Ami sensed someone walking up the passage behind her. She turned slightly, noting that it was Azorth. She nodded in greeting and put her finger to her lips to indicate that he should remain silent. She couldn't help but wonder what he was doing here. Did he not trust the Queen and the Princess? Did he think that he could steal some valuable secrets by watching them? She was unsure of his motives and that made Ami nervous. It was her duty to protect the royalty.

The queen smiled at her daughter. "I have heard that these can give the purest and strongest of hearts the powers of gods." The queen gently picked one up and the light it emitted brightened at her touch. "However no one person was meant to wield these." She said placing the stone back in the chest. "I hope that with these we can find their wielders and with their help save our kingdom." She said. 

"Azroth," the queen called with a sly smile. "Wont' you be a dear and carry the chest for us?" She asked the prince.

Princess Small Lady Serenity

Small Lady blushed to see that Azorth had followed them. The thought that he had been concerned and rushed to her aid was flattering and heart-warming. Already things seemed so different than she had feared earlier this same day. Her maiden heart was open and willing to cherish this young man, with all the innocence and trust of a girl who had never known betrayal.

She tried not to let this bubbling of emotions distract her from her mother's tale.

"How shall we find those who can use the stones?" she asked. "A contest? Or a call to arms?"

The pink-haired princess only hoped they could find those mysterious people soon, before that power was truly needed. Otherwise, they would never be able to defeat the dark forces that threatened to overtake their home and livelihood.

"Surely." Azorth replied carefully walking down the hallway. His steps echoed against the stone walls. He felt the rings on the chest, and carefully lifted the container of the precious items. 

"Perhaps....the guard that protects you so close, would be ideal." he suggested.

The Queen smiled at the Prince and Princess. "I believe we have already found someone." She said as a pale blue stone started to glow brighter than the others. "If I recall correctly, the stones start to react to the ones that can use their power." She turned again and smiled at Ami. "Ami," the queen said lifting the stone from the chest. "I think you can use the power sealed in this stone." She held it out for her friend. "Here take it." the stone was warm in her hands, and felt like water was flowing inside the stone, like there was just a film keeping the water from spilling on the floor.

Azorth watched in awe as the Queen presented Ami with the store. He walked over behind Small Lady and placed her hands on her shoulders, giving them a quick squeeze. 

"Everything will be alright." He said to her.

Princess Small Lady Serenity

Could it truly be alright? She glanced up at the handsome face of her fiancé, smiling with the heartfelt emotion of young love. It certainly felt possible, when the emotional walls that had kept them separated in this arranged marriage were finally broken down. His encouragement meant more to her than she would have felt to hear the same phrase from another's lips.

Small Lady waited, silent, continuing to watch what might happen when her mother's advisor Ami touched the mysterious blue stone.

Ami blushed as her queen called her forth. So much for keeping an eye on her stealthily. She came forward slowly. She wasn't sure what to make of the stones that the Queen held. In all the books she had ever read, she had never come across any mention of them, nor did she remember anyone ever talking about them before.

She reached out to take the stone from her friends hand hesitantly. Part of her was scared, not knowing what the stone would do once she touched it, but the bigger part of her was curious. The closer she had gotten to the stone,the more of a connection she felt. Finally putting her hand on the stone and gently taking it from the Queen's hand, Ami gasped. The stone felt like water! It almost felt as though there was a thing barrier around the water that was thick enough to maintain the shape of the rock but thin enough that she could feel the water.

"What are these?" Ami whispered, staring at the stone in her hand, which she cradled against her chest.

Azorth squeezed Small Lady's shoulder as the blue haired girl took the blue stone. The reaction Ami had was astounding. The connection could be felt by Azorth since he also had a connection to magic. It was a familiar feeling to him that was buzzing in the air.

"Water" Azorth said boldly. "And I bet those other stones represent other elements."

The Queen nodded. "They do." She said. "Watch. This one speaks to Ami's very soul, so to speak." She shrugged, hey this was magic not an exact thing. She watched her blue eyes bright as the blue aura of the stone engulfed Ami. It was like the stories had said. This was their hope! When the light faded, Ami wasn't dresses as Ami was anymore. No now she wore what was akin to her senshi fuku, only with medieval touches here and there, the blue stone buried in the bow on her chest.

"Guardian Mercury." The Queen beamed. "You are to be a saving grace for us. You and the other Guardians."

ooc:

Princess Small Lady Serenity

Small Lady was awestruck, watching Ami's transformation. The swirling cerulean light had changed the blue-haired woman, and not just her clothing. The princess sensed power like that of the blue stone now radiating from the woman. It was truly amazing!

Ami gasped as she was transformed and was suddenly wearing a different outfit. Instead of her normal court attire, she was wearing blue knee high boots made of blue supple leather with a blue skirt that ended at the knees. Underneath her skirt, Ami could feel some sort of soft pant like material that ended an inch before the skirt. She supposed that if she was to fight in this outfit, it would be appropriate to have that area not exposed. She felt her cheeks go red at the thought.

