Instead of just part 4, I tacked on Part 5. Finale time!

LIke Magic, I will post the whole thing after editing it, a sort of final
copy with all the changes necessary. The titles will be (mercifully) cut out
and I vow to never, ever do that again!

        "I have a problem," Princess Serena announced to the senshi. They
were relaxing in her private quarters in the palace.
        "What is it?" sighed Mars, expecting to be notified of a broken nail
or other pressing problem. Princesses didn't usually get what other people
considered real problems.
        "I can't decide between Prince Darian and Prince Xeryus!" she sighed,
then giggled.
        "What, you love them both?" Venus stared incredulously.
        "Yes. Darian has that wholesome, dependable puppy dog thing going,
he's so eager. And a little naive. I think it's the first time he's tried
any sort of romance."
        "But Xeryus?" Jupiter prompted, leaning forward with interest.
        "He has a sort of flair. He's exciting. He's confident. And he has
chivalrous, romantic manners."
        "They both like you and you like both of them," Mercury concluded.
        "And they're both handsome," Venus added.
        "And they're both quite smart," Mercury stated.
        "Boy, you really do have a horrible problem there!" Jupiter snorted.
        "Mother is hinting she wouldn't mind if I married either, as a merger
between Earth and the Moon." Serena replied with a sigh.
        "You're actually pretty lucky. We can't marry, even if we find the
guy of our dreams," Mars said quietly.
        "Either way, both of them are really cute!" Jupiter said cheerily.
        "Still, I cannot help but feel a little angry that I have to marry
one. It is like this is my duty! Sometimes I wish I weren't a princess and
could be more like you guys."
        "What? A Senshi?" Mercury said. They all exchanged glances.
        "You wouldn't like it. All the fighting, the worrying..." Mars
stated.
        "Plus you have to take care of a love-sick princess!" Venus said
playfully. Princess Serenity promptly threw a pillow in her face. Venus
retaliated, and soon the chambers of the princess was filled with giggling
laughter and flying pillows.

                        *       *       *       *

        Prince Xeryus stealthily entered his brother's chambers and crept
up to Darian's bedside. He watched Darian sleep peacefully for a while.
        It was a lucky thing the local healers had been able to remedy the
poison. It had made Darian very weak, though, and he had been sleeping
steadily for two days now. He had very nearly been a goner, and it would be
a while before he was able to do any strenuous activity. Xeryus shrugged and
placed his hands on Darian's chest.
        He shut his eyes and began to concentrate. When he was sure he was
ready to begin, his eyes snapped open again. A red glow shone in them.
        Xeryus channeled his power into Darian and pulled. He strained
for several long minutes before he felt the Sentinel Rose give a little.
After more steady tugging, the glowing rose of red energy was hovering half
in and half out of Prince Darian's chest. Xeryus smiled gleefully.
        "Just what do you think you're doing?" a voice demanded from the
door. Shocked (forgot to lock it!), Xeryus spun around to see Silantro
standing in the doorway, holding a potted plant and frowning. The Rose sank
slowly back into Darian's body.
        Xeryus grinned, "I wasn't doing a thing, just visiting my dear
convalescent brother here."
        "Like hell you were. What the hell are you doing?" Silantro dropped
the plant and drew his sabre.
        Xeryus sighed again and waved his hand in Silantro's general
direction. Silantro froze for a second and got a glazed look in his eye.
        "I'm just leaving. Maybe you should pick up the pieces of that potted
plant you dropped."
        "I think I'll pick up the pieces of this plant," Silantro said
cheerily, "I seemed to have dropped it. Silly me!"
        "It's always nice to see you, dear Silantro!" Xeryus chuckled softly.
        "It's terrific to see you, Prince Xeryus! I like my bum!" Silantro
replied. Xeryus was still chuckling as he walked out of the room.

