Post by lawrenceliberty on Feb 14, 2019 0:18:54 GMT
Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld: Black Wedding!
By lawrenceliberty
Sept. 1985
1
Amy Winston took a deep breath and then walked determinedly up the worn steps that led to the front doors of Emerson Junior High. The blonde 13 year old tried to look calm and cool as she adjusted the pink scrunchie that held her hair out of her face. She glanced at her swatch and hurried inside.
“I can’t be late or I’ll get detention and Dad will flip out!” she thought. She nodded at some girls who were approaching down the long hallway and she looked around as she drew closer to her homeroom. She stopped at her battered old locker and opened the combination lock.
Everything was normal. She had only been in junior high for a little over two weeks and she was already used to the rows of lockers and the buzz of conversations in the busy halls. She even knew the school had its share of social cliques with the jocks and the popular kids on one side and the kids who were more interested in things like band, drama, academics, or mere survival on the other side. She was somewhere in the middle. She was pretty and smart. She had friends but she was not overly familiar with the older students and she was worried about fitting in and not making any mistakes that might open her to being laughed at or singled out for unwanted attention.
She looked down at her amethyst pendant and smiled as she thought, “I’d rather be back in Gemworld dealing with sneaky rats like Sardonyx or mean girls like Lady Topaz than trying to get through Geometry class or finding a place to sit at lunch!”
She referred to one aspect of her secret life. Amy was more than the Hudson, New York schoolgirl she appeared to be. This secret was revealed to her when she received a glowing amethyst on her last birthday. The stone was magical and its arrival led her to learn that she came from a magical realm. Amy was in fact adopted. Her beloved parents Heb and Marion Winston were not her true biological parents. Amy was the daughter of the late Lord and Lady Amethyst of the mystical other dimension known as Gemworld. This fantasy world was separated from Earth by a vast expanse of time and space. In this world, which was something like the magical kingdoms found in the realms described in the Dungeons & Dragons games Amy occasionally played. The realm was ruled by various nobles. Each had his or her own magical gemstone like a ruby, a diamond, a sapphire etc. Some of them were heroic and loyal to her while others either opposed her directly or schemed against her in secret. Time had its own rules in the magical realm. There, Amy was an adult princess who defended Castle Amethyst from evil forces like the sinister Dark Opal and his allies the oily Sardonyx and the haughty Lady Topz. After Dark Opal had killed her real parents, Amy had been spirited away from Gemworld and left to be raised by the Winston family. She had had a very happy life and only learned of her true heritage and experienced the romance and peril of Gemworld last year. Now, having made good friends like hulking but loyal Granch and mysterious Prince Garnet, she could claim to be a capable swordswoman, archer, and tactician thanks to the training she had been given by the other nobles.
However, whenever she used her magical amethyst to transport herself through a portal from Gemworld to earth, she changed from the blonde and beautiful adult Princess Amethyst to ordinary teenage Amy Winston. At times she didn’t know which identity had more problems. It was hard adjusting to junior high and all the changes that came with growing up!
“Let’s see Betty Gilson battle ogres!” she thought as she caught a glimpse of a teen magazine that featured the musical sensation on the cover pasted inside her locker. She started to adjust her books when a boy with blond hair and blue eyes came up to her. He was wearing a school jacket and she gulped slightly as she recognized him.
“Brad! Hi!” she stammered as the football player grinned at her.
“Hey, Amy. Didn’t mean to scare you. You looked lost in a dream world! How would you like to go to the fall dance this Saturday?” he said casually. Clearly, Brad Jeffries had plenty of experience asking girls out on dates.
“Me? Sure! Sure! That would be great!” she replied.
He smoothed his hair with one hand and then said, “Cool. I’ll meet you there! You know freshmen can’t drive their dates to the dance. We have to meet up there. Is that lame or what? Still, the dance itself should be fun!”
Amy smiled as he walked off and she closed her locker door.
“I’ve never even been on a real date. Just group stuff at church!” she thought. “Brad is so cute. He’d look a little like Mike Wolfe from TV if Mike was blond!”
