Looking at a picture of her best friend, Darien, Serena’s eyes immersed with tears. It wasn’t a fight, nor was he gone, but in her heart he was as good as deceased. The angelic flaxen blonde haired girl stood up and wiped her eyes careful not to smudge any of her perfect makeup. Putting the picture of Darien on her night stand with the utmost care, she sighed and looked at it once more, her eyes looking at the sparks in his midnight, electric cerulean eyes, taking in his deep black hair, his athletic body and most of all, the crooked grin that was plastered on his face.

 Sighing once more, she sat down at her stand and dared to look in the mirror. What stared back at her was a ravishing, innocent young girl with large sparkling cerulean, iridescent teal tinted blue eyes, a full smile with a small dimple in her right cheek, golden blonde hair tied back into two odangoes on top of her head, and a slim, perfect body encased within a silky white gown dripping with fancy gold material.

 She knew she was beautiful of course, she was the princess of the moon, all the men longed for her hand, but she longed for only the one she couldn’t have…Darien, the prince of earth. Her ample blue eyes looked over at another picture, one of herself and Darien, standing behind the eminent crystal fountain, a beautiful fountain made entirely of crystal and the purest water in the galaxy, which if you drank, would make you eternally beautiful.

 In the picture, Darien had his arm around her shoulders and she was tilting her head slightly so it rested on his chest, they were sitting down on the crystal bench in front of the fountain, both looking terribly uncomfortable with their positions, but hiding it in front of the camera Serena had a deep crimson blush invading her already pink cheeks and Darien was flushing red.

 As soon as the picture was taken they had let go of each other, which in Serena’s mind was probably the hardest thing she had ever done. She knew he loved her, but not in the way she had developed her passion for him. Pulling her eyelids down on her eyes to hold back the tears already sticking to her long black lashes she sobbed quietly in her room .

 Her mother , Queen Serenity knocked on the door and peeked in, seeing her daughter like this hurt her soul so much, but the problem was, she couldn’t help her baby girl for she did not know the cause of her pain. The exquisite queen picked up the skirts of her silver dress quietly and walked to the bed, sitting down on one of the edges, carefully folding her large, gorgeous angel wings into her back once more, and her skirts carefully under herself , as to not crease them, her kind argentine, shimmering blue eyes sparkled with tears for her only child.

 Not a wrinkle in sight, Neo Queen Serenity was gorgeous, she had a beautiful figure for a woman her age, her flocculent red lips shined like a freshly blooming red rose, her eyes were like the moon beams shining down on the crystal fountain, she had her long silver tinted hair tied back just as her daughter did, in two odangoes on top of her head, and a golden tiara gleamed on her head, bringing out the gold in her eyes.

 She sighed and stroked Serena’s back comfortingly, making the princess jump in shock, realizing it was only her mother, she buried her blonde head into the queen’s dress and cried from the sorrow building in her heart. The queen gentle pushed her daughter back by her shoulders, looking into her sorrowful, tear filled eyes with her own compassionate eyes. Tears streamed down Serena’s already rosy red cheeks, making her eyes stand out even more than they did, shining like bright cerulean sapphires on a cloudy night.

 Serenity could make out something of her daughters sobs that sounded like Darien…why are you my friend…not my lover?! Her mind reeling the queen’s eyes grew large as she looked at her daughter, who’s beautiful eyes were being overshadowed by her golden bangs on the tilted down head, her frail body, wracked with sobs was trembling violently. Gentle placing her hand under her daughter’s chin, Serenity tilted her head upward toward the translucent chandelier hanging above, reflecting in Serena’s eyes.

 The wise queen, a smile creeping up on her lips and tears filling her silver eyes choked out “Serena, you’ve fallen for Darien haven’t you?” Serena nodded her head solemnly, hiding the little smile on her roseate lips which appeared whenever Darien’s name was mentioned. Carefully cupping her daughter’s head in her gentle hands, the queen kissed her daughter’s forehead and whispered “good luck my darling, be watchful at the ball tonight, Prince Darien may join us” Immediately, the young princesses eyes lit up making them glow a beautiful azure color. As the queen walked out she turned her head and whispered “no man can resist you Serena, why should this one?” disappearing with those last words, Serenity was gone.

