A/N: Here you go guys. I hope you enjoy. Next chapter is going to have some yummy juice in it ;P
The judicial committee sat once again at the round table in the Crystal Palace's meeting room. The room was uncomfortably silent. There were no whispers between individuals, no snotty comments from Akinyi or Akua, no sarcasm from Derrick. The air almost felt grotesque, filled with disappointment and resent. Serenity finally entered the room and went to her chair. Her guardians were already in place, lining the wall behind her seat. Once seated she took stock of everyone. Most of the group were just staring at the table. Others had their arms crossed and scowls on their faces.
A minute or two passed and Serenity cleared her throat. "I would…" she sighed. "I would like to call this hearing to order…". There was some shuffling as everyone straightened in their chairs and shifted focus to her. "I am sure all of you know why we are here today. Nonetheless I will officially state the reason for this meeting." Serenity cleared her throat and then stood as she prepared to address the committee formally. "On the evening of September 18th I entered my quarters and found my consort, Endymion conversing with one of his four generals, Kunzite. Prior to this discovery I was not aware that these four individuals were still present here on earth. Either way I called my guardians to me immediately and had Endymion taken to solitary confinement. I also imprisoned Kunzite so I could speak with him once Endymion had been removed from the room." At that she motioned to Sailor Saturn who approached, placing the glass box on the meeting table. "I present to you the ghosts of Endymion's generals from ages past." The box gave off a faint glow. As Serenity introduced them they appeared, one by one. "I give you Kunzite, terrestrial guardian of peace." Kunzite appeared on the table and knelt before the group. "Zoisite, terrestrial guardian of beginnings. Nephrite, terrestrial guardian of vitality. And finally Jadeite, terrestrial guardian of joy."
The committee now burst into whispers, pointing at the four apparitions before them. Serenity also sensed the pure agony that Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter were silently enduring. Seeing their loved ones again like this felt cruel. Serenity allowed the murmurs to continue for a time before clearing her throat and bringing attention back to the matter at hand. "I have summoned them before you to testify as to the extent of Endymion's contact with them. Kunzite, if you please." Kunzite stood and looked around the table.
"I am, as her majesty has already stated, Kunzite, first of Endymion's Generals. On the morning of September 18th I was summoned from a deep slumber by my master, Endymion."
"For what purpose were you summoned?" Jessica asked, indignant.
"I was summoned because my master was aware that there was a possibility war could break out. He wished me and my three counterparts to look into the matter and find out if this possibility had any credence."
"It would seem that Endymion's motives were not selfish." Frederick said musing.
"On the contrary, he clearly does not trust his wife or this committee. We have all been assigned here to prevent dissent that ironically began after news of his first selfish act became known publically. It was a sign of disrespect to contact these men- ghosts or not!" Margarita exclaimed. "His actions were extremely selfish and done without regard for any considerations we have made for him."
"My counterpart is correct." Esteban said. "Endymion clearly does not trust any of us to perform our duties."
"All of that said." Orla interjected, "Whatever the circumstances or motives, this is a grievous violation of our initial sentencing agreement."
"Everyone, please." Serenity spoke again. "First of all, do any of you wish to ask Kunzite anything?"
"I do." Derrick stood. "Was this the only contact Endymion had with any of you since the beginning of his sentence?"
"Yes, this was the one and only time since the establishment of Silver Millenium that he has contacted any of us." The room sat silent. Derrick looked the ghost up and down, scrutinizing him for a time. Finally he nodded and crossed his arms. "I believe him." He declared. The room burst into murmurs again.
"Any others?!" Serenity raised her voice over the hum in the room. No one spoke up. "Very well. For the time being I am going to seal these four away so further contact is not possible." Serenity looked to the four men still standing on the table. She placed her hands on the glass case and closed her eyes. 'I'm so sorry. I promise this won't be forever.' She thought sadly as Kunzite, Jadeite, Zoisite, and Nephrite disappeared, their stones glowing for a brief moment and then fading as her seal on them solidified. "I have instructed Sailor Pluto, in addition to my seal, to place these safely in a pocket universe made especially for them until such a time as they can be returned to their owner." Pluto stepped forward and took the box and left the room. "Now…. onto the next matter. Our initial ruling concerning my husband has been violated. I agreed that if this were ever to happen I would not have any say in the new ruling. All I can do is beg this: please spare him death. I am willing to do anything to prevent that. I will give the mediation of this meeting over to whomever you have chosen amongst yourselves." Serenity sat down and fell silent. Frederick, one of the Australian representatives stood.
