Part three
A hope comes

Serena carefully got off the ground. Her mind was foggy and her vision was blurred. She sat on a nearby bed and rubbed her head. Around her were four men. Their profiles were dignified in the sunlight that poured in from the window across the room. Serena rubbed her eyes gently and looked up at the men. Each one was different and seemed to reflect something that Serena thought she had left behind in Tokyo.

“How do you feel princess?” one man asked her. Serena recognized the voice as being the one who found her in New York.

“Fine,” she mumbled although she was far from fine. Everything seemed jumbled and shapes were amorphous. She managed to focus in on the man who had brought her here and stayed focused on him. It made the room spin less.

“Do you remember who I am?” he asked her solemnly.

“Yes,” Serena said. She took her eyes away from the man and scanned the rest of the men who were standing around her.

“Seth,” she said, coming back to her original starring point. He smiled at her and nodded. As he stepped back, the other men came closer. Serena felt a relapse coming on and shut her eyes tightly.

“Don’t,” Seth said. “Not yet, she isn’t ready.” The other men backed up and gave Serena her space. “You can open your eyes princess,” Seth said. Her eyes fluttered opened and starred into his deep brown eyes. A look crossed his face for a moment but then left. It was a soft look, almost like he wanted to kiss her but knew that it wasn’t his place or right to kiss the lips of a princess. She remained stone, sitting on the bed in a kind of trance. She didn’t fully understand what was happening to her but as she looked at Seth she was beginning to have memories of him. Distant memories that were from her childhood. The longer she looked at him, the more memories flooded into her mind. These memories were comforting and warm.

They seeped in like a warm drink on a cold day. Serena remembered how Seth was always like a brother to her and how he was only three years older than she was but his wisdom seemed to be a decade beyond hers.

“I feel odd,” Serena whispered.

“That’s expected. You’re having a memory relapse. When you look at things they will begin to remind you of the moon kingdom and what really happened that last day,” Seth said. “I don’t feel that you are ready to see the others. Memories may seem comforting but believe me, some are dark and too many of these memories at once will do more harm than good for you.”

“I could handle it,” Serena protested. Seth shook his head.

“Get use to the feeling of new memories. I know that the only ones you have had of me so far have been nice, but in time you will begin to remember the bad ones. Only by feeling comforted by your bad memories of me can you start to recount those from others.” Seth talked like a professor from a university. Every highly educated word slipped from his tongue and into her ear. Serena didn’t fully understand everything he said but she did get the crux of it and that was that she had to wait a while before seeing the other guardians.

“Rest,” Seth said. “By tomorrow you will have remembered all there is to know about me and then you can see the others.” Serena didn’t argue. She leaned back onto the bed and let Seth cover her with a blue blanket that was folded at the end of the bed.

As she slept she dreamt about a time long forgotten…

“Seth!” said a young Serena as she frolicked through the palace gardens.

“It’s time to go inside! Mom says that its time for dinner! Seth, where are you!” Serena looked behind a few tall hedges and continued to call out Seth’s name. Little did she know that Seth wasn’t in hearing distance. Seth had wondered off with Darien and the other imperial guards to go sword fighting where no one could find them. Seth had been in charge of watching Serena while she played outside with her dolls and picked flowers.

“Seth!” Serena called out again and was beginning to cry. She spun around in a circle and tried to find out where she was but the hedges were too tall to see over and Serena sunk down to her knees and wept. She thought that she was lost and feared starvation and death. As she cried, a gentle rain began to fall from the sky. Serena lifted her head and felt the cool rain patter on her face and into her mouth. She stood up and started to enjoy the soft rain. Just as she had stopped crying and was beginning to enjoy the rain, a thundercloud came and struck ground near her. She jumped to attention and ran under a tree. The rain started to fall in sheets and Serena’s pink frilly dress was becoming ruined. Mud splashed up from puddles and she saw two boys run past the tree with their hands over their heads.

“Hey!” Serena called out and came out from behind the tree. The boys didn’t look back but kept running. Serena recognized them as two of the squires from the imperial guards of Earth. She started to run after them, hoping to follow them back to the palace.

Dirt splashed up against her face as she ran through puddles. A voice from behind her made her stop and turn around. It was a wet Seth coming back from his role-playing as a knight. When Serena saw him she stopped and waited for him to catch up with her.

