Chapter 30: The Crystal Palace
As they rode towards the Crystal Palace, Charley felt a sense of trepidation. She was well aware that there could be the potential that she wasn't the Queen of Gaia. Another thought struck her along the way, how were they going to prove, beyond a measure of any doubt, that she was the decedent of the last Queen. So many doubting thoughts plagued her young mind that it many her dizzy.
"We're here!" Jack stated as he turned off his bike while Carbine dismounted and then followed suit.
"Wow! This place is gorgeous" Charley was in total awe of the unique beauty of the palace that was possibly hers.
I don't have a balance
Think I'm gonna Fall
Statues of queens, made out of Labradorite, a predominant blue varies within the light, displaying hues from deepest blue to various shades of pale, almost blue-green, are lined up outside of the castle gates, serving as reminders of the past for all those who see it. A huge gate with hefty metal doors and a moat guards the front of the castle.
Wish I have a talent
I don't belong here at all
Eight thick, round towers made out of Travertine, a cream-colored stone, guard the weakest points of the castle and are connected by giant, thick walls made out of white stone. Tall, clear crystal Quartz windows are scattered thinly around the walls in fairly symmetrical patterns, along with symmetric crenelations for archers and artillery.
Drowning in the Pressure
In above my head
Why did I think I could do this
"That it is. Now, how do we get in?" Throttle inquired as he came to stand beside Jack.
I should have walk away instead
This is my chance to break free
"Even better question, once we get inside, how do we prove that Charley is the Queen of Gaia?" Hunter inquired as he stood with the two younger males and then gazed over the enchanted castle. He had read about the palace but, didn't know much about the lore of it all.
"Getting in is going to be harder than proving Charley is who we believe she is" Jack stated, feeling confident for the first time since he met Charley several years ago.
"Okay. How do we prove it?" Charley sighed as she looked at the castle and realized it was very different from Throttle's palace.
Everything's depending on me
And if I keep trying I'll be
That's when a thought occurred to her. The Crystal Palace looked different, not because it was made out of crystals and wrought iron but, it wasn't being taken care of. The place was completely abandoned, not only by the rightful ruler but by everyone.
"According to legend, there's a crown inside that once it's placed on the rightful ruler's head that it would glow and things would change. Don't ask me what kind of things because I really don't know" Jack sighed as he saw what Charley was seeing.
The palace looked run down and abandoned. There was nothing about it that radiated elegance but, if this was Charley's kingdom, he was more than willing to help put it back together. It was his other side that ruined Gaia and he wanted to be a part of rebuilding it.
On Top Of The World
Where I can see everything before me
"Do we actually know where this glowing crown is at?" Carbine asked as she came to stand beside Jack.
"I was thinking the same thing" Charley stated as she looked over at the real Princess Carbine and could instantly tell that this Carbine didn't have the arrogance or the snobbery that the fake one had. She was genuinely kind and loving and caring. There wasn't a hateful bone in her body.
"This place is so huge, there must be hundreds of rooms and it would take forever to locate it without some sort of clue" Chasity was in awe of what could potentially be her daughter's future.
Reaching up to touch the sky
On Top Of The World
"So, do we split up and search for clues or do we find a tour guide of this place?" M.D. questioned as he dismounted his bike and joined the rest of the group.
"Hey look, there's a guard right in front of the gate. Let's ask" Chasity stated as she watched an older gentle, dressed in uniform, walk out of the castle and came to stand in front of the drawbridge.
"Okay, let's do this as a team" Jack was getting ready to walk up to the guard with his chest puffed out.
"Um, Jack, that would be highly ill advised" Throttle said as he placed a hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Why not? Why not go as a group?" Jack asked as he looked back at Throttle.
Where all of my dreams are rushed into me
Stretching on my wings to fly
"Because this is still a royal palace and there are rules that we have to abide by. That guard will consider us a threat if we all approach him at once. Let me use my title and see if I can convince him to allow us to be heard" Throttle explained, feeling grateful that his title was possibly going to be of some value here.
