Ok.....right, umm, first I gotta say sorry this has taken so very long to do,
I know it's only the prologue but it's kinda like an iceberg, (lots of
reconstruction behind this) I needed to change a lot of my original
storyline to fit this one and I also needed to try and cover up any plot
holes I saw and...yeah I'm not going to bore you with details.
Anyway, would it possible to get feedback on this? Reviews are fantastic, but I'm worried this is a little too close to the LotR storyline and people might find it boring. I welcome suggestions, constructive criticism, heck, even flames as long as it helps me to improve rather than just boost or deflate my ego...
Well hope you enjoy it! This entire story is dedicated to two of the nicest people I know in internet land and without whom this story would still just be a load of plot bunnies bouncing around my head, Lady Fenix and K. Wsye (both of which also have rather excellent fics, GO READ!! Well, after you've read mine...they're both on fanfiction.net)
And FINALLY, the disclaimer, I don't own anything to do with Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings and I'm not trying to make a profit out of this fic, I just want to combine two very good things for fun. Thanks!
~~**~~
To begin this adventurous tale, which starts at the beginning of what is known as the Third Age, we must first look at some of its history, and of course, the best place to start, is always at the beginning...
On the Planet known as Gaya there were several distinct races, the first were the Sorcerers, official guardians of their world, though they were found most prominently on the Mainland, the second of the only two known continents on the planet. They held within them a hidden power permitted only to be used to defend Gaya. The sorcerers watched over the good races, appearing only to aid them in times of great need. Their wisdom was immense, but their numbers were few, only four were ever known to have graced the planet, two of which are found in this story.
Next came the Handornians, immortal creatures well known for their loveliness and harmony with nature. They originated from the continent west of Mainland, the First Continent, Handorn. The Handornians adored beautiful things; they used their great powers and knowledge to surround themselves with environments as splendid as they were themselves. Because of their love of adventure and exploration, many sailed over the seas to the Mainland.
At first the Handornians settled by the coast, travelling back and forth between their homeland and the new land that they had discovered, but as time went on and those on the Mainland ventured further north and became more settled, rivalry between the two continents began. The Mainland Handornians had met another race, the race of men, and found it their duty to teach them all they could. However, this mingling with lesser races created a rift between the Native Handornians and the Mainland Handornians who were looked down upon as inferior. It came to a point somewhere in the middle of the First Age but before war could be declared, the Handornians of the Mainland were offered a choice; they could either choose to remain loyal to their original continent, Handorn, and travel back when they wished, though this journey would be final and they would never again be able to return to the Mainland, or they could renounce their ancestry and immortality and become a new race. Many chose the latter option, believing they had found true happiness on the Mainland - but there were still those that remained loyal and chose to keep their immortality, to them Handorn bestowed a gift, the great Silver Crystal which could create a portal to take them home when they so desired, for Handorn could no longer be reached by sailing, it had been cut off from the Mainland, so that none from Handorn could ever go to the Mainland and those who had renounced it could never return.
And so peace reigned for a while, those who were no longer Handornian mixed with men and became known eventually as the High Race of men, revered for their ingenuity, creativeness, long life span and power. They maintained a respectful relationship with the Mainland Handornians (those who intended to eventually go home) for they preferred peace to war. They taught much to the race of Common men, those who had not mingled with the Handornians, and they themselves, learned and discovered much. This age was seen as the Golden Age of Mainland and it would not be for a long time before such peace was seen again.
~~**~~
By the ending of the First Age, the High Race of men had all but forgotten their history, only the most learned and those who often spent time with the Mainland Handornians knew their true ancestral origins. Most of them were more concerned with their own matters; a new race had been breeding known as the Youma, they were creatures, deformed and ugly who had evolved from the lowliest of animals on Gaya. They had grown quickly in number and spent their time scourging and looting all the countries of the Mainland except Panegune, where most of the Mainland Handornians lived.
At this time many of the Mainland Handornians used the Silver Crystal to return home, not wanting to be troubled by the problems of the Second Continent (as the Mainland was often referred as). But those that did stay helped where they could, often acting upon the advice of the Sorcerer Shairoon and the powerful Mainland Handornian Serenity.
~~**~~
The Second Age is believed to have begun with the appearance of Metallia. She was a mysterious creature; many thought she was a Sorcerer, appearing only because she was needed. Shairoon could not deny this claim as the Sorcerers did not innately know each other and she had no proof to say otherwise, though she did not fully trust Metallia's claim. Even Serenity, who had the gift of foresight, could not see what Metallia's arrival held for the future, and this troubled her greatly.
