Chapter Nine - The Star Guardians
Moon
Royal Gardens, Moon Palace
Moon Kingdom
'If there's a way that you could be everything you wanted to be
Would you complain that it came too easy?'
exert from the song: 'Violet'
by Savage Garden (Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones)
Alanda stared down at the grass under her feet and steeled herself
before she glanced upwards to the sky. It still shook her slightly to
see the Earth - huge and beautiful - hanging in the sky. It shook her
to see ANYTHING other than the familiar stars and moon in the sky.
She'd always tried to be open minded, ready to accept differences in
everybody. It wasn't pleasant to realize she was so iron-bound to
normal, everyday things.
*And yet, here I am.* she thought, *On the Moon, staring up at the
Earth, listening to music that originated from Pluto and Jupiter being
played by musicans who were born on Venus, Mars and Neptune.* she shook
her head as she walked on in the gardens, enjoying the feel of the long
silk skirt dragging around her legs.
Of all the things that made her sit up in the morning and stare at
herself in the mirror, it was the fact that here - in this different
dimension or dream - *It's too unreal to be real, and yet - if it was.
. .* - she was thin, and tall. One of the elite of the elite. A
Sailor Scout that belonged to BOTH the Queen and Princess's Inner
Courts. Every morning, she had to remind herself that the person
staring at her from the mirror was herself and not somebody else.
Alanda drifted over to a fountain, spraying water upwards into the air.
She stared down at her distorted reflection. A tall girl stared back
from the water, dressed in a long, red dress that didn't so much *cling*
as it did fall over curves she KNEW she didn't have. *Oh, I guess I DID
have curves, they were just hidden underneath all the FAT is all.*
Alanda thought dryly. The girl in the water's hair was short and black,
one of the few things that was the same as Alanda's REAL body - except
for the white lock of hair in the long curve of her fringe. The maid
that had helped her dress for this ball had plaited the white hairs so
that it stood out against the darkness. *I always complained of having
the weak gene that meant white hair at a young age, in our family -
maybe I should try doing this with the white hairs when I go back.*
Alanda thought, reaching up to touch the braid, *IF I ever go back.*
She'd be truthfull. She didn't particularly want to go back.
*Here, I'm thin, beautiful, and special. Why go back to being fat,
square Alanda Tan of the glasses and only person to read books at recess
and lunch?* But something in her cringed from taking the coward's way
out. She knew she should go back. She hadn't earned the beautiful body
she was in, or the powers that she supposedly held. She hadn't earned
anything that she had here. And yet. . . it was so EASY to forget
her old life, and the old Alanda. It was easier still to become this
Sailor Earth, savior of Princess Serenity and her Inner Court. So easy.
*But, in the depths of the night, will I wake up and feel as if I was a
fake, an actor? For I have not earned what is given here. It is as if I
was an angel in Heaven while not being good on earth, or had reached
Nirvana by default.* Arnold Graham had said that from 'The Golden
Sword', and Alanda hadn't understood that till now.
*But what harm can there be in enjoying the moment?* Alanda thought
wistfully as she turned away from the fountain's reflections and sat
down on the benches that encircled the fountain. In silence, she
watched the water shoot upwards, sparkling as the lamps strung around
the gardens shone through the spray.
"What? A beautiful maiden seating alone on this night of all
nights?" a deep voice said near her ear.
Alanda jumped as a young man with dark red hair falling back in waves
from his shoulders took her hand and brushed his lips over them.
"Really, Nephrite - what would Lady Armira say?" a second male
appeared - this one shorter, with blonde hair and laughing blue eyes.
He took her other hand and kissed it, "My lady - permit me to introduce
myself. Lord Jadeite of Earth at your beautiful service." He said
courteously.
"You two are disgusting!" a female voice said this time, and a young
girl with ash-grey hair stepped out. For several seconds, Alanda
thought she might be an old woman, but then she realized that in a
universe where hair could be green and blue, why not grey? "Hello, my
name is Zoisite." She said, smiling, "I hope you don't mind us
intruding on your peace, but this is where we're suppose to meet our
Prince." She explained politely with a friendly grin.
"Your prince?" Alanda asked, curious.
