AN:
Sailorrashes: You keep me going. Thanks!
Richforce: I hope you will notice that this story now has a title. Just for you... and for every other sane reader that was getting frustrated. Smiles!
Chapter 8
Deep in the basement of the earths crust a series of chambers intertwined and separated branching out from the central chamber like a gnarled oak tree. The polished floor of the grand audience chamber was carved from hardened lava that reflected the both the heavy stalactites dripping from the caverns ceiling, and the outline of a very vulumptuous woman. Naru stared hard at the reflection of her queen, not daring to look up.
"Ah, I remember the last time you knelt before me my pet. You were a failure then. What makes you think you are worthy to kneel before me again?"
Beryl had made it understood that no one was to gaze upon her form. Naru kept her eyes cold and downcast refusing to be taken in by the low rich tones.
"The senshi are awakening. Their power grows."
"I know that!" The voice was not so soothing when laced with impatience.
"There is more my queen. There are some human girls who showed up at the same time the senshi did. They show powerful energy potential, I think they could be the infidels in disguise."
"I did not give you permission to think Naru….."
The voice tapered off prompting Naru to risk a glance up at her sovereign. She was truly beautiful with her rich cinnamon hair that curled and trailed down her body, contrasting sharply with the deep purple gown that clung to every curve. But it was her vibrant green eyes swirling with red that demanded the most attention. Piercing and dangerous when directed at any one thing they were hazy and dreamlike as Beryl listened to the voices only she could hear. So intent was Naru in her forbidden inspection that she was caught unaware by the attack of black lightning. As her body convulsed in pain mauve slippers entered her view.
"Poor baby. Mama told you not to do that. Now look what you've made me do." Beryl crooned. The change in her demeanor was instantaneous and she knelt down to gently sweep Narus bangs to one side. Teeth still rattling inside her head Naru leaned into the cold touch.
"Lets try a little harder next time hmmm? Be a good girl for your mother." Her voice was high and sing songy but Naru didn't care, it had been so long since her mother had shown any sign of caring that she was desperate for more. She nodded and quickly left the room.
Her mother was getting worse. More and more she slipped in and out of her moods increasingly. Naru blamed the senshi. Once, her mother had been destined for greatness. She would have been Queen over all the Earth. They had done this. Them and their hateful jealous queen, who had peered down at them from their lofty pedestal upon the moon and banished them here to this hell.
As she walked thru the networks of tunnels she stayed to one side. To her left passed the level one youmas. Little more then mindless drones and the lowliest of her mothers' vast army, they reached out to stroke her red waves or grasp at the arms of her school uniform sleeves. When one managed to slash thru the white fabric and scrape the skin beneath she sent a wave of black energy its way, her eyes never straying from her path. The monster howled and quickly scurried back into the shadows. Naru grimaced in disgust, Gods she hated those things. She needed out of here, something to perk her up a little. There was a jewlry shop that was having a sale today. Maybe a shopping trip with Usagi would do the trick. A sincere smile brightened her features at the thought of her one true friend. She quickened her pace. Usagi, yes she was just what Naru needed.
Back in the hollowed chamber Beryl had returned to her throne, and was peering intently into her viewing ball.
"So beautiful." She whispered caressing the cold smoothness. "So Pretty."
"Your daughter brings interesting news Beryl."
The preening queen snapped her attention away from her reflection, her earlier disposition quickly reasserted itself and she glared up at the pulsating sac that hung from the ceiling.
"The insolent girl brings me nothing but disappointment. She has more of her father in her then is necessary."
"Still, she is most useful at times. Those senshi will ruin our plans. If we want to regain control of the earth then they must be destroyed. The heir musst be as well."
"No! He will belong to me."
There was an ominous rumble as the dark cloud that was Mettalia surged and hissed inside its confines. "Still as greedy as ever eh, Beryl? You would do well to remember who gave you the power you wield so easily!"
Beryl lowered her head submissively effectively hiding her expression.
"Master."
The rumble quieted some as the mass seemed to think.
"Still, it might do us well to have the Prince and his power under our hold. His generals would of course have to be taken care of."
Beryl grinned. And the image of red lips curled over fangs was a sick and frightening sight. Nothing would make her happier then exterminating those four vermin to the far ends of the earth.
"It shall be done"
The only one there to see her malicious glee was her reflection in the polished floor.
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A.N. Thought I would bring the big bad into the story. Not much of an intro but we'll see them again I'm sure. Hope everyone had an awesome superbowl/ ground hog day weekend!!
C.W. Aiko