YES!!! THE STORY LIVES ON!!!! Anyways!! Heads up for everybody: GET READY FOR SOME MAJOR GRAMMAR MISTAKES!!! Don't shoot the messanger! - ducks from almost getting hit by a bullet - WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST SAY!?!?!
Selene: - puts pistol away - Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Me: - glares - I hate you...
Selene: - rolls eyes - Doesn't everybody?
Meh, good point. - shrugs - Anyways, my favorite part of every new chapter...
Review Answers!!
Fanned Chocolate - ...Do I REALLY have to say it!?
Anonymous - Well, whoever you are, thank you so much for the support! Yes, I know Artemis is supposed to be a girl's name, but it sounds so masculine I couldn't help myself! -shrugs- And I do believe I had Artemis a silver mouse with black hair...Ah, whatever.
AKiara - Thank you very much!! And trust me, the first 'reviewer' is just one heck of a loser.
No Name City - - blushes and smiles - I appreciate the complement deeply.
AnimeFreak2306 - Sorry I couldn't update sooner! I hope you have a good patient side!
DisneyBlue02 - Heya, dude!! Thanks a bunch!
Life-Is-Bland - Oh, c'mon, you know you're story is good!! And professional!? - busts out laughing - Man, good one!! Me, not so good!!
Chapter 1
The Stories
Fourteen years later…
London, England, 1898
A twenty-four year-old mouse sat on the rooftop, her bright emerald green eyes gazing sadly at the rising moon. Nearly midnight, she observed. Her vivid brown hair was plaited into a long braid that flowed to her waist, but she carefully yet quickly pinned it up in a bun. The silver bandana that she had kept for more than fourteen years was tied innocently on her head once more. The mouse wondered why she kept it, for it only brought bittersweet memories of what had been her family… She sighed. They're my family…I want, no, NEED to remember them… For my own sake. For their sake. She slipped off her bandana, and retied it over her mouth so most of her obviously feminine face was covered. She had grown rather beautiful in the years past. She was taller, no doubt, but still petite and light-weight. She had to be for her kind of "occupation." Selene had no regret in joining Juliana and the others. She loved her life of thieving. Life would be boring if I weren't a thief, now would it be? she thought, a small smirk rising over her face, although obscured by the bandana/mask. Her eyes narrowed as she saw a plump, light brown furred mouse walking out of a door, a shop's door from what she observed. Her eyes glittered mischievously as she caught sight of the money that was nearly flowing out of his coat pockets. She had very mixed emotions today, since it had been the fourteenth anniversary of…that day… Selene shook her head. No time to think of that right now. It's action time… she thought.
Selene brought herself to her feet, and hopped off the rooftop, proceeding with hopping on and off until she was a bit ahead of the mouse. She wore baggy clothing, a dulled, dark gray turtleneck and black pants cut off by leather boots. Smiling to herself, she hopped down the house, landing right in front of the rich mouse. Instantly, she whipped out a very sharp stiletto. "'Kay, mate," she said in a forcefully gruff voice, "Hand over your money."
The mouse trembled. "It's…it's you," he whispered, "The-The-The…" his eyes were transfixed on Selene's moon birthmark, "The Lunar Thief…"
A mischievous glint flashed in Selene's eyes, "Dang straight, mate. Now…about the money, hm?"
Suddenly, her target's eyes suddenly became ablaze with rage. "Never, you street rat." He protruded something from a large coat pocket. "I'm warning you, urchin," he muttered, and whipped out a well-armed pistol, "I'm not afraid to shoot." His voice and hand were wavering as he spoke.
"Street rat, hm? I may be a street person, yes, but I assure you I'm full-blooded mouse. And that sorry excuse for a gun? Hmph. I've seen far better, chap," Selene murmured, her eyes narrowing in slight anger. She liked the adventure of being a thief; she just hated the controversy that came with it. "It's useless; shoot at me as you will, but I'll get the money. You know I will."
The pistol fired.
But the target was gone.
The rich mouse turned around to see Selene, but the moon was now at its midnight position, and the moonlight hit the white-furred mouse, sending her fur into a sea of shimmering light. The rich mouse stumbled back with a shout, blinded. Selene smirked. Now was her chance.
