Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon
Author's Note: In the previous chapter I mentioned that Serena and her brother looked similar, but I am going to change that. Instead of blue eyes and blond hair, he is going to be golden eyed with red hair. Also, when I said Darien and Serena hated each other, I really meant that Princess Serena was unwillingly and to her annoyance attracted to the Earth Prince
Enjoy and drop me a review.
I just noticed a mistake in chapter 1- I called Makoto, Lita at the end of the chapter. I am going to continue using Lita, since apparently it is easier to involuntarily type it.
Chapter 2: Intrigue
Princess Serena walked into the meeting room ahead of schedule. She had awakened early and instead of lingering in her bed, she had joined Rei, Ami, and Lita for breakfast in the dining room. Mina was the only person besides herself who usually slept in until almost midmorning. While Serena ate a full stack of blueberry pancakes, Ami gave her the run down on the planet Earth and their guests. Lita finished her share of the pancakes and said, "Rei and I are going early to set up the meeting room- be there on time Serena."
"I will be," Serena said, eating the last bite of pancake from her plate. Ami looked up from the file she had brought to the table.
"Are you nervous?" Ami asked, always sensitive to the emotions that poured out of her friends-especially Serena.
"Yes, but my mother and my kingdom need for me to help the Silver Alliance," Serena said almost confidently, then in a scared whisper, "Ami, what if I can't do it?"
"Serena, you can do it. Your mother believes it, I believe it and what's more Rei, Lita, and Mina believe it. We know you can do it, and we'll be by your side as it gets done."
"Right," Serena stood up, "Let's get it done." Before they could sweep out of the room a young man with bright red hair entered the room.
"Serena," he said, "It is good to be here," he blinked his topaz gold eyes. It was the Sun Prince, Aristaeus.
"Brother, welcome to the Moon. How is the Sun?" Serena asked, her eyes twinkling mischievously at the sight of her twin brother.
"Hot," he stated calmly, and then he pulled her into his arms, giving her a tight brotherly hug.
She hugged him back and as they released each other, Minako walked into the dining room.
"Taeus, do you remember Princess Minako of Venus?" Serena said.
"Of course I do." Taeus sketched a courtly bow, while the Venusian princess curtsied.
"Minako has agreed to escort you around the moon while Mother and I attend to business," Serena said, gently pulling the two closer together without them noticing.
Taeus eyed his sister and then glanced at Minako who gave him a flirtatious wink. He shrugged, "All right. It's been awhile since I have been around the moon."
Minako smiled, relieved. She turned to Serena, "You'd better go."
"Right." Serena swept out of the dining room and down the hallway where the castle's conference rooms were.
So that brings us to Serena arriving early in the meeting room. The circular oak table stood sturdily in the center in the room and Rei and Ami sat with a stack of folders on either side of them. Ami was explaining something long winded and science-y to Rei while Rei took notes.
They looked up when Serena entered the conference room, and Serena smiled Rei pleaded with her eyes to get her out from one of the Mercurian's lengthy science lectures.
"Ami, tell me about Earth," Serena said, just when Lita strode into the room, her body crackling with suppressed lightning.
Rei stood up. Lita's aura was a muddy red with a clear red outlining it- indicating that she was feeling angry and passionate feelings of lust and competitiveness. Behind her, a tall, brown-haired man strode into the room. It was Nephrite, one of the Earth's Protectorates. His aura was a mixture of the same muddy red and clear red that invisibly framed Lita.
Rei raised an eyebrow, but motioned for Lita to sit while Ami gave a short rundown of the Earth, the royal customs, and Prince Endymion. At the end of the spiel, Endymion himself strode into the conference room followed by the silver haired Protectorate, Kunzite, and the blond, Jadeite. Serena stood up, and smiled, gesturing towards the chair across from her, "Please sit, Your Highness."
Serena gave a signal to Lita, who stood up, walked out of the conference room, and started to shut the doors. Nephrite stood up as well, and giving everyone else a suspiciously innocent smile, walked out to stand beside Lita outside the doors. He gave the doors a push and they shut with a gentle shushing sound.
Rei stood up with a concerned frown, and sat back down when Serena imperceptibly tilted her head.
Endymion smirked at the Moon Princess, and said, "Good Morning, Meatball Head." Ami gasped, while Rei snorted, and Serena glared at Endymion. Kunzite groaned, whispering, "Don't insult her, Your Highness." Jadeite just grinned.
"Shall we get to the negotiations or are you going to insult me again?" Serena said, deceptively dispassionate.
"Negotiations first," Endymion said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Great," Serena said, and then looked at the notes her mother made, with Ami's wise comments annotated beside each note. She nodded, looked up. "The Moon Kingdom and the other planet kingdoms are prepared to allow the Earth into the Silver Alliance, with these conditions. All import and export routes will be opened to the Planets of the Silver Alliance only. No other planets or galaxies may directly trade with you, and you will have to open up the transportation routes to and from your planet as well. You must be prepared to welcome all royal and non-royal visitors from all the planets in the Alliance."
"The royal court on Earth is prepared for trade and tourism; we welcome the chance to trade with Planets within the Alliance. We do not yet acknowledge planets outside this galaxy." Endymion's tone was firm.
Ami interrupted, "There are planets far beyond this galaxy, with many people and other creatures. However, they are not a part of the Alliance. This galaxy's planets, except yours, are the only ones in the Alliance. We are hoping to change that in time however."