"That's my que. Let's get down to it then…"
The crowd gathered outside of the palace was larger than any before. News that Endymion had violated the terms of his sentence had been reported in all of the earth. Individuals from all corners of the planet had come to witness the new judgement be passed. The first hearing was held within the palace walls where only a few could attend. This hearing would be held in the square in front of the palace.
Endymion's stomach was in knots. He'd been brought outside in the same manner as the last few months: wearing just plane slacks, no shoes or shirt, his hands bound in front of him. He was forced down on his knees in the middle of the square. He had glanced Serenity when he was first brought out but now she was behind him. He had noticed that she was in her typical white garb, not black, and her hair was done like it always was. For some reason it worried him that she was dressed like it was just another day. There was movement and noise coming from the crowd this time. They had always been silent before. As his worry became nearly unbearable and he was sure he would vomit from the anxiety, Sailor Saturn appeared next to him. When she spoke none dared to interrupt her.
"Honored guests of Crystal Tokyo. You have come from the far reaches of the earth to see for yourselves this judicial event." Endymion took a quick glance behind him. Serenity stood like a stone statue next to an elaborately decorated box. She did not look back at him, her gaze was fixed on Saturn. He looked back to the ground under his knees. "Per the terms of the first ruling, your chosen sovereign, Neo Queen Serenity had no say in this new sentencing agreement." Wait. She didn't have anything to do with this… he began to panic. What would they do with him? "As the guardian of judgement I have been tasked with delivering the new sentence." Endymion felt his heart in his throat. He was pulled to his feet by Uranus and Jupiter and forced to stand straight. Saturn looked at him and he became even more unsettled. He heard his heart thundering in his chest. "Queen's Consort Endymion. You have been charged with high treason against the throne. You have violated the ruling of this court. Your new sentence is as follows:
You will not be put to death.
He nearly fell at her declaration. Death has been foregone a second time. "As punishment for violating your initial ruling you will be held in an isolated wing of the palace. You will no longer be allowed access to the royal wing or to your personal belongings." He wasn't really surprised by that. While that was certainly an inconvenience it seemed only a slight one compared to execution. Saturn continued: "Because you violated the original sentence all of your time served is null-in-void and the year-long sentence will start over beginning today." His heart sank a little. All of the hard work and preparation seemed in vain now but… that was his own fault. "On the first of every month you will receive, not 20, but 30 lashes to be administered by Her Highness Serenity." A rushed whisper swept through the crowd before they fell completely silent again. 30? He was only barely making it through 20, how was he supposed to endure 30? "I now call on Neo Queen Serenity to come forward for the next part of this sentencing." Serenity picked up the decorated box and came to stand before him. Her face was devoid of any emotion and she refused to look at him directly. Saturn turned to the two of them and spoke privately. "This portion need not be public knowledge." She began. "Your highness, I am sorry but you were instructed to go over this with him." Saturn sounded the saddest he'd ever heard her sound.
"I know." Serenity said. Her tone was something he'd never heard her use. She took a deep breath and finally made eye contact with him. "I have spent all of my time since your hearing hand crafting this." She presented the box. She opened it and what was inside confused him. Glittering in the sunlight was what appeared to be a choker of some kind. It was wider than a normal choker and it appeared to be made entirely of crystal. Along with the collar were two slave bracelets. The bracelets were composed of one cuff for the upper arm at the arm pit, another at the elbow and a third to circle the wrist, all connected by delicate glittering chains. The cuff for the wrist also had two rings attached with the same type of chain; one ring for the thumb and the other for the middle finger. The set was finished off with two anklets. Each anklet had a cuff for just above the calf and another around the ankle and they each had a ring attached by a chain for the middle toe.
"What-" he only just got the word out when he was struck by Uranus.
"You will not speak unless granted permission to do so." It certainly shocked him into silence. He really wasn't sure if he was surprised more by being struck or the fact that Serenity didn't even flinch when it happened.
"These pieces have been designed per the requirements given me." He saw her eyes gloss over as though she was ready to cry. Somehow her statement didn't sound good. Serenity took the choker from the box first. As soon as she touched it, it appeared to go limp in her hands falling open easily. When she pressed it to his neck it wrapped around his throat on its own and snapped shut. It was wide enough to cover his neck from just under his chin to nearly touching his shoulders. As soon as it closed in the back every hair on his body stood up. It felt like the thing put down roots in his neck, mingling with his spine. The experience was a little frightening and borderline painful.
