This is a story based on Sailor Moon owned by Naoko Takeuchi and a number of comic book companies. Sailor Moon is by no way mine, although some characters and some plot twists are by me. This is written from a fan for other fans. Don't sue me please!! ^-^'
Arianna had just finished stabling Moonlight when Una called, "Arianna! What were you thinking?! Running off like that without telling anyone. You almost gave me a heart-attack girl! Is that one of our good dress?"
Arianna rolled her eyes. Una had been her nurse since the day she was born. Una always bugged her about acting lady-like and her royal dignity. The woman meant well, but sometimes she can go a little overboard.
Arianna was the youngest of the other six siblings. She was twelve.
Arianna took a look at herself in the mirror. This time, she had to admit Una was right. Her face was covered with dirt and her midnight black hair had somehow made itself into a bird's nest. What had once been a good dress looked like rags. Her cleaning spell could do nothing for this one.
Arianna recollected what had happened that day. While riding in the woods, she had stumbled upon a little cottage. It seemed abandoned as Arianna went in. All the windows were closed and the air seemed to push down on her. The little cottage was all dark except for the little light that came through the door. Suddenly, the door closed itself. Arianna stumbled on something and fell flat on her face. Finally, she reached the window, but it was locked. She needed light. She thought of the light spell that she had learned when she was ten. All she needed to do was picture a ball of flame into existence. Ah! There it is. She looked about the room. Empty bookcase. . . a chair. . .and what's this? She walked over to a desk with a book on top of it. The dust that covered the book rose into the air as she blew them off. She ran her finger along the side of the book. She felt a tingling that she always felt when she touched something magical. It must be a magic book, she thought. She opened the book and saw a blank page, but then, pictures and letters started to appear. She read the first few pages and determined that it was about the creatures of the Golden Period. A time when everything in the world was magical, the very plants and soil had spirits living in them. When animals could talk and creatures such as the dragon, Pegasus, unicorn, griffin and gargoyles lived in this world. Then humans had grown afraid of them and killed them on sight. The immortals had decided to leave this world and magic left with them. Now people could perform simple spells, but only the Great Wizards knew the Language of The World and how to get to the Land In The Sky where the immortals dwelt. Arianna always regretted the end of that wonderful period. She longed to see those amazing creatures that were on the walls of the temples and tapestries in real life. Why did the humans have to be so stupid and drive them away? Arianna turned the page. She watched as the pictures and the letters appeared. Arianna gasped. She was staring at a creature she had seen so many times in Manderus' chamber. Manderus was one of the Great Wizards. He was also her friend and tutor. When she was little Manderus told her stories of the immortals, but when she asked about this creature, he had always changed the subject. After a while, Arianna stopped asking.
There she was, staring at the picture of the creature. She was finally going to learn what it was. Suddenly, uncertainty came upon her. Did she really want to know what it was? Manderus must have had a good reason not to tell her. But curiosity overwhelmed her. The creature's name was Nemerus, single for Nemeri. The females were called Nemeras. Nemeri. . . that name sounded familiar.
"Nemeri have no soul," Father Koma had once said.
"Be good now Ari, or the Nemeri will carry you away," Una always said that when Arianna did something bad.
Ari had heard that word so many times, yet she didn't even know what it meant, until now.
. . . these winged creatures look angelic from afar. They can cast aside their wings and look like humans, or turn into any other creature they wish. Golden hair is common among these creatures and they have crystal blue eyes. If ever encountered, do not look into their eyes. They have contact with the human world. It is impossible to study because they can look like a normal human.
It must be late, Arianna thought, I must get back. She opened the door and a gust of strong wind almost knocked her down. She looked at the tree where she had tied Moonlight, but she was no where in sight. A lightning flashed. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a figure standing in the trees. Then, she couldn't see it anymore. Another lightning flashed and she saw a boy standing there. Then, he disappeared and in his place stood a Pegasus. It walked toward her.
Ride on my back... The words crept into her mind. Arianna was amazed by the magnificence of the Pegasus. She didn't even realize that she had heard it speak. The Pegasus took her to a cave. Arianna sat down by the entrance. The Pegasus walked back toward the cave mouth. Arianna watched the Pegasus, but it wasn't a Pegasus anymore. In it's place stood a handsome boy about sixteen or seventeen. He had blond hair and brilliant blue eyes.
Seeing Arianna's face, he bowed mockingly with a mischievous grin on his face.
"My name is Helion," he said.
Something nuzzled against her face. Arianna woke up with a start. Then, she realized it was only Moonlight. Arianna was leaning against a tree. The little wizard's cottage was no where to be seen.
"Endymion?" a sprang of joy ran through her.
Arianna rushed down the stairs. Endymion was her favorite brother. He was the second born in the family. A few month ago he had set out for the Mountains of the Moon and didn't even tell her why. She tried asking her mother, but she wouldn't tell her either. Now, finally, he was back.
"Endymion!" Arianna ran to greet him.
"Ari!" Endymion said.
"I missed you!" Arianna cried.
"I missed you, too," he said.
After the meals, Arianna asked him, "Where have you been?"
"Come on," he led her to the balcony, "Ari, I'll tell you, but you must promise me you will tell no one."
"All right, I won't," Arianna promised.
"I've been to the Land In the Sky. The people there call it the Moon Kingdom," he told her.
"Wow! Did you meet anybody?" Arianna asked. Endymion's expression suddenly grew distant.
"I met the Moon Princess. They call her Princess Serenity," he turned to her, "I fell in love."
"But, that's great news, in fact, it's wonderful! Why don't you tell father?" Arianna exclaimed.
"I can't Ari. You know how they are. Our people have grown too superstitious. So much has changed. . .,"he responded with anger creeping into his voice.
