Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Imperium Galactica Dominaria ❯ Act One: The Three ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

She slightly brushed her soft, neon green hair back with a wave of an alabaster hand; something she did when she was nervous. “I'm the what?” she inquired with a shaky voice. Enhasa hated it when the priests talked of Prophesy, especially when it involved the other gods.

“One of the final factors, I know not what it means, but I suppose it has something to do with the end of the world.” He replied with an equal amount of unknowing, proving he was a newcomer to the part of the clergy that dealt with the Royal Family. Even the most experienced Cleric could tell you that if it dealt with destruction, it was a Rangarok.

“But I can't even do magic! How could I be one of the final anythings? Invalidity means no predestined path, doesn’t it?” She protested, her hand going back to fiddle with her hair, which was about to her hips.

“I don't make the rules, I...” The Priest tried to console her, but was cut off mid sentence. The Rangaroks were always haughty, imperious and all around just plain arrogant when ever anyone told them how things were. They never accepted anything the way it was, but Enhasa was one of the few who actually listened.

“Just follow them, I know.” Enhasa quipped, her words dripping even more sarcastic wit.

“Come now, Enhasa.” The priest said, trying to motivate her, “It’s times like these we have to stick together, all for one, and one for all, it's time to buckle up and bunker down; we are Dragonians after all.”

“Then welcome to the Dragonian cliché festival.” Enhasa Retorted, yet again with more sarcasm. She normally wasn’t this bad about insulting members of the clergy, whose ranks she was going to join in two years time. Enhasa had always questioned certain practices, and wanted to see them change. It was harder than she thought, her destiny getting in the way whenever she wanted to do something that would actually matter.

The young clergymen looked to the side, blushing slightly. The sarcasm of her mother was legendary, as was almost every one of her relatives that had been alive for over two thousand years. A Rangarok was always a record setter or shatterer what ever the case may require of someone of that most exceptional bloodline. ‘A lineage that is an exception to all the rules, that has exceptions to itself.’ The priest mused silently.

“Get over It.” she muttered under her breath. A smell approached there hyperactive olfactory cells and the priest's grey wings shuddered, he had moderately developed his wings, yet his forked tail was full grown and twitching, because of the odor.

“Evil...” they both said. This prediction came true, for who appeared before them was Meccalice, Bahamut-the dragon god’s-rival for power. Bahamut was everything a god needed to be strict, powerful but understanding. He had a silver tongue; he was cunning beyond measure, and just about everything else that you could throw in to his huge, neutral personality. He was in control of the Prime Material Plane-simply known as the Prime Material or Material-which contained all of the galaxies, planetary systems, humans and the planetary races, etc. He accompanied two other gods, Nezerach and Geminite, the gods of light and darkness-who each have a plane of existence all to themselves-they are known mostly among the planes as the Triumvirate.

“Mecca you’re not permitted to enter Rangarok manor!” Enhasa snapped as she moved into a defensive position. There was no love lost between them. The legendary blood feud between Meccalice-the Earth Dragon-and the Rangaroks-the royal family of Dragonia-had went on since Meccalice and Ba’al’s first meeting.

“Keep a mind to your own affairs, child. ‘Tis not your place to approve or disapprove of me.” Mecca reprimanded her, with a most smug tone.

“Don't call me that, Heretic! And as I said get out.” she said again, a low growl emanated from her throat

“Very well, Enhasa,” He challenged her, the malice practically bleeding from his speech, “If you have any intention of forcing me to leave, I would love to see you try.”

“Is that a threat?” Enhasa practically threw the words at him, barely controlling herself.

“No threat, ‘tis a promise, dearest of hearts.” He stated, trying to keep a straight face through his malicious glee. He loved pushing the Rangarok's buttons, every last one of them, but Ba’al-whom he had an eternal hatred for-he could not even make break a sweat. Ba’al possessed a copy of The Book of Mages, earning him the apt title “Mage King of Dragons’. The book was an excerpt from the Necricomricon; Geminite's personal book of magic, torture, scripture, and anything else he could think of at the time.

