Prolog: The Downfall

Queen Serene of the Moon was pleased with how the ball celebrating her daughter's coming of age was coming. Though her dear daughter had yet to make her appearance, she was sure Serenity herself once she had. All of the single princes had made it so it should be easy for her to choose a partner. The queen turned when she heard the hall doors open. There she was…

All activity ceased as the hall doors opened, emitting the eight senshi and the guest of honor, Princess Serenity herself.

The four in front of the princess were the inner Guardians: Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter and the ones that came in behind the princess were the outer Guardians: Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Mercury was a small platinum blond girl with a sweet smile and teal eyes; she was the smartest of the group, though none of them could be called stupid by any means. Next to Mercury was Venus a slightly taller brunette with a mischievous grin and bright blue eyes. Behind her was Mars, also petit, she had shoulder length black hair that she kept in a short pony tail and warm dark eyes. Jupiter, the tallest of the inner Guardians, had boyishly short brown hair with her bang combed to hide one eye. The visible eye was a sparkling bright, warm green, and her smile, while small, was warm and kind.

Serenity, unlike her mother who had silver hair, had long chestnut brown locks which she usually kept in a floor length braid, and laughing blue-violet eyes, compared to her mother's blue crystals.

Behind her were the outer Guardians, Saturn had long blonde hair and vicious blue eyes, she and Mercury were always teasing each other via their fighting styles. Her eyebrows made her look scary but she was actually very nice. Next to her was Uranus, she like Venus had a short boyish hair style. Her stormy blue eyes were dark but warn and she had a similar smile to Jupiter. Behind her was Neptune, she had shoulder length, really curly light brown/dirty blonde hair, warm light green eyes and a kind smile. The last senshi, Pluto, had long, medium brown hair that she left loose, her eyes were a warm deep brown, kind and gentle, with a lovely smile.

The princess looked around nervously for a second, quickly covering her unease with a smile when the Guardian of Mercury placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You alright Princess?" Mercury asked.

"Yes, I'm fine Mer-chan." She replied. She knew what today's ball was about. She wasn't sure she could do it. "I'm just not sure I can choose tonight…"

"You know we will help you, Hime," came the quiet voice of Mercury's partner, Jupiter.

The princess nodded. "Thank you Ju-chan"

Jupiter smiled.

Serenity danced with all the princes, but only one made her blush at all. At first he had been hiding behind a pillar, just watching so she hadn't noticed him. He had beautiful deep, dark blue eyes, his dark chocolate hair and slim form were making her heartbeat quicken. His strong build on top of everything else made her mouth go dry. He was perfect…

He approached her as the hall fell silent. Hadn't the queen of Earth already tried to claim him? "May I have this dance, Princess?" His deep voice broke her from her trance.

"You may." She demurred. "What is your name, my Prince?"

"Heero Princess." He smiled down at her softly. "What is your name, Princess?"

"S-Serenity, Heero."

In the middle of their third dance, the ballroom exploded.

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"HEERO!" Duo woke with a scream.

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And Done! Q-chan was very insistent…