A SAILOR MOON SPECIAL : THE PATH TO DARKNESS-1 Disclaimer : All characters in this story are mine except for Prince Endymion, Metallia, Jedite, Queen Beryl and Lyreb, a bit. Most of Lyreb belong to me, the rest to Naoko Takeuchi. I'm not saying anything else, for it might be considered a spoiler. You have been warned. Author's note : This idea came from literally nowhere. I was out delivering newspapers one morning and suddenly it hit me. Path to darkness is a combination of five(5) fanfics, all separated into two(2) parts each. This is the first one. I don't know how this will be received. The Scouts are not the primary characters of this series. A few will appear, but they won't be primarily featured. I'm a bit worried that because of this people won't like it, but life is about risk. I hope you people enjoy it. Also, don't worry, I'll be continuing the other projects I'm working on as well. This is but ONE of the many things I have in mind. For you fanatical Moonies out there, the second part of this story takes place from about 16 years before Serena (or Usagi, whatever you prefer) is born, and goes to about a few months before she first becomes Sailor Moon. Confused ? It'll become clear. And actually the first part and the prologue takes place a very, very long time ago... PROLOGUE From a far away time and place... "Everything is ready to proceed, my Liege. ", said Jedite to his Queen. Beryl nodded. "Very well. Launch the attack on Earth. We'll strike the Moon Kingdom after that." Jedite acknowledged and disappeared. The Queen stayed silent a few moments, then rose from her throne. She wasn't really needed during the attack on Earth. It was going to fall pretty easily. Too bad she hadn't been able to convince the Prince Endymion to join her though. She would have loved to have him at her side along with his generals, whom she had so easily twisted to her side. But she would be needed on the moon. Queen Serenity would be much harder to defeat then the people on Earth. She had dreamed of this moment for so long. Beryl would reign supreme over all. None could stop her. "BERYL! Come to me at once." Beryl shuddered at the summon. No one could stop her but Metallia, of course. But she needed Metallia for the moment. And anyway, this was for her glory too. Beryl had been nothing else but a normal Earthling before Metallia approached her. She teletransported herself to the side of the physical body of Metallia. It was weak and old. Probably dying. But her energy-based body was much stronger. She was the one who would tip the balance of power to her side in the conflict on the moon. Without Metallia, she had no hope of winning. "What is it, my Empress?" The old, dying body of Metallia laid on a sumptuous bed somewhere in the upper floors of the stronghold. Beryl went to her knees in front of the bed. The breath of Metallia came out weak, and a definite wheezing sound could be heard. "How are things going?", asked the cracking voice. "As planned.", simply answered Beryl. "Good. Bring me to the Energy Chamber, so I can win this war." Beryl nodded, and slowly approached the elder woman. Her skin was dark, her eyes sunken in their sockets. The few hair she had left were tangled and white-gray. She was thinner than a toothpick and couldn't move without risking to break her bones. Beryl gently picked her up. She didn't say a word, and neither did Metallia. Beryl had much respect to this woman, whose energy form could easily destroy them all. She transported the Empress to a nearby chamber where a strange contraption awaited them. Beryl put Metallia in it, and the Empress closed her eyes. Metallia's body shook a little, then dark energy slowly centered itself above her head. It slowly took an humanoid form and orange eyes opened. "I am ready.", boomed the now loud voice. Beryl smiled. With Metallia at her side, they couldn't loose. "My Queen, we are ready to attack the Moon.", said a perfectly calm Jedite as he materialized beside her. He was a bit uneasy with Metallia, but it wasn't like he had much choice. "I will now join you.", said Metallia. "It is time to rid ourselves of that pathetic Moon Kingdom." Beryl and Jedite nodded. They both disappeared, and Metallia was left to herself. She grinned at the thought of conquest, and so did her human form. This was going to be a victory over the Moon Kingdom as well as a victory over the Queen's soul... Too bad she wouldn't realize that. **** The battle of the Moon Kingdom ended with the destruction of Metallia and with everyone being sent to the Future Earth. The body of Metallia was left to rot in its chamber. A SAILOR MOON SPECIAL : THE PATH TO DARKNESS-1 Disclaimer : All characters in this story are mine except for Prince Endymion, Metallia, Jedite, Queen Beryl and Lyreb, a bit. Most of Lyreb belong to me, the rest to Naoko