In truth, Metallia was actually a Youma, she was the most powerful of all, gifted with evil from the very core of Gaya, but this was not to be realised until it was too late. The Mainland Handornians and both races of men, believing falsely that she was a friend were eager to welcome her and were glad of the prospect of having another Sorcerer to help them fight against the pestilent Youma.
In secret, with the support of Shairoon, Serenity went to the king of High Men, King Everest and told him of her fear of Metallia; she told the king that she wished to make a crystal of her own for him, to help protect him and his people. The king, although not fully believing Metallia to be evil, had great trust in Serenity and her wisdom and so agreed. In this crystal she poured much of her own power and his essence, she warned him to never reveal its creation to anyone and to use it only in dire need. This was known as the Golden Crystal.
Soon after, Serenity had a vision which allowed her to see the true intentions of Metallia. She openly accused Metallia of wanting to steal the Silver Crystal and to invade Handorn; she was jealous of power of the Handornians and wanted to take it for herself. At this revelation Metallia fled to Dentar, the desert country of the Mainland and her country of birth. There she gathered an army of Youma and other vile creatures, she turned many men, High and Common against the Mainland Handornians, spreading lies that they had taken away the gift of immortality so they could rule all those on the Mainland, she twisted all those who joined her into soulless creatures of evil.
King Everest, seeing that some of his own people were turning against the Mainland Handornians, warned Serenity. She held council with the most high of her race and asked if she could have permission to move the Silver Crystal from its resting place on the Shore that Once Faced Handorn to her home in Panegune. At first many protested, the Crystal had incredible power that would guard it against those not permitted to use it and they were not sure of the consequences of taking it from its place of belonging. But Serenity revealed to them the true origins of Metallia as she had seen in her vision and her fear that Metallia might find a way to take the crystal and morph it into a thing of evil. This caused a great argument for all trusted the words of Serenity, but they also wanted to return home eventually and there was no guarantee that if the Crystal was moved that it could still take them. Here however the argument ended for the Great Sorcerer Beryl spoke up, she had appeared for the council meeting along with Shairoon, a rare thing indeed which heightened the importance of this council, and she told them to listen to Serenity, the Crystal did not need tradition or a resting place to work, it was much more powerful than that. Shairoon agreed with this and so the decision was made, for the first time the Silver Crystal would be moved from the Shore that Once Faced Handorn to Serenity's Forest in Panegune.
At once Serenity left with Shairoon and many Mainland Handornians to go collect the Crystal, Beryl disappeared though none thought this unusual, when the Sorcerers were not needed they were impossible to find. Beryl was the greatest of Sorcerers as her area of interest was great power, she studied it, good and bad, and she could wield it, because of this she rarely interfered, for it was said she could practically control free will, and this, according to the divine rights was forbidden.
As Serenity was taking the Silver Crystal back home she was attacked by four very powerful Youma, like none ever seen before. They stole the Crystal and left all in despair and confusion, they never suspected a traitor in their council.
Beryl waited for her Youma to return to her with the Crystal, but they never did, for Metallia had cast a more powerful spell on them, and now had their loyalty and the Crystal. When Beryl learned of this she was furious, for how could Metallia be more powerful than her? But Metallia saw the potential of Beryl and asked her to join her army; she promised Beryl the entire of Mainland to rule once they had taken over Gaya. Beryl agreed to this, though deep in her heart she planned to one day steal the Crystal from Metallia.
Metallia knew that she herself could not wield the Silver Crystal, it would not allow her to, so she took it to the place of her birth, the Great Fire of Dentar, a volcano which reached down to the core of Gaya, there she threw the Crystal in and melted it down, and recreated it pouring in all of her own power and essence. The Crystal then became known as the Dark Crystal.
Serenity knew what Metallia would do to the Crystal and she knew what she would use it for, so she gathered an army, the largest ever in history, made up of Mainland Handornians, High Men, Common Men, creatures of the air and land, the Forest Shepherds and even the Dwarves, a race long-since ended due to their want for isolation and interest only in their own business and possessions. The Sorcerer Shairoon was also present, but Beryl was not, this was taken as a good sign, for it seemed as if she would not be needed in battle.