As the locker door shut, she spotted a familiar figure leaning against the locker next to her own. He was a black haired boy with flashing dark eyes and a crooked grin that seemed to be mocking everyone and everything.
“Carnelian?” she said as she approached the Gemworlder. What was he doing here on Earth? As the adopted child of the evil and scarred Dark Opal, Carnelian had had a very twisted childhood. He had been her foe and finally had become something of a friend. He now lived in Castle Amethyst and had actually saved her life when she had last battled his deadly father.
He raised one eyebrow and said, “Carl Nelligan! Remember, here in Hudson I’m Carl!” he said.
She nodded and said, “You can call yourself Boy George for all I care. What are doing here?”
He led her outside and said, “What? You don’t believe I just wanted to play dodge ball and ditch study hall!”
She said, “You’re still not funny. What’s wrong?”
He nodded and said, “Okay, okay. I’m just trying to lighten up a grim situation. You’re needed…the you with long blonde hair and killer legs that is… back home! “
She frowned and said, “ Okay, first, yuck and then what happened? Is it Opal again?”
He shook his head. “Not exactly. I think Gemworld is about to have a funeral!”
2
As the two kids hurried away from the school and ducked behind a row of storage sheds, Amy said, “Funeral? Ohmigosh! Who is it? Not Prince Topaz!”
Carl rolled his eyes at the mention of the handsome blond prince Amethyst had had a crush on since their first meeting.
“No, Prince Ken Doll is fine. It is Lord Ruby. You remember him? Fat, white hair, reddish complexion. He almost died saving us from the Starry Sky invaders!”
Amy nodded sadly. In Gemworld the power structure was based upon the rule of twelve nobles each of whom possessed their own domain and a magical heartstone like her own precious amethyst. Lord Ruby was the oldest of the nobles. He had been vastly powerful and had once ruled all of Gemworld. He had raised her real mother Lady Amethyst after her own parents had died and he had stood by the House of Amethyst as a loyal ally all his life. He had been kind to Amethyst herself and had freed her from imprisonment when invaders from the Starry Skies had taken her captive. This battle had left the ancient man badly weakened. It was logical that he might had died but it was still painful to hear that such a brave and regal figure was lost to Gemworld.
“All of the Royal Houses are gathering. It is only proper!” he said arrogantly. “That’s why they sent me to get you!” he said.
Amy said, “But how did.. I mean you don’t..!” she stammered.
“How did he get here since he has no magic of his own?” said a tall blond man in blue armor.
“Prince Topaz!” cried Amy as she saw the heroic royal standing in the shadows.
“Yes, he brought me since I have no magic. You don’t have to rub it in!” said Carnelian.
As Dark Opal’s adopted heir, Carnelian had no magical powers of his own. This was a sore spot to the proud man.
“Well met, Princess! “ Topaz said with a courtly bow.
“Carnelian knows his way around your world and thus, he was considered to be the best guide!” explained Topaz. “I fear we come with dark news and grim omens!”
Amy frowned as she noticed the handsome prince wore the colors of the House of Turquoise. He had been pledged to wed the lovely warrior woman Lady Turquoise. Apparently, their engagement was moving along since he had started to adopt the colors associated with her domain. Upon their marriage he would formally become Prince Turquoise and surrender his own Topaz gem to his older sister who would continue to rule the domain in which he had been raised. Amy bit her lip and once more mentally assured herself that she was happy for the couple. They were her friends and she had no claim on the royal. She still hated for him to see her as a 13 year old girl instead of a lovely woman.
Amy touched her own amethyst as it hung around her neck and in a flash of purple light, the three found themselves hurtling through a mystical portal to Gemworld.
Amy was magically transformed once more into the adult Princess Amethyst. She now had longer flowing blonde hair, a beautiful face and figure and the skills and grace of a true warrior. She wore a brief purple tunic and skirt with matching boots and tiara. A sword hung on one hip.