Takeuchi. I'm not saying anything else, for it might be considered a spoiler. You have been warned. Author's note : This idea came from literally nowhere. I was out delivering newspapers one morning and suddenly it hit me. Path to darkness is a combination of five(5) fanfics, all separated into two(2) parts each. This is the first one. I don't know how this will be received. The Scouts are not the primary characters of this series. A few will appear, but they won't be primarily featured. I'm a bit worried that because of this people won't like it, but life is about risk. I hope you people enjoy it. Also, don't worry, I'll be continuing the other projects I'm working on as well. This is but ONE of the many things I have in mind. For you fanatical Moonies out there, the second part of this story takes place from about 16 years before Serena (or Usagi, whatever you prefer) is born, and goes to about a few months before she first becomes Sailor Moon. Confused ? It'll become clear. And actually the first part and the prologue takes place a very, very long time ago... THE PATH TO DARKNESS-1 PART 1 THE FIRST TIME AROUND... CHAPTER 1 FAMILY MATTERS: FRUSTRATIONS OF A TEENAGER Life is so UNFAIR!, thought 14 years-old Beryl Funtai as she slowly walked down the streets of her hometown, in the District of Endymion, on Earth. Here they were ruled by the supposedly gentle and fair King Endymion, but she was somewhat beginning to doubt the king had the qualities which were habitually affiliated with his name. She was coming back from a small servant meeting they had every month. Beryl was one of the few who had the so-called chance to be working at the Royal Palace. Not that she really cherished her post. In fact, she'd give a lot to be finally rid of it. Not only did she have to do EVERYTHING everyone there demanded, but she wasn't getting paid that much. Apparently times were bad. She stared at the moon, slowly beginning to shine in the day's approaching night. The Moon... It seemed so cold and distant, and yet from there ruled the Moon Royal family. They weren't even humans, and yet they were respected as the MASTERS of Earth. Queen Serenity and her husband, King Lunar. She looked in front of her again. Not only she wasn't getting paid enough, but they were talking about cutting their pay again. She was only 14! She shouldn't even be working. But she was, only because her stupid family was too poor to pay for themselves. She had to help. The money cuts were the cause of their more and more frequent servants meeting. They weren't many to attend these, because most servants were just pleased to be able to serve the Royal Endymion Family, and those didn't care about money. The ones who did care were few, and they were the ones attending these meetings. "Why should we work for free, anyway?", she said out loud to no one in particular. "These aren't the old days anymore." She reached her home and entered the small house, barely big enough to hold her 6-member family. She had two sisters, one brother and her mother and father in that house. Not that father was all that present anyway... "Beryl? Is that you dear?", asked her mother's voice from the kitchen. "Yeah, mom, it's me." A small child came out running of the kitchen, her arms extended, aiming straight for Beryl. She kneeled and grabbed the small girl in her arms, holding her dearly. She loved deeply her little sister. "And how are you today, Small Princess?" The small child grinned and thought about her words before carefully answering. "Good. Mom and me did food today." "Really? What did you cook, Sismeely?" The small girl signaled Beryl to put her back on the floor. As she touched ground, she started running for the kitchen and yelled as she ran. "Come see! Come see Be'yl. " Beryl put down her bag and headed for the kitchen. She walked in to see her mother slowly putting down a small bowl of soup on the table, probably for her. She looked questionably at her mother. "Darylia and Trined aren't back yet?" Freinalee, Beryl's mother, shook her head. Beryl sighed. Her two older siblings had no sense of responsibility. Always returning home at impossible hours and spending everything they had gained was no way to help the family. "You should lock the door one night.", darkly commented Beryl. "Now, the money they bring helps a bit. And they have the right to have some fun of their own. You should think about doing that a bit more too yourself." "You need the money more than I need it. What about dad? Where's he working this time?" "Garan is going to be on the moon for the next three days. He said he had business to do there." "Three DAYS? It better be worth something this time." Freinalee nodded. She went back to get another, smaller bowl of soup for Sismeely, as Beryl sat down at the table. She began eating. "How did the meeting go?", Freinalee