reading the directions.The elevator came to a stop, and the Full Moon King stepped out. Fully resplendent in his crown and royal robes, he looked every inch his true self; the most powerful leader of the Moon clans, and the High King of the moon. All around him bowed deeply. He acknowledged them with a shallower, but still quite deep, bow. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, it is time for the testing of the leaders of the Earth and Crescent Moon, or Moonlight, Kingdoms. As you also know, both kingdoms were destroyed 3000 years ago by the Dark Kingdom. As many of you do not know, however, I and the two heirs were well acquainted. Actually, that is partly why i was chosen to administer the test. Another reason is that I am the only one of high enough rank who has also the power and knowledge to make the test a fair one.
"I will now explain my test. To make it fair, and to maintain continuity, I will of course wipe this knowledge from the memories of my aids. Allow me to introduce them: the four soldiers of the New Moon Kingdom, and the sailor stars and their princess. Please leave greetings until after the presentation. Now," he removed one of the necklaces from his pocket. "This is a necklace that I and some of my most talented and trusted magiscientists created. It has two functions. First, it acts as a cloaking device, making the wearer seem like a twisted, evil version of themselves. Second, it 'bonds' to the wearer in such a way that only a certain kind of energy can remove it.
"These necklaces will be placed upon the New Moon clan members, and they will then attack the girl, with the sole purpose of driving her into a special state of mind which will leave her open to my mind, and power. Disguised as my former self, before my test, and hidden by light, I will then transfer upon her a staff: the Crescent Dragon Staff. This staff will be the only thing that can remove the necklaces. Then, wearing this master necklace, I will appear as a cruel, monstrous being bent on domination. I will threaten the girl, and then fade.
"This is where the Starlights will come in with their memories doctored to show that their planet was destroyed by the armies of my necklace form. The reason for their unharmed departure is a group of soldiers managing to seal them in their transport capsules along with the princess. They were then sent to earth as a last bastion against the evil me. The four New Moon warriors will meet up with the candidate for their Queenship and that girl's test will begin. At the same time, a group of creatures we call Shades, again artificial monsters though these are a blend of technologies from all of the girl's past enemies, will be attacking various people that are close to the girl and her guardians.
"After a certain time, she will eventually 'discover' my 'hideout' on the planet, at which time she will have to defeat my evil form and remove the necklace. But the test does not end there. That in itself is too much like what she has done in the past, and therefore does not make an accurate test. Also, the trials from the past have proven her capabilities to defend her planet. Now she must manage it. Before defeating me and removing the necklace, she will have a long, hard regimen of administrative duties to perform as the saviour of the world, for this will be highly publicized, and she will have no choice but to reveal herself at one point or another. But again that is not the full test. The final part will be her resolve in her ideals.
"I have placed five of my top agents, with their memories doctored, in high leadership roles within a vicious and powerful undercover crime-fighting organization. This group, who have not lost their core beliefs in a swift death to evil beings, will continually challenge the candidate's belief in peaceful resolution. Thus, the threefold test of power, administrative competence, and resolve will be met. Do I have your approval?"
"One question, my lord."
"Yes?"
"How can you be certain of the administrative section being according to plan?"
"I will insert myself, in disguise, as her personal aide, and will ensure that she has a heavy workload myself. As I am not allowed to help her, I will pretend only, and not do any actual work, forcing her to take up the slack."
"I see. Very good. You have my support."
"And mine!"
"Nothing less from King Drake, one of the greatest tacticians in the Kingdoms!" The entire room was in an uproar of agreement. The King smiled, and left to prepare.