Part 1- Sisters
~*~

Nehellenia
~*~

Her first memories were always of her mother. Memories of laughter and radiant smiles, of her name being said in utter joy and embraces so warm it would make her weep. She was her rock and anchor, her guiding light in the darkness of her world. Her sister traveled in the brightness but she felt more at home in the muted colors of the Moon. It was only her mother that could bridge the two worlds and bring her into the light.

She spent most of her time alone in the low plains of the Moon close to the equator that separated the White Moon from the Dark Moon. Children whispered stories of monstrous beasts that roamed the dark tundra but she felt a homecoming whenever she stared into the black abyss. Still, the threat of monsters was enough to scare a young child away from taking that last step into the darkness.

She was a precocious child yet she knew she was different. She was not the same as the radiant people who flowed in and out of the court of the Moon. It was as though they were surrounded by brilliant auras while her own was a flowing river of black. Yet she was happy as a girl like her could be.

Her mother was mostly the source of that happiness. Nehellenia spent long hours with her, aiding her in queenly duties while her sister played with her fellow Princesses of the Silver Millennium. She had never felt welcome in that little group, although Serenity did try to invite her along. Yet even she treated her differently, even though they were as close as sisters could be. Her glowing aura far outshone hers.

Serenity was as fair as Nehellenia was dark. She wore her pale pink hair in the royal odangos, a bun perched on each side of her head with two long tails while she wore her own long hair mostly down, her own odangos round balls in the sea of her dark curls. Her amber eyes were in stark contrast to Serenity's bright blue but they saw further and deeper than her silver sister could ever see.

Still she ever trotted along after her elder sister, wishing she would be accepted into her golden circle, her ten-year-old yearnings clearly marked on her face as she gazed adoringly at Serenity. Her fellow princesses followed closely behind but soon circled her when Serenity was called away by their mother. Their faces were masks of polite courtesy until the last of the courtiers' floated from the room and their faces contorted.

"Nehellenia-hime, why aren't you studying with Selenity-sama?" Discordia Ignacia, Princess of Mars, sneered. The other two tittered while the blue haired Princess of Mercury looked visibly uncomfortable. Nehellenia lifted her chin slightly before answering.

"Mama-sama is teaching Serenity-hime her duties as the future Queen. Even I know that there are things that she will learn that I will not."

"Of course, as the throwaway princess you already know your place," Sylanna Cinxia, Princess of Jupiter, said sweetly. Nehellenia visibly paled.

"W-what does that mean?" she stammered. Astarte Lubentina tucked a pale blond strand behind her ear as she stared at the young Princess of the Moon, honeyed venom in her eyes while Meditrina Carmenta cleared her throat.

"Astarte…" the Suiseian Princess murmured before Astarte cut her off.

"You're not needed, Nehellenia-hime," the Princess of Venus purred, putting her hand on her shoulder and gripped her hard. "With Serenity primed to be the next bearer of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou, there's no need for you."

Nehellenia gasped and broke free of the elder girl's grip. Tears pooled in her eyes and threatened to overflow as she turned on her heel and ran, laughter spurring her heels. She ran down the silvery corridors, past startled courtiers and servants alike, before she burst through the palatial doors and out into the Lunarian night.

Her feet fairly flew as she crossed the palace grounds and found herself once again at the boundary that separated the White from the Dark Moon. Nehellenia sank to her knees as she sobbed, her shoulders shaking as her little girl heart broke. A faint breeze caressed her cheek, the scent of sugary spices surrounding her, yet a dark aroma of decay was hidden within its midst.

Children can be so cruel, whispered a voice in her head. Nehellenia's head whipped up.

"W-who's there?" she cried out fearfully, her head whipping back and forth in panic.

Someone who understands you, the voice murmured. The breeze stroked her dark curls. Someone like you…

"No one understands me," she sobbed, tears streaking down her cheek. The breeze wiped a stray tear away.

Your mother does… but she fears you.

"What do you mean?"

She fears your true power, the voice crooned. That is the real reason she only allows Serenity to view the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou, she knows you'll outshine your sister….

Nehellenia looked back, the pale spires of the Moon Palace glimmering in the darkness. She swallowed, her throat heavy with tears and despair. "No… I'm not worthy of it."

There is no one worthier, my dear heart, the voice murmured, now the soothing voice of her mother. I do not want to break Serenity's heart when she finally knows the truth. You are the true bearer of the crystal.

"I-I am?"

Yes, my most beloved daughter.

"What do I do, Mama-sama?" she whispered. The breeze caressed her cheek and almost chuckled.

Show me that you are the true heir, Nehellenia. Show me your strength, your resolve. Show those cruel girls that you are the Queen they are bound to serve…

The darkness rumbled with laughter as her shadow withdrew from the pathetic child. Her far reaching gaze watched as the little legs ran as fast as they could towards the silvery palace and she smiled. Her heir was easy to manipulate, her childish dreams of acceptance too easy to influence. Her laughter reverberated along the sides of her prison.

