Hi Everyone!

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed the previous chapters. Thanks so much! I loved all of your feedback.

I am so very, very sorry for posting this chapter so late. I know I said I would try to post it before my trip up North, but as you would imagine, preparations for the trip took precedence.

Anyway, there are more notes at the bottom, so I will get this story underway. Without further ado...

Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned Sailor Moon. As if! If you like my characters, you may use them once I have waived my magic wand and granted you permission. Please consult me first before using my creations. Otherwise, they will not be very fond of you and may behave most abhorrently in your stories.
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In the last chapter, Sailor Pluto fussed over the fate of the Silver Millenium, i.e., it's end. Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus tried to pry a little more info from the Guardian of Time, but darn it all if Pluto would not volunteer any information. Then Princess Serenity showed up (it was a wild night at the Time Gate, if you ask me) and wanted to know if her Cousin Linnaus, who is like a father to her, is still alive and okay. She also wanted to know why she passed out during the Terran Eclipse. She saw a handsome bloke who was really freaking out in a vision, but she came to before she could ask him to share a swing set or go for a chocolate milkshake! Sailor Pluto didn't really tell Serenity anything, but the princess left the Time Gate, thinking that Linnaus is alive and kicking (poor girl).
**I know, the summary is a bit goofy, but it is rather late and I am feeling a bit silly**
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Light of Love: Red Moon--Chapter 3: Desperation

Orxix and Samella crept quietly through the colony of Crusadeate. The man and his
mate snuck around the stone retention wall surrounding the village. Quietly, the two figures
approached one of the round clay huts.

Set against the blinding sunlight, the small mud huts appeared like small spots in a travelers'
faltering vision. Intense heat from the dangerous flames burned across their sight in a
tempest of wavering lines. As they neared the huts, Samella's face fell. A layer of dust
drifted in the faint breeze caused by the dancing flames. The small footpath was covered
with a thin layer of red clay silt, void of recent footsteps. Aside from the roaring sound of
fire, the village was silent.

No one is here, Orxix! hissed Samella through the left corner of her mouth. The other side
of her lips attempted to move, but merely twitched over the words.

The man glanced down at his stooping companion with his good eye. His right socket also
gazed toward Samella; however, a black empty space where his eye once existed
peered back at the woman. Orxix's vision in his left eye was slightly hazed by the
drooping lid covering a portion of his sight. The left side of Orxix's face appeared to have
melted like the dripping wax of a candle, sliding the skin of his forehead into his eyes and his
cheeks into his jaw line. His nose was blackened and scalded. His scalp was bare and
veined. His left ear was eerily missing.

Shut up, woman! snapped Orxix peevishly. He and Samella had been wandering
across the Sun's surface for weeks, searching for food and fresh clothes. Even when living
in the small colonies, most Surface Dwellers preferred to keep to themselves.
Consequently, Orxix and Samella had been foraging through the trash bins to keep their
stomachs full.

Of course, Orxix thought to himself, Samella may be correct. At first glance, the village
appeared to be abandoned. The domed huts of the colony sat quietly like small infected
blemishes on the back of the great Sun, glistening in the fiery blaze dancing in the distance.

Samella let out an exasperated sigh and followed her companion as they crept toward the
center of the village like, well, like thieves. Orxix turned his slanted left eye toward her, a
scowl on his lips. Samella recognized the disdain sketched across the man's distorted
features and refrained from expounding any more commentary regarding their progress.
Instead, she pulled on the loose thread of her right glove. The woman smiled as the dark
grey yarn frayed apart, revealing the tip of her fingertip. As she unraveled the thread,
Samella frowned. She had forgotten how raw and shiny her hands were. Samella
shuddered as she remembered the horror of the last firestorm she and Orxix had found
themselves in. The weeks had passed, but her finger had still not healed. The woman
cursed her damaged glove and pinched the fabric over the offensive digit. A small yelp
escaped from her lips as the fabric clung to her finger.

Orxix turned his bare head to again snap at Samella. His green eye flared, his eyelid
attempting to open slightly to illustrate his irritation. His mouth popped open for a snappy
comment.

But then he heard it.

His tall frame shifted. Under the protest of all of the bones and muscles in his body, Orxix
lifted his shoulders and stood upright. Samella's violet eyes widened. Orxix was so thin
and stooped that she often forgot how he towered above most of the Surface Dwellers.

He leaned his ear toward to the direction of the noise. With suspicion, he eyed each of the
brown and red huts.

The noise came again. It reminded Orxix of a crying child. He frowned and walked forward
a couple of paces. Colonials may be the scum of the population, he thought, but even
they had enough instinct to care for their young. When the cry came again, Orxix was ready
for it. He detected the sound as slightly despairing and primal. As he followed the sounds,
Orxix found himself standing before one of the domed huts. The noise was coming from
inside. He reached forward to push the front door open.

Don't Orxix! whispered Samella, springing between her companion and the door.
Someone may be inside.

Orxix rolled his eye.

Weren't you the one who said that the village is abandoned? he growled, shoving her out
of the way. He forced the door open.

The door kicked up a cloud of dust as the light of day pooled into the dark room. Orxix
stooped in the doorway and peered inside. The air was stagnant. A stench of singed
animal hair and excrement flooded his imperfect nostrils. Orxix grimaced as he stepped
onto the tattered straw mats scattered across the sunken dirt floor. He blinked, allowing his
eye to adjust to the darkened room. A row of gourds were neatly hung on the opposite
side of the room. No other items were present in the hut.

Another low cry was heard, this time from the corner of the crude shack. Orxix shifted his
eye to the right . On the opposite side of the hut stood a black goat. The beast peered
suspiciously at Orxix. The goat then blinked its round, dark eyes and bent down to bite off
a piece of the straw mat at its feet.

Why would they keep that dirty thing in their home? pondered Samella from the
doorway.

