Hi guys, what's up? I won't take up much of your precious time, so here is
the second chapter.
Chapter 2: Renewed Hope
A few days later, the Prince and his Generals began to prepare for their return to Earth. On the day of their departure, Beryl summoned them to her throne room.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay in my kingdom," Beryl began. "As a token of the friendship between our kingdoms, I would like to give all of you a gift."
At their queen's gesture, two servants brought four slaves into the room. The first was a black haired girl, and upon seeing the smirk Jadeite gave her, glared at the general with her unnerving violet eyes. A tall brunette followed her, glancing at the room around her with sharp green eyes. Next was a petite blue haired young woman, her blue eyes displaying a shy, yet intelligent nature. The last of the group was a blonde. For some reason, she seemed like the leader of the girls, 'Probably because of the way she held herself with such dignity,' Malachite supposed. 'Lunarians are so vain, they think they are better than everyone else, even when they are in chains.'
"General Jadeite, I give you Rei," Beryl said. Jadeite stepped forward and bowed, smirking at the black haired woman as she was thrust forward.
"General Nephrite, I give you Makoto," the queen continued. Smiling with relief that nothing wrong had happened on the Moon, Nephrite also stepped forward and bowed, while the brunette was shoved toward him.
"General Zoisite, I give you Ami." The blue haired woman stumbled as Beryl's minions pushed her toward Zoisite, but caught herself before she could fall.
"General Malachite, I give you Minako." The blonde's cornflower blue eyes were defiant as Malachite looked her over.
"Of course, Princes Endymion, I have a gift for you as well," Beryl purred. "My personal servant, formerly Princess Serenity of the Silver Alliance."
The opening of the door to the throne room drowned out the girls' gasps. Struggling against her captors, Serena was brought before the assembled people. Upon seeing the present girls, however, she stopped struggling and a dazed look appeared on her face.
"Serenity!" the girls breathed in unison, as if they cannot believe their eyes.
Serena looked doubtful as well, "Lit—"
"It's Makoto remember?" the brunette cut of firmly.
"Of course, Makoto. Ami? Minako? Rei?" she turned to the others.
Beryl frowned, clearly the girls knew each other. 'Maybe I should choose someone else.' Out loud she snapped, "Behave yourselves!"
The girls looked ready to say something unpleasant, but Serenity cut them off with a respectful bow toward Beryl, "Please excuse us. But these girls were my maids, and naturally we were happy to see each other. I am sorry for the inconvenience we have caused."
Makoto frowned, but Serenity warned her with a glare.
Endymion bowed to Beryl, "Thank you, Your Majesty. We appreciate your generous thoughts. Now, if you'll excuse us..." He turned toward the teleportation device.
"Of course, don't let me keep you. I am sure you are eager to return to you home planet," Beryl smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, Majesty," with a bow, the prince and his generals left along with their gifts.
***
Once the group reached Earth, the girls were shown to their rooms. Since they were to be the personal slaves of the Prince and his Generals, their quarters were actually quite luxurious compared to the other slaves. After they were told after their duties, the group went to Serena's room to talk.
"Why did you let Beryl walk all over you?" Makoto asked, twirling a strand of her hair.
Serena looked ruefully at her companions, "I am helpless against her, Makoto. If she ever gets the Silver Crystal, our people will be lost. I can't risk her wrath, not with so much at stake."
Rei looked at her, disbelief in her eyes, "What happened to you, Serena? You were the defiant one, never caring what other people thought of you, as long as you get what you want. Why are you so submissive to Beryl?"
"I have to survive, if it meant giving into Beryl, so be it. Without the Crystal, our people will never be free, and I am the only one who can wield the Crystal. I can't act rashly," Serena pleaded.
Minako snapped impatiently at her princess, "But if you don't do something, our people will never be free either!"
Ami put a restraining hand on the blonde, "Calm down, Minako."
"Calm down? You are telling me to calm down?" Minako exploded. "When—"
"Minako!" Ami looked sharply at the girl. "Watch what you say. Serenity is still your princess. Besides, it's clear that Beryl tried to break Serena's spirit, and nearly succeeded."
"Nearly?" Rei snorted. "She practically has Serena eating out of her hand."
Serena stared at her. All these years, when she dreamed of seeing her friends again, she never thought it would turn out like this. She never thought they would turn on her. "Is that how you think of me?" she asked, voice hoarse. "Do you think I would betray my kingdom by being one of Beryl's puppets?"
Makoto looked torn, "Princess, we have to try to escape. Now that we are together—"
"Do you think I want to be a slave?" Serena yelled. "Do you think I never thought of freedom these past five years? I tried to escape countless times when I first entered slavery. But it was all in vain, Beryl's minions caught me each time. You have no idea how close she was in getting the Silver Crystal. I learned that by not resisting, I can at least buy enough time to think up a plan before Beryl have an excuse to kill me." Stopping for breath, Serena felt her eyes well up with tears.
