Clueless97-Ah, don't worry about jumping the gun, I am glad you are excited. Yes, they are from the Legend of Zelda games.
No ownership
The mismatched group appeared in the appointed spot, but their mouths dropped open in surprise. "We are under water?" Serena stated curiously. "Why would Mars's power be here..."Serena wondered, but a familiar spike of power drew her attention. "Dragon-fire." She whispered and sought out a flash of power. "You all stay here, and out of trouble." Serena instructed, she was met with resistance, but ignored it and walked on. "Daphne, show yourself, why do you have the Martian Flame?" Serena inquired. The corporeal image of the nymph sparked in sight, and she mockingly bowed to Serena.
"Hello, queen of stars." Daphne greeted, the tone flat without her normal cheeriness. Serena narrowed her eyes at the guardian.
"Are you going to force me to maneuver you so is it I may reach my goal?"Serena asked, a casual hand building with Mercurian ice. "You arefire right, how about you chill out." Serena cried and threw the ice ball at the apparition. "I know not what you plan, but I will not be a willing pawn." Serena informed her and moved on. She walked into the cavern room filled with the Dragon-fire core. Serena cast one look at it and ignored it, she wasn't going to mess with any more Dragon-fire. However, Serena noted she would have to move in the general vicinity of the core, because the Martian Flame was burning angrily behind it. All with a quick breath she phased by the core and appeared in front of the Martian flame.
"Mars's core, grant me passage through your wisdom door." Serena recited, and the flame split down the middle. Serena stepped in the middle and her form was swallowed by the roaring fire. Again as before she was met with the spirit of the first planetary senshi, but while Mercury was cold and calculating, Mars was fiery and passionate. In fact the senshi spared no quarter in her tight glare as she saw Serena approach.
"We yielded our powers to you hime-sama, was our foresight in hindsight?" The first Mars senshi grounded out through clenched teeth.
"No." Serena answered clearly and was rewarded with a snide sneer.
"Really, then you'll have no problem proving this." The Mars's senshi stated, and before Serena could answer was clasped by the glowing red hand of the senshi. Red light filled the room, and some of the cavern in Lake Ethemera, where the winx group was forced to wait.
The red light died down, leaving Serena standing before the Mars senshi. With a wicked smile she placed her hands in a praying position. "Can you take the heat?"The senshi inquired, before letting out a jet stream of fire. "Or the illusions inspired by the temperatures?"She added, and increase the stream of fire. Unlike the ice, the power of will would really be tested. For ice, you can maneuver your body around to regain warmth, eventually however, with fire you body would need to regenerate the water lost in sweat.
Serena's focus was thrown off in her search for will, as her nose alerted her to the smell of burning flesh and hair. She gagged at the smell, and her mouth opened to breath, there by inhaling smoke. The trial by fire was different from the iced one, because the fire started from the outside. She felt the excruciating pain of the first layer of skin burning away. With holding a scream of agony Serena tried wearily to focus on the angry senshi. However, with the rising temperature, sweat poured into her eyes eradicating straight vision. Seeing many forms of the senshi in front of her, Serena raised a hand to wipe some of the sweat away.
By this time though the fire had eaten through to her nerve endings. Now the power of fire leaked along her main veins, flooding quickly to her organs. Debilitating pain speared through her when the first of the flame touched her stomach. Serena clenched her eyes shut, but no tears escaped her eyes. With a forceful lunge she fell toward the extended hand of the Mars senshi. Her fingers brushed the gloved hand, and was rewarded by the fire leaving her senses. Serena blinked to clear her eyes of some of the sweat and saw the budding respect on the fire senshi's face.
"Very well hime-sama, now stay still so as I may repair the damage." She ordered, but her voice was quickly losing its haughty tone. "Now, continue on." The Martian Senshi stated and pushed the healed warrior through. Serena stumbled as she made way through the open hallway, coming to a bamboo screen she knelt. Taking off her shoes, she slipped past the screen and approached the merrily burning fire in the middle of the room.
Serena hypnotized by the dance of the ember flames approached daintily and kneeled before it. Raising her hands in a praying position she stared deep within the fire core. Suddenly a dark image began growing from the flame. Its mouthless hole opened and a voice spilled from it. "Those of Mars, have to handle the past, the present, and the future, can you?" It spoke and raised a shadowed hand toward Serena's head. "To handle the bloodshed of all, grand warriors, mind benders, are you able to take the images I shall impart." It inquired. "No matter you answer, my test shall reveal all." The shadow stated and then the warm phantom hand pressed against her forehead.
Serena was forced to live, first hand the dark past of the Altheria world. The true battle between the Dragon's, one of good, one of evil, twisted by command of the coven. The Dragon of fire, the good one, struck heavily against the Dragon of ice forced to served evil. Fire and Ice exploding in a myriad of colors, the coven of witches cackling darkly in the background as Ice scored a heavy wound. The dragon of Fire managed to overthrown its counterpart, and then the real battle began.