Orxix cringed at the woman's voice. The stupid question could only be the pondering of a
woman who had not been raised in one of the colonies. Had she grown up in a colony, she
would know that most Surface Dwellers keep their livestock indoors to protect the beasts
from the unforgiving rays of the Sun.

He turned. Again, he opened his mouth to reply when a figure moving behind Samella
caught his eye. He shoved his companion out of the doorway as he stepped out of the
hut. Orxix blinked in disbelief.

Samella growled over Orxix's rough treatment. She spun toward him. Her eyes also
widened as she spied a cloaked figure before them.

The pale yellow cloak stirred a small cloud of dust as the person turned to face Orxix and
Samella. The flames of a distant firestorm kicked up behind the woman. Her smoldering
orange gaze slanted as she eyed the two disfigured Surface Dwellers before her.

The duo peered at her with awe and curiosity sketching across their faces. To the two
surface dwellers, she may look like an angel, the woman mused. She would rather be
regarded as a deity than the princess of this forsaken planet. As it stood, the fewer people
who knew that Orleana was visiting the surface of the Sun the better it was for her. Better
for them to consider her a figment of their imaginations than the Princess of the Sun, in a
hopeless search for Queen Metallia.

No matter what obstacles she faced, Orleana knew that she would continue to search for her
mother. Months had passed since her father banished Metallia to the surface of the Sun.
During that time, the princess had visited the majority of the surface colonies. Orleana
dreaded the search. Yet, something--or someone--kept pressing her, nagging at her to
continue on her quest.

Orleana regarded the two dwellers carefully, her right eyebrow arching upward. The aroma
of burned flesh wafted toward her on the hot breeze. She swallowed the nausea welling in
her throat. She noted that man had been severely burned, his skin melted. Spying the
vacant eye socket, Orleana averted her gaze and turned her attention to the woman. The
woman's head was wrapped with a dark crimson cloth. Orleana's fiery eyes widened as
she realized that the color of the fabric was the result of blood. The right side of the
woman's face oozed with sticky color.

Orleana attempted to cloak her disgust over their hideous faces by casting her gaze to the
dusty orange-red clay ground beneath her . She took in a deep breath. Singed, sweaty
essence flooded her nostrils. Her perfectly pointed nose winced at the offensive, muggy
stench. Her orange eyes darted upward, to the sea of huts surrounding the trio. Aside from
this man and woman, the village was deathly quiet. The vacant little houses contained dark,
round little windows, which reminded Orleana of the man's empty eye socket. Twirling
around to survey her surroundings, the princess grimly concluded that these were the only
remaining villagers. She frowned for a moment, regained her composure, and turned to
face the duo, a dazzling smile spreading across her soft pink lips.

Most of the Surface Dwellers she had encountered were ugly, distorted, and disfigured.
The princess had cared very little for Solar geography, but even she knew that only a few
scant colonies were completely protected by the fire of the Sun. She had learned during
her search for her mother that Surface Dwellers often ventured into the deceptively named
Neutral Pockets. These unstable places seemed safer from both the heat and flame, and
the dwellers flocked to these spaces. However, the Neutral Pockets were unpredictable
and dangerous. At any time, a tidal wave of fire would crash into the pockets or the heat
would break away the ground beneath their feet. Orleana wondered why Surface Dwellers,
who were so vulnerable to the elements to begin with, would risk their lives in these
unstable places.

Pushing these contemplations from her mind, Orleana licked her dry lips and stated, I am
looking for a woman with pale skin, dark hair, and yellow eyes. Her name is Metallia.

Orxix and Samella blinked in disbelief at the the woman and then exchanged a glance with
each other. The melted man and his bloodied companion were startled enough to
encounter a woman with such radiant skin and sparkling, dazzling eyes. Samella glanced
longingly at the slight blush on the woman's round creamy cheeks. She doubted that even
when born she had such a perfect complexion. She and Orxix were so enraptured--Orxix
for other reasons, of course--that they were somewhat taken aback to hear the woman
speak.

Orleana sighed and stepped forward. She cursed the thick, cumbersome fabric of her floor
length dress and light yellow cloak. On the surface of the Sun, such costume was
necessary. Anything which prevented the direct exposure of the Sun's rays could be the
difference between life and death. The princess' own sweat seeped through the protective
layers of clothing she wore. She shifted uncomfortably as she adjusted to the sticky
moisture lodged between her skin and the fabric of her dress.

The silence that greeted her was not surprising. Orleana had asked this same question,
over and over, to dozens of Surface Dwellers. Every time, the princess was met with a
silent shrug of indifference. The princess gritted her teeth. Obviously, they did not know
what she was talking about. Shaking the doubt from her head, Orleana pressed on. Have
you seen anyone like her?

Orxix smiled with the right half of his mouth, revealing yellowed, rotted teeth. He raked his
gaze over her form. The woman may be covered with layers of cloth, but he still admired
the hug of the skirt over her hips and the curve of her firm breasts. After looking at Samella
for the past several months, Orxix could barely contain his growing excitement. He
regarded her clean, crisp clothes, imagining his face buried beneath the layers of smooth
fabric, his tongue wandering up the curve of her neck. Most of the women Orxix had
encountered in his lifetime were gullible and easy to manipulate. This woman may look
sophisticated, but he considered that she was still, by her very gender, vulnerable and
stupid. His eye narrowed diabolically.

What will you give me if I tell you? Orxix hissed, secretly wishing that she had nothing to
offer them.

Orleana rolled her eyes. Surface Dwellers always demanded payment--even for the most
trite of information. She fumbled for the velvet purse dangling from her waist. Holding up a
small golden coin, she stated, One coin now, additional coins once you have led me to
Metallia.

Orxix snickered. Spittle sprayed through his lips, a line of drool trickled out of the corner of
his mouth. What would we want with gold? he demanded. Stooping down, he picked
up a yellow chunk from the ground. Look around, you fool! Even the rocks are made of
gold!