"Great point" Jack agreed with Throttle on this. Approaching a stranger all at once could be taking the wrong way and it would draw a lot of unnecessary attention.
"Good luck. He looks very unfriendly" Carbine commented.
On Top Of The World...
On Top Of The World
She noticed his red, curly hair that slightly revealed a furrowed and worried face. Smart gray eyes, set deep within their sockets, watch wearily over the castle moat. He stands tall and slim. There's something mystifying about him that she is unable to explain.
"Thanks" Throttle commented as he made sure strides over to the edge of the moat and looked at the elder gentleman standing on the other side of it.
"What is it that you seek?" the old soldier questioned as he came to full attention upon Throttle's approach.
"My name is Prince Throttle of Mars and my friends and I wish to see if my fiancee is the rightful ruler of Gaia. She bears the ancient necklace of Queen Charlotte and she resembles her in every physical way. We wish for her to be given the opportunity to see if she is. Please" Throttle came to his full height as he stared at the soldier, wondering what would happen next.
Nothing gonna break me
He watched as the old man looked past him and stared at Charley.
"You and your friends may enter" he said with a smile and then walked through the drawbridge, shocking Throttle.
Throttle ushered for them all to join him up at the edge of the moat as the drawbridge was lowered to allow them access. Walking across the wooden bridge, everyone looked around at the stillness of the land.
"It has been almost a hundred years since the Queen left and we were all certain that there were no children" the soldier stated.
"Okay. Who and what are you?" Charley was the first one to ask the question once she realized that the soldier was actually floating instead of walking.
Gotta get it right
Even if it takes me
"Ah, so like Charlotte. Impetuous and full of questions, as well as being exquisite to look at" the old man came to float in front of Charley and placed a hand on her cheek. Sadness entered into his eyes as though he was recalling an ancient memory.
"I, my dear, was the King of Gaia. Charlotte's husband" he said as he gaze traveled from Charley to her mother, Chasity.
"That would explain Charley's eyes" Chasity pointed out as she realized that the aged King had the same color eyes as her daughter.
"This way to the throne room" the King said as he floated along the corridor and on into the throne room.
Do it in a thousand times
"What did happen to Charlotte?" Carbine inquired as the walked into dreary room that was dark and dismal.
"There was an uprising among some the upper etc-halon members about whether she was old enough to wear the crown. This was all started by the Plutarkians when she rejected a marriage proposal from one of their higher members of society. She decided that she wanted to marry for love and not for a title" he began to say.
Trying one is easy
"So, she chose me. Mind you, I was not but a soldier back then but, I admired her determination as well as her loveliness. She had heart and no parents to inform her of what her marriage duty was suppose to be. She did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that she didn't have to marry for a title."
"You can imagine the other members were rather upset and shocked with her choice. We married and then the uprising happened when the Plutarkians were allowed inside the palace. She escaped through one of the secret passages while I put up one hell of a fight. You can see how that turned out."
Discipline is hard
But nothing can defeat me
"They never found her body. I was sentenced to death by beheading less then a week after the attack. It was obvious that I had unfinished business here and have had one hell of a time scaring off all intruders and all of the invaders. None of the council members survived that massacre, thanks to the Plutarkians. They actually did something right."
"Now, here we are. This is the crown that will only work on the true Queen of Gaia" the King said as he pulled it out from behind the decrepit chair and came to float in front of Charley.
"Well, we came all this way. Let's do it!" M.D. stated.
"Okay. I'm ready" Charley was very nervous that something was going to go wrong or that this wasn't going to work and she would just be plain old Charley.
If it changes in my heart
This is my chance to break free
"Sweetie, we all believe in you" Hunter said as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, reminding her that she had many people who had her back, no matter what happened.
