Title: First Knight
Pairing: Haruka and Michiru.
Rating: PG-13 but some parts may be R due to a bit of violence.
Okay here we go again. This fic is definitely AU. It's sort of based on Tamora Pierce's Alanna series so you will definitely see some similarities to that wonderful series in here. It's not actually set in Tortall but I'm borrowing some of her ideas.
And thanks everyone for all the wonderful feedback on my last story ^-^
Disclaimers: Haruka. Michiru. Sailor Moon. Not mine. Not mine. Not mine. Tamora Pierce's stuff belongs to her. Tristan and Ishtar however, are all mine. Seeing as I'm an eternal supporter of Haruka and Michiru as a couple, this story will contain references to two women who are very much in love with each other, so if that isn't your cup of tea, hit the back button on your browser.
Anyway on with the story.
*********
Part 1
"I've made my decision. There is no further need for discussion", said the King of Uranus. He shifted his cold gaze to the next people in line, summarily dismissing the two children in front of him. They had no choice but to leave the throne room, shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I told you he wouldn't listen", the boy muttered as they made their way along the palace corridors. "He doesn't give a damn about us".
"Don't you think I know that?" the girl exploded. She hurriedly lowered her voice as one of the numerous palace guards looked in their direction. "All he cares about is money and power. We're just in his way".
The boy sighed as he pulled open the door to their rooms. "Well at least we'll be getting away from this place. That's got to be worth something". He slumped down onto the nearest chair and stared at the tips of his boots.
"That's easy for you to say. You get to train to be Uranus Knight", his sister snapped angrily, slamming the door shut. "All I have to look forward to is a glorified training course on how to be a Princess. No running Haruka," she said primly. "Speak softly Haruka. Sit still Haruka". She started pacing the room. "Six whole years of that will drive me insane. There has to be another way."
"You think I want to be Uranus Knight?" The boy asked incredulously as he watched her pace. Llauron and Haruka Tenoh, the Prince and Princess of Uranus were twins, both with blonde hair and green eyes. But that was where the similarities ended. While Haruka was tall and athletically built, her brother was small and frail. His too pale skin reflected years spent indoors studying, while Haruka's robust tan showed her preference for outdoor activities.
"All I've ever wanted to do is study and become a Healer." Llauron continued heatedly. "To help people. Not the stupid sword waving that I'm going to end up doing. At least you'll get to learn about magic".
Haruka whirled about, her green eyes flashing angrily. "Yeah and a fat lot of good that's going to do me. You know as well as I do that there's been no Sailor Uranus for nearly a thousand years. Ever since..-," she trailed off looking vaguely uncomfortable.
"Tristan and Ishtar", her brother finished for her. Llauron suppressed a smile as Haruka winced. For some reason the topic of the most famous pair of star crossed lovers in the history of the Silver Alliance always made her jittery. He had his own private theory about exactly why that was, but only time would prove him right.
"Yeah them". She coughed into her fist before continuing hurriedly. "So anyway what's the point of me learning magic when I'm never going to be able to wield the powers of Sailor Uranus."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that", Llauron muttered under his breath. He watched in fascination as an invisible wind stirred his sister's long blonde hair. His own hair didn't move at all, which wasn't all that surprising since they were currently indoors in an enclosed room.
"What?"
"Nothing." Llauron continued hurriedly before she could quiz him. "Look Haruka we're just going to have to face it. Tomorrow you leave for the Moon and I go to Earth."
"Yeah where you'll get to do all the fun stuff, while I'll be stuck learning sewing and etiquette with a bunch of snobbish spoilt Princesses." Haruka flung herself disconsolately onto the couch.
Llauron snorted. "By fun stuff I take it you mean jousting and fencing? You know how good I am at whacking things, and I'm not going to even start on how much horses love me".
Haruka burst into laughter as she thought about her brother's non-existent riding skills. Uranians were universally renowned as the finest horse warriors in the Silver Alliance. Unfortunately for Llauron, his aversion for horses was more than amply returned by the beasts themselves. Somehow he managed to incite even the most docile of animals to throw him.