asked as she took a bowl for herself. Sismeely sat down at her place on a smaller table, and began eating her soup loudly. Beryl smiled at the small child. She always brought a smile to her. Whatever she did, Sismeely always seemed to have fun and be happy. To Beryl, the child's happiness was the best thing in the world. "The King said he'd cut our salaries again. We met to find a way to stop him from doing that." "You shouldn't contradict our King's orders." "Mom, we need that money more than he does. He's already too rich. And now that the Prince is going to be born, he's going to receive so many gifts he won't know what to do with them anymore." "It's still wrong to go against him.", simply said Freinalee. Beryl let the subject drop. She knew she couldn't say anything about this her mother would agree with. They'd had this discussion already too many times before. She took out a small bag and gave it to her mother. "Here's what I've managed to get this week." Freinalee took it without saying anything. She was feeling bad enough having to take her daughter's money, she didn't need to add anything. "Thank you so much, Beryl. I'll pay you back one day, I promise." "It's not necessary mom, I do my part, as all of us should do..." Freinalee nodded her thanks again, and began eating. Sismeely finished eating her soup and came to sit in Beryl's lap. Beryl passed her hand through her sister's hair. Sismeely giggled. Freinalee smiled at the scene and rose to take back Sismeely's bowl. "I'm home!", came the voice of Trined from the entrance. Sismeely jumped off Beryl and exited the room, heading for the door. Beryl watched her leave. It was good to have such a joyful girl in the house. She reminded everyone of what was really important in a family. "T'ined, whe'e is Da'ilya?" "She is coming a little bit later, Sismeely. Right now she had something to do." Beryl, hearing the conversation, frowned. Her sister and she were going to have a little discussion when she returned. Whatever she was doing was bound to be trouble. Trined entered the kitchen. "You know, we have to get her to learn about "r"..." The look his sister gave him shut him up. Freinalee didn't say anything. She had interfered in these little discussions more than enough in her lifetime. She rose from her chair and went to her bedroom. Beryl rose to face Trined eye-to-eye. Even though she was younger than him by five years, she had attained his height very fast. She was going to be taller than him soon enough. "And where have you been?", she asked with an icy tone. Trined shrugged. "What's it to you? I go where I want when I want. I did my part as the oldest of us, and now I'm having fun." "You should be the most responsible among us, not me! And your part isn't over until you move out of here, or Sismeely stops looking up to you." Beryl's eyes locked themselves with her older brother's eyes. None of them could look away, because it would mean defeat. "I do my part Beryl. Here's my pay." He took out a small bag and put it on the table. "Besides, LITTLE sister, remember who's older here. And you, in no way, are my mother. I'll listen when mom comes to me and talks." He broke the gazing match to look at the closed parental bedroom door. He glared back at Beryl for a few seconds until a small voice interrupted. "Why you two fight?", asked Sismeely, holding a small doll she had received as a present from Beryl and Trined together. Beryl didn't have much money back then and had associated with Trined to buy Sismeely the doll. They both looked away from each other and Beryl kneeled to talk to Sismeely while Trined served himself a small bowl of soup. They both felt ashamed of fighting in front of their youngest sister. "We were not fighting, Sismeely, we were just talking.", explained Beryl to the confused young girl. True, it had been a tense discussion, but it couldn't have been called fighting, couldn't it? "If that t'ue, then hug!", declared Sismeely proudly, using her mother's way of ending a conflict. Whenever there was a fight, all you had to do was hug and everything would be all right. Trined and Beryl looked at each other. Could they do this for the sake of their little sister? Beryl rose. "I don't have time, Sismeely, I have to do some work. I will hug Beryl later, okay?" Without waiting for Sismeely's answer, Trined left the room. "I'm sorry, Sismeely.", Beryl said to her sister. Sismeely looked down, barely resisting the urge to cry. Beryl picked her up, and they spent the rest of the night playing with dolls in Sismeely's room. **** Darylia rapidly walked across the street, heading for the small house at the other side. It looked pretty much abandoned, but she knew someone was inside. She slowed down in front of the house, and slowly opened the front door. It opened easily, letting her in. "Madam, it