Chapter 14- The Pain of a Guardian

Trista ran. She had to get away from the children, and the people. But she couldn't outrun her past. She ran back to the Black Dragon, straight to her room. She flung herself onto her bed and backed up against her bed post. Silent, staring into nothing. Pain and sadness in her eyes...

*****

Everyone was surprised by the barmaid's actions. 1st and 2nd degree burns decorated their bodies, but they would be all right in time.

"She'll be fine." Mrs. Ferny said, remembering the 1st time she had lost a patient. " So couldn't help them. Soon she'll realize that life goes on and she'll flow with it."

The crowd agreed with her and went home, the mothers taking their children to the hospital. All but 1.

Piccolo had slipped away unnoticed by the crowd, and watched them from a ways away.

It was true: The children were hurt, yes, but they would live. Trista must have known that. There was something else about the situation that bothered her. As it began to rain, He followed the group of men to the Black Dragon.

*****

The rain fell in torrents. It felt like the entire world was mourning for her. For loves lost and destinies altered. The uncontrolled memories came all at once, forcing her to remember and relive every moment. Her mind swirled in pain as she crawled into a corner of the bed, and silently watched the rain.

Piccolo silently entered the room. As he watched her, he couldn't help but smile. How many times had he done the same in the days of his youth? Alone in the world, with no understanding of who or what he was. He knew what he wanted then, and he'd be damned if he denied her it now. He crawled into the bed with her, and took her in his arms. He rocked her gently, letting be comforted by his presence. As she felt his strong arms around her, she could hold it no longer. For the 1st time in eons, she cried. Soaking his gi with her salty tears, she let her guard down completely.

When she finally stopped, she looked into Piccolo's deep, compelling eyes as a child would look to a confidant.

"I couldn't save them." She said, her eyes welling with new tears.

"Who?"

"...My family."

She looked into Piccolo's bewildered face.

"Hmm. Perhaps I should show you." With that stated, she took his hand. Her eyes glazed over just a bit and a window to the past opened.

"Trista, are you sure you can do this?"

"Yes. I've been training. And its time I told someone."

Trista:

Before the time of The Sailor Scouts, I was Kolana, a princess of Pluto, daughter of Helania, The Gate Guardian, and Davino, King of Sularia. My grandfather was king of Pluto since my mother was his only child.

I am the oldest of 3 children. Laratho, my brother, was destined to become the next King of Sularia. Since they don't allow women to hold such high positions (except my mom). June, my sister, was to be the next Queen of Pluto.

Besides my training and other classes, no one paid me attention (except when I was in trouble). So I spent my child as an invisible person. Well... Not totally invisible. My siblings....They always played with me. We were all a year or 2 apart. We would do everything together. They were...The only ones who cared...

"What about your parents?"

"My mother cared, but I only got to see her for my training and some holidays. And my father... He only cared about matters of the kingdom."

Piccolo was shocked. For 1 of such high rank to be mistreated so badly. At least he was different, at least he was alone. But to be surrounded by your own, and treated so...It infuriated him.

"I loved my siblings so much. I would have done anything for them. Except..."

Flashback:

Kolana was at their graves again. Her Father had just died a week ago, her mother, yesterday. She wasn't suppose to be there. If she was caught away from her post. The consequences would be devastating.

Looking at her parents graves, side by side. It almost made her laugh. In death, they had the unity they couldn't fully enjoy in life. Dressed in her Gate Guardian clothes, she sang a lament for them.

Song Here

Just then, she had a vision: The silver millennium. Serenity and Endymoin. Peace and happiness. The vision faded and in its place was her brother and sister. Corrupted by greed and power. Ruling the universe. Her siblings were going to destroy the time line.

That's when she heard the cry go up in the kingdom.

"King Laratho is attacking the Endymoin Kingdom!"

=====

Kolana burst into the throne room. "LARATHO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! The Endymoin Kingdom has been our ally FOR 800 YEARS! Its ludicrous to attack them now!"

Laratho just looked at her. A wide smile on his face. "This is the perfect time to attack them. They were not expecting a thing!"

He looked ready to laugh.

Kolana couldn't believe this. "You attacked and didn't consult me first? I'm precognitions, and your sister. We agree on everything before any of us do anything. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Kolana, its always been majority rules if we did not have an all together choice. And June agreed." That's when the youngest of the 3, the Queen of Pluto stepped from the shadows. "Besides, I'm a precog too. I've seen our success."