She drew her arm back, her fist ready. She rushed it out, and knocked the mouse unconscious. As the mouse hit the ground, Selene saw a minor head wound from the cobblestone impact. She sighed. I'll let the coppers take care of that. He shouldn't die from it. Probably suffer some memory loss and trauma, though. She's become an expert in a variety of things, her main three: Medicine, Archeology, and History. Selene shook her head, trying to focus on getting the money. After grabbing several handfuls—but still leaving enough for the mouse—into a bag, Selene fled away from the scene, hopping onto the rooftops of London, and disappearing into the night…
Selene then arrived near a small, plain house by one o'clock or so. She entered the house, and looked down. A small hole was in the floor. She gripped onto the sack on her back tightly, and jumped down the hole, falling about twenty or so feet into darkness…
Her feet gracefully met with the soft, dirt floor in a matter of seconds. She set the sack down, and rearranged her bandana to make it on the top of her head again. After picking the bag back up and walking towards a distant light, Selene reached into her shirt and pulled out her necklace. Another thing she had kept from that fateful night…. It's sapphire stone always captivated her, and seemed to comfort her very much when she was feeling lonely. She wondered why. Perhaps it reminds me that Mum and Daddy are watching over me… Her eyes glittered in comfort. However, her eyes narrowed and hardened as she sighed. I need to forget. That was so long ago…an eon, perhaps. I don't need them now…But…another sigh, I miss them so much…Even that traitor Apollo. She had still not let go of how her brother abandoned her and had "promised" to "save" her. He's had a good fourteen years! Not a speck of his cursed golden fur in sight!
She was nearing the light now. Selene smiled, forgetting her anger, and in a matter of seconds was walking into a well-furnished room. She saw a tan-colored mouse with red-brown hair and silver-gray eyes sitting on a couch, reading a book. Selene cleared her throat, catching the mouse's attention. The mouse's head snapped to look at her. The mouse dropped her book on the couch and smiled, "Selene!"
"Hi, Julie," Selene greeted with a smile. Juliana Redesci Lurien rushed over and hugged her, nearly suffocating her. Juliana, even though only ten years older than Selene, had become her second-mother to her.
Juliana parted from her and smiled, "Hi to you too, dear. It was getting late, Selene, and I was getting worried. What happened?"
"Y'know me," Selene said as she reached into her bag. "I always wait 'til I see the right 'client.'" She then pulled out the large sum of money she had collected. It was about more than a thousand pounds. "Well, whaddaya think?"
"You're brilliant, Selene!!" Juliana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride. She cuffed her hand over her mouth, turned her head so it faced outside the room, and called, "'Ey, mates!! Check out what the Lunar Thief got!!" About forty mice came, both female and male, both young and old.
A light brown mouse with black hair and brown eyes came in, and the crowd parted for him so he could stand next to Juliana and Selene. "So what're my two favorite girls excited about?" he asked in a deep voice.
Selene let a sly smirk wisp across her face, and showed him her loot. "Well, whaddaya think, Ricky?"
Richard Jacob Lurien's – Juliana's husband – brown eyes widened as he saw the sum Selene had gotten. "Good Lord, Selene!! Did you rob the Queen!?"
"I wanted to," Selene said innocently, making the crowd laugh. She smiled shyly as Richard wrapped his arms over hers and Juliana's shoulders, but still managing to push the air out of her lungs. Selene gave a flat look to herself, God, I'm too lightweight for my own good. That's just not right… "But… thanks!" she rasped, trying to regain breath.
"You're hurting her, darling," Juliana muttered, and Richard instantly let go. They both knew that Selene, although very strong, was also very weak because of her fragile body. They had noticed that when they were training her those years ago.
Selene plopped down to the floor with an "Oof!" as Richard let go of her. She straightened out her slightly frizzled hair, and shot a playful glare at her two second-parents. "Hey! Don't think I heard that!" Everyone laughed again before she got up and dusted her clothes clean of the dust she had gathered that night. She looked at the large crowd, "Hey!! What're we all standing here for, mates!? Let's celebrate tomorrow night!!"
