Act Two - Heartbreak

The princess and her cat arrived at Priest Helios' shrine late Saturday morning. This was going to be a fantastic day. Chibi-Usa reapplied her lipstick and then knocked on the door.

"I don't see why you have to come along," Chibi-Usa grumbled. "I'm sixteen years old, and I can take care of myself. My parents still treat me like a baby."

"As your guardian cat, it is my duty to watch over you and make sure you don't get into trouble," Diana replied. "You will just have to accept the fact that everywhere you go, I go, no matter how old you are."

"How depressing! When is a girl supposed to get a little privacy with the man she loves?" she sighed.

Where is he? Chibi-Usa wondered. He knows I was planning to visit him today. She glanced at her watch and knocked on the door again. A few seconds later, Aurora answered the door. She was one of the two Menards who protected the temple and served Priest Helios. Eos was the other maiden.

"Small Lady, it is a pleasure to see you again," Aurora said warmly, showing her inside. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Priest Helios will be with you in a moment."

As Aurora disappeared down the long corridor to announce her presence, Chibi-Usa tugged at the hemline of her new red sheath and smoothed down her hair. She hoped she looked okay. It took her an hour to decide what to wear this morning, wanting to look her best for Helios. She felt the butterflies fluttering in her stomach, as the sound of his footsteps grew louder. What if he refused her invitation to the ball?"

"Maiden, you are finally here," Helios said, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek. "I'm so glad you were able to come."

"So am I," she whispered, taking in the sweet smell of his cologne. "I have so much to tell you, Helios."

"That can wait until later. First, there's someone who is dying to see you again."

Helios took her hand and dragged a reluctant Chibi-Usa out the door, despite her several pleas to stop. Today was just supposed to be about her and Helios, not a time to catch up with old friends. Her entire day was ruined. "Where are you taking me, Helios?" she asked, finally breaking free of his grasp as Diana caught up with them. "Can we please just go back to the shrine? I have something very important to ask you."

"Close your eyes, my maiden," he whispered, putting a finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet. She obeyed his command, still confused, but very curious. Helios whistled lightly and Chibi-Usa heard the sound of hooves upon the ground. "Okay. You can open them."

"Pegasus!" she exclaimed, running over to the winged unicorn. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"Would you like to go for a ride?" Helios asked, jumping on the horse's back in one swift motion.

"I would love to." Chibi-Usa took the hand he offered to help lift her up. A ride over Elysion sounded very romantic. "You don't mind, Diana, do you?"

"No, I suppose not," Diana said, "but I want you to meet me back at the shrine at exactly five o'clock. I promised the king and queen that I would have you home by dinner."

"Don't worry, Diana," Helios assured her. "I'll take good care of the princess."

Chibi-Usa wrapped her arms tightly around Helios' waist as Pegasus spread out his wings, preparing for flight. A few seconds later, they were up in the air, flying over the shrine. She looked down and feeling a little scared, tightened her grip on Helios.

Elysion was so beautiful from an aerial view. A blanket of colorful flowers covered the ground like freshly fallen snow. There were streams of crystal clear water flowing from every direction and a gentle breeze tousled the leaves of the tall evergreen trees. Occasionally, they would come across a small cluster of homes, bursting with activity. Chibi-Usa smiled herself as she spied two lovers stealing a kiss under a large oak tree. That would be her and Helios someday. It must be so wonderful to live in a place as beautiful as Elysion, Chibi-Usa thought. Everyone looks so happy here.

After a couple of hours of flying, Pegasus landed at a secluded cave near the water. Helios helped Chibi-Usa dismount, then took her hand and walked toward the cave. Chibi-Usa followed, glad that they were finally going to have some time alone together.

"It looks like it's going to rain," he remarked, helping Chibi-Usa climb up the jagged rocks. "Look at those dark clouds over there. It's too dangerous to fly back. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," she replied, almost losing her footing on a loose rock. High heels weren't exactly made for rock climbing.

"Are you okay, maiden?" There was a note of worry in his voice. Chibi-Usa nodded and tightened her grip in his fingers. "We are almost there. Just a few more steps…"

They entered the cave just as the heavens began to cry. Helios started a fire with some dry wood he found in the corner. He then took off his cape and laid it on the ground. "Come and sit by the fire, Serenity. It will warm you up."

Feeling a little chilly in the damp cave, she gladly sat down on the makeshift blanket, enjoying the soft yellow glow of the fire. Helios took a seat next to her and pulled out a couple of candy bars. He handed one to Chibi-Usa and began pulling the wrapper off the other one.

"I wish we had some crackers and marshmallows too," Chibi-Usa said, taking a bite of the rich dark chocolate. "Then we could make s'mores like we used to when we were kids."

