Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or anything to do with the franchise, I just roll about in it. I do however own my own oc characters. I also do not own the image used.
Chapter Three
After three attempts of trying to stop their Princess from going to see Prince Endymion, the Senshi realised they would have to meet with Prince Endymion's own guards and come to an arrangement. Sailor Venus and Princess Serenity nearly had a run-in when Princess Serenity said Venus had never liked or been in love before, followed by her sticking her tongue out and making a funny face which instantly made Venus less upset and more prone to laughing.
"Are you sure you guys are fine with me coming here?" Princess Serenity asked anxiously.
"No, we're not fine but you keep running away from us. You have left us no choice in the matter" Sailor Mars said as her eyes fell on the figure of Jadeite.
The Shitennou were having the same conversation with their Prince who was more than anxious to just simply be with Princess Serenity.
"You know, you're lucky your father is sick, not that I would want him sick or anything but he would've had you locked up if he knew you were sneaking around with a woman that was not his choice" Nephrite said winking at Prince Endymion. It was ok for Nephrite to say certain things about Prince Endymion's father because the more he learnt as to why they were not in the Silver Alliance, the more he wondered whether his father was making the right decisions for Earth. So far, Queen Serenity had said nothing of the possible threat to their galaxy, she was keeping things close to heart so as not to worry anyone but Princess Serenity proved to be a source of welcomed information. Even the Shitennou were grateful for being told what was actually going on. Because of this, Princess Serenity had found herself attending almost all the meetings held and she was actually concentrating, much to the outward delight of her mother. What Princess Serenity didn't know was that her mother had become more worried as to what was causing this sudden interest.
"But Endymion, I am still concerned we are putting the Princess's life in danger" Kunzite said keeping his gaze cool as Sailor Venus approached, her own gaze just as cool as his. How can someone who looked so bubbly send shivers down his own back?
"She is not in danger as long as she is with me" Prince Endymion said adamantly. Kunzite sighed and shook his head.
"I didn't mean she is in danger with us, I am concerned about the growing unrest with Earths citizens, have you not noticed the change?" Kunzite asked. Prince Endymion nodded.
"Yes, of course I have but it's not that bad, they are worried about the Silver Alliance, that is all, nothing has changed" Prince Endymion said before Princess Serenity ran into his arms giggling.
"Oh Endymion I am so happy to see you!" Princess Serenity said as the two royals walked away to be together. The Generals and Senshi watched them but they needed to speak with each other about their current circumstances.
Venus approached Kunzite first with her arms by her side and her stance firm and confident. They eyed each other wearily, wondering how to broach the subject of their charges.
"Well, I guess you know why we're here" Venus started, breaking the silence and simply wanting to get on with things. Kunzite nodded keeping his gaze stoic.
"We can't always keep up with her, she is clearly in love" Venus said closing her eyes and then looking towards her Princess.
"We could force her…lock her away maybe?" Mars said flicking her hair and ignoring the shocked looks of the Generals, Jadeite then smirked a little.
"I would like to see you try, from what I have seen of the Moon Princess, she is very spirited" Jadeite said. Mars glared at him and clenched her fists. What did this idiot know about her Princess?
"He's right Mars, cool it" Jupiter said folding her arms. Mars huffed and then looked away, as if she would ever lock away her princess, jeez.
"What I have in mind is to keep the supervised visits but instead of just one half of us, it should either be all of us or paired, one to look out for Prince Endymion and the other for Princess Serenity" Venus pushed forward.
"That's a promising idea, I guess we should meet as a group more than just being paired, this is a dangerous situation we're in" Zoisite said.
"And a rather delicate one" Mercury added shying away from Zoisite's warm gaze.
"But that can't be always possible, it will look suspicious if within our separate Kingdoms, all four of us are gone" Nephrite said making Jupiter look at him fully, well, she found him very handsome, he noticed and gave Jupiter a small smile.
"Then we need a pairing system, each to their own strength" Mars suggested. Mars then looked at Venus with a serious look.
"You should be paired with Kunzite, both of you are leaders and there may be times when you need to discuss matters that involve the whole team" Mars added. Venus looked at Kunzite slightly wide eyed. She had already found him very attractive and now to be forced to be in his presence, she would have to use all her will power to not try anything, he didn't look like he would appreciate it. Little did she know, Kunzite was thinking along the same lines.
"Jupiter is the Senshi's strength" Mercury said looking at the remaining three generals.
"Nephrite is ours so Jupiter will be paired with Nephrite" Zoisite said quickly before adding "Who is the tactician of your team?" Mercury thought about Zoisites question a little before pointing to herself. Zoisite nodded.