Soon…

Serenity
~*~

Serenity giggled along with her group of friends as they sat demurely at the table in the receiving room attached to her chambers. Unobtrusive servants poured tea and left delicious finger foods before they retreated. Serenity looked each in the eye and thanked them as solemnly as an eleven-year-old girl could. The men bowed, while the women curtsied, with fond smiles on their faces. Serenity picked up her tea cup and held it aloft, her sister-princesses following suite.

"A proper lady always thanks those who attend her for their service," she recited, raising her glass. The four Princesses echoed her words and they drank deeply. "Okaa-sama has expanded my studies, mina. She thinks I am ready to begin handling the Ginzuishou."

The girls squealed and leaned forward, their voices tripping over the other as they asked her questions about the illusive crystal. What does it look like? Is it round or lotus shaped as the rumors whispered? Does it really grant the bearer immortality? Serenity laughed with her most trusted friends; girls destined to become her Royal Court.

"There are no words to describe it, "Serenity said, her blue eyes shining with the memory of the glowing crystal. "The Maboroshi no Ginzuishou is…. Everything they say yet not."

"Mysterious, Serenity-hime," Discordia said, a smile on her lips as her purple eyes burned with curiosity. "It is as much as my studies. Okaa-sama is slow with her teachings, I am ready for more but she says a Miko must bend like a slow-moving river."

"She is correct, Mars-hime," Meditrina replied, elegantly sipping her tea as bright blue hair slipped into her eyes. "Dive into your studies slowly, it will aid you in your future endeavors."

"That's easy for you to say, Medi," Sylanna said, as she leaned down, her hand balancing her chin in a very un-lady like manner. "How much further ahead are you in your medical studies? At least a full year ahead of the rest of us. Mother has just allowed me weapons outside the classroom!"

"Sit up straight, Sylanna," Astarte reprimanded as she swatted the taller brown-haired girl. "At least your mother is here to teach you. Okaa-sama is still on Earth, negotiating the betrothal of Prince Attalus to Nehellenia-hime."

"The duties of an Ambassadress are never done," Serenity said with a smile as the Mokusian princess sat up with a huff. "As you will know one day soon, Astarte-chan."

"Has Nehellenia-hime been informed of the negotiations?" Discordia asked slyly as she leaned forward with a hard glint in her eyes. Serenity gave her a sharp look.

"Why must you all treat her with such derisiveness?" she asked, not for the first time. The other princesses looked at each other and shrugged. Astarte looked at her princess, her future Queen and spoke softly.

"She's different, Serenity-hime."

"There is a darkness in her," the raven-haired Princess of Mars murmured, her eyes glazing with prophecy. "A shadow you do not see. One day she will bring ruin to you and your family."

The other girls looked uncomfortable as Serenity stared open mouthed at the princess who would one day be the Royal Miko of the court. Discordia's eyes returned to their normally glowing selves and she shook her head in confusion, her sight still coming upon her unbidden. She opened her mouth but closed it as Serenity stood.

"You all judge her too harshly," she said firmly, her body shaking in anger. The princesses stood curtsied low to her; their heads bowed in penance. "She is my imouto-hime and a Princess of the Moon. I cannot, I will not, believe she means any harm to us. She is above reproach!"

"Hai, Serenity-hime."

Nehellenia
~*~

Nehellenia crouched behind a pale white column and peered around it, her amber eyes dark with determination as she watched Phoebe, her mother's Mausian advisor, waiting patiently outside the doors of the Holy Room of Prayers. Pheobe's young daughter Luna played at her feet, her gift of shape shifting giving life to a long black cat tail that she swatted with low giggles.

Phoebe looked down fondly but gave a sharp word when the door began to open. Luna immediately stood, the tail shrinking back into her as she curtsied to the Queen. Selenity smiled down at the child, patted her head as the trio turned to retreat down the hall. Nehellenia watched them pass in the shadows and only crept into the light when they disappeared around the bend.

She turned slowly towards the doors of the room she had never been allowed to enter. Her mother had brought her here once as a young child and told her these doors were ever forbidden to her. Her hand formed a fist in anger. Why should Serenity be the only one allowed to gaze upon the crystal, when she was the true bearer? Why would her beloved Mama-sama deny her rightful birthright?

Nehellenia crossed the remaining distance and placed her hand against the door. Power hummed there, she could feel through the thick wood and she took a deep breath before pushing the heavy doors open. She held her hand in front of her eyes as a silvery brilliance blinded her as she crept into the forbidden room.

The crystal floated serenely above a pillow topped pedestal before the three crystal spires of prayer. Nehellenia walked slowly towards it, her amber eyes aglow with the shining light of the crystal. It was open in its lotus form but as she approached it slowly closed into a round ball and the light diminished. Still, it was the most glorious thing she had ever seen.

"Kirei," she whispered as she reached up with trembling fingers.

