.

Electrum

El3v3n

All characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi or Kazuki Takahashi.

The Blue Planet

Six Months Earlier

Serenity sighed from the balcony where she leaned on the railing of the grand moon palace. The cool breeze brushed her soft blonde locks against her face as she cradled her arms to shield them from the cold. Tonight was the celebration of her 18th birthday, which should have been, certainly, a very joyous event. Royalty from all across the universe within the Silver Alliance's bounds had come to the event dressed in excellent faire. However, the young princess was distraught. It had appeared a most cherished guest had been unable to attend.

"Endymion." Serenity whispered into the wind as she gazed past the courtyard and into the sky. Earth, massive in size even at such a distance, glowed in her line of vision like a permanent sapphire set in the sky. The beautiful planet of blues and greens sparkled and shined as she gazed longingly toward it. She recalled her fond memories of her short and forbidden visits to the planet, whenever she could manage to sneak the special transporting key from her mother's armoire as a very young girl.

Serenity smiled at the thought of her younger more rebellious self, often sneaking about and desperate to visit the planet she loved so much; she had been determined to find the reason behind her obsession. Her visits were short stints; she was often caught by Sailor Pluto, the guardian of time, who would quickly return her to the Moon despite her kicking and screaming.

However, one time she had managed to sneak by the wise guardian, and found herself transported to the Golden Kingdom of Elysion. She was captivated by the beauty of its lush greenery, and that fateful day, she had happened upon Endymion…and the rest was history.

She glanced down at her left ring finger to gaze at the glimmering jewel. A rare blue diamond Endymion had given her as a token of their marriage to be, so that she may always be reminded of him and the Earth whenever she could not see it. Her mother, while condemning the Earth for the darkness within its people, had surprisingly blessed their marriage and allowed Endymion to visit the Moon whenever he wished.

But tonight, Endymion had not shown. She had assumed he must have been held back by something important, he was after all, the crown prince of Earth. Her trust in him, however, did not stop her heart from aching, as she had not seen or heard from her handsome prince in over a month.

"Serenity!" A voice approached the petite girl. Serenity turned to lock eyes with her mother, the beautiful and wise queen of the Moon and the leader of the planetary Silver Alliance. "Why are you out here alone? This is after all, your birthday gala." Her mother reminded. "You should be having a good time; are you not satisfied with your gifts?"

Serenity craned her neck to look at a table covered with elaborate gifts: rich fabrics and rare jewelry from across the universe that any ordinary girl would be ecstatic to be given, but Serenity was far from ordinary.

"The gifts are splendid Mother, but you know what I truly desire beyond anything else." Serenity returned her gaze to the mysterious Earth that despite her short but frequent visits, had truly never experienced. "I want to see the types of flowers that grow in his Kingdom's garden, and I wish to swim in the sea off the shores of Elysion!" Serenity pleaded to her silent mother. "I don't want to read about it. I don't wish to look at paintings or listen to stories. I want to see the world I've stared at for as long as I can remember for myself. I need to understand where he comes from." Serenity finished. Queen Serenity sighed as she gazed upon the young blonde. A small frown crept upon her lips as Princess Serenity remained determined.

"My dearest daughter, I've tried my best to substitute your desire to visit this planet with all the riches in the universe and yet it cannot be drowned. I even blessed your forbidden marriage to Endymion." The Queen sighed. "It is true that there are many things about the Earth you have never experienced, but not all of these things are good things."

"What do you mean, Mother?"

"Serenity, although the human race may be inherently good, there is a darkness that resides within each of them, even Endymion, and that is why Earth cannot join our peaceful alliance." The princess rolled her eyes.

"Mother, I know this, but even with the darkness inside, it doesn't make me love him any less!" She pleaded as the queen upheld her hand, invoking silence.

"There's more, Serenity. You may think you understand the terms of the disruption of peace. I know you've been taught definitions of war, hatred, and pain but I must warn you, you do not truly know the horror that these words contain." Princess Serenity straightened her posture boldly.

"I am not afraid." The princess stated.

"I know you're not, and that is why I cannot shield you any longer." The queen said as she held out her hand. The princess' eyes opened wide when a bright flash of light appeared in her palm and upon its fading lie a purely silver skeleton key with a long and slender blade, fitted with a large sparkling jewel at the center of its bow. "I had it made especially for you." The queen smiled as she threaded a slender silver chain through the holes in its bow and clasped the trinket around her neck.

"My very own transport key?" The princess asked, excitedly.

"Yes, Serenity, today you have finally become a woman and while I shall always guide you, the choices you make will be solely your own."

