Greetings, one and all!

Since I am going to be out of town next weekend (drat those Christmas parties!) and most likely out frantically shopping/watching The Two Towers during the week, I thought I would post this next chapter early! Amazing concept, I know. Don't get used to it. ^_^

More notes are at the bottom, so without further blathering...

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. I own a lot of things, but nothing of great importance, save for my huge shoe collection and my 14-year-old goldfish. And I am not giving them up for anything!
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In the last chapter, Orleana, the Sun Princess, set out to find her ma, Metallia. She encountered to icky Surface Dwellers called Orxix and Samella, who suffered various icky melty skin problems. After dodging big liquid fire waves, a snarly beast with big teeth, and creepy red-eyed cave people, Orleana found her mama. Metallia wasn't too pleased to see her daughter because she is melty and gross-looking and told her daughter to go away. That was until Orleana mentioned that the Ginzuishou could make Metallia look beautiful again (ain't vanity great?). And hey, they could control the Universe, too!
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Light of Love: Red Moon--Chapter 4: Transformations


Endymion's mind was locked in a hazy, dark world. His thoughts were submerged in a lagoon of black, inky water. It had flooded his eyes, clogged his ears, and filled his mouth.
He choked on the muck. His lungs collapsed as the tar-like substance attempted to
overtake him from the inside as well as out.

Such a fight would have killed any man. Fortunately, the prince was not just a common
Terran. He was the heir to the throne. The true prince. Instead of succumbing to the pain
and suffering, Endymion's will power fought against the strange black haze. He thrashed
out. His arms and legs kicked at it, pushed it away, and forced it from his sight. He ran. The
pain threatened to overtake him again, but he fled from it, desperate to stay free.

And then he saw her.

In his pitch dark surroundings, he spied a small, dainty figure in the distance. She was
surrounded by a pale glow. Endymion rushed toward the figure, away from the cold, dark misery at his back. He felt that he had to reach his illuminated pixie if he wanted to survive.

Endymion exchanged words with her, but his own hysteria drowned out the sounds of his own voice. She reached up and touched him with one of her tiny hands; the pitch emptied
from his lungs the dark cloud began to wash away. He clutched for her, holding the delicate
fairy close as the negative feeling drained, clearing his mind from all of his pain, suffering, and
misery.

As the darkness lifted from his weary heart, Endymion reluctantly let go of the child. The girl
stepped back and lifted a finger to press against his cheek. Her touch was electric. A jolt of
power surged through the prince. Unlike the energy spurts caused by his second sight, this
power was pure and beautiful. Her energy was filled with happiness, hope, and love. It
washed over him, sailed through him, and reached into his soul, gripping him tenderly.

He bent his head down to gaze at her. Beautiful, wide blue eyes the color of the coldest
arctic waters stared up at him in awe. Endymion opened his mouth to speak to her as a
flash of hot white light, more intense, burst from the odd crescent-shape at the
center of her forehead. It burned his eyes. He held up a hand to shield his sight.

When the bright light dispersed, Endymion found himself once again alone. He was still
drifting through an ocean of water, but instead of the cold, tar substance he had been
drowning in, the prince was now engulfed in a clear, warm liquid. He opened his mouth and
allowed the water to fill his lungs. It invigorated him. This place was paradise. Endymion
could stay here forever. If the mysterious child with the vibrant blue eyes returned, the
prince most likely would. Here, he felt no pain or suffering. He was drowning in love, and
frankly, he enjoyed it.

Regardless of how content the prince felt at this moment, a voice attempted to tug his mind
away from this watery paradise. The voice told him to come back to the real world; it
warned him that this wonderful place was an illusion, a fantasy he had created with the angel. The strange voice told him to open his eyes, to come back, to live.

The mind of the prince was normally so clear and sharp, but presently, he found his thoughts muddled in confusion. Why should he go back? What was it that Endymion had
to do that was so damned important, anyway? His heart longed to roam free, to explore,
to see places far from his own, but as a prince, he was chained by duty. His life was not
fully his own. Endymion wondered why he must go back to a boring existence surrounded
with pomp and circumstance. In these crystal clear waters, the prince could drift as he
pleased. He could bask in the warmth without a care in the world. Endymion reasoned that,
if he waited long enough, perhaps his pixie would reappear. This time, he wouldn't
let her go, he wouldn't block the brightness from his sight so she could drift away from him.
He would find her and they would live in this strange liquid world forever.

