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Clarification: Haruka and Michiru are pseudo-identities that Princess Uranus and Princess Neptune created when they first met and introduced to each other. They haven't met officially in their real identities yet. Uranus acted as Haruka, the son of the commandant-general of Uranus, and Neptune acted as Michiru, the bodyguard of Princess Neptune. The pseudo-names are mentioned based on the princesses' perspective.
More than a year went by after Neptune's first visit to her senshi partner's planet, the plan to reconnect had been put off. Not only enemies sent from the Dark Kingdom had been manageable, the two princesses were also occupied with their individual trainings, and dealing with internal matters on their own planets.
In reality, Princesses Neptune and Uranus were both capable of handling the attacks and defending their planets individually without requesting for each other's assistance. They both saw little reasons to attempt to unite again to discuss collaborating plan in the near future. They saw the meeting more of a formality and obligation rather than a demand to form a fighting ally, but that soon was about to change.
977, Altar of Darkness
Queen Beryl was briefed with the recent assaults. The commander of the Dark Kingdom was discontent with all the failed attempts and wasted efforts in invading the outer solar system.
"I need results! How many times do I have to emphasize that?" The red-haired Queen yelled. She clenched her fists resting on the arms of her throne, "If I can't vanquish the two young princesses soon, they would only be bigger problems for me in the future. I can't afford to wait until those two meet up and mature their talismans. They would be too strong by then, and too hard to be taken out."
"I agree," Her advisor responded, "but if we send stronger troops to either planet, that would drive them to team up sooner. We should continue to prevent them from collaborating."
Queen Beryl huffed and asked with an amused air, "Oh? And how is that working out so far?"
Her advisor stayed embarrassingly quiet.
"What about Pluto? I heard she was recently given an Orb. What was that about?"
The advisor speculated that the Garnet Orb, one of the new talismans that was added to Pluto's Garnet Rod, might be used in conjunction with Space Sword and Deep Aqua Mirror in order to call upon or summon something much more powerful for the guardians.
"If that's the case then we need to stop them, the sooner the better."
"But we can't afford to let them meet up and enhance each other's power," Her advisor warned.
"Three princesses…" Queen Beryl whispered.
The red-haired Queen pondered, and then a sly smile appeared on her face.
Triton Castle
Princess Neptune spent the last days meeting an ambassador from Moon Castle. Queen Serenity had sent an ambassador to visit Neptune to discuss a few political matters and select a painting from Neptune's collection for her art gallery as an appreciation of her artistic talent.
They took a tour of the Castle, Thalassa Garden, Psamathe Beach, Nereid Music Conservatory, Galatea Art School, Proteus Research Center, Sao Arcane Sanctum, Halimede Alchemy Lab, and just about anything that would showcase the artistic side of the planet, and at the same demonstrated the planet's devotion to research and development that could contribute to the benefits of other planets, since there were many rare and unique resources found on the planet.
The tour ended at the alchemy lab, as Neptune showed her ambassador some of the interesting developments that her dedicated team was working on.
"Your Highness, these are for you," The head of the alchemy lab said. He handed over two small muslin bags and two colorful potions to the princess before she left.
"Lovely. Thank you," Neptune gracefully accepted the items.
"What are these?" The ambassador asked. He was curious.
"Some gifts for my friend at Venus," the wavy-haired princess responded.
Magellan Castle, Venus
Neptune took a visit to Venus to see one of her closest princess friends in the Inner Solar System.
Despite the distance between the two planets, the precedent rulers of the planets, the late parents of Princess Neptune and Venus, were actually long-standing friends before their passing, so the two princesses had met each other since they were toddlers. Neptune was a year older than Venus, and even though the two grew up in different environments and their personalities were unlike, the older princess had always looked after the younger one as her own sister.
"Neptune! I'm so glad to see you!" Princess Venus exclaimed. She welcomed her friend from the outer solar system at one of her drawing rooms.
"Venus, it's been a long time!" Neptune said, walking up to Venus and wrapping her hands around the hands of the long haired princess.
"Come here!" Venus said, freeing their hands and gave Neptune a passionate hug instead. "You look beautiful as always!"
"So do you," said Neptune, smiling warmly.
"How was your last visit to Uranus?" Venus asked. She couldn't wait to hear about it.
"Long story."
"I would love to hear about it! I love stories!" Venus stated.
"Sure, we'll save it for later," Neptune said. "I thought you might want to know that I brought your favorite beauty item this time."
"No, you didn't!" Venus gasped and cried, she then excitedly took Neptune's arm. "Come on, let's go! I can't wait! We can chat more after I put it on."
