, but...well, I worry you may be late."

"Late for what?" I grumbled, getting ready to leave. I wanted a challenge, but I didn't need to be called names.

"To win his affections, of course."

I rolled my eyes. "Endymion? Please. Don't be silly." I shook my head and smiled. Maybe this visit wasn't a total loss after all. As if Endymion could be in love with someone. He was too loyal to his world to betray it with someone other than me. I felt a little gloating settle in. I knew Metallia was just hot air. "I'm sorry, Metallia, but you're crazy. And I'm glad you're feeling better. You can move out sooner. Then I can have my temple back."

I headed out the door, happy she said nothing as I left. She was kind of bossy, especially since she couldn't exactly do anything. Trapped wherever she was. Whatever she was. I glanced at the glowing cottage, pausing. Maybe I should tell Lilith or Sybil about her living there. Who knew what she was? She didn't seem harmful. Most monsters just ran around, roared, tried to kill people, and made messes of towns, causing chaos until they were killed. The Big Floating Head didn't exactly seem very violent. I hurried on my way, exiting the garden.

Damn her. Metallia. The Big Floating Head. Maybe I should tell someone, just to spite her. It was late, and I was lying in my bed, staring absently at the ceiling. Too late to win his affections? It was silly, wasn't it? Damn it. It was bothering me. I couldn't help but have an imagination. With who? I tried to imagine a girl for him, and I just couldn't conjure an image. Irritated, I climbed out of bed and selected a book from my shelves, opening a glow for some light.

"Gaia the First, with the strength of the Golden Crystal, made of her tear, forged a world for the peace and stability of the people of Earth. It was the first time the world was united under the rule of a single Queen...." The words blurred on the page, for I found little interest in them tonight. I shut the volume, tapping my fingers against the cover a moment. I had to know. I had to know! And now! I'd never be able to sleep. My eyes flicked to the drawer I had placed the crystal ball in.

"Take this. When you are ready, look into it. It will show you what you desire to see." Metallia's words on the night I received that stupid crystal ball. I should ask Swallow to find out...but isn't that just as bad? If Metallia was right...I was a hypocrite! I had her spy for me, and yet accused others of spying. That wasn't right. Swallow didn't deserve that. It was my question, I should do it myself, shouldn't I? Besides, looking just to see him a moment couldn't hurt. I'd probably see him fast asleep. All the information I would learn would be if he snored or not. That, and if he was alone. I set the book aside, standing.

I drew the drawer open, and I saw the brooch that the Moon Princess had given to me sitting on the top. I held it up into the light. The dim brightness of the glow glinted on the silver roses carved into metal. I touched the delicate latch, and it opened, revealing the small place for the Golden Crystal.

"That brooch is more than a mere carrier. It is a way of touching your power. Call out the words in your heart, and you will control your power like never before."

Queen Serenity's words. How silly they had to be. What would happen to me, to call out some phrase? Touch my power? Controlling it...I was already in control of my illusions. What more did I need?

I shut the compact, seeing again the silver roses on the cover. They were pretty...just like the rose Endymion had received from Princess Serenity. My fingers tightened around the brooch, as a stray, horrible thought crossed my mind. Ridiculous. But my stomach suddenly began to churn. I shoved the skirts in the drawer aside, revealing the crystal ball within. I took it up, holding the brooch in my right hand, the crystal ball in my left. I took a breath. I had to know.

I set the brooch aside, laying it on my overturned coverlet. How to do this? I looked, and waited. The dark clouds still swirled inkily around in it, shades of blue and bruised purple shifting to the surface every so often. Nothing happened. Well.... "Show me Endymion."

Nothing....