That confounded nagging voice tugged at him again.

Come back, it urged,

Endymion wanted to thrash against the voice, to run away from it as he had the poisoned
muck, but it pulled him. Suddenly, the prince was no longer drifting through the watery
world. A jolt of energy sent him back into his body. The liquid drained from his lungs and
was replaced with a deep breath of fresh air. Roses, interlaced with the delicate essence of
jasmine, flooded his senses.

The prince realized that he was laying on a bed. He could feel the soft, cool sheets
beneath his fingertips. He shifted slightly. His body sunk deeper into the soft mattress.
Crisp, fresh air drifted through the room. He could feel a light breeze brush lightly against
his cheeks.

Slightly muted feminine voices drifted through his ears. Endymion recognized the even,
confidant voice of one woman; the one that had told him hundreds of bedtime stories and
had comforted him when he was ill. Queen Kyrena. His mother's voice was strained with
worry as she spoke. The prince could not remember ever hearing such despair in his
mother's calm, tender voice.

I hope it wasn't impertinent of me to call you here, she told the other person in the room.
Endymion suspected, from the way her words cracked, that she must be crying. His heart
ached as he sensed her pain. I just didn't know who else to turn to. Nothing has helped.

I'll do whatever I can to help, Kyrena, the other woman said. Her voice sounded warm
and regal as it rattled through Endymion's ears. Her even tone, in comparison to his
mother's desperation, reminded the prince of the calm, quiet core in the eye of a violent
storm.

Endymion heard their footsteps approach closer to the side of his bed. There was a
pause, and then another flash of brilliant light encompassed Endymion's body. He
welcomed the familiar wave of energy, opening his heart to the power. It was warm and
wonderful, but Endymion almost screamed his disappointment. His angel was not there
this time. Only the power greeted him.

The prince remained on the bed, unmoved by the intense energy that had filled his soul.
He kept his eyes clamped shut. Where was she? His mind screamed. Would he see her
again? He wanted to creep into the deepest crevices of his soul and root her out.
Amazingly enough, Endymion had a feeling that, if he reached far enough inside of his heart,
he would find the young girl. Such an idea confused him. Had he just imagined her? Was
he going mad?

The power faded. Again, the prince was engulfed in darkness. This time, he remained
awake, straining to hear the conversation between his mother and the mysterious woman.

Is something wrong? his mother demanded.

the other woman muttered. It's just that-- She paused.

questioned Queen Kyrena, fear ebbing into her words.

began the other woman, He's already been touched by the light of the Ginzuishou.
The darkness has already been washed away.

How is that possible? pondered his mother.

I don't really know the answer, confessed the other voice. But there is nothing, at this
point, I can do.

Pause.

Endymion's thoughts flooded with questions. The Ginzuishou. Was that the wonderful light
he had basked in? Who was this woman with his mother? The prince longed to see this
mysterious visitor, but his eyes would not open. Instead he remained quiet and still,
listening to his mother's conversation with this stranger.

I am sorry to have wasted your time, then, his mother whispered. Endymion could tell she
was disappointed. Kunzite can escort you and the Senshi back immediately.

Kyrena, what are you talking about? responded the woman. Warmth radiated in her tone.
I'm not sorry that you sent for me! In fact, I am pleased that you would turn to me at such a
time. I just wish that I could have helped you more.

Just having you here has helped, Kyrena whispered. Both women giggled nervously.

It's been so long since I've been to this place, confessed the woman. Endymion heard
the heels of her shoes click across the stone floor. Has so much time passed since we
were girls?

His mother laughed. she confessed. I've missed you, Sere. I know that it
was my decision to leave...

You made a great sacrifice for the sake of your people, Kyrena, declared the woman. I
had no doubt that you would help bring peace to this planet, and amongst our kingdoms.

