Until next time,
Evening Star
For Love of the Past
Chapter 3
The death of his parents, however, destroyed a part of Malachite, leaving wounds that could not be seen. This sent him into hiding, deep within himself. He became a quite, withdrawn child. He spoke little, regardless of how hard Queen Kiaya tried to show Malachite how much she loved him, how safe he was there on the Sun. Even at the age of 3, Malachite was aware that he was the last of his world, the last Prince of Pluto. He frequently remembered the voice of his mother, just before she died: " Malachite, my son, never forget who you are. You are our son, the last Prince of Pluto. The Empire lives on in you. Should you forget who you are, all will be lost. It is now up to you to keep the Empire alive! But above all else, my little one, never forget how much we love you. For while you may not be able to see us, we will always be with you. Good bye my little one, I love you."
Malachite was frequently haunted by dreams of that night, of him crying out to his mother and father to stay with him, not to leave him. Dreams of The Queen Beryl destroying the Sun City, killing Sun Queen Kiaya, haunted him also. While even at that young age Malachite refused to admit it, the Sun Queen meant the world to him. He even began to love her, as he had once loved his mother. So, at the young age of 4, Malachite began to train himself in the arts of a Plutonian Warrior. He vowed he would keep the traditions and ways of Pluto alive. He vowed that should Queen Beryl ever threaten the peace and serenity of the Sun City, if she should ever try to take the Sun Queen from him as she'd taken his world, his family, than he would be ready to stand and fight. That this time she would face the powers of Pluto at their greatest, and she would lose.
For it was known throughout the Universe that the Warriors of Pluto were the strongest Warriors to stand in defense of the side of goodness. They were undefeatable. Though, unlike most that fought for the side of goodness, these Warriors did not depend upon special powers, or magical crystals to fight, while some did possess such things. All they relied upon was their sword, and their skills as a Warrior. This was what made them truly remarkable. These Warriors followed a Code of Honor, by which they lived their lives. They believed that a Warrior was not a true Warrior if he fought without Honor. And while this Code of Honor was kept secret among those who'd proven themselves to be true Warriors, it had become obvious through their actions that the Code encompassed protecting their rulers, and those they loved, with their lives.
To become a true Plutonian Warrior, one had to pass certain tests, and survive years of harsh, unrelenting training. One had to study hard, and learn well the history of Pluto, including the histories of all the great Plutonian Warriors that had contributed to the rising of the Plutonian Empire. One had to learn, as well, the vital skills needed to survive sword to sword combat with the enemy. This knowledge could only be obtained through long, hard hours of practice. The end result would be a Warrior so highly train, it was impossible to defeat him, or her, in battle. After becoming a True Warrior, they would forever live the way of a Warrior, a life of honor, and respect for the higher power they lived to protect. It was because Pluto was the farthest-reaching planet in the solar system that her Warriors had to be so great. Their superior skill as Warriors was needed to protect the planet, and it's Empire. Unfortunately though, their skill had not been enough to protect Pluto from Beryl's overwhelming attack.
Since studying the history of his planet, and learning the ways of a Plutonian Warrior was the only thing Malachite showed any interest in since arriving on the Sun City, Queen Kiaya readily agreed to help the Prince in his studies. And help him she did, from the age of 4, when he started, until the age of 16, when he was finally satisfied that his training was complete. She over looked his studies, helped him find needed material, and watched over him as he took on the dangerous task of training himself. However, this reality did not come to pass until far into the future.
The fall of the Plutonian Empire commenced the day of Malachite's third Birthday. From start to finish, Pluto's fall took almost a year, for Malachite was closer to the age of 4 by the time he reached the Sun. Angeline and Derrick left the Sun 8 years before the fall of Pluto. On their third anniversary, Angeline and Derrick decided to stop their travelling for a time, and raise a family. They had visited each planet of the solar system, and their inhabited moons, and decided to raise their family on Earth. They had visited that planet many times before, and found it to be the most beautiful of all the planets, as it reminded them the most of the Sun City.
On Earth, the young couple found a peaceful, beautiful Kingdom in which to raise their family. The Kingdom was ruled by the highest monarchy on Earth, King Brayden and Queen Katanna. There, the couple built a horse farm with which to support their new family. The first new member of their family arrived that same year, two years before Malachite's birth. On August 3, Darien, Star Prince was born.
Darien grew to take after his father. He had his father's raven black hair, and deep sea blue eyes. Darien was born with a good and loving heart. He was very much loved by his parents, and well liked by his friends on Earth. However, there was one aspect of Darien that he inherited from his mother alone – the mark of the Star, and all the powers to go with it. The mark of the Star shinned brightly on Darien's forehead, just like his mother's. And even at a young age, Darien showed promise of becoming very powerful.