“Where were you!” she yelled at him as he approached. Before he could answer a clap of thunder was heard, followed by lighting hitting down on the tree next to Serena. She screamed and looked up as a branch fell and hit her on the head. Serena was knocked to her back in an instance. Seth stopped dead in his tracks and looked behind him as Darien came up.

“I didn’t do it,” Seth whispered at Darien who was too shocked to speak.

Serena lay before the two boys and rain beet down hard on her soft, feminine features. A line of blood began to form on the top of her forehead and trickled down to the ground. It touched down in a puddle and created a ripple effect.

“We have to get her back to the palace,” Darien yelled over the thunder.

Seth nodded and picked up Serena in his arms. As he touched her, her eyes flung opened and were stung by the rain. She screeched and wailed around in Seth’s arms. He quickly put her down and went to hug her as she began to cry.

“Leave me alone!” she screamed and stomped her foot on the ground. She touched her forehead and saw the blood. This made her cry even more and Darien bent down to comfort her.

“Are you all right Serena?” he asked her. Serena nodded and gave Darien a big hug. With her head buried in Darien’s chest she couldn’t see the jealousy and rage that was shown on Seth’s face. He had been trying to win Serena’s favor for so long but she continued to be more attached to Darien even though she was promised to Seth.

Serena awoke with a start and found her bed drenched in sweat. She looked outside and saw that it was pitch black. A clock by the side of her bed read 1:32am. Serena lay back down and wiped her hair back from her face. Looking around the room, she noticed that no one was there. She sighed and turned onto her stomach to go back to sleep.

Again she dreamt, but this time she was a young woman and her mother was talking to her…

“Mother, you don’t understand!” Serena yelled persistently. “I can’t marry Seth. I don’t love him! I love Darien.” Her mother was sitting across from her at a crystal table with a stack of books on it. The carpet that Serena stood on was a soft pink almost white color with gold embroidery. Off to the right of the table was a painting of Serena and Serenity when Serena was a child and next to that was a table with a group of candles on it. They were white with dull flames and pink interiors. A large window took up the whole back wall and over looked the palace gardens.

“Serena, darling. You have known for a long time that you were promised to Seth. It was an agreement made a long time ago before you were born between your father and his.”

“An agreement for me in exchange for new land in the far universe, I know the story by heart mother but it still isn’t fair on my part.” Her mother frowned.

“I know how much you care for Darien but this is very important. If it doesn’t go through then this kingdom may face dire consequences.” Her mother stroked Serena’s long hair and went to the door to leave.

“Wait just a minute. I’m not finished!” Serenity looked back at her daughter.

“This is for the best Serena.”

“There could be another agreement. Seth has always dreamt of working here in the palace as a royal protector. Why don’t you have the agreement say that he can be your royal protector?” Her mother shook her head.

“No Serena.”

“But mother,” Serena said between sobs. Her mother went over to her and held her.

“Serena. I never wanted to marry your father but I did and I learned to love him. You will be the same way.” Her mother smiled and left the room.

Serena was alone, crying and feeling sorry for herself that she had to marry someone who she had no say in. As she watched herself in her dream she began to hear voices from the present world.

“Serena?” Seth’s voice said. Serena turned over and opened her eyes. Seth was standing to the side of her.

“You’ve slept long enough. It’s time to get up.” Serena yawned and sat up in bed.

“I had the strangest dreams,” she said. Seth smiled at her.

“Those were memories, Princess. You’re beginning to remember.” Serena looked surprised.

“Memories? But…I don’t understand.” She looked confused.

“Let me explain. Your memories are coming back to you little by little. But right now only of me and things related to me since I am the only guardian you have seen as of now. I think that you are ready to gain the memories of the others.” Serena bit her lip. She wanted those memories but the feeling of flooding memories was giving her a headache and she didn’t want to feel sick like the last time.

“Well?” Seth said. Serena nodded slowly and got out of bed. Seth left the room, telling her that he would be meeting her in one hour down in the lounge of the hotel. Serena pulled together an outfit of a short green skirt and a loose fitting black hooded pull over. Then she slipped on her sneakers and ran down to meet Seth, pulling her hair back into a ponytail as she ran.

Seth was waiting for her in the lounge and handed her a blueberry muffin.

