STORYTIME—MYTHS AND LEGENDS
By Krysia
Disclaimer: Story is original…characters are not. Truly a non-profit endeavor. {sigh}
With her other hand, she grabbed the small gold key that hung on a chain around her
neck, held it in the air and said,
"Guardian of Time…Chronos! Lead me! Protect me! Send me the path of light!"
Chapter 5: Ancient Greece
Chibi-usa looked around at what was known as ancient Greece…though not quite so
ancient at the moment. People were walking around going about their daily business.
She quickly ducked behind a tree and Diana leapt into her arms to speak to her more
freely.
"How did we get past Sailor Pluto?" Diana asked.
Chibi-usa looked pensive. "I'm not sure. It happened so fast, not like before. This time I
felt like I was being pushed and pulled. I didn't even see Puu." Then her expression
cleared. "Well, it doesn't matter. We're here!"
Diana jumped to the ground so that Chibi-usa could open the book that was still tucked
under her arm. Chibi-usa turned to the page titled "Atalanta". The first page of the
chapter had a picture of a woman, tall and beautiful, dressed in obviously male clothing.
She held a bow in one hand and the hide of a wild animal in the other. The caption under
the picture read, "Atalanta, female hunter".
"Okay Diana. This story is about a woman who when she was born, her father was
disappointed that she was a girl, so he left her in the woods. Animals in the forest raised
her and kind hunters found her running wild in the forest. They took her in and raised her
to adulthood. She wished to go on adventures and was well known for her hunting skills.
When she found her real parents, her father welcomed her home. Many men wished for
her hand, but she did not want to marry. So, she told them that if they could beat her in a
foot race, she would marry them. Because wild animals raised her, she was very fast."
Just then, there was commotion in the City Square causing Chibi-usa to stop reading.
She closed the book and picked up Diana, moving cautiously forward to better view what
was going on.
People of all different ages and backgrounds were hurrying over to a clearing a little
outside of the city. Chibi-usa, by this time, got swept up in the momentum of the crowd
and was propelled forward. She pushed her way to the front so that she was able to see
what was happening. Around her, men and women were excitedly discussing this event.
Although it was difficult to determine exactly who was speaking, Chibi-usa listened to
the comments going on around her.
"Atalanta was challenged in another race."
"I heard his name is Hippomenes."
"He will never win. There is no one faster than her."
"Hippomenes was seen coming from the temple of Aphrodite."
Chibi-usa tried to peek in her book to see what was going to happen next, but she was
pressed too closely to those around her. She was only able to watch what happening
around her. A signal was made and the race began. Atalanta quickly took the lead.
Hippomenes was running with a bag in his hand and when Atalanta was a little ways
ahead of him, he pulled something out of the bag and threw it in front of Atalanta.
Chibi-usa caught a flash of gold, before Atalanta stopped and scooped up the golden
object. Hippomenes ran by and Atalanta quickly caught up. Again when Atalanta started
getting ahead, Hippomenes reached in and pulled something out and threw it in front of
Atalanta. This time, it had rolled a little off to her right and had to detour a little to pick
that one up too. Hippomenes managed to get ahead to Atalanta.
By this time, the crowd was cheering loudly. It was hard to determine whom the crowd
was favoring. Atalanta was even with Hippomenes when again he reached into his bag.
The round gold object landed even further off to the side. Atalanta ran after it and
grabbed the object. She looked up and noticed Hippomenes approaching the finish line.
She ran as fast as she could, but Hippomenes just managed to finish before her.
The crowd went wild. Hippomenes had won the race. Atalanta would be his bride. As
people moved forward to congratulate the couple, Chibi-usa was again pushed forward.
As she drew nearer, she watched as a shy smile lit up Atalanta's face as she stood next to
her future husband. In her arms, she held three golden apples. When Hippomenes was
asked where he had gotten the apples, he just smiled and said that he had a little help.
While the crowd's attention was still on the couple, Chibi-usa forced her way back to
town. She found the tree that she had been hiding behind and opened her book back to
the story of Atalanta. She showed the pages to Diana.
"See, it happened just like it is written here. It also says that Aphrodite, the goddess of
Love, gave Hippomenes the golden apples."
"Venus?" questioned Diana.
"I don't know." Chibi-usa chewed on her bottom lip while she thought. "If I ask, then I
have to tell mama and papa that I used the Time Key."
"We need to get back anyway" pointed out Diana. "Hopefully we will be back before
dinner."
Chibi-usa winced. "OOPS. I forgot about that. We better go home. Guardian of
Time…Chronos! Lead me! Protect me! Send me the path of light!"
Just then, Serenity and Endymion entered the dining hall. The inner senshi were already
seated around the table. Their discussion immediately stopped when they noticed their
King and Queen approach. Calculated looks were exchanged between Jupiter, Mars and
Mercury. Venus just smiled.