The two princesses went up to Venus's old playroom which had since been remodeled into a lavish dressing room. There was a grand crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling. The old pretend-play vanity playset were removed and replaced by a real vanity set in ivory color, although the mirror mounted to the wall was still an oversized heart-shape. The mini ballroom area was rearranged and installed with closets that were filled with Venus's pretty clothes, shoes, and accessories. In the middle of the room, where a girly afternoon tea set with cart, table, and chairs once stood, now became space for a crystal mirrored coffee table. Surrounded it were a pink daybed, a light cream colored love seat and two porpoise ottomans. The only thing that remained was the large gold framed mirror leaning against one side of the wall. Neptune was amazed at how much the playroom had changed into since she last saw it.
"From a toy vanity set to a real one, not much of a change huh?" Neptune teased.
"Hey Neptune! Stop teasing me," Venus faked a sad face, and then continued, "Let's see what you've got!"
"Bring me a large bowl and a long spoon please."
Venus brought over a clear glass bowl and a long metal spoon and laid them onto the coffee table. Neptune opened one of the muslin bags with loose powder and poured the substance into the bowl, then uncorked one of the potions and added the content slowly to the substance. She stirred the mixture a bit more, and soon the concoction turned into a thicker consistency.
"This always looks amazing when you do it," Venus complimented.
"It gets better. Watch this."
The wavy-haired princess then opened the second muslin bag which contained finely grained powders and slowly blended them into the mixture in small batches. She continued to stir as the concoction gradually turned into a beautiful shade of blue.
"Neptune!" Venus gasped, "I can't believe you remembered to bring me cerulean blue!"
"Well, I almost forgot anyway," Neptune joked. "If it's easier you could always ask Mercury to get you something similar. I know she's quite a good chemist."
"I've tried Neptune, but the tone was just not the same!" Venus stated.
"I know," Neptune said confidently, "not only it needs the purest aquamarine, but I've also added a secret pigment to it."
"What is it?"
"I'm not telling you."
"Why?" Venus protested.
"Well, maybe I'll tell you if you pay me a visit next time," Neptune said mysteriously. She stopped stirring at this point as the ingredients were fully integrated into the batch.
"Now you can dip your fingers in it."
Venus followed Neptune's instruction. As the blonde-haired princess dyed her nails, the two princesses continued to chat and catch up with each other. The aqua-haired princess told Venus about her visit to Uranus and that she didn't get to meet Princess Uranus. She did not elaborate on meeting Haruka and their encounter at the Oberon.
"What a shame," Venus sighed.
"You think so? I think it's perfectly fine. I don't need an ally or a fighting partner anyway," Neptune said matter-of-factly.
"No, I don't mean that. I heard Princess Uranus is quite an interesting character to meet."
"Really," Neptune replied perfunctorily, wondering what could be so interesting about this mysterious princess that she hadn't met. All of the princesses from the solar system were known for their exquisite beauty and grace, and intelligence in their own way, not to mention their exceptional and unique ability to fight and defend their own planet. She didn't think she'd be surprised in any way even if she had the chance to meet Princess Uranus during her last visit.
"So what about you? What have you been up to?" Neptune tried to switch the topic.
Venus's eyes lit up.
"I met the cutest prince from a party last month," the blonde princess said. Her eyes looked almost like two heart shapes which made Neptune chuckle.
"Oh yeah? What is he like?"
"He has long silver hair and bright green eyes. Oh his eyes were so attractive," Venus said as her cheek flushed.
"So is he your crush then? You're clearly blushing," Neptune asked.
Venus was apparently too indulged in the appearance of that dreamy face to respond.
"Maybe…I think he likes green too," She said to herself, before returning her attention to Neptune. "Neptune, next time can you bring me aquamarine instead?"
"Fine," Neptune shook her head and smiled, "if you told me this earlier my life would have been much easier. Aquamarine is much easier to obtain than to get the perfect mix for cerulean blue."
Suddenly, Venus looked at Neptune curiously.
"Venus, I know we haven't seen each other for a long time, but this gaze is telling me that this is more than just you missing me."
The long haired princess giggled, "Neptune, have you thought about what your prince would look like?"
The wavy haired princess was caught off-guard by that question.
"What? No. I've never thought about that."
"Come on. You have to be attracted to certain characteristics or physical qualities."
The wavy-haired princess had no idea. She had always focused on her music and art, and her guardian duties. These thoughts had never come across her mind before.
"Hmm…" Neptune looked at Venus, drawing a blank.
"Tell me…" The blonde princess persisted like a curious kitten.
