In the remaining days of the twentieth century a great evil attacked the Earth. To combat this evil Sailor Moon and the Sailor Senshi revealed themselves to the entire world. But this battle had its consequences and the Earth became covered in a blanket of ice and snow. One thousand years later Sailor Moon awakens the world through the power of her Silver Crystal. A great city of crystal had arisen in Tokyo during the darkness. The world now looked to this city and its rulers Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymoin to protect the world. The time is twenty-three years after wakening and a new group of Sailor Senshi is about to emerge.
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"I want you to wear that to your ball tonight." Serenity said with a smile.
"My ball mother? But what about your own party?" Rini asked a bit confused.
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"It's the boy again." Artimes said hoping the queen would know what he meant.
"Having problems again is he? I think I know how you can help him." Serenity replied.
"How Serena? How are we going to help him stay away from those awful, awful strays?" Luna wanted to know.
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"Wow, birthday wishes do come true." Rini commented with a smile.
"Happy birthday my Maiden. May all your dreams and wishes come true." Helios said as he gently took Rini's hand and kissed it.
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Sailor Moon: Senshi in Training
Part Two: Training Ground
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In the days following the awakening of the world the leaders of the world gathered together to create a centralized government. The events that had taken place before Icefall had caused the leaders of the more powerful nations to second guess and doubt their abilities as leader. It wasn't until the President of the United States sent out a call to Sailor Moon, leader of the Sailor Senshi, to speak before the United Nations that they began to believe in themselves again.
It was at this session that the world first met Princess Serenity and Prince Endymoin.
The leaders of the world began to rally behind Serenity and Endymoin looking to the young sovereigns for guidance. At Serenity's suggestion the governments of the world would continue to function under the direction of the Crystal Palace in Tokyo. On July 4 of that same year worldwide peace and democracy was declared with the signing of the World Peace Act in the UN. This act declared Serenity and Endymoin the leaders of a now unified Earth.
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Four days had come and gone since Rini's birthday and another day of celebration had come to not only Crystal Tokyo but also the entire world. July 4 wasn't just Independence Day in America it was now known as World Peace Day. People all over the world would commemorate the occasion with picnics concerts and fireworks. America showed the rest of the world how to properly celebrate a worldwide holiday such as this one.
Things were getting back to normal in the Crystal Palace. Preparations were being made for the World Peace Day celebration and the arrival of the princess's court. Helios had stayed in the palace as a guest of the royal family spending most of his time with Rini. Luna and Artimes tried to take the queen's advice to heart and began spending time with both of their children together as both humans and cats.
The queen's personal assistant Ikuno stood outside the main entrance to the palace waiting for the guests to arrive. Today Ikuno would be giving the princess's court the ten-cent tour of the palace before they began their training as senshi. The routine tour was important if the senshi were going to spend part of their time at the palace. Ikuno didn't see this as playing tour guide she saw this as a part of the senshi's training. This was one assignment she didn't mind taking.
One by one the senshi and their families began to arrive at the palace. When all of the members of the Sailor Team had arrived at the palace Ikuno began the tour.
"Hello and welcome to the Crystal Palace. It's good to see you all again. I am Ikuno the queen's personal assistant. I'll be taking you a little tour of the palace so you can become more familiar with your surroundings. If you will all follow me we can begin the tour." Ikuno said to the princess's court.
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"This is the council chamber." Ikuno began as she opened the large doors, "As you can see it has been modeled after the UN council chambers in New York City in America. Up at the front of the chamber are the designated places for the king and queen and their court. There are four seats on either side of them. It is in here that once a month the affairs of the world are discussed. It has been said the queen's mother the great Queen Serenity once used a similar system to discuss matters of state during the Silver Millennium when all planets were at peace."
The group of ten followed Ikuno out of the back door to the council chambers and down a small hallway that led to an informal reception room. Ikuno explained the purpose of the room in the same way she had been explaining the other stops on their tour.
"This is one of the palace reception rooms. There are two formal and two informal rooms one small and one large. The small one is for receiving people without press coverage. The large room allows us to have large groups and press coverage. The formal rooms, which are in the front of the palace, are for state functions such as state dinners. And as you might have guessed the informal rooms, which are off the council chambers, are for greeting guest speakers, special guests, and tour groups."
The group of ten looked around the reception room and noticed a small seating area and a large oak table with a cherry wood box on top of it. The back door opened and one of the many council aids came into the room and whispered something into Ikuno's ear. Ikuno gave him a nod and turned to face the group once more.
"It appears your trainer wishes to speak with you a bit earlier than I had originally thought. She should be here in just a moment." Ikuno told them.
A few minutes later the back door to the reception room opened and to the surprise of the entire group Diana walked in and stood behind the table. On this particular day Diana was wearing a soft gray button shirt with a white tank underneath and black skirt and riding boots. Around her neck was a pink choker with the bell she wore when she was younger. Looking over the group assembled before her Diana gave a smile and began her presentation.
"Welcome each and every one of you. It is a real pleasure to see you once more. By now you should have learned the purpose of today's visit to the palace. Other than the informal picnic and fireworks display planned for latter in the day you have been asked here to begin your formal training as Sailor Senshi. Growing up your parents have been preparing you for this day the day when you would become Sailor Senshi." Diana began, "As your guardian and trainer it is my job to make certain you become the best Senshi you can be. To begin you on the path to becoming a Sailor Senshi I would like to present to you your henshin wands."
Diana opened the cherry box revealing seven beautifully crafted "pens" with small orbs on the top of them. Along with the wands was a pin and a pendant that had an odd crest upon it. Jenna wondered why there were only seven wands when clearly there were going to be eight senshi.
"Diana why are there only seven wands in the box?" she asked.
"Because I have already received my henshin wand." Kerri answered.
"Kerri is right. She began her formal training as a Sailor Senshi ten years ago when she was twelve. You see a lot more goes into being Sailor Pluto than just knowing how to use the attacks. The Senshi of Pluto is also the guardian of the gates of time. With that responsibility comes a lot of rules and regulations that she had to learn." Diana explained to everyone.
"Learning to feel time itself is no easy task." Kerri added.
"What about Sailor Moon? Who's going to take her position?" Kari wanted to know.
"The position of Sailor Moon has already been filled and like Kerri she has been under going formal training for nine years now. To be Sailor Moon means learning how to one day use the Silver Crystal." Diana told her.
The girls began to wonder who Sailor Moon could be. Only Kerri and Diana knew who the next Sailor Moon was. Diana had seen her fight right along side her mother and the other Sailor Senshi and Kerri had spent some time training with her in their own time.
The question on the minds of nine members of the court was answered when Rini entered the room. Sporting her trademark hairstyle Rini was wearing a simple pink sundress and a pair of white sandals. Around her neck was a small golden bell that tinkled whenever she moved. The group was unaware that this was Helios's Crystal Carillon. Rini smiled at her friends and watched as Diana continued her presentation to the group.