                        *       *       *       *

        The senshi stood before Queen Serenity in an ornate chamber. Queen
Serenity's two cat advisors, Artemis and Luna, were also present.
        "Senshi, your roles have become more important than ever. Princess
Serena has been attacked twice now. We have to keep our guard up."
        "We are sorry we couldn't be there when she was attacked. We should
have followed," Venus said, downcast.
        "The threat was taken care of both times by the Earth Princes.
Besides, the attack got through all the palace defenses. That hasn't happened
for many years," Luna said comfortingly.
        "I could not bear it if something happened to the princess!" Mars
said with feeling, "She is our responsibility. As Senshi, we must protect
her at all costs!"
        "Yes," agreed Artemis, "The Princess has been in danger quite a lot
lately. We all need to be on our toes from now on, and wary." The Senshi
nodded in agreement.
        "We won't be caught off guard again," Jupiter promised.
        "The Princess will be safe," added Mercury.

                        *       *       *       *

        Darian adjusted his shirt carefully and checked his hair. Today, he
and Xeryus would be escorting Princess Serenity and the Senshi around the
Kingdom. He wanted to look his best. The poison was pretty much gone and he
felt almost back to normal now.
        He trotted off to the stables, where he carefully selected the
finest bred and gentlest horses he could find. He was just brushing the last
one when Xeryus and the Moon Kingdom retinue appeared.
        "All set?" Xeryus asked cheerily. Darian nodded.
        The Senshi each selected a horse to their liking and mounted, with a
little help from the two princes. Serena stood to one side, looking slightly
worried.
        Xeryus bowed to her. "Don't worry, Serena. You can ride with me and
you'll be perfectly safe." She nodded with a smile as he mounted.
        "Darian, a little help getting the Princess up here?" he called to
Darian, who had immersed himself angrily in checking his saddle.
        Darian stalked over, flushed. Why hadn't he thought of that? None of
the Moon Kingdom people had been riding before. The princess must be
especially nervous. He helped her mount in the saddle with Xeryus. She had to
sit side saddle, as befitting a lady of her standing. The senshi were warriors
and could do anything they pleased (within limits) and rode normally.
        Serena didn't seem to mind as Xeryus put an arm around her to keep
her steady. Darian chewed his lip and mounted his black charger, fully
recovered from its encounter with the man from the Negaverse last week. He
rode out to the lead of the small party, giving the new riders help when they
needed it. Xeryus paid the others little attention and was talking to the
princess again. Darian sighed and realized this was going to be a very long
day if things kept up like this.
        The Moon Kingdom retinue was as wide eyed with wonder as they rode
through the forest paths to the city proper. They had never seen trees or
grass like this, had never felt wind blowing in their hair. Darian smiled.
Their wonder at his Earth made him see it again for the first time. His
knowledge of the trails was incredible, and he made sure to take the most
scenic route to their destination.
        After a stop at midday in a clearing for a picnic, which incidentally
was the very same clearing Darian had fought the mysterious man with the
poleaxe, they finally arrived at the city proper.
        At this point in the proceedings, Darian was getting depressed due to
the fact the princess was enjoying herself thoroughly. This was unfortunate
because she was spending all her time with Xeryus. Darian had barely had any
chances at all to speak with her or even look at her, heading off the line
as he was.
        "Darian, why don't we dismount here and go through the marketplace?
I'm sure the Senshi and Princess Serena would love a chance to do some
shopping here," Xeryus called out. The Moon Kingdom retinue seemed to like
the idea.
        "Agreed." replied Darian as he stopped the procession.
        "My rear was getting sore anyways," Mercury confided to the others,
which made them giggle.
        "Same with the rest of us I think," Venus said.
        "I rather like these 'horses'," Jupiter said thoughtfully as she slid
off her mount and patted its nose.
        "Say, Darian, there's a stable over there! Why don't you be a nice
guy and take the horses there while the ladies and I get started?" Xeryus
grinned wickedly. Darian ground his teeth in frustration.
        "Allright," he muttered as he grabbed the lead reins on Xeryus' horse
as his brother dismounted, Serena in his arms. He set her lightly on her feet.
