Author's Note: Here's a story that I had written awhile back. It's very similar to 'The Rose Earrings' in many respects. You'll notice that some of the characters are mine. However, I do not claim to own any of the original Sailor Moon characters!

A Kingdom Shattered

Chapter One

"Princess Lita? Are you still with me?"

"Oh. Sorry Gracie. I was off in another world." Lita looked over at her best friend, a short redhead with an impish smile.

"Well, I could see that!" Gracie said sarcastically. "Would you like to come back to this one now?"

"Sure," Lita said with an easy grin. "What do you want to talk about?" she asked as she sat down next to her friend under a shady tree. It was their favorite place to relax in the afternoons because it gave a perfect view of the valley below the castle. Lita had been caught up the beauty of the site.

"How about what you're going to wear to Queen Serenity's Imperial Ball on Friday. Wait, let me guess—the dress is green, right?" Gracie said with a grin.

"Why, however did you guess?" Lita said with mock innocence.

Gracie sighed at this. "Because it's the only color you ever wear."

"Hey, I happen to like the color. Besides, it's the color of my family. I'm a princess after all," Lita said, striking a very regal pose.

Gracie stuck out her tongue. "How could I forget? You're always reminding me. The Princess of Jupiter. And one big pain in the butt!"

"Hey, that's not fair!" Lita yelped, throwing a mock punch at Gracie, which Gracie quickly dodged.

"Don't look at me. That's what the school master said."

Lita grew serious. "He's still mad at me for the whole Jeffrey thing…"

"Now, why would he be upset? Just because you punched him so hard he flew across the classroom…" she quipped with a pointed look at her friend.

"He deserved it! He was pinching Abby. He wouldn't quit!" she said indignantly.

"You have got to learn how to control your temper. How can you expect to become a queen if you're going to fly off the handle all of the time?" Gracie said, exasperated.

"Now wait just a minute…" Lita started to say. But she was interrupted by the sound of a horn. "Oh no! I'll be late for training. Gotta go!" Lita yelled back toward her friend as she took off out of the castle and toward the practice field. Sprinting hard the entire way she halted in front of her tutor, a crusty old sage named Artemis, who believed strictly in the rules.

"Tsk tsk tsk," he said while looking at his watch. "Late again. This is not the way for a warrior to be…" he said, shaking his head at her.

"I know, I know. But why do I have to practice anyway? I've never had to use my powers before. Everything is peaceful. Why waste the time and energy?"

"Child, you know you must be ready at a moment's notice. It is your duty as…" he began before Lita cut him off.

"…the guardian of Jupiter to fight in the Imperial Army in case of attack and use my powers for the causes of the Light, to protect the Royal Family in times of peril. And the only way to do this is to train and learn to harness and focus my power," Lita said dispassionately. He'd been saying the same words for years. By now he just had to start the first three words of the first sentence of the speech and she could finish it for him. It never changed.

Artemis frowned. "Yes, that is right. And I won't be here to help you forever."

"I know," Lita sighed. "Come on, let's start for today and get it over with."

"You should not rush this. That leads to mistakes, and you can't afford to make any mistakes. Now, let us begin."

"Reporting for duty sir," Nephlyte said, standing at attention before the King of Jupiter.

"Hmm…You're new. Where are you from soldier?"

"Earth, Your Majesty."

"Ah, so you're the soldier Darien told me to be expecting. But Queen Serenity has passed a proclamation prohibiting people from Earth from traveling outside of its atmosphere. So, how do you explain your presence here?"

"I am a soldier in Darien's private guard, sir. We were granted special permission."

"I see. How many of you are in Darien's guard?"

"Four, Your Majesty."

"And why specifically are you here? Does Queen Serenity suspect something to happen soon?"

"We were told to each go to a different kingdom to train soldiers for the Imperial Army and to protect the planets' inhabitants. As for what is to be, that I don't know. But I have a feeling something will take place soon."

"And where are the other three soldiers?"

"Zoicite is on Planet Mercury, Malachite is on Venus, and Jedite is on Mars."

"And Prince Darien? Is he back on the Moon?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Hmm…" King Jupiter said again. He was always a little wary of outsiders, especially with all of the trouble happening lately. But this one seemed to be honest enough. And Queen Serenity trusted him, so it wouldn't hurt to be prepared in case something did happen. "Meet me at dinner and we shall talk more. For now, go find your quarters. Relax while you can, we have much to discuss tonight."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Nephrite said with a bow.

Lita was in her room getting ready for dinner when there came a knock upon the door. "Enter," she called out. Seconds later, in swept Gracie.

"Have you heard the news!" Gracie asked excitedly as she bounced into the room.

"What news?" Lita asked while busily brushing her teeth, watching her friend's reflection from the mirror. Gracie was perched on the edge of her bed, looking very excited about something.