She blinked once and then she breathed in the fresh air of Gemworld. The golden sun warmed her face. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue. She felt stronger, smarter and more alive than she had moments before back at Emerson Junior High! Gemworld just seemed more vital, more real than plain old Hudson, New York ever could. She could hardly believe that such a lovely environment could be the scene of mourning.
“When did Lord Ruby die?” She said softly.
Prince Topaz frowned and said, “Lord Ruby is very weak but he had not perished when we departed to summon you. “
Carnelian had also been changed into a lean adult with a mustache and a crimson outfit. He wore a blade on one hip but he also carried an Earth gun. He needed all the protection he could get since he alone had no magical powers in the Gemworld.
He said, “I should have been clearer. I just assumed the old fellow would have bit the bullet by now!”
They walked up a series of steps until they stood before the majestic walls of Castle Ruby. The large palace was silent although guards in red uniforms lined the grounds and stood in solemn alertness.
“You brought us right to the castle. You’ve learned to use your gem’s powers in a most effective manner!” said Prince Topaz.
Princess Amethyst nodded and said, “It still seems a bit much at times!”
She frowned as she realized that there was a time she would never have admitted such weakness to Prince Topaz since she had wanted him to see her as strong and mature. Now, she realized that her feelings for him had changed if not entirely vanished. Perhaps, being in Gemworld again was making her more grown up on the inside and the outside!
They were ushered into a huge chamber where royal physicians stood over a still figure who seemed to be in a trance as he lay within an ornate bed. He was still portly but Lord Ruby looked like a dying man.
“He has grown weaker. I fear it will not be long now!” whispered a woman in red robes.
“You may take comfort in knowing you and the other healers have done all anyone could do!” said a balding man with a gaunt figure.
He was Lord Ruby’s old friend Lord Moonstone. He also was a good ally to the House of Amethyst although he had a quick temper.
He inclined his head as he saw Princess Amethyst.
“Milady, you are most welcome. You know your late parents adored Lord Ruby and owed their reign to him in many ways!” he said sternly but not unkindly.
A lovely woman with flowing raven black hair swept forward in a flowing gown and courtseyed.
“Prince Moonstone and I greet you in this sad time!” announced the Lady Sapphire. She was engaged to Lord Moonstone’s red haired son Prince Moonstone. The shy prince smiled and bowed in a slightly clumsy manner. He let his more forceful fiancé speak for him on this occasion. His father watched the couple and seemed to disapprove of the union.
Lady Aquamarine, a lovely young woman with what Amy thought of as Far Eastern features, sat nearby.
She ruled an island kingdom in the name of her infant son and as a widow she mainly kept to herself She was a bit frightening to Amethyst since she seemed to be able to read one’s thoughts.
“Do not mourn for your parents. My late Lord Aquamarine lives on in our son and your own late parents are equally represented by yourself!” she said. “You make them proud I am sure.” said Lady Aquamarine.
The demure platinum blonde Lady Emerald said, “How is little Emmy?”
Princess Amethyst smiled at the kindly woman and said, “She is great. She loves living with me and my folks. She stayed home from school with a cold or I would have brought her!”
Lady Emerald’s younger sister Emmy was indeed content to live on Earth with the Winston family. She sought a family environment since the death of her parents and oldest sibling.
Princess Amethyst noticed Prince Topaz had joined the flame haired warrior woman Princess Turquoise who smiled at her in greeting but remained silent.
A big black man in yellow paced back and forth and stopped to greet Amethyst.
“Princess Amethyst! I trust you still remember the combat skills I taught you? We may all need them ere long.” Said Lord Garnet of the Stormy Peakes!
The bald, gentle Diamond Priest softly said, “As you know the loss of Lord Ruby will mean more than personal grief for the death of a heroic ruler. It will mean all magic will be cast into disarray since the very mystical soul of Gemworld may only be in perfect balance when all twelve Houses and all twelve heartstones have a living heir.”
Lady Topaz, a sultry woman in a very revealing golden gown and heels lounged on a plush divan and pointed ignored her estrange brother Prince Topaz.