Irritated, I snapped, "I'm ready. I want to see him now!" The smoke instantly cleared, and I saw his face, outlined against some white roses. The gardens? At this time of night? I peered more closely. The view shifted and changed, and I shook my head. "The temple gardens. What are you doing there, Endymion?" He strolled under the dark, looking up to the sky on occasion. I felt my heart begin to quicken. It was a nice night. He was alone. In the garden. My garden! What opportunity could be better? Metallia, you Big Floating Head of hot air! Ha! Alone, of course. I was silly to be worried. I smiled. This was the perfect chance. By morning, this would all be settled. I'd be able to tell Swallow and Kitsune, tell them that at last it was done, that he knew. Whether he felt the same about me seemed insignificant now. At least it would be his turn to move in this chess game. I stuffed the crystal ball back into the drawer, shoving the brooch in with it. I grabbed my dress, the black blouse and skirt, with the beige overlay.

Creeping quietly, I hurried out the doors of my apartments, glad Swallow slept. I was nearly running by the time I got to the hallways. This was my chance, and if I got there too late, it was gone forever. How to start? I skidded to a halt not far from the temple, hiding behind one of the outer columns. He was standing there, under the apple tree. The bench was just beside him. It was a lovely scene, the moon out and full, just enough light! And it was cool, crisp, not cold, only slightly windy. And he was alone, and everyone slept, and it was perfect! I tried to slow my heart beating. From running, surely, not anticipation. Oh, Goddess, give me strength to carry this out! Aphrodite of the Sea Foam, goddess of Love, aid me. Please, let this work.

I stepped out from behind the column, not sure what to say, but sure it would be fine. As I opened my mouth to draw breath, Endymion started, turning slightly from the seascape he had been watching. But when he turned, it was not in my direction. It was in another. The white roses rustled, and out stepped a solitary figure in a long white gown, with golden hair that gleamed in the delicate moonlight.

I think I died, and the place I had arrived was not heaven.

When I was able to see again, I was grasping the back of the column, trying to remember how to breathe. The air had become full of stones suddenly, and I could

not inhale it. How had she gotten here?

No.

No!

The scream did not come, so instead I shoved the emotions down, far and away, into some long lost place. I placed a calm look on my face. Anguish would not befit a Queen. Not me. Never. He could not have her. It was forbidden. Love between Earth and Moon? Impossible. His heart would not be mine, not right now. But I would wed Endymion, and I would find a way. Some infatuation with an exotic princess would never last. It couldn't. I peered around the pillar, leaning around it to see.

They held each other so delicately, as though the other were glass. I wanted to hear them. Straining, wisps of their words carried faintly over the sound of the water below the cliff.

"...allowed."

"She doesn't wish to be Queen. She's told me so herself.... Alliance would be...."

I drew away, having heard little, but enough. He would give my throne to... that? How...dare he? He thought I did not want to be Queen? I had trained my whole life for it! No, I didn't want to be Queen of Earth...yes, I had said so to him...but how can one prepare for a lifetime and then be rejected for some outlander? I was betrayed!

"...love you...Serenity...."

I pounded my fist against the back of the column, gritting my teeth. I couldn't stay here. I'd act out. I knew I would, eventually. I was so calm. Pained, but so calm. The shadows, they would hide me, my friends, the illusions. I drew them to me, and cast a glamourie upon myself. Invisibility I wore well, and crept away.

The world seemed to wither around me. Metallia. She knew. Damn her, somehow she knew. She was using me, but she had also shown me the truth. Opened my eyes.

I slipped inside the temple, shutting the door. The smoke was still there, and the place was hot. I'd find out how she knew. Then I'd do something about Endymion. Stupid man. What to do? Get rid of Princess Serenity, obviously. How?

"Metallia! Show yourself!"

Instantly, the smoke at the altar swirled upward, and I wanted to think the ghostly woman was smiling. "I'm here. What is it? Is something wrong?"

"Don't patronize me. You knew. About Serenity. Why did you let me see like this?"

"You wouldn't have accepted it otherwise, would you? Wouldn't have believed me."

No, I suppose I wouldn't have. But still. "You act like you know so much. Who are you, Metallia? What do you want? With me?"

"I want what you want. To destroy the Silver Millennium and their Moon Kingdom."

