Book One
Meeting of the Greats
"It was... interesting," said Clow mysteriously.
Arching an eyebrow, Setsuna wondered, "Interesting? That's it? Not pleasurable?"
"No, simply interesting," smiled Clow, sitting down. "But I gathered more information upon my project."
"Oh right, your project," said Setsuna dryly. It had been interesting the first ten times Clow had talked about it, but now it was just annoying. "You're still going to go through with it? You're still planning on making those monstrosities?" She shook her head.
"You can't blame me, can you?" asked Clow innocently. "I just have a knack for magic. I've already mastered all the other magics, so why not invent one of my own?" He took off the pince-nez glasses he used for traveling and put on his normal ones. It was true. Clow was a genius with magic. At the age of 28, he had mastered basically every magic known to man - or should I say sorcerer - kind.
Setsuna sighed, "I guess you're right...speaking of magic, I have a favor to ask you." Clow looked at her questioningly. "I have a friend, a female friend named Serenity. She has a tremendous amount of magic, but very little training, so..."
"You want me to teach her," finished Clow, smiling. "It would be my pleasure. If she has as much magic as you seem to think, (Setsuna mutters under her breath, "More..") then it is my duty as a sorcerer to teach her. We don't know what devastation she could cause with magic that big."
"How very true. She is upstairs resting right now, but -" A scream pierced the air. "It seems she has awoken. Well, I best go see to her." Setsuna calmly got up and started to walk out of the room, as if it was perfectly normal to have a scream pierce the household. There was a small flash of light as she changed into her terran form.
"What did you do to her?" asked Clow bemusedly.
"Nothing much," said the fading voice.
Serenity awoke to a strange light in her eyes. This was strange considering that her room in the palace was on the west side. Opening her eyes - with them adjusting to the unusual light - she peered around the room. This wasn't her room! Feeling lost and frightened, Serenity frantically scrambled out of bed. It was when she hit the floor that she remembered what had come to pass.
Tears welled up in the moon maiden's eyes. Life was so cruel. She had hoped it was only a dream, but alas, the tragedy was real. Forcing herself to stop crying, Serenity decided to make the best of her time, and right now that meant meeting that sorcerer friend of Setsuna's.
By the way the Gate Guardian talked about him, Serenity knew two things about him: he was powerful, and he was wise. This combination usually meant that the person was very old. Great, just great. Not only did she have to take the training, she had to take it from some old geezer who was probably as interesting as a doorknob. This was not looking fun.
Ah well, best get to it. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish. Although desperately wanting to go back to bed; to sleep her memories away, Serenity decided to get ready and to take things as they came. Walking over to her vanity, she sat down on her little bench and picked up her brush. She did not look in the mirror, as she did not want to see her hair, which was in a great knot at the back of her head. Sighing, she decided just to brush it as quickly as possible.
She looked in the mirror, and screamed.
The face was not her own. Well, not exactly. It still sort of looked like her, but if you had only seen her once before, you would have thought her an entirely different person. Her silver hair was now a golden color, glistening in the early rays of the majestic star. Her eyes, though blue like before, were nowhere near as startling. Pale skin from living on a planet with only a couple hours a day, was now darker than before.
"Good morning Serenity," said Setsuna, walking into the room in her terran form. It took a moment for Serenity to remember who she was. She seemed not to notice the remarkable change in her Queen's appearance as she headed to the bureau, taking out a pale pink everyday gown and setting it on the bed. "I shall help you with your hair and then we shall go downstairs. I do not wish to keep him waiting."
"Um, Setsuna, do you notice anything odd about me today?" asked Serenity, wondering if she had gone insane over night.
"Other than the fact that you look terran, nothing," supplied Setsuna, turning Serenity around on the bench and taking her brush from her. Rather difficultly, Setsuna began to bring the brush through Serenity's hair. "I took the liberty of changing your appearance while you slept. If I had done it this morning, he would have felt, and we do not wish to have that right now."
"Y-you changed my appearance?" inquired Serenity disbelievingly.
"Of course," said Setsuna. "We couldn't have you walking around in Lunarian form. How would that look? It would make him suspicious, not to mention it might frighten people, not that you are even remotely frightening. I have come to the conclusion that the people of earth are easily frightened of things they don't understand. I would not recommend sending an earthling to guard the solar system, as I must do. They would be scared out of their wits," said Setsuna, as the brush moved smoothly through Serenity's hair.
"I see," mumbled Serenity. Then realizing that the brush was moving through her hair, and that her hair was tangle free, she said, "How did you do that? It usually takes forever!"