Well, you have Linnaus to thank for that, the Queen of the Earth declared, laughing again.
If it wasn't for his confounded determination, I doubt that Demetrious would have chosen
peace over war. You should have seen Linnaus during the negotiations... There was
another pause. Endymion longed to open his eyes, but now the time was not right. Sere,
what is it? What has happened?

She told Queen Kyrena. Linnaus had been sent to the Sun. He was missing.

Linnaus was so in love with, Sere paused to rephrase. You and he were so close. Have you heard anything from him?

I'm sorry, Kyrena whispered. I didn't even know he had been on the Sun.

A sigh escaped from Sere's lips.

King Nefar and his daughter will here on a visit in a couple of days, Kyrena offered. I
could inquire as to Linnaus' whereabouts while they are here.

Thank you, uttered Sere. She paused slightly before asking, Do you know the purpose
of their visit?

Demetrious would not tell me, Queen Kyrena muttered. Endymion noted a tinge of
irritation in his mother's voice. My power and influence is so limited here. Heaven forbid
my husband would divulge such details to me.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips before she continued, Sometimes I wish I had stayed
with you, Sere. I miss being respected, of having my opinion matter...of serving a
purpose! When I was a part of the Senshi, I was a part of something. Here, I am just a
Queen.

Sere clucked. If it wasn't for you, your people would be living in squalor.
They would be dwelling in ignorance. You gave the Terran people something they had
lost centuries ago hope. All of the wishes you and I carried inside of us as girls are coming
true--and the proof is around you! I have never seen Elysion so beautiful and healthy.

There was a knock on the door.

commanded Queen Kyrena.

Endymion heard the metal hinges of the doors creak open.

I am sorry to interrupt, your majesties, uttered Kunzite's even, calm voice, But the chef
has prepared your lunch.

Thank you, the Queen of the Earth responded. Will you join me, Sere?

Of course, Sere whispered. She shifted and crossed the room, pausing above
Endymion's unmoving form. Her shadow blocked the light shining across his closed lids.
She smelled of lilacs.

He's very handsome, Kyrena, confessed Sere. He reminds me of your older brother.

Endymion's mind twisted around her words. His mother had no other family. She did not
have any brothers...

Kyrena giggled, He won't break nearly so many hearts!

The prince felt his cheeks turn crimson. He hoped his mother and her friend would not
notice.

I will wager that Endymion will break more, Sere whispered somberly.

You know, Queen Kyrena began, I always thought that he would be a great match for
your daughter. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they were to meet? To fall in love?

Sere paused. That is one heart Endymion will never be allowed to touch, she quietly
stated. Oh Kyrena, don't give me that look! You know that is how it must be. If peace is
to last...

The silence hanging in the room cast a shadow on the conversation. Endymion did not like
the current topic of conversation. From their assessment, he was a future womanizer who
would never be worthy to even look upon the face of this woman Sere's daughter! The
prince was half tempted to sit up in bed and defend himself, but he held back. After
pretending to be asleep for so long, his interruption would only prove that he had been
eavesdropping. Which, although true, was something Endymion was not willing to admit
for the simple fact that, when it came to facing his cross mother, the prince, like sons
everywhere, he suspected, was a big, huge coward.

Internally, he scoffed at their presumption. Him, breaking hearts? The only women he was
capable of attracting were the hideous bar maids purchased for a small fee from Jedite and
Zoicite. The prince cringed as he recalled the night of the strange eclipse, of the hideous
woman with the crooked nose...

Suddenly, Endymion realized that he must be alone. The room was silent. He strained to
concentrate. He could hear his mother's light laugh in the distance, drifting further down a
corridor. He snapped his eyes open.

Steel grey eyes stared back at him, inches from Endymion's face. The owner of the eyes
jumped back, screaming. Endymion jumped back a little in surprise as well. The prince's
midnight-blue gaze rested on a man with a messed mop of blonde hair and a wrinkled blue
royal uniform.

Endymion croaked. He sat up in the bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
He blinked back burning tears as his gaze adjusted to the bright light of day. What the hell
were you doing?

