Disclaimer-I do not own Sailor Moon, I'm merely borrowing the her brilliant characters to make this story slightly interesting
A young man raced through the crowded ballroom, his breathing was hard and laboured, yet still he rushed forward to deliver the message that may get him hung. Pumping his legs faster and dodging multiple dignitaries from numerous planets the man sighed as he finally spotted the rulers of the moon.
"Your majesties" he yelled, the crowds surrounding the couple started to make a path for him, staring at him incredulously. "Queen Selenity, Prince Maximus!"
A hand shot out of the crowd and the man came face to face with one of the legendary senshi, Sailor Jupiter.
Casting him a glance once over Sailor Jupiter asked, "What is it boy?" The man gulped and handed the senshi a small parchment.
"Colonel Furuhata gave this to me for their majesties. He said it was urgent and that it couldn't wait til morning."
The senshi gave him a sidewards glare, "Are you sure?"
The man nodded and exhaled when Sailor Jupiter nodded at him and told him to tell Colonel Furuhata that their majesties would be informed straight away.
Jupiter spun on her heel and moved towards her fellow senshi handing the parchment to Sailor Venus, whispering what she was told to her. Venus moved through the crowds to make her way to the royal couple who were currently dancing to the music that the orchestra was playing.
Venus stopped before a tall blonde man with a neatly trimmed beard wearing a dark royal suit with a light silver sash of the moon and epilates on his shoulders spinning a tall slender woman with luminescent skin and long silver hair which did not agree with her age.
A soft "majesties" alerted the couple to Sailor Venus's presence and both pausing mid step to allow her to come to deliver the message to the new prince of the moon.
After a few minutes when the prince had read the parchment he passed it to the woman next to him and her features widened in surprise after reading the few words. The woman turned her head to the man next to her and grabbed his hand.
Sailor Venus looked at the couple and wordlessly held her hand out for the parchment which the woman gave up almost instantly.
Looking at the parchment Venus's eyes narrowed then flicked up to the couples. "I'll gather the senshi and we'll escort you to a private room with some of the royal guards." Venus smiled softly at the woman, "Selenity we'll sort this out." Selenity nodded and allowed Prince Maximus to escort her away from the crowded ballroom.
Venus's smiled faded as she went to locate her fellow senshi, opening her subspace pocket she felt around for her communicator. Upon finding it Venus removed the watch like object and opened its face and pressing the all call button.
When all of the available senshi appeared on the small screen Venus informed them of the situation. "Senshi requested to escort the queen and prince to private room two immediately. It seems that we have an unexpected visitor who requests that he see his princess."
Venus waited for the question that all senshi were wondering was voiced aloud and wasn't surprised to hear that it was Sailor Saturn to break the silence. "Coalant isn't dead is he?"
Venus shook her head in confirmation, "Unfortunately not. Meeting is in five minutes senshi." Venus then closed the face and placed it back in her subspace pocket.
Turning on her heel Venus headed through the crowds to make her way to private room two.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Maximus watched his wife of three years stand and walk over the window and take a deep breath before turning to sit on the love seat opposite him, shifting in her seat as soon as she seated. Maximus eyed Selenity cautiously as if he was afraid that she might die of fright.
Maximus stood, moving swiftly to his wife's side and placed a large hand over her small one. He was surprised to see her tense at the small display of affection and started to move his hand before he felt Selenity's other hand on top of his.
"Don't Max." Selenity turned to face him, "please I need your support more than anything right now."
Maximus couldn't help but smile at her and lightly squeezed her hand underneath his.
Selenity returned the smile and leant her head against his shoulder. Maximus pressed a kiss against the crown of Selenity's head, "Take as long as you need, he'll come when you're ready to see him."
Selenity sighed, "I know."
Maximus held Selenity for a few more minutes before she moved from his embrace and untangled their hands.
Maximus continued to watch Selenity as she moved her hands over her dress to smooth the fabric and took a deep breath. "You'll be here?" Maximus nodded and Selenity to a breath of relief, "then let's get this over and done with."
Maximus smiled briefly, turning to the door and opening it to tell the awaiting senshi that Selenity was ready for their guest, the door closed and Maximus moved to stand next to where Selenity sat on the arm chair.
The door opened and Sailor Venus, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars, Sailor Saturn, Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Mercury entered the room to stand strategically around their queen.
A few minutes later a tall dark haired man entered wearing a grey uniform with dark swirls embroidered onto the fabric and gold trimmings on the shoulders, Maximus watched as the man sauntered towards his wife with a smug smile.
"Ah my darling Selenity, you are a welcome sight!"
