Title: For the Good of a Kingdom
Chapter: Three
Author: Silent Figure
Disclaimer: I do not own the Sailor Moon characters or world.
Author's Note: Hey guys! I've returned with another chapter! Thanks for the reviews you left. I greatly appreciate them. I so want to respond to the ones that are about the plot, but it's better to keep you guys guessing. I know I enjoy twists and turns you don't necessarily see coming. Probably one of my favorite SM fanfics isAngel Electric. Well anyway, like I said the daily updates will be slowing down. I'm only up to chapter 9 and there is a whole lot more going to happen. This certainly won't be a short story. But I have an outline, and an end in mind. ;) It'll be a bit before I can repost on Revenge is Sweet and Sleeping With the Enemy, though I intend to update them both by the end of the week. I've been training for a 5k run and that's been taking up some of my extra free time. But I've been thinking stuff up on these runs too. So hopefully I can keep it coming without too much wait. I hopefully won't phase out again for a long time, like I have done. I feel much more confident in this craft then I used to. But critiques are always helpful too. Enjoy!
"If there be no enemy, there's no fight. If no fight, no victory and if no victory there is no crown" – Thomas Carlyle
Composure, that was the key when one was in a volatile situation such as the one she would soon find herself in. The black haired sailor took a calming breath as she heard the doors to the throne room open before turning and bowing respectfully to her entering Queen. "No need to be so formal Setsuna, especially when it is just the two of us. How was your trip", Serenity asked waving off the bow showing her aggravation towards it. While such actions were expected when in front of people, she personally had never agreed let alone grown accustomed to them, especially during this life. It had not been so long ago that she had been just like everyone else, had simply just been another face in the crowd.
"My trip was well my Queen. I was sorry to depart so quickly and without much warning to you", Setsuna replied stoically giving away none of her nervousness for the news she was about to deliver. Sailor soldier and guardian of time she may be, but the wrath of the most powerful human being in the universe was still something to be feared despite Serenity's normally cheerful and kind disposition.
"It is fine, the others told me of your husband's problems guarding the gates while you were away. I understand he is still learning and coming into his own as not only your husband but your partner in duty as well. I must say though you missed nothing more than an extravagant and rather delicious state dinner. Perhaps some idle gossip and a few amusing stories and jokes. But how did it go", Serenity said.
"All is fine. He is more than capable of handling it having been the guardian of souls lost in the gateways of time and the personal Ferrier for their safety for as long as I have been guardian to the gates", Setsuna replied taking in another deep breath knowing that she should breach the subject and reveal to her Queen her true whereabouts for the last twenty four hours. Serenity's eyebrows scrunched in confusion at Setsuna's contradiction, though Serenity ignored the nagging feeling in the back of her head that something was amiss.
"Then it must have been a serious screw up on his part to have to call on you. I still cannot get over the fact that you are married and to a man who've you've known of for so long no less. Will I be expecting a playmate for Rini soon", Serenity questioned with a smile on her face.
"Charon and I have decided to wait awhile longer before we have children. Listen, Serenity there is a matter of great importance I must speak to you about", Setsuna said seriously drawing Serenity's full attention.
"What is it", Serenity asked with a look of apprehension. Serenity already had an idea what subject might be brought up between them before she had arrived. Setsuna had been relentless in her pursuit of getting the time line back in order since Serenity had first changed it, surely she'd want to bring up that vile subject again especially when Setsuna had come so close to getting her to begin speaking to Endymion, only for the very man she hoped to reunite her with to get in the way.
"We were not completely honest with you Serenity about where I was yesterday", Setsuna admitted her guiltiness only evident in her eyes.
Serenity sucked in a breath a feeling of foreboding arising in anticipation of Setsuna's next words. "I visited Earth and negotiated with Endymion", Setsuna confessed glancing away from Serenity's piercing gaze.
Silence fell upon them for what felt like forever to Setsuna. "Were all of them aware of this", Serenity asked her tone harsh.
Setsuna cringed on the inside before looking back into Serenity's eyes in her all knowing manner, using it as a shield for her true feelings of uneasiness. "We all agreed upon it Serenity."