"So that means you and I will be paired, that leaves Jadeite and…" Zoisite was cut off by Jupiter who smirked at Sailor Mars.
"and Sailor Mars" Jupiter said inwardly laughing. She knew Mars found Jadeite attractive but she would never admit it. They all agreed with the pairings and decided they needed to coordinate the meetings between Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity. By the time, Endymion and Serenity came back from their private talk, the Generals and Senshi had already decided matters.
She had ignored the calls from Earths council for her attendance. They had wanted her to meet with the Priest of Elysian, her true role, her real duties to Earth and the Golden Kingdom was about to be revealed and they had plans for her, big plans. She knew it involved the Moon Kingdom. Hardly anyone on Earth had her abilities, she knew she was different the moment her mother sent her to live permanently near the Golden Kingdom. The strange thing was, she felt connections to beings outside of Earth and she didn't know why. She had always felt she had a greater purpose, a greater responsibility out there.
Walking alone through a deserted area just outside the palace, surrounded by lush grass, bushes and trees filled with little flowers, she contemplated her existence. Who was she? What was she? Why hadn't anyone explained anything to her? Going to see the Priest of Elysian would've helped, she knew that but she didn't want to go. She felt that she was meant to see someone else.
She felt as if she were going mad. Beryl fell deeper and deeper into insanity as an entity that called its self, Queen Metalia, was constantly mocking her for her weakness in not dealing with the Moon brat. Was it Beryl's place to do anything? She herself was not a royal, she didn't have a chance with Prince Endymion, not really unless he wanted to break away from protocol, he didn't even know she existed.
"Beryl?" Beryl shook the evil laughter of Queen Metalia away from her mind and focussed on the person who had called out to her. Standing in front of her was a man with shoulder length white hair, a narrow feminine face with bright golden coloured eyes dressed in a long white robe with blue embellishments on the chest.
"Elio?" Queen Beryl stammered before instantly bowing to show her respect. Elio looked at Beryl and his brow creased in worry. He could feel something, something he didn't like.
"The Council has tried to contact you, there is an important meeting today and you must attend" Elios said in a smooth, deep voice. Beryl looked up at him questioningly.
"Why am I needed? I haven't been called into a council meeting in so long and besides, I never understand why I am even invited" Beryl said. Elio looked sternly at her. This made Beryl instantly go on the defensive but she had misread his intentions. He was furious with Earth's councillors for not telling her the truth. Maybe if he told her something, anything, it might help her.
"Beryl, your purpose for Earth is very important. There will come a time when you will have to protect not only Earth but that of the future King, Prince Endymion" Elio said sternly watching Beryl's eyes grow large at the mention of Prince Endymion. She had a purpose, and it involved the man she was in love with?
"Your powers are linked to the Earth, you have something that only the true warriors of the universe have. I had hoped Queen Serenity would've spoken to you by now or at least invited you to the Moon Palace" Elio said. Beryl closed her eyes and resisted the urge to let out a wicked laugh.
"And why hasn't Queen Serenity said anything about my purpose?" Beryl asked, visions of Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion whirling in her head, making her more and more angry. Elio was unaware of the inner turmoil going on within Beryl so he pressed forward.
"Queen Serenity is governed by higher powers beyond her control. She has to distance the Moon Kingdom and that of the Silver Alliance away from Earth but things may change, that is what I hope for anyway" Elio said with his back to Beryl.
"Please attend this meeting Beryl, it is vital that you do" Elio said before leaving Beryl.
Beryl sneered at the back of Elio as the dark aura of Metalia surrounded her. So the Moon didn't trust Earth? They think they're higher than us? How dare they! And that Moon Brat coming here uninvited and poisoning the mind of her Prince, the very Prince she is meant to protect! No, she would protect him, she would make him see the truth, that Moon Princess was bewitching him, laughing at him and at Earth. She had to put a stop to it all. Earth needed its protector, it needed a new Queen.
Princess Serenity loved the sunset on Earth. The way the warm colours would spread out, reds, pinks and oranges. With Prince Endymion wrapping his arms around Princess Serenity and her Senshi starting to get on with Earths Generals, things were looking up, she could feel it. Maybe they could be happy, maybe they could make this work and tie Earth and the Moon Kingdom together. They could bring a new decade of peace, a peace like no other. Lost in her happy thoughts, she couldn't feel the storm clouds coming.