Repressing a grin Maximus saw his wife flinch at the endearment and slowly stand to acknowledge her unwelcome guest with a nod, "Prince Coalant, welcome."
Coalant's corner lips rose slightly as he moved closer, "now Selenity that is hardly the welcome a man would like his fiancé to give him for missing for nearly four years!"
Selenity's eyes widened as she tried to side step Coalants advantages.
"I'm afraid that is definitely out of the question Prince Coalant."
Maximus cheered silently for his wife as Coalant looked at her confused. "What on earth are you talking about?"
Selenity moved her hands from her side to place them in front of her. Coalant followed the movement and quickly snatched her left hand to bring it to his own face.
Coalant's eyes narrowed and he lifted his head to Selenity. "You are married?"
Selenity nodded and Maximus watched as a small smiled graced her lips.
Coalant dropped her hand as soon as she nodded and turned violently on his heel. "What do you mean you're married?" He spun on his heel again, throwing his arms in the air, "here I was thinking how lucky I was to able to serve my future kingdom but my fiancé decided to show her appreciation by getting married as soon as I left?"
Selenity straightened, "I asked you not to go. My senshi asked you not to go."
Coalant shook his head, "I wasn't going to let them think that the moon was weak. I was next to rule Selenity, I am not weak!"
Maximus glanced at the senshi who each wore emotionless features,
"I didn't want anyone to think that they could take what was mine by force."
Selenity stared back at Coalant, "The moon and its fellow planets are not weak," Selenity laughed softly, "the moon wasn't in danger. You allowed innocent people to die when under negotiations, we were able to handle it and come to agreement in under a day!"
Coalant turned to Selenity's senshi to silently ask them to confirm it, upon seeing their heads move Coalant froze.
"After that was sorted I personally asked my senshi to set up a search party to find you. They couldn't find you." Selenity sat down and sent Coalant a sidewards glance, "Then I had my personal guard to continue the search in intervals for a year." Selenity folded her hands in her lap, "I had the last search party stop when Sailor Pluto visited me to tell me that…she had seen you die."
Maximus sighed wishing that he could hold his wife like he did when she was first told the news but, until Selenity had told Coalant it was he that had married her, he was unable to.
Coalant looked down at Selenity in disdain, "So after your obvious mourning period, who did you choose to replace me with?"
Selenity clenched her jaw, and pushed herself up from her sitting position. "I was upset to learn of you death Coalant, I, however did not replace you."
Maximus straightened knowing that Coalants attention would eventually come to him.
"I became close with one of my guards and he helped me through my grief of losing you." Selenity turned to face her husband behind her and moved to stand next to him, and took a deep breath. "Prince Coalant, I would like to introduce to my husband Prince Maximus."
Maximus gave Coalant a polite smile and held out his hand for a handshake, Coalant raised an eyebrow curiously to Selenity and started to laugh. "Are you serious?"
Maximus withdrew his hand and rested it on Selenity's back, "my goodness you are!" Coalant coughed bringing his hand to his mouth and let it drop back to his side, "well Selenity, now I know that you indeed did not replace me." Throwing a glance to Maximus, Coalant's smile faded, "Selenity," Coalant waited until Selenity met his gaze, "I hope you know that you've made a terrible mistake."
Selenity's eyes widened at the comment and she raised her head stubbornly. "The only mistake that I made was thinking that you were once worthy of my hand."
Coalant eye's glared silent daggers at the couple, the senshi sensing alarm started to come towards their queen and Maximus moved to stand in front of his wife.
"No my dearest Selenity, this marriage of yours is the mistake and you are going to wish that you never rejected me."
Maximus gently pushed his wife back and took a further step towards Coalant, "Are you threatening my wife?"
Coalant cocked his head to the side, "Maybe not now, but I will have my revenge."
Coalant took a step back and gazed at the moon queen surrounded by her senshi. "I think I'll take my leave now." Coalant turned to leave and, when he got to the door he turned again to the face the occupants of the room. "By the way Prince Maximus enjoy your time playing dress up, try to be careful you never know the dangers that follow men in high places such as me and the role you're butchering."
Coalant sauntered out of the room and his sniggers could still be heard as he walked through the corridors.
Maximus exhaled the breath he didn't realise he was holding until a soft hand touched his forearm and he turned to meet his wife's concerned gaze. Maximus smiled and brought Selenity into an embrace, "I'm sorry for what he said to you."
Maximus looked down at his wife murmuring, "What who said?"
Selenity pushed herself out of his embrace and looked up at him, "Coalant. What he said was out of line and he shouldn't have said that." Maximus shook his head,
"Sel, people are going to have opinions and Coalant is more than welcome to have his. Whether or not I take his opinion to heart is entirely my choice, and my dear wife I choose to ignore his comments and see Coalants jealously for what it is."