"Prince Darian Endymion - he's the Earth's representative at the Moon
Court. At least he was till Earth's Guardian was found." Zoisite
looked around excitedly, "Do you think Darian will bring the Sensei
Earth with him?" she glanced at Alanda, "Have you met her by the way?
They say she saved Princess Serenity and the Sailor Scouts only three
days ago with a Earth Stone from a different time!"
"I think you're boring the Lady with our enthusiasmn, Zoi." A third
male said as he appeared, "Greetings, milady. Lord Malachite at your
service." He introduced himself as he bowed, then turned to kiss
Zoisite, "Sorry I'm late, the Portal sent me to another garden by
mistake." he said quickly, "Is Darian here yet?" Malachite asked.
"No - I talked to the Healers, they said that his life-levels are
still slightly lower than normal. He's still suffering from the
collapsed trying to save the Princess by using the Earth Stone."
Jadeite said, a frown touching his handsome face, "He's alive, but
Sensei Jupiter said that he only just woke up today."
Alanda listed to all of this avidly - the Sensei and Queen Serenity had
been too busy calming the rumours and gossip at Court about what had
happened to spend a lot of time talking to her.
"Have any of you seen the Sensei of Life?" Malachite asked as he
slid onto a bench, pulling Zoisite into his lap.
"Nope." Nephrite shook his head.
"She slipped away early in the ball." Jadeite said with a sigh,
"She's supposed to be extremely beautiful."
"I don't think you'll stand a chance with a Sensei, Jadeite."
Zoisite said, "You're only a lord of Earth."
"I AM a Star Guardian as well." Jadeite said, looking insulted.
"We ALL are, Jadeite. But with Sensei Earth reclaiming her heritage,
the Earth Star Guardians aren't needed anymore." Malachite reminded
Jadeite.
Alanda frowned, "Earth Star Guardians?" she said, *I haven't heard that
title before.*
Zoisite stared at her curiously, "You must be new at Court. We are the
Earth Star Guardians - or we use to be. With Lady Gaia, the last Sensei
Earth being gone so long before her succesor arrived here, Earth needed
some Guardians to make sure nothing truly terrible happens - like the
Amazon Queen war." Zoisite shuddered.
"Surely we don't need to bore milady with such horrible history."
Jadeite said, for a brief instant, the care free look in his eyes
darkening, then he grinned, "In any case, how can anybody remember the
ugliness of war when such a beautiful lady as yourself is here to remind
us of why we fought?" Jadeite said
Zoisite rolled her eyes, making an exasperated sound and muttering
something that sounded suspiciously like, "Guess where HIS brain is
currently."
Jadeite ignored her and took Alanda's hand with another smile as he bent
over it, "As I said before, milady - " he paused, surprise flickering
over his face, "My manners betray me again - I'm afraid I don't know
your name, though you know mine?"
*He's FLIRTING with me!* Alanda realized, thanking God she didn't blush
easily, *Oh my GOD! A handsome guy is FLIRTING with me.* She forced
herself to continue breathing, "Alanda."
"A beautiful name for a beautiful lady." Jadeite said, smiling at
her.
Nephrite glanced up and bowed, "Darian! Finally - you're late." He
said.
"Sorry, I was looking for Sensei Earth." a new voice said.
Alanda glanced up to see Prince Darian. She'd been introduced to him
briefly as she had with all the ambassadors from the Nine Planets at the
start of the ball.
Darian Endymion glanced around the circle, and Alanda shifted
further back into the back ground, hoping he wouldn't see her.
"Malachite, Zoisite, Jadeite, Nephrite." Darian nodded, "Good, we're
all here. I'm sorry I couldn't find Sensei Earth." he slumped onto a
bench, "We have a lot to thank her for, you realize." He said, his dark
blue eyes worried, "But for some reason, I believe I insulted her.
She's avoided me all evening." He frowned then, "Jadeite, who is the
lady with you?" he asked.
Nephrite answered for Jadeite, smiling, "Milady Alanda, his highness,
Prince Darian."
Jadeite glared at Darian, "And no using those playboy methods on her,
THIS lady is meant for more than to be used by you, my Prince." He
said.