"Before you can receive your henshin wand you must first take the Oath of the Senshi." Diana said to the girls.
"My mother once told me that the Oath of the Senshi is a sacred trust and promise to protect the princess, the kingdom, and your world. The day you become a senshi you make this oath to the princess. Our mothers made this oath during the Silver Millennium and I made that same oath on my twelfth birthday." Kerri explained.
"Today you will be making that oath to your princess. Kerri would you please recite the oath for the others." Diana added.
Kerri stepped forward and stood in front of Rini. Kerri gave Rini her wand and then placed her hand upon it. Her entire life Kerri was always taller than Rini but her entire life Kerri was the one who looked up to her. On this day Kerri was going to renew the oath.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Pluto my life, my service, my staff and all of time I give to you." Kerri said.
Ikuno, Chloe, and Eric were in for a real treat for they were going to be one of the few who ever got to witness the Oath of the Senshi. Jenna was the next to take the oath.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Mercury my life, my service, my wisdom I give to you." Jenna said.
When the oath was over Rini gave Jenna the henshin wand of Mercury and smiled. Danni then prepared to take the oath.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Mars my life, my service, and my arrows I give to you." Danni recited before receiving her wand.
Nicole was next and nervously stepped forward. "I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Jupiter my life, my service, and my thunder I give to you."
Rini handed the tall French girl her wand and gave her the patented Tsukino smile indicating everything was completely informal. Taking a deep breath Kari went next.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Venus my life, my service, my leadership, and my heart I give to you."
There were three more to go Alex, Michelle, and Annya. Alex went first.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Uranus my life, my service, and my sword I give to you." Alex said.
Michelle was next. "I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Neptune my life, my service, and my mirror I give to you."
The last to go was the smallest senshi Annya. "I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Saturn my life, my service, and my glaive I give to you."
Diana smiled at the new senshi, her senshi, and felt a sense of pride growing inside of her. She would, with some advice and guidance from her parents, train them to defend and protect the world from evil. Diana was finally getting her chance to step out of her parents' shadow and show the world what she could do. And she was going to do the best job she could.
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Most lunar felines are either advisors or guardians. Advisors work with dignitaries and royalty giving them advice on how to handle certain situations and deal with certain individuals. Guardians work with soldiers and senshi training and watching over them. Lunar felines usually make good companions offering sound advice and an ear. Unlike normal felines all lunar felines have the ability to speak.
Lunar felines are also born with a unique ability. Lunar felines have the ability to be able to change into humanoid form. Most lunar felines when they are in humanoid form are indistinguishable from normal everyday humans. The only distinguishing mark seen in humanoid form is a crescent moon. The few lunar felines that are distinguishable from normal humans retain their tail in humanoid form.
Lunar felines can give birth in either feline or humanoid form. If the child is born when the mother is in humanoid form the tail is not present during humanoid form. But if the child is born when the mother is in feline form there is a chance the tail will be present in humanoid form.
During the Silver Millennium lunar felines were present throughout the entire galaxy. Now there were only four known lunar felines left in the galaxy, the advisors to Queen Serenity and their offspring. Luna and Artimes were both advisors and guardians during the Silver Millennium and the reawakening. The senshi were not only warriors but dignitaries as well. They were the representatives of their worlds to the council.
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Luna sat at the table in the dining hall with her son Apollo. The feline family spent most of their time in humanoid form. Serenity had even made certain there were rooms in the palace available for them to use. Luna and Artimes had taken her up on the offer taking a room for themselves. They had even become a legally married couple letting Rei perform a simple Shinto wedding ceremony. Now with their children around they began to act like a married couple as well. Diana at first chose not to use her humanoid form or the room offered to her because she wanted to spend as much time as possible with Rini. She slept at the foot of the princess's bed at night and offered cuddles and hugs during the day. Now that she had grown up Diana spent most of her time in humanoid form. She had a room but she still opted to sleep at the foot of Rini's bed at night.
Apollo was a different story. Growing up Apollo chose to remain a feline sleeping in every hidden area of the palace. In the morning the staff usually found him under a table, behind a chair, or in some closet or cabinet. Apollo never slept at the foot of someone's bed. He took full advantage of his feline side and everyone was well aware of this. When Apollo reached full maturity he began using his humanoid side taking advantage of the perks that went along with the other side of who he was. And in both forms Apollo became a master at hiding the telltale marks of his position and heritage. Apollo knew how to cover up the crescent and what to wear to hide his tail.
It was about this time Apollo began spending his nights outside the castle. At first he rummaged through garbage cans and roamed the alleyways behind restaurants looking for discarded scraps. He acted just like his father Artimes but then he hooked up with the stray cats that ran around town. Some would say they were the same stray cats that roamed the streets of Tokyo one thousand years earlier. Others would say they were the descendants of those cats. Whoever they were these particular strays had a nasty reputation. If they were human they would be considered one of the worst gangs in all of Crystal Tokyo.
Why Apollo hung around them Luna did not know. On this particular morning she intended to get answers to those questions. The young male seated near her poked at the food in front of him showing no interest in the sausage and waffles. Apollo looked as though he had the feline equivalent of a hangover. He was very tired, had a pasty complexion and a sour stomach; something he ate the prior night was not sitting well with him. Luna looked at her son with a worried look on her face. She wished Artimes could be there with them but he had official business to attend to.
"Apollo are you feeling alright?" Luna asked him.
"Mom I didn't get a lot of sleep last night and to top it off something I ate last night has my stomach all messed up. To use a tired old pun I feel like something the cat dragged in." he told her.
"You went out again last night didn't you?" Luna asked him as she went over to the buffet and fixed a glass of soda water.
"Yes but on my own this time I swear." Apollo answered.
"Here, drink this slowly. It should help calm your stomach." Luna instructed him.
Apollo took a slow sip of the soda water and grimaced at the taste. It was in terrible need of some flavor. The king had the etched glass soda charger on the buffet to add soda water to after dinner drinks. On this particular morning the soda water served as a cure all for an upset stomach.
"Apollo I'm not trying to pry into your private life but there's something I need you to help me understand. I'd like to be able to understand why you hang around the stray cats." Luna said.
"At first it was because they knew some of the best back alleys to rummage through for scraps and they let me join them in their rummages. Now even I don't know why I stay friends with them. I genuinely thought they were harmless strays without a home." He tried to explain.
"Then you found out what they were really like."
"Some of them aren't like that. They are still the same cats I became friends with. But they stick around the others because they happen to be stronger and bigger and can offer protection. I've voiced my opinion many times about their behavior but they won't change or kick me out."
"Do you have any idea why they haven't left you?"
"I think it's because they know who I really am." Apollo said dryly.
"Didn't they know you were a lunar feline?" Luna asked.