You scared the death out of me! declared Jedite, running a nervous hand through his
disheveled hair. He placed his other hand over his heaving chest. I was just checking to
see if you were still alive.

What, by kissing me? mused the prince. Jedite's cheeks reddened. Nice outfit.
Endymion commented, motioning to his guardian's uniform. You almost look respectable
in that thing.

remarked the voice of Zoicite as he marched into the room. His blue uniform
matched Jedite's, but, Endymion noticed, Zoicite's jacket and trousers appeared to be
neatly pressed. Zoicite glanced over to the prince and nodded approvingly. It's about
damn time you woke up!

Endymion frowned and blinked his eyes. What do you mean? How long have I been
sleeping?

For over a week, Jedite stated.

The Prince frowned and glanced behind the red-headed man. It was only then that he
realized that he was not in his bedroom in the castle. The pale stone walls, the creme silk
drapery, and the blonde-colored furniture were not the familiar decor of his room. The
prince's bedroom consisted of heavy granite walls, a dark oak bureau, a four-post bed, and
a wide, brown bear rug. The source of light in his bedroom came from a large fireplace;
here, the sun seemed to barge into every nook and cranny, warming and brightening the
room.

Endymion blinked his dark blue eyes several times before turning to his companions. He
thought about the night at the pub, the whore, the cold blanket of snow in the town square.
The last thing he remembered was the eclipse. Blood running through the streets. The
young prince squeezed his eyes shut and shook the vision from his mind. Some things
were best forgotten.

We're in Elysion, Zoicite finally volunteered. This place is a little nicer than the castle...

Endymion squeaked, rubbing his eyes. That woman, Sere, had mentioned
something about Elysion. The Prince threw back the light fluffy duvet and swung his legs
over the side of the bed. Without thinking, the young man hoisted himself up and
staggered to the huge picture window on the opposite side of the room. Jedite and Zoicite
rushed to his side. The guardians each grasped an arm as Endymion's knobby knees
buckled beneath him. His tall frame swayed and wobbled as Zoicite and Jedite corrected
his fumbling stance.

Putting the cart before the horse, your majesty? Jedite commented, growling slightly.
Endymion hadn't heard. His eyes were fixed on the world that existed beyond the pane of
glass before him.

Air caught in the prince's throat as he stifled a gasp. Throughout his life, he had heard tales
of Elysion. Long ago, his mother had said, a little princess had lived in a mythical, wondrous
place, where all creatures lived in perfect harmony. The place was called and it
thrived on hopes and dreams, which were always in abundance. Of all of the places in
Elysion, the princess loved the rose gardens most of all.

Which was true of all who lived in Elysion, Kyrena had told him, Which is why red roses
were the crest of the Royal Terran bloodline.

The prince wanted to correct her, to tell her that the crest was not a rose but a lion, but the
dreamy, far away look in his mother's eyes told him not to bother. She often looked both
melancholy and hopeful when she spoke of Elysion. After a few minutes, Queen Kyrena
would shake away any lingering sadness and tell Endymion about the grand white marble
castle in Elysion, where the little princess had hidden from the servants before wandering
into lush, green forests to seek out a unicorn or an elf to play with.

Never in any of his dreams had Endymion ever imagined that such a place existed. As he
gazed out at Elysion, the prince felt a rush of warmth pass through his body. The place was
just as he had imagined it in his dreams. The sun cast a bright, cheerful glow on this world.
The mystical place was a rich, fantastic green. The prince had never seen such an
amazingly lush place in his life. The leaves of the neatly trimmed grass and manicured
shrubs were so vibrant with color that the green almost bled into blue. The entire garden
was surrounded by tall, majestic trees; his mother had told him that every tree on the surface
of the Earth was represented in Elysion's forests and now the prince chided himself for not
knowing what types of trees they were. His midnight gaze fell downward, toward the red
blossoms of hundreds of rose bushes. From the prince's perch, the crimson petals
appeared more like drips of blood.