Selenity raised an eyebrow, "You think Coalants jealous?"
Maximus nodded and brought his wife closer whispering, "I know he's jealous. He's jealous that he let you slip through his fingers and your mine now."
Selenity smiled and laid her head back on Maximus's chest.
A soft cough alerted the couple to their company and Selenity tried to move out of Maximus's hold but he was too strong for her, blushing Selenity hid her head in Maximus chest.
"Ladies, what can my beautiful wife and I do for you?"
Sailor Neptune moved to sit on the love seat and her fellow senshi went to follow her movements on the different furniture around the room. "I don't know about the other senshi but, I have some news" seeing the alarmed looks of the royal couple Neptune laughed, it's good news I promise."
Maximus felt Selenity's tenseness melt away and he guided her to the unoccupied lounge, sitting down next to her.
"Selenity, Maximus, I'm sorry but I'll need a few months off soon, Poseidon and I, we're expecting our first child soon!"
Squeals of joy were let out from all the women and Maximus let out a jolly laugh.
Sailor Uranus turned her laughter into soft tears and Sailor Mars turned to give her a hug,
"I should've anticipated this!" Uranus sobbed and everybody turned to her waiting for her to explain her tears, Uranus brought a shaky hand and held it to her lower stomach, "I'm expecting too."
More squeals were heard and then glances were exchanged between Selenity, Sailor Mars, Sailor Venus, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Saturn and Sailor Mercury to see if anyone else had news they wanted to share.
After confirming that in a few months it would only Neptune and Uranus out of commission soon the senshi left and the royal couple started to move to their room.
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Coalant stormed into the castle that had become familiar to him in the years that he had been presumed dead, startling the numerous servants. Coalant continued his dramatic entrance until he encountered two burly guards, who blocked the door to the throne room,
"Is she here?"
The guards nodded but refused to open the door. "Sorry Prince Coalant, the queens still occupied."
Coalant sneered at the men before yelling, "Jhudora! I know that you're in there and you are doing nothing of importance. Let me in Jhudora, right now!"
Coalant watched as the door opened to reveal Jhudora's right hand man James, who told the men to step down and let Coalant in.
As Coalant entered the room the door was closed behind him and the room darkened considerably and with each step he took a torch on each side of the room was lit.
When he reached the dais his eyes narrowed on the woman in front of him, her pale skin allowed the glow of the torch lit room to give her an unhealthy yellow glow, which starkly contrasted against the dark raven locks which fell down past her shoulders.
Coalant stood straighter and finally meet the woman before him eyes, the dark irises she possessed sometimes bothered him as they reminded him of a dark creature who could reach into one's soul.
Coalant repressed a shiver of fear when he saw Jhudora curl her lips, "what brings about this lovely visit Coalant?"
Coalant shook his head and laughed. "Cut the crap Jhudora." Coalant watched as Jhudora's features relaxed into an expression of mild interest, "when were you going to tell me that Selenity was married?"
Jhudora clicked her fingers and a glass of red wine was brought to her which she accepted. "I just thought it would be nice for you to have a surprise after you went behind my back and disobeyed me."
Jhudora brought the wine glass to her lips hiding a small smile, "did you not like it?"
Coalant nostrils flared, "Of course I did not like it! To think that that irritating self righteous fool has been touching my property, it irks me beyond disbelief." Coalant ground his teeth, "and when Selenity had the nerve to introduce him like he was my equal…Prince Maxim-"
Jhudora eyes widened and she stood on her feet, "Maximus…my Maximus?"
Coalant narrowed his eyes at Jhudora's unusual display of emotion,
Jhudora eyes met Coalant and she schooled herself into an unreadable mask. "Coalant, was it Maximus of Lunae?"
He nodded and Jhudora slumped into her seat and brought her unused hand to her chin, "this is unexpected."
Jhudora sipped the wine and then lowered the glass, "go to earth and marry the princess of the western quarter. You'll need to be a lesser king of Earth to be in the running for any kind of betrothal of Selenity's offspring."
Coalant stared at Jhudora as if she was mad, which he considered was very possible. Sighing loudly he hesitantly asked, "Why would I want to do that?"
Jhudora lips curled into a sinister smile and Coalant took a step back. "Because Coalant the game has changed," Coalant opened his mouth to interrupt "oh calm down before your hair turns white. You will still be King of your beloved moon kingdom."
Coalant turned to leave and started the journey to lead the life he deserved however Jhudora's words stopped him in his tracks. "Coalant if you do not follow my plan to a T, there will be dire consequences. None of which will see you live out your dreams, alive."