"At first they did. The first time I saw them I didn't have my crescent covered. But the next time I saw them I did and I thought they truly believed I was a different cat. Well, I came to learn they knew all along and were keeping me around as insurance."
"Insurance?"
"You know if we ever got caught all I would have to do was show off my crescent like a get out of jail free card and we'd all be let go."
The conversation between mother and son continued for quite some time. Apollo was able to clear up a few questions and concerns Luna had. And Luna honestly thought she was making some headway with her son. Hopefully she would be able to get him to understand that it was all right for him to leave the strays even if they still wanted him around.
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The palace training grounds were immense. Starting at the back of the palace and stretching out for ten acres the training grounds had a target range and a large dojo. The dojo, which was not connected to the palace, was a place where one could work on martial arts, gymnastics, self-defense, or work out frustrations without disturbing the rest of the palace. The target range allowed the senshi to hone their skills and accuracy. It also allowed other individuals the chance to work on hobbies such as target shooting and archery. On this day the training grounds would see plenty of action.
Sitting off to the left-hand side of the training grounds was a large stone and brick patio off of the back of the palace. Here people could sit and enjoy the outdoors or watch what was taking place on the training grounds. The small group on the patio on this day was more interested in what was taking place on the training grounds. Luna and Apollo had joined Artimes, Helios, Ian, and Chloe to watch the newest senshi use their transformations and attacks for the first time. Diana was on the patio talking to Artimes before the first training session would begin.
"This data pad contains all the information you will need on the senshi's transformations and attacks in order to help you train them. The attacks are slightly different then the ones their mothers use but they have the same power base." Artimes said handing the pad to his daughter who had now removed the gray shirt she was wearing.
"Thanks dad." Diana replied giving him a hug and smile.
Diana joined the others on the training grounds who were waiting for Rini to join them. Out of the corner of her eye Diana caught sight of Serenity out on her private balcony watching the events on the grounds below. A large knot worked its way into the pit of her stomach. Now she knew she had to have a near perfect training session. It wasn't just her parents' opinion she worried about anymore now she had to worry about the opinion of the queen as well.
Rini came out of the palace dressed in a pink soccer shirt and white shorts. She no longer had the bell around her neck. In her hand she held a heart shaped locket. Rini was prepared for whatever Diana had planned. Glancing over at her best friend she saw her looking over a data pad.
"Ready to rock and roll?" Rini asked announcing her presence.
"Okay now that everyone is here we can begin." Diana said.
"What's first on our schedule of events oh great guru?" Rini inquired with a grin.
"First you transform. Then we work on getting you used to using your attacks." Diana told them.
"Transform? How?" Jenna wondered.
"Everyone but Sailor Moon has the same transformation phrase with one minor difference. All you have to do is call out the name of your planet followed by the words Planet Power." Kerri answered.
"How does Sailor Moon transform?" Danni asked.
"I guess a little demonstration is in order." Rini said with a smile.
Holding up her locket Rini called forth her transformation.
"MOON CRISIS POWER!"
In a flash of light Rini was transformed into her Super Sailor Moon uniform. The fuku was white with cap sleeves that had a white gauze cap at the bottom and a pink flap in the back. The skirt was white with pink and gold bands at the bottom and a gold belt with a pink heart at the top. The tiara she wore was gold with a pink jewel in the center. The long white gloves had pink bands at the top. The knee-high boots she wore were pink with crescent moons on a white band at the top. The locket she carried was now placed in the center of a pink bow that matched a bow at the back that had tails that ended at the back of the knee. In her hair were two combs that resembled wings and around her neck was a pink choker with a crescent moon on it.
"Um I hate to be a party pooper but how are we going to hide our identities from people?" Nikki wanted to know.
"She has a good point there." Alex added.
"If Rini hadn't transformed in front of you just then you wouldn't even know it was her. That tiara she wears masks her true identity." Diana explained.
"So then I would wager that the number one rule here is to never transform in front of anyone who doesn't already know you're a Senshi." Michelle said getting nods from Diana, Rini, and Kerri.
The rest of the group transformed and checked each other out. The uniforms they wore were the standard entry-level uniforms. Each uniform had a solid colored skirt, short back bow, and plain choker and jewel that matched the skirt and flap color. The fuku's all had plain cap sleeves except for Kerri's which had no sleeves at all and Annya's which had sleeves that resembled wings.
Once the group had finished checking each other out Diana decided it was high time to get down to business. The first thing the girls needed to learn was their basic attacks. Diana checked the data pad for a description of each senshi's attack. Her parents and the queen had created different attacks for the younger Sailor Team since their mothers still had their own powers and attacks.
"The first thing you need to know before attempting any attacks is the name of your attacks. Upon the creation of your henshin wands the queen gave them different attacks connected to them drawing from the same power base as your mothers'." Diana told them.
"That would help out a lot." Danni said sarcastically with a huge grin.
"Ha, ha but seriously ladies here's a run down of who can do what. Mercury you have two mist and ice based attacks. The first, Mercury Cloud Blast is a fog like cloaking device. The second, Mercury Ice Shard Freeze is an attack that hits them with icicles. Mars besides the Shinto ward move your mother may have taught you your basic attack is Mars Fireball Ignite. This attack sends a ball of fire at your opponent. Jupiter your attack Jupiter Thunderstorm Crash sends a pretty good-sized charge of untapped electrical energy at anyone on your path. Venus your attack the Venus Meteor Shower sends multiple condensed energy beams at the enemy." Diana began, "Pluto since you haven't been given the garnet staff yet your attack Chrono Freeze sends a ball of energy towards your opponent that will stop them dead in their tracks allowing the opportunity to either get in some direct hits or make a hasty retreat. Uranus you will have one attack to begin with. The Mountain Quake is a ground-based attack that literally rocks the ground beneath your opponent's feet. Neptune your attack Tsunami Wave sends a powerful energy ball with all the force of a crashing wave upon your opponent. And finally Saturn since most of your mother's attacks are glaive driven we had to be a bit creative with your two attacks. The first maneuver Silence Block puts up a shield between you and the attacking enemy. The second attack Silence Ring sends a ring of energy towards the enemy. It's similar in nature to the Silence Glaive Surprise. Okay the next order of business is to have a little target practice."
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Serenity watched the events from the balcony with pride. If the next few months went well the others could retire from the senshi business and live somewhat normal lives. And from what she saw below things were going quite well. A smile came across her face as she watched the young group gathered below test out their new abilities. In the back of her mind Serenity hoped nothing would go wrong on this day.
The door to Serenity's private quarters opened with a slight groan. The sound of footsteps could be heard on the stone floor that ran throughout the entire palace. They were light and feminine and clicked each time the heel struck the floor. Serenity turned around to see Ikuno standing in the doorway that led from the room to the balcony. The look on her assistant's face was one she was hoping never to see again.