They marched to Dentar, the stronghold of Metallia and waited at her monstrous gates. When they were finally opened, a great battle ensued for the Mainland. When Metallia finally decided to join the fighting, her power, enhanced by the Dark Crystal's, decimated Serenity's army. In a last effort, King Everest of the High Men released the power of the Golden Crystal. It was said that at that moment, the entire battlefield was lit with a golden light; its power extracted the Dark Crystal from Metallia, reducing her to a wandering spirit. But it also significantly weakened Serenity and the Golden Crystal, being used to such an extent shattered, killing King Everest. The pieces, however, were absorbed into his son Everest II and his personal guard, who had been standing nearby.
In the aftermath of battle, Everest II found the Dark Crystal, and already its evil power took hold of him. Serenity begged him to destroy it as it gave Metallia the chance to return to power again since she had not been fully destroyed. He refused.
After the battle she and Shairoon held council with Everest II and the Mainland Handornians and begged them to melt the crystal in the Volcano. Once again Everest II refused, he planned to keep it as an heirloom to remind all whose lineage ridded the threat of Metallia. He left the meeting early to return to his home so he could be crowned King. Many of the Handornians agreed not to destroy it because it was their only way home, although it could not be used to open the portal since it was still evil. They also knew they would have to be very careful because of its abilities to corrupt, but they also could not just take it from Everest II, they did not have the strength, or the desire to start a civil war.
The council could not decide what do to, they debated for months. Serenity was angry that nothing was being done to stop Everest II, but many of the Handornians were angry at her for not consulting them when she made the Golden Crystal and for losing the Silver Crystal in the first place. Knowing there was no other way to save Handorn from invasion since either the Dark Crystal would eventually corrupt Everest II enough to do so, or at least make him bring back Metallia, Shairoon and Serenity knew they had to destroy the crystal without the agreement of the council. Serenity and Shairoon started to gather another army, this time to attack Thelis, the stronghold of High Men and the home of Everest II.
But before they had a chance to do anything, news arrived that Everest II was dead. He had been attacked on a road by some wild Youma and during the fight, the crystal had been lost. They searched again and again, but the Crystal could not be found.
There was nothing Shairoon or Serenity could do. Shairoon apparently disappeared once again, as she was no longer needed, and eventually, after many centuries, when life almost seemed peaceful again, Serenity had a child, and called her Usagi.
Anyway, would it possible to get feedback on this? Reviews are fantastic, but I'm worried this is a little too close to the LotR storyline and people might find it boring. I welcome suggestions, constructive criticism, heck, even flames as long as it helps me to improve rather than just boost or deflate my ego...
Well hope you enjoy it! This entire story is dedicated to two of the nicest people I know in internet land and without whom this story would still just be a load of plot bunnies bouncing around my head, Lady Fenix and K. Wsye (both of which also have rather excellent fics, GO READ!! Well, after you've read mine...they're both on fanfiction.net)
And FINALLY, the disclaimer, I don't own anything to do with Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings and I'm not trying to make a profit out of this fic, I just want to combine two very good things for fun. Thanks!
~~**~~
To begin this adventurous tale, which starts at the beginning of what is known as the Third Age, we must first look at some of its history, and of course, the best place to start, is always at the beginning...
On the Planet known as Gaya there were several distinct races, the first were the Sorcerers, official guardians of their world, though they were found most prominently on the Mainland, the second of the only two known continents on the planet. They held within them a hidden power permitted only to be used to defend Gaya. The sorcerers watched over the good races, appearing only to aid them in times of great need. Their wisdom was immense, but their numbers were few, only four were ever known to have graced the planet, two of which are found in this story.
Next came the Handornians, immortal creatures well known for their loveliness and harmony with nature. They originated from the continent west of Mainland, the First Continent, Handorn. The Handornians adored beautiful things; they used their great powers and knowledge to surround themselves with environments as splendid as they were themselves. Because of their love of adventure and exploration, many sailed over the seas to the Mainland.
