Sailor Moon had been my oldest and longest fandom but I've never written anything serious about it. A drabble here and there. Crystal really re-ignited my love, even more so with the recent Sen/Shi development. Anyway, the Shitennou (The Four Heavenly Kings) were a fascination of mine for a very long time. For being Endymion's only friends and advisors I felt they did not get spotlight they deserved. Surely, they should in no case steal spotlight from the Scouts but I just felt they had so much potential that just never revealed itself. This might turn into a collection of drabbles with various lengths. If you like my writing and want a little drable - totally discusable. One warning though - not a native English speaker and do not have a beta. So bear with me.
Cheers and I hope you'll enjoy this. :)
Friends
This isn't what we were reborn for!
Endymion shifted in his seat and looked outside. A beautiful day to be out and about. He had to take a rain check on that, though. As of recent his studies had intensified, signalling not only the end of the childhood but the beginning of the many responsibilities that were the part of 'being the crown-prince to the Earth Kingdom' package. The nice and ever-smiling teacher Sir Dorian had been replaced by much less cheery Lady Vesta, who loved nothing more then lecturing Endymion on princely duties and stock him up on what seemed like endless stream of homework. A small fat robin landed outside the window and knocked on the glass with its little beak. Endymion reached out to tap back when a ruler landed an inch away from his fingers.
"Next time I will not miss, my prince. Please read the first paragraph of chapter four."
Endymion flushed bright red, possibly making the clueless robin outside very jealous. He opened the book and found the part his teacher asked him to read out loud.
"The Earth Kingdom is divided in four states, each having its own governor that reports directly to the Earth King. Such rule was established many centuries ago by the Moon Kingdom, our vigilant guardian, in order to put an end to an ongoing war between the Five Kingdoms, as they were known in the past."
"Can you name the locations where the governors of their respective states officially reside?"
"Um..." Lady Vesta's stare was making him feel very insignificant and stupid right now. Moreover, if he failed to answer this question, his teacher would make sure to give extra homework and Endymion could say goodbye to already slim chances of going outside this weekend.
"Prince Endymion, your ignorance is atrocious. These are the things you should know in your sleep! To not know the location of your own subjects is just... is just... Ah!" Lady Vesta dramatically fanned herself with bunch of papers she grabbed off the table in one swift movement.
"Pardon, my lady, but Sir Dorian never... "
"Well Sir Dorian is not here, anymore, is he? Gather your belongings, we are done for today. I will make sure your father hears about your progress. Read the whole chapter four and memorize anything connected to the four states, we will talk about them next time."
As Endymion packed his books and pencils into a small bag, he felt angry tears coming up. This was not fair, not fair at all. He just turned ten and nobody ever told him his life would take such a radical turn. Apparently you were supposed to simply adjust, because everybody does. Endymion was old enough to understand he had to live up to certain expectations, he just did not agree with the way the adults went about this. But crying would be very 'un-princely' of him and so the boy just bit his lip, huffing angrily. As he walked through the magnificent and mostly empty marble hallways, he noticed servants running up and down. This usually never happened on weekdays and if it did then someone important was coming. Not as important as the king, of course, but significant enough. Endymion passed by one of the balconies and stalled for a moment. Put his bag down and looked around. Then pulled the handle and exited outside. Just as he thought, it was a beautiful day - the mild breeze was playing with the leaves on the trees and the birds were chirping with contagious enthousiasm. From where he was standing, Endymion could see most of the courtyard and what he saw confirmed his suspicion - several carriages were standing there, their insignias showing they were from the four states. Endymion did not know the insignias by heart yet but he knew how his own looked like and those were not the king's.
"Prince Endymion, there you are!"
Allerion, his personal servant when it came to dressing and cleaning, opened the door panting heavily.
"Prince, your father instructed me to prepare you for the reception of our guests."
