Chapter 6: A Memory of a Nightmare
Queen Serenity stared at the man, a mixture of fear and anger building up in her soul. He had defeated the best fighter in her kingdom, had disrupted her daughters birthday celebration, and she knew that she should know his name, but it just wouldn't come. Artemis stepped forward, and placed himself between the Queen and the man, his hand resting on the handle of his sword.
Koaru struggled back to his feet, trying to understand how this man had tossed him so easily, when suddenly his heart burned with pain, and, screaming in pain, he collapsed to his knees, hearing the cries of battle and death in his head, and seeing a king and queen fighting the man in the Ball Room, the queen's back exploding, and the king being sliced in half. Koaru didn't understand why, but tears formed in his eyes as he watched, then his world went black. Luna rushed over to Koaru, with Amy and Lita close behind her.
Artemis looked at the man, trying to figure out what he wanted, when he spoke. "Why are you all so hostile?" he asked, a tone of innocence in his voice. "I thought that you, of all people Serenity," he faced the Queen, "would have a warmer welcome for an old friend."
Queen Serenity's blood chilled as those last two words sunk in. "Y-yo-you..." she said, her voice trembling with fear, "How is it that you are here?" The man shrugged his shoulders, then looked directly into her eyes, and a shiver shot up her spine as she remembered the last time she looked into his eyes, so long ago. "I got a lucky break, and now I have returned to keep my word."
Artemis drew his sword and set a battle stance, ready to silence the man who was causing more trouble then should be allowed. "State your business, then leave this kingdom." he said, anger etched in his voice. "Artemis!" Artemis turned to see the Queen staring him, fear written on her face. "Artemis, please, stand down." Artemis paused for a moment, then sheathed his sword and backed away from the man.
Luna crouched over Koaru, quickly checked for a pulse, and sighed in relief when she felt it. Lita and Amy skidded to a stop behind her, and both tried to help in reviving him. Lita ran to get a glass of water while Amy slapped Koaru's face repeatedly. Luna smiled slightly at their efforts, and stood back as Lita dumped a glass of water on Koaru's head. Amy was shocked, "Why didn't that work?" she asked Luna, trying to understand how he could sleep through that. Luna smiled, and leaned forward, explaining that Koaru was not sleeping, but that he was unconscious.
Queen Serenity called a servant forward, and asked him to take Serena to her room, but, when she touched his arm, she explained that Serena would refuse and run back into the room, while she did that, he was to go into the Queen's personal armory and bring her the weapon. The servant ran over to Serena, led her out of the room, and sure enough, she came running back in after forty-five seconds.
The man looked at Serenity, wondering what she was thinking, then he watched her daughter run back into the room, taking her place behind the prince she had been dancing with when he arrived. He looked back at the Queen, who had noticed where his gaze had been three seconds earlier. "What do you want," she asked, all fear gone, replaced by anger. "Why are you here, King Soul?" she asked, glaring at the man, who started to laugh. "So you do remember me Serenity." he said, feeling amused. He looked over at Serena again, who hid behind Nicholas. "I want to marry your daughter."
Serena heard the man's words, then fainted. The other boy who had been with Nicholas rushed forward, and carried her over to the wall, where a few soldiers joined him and formed a protective circle around the princess. Nicholas, however, drew his own sword and stepped towards King Soul. "Her hand is spoken for." he said, already protecting the girl he was to marry.
Queen Serenity was pleased to see the servant return carrying a cloth wrapped around the Impearium Silver Crystal. She took it, thanked the servant, and, unwrapping it, turned to face King Soul. "Soul," she said, feeding her energy into the Crystal, which began to glow, "leave now, or I will destroy you." Soul flinched at the sight of the Crystal, then smiled. "Very well, I will leave, but make no mistake, I will return."
The next day, Queen Serenity called Luna, Artemis, and Nicholas into the throne room. "We have a problem. " she said. "King Soul has returned, and is after power. Somehow, Serena is a part of his plan. But she is now twelve, and is supposed to go to the Crystal Moon Academy with the others to complete her education." She turned to face the three. "I want to teach my daughter how protect herself. The royal blood can wield magic and elemental energies. I want my daughter to learn these skills as soon as possible." Artemis and Nicholas stepped forward. "I will teach her." Artemis said, "As will I." Nicholas said. Luan stepped forward, a worried look on her face. "My Queen," she said, "don't you think that it could be dangerous to teach her these abilities at such a young age?" Serenity shook her head. "Koaru will be attending the Academy as well, so he will help in their training." Luna, Artemis and Nicholas looked at Serenity. "Their?" they asked. The Queen smiled, and Artemis and Nicholas feared what she was about to say. "You will also be teaching Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina." The two men groaned and collapsed to the floor, knowing that they had just been sentenced to hell.