        Darian stomped off to stable the horses as the rest of the group
headed off in the opposite direction to do investigate the bustling
marketplace.
        He had just paid the grinning handler and was leading the last horse,
his own, into the corral when he heard the screaming.
        He spun to see the crowds scattering, running away from the strange
creatures that had suddenly appeared, knocking over carts and stalls and
slaughtering any who stood in their way.
        The creatures seemed to be short dog-like humanoids, with short black
or brown fur, and they carried swords. Their leader was larger than the rest
of them, standing six feet tall, and wore armor. Darian's eyes narrowed and
he swung up onto his steed, busting out of the corral's entry gate (nearly
running over the handler in the process) and thundered towards the Darkling
commander, drawing his sword.
        The senshi had started attacking the Darklings to hold them off so
they couldn't swarm the princess. Xeryus was in the fray as well, his twin
rapiers whirling in a deadly dance.
        Silantro popped up from behind a stall, munching an apple as he
watched with interest. When he finished his snack, he tossed aside the core
and jumped into the fray, sabre flashing in the sun.
        Princess Serena was just about to get decapitated by a Darkling when
Darian rode by, swinging her onto the horse and out of the way as he felled
the Darkling with a rose. He slashed his way through the Darklings, cutting
a wide swath to ride his charger through with the roses, until he came to
Silantro, who was prancing about, slashing with his sabre.
        Darian thrust Serena into Silantro's arms. "Get her out of here!"
Silantro grinned at the Princess. Darian rode back into the melee, hit a
Darkling, then seemed to think better of something and turned his horse back
around to ride back up to Silantro. He waggled his finger at the dandy.
        "And don't you try anything funny!" he warned before he galloped off
to make his way to the Darkling commander.
        Meanwhile, the Scouts were keeping things relatively under control.
Xeryus was taking care of about four at once, keeping the Darklings from
attacking the Senshi hand-to-hand. Darian saw that yet more Darklings were
emerging from all over. He sighed and realized he'd have to kill the
commander to end the fight.
        He spurred his horse on and charged the main body of Darklings head
on. Darian said a silent prayer as he flung his arm back and then swung it
in a wide arc, roses spraying in a fan formation, cutting down the first rank
of Darklings.
        He cut down a few stragglers with his sword, then pulled the reins
sharply to the left as he leapt clear of his steed and rolled, quickly
regaining his footing. His horse spun off to the left, out of harm's way.
Darian wished he had worn his armor as he swung his blade, killing several
Darklings at a time. He could use the protection.
        An attack that would have cut his leg was deflected by a slender
rapier. Darian saw Xeryus, fighting alongside him.
        "We take the commander together," his brother stated. Darian nodded
as he slashed and dodged.
        In the meanwhile, Silantro had lead Serena a safe distance away and
the pair turned to watch the battle.
        Silantro withdrew another apple he had pinched from an overturned
cart and polished it on his shirt. Serena continued to watch in admiration.
        "They're so brave, aren't they?" she said.
        "Right, little lady!" Silantro agreed as he munched on his apple
noisily, "But I think they're goners!"
        Finally, the princes reached their foe. Darian leapt up into the air,
slashing in a downward arc at the commander's head. He blocked easily, but
this gave Xeryus a chance to slam his blades into the warrior's back. Darian
landed nimbly and swung as well. The commander countered, grimacing in
pain, and Darian chuckled as he drove his boot, low, under the blade. The
commander wheezed. It appeared Darklings had the same weaknesses as humans in
some cases.
        "That was dirty," Xeryus stated as he continued to whirl with his
rapiers.
        "You've never been in a bar fight, have you?" Darian remarked,
flinging a rose.
        "No! Hey, you're not allowed to go into bars!" Xeryus protested.
        "Er ... Silantro's a terrible influence on me!" Darian replied.
Xeryus raised his eyebrows as he plunged his rapiers into the Darkling, which
dissolved into a fine black mist and dispersed, as did the rest of the lot.
Darian wiped his brow.
        "That took long enough!" Silantro commented, shrugging.
        "Why is it that every time I go out with those two, I get attacked!"
Serena screamed.
        Silantro patted her shoulder.
        "I feel your pain!" he said, "But at least no one called you gay."