“Leave, before Grandfather gets back. It would be insurrection on your part if he were to see you here!” Enhasa shouted, her dull growl raising into an extreme roar. Her claws unsheathed themselves from the bases of her fingernails-already long, now longer from the razor sharp claws that protruded from her fingers. Her jade wings unfolded from her back, resting in a straight-up, attack position and her ridgebone and nose started to distort. Most Dragonians had the ability to use wings for flight, claws as a battle weapon and a tail for balance when flying. Few possessed the ability to take the form of actual dragons. Meccalice did not want the possibility of another rival, from his other two. If the girl is this far into changing, there might not be a way to calm her down.

“As you wish, my pretty princess. But I will return...” Meccalice said. He was very adept at masking his emotions, and the fear that she might have been able to give him hell, outweighed the temptation to ‘mash more buttons’ on his favorite archenemies motherboards.

“And I'll be waiting.” Enhasa gnashed at him. She hated him, his city, and the dynasty that he cared for. Enhasa had a feeling that the fighting wouldn’t stop until one was defeated.

A circle of earthen colored light circled Meccalice, and he vanished. Enhasa's feet lost hold, and she slumped onto a nearby couch, exhausted from her spiritual struggle as her face and the rest of her body returned to a ‘normal’ state.

“You must accompany me to the temple. This has changed things for the worst of all possible ways.” The priest stated when Mecca was gone, waving his hands in an intricate pattern, and reciting an incantation, proving that he had to gain magic the hard way. The world around them blurred and spun itself into a newer form. They had just teleported, one of Enhasa’s least favorite ways to travel.

“This is not STAR TREK. Don’t do that!” she shouted at him, very disheveled from her recent warping. Teleports were not one of her favorite things; neither was the pencil pushing of those who had to learn it, which she could not.

“Yes, princess.” He replied, using Enhasa’s own sarcasm against her. If there was ever a golden moment in the life of a clergy member, that was it. He had actually caught a Rangarok off guard. He was about to press on, but stopped, realizing that there were more pressing matters at hand.

Enhasa stood up, looking at the massive temple interior walls, glistening with golden murals and the so-silent-that-it-was-deafening bustle of the Chroniclers going about their errands. A Dragonian only came here for two reasons: birth, and religious missions. Usually a Dragonian only saw this place once, but there are always exceptions...

On earth----

Japan had not changed much, evident by the scene apparent. There were four girls about fourteen years in age were walking home from school on a Saturday evening; three of them are relatively identical, save for the one in the center being taller than the rest, and a girl with blue hair to her shoulders. The four of them, walking this path, at this time, had become a commonplace occurrence during the grueling school year in Crystal Tokyo, the year 3016.

“Now, correct me if I’m mistaken...Chibitaru, you are heiress to Saturn, Akara, you to Dragonstar, and Charsi, er... What, exactly, do you get?”

“The beach house if I'm lucky.” Charsi replied, crestfallen. These kind of things had always depressed her. She felt as if she were having her heart ripped out, which was quite ironic, to say the least.

“Don't make fun of her like that Ari-chan.” Akara stated defensively. Akara, like the other sisters, had black hair to her waist, except for Chibitaru, who’s went to her feet, and was wound in an intricate braid, that was wrapped around her waist. They all had deep, lavender eyes and a milky shaded complexion. Arina had matching blue eyes and glasses, was shorter than Charsi and was, well...small.

“Oh... I didn't mean to offend...” Arina started but Charsi managed to head her off before Arina could make the situation even more obvious.

“It's all right. I hate pressure, so I'm no good for the job.” Charsi said chuckling. She usually shook things off with humor, a trait she received from her father.

“Chibi...” Charsi glanced her way, “A penny for your thoughts. You haven't spoken much at all today.” If there was one thing that was out of place, it was that Chibitaru wasn’t worried sick over something, even if most of the time it was the half-time show or the upcoming test in Trig. This is what had Charsi worrying in her sister’s place.

“Well, in one week, when we turn fifteen years of age, we have to go to our future kingdoms. We won't see each other for a year at least.” Chibitaru replied with her usual succinct tone and sparse manner. The memory of what their father told them had scared them, since they were born together; they had never been even an hour’s space apart.

