Stars in a New Sky

Chapter 8: Regrouping

"Quite the eventful evening, last night." Nyx spoke, a wry smile on her lips. She sipped her coffee and observed Selene's strained face. Neither had expected Metalia to move against them so quickly. Nor had they expected Usagi Tsukino's reaction. The princess' powers were like a beacon in the dark. Nyx huffed a small sigh. It wasn't the only thing they'd sensed last night. Along with the princess' powers, they'd sensed the spark of the Silver Crystal. It was there and gone in a flash. No doubt reacting to Usagi. 

"I wanted to keep her out of this." Selene moaned over her rapidly cooling tea. 

Nyx shrugged. "Tough. She's involved now and there's no going back." 

Selene's silver eyes flashed with irritation. "Would you be so cavalier if it were your children?" 

The goddess of night narrowed her dark eyes. "Don't vent your anger on me. This is very reason I didn't fall into the Long Sleep. As long as I live, no one will dare touch them. I made sure of that." Her eyes sparked with challenge. "And I made sure my children were battle ready." 

Chastened by the goddess' reproving words, Selene leaned back in her chair and sighed. Nyx was right. If she hadn't left Silver Millennium, Metalia's invasion would never have stood a chance. Princess Serenity was never meant to fight. However, circumstances now demanded that she must. It wasn't something she could leave solely to Luna. Selene could trust Luna to teach Usagi how to use her guardian powers to fight the forces of evil, but only she could teach Usagi what it meant to be a goddess. How to use those powers to protect herself and others...how to use with Silver Crystal without killing everyone in the process.

"I'm not telling you this to make you feel guilty." Nyx interrupted Selene's thoughts. She offered her a reassuring smile. "You can't go back to undo your mistakes. It would no doubt cause more harm than good if you did. However, you can teach Usagi. Prepare her for what's to come. You alone cannot defeat Metalia." 

Selene's eyes snapped to meet Nyx's face. "What?"

"You only succeeded in trapping her after she'd been stripped of her powers. It took everything Queen Serenity had to seal her away at full power. Your princess' power could be limitless, but she's young. She lacks your experience." Nyx drained her cup.

Knowing Nyx was right, Selene sighed and rose. "I suppose I should contact Artemis and Luna. Since Usagi was awakened, the other guardians must have felt it. We'll need to find them."

Nyx grinned and rose with her. "I don't think that will be a problem. They'll find each other."

Selene frowned at her. "What do you mean?" 

"I mean," she replied, steering the moon goddess to the café door. "Circumstances are about to give their red strings of fate a good jerk." At Selene's horrified expression, Nyx patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. Have faith in your princess...and her young man."

Selene shot Nyx a dark look. "I trusted one of his kind before and look where it got us."

Nyx rolled her eyes. "Quit blaming Aegeus. He may have been a guardian, but he was still human. Endymion was not Aegeus...and neither is this young man." She tossed an arm over Selene's shoulder. "We can stalk the boy for a day, if you're so concerned."

Selene shrugged Nyx's arm off. "I'm not concerned. I know he cares for Serenity. I saw it last night. He may not understand his feelings, but he's not fighting them. It's just he's as inexperienced as Usagi."

"True. Your princess isn't the only one who will need protection and training. She has Luna watch over her for now, but he'll need someone to keep an eye on him too. At least until he can defend himself." Nyx pressed.