Everyone smiled in satisfaction, and went up to their rooms, Selene following. She could not deny the pride welling up in her chest.
Selene took a swig out of her jug of rum, and smiled and laughed at the joke Richard had made. She looked about the little tavern the group had – in a way – reserved for them. The bartenders were pleased to receive the money, but the guild held back some Selene's money, for what she kept herself. This is the life… she thought as she leaned into her chair, smiling contently. Nothing could be better than this…The feeling of being belonged…She sighed, "Feels good…" she whispered.
"Hmm?" Richard questioned.
"Hm?" Selene opened an eye, "Oh, yes, never mind, Rick. Just daydreaming, is all…" She closed her eye, and smiled contently as she was in her own little world. The world of adventure, archaeology… Yes, she'd grown quite attached and interested in the science. Adventuring off to who-knows-where, finding things no one knows about, gaining fame, getting noticed… She could almost imagine it happening now.
Whoever tried to kick her out of her daydreams could tell their tail goodbye.
"Selene, dear?"
Well, except Juliana. Selene opened her eyes, but they were still half-open. "Yeah?"
"We're heading back. Get outta that reverie and get your bloody tail off that chair and c'mon!" Juliana said in a mouthful. Selene's stone seemed to glow through her shirt, and Selene narrowed her eyes.
Something was bothering Juliana. Badly.
The white mouse got up from her chair, taking yet another swig of her rum, this time smaller. She had grown quite accustomed to not being drunken by any kind of drink. She didn't know how she did it, but she could never get drunk. She felt proud of that. Most of the thieves would let the alcohol take them… She forgot her thoughts purposely and walked out of the room with the guild.
She could see Juliana and Richard talking in soft but urgent tones, flashing worried glances at Selene from time to time. It was beginning to worry her deeply. She did not like being anything that was a slight synonym of 'charity-case' or any sort. She hated that. Selene didn't want to be anyone's burden, anyone's trouble. She could deal with her own problems, no matter how difficult they were. Whether it was about something that had scarred her forever, like the day of fourteen years ago, or whether she had been gravely physically injured. I can take care of myself…I don't need anybody smothering me. My problems are mine, not anyone else's.
Soon enough, the guild had entered an underground tunnel, dimly lit with blazing torches. A small cream-colored mouse with deep blue eyes, Molly, walked beside Selene. She was no more than an eight year-old. Molly had dirty-blonde hair in tied into a loose ponytail with a navy blue ribbon, and wore a yellow shirt with a light blue skirt. She looked at Selene with wide eyes.
"Will you tell me a bedtime story, Selene?"
Selene chuckled lightheartedly. She ruffled a little bit of Molly's hair playfully, "Sure, Cheesecake. Why not?" Molly giggled and smiled, thanking Selene and wandering off to another young thief, Gregory. Greg and Molly were twins, but Greg had gray fur with black hair, and yet he still had those cute blue eyes. He wore a taupe shirt with light brown pants. Selene's eyes filled with sympathy. They were younger than she had been when she entered the guild, merely eight. Molly was like the past her, except with far more innocence. She had yet to learn the hardships of "life on the streets."
Selene chuckled at the thought. Even though everyone assumed thieves resided in alleyways, they had yet to find any. They had no clue how. Selene knew alright. Every thief, no matter how lowly, belonged in a guild. A guild where you were no thief, but a family member. A place where you could feel like you belonged. A place worth fighting for. She made a small, secretive smile. But then it turned into a slight frown. Great. I have the life I have right now, but I want a life much better…But I love my current life as well. I hate that. Torn between wanting more and happy with less. LOVELY. She looked at Molly and Greg. She had practically raised them since they came here. They were only a few weeks old, to her dismay. She had been only sixteen when they had come, but she had helped raised them as her own, along with their "mother," Clarissa.
Stopping thinking about the two lives she was both happy with and yearned, she just looked ahead. She could see the light nearing, and the light reflected on her amulet once more.
Selene…
Selene stopped in her tracks, and bumped into someone.
