Chapter 1: A Tale is Begun

Paul Rodan, Prince of Jupiter, wondered through the halls of the Jovian palace on his way to bed. Leda, his wife, had retired a few minutes ago to tuck their niece, Thebe, into bed. Leda was thrilled when any of her nieces and nephews visited, but Thebe was the oldest and held a special place in Leda’s and Paul’s hearts.

“She’s almost like a daughter,” Paul thought with a twinge of remorse. Thebe had the black hair of her mother, Caitlyn. However, the girl’s mysterious gray eyes did not seem to come from either parent. Leda had once said, almost too wistfully, that maybe those eyes had come from her.

“If only we could have children,” but Paul immediately pushed the thought aside. Leda had made that sacrifice to protect the future, the future of Thebe and the untold others that would shape Jupiter in years to come. Still, despite the reassurance that they had acted properly, the absence of children was felt greatly by the couple. However, they drew comfort from each other when the sense of loss was too great.

Paul paused after he had entered the family wing of the palace. One of the doors was opened and light streamed through the slight crack. Walking quietly, he stopped by the door and looked in.

Leda was sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling sweetly at the young girl who was under the covers. Her wavy brown hair was pulled back by emerald combs that perfectly matched the gown she was wearing. Thebe’s head and braided pigtails were the only things visible above the lavender comforter.

“Please tell me the story of how you defeated the Shadow Moon Empire,” Thebe begged, her gray eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Leda smiled weakly, trying to dismiss the tears that were pooling in her eyes. “I think you have heard that one way too much,” Leda said gently. “Besides, your mother tells it much better.”

“Okay,” Thebe replied obediently, disappointed. She loved hearing stories about her mother’s and her aunts’ adventures against the Shadow Moon, more than the older stories of Sailor Scouts of Tokyo.

“I think I will tell you a different story, one that I think has never been completely told before,” Leda said. She laughed at the renew delight in her niece’s eyes.

“What story is that?” Thebe asked eagerly.

“It is the story of Cignus, of the events that took place there a long time ago. Once upon a time, a king and queen had two children, twins actually. The boy was named Adonis, and his sister was called Amalthea.”

* * * * *

Amalthea leaned back against the sturdy oak behind her. The book she was reading lay open on her lap, momentarily forgotten. With a content sigh, she surveyed the garden around her.

Her eyes soon fell upon her brother and a woman, who were standing at the edge of the garden’s only lake. The two seemed to be having a deep conversation, totally focused on what the other was saying. “Do you think that Dido will ever let Adonis know that she loves him?” Amalthea asked the woman staying a short distance away.

Scylla, the Guardian of Mercy, narrowed her eyes at the young princess, whom she had sworn to protect. “You are not suppose to be aware of such things,” she said sternly.

“But do you think that Dido will ever tell him?” the girl asked, her eyes back to the pair by the lake.

“If Prince Adonis is to ever know of my sister’s feelings for him, it will be Dido’s place to tell him, not anyone else’s.” The Guardian’s tone held sufficient warning for Amalthea, who turned attention back to Scylla.

“You must understand the delicate position that Dido’s feelings place her and your brother in, Princess. She has her duty to protect him above all, and he has his duty to the throne.”

Amalthea winced at the mention of her brother future. “It’s not fair that Adonis is the heir,” she muttered, pulling her knees to chest and wrapping her arms around her legs.

“My lady, your brother was born before you, which makes him heir. You must accept that. You can’t change the past.”

“He was born five minutes before I was. Five minutes should not make him king,” Amalthea replied hotly.

Embarrassed by the vehemence her statement had carried, Amalthea glanced at her timepiece and quickly rose to her feet. “I’m late for my lessons with Werla,” she said, retrieving her book. “Shall we go?”

Scylla studied the princess for a moment with very concerned eyes. “Princess, I wish you put some of that anger into your lessons with the healing sage. It may be the calling you are looking for.”

Amalthea stared at the Guardian expressionlessly for a moment before heading back to the palace. Scylla followed close behind the young girl. She made a mental note to discuss today’s outburst with Cassandra later.

* * * * *

Adonis fell silent and began to skip rocks across the water’s calm surface. Dido watched the prince with concern, perplexed by the sudden halt in conversation. Chalking the mood swing to stress, Dido made a gesture, causing her glaive to disappear, and crouched at the water’s edge by the prince.

She studied the setting sun and its effect on the garden lake. Life at the palace as a Guardian was so different than the life she and her twin, Scylla, knew in their small village. In the ten years since then, Dido and Scylla had only returned home three times.

However, there was no excuse for any further visits since the death of their parents two years ago from an epidemic fever. Dido tried to recall some memories of her childhood. Mostly, she and Scylla were left to themselves as their parents strived to support the family. However, there were only happy memories.

