Cosmic Destiny – CH1 – Princess Selene

The princess smoothed out her dress as she sat down on an ornately carved onyx bench. She gazed out mesmerizer by the scene beyond the castle walls. Although not her birthplace, Charon Castle had been her home since she was little. Even with all the years she'd spent living in the time senshi's castle she could not get used to the 'sky'. It was an ever shifting tide of rolling purples, blues, and black that served as a barrier that protected the castle and it's inhabitants from intruders. As far back as she can remember, when she clutched at Setsuna's long graceful fingers and first walked through Charon's gates, she was never afraid of this canvas of dark churning colors. Sometimes when she could not sleep she would sit and stare at it finding it strangely soothing.

Princess Selene, or Chibi-Usa as her mother liked to call her, was born in the beautiful and shining city of Crystal Tokyo. She treasured her father Mamoru, the King of Earth and Moon. Level headed, kind, and just, her father had never said a harsh word to his daughter. Her mother, on the other hand, was a different matter. Taking the name of Serenity when she became queen, as Selene one day might, her mother was more concerned with treating her as an accessory. A doll she could dress up to company her to gala's and ceremonies. That's all Serenity wanted of her daughter, to be seen not heard, to have her head full of nothing but vanities and parties. While the Queen busied herself with just trivialities, the ruling of the kingdom was left to the King and his generals. Sometimes Selene missed her homeland, it was so bright, beautiful, and full of life, but she knew she had to stay in this dark castle for her own safety.

As she grew older her mother's behaviors grew increasingly unstable. If anyone would spend time with Selene her mother would throw fits and later have anxiety attacks. She grew jealous of any time Mamoru spent with his daughter. She would concoct situations and 'troubles' to attract the king's attentions away from Selene. When she was little she didn't understand why her mother would shun her in such a way and hate her. She would bury herself in her guardian's arms to weep and wonder what she had done to earn her mother's hatred. Setsuna explained it to her the morning of her 7th birthday.

'Selene,' She had said in her calm rich voice, 'your mother fears the powers you will someday inherit from you blood. All senshi have the ability to harness the power of their planets, but you are special. You have the power to become a senshi who's power is above us all. Your mother fears that when you receive this gift you would seek to steal your father away and over throw her kingdom.' Doe eyed and innocent Selene had shook her head furiously denying she would ever do such a thing. Her guardian gave her a soft sorrowful smile and knelt down to place a hand on her light blond locks.

'I know this little princess, but your mother's fears have warped into delusions that make it dangerous for you to live here any longer. I will honor your father's wishes and allow you to spend your birthday night here, then I will take you to live with me where I can protect you.' Setsuna would always regret going against her knowledge and allowing the king one last day with his wife and daughter together.

Aside from her mothers hatred, and erasing her 7th birthday from her memory, Selene had a happy childhood. She had the love her her father and his generals. Although busy they would often visit the princess, or lacking the time leave her notes or gifts carefully tucked under her pillow a simple act that gave the little girl untold joy to discover. Her best friend and 'advisor' Diana was her constant companion. The gray haired ball of energy stuck to Selene like the two were stitched together. The two explored the many gardens and halls their home had to offer. Silently she envied Diana when she watched how her mother Luna loved her.

Like her mother, the inner senshi disliked her. At best they would ignore her and walk around her like she didn't exist. At their worse they would taunt her and badger the little girl. It would prick at heart but she had learned to hold her tears around them or it may spur on another round of taunts. When she lived in Tokyo she did not have much interaction with her own guardians outside that with Setsuna. The hostile nature of her mother and the inners made it difficult for them to be comfortable in Crystal Tokyo.

The person she loved the most, besides her father, was Setsuna. The tall elegant woman was everything she wished her mother was. Her guardian was strong, wise, comforting, and protective. Most of all she loved Selene deeply. "Selene...." Setsuna's voice echoed in Selene's mind. She, Saturn, and Selene all possessed the ability to communicate their thoughts, speech, and emotions to others. Setsuna coveted this ability for secure feeling it gave her as a guardian. "Your father has come to visit and so have his generals." The princess erupted in a smile. Her father and the generals had lingered much longer than usual in Crystal Tokyo. Forgetting all etiquette she gathered up her skirt, ran down the balcony, and pounded down the stone slab stairs to meet her father.