Current Timeline 2120 | Present Day (The Royal Palace of Caserta - Location Moon)

The luxurious suite buzzed with the lively sounds of a televised debate, drawing Madison's attention as she relaxed in the plush armchair. With a tablet pen delicately held in her hand and her tablet resting on her lap, she found herself captivated by the oversized screen dominating the spacious lounge room. The mix of seriousness and humor from the four panels of women on the screen held her in rapt attention, her lips slightly parted in response to the unfolding discussion.

She had been engrossed in her reading until the noise from the television disrupted her concentration. The television had been left on, initially providing harmless white noise. However, it had now switched to the nonsensical chatter of a debate, interrupting her thoughts.

"What the?" Madison pursed her lips in annoyance. "Honestly, the rubbish you watch, Sera," she muttered more to herself than to her cousin, who had disappeared on her for hours now.

Host 1 (Adelaide Splendor): "I believe it's crucial that we keep up this tradition of gathering to honor and remember those we lost fifteen years ago. We've shown such resilience and unity in rebuilding our country. It's something we shouldn't overlook, no matter our political leanings."

Host 2 (Cadence White): "Absolutely, Adelaide. The Isadorian spirit is unbreakable. We've taken tragedy and turned it into triumph by coming together to rebuild and support one another. The crystal warriors and the Allegiant academy deserve a lot of credit for our resilience."

Host 3 (Dakota Dalton): "You know, for me, seeing how far we've come since I was just ten years old has been mind-blowing. Those military academies, once orphanages, now standing tall as symbols of our perseverance? It's more than anyone could have hoped for."

Host 4 (Claire Burton): "Hey, let's not overlook the government's role here. Their efforts to combat terrorism and restore order have been commendable. Sure, there's been a lot of focus on Allegiant and the warriors, but I don't agree with all the secrecy. I mean, come on, Ace, Snow, G, Chef, and Romeo, reveal yourselves already! Show the world who you really are!"

Host 1 (Adelaide Splendor): "You know, whether we like it or not, they've kept their identities under wraps all this time, and you can't deny they've done a tremendous job at keeping us safe. Maybe they choose to stay hidden for their families? We don't know everyone's situation."

Host 2 (Cadence White): "I'm with Adelaide on this one. The crystal warriors have played a crucial role in our safety, and there's probably a good reason they've stayed anonymous. Plus, Allegiant and its academies have kept things running smoothly. I don't get the obsession with 'unmasking' them."

Host 3 (Dakota Dalton): "Girl! Seriously! As much as I respect the crystal warriors, I also believe in being transparent. And I'm not alone in thinking that."

Host 4 (Claire Burton): "Look, secrecy has its place, but I believe in accountability too. The crystal warriors should come clean about who they are. They've been here since the start of this conflict, so it's not a stretch to think they might have had a hand in it."

Host 2 (Cadence White): "Hold on! Are you actually suggesting the warriors caused the deaths fifteen years ago? That's a bit out there, even for you."

Host 4 (Claire Burton): "Well, my subscribers have some interesting theori-"

Madison's attention was abruptly diverted from the television by a sudden flare of white holy light. The room seemed to brighten momentarily, causing her to squint. As the light faded, she spun around to find Seraphina, her cousin, standing in the doorway to the bedroom of the royal suite. Seraphina's presence seemed to bring a gust of energy into the room, her blonde hair glowing in the soft light filtering through the curtains.

Madison's raven hair swished behind her as she raised an eyebrow, her large brown eyes fixed on Seraphina. Annoyance radiated through her body, evident in the way her features tensed. Despite this, Seraphina flashed a bright smile and stepped further into the room, her presence filling the space with vibrant energy.

"Seriously, Sera, you said half an hour. That was four hours ago!" Madison scolded, her tone laced with irritation. Seraphina, seemingly unfazed by the scolding, shrugged casually. She turned on her heel, her appearance disheveled and covered in a mixture of blood and youma guts. Her high blonde pigtail swayed with every movement as she took towards her dresser, and opening the the first of several draws she had been rummaging through it, seemingly searching for new underwear.

Annoyed at her cousin's lack of timing accountability, Madison set aside the tablet and leaned back into the comfortable round swivel chair. Her gaze followed Seraphina's every move with a mixture of annoyance and relief that she was back.

"What were they saying today?" Seraphina asked with a chuckle, glancing over her shoulder towards the television and briefly catching Madison's dark stare. "God, don't tell me they're bringing up the latest fundraising event. I told you that dress sucked! That feral yellow didn't suit me."

Madison scoffed and rolled her eyes. "That dress was divine, and the Prince of Germain could not take his eyes off you all night. It was just a shame the Prince of Mein was sick and could not attend."

