What if Queen Channary recovered from regolith poisoning? What if the fire happened but they arrested Levana and found Selene still alive? She was kept in a tank for several years until she was strong enough to have the surgery. Channary teaches her how to use her powers and starts hiding her cyborg parts. She learns of all Channary wants her to learn for when she is queen.

Chapter Eight: Sleeping Beauty Has Awakened

I feel so heavy. Groaning, I turn my head, wanting to smother my pillow, but end up bashing my head into the wall. I yelp, sitting up and rubbing the bruised part with my right hand. I open my eyes, closing them quickly at the blinding overhead lights.

Huh, that's odd. It should be dark under the tent. Now that I think about it. . .

I place my hands on either side of me, bouncing up and down slightly. I scrunch my face up, confused. Why am I in a bed?

I look around the room, dread settling in my stomach. White walls, monitors, curtains drawn, blinding lights? I look down. White sheets and a blue hospital gown.

This isn't the nursery tent. Where's my nurse?

My head is pounding from where I bashed it, and I raise my hands to rub it when a flash of shimmery metal dances in my vision. I freeze, focusing on the metal.

It takes two seconds to realize it's my hand before I scream, loudly. A doctor, probably mid thirties, bursts into the room with a messy clipboard and wide eyes. I stare at her, panicking as I raise my hands towards her, unable to form words.

What happened? Why am I in the hospital? Why is my hand metal?

She presses a button near the door, coming to my side quickly. She kneels down, setting her clipboard on the nightstand next to me, having to move fresh flowers out of the way.

My breathing is coming short and shallow as another realization hits me smack in the face. My arms are a lot longer than they were before. Wiggling my toes and bending my legs, I let out another small scream at the size of them.

Thrusting the blanket away, another scream escapes my throat. My whole left leg is metal just like my hand. Bursting out a cry-like sound, I pause to realize no tears have fallen. No tears have even formed. I definitely should be crying right now.

I turn to see the doctor staring at me with concern, placing a hand on my metal leg. I move my leg towards the side of the bed in order to get away from her grasp, but I end up falling off the bed and into her lap. I'm terribly unbalanced, my left leg so much heavier than my right.

She lets out a tiny squeak as my metal leg collides with her shoulder, half of me on the bed with the other half on top of her. I smile uneasily, breathing still abnormal as I try and process everything that's going on.

"Sorry, Princess Selene, let me help you." She shifts positions, sitting on her knees as she helps me back into bed. I lean against the wall, propping up my pillow as she adjusts my legs on the bed.

My bottom lip trembles, my eyes failing to cry. Her gaze softens, and she sits on the side of the bed, keeping her hands to herself this time. "I'm so sorry, Your Highness. You must have a million questions."

I open my mouth, taking a moment to get my muscles working long enough to form words. When I speak, it comes out as a croak before I stop, confused. I've always been chatty but I haven't been educated enough to know how to speak full sentences. It appears I now know how to speak properly. Well, I am a lot bigger than when I was last awake. "What happened to me?"

She opens her mouth only to be interrupted by another doctor. This one is years older, gray hair, wrinkly lines on his forehead, and a short stature. He smiles when he sees me, and the lady doctor moves out of the way to make room for him.

He looks vaguely familiar. Where do I know him from?

"Ah, dear, she's finally awake. After all these years, young Princess Selene has risen from her slumber!" He's trying to make the situation more cheerful but I missed everything after the part where he said years. I've been asleep for years? What in the name of the stars happened to me?

I find my voice again, strange to know that I have a full vocabulary. My brain knows more than I do, it seems. "What happened to me?" I ask again, a little more forceful than the time before. He pauses, cheerful charade dropping as he sighs and takes the lady doctor's seat at the edge of my bed on my metal leg side. I try moving my metal leg, feeling self conscience, but it's super heavy and I'm not particularly strong at the moment.

"Would you like me to get your mother to tell you, or would you like me to tell you?"

Oh, yes, my mother. From what I remember, she cared deeply about me for point five seconds every single time she saw me. I'd say I would prefer this nicer looking man to tell me than her.

"You, please."

He nods, glancing over at the lady doctor. She nods, leaving the room, looking back at me with such concern it makes me squirm.