Coalant clenched his jaw and nodded before heading out of his way to start his new life.
Jhudora swirled her wine in a clockwise motion, calling softly for James. When he came to her side she asked him whether or not any of her husband's mistresses were pregnant.
Jhudora lips curled as he confirmed that one name Onyx was at least two months along she told him to keep a watch on the development of the child, and then took another sip of her wine.
'Oh, yes Coalant' she thought to herself 'the game has definitely changed and soon you'll be on your own Coalant. Selenity will be destined to have a girl, but Terra is the mystery card, whichever way it goes I will be the queen of Earth or the Moon. Depending on what gender Peridot's love child is will determine which will then be mine to rule.'
Jhudora's features twisted into a sinister smile and with the flickering light lighting her face she looked just as evil as all the gossip the servants portrayed her as.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
In the dark bedroom Selenity lay with her husband in their bed and took comfort as she felt her husband's strong arms wrap around her to bring her back to his chest.
Selenity sighed happily closing her eyes and started to succumb to sleep, when a knocking on the door interrupted her rest.
Selenity smiled when Maximus dropped a kiss on her shoulder and removed his arms from around her, feeling his weight move from the bed to go to the door. Turning to face the door Selenity watched her husband come back to bed after hearing the door open and close.
Selenity slowly sat up bringing the covers with her, waiting for Maximus to break the silence.
"We need to get dressed." Selenity raised an eyebrow, "nothing's wrong dear, Terra's given birth and has requested we both come to see their child."
Selenity's features brightened and all but scrambled off the bed to get ready to leave for Earth.
"Max! Come on and get a move on!" Selenity smiled as she heard her husband's deep chuckles fill the large room.
Minutes later the royal couple were dressed and headed for the teleportation chambers, Selenity all but ran to the room in her excitement.
As her husband reached her side she reached for his hand and waited patiently for the technicians to get the ancient machinery ready. After the final buttons were pressed the royal couple entered the small tube like hatch and a bright light covered them as they were teleported to Earth.
Selenity felt the light engulf her and waited until the pins and needles sensation left her body before opening her eyes. Selenity watched as the Earth technicians for their counterpart chambers scurried around the room to make sure that the teleportation worked effectively.
After a few seconds the hatch door opened and Selenity waited for Maximus to get out of the hatch before following him.
Selenity looked around the room and smiled softly when she met the gaze of one of her close friends King Stefan of Earth.
Walking the distance between them Selenity embraced the man briefly before congratulating him of his child's birth. The tall dark haired man shook hands with her husband before leading them both to his private chambers.
A guard who stood before the chambers nodded at his liege and then moved to his left to allow entrance for the small party into the room. Selenity's gaze swept the room until she saw the large bed, where she saw a dark haired woman with an olive complexion lying in it holding a small baby.
"Terra," Stefan softly called for his wife's attention, "Selenity and Maximus are here." Terra looked up to see her guests, smiling widely.
"Selenity, I would like to introduce you to my son, Endymion."
Selenity froze upon hearing the name, Terra sent a troubled gaze to her husband, then her friend. "Selenity what is it?" Terra brought her child closer to her chest, "what aren't you telling me? Is it something to do with Endymion?"
Selenity bit her lip before taking another step towards the bed and then sat next to her friend.
Bringing a hand to rest on Terra's upper arm in a comforting manner, Selenity reassured her old friend "Of course not Terra, nothing is wrong. It's been a long time since I have heard the name Endymion, that's all I promise."
Terra's worried gaze melted into a soft smile and looked to her child.
"Motherhood suits you Terra."
Terra's smile grew brighter "Thank you my dear friend."
Selenity cast a quick glance over her shoulders where their respective husbands were chatting like old women, "Sel?" Selenity turned to face Terra again, "would you like to hold him?"
A genuine smile caressed Selenity's features and she waited patiently for Terra to pass the baby to her. After a few gentle reminders on how to hold the infant Selenity looked down at baby, he had inherited his mothers olive complexion she noted, and wasn't surprised to see dark tuffs of hair on his crown.
Endymion was most definitely going to be handsome boy. Selenity pressed a light kiss to the centre of his forehead and was surprised to see a golden light envelop her vision and then it went dark
Terra screamed as the bright light covered her best friend and her baby, alerting her husband and Maximus to the situation. Terra scrambled from her position on the bed to reach her son, ignoring the pain along her stomach, hands stopping her and pulling her back.
"Terra," Stefan's voice barely filtering her panic for her son, "let Maximus do it in case Selenity uses the silver crystal." Terra turned to her husband crying and she cursed herself for not thinking about that. Stefan brought his wife into his embrace and watched on helplessly as he watched Maximus talk softly to his wife.