Darian looked suprised and slightly stunned, his eyes widening at
Jadeite's words, "Since when have *I* been a play -" he paused and a
grin spread on his face though he still look rather tired and sad,
"Trying to impress a lady, Jadeite? Watch it, we could all spread tales
about the residential lover." He laughed.
"In any case, Darian is chasing after another elusive lady."
Nephrite laughed.
Darian flushed then looked up, "Milady Alanda, it is a pleasure." He
said politely, reaching forward to take her hand when he froze.
Without ado, he bent down onto one knee, "Sensei Earth." he said,
bending his head, "It is an honor." He said.
"You are the Sensei Earth?" Nephrite yelped, and dropped down to one
knee quickly.
Alanda looked around uneasily, all the Star Guardians were kneeling now
- in her stories, she'd had warriors and princes bow and kneel to her
heroine, but she'd never realized how uncomfortable it was. "Please -
don't kneel." She said.
They stood up slowly.
"I'm sorry -" Jadeite began.
Alanda shook her head, "Don't worry about it." She said, smiling, "It
was new to be flirted with by a handsome man - they rarely notice a
nobody like me."
Jadeite stared at her, stunned, "Only if they were blind and stark dumb,
milady - I mean, Sensei Earth." he stumbled and started again, "I'm
sorry I didn't realize who you were - but you weren't wearing -" he
began.
Alanda touched the stone, willing herself to change. Jadeite jumped
back in surprise, and Alanda knew that she was in the uniform Sailor
Earth wore again.
Everything was so EASY to do - it was exactly the way a dream would be.
You thought it and it happened.
"Sensei." Jadeite murmered, bowing his head, "I meant no insult."
He added reverently.
Alanda felt her cheeks start to flush - she'd been paid respect before.
As a smart student, a straight A pupil, a winner of this or that - but
not like this!
"Please, just call me Alanda." She pleaded and searched her brain
for a different subject, "Can you tell me why the - is it Inner Court? -
of the Princess are called Scouts where as I'm a Sensei?" she asked a
question that had been bugging her for a while.
Darian was the first to look up - he saw her acute emberrasement and
symphaty radiated from him as he stood up slowly, "The Inner Court of
Queen Serenity are known as the Sailor Sensei, to distinquish them from
the Inner Court of the Princess Serenity." He explained in the solemn,
quiet voice of his, "The Senseis are the teachers of the Sailor Scouts.
You are the only Sailor Earth therefor you are the teacher. It is an
honorific." He said, then he looked at her, his blue eyes glowing
slightly, "You have my eternal gratitude, Sensei Earth for saving
Princess Serena and the Sailor Scouts." He drew his sword and bent down
on one knee, balancing the sword on the palms of his hands as he offered
it to her, "If ever - EVER - you have need of help or anything at all,
you need only ask, and I shall break all vows, all oaths and all ties to
fulfil this promise." He said solemnly.
Alanda stared down at the Prince, feeling a blush burning on her cheeks.
How many times had she writen about one of the heroes in her stories
doing something like this? How many times had she had the heroine accept
the promise and the sword gracefully?
*I never knew it could be like this - emberrasing. . . and touching at
the same time. And he REALLY means it. He really means it - honor
exists here. Honor, and justice and truth truly DOES mean something
here. You are judged on your merit and what you have done and not what
you look like.*
And God help her, this was what she'd dreamed of all her life. A place
where what she was LIKE instead of what she LOOKED like would be judged.
Where she would be treated with respect instead of taunts. Where she
could be good without being jeered at. Where she could be kind without
being 'uncool'. Where she could be the way all her heroines were -
beautiful inside AND outside.
Where it made a DIFFERENCE whether she was alive or not.
*And wouldn't you know it, but I didn't do anything to deserve it. I
was given a beautiful body, probably chucked out the soul it actually
belongs to. I didn't work for anything that's being given to me. I
imagine I spoke to somebody in my head and I healed the Princess and her
Inner Court. I willed for something to happen, and I get it.*
It was all a dream. A WONDERFUL, beautiful place and time, but a dream
none the less.
But if it was a dream. . . *I never, NEVER want to wake up.*
Alanda blinked and realized that Prince Darian was still kneeling,
sword on his palms. Gingerly, she took the hilt of the sword, holding
it before her, the steel tip several inches off the ground.