Endymion's gaze fell to a man of slight size and with silver hair walking among the rose
bushes. A pointed golden horn sprouting from his forehead sparkled in the sunlight. He
practically glided across the grassy surface in his white robe.

Endymion squinted his eyes to get a better look at him, but the small man had his back to
the prince's window. Endymion's greedy gaze longed to see the stranger's face. Turn
around,' the prince thought.

Suddenly, the man paused and glanced over his shoulder. His gaze rose up toward the
window where the prince was positioned. He smiled and waved at Endymion.

The Prince of the Earth staggered back slightly, taking his two companions with him. An
army of butterflies fluttered in his stomach. As impossible as it seemed, the prince felt as
though the pale man had sensed his presence.

Who is that guy? Endymion demanded, peering over each of his shoulders to his two
companions.

Jedite pondered.

The guy in the garden! the Prince snarled. He may have slept for over a week, but the
rest had not done anything for his patience. Endymion pointed a finger toward the window.

Oh, that guy, was Zoicite's bland reply. He licked his lips together. Um, so what do you
think of this place? Better than the shit hole castle, huh?

It's a pretty great place, really, Jedite agreed cheerily. You should see the servant's
quarters, Endy! Of course, there aren't a lot of people around. Aside from a few prayer
maidens, the place is lacking in the companionship department-

snarled the Prince, wrenching his arm from the blonde man. As the Prince
attempted to reach the window, he noticed that both Zoicite and Jedite were holding him
back. He staggered forward, pulling his arms from their protective grasp. He clutched the
window sill for support. His midnight eyes scanned the rose gardens. However, the man
was gone. The Prince's face fell.

What the hell is going on? demanded Endymion, twirling around to face his companions.
The prince did not even realize, in his own frustration, that he had begun to shout.

Both Jedite and Zoicite cast their eyes toward the marble tiled floor.

We aren't supposed to tell you, Zoicite offered meekly. His eyes softened as he tilted
his head to look upon the Prince.

Well, then, Endymion huffed, I order you to tell me. Who was that guy?

Jedite and Zoicite cast a worried glance at each other. Jedite shrugged and smiled.

I assume you're referring to the funny looking man with the golden horn coming out of his
forehead? Zoicite inquired.



With the strange looking white robe? asked Jedite.

Tell me!

That was Helios, Jedite muttered.

The prince nodded dumbly. Helios. Of course. If they were, indeed, in Elysion, than that
little man could only be Helios.

Endymion began to shake his head at the possibility. The fairy tale stories his mother had
told him as a child again flooded his thoughts. The vivid detail of this castle, the decadent
flower gardens, the way the sunlight broke through the vibrantly blue sky, all of this had
been told to him, in the form of fables and stories, by his mother. Endymion had always
thought that she was a great storyteller. Now, as he turned back toward the large picture
window to again survey the outside world, the Prince realized that the reason why Queen
Kyrena was able to tell such vivid fables was because she had, at one point in her life,
existed in this place. She was the little princess in her stories.

A movement in the corner of the garden caught his eye. A pale cloaked figure waved at
him. Endymion held his breath in. It was Helios. He could see the man's mouth moving.
Even across the distance, through the stone walls and glass windows of the castle,
Endymion could hear his voice perfectly.

Come to the prayer room alone after you have dressed, Helios instructed. Endymion
shook his head. A prayer room? Was Helios mad? The Prince had never even been to
this castle before...

You know this castle better than you think, your majesty, Helios stated. He turned and
walked away.

Zoicite's voice sounded slightly concerned.

The prince turned toward the room, smiling. I'm sorry, he said calmly. I am just a bit
confused and tired. Could you have one of the servants draw me a bath? I don't even
want to imagine how poorly I smell after not bathing in a week!

Of course, Jedite thought about to mentioning how the prayer maidens had given the
prince a daily sponge bath while he and Zoicite had watched enviously. He decided
against it. The guardian was just relieved that Endymion was not asking any more
questions.

I'll have some fresh clothes brought to your room, Zoicite volunteered, bowing.

