Title: "Replacement"
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Characters: Mamoru/Usagi, Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon and am making no money here.
Theme: Ceremony
The four young men stood, nervous, but at military attention. They tried to look unimpressed by the proceedings around them, but the Crystal Palace was intimidating to anyone and everyone was staring at them.
They look so young King Endymion reflected. To me, the Shitennou are supposed to be older.
That's just because you were a kid, the Nephrite in his head contributed.
I just feel like I'm trying to replace you.
You are, Zoisite said wryly.
You know what I mean.
We are replaceable. The King of Earth needs Shitennou like your wife needs her Senshi.
Pay attention to proceedings, Endymion. You're getting that distant, harsh look and it's scaring them.
Endymion brought himself back to the present. He spared Neo-Queen Serenity and Small Lady a glance before looking back to the boys.
Shitennou, he reminded himself. As soon as this ceremony finished they would be his Shitennou.
They're good men, just young, he reassured himself as much as the voices in his head.
Pay attention or you'll miss your cue, Zoisite admonished.
The four men knelt before King Endymion to speak their final vows.
"We here swear fealty and do homage to the Crown of Crystal Tokyo."
"To ever be a guardian good and true, reverent and generous…"
"Shield of the weak, sword of our lord, foremost in battle…"
"Courteous at all time, champions of the right and the good."
"This we swear," the spoke together.
"This We hear and shall never forget nor fail to reward that which is given, fealty with love, service with honor, and oath breaking with vengeance.
"Rise, Shitennou of Crystal Tokyo."
They're good boys, Endymion thought again.