Another chapter for you all this fine day. I apologize for the
lateness. School and all that. Remember now, comments
are good. Say it with me, good. Good....
**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**
Labyrinth Square
Chapter 6
By Phoenix Cubed
^*^*^
Ring around a story
minds full of glory
Ashes ashes
We've all fallen down
*^*^*^*^*^*
Sapphire scowled at his brother, "are you going to let
her talk to you like that?"
"What goes around, comes around, my dear brother."
Diamond had led his brother to a specially prepared room.
One that no magic or trickery by Queen Beryl would be
tolerated. Neither she nor her minions could penetrate the
firm boundaries constructed to secure the room from prying
eyes or straining ears. It had been specially furnished
according to the prince's tastes. Deep velvet couches
graced plush carpeting; paintings adorned manicured walls
in tasteful contrast. As a prince and member of an elite
royal line, Diamond could afford such expensive refineries.
The white prince poured some wine from a shapely decanter
into a clear china flute. He raised an elegant eye to his
brother, "care to join me?"
"What is it?"
"Third revolution Sagittarius."
Sapphire nodded in approval. "A good year from a good line.
A sliver then, if you please."
Diamond smiled and poured him a glass. "Tell me, brother,
what is on your mind this dark nether night?" He handed
Sapphire a glass matching his own. They were equals now,
and Diamond's eyes shown with only the feelings a sibling
could know of.
Sapphire took the flute and sighed. "Truthfully? Everything.
Mostly however, is what the Labyrinth is doing here, on earth,
in this time."
"That indeed is something to wonder about."
"Could it be just an unfortunate coincidence? Is it just
happenstance that the princess illuded us by heading to the
one place where so few of us could follow?"
Diamond sipped carefully at his wine. "I have little faith in
coincidences these days. Beryl once hinted that everyone from
the past was reborn into this future. Perhaps the royal families
were not the only people to rejoin the present with inklings of
the past."
"Are you saying that the original designers of the maze were
reincarnated onto earth with the Labyrinth still firm in their
minds?"
Sapphire shook his head in a slow, thoughtful manner. "The
Old Queen was more cunning than I would have ever given her
credit for. Even today, after all these years, she knocks
us down and bars our path."
"But she cannot bar it forever." A soft blue chair floated
calmly over to the prince, he lowered himself onto it and relaxed.
"The hurdles are becoming ever lower. All we must do now is bide
our time and put on a pleasant face to those who would spite us."
The general in blue scowled once more and found his own comfortable
resting-place. "I don't know how you can remain so confident
despite all this. There are still many things out there to worry
about."
"For instance?"
"The Silver Crystal."
Diamond leaned back and closed his eyes. "You're sure the princess
does not possess the Crystal?"
"She didn't even know she was the princess."
"And you're sure it's the Labyrinth?"
"Of course."
Diamond smiled, "then there is no problem."
"And this is because?"
"I know where the Crystal is."
Sapphire sat up too quickly and choked on the wine he had been
drinking. "What?"
"As you said. The Old Queen is very cunning and extremely clever.
But she relied too heavily on our being permanently chastised.
When she captured Beryl in the Crystal, she also captured Princess
Serenity, Prince Endymion, and all the court and people of the moon.
Queen Serenity couldn't destroy Beryl without destroying her beloved
daughter, so she sent them to earth without the knowledge or the
ache of the past."
"We know this already, Diamond."
"Yes, but that's usually where the knowing stops, right where it gets
interesting. Tell me, Sapphire, how does the Imperium Silver Crystal
work?"
"It runs off the Lunar line's energy. They keep it forever close to
them to keep it strong and bright. When needed, it feed's off the
handler's energy to accomplish almost any feat."
"Exactly, and when it is away from them, it gradually weakens. Now,
how many years has it been away from the Queen?"
Sapphire did a quick calculation. "At least a thousand."
"Which is why the banishment spell broke and we were able to return.
The crystal was too weak to keep the memories from those it was
protecting, contain Beryl, and repel us. Something had to give."
"And that something was us."
Diamond nodded. "Then Beryl broke out, and now--slowly mind you--
the remaining court and royalty are regaining their memories."
"But the rate could speed up at any time."
