Zodia Aries Saga - Chapter 6

Here we go, the last chapter of the Zodia Aries Saga. Next up is the Zodia Leo Saga! All the characters in this series are my creations, so please no stealing, but I don't own any rights to Sailor Moon. When you're done pleas send any questions or comments to lildragon@snet.net. Thanx!
-Pretty Sammi

The festival yesterday wonderful, and it lasted for three days! There were so many sweets, and all sorts of games that we maids could not usually participate in. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and almost wish something grand like it could happen everyday. For the time being it relieved my mind of the other night, and my broken heart. Good things never last forever, I'm afraid.

It seems that I have slumped into a depressed state, and that is why I have forgotten to write. This is most likely the effect of my rejected love for Prince Kinoshi. I deeply wish that I could be with him right now, but then I don't know what we would do together. After the scene I made two nights ago I couldn't blame him if he never wanted to see me again. It would most likely be for the better, for him and me.

Now there is talk that the Dark Zodia Dragons will come and investigate the activities on this planet. I would imagine that all would start peacefully, but even if those wretches find what they desire I despair that it will not end peacefully.

I hope that they do not come, for the Dragons are wicked and undeserving of any sort of trust. Who knows the havoc they could wreck. Tonight I will pray to the gods to safely deliver this kingdom from the brink of war.

Serenissima sat in the main living quarters with all the other maids-in-waiting and Mercedes. They were talking and mostly giggling about romances between the fair noblemen and women. Serenissima didn't laugh as much nor did she take as much interest in the discussions.

It was the fateful hour that Saranika, who had been aiding the queen that afternoon, rushed into the room. "Princess!" she called. All fell silent, and Mercedes jumped up and ran over to Saranika. They quietly discussed something for a few moments.

Mercedes signaled for Sophia, Saffron, and Serenissima to join them. She whispered to them, "The Dark Zodia Dragon warriors have arrived here to investigate. Someone else may know who you are, so we have to leave as quickly and inconspicuously as possible."

"Wait, when did Saranika find out?" Serenissima questioned.

"She's apparently known the whole time. She just told me that one of our ancestors was a Sailor Zodia, and most of her lineage knows how to mix certain potions to create meditative environments and have visions in colorful detail. Saranika has the best accuracy ever recorded," Mercedes explained.

"Mercedes is a distant cousin of mine, and she was the one who inherited the power of Libra. I wasn't a perfect candidate since I am now to old to be initiated," Saranika quickly explained. This surprised all of them because Saranika was only half a year older than Saffron.

"Now I present to you the plan. Saffron and I will leave the palace first since I am most likely to be spotted as a Sailor Zodia. Then Sophia and Serenissima will escape, for they are least conspicuous," Mercedes directed them.

"We'll leave thirty minutes after you, just to make sure no one figures out exactly what is going on," Serenissima added.

"Good idea," Sophia complimented. "We should meet at the same place that Mercedes met us when we arrived from the dream-plane."

"Let's get to it. The longer we wait here the more chances the Dragons have of finding us out," Saffron said urgently.

Saffron and Mercedes quickly left, and Saranika stayed behind for a moment. "I'll come back for you two in thirty minutes. I know several short cuts, and Mercedes knows them too. Please take care of yourselves in the meantime." Saranika quickly exited the room.

The other maids-in-waiting promptly began to chatter about what the Princess was summoned for they had no idea that she was running away.

Serenissima sat calmly, but poor Sophia couldn't even think. Her mind was racing; thoughts about terrifying deaths, torture, whatever horrible fate the Dark Zodia Dragons would have in store for her if they caught her. Within a few moments Sophia mastered her thoughts and tried to preoccupy her mind.

It hadn't been more than fifteen minutes when the girls heard many heavy footsteps marching down the hall. Serenissima's heart filled with fear, and she knew that they had somehow found out who she was, and as she stood up to flee the large door at the front of the maids' living quarters began to shake. All of a sudden it swung all the way open and hit the wall with a heavy thud.

In marched several of the palace guards. "What's going on?" one of the more courageous maids demanded.

The head of the palace guards stepped in with what both Serenissima's and Sophia's hearts dreaded the most; the famous Dark Zodia Dragon warrior called Tizania. She was beautiful and petrifying, so it was no great wonder great men and women such as those of The Council would bend to her will like wet clay.

"Which one?" the head of the guard asked. Tizania briefly looked into a small black orb that she clutched tightly in her right hand, and then she pointed to Serenissima. The guards rapidly proceeded to seize Serenissima by each shoulder before she had enough time to escape. They tightly bound her hands behind her back and her arms to her sides with rope. She struggled furiously, but her attempts were futile for she was far outnumbered by the guards. Serenissima even made and attempt to snatch her pendant and transform before the guards had grabbed her hands.

