Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the canon characters. I have created my own characters and they may show up at any time in any of my stories. Those characters and the changes to plot are my own. I will not receive monetary compensation from this work.

Acknowledgements:
Anonymous request by a reader. You know who you are… and I just have to say again, thank you for all the times you've messaged or reviewed. You are absolutely wonderful.
I also have to thank my awesome friend and beta Astraearose-silvermoon for helping me when I get writers block, working with me to create names, write poems, and to talk things through when I get a bit in my head during the writing process.

Author's Notes: I have to explain this in advance… I try to take the names from the Silver Millennium straight from the manga. That, to me, makes it as pure as possible. I will admit, I have a different version of the Silver Millennium in my mind, so please, bear with me. There is a lot that has never been viewed, and a lot that will be changed because of the effect on the timelines. I have about twenty versions of the Silver Millennium in my head, just like I do with the normal series, so I may write another version later. Who knows?

Reader's Note: A character list with names that may be changed or unknown characters will be at the bottom of this prologue and every chapter as more characters are added so you can check it out any time!

Silver Tears
A Silver Millennium Story
Prequel: Dark Endymion Series

Prologue
The Oracle Speaks

Queen Serenity's heart hammered wildly with happiness as she and her husband, King Pontus stepped onto the dais to welcome the newest Royal. She saw many in the crowd she recognized, even through the slight sheen of happy tears in her eyes. Her Senshi, many of whom were pregnant or holding infants of their own, all nodded and smiled in understanding. Their own babies had been, or would soon be, presented to the courts as the priestess of Elysion told all assembled a unigue attribute and of their acceptance by the crystal their mothers carried.

All had girls. It was expected of course. The Senshi and the Queen of the Moon always had girls first, except in very rare cases when a Crystal adapted things to suit it's needs. That was so rare it was almost unheard of, but her great-grandmother had borne a boy first because the Keeper of Chronicles had been killed battling Metalia's forces in the second war. Now, in the peace after the third, the kingdoms rejoiced and flourished.

She turned, smiling, to greet everyone, and opened her mouth to speak.

The sonorous voice of the Oracle startled everyone in the throne room. It had been years since the young man had spoken, and to hear him now, just as the infant Princess Serenity was introduced to the court, was shocking. The Queen turned suddenly, her daughter clasped in her arms, to stare at the one who spoke. It felt as though he pronounced their doom. Every word seemed to strike at her heart and she looked down at her baby, tears springing to her eyes as she listened.

"Son of Earth, Daughter of Moon
Soul-Bonded fight the war.
Gold and Silver Crystals join
To bring peace once more.

Eight and six must join
To fight at their sides.
Come they not, life fails,
United hope resides.

Son of moon and son of star
Join with rebirth and time.
Keep not the daughter's locked
Or death's call will chime.

All shall fall and fade
And dark will wait again,
Until they are reborn
Within the world of men.

Dreamers meet in mist
Until mem'ry unlocks all
The secrets of the past.
Dark queen then will fall"

When the voice ended no one spoke a word. All waited, with bated breath, for the reaction of the King and Queen. No one knew what to expect, though it was obvious, to some at least, that something momentous had just happened. Queen Serenity thought perhaps none of them knew just how momentous. The Oracle had just said her daughter would be bonded to the prince of earth. More, he had just spoken of their deaths. Everyone's deaths.

:: Please say something, :: she pleaded with her husband. :: I cannot. ::

:: I see you understood then, :: King Pontus said, his voice trying to offer her comfort. He rested a hand on the small of her back as they turned to Anou, the current priestess of Elysion. He nodded his head slightly to her and said in a calm voice, "please continue."

Anou took Princess Serenity carefully, holding her close, over the bulge of her unborn son, and smiled as the baby smiled up at her. She turned to the assembled court. "People of the Moon Kingdom and of the Silver Millennium, I ask you to greet Princess Serenity. She has been accepted by the Silver Crystal and carries the Pink Moon Crystal until such a time as it joins with the Silver Moon Crystal. Princess Serenity will be a dreamer, and one day, far in the future, she will be the instument that ends a great war." She lifted Serenity up slightly, and the princess giggled.

At just under three months old the princess was already precious to many in the room. They nodded and smiled in spite of the child that had settled after the Oracle's words. But the moment the ceremony was done, voices began to spring out as people questioned the Oracle's words.