"With the princess in the maze at the same time as the Crystal,
anything could happen. It will rapidly gain strength as she
approaches, enabling it to either stop the memory leak--"
"--Or give them all back so she could to come to claim it faster."
"Precisely." Diamond ignored Sapphire's interruption, they were
always finishing each other's thoughts.
"I think, Diamond, that we should assume the worst and take action
against the possibility that Princess Serenity will regain her
memories and head to the crystal. Which, I assume, you know the
more or less exact location to?"
"Theoretically yes."
"Then, theoretically do you also have an idea as to what we should
do?"
"For now, I wish to take a nap. But, if you would be so kind,
since there's no longer any point in guarding the maze entrance
anymore, send Rubeus in to confirm who it is that is assisting
the princess so well."
"Anything else brother?"
"Yes." Diamond winced and brought up an elegant hand to rub the
bridge of his nose. "An aspirin if you please. Talking to that
snake queen gives me a headache."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
They slept in peaceful silence.
If there had been a casual observer to witness the sleeping duo
in a more casual environment; the observer would have said to
have seen the perfect couple asleep under a most perfect tree
while missing a perfect sunset.
Thankfully, that casual observer didn't exist. If he had; he
would have been witness to the most unperfect look of disgust
and retching noises on one waking sleeper's face; while the
other asked, in his most threatening and ominous voice, if
the observer had been in for any psychiatric evaluations
within the last six months.
Then again, maybe not...
Darien slept in quiet contentment. Sometime during their
peaceful slumber, Serena had curled up next to him, perhaps
encouraged by the warmth his body gave off despite the chilly
air that circulated through unseen vents. She leaned against
him, her breathing even with the steady beat of sleep. Darien
had, in turn of subconscious gesture, drawn her closer to him.
Her warmth beginning to thaw a soul that had long ago frozen
over to hide itself from the world's harsh reality. Together,
the two beings ignored time and their surroundings to enjoy an
event that had not happened for over a thousand years. Though
what that was, could not yet be said.
But yet, it could. The words were spoken by an unseen object
glinting reflectively in its own light, for the first time in
so many said years. It could feel her; it could feel him. So
close, yet so far. The object hungered for the power it once
held. Big things were happening as it slowly awoke--things that
were both great and evil. The object longed for the gentle hands
it once knew so well to pick it up and caress it. To feel the
great swell of power as they fed off one another. To fill those
caressing hands with the awesome energy of light and love--absolute
power. The object began to pulsate, expending precious energy to
call to it she who could fill it once more. The object gave out
potent waves of energy, then settled down to wait. It had waited
a thousand years, it could be patient a while longer.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
She hated to admit it, but there was no getting around it. Mercury's
computer had shut off some time ago. Her data processors absolutely
refused to function. Without them, they would have little chance of
successfully evaluating the maze. Instinct and logical intuition
could only guide a person so far in this type of situation. Mercury
had been forced to call a halt to their efforts of locating Serena
and Darien. Not that they could have gone on much longer as they
were. Out of breath; it had taken them a good twenty minutes to
steady their exasperated lungs. Jupiter had recovered first, and
was now more than a little antsy, ready to charge off and find her
princess.
Princess. That reminded Mercury of their other task. They had to
retrieve Sailor Moon's brooch from the monster, or Serena would be
helpless, not to mention easy prey. She turned to the dark haired
priestess.
"Mars, can you feel anything right now?"
Sailor Mars closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Since entering
the maze, her personality had altered greatly. She failed to be as
impatient or demanding as her usual self, and her unique abilities
had come roaring out, giving the fire scout a mystified outlook.
"I can feel many things here Mercury, what do you need specifically?"
"Peoples and proximities if you please."
Mars sat quietly for many breaths before responding. "Serena is ahead
of us. But she's being very quiet, so I assume she's asleep. Monsters
though," she took a deep breath and opened her eyes, "monsters are all
around us."
Jupiter looked about suspiciously. "Everywhere?"
"I can feel evil in front of us, behind, to our sides . . . but no
specifics. This maze is twisted, and in more ways than one."
Venus looked confused, "what do you mean Mars?"
Mars closed her eyes again, "I'm not quite sure, its like--" the fire
warrior stopped in mid sentence. Her eyes flew open as she cried
out, "Serena!"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
C & C!
lateness. School and all that. Remember now, comments
are good. Say it with me, good. Good....