"Sel, its Max." Maximus cautiously brought a hand to his wife's arm, "Terra's getting worried about Endymion so I'm going to take him from you okay." Not expecting an answer Maximus laid his wife down on the bed and gently moved one of Selenity's arms from its grip on Endymion.
Stefan breathed a bit when the gold light started to subside and eventually cease as Maximus removed Endymion from Selenity and placed him in the bassinet next to the bed. "Max, should I get a doctor to look over Endymion?"
Maximus turned to face his friend and shrugged his shoulders, "I have no idea, Stefan. As far as I'm aware this has never happened." Maximus cast another glance at his unmoving wife, "I'll get Mercury here, and she'll be able to tell us something."
Not waiting for a reply Maximus lifted his wrist and pressed the Mercury symbol and waited for Mercury to appear on the small screen.
"Mercury here Prince Maximus, how can I be of assistance?"
Maximus informed her of the situation and asked her to get here as soon as possible, which she complied with an ETA of five minutes and then ending communications.
Terra's soft cries filled the room and Stefan and Maximus waited in an uncomfortable silence until Mercury was announced and entered the room.
Stefan was glad when Maximus insisted that she should look over Endymion before her liege which she didn't question.
Sailor Mercury was an intellectual in her own right. Not only because she had read most academic scrolls in the known galaxy, she had learnt from the most impressive scholars of her time and had some of the top academic scores in this millennia, but the readings from her computer even had her perplexed.
Quickly typing up the notes Queen Terra's physician had given her and retyping the notes and calculations that she had acquired during her short time here into her mercury computer again Mercury frowned at the results.
Sighing Mercury turned to the infant again, and did yet another full body scan, watching the light blue line go up the small body. Mercury closed her eyes briefly and set her computer down on the table next to the bassinet.
Turning to the King and Queen of Earth Mercury gave them a small smile, "so far I can see nothing that is of critical danger to Endymion." A sigh of relief left Queen Terra and King Stefan gave Mercury a smile. "However, there is something that alarms me."
Mercury stood up to move to her computer and pressed a few buttons to show a hologram of their son, "you have both mentioned that previous to Endymion's birth nothing unusual occurred?" Both lieges nodded and Mercury questioned, "Neither of your family's histories have shown or accounted for anything out of the usual?" Upon confirming Mercury's hypothesis she said, "After numerous tests and scans it seems that Endymion has acquired something similar to the silver crystal that Seleni-"
Mercury furrowed her brows and cut the holograph's projection and moved to Selenity and quickly ran a full body scan of the queen. "The golden light happened after Selenity held him, correct?"
Terra nodded, "But what does that have to do with Endymion?"
Mercury stared at the results and brought up the most recent previous scan of Selenity, staring at the conclusions of the scans Mercury's chin dropped. "It can't be.."
Maximus moved to stand next to Mercury, "what is it?" Mercury caught Maximus eye and then turned to Terra and Stefan.
"I don't know how, I didn't even know this could happen…" Mercury shook her head,
"Mercury!" Mercury blushed and started,
"Has anyone heard of any of the legend of the golden crystal?" Mercury wasn't surprised any of the people had, "as we all know the royal female heirs of the house of the moon are the only known people who have the strength to wield the power of the silver crystal. However there have been a handful of stories of a golden crystal which has been said to be a counterpart to the silver crystal if it has become unavailable to use."
Mercury tapped a few keys into the small computer, "however as far as my calculations go, Selenity's crystal is only at half capacity. But after sufficient rest the crystal may go back to its full capacity."
"What about Endymion?" Stefan asked, "What will happen now that he has a crystal on him?"
Mercury pursed her lips, "I can't be sure but I would hypothesise that as Endymion grows the crystal will as well, and will most probably equal the silver crystal in strength." The baby started to stir and Terra went to her child, smiling Mercury nodded, "he won't hurt you Terra, it's all right to pick him up."
Terra nearly cried with relief and picked up her child and brought him close. Mercury turned on her heel and went to check on Selenity.
Selenity's head burned as she tried to sit herself into a sitting position and open her eyes, large hands helped her sit up and she met dark blue eyes.
"Mercury?" she slurred, "what happ-"
"It's all right Selenity. Go back to sleep you need your rest."
Selenity's eyelids started to close but she felt like she had forgotten something important. 'Think Selenity, what were you doing before the darkness?' Selenity struggled to open her heavy lids and asked, "baby okay?"
A figure resembling Stefan appeared before her and a small smile graced his lips."Yes Sel, but you scared us."
