Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.
Title: The Guardian
Helios, Darien
Rated: T
General/Drama
Summary: The feline advisors of the Moon weren't the only guardians. The guardian of the Earth senses a threat beginning to take root, and decides it is time to find the Earth's protector.
A young boy with short white hair stood at a tall window overlooking the beautiful view of a sea of vibrant red roses as far as the eye could see. He wore a white outfit with trimming, edges, and ribbons in different shades of blue.
Although he looked to be twelve or thirteen years of age in appearance it was only a natural deception for he was actually a grown man. A grown man that had lived for a very long time watching over and guarding the sacred land of Elysion within the Earth. Making sure its purity was maintained as he monitored the Earth.
He was able to do this because as the Earth's guardian he had a connection to the planet. A connection so strong he was able to tell whether or not the planet was healthy and even the level of its overall health.
At present the planet was healthy, but it was far from one hundred percent. The Earth had not seen such a level of health since the age of the Silver Millennium. Since its protector had been alive.
The young-looking man sighed lightly as he recalled that day so long ago. Despite the protector not being on the Earth at the time he had sensed his death. Sensed his young life abruptly fade away from their connection.
For they were all connected; himself, the Earth, and its protector.
He had immediately gone to the room housing a round shallow pool within the shrine he maintained. He held his hands over the crystal clear water and focused his power as he concentrated on trying to ascertain what had happened to the protector of the Earth.
White gold light lit up his hands with its glow before raining down on the water. Instantly the water morphed from crystal clear to a moving scene. There, standing in front of a white palace, was the protector. Yet he was not alone. Shielded behind him stood a young woman in all white from her long hair to her dress.
They were looking up and the pool expanded the scene to show a tall woman floating in the air above them with long wavy red hair wearing a purple dress. Even further in the sky was an entity so massive it blotted out the dark sky; so malignant he could sense it through the pool.
The woman seemed to speak and the protector immediately tensed as the young woman behind him appeared fearful. Within moments it was over. The entity in the sky launched an attack and the protector took the hit for the young woman, killing him instantly, and the young woman in turn took the protectors sword and killed herself.
The entire scene was tragic and heartbreaking, and he had understood fairly well what had happened. The Earth's protector had been in a relationship with the Princess of the Moon, the woman with the red hair did not like it, and the entity had tried to kill the princess on her say so.
The protector shielded the princess from the attack, sacrificing himself, and the princess took her own life unable to live without him.
Later he had come to understand that the red haired woman had been tainted by the entity, and she in turn had tainted the protector's guardian generals and turned the people of the Earth against the Moon.
With the protector gone the Earth's health began to steadily decline. Even the sacred land he watched over was affected. The red fragrant roses began to lose their vibrancy, and their fresh scent gradually dulled.
Since that time he had watched and waited. Waited for the protector, the prince, his charge to return since he was aware that his soul had been sent back to the Earth.
Although, he was extra watchful as he was also aware of more than the protector's soul being sent back to the Earth. Only time would tell how that would play out.
~~G~~
Many more long years passed and after the Earth entered what was known as the twentieth century it happened.
He was resting in his room when he felt it. The connection that had faded away abruptly so many long years ago, the connection to the Earth and to himself, slipped back into place as if it had never been gone.
His eyes snapped open and he sat up. The connection was weak, indicating that his charge had just been born, but the most important fact was that it was there. The Earth's protector was back; although it would be some time before he was ready to resume his role.
Until then he would increase his watchfulness to make absolutely certain he was aware of anything that could threaten his charge or the Earth.
~~g~~
From then on each year that passed saw the sea of red roses grow more and more vibrant and their fresh fragrance fill the air so every breath was a joy. There was no change in the health of the Earth itself, but he knew that would take just as long to correct as it took to decline.
Aside from that his connection to the Earth's protector and his charge grew stronger as the years passed. It was only strong enough to let him know that he was healthy, but that was good enough for him after centuries of waiting for his return.
Seventeen years passed since the birth of the protector before he began to sense a wrongness trying to take root within the Earth. It was just beginning, its root still growing, but he noticed because of his extra vigilance.
What confused him was that what he sensed felt familiar to him. After days of review he realized it was familiar because it felt exactly like the malignant entity that had killed the Earth's protector.
This must not spread. I cannot allow a repeat of what occurred in the past. He thought as he stood out among the roses with his eyes closed, and analyzed the trace of malignancy he sensed. It is time. He is old enough. He told himself as he opened his eyes.
In the next moment he disappeared in a white gold flash of light to find his charge and the Earth's protector.