Three prominent head witches flew up and wrapped their hands around three pulsing crystals. Serena's conscious was shoved closer, and she could feel the negativity energy spilling from the witches with crystals. Together they held up their crystals and pointed to the weaken dragon who raised its head. Calling out a spell a tri attack headed for the dragon who used its last energy to blast through the attack and take down the witches. Then Serena saw the dragon fall into this galaxy's cauldron, and his core shatter, the pieces shooting off into various directions. Serena gasped as her vision went dark, and then sprayed white.
This time images flew by in rapid succession. Serena tried focusing on the key images that would slow down for a mere instant. She saw the winx fairies, what might happen to the Dragon-fire fairy if the witches got a hold of her. Also, she saw herself standing before the dream scape again, except now there were many voices whispering. Her senshi, and her prince fully moved on, their dreams budding under their careful guidance.
Another gasp escaped her, as her conscious flew back into her panting body. Locking her sapphire eyes with the two holes in the shadow creature, she swallowed. The shadow lifted its hand from Serena's brow, and waved. "You passed, strong minded one."It whispered and its form vanished back into the fires. With nothing more to be done, Serena left from the room, but this time there was no hallway only another door. She reached over and opened the door, walking into it, her empathic senses alerted her to the familiar sensation of Rei.
Before the door vanished from her vision, Serena noted the name of her fiery friend upon it, Rei. The room was the blazing red that always surrounded Rei. Her empathy stretched before her, she felt the hot temper, strong passion, and everlasting loyalty of her friend, Serena felt a tear slide down her cheek as it reached for her. "Why did you screw up so badly, Odango-hime?" Rei's voiced cajoled her. Serena pushed down the flame that crept toward her mouth. "Odango, I gave to you a part of my soul, why let me down?" Rei asked her, anger creeping into the voice. Serena swallowed her building tears, cooling her heated mouth.
"Fire apparition, make leave of your baseless tests, you are not my friend, I will not defend my decisions for you." Serena cried out. "Present yourself, fire apparition, either begin your trial or grant me passage." Serena ordered, her toned filled with that of a noble. Light blazed from the room filled with small fires, and it fell on the apparition. It was female, her skin a soft red, as well as her hair, and cupped in her hands the Ruby of Mars. The red woman locked eyes with Serena's sapphires and she raised the Ruby.
"You will be weighed, Light hime, and I am sure you will be found wanting." She sneered. "The Ruby of Mars shall reveal if your spirit is true, but I almost can see through you." She spoke, and a beam came forth from the Ruby, connecting with Serena's forehead. Serena struggled when she saw the images pushed upon her. Rei as Mars, striking demons for her, and the Ruby pushed harder against her memories. Every time Mars dashed in front of her to protect her, every wound she gained. The hardest memories surged forth, those of Mars dying for her in belief that Serena could make it right. Last of the dreams Rei had before the duties of the fire senshi took over. Serena felt the guilt building, and the Ruby heat up in anger. She shoved away the guilt and summoned the images of her treasured best friend. Armed with the precious lazy days of hanging around the temple, Serena pushed out the invading images.
"I will not surrender that part of Rei's soul to you fire apparition!" Serena yelled in defiance. "Rei blessed me with her planet's soul of power, and your mockery will not sway me." She called out to the woman and Ruby. "Release me of your trickery." Serena ordered, her crescent birthmark blazed from within and connected with the Ruby. The overwhelming power of the friendship she carried chilled the Ruby, and the woman dropped the royal jewel. It floated in mid-air and Serena stepped forward grasping the jewel. The Ruby flashed and sprung toward her broach. "I believe in Rei's faith in me, and you shall not stop me." Serena declared. The woman of red fire nodded, and a gentle smirk blazed her lips.
"You have been weighed hime-sama, you have been found true in yourself, and the senshi of Mars's faith." She told Serena. "Continue on, hime-sama, with the faith of the last Martian hime guarding your soul." The fire apparition spoke, and the large red doors behind her opened. Serena bowed, and nodded in understanding of the trial. Serena brushed her hand over the shimmering Ruby in her broach and stepped through the open doors.
The room was dark red in decoration, with small lanterns hanging from the four corners of the ceiling, and small fires lit each corner of the floor. However, what drew notice was the crested carved flame stone, upon it a blazing bow of fire. The first Martian Senshi appeared before her and bowed. "Hime-sama, one last trial, approach the bow." She instructed Serena, Serena nodded and stepped forward, laying a gentle hand on the bowstring. She turned questioningly to the senshi, an eyebrow raised in question. "Hime-sama, you must be able to draw the bow and strike this target." The Martian senshi explained. "If you succeed the target shall disappear and in it's place a small fire keyboard shall appear." She continued. "Only then, will your final trial present itself, you must play our soul song." The Martian told her, and nodded for Serena to begin. Serena lifted the bow with soft hands, and prayed for her friend. 'Guide my aim, soul sister.' Serena prayed, and felt a ghost hand overlap hers.
