Warning Signs

It was springtime in Elysion once again. As the sun's warmth lit up the landscape, a light breeze rustled through the trees. Jadeite hummed happily to himself as he got ready for the day, then walked out of his bedroom into the sitting area, where Phoebe was waiting. She gazed out the window, a small smile appearing on her lips. When she heard Jadeite step into the room, she turned and smiled at him.

"Good morning" she said softly. "Are you ready to go?" Jadeite nodded, and the two of them walked out the door. Phoebe was taking Jadeite to see the cherry blossoms, just as she promised she would.

When they arrived at the trees, Jadeite's eyes lit up with excitement. "They're so pretty!" he exclaimed, watching as a few soft pink petals fluttered to the ground. Phoebe sat down in the grass among the trees, and Jadeite followed. They sat in silence for a while, taking in the scenery. After some time passed, Jadeite looked up at Phoebe, who had a puzzled look on her face.

"What are you thinking about, mama?" he asked. She looked down at him and smiled slightly, shaking her head.

"Oh, nothing" he said softly. "I'm just enjoying our time together." Her voice had a hint of sadness in it, as though she was saying this would be their last moment together. Jadeite turned back around and looked up at the trees again, leaning into Phoebe's chest. The movement of her breathing calmed him so much that he soon fell asleep. She cuddled him close and closed her eyes, sighing contentedly. After a moment, she felt as though someone was watching them. She turned around carefully so as not to disturb Jadeite, and furrowed her brow in confusion.

"That's funny," she muttered. "I could have sworn someone was there." Brushing the thought away, she looked down at the sleeping child in her lap and watched him sleep, carefully picking the fallen cherry blossom petals off of his face. After a while, Jadeite's eyes fluttered open. He sat up in Phoebe's lap and stretched, looking around in a slight panic.

"Where am I?" he murmured, looking around. Phoebe giggled and kissed the top of his head.

"Don't you remember? I brought you to see the cherry blossoms" she said softly, smiling. Jadeite looked up at her, his eyes sparkling as they reflected the sunlight. After a brief silence, the child spoke.

"I'm glad you're smiling, mama. I was worried about you" he said sadly, looking down at the grass. Phoebe gently placed a hand under his chin and lifted his head as a content sigh escaped her.

"When you're with me, I can't help but smile" Phoebe said, her blue eyes glimmering with hope.

"Do you think we'll always be happy?" Jadeite asked as he laid his head on her shoulder.

"I hope so" she murmured. Suddenly, she felt yet another strange presence and turned, noticing a glowing white figure standing slightly behind them. She blinked her eyes and in a flash, the figure disappeared from sight.

"Am I seeing things?" she thought to herself as she continued to stare at the spot where the mysterious figure had stood.

"Mama? Are you okay?" Jadeite asked, sounding worried.

"Yes, I just thought I saw something" she replied, her voice trailing off as she spoke. She turned her gaze from the spot and sighed. "I know I saw something. What was that?" she asked herself. Though she and Jadeite enjoyed the rest of their day together, Phoebe was still puzzled by what she had seen.

As the sun began to set, Phoebe and Jadeite left the patch of cherry trees and headed home before the sun was gone completely. When they arrived home, Phoebe noticed a man standing in front of their house. As they came closer, her breath caught in her chest. The man turned and when he saw them, he began to walk toward them. When Jadeite saw who it was, he grinned happily. Helios had come to visit. Jadeite was about to greet him, but paused, remembering the warning Helios had given him on that chilly winter day.

"No one can know that you know me" Helios cautioned him. "If they do, my life, and yours, will be in danger."

"I'll never tell. I promise."

"Jadeite" Phoebe said suddenly, snapping the boy back to reality. "I'd like you to meet someone. This is Helios, the guardian of Elysion." Jadeite stepped forward and bowed his head politely.

"It's nice to meet you" he said. Inside, the young boy's heart was bursting with happiness.

"You as well, young one" Helios replied, closing his eyes contentedly. When he opened them again, the sparkle that once filled them was replaced with an intensity Jadeite had not seen.

"I need to speak with you, Phoebe." The urgency in Helios' voice prompted her to usher Jadeite inside so the two of them could speak privately. Inside the house, Jadeite quietly crouched beneath the window, straining to hear the conversation happening outside.

"What is this in regards to?" Phoebe asked, knowing that Helios never appeared physically before anyone unless something was about to happen.

"It's about Frederick" he said matter-of-factly, causing Phoebe to gasp.

"Have you found him?" she asked, her voice panicked. "Is he alright?" Helios nodded, closing his eyes.

"He is alive" Helios assured her. "But there is something you need to know."

"What is it?" Phoebe asked, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"He is no longer the man you once loved" Helios said bluntly. Phoebe furrowed her brow in confusion, looking at him.

"What do you mean?" Helios sighed, then spoke again.

