Queen of Legends, part seven, by Sailor GlitterGirl, June, 2001 Oh, lord PLEASE let this be the one to be the one to be posted! *sigh* Hey, minna-chans! You ever have one of those days where NOTHING goes right? That's my LIFE, it seems like, when it comes to computers. I swear, I think all electronics have organgized a conspiracy against me, or something. *sigh* Anyways, here's part seven (for the fifth time, literally! Every time I was nearly done, somthing happened and I lost it all! UGH!!), so read on and enjoy it! That is an ORDER from the great and beautiful writing goddess. Sailor GlitterGirl THIS PART IS DEDICATED TO *RED ROSE*, MY NEW CYBER BUDDY. WITHOUT HER SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGING I DOUBT I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO 'GET BACK ON THE HORSE' AND KEEP WRITING. *****QUEEN OF LEGENDS***** Part Seven: Operation Lady Thieves Rated: PG, for darkness By: Sailor GlitterGirl At: sailorglittergirl@sailormoon.com The warm summer wind blew across the balcony, blowing back Serena's hair and thin silk nightgown as she leaned against the railing, gazing up at the stars. Finally she had a few moments to think for herself, to gather her scattered thoughts, to piece together this new reality. A Lunar Princess? Sailor Silver Selene? The Moon Ambassador? Could it all be real? Serena sighed. Despite her constant questionings, she knew in her heart that yes, yes this was all very real. She had felt it to the core of her heart when she'd transformed. That was proof in itself if nothing else. Despite proddings and more demands, Serena had been unable to squeeze anything more out of Luna other than a few bits of info about her 'helpers.' Serena let her gaze flow down to the glimmering silver wand in her hand, seeming to glow slightly under the moonlight. Sighing, Serena closed her eyes, and attemped to sort things out. She was the Moon Ambassador, that much was for certain. Sailor Selene was real, and she was it. There was an immense evil coming, perhaps already here, just waiting for the right moment to strike. There was a princess, a LUNAR Princess, whom was the only one powerful enough to defeat this evil, and send it away. But, this princess was in hidding, possibly without knowledge of her destiny, as Serena had been. Until that princess was found, Serena was the one with the most power, and therefore the only one capable of holding off the evil force until the Lunar Princess could finish the job. But she wouldn't be alone. Luna had said that there were four more 'Sailor Ambassadors,' as the team would be called. Serena had been right, according to Luna, when assuming that that meant that the others would be representatives as well. Of whom? Serena couldn't have been more shocked. Her comrades against this evil would be the Ambassadors of the PLANET Princesses! Serena shook her head. No matter how strongly her heart and instincts told her all of this was real, she still couldn't believe it. Life on othe planets? KINGDOMS on other planets? Letting her mind wander back to it's original train of thought, Serena remembered at how right after she'd transformed, Luna had told her all she could about the others; that they didn't have any knowledge of who or what they were or could be, that they were the Ambassadors to the Planet Princesses, they of whom would in turn be the Personal Guardians, the Sailor Senshi, to the Lunar Princess. Serena had guessed right when she asked Luna if that meant they would eventually have to find the Sailor Senshi/ Planet Princesses as well. With yet another sigh, Serena looked down at her Silver Moon Power Rod still resting in her hands. She had a strong urge to throw the thing as far as she could and forget about all this. But common sense along with the knowledge that Luna was asleep on her pillows inside the room, and would simply make her go find it again, stopped her. She'd wanted to tell her friends, the Alley Senshi, what had happened, but up in the tower, where she'd first transformed, when they'd heard footsteps coming up Luna had hissed for her to detransform. Not knowing how, only knowing that she wished to, Serena discovered it to be that simply; just want to. And not a moment too soon had she managed it, too, for four ethereal girls had rounded the corner, all looking concerned. Mina, Lita, Raye, and Amy had been searching for their friend and 'queen,' worried for her. Unknown to all, Mina had decided to wait to tell everyone about Kunzite's contribution to their plan, Operation Lady Thieves, sensing that for some reason Serena DEFINATELY did NOT need any more stress put on her at that moment. Serena chuckled quietly. While she didn't know what, she did know that Mina was hidding something, even if for only a short time. Serena smiled saddly; at least she knew for a fact that life wouldn't be boring anymore. Sighing, Serena turned from the sliver of sunlight that had begun to creep over the horizon, and headed inside, wanting to catch a few hours rest at least before facing the new day. In the morning -or at least, in a couple of hours- they would begin phase two of Operation L.T. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* "You're joking, right?" Prince Darien said, his brow crinkled in worry and anxiousness. At the look on his lead General's face, he knew that they weren't. "Oh, this is not good." Darien groaned, burying his head in his hands. The others -save for Kunzite and Nephlite- weren't doing any better. "Nega magic..." Zoicite whispered disbelievingly. "Dark Magic, Black Magic, the Forbidden Arts we could handle; we get violators of the Powers Law all the time, and we've delt with some doozies. But someone who can even TOUCH the NEGA Magics is...guys, even if this Beryl is the worst sorceress to ever hit the galaxy, with even a touch of the Nega Powers she's..." "Unstoppable." The Prince supplied. Gloom settled over them all in the dark room, a secret chamber leading off of all of their rooms. It was pitch black save a small lantern on the table. "What are we going to do?" Jedite whispered, his happy demenear shrunken to gloomy seriousness; this was too grave for jokes. "I have, unfortunately, had the opportunity to observe what Lady Beryl is like." Darien stated darkly. "And...?" Kunzite urged. "And she's selfish, spoiled, vengeful, jealous, hasty, will do anything to get what she wants, thinks she deserves to be a goddess, she's impossibly vain, insufferable, moody...shall I continue?" Darien looked at his friends hopelessly. There was silence for a moment as dread and gloom layered everyone in the room with a heavy foreboding. Things looked as hopeless as they could get. "Is... is there any word on King and Queen?" Nephlite ventured. Darien's face darkened. His parents... Would he ever see them again? Half a year ago they'd left and gone to the summer palace by the sea for their anniversary, very worried about leaving the Kingdom. Darien had assured them that he and their advisors could handle it. He had offered to run things, but his parents had been animate that he needed to complete his studies and training as Guardian of Earth before taking on the job -however temporary- of ruling the kingdom. The advisors had -oh-so-surprisingly- agreed. The King and Queen hadn't been gone two months before they were found unconscious, in a deep coma. Magic doctors found traces of a unique and never before seen poison, a beautifully crafted virus, designed to expertly elude the anti-sickness spells that came naturally to Earth Royals. Whoever had done this had known what he was doing. It seemed it was someone that wanted power, as when they'd left, the King and Queen had left the Kingdom in the hands of their adisors -five, in all- and unless they were deaad, the advisors would stay in control until either the King and Queen came back, or the Prince came into his powers. So far, neither solution had been able to be presented. Darien sighed. "No, there has still been no word." He said wearily. It tore him to bits to see his mother and father's own trusted ones wasting away the Kingdom on their greed for more luxuries, and suddenly said so. "I HATE this!" He raged, standing up so abruptly that his chair tipped over and fell to the floor with a clatter. He paced, his eyes dark, as he glowered at the floor. "I can't stand seeing people -MY people- suffer, and not be able to do ANYTHING! I can't even protest, or they could stripe me of my title." He sighed suddenly, and plopped down into the chair that Kunzite had rightened for him. "I just wish there was something I could do without anyone knowing." "There...there is something...Your Highness..." Kunzite said suddenly, slowly. Darien slowly raised his eyes and looked at his General and friend. "What?" He demanded, his eyes narrowed. Kunzite blushed lightly. "I was...well, talking to Mi- er, Miss Vemina at the party earlier, and I too confesed to her my frustrations on not being able to help my kingdom. She suddenly became...excited, asking me that if there was a way I could help, would I?" "And?" Nephlite pushed. "Of course I said yes. Her face just brightened up with this gorgeous smile, her eyes twinkling, and-" Kunzite suddenly stopped and blushed, faking a cough. "Well, she told me that, well, she and the girls are planning something, something to help the others outside the palace." "How?" Darien asked, curious. Kunzite smiled. "They're planning on breaking into some of the royal records and finding out where and when what provinces the taxes will be raised next, and after that, and after that." "And how were they planning on doing that?" Jedite asked slyly. Kunzite glared at the younger, leaner man, and turned back to the Prince. "I was planning on landing a few discreet hints on how to do so, but I doubt they would need help." The others nodded in agreement. While the Alley Senshi girls didn't seem the type to steal for greed, it was obvious they probably still knew how to make a successful break in or two. Darien also had to admit to himself that it probably wouldn't be that hard; the advisors and the like were much to overconfidant of their safety while in the palace. "Then?" Zoicite asked, wanting to hear the rest. He was casually leaning back in his chair, analyzing everything, as was his job and his nature. "Then they would get word out to the provinces, giving them time to try and stock up on things they'd need while their taxes were raised." Kunzite continued. "That, and they were planning on trying to sneak out some stained or ripped sheets, old, no longer used books, some bottle of medicine that wouldn't be missed, and