Jupiter stood up and greeted the monarchs. "Where is Chibi-usa? Is she not coming to
dinner?"
Serenity started and flushed slightly.
"I peeked in her room a few minutes ago and she wasn't there. I just assumed that she
was hungry and didn't want to wait for us and came here."
The dining hall doors swung open. Everyone turned to see who was entering the room.
"Small La…." Endymion started to say, but stopped when he noticed that it wasn't his
daughter entering the room.
Sailor Pluto's heels clicked on the crystal floor as she crossed the room and knelt in front
of her King and Queen.
"There has been a disturbance in the Time Corridor" she said as she rose to her feet.
"Someone has traveled into the past."
"Do you know who?" asked Mars and Jupiter simultaneously.
"Probably Chibi-usa. She is not here and we know she has a time key" observed
Mercury.
"Do you know what time period?" Serenity asked hesitantly.
"To ancient Greece. I believe she is at time of the race between Atalanta and
Hippomenes."
Although Sailor Pluto's face remained impassive, she watched with amusement as
Serenity and Endymion looked relieved while Venus paled slightly.
"I must return to the Time Gate. Chibi-usa will be returning shortly. I need to make sure
that she arrives at the correct time." Sailor Pluto bowed and quickly left the room.
Mars looked ready to explode. Mercury pulled her computer out of her space subpocket
and began typing. After a few minutes, she glanced speculatively at Venus before
snapping her computer shut.
"Atalanta is a story in Greek mythology." Mercury thought for a moment. "I wonder if
that is one of the stories in that book that Chibi-usa had mentioned."
Serenity abruptly turned on her heel and started out of the room. She called over her
shoulder; "I'm going to talk to Small Lady about improper use of the time key. Don't
wait dinner for us, we'll be here shortly."
It took Endymion a moment to realize that Serenity was gone and left him alone with the
senshi. He moved to follow after her, but found Jupiter blocking his path to freedom.
She grabbed his arm and drew him to his chair at the table.
"So, what's in that book, Your highness?" drawled Jupiter.
He turned to see Mars and Mercury staring at him full of curiosity. As he glanced at
Venus, she winked at him. Endymion groaned inwardly. He didn't know which was
worse…the senshi trying to get information from him or having Venus privy to their
secret. He thought the latter.
He schooled his features and lied blatantly, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
AN: The Random House Book of Greek Myths, by Joan D. Vinge, was used as a
resource for the story about Atalanta.
By Krysia
Disclaimer: Story is original…characters are not. Truly a non-profit endeavor. {sigh}
With her other hand, she grabbed the small gold key that hung on a chain around her
neck, held it in the air and said,
"Guardian of Time…Chronos! Lead me! Protect me! Send me the path of light!"
Chapter 5: Ancient Greece
Chibi-usa looked around at what was known as ancient Greece…though not quite so
ancient at the moment. People were walking around going about their daily business.
She quickly ducked behind a tree and Diana leapt into her arms to speak to her more
freely.
"How did we get past Sailor Pluto?" Diana asked.
Chibi-usa looked pensive. "I'm not sure. It happened so fast, not like before. This time I
felt like I was being pushed and pulled. I didn't even see Puu." Then her expression
cleared. "Well, it doesn't matter. We're here!"
Diana jumped to the ground so that Chibi-usa could open the book that was still tucked
under her arm. Chibi-usa turned to the page titled "Atalanta". The first page of the
chapter had a picture of a woman, tall and beautiful, dressed in obviously male clothing.
She held a bow in one hand and the hide of a wild animal in the other. The caption under
the picture read, "Atalanta, female hunter".
"Okay Diana. This story is about a woman who when she was born, her father was
disappointed that she was a girl, so he left her in the woods. Animals in the forest raised
her and kind hunters found her running wild in the forest. They took her in and raised her
to adulthood. She wished to go on adventures and was well known for her hunting skills.
When she found her real parents, her father welcomed her home. Many men wished for
her hand, but she did not want to marry. So, she told them that if they could beat her in a
foot race, she would marry them. Because wild animals raised her, she was very fast."
Just then, there was commotion in the City Square causing Chibi-usa to stop reading.
She closed the book and picked up Diana, moving cautiously forward to better view what
was going on.
People of all different ages and backgrounds were hurrying over to a clearing a little
outside of the city. Chibi-usa, by this time, got swept up in the momentum of the crowd
and was propelled forward. She pushed her way to the front so that she was able to see
what was happening. Around her, men and women were excitedly discussing this event.
Although it was difficult to determine exactly who was speaking, Chibi-usa listened to
the comments going on around her.
"Atalanta was challenged in another race."
"I heard his name is Hippomenes."
"He will never win. There is no one faster than her."
"Hippomenes was seen coming from the temple of Aphrodite."