Neptune decided to joke with Venus instead by describing what she saw in front of her. With a mysterious smile, she said, "Maybe some blonde hair and blue eyes."
But Venus did not get the joke, her eyes danced around that idea.
"That's easy. There are plenty of them here on Venus! I can sure be your matchmaker."
Neptune chuckled. She took one of Venus's hands and started working on removing the excess wax on her fingertips. "Okay Princess Venus, one day if I do want to meet that special someone, I'll definitely take you up on the offer."
"Of course," Venus said, she then gestured the unopened jar with her other hand full of wax. "Hey what is that potion for?"
"Stay still," Neptune ordered, still working carefully on Venus's nails. "Didn't you want to try curly hair? I've got the alchemist to develop something that will last you more than just a few days."
Venus was excited, she forgot the waxes on her hands and reached out to give Neptune a warm hug. "Neptune you're the best!"
"Ugh Venus!" Neptune complained, "now we have to redo everything over again and I have to figure out how to get this sticky stuff off my dress."
"Sorry! But don't you worry," Venus said cheerfully with a wink, "I've got plenty of dresses here!"
Neptune shook her head. Sometimes she wished that she could be as carefree as the young princess.
Charon Castle, Pluto
While Neptune stayed at Venus for a short getaway, Princess Uranus was asked by Queen Serenity's counselor to get connected with Princess Pluto at Charon Castle. It was a short visit as the trip was ended earlier due to an attack on Nix (one of the moons of Pluto) sent by Queen Beryl in an attempt to disrupt Uranus's visit.
However, the timing of the attack was miscalculated. Uranus had arrived earlier than the agenda had originally planned for, and the attempt invasion resulted in providing an opportunity for Uranus and Pluto to fight together for the first time. The duo partnered exceptional well during the defense of Nix. The two princesses gained a valuable experience getting familiarized with each other's style and strength. Pluto, the older princess, planned their response to the enemy together with Uranus but actually let the blonde princess take the lead in executing the plan at the battlefield.
During the defensive battle, Uranus also learned that Pluto possessed the Garnet Orb, another talisman similar to her Space Sword and Neptune's Deep Aqua Mirror. Pluto briefly mentioned to Uranus that the three talismans would summon a powerful weapon but did not elaborate further.
978, Triton Castle
It was almost three years since Neptune's first attempt to visit her senshi partner at Miranda Castle, Queen Serenity's counselor encouraged Neptune to take another visit again to meet and discuss their partnership. The wavy-haired princess agreed but had a different idea instead.
"Do you think Princess Uranus want come to here instead? That way I can show her around Triton too. Maybe she'd be interested in seeing some of our works here," Neptune suggested.
"Your Highness," Lady Despina said, "please listen to the Queen Serenity. Her Majesty must have her reason for wanting you to go there instead."
"I guess," Neptune said as she looked outside the window. Miranda Castle was far from where she could see from her naked eyes, but after her last visit she thought it might be a good idea for her to host the unmet princess on her own planet instead.
Suddenly Neptune found herself agreeing with Lady Despina.
"I actually do need to go to Miranda Castle. One of my sketchbooks is still there and I need to retrieve it," Neptune said.
"That's a good enough reason to go there again," Lady Despina said, smiling.
Miranda Castle
Neptune and her travel companions arrived at Uranus earlier than planned. They purposely did because Neptune wanted to search for her sketchbook.
By the time they arrived, Princess Uranus was out training again, with this time at Cordelia Naval Station.
"It's wonderful to see you again Princess Neptune, but I regret to inform you that our princess is away. She has been training at the naval station for a few days; she is scheduled to return this afternoon." The butler of Miranda Castle said.
"I understand, we arrived early anyway," Neptune replied.
"Is there anything I can assist you with to make your stay more comfortable?"
"Actually, I could use some help."
"I'm all ears."
"Would you happen to know if a sketchbook was ever found in Rosalind Garden? I accidentally left it there last time. I know it has been a while but I thought I'd check just in case anyone had seen it."
"I'm sorry. I am not aware of such lost item. But you're welcome to look around and ask our gardener if you wish," the butler replied.
"No worries. I'll take a look at the garden then. Thank you."
Neptune changed into a long-sleeved dress, put on a pair of riding boots, and went out to the garden. She went back to the bench near the small pond. As expected the sketchbook was nowhere to be found. She continued to browse around relaxingly, appreciating the same serene scene that she saw last time. She explored a bit more, and followed the garden trail until she came to a lookout which was situated at the summit of the castle. There were beautiful flowers bloomed on both sides of the trail, one side golden and the other side zaffre blue.
The aqua-haired princess stopped and took a closer look at the flowers.
