SEVEN
The Nine Princesses
Interplanetary travel is complicated as I'm sure you know. According to the spotty information historians have been able to piece together it seems that at one time all the tribes of humanity scattered across the planets of our solar system lived in relative harmony with each other. Trade was strong, the arts flourished, and though the planets were not united under one common, democratic banner the worlds of man prospered in concert with each other. In this Golden Millennium, traveling to another planet was as simple as riding to the nearest city. To facilitate the transport the mage-architects of the day constructed titanic ringed structures of enchanted stone arches to act as astral gates.
Eventually the bonds that held the Golden Millennium together began to deteriorate. Jealousy and infighting spread like wildfire almost overnight as militias and rogue armies sprung up across the solar system. Planets began to skirmish with each other over petty arguments until the disagreements eventually erupted into full-scale conflict. A bloody civil war ripped through the solar system and tore the planets apart. Popular legend holds that one particularly gruesome battle which lasted for more than a hundred years stained the surface of Mars red with the blood of millions of fallen soldiers.
Another romantic tale from the period tells that the Queen of Saturn, the most powerful sorceress of her time, wept with such ferocity over the needless slaughter the war brought upon her people that the planet itself could not withstand her raging emotions. The surface of Saturn was blasted apart and the planet became an uninhabitable ball of gas as the broken pieces of her surface collected to become the planet's majestic rings.
At the head of the armies there always stood one solitary figure commanding the swarming masses of soldiers. These were fearsome warriors whose strikes were vicious and whose magical powers were unmatched. These were the senshi; female warriors unlike any that came before. At extremely young ages they were sought out and trained, but only one senshi at a time was ever born on any given planet. The old scholars believed these superhuman soldiers existed from the beginning of time and were simply reborn generation after generation; their souls bound to enchanted talismans called "sailor crystals" so named because they were thought to be made of the primordial stuff of creation and "sailed" the vast empty cosmos like a ship on the sea before binding themselves to planets like ours. Strangely enough only one planet out of the entire solar system, the Earth, never produced a senshi but then again, Earth was viewed as something of an untamed, backwater planet at the time and not of great strategic importance so its lack of a senshi was often overlooked.
When the wars finally abated no planet could claim to be the victor. Billions lay slaughtered and the kingdoms of the solar system reeled with the unimaginable cost of rebuilding. Much of the technology that powered the astral gates was lost during this time as archives were razed and the mage-architects were slain. As such, very few gates remained operational and that in and of itself stymied the interplanetary slaughter. At the collapse of the Golden Millennium the entire system was flung into a dark age that lasted for centuries.
Finally, after almost a thousand years a new light began to shine as a beacon of hope for humanity. The Earth's moon, long a place of unknown power and mystery and surprisingly untouched by the costly wars, opened her borders and invited nobles and delegates from all the planets to come together at a peaceful summit. It was here that many laid eyes for the first time on Queen Serenity, an ageless monarch whose compassionate but determined personality and silken voice calmed a hysterical solar system reeling from battle. Under the light of her Ginzuishou, the most powerful of the solar system's sailor crystals, the Silver Millennium was born. Unfortunately much of the animosity between the previously warring planets remained and vicious debates were common within the crystalline palaces on the moon.
However, in an extremely controversial move the Queen announced her intention to form an elite cadre of knights to keep the peace and protect all the member planets of the new Silver Alliance. These peacekeepers were to be none other than the famed and feared senshi who fought so tenaciously against each other in the planetary wars. As destiny would have it the bonds they forged to protect and defend the Silver Alliance ran deeper than anyone could know. As one of their primary functions they became the personal advisors and guards of Queen Serenity and her house, conferring with her on all matters public and private. There have been many senshi over the years but they have constantly kept their vigil and have inspired countless thousands with their epic works and heroic deeds.
I always like to replay a bit of history in my mind when I know I'm very shortly going to be making it.
"Do you think they'll send more than one of the senshi?" Kunzite asked quietly to Endymion.
The prince turned to him and replied, "Queen Serenity gave me no indication as to who she'd be sending along with the delegation so your guess is as good as mine."
"The fewer the better." Nephrite grumbled.
"I hate to do it but I have to agree with him." Jadeite sighed heavily and elbowed Nephrite in the ribs, "They're all supposed to be incredibly beautiful."
