Here's the next chapter. I might be making a few changes in it but I'm not sure yet. If you read it while it was under Goddess Althena's account then you will know if any changes were made. I am changing the chapter's title though. As previously mentioned, the disclaimer applies to all chapters including this one. I ain't mentioning it again.
Heaven and Hell
Chapter 1 ~ Heaven Sent Senshi
"Enough…" St. Peter turned away from the viewing pool, the images from the pool vanishing with a wave of his hand. He walked to the window and looked out, his hands clasped behind his back. The Earth was not the only thing at stake… St. Peter sighed, then yelled, "Serenity!"
An angel appeared behind him on one knee, a silver glaive in her right hand. She had silver hair in two buns, hair hanging from the buns to her knees, and brilliant blue eyes. She wore a white dress that reached to her ankles, with gold and silver trim. The dress straps were thin and there were slits on the outside of her legs that reached to her upper thighs. White wings extended from her shoulder blades, tinted silver.
"Yes, father?" She asked quietly. St. Peter turned to her, "My daughter…things must be done about Earth and the demons. Earth's population has decreased at an alarming rate. Already, the population has lowered from 5 billion to 4 billion. I've received word that Lucifer's son himself is running some sort of "Dark Campaign" from Tokyo, Japan. He has four of his strongest protecting him." St. Peter took a deep breath, then continued, "Your mission is this: You are to take four bodyguards with you and return to Earth. You will hunt out the ones responsible and destroy them." Serenity's head snapped up to face him, showing her serene eyes widened, "But father—!" St. Peter held up his hand, silencing her, "I KNOW we are angels and saints here, and our policy is not to kill, but you must understand. This is what MUST be done to regain peace. You are a warrior of God. It is your sworn duty." Serenity bowed her head, "I understand…" St. Peter nodded, "Then rise. Go and find your companions you will bring, then depart for Earth from the Lunar Shrine." Serenity rose to her feet, then nodded and disappeared in a flash of silver light, glitter, and feathers.
St. Peter shook his head and looked back out the window, "This is our last hope… the only hope for Earth and Heaven alike…" He closed his eyes, "Good luck, Serenity…"
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Serenity approached a great castle of blue crystal, the sunlight reflecting off it and across its surroundings like water. She slowly entered, walking through many empty halls, her heels clicking loudly and echoing through the high-ceilinged rooms. The walls seemed to have waterfalls coming from the top, falling into fountains waiting below. Rather than crystal, everything looked like ice.
She finally reached the inner-most point of the palace, which was very much full of life. Servants ran around, busying themselves with shores. A girl sat in the middle of the room. The floor was sunk in about a foot in a circle, the circle filled with deep-blue pillows on which the girl was sitting. She had Sparkling blue eyes, and hair to match. Her ice-blue dress was identical in style to Serenity's, the dress trimmed with only silver. Wings were folded against her back, tinted light blue.
The girl rose as Serenity entered, a bright smile on her face, "Hello Serenity." Serenity couldn't help smiling back, "Hello Mercury. Unfortunately, Princess, this is not a social visit…" Mercury's face automatically fell, "What's wrong…?"
After Serenity explained to her the situation, Mercury stood, "I understand. It would be my honor to help you." Mercury turned to her servants, "You all watch over the palace." The servants nodded, saying things to her as "Watch yourself, Princess" and "Be careful." Mercury nodded to them, then turned back to Serenity. Serenity smiled warmly, "Thank you, Mercury." Mercury shook her head, "It's alright. I wouldn't say no to you, Serenity." Serenity smiled, "Come, we must hurry."
Both made their way from the inner room, then out of the crystal castle to their next destination.
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"Have you any news?"
"No Your Grace… Only that they are planning something…"
"Damn them! They must not interfere! Do you understand me!?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Then go!!!!"
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Serenity and Mercury approached the next castle over a wooden bridge. This land varied greatly from Mercury's realm. The castle was surrounded by a moat of lava. The castle was made of crystal like the first, but this crystal was deep red.
They entered the castle, only to be surprised by someone. A girl was already waiting for them in the main hall. She had deep violet eyes, covered slightly by raven bangs. She wore a dress like Serenity's and Mercury's, but in a deep crimson color, trimmed with gold. Red-tinted wings were folded against her back.
"Princess Mars," Serenity acknowledged her with a slight bow of her head. "We should have known you would know we were coming," Mercury said, smiling as always. Mars nodded and gave a small smile, "Serenity, I know of your quest, and wish to accompany you." Serenity smiled, "I was hoping you would." Mars nodded, "With the vision I had, I couldn't refuse…" Serenity raised an eyebrow, "What vision?"
Mars began, "Well, Everyone seemed as if they were a shadow, but I could still tell who we were. A bunch of demons were attacking us, and the ground was split everywhere, as if hell itself was surfacing on Earth. Five men were watching, unable to help. It was obvious that they loved us… I woke as we were supposedly killed…"
Serenity and Mercury stood silent. Most of Mars's predictions were always right. Serenity forced the thought from her head, "No matter what the future holds, we must carry through with our duties." Mars nodded, "We should hurry." Mercury nodded, "I agree. To the next realm!" The three girls nodded and made their way out, the vision still haunting their minds.