is me, Darylia.", she called into the darkness, watching her mouth, knowing the one she was coming to meet was very fond of "correct" language. As usual, silence was her answer. Darylia sighed, and began lighting some candles which stood on a table near the entrance. These didn't help her see much, but it helped. It was more probable the lady was still sleeping, and if this was the case, she had to wait for her to wake up. Darylia hated coming here. Often, she felt like running out of the house the instant she stepped in. But she didn't. This was to help her family. She came here without telling anyone. This was her little secret. Everybody thought she was out having fun, and that she spent all her money there, but it wasn't the case. Although often she wished she could do that, she didn't. Her other job, the one she "officially" had, didn't really pay much. She used the money from that to go out... a little. It was barely enough to pay for a skating session on the lake. And anyway, considering her current familial situation, she didn't feel like doing it much. Because of her "new" job, her younger sister, Beryl, had lost her trust in her, she was never home to see her youngest sister, Sismeely, grow, her older brother didn't really care for her anymore, and her mother seemed to become more and more distant from them all. As for her father, he was never there anyway. "And what a GREAT help he'd be anyway...", she said, not realizing she was talking out loud. A small light opened in a room on one of the upper floor and she suddenly realized she had awakened her mistress. "Er... Mistress ?" No answer came for a while. "Mistress ?", she called again, more gently this time, to make sure she wouldn't hear if she were asleep. "Come to me child.", came the answer at last. Darylia sighed. She hated to be called child, but compared to her boss, that's what she was. She took a small bag from the stuff she had brought with her, and began climbing the stairs. She entered the small, darkened, corridor leading to the Mistress' room and entered. The old woman was sitting on her bed, a small candle was lit beside her on a small desk. She was writing something down. "I have brought you the herbs you asked for.", Darylia said, showing her the small bag. "Put it on the desk. Then go get me some water." Darylia nodded. This was normal. She was always asked to go get water every time she came. She put the small bag on the desk, then went out of the room to get some water. "Darylia child, please also bring me a small ribbon, so I can seal this letter." "Yes madam." She went downstairs again, and opened a small door leading to a fountain. She didn't know how come there was a fountain here, but she thought it very convenient. She went back to the room with a small ribbon and a bucket full of water. "Here is your ribbon and water, Mistress." "Good. Put the water beside me." Darylia put the bucket beside the old woman and handed her the ribbon. She took it and handed it to her. The old woman enrolled her small message and sealed it with a small black seal with an large M on it. She looked at Darylia. "Would you please give this to your sister so she can bring it to the King?" Darylia looked up. She had never mentioned her sister working near the King. How did she know ? Darylia uneasily nodded and took the message. As she did, she shivered, as small impression of cold passing through her arm. "Do not look so surprised, child. There is not much in this world I am not aware of." The old woman smiled at Darylia, and Darylia suddenly felt horror. She looked away, pretending to be going out of the room for business. "I will prepare something to eat." "Very well. I shall call you if I have need of anything." Again Darylia nodded and stepped out of the room. Walking through the small corridor again, holding the small message in her hand, she silently cursed the day she had heard the name Metallia. **** The sun rose upon the earth, but no one was looking at it in the Funtai home. In her room, Freinalee gazed from her window, silently praying for this day to be better than the last. Beside her room to the right was Beryl's room. She was already dressed and ready for work. She looked at the empty bed beside hers. Darylia hadn't come home yet again. She came out of the room. Sismeely was sleeping in a room at the left or her mother's room, and Trined's room was a bit farther down. She headed for the kitchen, where she took a small piece of bread. They didn't have much to eat these days, but bread was always present. She ate the piece of bread and was about the go when the front door opened. "Beryl ? Are you still here ?", came her older sister's voice. "Talk about a time to come home. I sure hope you had a good time last night.", Beryl said, letting some of the frustration she felt through. Darylia only