"That's not what I meant …" Nephrite growled with a roll of his eyes.
"It would be difficult to choose if they were all here." Jadeite continued with a devilish grin.
"Your charms wouldn't get you within ten paces of a senshi." Kunzite berated him, still brooding over the youngest king's antics in the Ring of Law earlier, "They would erase you where you stood before you could bat an eye."
"Apparently Kunzite's been turned down by a senshi before." Jadeite whispered loudly over my shoulder.
"Maybe that's what turned him into such a horse's—" I started to answer.
"That's enough." Endymion interrupted us with an irritated roll of his eyes and both Jadeite and I gave apologetic bows to our Master.
Nephrite cleared his throat in amusement which garnered him a disapproving glance from both Kunzite and the prince. Finally we all fell silent and adjusted our collars and cuffs to look the part of the proper nobles we were supposed to be.
Each of the Shitennou were garbed in our traditional dress uniforms: bright white jackets and pants lined in black and gold piping featuring high collars and epaulets, clasped at the right shoulder by a single jeweled stud and wrapped in a fine white leather belt that held our ceremonial blades. Endymion opted to wear his ceremonial armor for this meeting: black as ebony with a edging of silver on the chest plate with polished steel pauldrons erupting like wings from his shoulders. He was draped in his sprawling velvet cape of black, mirrored on the inside with rich scarlet. He wore his blade at his side and mirror-finished greaves covered his calves down to his boots.
I glanced around the circular room another time and took in the sights: colorless, yet intricately carved walls of white stone that stood only a few feet higher than we did. The roof was partially open, held aloft by a ring of twelve arches. Each arch bore an astrological symbol at its keystone relating to one of the planets of the solar system with some set aside for the larger satellites. I'd seen the astral gates before but I've yet to actually use one. I can only imagine what strange sensation must be placed on the travelers stepping through the enchanted archways.
"How long do they plan on keeping us waiting?" Nephrite complained and glanced over his shoulder at the honor guard standing vigil at the doorway.
"We've only been here for five minutes." Endymion reminded him with a hardened glance, "Don't make me have to forcibly remind you of the virtues of patience."
Nephrite nodded with a roll of his eyes; something only he could get away with. Endymion shrugged along with the rest of us as our eyes all cast towards the center of the room again. After a few moments the air temperature began to drop and we all felt a static charge building around us. The planetary symbols above the arches began to glow with an ethereal blue light and suddenly the room was filled with a new presence. Out of the eleven figures that faded into view from nothingness two of them were male guards in full plate armed with crescent shaped pole-axes while the rest of the entourage was comprised of nine stunningly beautiful women, some no more than girls, dressed to the nines in a rainbow of royal gowns.
I glanced to my left and was not surprised to see Jadeite had gone slack-jawed. Even Kunzite had to force a hard swallow to bury his instinctual desires. Endymion seemed at least outwardly ambivalent while Nephrite expectedly crossed his arms over his chest and diverted his attention to the two guards accompanying the women silently taking their measure in case of a melee. My eyes tried to take in their faces and figures but I found myself somewhat overwhelmed. At last I decided to focus on one face: the one at the head of the group. She was unnervingly beautiful with a glistening sea of golden hair sweeping almost down to her calves and eyes of pure azure, sharp as a diamond's edge. Her slightly upturned lips were blood red and hid an inner mischief that I found myself uncharacteristically interested in uncovering. Her divine figure was wrapped in a billowing dress of gold and white which was almost too blinding to behold and whose semi-sheer nature did very little to conceal the body it covered. I immediately recognized this goddess as a Venusian.
She quickly made her way forward, keeping her eyes trained straight ahead until she stood almost at Endymion's chest and cast her glance up to him in such a position that her ample cleavage was displayed to its maximum potential. I had to smile, impressed that my Master was keeping his wits about him in such a tense situation.
"Endymion." she finally spoke in a voice that raised the hair on the back of my neck with its siren song, "It most certainly has been too long."
"You never fail to make a memorable entrance, Minako." Endymion replied and reached down to bring her hand to his lips.
She accepted his greeting and candidly glanced over his shoulder, replying with a wink, "I guess this is the most memorable entrance a visitor of yours has made in quite some time."