"Oh god, old mate had the worst breath, like he's never heard of breath mints before," Seraphina replied, pushing the drawer back in and pulling out the one under it. "Do you know where my lacy mint g is?" She continued rummaging through her underwear, searching for a specific item.

"Sera!" Madison scolded, her tone firm. "I've told you before that underwear collection is not something a princess should have. It's not ladylike to be wearing those articles of clothing underneath."

Rolling her eyes out of Madison's view, Seraphina continued her search through the dresser. It was only then that she noticed none of her fancy, beautiful underwear were to be found. Frustrated, she snapped upright and turned to face Madison.

"Where's all my stuff?" Seraphina demanded, her annoyance evident in her voice.

Madison, however, refocused on the television, tuning into the conversation as Seraphina slammed the drawer shut and tore open a few more. A smirk crossed Madison's lips as she observed Seraphina's growing irritation. Perhaps her cousin would take the blatant advice about her being so open with the men she encountered and how much she disapproved.

A behavioral trait Madison strongly disapproved of. After all, they had grown up together as close as they had over the past fifteen years, and the one thing she knew above all else was that Sera's sex life was a tattered mess, and the only reason her cousin slept with half of the men she had was to fill that hole of grief that had pried open her bones when their world was ripped apart in the manner it had been.

But that was years ago, and she was twenty-two now; it was time she grew up.

Host 3 (Dakota Dalton): "Oh, you mean that awful yellow dress? I hate to say it, but it was a miss for me. She usually nails her fashion choices, but that dress was just not flattering. She needs to go back to her team and have a word with them."

Host 1 (Adelaide Splendor): "Speaking of the event, did you all notice the eligible princes at the fundraiser? Seems like Princess Seraphina's charity work has caught their eye. I'm surprised she has never dated any of them?"

Host 2 (Cadence White): "Ew, good god, no. There is absolutely no one of interest, the poor kid has limited choices in that department."

Host 4 (Claire Burton): "I am so glad we brought this up, can we talk about how outdated it is to pressure her into marriage? Nobody needs a man to take the throne when her mother passes it to her." 

"See even they think I don't need a fucking man!"  Sera suddenly stepped in front of the television, blocking Madison's view.

Madison's annoyance was evident as she stood up from her seat, the beige corseted dress hugging her petite figure. She stalked over to her cousin, who was clad in her high-waisted grey gym tights and a matching shirt that reeked of dirt, blood, and youma guts, in strong need of a shower to scrub herself clean.

"First, watch your language," Madison pursed her pink lips as she adjusted her dress. "Every time you go down to Earth, you come back swearing and smelling vile. This is not ladylike, and this is not princess-like. One day, you're going to be caught out! Princess by day, and gallivanting these worlds as Snow, killing these monsters and youmas. It's vile, Sera! Absolutely disgusting!"

Sera's eyes catlined Madison before she smiled. "I guess it's one of the many things you love about me, cousin. Besides, not everyone can be perfect like you."

Madison was affronted by her cousin's comment and was in no mood for her smart-ass mouth. With her arms folding across her chest, she watched as Sera then turned and walked back to her dresser.

"And next time you throw out my lingerie, I will seriously throw out your bags. Do you really want to lose that vintage Birkin?"

Madison's mouth dropped as she turned to face Sera's back, watching her rummage through the drawers again.

"I'll tell Auntie where you were today!" She threatened, her voice firm.

Sera intended to respond, but her voice broke when she found what she had been searching for. "Ah!" She exclaimed, pushing the drawer closed and making her way back to Madison.

Madison had now zeroed in on the bracelet that Sera held in her hand. The emerald-studded piece was a cherished family heirloom, passed down from Madison's late mother and imbued with magic. Like all members of the royal court, Seraphina had quite a few decoys to protect her identity, and the bracelet was a part of it, as it reflected Seraphina's appearance on anyone who wore it, mimicking her identity.

Sera examined the golden band, tapping on the settings. It was created as a safety measure after their nation was attacked, a product of a mother's fear that her daughter would be targeted.

Madison had noticed that on some occasions, her cousin had used the bracelet to her advantage, deceiving people into thinking that someone else was the Princess when she was off gallivanting on Earth.

"Don't give me that look!" Seraphina exhaled, annoyed, as she gazed down at Madison from her sun-bronzed face. "And don't go being a dibby dobber to Mama again! Snitches get stitches."

Madison reluctantly allowed her cousin to fiddle with the golden band now resting on her wrist.

"Seraaaaa," her voice whined, causing Sera to cringe. "I am not doing this! I told you that I wasn't going to do this anymore!"