sighed. She was used to this now. She walked in the kitchen and handed the small message to Beryl. "What's this?", she said, taking the message. A cold feeling passed through her, and for a moment she thought she let the message go, but the feeling passed. "A message to the King. Please get it to him. I'm sure you're close enough to do so..." "Are you crazy ! ? I could be fired. Besides, who's this from ? For all I know, one of your stupid friends wants to play a prank on the King, and I get blamed." "Trust me. This isn't a prank. Please sis." Beryl sighed. She placed the message in her backpack and put it on her back. "All right. But if..." "Don't worry, nothing will go wrong." With that, Darylia headed for her room, suddenly looking very tired and worn down. Beryl looked at her, wondering what she'd done the whole night to tire her so. She put on her shoes, then headed out, heading for the castle. Another day was beginning. End of Chapter One Chapter Two coming soon Featuring : The Contents of the Message, the Return of the Father, and The Birth of The Prince. A SAILOR MOON SPECIAL : THE PATH TO DARKNESS-1 Disclaimer : All characters in this story are mine except for Prince Endymion, Metallia, Jedite, Queen Beryl and Lyreb, a bit. Most of Lyreb belong to me, the rest to Naoko Takeuchi. I’m not saying anything else, for it might be considered a spoiler. You have been warned. Author’s note : This idea came from literally nowhere. I was out delivering newspapers one morning and suddenly it hit me. Path to darkness is a combination of five(5) fanfics, all separated into two(2) parts each. This is the first one. I don’t know how this will be received. The Scouts are not the primary characters of this series. A few will appear, but they won’t be primarily featured. I’m a bit worried that because of this people won’t like it, but life is about risk. I hope you people enjoy it. Also, don’t worry, I’ll be continuing the other projects I’m working on as well. This is but ONE of the many things I have in mind. For you fanatical Moonies out there, the second part of this story takes place from about 16 years before Serena (or Usagi, whatever you prefer) is born, and goes to about a few months before she first becomes Sailor Moon. Confused ? It’ll become clear. And actually the first part and the prologue takes place a very, very long time ago... THE PATH TO DARKNESS-1 PART 1 THE FIRST TIME AROUND... CHAPTER 2 : THE LETTER : WARNINGS OF A MENACE, BIRTH OF HOPE As she walked back to the castle, her sister’s letter in her backpack, Beryl wondered what was written on it. She had felt cold when she had touched it, and her sister Darylia had been really elusive about its contents. She only hoped it was important enough matters to interest the king, or she would receive serious reprimands for giving his Majesty something useless. But she had to trust her sister this time. Beryl reached the castle and entered through the servant’s door, on the side of the castle. She dressed up as she was obliged to, in a small white dress, which she personally hated, and headed off to the main hall. An audience was already in process. "But, my King, don’t you think we should do something about those lands?", asked a man. "No, these lands commemorate the battle of good against evil, and what we must all remember in order to make sure that another tragedy like the last one never happens again. If the Moon Kingdom hadn’t come to our help in that final battle against the witch that was Metallia, we might have all perished, and we certainly wouldn’t be discussing this.", answered the King. Silence had fell upon the room. Beryl smiled. This was a nice way to end a discussion. The Battle Lands, which farmers were trying to acquire because it seemed to have very rich grounds, had been a problem for over two weeks now. King Endymion had just solved it. She had to give him that. He knew how to handle almost any situation. The Lands would stay as they were, undamaged. The Battle of Darkness had ended about 2 years after she was born, but she still remembered the flash of the Silver Crystal which had ended it all. She didn’t know the details really well, but she knew that since then, Earth had become more or less dependant of the Moon Kingdom. Just because they had saved them from some old rebel who gained supernatural powers doesn’t mean they have to suddenly impose their royalty or their laws. Making sure the peace lasts, had said the Queen Serenity... "Beryl, at last you’re here!", came a voice behind her which broke her chain of thoughts. Beryl turned around to face her superior. Because of Beryl’s involvement in the servant comity, the two of them had a rather tense relationship. Neither of them thought much of the other. "I’m actually early, madam. I have a message for the King and I want to deliver it before