"These are the floral emblems of our planet." Neptune heard someone spoke in the near distance. She quickly looked over and saw someone walking up to her.
"They are beautiful," the wavy haired princess complimented.
"Yes, the golden ones are Duranta Erecta, known as the Skyflowers, representing love and courage; and the blue ones are Anemone, known as the Windflowers, symbolizing trust and loyalty."
"I appreciate the information," said Neptune with a smile.
"Sorry. Let me introduce myself. I'm the gardener of Rosalind Garden. I assume you are a visitor here," the gardener said.
"Yes, I'm a visitor from Neptune."
As Neptune stood at the lookout, Princess Uranus and her naval force were returning to the base. The blonde princess stood on the bridge of the ship and spotted someone at the summit of the castle. She looked closely with a telescope and saw that it was the aqua-haired girl whom she met over two years ago.
Once she disembarked the battleship, she ordered that no one was allowed to follow her or step into Rosalind Garden until she gave her permission to do so.
Neptune continued to chat with the gardener for a while, learning more about the botany of the flowers in Rosalind Garden. She was intrigued to learn that some of them, like the Skyflowers, were consumable and provided healing therapy; while some others like the Windflowers were for topical use as pain relievers. Belinda Apothecary would harvest them during a specific time of the year and refine them for medical uses.
The wavy haired princess got so carried away and forgot to inquire the whereabouts of her sketchbook. She knelt down and picked up one of the flowers that had fallen onto the ground, and studied it closely as the gardener stood behind her.
Uranus made her way up to the summit shortly. When the gardener saw her, he bowed but the blonde princess gestured him not to make a sound and sent him away quietly. She didn't want to reveal her princess identity, and decided that she would greet Michiru in her own way.
The aqua-haired girl took a sniff of the golden Skyflower and smiled.
"This one smells dewy and dreamy," she said.
"It's clearly a violation of the Uranian law to pick floral emblem in Miranda Castle," Uranus stated coldly.
Michiru startled. She quickly turned around and realized that the gardener was gone, standing in front of her was the blonde teen with arms crossed.
"What's going on? What are you doing here?" Michiru asked.
"Good questions. What are you doing here? What business do you have wandering in this area?"
Uranus's sharp words successfully ticked off the wavy-haired girl. Now Michiru was in a contentious mode.
"I asked you questions first," she argued.
"That doesn't mean I need to answer you," Uranus responded with a smirk on her face.
Michiru shook her head, looking annoyed.
"Let's pretend we didn't run into each other then," the aqua-haired girl said. She started walking away from Uranus.
But the blonde princess was much quicker than her. She immediately stood in front of Michiru, blocking her access to the trail.
"I can't let you go."
"Why not?"
"You're not allowed to pick or remove flowers from the garden," Uranus stated.
Michiru looked down at the golden flower in her hand, she then stared at Uranus.
"This was fallen onto the ground, okay? I didn't pick it," Michiru defended.
She reached for Uranus' hand and held it up.
"Here you go, keep it," said Michiru, placing the golden Skyflower on Uranus's palm. "And now you can stop the accusation."
Uranus's eyes widened. She stood stunned by that action while Michiru walked around her and continued her way towards where she came from. The blonde princess looked at the flower in her hand, recalling the meaning of giving someone Skyflowers. (as it represented love and courage)
Once she realized that Michiru was farther away from her, she quickly shook herself out of that thought. She told herself that Michiru was just a visitor from Neptune. She was sure that the bodyguard was just giving her the flower out of not wanting to be accused of picking the Uranian floral emblem.
She ran after Michiru.
"Wait," Uranus yelled from afar.
"What do you want now?" The wavy-haired girl seemed annoyed at being followed, "I've given you back the flower already."
"I…" Uranus did not know what to say. Should she tell Michiru about the meaning of that action? Or let her keep the flower? Wait, she couldn't give it back to her because as a Uranian, giving Skyflowers would be a declaration of love. It couldn't happen like this. She barely knew this girl standing in front of her.
Michiru seemed to be contemplating something. Then she began.
"I've got to go, and you have no right to stop me," she said sharply.
"W-what do you mean by that?" Uranus asked disbelievingly. That was the definitely other way around on the Uranian soil.
"I don't even know who you are," she said.
"What?! I'm-" Uranus almost slipped out the truth. She was Haruka, she reminded herself inwardly.
"You forgot who I am already?" The blonde princess asked. There was a look of bewilderment on her face.
"I don't think we've ever met."