"No matter," Serena said, once again taking control of the conversation, with a subtle look at Ami to keep her queen's secrets. Ami's eyes widened. She hadn't meant to say anything, so she looked down at her own copy of the notes.
"What are the other conditions for our acceptance into the Silver Alliance?" Endymion said, impatient now.
"You must sign all your militia and defense over the Alliance, so that if any other planet within the Alliance is attacked, they can be immediately drafted into the battle or war."
"Earth is a peaceful planet, we do not have a militia," Kunzite interjected, before Endymion could agree or disagree.
"Then what are the Protectorates?" Serena asked, turning her cerulean gazed upon the silver haired man.
"They are my closest friends and personal bodyguards. They are trained to fight against threats against me, and they are also trained to be courtiers. My father's Protectorates are the fathers of mine. They come from a long line of Protectorates," Endymion answered, "Kunzite is correct though. The Earth has been peaceful until recently."
"Will you start training a militia then?" Serena asked, adding a notation to the paperwork.
"Possibly," Endymion said, not committing, "if we do, our militia will belong to the Alliance."
"Agreed," Serena said, making a notation in the contract. She passed it to Ami for proofreading. Serena felt Darien's eyes tracing her face, and as she met his eyes, she felt her skin flush. She looked away, and saw Rei glaring at Jadeite, her arms akimbo. She nudged Rei, and Rei blinked. She looked at Serena, and told her, telepathically, "I need to get out of here, Princess. May I?"
Serena nodded. All the scouts could communicate telepathically, and Rei was one of the strongest telepaths the Alliance had. She worked on not only communicating telepathically, but she practiced many spiritual skills- fire reading, mind reading, and fortune telling. Rei was also one of the strongest people Serena knew, so when Rei asked for help, it meant she really needed help. So Serena nodded when Rei asked to leave.
Endymion witnessed the interaction between Princess Serena and Princess Rei. And then Rei pushed back her chair, stood up and walked out of the room. Jadeite stood up to go as well, but Kunzite glared at him and he sat back down.
"The Silver Alliance contracts will be ready tomorrow," Ami abruptly announced, "Prince Endymion and his witness will sign them as well Queen Serenity and her witness. Finally, each planet's representative and a witness with sign them. Nine planets, plus the moon, and the sun will be the new Silver Alliance."
"The SUN!" Jadeite said in surprise.
"Yes. Although the consort of the queen and the queen love each other, they must live on their own planets to prevent uprisings," Ami said. She held up a small stack of engraved cards. "These are for Prince Endymion, his Protectorates, and for all the royals from the other planets that shall be soon arriving."
Endymion took his out, opened it and gazed black script on the gold and cream paper.
The Silver Alliance is pleased to announce the first royal friendship ball
The Next Full Moon after Moon Rise
All Royals Welcome
Formal dress required
Endymion refolded the invitation and placed inside his suit jacket. "We shall attend. When is the next Full Moon? And what is Moon Rise?"
"The planets orbit the sun and the ones closest to the moon also orbit the Moon. The next Full Moon is in two weeks, and when the Moon is fully visible to the other planets is Moon Rise," Ami said. "We'll know it is Moon Rise by the way the moon feels."
"Princess Minako, what are my mother and my sister hiding?" The prince of the sun asked, his golden eyes set in a determined stare.
Minako twirled gracefully, facing him. They were in the Queen's gardens, where she had collected cuttings of all her favorite plants from other planets- including Earth's pink columbines, and red roses, "My queen is hiding nothing, Your Highness."
"Really? Why else would they ask the Venusian princess to escort me around the moon, away from the palace?" Taeus combed his red hair away from his eyes, watching as Minako carefully school her features.
She informed him, "I volunteered my services while they handle duties of the crown. I wanted a chance to talk to you again. We've haven't talked since I broke our betrothal."
This time, it was Taeus who schooled his face into calm blank lines, "You broke it for the right reasons, and there was no harm. You were right; we each deserve a chance to look for love. And we both need someone who won't mind the long royal absences, or even better someone who can be at our sides while we rule our planets."
"But I still hurt you, Taeus. Not a broken heart, but I bruised your pride without meaning to. And with time, I know I would have grown to love you and vice versa. I never got to apologize for how I hurt you."
"Minako, I consider you one of my friends. There is nothing to forgive," He approached her side, and hugged her gently, "Now you might as well give me that tour."
"Of course," Minako spun around, holding tightly onto Taeus' arm, giggling. Her blonde hair twirled around her figure, mesmerizing a man who stood in the shadows. He watched as the couple cozily walked out of the gardens before stepping into the light. His own silver white hair brushed his shoulders, and he reviewed the invitation in front of him once more, remembering Ami's words, "We'll know it is Moon Rise by the way the Moon feels."
It had sounded corny, but Kunzite understood the meaning. The moon would feel brighter, clearer, and full of celebration. His heart had started feeling fuller and clearer since he saw the princess of Venus, but he knew his duty. To protect the Earth, first and always.
Author's Note: I am so surprised (and impressed with myself) at how many fanfics I have updated this month- the Power Rangers crossover with Sailor Moon, The Sickroom, Victoria, and now this one. I will try to update at least one more before the end of April, but definitely by May. Please read and review.