Title: Apples & Oranges
Author: Marie J.W.
Chapter: Eight - Race for a Princess
Rated: G
Email: angellady41@hotmail.com

Another chapter is out! Hope you like it!

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Lita stared out the window. When were they going to get back? That
princess... is strange. I suppose she is a lot like Natian. He's kind
of strange too. I wonder what this Dark Planet is like. It sounds
eerie. Serenity said that she didn't want to go back. Maybe I should
have let her run away again. No, I couldn't do that. Serenity is my
friend now and I won't let her run away from her problems. Natian and
Natia- Wow, their names are even about the same.
Lita shook her head.
Well, the prince and princess will just have to go back and talked to
their Queen. Serenity's old enough to make up her mind. What about you?
What about me? Lita shifted in her place. Weren't you just thinking
about running away a week ago? Lita sighed, "How did I get roped into
this."
"How should I know?" Ken interrupted her thoughts.
Lita turned around and gave him a half smiled, "What are we going to do
about Serenity?"
"Got any ideas?" Ken walked up to Lita and looked out the window, "Wow,
it's getting dark fast. It's a wonder they're not back yet."
Lita nodded, "I- whatever the plan is... we can't let Serenity go with
her." Both Ken and Lita knew exactly who 'her' was.
Ken looked at her quizzically.
"She's my friend and I won't let her do anything she feels wrong about.
If she doesn't want to go... then I will do everything to make sure she
stays here."
Ken sighed and looked out the window again, "What about you?"
Lita started, "What about me?"
"The prince still hasn't decided... He still might-" His voice
stopped abruptly, "I'm sorry, it's none of my business."
Lita smiled, "I won't run away if that's what you mean. Of course, that
doesn't mean I'm going to marry the prince either. Your highness is
a... interesting and, I'm sure, nice, and loyal prince, but I'm not going
to marry someone I don't love." Lita stopped and smiled to her self,
"Besides, I think the prince has already found a bride... and I'm not
talking about the four of us."
Ken started laughing, "You might be right..." He sighed, "However, do
you think Princess Serenity will have him?"
Lita stared at him, "Well... you know, I never even thought about
that."

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Darien raced his horse across the field. He could see Chad and Ray up ahead.
No matter how fast her tried to go he just couldn't seem to catch up!
He mentally kicked himself for not noticing Serenity's condition. She
looked zoomed out and in no position to move her self. Whatever kind of
energy she had used it had taken quiet a bit.
Darien looked behind him to see if the generals had followed but the
space was empty. He pushed his horse faster. What was with Prince Natian?
Was he insane? He couldn't just take her like that! He knew that the
Princess was his sister but his brain refused reason. He wouldn't let
Serenity be taken away like that. Not without a goodbye, not without a
word... Darien felt his heart beat painfully in his chest. What would
he do without that girl?
Ever since the storm, Serenity had become his only thought. While he
was in bed, recuperating from his injury all he could think about was
Serenity. Questions kept going through his mind; was she okay, was she
hurt, would she be alright if she was?
Then when he finally saw her in front of his door- She was beautiful!
After staring at the walls for days, he finally saw something worth seeing.
Her whole being shone.
From then on he knew he had to dedicate his time to figuring her out,
to finding out what made this girl so angel like, and why she made his
heart beat so fast.
Last week had been a miracle, he realized. She danced with him, she talked
with him, and she trusted him. Now, now, her BROTHER was trying to take her
away from him! He wouldn't allow it! He had so much more to learn about her.
And unless she walked away from him herself, he wasn't about to give up
chasing her stupid brother!
If possible, Darien pushed his horse into high gear, with new
determination. I'm not going to let her go!

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Serenity's eyes slowly came into focus. She could feel herself
bouncing uncomfortably as she leaned against a lean frame.
What happened? Serenity looked around at the swift pictures of apple
trees and green grass. Finally, she looked up at her capture to find Nat's
chin in her face. Serenity screamed in the sudden realization. Nat was
riding off with her! Serenity started to kick and scream, causing Nat to
swear under his breath. Her squirming was slowing him down!
"Stop it, girl!" He whispered loudly in her ear.
Serenity pushed at his chest, "Put me down, Nat! I won't go back! I
won't!"
"You will!" He tried to hold her still and ride at the same time but both
were becoming an ill attempt.
Chad and Ray began to gain on him.
Nat veered to the right, trying to sway them off his course. Chad and Ray
stayed firmly behind him.
Serenity continued to beat at him, dragging his attention from his
pursuers.
"If you... don't hold still, I'll... cast a spell on you!" He gruffly
threatens.
If he thinks that's all I'm worried about then he's crazy! I'd rather
die then go back! Serenity pushed at him hard, almost knocking him off
the horse and pulling her down with him. At the last moment, he regained
balance and had enough time to slap Serenity.
Serenity stared wide-eyed at him. Never. He never had ever slapped her
before!
Nat looked back to see Chad and Ray still after him. He looked around for
a way out. The apple trees were to his left, tall and gathered together.
He turned his horse off into the orchard. The leaves beat against his arms
and face but he was too determined.
Serenity shielded her face with her arms as she continued to get whacked
in the face.
The trees slowed Nat down somewhat, making it easier for Chad to catch up
with him. He was only two and a half trees behind him.
"If we loose him, it's going to be your fault!" Ray yelled at him.
"Do you want to drive?" He yelled back over the whipping trees and dirt
digging horse hooves.
Serenity screamed as a branch hit her arm a little too hard. Serenity
felt like she was going through one tourcher after another. Did this
orchard ever end?