my shift starts.", Beryl said. Her superior rose an eyebrow. "What kind of message ?", she asked. Shouldn’t have said that... Stupid move on my part... "A... personal... message, madam.", Beryl said, hoping that would stop her from investigating further. "Very well. Deliver your message then rejoin me in the hall." Beryl nodded and the other woman walked away. Well, that wasn’t too hard... Now for the King... She took a deep breath, and walked toward the King. He turned and faced her. "Yes ?", he asked her. "I have a message for you, my King. From a beggar in the street.", she said. Maybe this was a lie, but at least she wouldn’t be involved if it proved to be a prank... Which she more and more thought it was. The King seemed to shiver as he took the letter, then he slowly opened it. "Even the needs of a simple beggar are important to me.", he said, as if he was in the middle of an election campaign, when there still was such a thing. He ripped the small envelope open and some strange dark powder floated eerily to the floor, unnoticed by all save Beryl, who suddenly was scared she’d just done a grave error. King Endymion unfolded a small yellowed paper, and frowned as he began to read it. Beryl couldn’t say what was written on it yet, but, judging from the King’s expression, it seemed bad enough. He then looked at Beryl, and she suddenly felt a shiver down her back. He then looked at the letter again. Then at the crowd before him. This was bad. She could tell. “All right, everyone, this session is closed. For more questions, please come to tomorrow’s session, I will be pleased to do all I can then.”, he said, surprising everyone. King Endymion rose from his throne, and headed to his personal chambers. Beryl let go of a breath she hadn’t realized she had kept, then headed out to start on her daily duties. **** Darylia came out of the meeting room, and headed back to her home. She had been asked by Metallia to check out the King’s reaction to her letter, and now that she had seen it, well, she only had to remember it clearly until she reached Metallia’s house, later that day. For now, she was going to bed. Working all night had left her exhausted. **** King Endymion sat down on a small chair on his balcony, holding the small message he had just received. This was bad news. He read the message again. The writing style was old, but very well done. The way the letters were formed indicated that the writer was no simple beggar. I will need to have a talk with that girl… The message from the letter was simple enough. And clear too. DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE WON JUST YET It wasn’t signed, but he had a pretty good idea who this was from. His father had received a similar message, quite a few years ago, when he was only a young man, preparing for his army training. His father, the King back then, hadn’t taken it seriously. He had paid the ultimate price. Now he was receiving the same thing. But this, as his servant had said, came from a beggar. It could even be about some other matter, not necessarily anything to do with that war. Well, great, because he didn’t need that right now. He had enough problems with ‘rebellious’ servants as he could have ever wanted. This was the last thing he needed. But I still want to have a talk with that girl… **** Beryl finished her morning duties and headed for the small servant’s lounge, where they could eat their lunch peacefully, but was stopped at the entrance by one of the castle’s guards. “What is it?”, she asked them. “The King wants to speak to you.”, they simply answered, starting to gather around her to bring her to the King. Mumbling something about knowing this was going to happen, she followed. She was led through the familiar hallways leading to the King’s private chambers, and then told to wait in front of the doors. While waiting, she began to plot her strategy. I’m going to stick with my beggar story. He has no way of knowing where I got that letter anyway… Darylia, what have you gotten me into now? What was written in that letter anyway? I guess I’ll know soon enough… The guards returned and she was again led inside. Breathing deeply, she stepped in the room. King Endymion was sitting behind a small desk, in front of a small window overlooking the city. He indicated for the guards to go and her to sit in the chair in front of the desk. She did so hesitantly. “Well, I assume you know why you are here?”, the King asked, looking directly into her eyes. “I don’t suppose this is about the salary cuts, right?”, she responded, returning the King’s gaze. “No. I want to know just where you got that letter you gave me this morning.”, he stated coldly, not amused at all by this young servant. “As I told you this morning, My King, this was given to me by a beggar on the street, on my way here. A very ugly one