Darian looked up, and Alanda felt a shiver run down her back as she
realized that he was barring his throat to her - she'd read many stories
where that when a warrior gave his sword to another, he was also giving
the other person the right to kill him or save him.
*He really means it. He'd break his oath, vows and ties if I so much as
asked him.* she thought, *Will I ever be brave enough to do something
like that? Will anything mean so much to me that I'd DO something like
that? Would my vows, oaths and ties ever be so important that swearing
an oath like this be monumental?*
"I thank thee for thy promise, Prince of Earth, and it is with
greatest honor that I accept it." Alanda said solemnly, dropping self-
conciously into the old English she'd learned from reading and writing
fantasy. With a flourish, she switched the sword around so she could
give it back to him, "Rise please."
Darian flushed and bent his head once before standing and taking the
sword, sheathing in one smooth motion, "Thank you." He said, "You
shan't regret accepting my promise, Sensei." He said solemnly.
"I never thought I would." Alanda replied with a smile.
The Earth Star Guardians who had been standing silently through the
entire ceremony cheered, gathering around Alanda and Darian.
"You do know that with Darian's oath, you have ours as well, don't
you?" Jadeite whispered in her ear.
Alanda stared at him, "What?"
"We're the Earth Star Guardians, and Darian is our leader. If you
ever need our help, we will do anything within our power - and if
possible, beyond it - to keep that promise." Nephrite said, over
hearing, "It's a geis of sorts." He added.
Alanda nodded, feeling uncomfortable, "I'm intruding on your meeting."
She said finally, "And I'd like to see the rest of the Moon Palace
before I -" she broke off, not wanting to admit that this dream, like
all others, would end. "See you." She said, forcing a smile as she
moved to walk away.
"Milady - Sensei Earth?" Jadeite touched her shoulder, "Would you
permit me to show you around the Palace?" he asked.
Alanda blinked - *Okay, a handsome guy just asked ME whether I MIND if
he shows me around.* she shook herself inwardly and forced a steady
smile and voice, "No, not at all - if it is alright with your prince."
She said.
Jadeite stared at Darian and the other Earth Star Guardians pleadingly.
Darian flashed a smile, his dark blue eyes shining with humour as his
entire face changed, Alanda could see the Prince was definitely a true
heart breaker. *Whoever he's chasing must be playing hard to get.*
"There's no need for a meeting now that we have met you, Sensei."
Darian said, "The job of the Star Guardians and my own as Guardian of
the Earth Stone finished the second you took up your duties." He
grinned, "If you don't mind having to listen to Jadeite's flirting with
you continously through out the evening, you are welcome to his
company."
"Yeah, save us the trouble of having to shut him up!" Nephrite
quipped.
*I wish I could stay in this world forever.* Alanda thought sadly, *But
how long before I wake up in front of my computer? Just plain, ordinary
Alanda Tan, youngest daughter in a family of six?*
"Then shall we go?" she asked with a smile up at Jadeite.
"At your wish, milady Sensei." Jadeite replied, smiling back.
"Why do you look so sad?" Jadeite asked softly.
Alanda blinked. It was three nights later, and Jadeite had appeared at
her door to invite her walking like he did every night. They'd been
walking in silence for a while, drifting through the lantern lit Royal
Gardens. Fountains sprayed their water high into the sky, filling the
air with a strange, dreamy quality.
"Pardon?" she asked.
"Why do you look so sad?" Jadeite repeated drawing her to one of the
benches littered around the gardens.
"What do you mean?" Alanda asked, frowning - she'd been thinking,
not even sad ones at that, just about home and her friends. Wondering
what they'd think of her if she told them of her dream.
"You had a look in your eyes. Like you were scared of what somebody
would say, or you had to hold on to the moment because you had to leave
soon." Jadeite said.
Alanda stared at him, he had summarized most of what was drifting through her head.
"I was thinking of my home." Alanda said finally.
