Title: Crescent Mirror Author: aaeris17 Rating: nothing bad yet Author?s Notes: I feel so bad! I haven?t had the chance to thank any of my fans yet! So?here we go! Mucho thanks to the following wonderful people who took the time to review and critique! Lily Fox Serenity Blaim Starlit Warrior Moonrabbit04 BM25: prolly the one I always try to update quickly for! You rock! Desi*pryd: I love your name ;) Roxy: you have been reviewing from the beginning! Yay! Goddess of Elements Melanie C: I especially appreciate you taking the time to write me personally! Thanks! Frozen Fire Maria: the boys knew about the Senshi more than likely thru their own training with Artemis. The boys will always be a little more in the loop due to the age difference that is kind of big right now Cyjj Asihiteru-91421 Miiaevia Karina Kim Hillary Crystal jade 2: another name I remember!! Yay! Windswept-Heaven KenshinGal128 Sailor Aqua001 Dreams of Julie Helinlole Mis2kagmoon Laura1786 Stacey C And of course, lots of love to all of you!! Thank you so much for sticking to the story and being patient! *********Chapter Eleven********* ******* ****** Selenity absentmindly rubbed her temples. She did not mean to give the appearance of being displeased, yet her lady maid immediately dropped into a curtsy and hurried out of the room. Selenity realized too late that the girl had left. She released a slight sigh from her body. Slowly, she eased herself out of her divan and took herself to the balcony. Wafting upwards, as if a personal song for her ears alone were the giggles and shrieks of laughter of her five beautiful girls. She closed her eyes, easily picturing the game of Tag now enhanced by the discovery and schooling of their legendary powers. The girls would go far under the tutelage of Artemis and Luna. She would trust no one else with the future of their kingdom. The sudden thought of the future brought the news she had just received to surface. She made a slight grimace. Nobody would ever guess that the woman who stood slightly scowling on the balcony was the same Queen who graciously had won the hearts of the entire Earth. Selenity allowed herself this private moment of displeasure. Almost as if he had been in her head, Apollo entered the room. Selenity did not bother to turn?she knew that Apollo knew what she had just heard. ?Dearest,? Apollo softly whispered, ?This day had to come,? ?You know that is not the issue,? Selenity remarked sadly. Apollo stiffened slightly as he heard the sadness that he had not heard in his wife?s voice since that day four years ago that Gaia had passed on. ?Oh Darling,? he sighed and pulled her closer to him, ?We cannot worry over what we do not know,? ?But, tis not a question of worrying over what I not know. I do know! We do know,? Selenity pulled one arm away from his embrace and allowed it to sweep over the Labyrinth below her, ?The Darkness will come and the greatest threat we have ever faced will consume us,? she finished softly, ?I am so afraid, sweetheart, so very, very afraid,? She closed her eyes in a small moment of defeat. ?No, no Sele, I will not have this,? Apollo reassured warmly, ?You of all people should never despair. After what we have seen in the Shadow Wars? Days passing without knowing if we would ever see light again? If we would live to be reunited? If we could once again unite the Earth the way it was originally settled by our wondrous ancestors?? Apollo paused, feeding her as much strength as he could, ?What will become of Serenity is merely her destiny by birth. She is the daughter of the Goddess and you know better than anyone one can never question the will of the Goddess. It was her will that reunited us and created this age of peace. Serenity grows beautifully as do her guardians. What Endy has learned today, shall not reach the ears of the girls. I have this assurance from his very lips and I know the lad very well. He will grow up to be a remarkable knight,? Selenity felt a small smile dance upon her lips. ?I can see that!? Apollo teased, ?Do not think silver hair can hide that light from me! Come; pray tell what causes you to hide a giggle, for I am being quite serious!? He nuzzled her neck from behind. Selenity rolled her eyes, ?I wonder, husband, what thinks you of what shall happen when your young lad captures the heart of our princess?? Apollo?s teasing melted away and a father?s heart took over, ?The young fop!! Has he already turned his attentions to such things?? Selenity turned to calm Apollo before he followed his thoughts, ?Peace, your silliness is an even greater matter of laughter. Endymion and his companions are as of yet to young for girls and I assure you that Serenity has no thought of boys,? ?Thou will be singing a different tune shortly, Your Highness,? Luna?s voice sang into the Royal Compartments. The Royal couple dropped arms and turned smiling to greet Luna. ?Oh, pray tell? What gossip do you bear, Lady Luna?? Apollo laughed heartily as he bid his wife goodbye