"HEY!" she heard a voice. Selene stared right into the brown eyes of Lawrence, a mouse about her age. He was tall, with tan fur and cream hair. Lawrence blushed. "Oops, sorry, Selene…"
Selene smiled, "Eh, no hard feelings, Lawrence."
"Larry."
"No hard feelings, Larry," Selene said as she helped Larry up. "Now hurry and catch up. Tell Juliana and Richard I'll be right there."
"Sure, no problem."
As he left, and everybody else passed her with inquisitive looks, Selene looked back where the group had come from. Who was that? she thought, and her mind's voice echoed through the cavern.
Selene…
Selene narrowed her eyes. Yes, I am Selene Celesta… she cut herself off, not wanting to think about her heritage. She had thought too much already. But the voice hadn't.
Skyhaven…
Selene…
Celesta…
Skyhaven…
Selene made a muted gasp. Whoever was calling to her… knew her name from somewhere! But only Juliana and Richard new her full name! Most just new Selene Celesta. Nothing more! Who. Is. This? Answer me, Voice!!
Become a Skyhaven again, Selene. Remember who you were, who you ARE. You need to, you MUST. The Clan's survival depends on you…our luce lunare che è stata oscurata...
Selene's blood ran cold. Her eyes glared at nothing and she growled. Goodbye. See you never again. She cut off her connection with the voice, and marched off into the light that was one step closer to the comfort of her guild.
Good luck…
Selene shivered. I'm going crazy, that's it! Yeah, crazy!! I suppose I'll book myself into an asylum now, huh? Sheesh. Stupid voice. But…the name… Her eyes narrowed. Looks like the past has caught up with the present… She sighed; she should have seen it coming. She ran forward, and saw Juliana and Richard looking expectantly at her, sitting on the couch. "Yes?" asked Selene.
Juliana looked teary eyed, and Richard looked worried head-to-toe. Selene's brow furrowed, "What's wrong, guys?"
Juliana looked up, "There…there was a… a 'message' for you."
Selene was becoming unsteady. "And what did it say…?"
"Come with me," Richard said, and walked out of the room, Juliana and Selene following. Selene tried to shake off the eerie feeling in the air and looked around the place she had called 'home.' It was actually quite homey for a thieves' guild. It was well hidden in the forest outside the city; no one could possibly find them. In fact, the guild was actually an abandoned-but-restored estate. There were several houses surrounding the area, each as carefully and skillfully hidden as the next. Selene scanned the three storied ceiling as it was alight with several chandeliers; chandeliers that would soon be turned off as eleven o'clock neared; that was the official lights out. And Molly and Greg's curfew is soon, better hurry up with this.
"Here we are," Juliana murmured, and Selene looked forwards…only to be facing the door to her room. Juliana said nothing, but opened the door and has Richard and Selene go in first.
Selene looked critically around. "Well, everything seems fine, so—" She was cut off as her amulet began glowing. She whipped it out of her shirt and its glow increased, almost blinding her. She felt herself being pulled closer to her desk, and as she finally reached it, the glow ceased. Selene looked down, and saw a scroll of paper with elaborate writing. She picked it up, rolled it out, and it read:
My Dearest Selene,
Hello, sister. You don't remember me, don't you? That, or you are holding a grudge against me for abandoning you with those thieves that dreadful night fourteen years ago, and probably want to swear me out, or forget about me. I would explain what happened here and now, but I have little time on my hands. Selene, I just want you to know that I still love you and I am regretting leaving you that night, right after I made the promise to protect you. I was stupid, and selfish. Now I have changed, I assure you, but I surely thought you were dead. Then when I heard of a certain Lunar Thief's description from a victim, I found you were alive! And now I can tell you this…it's not pretty.