“And although he had magical powers beyond those associated with Gemworld itself, Lord Ruby had no heirs. He looked upon your late mother as his adopted daughter!” she purred as she gazed appraisingly at Princess Amethyst.
“He always boasted about being descended from the greatest of all Mages and yet all of our ancestors came from some part of the ancient Atlantis he was so fascinated by!” said an oily man in a brown burnoose and long cloak who skulked in the shadows of the room. He was the cowardly yet deadly Lord Sardonyz of the Burning Sands and he served Dark Opal out of fear and greed.
Princess Amethyst nodded and said, ”What can I do to help? Could Citrina do anything if we summon her?”
She referred to the wise Witch-Mother who had been her mentor in life and now through mystical communication via a magical pool called the Veil of Vision still advised her since her own death.
A hulking monster of a man bowed low and took her hands in his own huge paws.
“Alas, dear Princess Amethyst, the Witch Mother could only suggest we summon you and prepare for the worst!” said Granch. Granch was the disfigured, inhuman son of Dark Opal. He was as good and loyal as his father was wicked and murderous. He served the House of Amethyst and would die for its Princess.
Princess Amethyst held his hands and said, “I wish I could help him. Couldn’t all of us pool our magic in some way?”
“Ah, perhaps, you have watched too many of your Earthly football games, eh? You should be a cheerleader or is that not the proper term? I do not think team efforts will do the dying Ruby any good!” said a sneering man with scarred blue skin. He had long black hair, deep set dark eyes and a goatee. He wore a red cloak pinned together with a horrid broach that was carved to resemble his own features. The magical talisman changed expression as its owner’s own demeanor altered from moment to moment. Dark Opal cast additional shadows over the room even as he stalked like a hunter into the dying man’s room.
Lady Turquoise and Lord Garnet drew their swords and Lord Moonstone raised his fist in anger.
“Opal, you are here because this crisis will threaten all magic in Gemworld. You are certainly not here as a friend or a welcome guest. You watch your foul mouth or I swear I shall close it for you and we shall hold both a funeral for Ruby and a celebration for your own passing!” said Lord Moonstone.
Dark Opal smiled coldly and showed a row of gleaming white teeth. He nodded at Carnelian and said, “Indeed, I do understand my peril, Why, my dear son Carnelian may try to stab me in the back… again at any moment since he does lack any sense of originality!”
Carnelian scowled but Granch stepped forward protectively and said, “Ignore his foul jibes. He relishes anyone’s effort at repartee!”
Dark Opal nodded approvingly and said, “Why, I do believe my sons have found brotherly love for one another and all it took was my apparent death! I am deeply gratified!”
Princess Amethyst said, “Stop it! You know that messed up magic hurts you as much as it does the rest of us. Can’t you help us heal Lord Ruby?”
The Diamond Priest said, “Something is wrong here. Lord Ruby is not dead yet but I do feel a disturbance in the magical balance of Gemworld!”
The room seemed to shudder as a wind swept through it and darkness blanketed the chamber. A chilling sensation touched the assembly and when Amethyst could finally see once more she gasped in surprise. They were no longer in the palace of the House of
Ruby. While Lord Ruby still rested silently in his sick bed to one side, it was now positioned within a massive cathedral whose darkened windows were adorned with arcane glyphs that kept them all trapped within the sinister structure
Lady Aquamarine said, “This is some perverse chapel intended for mocking a real funeral!”
The Diamond Priest said, “Where are we? We have been ripped out of Gemworld itself! What power could do such a thing?”
They all looked toward Dark Opal who laughed and said, “Modestly compels me to admit that while I brought you all here, I did so with help from another. Pride compels me to correct the fair Lady Aquamarine, I did not bring you here for a funeral. “
He looked directly at Princess Amethyst and said, “I joyfully announce that I have brought you here to witness my wedding!”
3
Before anyone could move magical energy illuminated the room and all of the royals were paralyzed except for Princess Amethyst!