Serenity took each piece out of the box with care. The same sensation of roots reaching down into his skin occurred as soon as they were put in place. Once empty, Serenity closed the box and took a single step back. "These items will not be removed until the end of your sentence. The choker you now wear can take control of your central nervous system. It will interfere with the linguistic center of your brain, controlling your ability to communicate with anyone other than those approved by the judicial committee. It also…." Serenity took a shaky breath. "It is also designed… to force you to remain conscious for the duration of your lashings whether you are prepared or not." His eyes widened a little. Force him? "The less prepared you are the more pain this will cause. Due to the nature of its purpose the collar will intensify the pain anyway." Endymion wasn't sure if what he was hearing was true. Surely he must be dreaming, surely this was a nightmare. Serenity continued her explanation. "The armlets and anklets also stimulate your nervous system and are designed to restrict movement upon command. These too will cause varying degrees of pain when used. The items you now wear will not be removed for any reason for the entire duration of your sentence." A sudden look of anger mixed with sadness flashed across her face. "You brought this upon yourself… and upon me." With that final statement she turned and walked away. It was then he knew why she was dressed normally. For the first time since this all started she did not protest his punishment.
"Do you understand what your queen has explained to you?" He looked wide-eyed at Saturn. When he went to answer he could feel the choker activate. It didn't prevent him from speaking but it made it uncomfortable.
"Y...yes."
"Very well." Saturn turned back to the crowd. "These jewels now worn by Queens Consort Endymion will be worn in shame until the conclusion of his sentence. On days that court is held in the palace he will be required to appear with Her Royal Highness as a public display of his humiliation." The crowd murmured again. Saturn waited for it to die down before speaking again. "The prisoner will now be taken to the pillar and disciplined for his actions against the throne." As he began to move his whole body tingled. It felt like his skin was hypersensitive and he was sure it was the jewelry. His feet and arms felt heavy. Once at the pillar he was forced onto his knees. The armlets took control of his arms and forced his wrists against the pillar. He felt even more restricted in his movements than when they had him shackled. Saturn spoke again. "The criminal Endymion will count aloud for all to hear, 30 lashes. You may begin."
Endymion's heart was in his throat. It was going to be worse, more painful, than before. He was also going to remain conscious for the whole thing whether his body was prepared or not. Halfway through his thought process the first blow fell. It felt like white lightning on his back and the pain spread from his back all the way to his fingers and toes. It completely knocked the wind from him. It took a few seconds before he could manage to say anything. Hoarsely he managed to cough out "one."
"Louder so that all can hear." Saturn demanded. He took a couple of deep breaths and then shouted.
"ONE." The second blow landed and his skin felt as though it was on fire. "TWO." Each blow reached a new level of pain. "TEN." He felt his body wanting to give up but at that point it got worse. "EIGHTEEN." The number was a half sob. The collar around his neck felt so very tight, he was having a hard time breathing. "TWENTY-TWO." He felt as though his body would tear itself in two. The pain was indescribable. Blow 28 fell causing him to cough up blood and cry out "KHHAAAAAHUUUH" He took a short breath and got out "TWENTY-EIGHHHHEET" a couple more sobs made it out before the next blow landed. He squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth. "TWENTY-NINE." The tears ran down his cheeks freely. When the final lash made contact he banged his head on the pillar, trying to draw some of his attention from his back to his head. "THIRTY." The word came out and he expected for the collar to allow him to finally pass out. It didn't. The bracelets detached from the pillar and his arms fell heavily at his sides. He pressed his forehead into the pillar and vomited from the pain. Out of desperation he banged his head against the stone a few times before he was pulled to his feet.
"Move." Uranus commanded and pushed him by his upper arm towards the palace. Pain shot through his legs up to his hips from the anklets forcing him to walk. If he made more effort to move on his own the less pain it caused. The walk to his prison was made in hazy agony. Once in the room he was sat on a chair and Mercury dressed his wounds. As soon as she was done she stood and spoke to him.
"You can rest now." Her voice was soft and sad. As soon as she said it he felt the collar release it's hold on him. He moved to the bed and collapsed, finally able to pass out.
