Chapter Five: New Friends
Angel's mouth dropped as she looked at the splendour of the Grand Hall. Rich tapestries hung on the walls while even richer carpets lay by her feet. A beautiful chandelier lit up the entire hall. Doorways that connected to other rooms surrounded the Grand Hall. A long spiral staircase was the centrepiece of the room, winding its way up to the ceiling that could hardly be seen.
Angel heard a faint ping and spun towards the sound. One of the doors had turned out to be and elevator. Angel looked more closely at the staircase and found out that it was an escalator.
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore." A childish giggle escaped her mouth before she knew it. "I wonder how it'll feel to slide down those banisters." Her mouth quirked up into a grin. "Hmm…"
"Welcome Angel," Jade announced behind her suddenly, making her jump. "Welcome to your humble abode." She bowed to her and the servants in the room also did the same.
'Humble eh?' Angel thought. 'You gotta be joking.'
She turned to Jade whose purple eyes were brimming with happiness. Angel gave her a big smile of reassurance. Turning back to the hall, she spread her arms wide and shouted, "This place is great!" Her last words seemed to echo in the room.
Jade laughed and went up to Angel. "I must show you around when we have time. Right now, the other 4 rulers wait for you in the Throne Room." She started to lead the way.
"Throne Room?" A look of dismay passed over Angel's face. "Does that mean I really have to sit in a throne all day?" She glanced around. "I want to get this whole vanquishing Draken done now." A ball of rainbow light appeared in her hand and grew larger. The servants nearby backed away, staring at the ball with fear.
"Where is that Draken now?" Angel frowned darkly. "I want to fight now!"
"Please, there's no need to be violent!" Jade stepped in front of Angel. "Now put that away this instant! We don't want innocent bystanders to get hurt now do we?"
"Whatever," Angel mumbled. "I don't really want to meet these so called rulers."
"But they have been childhood friends to you for years!" Jade exclaimed.
"Since when?" Angel glared at her. "It's not like I've seen them for years."
"Either way, you have to meet them." Jade frowned at her. "Now follow me." She strode away, Angel sulking behind her.
The two walked down a long hallway. At the end of it was a pair of tall oak doors. On the top was a sign that said "Throne Room."
"Um… did I mention that I'm not much of a ruler or a public speaker?" Angel said sarcastically as Jade knocked on the door.
"Come in!" a high voice called from inside. Jade opened the door.
"Never mind," Angel mumbled to herself. "At least now I know how to find the Throne Room."
The Throne Room was even bigger than the Grand Hall. This room, like many of the other rooms, was lit with huge chandeliers.
In the centre, at the back of the room, was a gilded chair. It was also inlaid with silver. It was made of polished mahogany wood that shone in the light. Silk pillows covered the high-backed chair and three steps led up to the throne. A velvet red carpet covered the landing of the chair, going down the steps and to the door. Colour filtered into the room through the stained glass windows. Angel gasped in awe at the beauty of it.
More silk pillows were arranged on the floor by the throne. Four girls sat in them. As Angel approached, they got up and walked down the stairs to her, holding sceptres in their hands.
"Hi!" exclaimed a girl with brown eyes and pink hair. "My names Crystal Hiromi and I'm the ruler of Magic." She took out a wand and waved it around. She giggled as a cluster of stars shot out of it only to turn into butterflies. They fluttered in the air before falling as snowflakes.
Her sceptre was carved with gold, as were the others. Carved into the gold was mythical creature with nine tails playing amidst moons and stars. Its claws stretched upwards to the top where it clutched at a glowing gemstone.
Angel looked at all the other sceptres. They all had gems like Crystal's only in different colours. Angel looked back to Crystal, who giggled again.
"Aw, c'mon Angel!" She laughed at her. "Why do you look so surprised? Hey, guess what? I just got a new outfit! Isn't it great?" She twirled around in her shimmering dress that seemed to change colour, her puffy long sleeved shirt not covering the shoulders.
"Yea… it's…um…great!" Angel smiled at her, sweatdropping. "Nice gem on your sceptre."
"Yea, it is great, don't ya think?" She waved it around to emphasize it, almost dropping it. "Whoopsie!"
"That gem is the Magic Jewel," another girl replied softly. This girl was dressed all in gold, accentuating her silver hair with colourful streaks and dusty grey eyes. Her sceptre was carved with a flying horse. In a nest of golden feathers at the top was a gem swirling with white.
"And you are…?" Angel started.
The girl smiled serenely. "My name is Learah Kayasaki. I am the ruler of Light. Don't mind Crystal. She always talks."
"Hey!" the girl complained. "I'm not that bad!"
A girl with turquoise blue hair tied into two ponytails chuckled. "Sure you're not Crystal. That's what you always say."
"At least I'm not a food hog Naomi!" Crystal shot back.
Naomi ignored her and turned her baby blue eyes on Angel. "I'm Naomi Kinohara and I'm the ruler of Water." She winked at her. "I usually have a tail but on land, I wear this blue dress to…er…cover up." She giggled. Her sceptre was carved with snakes that intertwined with one another. Perched on the snakeheads at the top was a blue gem.
"Can we get the stupid introductions over with?" This girl wore laced up black boots, a blood red bellytop and a black jacket with flames going up it. Her long black hair was braided and her orange eyes glittered. Her sceptre was carved with a pouncing wolf. In its jaws was a gem swirling with grey and black. "My name's Celeste Takanora and I am the ruler of the Spirit Realm. I really don't want to be here but I was forced by those three." Celeste gestured to the others and groaned. "Just leave me alone and you won't get hurt. Friends. Who needs them?" She stomped back to her pillow and closed her eyes.
Looking sceptically at the sceptres, Angel asked, "Do you have to carry those around with you all the time?"
"Oh, no." Naomi shook her head, ponytails flying. "They're what you might call retractable."
In a flash of light, the sceptres disappeared to become replaced with necklaces. Each of the girls put theirs on, the jewels shining in the light.
Angel looked to the throne. With a nod from Jade, she walked up the stairs and sate down. A golden sceptre was handed to her, carved with intertwining dragons and a crystal on top. A ring of gold circled the top, with little circular compartments.
"What are they?" Angel asked, pointing at them.
"They're where the 7 Rainbow Crystals belong," Learah replied.
"Um… where are they?" Angel looked around uneasily.
"You have to find them." Celeste retorted. "Duh." She rolled her eyes.
"They are scattered throughout the Galaxy." Jade answered to Angel's questioning look. "Only you can find them."
'Great,' Angel thought. 'More work to do. Looks like this is gonna be harder than I thought.'
"Can we get this meeting started?" Naomi complained.
"Impatient as usual," Crystal teased. Naomi stuck out her tongue.
The rest of the girls positioned themselves around her. She looked down at them. Guess she wasn't going to get out of this either way.
The meeting began.
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I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend! I'm so sorry this came so late. So many projects and homework! Please don't kill me! crouch in corner with hands over head Anyway, I hope you like this chappie. If you don't, than maybe you can kill me. eep Enjoy!