                        *       *       *       *

        A few nights later, Darian lay awake in bed, staring at the moon. He
pondered Princess Serena.
        Darian thought that at this point, he was just about even with Xeryus
in her opinion. He tried to figure out what he could do to win her over.
        He now thought he had finally found his queen, and he didn't want his
brother to steal her away. The one perfect match for me and my own brother
has to try to court her, too. Why her? It wasn't like Xeryus needed a queen.
He wasn't tied up in the same princely duties as Darian was. Xeryus wasn't
required to ever marry.
        It was times like this that Darian wished he was a normal person,
free to do as he wished. He wondered if things would be different between
Serena and him if only they weren't royalty.
        If only they weren't royalty.
        Darian sat up and smiled.

                        *       *       *       *

        Perhaps an hour later, Darian was outside the Moon Palace's wall,
trying to remember which window was Serena's. It was on the third story. In
other days, Darian would have headed to the stairs at this point. But now
he had the Sentinel Rose.
        Prince Darian crouched and leapt easily onto the balcony. He smiled,
pleased with himself. Even though he was relatively used to the Rose's power
boost by now, it still surprised even him when he did stuff like that. He
walked over to the window, conjured up a rose, and placed it on the sill. He
rapped the glass lightly. Supressing a giggle, he jumped off the balcony,
landing nimbly on his feet, and waited below in plain sight.
        Within a few minutes, Serena appeared at the window, sleepy-eyed.
        "Prince Darian?" she called down softly, with disbelief.
        "Want to go on a midnight ride?" he asked with a roguish grin.
        "I'm not allowed to do that!" Serena gasped.
        "Exactly my point!"
        Serena smiled, slowly.
        "Wait one minute."
        She appeared again and climbed out the window, clad in a pale pink
summer dress, hardly princess-like attire. He wasn't wearing his armor, just
his usual grubby riding clothes. She sat on the edge of the balcony and
peered down at him.
        "Don't worry, I'll catch you," he promised. She hesitated a moment
longer, then took a deep breath and dropped off the balcony. He leapt up,
intercepted her in mid-fall (she gasped in wonder) and landed gracefully on
his feet.
        Minutes later, they had teleported back to Earth and raced down the
forest paths, Darian's black charger even with her chestnut one. Finally, she
could forget she was a princess and ride like everyone else could. Finally,
she was with someone who could understand her secret wish not to be royalty.
Not to have to deal with politics, protocol, manners, and elegance. Someone
who understood the definition of the word, 'fun' and thought it should apply
to princes and princesses as well.
        Someone whom she could fall in love with.

                        *       *       *       *

        Darian hummed a cheery tune as he washed up the next morning, tired
from last night. After they had tired the horses out sufficiently, they had
talked the whole night through. He was dead on his feet but extremely happy.
        Someone knocked on his door.
        "Come in!" he shouted and he combed his hair.
        Silantro walked in.
        "My, aren't we cheery!" he remarked.
        "Yes, we are!"
        "What is it? Spend the night with Serena?" Silantro laughed.
        "Matter of fact, I did! But get your mind out of the gutter, we went
for a ride in the forest, then talked. But that wasn't what you came for.
What's up?"
        "Good job, Darian!" Silantro said with admiration, "I didn't think
you had it in you. You're right, I have to ask you a favour."
        "I'm in a good mood, shoot."
        "It's my sister's birthday today, and I have her present here,"
Silantro showed Darian a small wrapped box, "but, I can't get it to her in
the Moon Kingdom. I really haven't been able to see her or have any contact
with her ever since she went there. You can teleport there anytime, so I was
thinking..."
        "No problem, I'll deliver your gift. Actually, Wren may be able to
help me with something." Darian's walked over to a small box on his dresser,
withdrew a small figurine, and dropped it into his pocket.

