Disclaimer: Sailor Moon belongs to Kodansha, Naoko Takeuchi, Toei, Cloverway, etc.
"Shadows of the Past" by Tess: Prologue
"Mama! Mama!" shrieked young Princess Serenity, rushing into her mother's bedroom. "We're going to Earth!" Queen Serenity emerged from inside the closet.
"That's right, dear," she said. "Your mama has known the King and Queen of Earth for a long time and we're going to visit them."
"What are they like mama? Is their skin blue like the earth? Do they have four heads?" the small princess asked, flopping onto her mother's fluffy bed. Queen Serenity laughed.
"No, sweetie, they're just like us. You've seen them before, when you were a baby. You just don't remember. Now, I'm going to tell Henry to go ahead and send our luggage to Earth. Wait here, ok?" She nodded as her mother left the room. Princess Serenitystared at her reflection in the full-length mirror that stood next to the bed. Even at the young age of four, it was obviousthat Serenity would grow to be as beautiful as her mother. Big blue eyes lit up her face above her slightly upturned nose. Her golden hair was not yet long enough for the traditional style of the moon princesses and queens, so she wore it in two small buns that sat atop her head trailed by short blonde ringlets. Princess Serenity was an always-smiling ball of endless energy, and everyone in the Moon Palace loved her.
"Ready, honey?" Queen Serenity's voice came from the doorway a few minutes later.
"Of course mama!" Princess Serenity exclaimed, jumping off the bed and rushing towards her mother.
"Ok then. Hold on tightly to my hand-we're going to teleport to Earth."
"Ok mama!" Princess Serenity grasped the Queen's hand and closed her eyes as a bright red light engulfed them. Suddenly, it felt like there was a tremendous weight on Princess Serenity. "Mama! I feel heavy!" She opened her eyes.
"That's because we're on Earth. There's a lot more gravity on Earth than there is on the Moon, which makes you feel heavy."
We're here already?" Princess Serenity eagerly looked around the room they were standing in. A massive dome, painted light blue, was right above where they were standing. The rest of the high ceiling was white, and the floor was shiny black and white marble. Three thrones stood at the front of the room, shining in the light cast down from the many chandeliers in the room. But by far the prettiest things in the room were the giant French doors that ran all along one wall, giving a stunning view of an immense flower garden. The littleprincess itched to go outside and play. "Mama, it's so pretty!"
"I'm glad you like it little one," came a booming voice from behind them. The Princess and Queen spun around and were greeted with the sight of the King and Queen of Earth. King Maginus was tall, tan and muscular, with sandy brown hair, brown eyes, and a mustache. Queen Lara was a dramatic contrast to her husband. She was petite, with jet-black hair that fell to her waist, pale skin, ruby-red lips, and piercing blue eyes.
"Maginus! Lara!" exclaimed Queen Serenity, rushing towards them and giving them each a hug. "Oh it's been so long!"
"Too long," said Queen Lara, her eyes sparkling with tears of joy. "It's always so wonderful to see an old friend."
"Well Serenity, are you not going to introduce us to your
daughter?" King Maginus asked.
"Of course. Sweetie?" Queen Serenity called to her daughter, who had wandered off near the French doors. "Come over here and meet the King and Queen." Princess Serenity shyly approached the small group and hid behind her mother's skirt.
"My, you've grown," commented Lara in her soft voice. "Last we saw you, you were only nine months old." The princess peeked out from behind her mother.
"I'm four years old now!" she exclaimed, proudly holding up four small fingers. She emerged completely from her hiding place. "My name's Princess Serenity! Can I please go outside and play?"
"Serenity!" her mother scolded. "What about your formal introduction?"
"Oh, sorry mama!" Princess Serenity curtsied and said in a singsong voice, "I am Princess Serenity of the moon, daughter of Queen Serenity. I have four years of age. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Thank you child," said Lara, smiling. "Now go outside and play. Our son may be out in the gardens. I think you two will get along well."
"Thank you!" The little princess exclaimed, and raced to the doors and outside.
"She's adorable Serenity!" exclaimed Queen Lara. "And she's so bubbly and well-mannered." Queen Serenity laughed.
"Thank you. I don't know about the well-mannered part though." Maginus and Lara both chuckled.
"Come, Serenity-let us go have some tea," offered the King. "We have much to catch up on."