at that. Wearing rags on main street.”, she said, giving false details to improve her credibility. “And where did that beggar go after that?”, the King questioned. “I don’t know, my Lord. I started on my way after he gave it to me, and when I turned around to ask him just what was in the letter, he was gone.” “You’re positive he was male?”, he inquired. “Hard to say, my King. His or her body was hidden by multiple rags, and so was his or her face. I couldn’t tell, even by his or her voice.”, she responded as vaguely as possible. “Very well, you may leave.” She rose and headed for the door, but, before leaving, turned around and faced the King. “May I at least know what was in that letter, my Liege?”, she hoped to know. “I’m afraid that’s confidential, my dear.”, he said, smiling at her in a manner that almost drove her mad in anger. She smiled at him in almost the same manner, then left the room. Well, that went well., she thought as she left. **** The next three months were mostly uneventful. Darylia kept working late nights, and Beryl kept working during the days, bringing home most of their pays. Beryl never faced her about the letter, in fact, they barely saw each other, as Beryl always left for work as Darylia returned, and came home when Darylia had already left. She always kept thinking that Darylia was going out for fun, never learning what Darylia was really up to. Darylia herself didn’t talk much to the other members of the family. The cuts in salary brought by the King took place, despite all the protests, and the family became even poorer. Trined became even more distant from the Funtai house, as he started going more and more out with his friends. It came as no surprise when he didn’t show up for a week. As for Garan, he went to more of his trips to the moon, and Beryl began to think he had a more “personal” reason for his travels. Freinalee continued to raise Sismeely in her home, but Freinalee apparently was losing interest in her family, as she more and more retreated to her room. Sismeely suffered the most in all of this. Often left on her own, she learned to do things no girl her age should have to do. This resulted in a lost of her innocence… And in the Moon Kingdom, a small resistance group called the Human Resistance Group has begun random terrorist bombings, resulting in a lot of material damage, but in very few casualties. The Royal Family, Lunar and Serenity, have taken very few steps in these matters yet, concentrating more on the alliances with the other planets of the Solar System, as well as some other systems alliance. **** “Sismeely?”, called Beryl before going out the front door. The little girl came out of the kitchen with a small glass of water in her hands and a small apron put on. Her “cooking” apron, which recently she had to put on more often that Beryl would like her to. “You’e going to be late again, if you don’t hu’y up, Be’yl.”, she said, smiling at her older sister. Beryl marveled at the beauty of her little sister’s eyes, and couldn’t help but smile at her. “Don’t worry about it, pumpkin, I’m not going to be late. Did you know little Prince Endymion is going to be born today?”, she asked Sismeely. Sismeely’s eyes opened wide in wonder. “OH! Do you think I will get to meet him one day?”, Sismeely asked, overjoyed at the idea of meeting the King’s small baby. Beryl brushed Sismeely’s hair with her hand and kneeled to be at her level. “I promise to you I will do everything in my power to arrange a meeting between the two of you.”, she said, knowing that everything in her power wasn’t much, but that it would have to do. Sismeely smiled and hugged her older sister. “Thank you, Be’yl.”, she said with a small voice. “You’re my sister, what else could I do?” With that she rose and left for work, leaving behind a very excited Sismeely, and a very tired Freinalee, still in bed. In a few minutes she knew Darylia would return, but she didn’t have the time to wait for her. The Queen could have her baby at any moment, and, as one of the Queen’s personal servants, she had to be there as soon as possible. She ran to the palace. **** “Darylia, dear, before you leave, remember to take that package to the messenger’s office.”, came the old, broken voice from the upper floor room. “No, my Lady, I will take care of it as soon as I leave.”, she responded, the same thing she had repeated for at least the tenth time now. “Very well, child, be on your way then.”, came the reply. Darylia sighed and went outside, glad to be free at long last. She was tired and was heading home as soon as she could, but first she had to mail that package. With it under her arm, she headed for the messenger’s office. **** Beryl reached the castle’s servant door at least an hour earlier than she usually did. She entered the door and headed for the dressing room, as usual, and