"Ikuno is something wrong?" Serenity asked the young woman.
"Yes ma'am something is terribly wrong. They need you in the control room right away." Ikuno told her with a twinge in her voice.
"Who?" Serenity wanted to know.
"Your husband and the head of intelligence." Ikuno answered.
Serenity knew it had to have been very serious if Endymoin was in the control room. The last time he personally oversaw palace intelligence was right before the attack by the Black Moon Family. If there was a reason for her to be called to the control room it was because a new evil was detected. Serenity left the balcony and headed for the palace control room.
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The control room of the Crystal Palace consists of a vast array of sensors and view screens. It is in this room that palace intelligence monitors events all over the world and through out the galaxy. Using a network of satellites and deep space scanners the Crystal Palace can prepare for any unforeseen event before it happens.
It was here in the control room of the palace that King Endymoin watched over Crystal Tokyo during the attack by the Dark Moon Family. Using the holographic communications system Endymoin was able to guide the Sailor Senshi when he was physically unable to leave the room. Since then Endymoin only went into the control room when there was serious trouble detected.
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Serenity could tell Endymoin was not in the best of moods. Every single alarm in the control was going off at the same time. And both Endymoin and the head of intelligence, Mr. Fugiama, were trying to restore some sense of order to the room. Serenity's arrival caused the members of palace intelligence to scramble even faster to try and find a way to quiet the systems. On this day chaos reigned supreme in the palace control room.
"Mr. Fugiama what have the sensors detected?" Serenity asked over the noise in the room.
"According to our reports the sub space sensors have detected the energy pattern belonging to Chaos himself. It appears that Chaos is trying to regroup." He said a bit louder than normal.
"Do you think Chaos will try and head for Earth?" Endymoin asked a bit loud at first but then softer once the alarms were shut off.
"At this point we do not know. We will continue to monitor the Chaos energy patterns and keep you updated on the situation." He told them.
"Please do. And please inform us of any new developments the moment they happen." Serenity let them know.
"Yes queen we will let you know the moment when we have new information on the situation." Fugiama replied.
Serenity left the control room with a heavy heart. She couldn't stand the thought of Chaos returning. She wouldn't let herself go though what she went through the last time. She wasn't about to let anyone die again. And she wasn't about to let her daughter get involved if Chaos did indeed return to Earth. She needed to call a meeting with the Sailors. A meeting they hadn't had in a very long time.
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The senshi sat in the parlor wondering why Serenity had called them there. After a few minutes of waiting Serenity walked into the parlor dressed in a simple white sundress accompanied by Endymoin. She looked more like Serena Tsukino than the leader of the world. Rei wanted to yell at her for being late to her own meeting but then remembered her protocol. Ami sighed remembering all the times Serena had been late to the meetings at the temple. Some things never change.
Mina wondered why Serenity wanted the meeting to take place in the parlor and not the council chambers or her office. "So why are we meeting in here?" she asked.
"I wanted to relive the old days when we used to go over to Rei's temple for all our meetings. Back when we didn't worry about protocol or duty, when we were just teenagers." Serenity answered.
The doors to the parlor opened once more and Luna and Artimes came running into the room. The pair had shifted back into their feline forms more out of nostalgia than necessity. Luna found her way to Serenity's lap while Artimes happily opted for Mina's warm embrace. A smile came upon his face when Mina picked him up. It had been far too long since the last time she cuddled him the way she did.
"Alright, now that everyone is here I can give you my reason for calling this meeting." Serenity told her friends with a heavy heart.
"Is something wrong Serena?" Ami asked.
The inner senshi rarely called the queen by her birth name. They only used it when they showed great concern for one of their closest friends. And this was one of those times.
"Chaos is on the move once more. Intelligence reports that energy patterns resembling those that match Chaos are coming together. They don't know if Chaos will return to Earth but they are keeping a close watch on the situation." Serenity told them.
Upon hearing this Luna and Artimes shot right up and listened intently to every single word that followed. This was quite serous.
"What are WE going to do?" Lita wanted to know.
"Ami, I want you to interface your palm top with the computers in the control room. That way if the sensors do pick up something you can be informed of it right away and let the others know." Serenity told the palace doctor.
"I could get myself acclimated to Chaos's energy pattern. That way if he does get past the sensors we'll still have a way of knowing." Rei suggested.
"I don't know how this will affect the time line but I can check it to make certain this series of events doesn't have any future repercussions." Setsuna added.
"Right and Michiru can use her mirror to see if there is any possibility of Chaos even coming to Earth." The queen said.
"So along with palace intelligence we have every means of detection the senshi have on this particular case." Endymoin summed up.
"But what about the rest of us?" Haruka wanted to know.
"You work with your daughters all of you. You need to keep your strength at its peak." Luna replied to the speed demon.
"Even though you're working with them they must not know the reason why. None of your children must know what was said in this room today. This is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done but the girls are not ready for a fight such as this." Serenity commanded.
The senshi nodded in silence understanding Serenity's reason for not wanting to involve the young warriors and their guardian. They didn't want their daughters to ever have to face death until they were very old and gray.
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During the Silver Millennium lunar felines were dispatched throughout the galaxy as guardians, advisors, and ambassadors. Living on planets outside our solar system these felines, as well as the worlds they lived on, survived the end of the Silver Millennium. Unknown to those who were reborn of the Moon Kingdom these felines thrived and multiplied.
Living scattered throughout the galaxy these felines are unaware of the changes that have taken place on the Earth. Their only concern, maintaining peace between their people and the worlds they live on. The greatest threat to that peace comes from within.
********
The reports had filtered in. The traitor was on the move. Ever since they could remember no one had given up their birthright and followed the path of evil, no one that is until now. The traitor had succeeded in beginning the process that would bring Chaos back into the galaxy. If they didn't do something soon the galaxy would be doom.
"Where am I headed?" the muscular young red head wanted to know.
"To the sol system. It is believed that the third planet in this system will be the final destination for Chaos and the traitor. Our kind once lived in this system and inhabited the satellite that orbits that planet. It is important that you stop Chaos before he finds a host and bring the traitor to justice." The mission commander told him.
The young man gave a quick salute before entering his ship, the sign of his birth present on his forehead. He wasn't certain what he would find once he reached the third world of the sol system. His kind didn't have much information on the sol system after they left to establish lives elsewhere. Now thousands of years later he was going to be the first of his kind to return to the place of their origin. What he would find on this strange world he was not certain. The one thing he was certain of was the traitor was no longer one of them.
"Good luck. The future of our kind depends on you." The commander said as the ship took off.
********
Chaos is on the move once more. The queen and her senshi prepare for the return of Chaos to the Earth. Meanwhile, Orion passes the time recalling his days in the academy. While a mysterious new visitor seen around Crystal Tokyo captures Apollo's heart. Next on Sailor Moon: Senshi in Training Part Three: The Mysterious Girl.