"But look at what it does to you." She pleaded. "You may see your future, but you can't see what will not be due to your actions. You can't see what you're destroying."

"Majority rules Kolana." June said, in a factual tone. "Fall in. Join our efforts. Come on Kolana, we've always done everything together. Why break that tradition now?"

She was silent for a minute. She wanted to be with them, they were her siblings after all. Her best friends.

"No. I am The Gate Guardian now, and I will not abandon my duty. I would rather die than be responsible for this."

"So, you're not going to help us?" Laratho sounded surprised and hurt. June's expression was the same.

"No, of course not. This is insanity. I can't help you."

They looked so hurt for a minute. Then, a wicked smile crossed Laratho's face. "Fine, If you won't help your kingdoms, then you are a traitor. Hence forth, you are banished from the kingdoms of Sularia and Pluto under penalty of imprisonment. Right June?"

Both girls looked at Laratho in shock. Laratho gave June a stern look and, turning away from them she gave a nod of agreement. "Guards, take this traitor to a dungeon to contemplate her mistakes."

As the guards grabbed her, but Kolana broke free of their grasp and ran out of the palace. June looked at her brother, surprised by his actions.

"Was that wise Laratho? She's just not agreeing with us. Not giving kingdom secrets to our enemies."

"Trust me sister, she'll come back. She can't stand being alone remember? Once the isolation of banishment sets in, she'll be willing to join us. Then we'll be a trio again."

"I hope so." June said, looking rather sad. "I just can't stand to think of poor Kolana out there alone."

"Then don't. We have kingdoms to overthrow."

=====

Her situation did get to Kolana, she missed her siblings dearly and couldn't stand not talking to them. But she dealt with it in a different manor. Instead of running back to Laratho and asking for forgiveness, she joined the Endymoin army in an attempt to stop them. But the combined power of Pluto and Sularia were to much. Kolana's regiments were annihilated.

1 day, she had heard that Laratho and June had captured Endymoin's main city and were holding the king and his 8yr old son hostage. The next day, Kolana had attacked the fortress. She had entered from a window on the fortress' east side. As dawn's first rays lit the corridor she was a silhouetted figure. Any who attacked her did not live, and if they had they couldn't identify her.

But her siblings knew her to well and had the corridor sealed off and gassed...

=====

When she awoke, she found herself bound in the building's library. And standing over her, were her siblings.

"Hey Kolana." Laratho said, smiling.

"Let me go Laratho."

"Oh come on Lana, don't sound so mean." June said, smiling also. "We only want to help you."

"What do you mean help me? You're ruining the future. How can that possibly help anyone?"

"It can help you sis. Remember how we used to sneak out the castle and play in the woods?"

Kolana had to smile at that. Those were good times.

"And how you used to take the blame for stuff we did?"

"I had to. You were future rulers, and no one cared about me."

"We could have that fun again Kolana. If you help us, we'll be a trio again. With us as rulers, no one will ever ignore you again. You'll go to the events you want to. And we'll always be together. Please Kolana. We miss you. Please?" Their was sincerity in Laratho's voice. His eyes looked desperate for his older sister. Her knowledge, her very presence. When he banished her, he had not calculated how it would effect his own heart. He and June had missed her terribly.

Kolana felt a yearning in her own heart. She knew what they said was true. If they did succeed she would be well taken care of. But this wasn't like the past, when she could just take the blame and everything would be alright. No matter what happened, June and Laratho would have to pay for their actions. Still, she did her best to save them.

"No, I can't. Please, come to your senses. Stop this foolishness before you destroy what this family is sworn to protect."

Laratho got mad and broke a window. "We're not destroying it! We're helping it! We're helping you! Kolana, don't you see that! We'll be just rulers, you know that!" While Laratho screamed, Kolana worked her bonds with a piece a glass she caught when the window broke. But unknown to her, the glass was magnifying the sunlight passing though it. Its intensified beams landed on some papers on the floor.

"No! I will not help you. My duty forbids it."

"Does this mean that you're putting your work over your family?" Kolana froze. Their father had done the same. She never wanted to be like him, and her siblings knew it. But Kolana was sworn to uphold the duties of the Gate Guardian. At all cost.

"Yes." She answered, to her everlasting disgrace.

Her words broke their heart. They were so shocked for a minute. So hurt.

"Then you are no sister of ours." June said, her eyes icy despite their tears. "From this moment on, those ties are severed. As you are a traitor to your kingdoms, so also are you a traitor to your family."