Dark Opal said, “While the others are here as witnesses to the ceremony, you precious Amethyst have a special role to play.”
Amethyst drew her sword and concentrated on her gemstone. A flash of purple energy surrounded her in a blazing nimbus.
“I won’t be your bride! I’ll die first!” she cried. She noticed her allies were watching with horror on their faces while Sardonyx and Lady Topaz merely looked fascinated. Carnelian seemed overcome by some strong emotion be it hatred or anger.
Dark Opal caressed his chin and said, “You wound me. I had such visions of our blissful union. However, such fantasies will soon fade in light of the fact that you are not the bride. You are merely one of the bridesmaids. Considering out special relationship and how much wedded bliss your lamented late parents enjoyed, I had to include you in the service!”
Amethyst had a deep connection to Gemworld through her gemstone and she realized that she and the others had been removed from not only the House of Ruby but all of Gemworld itself.
“What is this place? It reminds me of the crazy dimension between Earth and Gemsworld. It was kind of a dump for magic energy!”
Dark Opal said, “This realm does exist between time and space as you know it. It has many names. It exists in many dimensions and many eras all in the same moment. I call it Darkworld.”
Amethyst charged forward but Dark Opal’s own force field hurled her to the ground. She jumped back up in an instant even as a frightening figure seemed to glide into the room from out of the sheer darkness that surrounded the weird chapel. She was dressed all in black and a veil covered her features. She moved with the grace of a model or the power of a queen. Amethyst was a heroine but something about this unseen bride scared her.
She gasped as her gemstone floated out of her hand and into Dark Opal’s own grasp. He placed it at his feet and the purple energy seemed to take on a rainbow hue!
Dark Opal smiled broadly in this wolfish manner and he gestured to the veiled woman.
“Here is my beloved! Here is the bride. We are holding the marriage ceremony here for several reasons that I will not go into at this time. I realized Lord Ruby’s declining health would lead all of you to gather together and once I had you all in one place it was simple for my bride to transport you here. She knows this realm very well. I want you all to witness my wedding and the help me usher in a new era for Gemworld!” he said.
He took the bride’s hand and leaned forward. He looked at her with his normal lustful gaze and gently lifted the veil to reveal her face. She was stunningly attractive with dark skin and hair and a delicate face but her lovely features had a cruel expression and her eyes radiated hate and arrogance. She kissed Dark Opal passionately and then looked directly at Amethyst with a gaze that seemed to burn through her.
“How very insipid she seems! This is the fierce warrior princess who challenged your rule? I can not believe it! She would not last long in the cold embrace of the Darkworld!” she said.
Dark Opal said, “We stand upon a gemstone formed from each of your own. Do not fear I shall return them to you unharmed. I swore to never steal them or try to drain their magical power when I returned from my long absence. I shall keep my oath! Indeed, I have no choice but to do so. I merely borrow them to consecrate our union with their mystical energies!”
I want all of Gemworld to meet its new goddess! This is the Bride of Dark Opal! This is power incarnate! This is Dark Majistra!” he shouted as the bride glared at his prisoners.
“Our union is complete! The magic makes us one! Now, joined by the twelve heartstones of Gemworld, I stand triumphant! I revel in our dark power. Who could dare to oppose our might!” he shouted madly.
A brilliant red glyph shattered the chapel windows from all sides as a newcomer flew into the dark sanctuary. He was a handsome man with long auburn bair. He wore a blue costume with a flowing cape and a gleaming red gemstone on his chest.
“I dare! I dare as I have always challenged and thwarted your kind! My foul mother knows me but you have yet to meet my puissance. I am Arion, Lord High Mage of Atlantis. I am your doom!” he cried.
Dark Majistra trembled with hatred and Amethyst felt her gemstone surge with new power as it returned to her grasp. She noticed the other gems had returned to their immobile owners as well.
Arion felt much more than hate or even anger as he faced his mother. She had hated him and all he stood for since his childhood.