~~G~~
Darien loosened the red tie of his school uniform after he stepped off the bus in his neighborhood early in the evening.
After school he had gone to the cafe arcade where his best friend worked to visit with him, and after a while he left and went to the library. He was determined to get a start on the research he needed to do for a ten page paper he needed to write.
Now that he was almost home weariness was setting in. He was tired and his mind was even more tired with all the studying he had done. He just wanted to sit down, relax, and eat; in that order.
A few minutes passed as he walked to his apartment building and took the elevator inside up to his floor and made his way to his door. He unlocked and opened it before he stepped inside and closed it.
He idly tossed his keys on the side table and slipped out of his shoes before he clicked on the lights as he moved toward his living room area. He dropped his school bag in the side chair and took off his navy blue blazer and draped it on the same chair before he took a few steps and dropped down in the middle of his couch.
Darien sighed heavily as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He listened to the silence, as he always did when the TV was not on, and as usual was reminded that he was alone. He was always alone; had been that way since he was six, since the car accident that took his parents and left him behind.
Left him behind, and without his memories.
It was disconcerting to not have any memories, and it had been a constant feeling since then even though he had grown and gained new memories.
Did his parents love him? He had been left an inheritance, but that was material things. He could only guess and hope at how they had felt about him personally. Had he been happy before that fateful night? He hoped so since he had barely experienced the emotion since then.
The only reason he knew his name and that he even had parents was because the authorities had told him. He imagined they had only known because they had been able to identify the owners of the car.
Disconcerting doesn't even begin to explain how it feels to not be sure of your own name. He thought quietly.
He had been told his name, but it was like being told any other name. He personally didn't know. He didn't feel it. As far as he was concerned his identity was unknown; gone with his lost memories.
And that fact had made life difficult and lonely. It was hard to be open and friendly when you felt like you didn't know who you were. When you were constantly unsure if you would lose the memories you had.
Darien knew intellectually that the accident and head trauma was the cause of his childhood amnesia, but emotionally he felt anything could cause it to happen again so he mostly kept to himself. He had only one person he considered a friend. His best friend Andrew, and he was well aware of his childhood amnesia and worry about it happening again.
Andrew was a great friend. Quiet and understanding of his personality, but he wished he wasn't his only friend. Wished he felt comfortable befriending others or accepting the attempts by others.
Still, he had a slither of hope that he could regain his lost memories even if it was a long shot. For years he had been having dreams of a mysterious girl begging him to find something called the Silver Crystal. He would say it was a reoccurring dream since the girl and the surroundings were the same, but her words were different and sometimes the emotions coming through with her voice were different.
For a long time he had thought he made her up and even grew angry with her and accused her of being nothing but his imagination. However, she had quickly assured him that she was very real, and believed that in the waking world she had no memory of sending him those dreams.
Her statement had been further proof that he wasn't having a reoccurring dream, and it had served to make him believe she wasn't part of his imagination, which meant the Silver Crystal she wanted him to find was real.
After quite some time of thinking about it he figured this Silver Crystal she wanted him to find somehow had some kind of power to it or she would not be so insistent on him finding it. This led him to hoping that it could help restore his lost memories.
He had searched and searched but so far he had yet to find anything resembling the Silver Crystal in appearance or name. Of course he had no idea what exactly it looked like, but he looked at every crystal, gem, and diamond he came across.
A slither of hope, but it was a hope he was holding on to for his peace of mind.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a knock, and he blinked his eyes open as he realized it was not coming from his door. He turned his head to the side and stared blankly at the sight. There standing casually on his balcony looking at him was a little boy.
He had short white hair, vibrant hazel eyes, and was dressed in a white shirt, a white zip up hooded sweater, dark blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.
He continued to stare blankly as the boy slid his balcony door open; not quite sure he was truly seeing what he was.
"May I come in?" He asked, his tone soft, and Darien blinked in disbelief as he finally sat up and turned in his seat.
"How did you get up here?!" He asked incredulously. His apartment was only a few floors from the top of the building, and there was absolutely no way this child had climbed up or down the balconies to get to his.
"And who are you?" He asked a moment later, feeling like he had seen the child before.
As he stared he realized he had seen him. He had been in the cafe arcade when he was there. He had only noticed him because of his white hair. It wasn't a color he saw often; especially on one so young.
"My name is Helios, and I used one of my innate abilities to get here." The boy answered readily. "May I come in?" He asked again.
Darien wondered why he kept asking. He didn't ask to open the glass door. Maybe he's a vampire. He thought idly, recalling from some movies that they needed permission to enter, and then rolled his eyes internally at the ridiculous thought.