Serenity scoffed and threw up her hands in anger, "I can't believe this. You all went behind my back and not only ignored my specific orders but broke the law and broke silence with Earth."
"If it makes any difference to you my Queen, Endymion agreed to holding off on passing the new legislation regarding the Lunarians so that negotiations may begin and should there be an alliance agreed upon then the law shall never be passed", Setsuna informed the fuming Queen.
"Tell me is that supposed to make me happy or perhaps you think it'll make me feel better about my best friends betraying me and going behind my back and talking to my ex-husband", Serenity yelled her eyes furious and her body tense.
"Oh yes, your life long friends are plotting behind your back to help your ex-husband destroy you Serena", a sarcastic voice that Serenity recognized to be Mina's interrupted.
Whirling around Serenity faced both Mina and Raye who stood at the bottom of the stairs and had quietly entered unnoticed by the two women who had been too wrapped up in their conversation to notice. "We figured you'd need some back up Setsuna", Raye said looking past Serenity to Setsuna explaining their reason for interruption.
"We are not teenagers anymore Raye, I hardly think Setsuna needs back up to deal with me", Serenity flustered.
"Well maybe you should stop acting like one then Serena, did you listen to yourself a minute ago? You just made us seem like we were plotting your overthrow", Mina interjected pointing out the obvious and reverting back to Serenity's birth name of this lifetime.
"You might as well have. You all disobeyed my direct and specific orders and not only that you endangered Setsuna by letting her go there", Serenity argued.
"Oh please don't pretend that you would have been concerned for her. We all know that law hasn't gone into effect yet and I think we all got it figured out that no one would kill her who isn't evil. Her job is needed no matter what planet you hail from. No, you are mad because this means you'll have to talk to Endymion again", accused Raye crossing her arms, her eyes daring Serenity to dispute it.
"What is this a gang up on Serenity day today", Serenity asked exasperated and not willing to admit that Raye was right, therefore she was trying to avoid the subject.
"Quit with the melodramatics that's Raye's gig. And nice try we know you are trying to change the subject", Mina replied also crossing her arms and blocking Serenity's exit which Mina had noticed Serenity was looking for.
"Excuse me? That is not my gig. I'm not melodramatic", Raye changed the subject taken aback as she turned to glare at Mina.
Mina rolled her eyes and muttered, "Not now Raye. We'll have this argument later. Right now we have a point to make."
"Look, Serenity we have to inform Endymion of when you'll be attending negotiations", Setsuna interrupted the gang up intending to get back to serious matters and not in the mood to listen to anymore arguing, least of all the unnecessary and childish one that was brewing between Mina and Raye.
"Negotiations? Didn't I say we were going to make a proposal first and have one of you take it to him? If he rejects it then we will go into negotiations", Serenity said her voice questioning, she had a feeling where this was going and she didn't like it.
"I told Endymion he can expect to meet for negotiations. It slipped my mind", Setsuna said seriously not missing a beat, though Serenity could have sworn she saw a glint of intent in Setsuna's eyes. She had done it on purpose.
Serenity's eyes narrowed dangerously and she stated in all seriousness, "The negotiations do not take place here. This discussion is not over Setsuna. Do not for a moment think I am through with you." With that she stormed out of the throne room once more.
Both Mina and Raye let out a breath they had been holding in before turning to Setsuna. "That went better than I thought it would", Setsuna stated exhaling heavily feeling that a big weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. It had been a gutsy move to skip Serenity's first step and go right to the part where the two monarchs would meet. But it was important that the two face one another again and the first step Serenity would take would easily have worked and kept the two apart. Now Serenity couldn't back out since a formal offer of negotiations had been made. Setsuna was drawn from her thoughts as she heard Raye say, "And I'm not melodramatic I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Raye can't you just drop it", Mina asked annoyed that her friend couldn't let it go.
"No I can't you just made me seem like a silly girl just a minute ago", Raye replied.