"Ah, the joys of magic," smiled Setsuna. "In time, you will learn to harness your magic to it's full potential. Now, you must get dressed!" Pulling Serenity up by an arm, she quickly whizzed off the nightclothes, leaving Serenity in her undergarments, shivering. "Arms up!" she said as she slid the gown over Serenity's head. It was a simple dress of pale pink, with a squared, gold-trimmed neckline and matching trimming belt around the waist.
"It's very pretty," said Serenity, sitting back down on the bench, taking her brush and ribbons and starting to put her hair into it's usual style.
"No, no, no Serenity! You would look most odd with that style," scolded Setsuna. "Here let me do it." She took out the hairstyle and started her own. Using her magic, it took half the time it would had she not. The hairstyle was a simple ponytail, with a braid going around it; it was simple, yet elegant. "Come, let us part now, and remember, do not say anything of the moon."
"I understand," said Serenity solemnly. She followed Setsuna down the stairs, the way they had come the night previous. The Plutonian Queen (though she was not supposed to think of her as one, in her current state) to the lounge where she had learned Setsuna's true story. She heard a someone stand up and supposed it was the sorcerer.
Setsuna smiled at Clow before saying, "Clow Reed, I would like to introduce Serenity Lunaria." She moved out of the way to let her friend and her Queen view each.
Clow was not what Serenity expected, to say the least. Instead of the old man she was picturing in her mind, Clow was rather young, looking only about thirty. He had deep blue eyes and raven black hair. His eyes shone with intelligence and Serenity could see why Setsuna admired him. He was grand, not to mention handsome. Serenity blushed at the thought.
Though he had imagined that she was young, Clow was not prepared for this. Serenity Lunaria (if that was indeed her name) was a beautiful young woman, though her hair and skin did not seem to match her at all. She had an air of innocence, and yet there was something in her eyes that beg to differ: pain and guilt. Lots of it. Clow shook his head, and when he looked back, all that he had seen was gone. Yes, she was a beauty, and she would make a fine wife to a man one day.
Watching the exchange, eyes darting from one person to another, Setsuna smirked softly. Clow wasn't the only one who could read minds. This certainly was entertaining. The two just stood there looking at her and Setsuna tried not to giggle, something she not often had the reason or want to do.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Clow stepped forward and took Serenity's hand in his own. Kissing the back of it, he said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Lunaria."
"The pleasure is all mine," said Serenity, using all her manners lessons trying not to blush. "I hope you can teach me to better use my magic. I've had some terrible incidents with it."
"I will do all I can," promised Clow. Straightening back up, he said, "I don't know about both of you, but I'm famished. Shall we retire to the dinning salon?"
"That would be very wise," agreed Setsuna. "I am sure Serenity is very hungry, for she has not eaten for many hours." Serenity nodded her head. "Come, I'm sure the servants have prepared something." The trio walked to the dinning hall across the entrance hall.
The large room was very elegant, what with the long oak table, lined with satin stitched seats. Three seats were served at the end of the table. Clow sat on the end, with Serenity on one side and Setsuna on the other. Without hesitation, Clow and Setsuna lifted silver lids off their meal, and Serenity eagerly followed. Her face fell when she saw what was being served.
There was what seemed to be some sort of round, flat bread, strips of a delicious smelling meat, and a white substance. This was not what she expected. Every morning, the Lunarian ate tsuking berry custard, a delicious mush of berries warmed so that it was piping hot. This strange food (obviously terran in origin) though it smelled good, was not what she really wanted.
"Do you not like the menu?" inquired Clow, looking concerned. "I did not know your preferences, or I would have had the cook prepare it."
"Uh..." said Serenity. Setsuna shot her sharp look that clearly said, "Don't blow your cover." The words, Just try it, you'll like it... floated through her mind, with a voice that matched Setsuna's. "It's fine," said Serenity quickly.
"Alright," said Clow, looking suspiciously at Setsuna who only smiled at him.
Using the fork, Serenity picked up some of the white substance. Eating it slowly, she discovered that it wasn't half bad. Gaining new confidence, she cut some of the strange looking bread and popped it in her mouth. She found that this too was good; it didn't taste like regular bread, it was sweeter. Throwing all previous doubts from her mind, Serenity tried some of the meat strips and found her taste buds singing.
Restraining herself from devouring the whole meal at once, she calmly ate her food, trying to ignore the satisfied look on Setsuna's face. The meal was almost finished when Clow asked an unexpected question.
"So, Serenity, where are you from?" asked Clow.