Selenity grimaced as she tried to speak again, "sorry, Ter sorry"
Another hand rested against hers, "she knows, she's not mad neither of us are."
Selenity nodded and she succumbed to the darkness again.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
FIVE YEARS LATER
Selenity wrapped her arms around herself and looked out the window, blinking back the tears that pooled against the back of her eyes. Warm strong arms wrapped around her from behind and she felt a bearded face rest against her shoulder.
"Don't go."
The face kissed her shoulder and untangled their limbs and turned her to face him. "Sel, we both know that I have to go. The negotiations are not going to plan and, the senshi agree action must be taken."
Selenity closed her eyes and felt the tears slide down her cheeks. Selenity reeled in the sensations her husband stirred in her as his hands slid down her arms and found themselves on her large stomach housing their child.
"You know I don't want to go but, I have to for the safety of our child."
Selenity nodded and leant her head against his chest. Silent sobs racked her body as her husband brought her as close to him as he could considering her protruding stomach.
Sighing deeply Maximus pushed away from his wife and gave her a once over. "Sel," he crooked his index finger under her chin and pushed her head up. "I will be back. I promise."
Selenity bit the inside of her lower lip and shook her head, "don't make promises you can't keep Max. I would die if you didn't come back."
Maximus shook his head vehemently. "Don't let your hormones get the best of you. Who will look after my child if you die of grief?"
Selenity couldn't meet his eyes.
"Selenity, if for some reason I don't come back, be strong for our child. Please for Serenity's sake be strong."
Selenity looked up at her husband with a soft questioning smile, "Serenity?"
Maximus stood up a bit straighter and puffed his chest out. "Do you have a problem with our child's name?"
Selenity shook her head, and Maximus slumped a bit cupping his wife's cheek with his right hand which she leant into.
"Alright. I have to go now so that I can come back to you sooner. Don't forget to give my regards to Prince Endymion for his birthday and also to his parents."
Selenity nodded, closing her eyes as Maximus let his hand drop to his side, leaning in place a chaste kiss on his wife's lips.
Bringing both his hands softly to Selenity's stomach Maximus gave his unborn child a weak smile telling it to be nice to its mother. Dropping his hands a final time Maximus turned on his heel and left the room a goodbye slipping from his lips as he turned the corner to head to war.
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Queen Jhudora sat on her throne surveying the empty room. Jhudora watched as James scurried into the room and bowed when he stood before her.
"Your highness, the plane is ready to leave in ten minutes."
Jhudora stared at the young man, "Is she ready?" James nodded, "bring her to me."
James spun on his heel and went to do as his queen asked. Jhudora stood and paced the small dais, her dark gown swishing against the dark red fabric of the carpet.
A few minutes later the door creaked open and James appeared with a young girl. Jhudora studied the child that she claimed as her own. The child had a similar pale complexion to her own, dark auburn hair that in the light radiated red, and dark brown eyes.
Jhudora lips curled as the girl reached her. "Beryl are you ready to meet your future prince?" Beryl nodded and Jhudora stepped off the dais and held her hand out for Beryl to take, "then let's go."
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Endymion pulled at his collar for the millionth time,
"Endymion!" The young boy turned to his mother and grimaced. "Stop that dear." Endymion sighed and removed his hand from his collar.
"Mother, it itches."
Terra knelt before him and adjusted his collar. "I know sweetheart but you look very handsome." Endymion frowned, watching his mother stand and move over to his father. Endymion walked to his parents, "Do you think that we should still do this today?"
King Stefan pulled his wife into an embrace and kissed her forehead, "I think that Selenity would like a distraction, and I think you need one too."
Terra pursed her lips sending a wary gaze to her husband and groaned in agreement, "You're right."
Stefan tilted his head to look down at his wife in amusement. "Terra, you forget I am always right." Terra rolled her eyes and twisted herself out of her husband's arms.
Stefan followed her movements with his eyes before noticing silver hair in the distance, "and now that Selenity is here why don't you have a quiet word with her."
Terra spun on her heel and tried to find her friend in the crowd, upon spotting her Terra gave her husband a quick peck on the cheek telling him to keep an eye on their son. Terra then moved into the crowd to weave around the guests to find her friend.
Stefan turned to his son and gave him a small smile, "come Endymion, there are lots of people to greet."
Endymion sighed and tugged on the collar yet again before following his father in the opposite direction to his mother.
Selenity walked into the grand ballroom taking in the deep forest green and cobalt blues decorations.
Scanning the crowds for familiar faces Selenity gestured to the guards flanking behind her to be gone.
"Your majesty pardon me for asking but is that the best idea?"