"Well you sure are acting like one now. Maybe you and Serena can start a club. And I don't know why you care if I made you look like that in front of Serena she already knows how you are. I was just stating a fact", Mina said shrugging her shoulders and lifting her eyebrows in that aggravating carefree way.
Raye's eyes narrowed and Setsuna had to shake her head at the two Senshi before leaving the room. "I need for this to be over", Setsuna sighed to herself as she walked away from the two bickering senshi.
…
For any ordinary human the cold of the dark caverns would be intolerable, but they, they were different. Given a new life and blessed with powers from a source that so many could not adapt to, they were considered beyond ordinary. From the shadows they watched as a hologram in the center of the room lit up, revealing one of these 'blessed' super humans. The figure in the hologram was a woman who was bent low in a bow, her green hair covering her porcelain face. "My lord and fellow comrade", her voice greeted in a glitched way that revealed the signal wasn't too strong.
"Emerald", one figure in particular greeted nodding his white head as he stepped forth into the light so he was visible to his messenger.
"What news have you brought us", stated another also revealing himself as well. This man was a stark contrast to the lighter haired man having had dark raven hair and sapphire eyes.
"Were you successful", questioned the light haired man whose eyes were almost pitch black and staring intently at the woman on the screen.
"Yes my lord. I have rendezvoused with Rubeus and I can assure you that the four sisters of deception and himself have been successful in carrying out your orders. I have implemented myself in the Terran court, as you bade me. But I fear that I bring grave news as well", Emerald said glancing up with a hint of nervousness from her position of respect.
"Go on", the white haired man ordered his face giving away no sign of being worried over what news she could possibly give him.
"There is news of a treaty to be formed between the Earth and the Moon. It seems that they have been tipped off that we approach and in light of it are negotiating for an alliance", she informed the two occupants of the room, glancing back down again for fear of the effect the news might have.
"Impossible", the raven haired man challenged. Emerald immediately looked up glaring at the man who dared claim what she reported was false. Her steely gaze was filled with deadly intent for the man she so had longed to do away with in the years that had passed since she had met him, though had refrained from out of respect for her black eyed leader.
"I believe, Sapphire, that it is us here and not you and it very much is possible. The negotiation dates have not yet been set but we have confirmed the rumors are true by word of one of Endymion's own personal guard", Emerald continued snidely, her voice dripping with venom.
"Even so I have a hard time believing this. Why now after so many years of silence between the two monarchs do they agree to negotiate a treaty", Sapphire questioned turning his gaze upon the higher-ranking white haired man, no longer caring to continue the conversation with the detestable woman on the hologram.
"Because as I stated earlier they have knowledge of us and know we seek to attack them soon you dim wit", Emerald sneered.
Before Sapphire could reply the leader stepped in, recognizing the angry fire burning in Sapphire's eye, which would only lead to further conflict, "Enough bickering. Continue on as planned Emerald. Make sure those crystals are planted in Elysion as well as Crystal Tokyo and find out when and where these negotiations will be."
"Yes my lord Diamond", Emerald stated placing a fist to her right breast and bowing.
"May the Black Moon prevail", the three stated in unison before the transmission cut off.
"What shall we do with this new development", Sapphire questioned following Diamond who walked into the dimly lit hallways away from the communication room.
"I will seek advice from Wise Man. But right now I need you to finish manufacturing the miniature black poison crystals and get the rest shipped off to Earth brother", Diamond stated glancing back at Sapphire whose only response was a nod before he disappeared. They had much work to do before the invasion.
…
The room was filled with palpable tension that made every inhabitant slightly on edge. The four men who sat round the table stared at their monarch whom so far had not said a thing since the inner council meeting began. He sat there with his chin resting in the palm of his hand looking off into the distance searching for the words he needed. He was drawn back to reality when one of his generals took the initiative with a guttural clearing of his throat and spoke, "So…the very last thing to be discussed is the negotiations with the Moon."