Princess Serenity skipped through the winding gardens, humming a made-up tune. She stopped when she approached a circular courtyard with a sparkling stone fountain in the middle. Thick green bushes gave the area a feeling of intimacy. She walked towards the bushes to get a closer look and gasped at what she saw. The flowers on the bushes were the most beautiful things that she had ever seen. They were blood red and gave off a wonderful scent. Some of the flowers were closed and resembled bells, while others were open and spread out. Princess Serenity reached up to pick one, but immediately swung her hand back when something sharp pricked her hand.
"Owie!" she cried out, and examined her thumb. Fat tears welled up in her eyes and she began to sniffle at the sight of blood.
"Don't cry," said a voice behind her. She whirled around and saw a young boy with black hair and blue eyes.
"Wh-Who are you?" sniffed the princess.
"Prince Endymion of Earth. Who are you?"
"P-princess S-serenity, from the moon. I came outside to play, but your f-flowers are m-mean!" Prince Endymion approached the bushes.
"They're not mean." He turned to inspect Serenity's thumb, and took a white handkerchief from his pocket. Tying it around her thumb, he said, "There. It's all better now."
"T-thank you." Prince Endymion went back to the bushes and carefully picked a flower.
"The flowers aren't mean," he said again. "They're roses-the most beautiful flowers in the universe." He showed her the flower. "See, they grow thorns so nothing can hurt them. You can cut the thorns off." The prince retrieved a small knife from his shoe and chopped the thorns off of the rose. "See? Here-you can keep it." He handed her the flower.
"Thank you, Prince Endymion." Serenity had stopped crying.
"You're welcome. How old are you?"
"Four!"
"Well, I'm six. I can take care of you while you're here. We can be best friends."
Meanwhile, Queen Serenity, Queen Lara, and King Maginus were sitting in a small lounge, sipping tea. Queen Lara lifted her cup to her lips and looked at Serenity from the corner of her eye. She set the cup down. "Honestly, Serenity, tell us how you've been?" sheprompted. Queen Serenity sighed.
"I've been getting by," she said sadly. "If it weren't for my daughter I don't think I could go on. She reminds me so much of him. She has his eyes and his smile, not to mention his spirit. I often wonder if I'm doing anything right. It's hard to raise her without him. I have to be a mother and a father, a queen and a king. Even though it's been nearly four years there are still days when I'd like to just lie in bed and cry. I miss him so much! But Serenity keeps me going. I'll watch her grow, and one day fall in love and wed. I don't know what I would do without her."
Princess Serenity buried her face in her mother's dress, sobbing. A week had passed since their arrival on Earth, and they were in the throne room, preparing to teleport back to the moon. "Mama I don't want to go home!" she cried. "I want to stay here with Endy!"
"Oh I know honey, but you can't. We have to go home."
"But I don't want to!"
"I'm sorry sweetie." The Queen knelt down so she was face-to-face with her daughter. "You'll see Prince Endymion again some day. And until then, you can write him letters. I can help you with them."
"Really?"
"I promise." Suddenly, the Princess felt a tap on the shoulder. She turned to see Prince Endymion standing there. Queen Serenity left the two of them to say her goodbyes to Maginus and Lara.
"Hi Sere," greeted Prince Endymion. Serenity just sniffled. Endymion extended his hand. Serenity gasped as she realized that he held her rose. "You dropped this. It's a present-to remember me by."
"Thank you, Endy!" exclaimed Princess Serenity, rushing to give him a hug. "Mama said we could write to each other. Will you, Endy? Please?"
"I promise," sniffed the young prince, a few tears leaking from his eyes. He quickly brushed them away. 'Boys aren't supposed to cry,' he told himself.
"Endy!" Princess Serenity sobbed. "I'm going to miss you! You're my best friend!" From a few feet away, Maginus, Lara, and
Serenity watched. It had always been a hope of theirs that their children would one day marry.
"It isn't too late you know," King Maginus commented. "To arrange a betrothal. They're still very young and-"
"No," Queen Serenity cut him off sharply. "Remember how it was with us? You loved Lara, and I loved..." Her voice trailed off. "That isn't the point. It would be wonderful if Serenity and Endymion one day wed. But that decision is not ours to make. They shall loveand wed whomever they choose."
End Prologue.
I hope you enjoyed that! It's a little bit slow in the beginning, but I promise the action kicks up later. If you'd drop me a line telling me what you think, I'd really appreciate it. Till next time!
Tess