He chucked the nugget toward a hut behind her. The rock bounced against the wall of the
dwelling and settled into a cloud of dust.

Orleana did not flinch. Instead, her eyes slanted in irritation. Her pink cheeks reddened to
crimson. Raising her right eyebrow, she smirked slightly. What you have me pay?

The princess already knew what this man wanted, but she would be damned to give it to
him. Over the last few months she had learned all about what the men on the surface of the
Sun desired. She may have been appalled the first few times these men had
propositioned her, but she had grown calloused by their rough gazes and unreasonable
expectations. The princess hoped, each time she encountered such a man, that he would
take her gold and not expect more. Every time, she was sadly disappointed. The
common people were so predictable.

Orxix's eye widened at her question. Short little gasps of excitement puffed out, creating a
panting, wheezing sound. He took a step toward the woman. His greedy hand thrust
toward her, ready to grab his prize.

Orleana blinked demurely and held her right arm. Instead of giving into his request, the
princess shouted, Solar Fire Shield!

A burst of fire erupted from her palm, creating a flat oval of flame in front of her. A grin
spread across Orleana's face as she heard Orxix scream in surprise. To ensure that he
never try to go near her again, she made a point of shifting the shield slightly to graze the
right side of the man's face--his good side. Orxix fell back. He clutched his right cheek with
his gloved hand.

Samella fell to her knees to survey the damage done to Orxix's face. Orleana closed her
fist, allowing the fire from her shield to dissipate into the air. Delight danced in her eyes as
she observed the two scrambling, startled Surface Dwellers cowering beneath her gaze.
At such moments, she understood how her father could crave so much control and power.
A surge of excitement coursed through Orleana's veins at the sight of their suffering.

You bitch! screamed Orxix. He spat toward her, but the glob of slimy goo landed on his
chin. He removed his hand from his face, revealing a bright pink cheek. The damage was
minor but the man was enraged.

Why would you call me a name? questioned Orleana innocently. She tilted her head to
the side, because I didn't agree to the form of payment' you wanted?

You offered it! Orxix cried, his face reddening even more. You scabby, horrid wench!

the princess responded cooly, You are the scab. Or at least, your cheek will scab
once that little mark I created heals.

Orxix sprung to his feet and lunged toward the princess. Samella jumped between them
as she attempted to hold the angry man back.

Would you like me to scald you again? demanded the princess. She crossed her arms
over her chest and smiled innocently. Orxix growled and lunged forward again. Samella
held her ground between them. Orxix lost his balance and fell once again on his backside.

Amusement faded from Orleana's face. The sparkle disappeared from her eyes. Drawing
out a sigh, she addressed the duo.

Apparently, you have no information to offer. You have wasted enough of my time,
Lifting her heavy skirts, the princess twirled away from them.

Good riddance! snarled Orxix. He faltered on the ground as he attempted to stand. His
lanky figure wavered like a bug trapped on its back.

hollered Samella, running to catch the princess. For all of Orxix's antics, they had
encountered a woman matching Orleana's description. During the last firestorm, when a
huge cluster of wanderers were passing across a Neutral Pocket. A woman, a beautiful
woman with raven black hair and a soiled cloak had been there. She had yellow eyes.
Samella remembered gazing upon her with envy. Aside from a bit of grime, she was
flawless. Her eyes had flashed with terror as the huge, relentless firestorm pounded over
them. Samella had knocked her down, covering the beautiful woman with her scabby form,
sacrificing herself to protect the perfection.

Orleana nodded thoughtfully as Samella related the tale. Her eyes glistened with tears.
The princess blinked furiously to keep herself from crying.

Do you know where she is now? she asked quietly.

Samella nodded her head furiously. She held her left arm out, pointing her finger toward the
northeast corner of the village. Yes, she's just--

Hold on a minute! snarled Orxix, recently recovered from his embarrassment. Orleana still
wondered if the color in his cheek was the result of her shield or the anger she saw festering
in his remaining eye.

We aren't telling you any more until we get a payment! No gold! Orxix fumed.

Orleana rolled her eyes. Even following his embarrassment, he demanded payment.

The princess removed her hood from over hear head, revealing the thick black braid trailing
down the center of her back. She held out her palm. Taking in a deep breath, she directed
power into her hands.

Solar Ice! she shouted. Light bounced between her palms, escaping in pulsating bursts
from between her fingers. Within seconds, the luminescence disappeared. Orleana held
up her right hand, revealing a palm-sized gem. The princess thrust the sparkling object into
the man's face.

Orxix looked up at her skeptically. He then eyed the bauble. It glistened.

Take it! Orleana commanded.

Orxix gingerly held up a heavily bandaged hand. With hesitation, he touched the gem with
the tip of his index finger. As his exposed skin grazed the object, he jumped back.

It's cold! he whispered. He glared at Orleana as though she had purposely tricked him.
He touched the side of his face with his tingling fingers. Nervous laughter escaped from his
distorted lips as he reached out to touch the gem again.

It's ice, Orleana explained. Frozen water. Something you will not find on the Sun.
Samella winced at the princess' sarcasm. Orxix only glared at her. Orleana continued, You
can have more if you lead me to Metallia. Take it! She thrust the object beneath Orxix's
twisted, melted nose.

The man gingerly plucked the gem from the princess. He twirled it around in his hands,
admiring how the gem turned color as the light shined through it.

Samella pushed her fingers through the holes of her glove and reached timidly for the ice.
After flinching from the sharp, cold sensation, she peered suspiciously at Orleana.

Are you a witch? the woman whispered. Her eyes widened with fear.

The princess stifled a smile and shook her head.

she stated, I am just looking for someone. Can you take me to her?

Orxix muttered a great deal--thankfully, Orleana thought, beneath his breath--as Samella
nodded furiously. A bargain was struck between the princess and the Surface Dwellers.
Orleana would provide another chunk of ice for the pair once they had led her to the Queen.