Endymion's eyes immediately fell upon the speaker, Zoicite, who looked at him expectantly hiding any possible fear of the fact that he brought up the subject Endymion had been hoping to avoid. "And what shall we discuss about them", Endymion questioned somewhat harshly, shooting looks at each of his generals so that they may silence their disapproval of the new arrangement should they decide to speak on the matter.
"The time and place need to be decided my lord", Nephrite spoke careful to show no sign of emotion that could displease his liege.
"Well that must be something that the Moon and ourselves can agree upon", Zoicite interjected reminding them that this would have to be a joint operation of sorts.
"Sailor Pluto informed me that they would contact us to set up arrangements, but knowing Serenity that could be awhile. The Senshi of Pluto may not have said it directly but Serenity wasn't fully aware of the deal being made between her council member and myself. In fact, the soldier hinted it would take some convincing to get Serenity in on this", Endymion muttered rubbing his temples in circles trying to relieve the pressure of an oncoming migraine.
"So, then, the Senshi of Pluto has taken matters into her own hands and set this up? This could all be for naught. It takes a Queen to sign a treaty not a council member who serves as the Queen's guardian", Nephrite scoffed.
"Yes, but Pluto does not just take matters into her own hands, least of all without the consent of the other council members. I have a feeling that when it comes to this matter it is the whole council against Serenity", Endymion replied seriously.
"Yeah but like I said it takes a Queen Endymion to make this pact. Without Serenity on board this can never happen", Nephrite argued.
"She will make the pact", Kunzite injected coolly without a blink. Nephrite stared at him taken aback that Kunzite would say something like that with such confidence about a subject that seemed so up in the air.
Zoicite immediately took up the initiative to explain knowing Kunzite hated to go into details that he felt his Generals already should know. "The way the Silver Millennium works, or rather used to work, is that if the majority of the Council all agrees on an issue that the Queen does not then they can override her. In this case if the majority of the Senshi agree that the treaty is necessary then she must sign it. She has no choice. She is still a public servant, first and foremost."
Nephrite nodded his head in understanding. "They still have a chance to back out though", he pointed out saving some of his pride despite losing the argument.
"Well then, perhaps, we should speed things up", Jadeite mentioned somewhat doubtful in his own proposal.
"What exactly are you suggesting", Endymion asked ceasing motion and looking at his General curiously.
"Well we've only talked about negotiations and haven't cemented it with the Lunarian's yet. They're a fickle people, they could easily back out and leave us screwed for lack of preparation because we were waiting on them."
"So we should force them into this. Send someone there to begin the set up, make them enter negotiations to ensure they aren't backing out", Zoicite interrupted catching on to what Jadeite was suggesting.
"Do you always have to do that", Jadeite asked annoyed that Zoicite had stolen his thunder. Very rarely was he the one giving the good ideas and just like that Zoicite took the credit.
"Do what", Zoicite questioned oblivious to Jadeite's meaning. But before either could continue Kunzite shot them a look to silence them.
"Who then should I send", Endymion questioned looking among the four Generals, not surprised to find there were no volunteers. After all going to the moon would mean not only having to deal with the Queen, but her senshi as well.
"Perhaps Zoicite should since he so brilliantly suggested it", Jadeite suggested snidely unsurprised to find Zoicite sending him a glare.
"He is by far the best diplomat", Nephrite added knowing that the man would cave in once surrounded.
"Then it's settled. Zoicite will depart tomorrow morning and begin negotiations. You'll report back with what they have to offer through communications and if it suits us then we'll give you the go ahead", Endymion decreed before standing up and leaving the room having had enough of the talks of the Moon and badly needing a work out to calm the rush of his blood. Every time he thought of Serenity and seeing her again, his body became tense and a work out was the best way to unwind. Zoicite was left stunned with his mouth agape as each of the other generals filed out of the room, each one patting him on the back and wishing him luck, Jadeite chuckling as he did so. He should have just kept his mouth shut and let Jadeite finish but being the know it all that he was he had to put his two sense in, and Jadeite had punished him for it.