"What do you remember?" He asks, slowly, feeling like it's more important to drag this out than to just tell me.

I frown, just wanting the story. I rub my forehead with my hands, trying to get my facts straight. What do I remember? "I vaguely remember falling asleep in the nursery tent with Violet. I had small hands and feet and no vocabulary. Now, suddenly, I have these metal parts, longer arms and legs, and a full vocabulary. I know how to speak. How do I know how to speak? I'm three or was three."

I'm growing impatient. Why can't he just tell me what happened? I'm also frustrated because it appears that I've probably missed most of my childhood. I'm supposed to be three. I'm supposed to wake up in a few hours to be placed in my chambers to get a good night of sleep. I'm supposed to wake up and have breakfast with Winter. Supposed. Supposed. Supposed.

His eyes are filled with concern as he sighs, deciding what to say. Finally he nods. "Yes, yes. It should have been a terrible accident, but unfortunately, it wasn't."

He treads lightly, about to drop major news on my already confused brain. Great stars, my head hurts so badly from hitting it and trying desperately to cry. My left hand feels heavy as I drop it back to my side.

"Your aunt, Princess Levana, tried to kill you. She gave something to Violet that caused the nursery tent to catch on fire when the two of you went to sleep. That was eight years ago, Your Highness. You're eleven now."

What? Oh my stars.

I swallow hard, trying to process the giant bomb the doctor just dropped. My mind is trying to do multiple things at once but epically failing.

One thing seems more important to focus on though. "Eleven?" I'm eleven years old? Eleven? Eight bloody years of my childhood, gone. Thanks, Levana.

He nods. It takes everything in me to not scream in frustration. Eight years of my life ripped away from me like it didn't matter.

Oh, no. I'd almost forgotten in the midst of my preteen crisis.

"Where's Violet?" Hope fills my voice that my horrible aunt didn't destroy everything I care about.

He shakes his head and my gaze drops. My aunt really ruins everything. Even though I was young, I was bright for my age. I knew my aunt was a terrible, power hungry person, but she really stooped so low as to try and kill me? And succeeded in taking my dear nurse's life.

"What did you do to me?" I need to cover all the basic questions, my brain still working over time to multitask.

He stares at me for a moment, pondering. I swallow, scared to learn the truth.

He takes something out of his pocket, a small portable device and fiddles with it. He presses one of the side buttons and a small hologram appears. It's of a young girl filled with wires, nerves and artificial parts. I look into the girl's head, a panel inside and artificial eyes.

That girl's me. I'm a monster.

I let out a small whimper, placing my hands over my mouth in shock. It's revolting. That's me.

I look away and he switches off the device. "I'm sorry, Your Highness."

I let out a light, sarcastic laugh, looking him dead in the eyes with furious ones of my own. "It's not your fault so why bother apologizing? Eight years of my life out the door."

He nods like he understands but otherwise doesn't say anything. "What has become of Winter and Jacin?"

He smiles softly, startled by my small outburst. "They have grown up in the palace just like before. Thriving, learning, getting older."

That was the wrong thing to say and he realized it too late. His eyes widen as my eyes grow darker. With all my might, I move towards the right side of the bed, swinging my legs over and standing on clumsy, unsteady feet. My metal foot hits the ground with a loud bang and I grimace, ignoring the doctor's protests about lying back down.

Wanting so badly to cry over my current state, I move my metal leg forward. It's heavy so I'll need to practice walking after I had just mastered the art of it. Well, three year old me had just mastered the art.

My arm is hooked up to a bunch of liquids and crap so I grab hold of the wheel cart they're placed on. It's my support as I walk slowly over to the curtained windows.

The doctor follows behind me, making sure I don't fall. "Please, Your Highness, sit back down. You are still fairly weak."

I shake my head. I've been succumbed to the bed for the last eight years. I will not be stuck in it a moment longer.

Unsteadily holding onto the chart, I lift my hand up to my head, feeling for the panel I saw in the hologram. I push my hair aside, finding it and opening it. Feeling around, there's a bunch of wires. Taking my hand out, I close the hatch. I really want to cry right now.

The doctor is standing beside me, inspecting me. He mutters to himself, and I stare at him confused. "Are the screens in your head working?"