"I have to be there? Do you know who they are? The carriages in the yard were... " Endymion was bombarding Allerion with questions, while being all but dragged along to his chambers.
"It's your new court, my prince."
His court. These two words echoed like sweet music in his ears - Endymion never truly confessed to anyone but he was lonely. The prince was not allowed to leave the palace without the supervision of an adult and when he did the other kids shunned him for being the royalty. The palace itself was full of adults and his only true friend had been his mother. After her death he was left all alone. His father, the king, was always busy with wordly affairs and rarely had time for his son.
After what felt like a moment and an eternity at the same time, Endymion found himself sitting on the small throne besides his father. He was boiling with excitement but had to exercise the tremendous amount of self - control. Later on someone would make sure to reflect on his behaviour and no stone would be left unturned. The giant doors had opened, letting through four figures. Endymion felt a drop of sweat slowly rolling between his shoulderblades and leaned backwards a bit. Four lanky figures stopped at the foot at the throne and dropped on one knee.
"My liege, I am Jadeite, the heir to the Seat of the South."
"My liege, I am Nephrite, the heir to the Seat of the West."
"My liege, I am Zoisite, the heir to the Seat of the East."
"My liege, I am Kunzite, the heir to the Seat of the North."
Endymion wondered for a second, if all that historical turmoil Lady Vesta subjected him to was to prepare the prince for this event. She could have been a bit more clear about it though, instead of making him feel like a waste of space. The king had gestured the boys to stand up and the prince could see them better now. All four of them were roughly the same height and seemed to be not much older then Endymion himself. But something in their behaviour made them look even older. They were all wearing white uniforms with just a touch of colour on the collar symbolizing their states. The one who called himself Jadeite, the boy to the far right, had golden hair and light - blue eyes. He looked overly-serious and concentrated. Next to him, somewhat taller, stood Nephrite - dark brown hair cascaded in waves over his shoulders and hazel-brown eyes were glimmering with obvious pride. Something told Endymion this one was very full of himself and was all but bursting from the fact he was in the presense of the king. Zoisite was a small willowy boy with long hair tied loosely behind his back that was shade darker then Jadeite's. His eyes were green and in them Endymion saw caution and doubt. The last of the boys, Kunzite, was the tallest of them all. He was a perfect representation of the North state he stemmed from - long ashen-blond hair, steel-grey eyes and an unreadable face expression. He radiated nothing but calmness. All of them were very different and yet they completed each other and this what being a court was all about. A prince did not need mindless servants, he needed friends, advisors and teachers. Who would come to aid him when they were needed most. All of this ran through and left Endymion's head in a matter of moments. There was one word that was left hanging behind and it was beautiful.
Friends.
"Your fathers had no doubt explained what responsibility is placed upon your shoulders. From this moment on you are the court of the young prince Endymion, the future king of the Earth Kingdom. Grow alongside him, advice and teach him but always be aware that when and if the time comes, you are ready to protect him with your life." The king looked at Endymion, smiled softly and nodded. Suddenly his legs felt like jelly and it took prince a second to compose himself. He stood up and positioned himself directly in front of his father. While nobody told him this would happen, Endymion was taught the right way to propose and accept pledges, though his knowledge up to this point was purely theoretical. He unsheathed his ceremonial sword that looked more like needle and lowered it slightly, pointing in the direction of the four boys.
"Jadeite of the South, Nephrite of the West, Zoisite of the East and Kunzite of the North. Do you pledge yourself to the life of servitude under my command? Do you swear to aid, advice and support me whenever you are needed?"
"We swear." was the answer.
"Then from this moment on you are my court. From this moment on we are one. From this moment on nothing but death can part us."
"Nothing but death can part us." the four echoed back and, in turn, unsheathed their swords - thin softly glimmering needles encrusted with gemstones that were their namesakes. And as the five swords crossed together, signifying the newly formed bonds of this brotherly union, Endymion suddenly felt a cold shiver running down his spine.