SENTINEL ROSE
A Fanfic About the Moon Kingdom

Part 2: The Moon Kingdom's Gift, Prince Darian's Unexpected Competition

        Silantro downed his last gulp of wine and set the glass down next to
nine others. He got up and stretched. It was late and the Feast Hall was
fairly deserted. Most of the revelers had left, and those who remained were
either unconscious or about to be unconscious.
        "Are you leaving now? Beddy-bye time?" Darian chided, swirling the
wine in his own glass around. It was his third and he had hardly touched it.
He had a weak head for wine and knew Silantro was barely tipsy after over
three times as much. It made little sense, since Darian was bigger, but
Silantro was always a wonder.
        "Not quite beddy-bye time. I have some, uh, things to do. However,
you my friend have delayed the inevitable long enough. You've got to go talk
to your father, his royal highness King Aldaric." He patted Darian's shoulder
sympathetically before he strutted off to hit on the rather drunk daughter
of a noble. Darian sighed and out the glass down.
        A short time later, he was making his way through the dimly lit
marble corridors until he came to a door from under which a thin shaft of
flickering firelight filtered. The door was marked with a rose engraving
and a pair of guards bearing pikes stood on either side of it. This was the
door leading to his mother and father's private quarters.
        Darian nodded amiably to the guards, whom he occasionally sparred
with, and silently entered the chambers.
        The room was large and pleasantly lit, as usual, by a roaring fire
in a grand fireplace directly across from the door. To the right was a large
window, some bookshelves, and a small writing desk. The shelves contained
various maps, ledgers, and documents. To the left was a staircase leading
up to a door which lead to the bedroom. Arranged around the fire were several
plain, but well-made and comfortable, chairs and a couch. This was the inner
sanctum of the Royal Family.
        As usual, King Aldaric stood looking out the window into the
courtyard below. As usual, the Queen sat in the chair closest to both the
King and the fire. The only change was that Xeryus now lounged in the chair
where Prince Darian always sat, that closest to the fire and the stairs.
Darian caught himself frowning but reminded himself that Xeryus stealing his
chair was not exactly important...besides, he couldn't have known. This must
have been the very first time he had even been allowed in this room, as he
had only come of age this day!
        Darian sat stiffly on the couch. The silence was awful and he dearly
wished he had finished that last glass of wine...
        Finally, King Aldaric spoke.
        "What were you thinking? To be late for your own brother's oath
ceremony! You were out gallivanting with Silantro again, weren't you?"
Darian bowed his head. Dad was a stickler for court ettiquette.
        "Now, dear, the Bladesemmers are a well-respected family," Queen
Vairalyn said gently. Darian silently thanked her. His father strongly
disapproved of his friendship with Silantro, as he wanted Darian to spend
more time in Court.
        "My Lord, a chance to explain myself?"
        "Very well." King Aldaric had still not turned hos gaze from the
window. Darian detested talking to his father's back all the time. He was
tempted to make a face at his father's brawny back, but decided against it.
One could never tell if Aldaric was looking at the reflection in the glass.
        "Silantro and I were out riding, er, racing to be precise." Darian
watched as the King's ram-rod straight posture tensed even more if possible.
Such frivolity!
        "I was knocked off my horse (Darian omitted the fact he had run into
a tree -it was hardly dignified) and it ran off. Silantro and I set off to
find her, when we came to a clearing (if Aldaric thought racing was
frivolous, Darian shuddered to think about his reaction to a mud fight!)
where we discovered a strange man who had somehow drained my steed of energy.
I challenged him and we fought...he was incredibly strong and wielded his
pike like a master. I would have lost but Silantro wounded him. Then he
suddenly vanished just as I was about to deliver the killing stroke."
        "What did the man look like?"
        "He had long blonde hair that reached his shoulders, green eyes, and
a gray uniform: a tunic and pants trimmed in red. He also wore brown boots
that reached nearly to his knees. He didn't carry the pike, it just appeared
in his hand. And his eyes were cold...I don't think he was human at all. He
also mentioned something about 'collecting energy for the Negaverse'."
        "The Negaverse," the King repeated thoughtfully. He remained silent
for a few moments as he thought.
        "We'll have to keep our guard up. I've never heard of anything like
this before." Abruptly, he turned on his heel and walked upstairs. Vairalyn
sighed and followed. Both were obviously very troubled.
        "Well, I'm beat. Time to turn in for the night," Xeryus yawned and
stretched as he stood, "I rather like it in here," he said slowly, glancing
around once more as they walked out the door, "And the chairs are really
comfy." Darian didn't really feel like arguing seating arrangements with
Xeryus. He remembered competing for the seat next to dad in the carriage
with is little brother, so many years ago, and didn't care to repeat the
experience.
        They walked down the hall to their own rooms, which were directly
across the hall to each other.
        "The armor suits you," Darian commented as they stopped in front of
their respective doors.
        "It's a odd to be encased in steel like this."
        "Some day, you'll be tough enough to wear it all day without feeling
a thing," Darian mumbled as he yawned. With a final goodnight, he shut his
door. Thus he missed the brief, angry red glow of Xeryus' eyes. Xeryus stood
quietly in the hall, now pitch-black, a moment longer. Then he entered his
own room.
        Xeryus sat on the edge of his bed, still wearing the armor. This day,
he had become a prince. He was in line for the throne of the kingdom, right
behind Darian. Good old, strong, likable Darian...
        Darian climbed into bed and looked out his window. The moon was full.
He smiled as he gazed at it. For some reason he couldn't explain, he had
always loved the way moonlight made him feel...

