Once Upon a ….. Sometime.
By Skyflame
"So you think that Selene's ability to help those in need of it, even if they believe in her is a load of nonsense"
"Well Selene was Goddess of the Moon so why would she do anything but protect it, and it isn't even believable that she is around anymore." Amy was getting an angry blush on her face and Greg thought that he had never seen anyone as beautiful as she was. With ice sparking her cobalt eyes and her hair softly framing her face where it had been shaken loose of the water colored clips that held it back, even if he was too shy or scared to ever tell her that.
They were fighting over the topic of mythology that had held Amy's interest since she had heard about Serena's prayer to Selene.
"Greg how can you say that, Gods are immortal and last forever so of course she still exists, and she was protector of all those in the legendary Moon Kingdom. It is said that when the forces of evil destroyed the kingdom, all the children of the moon were sent to earth by Queen Serenity so they could be reborn in the future and not die with the destruction of the kingdom as she did. Selene has watched over and helped those children from that day on, and has guided their destinies and worked on uniting them with their soul mates from the same time. I often wonder where they are now especially Princess Serenity, her court and her love, Prince Endymion, and whether they will ever know who they actually are."
"Calm down I didn't know you felt so strongly about it. I suppose you also believe the story about Selene coming for the princesses of the Silver Millennium one day." Amy looked at Greg with wonder in her eyes at the tale that she hadn't yet heard and urged him to continue, for she had become obsessed with the Silver Millennium after hearing of Serena's devotion to the Moon Goddess and researching Selene further. She felt there was something familiar about everything that she had read about it but so far had not figured out what.
"Well it is said that when Serenity sent the children of the moon to the future on earth Selene had plans to restore the Moon Kingdom to its former glory and bring the royal court back to rule it one day. They say that it is to happen on the first full moon of the year that begins after all the princesses of the royal court have found their true loves, whether they realise they have or not. It seems strange to me, but unless it actually happens no one will know if it is fact or just some entertaining story. I may not have the same love for the Silver Millennium and Selene as you, but I do have some respect and interest in such an amazing time. As I am sure that the kingdom did actually exist, its just some of the stories about after the destruction that I find hard to believe"
"Celeste my love how did things go with Mina? You look dreadful, here sit down and tell me what happened."
"Oh Tristian I felt so awful, we should never have kept it from her. When I finally told her it was Serena, she fainted and when she woke up she was shaking and had to be put to bed and she told me she needed time to absorb all of this. She kept mumbling something about how it wasn't fair that she was going to lose her only sister. When I tried to explain we had found Serena, not lost her she got hysterical and started screaming that it wasn't fair which was when I left and sent Andrew to comfort her. She is an absolute wreak and I don't think there is anything we can do."
Sighing Tristian pulled his now weeping wife into his arms "It doesn't look like any of my 3 darlings is having a good time today, I just hope my son is in a better state than the rest of you, or I'm in trouble. You should all be happy that the twins can now get to know each other, there are no more secrets and Serena is getting married, although there is that small problem with Sere"
"What. Since when is something wrong with Sere. She is happy isn't she, does she not want to marry that prince, then she won't. I will not let her do something she doesn't want to, I've already failed my baby enough I wont do it again." Celeste screamed in anguish.
Bewildered Tristian tried to calm his wife and bitingly replied,
"Calm yourself Celeste, do you honestly think I would let my daughter marry someone she didn't want to, especially when I was so protective of Mina. I spoke with Serena about it earlier and she loves Darien more than anything, but there is something I want to ask you about. Darien and Serena were telling me about a disease and the symptoms sounded familiar, but I can't think why. They said the disease strikes suddenly and is fatal with a time span of about 5 years in which it could strike. Also the doctors don't seem to know much about it and have no idea what brings it on."
Celeste thought for awhile
"That sounds like the disease that has descended down through my family for generations and is gradually getting weaker, but it is brought on by immense depression which is why Mina hasn't felt it as we have always let her be nothing but happy, until now. Oh you don't think this will cause Mina's disease to turn up do you?"
"Celeste, darling it is OK. Mina is in shock, but she will be happy, Serena already means so much to her. No I asked you about the diseases because Serena has all the symptoms I described to you and I knew they sounded familiar. Now I remember that this is the same disease that overtook you when we lost our baby girl, isn't it?" she just nodded
"Tristian we can't lose her again, we just cant. Maybe I should go talk to the doctor about it and see if he knows more. But it doesn't make sense what could have brought this on for Serena, she seems happier than words can express," and as the queen left the room he mumbled "I don't know, I just don't know."
The next day Mina sent a note asking Serena to come to visit her but after she had sent it got scared and begged her husband to stay with her while she met her sister.
"Mina this is absurd. It's Serena, your friend. Why in the world are you worried? She won't feel harshly towards you just because you both know and can acknowledge it. You told me yourself the other day that you love that girl and couldn't wait to have her as a sister, and now you know she is already your sister, and you are scared. I don't understand this at all."
"Andy please don't leave me alone, you don't know she might have changed. She could hate me for living a life of indulgence while she did not. Just please don't go. Andrew I need you." Staring into his wife's terrified face he reluctantly agreed
"But I am only staying until you see how completely paranoid you are being."
