To Protect Her
By Bobbin
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and characters do not belong to me, but since they ignored Darien so much, I get to play with him.
Knight's Magic:
I prepared the low table for my meditation. I had some things to represent the four elements and placed the on the cardinal points: water to the East for wisdom; earth to the West for strength; a candle for fire to the North for justice; and a wind-chime for wind to the South for passion. I got out the stones and placed them as it seemed fitting: jadeite with fire, zoicite with water, nephrite with earth, and malachite with air. In the center of the table, I placed my journal opened to the page with the unfamiliar bold writing signed "Prince Darien". I formed a rose and laid it on the book. I was ready. (Would I be opening myself to the dark force again? I know the girls would not approve,) Banishing guilt and uncertainties, I started to meditate. I could feel an awareness, a slight presence, but there was still something I had not done- a sacrifice. Picking up the rose, I jabbed my finger with the tip, thinking *hadn't I done the same thing in biology class to make slides? But this is blood magic,* I thought back as the rose took on a deeper crimson tone. I let a drop fall onto each stone, and saw with amazement as the blood was absorbed and the stones started to glow. I could feel the gathering presence. "My blood to yours", I intoned. One more thing- I placed my hand on the book, a final drop sealed the signature.
I found myself again in the dark cold caverns of the Negaverse, this time an observer to my imprisonment and servitude. I had been placed in a chamber (more like a coffin) to heal and was bereft of my memories and brainwashed. Healed enough to make my torn body mobile, I had been infused with dark energy. I recognized General Malachite, trying to tell me what to do. Did he not know me, Prince Darien? I had always been above him; he should obey my commands. Queen Beryl placed on me the duty to retrieve the Silver Crystal and gave me the power to do it. Once, I had almost been healed by Sailor Moon and was again placed in the chamber. I am not finding the information I seek, but at least my worst fear is laid to rest. Beryl had not subjugated me completely; she had been saving that for after I had with my own hand, killed Serenity. I shuddered inwardly, what had caused all this to happen?
The question triggered memories of a brighter time, when I was the young Prince of Earth and was engaged to Nephlite's sister, Princess Beryl- Sailor Earth! There was a prophecy that if the powers of the Earth and the Moon were combined, the Silver Imperium would be doomed. So when the Moon Princess came of age, they had me safely affianced to Princess Beryl. I didn't mind; she was beautiful, passionate, and powerful. With her torrent of red hair, brilliant green eyes, and a dusting of freckles on her golden skin, her Sailor fuku complimented her perfect form with its satiny chocolate brown trimmed with spring green.
By all accounts, the Moon Princess was pale and childlike. She was never allowed on Earth, and whenever I attended the court on the Moon, she was sequestered or traveling. Never one to follow rules, she was the curious one to slip from her guards and seek me out. She found me in the garden, a figure in sable and silver reflecting my position as High Prince and Adjudicator. She smiled impishly, "Prince Endymion, I presume?" she asked, her eyes sparkling blue.
I could only stare at her, dumbstruck. I saw her with the golden hair of her father, Lord Sol, wearing a gown of purest white. It was like a star had come animate before me: joy radiated from her, light glimmered in the long tresses of her hair. She was the sun and the moon together to light my days and nights.
Her eyes grew large as she took in my presence: the earth of my tanned form; the wind of my breath; the ocean in the blue of my eyes; the fire of my passion in the red lining of my cloak. "Princess Serenity." I said, bowing and kissing her hand and thus sealing our fate. Our souls were bound. There would be no one else in the universe for either of us.
Beryl had sought me out and found us then. She knew the truth of it in one glance and took off in a jealous rage. Looking at her, I knew we would have consumed each other in our passion. The Sailor Soldiers were immortal, but still human. Even now, the darkness was approaching the perimeter, seeking for weakness in power. It found it in Beryl's jealousy. With her knowledge of planetary defense systems and the armies after she took over the Earth kingdom and the defection of my generals, she attacked the Moon and brought an end to the Silver Imperium.
Poor Beryl, I released the anger and hatred that I had held towards her. She had been but a pawn to the dark power. I pray her soul is free now to be reborn.
I opened my eyes. Above the stones were columns of light. Their spirits were there, still trapped. Almost I could hear their voices, see their faces. I had not learned what I sought, power was not mine to wield. I had used a borrowed power that I would not touch again. More importantly, I had learned more of myself and those around me. Reaching forth my hands, I touched the two stones closest to me, then the two others. Murmuring my forgiveness, I pledged to set them free: these men that had once been my closest friends and advisers. As I touch the stones, I feel the spirits acquiesce and become a part of me. The lights fade. I realize I am crying and through my blurred vision, I see the rose glowing unnaturally before disappearing. The candle has burned low. I blow it out. I have spent most of the night sitting here. I stagger up and go to bed. Tonight there will be no dreams.
AN: I realize I probably have the elements on the wrong compass points, but that doesn't affect the main idea. The next chapter: a final farewell.
