"The Slumber"
Prologue
~Prologue to Tomorrow~
By: Willow Mae
It was a time of peace for all of the planets, under the rule of the good and
kind Queen of the Moon. Each day was a day to rejoice, for it meant another day of happiness and another day of
love. The most joyous of all these days, however, was the day when the beloved queen, ruler of the Silver Millenium
(for that was indeed what this time of peace was hence named) gave birth to a beautiful child. Her hair was flaxen,
her eyes pure as crystal, her cheeks touched with roses. All of the kingdoms rejoiced. There was to be a coronation
for this child, announcing the name of the young girl. She was to be called Serenity, for even as a babe she remained
as serene as the calmest lake. All the people of their respective planets gathered in the ballroom of the elegant
Moon Palace to celebrate the naming of the future heiress to the Moon throne. The guests of honor were seated along
an immense oak table in the dining hall. There was a place for the king and queen of each planet, as well as the
powerful sorceresses that advised the celestial rulers. Each bestowed their precious gifts unto the smiling babe.
The Royal Couple of Pluto bestowed the gift of a jeweled bracelet, while their sorceress bestowed the gift of wisdom.
The Neptune Royalty gave the small princess the gifts of candied flowers, while their sorceress gave Serenity the
gift of kindness. From the Uranus Royal Family small Serenity received a gorgeous ball-gown, while from their sorceress
she received gentleness of heart. The Jupiter Family awarded the child with a crown made of emeralds, and the Jovian
sorceress bestowed upon the babe a truthful nature. The Martian Royalty gave tiny Serenity a crystal locket, and
their sorceress gave the young child a musical voice. Then it came turn for Earth's royalty to bestow their gifts
on the future queen. She received a beautiful diamond from the blue planet's surface, and their sorceress stood
to bestow her gift on the babe.
The sun shone brightly behind this powerful woman, it's rays catching the shine of her long auburn hair. She walked
to the child, a smile on her face. "My queen," she said to Serenity, who held the child to her bosom.
"My queen, I bestow my gift not to the child, but to the entire kingdom that you rule. My gift is as such-"
There was a pause in the royal hall before the sorceress spoke again. "Doom." A gasp rose from the observing
crowd. Such a horrid gift to give…and yet nothing could be done, for the Earthling sorceress was by far one of
the most powerful. She continued with her declaration. "The gift will begin when the Princess Serenity reaches
her coming-of-age at eighteen. On that day, when the sun sinks below the horizon of our Earth, she will prick her
finger on a poisonous spindle, and fall dead." Some of the courtiers fainted upon hearing the news, but the
young sorceress was not finished yet. "This will be the fall of the Moon's rule over us, as the kingdom will
crumble, and Earth shall rise above all the planets and reign!" She laughed, her young and beautiful voice
tainted with the greed and power that coursed through her veins. Queen Terra of the Earth stood.
"Beryl, why do you ruin this wondrous occasion? Repent your gift, I command you as your queen!" Beryl
turned to the majesty that defied her wishes, her eyes flashing.
"Majesty, I do this not for myself but for you. Remember that well." With her final words said and the
spell cast, Beryl vanished from the court. There was a wail that arose from the nobles. Terra begged with the Moon
queen to forgive her, not knowing what her sorceress had planned. Serenity of the Moon looked down at her sleeping
child, far too shocked to speak. Finally, the Sorceress of Mercury stood.
"Majesty," she said, bowing to the queen. "Though I can not undo the curse that Beryl cast on your
child, I may alter it slightly. Dear child, on the eve of your eighteenth birthday you shall indeed prick your
finger on a spindle, but shall not fall dead. Instead, you shall fall into a deep sleep, not to awaken until…"
"Until the kiss of true love is bestowed upon you." The Venusian sorceress stood, completing the gift
from Mercury. "All the planetary kingdoms shall sleep until that day arrives. Majesty," she looked into
Serenity's sorrow filled eyes. "Accept our final gift to the young child and be happy." A light applause
rose from the nobles as relief washed over the queens' face. The Jovian sorceress rose once more and turned to
Serenity.
"Lady Serenity, I offer you my unborn child, to be a protector of young Serenity and to keep watch over her
from the day she sleeps to the day she awakens." The Martian sorceress stood as well.
"I too, Lady, offer you my child to be a guardian of the princess."
"And I, Majesty." Sorceress Mercury stated firmly.
"As shall I, Lady Serenity." Venus' sorceress smiled warmly at her fellow mages. "We shall all offer
our services to you and the small lady."
"The Slumber"
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