"Yeah I guess", she grinned widely. "You should have been born Haruka. Then you could have gone to study at..-" Haruka gasped suddenly. "That's it!" She leapt of off the couch in excitement.
"What?" Llauron asked warily. He just knew she'd come up with yet another one of her hair brained schemes.
Even though they were alone Haruka glanced furtively around the room, before lowering her voice to a whisper. "Father being what he is, probably hasn't bothered sending off confirmation of my attendance to the Crystal Palace and yours to the Knight Preceptor. Since you're so great with computers, you could just hack into the system and change some details on the confirmation forms. Say we're twin boys and you can go to the Crystal Palace to study to be a Healer and I'll go to Earth. Since I'm going to be Uranus Knight they won't question your attendance. And knowing Father, he won't even bother reading the forms before he sends them of tomorrow."
Llauron's mouth dropped open in shock. "You're crazy. It'll never work. You know it takes six years of training before they allow you to enter the Ordeal Chamber and receive your Crystal Armour. You'd have to pretend to be a boy for all that time at least." He too got to his feet and started pacing the room. "And you are going to eventually turn into a girl you know". He stared meaningfully at her flat chest.
Haruka defensively crossed her arms. "Well I'll think of something when they..start to grow. And I'll just make sure I don't get into any situations which will require me to take off my clothes".
"And there's something else you need to think about Haruka. What if there's a real reason behind the rule about why girls aren't allowed to be Knights?" Llauron asked worriedly. "Maybe the process of bonding with the Crystal Armour is something a girl's body can't handle." He held up his hand to forestall her eminent explosion. "And before you decide to go all whoop ass on me, you know that some boys have died in the Ordeal Chamber before."
The blonde girl looked into green eyes the exact same shade as hers and saw only honest fear and worry in them. "I have to try Llaur. There's a chance that becoming a Knight may kill my body, but the other option of becoming a powerless Sailor Uranus, a Senshi in name only, would kill my spirit. Without the Crystal Wand it's impossible to transform into Uranus. I won't be able to carry out my duty of defending the Solar System. I'd be forsworn, like every Uranian Princess in the last thousand years. And Gods help me, I don't want to end up like Mother."
Llauron went cold at her words. Ever since the Crystal Wand of Uranus had gone missing a thousand years ago with the tragic death of its last wielder, Tristan Tenoh, there had been no Sailor Uranus to guard the Solar System. It was part of the curse Tristan's lover, the Lady Ishtar Kaioh, the last Sailor Neptune had laid upon the people responsible for the death of her soulmate. Years of rivalry and mistrust between House Kaioh, the Neptunian Ruling Family and House Tenoh, the Uranian Ruling Family had led to a tragic set of circumstances that had resulted in Tristan being killed on their wedding day. Ishtar had been inconsolable. She walked into the Neptunian ocean carrying Tristan's body and was never seen again. The transformation Wands of Uranus and Neptune had disappeared with her. Legend had it that Tristan and Ishtar would be reborn someday and then and only then would the missing Wands be found.
It was said that Queen Serenity had been so furious at the needless death of her Senshi that she'd seriously considered removing Uranus and Neptune from the Silver Alliance. But realizing that punishing an entire planet's people for the mistakes of their Ruling Family would set an ugly precedent, she'd chosen another course of action. She had instead simply refused to release either the Uranian or Neptunian Royal Families from their Outer Court Duty. As part of their Oath of Fealty to the Crown all members of the Silver Alliance were required to defend their planet. To fulfill this obligation each female heir in the respective planets Ruling Family became a Sailor Senshi, a magically enhanced Soldier wielding elemental powers. The Inner Court members, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter were charged with keeping the peace in the Silver Alliance, whereas the Outer Court members, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto defended the Solar System from outside invaders. The male heirs became planetary Knights. Magically bonded to their Crystal Armour, which was impervious to most mundane and magical weaponry, a Knight was a potent defensive force and functioned as backup to the Senshi.