**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**
Labyrinth Square
Chapter 6
By Phoenix Cubed
^*^*^
Ring around a story
minds full of glory
Ashes ashes
We've all fallen down
*^*^*^*^*^*
Sapphire scowled at his brother, "are you going to let
her talk to you like that?"
"What goes around, comes around, my dear brother."
Diamond had led his brother to a specially prepared room.
One that no magic or trickery by Queen Beryl would be
tolerated. Neither she nor her minions could penetrate the
firm boundaries constructed to secure the room from prying
eyes or straining ears. It had been specially furnished
according to the prince's tastes. Deep velvet couches
graced plush carpeting; paintings adorned manicured walls
in tasteful contrast. As a prince and member of an elite
royal line, Diamond could afford such expensive refineries.
The white prince poured some wine from a shapely decanter
into a clear china flute. He raised an elegant eye to his
brother, "care to join me?"
"What is it?"
"Third revolution Sagittarius."
Sapphire nodded in approval. "A good year from a good line.
A sliver then, if you please."
Diamond smiled and poured him a glass. "Tell me, brother,
what is on your mind this dark nether night?" He handed
Sapphire a glass matching his own. They were equals now,
and Diamond's eyes shown with only the feelings a sibling
could know of.
Sapphire took the flute and sighed. "Truthfully? Everything.
Mostly however, is what the Labyrinth is doing here, on earth,
in this time."
"That indeed is something to wonder about."
"Could it be just an unfortunate coincidence? Is it just
happenstance that the princess illuded us by heading to the
one place where so few of us could follow?"
Diamond sipped carefully at his wine. "I have little faith in
coincidences these days. Beryl once hinted that everyone from
the past was reborn into this future. Perhaps the royal families
were not the only people to rejoin the present with inklings of
the past."
"Are you saying that the original designers of the maze were
reincarnated onto earth with the Labyrinth still firm in their
minds?"
Sapphire shook his head in a slow, thoughtful manner. "The
Old Queen was more cunning than I would have ever given her
credit for. Even today, after all these years, she knocks
us down and bars our path."
"But she cannot bar it forever." A soft blue chair floated
calmly over to the prince, he lowered himself onto it and relaxed.
"The hurdles are becoming ever lower. All we must do now is bide
our time and put on a pleasant face to those who would spite us."
The general in blue scowled once more and found his own comfortable
resting-place. "I don't know how you can remain so confident
despite all this. There are still many things out there to worry
about."
"For instance?"
"The Silver Crystal."
Diamond leaned back and closed his eyes. "You're sure the princess
does not possess the Crystal?"
"She didn't even know she was the princess."
"And you're sure it's the Labyrinth?"
"Of course."
Diamond smiled, "then there is no problem."
"And this is because?"
"I know where the Crystal is."
Sapphire sat up too quickly and choked on the wine he had been
drinking. "What?"
"As you said. The Old Queen is very cunning and extremely clever.
But she relied too heavily on our being permanently chastised.
When she captured Beryl in the Crystal, she also captured Princess
Serenity, Prince Endymion, and all the court and people of the moon.
Queen Serenity couldn't destroy Beryl without destroying her beloved
daughter, so she sent them to earth without the knowledge or the
ache of the past."
"We know this already, Diamond."
"Yes, but that's usually where the knowing stops, right where it gets
interesting. Tell me, Sapphire, how does the Imperium Silver Crystal
work?"
"It runs off the Lunar line's energy. They keep it forever close to
them to keep it strong and bright. When needed, it feed's off the
handler's energy to accomplish almost any feat."
"Exactly, and when it is away from them, it gradually weakens. Now,
how many years has it been away from the Queen?"
Sapphire did a quick calculation. "At least a thousand."
"Which is why the banishment spell broke and we were able to return.
The crystal was too weak to keep the memories from those it was
protecting, contain Beryl, and repel us. Something had to give."
"And that something was us."
Diamond nodded. "Then Beryl broke out, and now--slowly mind you--
the remaining court and royalty are regaining their memories."
"But the rate could speed up at any time."
