Full circle
Usagi had never felt more tense or angry as she sat, arms crossed and mouth twitching, on her bed next to Minako who was looking out the window nervously. Ami, though more acquainted with the Princess, sat anxiously on a chair in the corner meant for the maids who watched over the pig tailed blonde as she slept. Although excited and curious, the three girls felt their mood fall after being locked in for over an hour. The conversation, which had been intense, dried up as soon as the thunder and rain became tremendous and a storm broke out. From the balcony the Martian ships could be seen rocking aggressively against the shore while the red armored men tried hard to fit themselves inside as the rain began flooding the vessels. Several soldiers of the Moon were stationed uncomfortably at the gates, the cold water falling down on them as they guarded the entrance.
"This can't be good. The weather...I've never seen anything like it" Usagi suddenly said as she laid back onto her elegant bed.
"It doesn't mean anything as long as we aren't told a thing! Why can't we see the princess of Mars? - Minako said getting up and pacing randomly along the double doors to the balcony - "That evil man wouldn't let me in. What are they hiding? Sorry Ami-chan" she said giving her blue haired friend an apologetic smile for insulting one of her own.
Ami shook her head nervously "I don't like him either. It's troubling to see another princess injured. Don't you know anything Usagi-chan?" she asked edging her body closer to the two girls though she still sat on the chair.
The Moon Princess rolled on her side and sighed "No. But if Endymion were here...he'd tell me. I miss him terribly...I'm so worried about him. He hasn't come in over six months...you don't think?" she asked dramatically turning to her blonde friend on the bed.
Minako rolled her eyes and gave her a fake smile "I'm sure he's fine. In fact, if there were anything wrong he'd be here on the Moon. It's the safest place to be right now, or so says Artemis. I mean, we're both here because it's safe. Stop worrying about him" she said lazily, clearly having heard such worries too many times.
Usagi groaned, obviously she hadn't heard a single word said to her. She twisted again on her back and held out a tasteless locket hanging from her neck. She kissed it before holding it against her chest, she closed her eyes and smiled lost in silly thoughts.
Seeing the princesses' complete lack of interest, Ami turned to Minako "Minako-chan? Can I ask you something?" she whispered, wary of Usagi's attention.
"Of coarse. What is it?"
"Well...I was wondering if you've heard of guardians?"
"What? Like Luna and Artemis?" Minako responded casually as she flicked some lint off of her dress while frowning at Usagi who was humming annoyingly to herself.
"No, not like that. I mean, do you know about us and our...duty?" Ami asked carefully.
"Oh! Us being guardians? Yes of coarse, Serenity told me all about it when I first arrived. Why? Don't you know?"
"Yes I do, my mother informed me just today. Sorry for prying but...have you seen the symbol? The one that appears on your forehead?" the blue haired girl asked excitedly.
"I haven't. Therefore, I don't owe the Princess anything" - Minako said slyly as she nudged her friend next to her against the ribs. Usagi's day dream was broken and she got up angrily - "Have you seen yours?" she asked ignoring the piercing stare coming from her irritated friend.
"No" - Ami said quickly before touching her forehead - "But I know the Princess of Mars has. That red gleam, coming from the boat, was her symbol. I don't know how but she managed to get here using it. It seems very powerful" she said somberly.
"Wow! I can't wait to meet her! She must be great!" Usagi interrupted.
"Are there anymore princesses?" the Mercurian asked.
"No, I'm sure of it. The Martian Princess is the last one." Minako answered hurriedly before anything else could be said.
"That's not true! My mother told me there are four guardians. Ask her yourself!" Usagi piped in importantly.
"Perhaps from Jupiter?" Ami suggested quietly.
Minako, looking very offended, shook her head "That can't be. Jupiter is an outer planet. Luna maybe?" she said in an attempt to redeem herself.
"Don't be ridiculous! She's too old and she'd have to be a princess!" the pig tailed blonde protested.
"She can turn into a cat, maybe that's her power"
"So can Artemis and I'm sure he's not a guardian of the Moon. Maybe we're the only ones. These sort of things change from time to time. My parents always told me the pacts between planets are just a formality. I doubt we'll have anymore visitors" the Venusian princess said nonchalantly.
Ami, a little downhearted by the news, got up and approached the other two girls "If the Moon is invaded, what are we supposed to do?" she inquired seriously.
The two blondes looked at each other in doubt and shrugged before turning back to their blue haired friend who took a seat next to them on the bed. The three girls pondered quietly about separate things; Ami wondered anxiously what she needed to learn to be a guardian and whether or not her mother would give her the time. Minako was preoccupied, as she had been all day, about the new princess and what she was like. Usagi, on the other hand, was remembering her first sweet kiss with the terran Prince. The thunderstorm outside grew worse which made all three girls turn in sync towards the window. They jumped in unison when the door to the room was burst open.