"I have never met anyone like you" Zoisite said as he walked besides Sailor Mercury watching the sunset and keeping his eye on his Prince. Sailor Mercury blushed a little.
"Oh I am sure you have met many nice people General Zoisite" Sailor Mercury said.
"Please, just call me Zoisite, we've been working with each other for a while now I think you can call me by my first name. You are wrong Mercury, I truly have never met anyone like you. You are a Princess of your own planet and at the same time, a warrior charged with the protection of the head of the Silver Alliances daughter? That is a lot of responsibilities you have to manage" Zoisite said evenly. Sailor Mercury gave Zoisite a small smile before she looked up towards the sky.
"I consider my responsibility to my Princess as not only my duty but something I want to do. She's not just my responsibility, she is my friend" Mercury said. Zoisite nodded looking at Mercury, his deep green eyes penetrating into her blue.
"That is exactly how we feel about our Prince. I guess we have a lot more in common than any of us thought. Mercury, do you like to read?" Zoisite asked. Mercury nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh yes, I love reading, researching and generally just learning new things. I am tasked with Princess Serenity's educational pursuits" Mercury said brightly.
"Same here, you know, I would love to show you the Golden Kingdoms library one day, I bet we have a few books you don't have" Zoisite said, Mercury giggled a little.
"I don't know, the Moon Palace library is extensive not to mention the library on the planets Mercury and Neptune, but you may be right, I would love to see your library one day" Mercury said hopefully. The two of them proceeded to talk about the kind of books they've both read, falling into their own little world.
"So, it's come out of the Sun?" Queen Serenity asked one of the many scientists on the Moon. This particular blue haired scientist was from the planet Mercury. His cold blue eyes never left the monitor as his brow creased in worry.
"Yes, the Sun no longer has the dark spots it had earlier" Laurent said. Queen Serenity nodded, looking thoughtful as she folded her arms.
"I suppose the next question to ask is, where has it gone?" Queen Serenity dreaded asking the question but it was something she just had to. Laurent looked uneasy he looked at the results of his findings.
"Earth" Laurent stated bluntly, not wishing to lie to the Queen. Queen Serenity's eyes widened at first in surprise and then worry. This was bad, very bad. The Silver Alliance was already distrustful of Earth, and to now have a serious problem like this, she wasn't sure what she could do.
"How big is it?" Queen Serenity pushed further.
"The figure is a large mass of dark energy from what I can tell. It went over to earth a few days ago, unseen. The mass has gained an enormous amount of power your majesty, the next question would be, what does this mass intend to do with it?" Laurent asked the burning question on Queen Serenity's mind.
"Nothing good" Queen Serenity said, her lips tightening into a thin line "Thank you Laurent. Please keep this information between us for now. I need to start making preparations, we will have to severe all contact with the earth until the problem is resolved" Queen Serenity said as she walked away from the room of findings.
The letter she had sent was received just as Queen Serenity had expected, badly. The King of the Earth, even upon his sick bed, was still able to send a letter with stinging remarks and derogatory language. It was a shock for Artemis to read to his Queen but he did with the most regal of airs he could muster.
"He thinks I want to take over his earth, he believes I desire to rule them? Why would he think such things? Just because I made some recommendations, based upon my own opinion?" Queen Serenity wondered aloud.
"They are a backward people your majesty, it is to be expected" an advisor said lifting his nose in the air as if he took a bad smell.
"Prince Endymion is different, he wants to work with the Silver Alliance, we can't punish him for the actions of his father" Luna said kindly.
"I am not punishing him, I wouldn't think of doing such a thing but he is not King. His actions will not be the deciding factor of what happens. If he were King then I would help earth with everything I had at my disposal. But as it stands, I have given the King the necessary information he needs. What he does with it is down to him" Queen Serenity said with finality.
"By the sounds of this letter, he thinks we're liars" Artemis said. Luna tutted as she quirked an eyebrow at the rushing of her Princess, now that girl looked like she was up to something, a whole lot of something these days. Luna kept her thoughts to herself, the Senshi would have this under control. With her mind back in the room, Luna looked at her Queen Seriously.
"Should we warn the Outer Senshi?" Luna asked.
"I have already sent letters to Uranus and Neptune to organise themselves, I fear we won't escape this battle, this battle is seeking us and it will find us" Queen Serenity said mysteriously. Luna and Artemis looked at each other and then back at their Queen who had a forlorn look in her eyes. It was moments like these they wondered what their Queen was thinking about.
"Should we tell the Princess?" Luna asked. Queen Serenity was brought back mentally into the room as she shook her head.