At first the Handornians settled by the coast, travelling back and forth between their homeland and the new land that they had discovered, but as time went on and those on the Mainland ventured further north and became more settled, rivalry between the two continents began. The Mainland Handornians had met another race, the race of men, and found it their duty to teach them all they could. However, this mingling with lesser races created a rift between the Native Handornians and the Mainland Handornians who were looked down upon as inferior. It came to a point somewhere in the middle of the First Age but before war could be declared, the Handornians of the Mainland were offered a choice; they could either choose to remain loyal to their original continent, Handorn, and travel back when they wished, though this journey would be final and they would never again be able to return to the Mainland, or they could renounce their ancestry and immortality and become a new race. Many chose the latter option, believing they had found true happiness on the Mainland - but there were still those that remained loyal and chose to keep their immortality, to them Handorn bestowed a gift, the great Silver Crystal which could create a portal to take them home when they so desired, for Handorn could no longer be reached by sailing, it had been cut off from the Mainland, so that none from Handorn could ever go to the Mainland and those who had renounced it could never return.
And so peace reigned for a while, those who were no longer Handornian mixed with men and became known eventually as the High Race of men, revered for their ingenuity, creativeness, long life span and power. They maintained a respectful relationship with the Mainland Handornians (those who intended to eventually go home) for they preferred peace to war. They taught much to the race of Common men, those who had not mingled with the Handornians, and they themselves, learned and discovered much. This age was seen as the Golden Age of Mainland and it would not be for a long time before such peace was seen again.
~~**~~
By the ending of the First Age, the High Race of men had all but forgotten their history, only the most learned and those who often spent time with the Mainland Handornians knew their true ancestral origins. Most of them were more concerned with their own matters; a new race had been breeding known as the Youma, they were creatures, deformed and ugly who had evolved from the lowliest of animals on Gaya. They had grown quickly in number and spent their time scourging and looting all the countries of the Mainland except Panegune, where most of the Mainland Handornians lived.
At this time many of the Mainland Handornians used the Silver Crystal to return home, not wanting to be troubled by the problems of the Second Continent (as the Mainland was often referred as). But those that did stay helped where they could, often acting upon the advice of the Sorcerer Shairoon and the powerful Mainland Handornian Serenity.
~~**~~
The Second Age is believed to have begun with the appearance of Metallia. She was a mysterious creature; many thought she was a Sorcerer, appearing only because she was needed. Shairoon could not deny this claim as the Sorcerers did not innately know each other and she had no proof to say otherwise, though she did not fully trust Metallia's claim. Even Serenity, who had the gift of foresight, could not see what Metallia's arrival held for the future, and this troubled her greatly.
In truth, Metallia was actually a Youma, she was the most powerful of all, gifted with evil from the very core of Gaya, but this was not to be realised until it was too late. The Mainland Handornians and both races of men, believing falsely that she was a friend were eager to welcome her and were glad of the prospect of having another Sorcerer to help them fight against the pestilent Youma.
In secret, with the support of Shairoon, Serenity went to the king of High Men, King Everest and told him of her fear of Metallia; she told the king that she wished to make a crystal of her own for him, to help protect him and his people. The king, although not fully believing Metallia to be evil, had great trust in Serenity and her wisdom and so agreed. In this crystal she poured much of her own power and his essence, she warned him to never reveal its creation to anyone and to use it only in dire need. This was known as the Golden Crystal.
Soon after, Serenity had a vision which allowed her to see the true intentions of Metallia. She openly accused Metallia of wanting to steal the Silver Crystal and to invade Handorn; she was jealous of power of the Handornians and wanted to take it for herself. At this revelation Metallia fled to Dentar, the desert country of the Mainland and her country of birth. There she gathered an army of Youma and other vile creatures, she turned many men, High and Common against the Mainland Handornians, spreading lies that they had taken away the gift of immortality so they could rule all those on the Mainland, she twisted all those who joined her into soulless creatures of evil.
King Everest, seeing that some of his own people were turning against the Mainland Handornians, warned Serenity. She held council with the most high of her race and asked if she could have permission to move the Silver Crystal from its resting place on the Shore that Once Faced Handorn to her home in Panegune. At first many protested, the Crystal had incredible power that would guard it against those not permitted to use it and they were not sure of the consequences of taking it from its place of belonging. But Serenity revealed to them the true origins of Metallia as she had seen in her vision and her fear that Metallia might find a way to take the crystal and morph it into a thing of evil. This caused a great argument for all trusted the words of Serenity, but they also wanted to return home eventually and there was no guarantee that if the Crystal was moved that it could still take them. Here however the argument ended for the Great Sorcerer Beryl spoke up, she had appeared for the council meeting along with Shairoon, a rare thing indeed which heightened the importance of this council, and she told them to listen to Serenity, the Crystal did not need tradition or a resting place to work, it was much more powerful than that. Shairoon agreed with this and so the decision was made, for the first time the Silver Crystal would be moved from the Shore that Once Faced Handorn to Serenity's Forest in Panegune.