********
"I want you to wear that to your ball tonight." Serenity said with a smile.
"My ball mother? But what about your own party?" Rini asked a bit confused.
********
"It's the boy again." Artimes said hoping the queen would know what he meant.
"Having problems again is he? I think I know how you can help him." Serenity replied.
"How Serena? How are we going to help him stay away from those awful, awful strays?" Luna wanted to know.
********
"Wow, birthday wishes do come true." Rini commented with a smile.
"Happy birthday my Maiden. May all your dreams and wishes come true." Helios said as he gently took Rini's hand and kissed it.
********
Sailor Moon: Senshi in Training
Part Two: Training Ground
********
In the days following the awakening of the world the leaders of the world gathered together to create a centralized government. The events that had taken place before Icefall had caused the leaders of the more powerful nations to second guess and doubt their abilities as leader. It wasn't until the President of the United States sent out a call to Sailor Moon, leader of the Sailor Senshi, to speak before the United Nations that they began to believe in themselves again.
It was at this session that the world first met Princess Serenity and Prince Endymoin.
The leaders of the world began to rally behind Serenity and Endymoin looking to the young sovereigns for guidance. At Serenity's suggestion the governments of the world would continue to function under the direction of the Crystal Palace in Tokyo. On July 4 of that same year worldwide peace and democracy was declared with the signing of the World Peace Act in the UN. This act declared Serenity and Endymoin the leaders of a now unified Earth.
********
Four days had come and gone since Rini's birthday and another day of celebration had come to not only Crystal Tokyo but also the entire world. July 4 wasn't just Independence Day in America it was now known as World Peace Day. People all over the world would commemorate the occasion with picnics concerts and fireworks. America showed the rest of the world how to properly celebrate a worldwide holiday such as this one.
Things were getting back to normal in the Crystal Palace. Preparations were being made for the World Peace Day celebration and the arrival of the princess's court. Helios had stayed in the palace as a guest of the royal family spending most of his time with Rini. Luna and Artimes tried to take the queen's advice to heart and began spending time with both of their children together as both humans and cats.
The queen's personal assistant Ikuno stood outside the main entrance to the palace waiting for the guests to arrive. Today Ikuno would be giving the princess's court the ten-cent tour of the palace before they began their training as senshi. The routine tour was important if the senshi were going to spend part of their time at the palace. Ikuno didn't see this as playing tour guide she saw this as a part of the senshi's training. This was one assignment she didn't mind taking.
One by one the senshi and their families began to arrive at the palace. When all of the members of the Sailor Team had arrived at the palace Ikuno began the tour.
"Hello and welcome to the Crystal Palace. It's good to see you all again. I am Ikuno the queen's personal assistant. I'll be taking you a little tour of the palace so you can become more familiar with your surroundings. If you will all follow me we can begin the tour." Ikuno said to the princess's court.
********
"This is the council chamber." Ikuno began as she opened the large doors, "As you can see it has been modeled after the UN council chambers in New York City in America. Up at the front of the chamber are the designated places for the king and queen and their court. There are four seats on either side of them. It is in here that once a month the affairs of the world are discussed. It has been said the queen's mother the great Queen Serenity once used a similar system to discuss matters of state during the Silver Millennium when all planets were at peace."
The group of ten followed Ikuno out of the back door to the council chambers and down a small hallway that led to an informal reception room. Ikuno explained the purpose of the room in the same way she had been explaining the other stops on their tour.
"This is one of the palace reception rooms. There are two formal and two informal rooms one small and one large. The small one is for receiving people without press coverage. The large room allows us to have large groups and press coverage. The formal rooms, which are in the front of the palace, are for state functions such as state dinners. And as you might have guessed the informal rooms, which are off the council chambers, are for greeting guest speakers, special guests, and tour groups."
The group of ten looked around the reception room and noticed a small seating area and a large oak table with a cherry wood box on top of it. The back door opened and one of the many council aids came into the room and whispered something into Ikuno's ear. Ikuno gave him a nod and turned to face the group once more.
"It appears your trainer wishes to speak with you a bit earlier than I had originally thought. She should be here in just a moment." Ikuno told them.
A few minutes later the back door to the reception room opened and to the surprise of the entire group Diana walked in and stood behind the table. On this particular day Diana was wearing a soft gray button shirt with a white tank underneath and black skirt and riding boots. Around her neck was a pink choker with the bell she wore when she was younger. Looking over the group assembled before her Diana gave a smile and began her presentation.
"Welcome each and every one of you. It is a real pleasure to see you once more. By now you should have learned the purpose of today's visit to the palace. Other than the informal picnic and fireworks display planned for latter in the day you have been asked here to begin your formal training as Sailor Senshi. Growing up your parents have been preparing you for this day the day when you would become Sailor Senshi." Diana began, "As your guardian and trainer it is my job to make certain you become the best Senshi you can be. To begin you on the path to becoming a Sailor Senshi I would like to present to you your henshin wands."
Diana opened the cherry box revealing seven beautifully crafted "pens" with small orbs on the top of them. Along with the wands was a pin and a pendant that had an odd crest upon it. Jenna wondered why there were only seven wands when clearly there were going to be eight senshi.
"Diana why are there only seven wands in the box?" she asked.
"Because I have already received my henshin wand." Kerri answered.
"Kerri is right. She began her formal training as a Sailor Senshi ten years ago when she was twelve. You see a lot more goes into being Sailor Pluto than just knowing how to use the attacks. The Senshi of Pluto is also the guardian of the gates of time. With that responsibility comes a lot of rules and regulations that she had to learn." Diana explained to everyone.
"Learning to feel time itself is no easy task." Kerri added.
"What about Sailor Moon? Who's going to take her position?" Kari wanted to know.
"The position of Sailor Moon has already been filled and like Kerri she has been under going formal training for nine years now. To be Sailor Moon means learning how to one day use the Silver Crystal." Diana told her.
The girls began to wonder who Sailor Moon could be. Only Kerri and Diana knew who the next Sailor Moon was. Diana had seen her fight right along side her mother and the other Sailor Senshi and Kerri had spent some time training with her in their own time.
The question on the minds of nine members of the court was answered when Rini entered the room. Sporting her trademark hairstyle Rini was wearing a simple pink sundress and a pair of white sandals. Around her neck was a small golden bell that tinkled whenever she moved. The group was unaware that this was Helios's Crystal Carillon. Rini smiled at her friends and watched as Diana continued her presentation to the group.
"Before you can receive your henshin wand you must first take the Oath of the Senshi." Diana said to the girls.
"My mother once told me that the Oath of the Senshi is a sacred trust and promise to protect the princess, the kingdom, and your world. The day you become a senshi you make this oath to the princess. Our mothers made this oath during the Silver Millennium and I made that same oath on my twelfth birthday." Kerri explained.