My mouth drops open. "What screens?" It comes out as a shrill screech and he winces.

Looking embarrassed, he pulls out a screwdriver. "The control panel in your head allows for your new wires in your brain to connect with a screen visible only to you in your eyes since they are artificial. Also, because they are artificial, you can't cry as I'm quite sure you have figured out?"

I nod, helplessly saddened by the onslaught of news. "The screen will allow you to search the web, establish netlinks, send messages and all that good stuff." He frowns, cocking his head at me. "There must be a disconnected wire. May I open your control panel to fix it? It'll put everything back online."

I nod, shrinking in on myself as I turn and push my hair out of the way. He opens the panel and I wince as he shifts some of its contents around. He screws something in before closing the panel.

There's a beeping noise before everything happens at once. Old warnings flash across my vision and I subconsciously push them away. My artificial vision scans the room, data rolling across my eyesight, feeding me useless information that I really could care less about at the moment. It focuses on the doctor, reading his face before pulling up data on him.

Sage Darnel

Personal doctor of the royal family

Head scientist of the bioelectric manipulation experimentation

Leads the research on Lunar soldiers

Oh, that's why he looks so familiar. He's my personal doctor.

He leans in, eyes ablaze with mischief. "Can you keep a secret? I installed a lie detector into your head but don't tell anyone okay?" He laughs as I nod, forcing a tiny smile. At least I get one cool thing out of this. "You'll have to learn how to use everything, but that will come in time if you want to learn."

I nod, understanding. This is going to be a long process.

He extends a hand and I stare at it confused. "Can I show you something else? Your metal hand please."

I look at my shiny hand before cautiously placing it on top of his. He touches an invisible button and out of each of my fingers pops out a different gadget.

"Wow!" I laugh, surprised and excited. My thumb is a flashlight, my pointer is a tub of pale pink lip gloss, my middle finger contains a small knife, my ring finger houses a pen and my pinky has a hair tie inside it. He touches the button again, retracting the gadgets as the fingers solidify again.

"You should be able to control them with your brain as well."

I nod, staring at my hand. Maybe being a cyborg won't be all bad. But I'm still a monster. I'm no longer completely Lunar.

"Thank you."

He smiles, proud. "Of course. You just need to practice. Most of it is wired into your brain." He laughs at his own joke and I smile. "It should come naturally over the next few days. The only annoying part will be that your brain is still figuring out what everything is so a bunch of useless information will pop up everytime you look at something you don't recognize or say something you don't know."

There's a pause in the room as the conversation drops off for a moment. I glance down at my metal parts, them sticking out like Lunars do in their fake costumes and illusions.

"We really should call Her Majesty down now that you're awake. I wanted to give you a minute to process everything and tell you myself."

I smile, grateful that he was so considerate. "Could I go to my bedroom, though? I think I've been in this room long enough."

A strange look passes over his face but he brushes it off and nods. "Of course, if that's what you want, Your Highness. We'll get you a few things to put on so you don't have to walk in the hospital gown."

I look down at my blue gown and bare feet. "Thank you, Doctor Darnel."

He smiles when I say his name but otherwise exits the room without a word. I sigh, leaning against the cart. I still feel really heavy.

Several minutes later, the lady doctor from before walks in with a pile of things in her hands. She sets them on the bed, walking over to me to remove the hookups. A yellow box in my vision captures her face, showing a small profile just like with Doctor Darnel.

Christine Hare

Main assistant of Sage Darnel

I smile at her as she finishes taking the wires out of my arm. "Thank you for taking care of me."

She startles, eyes widening in surprise before they soften again. She smiles. "Of course, Your Highness."

She bows slightly before exiting the room. I walk over, still clumsy on my metal foot, to lock the door before rifling through the clothes gifted to me. There's a pair of gray pants, a white sweater, flat heeled black boots and a pair of black gloves.

I freeze, dropping the gloves like they're poison. Do they think I'm a monster too? That I need to hide my monstrosities?

Apparently so. I sigh, the previous confidence booster deflating and being replaced with troublesome insecurities. I slip off the hospital gown, putting on the clothes. Looking down at the gloves, I frown, wanting to cry.