Ten times bigger than this one! snapped Orxix, holding his arms out wide. Once the
princess had agreed, they began a treacherous journey, away from the shelter of the
protected colony and into a Neutral Pocket. As soon as she realized where the duo was
leading her, she paused. A tingle sliced up her back. Why would her mother venture into
one of these pockets? The woman Orleana knew would never do anything so foolish. The
queen knew of the risks. She was aware of the unpredictable and volatile surface of the
Sun. The planet had no mercy, even for its queen.

She's beyond this pocket, Orxix explained, scowling at the woman's hesitation. He
waved for Orleana to follow his stooping form.

Biting the bottom of her lip, Orleana took a hesitant step forward. Perhaps she was the
foolish one for venturing into one of the pockets. She squeezed her eyes shut, scanning
her memory for the defensive maneuvers she had learned while training as a Senshi. What
was it that Sailor Mars had told her? Fire must be met with fire? Her existence as an
apprentice was a lifetime ago. Still, Orleana was grateful that she had transformed into
Sailor Sun before venturing to the surface. She tugged uncomfortably at the long skirts
layered over her fuku. Her dress may better protect her from the elements, but the
moisture sweating through the layers of fabric made her awkward and uncomfortable.

The princess swallowed her worry, set her determined jaw, and lifted her skirts. She fell in
step behind the man. The woman with the bloody head trailed behind her, hugging the
chunk of ice possessively to her bosom.

As they walked, Orleana silently thanked Sailor Mercury for showing her the the ice trick.

It will be harder for you to achieve, since your element is light, the matter-of-fact senshi had
explained. But it can be done. It's a wonderful ice-breaker at stuffy parties.

Orleana rolled her eyes as she remembered Sailor Mercury's attempt at a joke. The
Senshi of Ice had commented on how easily Orleana had performed the trick. She had
mastered it far more quickly than Sailor Mercury's own apprentice, Princess Ami. The
princess of the Sun smiled mournfully. With her father bent on destroying the Moon
Kingdom, the princess wondered if her next encounter with the Sailor Senshi would be
friendly. Doubtful, she concluded, if her father had his way.

The journey across the Neutral Pocket was a long one but, surprisingly, not unpleasant.
Orleana smiled at the firm, smooth ground beneath her feet. The air, unlike what festered in
the colony of Crusadeate, was sweet and and warm. It was still hot, but here, the heat was
bearable. Orleana could see why the Surface Dwellers preferred the Neutral Pockets to the
stagnant, protected colonies. Still, her eyes widened in relief as a jagged rock face,
indicating the end of the Neutral Pocket, came into view. Soon, she hoped, she would be
gazing into the face of her mother.

Orleana was so busy daydreaming about what she would say to the Queen that she did
not hear the first warning of a firestorm. Since the princess had never been in such a storm,
she would not have realized that the bizarre popping sounds were the warning of doom.
The next sound, like a huge, deafening explosion, shook Orleana from her distraction. Her
orange eyes darted upward in time to see the wave of liquid light block the sky from view.
Orleana's stomach knotted with fear. In seconds, she would resemble her two companions.

Solar shield protect! she shouted, throwing all of her energy into her palms. She
extended her hands above her head. Waves crashed down. The heaviness of the power
slammed into Orleana's shield. The princess grit her teeth, wincing at the intense pressure
pounding against her unwavering frame. Orleana had never planned to traverse a Neutral
Pocket, so she had never bothered to ask how long the firestorms lasted. She had always
assumed that they hit with great power and left quickly. Now, as she held back the liquid
heat, Orleana prayed for the onslaught to end.

Several minutes passed before storm gave up on its bombardment. As quickly as it had
struck, it was suddenly gone. The liquid fire, which had been pouring down on her,
suddenly sprung up and splashed down on another unsuspecting pocket.

Orleana kept her shield up for a few extra moments. When she was certain that the
firestorm had passed, she allowed the dome of flame to dissolve into the air. The princess
dropped her hands to her sides and sunk down in the sand. She gulped for air. Her eyes
focused on Orxix and Samella, who were huddled against her. She hid her annoyance.
These people may have no respect for personal boundary limits, but she was grateful that
they had enough sense to seek protection beneath the shield. If they had died in that
firestorm, she would never find Metallia.

Are you certain you aren't a witch? Samella finally squeaked. Her look of awe caused
Orleana to smile.

I am not, she laughed. Her voice cracked a little.

We better go before the next one comes, Orxix snarled. He lifted himself from the
ground and slapped his hands against his filthy, tattered trousers.

Another one? whined the princess. Her energy was spent for the time being. If another
storm struck, they would be doomed.

They always come in three, Samella explained calmly, standing. She held her arm out for
Orleana.

The princess accepted the gloved hand, and rose to her feet. After using her power, her
knees wavered beneath her like melted butter. Samella put an arm around her waist to
keep her from falling.

The rock face now seemed an impossible distance away. Orleana clamped her jaw tight
and forced her tired legs to move. Each aching step carried her closer to the queen and
further from this horrible place. She must press on and survive this hell.

The trio was only a few paces away from the rock when the popping sounds erupted
again. Orleana covered her ears against the dreaded sound. She wondered how she
could have missed the offensive noise the first time.

Get down! screamed Samella, pushing the princess forward. She threw her body on top
of Orleana, which knocked the air out of the princess.

Orleana pressed her face into the sand. A few grains squeezed into her mouth. The
princess did not care. Instead, she prayed to the gods that the firestorm would pass over
them. The roar of the explosion came, the heat and wind blew against her. Soon, the
liquid light would splash over them.

The princess felt Samella press her form harder against her back. Orleana remembered the
story Samella had told her, about her mother. She wondered if Metallia had been as
terrified at this moment as her daughter was now.