 Serena ran around her room trying to find the dress that Darien most loved on her, the memories of them rushing through her head along with the strong echo of her mother’s last comment “no man can resist you Serena, why should this one?” She had known Darien since she was a little girl, he was always so polite and proper, but knowing him the way she did, she knew the Prince was a warm, caring man who loved all and only wanted the best for everyone on earth.

 They had met at a small party on Neptune one night, Serena was only 3 years old, just a child, and the young Prince was 7, he was dancing with the lady of Neptune, the young princess Michuru while Serena was toddling around with her father trying to learn the dance steps. How she envied Michuru, with her satin turquoise hair, her sparkling azure sapphire eyes, her wisdom, rhythm, dignity, charm, and her body. The charming princess had a slender figure with all the right curves and had developed early, leaving Serena and the rest of the princesses behind.

 Every woman wanted to be her, every man wanted her, but she loved no one, Michuru loved being on her own, she loved taking care of herself and making sure that no one’s help was needed. Even when she was a child, little Serena envied Michuru so much, the young princess of Neptune at the time was about 5 and stunningly beautiful, even when they danced now, everyone could see the delight in Prince Darien’s eyes as he danced around the room with the Lady.

 As Serena shuddered, looking at a photograph that was of Darien and Michuru, herself standing in the background…ignored. The two looked so happy together, both smiling and holding each other with undiminished delicacy and care. The young prince’s eyes were sparkling as he looked at the one he was holding, Michuru on the other hand was forcing a smile. The little moon princess, celebrating her 16th birthday at the ball tonight, found a beautiful gown, one that Darien had given to her for a different birthday, but she had been too small to wear.

 Carefully unfolding the gown, she slipped into it. The bright angelic feathers attached to the back of the dress curled around her like a protective shield, the dress clung to her lithe body, a golden pendant hung from the plunging ice silver neckline, the dress itself was gorgeous, fit for a queen. Serena fit that purpose perfectly, and she did look like an angel princess in that dress, with her coronet that her mother had leant her, sparkling in her deep, rich golden hair making a sort of surrealistic beam shine in her eyes with the reflection of the chandelier. Pulling out the pins that held her hair in the small odangoes, rich, golden hair tumbled down to her ankles, in lengthy ravishing waves. Running a quick brush through it, making it shine more than it did now, Serena carefully applied a glistening lip gloss, some glitter on her eyes, and a single silver star with the symbol of the moon on her forehead.

 She was ready to face the world as the 16 year old Serena, Princess of the moon, tonight her womanhood would be celebrated in an elaborate party her mother planned, with all Serena’s wishes coming true, and the natural tradition of re-crowning. Carefully picking up her skirts she sighed and blew a kiss at the picture of Darien and herself, silently whispering, wish me luck Darien.

 Pushing her head up high like the princess she was, she walked slowly down the crystal hall, the walls reflecting her image from time to time showing all the servants the beauty the young princess actually held deep inside, they could basically see an aura of confidence, hope, and happiness radiating about the beautiful princess. She saw a movement behind the corner and decided to see what it was. What it was, made her eyes grow large and flood with tears, her lip made a O shaped circle, eyes filling with terror, distress, and sorrow.

 The picture was intimacy, between the prince of earth and the lady Michuru, who stood wrapped in each other’s embrace, holding each other closely, Darien’s hand resting on Michuru’s cheek, caressing it tenderly. The happy aura around her immediately dropped, as the two parted their kiss, Darien slowly turned his head towards Serena and his eyes lit up in wonder and shock. A slow smile creeping upon his lips as he pulled Michuru close, and said “Serena! I’m so glad you’re here, I want you to meet my new GIRLFRIEND this is Michuru, the princess of Neptune” it was then that Serena’s world went black and she fell to the floor.