the like." Darien shook his head. "Whose idea was it?" He asked. "She said it was Serena's, but also said that Serena claimed it was Mina's idea." Kunzite answered, looking at the Prince out of the corner of his eye, then looking at the others. "I'll understand if you guys want to part of this, but I intend to help them. I talked to Jasemine; she's going to help as well." "That's another thing; how were they planning on getting word out to the townspeople?" Jedite said. "Shout it out a window?" Kunzite's lips quirked. "No, that's where my sister would come in. Since she and the girls are already good friends," Kunzite ignored Darien as he made a face. While Kunzite had often talked about his constantly traveling sister, Darien, while thinking up ways to get the Senshi to slip up, had forgotten when decided on a test with Kunzite's sister that Jasemine loved just about everyone, and would never say anythig -even if there wasn't anything to say- that would have gotten the girls kicked out. "Well, since they'r already friends," Kunzite continued, "It won't come as a surprise when Serenity askes for a favor from her, that favor being missing an old friend of hers -don't know who- and Jasemine will have that friend invited to the palace. Then, when no one will notice, they tell that friend their plans, and the friend will warn the provinces. And on future visits, will be taking out the supplies." Darien shook his head. "That does it; in the morning I'm going to call off the bet and declare myself defeated." He said, laughing lightly. Yet Kunzite still saw a lingering darkness in his eyes. "Why's that?" Jedite asked, his expression resembling that of a snake before the kill. Darien glared, then answered smoothly. "If any other peasants can come any near coming up with a plan like that, then, well, you get my point." "That we do, princie, boy, that we do," Nephlite said, his tone suggesting he got what Darien hadn't meant them to. They all laughed, and Zoicite yawned. "Well, I'm thinking we need to hit the sacks guys. My internal clock tells me it's probably near sunrise." "Agreed," Nephlite replied to Zoicite, whom was standing and stretching the other men did the same, and each headed for one of the six doors, all of them leading to one of the General's rooms, the Prince's chambers, or the King and Queen's chambers. As Kunzite headed for his rooms, a stonge, deep voice stopped him. "Kunzite, please stay a moment," Prince Darien asked, his voice somewhat solomn. "Of course, highness," Kunzite ackowledged. As soon as the others were gone, Darien stood and confronted his friend, placing a thankful hand on his shoulder. "Thank you," He said. "For what, Darien?" "For changing the subject so subtly and artisticly as you did." Darien said, white teeth flashing in a smile in the flickering lantern light. "I could see that the ominousness of this whole thing was getting to them. Thank you for distracting them. Now, I think, you've given them something pleasant, something worthwhile to do admist all this hopelessness." "It wasn't me, your highness," Kunzite corrected gently. "It was the Lady Serenity." He turned and headed for his door, stopping a moment and turning his head slightly over his shoulder, just enough so that the corner of his ice blue eyes were visible to Darien, who stood, slightly surprised. "You know, prince, there is something to that girl. Something, someone else underneath all her callous and hard heartedness. Someone that is hurting, much like you. I think, your highness, that it would do you good to get to know someone who is going through perhaps even more pain than you." He turned and stepped through the door, closing it behind him and leaving Darien staring into empty space. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* "Then as soon as you've got the info, get your butts OUT of there!" Serena emphasized. The other girls nodded with agreement. It was early, and everyone was in the breakfast for a formal, somewhat fancy breakfast in honor of Lady Jasemine returning for a short while. Right then was when they were launch the first step of Operation L.T., which meant sneaking into the royal office and sneaking a peek of the files that stated -if there was such a thing- where the taxes would be raised next. They had thought that then would be the best time, as everyone would assume they were oversleeping because of the party last night, and because it was unexpected being during broad daylight. "Alright, everone know what do to?" Mina clapped her hands together, excited about what she had to tell them in a moment. "Yup, ackowledged Orange Commander," Lita joked. "I'm watching the left corner, and if anyone comes, I pretend to not like their face so I bash it in." She recieved glares all around. "Or...not," Lita amened. She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, I run to them pretending I wasn't hungry for breakfast and decided to go riding, but I need help with my horse, that's why I'm dressed in riding clothes." "Good. Amy?" "I, too, decided to skip breakfast, and am watching from the left side, coming from the Library. If someone comes, I pretend that I need help finding a book." Amy repeated for the thousandth time, obviously disliking having to lie, even if it was for a greater good. "Perfect. Raye?" Serena