"About the new hunk! He's so dreamy!..." Gracie said with a starry look in her eyes. "He's tall with long brown hair, and he's from Earth!"

"What? I thought that no one from Earth was allowed off of the planet." Lita quickly finished and dried her face on a nearby towel. She moved to her bed to sit next to Gracie.

"I know. But he's here…and I'm not complaining. I love a man in uniform!..." she said, going starry eyed again.

"Ah, so he's a soldier." Lita shrugged. "We have plenty of those here. I don't see how this one from Earth will be any different," she said, trying to be nonchalant.

"Come on, Lita. I know you. You fall in love with everyone! And you always say that your new crush looks just like a previous boyfriend!"

"And they always do!" Lita defended herself. "But I won't fall for this one," she said firmly.

"Yeah right…" Gracie said sarcastically. "You'll be head over heals before the end of the night."

"We'll see."

"But I wouldn't blame you. He has the most gorgeous blue eyes—almost a silver color sometimes."

"Hey, why are you sighing over him? I thought you and Stephen were practically engaged."

"We are. And I love him dearly, but it doesn't mean that I can't look!" Gracie grinned.

"Look at what?" Stephen said from the doorway. Both girls turned to face him, a little startled that they hadn't noticed him there before. Stephen always could sneak up on anyone…

"Why, nothing," Gracie said, feigning innocence.

"Nice try. That look doesn't work on me. I know you too well."

"Then you also know that I love you very much," Gracie replied as she sauntered toward him.

"That I do," Stephen said, gazing into her eyes.

"Er…I have to go see my father," Lita said as she beat a hasty retreat. Lita grinned as she walked along the corridor. The two of them were so cute together. It had come as no surprise to Lita that her best friend fell in love with the captain of the guard. They were meant for each other.

Because her mind was elsewhere, she turned the corner without looking and walking straight into someone. "Oops! I'm sorry," Lita said as she braced her hands against the stranger's chest to keep from falling. She looked up and was captured by the man's eyes. This had to be the soldier that Gracie was talking about. Gracie's right, she thought to herself. He does have gorgeous eyes!

"Excuse me," Nephlyte said abruptly, then continued walking down the hall.

Lita was a little hurt by his curtness. It wasn't like I did it on purpose, Lita thought to herself as she continued walking. Well, this is going to be the one guy that I don't falling in love with. He's too rude. Even if he does have gorgeous eyes.

Lita wandered her way into the kitchen. She met the cook, Mirta, with her usual friendly greeting. "How are things going today?"

"Oh, well as always child."

"Mmm…Something smells good," Lita said as she lifted a lid to investigate into its contents.

"That's the general hope. Now, stay out of dinner," Mirta commanded, swatting at her with a big spoon.

"Yes ma'm" Lita replied with a grin. The kitchen was a favorite place for her. She'd grown a fondness for the staff, and they in turn for her. As a result, she quickly learned recipes and quite often would help out.

"Alright, little miss cook. I've got dinner pretty much covered, so do you want to make a dessert?"

"Sure."

"Okay, what are you going to bake today?" she asked as she looked up from the large meal that she was helping to prepare.

"I was thinking of something sweet. What would you suggest?"

"Well, you know anyone will eat anything you make. You have a wonderful gift with food. But you could try cookies today."

"Alright, cookies it is then," Lita said as she rolled up her sleeves and put on the apron. Soon she was gathering all of the ingredients she would need. The kitchen was her favorite place—she loved to cook and bake. And the cook had always humored her, so she came often.

"Now don't you go getting anything on your dress before dinner or your father will have my hide. You always did try to bake in your best dresses…" Mirta muttered to herself as she turned back to her tasks.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry so! So, what is the new gossip today?" Lita said as she started measuring the flour.

"Everyone is talking about the soldier from Earth. He's supposed to be very handsome," the cook said, sliding a glance toward Lita to see her reaction.

"I hadn't noticed" Lita said, concentrating on baking. The cook was taken a bit by surprise at that statement. She couldn't remember a time when she hadn't heard Lita gossiping about the latest handsome stranger and dreaming about what life would be like with him.

"Are you okay child?" Mirta asked with concern.

"Hmm?" Lita said distractedly. The cook reached over to feel Lita's forehead.

"Well, you don't have a fever…"

"Now why is it so weird for me not to fall head over heels over this guy? Come on, help me put these cookies into the oven."

"Whatever you say child," Mirta said as she obediently helped Lita. But while doing so she thought to herself, How weird. That isn't like Lita at all. I wonder if things will change once they begin to spend more time together. Only time will tell…

Hope that you enjoyed. The next chapter will be up soon!

And many thanks to Athena Kyle for the editing! God knows if this thing would have made any sense without your help!