"Earth?" Jadeite frowned in confusion, "Are you home sick, Lady
Alanda?" he stared up at Earth, "The Moon Palace is very beautiful, but
I must admit I couldn't stay here for very long before I began to miss
the green and brown of Earth - especially my Castle there." he grinned
self conciously, "Would you like to see it some day?" he asked - Alanda
knew that this wasn't one of the many times where he was flirting with
her.
Jadeite was a duke on Earth and he took his duties to those people under
his ruling seriously. Alanda wasn't sure whether Jadeite showed that
feeling for his duty to anybody other than the other Earth Star
Guardians and herself - the rumours that she had heard the courtiers at
the Court gossip freely about portrayed Jadeite as a cheerful, flirting
and flattering Romeo, but she had a feeling that Jadeite was no such
thing. Of all the Earth Star Guardians, she could talk most freely with
Jadeite - actually show him parts of herself she'd never dared show to
any other person. Sometimes it even felt as if Jadeite loved her - not
as man to woman, but brother to sister, or even friend to friend.
Though she was probably wrong.
*But it's MY dream and I can feel what I like!*
Alanda realized that Jadeite was still waiting for an answer, and
shrugged, "No. I'm not home sick." She admitted, "If I had it my way,
I would never return back home. But I don't deserve this life." She
murmered.
Jadeite frowned harder, "How COULDN'T you miss being on Earth?" he
asked, his eyes filling with memories, "The life and energy that's every
where, the beauty, the clear air. . . The hustle of the cities and
the peace of the forests, jungles and mountains. The coldest mountains
where your breath comes out in puffs, and the steamy tropics where the
cure for any illness can be found." He laughed suddenly, "Listen to me
talk! I sound like I'm a travel brochure for Earth."
Alanda smiled as well, "I'd like to see *your* world one day Jadeite, my
world is slightly different." She said, "There isn't so much green and
blue as there is brown. The seas might be beautiful, but half of them
are constantly in danger of being polluted." She spoke slowly, "The
rain forests are being chopped down, and most of the cures you talk
about don't exist anymore. The cities are filled with noise and the air
is sometimes so thick you can barely breath, and in the cities, at
night, you can barely see the sky for the neon lights. There's no life
on any of the other planets -"
"What? No people on Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Pluto, Uranus and
Jupiter?"
"No people other than on Earth." Alanda confirmed.
"Your world sounds dreadful."
"It is sometimes." Alanda agreed, "And other times, when some of the
people - those who make a difference - gather together and they do
something monumental. Like the Christmas Benefit that raises a million
dollars to build a shelter for the orphans. Or the 40 Hour Famine to
feed the hungry in Africa."
"You don't make sense." Jadeite said, confused, "Why feed the hungry
in Africa when they have enough food to feed a million people? And why
shelter the orphans when families are willing to take them in?"
Alanda stared at him for a second, then up at the glowing Earth, she
sighed, "You're not making the fact that I've got to leave this place
some day any easier for me, Jadeite." She said finally, "You make this
place sound like paradise. No hungry, no orphans - I bet there's no
poor or weak either. Like the perfect Ethopia."
Jadeite shook his head, grimacing, "If that there WAS a place like that,
little one." he said, "No matter how hard we all work, I doubt that
there will ever be such a paradise. We have our poor and our sick and
weak as well, milady. But there's enough food for everybody - Earth
HERSELF makes sure of that. Even on this Earth you say you come from,
She would make sure that there was enough to feed all, what of the
Sensatives? The mages who control the magic and power and energy?"
"There's no such thing as mages - there's no such thing as magic."
Alanda said shortly, "I can't remember how many times I wished there was
magic, but there isn't. Unless you mean the 'magic of innocence and
hope and belief'. That's the only thing that really exists that's close
to magic." She said dryly, "The very fact that it can exist in my world
is close to magical. The only true power belongs to the presidents,
kings and politicans of the countries. Energy - even energy is hard to
find sometimes. Certainly those with the most energy are those who make
a difference. The Special Ones." She capitalized the last two words.
"I bet you're one of those who make a difference. One of the Special
Ones." Jadeite said immediately.
Alanda felt herself grow warm at his compliment, "No. I'm just ordinary
back home. That's why I wish I could stay here." She glanced around at
the beautiful gardens, "This place - the Moon Kingdom is everything I
could wish for. Truth, Honor and Justice means a lot more here than it
does back home. I'm SOMEONE here." She said.