"The love we held for you is forever expelled from our hearts. From this moment on, Kolana, princess of Pluto and Sularia, our sister: Is dead to us"

Her siblings words and harsh tones cut to her very soul. Kolana looked at them in disbelief, but their cold, hateful stares showed they meant every word.

That's when the fire broke out.

The fire spread faster than expected and soon the whole room was encased with flames. Laratho and June ran while Kolana finished cutting her bonds. Then she helped King Endymoin and his son escape. When she was sure they were safe, she went back to find her siblings.

=====

Laratho and June could not find an escape, so they ended up running to the roof. That's where Kolana found them.

"June! Laratho! Follow me!" She hollered over the flames, but they would not.

"No Gate Guardian! We do not need an enemy to help us!"

"Please! Stop this foolishness before we all die! I'm your sister. Let me help you!"

"Our sister is DEAD! How dare you dishonor her so!" They said, continuing to back away.

"Don't say that! I'm here! RIGHT HERE! CAN'T YOU SEE ME?! DON'T DO THIS! DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DON'T SEE ME!"

"We see you Gate Guardian. But the 1 we care for is gone."

"Please. Let me help you. LET ME BE YOUR SISTER!"

But they just kept backing away, until they hit the edge, lost their balance, and fell over.

"NOOOO!" Kolana screamed, but it was to late. They were dead. She did not want them to be buried as heathen rulers. So she buried them herself, and sang their favorite song. They had always liked her singing...

=====

When she met up with King Endymoin, he thanked her for her services.

"Where's your siblings?"

"They're dead." She answered flatly, clouding her sadness with an emotionless tone. Endymoin decided not to press the matter.

"Now that you're... The only heir." Endymoin said, somewhat happily. "You are now Kolana, Queen of Pluto and Sularia."

"No."

"What?"

"I said no. I can't be the Queen of 2 kingdoms and the Gate Guardian as well. There's to much pain involved, and just impossible. You rule them. As 1 people. Let this part of history remain undocumented. Please Endymoin, for me." He saw the pain in her eyes and could not deny her...

End Flashback

"I had always believed I'd have a family." Trista said, closing the link to the past. "That day, all my dreams were shattered. From that day on I called myself Trista. Sometime later, when the Sailor Scouts for this solar system was established, I was honored Queen Serenity remembered me."

She looked up into Piccolo's eyes, so full of remorse and understanding, and burst into tears once more.

"I had to do it!" She cried, defending her actions. "I had to stop them! If I didn't the Silver Millennium would have never happened. Serena and Darien would have never been born..."

Piccolo continued to hold her until her crying ceased.

"I'm sorry." She said, wiping away the last of her tears. "I know crying is a sign of weakness, but I couldn't hold it in any more."

"I know. Crying is for the young and weak, but that does not mean you can't express your feelings in other ways. You need to relieve yourself of your emotions sometimes. Otherwise, they'll dive you mad. Its one of the reasons I fight. Wait, you sang for your siblings when they died right?"

"Yes."

"And your parents, you sang for them too?"

"Yes. Piccolo, what are you getting at?"

"That's it. Singing is your way to express yourself."

"What do you mean Piccolo? I haven't sang in ages, I gave that up. I design clothes now."*

" A person can have more than 1 way to relieve stress. You've been denying your singing abilities because of the pain and memories attached to it. But a sewing machine won't always be around when you're angry. You need it Kolana-"

"What did you call me?" Trista asked, surprised.

"Kolana. That is your name, isn't it?"

The two smiled at each other.

"Besides, Trista is not a very fitting name for you."** He said as he began to leave.

"Piccolo?" Trista's voice called, soft and fragile like a child's. "Don't go."

He crawled back into the bed as she wrapped his strong arms around herself.

"Demon isn't a fitting title for you either." She said sleepily, pulling his cape over them. "You're just cold."

And if someone were to walk in that room in the morning, that's how they would have found them: Sound asleep with Trista in his arms. As for the fire? It was extinguished by the pouring rain.

*On the show, Trista's dream is to become a fashion designer.

**Trista's name in Japanese is Setsuna, which means "Ruler of the dark realm".

A/Ns: In case you didn't follow the story line: Kolana is Trista's past self. If you have any more questions just put them in you're review and I'll answer them as soon as I can.

It took me a long time to post because my computer's gone viral. AGAIN! At best I'll be able to post once a week. So keep checking ok?