Meanwhile Serena had arrived after receiving Mina's note and was frantically searching for the comfort of her prince. She was terrified of seeing Mina alone, what if the sister she adored hated her for hiding the truth and didn't want a sister, especially one like herself. As she was crossing through the gardens she saw a familiar person with coal black hair standing with his back to her staring off into space. Serena threw herself into his back and hung onto him as she sobbed breathlessly
"DARIEN." Shocked but worried by the tone of voice he quickly turned and held her away from him, looking down he saw the tormented look in her eyes and the worried expression on her face.
"Sere what is it? What is the matter?" She just buried her face in his chest and whispered
"What if she hates me now, I've lied to her and shattered her ideals of her family. Mina wants to see me. Please say that you will come with me. I can't face this on my own. I won't go without you. Will you come?" Hearing the worry in her words he nodded before saying,
"You do realize how silly this is my love. She is your friend yet you are scared of what she will now think. But I will come with you if you need me, for my angel, I will always be there when you need me."
Darien was not surprised at his brothers presence beside his wife as he had guessed that both of the Angelique princesses would have been feeling the same way about meeting their twin now that they knew the truth. Andrew however had not expected to see Darien at Serena's side, he had misjudged the younger twins confidence, as she had never seemed to be scared. But then again how often does one discover that one of their best friends is actually her long lost twin sister? The surprise showed on Andrews face as he asked,
"Darien what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the same reason as you are brother. To support my princess, as it seems they are both feeling the same way. Now ladies you can both see you were as worried as each other so I think that it is time for us men to leave you." As the twins stood staring at each other the men quickly fled from the room, although Darien was thoroughly tempted to listen at the door.
"Mina I am so sorry, I didn't want to keep this from you when I found out, but Celeste made me promise. Will you forgive me?" Serena then felt herself being pulled into her twin's arms. She looked up at Mina surprised and saw the tears in her eyes. As Serena hugged her back she heard
"You didn't do anything wrong. I was worried that you would hate me for all the things I grew up with that you were deprived of. Andrew told me I was being paranoid but I had no idea what you would think about me after what you had learnt, and I had always wanted a sister. When I decided to marry Andy and finally met Amy I was so happy that I was finally going to have a sister who was sweet and caring. Then you and Darien decided to get married and I was so excited that I was going to have another sister, especially one I felt so close to. From the moment Darien dragged you in here, I felt comforted and warm. I had never met anyone like you and I know that the rest of your friends must feel the same, its like you would do anything to keep your friends from harm. Now that I have found out you are my sister I couldn't hope for anyone better. I just hope you can accept me."
"Oh Mina, there is nothing to accept. I adore you. I have since the moment you first spoke to me, as your equal even though I wasn't. I love you and was overjoyed to find you were more than one of the best friends I will ever have." Serena sobbed out as she held her 'sister' in her arms for the first time. Then with a bright smile on her face, Mina pulled her sister to the couch.
"Now you have to tell me everything that has gone on in your life and I will do the same before I tell you all Darien's secrets." Serena giggled before the two of them energetically broke into a conversation that lasted hours.
When it became dark and the two brothers went to check on them, both princesses protested and decided they would have a mini sleepover, much to their loves horror. Especially when they suggested that they should have one that involved Princess Amy and Ladies Lita and Raye and continued to giggle like children.
Hours later Tristian was walking the halls trying to figure out how to fix his baby girl when he saw two men moping in the study and had no idea what had made the two so miserable. But he couldn't help but laugh when his son-in-law told him
"Its your daughters' fault. They abandoned us so they could barricade themselves in the room and gossip all night."
"Well what do you expect? They are twin sisters that spent all but the first 6 months of their life apart, so they want to know all about each other. It won't be forever, besides I'm sure they will spend some time with you later before they go to bed. They will realize that they are missing you soon and come to see you, then you can play on their sympathy."
When the two young men looked at him in horror he simply stated
"What? It's good to have Celeste cater to my every need once in a while but not often or they will know what you are up to. And if I know my girls they will be just like Celeste."
Before Darien and Andrew could reply two blonde angels burst through the door laughing about something then simultaneously squealed
"DADDY!" while throwing themselves into his arms.
"Girls what have you been up to? You know it wasn't nice to abandon Darien and Andrew without giving a thought to how they would feel. I mean look at how miserable they are right now," Tristian answered sternly.
Mina started
"We are sorry Papa,"
"We will make up for it now. Dare I am sorry for abandoning you, will you ever forgive me. Pleeeeeeeezzzzzzzeeeeee!" Serena finished with a sad puppy-dog face.
One look at that face and Darien knew he had lost control and could never be angry with her. Mina however chose a different strategy. She launched herself into her still seated husband's lap and began covering his face in kisses while in between saying
"Andy... Darling... Can you... ever... forgive me... I... must... be the... worst wife... ever... I don't deserve... to be... married to... someone... as... wonderful... as you." There was no way that Andrew could keep up the resistance when his wife was acting like this and looked at his father-in-law as if to say 'What do I do?' before turning back to see his wife's sapphire eyes and giving in.
He kissed her and said
"Of Course I forgive you, as long as you spend some time with me before Serena and you lock yourselves up in your room for the night." Then whispered in her ear
"I'm going to miss you tonight" causing her to blush bright red and when Serena saw the color on her sisters face she began giggling uncontrollably and Darien couldn't understand why. Serena just smiled and pulled her prince from the room calling out to Mina as she went
"I will see you in a few hours Sis" to which Mina nodded while still staring adoringly at her husband.