Never met? Michiru-lookalike? Wasn't Michiru the doppelgänger of Princess Neptune? So this girl standing in front of her was…Neptune?! Uranus started debating in her head over who the girl standing in front of her was. She looked like the same girl she met few years ago, she looked more mature but definitely wasn't a completely different person. Was Michiru just playing a trick on her or did she meet the real princess instead?
She decided to put it to a test.
"Pardon me, may I ask if you are Princess Neptune?" Uranus asked in a more polite tone, in her Haruka identity.
No response came from the girl standing in front of her.
"Would you please prove to me with your talisman? Sorry for the abrupt request, but there have been quite a few self-proclaimed princesses of Neptune here. I'm concerned that some of them are up to no good. For the safety of everyone in Miranda Castle, I have to make sure that the garden is clear of enemies."
"That's your problem then. I don't need to prove anything to anyone."
"I'm sorry, this order came from Princess Uranus," Uranus said respectfully.
"Then I'll show your princess when I see her."
"Unfortunately I have to see it now before I let you go."
"I'm not debating with you on this," the wavy-haired girl continued to walk away.
Uranus blocked her again near the pond.
"You're Michiru. I won't believe otherwise until I see the Deep Aqua Mirror."
No response came from the princess or the princess lookalike. Instead of debating further, she glared at Uranus, waiting for her words and plan of action. The blonde princess gestured her to sit by the bench. She obliged and sat on one end while Uranus took the other end.
"You're going to stay here until Princess Neptune shows up to claim you back. I can't believe you have the gut to fake her – you're going to be in big trouble," Uranus teased her with an amused tone. She gloated over her success in calling out the princess impostor.
The princess lookalike heaved a sigh but remained silent. She relaxingly looked at the pond and seemed to be in no hurry to leave all of a sudden. She also seemed very interested in the colorful water lilies on the pond. After a while, she said, without looking at Uranus, "I'm waiting for Michiru to come rescue me, and then I'll explain to Princess Uranus the reason for my tardiness in meeting her."
Her words gave Uranus a pause. What if she really was Neptune? That wouldn't make a good first meeting. She needed another confirmation.
She took out a small sketchbook from her pocket.
"Is this yours?" Uranus asked, presenting it to the wavy-haired girl.
"My sketchbook!" She gasped and exclaimed.
Uranus held the book tightly in her hand as the aqua-haired girl tried to reach for it.
"Hold on. Are you able to tell me all the places you sketched in this book? I'll believe that you're the real princess if you can describe everything you drew," Uranus suggested, believing that Princess Neptune, instead of Michiru, was the owner of the sketchbook.
To Uranus's surprise, the wavy-haired girl had no problem remembering every page of the entire sketchbook. Without even looking at a single page, one by one she described all the places to Uranus, from Galatea Art School to Halimede Alchemy Lab. Even though the pages were sketched in graphite pencils, the aqua-haired girl described everything in great detail – the colors, the surroundings, and the ambiance of the places. As Uranus listened to the details, the scenes of the places sketched on the book appeared vividly in her imagination.
She felt as if she had taken a tour of Triton Castle and all those places on Neptune already.
The blonde princess had nothing but admiration for the artistic talent and the prolific storytelling ability of the girl sitting on the other end of the bench. Not to mention she apparently had photographic memory as well.
Suddenly Uranus snapped the sketchbook closed.
"We haven't gotten to the last page yet."
Uranus stood up from the bench and walked over to her.
"You are Princess Neptune," She bowed politely to the wavy-haired girl and handed the sketchbook to her in both hands, "please pardon my churlish words and request earlier."
A warm smile appeared on the aqua-haired girl's face. She accepted the sketchbook from Uranus gracefully.
"Thank you. I actually have something for you, if you're willing to accept it," The aqua-haired girl said with a sincere smile.
"I'd be honor to," Uranus said.
"Please close your eyes," she whispered.
Uranus obliged without question, wondering what surprise Princess Neptune was planning on giving her.
She patiently waited.
More than a minute later, there wasn't a word spoken or a movement from the supposedly Princess Neptune. Uranus quickly opened her eyes and looked around.
That was when she realized that the wavy-haired girl had run away. She started chasing after her but was far from being able to catch up to her.
"Wait! What's going on?" Uranus yelled over.
"Bye Haruka!" Michiru shouted mischievously and waved, "I'll deliver your apology to Princess Neptune!"
"You are Michiru! I knew it!"
"Too late! You can't stop me now!" Michiru responded before bursting into laughter.
"We'll see about that!"
To be continued.
Note: I am glad to finally have Aino Minako added to the story! She used to be my favorite character in the anime. I love her happy-go-lucky, vibrant personality.
Note2: I decided to draw the ending of this chapter and update the cover image. (chibi style)