She had tainted his brother Garn with her madness. She had tried to kill him just as she had worked against all the good things his late father Calculha the Great had embodied. Still, Arion, for all his own arrogance cared for others. He lamented the loss of his first love lady Chian eons ago and he grieved for the death of his second wife Lady Mara in childbirth during those ancient times. He cherished his daughter and he had never forgotten the love and respect he had carried for his late father. Family mattered to the High Mage. Still, Dark Majistra was pure evil. She always had been. She always would be. It had taken her eons to reform after he had destroyed her physical form in their last battle. Still, she still stood for pain and loss and death and cruelty. Thus, Arion did what he always had done. He summoned his remarkable magical power and he fought onward!
Amethyst thought, “This is my chance to fight back! That Arion dude makes Topaz look like Pee Wee Herman!”
She rolled forward nimbly and released a burst of energy that separated the couple.
Arion raised his own hands and said, “I felt your manifestation and it drew me here from 1988 to this place beyond and yet within all times.. Must you always taint the fabric of creation with your evil!”
Majistra said, “How I wish I had choked the life from your infant form at birth!”
Mystical energy blazed around the mother and son as they battled back and forth across the collapsing chapel.
Dark Opal seemed calm for all of his earlier bluster. He shielded himself from Amethyst as she circled him warily with her sword in one hand and her gemstone in the other.
“I hate to break up your super creepy love connection but I think the wedding is over!” she said with a mocking smile.
Arion stepped forward and he locked eyes with his hated mother. Neither yielded for what seemed like hours but finally she lowered her gaze and dropped to one knee. She had lost to her son before and this time was no different…except for the fact that in defeat she smiled.
She said, “I fear your sudden arrival to the wedding forced us to omit some customary features. None of the guests have met my other bridesmaid. Amethyst was merely Opal’s choice. I brought my own handmaiden.”
She gestured to where a slender woman in a black gown stepped out of the shadows. She approached Dark Majistra and Arion in silence. Arion frowned. His keen senses told him something was very wrong here.
Majistra smiled and said, “Perhaps you may recall her lovely face from your own dreams!”
She lifted the veil to reveal a beautiful Asian woman whose strong features were framed by long black hair.
“By Calculha! Lady Chian!” cried Arion as he gazed at his lost love.
“What madness is this? She vanished long ago in the days of lost Atlantis. I searched everywhere for her!” he said slowly.
“I assure you this is your lost lover. She has been in my loving care here in Darkworld ever since she fell through dimensions eons ago. I fear her soul is missing and may never be found again! I give this shattered vessel to you as my own token of purest hatred for you!” she cried.
Arion pulled Lady Chian into his arms as Dark Opal suddenly raced forward and knocked Amethyst back a few feet. She ignored him and began to touch each noble with her own glowing gemstone.
He took Dark Majistra’s hand once more and said, “Now, while my stepson is distracted, we shall claim all of Gemworld! Your magic will be enough for me to rewrite the ancient laws of magic and take my rightful place as the only ruler!”
As the other nobles of Gemworld began to break free from their immobility thanks to Amethyst’s power, the Darkworld gloom literally shattered and light blazed in from all sides. For a moment, Amethyst saw Gemworld in all its golden splendor and then she felt energy surge through the area as Majistra screamed in pain and rage.
“No! I’m losing material form once more! My essence is crumbling!” she cried before vanishing.
“I did not think my spell had had reached enough potency to shatter her aging form but apparently it did!” said Arion as he held the still form of Lady Chian.
Dark Opal smiled broadly and said, “No, no, my boy. Your spell did just what I wanted it to do. Plus, the agreement Lady Amethyst made with the Ancient Ones who created Gemworld eons ago served its own purpose. You see while I could travel to Darkworld at will and woo your fair mother, she could not leave it without my help. She believed the union of our power would free her and I doubt even my charms would have prevented her from trying to slay me once she had the freedom she craved. Still, she didn’t realize that all beings of Order or Chaos were forever forbidden from entering Gemworld thanks to a contract young Amethyst made with the beings who created the realm itself. Your mother, my bride, was entirely saturated with chaos magic. Once she tried to leave Darkworld for Gemworld….admittedly at my urging…she was cast out and destroyed by the essence of Gemworld itself.”