                        *       *       *       *

        Darian cursed as the brilliant flash of light nearly blinded him.
When his vision cleared, a most remarkable sight greeted his eyes.
        He was in the Great Hall once again, standing to his father's side.
It was the day after Xeryus had taken his oath, and so his younger brother
stood at their mother's side.
        The intrusion had taken them all by surprise.
        Now, inexplicably, in the center of the room stood two rather strange
figures.
        The first was a rather lovely woman. She wore a beautiful white gown
and her hair was long and white, though she was youthful. Her hair had a most
extraordinary style: two long ponytails each crowned by a bun. Her forehead
was marked by a gold crescent moon.
        To her left stood a man, fairly attractive. He had medium brown hair,
brown eyes, and wore long white robes. On his forehead rested a gold circlet.
They both had an aura of power about them, though the woman was clearly in
charge.
        King Aldaric stood, hand hovering over the hilt of his sword.
        "Who are you! How did you get here!"
        "I am Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, and this is my aide, the
Magist. It is by his powers that we come to stand before you, King Aldaric,"
the woman said pleasantly, her voice clear and musical, "We mean you no
harm. In fact, it is our mission to protect Earth and help it evolve."
        "You mean to say you come from the MOON?" King Aldaric stated,
incredulous.
        "That is correct."
        A wizened old man pushed forward from the sidelines. He was the
Head Astronomer, and he looked stunned.
        "Everyone knows that the moon is a disc, drawn across the heavens
each night by the mighty griffon Erasmalius! How is it you can live on a
disc? Impossible!" he shouted.
        The lady laughed.
        "That is one of the things we'd like to help with. The Moon is not
a disc. It is a round planet, like Earth-"
        "The Earth is flat!"
        "No it is not."
        "AAAAGH!" the astronomer cried, grabbing his head. He seemed to be
having spasms in his brain.
        "You haven't even heard about the other planets, yet!" the woman said,
a little worried.
        "OTHER PLANETS?!" the elderly astronomer fainted from the shock. As a
few of the quicker-thinking members of Court dragged him away, King Aldaric
stepped down from the dias and walked a few steps forward. Darian and Xeryus,
stunned, hastily followed to flank their father.
        "What are your intentions, exactly?"
        "Why, we intend to help your Kingdom. It was actually a promise the
Moon Kingdom made long ago. Here is the proof of that," she motioned to the
Magist, who bowed curtly and began to chant. Aldaric tensed as an arc of
white magical energy arced up over his head, to connect with the rose
stained-glass window! With wonder, they all watched as the glowing lines of
magic outlined the red rose-coloured glass. Then, a glowing red rose, exactly
like a real rose but formed of soft red energy, burst from the image of the
rose on the window to float down and hover above the Magist's outstretched
hand. The rose patterned glass seems perhaps a little duller.
        "Long ago, we made this window to keep a most wondrous artifact
safe. This artifact was the Sentinel Rose, a great gift for the champion of
Earth. It bonds with its host for life, gives the chosen one powers beyond