As the ghost King placed the rather plain looking crown on top of her head, she closed her eyes and sighed when nothing happened. She just knew it that she wasn't the one. Looking over at her family and friends she saw them smiling, which let her know that everything was okay.
"I had a feeling it wasn't going to work..." Charley began to say.
Everything's depending on me
And if I keep trying I'll be...
"But, that doesn't matter. We have another kingdom to rescue and lives to save. Not only in Mars but, also here in Gaia. There are people counting on us to make the right choices and I think we owe it to them to unite both of our people in order to save both kingdoms" Charley began to say as she placed her hands on the sides of the crown.
"United we stand. Divided we fall" she continued as she started to lift the crown off of her head.
"Charley! Put the crown back on your head!" Carbine excitedly stated as she gently pushed Charley's hands and crown back down.
"What? What's going on?" Charley asked as she looked at everyone who was staring right at her and then she noticed a glow surrounding her.
On Top Of The World
Where I can see everything before me
"All it needed was for you to believe in yourself. Welcome home, Queen Charlene of Gaia" the King said as the throne room began to change and they were greeted with crystals lighting up all over the place.
They gazed at the lustrous braziers enclosing each of the six granite columns light up every part of the throne hall and coat everything in an orange glimmer. The intricate golden patterns on the askew ceiling dance in the flickering light while stone effigies look down upon the slate floor of this ostentatious hall.
Reaching up to touch the sky
On Top Of The World
A cobalt rug ran from the throne down through the center and split into two paths leading out while rectangular banners with embellished edges droop from the walls. Between each banner hung a small chandelier, a few of them have been lit and in turn illuminate the mosaics of divine beings below them.
High, stained glass windows depicting divine beings are edged by curtains colored the same cobalt as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with embellished borders and jewels.
An imposing throne of black onyx sits in front of a giant painting of the previous ruler, Queen Charlotte herself.
The throne is covered in hallowed patterns and fixed on each of the ornate legs is a lavish Emerald. The bulky pillows are a dark cobalt and these too have been adorned with golden embroideries.
Where all of my dreams are rushed into me
Stretching on my wings to fly
"But, what do I do?" Charley questioned as she walked over to a floor to ceiling mirror and stared at herself, watching the crown change from a simple band of rocks to a large tiara of amethyst crystals and copper wire.
"Rule wisely" the King said as he began to fade.
"Wait!" Charley turned to face the fading king.
"My time here is over. Yours is just beginning" were his last words as he faded from existence, leaving the group mystified.
"Well, your Royal Highness. What's the order?" Jack asked as he came to full attention and gazed in awe as Charley's clothes changed from a simple work uniform to an amazing gown.
It was an ivory and nude strapless ball gown with a sweetheart bodice that was ruched all around that made it a figure-flattering fit with beaded floral lace that created a jeweled belt. The belt traced the waist all around then dipped ever so slightly at the center back which added interest. The classic ball gown skirt was fashioned with generous waves of sheer, multi-layered tulle woven with a wide, slightly more opaque edging.
On Top Of The World
Again, Again, without a doubt
"Let's find out how many Freedom Fighters are still left alive and are free. We're going to need as many of them as possible. Also, find out if there are any soldiers or people with any fighting experience in Gaia. We don't have much time" Charley stated as she picked up the edges of her skirt and proceeded to walk through the palace as it continued to rebirth itself back to the way it used to be when the last Queen ruled.
"I think you have the ability to use the crystals as a means of power. That may explain the Plutarkians interest in you" Carbine stated as she watched the crystals react to Charley.
"I think you're right. I wonder how much power they have and why the last Queen didn't use it" Charley had many questions and very few answers.
Keep on moving
I can't give in now
"I can answer that one. They can't be used for for violence. Only to bring harmony and peace. They are also capable of replenishing the land" Jack stated as he and the rest of the group followed Charley outside, where many of the people of Gaia had started to gather and wonder what was going on inside the run down castle that suddenly sprung to life.