Suddenly, the heat and breeze was gone. The princess kept still, anticipating the calm
before the strike. After a pause, Samella hoisted herself up from the Orleana's back. The
princess pressed the palms of her hands into the sand, pushing herself up from the ground.
She blinked her orange eyes wearily. The atmosphere around them was calm, as though
the world had not just sounded as though it would end.

That was a close one! Samella laughed nervously, helping Orleana to her feet.

Fear trembled inside of the princess. Her heart pounded so loudly that the reverberating
sounds echoed in her ears. Wiping an ungraceful hand across her face, Orleana allowed
herself to smile nervously. Grains of sand gritted between her teeth. She spat them out.
Tucking a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear, she questioned, Is it much further? She
doubted that they would be so lucky as to be avoided by the third and final firestorm.

Orxix turned and scowled. We'll be there soon enough! he growled, lumbering forward.

The wall of rock they had spied so long ago now towered before them. Orleana gaped at
the massive formation stretching upward for seemed like an eternity. Veins of gold rippled
through the dull black obsidian. A huge dune of clay red sand had settled at the base of the
rocky formation. Orxix began the ascend the hill. His feet sunk into the ripples of sand.
Orleana and Samella followed suit. A little of the princess' strength had returned, so
Samella allowed the girl to struggle up the incline alone. Orleana cursed her long skirts again
as she waded up the huge dune. As a Senshi apprentice, she had endured countless
fitness tests and obstacle courses. Scaling a wall of sand was, unfortunately, lacking in the
Senshi training program.

Once he reached the rock face, Orxix paused to wait for Samella and Orleana to approach.
His yellowed grin widened as he noted the shine of sweat streaking the princess' perfect
brow. After being rebuffed by such a beautiful woman, he was pleased to see her suffer.

Orleana wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Her throat was
sandpaper-dry. She attempted to swallow. How did these Surface Dwellers endure this
heat and struggle day after day? She almost welcomed the next storm that would put her
out of her misery.

Once the two women approached the base of the rock formation, Orxix walked along edge
to their right. The princess, still wary from the last storm, had been hoping for a gateway of
some sort that would lead them into the safety of a colony. She struggled to keep up with
the other two. A sarcastic snicker burst from her dry lips. One day, she would rule over this
planet, and she was barely able to survive its cruelty.

Shaking these thoughts from her mind, Orleana followed cautiously. Hoping that the
overhang was enough to block out the elements, she hugged the side of the rock formation.
After what seemed like a small eternity of stumbling over the now jagged, rocky ground,
Orxix and Samella stopped walking. Orleana walked between the two, marveling at the
great black chasm embedded in the rock wall. The princess' eyes widened as Orxix
pointed into the cavern.

The woman is there, Orxix proclaimed excitedly. An echo of his voice bounced inside the
dark space. His melted face turned to Orleana.

The princess stepped toward the gaping hole. Caverns were not a common occurrence on
the Sun. For Metallia to have actually found one would be a small miracle. The princess
may live underground herself, but that world had been constructed, created with back
breaking labor. An army of slaves had been exploited to build the Solar Castle. A real
cave on the Sun, well, what with the hot temperatures, most pockets and gaps melted and
oozed into themselves. Orleana had been told something else about the natural caverns.
A warning. Wrinkling her face together, the princess jogged her memory. Danger lurked
below the surface, but Orleana could not remember why.

Stepping back, Orleana turned to face the two Surface Dwellers. If she was to descend
into an unknown world, she would be damned if she was going alone. She scowled at
Orxix as she whispered, You haven't led me to her. Take me to her and you will get your
ice.

You said you would give us more! Orxix screeched. He reached to snag the princess by
the throat. Senshi reflexes snatched him by the wrist and threw him roughly against the
ground. Orleana twisted Orxix's arm, pinning it behind him. She dug his face into the dirt
and rock. His gasps of surprise and yowling of pain delighted her.

She bit her lower lip as she considered her plight. Perhaps this was a bad idea, the
princess thought. Looking around her, she regarded her position. The pair of Surface
Dwellers had led her far away from any place she was familiar with. She wondered if she
could even find her way back to the colony of Crusadeate alone.

I said I would give you more ice, the princess hissed into Orxix's ear. She pulled his arm
up sharply so his elbow was almost between the blades of his shoulders. One flick of her
hand and she would snap his arm out of its socket. Pausing, she added, as soon as you
lead me to the Queen.

Orxix's eyes widened from the pain. The burning in his arm was unbelievably intense.
However, even through the pain, something Orleana said caught in his ear and echoed in
his mind. The Queen. The woman she was searching for was the Queen.

She is here! Samella squealed. She motioned to the pitch black cavern. Orxix may
deserve a little rough treatment, but Samella wanted Orleana to stop torturing the man.
Samella hated to see anyone suffer. Even Orxix.

Take me to her! the princess snapped. She let go of Orxix's arm and stood. Her orange
eyes flashed dangerously as she regarded the woman with the bloodied, bandaged head.
Why were they being so difficult?

Samella replied. We don't go beneath. Too dangerous.

Orleana shook her head in disbelief. The danger. What was it? Surely, it could not be so
bad as the ground cracking open beneath your feet or an onslaught of liquid heat and fire
pounding into you, could it? These people would endure the unreasonable, blistering
conditions of the surface, but they would not explore a shallow cave? She considered the
unpredictability of the Neutral Pockets. Judging from the melted, bloody appearance of her
tour guides, she suspected that they had obviously been caught in many of the fire waves.
Whatever lurked in the cavern must be less dangerous! The princess cast a disdainful look
toward them both.

she hissed. Then you can wait outside for me. You will get your ice once I have
returned with Metallia and you have led me back to the colony.

Orxix snapped, lifting himself from the ground. He swung his arm in circles to test its
mobility. We wait here!