"Did he mean she's going to marry the Earth Prince?" The king of Saturn asked, looking worriedly at his wife, who was the youngest of the Senshi.

"Is there to be a union of Gold and Silver? We all know if they join they are far too powerful. They could knock the sun out of place!" A young courtier said, her eyes wide with fear.

"How has this happened?" Another young man asked. He turned and glared at the Oracle, as though he had any say in what was spoken.

"We must calm the people," Pontus said, then he called out, "Silence!"

Serenity stepped forward, now holding her daughter again. "Please, be calm. I promise you we will discover everything we can about this and work to solve any problems that arise. I beg of you all to have patience."

Anou stepped forward then, and Serenity gaped at her as she lifted her hand. "No one will speak of this without permission of the Queen and the King," she said firmly. Something in her hand glowed bright silver and she seemed to grow in size for just a moment, before she faded and shrunk back. She turned to Serenity. "This must not become common knowledge," she said. "The prince and princess must love one another truly or no Bond can form." She let out a soft sigh. "I must rest," she whispered, then with a flash she was gone, back to Elysion, to her husband and children.

Silence reigned in the throne room for several minutes. Then little Serenity began to cry and she and her husband moved instinctively toward their private chambers.

"Ohhh," Lugh said, looking over the side of the little white moon cradle. "She is so tiny." He bounced several times, trying to get a better look. Serenity was glad he had followed them from the throne room. His bright and happy personality was just what she needed at the moment.

"She is a baby Lugh," Queen Serenity said, laughing lightly. "Soon she will grow up and get bigger and stronger just like you."

"And she'll play with me, and be my friend?" Lugh asked, his tone hopeful.

Queen Serenity knelt in front of him. "I know it is lonely Lugh, but soon you'll have more friends and playmates than you can shake a stick at."

"Thank you, Auntie," Lugh said, grinning. He gave her a hug. "Can I go to the garden now?"

"Of course Lugh. Nurse will take you." Serenity nodded to the nurse who took Lugh by the hand and led him away.

The little Princess in her cradle slept soundly as Queen Serenity turned to her husband, who had stayed still and quiet while their nephew was in the room. His silent strength was her comfort and she moved closer, welcoming his loving embrace.

"What shall we do?" she asked.

King Pontus was a quiet man, even tempered, though mercurial, and kind. Now however, he looked ready to throw things and scream his rage to the stars. She felt the same. Their child was healthy, but with what they had just learned, Serenity had to wonder if that would continue.

"I do no know that anything can be done my love. The Oracle has spoken," he said finally, and scratched at his beard ponderously.

"Then we must call to the king and queen of Earth. Surely they will listen."

Pontus grimaced. "There has long been strife between our two peoples. Never, since the first Serenity, has a Daughter of the Moon been welcomed by their kind. They will not want this."

Serenity felt a bubble of panic rise up within her chest. "I do not want this either. I do not trust them. Their ancestors tried to slaughter us all," she exclaimed. "Their fear is a dangerous thing. Now however, we must work with them. If the Oracle can be believed Metalia will be woken and the young ones must meet and fall in love or all will fail."

Pontus leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Serenity's brow. "We will do this thing," he said finally. "We will reach out and ask for their assistance. If they will not help, then there may be other steps that can be taken."

"Other steps? Surely you do not intend to kidnap the prince!"

Pontus said nothing.

Serenity sighed. "Let me at least speak to them before you do something rash that will start a war."

Pontus was of the sea, and because of that he was changing like the tides, unforgiving, and untamable. He could be kind one moment or a harbinger of destruction the next. As much as she loved her Soul-Bonded, she worried that he would cause strife, which could destroy everything they had built. His normal patience seemed to have deserted him in the wake of the Oracle's words.

"Wife," Pontus said, "the priestess of Elysion was quite clear. Our daughter, and the son that will follow her, are necessary in the battle that will save this solar system. They must survive."

"My Queen!" came a panting voice as a young woman ran into the room. "My Queen, King Endymion has called us through the mirror. He claims an Oracle of Earth has spoken and begs you to meet with him."

"Invite him and Demeter both," Serenity said, slipping her hand into her husband's. "Tell them we too have heard an Oracle, and are concerned."

"I don't like this Majesty," came the voice of Athena, the Senshi and Queen of Mercury. "This meeting should not be so informal."

Serenity snorted. "Athena please," she whispered. "Right now we are not meeting as Kings and Queens, but as concerned parents who want nothing but the best for their children. Besides, you heard what Anou said."