Selene, you're in grave danger. In fact, the whole Skyhaven Clan is in danger. I would come help you myself, but I don't know the exact location of the guild and am…a little bit tied up. Not literally, I assure you, but I might be soon…Oh, enough of that!! Selene, do you remember what that horrid mouse that was killed after he killed our parents? Remember what our parents said to us before they "passed?" They said: "Protect the Stone." Neither I nor you knew what the heck they were talking about!! Guess what, dear sister? I know. I can't explain all right now how I did, but I came across some…friends. And they helped me out a bit. Anyway, the Stone is something that the Skyhaven Clan swore to protect, and our parents never got a chance to tell us, as I was suppose to be a year older than I was. Then I would have become an Apprentice to the Clan. I have become a full-fledged Protector. And I fear that the Skyhavens' magic is running out. Someone is trying to attack us and take the SkyStone.
In short: We need your help and fast!
I know you have barely recognized your powers; the strange voice that occurred a few minutes ago was a… comrade of mine. Never mind that title you were given, well, not right now. The enemies we are facing are the spawn of a fierce villain that was killed by a detective that we knew as children. You remember the villain at all? Professor Ratigan! His twin children are after the Stone, and bringing a whole lot of army with them as well! And that mouse that killed our parents was an ally of his. Selene, you must hurry, and find that certain detective!! Your amulet will guide the way, and you will find other people that may be of help. And one of them will teach you the ways of our magic. Selene, I must tell you this secret: Mum and Dad are alive. I will not say how, but they are. They send their love and so do I. Good luck, my dear Selene. Oh, and as humiliating as this is, you have my permission to kick my backstabbing tail all the way across the Atlantic if you must.
I love you, alright? Never forget that.
Your backstabbing but regretful brother,
Apollo Tisorin Skyhaven, the "Sun that Blazes at Midnight"
P.S. If you want to reply, just write on some paper, roll it up, and tell your amulet where you want it to go.
Selene was filled with so many mixed emotions: Anger, distrust, worry, love, forgiveness, excitement, confusion, happiness…The list went on and on. Tears came to her eyes. "Apollo…Mum…Daddy…They're all alive…" she murmured to Richard and Juliana, who were looking at her from her couch. They both nodded. Selene collapsed across from them, on her bed. She rubbed her head, "My God. So…the Skyhavens…they're…what? Magicians?"
We prefer the term mages… came that blasted voice of Apollo's comrade. Juliana and Richard looked around, but saw the annoyed look on Selene's face, and shrugged.
Selene made a low growl, but sighed, "Very well. Mages, then. So that's what that bloody rat was talking about when he was shouting at Daddy for the Stone. And now my brother sends a distress note saying that the whole Clan is in danger. Where did the term 'Skyhaven Clan' turn up anyways?" She stared at her two second-parents. "And now I've found out what that mouse was up too. Helping the danged Ratigan. I'm glad…that…detective…" her eyes clouded with recollection:
"…a detective we knew as children…"
"Who could that be?" asked Juliana curiously.
"I'm afraid I don't remember," Selene shook her head, "I remember the family, hardly any of the friends…"
"Forget about that," Richard said, "The letter said that it was a detective who killed Ratigan. Now who did that?"
Selene's eyes lit up, "Basil of Baker Street!!" Her eyes then clouded over again, and her mouth hung open a bit. "Basil…the Basil I grew up with as a kid? The Basil I had a crush on-" She clamped her hands over her mouth as she realized what she just said. She glared at Juliana and Richard, "Repeat anything in that last sentence and I'll maim ya, got it?" The two mice nodded, and Selene continued onwards, "Anyways, I need to find Basil again. I need to find the SkyStone. I'm in for a near-death experience, I know it." She lied down on her bed, her eyes staring up into the ceiling.
"We'll be leaving now, alright?" asked Juliana as she walked over and hugged Selene, "Goodnight." Richard did the same and escorted his wife out of the room.
"Goodnight…" Selene murmured. She sat up, and looked at the letter her brother had given to her. She felt a bit angry, So Apollo thinks I'll forgive him, huh? She sighed, Well, maybe three fourths, but whatever. I'm still gonna have that option of kicking his tail across the Atlantic in my head from now on...I think I will write him back. She got up, and went to sit over her desk. She wrote her letter for about five minutes, making sure to have no mistakes, rolled it into a scroll, and then looked critically at her amulet. I'll give it a shot… She took a deep breath, and murmured: "To: Apollo Tisorin Skyhaven…" She took another shuddering breath: "From: Selene Celesta…Skyhaven."