After his guardians had left the chamber, Endymion turned back around to the window.
Again, he peered down at the rose gardens. Fear and excitement welled inside of him,
turning his stomach into knots. For a moment, his thoughts wandered to the girl in his dream.
Presently, Endymion decided, he must forget about his little angel. The prince had more
important things to think about, more pressing questions to ask.

He only hoped that his visit with Helios would unearth a few answers.

@--------

Princess Orleana stood in front of the massive, ornately carved vanity in her mother's
dressing chamber. The walls of this room, like the rest of the Solar Castle, were constructed
of dark, shining obsidian. Whereas the black stones made the rest of the castle feel
cramped, enclosed, and treacherous, Queen Metallia's room was quite was warm and
bright. Bathed in the light of the blaze popping in the fireplace to the left of the vanity,
Metallia's dressing chamber sparkled.

This room had always been Orleana's favorite in the castle. As a little girl, she had spent endless hours in her mother's dressing chamber. The beautiful Queen Metallia would sit on
the prim, ornately embroidered stool while dabbling collections of creams, powders, and
shadows onto her delicate skin. The Queen had maids to dress her and style her hair, but
Metallia had always insisted on applying her own make-up. All the while, her tiny daughter
was perched clumsily on the chair beside her, watching with fascination as Metallia
transformed herself from Orleana's mother and into the Queen of the Sun.

Orleana had always marveled at how drastically her mother could change her appearance.
A new gown, a different shadow, a deeper red lipstick, and Metallia had a new look. The
Queen of the Sun had always been known for her flawless, inspiring beauty. King Nefar
had, on more than one occasion, hired sculptors, poets, and painters, to help him--and the
entire kingdom, for that matter--admire her fine features. Orleana had grown up in awe of her
mother. As a little girl, Orleana had dutifully sat on the plush, ivory rug at the center of the
room while her mother dressed into green chiffon and lavender silk gowns. She had gazed longingly at Metallia's perfectly pointed lips and high, regal cheekbones.

Fingering the perfectly embroidered roses, lilacs, and lilies on the cushion of her mother's
seat, Orleana smiled a little sorrowfully. The reds, purples, pinks and greens of the thread
had begun to fade. Orleana turned to glance at the round ivory rug at the center of the
room. She remembered how shiny and furry it had been, but now it was matted and
slightly brown. The chamber did not seem as large as Orleana remembered it. She
thought that the walls stretched upward forever, but now she noticed that the ceiling was the
same height as it was in her own chamber. The princess used to think that there were
diamonds embedded in the dark obsidian of the walls. Her eyes now told her that she had
imagined it.

The princess let out a sigh. Tears clung to her eyes. It seemed as though everything in her
life had faded, shrunken, or disappeared. All that she had believed in was a distant
memory--a childhood fantasy of a perfect, beautiful life.

She reached her small hand to grasp a pale white handkerchief from the vanity and dabbled
her eyes. As she glanced down at it, a small bit of embroidery caught her eye. She held
the square of thin fabric by the corners in front of her. A choke of air stuck in her throat as she
noted the silver crescent moon daintily embroidered in the bottom right corner. Color
rushed to her cheeks. Rage filled her eyes.

she uttered out loud. The name echoed in the chamber. The edges of her ears
grew hot as anger twisted her stomach into knots.

The princess could not help but to hate that name. Linnaus. It rattled in her head, sending
her mind swimming.

Linnaus had sent her world into a spin, causing it to crash all around her. Orleana had not
really known Linnaus, and yet she still hated him. The princess had only seen the Lunar
man once, when she had first arrived to study as a Senshi. Orleana had considered him a
deceptively handsome and young looking. Lunarians held their age well. He had spent
most of the evening catering to Queen Serenity and the annoying, pathetic princess. Little
did Orleana know at that time that Linnaus would destroy her life: dishonor her mother,
enrage her father, and condemn Orleana the life of a caged animal. Because of the stupid
Lunarian, Orleana now had to go to the Moon to obtain the Ginzuishou. If only Linnaus had
never existed...

Crumpling the handkerchief into a small heap, Orleana tossed the offensive bit of fabric
toward her reflection. Growling, she buried her head into the palms of her hands and began
to sob.