"You're right," Arianna sighed. They were both silent for some time. Each thinking about their own experience.
"I'm leaving again tomorrow," he announced.
"Will you be here for my Joining?" Ari asked.(Joining=will be explained!)
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said.
"Endymion?" Ari asked, "Will you take me there?"
"You'll get your chance little Ari, you'll get your chance," he told her.
"Good morning, Zailus. I'll be taking Saiya out before my Joining," Arianna responded.
With Saiya balanced on her wrist, she walked into the woods. Saiya became restless, as if sensing something. Saiya took off from his perch on Arianna's wrist.
Someone came out from the bushes. Saiya was perched on his shoulder. He didn't seem at all bothered by the sharp talons. As he drew closer, dread crept into Arianna. It was the Nemerus, for she was sure that's what he was, Helion. He already saw Arianna so it was too late to hide. He bowed courteously, and Arianna attempted a curtsy, but her knees almost buckled.
"Do you remember me?" he asked.
Arianna nodded, "My name is-."
"Arianna, I believe," Helion said, "Saiya told me."
Just then, Saiya started chattering non-stop.
"Can you take me to the castle?" Helion asked Arianna, "I'm suppose to meet someone."
"This way," Arianna replied. Meet someone? Arianna thought. Who could it be?
When they got to the bird keep, Arianna clicked her tongue, and opened a cage for Saiya. He flew in and made himself comfortable. Then Arianna led Helion toward the castle.
Manderus was waiting for them when they got to the door.
"You're early, nephew," Manderus said to Helion.
"Nephew?!" Arianna couldn't help but shout, staring at Manderus and then at Helion.
"Arianna! You have to get ready for your Joining," Una called.
Arianna gathered her white robe and knelt down before Manderus in the Great Chamber.
"Arianna of Urethane, with your life-time training, you are now ready to enter the Circle of Great Wizards. You are granted the Gift of Air. Your sign will be the Falcon. Now, I proclaim you Tolino Arianna. . ." and so Manderus chanted on the words of the Joining.
Arianna slipped off her white robe. She walked over to the wardrobe and found the light-blue dress. Now, it was time for the evening banquet.
Arianna spotted Endymion with the rest of her brothers. I can talk to him later, she reminded herself.
Arianna started walking toward Manderus. Then, she spotted Helion standing by him, but she pushed herself on.
"How does it feel to possess such great power and be one of us?" Manderus asked.
"It's hard to believe that I have been joined," Arianna smiled.
Just then, the musicians started playing.
"May I have this dance?" Helion offered his hand.
Reluctantly, Arianna took it.
"Are you-," Arianna got the nerve to ask.
"Yes," he replied, "I am a being you call 'Nemerus'."
"Is he-,"
"Yes, Manderus is one also."
"Do you live in the Moon Kingdom?" Arianna asked.
"No, I live close by in another realm, but I visit there often," Helion replied.
"I wonder what it would be like to live there," Arianna said.
She didn't know if she said that to herself or to Helion, but Helion stopped and looked at her.
"I think it's time," he told her.
"Time? For what?" Arianna asked, puzzled.
"This way," he led her to Manderus' chamber.
There, she saw Endymion and Manderus talking.
"Ari, I think it's time for you to learn the way to the Land In the Sky. Observe," Manderus chanted something, and a portal appeared in the wall.
Endymion opened the door for Arianna. She gathered her breath and stepped into the unknown. Endymion came next, and then, Helion. Manderus came through last and shut the portal.
Arianna was amazed by the view that she saw before her. The great white Moon Castle shone in the glow of its own light through the dimness of the night. Erothine was a great swirl of white, blue and green colored sphere in the background.
They got to the banquet room and were separated by the crowd. Now, Arianna was alone. She moved to the edge of the crowd. She looked around and observed the people. Every where, men and women, young and old, were having fun, laughing, and dancing, but Arianna didn't feel she belonged. She spotted Helion across the room with a group of girls gathered around him.
"Figures," Arianna murmured. A wisp of wind blew in from behind her. Tall glass doors led on to the balcony.
Then, Arianna gasped a she saw the Moon Princess. She was leaning against a white marble pillar, gazing off into the distance as if searching for something. Her long white-blonde hair was gathered into two buns and the rest left to streamed down her back like two golden rivers. Exotic flowers adorned her head and her dress was made of the whitest fabric, shimmering like it was covered in diamonds. Although the dress was simple in structure, it had elegance to make up for it.
She is beautiful! Arianna thought, and why should that be a big surprise? So is everyone else here. The Moon Princess, though was everything beyond her imagination, she was beyond beautiful. No wonder Endymion fell in love with her. How could anyone not?
As if by some cue, Endymion appeared and the Moon Princess rushed to him. What a couple they made! Endymion in his shining black armor and the Moon Princess in her glimmering white regal dress. There was something about those two that shouted "Destined Lovers".
Arianna sighed wistfully and turned back to the party. For the first time, she heard the music. It sounded eerie but cheerful and heavenly. Then, someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Helion.
"So, what do you think?" Helion asked.
"It's amazing here!" she replied.
"I can take you to the palace gardens. It should be in full bloom right now," he said, offering his arm.
"That would be wonderful," Arianna said and took it.
After getting through the first shock, she didn't feel out of place a all. She felt she could live in the Moon Kingdom forever.
The palace gardens were magnificent. There were many plants she had never seen on Erothine. Each had it's own unique glow and looked like it fell from the stars.
Helion picked off a pink rose and offered it to her. Arianna closed her eyes and sniffed it. The warm, sweet smell filling her senses.
Arianna opened her eyes and saw Helion smiling down at her. He cupped her face in his hands, leaning down to softly kiss her. The little pink rose fluttered to the ground beneathe them.
more to be posted soon...i have six chapters typed and finished so far...