The three started looking at the sidewalk gloomily, shuffling their feet on the pavement of the sidewalk, and before they knew it, they were home. They immediately went up to their room and did their homework, as was usual for a test day and they really didn't want to hear Arina's Chastisement Speech again. So that course of action was well suited to them.

“Gee, they’re a silent bunch today. Not normal for three young girls on a Saturday...” Nazz, their father said after they left Hotaru looked at him, expecting something

“Dear, there is nothing I can...” He tried explaining, but Hotaru had built up a fury that was to be let loose at her husband.

“Don't you Dear me! You're shipping them off!” Hotaru snapped at him, the fires flashed in her eyes, and she became even more unreasonably angry. This was the first ‘fight’ that the couple had gone through, so there was a lot of steam.

“Do you think that I want them to go?” Nazz stated defensively. Hotaru was always like this when it came to their children. Ever since what had happened to Rei’s first child back in the days of Old Earth, she had been practically paranoid about them.

“Obviously! And I'll never see them again!”

“What! You know as well as I do that they'll only be there a year.”

“I don't trust spaceships, I'm always afraid they'll detonate or something! And then you'll be gone with them and probably go and get kidnapped by your fanatical sister and be forced to go on some half-baked crusade!”

“That's ridiculous, you know that I would never let them on it if it wasn't safe! And don't bring her into this!”

“I'm just afraid that's all! I remember when Rei lost Maii, I will not be bereft of them as she was of her child!”

“You’re afraid! Think of them; two are going to new planets! And Charsi...”

“What of Charsi, I'm not losing her too am I?”

“Your not losing anybody, and she's not going anywhere. She has no destiny remember!”

“Good then she can stay here!”

“Well where else has she got to...” Nazz tried to rationalize to his wife as he was interrupted the resounding crash that filled the house.

“Uh oh.” The two adults said together and ran up to the kids' room. What they found were two terrified girls, and one broken window. Not an uncommon sight in this household, but the fact that there were only two of them was the alarming thing.

“Akara, Chibitaru.” Nazz addressed them “Did she say where she was going? Or did she write anything down before...” He finished. Akane had done something like this back in the day, but she was a rockstar and that kind of thing was common. Plus that was necessary...

“No sir. She just jumped..." Chibitaru replied with her unusual calm pervading.

“How did she d-do that.” Akara stifled

"Do what, dear?" Hotaru Asked, almost completely in the dark.

“Not much, some rose quarts wings just erupted from her back.” Chibitaru replied, pointing to the reddish-violet blood stains on the floor, wall, and Akara’s face. The strangest thing was that Chibi had no such substance on her at all.

“Oh, I'll explain when you're older.” Nazz stated, trying to sidestep the question.

“You don't even want to talk about it?” Akara asked him.

“Exactly, when you’re older and that’s not right now.” He tried to finish.

“But, when your older was the same thing you tol me when I asked about sex nine years ago.” Akara retorted, trying to bring about some answers.

Hotaru went a bright pink as she remembered her and Nazz’s little walk-in that Akara had made during one of their more ‘adult’ activities.

Later that night------

Charsi glided in the kitchen window to find her father sitting there, and as always, with a cup of strong, black coffee.

“Dad, I'm home” Charsi announced as she landed in the window. Charsi had been several places during her ‘flight’ and had learned what their mother had kept from them.

“Shh. Your mother's in bed. I would like to talk to you about your wings and tail. Unless you already know about those...” Nazz started with a tone of sincerity.

One week later----

“Well girls, all ready for your trip?” Nazz said walking into the kitchen, but received no reaction from the four, surly females seated at the large round table.

“Bad mood this morning huh?” He asked, trying to gauge how hard it would be to say goodbye.

“No, not at all. Just fine...” Charsi sarcastically stated, glaring at her father. This had to be the worst thing that had happened to the sisters. How little that they knew...