"With the princess in the maze at the same time as the Crystal,
anything could happen. It will rapidly gain strength as she
approaches, enabling it to either stop the memory leak--"
"--Or give them all back so she could to come to claim it faster."
"Precisely." Diamond ignored Sapphire's interruption, they were
always finishing each other's thoughts.
"I think, Diamond, that we should assume the worst and take action
against the possibility that Princess Serenity will regain her
memories and head to the crystal. Which, I assume, you know the
more or less exact location to?"
"Theoretically yes."
"Then, theoretically do you also have an idea as to what we should
do?"
"For now, I wish to take a nap. But, if you would be so kind,
since there's no longer any point in guarding the maze entrance
anymore, send Rubeus in to confirm who it is that is assisting
the princess so well."
"Anything else brother?"
"Yes." Diamond winced and brought up an elegant hand to rub the
bridge of his nose. "An aspirin if you please. Talking to that
snake queen gives me a headache."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
They slept in peaceful silence.
If there had been a casual observer to witness the sleeping duo
in a more casual environment; the observer would have said to
have seen the perfect couple asleep under a most perfect tree
while missing a perfect sunset.
Thankfully, that casual observer didn't exist. If he had; he
would have been witness to the most unperfect look of disgust
and retching noises on one waking sleeper's face; while the
other asked, in his most threatening and ominous voice, if
the observer had been in for any psychiatric evaluations
within the last six months.
Then again, maybe not...
Darien slept in quiet contentment. Sometime during their
peaceful slumber, Serena had curled up next to him, perhaps
encouraged by the warmth his body gave off despite the chilly
air that circulated through unseen vents. She leaned against
him, her breathing even with the steady beat of sleep. Darien
had, in turn of subconscious gesture, drawn her closer to him.
Her warmth beginning to thaw a soul that had long ago frozen
over to hide itself from the world's harsh reality. Together,
the two beings ignored time and their surroundings to enjoy an
event that had not happened for over a thousand years. Though
what that was, could not yet be said.
But yet, it could. The words were spoken by an unseen object
glinting reflectively in its own light, for the first time in
so many said years. It could feel her; it could feel him. So
close, yet so far. The object hungered for the power it once
held. Big things were happening as it slowly awoke--things that
were both great and evil. The object longed for the gentle hands
it once knew so well to pick it up and caress it. To feel the
great swell of power as they fed off one another. To fill those
caressing hands with the awesome energy of light and love--absolute
power. The object began to pulsate, expending precious energy to
call to it she who could fill it once more. The object gave out
potent waves of energy, then settled down to wait. It had waited
a thousand years, it could be patient a while longer.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
She hated to admit it, but there was no getting around it. Mercury's
computer had shut off some time ago. Her data processors absolutely
refused to function. Without them, they would have little chance of
successfully evaluating the maze. Instinct and logical intuition
could only guide a person so far in this type of situation. Mercury
had been forced to call a halt to their efforts of locating Serena
and Darien. Not that they could have gone on much longer as they
were. Out of breath; it had taken them a good twenty minutes to
steady their exasperated lungs. Jupiter had recovered first, and
was now more than a little antsy, ready to charge off and find her
princess.
Princess. That reminded Mercury of their other task. They had to
retrieve Sailor Moon's brooch from the monster, or Serena would be
helpless, not to mention easy prey. She turned to the dark haired
priestess.
"Mars, can you feel anything right now?"
Sailor Mars closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Since entering
the maze, her personality had altered greatly. She failed to be as
impatient or demanding as her usual self, and her unique abilities
had come roaring out, giving the fire scout a mystified outlook.
"I can feel many things here Mercury, what do you need specifically?"
"Peoples and proximities if you please."
Mars sat quietly for many breaths before responding. "Serena is ahead
of us. But she's being very quiet, so I assume she's asleep. Monsters
though," she took a deep breath and opened her eyes, "monsters are all
around us."
Jupiter looked about suspiciously. "Everywhere?"
"I can feel evil in front of us, behind, to our sides . . . but no
specifics. This maze is twisted, and in more ways than one."
Venus looked confused, "what do you mean Mars?"
Mars closed her eyes again, "I'm not quite sure, its like--" the fire
warrior stopped in mid sentence. Her eyes flew open as she cried
out, "Serena!"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
C & C!