human. King Aldaric, the Moon Kingdom makes a gift of this rose, so that the
Earth can become a part of the Silver Millenium. Of course, it need not be
bonded permanently as of yet, to make you feel safer."
        King Aldaric seemed astonished.
        "Truly, it is a wonderous gift indeed," he breathed as he watched the
delicate energy rose revolve slowly above the Magist's hand, "But what is
this 'Silver Millenium' you speak of?"
        "The Silver Millenium is the alliance of all the planets in this
system: Earth's Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and
Pluto. We all live peacefully, and we want the Earth to join us in our
harmony."
        "All you need do is name your champion," the Magist finally spoke.
        "I think the wisest choice would be our son," Xeryus' eyes widened,
"Prince Darian. He is next to be the King." It was Darian's turn to be
stunned.
        "ME?" he gasped.
        Queen Serenity smiled, "Yes, I believe he will be excellent to bear
the Sentinel Rose," she agreed.
        "Come forward," the Magist said. Darian walked tentatively to stand
before the powerful mage.
        The man tensed as he concentrated. The Sentinel Rose flared. He
raised his hands above his head, the rose suspended between them.
        "E Excellius Dorimaye...," he lowered his hand to hold the rose
directly in front of Prince Darian's chest, "Ast Faerisor Dominaye," the
Magist shut his eyes and placed his hands on Darian's breastplate. Darian
was stunned as he felt the warmth of the rose slide into his body. It was
accompanied by a feeling of great joy, and the warmth spread all over him. The
feeling was pure bliss. And then it was over.
        The Magist opened his eyes and smiled.
        "You are now the champion...of Earth."
        "The Sentinel Rose has many powers, which Darian can now use. With
a little practice, he will be able to generate roses which he can throw to
damage, to defend, and to nullify enemy magic. He will be able to leap
incredible heights, become quicker and more agile, and will be able to
withstand more damage. Darian will now be able to teleport himself to the
Moon Kingdom. Those are the basics. The Rose is capable of much more, or so it
seems."
        "Even I do not know the full extent of this artifact's powers, as it
was created by a Magist long before me," said the Magist.
        "I extend my utmost thanks for this gift," Darian stated as he bowed
deeply to the Moon Queen, who smiled her approval.
        "King Aldaric. You would do us a great honor by allowing your
champion to come with us to visit the Moon Kingdom," Queen Serenity smiled.
        "Prince Darian will be honored to go," King Aldaric stated.
        "May I go as well?" the previously silent Xeryus spoke up.
        "Certainly. Magist, will you stay behind and answer any questions
the King and Queen might have?"
        "As you wish." The Queen nodded.
        "Well then, Darian. If you reach within yourself, you will feel the
power if the Sentinel Rose. Concentrate on it, and concentrate on a mental
image of the full moon."
        Darian nodded and closed his eyes. He was surprised and delighted to
find that he could sense the Rose within him easily...he conjured up a
mental picture of the moon, as he had seen it so many nights as he drifted
to sleep....he opened his eyes to see the Great Hall fade in a dark pink
glow, and a sensation of floating...