Instead he nodded hesitantly. He didn't feel like the boy was a threat, but this sudden situation was strange and confusing.
"Thank you." Helios said as he stepped inside and slid the door closed. "I have been searching for you for many weeks now, and today I finally succeeded in finding you." He said as he focused on the young man who was the unaware protector and his charge.
"I sensed your birth and as the following years passed I was pleased to sense your continued health. I was additionally pleased to sense our connection growing stronger, and I was content to leave you to live your life and grow older." He briefly explained.
"However, circumstances have forced my hand. I can no longer wait until you are older. It is time for you to remember who you are." He stated seriously.
What the hell?! Darien thought as he stared at the boy. What did he mean he had sensed his birth? He was younger than he was! And looking for him? Why would this kid be looking for him? What connection was he talking about? And what did he mean it was time for him to remember?
He was particularly vulnerable to Helios' last statement, and it was the only thing that allowed him to react calmly to this strange kid.
"How could you have sensed my birth? You're younger than me! And why are you looking for me? What do you mean remember who I am?" Darien asked as he stood up.
"Looks can be deceiving; I am far older than I appear." Helios said calmly then sighed lightly. "Perhaps I should formally introduce myself, and explain further." He suggested.
"I imagine that would help." Darien replied as he ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep himself calm in this strange situation.
"Very well." Helios said before he closed his eyes.
Darien watched wide eyed as the boy began to glow a white gold color before his appearance seemed to shift from his head down.
A red jewel appeared in the center of his forehead, long hanging diamond shaped silver earrings in his ears, a silver double ring necklace with a gold pendant around his neck, and his clothes morphed from a casual youthful look to something entirely different.
A white long sleeve top covered his torso and stretched down just pass his knees. It had five navy blue tassels pinned to his chest with gold buttons, transparent sleeves, light blue transparent lining around his neck and shoulders, and dark blue lining around his wrists and the parted edges of his top. A dark blue ribbon was tied around his waist with the excess hanging down his front, white pants covered his legs, and shiny white shoes covered his feet.
The glow stopped and the boy opened his eyes to reveal light golden eyes still as vibrant as before.
"I am Helios." He said as he lifted his arm and placed it across his chest. "I am the guardian of the Earth, Elysion, and the Earth's protector; the Prince of the Earth. And although I do not know your name I know that you are the Earth's protector. You are the Prince of the Earth."
"I have been searching for you because I have sensed a threat to the planet. It cannot be allowed to take root. It cannot be allowed to do what it did before, so I have come to awaken you earlier than expected in order for you to once again take up your duty of protector." He explained seriously.
Darien blinked at him in silent disbelief. This boy had just undergone a transformation that left him still looking young and yet also looking older. He didn't even sound like a boy anymore. His soft tone had taken on a mature quality if that was even possible.
And aside from the unexpected transformation he had talked about being a guardian of the planet, some place called Elysion, and the Earth's royal protector. Then shockingly said that he was this royal protector; that he was the Prince of the Earth!
He was supposedly searching for me because of some threat, a threat that had been on the planet or come to the planet before at some point, and I need to remember who I am so I can...what..stop it? He thought incredulously. This is outrageous!
"This...you can't possibly expect me to believe this." He finally choked out, but there was doubt in his mind as he recalled his dreams of the mysterious girl.
If he was right about that Silver Crystal having some kind of power then it could be possible for it to be linked to what Helios was saying. And he suddenly wondered if the girl was involved with what he was saying to him. After all, it had never occurred to him to wonder why she was contacting him of all people to help her.
Darien moved away from his couch and around his coffee table to pace in front of the TV. Was he really going to believe this story? But his dreams! If they were connected then it was possible it was true.
I need to know! He thought as he stopped and looked to Helios.
"Was...was there a Silver Crystal involved in all this? And a girl with long white hair and a white dress?" He asked hesitantly.
Helios blinked in pleasant surprise. Was he remembering his past on his own?
"Yes." He answered. "She was the Princess of the Moon, and future wilder and guardian of the Silver Crystal."
She's real! He thought in surprise. He had no longer believed that she was part of his imagination, but here was someone telling him that she was a real person based off nothing but a brief description.
"Did I know her in this time you speak of?" Darien asked.
"Yes. You were in a relationship with her." Helios explained.
That explains why she contacted me. Our relationship must have been strong for her to trust me to find this Silver Crystal for her; especially since she was going to be the guardian of it. He thought as he rested a hand on the back of his neck, and then frowned in determination.
"I want to remember." He said as he lowered his hand looked back to the boy that wasn't a boy. "I want to know who I am! This is the second time now, and I can't stand it! I need to remember!"