Groaning he placed his forehead in his palm. He was not looking forward to a confrontation with Mercury, which he most assuredly would have, she was the best diplomat the Moon had to offer and would be there to personally negotiate with him. He should have volunteered to deliver the news of the new legislation, like Kunzite had done, that way he would have gotten away with only having to deal with the Queen and would be able to use it as his reason not to go this time. Getting up he too left, he would have to pack his bag. With Mercury there that meant that the situation for negotiations would have to be neutral for the Sailor would not let him gain an advantage in their negotiations, she was much too intelligent for that. He had a long day ahead of him in the morning and by god he hoped he was ready.
…
As many of the rooms were in the palace on Nemesis, this one was cold, eerie and suffocated all of those who entered with shadows and the deadly secrets they held within their unseen confines. The only difference between this one and the rest was that all of those qualities seemed to be intensified by thousand fold. Even Diamond, prince of this dark planet, could not contain the shiver that slithered down his spine when he entered the room. "Prince Diamond", greeted a voice that made his hairs stand on end, the reaction natural and in no way in his control. It was as if his human body had a great many a reasons to fear that voice, despite his mind's complete confidence in the owner of said voice.
"Wiseman", Diamond greeted as well with a slight bow of his head acknowledging his most useful councilor. For a moment the man, if one could call him that, stayed hidden within the shadows but soon came forward.
Cloaked in a black robe hiding his face, for which Diamond had never actually seen, he floated forward into what little light was in the chamber. He seemed always to be in a sitting position despite the fact that he was hovering in the air. His hands, the only feature of him that Diamond could actually see, were constantly revolving around the orb which magically floated just in front of his chest. His hands were of another world all together, being that there was no skin on them. They were multiple shades of blue and green that seemed to always be moving sluggishly despite making up a solid arm. Apart from the strangeness of his skin, those arms could outstretch to any length and at a speed any prey would find very little time to react to. In a blink of an eye Wiseman's claw like fingers could choke the life out of someone. Something Diamond had personally witnessed many a times. "You've come for advice", Wiseman stated breaking Diamond out of his reverie and reminding him what he came for.
"I have and it is about this sudden alliance that might develop between the Moon and the Earth. You said yourself it would not happen and yet they are entering negotiations now as we speak", Diamond said his aggravation with the new development evident in his voice.
"The soldier of time has chosen to intervene. You see there are two paths that the two monarchs had to choose. The soldier of time knowing this forced upon them the one they most assuredly would have avoided had she not gotten involved though we are fortunate she has not discovered us", Wiseman replied simply, his slithery voice no longer having the chilling effect on Diamond that it had had when he first was introduced to him, though some part of him hidden deep within was still frightened of such a mysterious and seemingly all powerful creature.
"So what do we do about it now", Diamond half growled in frustration. This development was a huge problem and one they had to solve soon if they were to continue on with their plans of invasion.
"Calm yourself Diamond this has a potential to be even more advantageous for us. All of our eggs will be in one basket. We will continue our work on Earth as scheduled, for if it falls then so too will the Moon. The six we've sent will continue their normal duties, however, they will also be instructed to incite anti-Lunarian riots and sentiments even more so. There is plenty of bitterness there for them to wreck havoc. Endymion's loyalty is to the people first, as it has become clear. What the people will he will do. Have the six find ways to make conflict not only between themselves and the Lunarians, but between the Lunarians and the Terrans and be sure it becomes public to the people of Earth. Not only is there a romantic history to be played with, but a deeply seeded distrust. To further our cause they must find ways to separate the scouts from one another physically, they're much weaker and prone to take action away from one another. Do this and we can enter our next phase flawlessly", Wiseman ordered and predicted with an air of prophecy in his words.
"So you advise and so it shall be done. Let us pray it works", Diamond accepted with a nod of his head.
"May the Black Moon prevail", the two said in unison before the Wiseman disappeared back into the shadows and Diamond turned away.
As Diamond entered the hallway he briefly glanced behind him before he ordered, "You heard him. Relay our orders to Emerald and Rubeus."
"As you wish", Sapphire replied with a fist to his heart and a slight bow before he turned in the opposite direction Diamond was heading, towards the communication room to do as he was bidden.