                        *       *       *       *

        Darian, Xeryus, and the Queen arrived in a lovely palace garden.
Nearby, an ornate fountain bubbled merrily. Darian could hear faint strains
of music in the distance, and laughter. He stared as he scanned the area,
taking in all the beautiful flowers. Some he recognized from Earth, some he
thought seemed vaguely familiar, and others were exotic and alien to him.
Marble columns and archways were scattered around, with ivy and flower vines
clinging to them. The air was filed with their perfume. There were no trees,
however. He was positively enchanted with this place. A quick glance at his
brother showed he felt the same.
        Queen Serenity laughed merrily at their astonished faces and began
walking down a garden path, paved by smooth, glossy white stones that
sparkled.
        Soon, they came to a grand palace made of white stone. It was a
magnificent example of architecture, with its delicate balconies and huge
columns. Darian realized that the Great Hall at home was *nothing* compared
to this!
        As they walked through the airy hallways, Queen Serenity spoke to
the brothers.
        "Here, you will meet my Court. There is my daughter, Serena, who is
perhaps your relative age, Xeryus, and her protectors, the senshi. There is
a senshi for every planet. You will only meet Sailors Mercury, Venus, Mars,
and Jupiter. Sailors Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are rarely here, as they are
posted on the outer reaches of the solar system. Ah, here we are," They came
to a gigantic set of silver doors, which swung open easily with a touch from
Queen Serenity's hand, even though they must have been extremely heavy. The
Earth Princes followed her onto a balcony, overlooking a huge ballroom full
of people dancing.
        Queen Serenity began to point out people.
        "Over there, with the long, dark hair, is Sailor Mars. The one there,
with the short blue hair, is Sailor Mercury. The tall girl with the brown
hair is Sailor Jupiter. And of course, over there with the blonde hair, that
is Sailor Venus."
        "What is the occasion?" Xeryus asked.
        "Nothing special. We often have dances here in the Moon Kingdom, for
no reason at all," Queen Serenity explained, "We're all so very happy here.
It's idyllic."
        They descended an elegant staircase.
        "You Majesty!"
        "Luna, Artemis, what is it?" Darian and Xeryus turned to see the
speakers, but saw no one talking to the Queen.
        "Down there," said Queen Serenity. Darian looked down and was amazed
to see a pair of cats, one black and one white, with gold crescent moons on
their foreheads.
        "Talking.... cats?" Xeryus said in amazement.
        "These are Luna and Artemis, my aides," said Serenity.
        "You take advice from cats."
        "It's very good advice. However, it seems I must leave you two for
now, Luna has informed me of pressing matters that need my immediate
attention. I'll be back as soon as I can, but in the meantime, why don't you
two mingle?"
        Darian and Xeryus could only nod as she rushed away.
        "Now what?" Darian said, eyebrows raised, a moment later. Xeryus
shrugged.
        "Beats me."
        Darian looked around the room once more, taking in the tapestries,
noting it was lit by strange little hovering balls of light. Magic seems to
be everywhere here, he mused. A moment later, he wasn't noticing lights
anymore.
        The silver doors swung open and a dream walked in and began to
descend the stairs. At least, that's the impression Prince Darian of Earth
received.
        She had long blonde hair bound in two ponytails which swirled
gracefully downwards, both crowned by a knot of hair. Her blue eyes were
bright as she surveyed the room. A gold crescent moon adorned her forehead,
for she was Queen Serenity's daughter, heir to the throne of the Moon
Kingdom, Princess Serena.
        Darian was enchanted. He was speechless, thoughtless, and probably
could have been knocked down by a mere feather. Suddenly, a thought bounced
into his head. She's looking this way. Another one followed. Smile, you
idiot, DO SOMETHING!
        Darian shut his mouth and plastered a grin on his face. She never saw
it.
        Xeryus had walked over and asked her to dance.
        Darian's heart sank as he saw Serena smile at his brother as Xeryus
took her hand and held her. He watched in silent misery as Serena and Xeryus
glided across the dance floor elegantly.
        "Prince Darian?" said a voice.
        "Huh?" he mumbled as he turned, rather out of it. He saw the Senshi
standing behind him.
        "Is that your brother?" Venus asked, indicating Xeryus and Serena.
        "Yes, that's Xeryus." Darian almost spat the name out.
        Jupiter nudged Venus with her elbow and whispered something. Venus
giggled.
        "You look very miserable," Mars noted, "Why?"
        "It's, uh..." Darian stuttered.
        "I think he likes the Princess," Mercury said, eyes wide.
        "Ooh! And there's your brother dancing with her!"
        "Way harsh!"
        "You must feel awful!"
        "Still, they are a cute coupl-OW!"
        "Why don't you cut in then?" Mars suggested, "She doesn't even know
him yet. Act now, before she gets a silly crush."
        "Ten minutes," supplied Jupiter with a grin.
        "Better than your six minutes!" returned Mercury.
        "I would, but I, uh-"
        "Can't dance. Oh, my." Venus said.
        Darian wondered if the Senshi were all psychic or if he was really
really obvious. He sighed and opted for the latter.
        "Princess Serena loves romance and stuff like that." Mercury told
him.
        "Dancing, poetry, love letters, if it's mush, she loves it," Mars
said in a confidential tone.
        "For her, I think I could learn to do all that," Darian said as he
looked at her again.
        "Good boy!" Jupiter said, whacking him on the back.
        "If you don't mind me asking, why *are* you helping me like this?" he
asked, "You hardly know me."
        "I hate to say it but you looked a little pathetic standing there all
alone. Plus, Mars thought she felt something funny about-" Mercury was cut
off as Mars trod on her foot. She scowled as Mars pretended nothing
happened. Darian missed this, he had returned to watching his brother and the
Princess. She looked charmed. Darian sighed again. This was not going well.
        The senshi regarded him thoughtfully as they left.
        "He's got it *bad*," noted Venus.
        "He seems nice, though," Mars said absently.