changed. Then she reached the Queen’s bedroom, and everything became very unusual. “Beryl! About time you got here! The Queen is having her baby NOW!”, came a shout from somewhere. There were so many people in confusion here that she just couldn’t tell who had said that. “What do I have to do?”, she shouted out loud while making her way to the Queen’s bed. Queen Solinia laid in her bed, her face distorted by pain and happiness at the same time. A very strange mix. Someone grabbed Beryl’s shoulder and turned her around. “Are you one of the Queen’s personal servants?”, asked an old woman standing in front of her. “Yes, I am.”, she simply responded. The woman looked at her up and down, then nodded. “Very well. Wait here a moment.”, she said. The older woman then looked around her and shouted. “All right, everyone OUT! I have found my three assistants, all the others must leave NOW!” In record time, everyone left and the room was left silent except for the moans of pain coming from the Queen. Beryl stared as the two other assistants began helping the elder servant as she began to work on the birth of their Prince, and their Future King. Beryl watched them for a few moments. “Hum, what should I do ?“, she finally asked. The two servants ignored her, but the elder woman stopped ordering the Queen to push and breathe to turn to her. “You just wait right there.“, she simply said. Beryl, not really understanding her purpose here, nodded and waited, watching the childbirth in progress. It lasted about thirty minutes. The Queen seemed to be in much pain, and Beryl silently promised to herself never to have any children. When the little baby finally came out, blood everywhere on its small body, the older woman sent one servant to fetch the King, and the other to find and bring back a small towel to put the baby in. Should have thought of that before... The older woman turned to Beryl and gestured to her to come here. Beryl approached, wondering what she would have to do now that it was all over. “Here, child, hold him while I tend to the Queen.“, she said, and she placed the baby in Beryl’s arms. Beryl looked down at it in wonder. Here she was holding the future of the Kingdom in her arms. If she did something wrong, anything, it would be catastrophic. Beryl looked in the baby’s innocent eyes, and it looked back with his blue eyes. “Well, I don’t know what’s in the future for both of us, but I have a feeling I’ll hear quite a lot of you.“, Beryl said. The baby, unexpectedly, didn’t cry. He just stared back. **** Metallia woke up from her trance and looked in front of her. A truth suddenly came to her mind. The Endymion child is born. Her eyes closed again. The package she had sent Darylia to deliver was already on its way. A smile appeared on her face among the wrinkles. This meant she could now concentrate on finding the right person... **** Garan came home one evening later that day. He looked exhausted and worn out, as he stood there in the door frame, looking at Beryl and Sismeely as they played together with a few of Sismeely’s dolls. The two girls looked up as the door opened. Both Beryl and Sismeely were stunned for a few seconds, but Sismeely reacted first. “DADDY, “ shouted the young girl as she rose and sprinted across the room to jump in her father’s arms. Garan accepted her gladly and they both shared a loving hug. At the sound of the commotion, Freinalee came out of her room and stared at her husband for a few seconds herself. Then, tears of fatigue slowly sliding from her eyes, she ran and kissed her husband, nearly crushing Sismeely, who slid off her father’s arms to avoid being crushed seconds before her mother reached him. He had been gone for three weeks now. "Now", he said, releasing her mother, "how are things going around here ? Where are Trined and Darylia ?" "If you’d been around here more, you’d know they rarely come home anymore", Beryl stated. Garan stared at his daughter. She stared with just about the same amount of intensity. No need to say she was mad at him. His absence was one of the reasons this home was falling apart. "You know I have business on the Moon, Beryl. I have no choice but to go there if we want some money," he said, smiling. Beryl saw right through his smile. This wasn’t the reason he kept going to the Moon. She knew he was lying. But she remained silent and looked away. No need to confront him about this in front of her mother. She looked so happy to have him back. So did Sismeely. Beryl rose and returned to her room. It was still early but she had to get some sleep. Tomorrow she had a day off. The first one in five months. Which meant it was time to find out just what Trined and Darylia were up to. NEXT : Beryl confronts Darylia, Beryl confronts Garan, Beryl meets Metallia, Trined in trouble, and the pain of babysitting a prince.