Endymion peered over his shoulder just as Jadeite forced himself to snap his jaw shut and unsuccessfully stifle the lecherous grin spreading across his lips. Endymion sighed inwardly and turned back to Minako who only laughed in return; a curious sound not unlike a bird's chirp. I knew immediately that I was in danger of becoming sorely enchanted with this vixen.
"Prince Endymion, may I introduce you to some of my best friends and brightest acquaintances." she began and stepped back to her group, sweeping her arms about her dress in dramatic fashion as she began to introduce them.
"May I present Ami, the heir to the throne of Mercury." Minako said.
The princess of Mercury took half a step forward and delicately curtsied. She was a soft skinned creature with curiously blue-tinged hair which I recalled was somewhat unique to the planet she hailed from. She presented herself with refined grace and etiquette which I could easily appreciate. Her lavender dress was simple and unadorned and served only to further reinforce her proper, studious nature. I detected a great intellect behind her silvery blue eyes.
"Rei, The Princess of Mars." Minako continued down the line, "High Priestess and spiritual advisor to Queen Serenity herself."
The Martian princess bowed respectfully at the waist causing her sea of raven hair to drape around her like a curtain. She regarded the five of us with burning violet eyes that seemed to hold accusations of crimes we didn't even know we committed yet. A shoulderless dress of bold crimson flowed down to where it collected in sheets on the floor. She wore a silver necklace that held an octagonal ruby near the base of her long neck. Her penetrating gaze only hardened when she saw the roving eyes of Jadeite take particular interest in her.
"My good friend Makoto." Minako continued, "A Warrior-Princess from the forests of Jupiter."
The uncommonly tall princess slightly rolled her eyes at the introduction apparently less than enthused about the title she was given by her companion. Nevertheless she appeared enthusiastic in bowing to our small delegation and her large emerald eyes radiated an irrepressible friendliness that wouldn't be readily apparent to anyone who couldn't get past the notion of her physically powerful, imposing figure. Her chestnut hair was partially held in a ponytail with a few errant strands hanging down in front of her lovely face and shoulders. She wore an elegant emerald dress adorned with an ornately embroidered leaf pattern.
"Hotaru of Saturn." the Venusian introduced a very young looking girl, "Her planet's Princess and one of the most accomplished practitioners of magic in the Titan School of the Arcane."
This startlingly thin girl's face flushed, contrasting sharply with her obsidian eyes as she stepped forward and bowed so delicately that I feared she might snap in two at the waist. He dress was of black velvet, like her perfectly trimmed shoulder-length hair and featured an elaborate violet sash of opposing diamonds reaching from shoulder to shoulder. Any normal man would see nothing to fear in such a frail looking youth but my senses were alight just beholding her. She possessed a frightening power buried beneath her bashful exterior.
"Haruka and Michiru." Minako said next, "Two Princesses from Uranus and Neptune, respectively."
These two women stood unexpectedly close to one another as they bowed. I immediately saw Nephrite's spine stiffen as his eyes landed on the taller of the two, Haruka. I noticed as well that she bore a striking resemblance to the senshi from Uranus who so casually bested Nephrite in combat at a previous summit and was most likely the same person. She almost scowled at us and subtly placed herself in front of her companion. The Princess' eyes were all but trained on Nephrite as well and her brow furrowed, spilling strands of her short cropped blond hair down into her eyes. A simple copper dress, almost a uniform, completed her unmistakably military demeanor.
Michiru on the other hand was as classical and elegantly refined as I'd ever seen in a creature. She had stunning sea blue eyes and aqua tinged, delicately curled locks of hair that fell past her shoulders. She seemed to be a world apart from her companions and bowed with such careless grace that I found myself envious. I had known Neptunati to be well learned in the ways of art and etiquette but this girl in her turquoise, bell-shaped gown put those rumors to shame and elevated herself to a class beyond the common perception of her home planet.
"And finally the Princess of Pluto." Minako finished, "It is always my great pleasure to introduce Setsuna, a dear friend and unfailing champion of the Silver Alliance."
The graceful woman bowed deeply and kept her brown eyes trained on Endymion. She was a being of fantasy come to life before us; the type of woman that poets only dream of and that storytellers place in distress for gallant heroes to rescue. She smiled a deep, enigmatic smile that everyone in the room took notice to. Her long brown hair swept onto her shoulders and onto the brown and black dress that slit up the side of her long legs almost to her hips. Standing there before us she seemed almost timeless in her beauty.