“When ever you are ready, tell me. You’re due at the spaceport in ohh, thirty minutes. And I know you three don’t feel like ‘porting right now.” Nazz stated and got his breakfast, which happened to be the same as Charsi's: Strong, hot coffee, except her added a cigarette to that menu for himself. It was a while later that they had all finished eating and the girls had gotten their luggage together

“Well, it's time for us to leave... Go get in the car and-‘Taru-love, aren't you coming?” Nazz asked his wife, trying to make a truce before he was forced onto the couch.

“No. I’ll be just fine.”

After a few hours, Nazz and Charsi walked in the door much more lighthearted then Hotaru expected, who was, still at the table.

“Did I miss something, or did the flight cancel?” She asked her remaining family. “Mom, I've got fabulous news!” Charsi announced with a glowing tone, like a child going on an adventure.

“Well... Come on then, spit it out.” Hotaru said getting excited that her daughter was happy about something. The other two might not be gone that long, if Charsi had recovered this quickly.

“Dad's been hired again.” Charsi stated, glowingly. Nazz did not like to use his money of royalty, having forsaken it when he jumped ship to Dominaria in his eleven hundreds. Instead, he was a paid mercenary for Geminite, the God of Darkness, despite his background and bloodline; he was still the best.

“Oh, that’s...nice.” Hotaru’s mood deadening again. Now, she would be alone, with only Charsi to remind her of what had once been...

“Yeah, one hundred and thirty-five thousand credits every six months and because I didn't go anywhere Dad let me go with him.” Charsi revealed, finally showing what had been giving her so much glee.

“What!” Hotaru Exclaimed with the most genuine of shocks.

“Wow, you took it better than I thought. I even prepared a ‘She begged me’ defense, but it seems that I won’t need that.” Nazz quipped at his lover.

“You can't! I'll be all alone, and she might get hurt!”

“Now it gets worse...” Charsi Sighed, “Mother, I can think of eight people off the top of my head that you can visit.”

“Who?” Hotaru Asked her daughter.

“Planetary order or alphabetical?” Charsi finished another one of those jokes that her mother had just walked into.

“Hmmm, I guess you’re right about that,” Hotaru said, thinking of the other senshi.

“You say you never get to see them, and Dad said that...Ahem...Family is coming.” Charsi explained.

“Oh Kami-sama, it's not your crazy brother again, is it?” Hotaru agonized at the very thought of her brother-in-law visiting-and breaking-their home.

“Nimbus? Hell no I'm never bringing him here again...ever. It's your niece, Enhasa." Nazz finally spoke.

“I have a niece?” Hotaru asked.

“Yes and a nephew.”

“By whom?”

“Well...um...ahh...Enhasa is from Nimbus and I don't know who else. The other is...from my Sister and Chibiusa...”

“WHAT, YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU LET THAT MILLITANT BITC...”

“So,” Charsi interrupted, heading off her mother before she could build up a roll on her yelling “Can I go?”

“Of course. Your mother was just about to say yes.” Nazz laughed

“Okay, but no damned crusades.” Hotaru ended their conversation and then the rest of them found their way to their beds.

The next morning Nazz and Charsi made preparations to leave. Hotaru started to think about what her niece looked like, and where Chibiusa was and how Nazz’s sister had gotten her claws on her friend.

“Well, good bye. Remember not to worry too much about us.” Nazz said. Hotaru gave him a short kiss

"Come back with your heart in the right place.” Hotaru said with a hint of an inside joke.

“See ya mom.” Charsi said to her mother. Her sisters had already left, and now she was going to find her path among the stars.

"Bye Charsi. Have fun, but watch out.” Hotaru choked out as the other two left the house and boarded a starcraft that Nazz had acquired in a race. The thrusters fired and the ship sped of into the dawn, carrying its fierce crew toward eighteen months of adventure.

A year and a half later----

Charsi almost shouted bursting through their door, she was finally home. She had not been able to see or hear from her mother or sisters for eighteen months. Her travels had been trying, but fun, and she had learned some new things along the way. Her family was gathered in the foyer, waiting for her. Akara had decided to skip the waiting, having jumped up out of her seat and tackled her sister.

“OHMYGODSOHMYGODSOHMYGODS IT'S CHARSI!” Akara shouted, while Charsi tried to pry her off, so she could breathe. The three united which soon followed by their mother. In a year and a half, it still seemed as if nothing had changed.