Athena shook her head again, turning away. "I hope when my little Ami protects Serenity, the Princess will listen to her counsel," she said.

With a soft sigh, she stood and hugged her friend and guardian. "I do not mean to upset you," she explained. "They too have been visited by an Oracle. This means they know the cost of failure."

"And so you will arrange a marriage like our barbaric forefathers, sight unseen?" Athena asked, anger filtering into her words and tone. "Please, please consider what this will do to the children."

Serenity gasped. "I would never have an arranged marriage for my daughter! A Bond would not work that way!" she snapped. "You should know me better than that. No, instead we will work out a plan that will get both children interested in the other and see what happens."

"I've heard the people of Earth still have arranged marriages," Juno said from across the room. She was the Senshi of Jupiter, and had an incredible temper. "Do not let them talk you into forcing the children. Aphrodite says it will not work. The Oracle of Venus has spoken."

"Ladies, please. I would never force my daughter. The Oracle made it plain. The children must be Bonded if they are to use the Crystals together. An arranged marriage cannot contain a Bond. There must be true love for the children to pass the Venusian Trials."

"They have come," Hestia said, peeking into the room. Aphrodite is escorting them. Hestia was the Senshi of Mars, and one of her best friends, though they were vastly different.

Slipping her hand into Pontus', Serenity took in a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves. This was the most important meeting that had ever been attended. Not only did the fate of two children rest upon the outcome, so too, did the fate of nine planets, the sun, and fourteen inhabited moons.

The doors opened slowly and the Crier spoke in a loud voice. "High King Endymion of Earth. High Queen Demeter of Earth. High Prince Endymion of Earth. King Hermes of Earth."

"They brought the prince?" Athena gasped. "Isn't that dangerous?"

King Endymion must have heard. "Since the Oracle spoke, Demeter has been unwilling to be parted with our son."

Serenity looked at the little prince, held tightly in his mother's arms. He had hair black as night and vivid blue eyes. A little wooden practice sword rested in a scabbard at his side. He was a smiling and happy child.

She turned to the cradle and picked up her daughter. The child had silver hair and cerulean eyes, her skin pale, like all those who lived on the moon. She blinked up and a tiny smile formed on her face. Moving without speaking, she and Demeter both walked into the center of the room. Neither said a word as little Endymion reached down his hand and gently touched the silver hair on baby Serenity's head. He traced her cheek and then grabbed the little fist that waved in the air. There was a spark of blue light when their hands met.

The little prince stared. "Pwetty," he said. "Vewy, vewy pwetty." He looked up at his mother. "Pwincess?" he asked.

"Yes Endy. This is Princess Serenity. You two must become good friends," she said softly. A tear traced down her cheek. Without thought Serenity reached out and embraced her, unable to keep her own tears in check.

"They'll survive," she promised. "We will find a way."

"What did the Oracle of Earth say?" Pontus asked, looking at Endymion.

The High King of Earth shook his head. "It was rather confusing. My wife had the scribes create a copy for you. What did the Moon Oracle say?"

Serenity handed him the sheet her own scribes had just finished preparing. "I think it's rather clear, but many would not understand. Far too many have never known of the war," she frowned. "They do not know what the creature Metalia is capable of. She turned our people and yours against one another."

"I know," Endymion said, and shook his head. He turned and stared at his son, who was sitting on the floor with the little princess in his arms. "But we cannot falter now. Not with our children and every life in the Solar System on the line."

"Here," Demeter said, passing a thin sheet of parchment to Serenity. "This is what she said, but we've yet to understand all of it."

She glanced down at the pale yellow square and began to read the words aloud so Pontus could hear. She worked through them slowly, pausing at each point, but eventually she got through every sentence. It was not spoken in verse, but in halting phrases that might confuse the courts of Earth, but not so one who knew the ways of the Moon.

Ever twined is the fate of the son of the earth and the daughter of the moon.
Love must grow for the Bond to form and hope to spring.
Gold and Silver mate to bring forth salvation.
They will live and die and live again before the end shall come.
The princes of earth shall make their match in the heavens.
Four women of single purpose shall be their equals.
Six and Eight shall prepare for trial with the pair.
With their bonds comes the only hope.
Weep not, for even in death, life begins anew.
When the Wish is spoken the glaive falls down.
Unless they meet and love once more, all die.
The enemy will rise once more and be met with hearts unfailing.