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Serenity, Mercury, and Mars were the best of friends. They stood by each other through thick and thin… except this time. "Serenity!! Are you TRYING to get us lost!?" Serenity frowned, "Give me a break Mars, YOU'RE the on who is psychic, I'd think YOU could help us, instead, you've been whining about how sore your legs are!" Mars growled, "At least I don't whine about my constantly-empty stomach!!" Mercury sighed. This was DEFINITELY not one of those times…
"Guys… can we PLEASE stop fighting…?" Mars and Serenity looked at each other, then huffed, "FINE!" Mercury sighed. A temporary peace was better than none, "Why don't we go left?" Both Serenity and Mars felt stupid as they went left and found themselves at Jupiter's castle. There were tall trees draping over the castle, which was made out of forest-green crystal. Everything was surrounded b lush plants and trees, multi-colored flowers contrasting with the large amount of green.
As they reached the interior, they noticed that the inner walls of the palace were lines with vines and ivy. Jasmine made the bulk of the vines covering the walls, and left their fragrance in every part of the palace. They reached the inner-most room, to find a room almost like Mercury's, except all in green. Jupiter sat on a pile of forest-green pillows. Her dress was deep green and the same as the other princess' styles, with gold trim. Her wings were tinted green.
Jupiter stood up the moment they walked in, "Serenity! Mercury! Mars!" She walked over and hugged each of them, "I'm so glad to see you all!" Serenity smiled, "We are glad to see you, too. We came to ask your help." Mercury and Serenity explained the situation, then Mars explained the dream. Jupiter clenched her fists, "I…can't believe this…We have to stop them!" Mercury looked to her, "Then you'll help us?" Jupiter nodded, "Of course!"
Alright, you guys know the drill. The girls walked from the castle, heading for their next destination. "Mars, that's the wrong way!" "I know where I'm going!!" "Mars, Serenity, you are both wrong!" "Oh…"
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Serenity giggled, "It looks like some sort of happy cartoon!" The four girls had approached Venus's realm. The ground was made of clouds, and the castle itself was made of bright yellow crystal. The sun shone brighter here than most places, and it looked every bit like the kind of heaven most people imagine. If it were any brighter, it'd blind you.
The girl walked into the castle, then into the inner-most room. Everything was yellow and gold, and Venus sat in the middle of the room. Her eyes lit up immensely as they entered. She stood up and clapped her hands, "Food. Drink. Right away!" Her servants nodded and ran from the room. Serenity and the others walked towards the middle of the room, "Well, " Mercury started, "I don't think we have much time." Serenity waved a hand, "This is our last stop before the Lunar Shrine. We deserve a break." The others nodded in agreement.
Venus raised an eyebrow, "May I ask what is going on here?" They nodded and explained the situation to her. After they were done, Venus's usually happy expression was replaced with one of determination, "I'm in!" The other smiled, Serenity most of all, "We're glad to have you with us." Venus suddenly went back into happy gear, "SO! Who wants some food!?" "ME!" Serenity piped up, then blushed as everyone laughed. It was then that the servants brought in the food. The next couple of hours were wasted eating and chatting about old times, from the time Serenity broke the Golden Gates, to when Mars pantsed St. Peter in front of God himself.* When the sun was beginning to set, the five girls said their farewells to Venus's servants and headed towards the Lunar Shrine.
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The girls approached the Lunar Shrine slowly. The Lunar Shrine was built as a portal from Heaven to other places in space and time. The shrine looked like Roman ruins, with tall, stone pillars that seemed to touch the sky, and marble floors. There was no roof; the shrine was outdoors, for its power came from the stars, and needed to be visible to them. The main part was made of circles engraved in the center of the shrine floor. The signs of the 12 Zodiac were set into the floor as well. The five princesses stood within the circle, closed their eyes, and held up mystical brooches with had been long forgotten.
"Moon Eternal Power!"
"Mercury Eternal Power!"
"Mars Eternal Power!"
"Jupiter Eternal Power!"
"Venus Eternal Power!"
Beams of light shot up from each girl, the ground around them quaking. The circle which they stood in set a bit into the ground from the pressure of the power they were harnessing. The beams began to spiral around each other then became one bright beam of white light, which expanded around them. Debris from the broken ground around them floated up around the beam. The beam finally faded, the debris settled, and the five princesses were gone.
I didn't make that many changes, just little unnoticeable things. Lucky for you guys, you don't have to review these chapters. When my chapter's up then I'm demanding eight reviews before I update. Also I wanted to let those of you who read Body Swapped know that I'm taking a three week break from that fic. To make it up to you guys, when I get back to it I'll post as many updates on the rest of my fics as I can. My finals are drawing near so go easy on me. I have five years worth of studying to do. {-_-;}
Ja ne.