"Well, your Majesty. Your first royal speech" Throttle said as he removed his helmet, earning a gasp from the people, and placed his hand into Charley's.
I can feel it...almost there
You know I'm climbing up, up, up
"Thank you" she whispered as they approached the end of the drawbridge where the crowd was continuing to grow.
"Dear people of Gaia" Charley attempted to speak but, her soft voice was lost in the noise.
"You need to speak very load and clear" Throttle whispered and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, letting her know that he would stand beside her the entire time.
"People of Gaia. Please hear me out" Charley's voice finally made it through the crowd and everyone quieted down to listen.
"I know that many of you are afraid. Afraid of what lies beyond the wall" Charley said as she pointed towards the wall that had been up for as long as anyone could remember.
I'm on Top Of The World
Where I can see everything before me
"I have been on the other side. I know when our people go missing and are never seen or heard from again, they can be found on the other side. This is because the Plutarkians have been stealing our people as well as the citizens of Mars. They have been enslaved and they have died over there in the Plutarkian camps" Charley used her will power from four years of being a slave to make these people understand what was happening.
"His people have also suffered at their hands as well. This is Prince Throttle of Mars and he has been fighting this hidden war along with many others of his people, known as the Freedom Fighters. The few humans and mice that have returned home were only able to because of their team work" Charley felt very emotional as she spoke to her people.
"Well, what do you want us to do?" one man called out from the crowd.
Reaching up to touch the sky
On Top Of The World
"I can't make you do anything that you don't want to do but, what I am asking for is that those of you who have the ability to fight and the desire for total freedom from the oppressive Plutarkian empire to join us in freeing both of our people" Charley prayed someone would hear her plea.
"I'll go" came a familiar voice as he pushed his way through the crowd.
"Luke" Hunter acknowledged his long time friend with a strong handsome and a hug.
"Freedom Fighter to the end pal" Luke said as he removed his jacket, revealing his tattoo.
"No doubt" Hunter agreed as he removed his tee shirt, leaving only a black tank top on, and showed off his mark.
Where all of my dreams are rushed into me
Stretching on my wings to fly
"Well, if that don't beat all" M.D. stated as he looked at the two older Freedom Fighters and shook his head. They were definitely before his time.
"I don't know anything about Freedom Fighters but, my wife went missing almost ten years ago and I want to say that those stink fish probably had something to do with her disappearance" one man said as he came to stand with them.
"They took my boy eight years ago. I want in" another man piped up as he walked up to join them.
I'm on Top Of The World
Where I can see everything before me
Charley watched as several others said their grievances against the Plutarkians about their missing family members. Even the ones who couldn't fight wanted to help out as much as possible. Even women lost their husbands and children lost their fathers and siblings.
It was obvious that the people of Gaia had had enough and were ready and willing to stand by their new ruler under the promise that she would help them. She gave them her word that she would fight for them and help bring about peace for her people.
Reaching up to touch the sky
On Top Of The World
She watched as many children gathered around her and hugged onto her legs through the layers of her dress. She smiled as she looked down into their happy eyes and ran her fingers through their hair. Mothers came up crying about the loss of their little ones and fathers came up and spoke to the Freedom Fighters about everything that had been taken from them.
Throttle's gaze met hers and they smiled, knowing that this was where they both wanted to needed to be.
Where all of my dreams are rushed into me
Stretching on my wings to fly
Throttle glanced down at her hand and noticed that she still wore the engagement ring he had given to her and gave her wink, letting her know that as soon as everything settled down, they were going to get married.
Now all they had to do was figure out which kingdom they were actually going to reside in.
On Top Of The World
I hope everyone enjoyed reading this newest chapter. Many CYBER HUGS to all readers and reviewers.
Special shout out to DinoDragonMaster and Yankee71 for all your prayers.
If there are any questions, comments, concerns, or things that you would like to see in the upcoming chapters, please feel free to let me know.