Four years after Darien's birth, Darien's little sister, Aurora, Star Princess was born. She was born on the 12th of August, making her exactly 4 years and 9 days younger than her big brother. And like her brother and mother, Aurora too was born with the mark of the Star, and all of its power. Aurora was also a miniature carbon copy of her mother. She had her mother's eyes, the same color of hair; Aurora even kept her hair in the same style as her mother. And even though she was still very young, it was obvious that Aurora would grow to have the same physical features as her mother. For Darien, it was his father's features he would inherit as he grew.
Shortly after Aurora's birth, Angeline returned home to the Sun- the first time since the birth of her children. Queen Kiaya was overjoyed at seeing her sister after so long. The time of their visit would come to pass almost one year before Malachite's arrival on the Sun, making him 2 years old at the time of Angeline's visit. Queen Kiaya had never seen her niece and nephew before that moment. Her heart radiated with the love and happiness the very sight of their beautiful faces brought to her. The whole Sun City celebrated the return of their Star Princess, and the birth of her new children of the Stars. Grand Balls, feasts, concerts of all genres where held over a two week period, as part of a Citywide celebration. Darien and Aurora were showered with gifts, as were Angeline and Derrick. It was not too long before the family began to feel at home.
Their visit lasted three months. Over that time Darien and Aurora traveled with their parents all over the Sun City. However, seeing as Aurora was still just an infant, it was Darien to whom Angeline told stories of the Sun City's past, stories of battles fought and evils conquered. The family was greeted warmly by all that met them along their travels. They were welcomed with open arms into almost every household they came across, sitting enjoying great food, and long, joyful conversations. While traveling, the family was never without a place to stay, especially since the Queen herself was traveling with them. Queen Kiaya wanted to remain as close to her family as she could, for as long as she could. For she knew the time would come all too quickly for Angeline, and her family, to return home.
As Kiaya had predicted, the time for the family to return did come quickly, and tearfully. Both sisters were heartbroken to have to leave one another. Kiaya tried in vain to get her sister to return to the Sun, but she knew that battle was futile. Angeline told her sister that her home was with Derrick and their children, on Earth. Together they had built a beautiful farm; they were successful, and well known through out the Kingdom in which they lived. Both Derrick, and herself, had grown to love the planet of Earth as if it were their own. And Earth was the only home their children knew. She could no more leave Earth than Kiaya could leave the Throne. Earth was their home now, and they couldn't abandon it.
Kiaya knew her sister spoke the truth. Yet she held her sister close to her, fearing that if she let her go she would be lost to her forever. Kiaya couldn't explain it, but she had a feeling she just could not shake; a feeling that no matter what promises of return were made, this would be the last time she would ever see her sister, and her family. Kiaya looked to her young nephew, standing close to his father, holding his hand. She gathered him up in her arms, and kissed his cheek. "Promise me something, my dear little Darien," she said into his ear," promise me you'll never forget how much I love you. And promise you'll look after your mother, and baby sister for me. Do you promise?" she said, looking into Darien eyes. Her little nephew was surprised to find his Aunt crying, and while he was only young, he knew the importance the promise held. Seriously, he looked into his Aunt's eyes, and promised her that he would protect his family with his life.
The seriousness of his reply made Kiaya laugh with joy, and sadness, as she gave her nephew one last hug, and put him down. She then turned to her brother in law, who looked at Kiaya with much concern. It became apparent to her, as she hugged him as well, that he sensed her feeling of foreboding. "Promise me the same thing," she whispered into his ear, "Promise me you'll take care of them all." Derrick pulled away from his sister in law's embrace to look into her eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He brushed them away with the back of his hand. " Of course," he said, smiling at her. However, his smile of reassurance did nothing to ease the heaviness in her heart.
Kiaya turned once again to face her sister, who stood holding the sleeping Princess Aurora in her arms. Tears filled her eyes for a second time as she looked upon her beautiful baby niece. Bending down, Kiaya gave Aurora one, light kiss on her forehead. As she did so, one lone tear fell silently from her eye, and came to rest on the face of the slumbering princess. Aurora moved only slightly in her sleep, as the tear slid down her cheek. Kiaya continued to look at her young niece with tearful, sorrowful eyes for just a while more, before turning her gaze upon her sister. Taking heed not to wake the baby, Kiaya put her arms around Angeline, and tried desperately to get her to remain on the Sun. "Please, Angie, stay here with me! I can't explain it, but this feeling I have… It's not safe for you on Earth! Please," Kiaya whispered, in tears, "please stay with me." Angeline was overwhelmed by her sister's words. "Not safe, Kiaya? Earth, not safe? Please sister calm yourself. Earth is the safest place we could be right now. If Earth is not safe enough for us, than neither would be the Sun City! I promise our next visit will be soon, and you'll see for yourself just how safe Earth really is! But for now, Kiaya, we must go. Dry your tears, we will be together someday soon!"
Kiaya saw there was no changing her sister's mind. She watched, with
a heavy heart, as all there was of her family traveled back to Earth, and
disappeared into the darkness and vast abyss of space. That would be the
last time Kiaya would see her sister alive.