“Seth,” Serena said. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” Seth said as the two sat down on a couch.

“My memories that came back to me last night. I’m confused. I think that you are the only one who can answer it for me.” Seth looked at her and awaited her question.

“Tell me princess,” Seth said.

“Well, in my dream, you and I were engaged and I didn’t want to marry you. Is that true?” Seth buried his head in his news paper and muttered,

“Everything you dream is true, Princess.”

“But I don’t understand. Why was I to marry Darien right before the battle with the Negaverse?” Seth sighed. He didn’t want to talk about that but he knew how persistent Serena could be.

“Did you dream about the day when you argued with your mother?” Serena nodded. “Well the agreement was changed and that’s all there is to it.” He sat silently and Serena got the hint that he wasn’t up to talking about the past or at least the fact that they were suppose to be married.

“I’ll tell you more later. Right now it’s time to meet the others.” He folded his newspaper under his arm and walked behind Serena and out of the hotel.

They walked about two blocks before coming to a small building that looked like an old coffee shop. As they turned the corner to enter, Serena started to become dizzy and flashes were present in front of her face.

“What’s wrong?” Seth asked. Serena grabbed onto a railing and almost fell. Seth looked ahead and saw the other men walking around a corner to meet them. When they saw Serena they ran to her aid.

“I’m all right, it’s nothing.” Seth frowned.

“You’re having memory relapses.” Serena rubbed her head and looked up at him. Seth saw that she was a fighter and wasn’t going to let anything come between her and the memories that she was seeking.

“I’m fine,” Serena said again and walked into the old building. The men followed.

Inside was a small table with a couch and two chairs around it. It was a damp place with a low ceiling and two windows in the front which had the shades pulled tightly. There was a counter and a sink with webbing around the faucet. Serena cringed. She hated filth.

“Take a seat,” Seth said. Serena sat in a chair and watched as the men took seats around her. A pounding headache was starting up be Serena willed it back and tried to keep the pain at a minimum.

“Princess,” Seth started, “these are your other guardians.” He pointed at each one as he spoke their name. “Richard,” Seth said and pointed to a tall man with aqua colored eyes and shaggy blond hair. He was dressed in a pair of tan pants and a white dress shirt with a tie. He stood and bowed to Serena. She smiled and tried to hide her pain.

“Ryan,” Seth pointed at the man sitting next to Richard. Ryan stood and bowed. His oxy black hair fell into his face and he brushed it back with his hand. His skin was a tan color and his eyes looked like a dark pit. Serena nodded to him.

“David,” Seth said and pointed to a man who looked to be about Serena’s age. The rest of the men looked like they could have been Serena’s fathers except for Seth and David. David was average height with long white hair, which he held back in a ponytail. His eyes were a soft gray and his skin was the palest shade of peach that Serena had ever seen.

“These were your guardians on the moon and now they are here to protect you,” Seth said. Serena looked at the men and felt her headache grow. The pain was becoming overwhelming. Serena rubbed her temples and tried to push the pain away but it was too hard. Now that she knew who the men were, the memories wanted to come back but Serena was pushing them away. It was so painful for her. Seth saw the pain that Serena was going through and took her hand.

“Just let them come princess.” Serena smiled at him and closed her eyes, allowing the memories to come back. Instantaneously she jolted back and went into convulsions. The men were expecting this. Regaining memories was always painful and took time. Serena stopped shaking after about a minute and just sat there with her eyes closed tightly.

“We need to let her rest,” Seth said and pulled open his newspaper. The other men looked at each other.

“I’m going to go and get some breakfast,” Richard said. The others followed and soon Seth was alone with the sleeping Serena.

Seth put his newspaper away after a while and watched Serena sleep. He could tell the emotions she was going through by the looks on her face. One minute she looked peaceful and happy then she would twitch in a way that she sensed danger and her face scrunched up. Seth wanted to wake her up from her bad memories but he knew that they needed to come. As she slept longer, she started to call out names. Darien was one that came all too frequently and Seth felt a twinge of pain when she spoke of him. Then she yelled out for him, Seth. Seth looked closely at her to make sure he heard right and sure enough it was he that she was calling for. With a trembling hand he brushed her hair and felt each strand as it sifted through his fingers. Gently, he bent down and kissed her. He knew he shouldn’t have for now guilt was heavy on his heart but it was something that he had dreamed of doing for so long and he wasn’t going to regret it now.