"I am overwhelmed." Endymion said at last, voicing all of our feelings, "And overjoyed to welcome you all to Elysion." He waved his hand and we four stepped forward, "May I present the Shitennou; my four most trusted advisors, generals, and most importantly my closest friends."
Jadeite, Nephrite, Kunzite and I all raised a hand to our breast and bowed to the lunar delegation. When I looked up I was surprised to see Minako attempting to hide a chuckle as Ami, Rei, and Makoto seemed to huddle together behind the Venusian princess.
"Queen Serenity sends her apologies that she could not attend in person." Minako suddenly announced with a knowing grin, "But in her place I am proud to present to you, formally, the Princess of the Moon and matron-apparent of the Silver Alliance, my dearest friend, Princess Serenity."
The princesses of the inner planets parted and before us stood an angel that we had all somehow overlooked. Serenity's eyes were wide, and as blue as the sky as she timidly stepped forward; she appeared so innocent that I was sure she would break down and cry at any moment from the anxiety and stresses of such a regal situation. Her delicate face was framed by twin, golden pigtails tied in buns that resembled odangos atop her head. One hand clasped her chest while the other hovered just below her chin. Clothed in a billowing gown of snow white silk she was almost impossible to look at without feeling woefully inferior.
I looked to Endymion whose eyes had gone wide with surprise, much the same as Serenity's had. He quickly walked forward and braving the harsh glares cast by most members of the delegation reached out to take Serenity's hand in his own and, falling to one knee, placed upon it a delicate kiss which was rewarded by the princess' smile which shone brighter than the sun.
"It is an honor." he said officially which only served to amuse Serenity who giggled shyly.
Endymion offered his arm to the beautiful princess and she accepted as the four of us quickly prepared ourselves for the difficult task ahead.
"My ladies, the whole of Elysion is yours for the duration of your stay." Endymion offered, "My loyal Shitennou will escort you to the suites that have been made available to you and I greatly look forward to seeing each of you at a dinner in your honor this evening."
The entire delegation bowed at once to the prince and voiced their thanks as he turned around with Serenity and very curiously almost bounded out of the astral gate room. The four armored sentinels that comprised the honor guard marched up behind us and loudly planted their ceremonial halberds into the stone floor.
Kunzite stepped to the head of our group and quickly established himself, "My esteemed ladies, I am Kunzite, first of the Shitennou, and on behalf of my Master Endymion I again welcome you to Elysion. If you are in need of anything during your time in our kingdom I urge you to seek me out."
"Anything comprises a wide array of needs, master Kunzite." Minako replied with a playful grin, "I'm not sure if you'd be able to furnish some of our more, how can I say, exotic requests."
For the first time in my life I saw Kunzite's resolve begin to falter. To the untrained eye it would have appeared as little more than a casual smirk but for anyone who knew the stoic King it meant that he was stalling for time. Kunzite was at a loss for words in the face of this devilish beauty.
I suppose then it was fate that intervened as Minako spun gracefully away from my fellow Shitennou to stand at my side and lace her arm around mine in the same motion, taking me completely off guard. I watched as she almost imperceptibly glanced over her shoulder to read the expression on Kunzite's face which I have to admit was rather comical. Even Jadeite and Nephrite seemed to notice that the eldest King resembled something akin to a lost puppy at that moment.
Wasting no more time Kunzite quickly offered his arm to Ami of Mercury and beckoned for the rest of the delegation to follow him out of the gate room. I watched Haruka and Michiru brush past us to follow the honor guard out of the room content to be left alone. Rei would have followed suit had Jadeite not interjected himself in her path and insist that he escort her to her quarters. She grudgingly accepted and accompanied him out of the astral gate. Setsuna placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder and together they walked out into the palace proper looking almost like a mother and child. Makoto, the Princess of Jupiter approached Nephrite who for his part was doing a remarkable job repressing his lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of entertaining a room full of gorgeous women and escorted the Princess out by her side. That man provides an endless supply of mysteries.
"You're Zoisite, aren't you?" Minako suddenly asked as we walked arm in arm out of the gate room.
"I am, yes."
"A very elegant man, after my own heart." she complimented me, "Endymion spoke very highly of you when we last met."
"Did he now?" I asked flattered, "What embarrassing stories must I deny?"