"Thank you, Mother!" Small tears of joy leaked from the princess's eyes as she happily embraced her beloved mother

"But please, Serenity, before you run off to Earth; try to enjoy the remainder of your birthday ball." The queen begged. Serenity smiled as she grabbed her mother's hand and led her back into the ballroom.

"Of course!"

Endymion rested his head into his hands as he was surrounded at a table by his four most trusted generals. The sun had long since risen and not a single one of the five men had been granted an ounce of sleep. The prince's eyes were red with exhaustion as he slammed his fist into the table.

"My prince," Malachite spoke, "We don't have much of a choice. She has excelled in the skills of her black sorcery and even with the strength of our armies we cannot fend she and her followers off alone."

"We have to beseech his assistance." Jadeite finished Malachite's thoughts as Endymion sighed.

"And what do you suggest we do to persuade him? He's by far the wealthiest man in this world and will not accept any riches for his favor; he'll only accept one thing…" Nephrite trailed as Endymion leapt from his seat.

"That is not an option!" Endymion bellowed.

"Nephrite, are you truly suggesting that our prince bow before a heathen king who believes he's a living God?! You must have lost your mind. Endymion is the true and rightful heir to rule this planet and it is only a matter of time until our prince will become ruler of the Silver Alliance and use the universe's allies to claim the entire Earth as his kingdom!" Zoisite roared. Nephrite opened his mouth to protest when a knock came at the door.

"Yes?" Endymion groaned as the door slowly opened.

"Your majesty," The guard kneeled and then stood. "Princess Serenity is here to see you!"

"What?!" The room of men questioned simultaneously shocking the poor messenger.

Serenity sighed happily as she sat upon a wooden swing in the beautiful castle gardens. She inhaled deeply so she could smell and taste the roaring sea as she listened to the waves crash against the cliffs of Elysion, upon which the prince's great castle perched. Her mind drifted back to the moments before she left the Moon and her mother's warning.

"Be careful Serenity, we'll be watching."

She rolled her eyes. Of course she hadn't been granted complete freedom, but she couldn't complain as she was perfectly content to be just outside her fiancée's castle.

"Serenity!" Endymion called out. Serenity leapt from her swing and joined to greet him. She hugged him with all her might as he lifted her into the air placing a passionate kiss upon her lips. "What are you doing here? Won't you get caught by Sailor Pluto?" Endymion asked, worriedly. He settled her into his arms as Serenity grinned mischievously, revealing the key that hung around her neck that was hidden within her white dress.

"You could say I've been given the keys to freedom."

The two strolled along the cliffs as Serenity looked happily down upon the waves in their attempt to climb the high walls.

"I am truly sorry for missing your birthday celebration, my love. There have been some serious issues that have come up in my kingdom." Endymion alluded as concern flashed across Serenity's face.

"I knew you would only miss it for something important. What troubles Elysion?"

Endymion sighed as he stopped and stood before Serenity as they overlooked the cliffs. He brushed the bangs from her eyes and pulled her into an embrace.

"A crazed woman who was once a servant in the castle apparently went mad upon finding out about our engagement. I guess she had fallen in love with me."

"Who wouldn't?" Serenity teased as she buried her head into his chest.

"Unfortunately, she has acquired great power and followers through the practice of sorcery, and my generals believe that our armies will not be suitable enough to defend Elysion from her assault."

"Who is this person?"

"Her name is Beryl" Endymion sighed. "Ironically, she's been announcing herself to those she torments as Queen Beryl, again, bitter against our love. We cannot beat her alone Serenity…" he trailed. Serenity stiffened and took a step back from him.

"You know my mother's law, Endymion. The Alliance will not fight unless one of their own is threatened." Serenity reminded.

"Yes, I know Serenity. This isn't what you want to hear but that is why I must leave Elysion -today for several months."

"Why?" Serenity demanded.

"I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you." Endymion began, "While I am the true and rightful prince of this planet, there are many other kingdoms ruled by others in this world." Serenity's mouth fell open as she took a moment to absorb his words.

"Why would you lie to me?" Serenity asked quietly.

"I was afraid you wouldn't love me if you found out the truth; that I had been unable to claim the entire Earth as my kingdom." Serenity shook her head.

"Endymion, I would love you if you weren't even a prince at all! But I don't understand, why must you rule the entire Earth? Elysion is so beautiful, why isn't it enough?" Endymion turned is back to her as he faced the sea.

"It is my birthright Serenity; you haven't had pieces of your planet denied from you. I don't expect you to understand." He said. Serenity felt beside herself as she stared into his flowing cape as it fluttered into the wind. She felt a pang of the darkness within him escape. It was rather infrequent he would show this side of himself but it nevertheless caused her mother's previous warning to resurface in her head. She didn't understand this foreign dark side that humans contained within them, but she had a feeling she was soon bound to experience more of it.