Chibi-usa tried to peek in her book to see what was going to happen next, but she was
pressed too closely to those around her. She was only able to watch what happening
around her. A signal was made and the race began. Atalanta quickly took the lead.
Hippomenes was running with a bag in his hand and when Atalanta was a little ways
ahead of him, he pulled something out of the bag and threw it in front of Atalanta.
Chibi-usa caught a flash of gold, before Atalanta stopped and scooped up the golden
object. Hippomenes ran by and Atalanta quickly caught up. Again when Atalanta started
getting ahead, Hippomenes reached in and pulled something out and threw it in front of
Atalanta. This time, it had rolled a little off to her right and had to detour a little to pick
that one up too. Hippomenes managed to get ahead to Atalanta.
By this time, the crowd was cheering loudly. It was hard to determine whom the crowd
was favoring. Atalanta was even with Hippomenes when again he reached into his bag.
The round gold object landed even further off to the side. Atalanta ran after it and
grabbed the object. She looked up and noticed Hippomenes approaching the finish line.
She ran as fast as she could, but Hippomenes just managed to finish before her.
The crowd went wild. Hippomenes had won the race. Atalanta would be his bride. As
people moved forward to congratulate the couple, Chibi-usa was again pushed forward.
As she drew nearer, she watched as a shy smile lit up Atalanta's face as she stood next to
her future husband. In her arms, she held three golden apples. When Hippomenes was
asked where he had gotten the apples, he just smiled and said that he had a little help.
While the crowd's attention was still on the couple, Chibi-usa forced her way back to
town. She found the tree that she had been hiding behind and opened her book back to
the story of Atalanta. She showed the pages to Diana.
"See, it happened just like it is written here. It also says that Aphrodite, the goddess of
Love, gave Hippomenes the golden apples."
"Venus?" questioned Diana.
"I don't know." Chibi-usa chewed on her bottom lip while she thought. "If I ask, then I
have to tell mama and papa that I used the Time Key."
"We need to get back anyway" pointed out Diana. "Hopefully we will be back before
dinner."
Chibi-usa winced. "OOPS. I forgot about that. We better go home. Guardian of
Time…Chronos! Lead me! Protect me! Send me the path of light!"
Just then, Serenity and Endymion entered the dining hall. The inner senshi were already
seated around the table. Their discussion immediately stopped when they noticed their
King and Queen approach. Calculated looks were exchanged between Jupiter, Mars and
Mercury. Venus just smiled.
Jupiter stood up and greeted the monarchs. "Where is Chibi-usa? Is she not coming to
dinner?"
Serenity started and flushed slightly.
"I peeked in her room a few minutes ago and she wasn't there. I just assumed that she
was hungry and didn't want to wait for us and came here."
The dining hall doors swung open. Everyone turned to see who was entering the room.
"Small La…." Endymion started to say, but stopped when he noticed that it wasn't his
daughter entering the room.
Sailor Pluto's heels clicked on the crystal floor as she crossed the room and knelt in front
of her King and Queen.
"There has been a disturbance in the Time Corridor" she said as she rose to her feet.
"Someone has traveled into the past."
"Do you know who?" asked Mars and Jupiter simultaneously.
"Probably Chibi-usa. She is not here and we know she has a time key" observed
Mercury.
"Do you know what time period?" Serenity asked hesitantly.
"To ancient Greece. I believe she is at time of the race between Atalanta and
Hippomenes."
Although Sailor Pluto's face remained impassive, she watched with amusement as
Serenity and Endymion looked relieved while Venus paled slightly.
"I must return to the Time Gate. Chibi-usa will be returning shortly. I need to make sure
that she arrives at the correct time." Sailor Pluto bowed and quickly left the room.
Mars looked ready to explode. Mercury pulled her computer out of her space subpocket
and began typing. After a few minutes, she glanced speculatively at Venus before
snapping her computer shut.
"Atalanta is a story in Greek mythology." Mercury thought for a moment. "I wonder if
that is one of the stories in that book that Chibi-usa had mentioned."
Serenity abruptly turned on her heel and started out of the room. She called over her
shoulder; "I'm going to talk to Small Lady about improper use of the time key. Don't
wait dinner for us, we'll be here shortly."
It took Endymion a moment to realize that Serenity was gone and left him alone with the
senshi. He moved to follow after her, but found Jupiter blocking his path to freedom.
She grabbed his arm and drew him to his chair at the table.
"So, what's in that book, Your highness?" drawled Jupiter.
He turned to see Mars and Mercury staring at him full of curiosity. As he glanced at
Venus, she winked at him. Endymion groaned inwardly. He didn't know which was
worse…the senshi trying to get information from him or having Venus privy to their
secret. He thought the latter.
He schooled his features and lied blatantly, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
AN: The Random House Book of Greek Myths, by Joan D. Vinge, was used as a
resource for the story about Atalanta.