"Do you understand this?" Demeter asked, looking worried.

"Much of it, and when you combine it with what we have learned from our own Oracle, it makes more sense than ever. Metalia is going to break free somehow. Endymion and Serenity must fall in love on their own. It cannot be forced or the Soul-Bond will not form. The princes of earth... could that be the sons of the Shitennou?"

"I think it likely," King Endymion said, nodding to the king of the north, who had come with him. "Hermes seems to agree."

"The four women of single purpose must be the princess' Senshi." Aphrodite said, with a sad sigh.

"Who are the Six and Eight?" Demeter asked.

Serenity closed her eyes. "There are eight Senshi," she said. "I think they must be part of it. Then the four Shitennou. The son of the moon would be the next Keeper of Chronicles, and the son of star would be Lugh, who is the prince of our sun. That makes six males and eight females."

"Both speak of death and rebirth," Pontus said, "which means it may not be as we expect. I don't know if the glaive will fall or not, but if it does, all will end."

"Yours says not to lock the one who controls rebirth or the one who controls time," Demeter said. "Are they locked up?"

"No," Queen Serenity reassured her. "But it has been suggested several times, by several different people. People fear their power. It shouldn't be so. The glaive only falls if the need is too dire to continue. Say if everyone was dead or dying already. People forget that her glaive isn't only a symbol of death, but of rebirth. And as for controlling time, there is no such power. Yes, Sailor Pluto and all the ones before and after her have an understanding of time and access to it, but there must be great need before she would step in. For instance, the morning the nurse in your palace was ill and the prince nearly drowned."

"So it was one of yours who save him," King Endymion said. "I thought so. Our Shitennou can teleport, but very few others can, and the nurse did not recognize the woman."

"His death would have unraveled time itself, as would Serenity's," Pontus said. "We've asked Nona, and her very young daughter Setsuna, to focus on those two, but now that we know more is at stake, all must be protected."

Hermes coughed. "My son, Kunzite. He would marry one of the princess' guardians?" he asked.

It was Aphrodite who answered. "Yes, I believe that is what it says. It would be one of the Inner Senshi, from Venus, Mars, Mercury, or Jupiter. Always has it been our job to protect the wielder of the Silver Crystal, to defend her with the last breath of our body."

"So it is for the Shitennou," Hermes replied. "My son will be their leader, as I am the leader of the King's guard."

"The same is true for my newborn daughter."

"The question is, how do we protect the children, encourage their love, while not forcing them together?" Endymion said, looking again at his son who was kissing the princess on her forehead.

"Let them play together as children," Demeter said. "Then let time and nature take it's course. It would not be good for their connections to become common knowledge. If Metalia is to be woken again, word would reach her. She could kill any one of them and destroy everything in the System."

"The Earth would like to formally join the Silver Millennium," King Endymion said, "but it must also remain a secret."

"I agree," Serenity said, feeling she had misjudged the rulers of earth for a long time.

"Might I suggest something?" Aphrodite asked.

"Of course," Serenity looked to one of her best friends in the world and saw a gleam of mirth in her bright blue eyes. She was well named after the Greek goddess of love.

"When dealing with children, I've learned that the easiest way to entice them with something is to tell them they cannot have it."

Cast of Characters:

Lunarian Royal Family:
Queen Serenity
King Pontus
Princess Serenity - Usagi
Prince Tsukiyomi - Shingo (not yet born in this chapter)

Earth Royal Family:
King Endymion
Queen Demeter
Prince Endymion - Mamoru

Solaran Royal Family:
King Solaris
Queen Hemera
Prince Lugh - Haruki

The Oracle:
Earth Oracle
Moon Oracle
Sun Oracle

Elysion
Anou - Priestess of the Moon people
Miroc - Priest of the Earth people

All Senshi and Shitennou names remain the same when they are reborn!

Senshi:
Sailor Mercury - Ami, daughter of Athena
Sailor Venus - Minako, daughter of Aphrodite
Sailor Mars - Rei, daughter of Hestia
Sailor Jupiter - Makoto, daughter of Juno
Sailor Saturn - Hotaru
Sailor Neptune - Michiru
Sailor Uranus - Haruka
Sailor Pluto - Setsuna, daughter of Nona

Shitennou:
Prince of the North - Kunzite, son of Hermes
Prince of the South - Zoicite
Prince of the East - Nephrite
Prince of the West - Jadeite