Used to having two of the most powerful Senshi, both House Kaioh and House Tenoh were fiercely proud of their ability to defend themselves and the Silver Alliance, thereby fulfilling their hereditary Duty to High Queen Serenity. There had been many a time when the entire fate of the Silver Alliance had depended on the deeds of the Outer Court Soldiers. And they had always delivered. But all that changed with the disappearance of the Crystal Wands. Without the transformation wands, Neptunian and Uranian Princesses were just mortal women and carrying out their Outer Court Duty became an impossible task. Unable to fulfill their Oath, every succeeding generation of Uranian and Neptunian Royalty after Tristan and Ishtar had been forsworn. It had been a bitter blow to the two proud Outer Court Families. In order to have some sort of defense for their planets, they were forced to turn to the other Royal Families for help, which usually came in the form of marriage to a Knight. A thousand years of this had reduced Neptune and Uranus to virtual backwaters in the Silver Alliance. More and more concessions had to be made in order to secure a marriage with one of the Knights from the other Royal Families.
This was how Haruka and Llauron's mother had ended up in loveless marriage that had eventually destroyed her. Lyra Tenoh had been found with her wrists slashed, three days short of her twenty fifth birthday. Both Llauron and Haruka privately suspected their father in her death but nothing was ever proven. No Pieter Mizuno, Mercury Knight, was much too smart for that. He'd wasted no time in seizing the Regency and installing himself as King of Uranus. Llauron's jaw hardened. He'd do anything in his power to prevent the same thing happening to his sister.
"You're going to have to cut your hair you know", he said quietly.
"Yes"! Haruka whooped and crunched Lauron in an enthusiastic bear hug. "This is going to work Llauron. You won't ever regret this."
More cautious than his sister Llauron said a silent prayer to Uranus. He had a feeling they were going to need all the help they could get.
******* TBC Reviews will be much appreciated ^-^
Pairing: Haruka and Michiru.
Rating: PG-13 but some parts may be R due to a bit of violence.
Okay here we go again. This fic is definitely AU. It's sort of based on Tamora Pierce's Alanna series so you will definitely see some similarities to that wonderful series in here. It's not actually set in Tortall but I'm borrowing some of her ideas.
And thanks everyone for all the wonderful feedback on my last story ^-^
Disclaimers: Haruka. Michiru. Sailor Moon. Not mine. Not mine. Not mine. Tamora Pierce's stuff belongs to her. Tristan and Ishtar however, are all mine. Seeing as I'm an eternal supporter of Haruka and Michiru as a couple, this story will contain references to two women who are very much in love with each other, so if that isn't your cup of tea, hit the back button on your browser.
Anyway on with the story.
*********
Part 1
"I've made my decision. There is no further need for discussion", said the King of Uranus. He shifted his cold gaze to the next people in line, summarily dismissing the two children in front of him. They had no choice but to leave the throne room, shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I told you he wouldn't listen", the boy muttered as they made their way along the palace corridors. "He doesn't give a damn about us".
"Don't you think I know that?" the girl exploded. She hurriedly lowered her voice as one of the numerous palace guards looked in their direction. "All he cares about is money and power. We're just in his way".
The boy sighed as he pulled open the door to their rooms. "Well at least we'll be getting away from this place. That's got to be worth something". He slumped down onto the nearest chair and stared at the tips of his boots.
"That's easy for you to say. You get to train to be Uranus Knight", his sister snapped angrily, slamming the door shut. "All I have to look forward to is a glorified training course on how to be a Princess. No running Haruka," she said primly. "Speak softly Haruka. Sit still Haruka". She started pacing the room. "Six whole years of that will drive me insane. There has to be another way."
