Reflections
Like the graceful young women they were alleged to be, the princesses of the Moon and Venus respectively tried to contain boisterous giggles as they raced through the western corridor of the expansive palace. Teenagers for only a few years, their lives burst with optimism. Born royalty of the Silver Millennium, their days were carefree with only hints of the responsibilities that would one day be expected of them. With Uranus and Neptune visiting from the outer reaches of the galaxy, the curious girls sneaked into the outer senshi's apartments. It was always a treat when the older women visited, and, doting on the younger princesses, the couple usually packed special treasures picked up from around the galaxy. Unable to wait until their scheduled meeting later in the day, the inseparable friends had snuck away with intent of uncovering their presents.
Although they had both recently started playing grown up – the outer senshi's rooms reeked of untold experiences and the former confidence of the pair gave way. Not sighting any fancily wrapped items, Venus considered returning to their chambers when she sighted something near the bed. Nudging Serenity, she said, "You go first."
"No, you! Aren't you supposed to be the leader of my senshi?"
Venus stuck her tongue out in response.
"Fine, you pick up the sword."
"Why me?"
"Silly, you already have one!"
Venus could not deny this fact. The heavy stone weapon was a constant reminder of the normal life she would never lead. "What are you going to play with?"
"How about this?"
Serenity motioned towards the intricately carved hand mirror that lay directly next to the space sword. Although there were undoubtedly be a lecture and stern warning, the Venusian senshi was too inquisitive as to what would happen next.
"I dare you!"
The Lunar crown princess needed no further push. Ever a bundle of curiosity, she stretched a sweaty palm forward and extended her small digit. The moment her finger came in contact with the mirror, there was a brilliant flash of silver light. When the flare died away, the pair looked into the reflection. Their pretty faces were no longer to be seen, instead the room they inhabited had been replaced with another location and in their place were two young men, slightly older than themselves.
As if the young men could hear and see them, both girls leaped backwards, breathing heavily.
At the broken contact, the mirror changed back to a normal reflection.
"Who were they?" Serenity whispered.
"Pick it up – let's see if we can find them again."
Curiosity once again got the best of Serenity and she managed to swallow the jolt of energy as she picked up the talisman. As if in real time, the scene continued, showing two young men sparring, but in a good natured way – much like the daily practices Venus led. In this place, nothing like the quiet expanses of the moon, strange but beautiful flowers blossomed and hung heavily. Venus could imagine plucking one and smelling its undoubtedly sweet fragrance. The men, one dark haired, the other with silver hair like Serenity's, were shirtless as they moved and clashed gracefully against each other. Wordlessly, the girls looked on for soundless minutes, eagerly following their every movement.
Finally taking a still trembling hand away, Serenity said, "I wonder who they are."
As the years moved forward, the scene and men from the mirror remained Serenity and Venus's secret. Some nights, very late when the others were sleeping, they would speak in hushed tones about what they had seen. As their powers grew, Serenity became more and more curious about transporting to the magical garden, intent on finding out answers to the mystery.
"You have no idea what dangers could be waiting! You need to remain protected on the moon. If your mother knew-"
"It would only be for a minute. Anyway, that place could be anywhere in the Alliance…"
They both knew this statement was a lie. As far as they had been able to research (without involving Mercury's significant contribution), the place they had seen was Earth. They still had no idea who the two young men were. And now, three years later, Venus wondered what the pair had done with their lives – had they married? Did they have sweethearts? Had some terrible incident befallen both of them? As the Moon had forbidden anything but the most basic of diplomatic association with the planet, the young women had no way of knowing anything further.
"And how exactly would we get there? You know the transport room is forbidden to us."
"There's another way…"
"How is that and why haven't you mentioned it earlier?"
"I only just found out. There is another element to Pluto's time gate."
Venus crossed her arms and said, "So what you're saying is you are planning to go, whether I go with you or not?"
"V..."
Drawing her friend in close, Venus whispered, "Don't make me choose between love and duty."
AN: Two parter...next part won't be so nice.