"I bet you're someone back at your home as well." Jadeite insisted,
"You are the Sensei Earth. You HAVE to be special." he said.
Alanda laughed, "I go to an ordinary school where I'm a major square - a
geek, a nerd. You know, disliked because I'm smart and have nothing
else to do but bring in good marks." She explained at his
incomprehending look, "I'm fat and ugly -"
"You could never be ugly." Jadeite said loyally.
Alanda bit back a grimace, "You know, I'm not sure whether you actually
mean it or you're just flirting Jadeite. Anybody can tell that you
don't really feel any love for me, you know." She said wryly.
"What do you mean? Why do you think I can't love you?" Jadeite
asked, his blue eyes worried.
Alanda laughed slightly, "I don't know. *I* can tell you don't love me.
And I don't love you either. But you DO love somebody. Like your
Prince Darian loves a somebody. Who is she, Jadeite?" she pressed,
"This woman who's got your heart so firmly?"
Jadeite went bright red, much to Alanda's amazement, and he stared at
his hands as if he'd just noticed them, "Mina." He said finally,
breathing her name out in a sigh, "Sailor Venus, the Scout of Love and
Guardian of the Planet Venus." He said finally, "But she's also a
Sailor Scout and has half the courtiers chasing after her." He added
sadly, "I asked her to dance once, and she turned away as if I were
nothing - I AM nothing, compared to her. She is -" he trailed off, a
sad, awe filled look in his eyes "She's incredible, Alanda - somebody
who'd never even look at me twice." He said finally.
"When Sailor Venus wakes up, why don't you ask her for a dance?"
Alanda suggested, "You've built yourself quite a reputation as a heart-
breaker at court, maybe Mina doesn't want to be hurt."
Jadeite blinked, "She couldn't think that *I* would turn somebody like
HER down, could she?" he asked incredously, "She's everything that I'd
ever want - beautiful, smart, pretty, incredible -" he trailed off
sheepishly, "How did we get onto me? We were talking about you."
Alanda shrugged, "I wanted to know who you loved. You're a great guy,
Jadeite. Who knows? Mina might like you as much as you - VERY obviously
- like her, maybe if you proved that your love is real, she'll trust
you." She said.
Jadeite nodded, "Your friends must really value your friendship." He
said, "I don't even dare tell Malachite, Zoisite, Darian and Nephrite
because they might have let it slip to Mina, but I trust you."
"My friends think I'm hopeless and weird." Alanda replied, "Those
few I have."
"Weird?"
"You know - strange, different in a bad way. Hopeless, a butt-
kisser, a tagger-on. If there's something where two people are needed,
they only go with me if there's no other choice." Alanda replied
shortly.
"Sounds to me as if they're not really friends." Jadeite said,
"Friends should be there for their friends, not make them feel as if
they're nothing."
Alanda shrugged, "They're the only ones I have. Nobody else wants to
hang around the weirdo of year 10."
"Then they're not friends at all." Jadeite said, "If they make you
feel worthless and horrible. If thinking about them makes you feel sad,
then they're not worthy of your attention. Sounds to me as if they're
picking on you to make themselves feel better."
Alanda shrugged, "Maybe, but they're just human. It's the pecking
order." She said, repeating the excuse she'd repeated so many times
when they'd teased her and she'd shrivelled up inside.
"There's no pecking order if they're true friends." Jadeite
insisted, "Friends like that anybody can do without."
***
"Is everything ready?" the bodiless voice demanded.
Beryl nodded, "The portal is up. We shall convert the leader of the
Earth Star Guardians first - this Jadeite. Then HIS leader, the General
of the Earth Armies - their Prince. And after that, the rest of their
puny command group - the Earth Star Guardians Zoisite, Malachite and
Nephrite. After that, the minds of the people of Earth shall be easy
prey."
"Very good. If you can take the Planet Earth - the closest planet to
their center - you shall be forgiven for this set back in my plans."
The voice said, "You may depart from this chamber that I may watch."
The voice paused, then went on, "Remember, attract NO attention. Should
Queen Serenity find you, this plan of your's will not work." The voice
warned.