My head pounds in the effort that would normally take to cry as I slip on the gloves. While it makes me think I'm a monster, at least with these, I don't have to show the rest of the world.

Except, that's exactly why I've been given the gloves. I want to cry and scream. I just want to be a three-year-old again.

I fiddle with the gloves, pulling them up as my insecurities spike. On the other side of the door, two guards are waiting. They stare at me, the newly awakened princess. They don't know that I'm a monster.

They will if they see the metal parts.

I pull my sleeves down farther, making sure nothing is visible. Looking down the empty hall, I test out my new brain functions. Somehow, by will, I am able to pull up exactly what I need: a map. I smile, happily because I'm somewhat cool as I figure out where I am and where my room is. Connecting the destination with my current location, a blue line appears, showing me the direction in which I need to walk.

Maybe being a monster isn't all that bad. At least I have this cool new brain and all its functions at my disposal.

With those fleeting thoughts, I walk down the hall with as much confidence as I can muster while I limp towards my bedroom. I'm still unstable with my heavy metal leg.

"Your Majesty?"

I sigh, glancing away from the window and putting down the grape I was about to eat to look up at the face of one of my guards.

Raising an eyebrow, I gesture for him to move forward with the conversation. I'm feeling rather unwell today. Uneasiness has settled in the pit of my stomach over the last few days as I impatiently wait for my letdown of a daughter to wake up. The only good thing I have gotten out of the situation, though, is I can use the excuse to get out of my queenly duties. While Selene hasn't fulfilled her purpose yet, it's a start.

If only my precious daughter would wake up.

He bows now that he has my attention. I pick the grape back up, eating it with grace and relevance in the presence of company. "Your Majesty, Her Highness Princess Selene has risen from her slumber. I just received word from Doctor Darnel that she is back in her room now, waiting for you."

I smile widely. "Excellent. Please send for Grace and tell her to bring the boxes I asked her to pick up in Artemisia."

I stand as he bows, leaving the room too quickly to be polite. I let out a small laugh, all of the uneasiness leaving me in a delightful rush. Finally. My almost worthless daughter is finally awake.

Grace enters the room with the golden boxes, smiling as she bows. I walk forward, snatching the boxes from her and placing them on my bed. I wave her away without a thank you.

I hear the door close, letting out a small unladylike squeal of delight as I open the first box. Wrapped in fine tissue is a pair of elegant silver gloves, little flames sewn into them. In the next box are sturdy, princess-like boots, a shimmery silver to match the gloves.

I run my hands over them, smiling. They will be perfect for my daughter. Perfect for hiding her new imperfections.

I scrunch up my face at the falsehood. More like monstrosities.

I place the boots and gloves back in their boxes, wrapping them back up. I hold them out in front of me as I walk out of the door, thrusting them in the arms of one of my guards.

I strut down the hall towards my daughter's chambers. It's been empty since the day of the nursery almost eight years ago. I see her guards poised in front of it, fighting against the smile building on my face. Queens don't smile.

They move aside as I walk up, opening the doors. The guard holding my gifts enters with me, the other stalling outside with the other two guards.

I enter into the living room of Selene's chambers, toys still thrown about. This place has been untouched since Selene was last here. I scrunch up my face slightly, my facade still holding the impression of stoicness. I really should have had someone come in here and clean out all of Selene's baby clothes and dresses. I suppose it never crossed my mind.

I open the doors leading to where the bed sits, freezing in the doorway as I stare at my daughter, awake and standing before the grand window, fiddling with a pair of middle class gloves.

I scoff, walking towards her. She turns, starting, wide-eyed as I approach. I rip the gloves from her hands, both of our eyes widening.

I take a few steps back, placing my hand over my mouth. It's revolting. My daughter is a monster. Inhumane.

I motion for the guard to step forward. He places the boxes on the bed, bowing silently before exiting the room.

I had ordered for the cyborg parts to be added to Selene so she would at least resemble a Lunar, a human. I gesture towards the boxes.

"Here are your new gloves and boots. They must be worn at all times if you are outside this room. No one must know what you are, Selene."

She flinches, staring at the boxes. She nods feebly, looking at me with sad eyes. "Of course, your room needs to be picked up. All of your old worthless stuff is in here. I'll send for a maid after I leave as well as send word to my dressmaker. You need a whole new wardrobe."