"She is too young and innocent to understand these matters. Let her be happy and carefree as she is. I will deal with the problem" Queen Serenity said, a small smile creeping on her face as she thought about her sweet daughter. She prayed darkness would not find her daughter.
Prince Endymion couldn't understand his father's thinking. The letter from Queen Serenity was clear and concise. They had an enemy on their lands and it explained the change within the people. The advisors of earth could see it and his generals. Rushing out of the palace and into the gardens, Prince Endymion ruffled his hair with an air of frustration. Couldn't they see their father was no longer stable to rule their Kingdom? The Kingdom was falling apart and there was no-one truly taking the lead apart from him. He had their faith in him but not the power to implement what needed to be done.
"You have to convince the council that the King is medically incapable Endymion" Prince Endymion knew whose voice that was, there was no need to turn around.
"They are frightened of him Elio, what can I say that would make them side with me?" Endymion asked. Elio was accompanied by Beryl who as the weeks had gone by, he had noticed changes in her, bad changes but still, she was important to earth and he had a responsibility to her.
"The Moon Kingdom mean no harm, they have warned us of an impending doom when they didn't need to" Elio stated. Beryl snickered a little as her eyes flashed red.
"The Moon Kingdom, not meaning no harm?" Beryl asked in a mischievous tone, Prince Endymion spun around and really looked at Beryl. It was the first time his stormy blue eyes actually regarded her. Instead of kindness which was what she had longed for. No, he regarded her with suspicion and anger.
"I would watch your tongue Beryl, know your place" Elio said sternly. Beryl's eyes flashed in rage but she did as she was told. She would make them pay, she would make them all pay.
"They don't mean any harm Beryl, trust me" Endymion said, more softly but he didn't miss the narrowing of her eyes. What did she know? He kept his eyes on her wondering. Why had she looked at him like that, like he was the one hiding something.
"Beryl, I think it best you go back to the temple, I must have a private word with our future King" Elio commanded, dismissing Beryl. Beryl bowed politely enough but the moment she turned her back, her eyes bore more of a reddish colour. Her war on the Moon Kingdom was about to begin.
"What are you guys going to do?" Jupiter asked Nephrite as it was their turn to watch over their Prince and Princess. Endymion and Serenity seemed to be in deep conversation. Serenity looked on the verge of tears whilst Endymion continued to talk to her. Jupiter knew that now was not the time to interrupt whatever they were discussing.
"There is nothing we can do, our King believes we're in no danger" Nephrite stated.
"What do you think then Nephrite?" Jupiter asked further. Nephrite looked up towards the sky. It was such a beautiful day. He then looked down at Jupiter and was taken aback by how green her eyes were. She nearly met his height and she was a real spark. He couldn't deny how he was feeling right there and then. The last few months, they had all gotten to know each other and it seemed the pairing system had worked out perfectly. He was certain now that Kunzite and Venus had developed a relationship that went beyond being professional.
"I think the King is blind, he doesn't want to admit he needs help. We all want him to pass on power to Endymion but the King refuses" Nephrite said. Jupiter closed her eyes and balled her fists. He was used to this with her. Sometimes her emotions would erupt when she felt something needed to be done, he was exactly the same.
"What about your advisors, surely they can see what's happening" Jupiter pressed on. Nephrite shook his head and sighed.
"They are scared of the King and besides, the reign of Prince Endymion will bring change, change they don't want to see. It would disrupt their comfortable lives" Nephrite said in a bitter tone. Nephrite then tentatively, gently took Jupiter's hand. He had done so only a few days before and she had only blushed, much like she was doing now.
"Jupiter, I feel like you're the only person who understands me. Kunzite has found his love, I think I might have just found mine" Nephrite quietly spoke these words, not knowing the effect they had on Jupiter. She had felt her heart opening up to him slowly but now, her heart blossomed, filled with a feeling she never thought she could feel. As they held hands, they didn't notice their Prince and Princess now looking at them, with sad eyes.
Hi :-)
Thought to add this chapter early. There is now only three left :-)
Jakeros: You're totally right, I think I have read other stories where the timeline was longer, I just always thought their moments were short-lived, lasting maybe a few months but who knows :-) Thank you for your review, I always worry about characterisations and in this one I was a little worried about Jupiter and Nephrite, I just couldn't get my head around adding to their conversation. Thank you for your support again, its always appreciated :-)
Megan Lyle: Thank you for your review, I hope you like this chapter as the story progresses :-)
I will try and add another chapter soon but need to edit it.
See you all soon and thanks for reading it, following or adding as a favourite.