Minako looked sympathetic, "Serena, I'm sorry. I thought you didn't care. So many people have changed, some don't care what happens to one of their own as long as they remain alive. I thought you were one of them, I though you didn't care what will happen to our people."
"I do. How can I not?" Serena asked.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, Serena. It's just that..." Makoto trailed off.
"It's just that..." Ami was, for once since the girls knew her, unsure of what to say. "We expected you to be more defiant toward Beryl," the girl blurted out.
Serena's eyes widened, "Defiance? Do you know what Beryl would do to me if I showed defiance to her? She would kill me in the worst way she can invent!"
"I'm sorry, Serena. I shouldn't have judged you so quickly," Rei said softly.
"Let's not talk about this anymore," Minako said suddenly.
Nodding, the other girls agreed. The uncomfortable and awkward silence almost deafening in their ears. Shifting uneasily, Makoto began, "Do you think we should..."
Rei shook her head, "We need a plan. We can't let our enemies get the Silver Crystal, but we can't call attention to ourselves either. If they find out who we are, then we are as good as dead."
"Anyone know what the Terrans think of us?" Minako asked, going into her leader mode.
"They hate us," Ami informed her. "They hated us ever since the Silver Alliance was formed. Beryl's lies didn't help either."
Minako cursed, "How can they trust that monster?"
"She brought Queen Serenity down. Beryl is a hero in their eyes," Makoto answered bitterly.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Yes?" Serena called out cautiously.
"The Prince and his Generals need you to serve their dinner. It is expected of you to change into something more suitable than the rags you are wearing now," the muffled voice said harshly.
"We are coming," Serena and the girls replied.
After the servant left, they looked at each other. "Well, I guess we better go. It definitely would not make a good impression if we are late," Ami said at last.
"Anyone know why we have to change?" Minako asked, looking down at her dress.
Makoto frowned, "If they get any ideas—"
"You are not going to kill them," Minako interrupted calmly. "You hid your identities for five years, surely you can manage a few more. Girls?"
Following the blonde, the group, except for Serena, went to the door. "Coming?" Rei asked.
"No, I need to think. Don't worry, I'll catch up to you later," Serena assured the woman. Seeing the door close behind her friends, Serena went to the balcony. For the first in years, she felt hope. The same hope she felt when she first became a slave, the hope that her kingdom will once again rise to power with her as its ruler. 'Thank you, my friends,' she thought. 'Thank you for being there for me. For showing me that hope is still there.' Outside, the dark clouds drifted apart to reveal a silver and shining full moon.
***
Well, what do you think of it? Now, please click the button next to the box on the bottom left corner of your screen and leave me a review!
Chapter 2: Renewed Hope
A few days later, the Prince and his Generals began to prepare for their return to Earth. On the day of their departure, Beryl summoned them to her throne room.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay in my kingdom," Beryl began. "As a token of the friendship between our kingdoms, I would like to give all of you a gift."
At their queen's gesture, two servants brought four slaves into the room. The first was a black haired girl, and upon seeing the smirk Jadeite gave her, glared at the general with her unnerving violet eyes. A tall brunette followed her, glancing at the room around her with sharp green eyes. Next was a petite blue haired young woman, her blue eyes displaying a shy, yet intelligent nature. The last of the group was a blonde. For some reason, she seemed like the leader of the girls, 'Probably because of the way she held herself with such dignity,' Malachite supposed. 'Lunarians are so vain, they think they are better than everyone else, even when they are in chains.'
"General Jadeite, I give you Rei," Beryl said. Jadeite stepped forward and bowed, smirking at the black haired woman as she was thrust forward.
"General Nephrite, I give you Makoto," the queen continued. Smiling with relief that nothing wrong had happened on the Moon, Nephrite also stepped forward and bowed, while the brunette was shoved toward him.
"General Zoisite, I give you Ami." The blue haired woman stumbled as Beryl's minions pushed her toward Zoisite, but caught herself before she could fall.
"General Malachite, I give you Minako." The blonde's cornflower blue eyes were defiant as Malachite looked her over.
"Of course, Princes Endymion, I have a gift for you as well," Beryl purred. "My personal servant, formerly Princess Serenity of the Silver Alliance."
The opening of the door to the throne room drowned out the girls' gasps. Struggling against her captors, Serena was brought before the assembled people. Upon seeing the present girls, however, she stopped struggling and a dazed look appeared on her face.
"Serenity!" the girls breathed in unison, as if they cannot believe their eyes.
Serena looked doubtful as well, "Lit—"
"It's Makoto remember?" the brunette cut of firmly.
"Of course, Makoto. Ami? Minako? Rei?" she turned to the others.
Beryl frowned, clearly the girls knew each other. 'Maybe I should choose someone else.' Out loud she snapped, "Behave yourselves!"
The girls looked ready to say something unpleasant, but Serenity cut them off with a respectful bow toward Beryl, "Please excuse us. But these girls were my maids, and naturally we were happy to see each other. I am sorry for the inconvenience we have caused."
Makoto frowned, but Serenity warned her with a glare.