Orleana frowned at his sudden willingness to cooperate. After fighting against her tooth and
nail, Orxix's change of demeanor made the princess uneasy. As she had so many times
today, Orleana shook away her doubt and worry. There would be plenty of time to ponder
all of this later, after her mother was safe in the palace.

she huffed. She lifted the heavy fabric of her skirts and turned toward the dark
space in the rock wall. Hesitating, Orleana twisted her head to take one last look at her
deformed companions.

The Surface Dwellers balked at her. She smiled at their surprise. Her black braid flicked
across her back as she returned her gaze to the cavern. Orleana reached an unsteady left
hand to grope the side of the wall. She took only a few steps before the blinding bright
light from the surface drowned into darkness.

Outside of the cave, Samella looked up at Orxix in awe.

Are you a fool? she whispered. We can't stay here! What if a storm comes, or worse--

Didn't you hear what that girl said, you daft woman? snapped Orxix. She's looking for
the Queen! The Queen, for crying out!

Samella's face twisted with confusion. The Queen? Why would a queen be out here?

How am I supposed to know? pondered Orxix. A grin curled his lips upward as he
added, but if we help to save her, we may be rewarded.

Samella shrugged her shoulders. It made no sense. She barely knew there was a queen
of the Sun. Why would she be here, and not at her castle? Samella cast a dubious look at
Orxix. The man was rubbing his hands together excitedly. The woman frowned. Leaning
her back against the rock wall, she slid down into a sitting position. Sighing, she muttered, I
suppose we will wait then.

Within the deep cavern, Orleana stepped cautiously through the dark. The princess
stumbled against the jagged floor of the cave, tripping over her skirt and toppling to the
ground. Growling beneath her breath, Orleana grasped the fabric of her cloak and ripped it
from her neck. She stripped the bodice of her dress from her figure. Finally, she pulled the
skirts over her waist. After depositing the excessive clothing into a pile, she stood. She
smoothed the golden skirt of her sailor fuku. Air tickled at her newly liberated bare legs.
Orleana shivered in the dark.

The princess held out her right hand. A burst of white energy appeared above her palm.
Orleana held it in front of her like a lantern. The cave twisted and wound deeper into the
belly of the planet. She lifted her hand above her head to survey the ceiling. If she was
expecting a low overhang, she was deeply disappointed. Sharp rock icicles loomed over
her. The ceiling reached beyond her light, causing the sharp formations to appear like
daggers coming from darkness. The princess took in a deep breath. Panic welled in the
inside of her heart. She gritted her teeth against her own fear and walked slowly, deeper
into the chasm.

She wandered through a tunnel that twisted and turned, leading the princess further below
ground. The rhythm of her steps bounced off the walls and echoed in her ears. Peering
ahead of her, Orleana noted a light flickering in the distance. The princess extinguished the
ball of flame from her palm and crept forward slowly. From a distance, she could see that
the tunnel she stood in emptied into a larger, illuminated room. Intense light burned the
princess' eyes. She blinked and shielded her face from the glow.

A low, snarling growl brought the princess' arm down. Her orange gaze widened as she
found herself face to face with a large, hideous beast. Dread clenched at her insides as she
finally remembered why the caves were so dangerous. Cavern People and ferocious
beasts preferred to dwell beneath the surface. Hadn't she been told that the Cavern
people were cannibals? Orleana realized, as she noticed the giant, sharp fangs of the
snarling beast, that she if she survived her encounter with this animal, she may find out if all
of the horrific stories about the Cavern People were true.

The beast was five paces in front of her. The creature was backlit by the illuminated room.
Orleana could still discern its more unsavory features in the shadows. Fierce, glowing green
eyes scowled at her. White, sharp, gnashing teeth snapped as the creature growled. The
beast was huge, its head was massive. Spying its large back end, the princess knew that
in just one jump, this creature would be on top of her.

Letting out the snarl of a wildcat mingled with the trumpet of an elephant, the beast sprung
toward her. Orleana held her palms together in front of her chest, willing power into her
hands.

Solar wave deflection! she screamed. Her voice scratched at her ears as the eruptive
wave of hot white light coursed into her hands. She threw the ripples of dangerous heat at
the eyes of the beast. The animal screamed and flinched back. Not giving the animal a
chance to lash out, she powered up again. She held her arms above her head, allowing a
flurry of ice daggers to twirl between her hands.

Illuminated ice eruption! Orleana shouted. She deliberately lowered her hands in front of
her. As a calm came over her quaking heart, she released the power of her attack. Shards
of ice whistled across the space, slamming into the scaly flesh of the beast. It screamed.
The animal's back arched in agony and then slumped as the beast sunk against the wall of
the tunnel. Orleana paused, listening for the creature's breathing. A sigh escaped her lips
as she concluded that the animal was dead.

Her relief was short lived. The battle in the tunnel had disrupted a few of the stone icicles
above her head. They slammed into the ground around her. Orleana covered her head
and crouched low. Surely, she thought with horror, the ceiling was crashing down on her.

A quiet in the onslaught was all the princess needed to attempt an exit of the tunnel. She
did not want to think of what other horrors waited in the room before her, and presently, she
did not care. Uncovering her head, she stood upright and sprinted down the tunnel, into the
illuminated room. The floor of the open space slanted sharply downward. Her feet faltered beneath her. Orleana glanced down. She was about to slide into a river of molten rock
raging below. She let out a whimper of anguish and fear as she planted the balls of her feet
and jumped with all of her might. If she had more time, she may not have been so hasty to
jump across the molten river. The heat from the lava warmed her bare legs as she soared
toward the opposite riverbank , reminding her of the firestorms. She extended her hands
to brace herself for a rough landing.

Her palms took the brunt, her skin scraping against the rough rock riverbank. Orleana
pushed her fingers deeper into the ground. Her body sailed through the air, her legs flying
above her head. Tucking her chin to her chest, the princess' back rolled across the hard
cavern floor. Her heels dug into the ground. Orleana smiled with relief and delight as she
bounced to her feet, her hands in front of her face and chest in a defensive stance. Thank
goodness, she thought, for Sailor Jupiter's tumbling drills.