looked at the black haired girl. "I watch the windows." Raye said with a sigh. "If someone comes, I telepathicly put a strong suggestion to go away." "Exactly." Serena nodded. "Okay. Mina and I break into the room with Raye, grab what we need -visually, memorizing it- and get out. As soon as we're all out, don't go running. If someone comes across you while you're leaving -slowly, don't run - you stick with the original story until you reach your chambers. Change into your gowns, and proceed to the dining hall. "Now, everyone got what you need?" They all took a look at themselves and what they had in their hands with a sigh, then looked at Serena and together they all chimed, "Yes." Serena nodded. "Good. Mina? Got the lock picks?" Mina shifted, and cleared her throat. "Well, um, not exactly." "I thought you just said you had everything you needed!" Serene exclaimed quietly, still cautious of passerbys. "I do have everything I need." Mina replied. "Then where's the lock picks?" "Don't have them." "You just said AGAIN that you had everything you would need!" "And I do!" "But we need SOMETHING to unlock those doors!" "I know." "Then where's the lock picks?" "Don't have them," Mina said, grinning devilishly, Serena glowering. "Alright, answer me this; WHY don't you have the lock picks?" "Because we don't need them," Mina answered, her eyes dancing withe mischief. The others were laughing quietly with amused merriment. Serena sighed, grumbling, and buried her head in her face. "Alright, WHY don't we need the lock picks?" "Because I have THIS." Mina said smugly, reaching into a pocket somewhere in her simple, but no less elegant, gown, and produced a simple brass key, washed in gold. The others gawked. "Kami-sama where did you get THAT???!!!" Raye exclaimed, snatching it away and waving a hand over it. "There's powerful wards on this key, guys, but they've been modified so that Mina can use it." She looked up at Mina. "Vemina Aino." Serena said curtly. "Yes?" Mina squeeked, shrinking away a bit. "Where did you get the key to the Royal Office?" Serena asked calmly. Mina gulped, then blushed crimson, looking down and rubbing her toe into the carpet. "Uh, er, well, um-" "Just spill, Mina," Lita sighed exhasperatedly. "Itoldkunziteaboutourplancausehesaidhewantedto- helpandsohegavemethekeyandsaidwecoulduseitwheneverwewan- tedandhesaidifwegetcaughthecancoverforustoo." Mina rambled. The others blinked. Then, Serena being the only one who understood, grabbed her best friend since age five and shook her by the shoulders, hard, screaming at her. "YOU TOLD HIM *WHAT*?????" "Huh? Told who what?" Lita ventured the question. Only Amy and Raye were smart enough to stay out of it. Glaring at Mina as she released the cowering blonde, Serena turned to the girls, glaring at Mina out of the corner of her eye. "She told General Kunzite about our plans. Aparently he claimed he wanted to help, and he gave her the key." She sighed and plopped down on the chair. "Mina, how do you know that this isn't a trap to get us kicked out? I'm sure you honestly thought you were doing right, but how can we be sure we can-" "Tust him?" Mina said quietly. Serena looked up and saw dead seriousness in her look-alike's eyes. "Yes." Serena said flately. "I know you like him, and as far as nobles go he's a great guy, sure, but he's still part of the Prince's group. If the prince finds out..." "Oh, I don't even want to THINK about it!" Raye groaned. "Mina, what if tht key is a trap? What if it's rigged to set off an alarm once we use it?" Serena said, ignoring Raye. Sighing, she shook her head. "Sorry, Mina, but we're using the lock picks. I'd rather stay with something I KNOW I can trust." Serena looked at her friend pointedly, and Mina scowled, turned on her heel, and marched out of the room to get the lock picks. "I'm sorry, Mina-chan," Serena whispered, too low for the others to hear. "But I just...outside of you guys, I just don't trust anymore." Serena suddenly gasped as something warm and furry touched her cheek, a light weight settling on her shoulders. Serena, out of reflex, nearly slapped Luna off her shoulder, and released a breath of air when she saw the feline. "Luna, kitty girl, don't DO that!" Serena laughed shakily, giving Luna a look that the cat knew meant she was going to get it later. "Hey, Serena, where'd you get the cat?" Lita asked, cocking her head to one side and looking at the feline with interest. Luna purred as Amy reached up and petted her gently, stroking back her silky black fur. Luna mewoed and purred, closing her eyes in cat delight as Amy laughed softly, scratching her behind her ear. "I didn't 'get,' her, Lita," Serena answered. "She found me. Remember that cat that was with me last night when you found me in the tower, but she ran away? Well, this is her." "And her name's Luna?" Raye asked, coming over to pet the cat as well. "Because of that marking, I'll bet." "Uh-huh." Serena ackowledged, chuckling as Luna purred louder, obviously enjoying the attention immensely. Serena suddenly shrieked as Luna nuzzled her ear with her cold nose. "Meet me in the starlight tower of the west wing of the palace tonight after dinner," Luna whispered, quietly enough that only Serena heard. "It's important." Serena nodded, making it look as if she was pushing Luna's nose