"Today you will be making that oath to your princess. Kerri would you please recite the oath for the others." Diana added.
Kerri stepped forward and stood in front of Rini. Kerri gave Rini her wand and then placed her hand upon it. Her entire life Kerri was always taller than Rini but her entire life Kerri was the one who looked up to her. On this day Kerri was going to renew the oath.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Pluto my life, my service, my staff and all of time I give to you." Kerri said.
Ikuno, Chloe, and Eric were in for a real treat for they were going to be one of the few who ever got to witness the Oath of the Senshi. Jenna was the next to take the oath.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Mercury my life, my service, my wisdom I give to you." Jenna said.
When the oath was over Rini gave Jenna the henshin wand of Mercury and smiled. Danni then prepared to take the oath.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Mars my life, my service, and my arrows I give to you." Danni recited before receiving her wand.
Nicole was next and nervously stepped forward. "I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Jupiter my life, my service, and my thunder I give to you."
Rini handed the tall French girl her wand and gave her the patented Tsukino smile indicating everything was completely informal. Taking a deep breath Kari went next.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Venus my life, my service, my leadership, and my heart I give to you."
There were three more to go Alex, Michelle, and Annya. Alex went first.
"I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Uranus my life, my service, and my sword I give to you." Alex said.
Michelle was next. "I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a Senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Neptune my life, my service, and my mirror I give to you."
The last to go was the smallest senshi Annya. "I am a Sailor Senshi. I am noble of spirit and brave of heart and my friendship knows no end. By taking this wand I accept the rights and responsibilities of a senshi. From this day forth I vow to protect the princess, the kingdom, and the world from any and all evil. In the name of Saturn my life, my service, and my glaive I give to you."
Diana smiled at the new senshi, her senshi, and felt a sense of pride growing inside of her. She would, with some advice and guidance from her parents, train them to defend and protect the world from evil. Diana was finally getting her chance to step out of her parents' shadow and show the world what she could do. And she was going to do the best job she could.
********
Most lunar felines are either advisors or guardians. Advisors work with dignitaries and royalty giving them advice on how to handle certain situations and deal with certain individuals. Guardians work with soldiers and senshi training and watching over them. Lunar felines usually make good companions offering sound advice and an ear. Unlike normal felines all lunar felines have the ability to speak.
Lunar felines are also born with a unique ability. Lunar felines have the ability to be able to change into humanoid form. Most lunar felines when they are in humanoid form are indistinguishable from normal everyday humans. The only distinguishing mark seen in humanoid form is a crescent moon. The few lunar felines that are distinguishable from normal humans retain their tail in humanoid form.
Lunar felines can give birth in either feline or humanoid form. If the child is born when the mother is in humanoid form the tail is not present during humanoid form. But if the child is born when the mother is in feline form there is a chance the tail will be present in humanoid form.
During the Silver Millennium lunar felines were present throughout the entire galaxy. Now there were only four known lunar felines left in the galaxy, the advisors to Queen Serenity and their offspring. Luna and Artimes were both advisors and guardians during the Silver Millennium and the reawakening. The senshi were not only warriors but dignitaries as well. They were the representatives of their worlds to the council.
********
Luna sat at the table in the dining hall with her son Apollo. The feline family spent most of their time in humanoid form. Serenity had even made certain there were rooms in the palace available for them to use. Luna and Artimes had taken her up on the offer taking a room for themselves. They had even become a legally married couple letting Rei perform a simple Shinto wedding ceremony. Now with their children around they began to act like a married couple as well. Diana at first chose not to use her humanoid form or the room offered to her because she wanted to spend as much time as possible with Rini. She slept at the foot of the princess's bed at night and offered cuddles and hugs during the day. Now that she had grown up Diana spent most of her time in humanoid form. She had a room but she still opted to sleep at the foot of Rini's bed at night.
Apollo was a different story. Growing up Apollo chose to remain a feline sleeping in every hidden area of the palace. In the morning the staff usually found him under a table, behind a chair, or in some closet or cabinet. Apollo never slept at the foot of someone's bed. He took full advantage of his feline side and everyone was well aware of this. When Apollo reached full maturity he began using his humanoid side taking advantage of the perks that went along with the other side of who he was. And in both forms Apollo became a master at hiding the telltale marks of his position and heritage. Apollo knew how to cover up the crescent and what to wear to hide his tail.
It was about this time Apollo began spending his nights outside the castle. At first he rummaged through garbage cans and roamed the alleyways behind restaurants looking for discarded scraps. He acted just like his father Artimes but then he hooked up with the stray cats that ran around town. Some would say they were the same stray cats that roamed the streets of Tokyo one thousand years earlier. Others would say they were the descendants of those cats. Whoever they were these particular strays had a nasty reputation. If they were human they would be considered one of the worst gangs in all of Crystal Tokyo.
Why Apollo hung around them Luna did not know. On this particular morning she intended to get answers to those questions. The young male seated near her poked at the food in front of him showing no interest in the sausage and waffles. Apollo looked as though he had the feline equivalent of a hangover. He was very tired, had a pasty complexion and a sour stomach; something he ate the prior night was not sitting well with him. Luna looked at her son with a worried look on her face. She wished Artimes could be there with them but he had official business to attend to.
"Apollo are you feeling alright?" Luna asked him.
"Mom I didn't get a lot of sleep last night and to top it off something I ate last night has my stomach all messed up. To use a tired old pun I feel like something the cat dragged in." he told her.
"You went out again last night didn't you?" Luna asked him as she went over to the buffet and fixed a glass of soda water.
"Yes but on my own this time I swear." Apollo answered.
"Here, drink this slowly. It should help calm your stomach." Luna instructed him.
Apollo took a slow sip of the soda water and grimaced at the taste. It was in terrible need of some flavor. The king had the etched glass soda charger on the buffet to add soda water to after dinner drinks. On this particular morning the soda water served as a cure all for an upset stomach.
"Apollo I'm not trying to pry into your private life but there's something I need you to help me understand. I'd like to be able to understand why you hang around the stray cats." Luna said.
"At first it was because they knew some of the best back alleys to rummage through for scraps and they let me join them in their rummages. Now even I don't know why I stay friends with them. I genuinely thought they were harmless strays without a home." He tried to explain.
"Then you found out what they were really like."
"Some of them aren't like that. They are still the same cats I became friends with. But they stick around the others because they happen to be stronger and bigger and can offer protection. I've voiced my opinion many times about their behavior but they won't change or kick me out."
"Do you have any idea why they haven't left you?"
"I think it's because they know who I really am." Apollo said dryly.
"Didn't they know you were a lunar feline?" Luna asked.