By Bobbin
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and characters do not belong to me, but since they ignored Darien so much, I get to play with him.
Knight's Magic:
I prepared the low table for my meditation. I had some things to represent the four elements and placed the on the cardinal points: water to the East for wisdom; earth to the West for strength; a candle for fire to the North for justice; and a wind-chime for wind to the South for passion. I got out the stones and placed them as it seemed fitting: jadeite with fire, zoicite with water, nephrite with earth, and malachite with air. In the center of the table, I placed my journal opened to the page with the unfamiliar bold writing signed "Prince Darien". I formed a rose and laid it on the book. I was ready. (Would I be opening myself to the dark force again? I know the girls would not approve,) Banishing guilt and uncertainties, I started to meditate. I could feel an awareness, a slight presence, but there was still something I had not done- a sacrifice. Picking up the rose, I jabbed my finger with the tip, thinking *hadn't I done the same thing in biology class to make slides? But this is blood magic,* I thought back as the rose took on a deeper crimson tone. I let a drop fall onto each stone, and saw with amazement as the blood was absorbed and the stones started to glow. I could feel the gathering presence. "My blood to yours", I intoned. One more thing- I placed my hand on the book, a final drop sealed the signature.
I found myself again in the dark cold caverns of the Negaverse, this time an observer to my imprisonment and servitude. I had been placed in a chamber (more like a coffin) to heal and was bereft of my memories and brainwashed. Healed enough to make my torn body mobile, I had been infused with dark energy. I recognized General Malachite, trying to tell me what to do. Did he not know me, Prince Darien? I had always been above him; he should obey my commands. Queen Beryl placed on me the duty to retrieve the Silver Crystal and gave me the power to do it. Once, I had almost been healed by Sailor Moon and was again placed in the chamber. I am not finding the information I seek, but at least my worst fear is laid to rest. Beryl had not subjugated me completely; she had been saving that for after I had with my own hand, killed Serenity. I shuddered inwardly, what had caused all this to happen?
The question triggered memories of a brighter time, when I was the young Prince of Earth and was engaged to Nephlite's sister, Princess Beryl- Sailor Earth! There was a prophecy that if the powers of the Earth and the Moon were combined, the Silver Imperium would be doomed. So when the Moon Princess came of age, they had me safely affianced to Princess Beryl. I didn't mind; she was beautiful, passionate, and powerful. With her torrent of red hair, brilliant green eyes, and a dusting of freckles on her golden skin, her Sailor fuku complimented her perfect form with its satiny chocolate brown trimmed with spring green.
By all accounts, the Moon Princess was pale and childlike. She was never allowed on Earth, and whenever I attended the court on the Moon, she was sequestered or traveling. Never one to follow rules, she was the curious one to slip from her guards and seek me out. She found me in the garden, a figure in sable and silver reflecting my position as High Prince and Adjudicator. She smiled impishly, "Prince Endymion, I presume?" she asked, her eyes sparkling blue.
I could only stare at her, dumbstruck. I saw her with the golden hair of her father, Lord Sol, wearing a gown of purest white. It was like a star had come animate before me: joy radiated from her, light glimmered in the long tresses of her hair. She was the sun and the moon together to light my days and nights.
Her eyes grew large as she took in my presence: the earth of my tanned form; the wind of my breath; the ocean in the blue of my eyes; the fire of my passion in the red lining of my cloak. "Princess Serenity." I said, bowing and kissing her hand and thus sealing our fate. Our souls were bound. There would be no one else in the universe for either of us.
Beryl had sought me out and found us then. She knew the truth of it in one glance and took off in a jealous rage. Looking at her, I knew we would have consumed each other in our passion. The Sailor Soldiers were immortal, but still human. Even now, the darkness was approaching the perimeter, seeking for weakness in power. It found it in Beryl's jealousy. With her knowledge of planetary defense systems and the armies after she took over the Earth kingdom and the defection of my generals, she attacked the Moon and brought an end to the Silver Imperium.
Poor Beryl, I released the anger and hatred that I had held towards her. She had been but a pawn to the dark power. I pray her soul is free now to be reborn.
I opened my eyes. Above the stones were columns of light. Their spirits were there, still trapped. Almost I could hear their voices, see their faces. I had not learned what I sought, power was not mine to wield. I had used a borrowed power that I would not touch again. More importantly, I had learned more of myself and those around me. Reaching forth my hands, I touched the two stones closest to me, then the two others. Murmuring my forgiveness, I pledged to set them free: these men that had once been my closest friends and advisers. As I touch the stones, I feel the spirits acquiesce and become a part of me. The lights fade. I realize I am crying and through my blurred vision, I see the rose glowing unnaturally before disappearing. The candle has burned low. I blow it out. I have spent most of the night sitting here. I stagger up and go to bed. Tonight there will be no dreams.
AN: I realize I probably have the elements on the wrong compass points, but that doesn't affect the main idea. The next chapter: a final farewell.