out of her ear. "All right, let's go." A voice sighed, and Serena looked past the girls to see Mina, holding up a small leather pack. It was something they themselves had put together out of craft tools and mangles silverware, since their own instruments had been left back at their place in the Alley. On sight of Mina, Luna jumped down, and Serena sparred only a quick glance to see the feline dart under the bed, and out of sight. "All right, then, troops, let's go." Serena said, a smile on her face borne from excitement and a slight adrenaline rush as she went to the door, Mina and Raye beside her, the other three waiting behind, as they would proceed after them in a few moments. They slipped casually out the door, yawning as if they'd just risen from bed. Serena led the way, as she was the one that had gotten ahold of a map from one of the teachers of their classes and memorized it, making her the one who knew the way. Amy and Lita slipped out as well as soon as Lita saw that they were about to round a corner and out of sight. Doing their best to avoid being sighted, and having a few close calls, eventually they all made it to a small door at the end of a long corridor, a small brass lock and matching handle being the only ornaments. Arriving a few moments after the gold team (Raye, Mina, and Serena), the silver team (Lita and Amy) took their positions as such: Royal Office Serena \/ corridor Lita Mina Raye ---------------------------> h| a| l| l| w| a| y| Amy (AN: That was NOT easy!) "Come on, come on..." Raye whispered hurridly to Serena as the blonde sowly, painstakingly slowly, twisted and manipulated the lock with a slender piece of metal. At long last, the desired click was heard, and with a smug smile, Serena carefully and slowly inched the door open. Nodding to Raye, the raven haired girl reached a single hand inside, her fingers and palm glowing an ever so faint violet. "Nothing," Raye whispered. "Apparently the only ward was on the key." "We were right; they are overconfident of their own safety while in the palace." Mina murmured. "No sense dodling and musing it over," Serena hissed and silently slipped inside, Raye and Mina following right after. Mina being the last, she eased the door closed soundlessly as Raye darted to her post at the window, Serena slinked in the semi-darkness to the desk and began rumaging through drawers, while Mina padded softly to the bookcases. Several minutes later, two close calls by people walking under the window, and countless frustrations later, Serena stood up striaght, a truimphant smile on her face as she pulled out a folder made of a thick, folded piece of parchment. Between the folds were severa sheets of scented, well pressed paper with a scribe's superb and stylish writing, statements and stamps and personal as well as official seals spotting the pages. "I think this is it." Serena whispered, and Mina darted over, Raye staying where she was to continue keeping a look-out. Between the two girls, they soon had all they needed memorized, but just to be safe, Mina had fished out a small notebook out from under her skirts and began jotting down the important things with a pre-filled ink quill. "Okay, I think I've got everything," Mina said quietly. "Alright then, let's scram." Serena waved Raye over, and after one last sweep of the outside, the silent girl turned and padded quickly but silently over to the door with her friends, slipping out one by one. Serena turned once Raye had exited and shut the door, and, waving her friends to leave, turned and inserted the lock pick again, trying to lock the door. As she worked, she absently noted the quick, but quiet patter of slippered feet walking away, and smiled; even if someone came back now, they had what they needed, and her friends wouldn't be punished. No sooner had she finished that thought than she heard soft, catlike steps being taken towards her, from behind. She opened her mouth, the side of her face still pressed against the cool brass, listening for the lock, to tell her friend to get out of there, when she realized that the footsteps were too heavy to be even Lita's. Serena froze, and slowly, smoothly stood, slipping the lock pick out of the lock and up he sleeve with barely a few twitches of her hand. Slowly, she turned, her gaze level, her expression completely guarded. Yet before she'd even turned half way around, a harsh grip clamped over her upper arm, another arm latching around her middle, pinning her other arm. That second arm pulled her roughly against a silk clad, strong body, dry lips pressed into her ear, whispering harshly. "Miss me, my dear?" A voice, a hard, cold, voice drawled, and Serena felt her heart freeze, her breath stop, as she uttered one word, one word full of loathing. "Shazal." To Be Continued... Heh, heh, heh... SURPRISE! Who forgot about our original little bad minion dude? Come on, I know SOME of you had to, cause *blush* I did! Here I am, going back and reading my own stuff for fun and BAM! I forget that I'd had a whole other villain set up when I had went and brought Beryl back. *shrug/sigh* Oh, well. Actually, it's a humongo good thing I did, though. Why? Well, you'll just have to wait and see! Until next time, dahlings, do NOT forget E-MAIL!!!!!! Sailor GlitterGirl ***All Standard Disclaimers Apply***