"At first they did. The first time I saw them I didn't have my crescent covered. But the next time I saw them I did and I thought they truly believed I was a different cat. Well, I came to learn they knew all along and were keeping me around as insurance."
"Insurance?"
"You know if we ever got caught all I would have to do was show off my crescent like a get out of jail free card and we'd all be let go."
The conversation between mother and son continued for quite some time. Apollo was able to clear up a few questions and concerns Luna had. And Luna honestly thought she was making some headway with her son. Hopefully she would be able to get him to understand that it was all right for him to leave the strays even if they still wanted him around.
********
The palace training grounds were immense. Starting at the back of the palace and stretching out for ten acres the training grounds had a target range and a large dojo. The dojo, which was not connected to the palace, was a place where one could work on martial arts, gymnastics, self-defense, or work out frustrations without disturbing the rest of the palace. The target range allowed the senshi to hone their skills and accuracy. It also allowed other individuals the chance to work on hobbies such as target shooting and archery. On this day the training grounds would see plenty of action.
Sitting off to the left-hand side of the training grounds was a large stone and brick patio off of the back of the palace. Here people could sit and enjoy the outdoors or watch what was taking place on the training grounds. The small group on the patio on this day was more interested in what was taking place on the training grounds. Luna and Apollo had joined Artimes, Helios, Ian, and Chloe to watch the newest senshi use their transformations and attacks for the first time. Diana was on the patio talking to Artimes before the first training session would begin.
"This data pad contains all the information you will need on the senshi's transformations and attacks in order to help you train them. The attacks are slightly different then the ones their mothers use but they have the same power base." Artimes said handing the pad to his daughter who had now removed the gray shirt she was wearing.
"Thanks dad." Diana replied giving him a hug and smile.
Diana joined the others on the training grounds who were waiting for Rini to join them. Out of the corner of her eye Diana caught sight of Serenity out on her private balcony watching the events on the grounds below. A large knot worked its way into the pit of her stomach. Now she knew she had to have a near perfect training session. It wasn't just her parents' opinion she worried about anymore now she had to worry about the opinion of the queen as well.
Rini came out of the palace dressed in a pink soccer shirt and white shorts. She no longer had the bell around her neck. In her hand she held a heart shaped locket. Rini was prepared for whatever Diana had planned. Glancing over at her best friend she saw her looking over a data pad.
"Ready to rock and roll?" Rini asked announcing her presence.
"Okay now that everyone is here we can begin." Diana said.
"What's first on our schedule of events oh great guru?" Rini inquired with a grin.
"First you transform. Then we work on getting you used to using your attacks." Diana told them.
"Transform? How?" Jenna wondered.
"Everyone but Sailor Moon has the same transformation phrase with one minor difference. All you have to do is call out the name of your planet followed by the words Planet Power." Kerri answered.
"How does Sailor Moon transform?" Danni asked.
"I guess a little demonstration is in order." Rini said with a smile.
Holding up her locket Rini called forth her transformation.
"MOON CRISIS POWER!"
In a flash of light Rini was transformed into her Super Sailor Moon uniform. The fuku was white with cap sleeves that had a white gauze cap at the bottom and a pink flap in the back. The skirt was white with pink and gold bands at the bottom and a gold belt with a pink heart at the top. The tiara she wore was gold with a pink jewel in the center. The long white gloves had pink bands at the top. The knee-high boots she wore were pink with crescent moons on a white band at the top. The locket she carried was now placed in the center of a pink bow that matched a bow at the back that had tails that ended at the back of the knee. In her hair were two combs that resembled wings and around her neck was a pink choker with a crescent moon on it.
"Um I hate to be a party pooper but how are we going to hide our identities from people?" Nikki wanted to know.
"She has a good point there." Alex added.
"If Rini hadn't transformed in front of you just then you wouldn't even know it was her. That tiara she wears masks her true identity." Diana explained.
"So then I would wager that the number one rule here is to never transform in front of anyone who doesn't already know you're a Senshi." Michelle said getting nods from Diana, Rini, and Kerri.
The rest of the group transformed and checked each other out. The uniforms they wore were the standard entry-level uniforms. Each uniform had a solid colored skirt, short back bow, and plain choker and jewel that matched the skirt and flap color. The fuku's all had plain cap sleeves except for Kerri's which had no sleeves at all and Annya's which had sleeves that resembled wings.
Once the group had finished checking each other out Diana decided it was high time to get down to business. The first thing the girls needed to learn was their basic attacks. Diana checked the data pad for a description of each senshi's attack. Her parents and the queen had created different attacks for the younger Sailor Team since their mothers still had their own powers and attacks.
"The first thing you need to know before attempting any attacks is the name of your attacks. Upon the creation of your henshin wands the queen gave them different attacks connected to them drawing from the same power base as your mothers'." Diana told them.
"That would help out a lot." Danni said sarcastically with a huge grin.
"Ha, ha but seriously ladies here's a run down of who can do what. Mercury you have two mist and ice based attacks. The first, Mercury Cloud Blast is a fog like cloaking device. The second, Mercury Ice Shard Freeze is an attack that hits them with icicles. Mars besides the Shinto ward move your mother may have taught you your basic attack is Mars Fireball Ignite. This attack sends a ball of fire at your opponent. Jupiter your attack Jupiter Thunderstorm Crash sends a pretty good-sized charge of untapped electrical energy at anyone on your path. Venus your attack the Venus Meteor Shower sends multiple condensed energy beams at the enemy." Diana began, "Pluto since you haven't been given the garnet staff yet your attack Chrono Freeze sends a ball of energy towards your opponent that will stop them dead in their tracks allowing the opportunity to either get in some direct hits or make a hasty retreat. Uranus you will have one attack to begin with. The Mountain Quake is a ground-based attack that literally rocks the ground beneath your opponent's feet. Neptune your attack Tsunami Wave sends a powerful energy ball with all the force of a crashing wave upon your opponent. And finally Saturn since most of your mother's attacks are glaive driven we had to be a bit creative with your two attacks. The first maneuver Silence Block puts up a shield between you and the attacking enemy. The second attack Silence Ring sends a ring of energy towards the enemy. It's similar in nature to the Silence Glaive Surprise. Okay the next order of business is to have a little target practice."
********
Serenity watched the events from the balcony with pride. If the next few months went well the others could retire from the senshi business and live somewhat normal lives. And from what she saw below things were going quite well. A smile came across her face as she watched the young group gathered below test out their new abilities. In the back of her mind Serenity hoped nothing would go wrong on this day.
The door to Serenity's private quarters opened with a slight groan. The sound of footsteps could be heard on the stone floor that ran throughout the entire palace. They were light and feminine and clicked each time the heel struck the floor. Serenity turned around to see Ikuno standing in the doorway that led from the room to the balcony. The look on her assistant's face was one she was hoping never to see again.
"Ikuno is something wrong?" Serenity asked the young woman.