"You think I want to be Uranus Knight?" The boy asked incredulously as he watched her pace. Llauron and Haruka Tenoh, the Prince and Princess of Uranus were twins, both with blonde hair and green eyes. But that was where the similarities ended. While Haruka was tall and athletically built, her brother was small and frail. His too pale skin reflected years spent indoors studying, while Haruka's robust tan showed her preference for outdoor activities.
"All I've ever wanted to do is study and become a Healer." Llauron continued heatedly. "To help people. Not the stupid sword waving that I'm going to end up doing. At least you'll get to learn about magic".
Haruka whirled about, her green eyes flashing angrily. "Yeah and a fat lot of good that's going to do me. You know as well as I do that there's been no Sailor Uranus for nearly a thousand years. Ever since..-," she trailed off looking vaguely uncomfortable.
"Tristan and Ishtar", her brother finished for her. Llauron suppressed a smile as Haruka winced. For some reason the topic of the most famous pair of star crossed lovers in the history of the Silver Alliance always made her jittery. He had his own private theory about exactly why that was, but only time would prove him right.
"Yeah them". She coughed into her fist before continuing hurriedly. "So anyway what's the point of me learning magic when I'm never going to be able to wield the powers of Sailor Uranus."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that", Llauron muttered under his breath. He watched in fascination as an invisible wind stirred his sister's long blonde hair. His own hair didn't move at all, which wasn't all that surprising since they were currently indoors in an enclosed room.
"What?"
"Nothing." Llauron continued hurriedly before she could quiz him. "Look Haruka we're just going to have to face it. Tomorrow you leave for the Moon and I go to Earth."
"Yeah where you'll get to do all the fun stuff, while I'll be stuck learning sewing and etiquette with a bunch of snobbish spoilt Princesses." Haruka flung herself disconsolately onto the couch.
Llauron snorted. "By fun stuff I take it you mean jousting and fencing? You know how good I am at whacking things, and I'm not going to even start on how much horses love me".
Haruka burst into laughter as she thought about her brother's non-existent riding skills. Uranians were universally renowned as the finest horse warriors in the Silver Alliance. Unfortunately for Llauron, his aversion for horses was more than amply returned by the beasts themselves. Somehow he managed to incite even the most docile of animals to throw him.
"Yeah I guess", she grinned widely. "You should have been born Haruka. Then you could have gone to study at..-" Haruka gasped suddenly. "That's it!" She leapt of off the couch in excitement.
"What?" Llauron asked warily. He just knew she'd come up with yet another one of her hair brained schemes.
Even though they were alone Haruka glanced furtively around the room, before lowering her voice to a whisper. "Father being what he is, probably hasn't bothered sending off confirmation of my attendance to the Crystal Palace and yours to the Knight Preceptor. Since you're so great with computers, you could just hack into the system and change some details on the confirmation forms. Say we're twin boys and you can go to the Crystal Palace to study to be a Healer and I'll go to Earth. Since I'm going to be Uranus Knight they won't question your attendance. And knowing Father, he won't even bother reading the forms before he sends them of tomorrow."
Llauron's mouth dropped open in shock. "You're crazy. It'll never work. You know it takes six years of training before they allow you to enter the Ordeal Chamber and receive your Crystal Armour. You'd have to pretend to be a boy for all that time at least." He too got to his feet and started pacing the room. "And you are going to eventually turn into a girl you know". He stared meaningfully at her flat chest.
Haruka defensively crossed her arms. "Well I'll think of something when they..start to grow. And I'll just make sure I don't get into any situations which will require me to take off my clothes".
"And there's something else you need to think about Haruka. What if there's a real reason behind the rule about why girls aren't allowed to be Knights?" Llauron asked worriedly. "Maybe the process of bonding with the Crystal Armour is something a girl's body can't handle." He held up his hand to forestall her eminent explosion. "And before you decide to go all whoop ass on me, you know that some boys have died in the Ordeal Chamber before."