"It's been a long time since I last ate a s'more," Helios admitted. "I barely even remember what they taste like."

Chibi-Usa know his age was a sore subject with him. Although Helios, like most citizens of Neo-Queen Serenity's kingdom, was blessed with a life of eternal youth and beauty, it still bothered him that he was so much older than she. She, on the other hand, had absolutely no problem with the age difference between them. So what if he was old enough to remember the reign of the first Queen Serenity? He was still the most handsome man she had ever seen in her young life, besides her father.

"So, what was this important thing you wanted to ask me about this morning?" he asked, changing the subject.

She had almost forgotten about that, but once again she could feel the butterflies come back. Her heart began beating like a jackhammer. Maybe she should forget about asking him to the Crystal Ball…

Chibi-Usa took a deep breath, building up courage. She was going to do this if it was the last thing she did. "Well, as you know, the Crystal Ball is coming next weekend," she reminded him, "and I was wondering if you would like to go with me...like as a date."

Helios reached for her hand and stared into her ruby red eyes, unsure of what to say. This was so unexpected. "Serenity," he whispered, giving her hand a tiny squeeze. "I'm flattered that you invited me to the dance…"

"But?"

"But wouldn't you prefer to go with someone your own age?"

Chibi-Usa yanked her hand away from his and turned her back toward Helios, not wanting him to see the tears welling up in her eyes. "Why must you always do this to me, Helios?" she asked, her voice quavering as she struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to fall at any minute. "How many times do I have to tell you that your age doesn't matter to me?"

"But it bothers me, Serenity," he replied.

"My father is several years older than my mother and they don't have a problem with it."

"Maiden…"

"I need some fresh air," Chibi-Usa said softly, standing up and walking outside. The rain had slowed down to a light drizzle, but she barely noticed it. Why did he have to be so stubborn? She knew he was in love with her. She could see it in his eyes. So why did he keep pushing her away? She felt so cold and confused. The tears rolled freely down her face, but Chibi-Usa no longer cared who saw her cry.

"Serenity, I'm sorry." Helios walked up behind Chibi-Usa and draped his cape around her trembling shoulders. "This is all my fault. I knew this day would come but did little to deter it. Please don't cry, my maiden."

"There's nothing you could have done, Helios," she said softly. "I've loved you ever since the day we saved Elysion from Queen Nephrenia's clutches while I was training in the past. I was too young for you then, too, but I hoped that once I returned to Crystal Tokyo and became a proper lady like my mother, you would look at me differently. I guess I was wrong."

Chibi-Usa turned around, and Helios pulled her close, wanting to comfort her but lost for the right works to say. Every sob pieced his already broken heart like a thousand bullets. He handed her his handkerchief and walked over to the edge of the cliff to pick up a single blood red rose.

"Maiden, I wish that things were different, but I'm afraid that is impossible," he finally said, handing her the rose. "You are so young and innocent, Serenity. I'm much more experienced than you are when it comes to matters of the heart. You've probably never even been properly kissed by a man, have you?"

He lifted his hand to touch her cheek, but she turned away. "I must leave now," she said, her voice now cold and distant. "Diana is probably wondering where I am."

Chibi-Usa began climbing down the rocks without even saying goodbye. She heard his voice call her name, offering to take her back to the shrine, but she ignored it. She never wanted to see Priest Helios again.

When she reached the bottom of the cliff, she kicked off her heels and started to run toward the shrine, faster than she ever ran before -- running away from Helios, from love, from her heart. It began to pour again, but she didn't care.

Helios watched her leave, the rain soaking his clothes. He was chilled to the bone, but he barely noticed it. His maiden was gone and he would never see her again. Why was he so stupid?

He had no idea how long he stood there, looking out at his home. Elysion no longer held any beauty for him. It had disappeared along with Serenity.

As he watched the sunset, he noticed a bright light reflected off some object near the edge of the cliff. Curious, he walked over and saw it was Chibi-Usa's necklace. Looking down at it, he remembered Chibi-Usa telling him the legend attached to it.

"Maiden, why do you always wear that locket?"

"It was my mother's. She gave it to me as a present when I returned from training. During her first life, it was a gift she gave my father before the battle with Queen Beryl, so he would always remember her. It is supposed to play a beautiful song when it is opened, but only for two people who are truly in love. Do you think it will ever play for me, Helios?"

"Of course it will, maiden. One day, you'll meet the man you are meant to spend the rest of your life with and the love you share will cause the locket to play the song you so long to hear."

Helios kneeled down and picked up the star-shaped locket. It still looked brand new, although it must be over two thousand years old. Then, without warning, the locket opened and began playing a beautiful melody, the song of love.

"Serenity, my love, I wish you were here to hear this."