"Anyway," he turned back to face Serenity. "One of the kings in a faraway land is very powerful and has a great army. I must go to him to employ his help against this adversary before she destroys my people. I'm afraid I must leave today." He explained. Serenity hung her head. She had just arrived! It had been far too long since she had seen him last and she refused to wait any longer.

"Then I shall go with you." Serenity said as Endymion shook his head.

"No Serenity! It's far too dangerous. You've never been past the borders of Elysion and I can assure you, the place we are traveling is a great distance and filled with heathen and evil men." Endymion warned. Serenity gave him a small smile and once again revealed the key that shone around her neck.

"That distance can be shortened to a matter of seconds if we use my transport key." Serenity explained as Endymion's eyes grew wide. "You don't have much time, and I know you don't want to admit it but…I really can assist you."

With the aid of Serenity's magical key, Serenity and Endymion accompanied by his four trusted generals and several guards appeared in a mysterious place. Serenity hadn't known what to expect when she was told where to transport to but she had been secretly excited about it. She wondered what kind of new plants and wildlife she would encounter. It was an understatement to say she was rather disappointed upon her arrival to this new place.

The sun beat down upon her as she quickly shielded her sensitive eyes. The heat overwhelmed her as she took in her surroundings only to see a tundra full of hot, golden sand.

"This is why I told you to bring your cloak." Endymion reminded as Serenity pulled up the hood of her silvery and silk laden cape. "Keep the hood on at all times. The sun is very dangerous here and we can't risk you being recognized. These people aren't civilized." Serenity nodded meekly as her eyes focused on what was before them. She saw a grand city that shined of yellow gold before her, and at the very south of it stood various strange looking triangular buildings and a large palace at its center.

Serenity groaned. She had not expected there to be such a barren place on Earth. From a distance, it appeared as if all of it was lush and beautiful. This place however, reminded her of a parallel of the moon. It contained no to very little greenery, much like her home except its sands were golden compared to the alabaster silver sands she had grown accustomed to.

The small caravan had soon entered the city and before long they began to be noticed as they stuck out to the common passerby. Serenity's mouth hung open as she observed. The people of the city looked spectacularly different from the other humans she had observed in Elysion. Their skin was a deep shade of tan and all that she saw had dark hair and eyes. Many of the men walked about shirtless or with very little clothing; she attributed this to the extreme heat of this peculiar place as the women wore modest robes. Endymion led the way toward the large palace at the city's center as Serenity fell behind walking between Zoisite and Malachite. Serenity had never cared much for Zoisite, even the few times she had met him. He was often quite rude and condescending to the princess' instilled peaceful beliefs, but she tolerated him nonetheless.

"Malachite, who is this king and what is he like?" Serenity asked pleasantly. Malachite looked upon the small young girl and couldn't help but smile.

"He is the King of Egypt; here they refer to him as Pharaoh. I can't tell you much about him. Only Endymion has met him once before. I've only heard the stories…" Malachite trailed.

"There are stories?" she asked curiously.

"Stories that would give a little Moon princess nightmares" Zoisite chuckled. Serenity hid her surprised face beneath her hood as she turned to face him.

"I do not fear fairy tales." She responded harshly earning another laugh from Zoisite.

"This is no fairy tale, Serenity. The Pharaoh is told to have extraordinary powers he uses to instill fear within the wretched people of this Kingdom. They say he can crush your mind with the flick of his wrist and drive a man mad by only the sound of his voice." Zoisite darkly explained as Serenity continued to hide her disturbed expression. "His eyes are said to be a murderous crimson color, derived from all the lives he has taken."

"Zoisite, stop" Jadeite warned.

"I just wanted our little princess to know what she'd be encountering." Zoisite defended with a smirk. Serenity said nothing as Zoisite's words rolled around in her mind. She felt evermore fearful as they approached the palace, but hid her concerns within. When they finally arrived, Endymion turned to her and lifted her chin with his hand to look into her eyes beneath the hood.

"Stay as close behind me as possible at all times. Do not speak or reveal yourself. This is very important, Serenity." Endymion ordered earning a curt nod from his fiancé. Just then, Serenity looked upon a muscular guard who belted something toward them as he and many others stood at the gate. It was in a language she had never heard before and was shocked when Endymion responded also in a foreign tone. The head guard gave a curt nod and a large stone door was opened before them. With a gulp, Serenity followed Endymion along with the others through the great doors.

Author's Note: This is a revised version of the original chapter. No content was changed, only corrections, etc.

Love,

El3