The blonde girl looked into green eyes the exact same shade as hers and saw only honest fear and worry in them. "I have to try Llaur. There's a chance that becoming a Knight may kill my body, but the other option of becoming a powerless Sailor Uranus, a Senshi in name only, would kill my spirit. Without the Crystal Wand it's impossible to transform into Uranus. I won't be able to carry out my duty of defending the Solar System. I'd be forsworn, like every Uranian Princess in the last thousand years. And Gods help me, I don't want to end up like Mother."
Llauron went cold at her words. Ever since the Crystal Wand of Uranus had gone missing a thousand years ago with the tragic death of its last wielder, Tristan Tenoh, there had been no Sailor Uranus to guard the Solar System. It was part of the curse Tristan's lover, the Lady Ishtar Kaioh, the last Sailor Neptune had laid upon the people responsible for the death of her soulmate. Years of rivalry and mistrust between House Kaioh, the Neptunian Ruling Family and House Tenoh, the Uranian Ruling Family had led to a tragic set of circumstances that had resulted in Tristan being killed on their wedding day. Ishtar had been inconsolable. She walked into the Neptunian ocean carrying Tristan's body and was never seen again. The transformation Wands of Uranus and Neptune had disappeared with her. Legend had it that Tristan and Ishtar would be reborn someday and then and only then would the missing Wands be found.
It was said that Queen Serenity had been so furious at the needless death of her Senshi that she'd seriously considered removing Uranus and Neptune from the Silver Alliance. But realizing that punishing an entire planet's people for the mistakes of their Ruling Family would set an ugly precedent, she'd chosen another course of action. She had instead simply refused to release either the Uranian or Neptunian Royal Families from their Outer Court Duty. As part of their Oath of Fealty to the Crown all members of the Silver Alliance were required to defend their planet. To fulfill this obligation each female heir in the respective planets Ruling Family became a Sailor Senshi, a magically enhanced Soldier wielding elemental powers. The Inner Court members, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter were charged with keeping the peace in the Silver Alliance, whereas the Outer Court members, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto defended the Solar System from outside invaders. The male heirs became planetary Knights. Magically bonded to their Crystal Armour, which was impervious to most mundane and magical weaponry, a Knight was a potent defensive force and functioned as backup to the Senshi.
Used to having two of the most powerful Senshi, both House Kaioh and House Tenoh were fiercely proud of their ability to defend themselves and the Silver Alliance, thereby fulfilling their hereditary Duty to High Queen Serenity. There had been many a time when the entire fate of the Silver Alliance had depended on the deeds of the Outer Court Soldiers. And they had always delivered. But all that changed with the disappearance of the Crystal Wands. Without the transformation wands, Neptunian and Uranian Princesses were just mortal women and carrying out their Outer Court Duty became an impossible task. Unable to fulfill their Oath, every succeeding generation of Uranian and Neptunian Royalty after Tristan and Ishtar had been forsworn. It had been a bitter blow to the two proud Outer Court Families. In order to have some sort of defense for their planets, they were forced to turn to the other Royal Families for help, which usually came in the form of marriage to a Knight. A thousand years of this had reduced Neptune and Uranus to virtual backwaters in the Silver Alliance. More and more concessions had to be made in order to secure a marriage with one of the Knights from the other Royal Families.
This was how Haruka and Llauron's mother had ended up in loveless marriage that had eventually destroyed her. Lyra Tenoh had been found with her wrists slashed, three days short of her twenty fifth birthday. Both Llauron and Haruka privately suspected their father in her death but nothing was ever proven. No Pieter Mizuno, Mercury Knight, was much too smart for that. He'd wasted no time in seizing the Regency and installing himself as King of Uranus. Llauron's jaw hardened. He'd do anything in his power to prevent the same thing happening to his sister.
"You're going to have to cut your hair you know", he said quietly.
"Yes"! Haruka whooped and crunched Lauron in an enthusiastic bear hug. "This is going to work Llauron. You won't ever regret this."
More cautious than his sister Llauron said a silent prayer to Uranus. He had a feeling they were going to need all the help they could get.
******* TBC Reviews will be much appreciated ^-^