The crystal pulsed with light until she wrapped her fingers around it. The light oozed out until was completely black and she could hear triumphant laughter within her mind. It filled the room as she gazed mesmerized at the little black ball. Time became irrelevant as the crystal held her in sway. Soon she realized the laughter was coming from her mouth yet she could not stop.

It's mine, it's finally MINE! the voice crowed triumphantly in her head.

The crystal was now bleached the darkest black and it floated malevolently into the air before entering her forehead. Nehellenia began to scream in agony as the voice in head began to shriek victoriously and she gripped her head, pulling at her hair as the pain overwhelmed her. She sank to her knees and rocked back and forth but she stopped suddenly as the doors of the Room of Prayer opened.

WHITE MOON! the voice bellowed in her mind as her mother entered.

"Nehellenia, what have you done?" Selenity whispered, her bright blue eyes wide with horror as she regarded her youngest daughter.

Nehellenia stood, unfurling like a marionette as the presence filled her body as well as her mind. Bones cracked and muscles screamed in pain as an evil force contorted her into an unnatural crouching form. A maniacal smile stretched her lips wide and her eyes burned with a millennium's worth of hatred.

"White Moon…. White Moon, "she crooned in a sing song tone, her voice no longer her own. Black spittle dripped from her chin as her teeth opened wide and she licked her lips with a long purple pitted tongue, her eyes never leaving the Queen. "Queen of the White Moon…. You're finally within my grasp…"

The Queen took a step back but hardened her stance. "Chaos."

"Yesssss," she hissed, limping across the room towards the silver-haired Queen. Nehellenia's body protested in agony and her conscious beat at the evil spirit within her to no avail. "Now that my heir has taken what is rightfully mine, I have no use for you, moon wench."

The Queen only glared back and held out her hand, the Moon Stick glimmering into existence as she held it across her chest. The crescent moon glowed incandescently but grew no brighter as the Ginzuishou no longer called her master. Selenity Celestine IV, High Queen of the Moon and Silver Millennium tried to call it forth but it was no use, the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou no longer belonged to her.

"Nehellenia, no!" she exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears as she dropped the stick and grabbed her daughter by the shoulders. "Fight her!"

"Good bye…Mother," she whispered maliciously before violently pushing her away.

Selenity cried out as she slipped on the hem of her dress and fell to the ground, the white gauze billowing out around her. The presence within Nehellenia screamed with victory as she raised her hands, clenched her fists and slammed them down on the ground. The Palace rumbled, floors cracking under her hands before the ceiling collapsed. The last view she had was the forgiving face of her mother before she crumpled under the weight of the rocks.

Nehellenia's spirit stilled like a hare caught in the cross-hairs of a bow before she unleashed a bestial scream. The presence within her scrambled to fight her but Nehellenia's sorrow was too great. Her wails of grief shattered the hold the darkness had upon her and black ooze poured from her mouth, nose and ears. She fell to her knees, heaving with breath and crawled over to her crushed mother, sobbing as she tried to pull the rocks from her.

"Mama! Mama!" she cried out, her hands bleeding as she pulled stone after stone. "MAMA!"

Soon the resting visage of the Queen was unearthed and she sat back on her ankles, her tear stained face a mask of pain. The crystal regurgitated from her forehead and sank into her listless hand as she silently gazed upon the face of her mother, serene in death. It was there the guards found her, silent in her mourning and gaze locked on that of her mothers'.

"I'm afraid the child has slipped into a catatonic state, Your Majesty," the Queen of Mercury said sadly as she slipped surgical gloves from her hands. "Her vitals are strong and nothing has changed, except…"

"Except for the triple moon mark on her forehead," finished the handsome blond-haired Lunarian. He gripped his staff as he gazed beyond the glass of the royal surgery at Nehellenia. Tsukuyomi, King of the Moon, glanced over at the surgical bed that held the body of his beloved wife, covered in a silver shroud.

"As a Princess of the Moon the golden mark is not surprising but what worries me are the two silver crescents," the Suisian Queen continued, as she sat at the Main Eternity System screen and began to file her report. "The Ginzuishou marking her like this is unprecedented…."

The King watched his daughter breathe under the blanket that covered her. Nehellenia had yet to say a word and he chaffed at any delay that would lead him to real reason his beloved wife was murdered. His knuckles blanched white as he gripped his staff in a crushing grip as red tinged his sight as he gazed at Nehellenia.

"Would you like to see your daughter, Your Majesty?" the Royal Physician asked softly, placing a hand on his arm. The King yanked free of her grasp and turned from the surgery. The hatred in his voice was apparent as he strode from the room.

"I only have one daughter and her name is Serenity."

The darkness screamed in her cauldron as she was ripped back into her prison. Rage filled the void as she slammed against the walls, trying to vainly break them down. Soon she stopped, her spirit dimming in exhaustion and she slumped to the bottom. She gazed up into the darkness beyond, stars blinking like crystals in the vastness of space. All was not lost,she could still feel her connection to her heir yet it was tenuous. She would bide her time until her heir became strong again and then…. Then she would take what was hers.

To be continued...