“Dad what happened to that cousin of ours who was supposed to show up?” Charsi Asked with a condescending tone. They all shot Nazz an accusatory look, expecting an answer.

“Transmission came though about midnight she said that Azure had her trip...delayed.” Nazz replied, in a rush.

“Typical. Must be one of his old things about not trusting...anyone.” Akara said in a calm and knowing voice that was very unlike her. She had visited Dragonstar during her eighteen month leave, and had met Azure and the other Dragon Generals. There she was trained in the arts of Statecraft, Tactical Proceedings-an area where Chibitaru was still her superior-and Diplomacy/Espionage. The reunion continued on with stories of Charsi’s travels through the planes with her father. Akara’s experience in Dragonian culture and the fluency of which she spoke the Dragonian language were an entertaining story. And Chibitaru’s time on Saturn. She told of conversing with the new outer senshi, and dealing with the technocracy and trade federation, known as Drifters. They got this name because they lived in the deeps of space on giant cruisers-called Clan Ships. After a few hours they all retired to bed, Nazz and Hotaru retreating to the master bedroom for a ‘reunion’ of their own, and the sisters going to the room that they shared up on the top floor. After they had climbed into their beds, the three fell silently asleep with their communion of thought returned.

----In a kind of Altered State...----

Charsi stood in what seemed to be a field of grass, waist high. The light was very dim, and their seemed to be a large city in the distance. There were very few things that she could make out as ‘people’ and there were some cottages to her right. It was a village, but that was as much as she was she could discern. There was a flash of fire, and a young child--extremely pale-with a collection of fiery letters that spelled out: “The Shadow Walks Abroad...”. Charsi felt a creepy vibe shiver down her spine as she shot awake in a cold sweat. She glanced over at her clock-not even 4:00 yet... Charsi fell back onto her pillow with a sigh, her long black hair falling against the sheets, as she managed to get back to sleep...

----At school----

Charsi’s mercenary honed senses flared as a man walked into the Administration Wing of Silver Light Academy. He was about six feet eleven inches in height, wearing a black suit, very dark sunglasses, and a ring with black diamond and flowstone that bore a strange symbol. He towered above Ami Mizuno-the Academy’s Headmistress, whom he was talking to and receiving a key from. Suddenly, the effects of her premonition hit her like a brick. The Shadow Walks Abroad could mean this man. ‘Geminite’... Another premonition like event had just unfolded before her eyes. She didn't know weather she had said it out loud or not, but his head still jerked sharply around to face her. He gave her a slightly haughty, imperial look and then left the office.

“Excuse me miss,” the woman at the reception desk said to her, “You can now choose your classes. You’re applying for the 10th grade, correct?”

“Yes. Thanks...” Charsi replied cheerily, thankful to be distracted from the powerful gaze of Lord Geminite. She heard 'What a sweet girl' as the old woman walked away. It was her sophomore year at SLA and she contemplated on what classes the others would choose. “I have to get a class with Kashya...’ She thought as she looked at her choices. There were a great many classes to pick from, but her diploma choice had cut out Journalism-which she knew Ari would chose, but it added the choice of a Magic class.

“Hmm,” she thought, “First period a Science, but which one? Already taken Chemistry...and Biology. Forensics just isn’t me, Chibi will probably take that, so it's down to Sociology, Clinical Spectrum, or Physics” She started writing, the pen shaking, which was unusual for Charsi, as decisive as she was. “Physics,” She mentally decided, adding finality to the choice.

“Second period, an elective: Got to be Orchestra, Bass Clarinet. Dad’s directing this year. Third Period: Magic, I guess.” Again a choice. “Hmm. Better go with Advanced, my new skills ought to do it. Fourth and final will be Fencing, Kami-Sama’s teaching that and I know Kashya will be there. “Well, looks like we have a hard semester ahead of us. I wonder what Magic will be like and if Kashya would have taken it...” Charsi thought as she felt a wave of déjà vu creep down her spine. This was going to be a very long day, to say the least...
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