"When Frederick left you and Jadeite, his heart was tainted with jealousy. He was angry that Jadeite was going to have handed to him the very thing he had always longed for."

"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand…" Phoebe sighed. Helios continued speaking, his tone becoming more urgent with every word.

"There is much evil that exists in this world, and one of the worst kinds of evil is jealousy" Helios explained. Phoebe nodded in agreement, listening as Helios continued to speak. "I guess I shouldn't hold this back from you any longer. Frederick…" Helios paused and looked at Phoebe, his eyes filled with sadness and fear.

"Tell me, Helios" Phoebe begged. "What happened?"

"Frederick has sworn his allegiance to the army of the Dark Kingdom" Helios said. When he spoke these words, Phoebe could feel her chest tighten.

"What?" she asked, horrified. "How could he do this?" Helios sighed and shook his head.

"It's difficult to say. I feel something terrible is going to happen soon" Helios said quietly, averting his gaze to the ground. Phoebe said nothing, but just stared at Helios in shock.

"What do you think it is?" Phoebe asked. Helios shook his head, then looked up into her eyes.

"A war is coming" Helios said cryptically, his eyes flickering in the moonlight. Jadeite, who was still listening inside the house, sucked in a breath and continued to eavesdrop.

"A war?" Phoebe repeated. Helios nodded.

"Yes. The Dark Kingdom is going to unleash it's terror on Elysion soon. Many lives will be lost, and only those who pledge their loyalty to their ruler, Queen Metalia, will survive." Phoebe gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth.

"No…" she murmured. Helios closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"I'm afraid there's nothing that can stop this" he haid sadly. "However, there is something you can do to protect your heart."

"My heart?" Phoebe asked. An image of Jadeite's happy, smiling face flashed in her mind, and she instantly understood what Helios meant. "What do I have to do?"

"Frederick will come for you" Helios began to explain. "When he does, you must make him promise no harm will come to Jadeite. Though Frederick's heart is plagued with darkness, there is a part of him that still cares for his son, and if you ask this of him, Jadeite will be safe."

"But, what will happen to me?" Phoebe asked, fearful.

"That is entirely up to you" Helios said, leaving Phoebe confused. She knew she would understand later, so she let the issue go. "Thank you for your time, Phoebe. I must be going now." Phoebe turned and walked to the door, but before going inside she turned to face Helios once more.

"Helios?" she asked. He voice shaking. "Can you promise me something?" Helios nodded in response.

"You'd like me to look after Jadeite, is that right?" Phoebe nodded.

"Yes" she said softly. "No matter what happens to me, I want him to be happy." Helios dropped to one knee and looked up into Phoebe's eyes.

"I will protect him, no matter what. You have my word." As he rose to his feet, Phoebe smiled at him.

"Thank you" she whispered, then turned to walk inside. There, she found Jadeite sitting on the floor underneath the window.

"What did Helios want, Mama?" Jadeite asked, though he already knew, thanks to his curious nature.

"He just needed to tell me something" Phoebe half lied. Jadeite rose to his feet and peered out the window, noticing that Helios had not gone yet.

"I'll be right back, Mama" Jadeite said as he walked out the door. Upon hearing his footsteps outside, Helios turned and smiled at him.

"You were listening, weren't you?" he asked. Jadeite blushed and nodded, looking down at the ground.

"Yes, I was. I'm sorry. I was worried" Jadeite said softly. "You seemed upset." Helios stepped directly in front of Jadeite, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to worry. Nothing bad will happen to you."

"But Helios," Jadeite protested. "You said a war is coming, right?" Helios nodded, and Jadeite continued to speak. "I had a dream about that once…" Jadeite's voice trailed off as he broke his gaze from Helios' face. Helios knelt before him and smiled, instantly putting the young boy's mind, and his heart, at ease.

"Yes, I remember you telling me about that. Rest assured, that no matter what happens, you will be safe."

"And Mama too?" Jadeite asked.

"I can't say for sure, but i believe her determination to keep you safe, and her love for you, will feed her will to survive."

"Thank you, Helios" Jadeite said, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around the man's waist. Helios returned his embrace, sighing peacefully.

"You're welcome, young one. Now get inside before you freeze" Helios instructed as the cool late night air brushed against his pale skin. Jadeite did as he was told and walked inside, walking over to Phoebe and embracing her.

"I love you, Mama. You'll never forget that, will you?" Phoebe hugged him tightly and shook her head.

"Never" she assured him. "Now, let's get you to bed." Jadeite nodded and went into his room to change into his pajamas. He then climbed into bed and waited for Phoebe to come tuck him in and kiss him goodnight after she finished washing the dishes. He realized she would be slightly delayed when he heard loud banging on the door. He could hear her sigh and grumble to herself as she walked to the door. When she opened it, she gasped, and the plate in her hands crashed to the floor.

"F-Frederick?"