                        *       *       *       *

        Darian quietly crept through the window of the Magist's quarters. He
had been unable to use the hallways, for some reason the guards wouldn't let
him by, though Serenity assured him he could go wherever he wished. (Excepting
obvious places, like the treasury. But in a Kingdom so full of magic, it
didn't seem likely that you would be able to just stumble on something like
that.) Darian really wondered about this and thought it was suspicious. He
also wondered if the Moon Kingdom was as idyllic as it seemed at first
glance.
        A girl in brown robes walked up to him in surprise. Darian did a
double take. The last time he had seen her was when she had been ten years
old. The brown-haired girl had grown up since then. He wouldn't have
recognized her at all without the eyes. One greenish-gray, the other grayish-
green. No one else had eyes like that.
        "Prince Darian?" she whispered as she did a small curtsy.
        "Hi, Wren! Guess what I've got!"
        "Uh?"
        "It's your birthday and Silantro sent me with this!" he thrust the
box at her. As she withdrew her hands from her sleeves and took it, he
noticed the ugly greenish bruise on her hand. Catching her wrist, he peered
at it. It was pretty bad.
        "What happened? Who did this to you?"
        Wren flushed and drew her hand away. She touched her cheek, where
Darian saw another broad bruise that had almost healed. She turned away.
        "Was it your master? The Magist?"
        She wiped her hand across her eyes, then ran over to him, grabbing
his shoulders. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped, perplexed, and
released his shoulders. She backed off a few steps.
        "What? What is it?"
        "Magic. The Rose, the Sentinel Rose ... it's tainted."
        "Tainted?"
        "The Magist tampered with it. I can try to fix it! I must! You could
be our last hope!"
        "What do you mean?" Darian was getting scared.
        "The Magist works for the Negaverse, I don't believe you've heard of
it. The plan to destroy the Moon Kingdom, but first they will take over
Earth! They have to be stopped!"
        "I have heard of the Negaverse, I was attacked by a man from there-"
        "In a gray uniform?"
        "Yes."
        "I've seen them, They are the generals, the followers of Queen Beryl,
avatar of Empress Metallia!"
        Darian drew the statuette from his pocket and held it out to her. She
was loathe to touch it.
        "That's a statue the Magist made. The original idea came from a strong
mage from the Negaverse, Bowenite. The Magist can animate them into powerful
creatures that serve him. I've seen it done."
        "I've been attacked by this one twice. Ha, now I know who's out to
get me! I'd love to slap him silly right now. But then, I'm not stupid.
He'd pulverize me."
        "Unfortunately, you're right. He's far too powerful for you. And the
Rose must be purged of dark energy, right away!" Without another word, she
placed her hands on his breastplate and chanted.
        "Orillanae ast Zeraie/ Faillus asper doram!" Darian saw the red
glowing outline of the rose light for a moment. A few wisps of dark energy
came floating out from it and wafted away on a small breeze harmlessly.
        Wren looked noticably tired.
        "It should work better now," she sighed, "Now you must go and warn
your Kingdom."
        "What will you do? I can't leave you here, he'll hurt you more!"
Darian protested.
        "I must stay. There is something I have to do, so he can be
destroyed," she said grimly.
        Darian hesitated, but concentrated and teleported away.
        Wren waited until she was sure he was gone. She had been so close to
him... she turned her attention to the gaily-wrapped box and lifted the lid.
inside was a pendant on a delicate gold chain. It was a small half-sphere
of polished greenish gray gemstone, set in gold. Wren held the medallion up to
the sunlight and watched the colours shift from green-gray to gray-green. She
smiled softly. Silantro alway gave the best gifts.