The bodice of the outfit was white and had sleeves that ended a few inches from white leather gloves that had a blue cuff that went to her elbows. The front of the bodice had a dark blue bow and at the center of the bow, the stone was nestled safely and securely. Ami wasn't going to question what was keeping it there for the moment. On top of the bodice was a blue corset made of the same leather as her boots and her gloves. The corset tied in the back and ended in a blue top at the small of her back.

On her forehead, there were small blue stone details in the shape of a heart that had two small lines protruding from the top. At the base of the heart, a line protruded forming a cross.

"How is this possible?" she asked, looking at the Queen.

The Queen smiled at the transformation. "Magic." She said grinning. "You're soul resonates with the power in the stone, allowing you to use the power with in." She said walking over to her friend. " I would bet you have abilities that you never imagined."

Finding the others wouldn't be easy. They could be anyone, not all of her advisors could be a Guardian, could they?

Ami's mind began to furiously work out how they could possibly find the other guardians.  

"Your Highness, did the stone react at all in your hands as I walked closer?" she asked. If it had, it may be a way to to help them find the stones without letting the general public know about them.

Azorth watched in awe as the blue haired girl changed before him. He tightened his grip on Small Lady's shoulders, feeling protective, unsure of what was happening. However, once the transformation had completed, he felt the magic radiating from the girl.

"This is exactly how we will defeat my father's mages" He smiled.

The Queen smiled at Guardian Mercury. "Yes the stone reacted to you. Well if I recall correctly more to your soul." She said in thought. "But in reality we can't go walking around the kingdom looking for the girls or boy I;m not sure how this will work that activate the crystals." She knew it would take to long. "We need to find them and fast. So I say we start by having the people come here. Maybe we'll get lucky that way." The Queen closed the chest. Little did she know that all her Guardians were in the castle just waiting to gain their new powers.

"Come on, we have much work to do before war is truly upon us." And she left the small room and started down the hall.

Azorth took Small Lady's hand in his and followed her mother down the hallway. They didn't have much time, and the sooner they could find the guardians they needed, the safer their future would be.

Wanting to return to her court attire, Ami concentrated, feeling the transformation reverse itself. She put the stone in her pocket, keeping it safe for now. She would have to figure out how to put it on a necklace so she could always have it with her. 

"Perhaps it would be beneficial to summon the best warriors in the realm to the castle and have a tournament of sorts? It would also be good for the moral of the people as well I believe, and we would be able to see if any of the stone react," the petite woman suggested as she followed her Queen.

The queen smiled. "And you would you faire in such a contest my Advisor?" She asked. "Maybe not all of the Guardians are warriors, like you my friend." She said as they emerged from the hall. " But none the less I  believe that to be a good idea." She smiled. "Let's start planning Quickly!" She was ready to find the Guardians and hopefully drive off The Dark Moon Kingdom.

Not knowing what to say in retort to her Queen's comment, Ami stayed quiet. Ami would think that the rest of the chosen would be more warriors. She was still confused as to why she was chosen. What could she offer? She wasn't a fighter, it wasn't in her nature. She kept her thoughts to herself, instead turning her mind to planning the tournament. 

"I was thinking to find out who may be the wearer of the stones, we have each warrior present them-self to you to pay respects. Close by hidden, we would have the crystals We saw that it the stone reacted to me before I touched it. It began to react when I got close. It stands to reason the same would occur."

Azorth listened to the blue haired girl plan with the Queen. A tournament? How long would that take? His father's forces were on their way.

"Isn't there a faster way?" Azorth spoke up in a panicked tone, but he quickly bowed excusing his rudeness.

Over the next few days it was discovered that the other guardians were already close by. All of them were couriers already at the castle. Makoto was Guardian Jupiter, strong and true, with thunder and lighting at her command she would be a great asset on the battle field. Minako, another of the Queen's advisors was Guardian Venus, Passionate and sure, at her command was love and beauty stronger than one might think. She would be a valued leader on the fields of battle, and lastly the Guardian Mars was the ever present Rei, mysterious and fiery. She commanded fire and spirits her insights on the battle field would be most helpful in assuring their victory. 

With her Guardians gathered around her the Queen felt confident that they would win the day. All they had to do now was prepare for the battle ahead. Little did the queen know there was more ahead than she bargained for.

Princess Small Lady Serenity

It did not seem so surprising to the princess that her mother's court would turn out to be the kingdom's guardians. Who could be better suited to protecting the realm from dangerous magical forces than those who had protected the realm from dangerous non-magical forces? There were no women more trusted than those who had made up Small Lady's loving extended family. She knew they deserved their new abilities and would use them well.

It was strange, though, waiting for the battle. The princess felt out of place. She lacked the new powers of the Guardians, nor did she have tactical experience to offer. She did her best to be present during the planning, but she didn't feel like she had anything to contribute.

Azorth was alone in his room, lost in deep thought. Any moment those who marched with his father would be at the castle. He prayed that the newly developed magical powers of the Queen's Court would manage those who marched with the Kingdom of Dark Moon.

He knew his own magic would be a great asset in the battle, but he would not be able to stand alone without help from the Queen and her court.

Bump!

Moving the thread to the graveyard.