The maids had to be held back by the numerous other guards, for they had become like sisters to Serenissima in the short time they had known her. Sophia swiftly hid herself behind a bed, knowing that it would be the wisest decision. If she were also taken, no one would be left to tell the others of Serenissima's fate.

The guards left with Serenissima, and the maids-in-waiting fell into utter confusion. When Sophia stepped out of her hiding place a million questions were instantly flung at her. She created on answer; "I am sorry girls. Milagre was in actuality Princess Serenissima, and a legendary Sailor Zodia. Please don't fret too much, I promise that no harm will come to her." Having said that Sophia held up her blue star sapphire pendant and said, "Gemini Minor Power!" Her body was momentarily engulfed by light and she had transformed into her blue and bright purple uniform.

She dashed off down the hallway before the maids could say another word. but she soon bumped into a worried Saranika, and she was not alone. With her was Prince Kinoshi.

"What's happening? Where is Milagre?" He asked urgently, still not used to his newfound knowledge of her true identity.

"They guards came and took her away. The Dragon Warrior Tiziana was with them," Sailor Gemini Minor speedily replied.

"We were to late!" Saranika wailed.

"Not yet!" Kinoshi darted down the hall, heading to The Council's meeting chamber. He was positive that was where they took Serenissima.

Serenissima strained against the ropes that bound her, but she knew it was hopeless. Still, she was a brave girl and would not easily accept defeat. One guard was at each of her sides, and they had firm grips on her shoulders. They half dragged Serenissima through the palace to The Council's chamber.

Once there she found that The Council had been preparing a treaty with the Dark Zodia Dragons. Serenissima couldn't understand how The Council did not view the Dragons as deceitful and power-hungry. The queen had not come to the meeting, and Serenissima was glad of that, for she would not have to see The Council at it's cruelest.

Suddenly a quiet washed over the room, and the Council Leader spoke; "We are terribly sorry, Princess, but our first order of business is to keep Sappho safe in any manner possible."

Then a quite odd twist of fate saved Serenissima. There was a small explosion, if you could even call it that, in the middle of the room, but for such a tiny blast it released a great thick cloud of smoke that spread around the chamber like wild fire. Everyone began to cough and rub the ashes from their eyes, but to no avail.

The next thing Serenissima knew, her arms were released and there was the audible thud of her guards hitting the floor nearby. Then someone scooped her up, and she heard the grinding of stone against stone.

When she finally stopped coughing and her eyes cleared, Serenissima looked up to find her savior was none other than Prince Kinoshi. He gently set her down on the cold floor of what appeared to be a secret passageway, and he cut her bonds with a small dagger he had tucked under his belt.

"Kinoshi?" Serenissima was in sincere shock.

"Are you all right?" he asked Serenissima as he helped her to her feet.

"Physically, yes, just a few bruises. Mentally is a different story."

"I think that I deserve an explanation," he said.

"I'm sorry," Serenissima replied, very downcast. "I couldn't just go around parading my identity and saying that I was Sailor Aries. I guess everyone knows now," she confessed. "Thank you for saving me."

"Serenissima, I wish I could tell you everything would be fine now, but that's not true is it?"

"I'm afraid not," she confirmed. She turned and began to walk down the passageway.

"I wish that you didn't have to leave and just stayed with me instead," Kinoshi sighed.

Serenissima walked back and drew Kinoshi down to her level, since he stood a full head higher than she. She kissed him meaningfully, but it did not last longer than a few seconds. When Serenissima pulled away from Kinoshi, she said, "I'm afraid this is my turn to say no. My life is nothing as long as the rest of the universe survives. Please leave this planet as soon as you possibly can. Good bye, and thank you."

Serenissima ran down the passageway. She sprinted through the exit, and as soon as she could no longer see the palace through the surrounding forest she held up her pink star sapphire pendant and said, "Zodia Aries Power!" She transformed into her pink and light orange uniform. Aries then sprinted down the countryside to the arranged meeting point, where her companions Sailor Libra, Gemini Major, and Gemini Minor were waiting and hoping that she would come.

"We thought you were a goner!" Libra said as her eyes began to water.

"We must move swiftly, or we all will be as good as dead," Serenissima said. Gemini Minor revealed the Miracle Jewel, which she had taken earlier as a precaution.

"Are we set to go?" Gemini Major asked.

"Yes," Serenissima answered. She took the jewel from Gemini Minor and everyone linked hands. The Miracle Jewel began to glow, and in a fraction of a second the four girls disappeared.