The scroll glowed with silver light, and suddenly disappeared, leaving an explosion of silver dust behind. "Well, that was…strange," Selene murmured, cocking an eyebrow. She shrugged; I'm gonna have to get used to that…I'm in for one heck of a ride. She looked at the clock on her wall; I better get to Molly now.
She walked out of her room and walked down the hall, and made a left. She knocked on the door and Molly, Greg, and another roommate, Jerry, a brown mouse with green eyes. "Heya guys," she said, smiling.
"Hi Selene," the three chorused.
Molly jumped up and down. "So you gonna tell me a story? Huh? Huh?"
Selene laughed lightheartedly and grabbed Molly while she was jumping up. "If you don't calm down I won't, got it, Cheesecake?"
"Got it," Molly smiled. Selene let her go, and Molly, Greg, and Jerry went into their separate beds that were next to each other. Selene sat on a chair that belonged to the table in the room. It was right next to Molly.
Selene stroked Molly's dirty-blonde hair. "So…what story will it be, hm, Cheesecake?" She looked lovingly at the mouse that had become like a daughter to her.
Molly thought silently for a moment. Then her eyes lit up. "What about a Skyhaven story, Selene? You always tell great stories about the Skyhaven Legends!!"
Selene hid a wince. Hadn't she had enough of Skyhaven Clan things to deal with already? She feigned a smile. "O-Okay Cheesecake. A Skyhaven story it is!" She gulped, and then started her story:
"My mother always told me stories about the moon, since the moon and the sun were the two primary symbols of the Skyhaven Clan."
Molly cocked an eyebrow. That was the first time she had heard Selene use "Clan."
"One star-spangled night, when the hunter's moon shone snow white on the winter-covered earth, a small, pure white mouse was born. Her fur was as white as the snow she was surrounded in, and her hair was the color of wood, with eyes of a leaf in bloom. Her MoonMark was the color of the night she had been born to, and overall…she was just a beautiful little mouse. She grew with a happy family for ten sun cycles. A white rose of a mouse for a mother, as she was as beautiful and gentle as a rose, yet as fierce and protective as its thorns. Her father was a shining, silver tree of a mouse, as he was as strong as the trunk but as kind as its shade. And for an elder brother, a golden sun of a mouse, as he was as noble and righteous as the sun, and the loving brother she knew who'd protect her. However, a little after her tenth sun cycle, she became lost in the dark woods that surrounded her tranquil home. For a short time, she was terrorized by the horrors there, until she was taken in by a large Tribe of mice. They taught her the skills to survive in the wild, and she was quite ruthless. However, fourteen sun cycles after she had run away and never returned, she discovered her true powers. Her powers to control the energy of the moon. When she found the location of her family, she saw that they all but disappeared. So she set up on a grand journey, fighting off the obstacles of her family's enemies. When she was close to reaching her goal, the true enemy revealed itself. She fought them long and hard, and was almost killed from her exhaustion. But then a silver light surrounded her, and she was healed, yet not only that, she became the greatest hero there ever was. And they gave her a title: Luce lunare."
Molly smiled, and her eyes were beginning to flutter open and closed. "Thanks, Selene…I really liked it…Goodnight…" She was then asleep, and Selene heard Greg and Jerry sleeping as well.
Selene smiled, and kissed Molly on the forehead, "G'night, Cheesecake." She gently got up from the bed, and silently got out of the room, closing the door soundlessly before she walked back to her room. All the while she was thinking about the story she had told Molly. That story is like mine…How odd…But otherwise that girl is nothing but a legend. Just a story Mum told me, nothing more.
She shook her head and smiled. So many stories that were told today. She entered her room, undressed and redressed into her pajamas, and snuggled into bed. She'd find Basil first thing in the morning or so.
So many stories…
Well, there ya have it!! I know, lots and lots of boring info... -- Anyways, I hope you liked it, and get ready for the next installation!! We'll be seeing Apollo and Basil in the next!!! - Watersoul "Gabby"