with a kiss to her forehead, ?I do suppose tis for womanly ears only, and with that, good ladies, I take your leave,? He bowed courteously and left laughing as he ran into Artemis and Lawrence outside the apartment. Luna pretended to pass a swift kick to the men as they left. She smilingly returned to Selenity who had turned her thoughts to more current matters as she gathered loose papers of State to further examine when the High Council met later that day. ?Cousin,? Selenity began, ?Do you ever worry about the future?? Luna stopped gathering papers and cocked her head, obviously in deep thought before she nodded, ?Aye, milady, I do,? Selenity paused mid reach, ?Thou do?? ?How can one not worry, Majesty? Who knows what further troubles these rascals of children shall get into? I do swear that the girls create more tears in their dresses than the boys do in their breeches!! And please, dear cousin, do not let me begin the matters of schooling and training!! I doth say I will be very happy to be done with the lot of them,? Luna smiled prettily as she raised an eyebrow at the Queen. Selenity tried to suppress a laugh, which caused her face to turn an odd shade of pink, the sight of which caused Luna to laugh and Selenity to erupt and collapse onto the floor, papers and all. ?Oh Luna,? Selenity wiped a tear happily from her lashes, ?I do believe you have put life quite in perspective once more,? ?Of course, Selenity, what more is there?? Luna pulled Selenity up and bent over once more to gather the papers, ?I assure you, leave the worrying to Artemis and myself. I pray they survive the next five years first,? Selenity nodded, ?I believe Endy and the boys are beginning their training as pages?? Luna rolled her eyes, ?Aye, their training for the Luster Royal Guard has begun and between that and the girls? Court training and Senshi training? I shall be quite surprised to survive myself,? Selenity?s laughter pealed of bells, ?My dear Luna, a flair for the dramatics you do have. Perhaps it would have been better had you been an actress in the Luster Company?? She teased as they exited the Royal Apartments. ?Goddess forbid, Your Highness,? Selenity bowed low, ?After you, dearest,? Luna mimicked. * * * Dark Kingdom? ?After you, dearest,? Nehelenia mocked and threw her long purple hair back as she pretended to bow. Beryl giggled at Nehelenia?s fake curtsy, ?Madame, you are too much,? she smiled as a glare of light reflected off the long cheval mirror. The surrounding encasement of Nehelenia?s prison had lost much of its original gleam. Once, it had shone brilliantly and purely, but Nehelenia?s evil and the darkness that permeated the kingdom slowly cast a sooty look to it all. Nothing stayed pure long in this Obsidian palace. Beryl picked at her sampler. ?Beryl!? Nehelenia snapped from her throne. Beryl?s spine snapped up and she sulking showed her stepmother her lace sampler. Nehelenia?s eyebrows scrunched together as she stared intently at her stepdaughter?s work, ?You have improved, poorly,? she settled back into her throne. Beryl had been aghast when Nehelenia had beckoned her from the mirror that one lonely, rainy day when she hid herself in the attic. Wiseman had once again neglected her in favor of Diamond, and her father had long since to acknowledge that he was a father. Little more than a puppet ruler, he hid in the deeper shadows of the kingdom. Beryl knew that he was up to something, but what, she dared not imagine. Nehelenia had been the only mother esque figured that Beryl understood. Her excitement, and fear, was high when she realized that Nehelenia still lived. At least Nehelenia paid Beryl scant attention, enough to cause Beryl to begin to worship her glass banished stepmother. When Wiseman tried to bind Beryl?s powers and render her completely worthless, Nehelenia showed Beryl how to manipulate the situation to her advantage. Hence, Beryl was not bound and Wiseman continued to let Beryl do as she pleased. Beryl saw this victory as miraculous and begged Nehelenia to teach her everything she knew. Nehelenia smiled wickedly at the little girl in front of her. Finally, things were starting to go her way. She would show Selenity who was truly the heir of the throne?no matter that the lines of hereditary passed from mother to daughter and HER mother was a Daughter of Selene. ?Beryl, please, recite for me the necessary ingredients for a sleeping potion,? Nehelenia drooled as she lifted dark fat grapes into her mouth. Beryl eagerly set aside her sampler and began to list the items required. *Things are going exactly as I planned?* Nehelenia thought to herself, *When the time for Serenity?s sixteenth birthday approaches, Beryl will be more than ready to destroy that precious brat. What a purrrrrrrfect way to exact revenge by placing Beryl on the throne of Luster* Nehelenia inspected her long red nails. *Beryl shall eliminate that brat and force Selenity to free me, and then, Nehelenia took a deep breath and sighed happily, and I shall be Queen?