Dido could vividly relive the day when Cassandra came to the village. She and Scylla had been playing in the yard, chasing each other and the chickens. Both had immediately stopped when they saw the strange girl with violet hair approach them.

Scylla had clutched to Dido’s arm, however, Dido was mesmerized by the girl’s emerald eyes. Although she was young, her eyes betrayed sustained fatigue and grief. “Hello, Dido, Scylla,” the girl said, looking at the correct twin when she said a name, amazing the twins further.

“I need to talk to your parents. Please stay out here until you are called for,” the girl said.

Scylla released Dido’s arm to bow. “Yes, Cassandra.”

The girl appeared pleased as she walked to the door of the small cabin. Dido felt dizzy. “How did you know her name, Scylla? How does she know our parents are home? They should be working today,” Dido said, turning to her sister.

Scylla was staring at the door to the cabin. “She is very powerful, but she’s nice, Dido,” she replied, still watching the door. “She has some big things planned for us, Dido. I just know it.”

“Scylla, stop it!” Dido shouted, shaking her. While Scylla had always had the ability to relate to others easily, that gift now disturbed Dido greatly. Was Scylla’s gift the reason for the strange lady’s visit, she wondered.

The strange girl exited from the cabin, her violet braid draped over her left shoulder. “Your parents will see you now.”

Wordlessly, the girls had entered the cabin. Both parents were drying tears but put on exuberant smiles when the twins came in. “Oh, my girls,” their mother cried, sweeping them into a huge hug.

“Mother, Father, what’s going on?” Dido asked, fear evident in her voice.

“You and your sister have been chosen for a great honor, Dido,” her father answered. “The two of you are going to the palace to study with Cassandra. You will serve the princes and princesses of Cignus. Imagine that, girls.”

“Will we ever see you again?” Dido asked, trying not to cry.

“Of course, darling,” her mother said, hugging Dido once more. “Your father and I made sure that you would be able to visit during breaks in your training. We are going to miss you so much, but this is a wonderful opportunity.”

“But, Mother,” Dido began, but Scylla grabbed her arm.

“Dido, this is something special. I know it.”

Their father coughed. “Pack your things, girls. We mustn’t keep Cassandra waiting.”

* * * * *

“Guardian, what are you thinking about?”

Dido was startled out of reverie by the question. She blushed slightly when she realized that Prince Adonis was staring at her. “I beg your pardon, my lord?”

“What are you thinking about, Guardian?”