She nods, remaining silent. I look at her over, dressed in pedestrian clothes. Her hair is wild and messy, her eyes an ugly brown, but nonetheless, she looks exactly like me. At least she looks like royalty. Looks like a Blackburn. Well, maybe she doesn't look exactly like me. Her beauty hasn't grown in yet, unlike me at her age. I was stunning.

"Clean up, Selene, you are quite frankly a mess. You are not to leave this room until your new wardrobe comes in. I will not have this family shamed by people seeing you dressed in that."

She looks down at her clothes, shrinking in on herself. She looks back up at me, face tense as if she was crying. "Yes, mother."

I smile, faking a loving motherly gaze. "We need to make an announcement to all of Luna and Earth. Of course, once you have your new dresses. We'll need to have a celebration. Maybe a parade? We need to show everyone that you're normal."

She flinches at the word 'normal', fiddling with her now bare metal arm. I walk forward, placing my hand underneath her chin, forcing her to look up at me.

"It's unfortunate what you have become, my precious daughter. You could have been so naturally beautiful. What a shame. Well, my dazzling daughter, you are still young. Luckily, it's time for you to learn to control your Lunar gift. Winter is currently doing lessons as well and she shows great promise. Let's hope you fulfill the same and possibly even more power. While your beauty disappoints, let's hope your powers don't."

I let go of her and she drops her head, staring at the floor. "Yes, mother."

I smile. She is a good obedient little thing, isn't she? "Excellent. I'll send for the maids to come and clean up along with some food for dinner." I close her bedroom doors behind me, walking out of the room.

She better not disappointment me.

Her Royal Highness, Selene, is finally awake.

My Selene, my dear cousin, is finally awake. Hearing the great news after the exciting one Jacin just told me, made me the most happy princess.

Of course, she wasn't actually awake. She was still sleeping soundly, resting after going under a procedure. A procedure for what, I don't know. I really hope she's okay.

I kick my feet slightly, getting more momentum so the swing continues swaying lightly. I turn the page of my book, smiling as I read the words.

I hear a cough in front of me and I look up to see Jacin, smiling. He's wearing a glimmering badge and more dressed-up clothing.

"How was your first day?" I ask, closing my book.

He shrugs but his beaming smile says it all. It must have been a really good day.

"It went really well."

I smile, clapping my hands. "That's wonderful, Jacin."

He shrugs, fighting the urge to burst in excitement.

We're interrupted by footsteps as one of my guards walks forward. I hop off the swing, holding my book out in front of me. Jacin stands beside me, his smile slipping away and his usual facade turning back on.

"Princess Winter, Jacin," He nods to each of us in turn. "Her Highness, Princess Selene, is requesting both of you." He smiles, waiting for our reactions.

My eyes widen, trying to contain an unprincess-like squeal of delight. She's finally actually awake.

I grab Jacin's hand, my smile as wide as they get as I walk back into the palace. I head in the direction of Selene's room which has sat empty, abandoned, and untouched for the past eight years. I walk rather fast, Jacin whispering to me to slow down as I pass other maids and guards walking in the halls. I don't slow down, though, because I'm too excited to see my cousin.

Finally, my only other friend is awake. I pause down the hall from Selene's room because it's so odd to see guards posted outside of it.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my rising nerves. After all this time, it's finally happening. I'm now a bundle of nerves, a million thoughts racing through my mind. Will she remember what happened? Does she remember what happened? Does she remember me?

My breathing falters. What if she doesn't remember me? She was only three when it happened but I'd think an experience like that, you would remember what happened as well as your cousin who was there until she wasn't.

Jacin squeezes my hand to get my attention, concern flashing in his eyes as he reads my mind. "She remembers you, Winter. I'm sure of it." He smiles slightly, before dropping it. It's all I need, though, to drop his hand and walk forward, smoothing out my dress. I toss my book at one of my guards, startling him.

I smile sheepishly at him as he fumbles to get a hold on the book. "Sorry, Jeremy."

He nods, smiling slightly. He tucks the book underneath his arm. I turn to look at Jacin and he nods towards the door.