* Beryl was quite pleased with herself. She waited patiently for her next instruction and caught her brother?s passing reflection. She will show him who the better twin was truly. Beryl whispered to herself, ?Me, simply, me,? ?You?? Nehelenia whipped her head back to Beryl, ?What about you, girl?? She smirked. ?Through you, Madame, I shall prove that I am more useful than Diamond ever was,? Beryl truthfully answered. She had never lied to Nehelenia before. She knew her step-mother had powers of such grandees, if it pleased her; Beryl would no longer exist in this world. Nehelenia opened her full mouth to retort back before a thought hit her, ?Why, you,? she let the idea develop, ?Yes, yes daughter, you are indeed brilliant,? She laughed loudly, scaring Beryl and causing her to brace herself for the pain that was about to come. Surprisingly, no pain followed. When she opened her eyes, Beryl noticed that Nehelenia was no longer on her throne. Beryl sighed and relaxed. She was in the clear for now. She returned to her desk and picked up an old scroll and once again sat down to memorize and mediate upon the ancient dark power that was her birthright. Nehelenia had showed Beryl where these ancient scrolls of power were hidden and Beryl dutifully set about to learn that in the world there existed but one solitary notion: power: those who had it and those who did not. Good and evil were simply ideals that those who did not have power applied to those intelligent enough to grasp the opportunity that was presented to them. Opportunity did only come once and Beryl would be ready for it. She squinted at the dark forbearing script. Looking up, she stared hard at the candle situated above the desk. The room erupted in light as all the candles were lit. Beryl smiled, pleased with herself and settled happily down. Wiseman stared at his crystal ball, *could I find a use for this girl? How useful could this daughter of Metallica be?* He crooned to himself as Diamond fenced his new half brother, Sapphire. Apparently born of an affair Pharaoh had before he was discovered by King Apollo, the boy was sent to live with Diamond under Wiseman?s tutorage. Wiseman did not mind Sapphire too much. Granted, Diamond accepted Wiseman?s will without question, Sapphire was very reluctant to accept his knowledge as gospel. Sapphire was wary of people in general. The unacknowledged bastard of a king and an assumingly dead mother created a mock prince whose true lineage could not be discerned. Sapphire adored Diamond, the only one to truly show any interest in him and had mostly indifference to his half-sister. On one belief did Wiseman and Sapphire concur, and that was the uselessness of those of feminine gender. Nehelenia had been ambitious, too ambitious, and she was now stuck in a mirror for eternity. Metallica had been quite powerful, enormously powerful, before she succumbed to love and marriage to the Pharaoh. He literally engulfed her and left little behind but two brats and a corpse. Wiseman watched Sapphire fence Diamond. Sapphire had power. Clearly the child of the Dark Kingdom, his only flaw * other than the previously examined lack of trust in Wiseman* was his reverence of his brother. Sapphire always let Diamond win. Not one scratch ever drew blood and not once was Diamond ever found wanting in a game of strength or wits. Wiseman cleared his head and returned to peering at Beryl. He was not unaware of her tutelage under Nehelenia, let the child have her fun. He shall see what kind of witch the girl would become, and then he will destroy her. Nothing and nobody will stop Diamond from becoming King of Luster. Luster Kingdom Highest Tower Sir Lawrence bent in reverence as he entered the topmost room of the palace?s highest tower. He left his sword and dagger at the door with the guards and bareheaded, walked towards the center of the room. Encased in Silver Imperium Crystal lay his wife, Lady Gaia, princess of the Earth. He mused to himself the fact that few people knew the entirety of the ancient history of Earth?s own royal family. How the planets outside were habitable and Earth the gem of the solar system?how the sun used to house one of the greatest kingdoms the universe had ever know?how the Great Wars came, the legendary Senshi were created with the spirits of each planets and sent back the coming Darkness. Thus, with the aid of the mythical Quisez the planets returned to their dormant states and the Earth was settled with the survivors of the horrific battle. Gaia was, no, is one of the last remaining members of the family of Earth. The great sacrifice they made to bow down and allow the greater kingdoms of the alliance to inhabit their awesome world. Endymion, Lawrence thought wistfully, was the bearer of the Golden Crystal of the Earthen royalty, and he shall know it far too soon. Lawrence pressed his forehead to the cool glass close to his wife?s head. This was as close as he would ever be with