A Tale Is Begun Paul Rodan, Prince of Jupiter, wondered through the halls of the Jovian palace on his way to bed. Leda, his wife, had retired a few minutes ago to tuck their niece, Thebe, into bed. Leda was thrilled when any of her nieces and nephews visited, but Thebe was the oldest and held a special place in Leda’s and Paul’s hearts. “She’s almost like a daughter,” Paul thought with a twinge of remorse. Thebe had the black hair of her mother, Caitlyn. However, the girl’s mysterious gray eyes did not seem to come from either parent. Leda had once said, almost too wistfully, that maybe those eyes had come from her. “If only we could have children,” but Paul immediately pushed the thought aside. Leda had made that sacrifice to protect the future, the future of Thebe and the untold others that would shape Jupiter in years to come. Still, despite the reassurance that they had acted properly, the absence of children was felt greatly by the couple. However, they drew comfort from each other when the sense of loss was too great. Paul paused after he had entered the family wing of the palace. One of the doors was opened and light streamed through the slight crack. Walking quietly, he stopped by the door and looked in. Leda was sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling sweetly at the young girl who was under the covers. Her wavy brown hair was pulled back by emerald combs that perfectly matched the gown she was wearing. Thebe’s head and braided pigtails were the only things visible above the lavender comforter. “Please tell me the story of how you defeated the Shadow Moon Empire,” Thebe begged, her gray eyes sparkling with anticipation. Leda smiled weakly, trying to dismiss the tears that were pooling in her eyes. “I think you have heard that one way too much,” Leda said gently. “Besides, your mother tells it much better.” “Okay,” Thebe replied obediently, disappointed. She loved hearing stories about her mother’s and her aunts’ adventures against the Shadow Moon, more than the older stories of Sailor Scouts of Tokyo. “I think I will tell you a different story, one that I think has never been completely told before,” Leda said. She laughed at the renew delight in her niece’s eyes. “What story is that?” Thebe asked eagerly. “It is the story of Cignus, of the events that took place there a long time ago. Once upon a time, a king and queen had two children, twins actually. The boy was named Adonis, and his sister was called Amalthea.” * * * * * Amalthea leaned back against the sturdy oak behind her. The book she was reading lay open on her lap, momentarily forgotten. With a content sigh, she surveyed the garden around her. Her eyes soon fell upon her brother and a woman, who were standing at the edge of the garden’s only lake. The two seemed to be having a deep conversation, totally focused on what the other was saying. “Do you think that Dido will ever let Adonis know that she loves him?” Amalthea asked the woman staying a short distance away. Scylla, the Guardian of Mercy, narrowed her eyes at the young princess, whom she had sworn to protect. “You are not suppose to be aware of such things,” she said sternly. “But do you think that Dido will ever tell him?” the girl asked, her eyes back to the pair by the lake. “If Prince Adonis is to ever know of my sister’s feelings for him, it will be Dido’s place to tell him, not anyone else’s.” The Guardian’s tone held sufficient warning for Amalthea, who turned attention back to Scylla. “You must understand the delicate position that Dido’s feelings place her and your brother in, Princess. She has her duty to protect him above all, and he has his duty to the throne.” Amalthea winced at the mention of her brother future. “It’s not fair that Adonis is the heir,” she muttered, pulling her knees to chest and wrapping her arms around her legs. “My lady, your brother was born before you, which makes him heir. You must accept that. You can’t change the past.” “He was born five minutes before I was. Five minutes should not make him king,” Amalthea replied hotly. Embarrassed by the vehemence her statement had carried, Amalthea glanced at her timepiece and quickly rose to her feet. “I’m late for my lessons with Werla,” she said, retrieving her book. “Shall we go?” Scylla studied the princess for a moment with very concerned eyes. “Princess, I wish you put some of that anger into your lessons with the healing sage. It may be the calling you are looking for.” Amalthea stared at the Guardian expressionlessly for a moment before heading back to the palace. Scylla followed close behind the young girl. She made a mental note to discuss today’s outburst with Cassandra later. * * * * * Adonis fell silent and began to skip rocks across the water’s calm surface. Dido watched the prince with concern, perplexed by the sudden halt in conversation. Chalking the mood swing to stress, Dido made a gesture, causing her glaive to disappear, and crouched at the water’s edge by the prince. She studied the setting sun and its effect on the garden lake. Life at the palace as a Guardian was so different than the life she and her twin, Scylla, knew in their small village. In the ten years since then, Dido and Scylla had only returned home three times. However, there was no excuse for any further visits since the death of their parents two years ago from an epidemic fever. Dido tried to recall some memories of her childhood. Mostly, she and Scylla were left to themselves as their parents strived to support the family. However, there were only happy memories. Dido could vividly relive the day when Cassandra came to the village. She and Scylla had been playing in the yard, chasing each other and the chickens. Both had immediately stopped when they saw the strange girl with violet hair approach them. Scylla had clutched to Dido’s arm, however, Dido was mesmerized by the girl’s emerald eyes. Although she was young, her eyes betrayed sustained fatigue and grief. “Hello, Dido, Scylla,” the girl said, looking at the correct twin when she said a name, amazing the twins further. “I need to talk to your parents. Please stay out here until you are called for,” the girl said. Scylla released Dido’s arm to bow. “Yes, Cassandra.” The girl appeared pleased as she walked to the door of the small cabin. Dido felt dizzy. “How did you know her name, Scylla? How does she know our parents are home? They should be working today,” Dido said, turning to her sister. Scylla was staring at the door to the cabin. “She is very powerful, but she’s nice, Dido,” she replied, still watching the door. “She has some big things planned for us, Dido. I just know it.” “Scylla, stop it!” Dido shouted, shaking her. While Scylla had always had the ability to relate to others easily, that gift now disturbed Dido greatly. Was Scylla’s gift the reason for the strange lady’s visit, she wondered. The strange girl exited from the cabin, her violet braid draped over her left shoulder. “Your parents will see you now.” Wordlessly, the girls had entered the cabin. Both parents were drying tears but put on exuberant smiles when the twins came in. “Oh, my girls,” their mother cried, sweeping them into a huge hug. “Mother, Father, what’s going on?” Dido asked, fear evident in her voice. “You and your sister have been chosen for a great honor, Dido,” her father answered. “The two of you are going to the palace to study with Cassandra. You will serve the princes and princesses of Cignus. Imagine that, girls.” “Will we ever see you again?” Dido asked, trying not to cry. “Of course, darling,” her mother said, hugging Dido once more. “Your father and I made sure that you would be able to visit during breaks in your training. We are going to miss you so much, but this is a wonderful opportunity.” “But, Mother,” Dido began, but Scylla grabbed her arm. “Dido, this is something special. I know it.” Their father coughed. “Pack your things, girls. We mustn’t keep Cassandra waiting.” * * * * * “Guardian, what are you thinking about?” Dido was startled out of reverie by the question. She blushed slightly when she realized that Prince Adonis was staring at her. “I beg your pardon, my lord?” “What are you thinking about, Guardian?”


Chapter 2: Additional Worries Jupiter's Gone