Her mother was as much to blame, if not more so, for the misery bestowed on the Solar
Kingdom. Her mother had seduced poor, stupid Linnaus, as she had countless other
lovers. Metallia had never cared for anything other than her own pleasure. Orleana knew
that. And yet, the princess found that she was torn between her loyalty to her mother and
the loyalty she had promised to another, more brilliant queen: Serenity of the Moon.

Had it had only been three months since she had left that perfect, brilliant existence on the
Moon? To Orleana, a lifetime had passed. No longer was she allowed to be a young,
impulsive girl. No longer did she feel as though she were a part of something terrific. No
longer was she considered an asset. For all of the care, love and acceptance Orleana had
been exposed to on the Moon, she had been met with an equal helping of spite, self
loathing, and isolation on the Sun. Each morning, as she stared up at the pitch onyx ceiling
of her bedroom, a wave of misery passed through her. She was in hell.

Her only cause, since returning to the Sun, had been to find her mother. She had hoped
that Metallia would return and bring Nefar to his senses. Perhaps then, Orleana could return
to her life on the Moon. Of course, all of those hopes were a hazy dream. Any hope of
returning to her previous life had faded away. Orleana shuddered as she remembered her
mother's pleading, desperate eyes. Her once beautiful face was now melted, distorted,
and ugly. How far she had fallen, the Princess bitterly thought. And now Orleana was her
last hope. Metallia was counting on her daughter to obtain that damned Ginzuishou.

Orleana was sorry she had ever mentioned that the stone ever existed. To gain the stone,
she would be fighting against the strongest warriors in the system. The Sailor Senshi were
formidable opponents. All of them were aware of the Sun Princess' strengths and
weaknesses. Orleana had only been training for a few years. The Senshi had been training
for centuries. It was hopeless.

The princess pulled the crescent-shaped pendant out from underneath the fabric of her
dress. Her father had forbidden her to wear the trinket, but Orleana had disobeyed him. At
first, she had thought hopefully, that she would use it once Nefar had forgiven Metallia and
Orleana was allowed to return to her apprenticeship on the Moon. She had clung to it as an
escape clause, her ultimate escape from this hell. Peering down at the slip of silver, turning
it over to admire the reflection of the firelight, Orleana frowned. This pendant was now the
key to obtaining the Ginzuishou. With it, she could infiltrate the Moon Castle.

But how? Did the people of the Moon yet know of the treachery that had occurred to
Linnaus? Would they be so willing to permit the former Senshi apprentice access to the
most secure areas of the Moon Castle?

Swiping the tears away from her eyes, Orleana stared at her reflection in the looking glass.
She shuddered as she saw her mother's face staring back at her. The full-length portrait of
Metallia hung on the wall behind her. The painting had been commissioned when her
mother was a young girl. The princess regarded how young and hopeful her mother
appeared, and yet a tinge of regret sparkled in her fiery orange eyes.

Orange eyes? The princess' heart thudded heavily against her chest. Metallia had yellow
eyes, didn't she?

Orleana leaned forward, her eyes widening. The portrait moved toward her. Its eyes
widened.

The princess let out a small gasp. Aside from the hue of her eyes, she was a carbon copy
of her mother!

Orleana lifted her chin. She turned her head from side to side as she regarded the
squareness of her jaw line. The determination of her jaw was definitely from her father, to
match the glowing, fire-some orbs. Everything else--her perfectly pointed lips, her high cut
cheekbones, her arching eyebrows, her determined, pointed nose, and her high forehead-
reminded her of Metallia.

The princess squeezed her eyes shut. She brought her right hand and pinched the ridge of
her nose between her thumb and forefinger. She sighed.

Taking in a deep breath, the princess sat down on her mother's stool. Her trembling hand
reached forward. She grasped a pot of creme. As she uncorked the top, she regarded her
reflection. Orleana glanced back to the portrait of her mother. From this angle, Metallia
seemed to be staring down at her. Perhaps she was admonishing her daughter for being
so foolish as to have mistaken the reflection of the princess as that of a queens? Orleana
set her jaw and peered into the creamy mixture in her hand. She dipped a wary finger into
the substance. Her eyes again fell to the looking glass. She watched as she smeared the
cream across her left cheek. As she rubbed it into her skin, a wave of relief rushed through
the princess. She spread more of the creamy white over her forehead, across her nose,
and over her other cheek.