                        *       *       *       *

        Darian strode into the Great Hall, where his father sat on the
throne.
        "Father! I have important news!" he said after he had bowed, as per
courtly ettiquette.
        "Yes, Prince Darian?"
        "The Negaverse is not the Moon Kingdom, though one of their agents is
there. That agent is none other than the Magist. He tainted the Sentinel
Rose with dark energy and sent those creatures that attacked me."
        "He is very powerful," King Aldaric stated.
        "Yes ... we have to muster the army! Queen Beryl plans to take over
our Kingdom and use our armies with her own to destroy the Moon! We have to
act before she does!" Darian said passionately.
        "I'm afraid the takeover has already started." his father said clamly
as he stood.
        Darian paled. He had sensed things were not normal around the castle
lately, and it appeared he had been right...
        "The Queen is powerful. The Queen shall lead us all towards our
glorious victory against the moon! We shall have the Silver Imperium Crystal!
We shall be immortal! Think, Darian, to never die! To never age!" His father
said emotionally. Darian had never seen him like this.
        "MOM'S going to do all that?" he said, not thinking straight.
        "No, you fool!"
        "You did say the Queen!"
        "Queen Beryl! My beautiful master! I shall lead my armies to help her
defeat the Moon Kingdom, earning a glorious place by her side!"
        "Uh, is mom okay with that?"
        "She has also seen the glory to be had in Queen Beryl's service! As
will you, Prince Darian!" King Aldaric laughed and leveled his hands at
Darian's chest level. A ball of black energy shot from his hands and burst
over the stunned prince. The black energy flowed around him but he felt no
different. It would take constant energy from Queen Beryl herself to turn his
noble spirit to her side...
        "It didn't work!" he said, "The Sentinel Rose protects me. Wren
cleansed the dark energy from it."
        "If you shall not serve us, you will die!" King Aldaric raised his
sword over his head to strike his son down. Darian swore and drew his own
blade to parry... but the attack never came!
        There was a flash of red light as a red energy beam thundered into
King Aldaric's back. As the King toppled, Darian saw Xeryus standing behind,
arms raised, eyes glowing red.
        "Xeryus!" he said in puzzlement. How had his brother done that?
Darian felt a chill as the red glow did't fade. His brother certainly wasn't
harmless now.
        "One down, one to go!" Xeryus grinned. His eyes glowed yet brighter.

                        *       *       *       *

        Silantro whistled as he walked down the marble corridors. He passed
Darian's room, but Darian wasn't there. He decided to cross over to Xeryus'
chambers to see if the young prince was around and perhaps knew what Darian
was up to.
        Xeryus... why was he suddenly thinking of his bum? Strange.
        Another unexpected visit to Darian's room ....
        The Sentinel Rose ...
        Silantro's eyes widened as the wall that blocked his memory suddenly
came crashing down.
        "That little bastard!" he screamed as he drew his sabre and ran off
down the halls, swearing his head off, silk shirt rustling.