I wanted that? News to me. True, I wanted Serenity out of the way, but to kill everyone in the Moon Kingdom? That was genocide! "I don't want to kill everyone on the Moon, much as I despise them. That's mass murder on a-"

"You will silence yourself now," Metallia informed me, the voice sharp, biting in the air. "I'm tired of playing games with you." The smoke furled higher into the dome of the ceiling, and I craned my neck back. In the heat, beads of cold sweat began to run down my neck, sticking hair to my skin. She was powerful. A demoness, surely, not simply some strange entity as I had thought. I had been stupid to ignore the power she had. I had seen it, but dismissed it. And she was growing strong. This was my fault...I had to correct it...but how? I needed time.

"I'm sorry, please, forgive me." I knelt to the floor. When in doubt, dissemble. The only one who never fell for that was Gaia. And Metallia, powerful as she was, was not the Queen of Earth.

I lowered my head, and felt Metallia's gaze on me, judging. She was not Gaia. I wanted Serenity gone. She was not Gaia! Not the Queen to read my thoughts and feelings! What could a creature such as her know of emotion? She did not understand such feelings. She couldn't, if my guess was right, and she was a demon. I loved the Queen as a Mother, and I loved Endymion. She couldn't possibly comprehend such thoughts. A moment later, I was proven right. She settled slightly, and despite the furnace, the tension relaxed.

"Bring me power...Attack the Moon....Take the power of the Imperium Crystal, and this planet, this universe, will be ours!"

I thought of her words, as I lay awake and unsleeping in my bed, covers drawn tight against my chin, though it was not cold. There's something comforting about covers on a bed. They seem protective, somehow. I kept them close. Rule the world, she promised me. The universe, even. Born of a evil spot in the sun she told me, as I listened, fearing what she was. Not just a demon, but a renegade goddess of evil. I would not let her rule this planet. Who knew what she would do to it? No, she was weak now...but growing stronger. Strong enough to...get rid of Serenity? I could do that, using her power. I had nothing against the planets, the Moon's colonies. Their princesses were silly, but I did not hate them. Did I hate Serenity? I didn't know, honestly. Furious, jealous, yes. Enough to kill her?

I squeezed my eyes shut. If only I hadn't looked into the crystal ball. If only I hadn't listened to Metallia in the first place! This was no time for ifs. I had to do something. This was our solar system, and I long wanted the Moon and its Kingdom gone from it. This was my chance. I was no stranger to battle. I would have the people of Earth on my side. I was their future Queen, and the military respected me for my actions at Caer Sidi. Overthrow the Moon Kingdom? Kill the Queen, exile the Princess? It would unite everyone under the rule of Earth. My rule. But I didn't want to rule! Did I? No, I didn't want Serenity to rule. I wanted both Serenities gone. But kill them? Either way, I had to keep Metallia from her full strength. This was my world, and I would not be her lackey here. Use her, the way she used me. She knows I'll act. But can I truly do this?

I frowned, thinking. There had to be some escape from the murder of the Queen of the Moon. I wanted her gone, but dead? Why our system? Why not Vega, or Rigel? Why not some distant star on the other end of the universe? Why here? Why Sol? Why Earth? Why the Moon? Take the Imperium Crystal....

The Imperium Crystal, she called it. The Silver Crystal of the Moon Queen. That was what Metallia wanted. And if it was so like our Golden Crystal, then would she want that next? Logic would seem to think she would. That was our relic! Holy to us! No, she must be stopped from getting the Golden Crystal. But...if I had the Silver Crystal...and the Golden....Only the Queen may wield such power. And I was heiress. If I had their Crystal, then would I not be their Queen? Exile the Serenities. Both. Get them out of my solar system.

Gaia. I would be overthrowing her, as well. And Endymion? He'd never forgive me. But what was my love for him in comparison to the future of the Earth? Love wasn't everything. Not in this situation. I would try to make amends...but later. There was plenty of time for that. Now I must act quickly. Metallia was growing stronger.

Raise an army. Overthrow the Moon Kingdom. Take the Crystals, and declare myself Queen. Oh, gods, what have I come to?