By this point, her breathing was hard and labored. She eyed her surroundings wearily.
The rushing sound of the molten river and her heavy panting was all she could hear. She
licked her lips, scanning each corner of the room. Light from the glowing river bounced off
the ceiling and walls in golden ripples, distorting the already jagged surfaces. Orleana's
critical eye noted a movement to her far right. She squinted. Silently, she concentrated the
power to her hands.

Orleana was about to strike an attack at the moving figure when she noticed another part of
the wall was moving. She swallowed hard. Adrenaline, commingling with her Senshi
power, caused her to become slightly skittish. she muttered beneath her
breath.

The walls were moving. Orleana attempted to keep calm. As she focused on what she
had thought were the contours of rock, her heart sank. The walls were made of something
far more organic. Actually, her gaze recognized the human forms--dozens of them--hugging
the wall. The Cavern People. The tangle of legs, arms and torsos made her so nervous
that vomit curdled into her throat. Orleana pinched her lips together and swallowed back the
bile flooding into her mouth. She let out a slight snarl and then snapped,

Show yourselves, you cowards!

Color drained from her face. Dozens of heads turned to face her. Countless pairs of
glowing red eyes blinked at her from the walls and the ceiling. The princess began to
hyperventilate. How was she expected to defeat a sea of Cave People?

The figures began to drop from the ceiling. Others sprung from the walls. Some held
rocks, others held twisted stone sticks. Slowly, methodically, they walked toward the
princess. The skin of their bare, taut forms was inky black, as though they had smeared their
bodies with charcoal. The space between Orleana and these Cavern Dwellers narrowed.

Orleana steadied her arms in the air above her. She may not be able to kill them all, but
she resolved to take some of them with her into the afterlife. The princess would not give
up without a fight.

Sucking in a breath, Orleana began her attack, Solar shield--

screamed a desperate voice. The word bounced across the room, echoing against
the walls. The princess turned her head. The red beady eyes of the cavern dwellers
shifted toward the voice. Their bodies toppled to the ground.

Orleana blinked, lowering her arms hesitantly. A cloaked figure stood in a tunnel on the
opposite side of the cavernous room. A hood covered the person's head, but Orleana
spied an inky tendril of hair. The light of the lava river faded at such a distance, but a flash of
yellow eyes caused the hope to leap in the princess' heart. The yellow eyes widened
suddenly as the cloaked figure turned away.

Orleana's voice choked. The word echoed in the hollow room.

The figure's back stiffened. Its head hung forward as its shoulders sagged.

You should not have come, the figure finally stated. Orleana's eyes glistened with grateful
tears. She had finally found Metallia!

I had to come, mother! Orleana stated, rushing across the uneven surface. She dodged
between the Cavern People who lay against the ground. The princess frowned as she
realized that they had not fallen, but were kneeling. Her face twisted in confusion. No
questions now, she told herself. Questions could come later. Instead, she focused on the
cloaked form. I had to find you.

Your father will be furious with you, Metallia whispered. He doesn't know you're here,
does he?

Since when did Metallia care about what the mighty King Nefar thought? If the Queen had
been so concerned, Orleana thought, she would not be hiding in this horrible cave. The
princess shook her head. No, of course he doesn't.

You must leave! Metallia stated. You can not suffer the same fate! You must survive!
Become the Queen.

The princess shook her head. She thought of the past months assisting her father. Her
tyrannical, demanding, yelling father. Since her mother had left, Orleana had often
wondered how and why her mother had put up with Nefar. Metallia had to return. You are
the Queen. I could never take your place.

Orleana held her left hand out and touched her mother's shoulder. Metallia shrugged it off.

You must go, she ordered.

I won't leave without you! Orleana stated. You are the Queen!

Metallia spun around. Yellow eyes stared into the princess' orange gaze. Orleana's eyes
widened with horror.

Do I look like the queen? Metallia shouted.

Fright streaked her daughter's face. She could only imagine how horrible she appeared.
Fortunately, mirrors were not a common item amongst Surface Dwellers and Cavern
People, so Metallia had no idea of how ghastly she really was. When she ran her fingertips
along her cheek, she could feel the bubbles and distortions of her melted skin. A portion of
her hair was singed--the result of being caught in one of the Neutral Pockets during an
accursed firestorm. She was grateful to the woman who had sacrificed her own body to
protect her, but it had not completely shielded her. Metallia was lucky she had survived.
Other people had not been so lucky...

You are the Queen, Orleana declared. Her orange eyes sparkled.

Metallia squinted her eyes against the light, and then smiled. She regarded her daughter's
costume.

Your father would be furious if he knew... she whispered. A trembling hand reached to
stroke the gold fabric of Orleana's sailor fuku. You learned a lot in training?

Orleana nodded. Since I am the first Sailor Sun, each of the Senshi taught me an attack.
My strength is light, but I can manipulate other things, like ice and fire.

She smiled as she remembered training on the Moon. All of it had been a lifetime ago.
Her eyes wandered across the walls of the cave as though she were tracing her memories
on shadowed rocks. I did learn a lot. she whispered quietly.

Your fath-the king will not let you return to train, will he? Metallia surmised.

Orleana shook her head. He says I must stay here and stand in your place. She looked
into her mother's yellow eyes. She choked back a sob as she whispered, He's wants to
start a war with the Moon.

Metallia snorted. She rolled her eyes upward. He's a fool! If he begins a war with the
Moon, he will be starting a war with the entire universe!

The princess shrugged. Not the entire universe. He is attempting an allegiance with the
Earth. Mother, don't you see why you must return? He's a madman! He will not stop until
he has destroyed everything!

The Queen shook her head. I can not return. Not now. Not like this!

She motioned a trembling hand to her face. Her hideous, horrid face. The Queen looked
away in shame.