"Yes my Queen." Beryl bowed and held out her hands, a dark portal
appearing before her.
***
"You know what, Jadeite?" Alanda asked.
"What?"
"You're a great friend." Impulsively, Alanda hugged him, "You really
care about my problems." She said, "Not many people can claim that."
Jadeite grinned, "My pleasure, Alanda. You really should stop having so
many insecurities, milady. You ARE special AND different. You HAVE
made a difference, at least in my life and the lives of the entire Moon
Kingdom." He said, hugging her back, "And does this mean that you'll
let me kiss you?" he added.
Alanda hit him jokingly, "Jadeite, you're incurageble." She said, "But
I still like you." Her eyes grew darker, "I hope you and Mina get
together. You'll be a great guy to love."
Jadeite grew solemn as well, "I hope SHE thinks that, little sister."
He said.
Jadeite had taken to calling her that lately - Little Sister. So had
the rest of the Star Guardians and Darian. It was probably because she
was so much younger than all of them, but it was also because even if
she did have the title of 'Sensei' - teacher - they were teaching her
about their Earth and their world more than she was teaching anything to
them.
"Did you know the Sailor Scouts and the Princess woke up fully for
the first time today?" Alanda said, "Sensei Mercury says that they're
bodies have fully absorbed the energy the Earth Stone gave them. Queen
Serenity and the Sailor Sensei are staying with them in case anything
happens - Sensei Mars said that sometimes something called energy
rejection can accure, even at this stage."
Jadeite nodded, "Darian told me this morning. But I don't think that
I'd be invited. It's a private moment between the Sensei and the Scouts
when they first awake." He explained, then looked at her, "So why
aren't you there as well, Little One?" he asked, "You are the Sensei
Earth after all, your place is with your Queen and Princess." he said.
Alanda shrugged - trying not to let her insecurities show, "I don't
really fit in there, Jadeite." She said finally, "I won't be here for
much longer - I can FEEL something happening. I've got this feeling
that I'll be leaving soon -"
"You've had this feeling since you arrived here." Jadeite pointed
out dryly.
"But it's becoming stronger." Alanda said, she rubbed her arms and
Jadeite pulled her closer to him, wrapping his long cloak around the
both of them, "In any case, the moment when the Princess and her Court
wakes up is between them and the people closest to them. I'm not
included -"
"Only because you don't want to be." Jadeite said, "Do you know that
you avoid any connection with Queen Serenity and her Scouts - you avoid
everybody except for us Guardians." He said, "You've got to get out
more, 'Landa. Stop shielding away as if you think that the moment you
show yourself they'll all turn away in disgust or something." He hugged
her closer, "You were wrong when you said I didn't love you, Little
Sister." He said, "I DO love you - but as a sister." He smiled, "I
always wanted one - a little sister I mean."
Alanda allowed herself to rest against him for a while. *I love him.*
she realized.
Not as boy to girl - *Never that!* the thought of loving him like
*that* made her feel nothing. No, not boyfriend girlfriend, but more
like a protector - *A guardian.*. Or an older brother. Edward was
great, but Jadeite was what she'd always dreamed the perfect older
brother was like - *That's probably because this IS a dream.* a voice
in the back of her head said.
Alanda shielded away from the thought and changed the subject.
"I wish I knew you back on Earth, Jadeite. It'd be great to walk
with you, Nephrite, Darian and Malachite back at school and have you
flirting with me as if I was the only girl in the world for you." She
said jokingly, "Mina doesn't know what she has waiting for her."
"Well, YOU can tell her when she's awake." Jadeite pointed out.
Alanda paused, "You know what? Maybe I WILL." She said.
It'd been three weeks since she'd found herself on the Moon looking at
Earth. And the chance that she would suddenly wake up and find herself
at her computer was fading faster and faster.
*Maybe, just maybe, I WON'T wake up from this dream.*
*Maybe, just maybe, this ISN'T a dream.*
But the pesky fear that it WAS a dream still lingered, like a storm on
the edge of the horizon, threatening to pour down, it stayed.
Jadeite opened his mouth to speak as they both saw somethng opening
directly in front of them.