Selenity raised an eyebrow at the guard. "Your name?" The guard stepped forward,
"Colonel Furuhata, ma'am."
Selenity gave a faint smile, "Maximus always thought highly of you." Pursing her lips Selenity held a hand to her stomach, "when we get back to the moon make an appointment with me and we'll discuss a promotion for you."
Furuhata gave small thanks before being interrupted by Selenity.
"However if you look around the room there are an adequate number of royal guards, and several of my own personal senshi scattered throughout the crowd." Seeing Terra come to her Selenity moved her attention to her friend, "scat, now."
The guards nodded and went to place themselves strategically in the room. Selenity breathed a sigh of relief and removed her hand from her stomach to embrace Terra as she appeared before her.
"Selenity!" The women let go of each other and Selenity felt hands on her shoulders pushing her away for a second. "My goodness dear, you look breathtaking. Pregnancy definitely suits you!"
Selenity blushed. "Thank you Terra, but after waiting so long to experience this I can't wait for this to be over!"
Terra grabbed one of Selenity's hand and squeezed it lightly, "It will be over soon Sel, and then you'll have a beautiful baby." Selenity forced a smile, wrapping her hands against her stomach. "Come let us sit down."
The pair went to the right of the ballroom where chairs and tables were set to accommodate the guests and sat at an empty table.
"So, how is the birthday boy?"
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James moved silently through the rough terrain, cringing as another branch hit him on the head. Being Jhudora's right hand man sometimes got him a rough deal every once in a while, this was definitely one of these times.
Forcibly moving the branch out of his face James pushed though the foliage and sighed in relief as he met his target.
Moving his right wrist before his face James internally moaned as he needed to wait half an hour for Jhudora's plan to be implemented.
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Colonel Furuhata stood near the entrance of the ballroom with his fellow colonel in arms to keep an eye on Queen Selenity without being caught, while also indulging in some small talk.
Kenji was a good man, and both had served the moon kingdom army for about four years before both being personally selected for special palace security by Prince Coalant.
Both men had volunteered to be on the search party because they felt indebted to the lost liege and both had served with Major General Lunae as he was also in the search party before becoming Prince of the Moon.
Furuhata was not a man to get to close to the men that he worked with, but he felt a comradeship with Kenji that Masato thought of him as a brother and it worked well both on and off the line of duty.
"So 'Hata, how is little Motoki?"
Masato smiled at the mention of his son. "Toki's good. He can't wait for you to come round and play with him with the wooden swords you gave him."
Kenji returned the smile, "well he needs the practice if he's going to be half the soldier his father is."
Masato gave a small laugh before registering the newest attendant of the party. "Kenji, he's here. Be on guard and don't take your eyes off of him."
Masato noticed Kenji give a slight nod.
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Selenity excused herself from the table to get some air and headed for the balcony.
Selenity closed her eyes as the warm wind swept past her, and she felt her child move inside her. Placing a hand on her stomach to soothe her unborn child, "calm down Serenity, everything is fi-"
A footstep behind Selenity startled her and she spun on her heel to face Prince Coalant.
"Prince Coalant, how are you?" Selenity moved her arms around her stomach, weary of the presence of the man in front of her.
"I am fine Selenity. You look radiant."
Selenity gave a weary smile, "What do you want Coalant?"
Coalant moved to the railing and turned to face Selenity. "I don't want anything Selenity. I just wanted to see how my child's fiancée's mother was doing."
Selenity's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, "what are you talking about?"
Coalant's small mouth twitched. "Maximus didn't tell you?" Coalant turned to face the bright sky, "the battle he's gone to face, and it is not to protect the kingdom, well not to me anyway."
Selenity stared at him, "Coalant I swear if you do not tell me what you are talking about there will be dire consequences."
Coalant sighed dramatically, "The battle is a test of wills. You have something that I want and I have something that you want." Coalant stood to his full height and turned around a sly smile twisting his features. "So Selenity what is it to be your husband safe by your side, or dead?"
Selenity's eyes widened and she took a step back.
Endymion was standing in front of his father and was bored. There was absolutely no other way to put it, and he couldn't even move because his father was holding onto him and talking about boring grown up stuff with the old man standing before him.
Looking around the room Endymion glanced around all of the grownups. Everybody either had a drink or was talking with someone, and his favourite person Uncle Maximus wasn't even here to make him laugh.
Uncle Maximus wasn't really his uncle but he and Aunt Lenny spent so much time with them that mum had said that they were practically a part of the family. So ever since he could remember, he had an Uncle Maximus and an Aunt Lenny.
Endymion furrowed his eyebrows thinking, 'maybe I could ask Aunt Lenny where Uncle Maximus is, cause she would know.'