The princess reached for another glass pot. The creme in this jar was the color of golden
honey. As she dabbled the color across her cheeks, Orleana's mouth turned up
sardonically. Her mother's healthy, glowing complexion stared back at her in the looking
glass.

The princess spent a good part of an hour sitting at her mother's vanity. When she had
finished, Orleana marveled at her appearance. She was no longer looking at her face. She
was staring at Metallia.

The princess smiled wickedly at her reflection. Standing, she reached for the large pull-cord
at the left of the massive looking glass. Again, she looked at herself. Aside from her
distinctively orange eyes, Orleana no longer existed.

She twirled around as the huge mahogany door heaved open. A maid, clad in a plain black
smock, came into the room. She lowered her head as she curtseyed low.

You rang, Miss? the maid lifted her head as she stood. Her dark brown eyes widened in
horror as they fell onto Orleana's face. Your, your majesty? she stammered.

Orleana laughed wickedly. Don't be absurd! the princess sneered. She walked--regally-
toward doors to her mother's wardrobe. I need your help. Getting dressed, she said
cooly.

But your highness! the maid protested, These are your mother's finest dresses!

Obviously, Orleana thought, this maid had tasted her mother's wrath. Metallia allowed no
one near her frocks. Orleana threw the doors open to the wardrobe. A heady wave of
sweet lavender tickled her nose. She stepped into the black tomb. Even in the dark, she
knew precisely which gown she would wear. The beads of the bodice glittered in the pitch
room. Orleana grasped the gown possessively. As she emerged into the warm, sparkling
dressing chamber, she held the gown by each shoulder.

Orleana was holding the dress to her form, admiring the contrast between the deep rich
purple velvet and the pale skin of her neck, when she heard the maid behind her whimper,
Please your highness, not that one. That dress is Her majesty's most prized-

I know that! screamed Orleana, her face burning bright. She threw the gown down at her
feet as she spun around. I know that this is my mother's most precious dress! But Her
majesty is not here! Her majesty will never be here again! So this room and all of its
contents are mine!

The maid put up one last protest. Her lip quivered as she whispered, But His Majesty-

Orleana would hear no more. With a scream of anger, she reached forward and slapped
the maid smartly across the left cheek. Dark red streaked across the girl's face as the maid
reeled backward. Orleana stared down at her bloody red fingernails. She did not even
remember painting them.

Her breathing was heavy and labored. She clenched her teeth tightly together stooped
down to grab a handful of the maid's dirty blonde hair in her hand. The other girl screamed
in horror and pain as the princess dragged her, by the hair, to the chamber door. Orleana
concealed a slight smile as she spat, Fetch the new girl, Samella, you miserable scrap!

She threw the girl forcefully across hallway, grinning pleasantly as the maid's body slapped
loudly into the wall on the opposite side of the corridor. The girl was still sobbing
uncontrollably as she dumbly clutched the dark obsidian wall. Orleana's perfectly lined
eyebrow arched in amusement. Calmly, she ordered, Get Samella now. She can help
me dress.

She then turned back into the room, slamming the mahogany door resolutely behind her.
Orleana was pleased that she had kept enough foresight to hire Samella and Orxix as
servants. Orxix was more of a go-between between herself and Metallia. The princess
had originally offered Samella a position in the castle to keep an eye on her. Now, as she
stood, staring at her rage in the mirror, Orleana was grateful for an ally.

The princess attempted to clear her mind. Soon, Samella would come. After she was
dressed, Orleana would depart for the Moon and take the Ginzuishou. Very soon, she told
herself, everything would be back to normal, and all of this would be a part of a horrible,
easily forgotten nightmare.
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End of Chapter 4
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Okay, you've read it. Please review! Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Hollie
holliedaye@hotmail.com

Stay tuned for Chapter 5: Warrior of the Moon