"None that would permanently incriminate you." Minako answered, matching my slight jest, "Actually, he was praising your musical ability. He said you had a magnificent pianist of stunning virtuosity."
I coughed to try to conceal immediate embarrassment with little success. For a split-second I wondered if Minako was truly aware of the perverted nature of her wordplay, but it was obvious from the smirk she wore that she knew exactly which feathers to ruffle.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Minako spoke grinning widely, "I meant that he said you were a magnificent pianist of stunning virtuosity."
Despite my beet-red complexion I replied, "Music is a passion of mine, yes, but I'm afraid my Master's words are a trifle heavy-handed."
"Ooh, so modest!" she chuckles, "I'm a student of the harp myself."
"An angel's instrument." I replied instantly, flirting in spite of conscience's valiant attempts to stop me.
She smiled back at me and I felt her grip around my arm tighten ever so slightly as she said, "Perhaps during our stay we'll have to set aside some time to make beautiful music together."
My breath caught in my throat and I could feel my chest constrict at her words which were positively soaked with innuendo. A demon such as this should not be allowed to prey on the feeble hearts of men. Minako's eyes burned into mine with a passionate fire that I'd not seen before and have yet to see equaled. I knew in that moment that my life's direction was about to change forever though where this new road would lead me I couldn't tell.
"I'd very much enjoy that."
Elsewhere in the palace Endymion and Serenity were walking arm in arm. They practically dashed out of the astral gate together as though they were slaves and the whips of their masters were driving them forward. The prince led the princess through the weaving marble halls of the castle and into the sprawling inner courtyards which were in full bloom with gardens full to the brim with roses, the prince's favored flower. The two rushed past the eyes of the guards on duty and the groundskeepers tending the flora bowed quickly as the two all but raced past them, giggling like school children. Finally they came to a secluded mezzanine that overlooked one of the ancillary courtyards where a multitude of servants were currently rushing back and forth to prepare the grounds for that evening's promised dinner.
Sweeping Serenity into his arms in a corner where he knew they wouldn't be seen Endymion leaned in and met his lips to the princess'. Her hands darted out from under his strong embrace. She rested one hand on the side of his face while the other pulled at the back of his neck, running her fingers through tufts of the prince's raven hair and pulling him harder and closer into the embrace. When they finally parted Endymion and Serenity were panting from the force of the kiss as well as their mad dash to privacy. The prince rested his forehead against the princess' and their eyes met in a loving gaze.
"I can't believe your mother sent you." Endymion finally said after a long silence of simply cradling the princess in his arms.
"She wasn't planning on it at first." Serenity answered, running her hands along the hardened steel of Endymion's armor, "Minako convinced her, with the stipulation that I attend every meeting."
"So I have Minako to thank, then." Endymion said and leaned down to kiss the base of Serenity's neck, "Remind me to send flowers to her room …" his lips traced up to her right earlobe, "A dozen roses …" he planted a row of kisses across her face, prompting a furious fit of giggles from the princess, "Roses every morning …" he continued kissing her all the way down to the left ear and down the other side of her neck, "Hell, I'll plant her an entire garden!"
"Shhh!" the princess shushed him, "Settle down, prince, the whole palace is going to hear you!"
"Let them." he said and tilted her head back to passionately meet his lips to hers again.
She almost had to force him away and said, "Later, Endy. We can't disappear like this again. People are going to get suspicious if they aren't already."
"You're right." he sighed and draped his arm around her shoulders to stand beside her, "I guess I just got caught up in the moment."
The princess grinned and stood on her toes to whisper in the prince's ear, "We'll just have to postpone the moment until after the state dinner tonight."
"Why do you have to be so perfect, Serenity?" Endymion asked and bent down to kiss her once more, "You know I can't think when I'm around you."
"Sorry." She apologized with a kiss.
The Prince of the Earth and the Princess of the Moon embraced and eventually walked off the mezzanine together completely enamored and hopelessly in love and completely oblivious to the fact that every last servant in the courtyard below them had stopped dead in their tracks and watched the spectacle they created. Of course no one complained and everyone who saw the two young lovers embrace felt their hearts grow wings to fly up to join the secret couple. They would be content to weave the event into a fanciful fairy tale, at least until Endymion realized what he had done and begged them all to keep their secret.
Such was life, and such was love in the kingdom of Elysion.