Gulping, Serenity tried to hold back the tears that threatened to cascade down her cheeks. Home... She would never be able to go home. It was impossible now that it all had been destroyed. She would never walk the marble corridors, or admire the garden from her bedroom balcony. She would never laugh with her friends, or spend precious evenings with her mother. It was gone, all gone...
Completely forgetting the sorcerer's question, Serenity gazed off into nothing, remembering the life that had been so brutally ripped from her. Noticing the sudden change in her Queen's demeanor, she turned to Clow with sad eyes. "Serenity just recently lost her home," whispered the Plutonian Queen sadly.
Realization dawned on Clow as he looked at the girl in a new light. It certainly explained what he had seen in her eyes upon first glance. Looking at the woman now, he could see her eyes glaze over, most likely from memories. He could relate. He knew what it was like to be alone in the world. It was an experience he had gained at age of fifteen when both his mother and father had died in a shipwreck. "I'm sorry for making you remember," said Clow softly.
"It's alright," whispered Serenity. "I never want to forget. That would be much more painful." For the rest of breakfast, Serenity only picked at her food, never really eating.
"Perhaps you would like to do something to occupy your mind?" suggested Setsuna, not enjoying Serenity's sadness. She glanced meaningfully at Clow. He nodded in understanding.
"Yes, we could begin your training at once, if that is what you wish," agreed Clow. "I mind not. If you would rather do something else, then I will find something else to spend the day..."
"No, I want to learn," said Serenity determinedly. "I don't want to harm anyone else to get hurt."
"Alright then," nodded Clow. "We will start immediately. Please head to the ballroom. It's through the double doors in the entrance hall. I have to get my key."
"Key?" mouthed Serenity to Setsuna as Clow left the table. Setsuna smiled, shook her head, and gestured to the door. Arching an eyebrow at the senshi, Serenity slowly got up and made her way to the room Clow had indicated. There was a faint pop behind her as Setsuna left for the Time Gates - which of course, she didn't know about. Setsuna was not a Plutonian Queen and Gate Guardian, she was a simple terran sorceress.
Reaching the elegantly carved doors to what she supposed was the ballroom, she gingerly opened the door and peered inside. It was a beautiful room, with hardwood floors and wood paneling on the walls, which were completely bare, save for French windows on the wall opposite and a portrait that hung in the middle of the wall to her left.
Entering the room, she quietly walked over to the portrait. It showed a Chinese woman with long black hair in a bun, striking jade eyes, wearing a red Chinese-style dress, and sitting on a chair. Behind her was an English man, with deep chestnut brown hair, and beautiful blue eyes... just like Clow. Serenity blushed.
"I see you like my portrait," said Clow from behind her, causing her to jump.
"The woman is very beautiful," said Serenity. "As the man is handsome. Who are they?"
"They are my parents," said Clow. "This is my mother, Lin Yao." He pointed to the woman. "And my father, Xavier." He pointed to the man. "They died many years ago."
"I'm sorry," replied Serenity sincerely.
"The past is the past," smiled Clow. "We must live our lives one day at a time. It does not do to live in memories, for when you must face reality, it is much more painful."
One day at a time... The words repeated in Serenity's head. Though it had been but a day, she new without a doubt that her people were all dead. Without the Ginzuishou, the atmosphere on the moon would collapse; leaving any survivors there might be with no oxygen. By now, the same would've happened to the rest of the planets. Serenity shuddered at the though of how terrifying it would have been for them.
She would mourn, make no mistake of that, and she would mourn for a long time. But maybe, just maybe she could do something to help people here. Then and there, she made a vow to brighten everyone's day; never to let anyone be sad.
"Shall we start?" inquired Clow.
"Yes," said Serenity.
"Okay, the first thing I will be doing is seeing how much control you have on your magic," stated Clow. Serenity nodded in understanding. From the pocket of his robes, Clow pulled out a little ball. It was made from some squishy like substance. "It it rubber," said Clow, seeing Serenity's curious gaze. "It does not yet exist, but Setsuna got it for me from the future." He set the ball down about two feet in front of Serenity. "Try to levitate the ball."
Serenity concentrated on lifting up the ball. Nothing happened. She tried harder. Still nothing. She sighed in exasperation, and stamped her foot. The ball levitated, and floated midair for about fifteen seconds before zooming towards the moon maiden. She ducked as the ball went whizzing over her head and hit the wall. It proceeded to bounce around the whole of the ballroom.
Clow chuckled as Serenity grinned sheepishly. This was going to be a long and amusing experience…
A/N: I hope you liked it! See you all soon!