Endymion shook out of his father's grip and looked for a fat lady with silver streamers from her head. Endymion had asked his mother why Aunty Lenny was so fat and his mother laughed and told him that Aunt Lenny had a baby in her tummy.
He still wondered why Uncle Maximus wanted a baby with Aunt Lenny when they were a part of his family. But when he asked his Uncle this Uncle Maximus would tell him that he would understand when he was older. Grownups are weird Endymion thought as he moved through all the legs until he caught a silver streamer near the balcony.
As Endymion walked closer to the balcony his hairs on the back of his head stood and he became scared all of a sudden for the baby in Aunt Lenny's tummy.
Endymion tried his best to tip toe to the door so that he could hear what was being said between Aunt Lenny and the strange man.
"Selenity I am not going to ask you again, is my son going to have your daughters hand in matrimony? Or is your husband going to die?"
Endymion felt his eyes get big and started to hear a tiny cry and felt he was walking towards Aunty Lenny.
"It's okay Ren, it's all going to be okay." Endymion blinked as everything went really slow apart from the small cry it seemed like it was the only thing happening.
He couldn't hear Aunt Lenny screaming his name and he couldn't hear the strange man say anything.
When he stood in front of Aunt Lenny Endymion smiled as he lifted his left hand and placed it on Selenity's tummy and felt the warmest light touch him.
It made him happy and full and everything around him was gold or silver he heard a soft "Endy" and then everything went blank.
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Selenity's eyes widened as several things happened at once.
Coalant told her to choose between her husband and unborn child, her child kicking furiously in her womb, guards yelling to see if anyone had seen Endymion, Endymion coming and placing a palm on her swollen stomach not only calming her baby but also making everything gold and silver and then most alarming was Endymion falling to the ground.
Selenity blinked as everything that had just happened registered at once and screamed, gaining everyone's attention and hearing Coalant threaten that this wasn't over.
Finding her way to the ground Selenity knelt next to Endymion. Brushing his hair from his forehead Selenity's eyes widened and she yelled for her senshi.
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Jhudora blinked as the worst possible events came into light. A small smile passed her features as she lifted her right hand and talked into a communicator. "James, he failed. Bring him home." Jhudora let her hand fall to her side and she moved out of the room with Beryl following on her heels.
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Terra took a deep breath leaning against the balcony railing of her private sleeping quarters with her husband.
Feeling a hand touch her shoulder Terra turned to face her husband, "I'm alright Stefan, it's just been a long day and I.." She pressed her lips together before continuing, "it's a lot to take in and he's so young and already his life is determined." Terra blinked back tears, "I don't know how to help my baby.." Tears rolled down her cheeks and she was comforted by the arms that embraced her.
"We'll deal with it as a family, and we'll support Endymion. We'll start his training now and give him as many opportunities as he'll need before the inevitable happens." He pushed his wife an arms width away and looked down on her. "He will not be alone in this. Okay?"
Terra looked up at her husband and nodded, moving back into her husband's embrace Terra closed her eyes and thought back to what happened earlier this afternoon.
Terra pushed past the crowd to find Selenity kneeling next to Endymion, her heart nearly stopped "Terra he's fine…"
Terra knelt on the other side of Endymion and frowned at her friend, "He doesn't look fine to me Sel. What happened?"
Selenity pursed her lips together and looked away from her friend and turned to one of the guards, "I need you to go and find Sailors Neptune and Venus."
The guard nodded and left to find the senshi, a few minutes later the senshi stood before their queen. "You might want your mirror for this Neptune," Selenity turned to face Terra, "I came out here for some air and when I did the baby was kicking furiously like something was going to happen. Coalant came and starting talking about how he would bring Maximus back if I gave his son my daughters hand in marriage."
Selenity turned to look at Endymion, "he came out of the corner and I swear he said something like everything was going to be okay before he placed a hand on my stomach."
She turned to Venus, and Terra watched Venus's expression as Selenity continued, "When he touched me everything stood still. The baby calmed down as soon as his hand touched me, and I felt this brilliant light of gold and silver mix together and it felt like they wer-"
"Connecting." Venus finished for Selenity and she nodded and Terra lifted a hand to her mouth. Venus turned her head to Neptune, "a soul mate bonding. Can you see the connection?"
Neptune looked into her mirror and nodded. "It's the thickest that I have ever seen, or heard of."
Terra looked at her son and then to Selenity's stomach, a trembling hand touched the stomach and Terra smiled as she felt the movement of her future daughter in law.
Terra closed her eyes and images of a young girl with long blonde hair being taken from Endymion tore at her heart as she saw Endymion scream "SERENITY!"