"What in -?" Alanda stood up, clutching the Earth Stone hanging
around her neck reflexively, "What in the name of all is that?!"
"I don't know, but I don't like the vibes I'm getting from it!"
Jadeite said, pushing her behind him, "EARTH STAR GUARDIANS - THERE IS
NEED OF YOU!" he shouted, and a spark of light shot from his fingers up
into the air where it split into three parts and vanished.
"They cannot help you, foolish one." The woman standing before them
was evil.
Alanda shivered as she clenched the Earth Stone tighter - she could FEEL
the evil radiating from this woman. "Who are you? What do you want?!"
she demanded.
"A little girl. Barely old enough to be one of those pitiful Sailor
Scouts." The woman sneered, "Bow now, Jadeite, Earth Star Guardian, for
you meet your mistress. I am Queen Beryl, leader of the Negaverse
Armies."
Jadeite stared at her, "The Negaverse?" he murmered in confusion, "But
the Negaverse doesn't exist anymore -" his eyes rolled upwards and he
collapsed as dark light flickered around him.
Alanda watched in horror as he arched upwards, screaming in pain.
She clenched the Earth Stone, yanking it upwards above her head. The
woman - Queen Beryl - turned to look at her, and held out one hand. A
stream of black and green energy shot out.
Alanda screamed as she waited for the pain to come when it hit her, but
the air around her flickered blue and she saw Jadeite sprawled on the
ground, one hand outstretched, a blue flame flickering in his palm.
She held the stone up, and willed herself to transform - "EARTH STONE
TRANSFORM!"
"The third Sailor Scout." Queen Beryl said, "A Sensei no less. Go
back to your world, child - this is a game for those older than you.
Soon, your precious Princess and all the Court of the Moon Kingdom shall
lie dead. The Negaforce wishes it so!" she held out her hand again and
this time there was no shield to protect Alanda.
She screamed as the pain consumed her like fire.
*Oh GOD!* she could feel her grip on the Earth Stone loosening, and
even through the pain, the delirium, she knew that she MUST NOT let go
of the Stone. Must NOT.
*Save him - save him.* the thought ran through her mind desperately,
*JADEITE!*
"DESTRUCTION RAY!" she heard Nephrite's voice, and felt the rushing
of energy past her, aimed towards Beryl.
"STAR DESTRUCT!"
"COMET BURN!"
Through a mist of red and pain she saw Jadeite trying to stand from
behind Malachite, Zoisite and Nephrite - but Queen Beryl laughed, the
dark energy she seemed to control surrounding them all till Alanda
couldn't see them any more - but she could hear their screams of agony.
"Mina." Those words, they were the last she heard, a whisper
amplified a hundred times, that she knew came from Jadeite.
And then, there was nothing. A darkness that was neither cold nor warm
- but so safe. So very, very, very safe.
*Is this what death is?* Alanda wondered, *This darkness and
nothingness for all of eternity.* she drifted, alone and yet - at the
same time. . .
*I haven't ever felt so at peace. So untroubled.*
It been a long time since she hadn't felt the uneasiness that clung to
her heart. *Is this what all of time shall be? By myself?*
That voice again, the one she'd imagined when she'd
healed Princess Serena and the Sailor Scouts - a tinge of sadness. They
were dead by now. She hadn't been able to save them. She had failed -
like she always did.
the voice said sagely. It
sounded older and wiser than the last time she'd imagined it. She'd
imagined a young woman years older than her, like her mother. This time
she saw an old woman. Very wise, her ageless face serene and at peace.
there was a
pause, and the old woman went on,
She saw the woman now. And she saw the woman hold out her hand.
"Who - who are you?" she asked.
the woman replied, holding her hands out wide, the Mother seemed a long way away, she held out her hand,
Visions rushed before Alanda's eyes.
Jadeite lying on the ground, dying.
The still, lying figures of the Sailor Scouts and Princess that only SHE
could help.
The responsibility that knowing only SHE could help, but also, the great
feeling it had brought - the fact that she COULD change the world for
the better.
That what she did would make a DIFFERENCE.
Alanda took the Mother's hand and felt the darkness all around her.
her voice faded away as Alanda felt herself
falling - falling. . .