her, ?Gaia, sweet love, the Darkness has once again found its way into our world,? he whispered fighting tears that threatened to fall, ?You are but a spirit now, what can I do as a lonely man? Our son will fight but he will not know for what, Goddess, please return to me,? Tears fell onto deep emerald green satin and deep breaths echoed throughout the room. The guards that stood at the door forced themselves to be apart from the sorrow that emanated in the highest tower of the Luster Palace. Stoic ness was the sad art any soldier must master. Almost as if Sir Lawrence himself remembers that, the room fell silent again. Half an hour later, Sir Lawrence left the room, completely in control of his countenance and one would never guess that this sorrowful journey was made once a day, every day, at noon. Apollo duly noted the time, a quarter past noon. He chuckled a little as he remembered trying to explain to Sere and Mina that a quarter of an hour was a fourth of the time an hour had. He had left more confused than the girls and Artemis did not let him forget that it was his job to teach the girls. He nodded gladly that it was not him in charge of the five girls equally happy to not be In charge of the five boys as well. King, husband, father and friend were more than enough. He knew Lawrence would not be available for another hour at the earliest. He never begrudged his best friend these few private moments. Goddess knows that privacy was a rare gift as royalty. He sat in his great private study and shuffled thru the last few papers to make sure he had seen to all the business. The reports coming from the Dark Kingdom were very disturbing. He could not trust what Pharaoh said. His spies told him that power was brewing in the Obsidian Palace, but no one knew from where. Pharaoh had apparently fostered another son, around six years ago, a true chip off the Dark Kingdom line, Sapphire. The child was now under the tutelage of the Wiseman along with Diamond. Apollo wasn?t too sure that he wanted to investigate Wiseman or not. Wiseman seemed to b hiding something and if Diamond and Sapphire were now in his care?Apollo closed his eyes tightly trying to see where this line of thought was heading. So little was known about the prophecy made at Serenity?s birth, he thought frustratingly. He knew there was a Darkness coming. But, when? And how? And who? He wanted to stop it before it came. He wanted to protect Serenity as he had done all her life. How could he let her fight an evil he did not understand? An evil that might be similar to the evil he had fought so long and hard for. What good was he as a King and a father if he could not even secure peace and happiness for his daughter, his people? He crumpled a spare sheet of paper in his right fist, his golden skin going taunt on the knuckles. The king appeared no more than in his late twenties or early thirties. Yet, at this instant, a new wrinkle deepened on his forehead?a wrinkle that had begun as soon as Serenity- had been born and each year deepened intensity. Now, it stood as a prominent frown. He caught his reflection in the gilded portrait of Selenity from her coronation. His wrinkle relaxed as he traced Selenity?s face with his imagination and remembered that magnificent day. The day was surprisingly warm after the long frost that had existed during the Shadow Wars. Selenity, for the first time in all those horrible years, behaved like an excited child. She giggled at the slightest provocation and her right hand never left his as her left hand carefully fingered the Silver Imperium Crystal. Her hair was done in the royal Odangos and she wore the royal robes of the house of Selene. He had not seen her in her full glory before. He felt as if he would be blinded by her purity and goodness. In the length of the Shadow Wars she had fought side by side, barefoot, shorn hair, and dirt had made him almost forget the alabaster of her skin and the length of her lavender hair. She was not of this world. Neither was the evil that threatened his whole life. Apollo let out a low groan as the frown reappeared in his forehead. He shook himself and once again checked his pocket watch, an old family heirloom that played a haunting melody. All his life he had been told that the locket would play for his destined soul mate. The day he met Selenity, the enchanting song never left him. As the notes hummed on, he regained his cheerful composure and left his office. Perhaps he should see how the boys were handling their new duties. The heavy oak doors closed soundly behind him. He smiled benignly at the multitudes of servants and maids walking around. He accepted papers and handed them off as he exited the back entrance to the throne room and made his way quietly to the library. He wished sorely that he could talk to Setsuna. The mysterious Guardian of the Time Gates?she would be able to ease his fears. He almost laughed when he realized his folly was assuming that a visit to Setsuna would