"Yes ma'am something is terribly wrong. They need you in the control room right away." Ikuno told her with a twinge in her voice.
"Who?" Serenity wanted to know.
"Your husband and the head of intelligence." Ikuno answered.
Serenity knew it had to have been very serious if Endymoin was in the control room. The last time he personally oversaw palace intelligence was right before the attack by the Black Moon Family. If there was a reason for her to be called to the control room it was because a new evil was detected. Serenity left the balcony and headed for the palace control room.
********
The control room of the Crystal Palace consists of a vast array of sensors and view screens. It is in this room that palace intelligence monitors events all over the world and through out the galaxy. Using a network of satellites and deep space scanners the Crystal Palace can prepare for any unforeseen event before it happens.
It was here in the control room of the palace that King Endymoin watched over Crystal Tokyo during the attack by the Dark Moon Family. Using the holographic communications system Endymoin was able to guide the Sailor Senshi when he was physically unable to leave the room. Since then Endymoin only went into the control room when there was serious trouble detected.
********
Serenity could tell Endymoin was not in the best of moods. Every single alarm in the control was going off at the same time. And both Endymoin and the head of intelligence, Mr. Fugiama, were trying to restore some sense of order to the room. Serenity's arrival caused the members of palace intelligence to scramble even faster to try and find a way to quiet the systems. On this day chaos reigned supreme in the palace control room.
"Mr. Fugiama what have the sensors detected?" Serenity asked over the noise in the room.
"According to our reports the sub space sensors have detected the energy pattern belonging to Chaos himself. It appears that Chaos is trying to regroup." He said a bit louder than normal.
"Do you think Chaos will try and head for Earth?" Endymoin asked a bit loud at first but then softer once the alarms were shut off.
"At this point we do not know. We will continue to monitor the Chaos energy patterns and keep you updated on the situation." He told them.
"Please do. And please inform us of any new developments the moment they happen." Serenity let them know.
"Yes queen we will let you know the moment when we have new information on the situation." Fugiama replied.
Serenity left the control room with a heavy heart. She couldn't stand the thought of Chaos returning. She wouldn't let herself go though what she went through the last time. She wasn't about to let anyone die again. And she wasn't about to let her daughter get involved if Chaos did indeed return to Earth. She needed to call a meeting with the Sailors. A meeting they hadn't had in a very long time.
********
The senshi sat in the parlor wondering why Serenity had called them there. After a few minutes of waiting Serenity walked into the parlor dressed in a simple white sundress accompanied by Endymoin. She looked more like Serena Tsukino than the leader of the world. Rei wanted to yell at her for being late to her own meeting but then remembered her protocol. Ami sighed remembering all the times Serena had been late to the meetings at the temple. Some things never change.
Mina wondered why Serenity wanted the meeting to take place in the parlor and not the council chambers or her office. "So why are we meeting in here?" she asked.
"I wanted to relive the old days when we used to go over to Rei's temple for all our meetings. Back when we didn't worry about protocol or duty, when we were just teenagers." Serenity answered.
The doors to the parlor opened once more and Luna and Artimes came running into the room. The pair had shifted back into their feline forms more out of nostalgia than necessity. Luna found her way to Serenity's lap while Artimes happily opted for Mina's warm embrace. A smile came upon his face when Mina picked him up. It had been far too long since the last time she cuddled him the way she did.
"Alright, now that everyone is here I can give you my reason for calling this meeting." Serenity told her friends with a heavy heart.
"Is something wrong Serena?" Ami asked.
The inner senshi rarely called the queen by her birth name. They only used it when they showed great concern for one of their closest friends. And this was one of those times.
"Chaos is on the move once more. Intelligence reports that energy patterns resembling those that match Chaos are coming together. They don't know if Chaos will return to Earth but they are keeping a close watch on the situation." Serenity told them.
Upon hearing this Luna and Artimes shot right up and listened intently to every single word that followed. This was quite serous.
"What are WE going to do?" Lita wanted to know.
"Ami, I want you to interface your palm top with the computers in the control room. That way if the sensors do pick up something you can be informed of it right away and let the others know." Serenity told the palace doctor.
"I could get myself acclimated to Chaos's energy pattern. That way if he does get past the sensors we'll still have a way of knowing." Rei suggested.
"I don't know how this will affect the time line but I can check it to make certain this series of events doesn't have any future repercussions." Setsuna added.
"Right and Michiru can use her mirror to see if there is any possibility of Chaos even coming to Earth." The queen said.
"So along with palace intelligence we have every means of detection the senshi have on this particular case." Endymoin summed up.
"But what about the rest of us?" Haruka wanted to know.
"You work with your daughters all of you. You need to keep your strength at its peak." Luna replied to the speed demon.
"Even though you're working with them they must not know the reason why. None of your children must know what was said in this room today. This is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done but the girls are not ready for a fight such as this." Serenity commanded.
The senshi nodded in silence understanding Serenity's reason for not wanting to involve the young warriors and their guardian. They didn't want their daughters to ever have to face death until they were very old and gray.
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During the Silver Millennium lunar felines were dispatched throughout the galaxy as guardians, advisors, and ambassadors. Living on planets outside our solar system these felines, as well as the worlds they lived on, survived the end of the Silver Millennium. Unknown to those who were reborn of the Moon Kingdom these felines thrived and multiplied.
Living scattered throughout the galaxy these felines are unaware of the changes that have taken place on the Earth. Their only concern, maintaining peace between their people and the worlds they live on. The greatest threat to that peace comes from within.
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The reports had filtered in. The traitor was on the move. Ever since they could remember no one had given up their birthright and followed the path of evil, no one that is until now. The traitor had succeeded in beginning the process that would bring Chaos back into the galaxy. If they didn't do something soon the galaxy would be doom.
"Where am I headed?" the muscular young red head wanted to know.
"To the sol system. It is believed that the third planet in this system will be the final destination for Chaos and the traitor. Our kind once lived in this system and inhabited the satellite that orbits that planet. It is important that you stop Chaos before he finds a host and bring the traitor to justice." The mission commander told him.
The young man gave a quick salute before entering his ship, the sign of his birth present on his forehead. He wasn't certain what he would find once he reached the third world of the sol system. His kind didn't have much information on the sol system after they left to establish lives elsewhere. Now thousands of years later he was going to be the first of his kind to return to the place of their origin. What he would find on this strange world he was not certain. The one thing he was certain of was the traitor was no longer one of them.
"Good luck. The future of our kind depends on you." The commander said as the ship took off.
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Chaos is on the move once more. The queen and her senshi prepare for the return of Chaos to the Earth. Meanwhile, Orion passes the time recalling his days in the academy. While a mysterious new visitor seen around Crystal Tokyo captures Apollo's heart. Next on Sailor Moon: Senshi in Training Part Three: The Mysterious Girl.