Helios frowned slightly in confusion. What did he mean second time? He thought warily.
"May I ask..." He began, but was answered before he could get his question out.
"I was in a car accident when I was six. It killed my parents, and took my memory of the accident and everything before it." Darien explained.
Helios stared in horrified dismay. The protector, his charge, was in such a horrible accident that it took his parents lives and he hadn't known. The protector had almost died again, and he wouldn't have known until he felt the connection fade again.
"I am sorry." He said as he bowed low. "If I had been watching I could have spared you that pain, and perhaps saved your parents. I should have been watching, but I did not want to chance interfering in your life before it was time to awaken you." He explained solemnly.
"Please forgive me." He said as he lifted his head, and looked to his charge. "It will not happen again. This I swear to you." He vowed.
Darien stared in stunned silence. He supposed he could understand why Helios felt at fault. If he was his guardian then he probably should have been keeping a watch on him even if he didn't intend on making contact with him.
However, there was no guarantee that he would have been able to prevent the accident unless he had the type of power that would have instantly stopped it from happening.
"It's not your fault. There's nothing to forgive." He assured him as he walked toward him. "There's no guarantee you would've been able to prevent the accident. And if you can truly help me remember then maybe I'll think it happened for a reason." He said, trying to sound optimistic for once in his life.
"Then shall we find out?" Helios said as he stood straight.
"Yeah." Darien agreed. "What do I need to do?" He asked, a little nervous.
"Simply relax. I will unlock the memories stored within your soul." Helios said, and Darien nodded.
Helios closed his eyes and once again began to glow a white gold color before he raised his arms and brought his hands flat together in front of his chest as if in prayer. As he called up his power and focused it he concentrated on what he wanted.
Awaken the protector, help the Earth Prince remember who he is, return his identity. He thought quietly.
Darien watched the boy who wasn't a boy glowing in front him before the light around him seemed to be sucked up into the red jewel on his forehead. There was nothing for a few moments before it came out as a thin beam and struck him in his forehead.
It didn't hurt; actually it felt warm, so he closed his eyes and relaxed as suggested, and waited for something to happen.
Suddenly images began to trickle into his mind. Quick flashes at first that turned into full scenes.
A long hallway with marble floors, a bedroom with a large dark wood bed, a massive palace, vibrant red roses in a garden, formal clothing, armor and swords, a fluttering cape, the Moon bright in the dark sky, four men dressed alike, training and studying, dinners, balls, a beautiful woman in white, a huge white palace, four female scouts, soldiers, battles, a woman with wavy red hair, and a dark entity.
Emotions and feelings accompanied the scenes, weaving and echoing strong within and around the scenes. Information followed quickly putting names to faces, places, and locations.
The beam stopped and Helios pulled his power back inside him as he opened his eyes. He watched the protector as he stood still for a few long moments before he suddenly released a gush of breath and stumbled back until he hit the arm of the couch.
Darien let himself sit on the arm of the couch so he wouldn't collapse to the floor as he brought his hands up to the sides of his head. He remembered, he remembered it all, and more over he remembered both his identities fully.
I am Darien Shields. My parents loved me; doted on me. He thought in relief. And I am Endymion, Prince of the Earth, Protector of the planet. His thoughts continued strongly. And my mysterious dream girl is my Serenity, my moonlight princess, my love.
He moved his hands down to rest on his chest as he felt a warm comforting pulse inside him. There was no mystery there. Now that he remembered he knew that it was his golden crystal welcoming him back. He opened his eyes and looked to Helios. He knew him now. They had never met in the past but they had known of each other.
Although, I never knew he considered himself my guardian. He thought as he gazed at the young looking older man. Perhaps it was not necessary for me to know at that time.
"Helios." He said slowly as he lowered his hands to rest on his legs. "It is nice to finally meet you in person. Thank you for awakening me; for helping me remember." He said with a light smile.
Helios' eyes brightened. The protector was back, the prince was back. His charge was back.
"You are welcome your highness." He said as he bowed.
Darien sighed and then shook his head slightly. This was going to be an adjustment. He was Darien, but he was also Endymion. Both lives felt current even though he recalled the moments before his death; the brief spike of pain before everything went dark.
He looked around his apartment. He liked it, it was home, but he remembered his palace and wished he could be there. Maybe in the future he could work on reestablishing his kingdom.
But that is a future matter. There are other matters to address now. He thought as he returned his gaze to Helios.
"I need to find my princess. However, you spoke of a threat? What can you tell me?" Darien said seriously as he sat up straight, his entire demeanor projecting royalty.