Ignoring Madison's objections, Seraphina carefully adjusted the bracelet and gave the emerald stone a final tap. In an instant, the women watched in awe as Madison's appearance transformed in the mirror. Her once brown hair was now a mass of white, golden waves cascading down her back. Her eyes, once a warm brown, were now piercing blue, like the sky on a clear day.

Every facet of Madison's appearance was now a perfect replica of Seraphina, down to the smallest detail, including a scar on her inner forearm that Seraphina had gotten as a child while riding her bike.

The transformation only took a few moments, and Madison was no longer her own person but a carbon copy of her cousin, the very same that she would murder for this.

"Sera," Madison drawled, not surprised by her cousin's intentions but what angered her was that she was the royal Princess of the two worlds, heir to the throne, and she was an idiot that fantasized about dismembering heads of creatures and monsters that roamed the lands on Earth. She was the idiot that acted like a soldier instead of a princess.

"Don't scold me like that," Sera remarked at her cousin, "I'll be back in like an hour; that little village I love had sent out a distress call. The Allegiant academy won't be able to dispatch soldiers quick enough."

"This is not your problem!" Madison barked, turning to Sera, who stepped back from her, watching with a smirk as she brushed her white blonde hair from her shoulders. Madison stood rigid, knowing her cousin wouldn't listen to her protests.

Madison despised the Allegiant academy, a mercenary institution that had evolved from orphanages into a formidable defense fleet of academies with Allegiant as their prime support network. She found the whole concept ludicrous; it was absurd that her aunt, the Queen, allowed funding for it, and that assholes like Allegiant's Commander were in positions of power.

In Madison's view, everyone was blind to the reality of the situation; the Commander was not a god, but a foolish and reckless young man whom Seraphina was infatuated with. He possessed appalling morals and a penchant for war, and he knew how to manipulate her aunt into granting his wishes.

"Just act more like me, then, well, you," Sera dared to turn her smirk into a smile. "Just don't let Mama know we've done this again. You know how she gets with her rage blackouts."

"Sera!" Madison called out in frustration, but her cousin responded with a bright smile, showcasing her pearly white teeth. Sera then blew a kiss. "Oh, by the way, Mads! Help a sister out. The Allegiant academy is coming for their meeting with Mama in ten minutes. Love youuuu!"

powerless to stop her. To Madison, Seraphina's powers were not just a gift but a curse, a constant reminder of the imbalance between them. Seraphina had inherited her powers from a mysterious crystal, a relic of unknown origin that granted her incredible abilities. Madison, on the other hand, had no such powers, no magical artifacts, nothing but her wits and determination.

Their world had been a place devoid of magic until the arrival of a mysterious woman during a dark chapter in their history. She had appeared amidst the chaos of a brutal attack, cloaked in royal purple and bearing a crystal of immense power. With little explanation, she had bestowed the crystal upon Seraphina.

There were no elaborate instructions, only a chillingly simple directive. "Here's the crystal; keep yourself alive till I come back for you."

Madison often pondered the woman's cryptic message. Did the crystal hold secrets beyond their understanding? What was the woman's true intent? And why had she chosen Seraphina?

Madison found irony in these thoughts, as she had watched Seraphina interpret the crystal's gift as a license to pursue their enemies relentlessly, using any means necessary. Seraphina possessed the power to manipulate reality itself, a gift that both awed and terrified Madison. The crystal had transformed Seraphina, fueling her recklessness and thirst for adventure and danger.

Understanding the peril of Seraphina's unchecked powers, Madison was determined to find a way to control them, to shield her cousin from herself and the perils lurking in the shadows of their world. Standing alone in the silent room, she couldn't shake the sense of foreboding. The crystal was a potent instrument, but it was also a perilous one.

Their compromise with the Queen, who eventually learned of her daughter's exploits, was to provide Madison and her servants with a bracelet, enabling her to conceal her identity when necessary and for her decoys to take on her appearance if the occasion rose for it.

Madison couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The other four warriors—Ace, G, Chef, and Romeo—who were gifted crystals over the years remained ignorant of Sera's true identity. For better or worse, with their interactions, Madison would bet everything she owned that if Sera knew their identities, she would try to murder the three males and the female in their sleep.

After taking a deep breath, Madison scrutinized her appearance, dreading the challenges that lay ahead. Before she could gather her thoughts, a servant's knock signaled the start of the meeting. Steeling herself, she prepared to confront the intolerable members of Allegiant's Academy, with the arrogant and obnoxious commander topping her list of grievances.

And all she could think was that her cousin owed her for this - big time.