Serena drew the bowstring to her ear, a fire arrow appearing automatically in the string. With the warm feather shaft brushing her chin, she let go. The string snapped forward, and the feather launch from the bow. Serena watched with open eyes, as the arrow flew straight and struck the target, a keyboard appearing from the hit. She strode forward, and eyed the keys absently. Serena raised a hand to the Ruby, and stroked it. 'Help me one last time my friend.' She asked gently. She felt the Ruby warm and a soft voice whisper in her ear. 'Of course Odango-chan, always.' Then Serena slipped into a tender memory.
Rei and Usagi snuck into Haruka's piano room, carefully they shut the door and slunk to the instrument. "You have been doing excellently on the violin Usagi, I want to show you something." Rei told her as they both sat on the bench. Usagi watched as Rei fingered the keys gently, finally she settle her finger tips on the low c key. Usagi listened as Rei repeated an eight stanza song, her eyes slid closed as the music carried her. She heard Rei giggle lightly and she turned to her companion questioningly. "It is the Martian Soul song, would you like to learn?" Rei inquired, and watched as Usagi bobbed her head eagerly. Rei leaned over, grasping Usagi's hands with her own she put them on the appropriate keys. Laying her hands over her friends she began guiding her to play. Usagi craned her neck a little to glance at her friend.
"What is this called, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked and watched as Rei softly smiled.
"Mars Flame Bolero." Rei answered gently, her form shifting into her princess dress. The two best friends, are unaware of Michiru and Haruka watching in the background. Clapping from Michiru and Haruka snap them from their daze.
"I thought you play the harp Rei?" Michiru asked. Rei nodded with a blush and look down.
"I teach Koneko the piano, not you." Haruka told her and charge at the fire senshi.
Serena smiled as she slipped from the memory. 'Haruka tickled Rei for awhile for that.' Serena mused. 'Thank you Rei.' Serena whispered inside. Her fingers found the right keys on the keyboard, and began to play. Following the eight stanza pattern, of low c, normal a, low c, normal a, high c, normal c, high c, and normal c. Humming along with the notes to keep herself in time, Mi, Do, Mi, Do, Re, Ti, Re, Ti. Serena felt the keys warm beneath her fingers and smiled. The crisp clacks of the Martian senshi's boots, stopped Serena from playing and turned to the senshi. She was greeted with the sight of the senshi's tears, the soul song gentling the blaze of fire in the soul.
"You play, as if one of ours." The Martian senshi whispered as she laid a gloved hand on Serena's perched fingers. "Centuries have passed since I last heard the Mars Flame Bolero." She told Serena with tears threatening her voice. "Thank you." She said, and two fire red tears slipped down her porcelain cheeks. "You have proven yourself worthy, hime-sama, we give our soul part back to you in bonded faith." The Martian senshi spoke, and a fire red light surrounded Serena. It slipped into her core of power, warming its familiar spot. The Martian Senshi grasped the fire keyboard and lifted it from its perch. Handing it to Serena she bowed, her fiery red eyes holding Serena's sapphire blues. "Please watch over the Martian Keyboard, when your kingdom rises, please return this to the last hime of Mars." She pleaded, and Serena nodded. As their hands made contact, the Martian senshi gasped. "Saturn's power is close, but causing major havoc, it is resisting someone's control." She informed Serena, her eyes blank. "This will come to pass if you do not hurry." The Martian Senshi warned, then her form went up in flames.
Serena watched as the Martian Flame die out around her, leaving her facing the dragon-fire core. Hastily she stumbled away from the core and past the melting Daphne. Quickly she made her way to the waiting assembled group. With a structured nod, they made a quick circle and reappeared above the lake, on the shore. With the last of her energy Serena gave a small smile and fainted into the waiting arms of Riven. He gaze down, then up at the strange senshi. "Will this happen every time?" Riven asked, and Star fighter shrugged. Riven would have asked something else, if Serena hadn't begun to twitch in his arms.
Cosmos from inside attempted to make contact with Seiya before appearing. 'Seiya, retrieve Serena from Riven and bring her away from the group.' She ordered. 'What about the questions?' He asked back. 'Tell them you will explain later.' Cosmos instructed, and felt Serena's body being moved. She settled down, waiting for the star senshi to lay Serena's body down before appearing and watching over her other half. As she appeared she gazed past the sun in the sky and looked to the moon. "Not much longer now." Cosmos whispered and then turned her attention back to Serena. "We must reclaim the powers soon." Cosmos declared softly and laid a soft hand on Serena's head.
Well there is the Martian Trial. This one was a little more elaborate because Rei is Usagi's best friend, no matter their arguments. No, the instruments play no real part later in the story, I just rather have Usagi return home, at least with a reason. Ah, but that is far later, yes. Hmm, Saturn's power is getting dangerous, and what exactly does Cosmos mean about soon? What will be the effect of the Dragon-fire on Serena's Mars powers? Please Review.
Much Care,
WolfchildBlazer