Amethyst said, “You planned it this way. You knew exactly what you were doing but what good did it do you? You failed to kill us.”
The Diamond Priest said, “He wanted to tilt the balance itself. When Majistra shattered her chaos magic was rejected but her sheer evil was released throughout time and space. I think even our Gemworld will feel this taint in time.”
Dark Opal grinned and said, “And who am I to resist making use of evil energy should the chance arise?”
Arion said, “I will restore you, Chian! I swear it!”
He frowned as he saw the still form of Lord Ruby. He lowered Chian’s non responsive form to the ground and approached the old man.
“Your gemstone is a ruby like my own. Your gem partakes of the lost magic of Atlantis. You are distant kin to me. My father had many siblings and I feel you are a descendent of one of that noble family! I will heal you!” he said.
He touched his own ruby against the one worn by Lord Ruby and in a flash of red light the old man not only stirred but was transformed to a strong and handsome young man!
“My Lord Arion!” he cried as he dropped to his knees.
Arion lifted him to his feet and said, “I may not enter your Gemworld. I also must quest for a way to revive my lady back in my era of 1988. Still, I leave you with new health and my well wishes!”
He turned to Amethyst and said, “I thank you for your courage and your help. Gemworld will prosper with you and my kinsman to stand against this fiend!”
Dark Opal scowled and said, “This sickening family reunion is more than I can witness without losing my temper.”
He said, “I shall emerge victorious in time and you, Lady Amethyst will witness it!”
He vanished as did Arion and Lady Chian.
As the Gemworld nobles concentrated their magic brought them back to the House of Ruby.
Lord Ruby smiled as his subjects rejoiced in his restored youth and health.
“I owe my life to you as well as to the High Mage Arion!” he said as he placed one arm on Amethyst’s shoulder.
She smiled and said, “You saved me. You raised and loved my mother. I’d say I still am in your debt.”
Lord Garnet said, “Sardonyx and Lady Topaz slithered off to hide under Dark Opal’s shadow. I would say we may count this day as a victory.”
The Diamond Priest said, “And yet Opal was so confident in his victory. I fear the dark magic that exploded through the dimensions touched by Darkworld may haunt us all one day and he shall relish each fearful moment!”
Granch said, “And we shall stand ready to fight him as always!”
Epilogue One
Amy Winston got out of her dad’s station wagon and approached the fall dance at Emerson Junior High. She enjoyed the music and the decorations but as she stood at the doorway of the gym, she noticed Brad Jeffries happily dancing with Britney Covington. She felt a flush come across her face and she started to leave when a figure emerged from the shadows. He was dressed in a rather flashy red tux.
“May I have this dance?” he said with a bow and a mocking grin that failed to conceal a look of concern in his dark eyes.
“Carnelian! I mean Carl!” said Amy.
The transformed Gemworld Prince nodded and said, “Seriously, do you want to dance? I came all the way here for more than some punch and Mike George music. Plus, I figured a goon like Jeffries wouldn’t know how to treat a real Princess!”
Amy smiled and took his arm.
“You got a deal!” she said with a laugh.
Epilogue Two
1988
Arion stood over Lady Chian’s still body and he brushed her hair away from her face.
“She is in perfect health and is as young as she was when we parted. I thought she had perished but I have a second chance with her. I must find and restore her soul although doing so will take me far from here for a long time!”
His daughter Mara (Dolphin) said, “I should join you. I might be able to help you in your quest.”
Arion smiled at her girl and said, “While I would prefer to shield you from danger I will gladly accept your help. I warn you though we may face dangerous times during this soulquest.”
She hugged him and they began to prepare for their journey.
Epilogue Three
As Dark Majistra’s evil magic saturated the magical dimensions touched by Darkworld, several equally evil beings tapped into that power for their own purposes. Their sinister designs would challenge several guardians around the globe.