Serena gasped when she felt his lips against hers. Confused and dazed, Serena sat up looked at Seth. He didn’t blush or try to hide what he had done.

“Have your memories been replenished, Princess?” Seth asked.

“Yes.” Seth nodded at her and put his newspaper onto the table. The four men walked in from the street, talking and finishing the last bit of a muffin. Serena looked them over with a new understanding for her past. “Will you talk with me?” Serena asked them.

“Of course my princess,” Ryan said.

“Everything is so clear to me now. I remember the last day and I can tell you what happened.” The men suddenly sat at attention and were ready to listen. “Well, it happened that after I was pushed behind the fire, I saw Beryl. Darien pulled me up and we started to run. I tripped and fell and Darien stopped to get me up. When he bent down Beryl took him up into a beam of light that killed him. I watched and felt my heart being ripped out. Then I was crying and I flung myself into the light.” Serena stopped. Retelling the story was making her feel sad and depressed. “That’s all I remember.”

The men let out a sigh as if they were holding their breaths.

“Well, now we know,” Ryan said. The others nodded in agreement.

“But one question,” Serena said. “How did you all come together and find out who you were?”

“Dreams,” Seth said. Serena smiled an understanding. “We have something for you princess,” Seth said. “That is, if you are done asking questions?”

“Quite done,” Serena said. Seth looked at the other men and they stood up. David reached into his pocket and pulled out a white crystal that resembled the silver crystal. He held it out to Serena. She took it in the palm of her hand and felt its power surround her. A sudden rush overcame her and the crystal glowed to life.

“What’s going on?” Serena whispered. Her eyes rolled back and she screamed. Seth took her hand and squeezed it hard.

“It will be over soon princess,” he said and listened to her take deep gulps of air. Suddenly, a white light poured out of Serena and she stopped screaming. The white light lifted her high into the air and wrapped her in power and warmth. Her cloths were stripped from her body and in their place was a long white gown with an empire waist. Wings sprouted from her back and her long hair was placed back into their original odango’s. A golden tiara was placed high on her head and a staff was set in her hand.

When the men saw her, they bowed and transformed into their uniforms. To show respect, they all took out their swords and placed them on the ground.

Serena was still glowing, her eyes wide opened and a peaceful look on her face. As she came to the ground, she stood up strait and nodded to the guardians. Then, just as quickly as she had changed, Serena returned to her normal self. The men changed as well and caught her as she fainted.

“Are you all right princess?” Ryan asked.

“Yes,” Serena said. “What happened?”

“You changed into Neo-Queen Serenity,” Seth said. “The imperial silver crystal is now complete and is inside of you.” Serena raised an eyebrow.

“The crystal you had was never complete. It was only half there. Now, since you have reunited with your memories and us, the other half was given to you. To call on its power you only need to hold up your hand and shout, Imperial Make-up. Understand?” Seth said.

“Yes,” Serena answered. She was excited to have the crystal back but didn’t know yet what new powers or forms went along with it.

“Now listen closely princess,” Seth said, leaning in. “If you will it apart, the crystal I mean, it will listen. The crystal will break apart and no longer be within you.”

“I don’t understand,” Serena said.

“It’s not something that you can understand right now. Just remember what I said,” Seth told her in only the way that a protector could talk to his princess. “Just think of this new crystal as a new hope.” Serena smiled at Seth.

“How is it my hope?” she said calmly.

“Because it signifies that you have found us and that you are ready to go back to Tokyo and face everything that you left behind and I don’t only mean Montag. I, along with the others will be your new hope Serena.”

“Hope is scarce and I thought that I had lost it all five years ago.” Her face suddenly turned sorrowful and tears dripped onto her face. “Something so fragile like hope is hard to come by it seems and I don’t want it taken away from me again like it was. I had hope that the scouts wouldn’t abandon me even though I was always late. I had hope that Darien would always love me...” Her voice trailed off. “All I want is my life back and if you really are my hope, all of you, then I’m ready to go back.” Tears were now flowing freely and Seth embraced her. She was so scared to go back, but with Seth and the others, she knew that she wouldn’t lose faith and become a scared fearful girl like she was when she first left.