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Dang! I lost them! Darien stopped his horse and looked around the still
apple orchard. Where did they go?
A loud scream quickly gave him the general direction and he raced off
towards the orange trees. Trees whacked him in the face but he didn't care.
He had to get to Serenity!
Finally, the back of Chad and his horse came into view. Ray's black hair
flew out past Chad's neck, almost blocking Chad's view.
Darien speed his horse up. If he was this close to Chad, he had to be
pretty close to Serenity.

"Run up beside them!" Ray yelled at him.
"What?"
"Run up beside him!" Ray pointed towards Nat's horse.
Chad nodded and turned towards the right a little and moved his horse up
next to Nat.
Nat turned and looked at them before quickly kicking his horse to go
faster. Ray was just out of reach.
Serenity saw Ray just behind them, "Ray!" Where did she come from?
After getting a closer look, Serenity saw Chad as well. Serenity started
kicking again, realizing she had more hope then she previously thought.
Chad pushed the horse closer and up even with Nat's white stallion.
Ray took a deep breath and lunged at Nat before Chad could do anything
about it.
"Stupid Princess!" Chad pulled his horse to a stop.
Nat, Serenity and Ray all fell off the horse and rolled to the ground.
The white horse continued on it's run forgetting about its rider.

Ray grabbed Nat by the hair as soon as she could reach him and sat on
his stomach, "You 'ever' do that again and I will kill you!"
Nat struggled under her and was surprised when he couldn't even push
her off, even a little.
Chad dropped down off his horse behind Ray, "You could have warned me."
Ray glanced at him from the corner of her eye, "Why, so you could stop
me."
"Of course, Princess."
Ray rolled her eyes and focused her attention on the man beneath her,
"You-"
"Uh... Your Highness, with all due respect, I believe I should handle
this." Chad cleared his throat, indication the unlady like position Ray
was in.
Ray blushed visibly before quickly getting off him and letting Chad
take care of Nat.
"Ray!" Serenity ran to Ray and grabbed onto her, "That was amazing!
I can't believe you did that!"
Ray pulled Serenity away at arm length, "Are you okay?"
Serenity nodded.
Darien pulled to a stop near Chad's horse and quickly jumped off his
horse. He ran to Serenity and pulled her into a hug, "Thank goodness
you're alright!" He hugged her tighter.
Serenity was hesitant at first but finally she let her arms wrap about
him as well. Serenity inhaled his scent without thinking and hugged him
tighter, burying her head in his shoulder, "Thank you, Darien..."

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"You let my daughter stay with that... that woman?!" Queen Serenity
huffed, "Agasta, what were you thinking?!"
Queen Agasta stared at Queen Serenity, "Serenity, really, Maggie isn't
that bad. A little eccentric maybe but she's a kind soul."
Queen Serenity sat down, "My poor baby."
"She's not a baby anymore. In face, I wouldn't be surprised that you
loose her to a man before you even have her home."
The Queen of the Moon's head snapped up, "What?"
Agasta's bit her lip. Ops, I think I went a little too far that time.
Queen Serenity stood up and walked up to Agasta. She lifted an eyebrow,
"Is there something you're not telling me?"
Luna cleared her throat, "Now, your Majesty, calm down. Serenity will be
here soon and you are in no condition to greet her. I recommend you go to
your room and change."
"Thank you, Luna, but I still have some questions." Queen Serenity's eyes
never left Agasta's, "Are you saying that my daughter is in 'love'
with someone?"
Agasta swallowed, "Well, not exactly... but I do have my suspicions."
"With who?"
"Uh..."
"Agastaaa... tell me." Queen Serenity had the evil glint in her eye that
Agasta had grown to know 'very' well.
The Queen of Earth backed away, "Now... I wouldn't take my word for it
but-"
Queen Serenity backed up a little, giving Agasta space.
"My son has gotten quite-."
"Prince Endymion?" Queen Serenity breathed, "Are you sure?"
Agasta relaxed a little, "No, I'm not but they have been spending a lot
of time with each other."
Luna stared at her Queen. Serenity was growing stranger by the minute.
Having her daughter gone so long must have taken quiet a toll on her.
Luna sighed. If only Princess Serenity would get here sooner. Maybe then,
Queen Serenity will calm down and act like a normal Queen again.

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Darien grabbed Serenity's waist and helped her off his black horse.
"What happened to Mina and Andy?" Serenity asked once she was on firm
ground.
"They went to tell the Queen what's happened." Darien smiled, "They're
probably inside."
Serenity looked over to where Ray and Chad were. Nat's hands were tied
behind his back and a gag was tightly wrapped around his mouth. Twice
during their journey back to the palace, he tried to escape; both times
Ray knocked him out.
Chad held Nat close to him, "Go on, Darien, Ray and I will take care of
him until the King can figure what to do."
Darien nodded and took Serenity's hand.
"I think you have a lot of explaining to do."
Serenity looked up at him confused, "Explaining? Explain what?"
Darien stopped and faced Serenity, "That light, that magic... don't
you remember?"
Princess Serenity stared at him.
"Great! Princess Ray!" Darien yelled after the black haired girl.
Ray spun around, "What?"
"I think we need help."
Princess Ray looked between Darien and Serenity before looking at Chad.
He nodded.
Ray walked up to the two, "What is it?"
"We have a princess who doesn't know magic."


(To Be Continued...)

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Well? What do you think? I made Queen Serenity a little loco, but Queen's
can't always been all-together! Well, anyway, I hoped you are looking
forward to the next chapter!

Thanks for read'in!