solve the first riddle she gave him ten years ago. The Quisez would be the only thing to stop this Darkness. He knew that Serenity was growing into power of the Silver Imperium Crystal, but was Endymion in any control of the Golden Crystal? Gaia had assumed awesome power over the Golden Crystal. She knew how to wield the power of Earth better than Selenity who was supreme Goddess over the entire Universe. He smiled as he praised his wife in his head. Most men would have issues knowing that their wife, their soul mate, and life long partner was the Great Mother of the Universe reincarnated. He knew he was bolstering her powers, but by the Goddess, the woman had rejuvenated the World after the Shadow Wars nearly raped the World of everything that was light and pure. ?Bee in the bonnet, or rather crown, Sire?? A pleasant voice teased him from behind. He slowly turned to see clouds disappearing to reveal the tall form of the Sailor Pluto. Apollo grinned and bowed gracefully to Setsuna as she stood in full Sailor regalia with Time Key to match. Setsuna dipped to one knee and modestly used what little skirt her fuku allowed to appear graceful and not harlot-esque. ?I am honored by this visit, Pluto,? Apollo called her by her mother planet. The daughter of immortal Chronos and the avatar of Pluto, Setsuna was indeed a wondrous mystery to him. ?It is a dual honor,? Setsuna rose to her full height that rivaled Apollo?s own six feet, ?You worry too much,? Apollo scoffed happily, ?How can I not? What father cannot worry over what his children are doing? Not lose sleep over miniscule worries or perhaps??Apollo stopped himself short as he noticed one eyebrow rise in small mockery. Apollo bit his lip and raised his shoulders, shrugging slightly. He had forgotten that Chronos had long ago left his only daughter to guard the Gates of Time. Clearly Setsuna found his faux paux a bit amusing. ?I long ago advised her Majesty to not worry over Serenity,? Setsuna stared at her Garnet Orb, ?She is destined for a great many things,? Apollo patiently waited till he saw she was not going to continue, ?All well and good, Madame, if we understood even an inkling of her powers and the destiny she was born for,? ?Sire, do I detect a touch of resentment?? Setsuna stopped staring at her Garnet Orb and turned her ruby eyes to gaze at the King. ?Do not purposely misunderstand me, Pluto,? Apollo?s voice took a bit of an authoritative tone. Sailor Pluto took the reprimand well and shifted her gaze downwards, ?I mean no ill will, Majesty. I am bound by the laws of my father. As much as I would like to alleviate your concerns over Serenity, I can only disclose so much,? Setsuna looked truly sorry. ?What CAN you tell me?? Apollo emphasized with a gesture of his right hand. ?That she will be more than ready for the responsibility resting on her shoulders. Have FAITH, dear King, in your daughter and your wife and the Goddess above us all. No harm will come to your daughter on the watch of us, her guardians,? Setsuna transferred her Time Key to her right hand, ?You have our word as Sailor Senshi. No harm shall come to the Princess or Endymion,? Setsuna?s body began to be covered in a dense fog. ?Wait! Endymion, tell me of Endymion!? Apollo called frantically, hoping to halt her process of leaving. ?The answer to your question is yes, he does have the power of the Golden Crystal within him,? Setsuna?s fading voice called across the distance of Time. Setsuna had left as quietly as she had appeared. Apollo stared at the spot where she had stood. He wondered if he should be more concerned or less worried now that Setsuna had spoken to him. He was about to ponder upon this some more when he heard a high pitched shriek followed by a loud yelp for help. Before he could turn his head he heard the beginnings of a scuffle followed by a heart skipping crash and more yelling and screaming. *Oh WHY did I agree to have ten children in my house?* Apollo said a little prayer as he ran towards what he hoped wasn?t the shattered sea coral orb from the King of Neptune seven generations back to the King of Earth passed to the Queen of Luna. Somehow he knew that he wouldn?t be that lucky: five teenage boys, five girls on the verge of teenage hood. He made a mental note to ask Artemis or Luna to cast a protection spell on all valuables. CRASH!!!!!!! ?WAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!? The unmistakable pitch of Sere?s cry hit him hard. ?You are SUCH a baby!? Endy retorted. ?Take that back!? Mina shouted. ?Oh please,? Apollo recognized the haughty tone of Jadeite. ?Why you!? Rei fired up. Apollo ran harder, roaring ?CHILDREN? as he bounded upstairs. ***************************************************************** ************************** Yay!! How was that? READ AND REVIEW!!! Aaeris17@yahoo.com You might be getting more chapters soon! More time on the hands after being broken up with?sniff sniff?at least I shall always have Endymion?. Send the love?