Name: In the Hands of Fate
Author: Sailor Heartache
Chapter: 1
Email: Pheartache@aol.com

Ok guys I would like to dedicate this chapter to Crystal Heart Jendra and Roo.  There some really great authors! Ok you know the usual disclaimers apply.  So on with the story!

In the Hands of Fate Chapter 1
          A scream broke through the quiet of the palace as a young girl ran through the halls followed shortly after by five guys who looked to be on the verge of exhaustion.  As she ran past the kitchen she quickly remembered that she was starving and dashed into the kitchen at the last possible second.
          "Sere really you ought to be a little nicer to those poor boys they're going to die of exhaustion!" said one of the kitchen maids as she sat a glass of milk down in front of the young girl.           "I know Maggie but it's soooo fun to see the guys huffing and puffing like old men!" she replied as the both broke into laughter.
          The each rolled with laughter until five boys burst into the room.  "Sere really you need to give us some slake!" said the tallest of the boys.
          "But my dear Endy, if I did that where would you get all your exercise?" Serena replied in a sugar sweet voice.
          Endymion as always couldn't turn down that innocent voice and said, " True Sere but now we've only got two hours to get ready for the ball!"
          "Huh?  What ball?"
          "Your birthday ball!  Don't tell me you forgot it's your birthday today!" Endymion said in an exasperated tone.           "OHMYGOSH!TODAYISMYBIRTHDAYBALL!I'VEGOTTABOOKITGUYS!" she screamed as she quickly ran towards here chambers.
          Serena yet again broke through the quietness of the halls by screaming at herself until she opened the door to her room.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Serena's POV
          I opened my wardrobe door sighing at all the dresses that I had to choose from.  Too big. Too fat. Worn it too much. Can we get any more plain?! Too long.  Too short.  Too yellow. All these thoughts ran through my head as I tried to find the perfect dress, which obviously didn't seem to be in my closet.  I thought quick as I remembered the dress I had been sewing for about 7 months.  I went to my trunk and opened it, then quickly pulled out the green dress.
          I looked it over it looked to be almost ready, and if I put those pearls Dad got me then it would look perfect!  Excited I threw on the dress.  It was green crushed velvet from my shoulders to my hips where green silk flared out making the dress have a look of its own.  I surveyed my self in the mirror.  Hoping I looked all right I put on the pearls and checked my watch.  7:59 PM I had just enough time since the royalty wouldn't be announced until 8:20.
          I walked slowly down the halls since I wanted to look nice tonight.  I sighed there was something about this ball that gave me a funny feeling.  I had heard the workers saying something about magical powers being passed down but I had no idea what they meant by it.  I looked up quickly as I realized the trumpets were blaring and set off down the hall stopping only when I arrived at the doors to the ballroom where Darien joined me.
          "What took you so long Sere?" Darien asked quietly as the guards were being announced.           "I was thinking instead of walking," I replied.
          He nodded and we moved towards the door.  "Announcing their royal highnesses the Princess Terra of Earth and the Prince Endymion of Earth."We walked grace fully down the stairs where we joined mom and dad in our respective throwns. "Mom what is this all about? I have this funny feeling that I can't seem to shake off."
          "Serena darling it's a surprise!  The same thing happened to me when I was your age and now it's your turn."
          I sat for who knows how long trying to figure out what she meant.  Everything is so confusing today, first I get this weird feeling whenever I go near Endy second I have this weird feeling that I'm going somewhere tomorrow, and third I feel like I need to be somewhere that I'm not!  Why is life so confusing?!
          I was interrupted by a young man with shoulder length blond hair asking me to dance.  I didn't feel like dancing but could feel my mother's eyes burning into my back so I easily relented.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3rd Person
          Queen Gaia looked at her husband they had planned this for about 6 months and now it was time.  She was a little nervous, because she wasn't sure what Serena would think but it had to be done and Serena was going to have to be the person to do it.  Her husband nodded and the Queen stood up ready to begin the process..
          Serena looked up the guy she was dancing with was really dull.  All he talked about was all the achievements that he had been given.  She looked up hoping to find Endy so he could brake her out of this situation, but what she saw was her father motioning for her to join them on the balcony.  She quickly excused herself and made her way towards the balcony.
          Queen Gaia looked up as Serena joined them and gave her a quick smile before she started her speech "Lords and Ladies as is tradition today our beloved princess will become what she is meant to be.  She will face many obstacles and challenges on her path to discovery but all will end in peace." She pauses and turned to her daughter; " Today you will become something greater then you ever realized.  Today my daughter you shall become Sailor Earth."
          Serena was shocked she had known that something was going to happen today, but she had never realized how big.  She looked at her father he nodded.  He was the only one who knew how much Serena enjoyed fighting.  When she was little he had helped her train when her mother wasn't around.  As she grew up she became stronger probably even stronger the royal guards but it was not legal for a princess to fight so she had lost all hope of getting to be a guard.  Now she could she could do all she had ever dreamed! She looked up at her mother and smiled reassuringly.
          Queen Gaia was ecstatic Serena actually liked the idea!  That meant that she wasn't mad at her! "Now, I will like my Mother before me, pass on my powers."  Queen Gaia started glowing gold as all of her magic abilities surrounded her.  Almost immediately Serena started glowing her own silver glow as Queen Gaia's abilities joined with her own.
          Serena could feel the power soaring through her veins.  This was great she had read once in a book that all the Sailor Scouts traveled to the moon kingdom to train with the Queen of the Moon the stongest person in the galaxy.  Serena couldn't believe how good her luck was not only was she going to be able to be a guard but she was going to get to guard the next heir to the Silver Millenium!
          "Now, Terra I need you to hold up this broach and say 'Earth Emerald Power'" instructed Queen Gaia.
          Serena snapped out of her thoughts and took the broach holding it above her head she exclaimed, "Earth Emerald Power"
          A green cloud surrounded her as she felt ribbons encircling her.  When the cloud cleared Serena stood proudly in a sailor fuku with dark green ribbons, green boots (like Jupiter's), and a gold tiara with an emerald in the center.
          Queen Gaia stood up and said "Now do you swear to protect the planet Earth all of its people and the next ruler of the Silver Millenium?"
          "I Do" Sailor Earth responded solemnly.
          "Then to the people of Earth I now present to you Sailor Earth"

Flames? Questions? Comments? Pheartache@aol.comhttp://www.homestead.com/pheartache/index.html