But you're Metallia, Queen of the Sun! Orleana screamed. If you rule over these savage
Cavern People, then surely you can rule over the entire planet!

The princess' mind was twirling over itself. She knew her mother was right. There was no
way a disfigured Queen would be allowed to overtake the thrown. She pursed her lips
together and exhaled sharply from her nose.

There had to be a way! There had to be! Queen Serenity's voice came back to her. An
afternoon so many months ago flashed in her mind's eye. Orleana had been sparring with
Princess Makoto, the apprentice of Sailor Jupiter. Suddenly, the other apprentices,
Princess Ami, Princess Rei, and Princess Minako, had burst from the bushes, surrounding
Orleana. The Princess of the Sun had panicked. She knew that she could not overcome
the other four.

This isn't fair! she had whined, throwing her arms in the air. I can't beat all of you!

Not true, Sun apprentice, Queen Serenity had proclaimed behind her.

Orleana's cheeks had reddened with embarrassment. The last person she ever wanted to
disappoint was Queen Serenity. She flashed her orange eyes at the stoic Queen.

she demanded, If I attack one, maybe even two of them, the others will still be
standing! They will knock me down before I even have a chance to power up again!

There's always a way, Orleana, declared Queen Serenity. Open your mind to the
possibilities, and you will discover it.

The princess of the Sun had closed her eyes. Concentrating, she powered up. First, she
had constructed her fire shield to protect her from the hot and electrical attacks of Princess
Rei and Princess Makoto. Using her other hand, she threw a heat wave--less severe, so as
not to injure, of course--at Princess Ami, knocking the Mercurian to ground. Next, Orleana
caught Princess Minako's Love me chain attack in mid flight and flung the girl into Princess
Rei. With a swift low kick, she knocked the powerful but already fatigued Princess Makoto
to the ground.

Very good, Princess Orleana, Queen Serenity had proclaimed. You found a way to
defeat them all. You will be a great senshi some day.

At the time, Orleana had thought that she had been incredibly lucky. Now, peering at her
mother's trembling form, Serenity's words rushed to her. There had to be a way. There
always was.

Closing her eyes, Orleana concentrated. How could she save her mother? The answer
was there, she could feel it. It loomed before her in the distance, away from her grasp.

She snapped her orange eyes open in annoyance. The confidence she had gained while
living on the Moon had all but dissolved since returning to the Sun. Anger swelled in her
veins. She had hoped, that after she had found her mother, everything would be all right.
Metallia would make it all better. Instead, the Queen expected her to come up with all of
the answers.

The princess frowned. She may have lived on the Moon, she may have trained on the
Moon, but now she hated the small planet. She blamed Linnaus. She despised her
classmates. Orleana suffered and struggled each day on the Sun, while the Senshi
apprentices were continued to train. The princess of the Sun knew that Queen Serenity
had, at one time, been impressed by her accomplishments. Now, as she stared at the
hood covering her mother's deformed face, Orleana wondered if anyone on the Moon
even missed her. She suspected that they had all continued on in their happy, contented
lifestyles, not so much as taking a second glance at the Sun. Why would the positive
Sailor Senshi and the pampered princesses miss her? She had always been an outcast.
The girls from the other planets all had bright, optimistic dispositions. In comparison,
Orleana was a crusty scab of a princess from a dubious, dangerous star. The sun may be
the source of light, but it was still consumed by darkness.

She redirected the frustration caused by her own shortcomings and focused the negative
thoughts into everything the Moon represented. Freedom. Hope. Beauty. Such words
brought to her mind an image of the Moon Princess. Orleana's eyes narrowed. She
thought of Queen Serenity's pathetic wimp of a daughter. Just remembering Princess
Serenity's long golden hair and wide blue eyes made Orleana want to spit in disgust. Her
cherub face, the innocence of her demeanor, Orleana hated it all. The simpering princess of
the Moon wore her heart on her sleeve. She was weak. And powerless. Why such a
milquetoast had been chosen to one day control the power of the Ginzuishou was beyond
Orleana's comprehension...

Air caught in Orleana's throat. Her heart thumped loudly against her ribs. Orange eyes
flared with excitement.

The Ginzuishou! The powerful stone could work miracles. It could repair Queen Metallia's
face and help her to defeat King Nefar! Why hadn't Orleana thought of it before? It was the
answer she had been searching for. She beamed as she mentioned the Ginzuishou to her
mother.

Metallia nodded thoughtfully. She had heard of the Ginzuishou in her history lessons as a
girl. School had never been one of the Queen's strengths. As Orleana related to her just
how much power the mythical stone held, the Queen smiled. The most powerful object in
the universe, in her grasp? Warmth welled into her heart as she imagined Nefar stooping at
her feet, begging for mercy. Her eyes slanted while she fantasized about revenge.
Metallia would, of course, show her husband as much compassion as he had shown her.

Her yellow gaze smoldered with satisfaction. A smug grin--her first smile in months--parted
her lips as she ordered, Get the Ginzuishou, Orleana. A low, wicked cackle escaped from
her mouth as she whispered, With the Ginzuishou, we will control the entire universe.
----------
End of Chapter 3
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I am on my hands and knees, begging for reviews! (it makes it very hard to type) In my last batch of reviews, most of you mentioned that you could not wait until Serenity and Endymion meet in the flesh. Neither can I. It will happen! Just not right now, at least. They are my favorite characters, and it is very hard to keep them apart, but presently, it's for the best. In several chapters, you are going to be drowning in so much Serenity and Endymion storyline that you will long to read these earlier chapters, before everyone's favorite couple met up...

Many, many thanks go out to my alpha reader, Ancientwriter. And to my boyfriend, who has aparently been reading the story like a good, doting boyfriend should but not it, as previously requested. Come on Jer! Do it! ^_^

Take care everyone! Until next time...

Hollie
holliedaye@hotmail.com

Return next time for Chapter 4: Transformed