                        *       *       *       *

        A few painful hours later, Darian wandered unhappily through the
gardens. He told himself numerous times that it was foolish to feel so
strongly for someone he had never talked to, but he somehow felt an instant
connection to her. Darian wasn't prone to sappy thoughts but he felt that
he and the Princess were destined to be together.
        He was jolted from his reverie by sudden screams...the Princess!
        Darian ran through several flowerbeds, instinctively knowing the best
route to Princess Serena. He burst into a small courtyard. Serena and Xeryus
sat by a marble fountain. Darian followed their terror-stricken gazes up
to the top of a nearby column, where a most unusual creature perched. It was
vaguely humanoid, like a lizard man of sorts. The creature had lizard-like
features, a scaly hide, yellow eyes, and batlike wings. It wore odd
silver armor and carried a sword of odd design in its clawed hands. Darian
ran into the courtyard, sword drawn; Xeryus rushed forward also with his
rapier as the creature swooped towards Princess Serenity.
        "Out of the way, Xeryus! Grab the Princess and run for it!"
        Xeryus snarled and shouted, "I can take care of this! I'm not
running! I will *fight*!"
        "You can't fight!"
        "Says you!"
        The brothers charged towards the draconis-warrior with with amazing
speed, blocking the creature's path to the princess, who was shocked.
        Darian growled in anger and slashed his sword into the dragon-man's
side. He was amazed that the sword slid right into the thing, right through
the creature's glossy, thick green scales! He realized how powerful the
Sentinel Rose he now hosted really was.
        The draconis warrior countered with a shriek, ramming into Prince
Darian and sending him flying back a few feet, his sword knocked from his
grasp with a skilled disarming move.
        Xeryus used this opening to thrust his rapier in to the creature's
eye, apparently a sensitive spot, for the dracon hissed and backhanded him,
sending him flying.
        Darian looked across the courtyard at his sword, then back to the
dracon, in fear. The draconis warrior wasn't stupid and realized he had no
weapon, and shrieked gleefully as it swooped over towards Darian.
        "Xeryus! Hit it!" Darian screamed. Xeryus merely looked at him and
shrugged.
        "You little-!" Darian brought his attention back to the dracon, who
was closing in fast. Darian rolled to the left, and the draconis warrior was
forced to pull up abruptly. It turned to face him and reached out to rake him with
its hind claws. Once again, the Prince reacted solely on instinct, and
suddenly found himself holding a scarlet red rose. Without thinking, he
whipped it at the draconis warrior.
        The result was amazingly effective: the dracon screamed again as
the rose cut into the its scaled hide, cracking it. Within seconds, the once
powerful creature had fallen apart and crumbled into rubble.
        "I couldn't see a vulnerable spot on it," Xeryus answered the
question his brother opened his mouth to ask, "Princess Serenity? Are you
all right?" he gently took her hands. Darian made a face.
        "I'm... fine. But I want to go back to the palace!" she whispered.
        "Very well, I shall escort you back," Xeryus held out his arm. The
Princess slipped her own arm into his and smiled up at his face.
        "Well then, Darian, mayhaps you report this to Queen Serenity while
I escort the Princess to her chambers?" Xeryus grinned in triumph as Darian
stared at him.
        This was war.
        Darian bowed curtly to Serena and turned in his heel. As he walked
away, he could still hear the pair.
        "Xeryus! You're hurt!"
        "It's just a little scratch. Dragon-man must have nicked me."
        "Still, we must get it looked at right away!"
        "As you wish, Princess Serena."
        "Just Serena please."

                        *       *       *       *
A Small Pronunciation Guide

Xeryus = Zeer-ee-us
Silantro = Sil-ann-trow
Magist = Mayge-ist
Magus = Mayge-us
Bowenite = Bow(like rainBOW)-n-ite
Scheelite = Ski-lite (much like Scheel-o)
Lucinite = Lue-sin-ite
Variscite = Vair-iss-site

--
*While many streets are named for trees, or presidents, relatively few are
named for diseases.
*Traditionally, the poorest-selling soup variety has been creme of marmot.
*Chunky toothpaste never quite caught on.  -ABRELL AND THOMPSON'S ACTUAL FACTS