                        *       *       *       *

        "They brainwashed you, too?" Darian demanded, shocked. He had a
feeling, had wondered for the past while now, but hoped it wasn't true.
        "No! I want the Kingdom! I will rule Earth! All that stands in my way
is YOU, dear brother! And I have the power to dispose of you now! I am no
longer weak!" He raised his fists over his head, each hand glowing with the
eerie red light again.
        "You fool!" a clear feminine voice rang out as Wren Bladesemmer
materialized next to Prince Darian. She was weak, singed and battered and
clutched a remarkable book to her chest, a gigantic brown spellbook with
gold trimmings. "If the Negaverse prevails, there will *be* no Kingdom for
you to rule!"
        "Please, Xeryus! Don't do this! If you ever loved Serena-"
        "I will not be stopped by the likes of either of you! Prepare to
DIE!" Xeryus's hands snapped down and the red energy beam shot forth! Darian
and Wren started to duck but they knew it was over. There was a blue and gold
streak in front of them, and the red energy burst.
        Silantro Bladesemmer had thrown himself in the path of Xeryus' energy
bolt to protect his dearest friend and sister.
        He had paid the price.
        "Noooooooo!" screamed Darian and Wren as one as they fell next to
the slender young man.
        "Wren .... Darian," Silantro gasped, raising a weak hand. Wren and
Darian grabbed hold of it.
        "Damn energy beam... ruined the shirt... Not the two people I love
most... He can't take the only two ... I ever loved ..." Silantro whispered,
and closed his eyes a final time. Wren sobbed bitterly and cradled her
brother's hand in her own. Darian's tears fell also, as he brushed Silantro's
usually impeccable hair back from his friend's brow.
        "Touching, but the dandy's efforts were futile!" a smooth, cold voice
called down from above. Eight figures in gray uniforms floated down from the
ceiling. The speaker, a man with long green-tinged hair and a blue trimmed
uniform, laughed.
        "Silly humans! Sacrificing yourself and for what, nothing!" laughed
the one in the green trimmed uniform with a ponytail of brown hair.
        "Since you will not join Queen Beryl, you will have to die!" said
the figure with a long black braid.
        "Hi again!" said the one with long blonde hair as he waved cheerily
to Darian.
        The pink-haired one cackled and swung her sword.
        "Bowenite, Scheelite, Variscite, Lucinite! You will take care of
these fools! Return in time to lead the armies with Zoicite, Nefryte,
Malachite, and I!" ordered the one with short blond hair.
        "Yes, Lord Jedite," said the silver haired one, Variscite. Jedite,
Nephlite, Zoisite, and Malachite winked out as they teleported away.
        The four remaining Negaverse commanders landed.
        "Queen Beryl shall rule the Earth and the Moon Kingdom!" said
Variscite.
        "Now, you shall die," intoned Bowenite.
        "I think not!" replied Xeryus as he knocked Wren and Darian away with
superhuman strength. They went flying across the Great Hall, slamming into
the wall at the opposite end.
        Xeryus clutched his fists to his chest, closed his eyes and shook as
the magical wild forces he had flowing inside him surged to new peaks. His
body began to glow with red energy, his hair rising as the power covered him.
His eyes snapped open, two pools of red light. He growled as the red light
grew stronger and stronger and stronger, encasing him in a red energy globe,
which expanded at a rapid rate.
        Wren's eyes widened as she recognized what he was about to do. Darian
somehow knew and threw himself over her to protect her.
        "Noooo!" she shrieked in denial for a second time.
        The globe suddenly expanded, burst apart, slamming the Negaverse
commanders into the air, shredding and disintegrating the colourful banners
hanging from the rafters, vaporizing the valiant Silantro's corpse and the
corpse of King Aldaric, blowing out the remarkable stain-glass window in a
flash of crimson light which blinded all present.
        "You may have won here, but you will not survive the attack on the
Moon Kingdom!" screamed Bowenite as he and his mortally injured companions
teleported away.
        Sparkling red motes of energy fell like snow in the Great Hall.
        "Xeryus..." Darian whispered.
        There wasn't even a body.
        "He let himself be utterly consumed in the magic he couldn't
control," whispered Wren, "A magic Wild Talent."
        Prince Darian regarded the total destruction of the Great Hall.
        "They must be warned... the Moon Kingdom will be next," he said
grimly.
        "At least the Magist won't be a part of the attack," Wren said, "Not
without this, the Codex...." The ancient book was unharmed.
        "Serena and the Moon Kingdom must be warned..."
        The warm pink energy of the Sentinel Rose flowed over them as they
teleported to the Moon Kingdom, to bring their warning of the destruction to
come...
        "Goodbye, my brother. You have redeemed yourself in your final act."

And we all know what happened next.
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

--
*Frighteningly, at any given moment, an hour has just passed.
*Most states fit so closely together that almost no space is wasted.
*King Edward the Seventh frequently asked total strangers "not to meddle with
his spoons".                                -ABRELL AND THOMPSON'S ACTUAL FACTS