I take a deep breath, walking forward as Selene's new guards open the door to let me enter. I walk inside, and it's a madhouse. Maids are shuffling around, picking up the remnants of three year old Selene by tossing old toys in bags and small dresses on moving racks. Several are wiping and dusting the furniture.

I look around the room. No Selene. Her bedroom door is closed though. That's where she probably is.

I look at Jacin again and he nods reassuringly. I knock on the bedroom door before turning the knob slightly. I pause, door slightly ajar to see my older, more grown-up cousin staring out the window dressed in average clothes but with dazzling, expensive boots and gloves.

She turns her head in my direction, noticing the disturbance in the air from when I opened the slightly creaky door. She smiles at me, waving sheepishly.

I beam, opening the door and running to wrap her in a hug. She lets out a startled laugh, hugging me tightly. I hear Jacin shuffle inside behind me, closing the door.

Tears slip out of my eyes, falling on Selene's shoulder. I laugh, pulling away to wipe the tears. She is smiling, face scrunched up in a crying manner but no tears fall.

"Oh, Selene!"

"Hi, Winter."

Oh, she does remember me! I smile, hugging her again. She pulls away and turns to look at Jacin, smiling, though, her eyes sad. She walks forward wrapping him in a more reserved hug, like she isn't sure she should be hugging him.

"Hi, Selene." He whispers, looking at me over her shoulder.

"Hi, Jacin." She pulls away, walking back a few paces to peer at the both of us. She's smiling widely, but she's closing in on herself, fiddling with her silver gloves. She looks like she's desperately trying to cry.

I frown, worried. "Is everything alright, Selene?"

She nods, bottom lip trembling slightly. She takes a shuddering breath, standing up straighter. "It's just really good to see you guys. It's been so long. It feels like I should be waking up from sleeping a few hours in the nursery tent next to Violet. Yet, here I am, eight years later."

Jacin sighs, gaze softening as he shares a look with me. "Do you know what happened?"

Selene nods, pulling up the sleeves of her gloves even though they have already reached their limit. "I remember falling asleep in the tent with Violet. Doctor Darnel explained everything, though, when I woke up."

"It was truly awful," I declare. I haven't spoken of what I remember seeing that day. So much happened afterwards. I just wanted to forget. "My stepmother is a witch, a monster."

Everyone nods, silence filling the air. Selene takes a deep breath, glancing down at her feet and hands. "I am, too."

I give her a startled, confused look. I turn my head towards Jacin, who is equally confused and shocked.

I take a few steps forward only for Selene to take a few back. "Why would you say that?"

She gazes up at the both of us, fighting an internal battle. "My mother threatened me if I was to ever say anything? but I need to tell you guys. Can you keep a secret?"

We both nod, staying silent to allow room for Selene to continue. She kicks off her boots and gloves to reveal a metal hand and a metal leg.

My eyes widen and my mouth drops open. My hands fly to my mouth. Selene squirms under our gazes as we try to absorb this sudden change.

"Oh my stars."

"My stepmother did this to you?" I ask, my voice almost inaudible.

She nods, rubbing her hands together.

"Oh my stars." I turn to stare at Jacin whose eyes are wide. He's pointing at the metal hand, still trying to grasp the revelation.

"Yeah, and I can't cry."

I cock an eyebrow, curious. "Why?"

She licks her lips, picking up the gloves and slipping them back on. "My eyes are artificial. I have a bunch of wires in my body."

She turns around, brushing her hair away to reveal a control panel. What in all of Luna did my stepmother do to her?

"See, like I said, I'm a monster." Her gaze drops.

I sigh, walking forward and wrapping her in a hug. "No, you're not, Selene."

She leans back to look me in the eyes. "My mother said I am."

I roll my eyes. "Well, don't listen to her. I think it's awesome. You're now a Lunar-cyborg, badass and ten times better than the rest of us."

She smiles, feeling slightly better. It's still clear, though, that she doesn't believe me. She still thinks she's a monster.

Well, I'm going to have to fix that. This broken girl is my cousin and best friend. She needs my help to fit into this world once again, and I'll do everything I can to make her feel like she didn't miss her childhood.

"Don't worry, Selene. Jacin and I are here for you, always."

I hope you enjoyed the really long chapter!

-Kath