At once Serenity left with Shairoon and many Mainland Handornians to go collect the Crystal, Beryl disappeared though none thought this unusual, when the Sorcerers were not needed they were impossible to find. Beryl was the greatest of Sorcerers as her area of interest was great power, she studied it, good and bad, and she could wield it, because of this she rarely interfered, for it was said she could practically control free will, and this, according to the divine rights was forbidden.
As Serenity was taking the Silver Crystal back home she was attacked by four very powerful Youma, like none ever seen before. They stole the Crystal and left all in despair and confusion, they never suspected a traitor in their council.
Beryl waited for her Youma to return to her with the Crystal, but they never did, for Metallia had cast a more powerful spell on them, and now had their loyalty and the Crystal. When Beryl learned of this she was furious, for how could Metallia be more powerful than her? But Metallia saw the potential of Beryl and asked her to join her army; she promised Beryl the entire of Mainland to rule once they had taken over Gaya. Beryl agreed to this, though deep in her heart she planned to one day steal the Crystal from Metallia.
Metallia knew that she herself could not wield the Silver Crystal, it would not allow her to, so she took it to the place of her birth, the Great Fire of Dentar, a volcano which reached down to the core of Gaya, there she threw the Crystal in and melted it down, and recreated it pouring in all of her own power and essence. The Crystal then became known as the Dark Crystal.
Serenity knew what Metallia would do to the Crystal and she knew what she would use it for, so she gathered an army, the largest ever in history, made up of Mainland Handornians, High Men, Common Men, creatures of the air and land, the Forest Shepherds and even the Dwarves, a race long-since ended due to their want for isolation and interest only in their own business and possessions. The Sorcerer Shairoon was also present, but Beryl was not, this was taken as a good sign, for it seemed as if she would not be needed in battle.
They marched to Dentar, the stronghold of Metallia and waited at her monstrous gates. When they were finally opened, a great battle ensued for the Mainland. When Metallia finally decided to join the fighting, her power, enhanced by the Dark Crystal's, decimated Serenity's army. In a last effort, King Everest of the High Men released the power of the Golden Crystal. It was said that at that moment, the entire battlefield was lit with a golden light; its power extracted the Dark Crystal from Metallia, reducing her to a wandering spirit. But it also significantly weakened Serenity and the Golden Crystal, being used to such an extent shattered, killing King Everest. The pieces, however, were absorbed into his son Everest II and his personal guard, who had been standing nearby.
In the aftermath of battle, Everest II found the Dark Crystal, and already its evil power took hold of him. Serenity begged him to destroy it as it gave Metallia the chance to return to power again since she had not been fully destroyed. He refused.
After the battle she and Shairoon held council with Everest II and the Mainland Handornians and begged them to melt the crystal in the Volcano. Once again Everest II refused, he planned to keep it as an heirloom to remind all whose lineage ridded the threat of Metallia. He left the meeting early to return to his home so he could be crowned King. Many of the Handornians agreed not to destroy it because it was their only way home, although it could not be used to open the portal since it was still evil. They also knew they would have to be very careful because of its abilities to corrupt, but they also could not just take it from Everest II, they did not have the strength, or the desire to start a civil war.
The council could not decide what do to, they debated for months. Serenity was angry that nothing was being done to stop Everest II, but many of the Handornians were angry at her for not consulting them when she made the Golden Crystal and for losing the Silver Crystal in the first place. Knowing there was no other way to save Handorn from invasion since either the Dark Crystal would eventually corrupt Everest II enough to do so, or at least make him bring back Metallia, Shairoon and Serenity knew they had to destroy the crystal without the agreement of the council. Serenity and Shairoon started to gather another army, this time to attack Thelis, the stronghold of High Men and the home of Everest II.
But before they had a chance to do anything, news arrived that Everest II was dead. He had been attacked on a road by some wild Youma and during the fight, the crystal had been lost. They searched again and again, but the Crystal could not be found.
There was nothing Shairoon or Serenity could do. Shairoon apparently disappeared once again, as she was no longer needed, and eventually, after many centuries, when life almost seemed peaceful again, Serenity had a child, and called her Usagi.