Endymion bowed to Beryl, "Thank you, Your Majesty. We appreciate your generous thoughts. Now, if you'll excuse us..." He turned toward the teleportation device.
"Of course, don't let me keep you. I am sure you are eager to return to you home planet," Beryl smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, Majesty," with a bow, the prince and his generals left along with their gifts.
***
Once the group reached Earth, the girls were shown to their rooms. Since they were to be the personal slaves of the Prince and his Generals, their quarters were actually quite luxurious compared to the other slaves. After they were told after their duties, the group went to Serena's room to talk.
"Why did you let Beryl walk all over you?" Makoto asked, twirling a strand of her hair.
Serena looked ruefully at her companions, "I am helpless against her, Makoto. If she ever gets the Silver Crystal, our people will be lost. I can't risk her wrath, not with so much at stake."
Rei looked at her, disbelief in her eyes, "What happened to you, Serena? You were the defiant one, never caring what other people thought of you, as long as you get what you want. Why are you so submissive to Beryl?"
"I have to survive, if it meant giving into Beryl, so be it. Without the Crystal, our people will never be free, and I am the only one who can wield the Crystal. I can't act rashly," Serena pleaded.
Minako snapped impatiently at her princess, "But if you don't do something, our people will never be free either!"
Ami put a restraining hand on the blonde, "Calm down, Minako."
"Calm down? You are telling me to calm down?" Minako exploded. "When—"
"Minako!" Ami looked sharply at the girl. "Watch what you say. Serenity is still your princess. Besides, it's clear that Beryl tried to break Serena's spirit, and nearly succeeded."
"Nearly?" Rei snorted. "She practically has Serena eating out of her hand."
Serena stared at her. All these years, when she dreamed of seeing her friends again, she never thought it would turn out like this. She never thought they would turn on her. "Is that how you think of me?" she asked, voice hoarse. "Do you think I would betray my kingdom by being one of Beryl's puppets?"
Makoto looked torn, "Princess, we have to try to escape. Now that we are together—"
"Do you think I want to be a slave?" Serena yelled. "Do you think I never thought of freedom these past five years? I tried to escape countless times when I first entered slavery. But it was all in vain, Beryl's minions caught me each time. You have no idea how close she was in getting the Silver Crystal. I learned that by not resisting, I can at least buy enough time to think up a plan before Beryl have an excuse to kill me." Stopping for breath, Serena felt her eyes well up with tears.
Minako looked sympathetic, "Serena, I'm sorry. I thought you didn't care. So many people have changed, some don't care what happens to one of their own as long as they remain alive. I thought you were one of them, I though you didn't care what will happen to our people."
"I do. How can I not?" Serena asked.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, Serena. It's just that..." Makoto trailed off.
"It's just that..." Ami was, for once since the girls knew her, unsure of what to say. "We expected you to be more defiant toward Beryl," the girl blurted out.
Serena's eyes widened, "Defiance? Do you know what Beryl would do to me if I showed defiance to her? She would kill me in the worst way she can invent!"
"I'm sorry, Serena. I shouldn't have judged you so quickly," Rei said softly.
"Let's not talk about this anymore," Minako said suddenly.
Nodding, the other girls agreed. The uncomfortable and awkward silence almost deafening in their ears. Shifting uneasily, Makoto began, "Do you think we should..."
Rei shook her head, "We need a plan. We can't let our enemies get the Silver Crystal, but we can't call attention to ourselves either. If they find out who we are, then we are as good as dead."
"Anyone know what the Terrans think of us?" Minako asked, going into her leader mode.
"They hate us," Ami informed her. "They hated us ever since the Silver Alliance was formed. Beryl's lies didn't help either."
Minako cursed, "How can they trust that monster?"
"She brought Queen Serenity down. Beryl is a hero in their eyes," Makoto answered bitterly.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Yes?" Serena called out cautiously.
"The Prince and his Generals need you to serve their dinner. It is expected of you to change into something more suitable than the rags you are wearing now," the muffled voice said harshly.
"We are coming," Serena and the girls replied.
After the servant left, they looked at each other. "Well, I guess we better go. It definitely would not make a good impression if we are late," Ami said at last.
"Anyone know why we have to change?" Minako asked, looking down at her dress.
Makoto frowned, "If they get any ideas—"
"You are not going to kill them," Minako interrupted calmly. "You hid your identities for five years, surely you can manage a few more. Girls?"
Following the blonde, the group, except for Serena, went to the door. "Coming?" Rei asked.
"No, I need to think. Don't worry, I'll catch up to you later," Serena assured the woman. Seeing the door close behind her friends, Serena went to the balcony. For the first in years, she felt hope. The same hope she felt when she first became a slave, the hope that her kingdom will once again rise to power with her as its ruler. 'Thank you, my friends,' she thought. 'Thank you for being there for me. For showing me that hope is still there.' Outside, the dark clouds drifted apart to reveal a silver and shining full moon.
***
Well, what do you think of it? Now, please click the button next to the box on the bottom left corner of your screen and leave me a review!