"Sorry ladies" - Artemis, in human form, said out of breath as he stepped in - "You've...been summoned downstairs by the Queen" he announced moving away and ushering them out.
The princesses, tired of being locked in, quickly got up and filed out into the corridor. The white haired man led them along the corridor and down to the doors of the Great Hall. They entered excitedly to find Serenity, Saeko, Luna, a very odd looking priest, a disgruntled Martian soldier and a grinning Maiestas. They were all huddled at the end of the long table where a parchment was open and being inspected by said people.
"Come here girls. I'm sorry for keeping you locked away in that room but it was for your own safety" Serenity said as the girls approached her curiously, Artemis right behind them.
"What is it mother? Something is wrong?" Usagi asked as they reached them.
"Do not fret, this is important for you to witness. Rei-chan's, the Princess of Mars, guardian lost his life in the crash. He was her sensei and therefore was bound to protect her life. She is underage and needs someone to look after her. What you are about to see if very uncommon but it is necessary in such times. The Queen of Mercury has suggested and appointed Maiestas to be her new guardian. You three must be present" Serenity said as she waved her hand towards the evil man who bowed with a glint in his eyes and wicked smile.
Ami, scared for the girl she didn't know, took a daring step forward "No! He can't be her guardian!" - she gave Maiestas an angered glare - "I don't have a guardian! He should be mine!" she demanded for the sake of Rei.
"I am your guardian! Don't use that tone again with me or anyone else. You are a guest here! Serenity trusts my decision and I trust Maiestas to care for the Martian Princess. He is a loyal and responsible man and that young girl needs guidance now that she is alone. Not a word from you, do you understand?" Saeko yelled at her daughter, humiliating her terribly.
"Why should guardians need guardians?" Minako asked herself but for everyone to hear.
"Because, as the Queen has said, you need guidance and you are underage. We will not discuss this any further" Serenity said impatiently as she bent over, grabbed the quill perched in ink and signed the bottom of the long parchment. Saeko followed as did Maiestas. With weary movements the odd looking priest did the same. The soldier, red in the face with anger, stood his ground proudly.
"I will not a sign anything giving a Mercurian power over a Martian, it's madness!" he bellowed fiercely.
Maiestas, looking greedily at Serenity's signature, shrugged "It does not matter if you sign, it is only a formality. I am now, officially, guardian of the Princess" he said pedantically.
With a loud roar the red armored man threw himself on the small sage. He grabbed Maiestas by the neck and squeezed as tightly as he could, the horrible man gagged and flailed his arms trying to fight off his attacker. Quickly, several soldiers of the Moon apprehended the Martian and pulled him away.
"You!...cough...cough...take him away! Have him hanged!" Maiestas cried as he held his sore neck and pointed towards his offender.
"I'll slit your throat! You dirty Mercurian! Mars will never be faithful to you or that bitch Queen!" the soldier screamed as he was being pulled away by two very large guards. They managed to take him away and surely down into one of the cells. A bolt of thunder struck dangerously close to the palace turning everyone's attention to the windows.
"Why is the weather like this, mother?" Usagi asked as she propped herself against Minako.
"We don't know yet. This is no longer the Moon's problem" Saeko quickly answered, she watched the dancing lightning outside with hatred.
"I'll let you know when I am completely sure of it. Please go back to your room" Serenity answered kindly but sternly waving the girls away.
Ami, carefully following the two blondes out, turned for approval from her mother. The older woman nodded annoyed without even looking at her. Relieved to have some liberty, the blue haired girl walked behind Minako and back to Usagi's room. Even in such troubling times, she felt happy to share her time with girls of her own age. They arrived and returned to their former places in the room.
"I'm tired of being constantly sent back here. It was pointless for us to be called for, waste of time" Usagi groaned as she returned to admiring her hideous locket.
"I can't believe that man was appointed to the Martian Princess! He's evil, no Ami-chan?" Minako said angrily but yearning for support.
"He is. I don't trust him at all. But I cannot deny my mother is fair and wise. Perhaps it is a good thing?" Ami answered unsure.
"What does it matter? We all have guardians, he can't be worse than Luna!" - Usagi proclaimed as she quivered from another strike of lightning hitting the garden outside - I still can't believe this weather! Just a few months ago its was warm and blossoming. Then, the night you came Ami-chan, it was freezing! Then...just yesterday...a heat wave! And now...a thunderstorm?" she said looking up in thought. Her eyes wondered as she slowly began to put the pieces together.
Ami and Minako looked at each other knowingly and then over at the pig tailed blonde expectantly. Slowly, as if counting with her fingers, Usagi connected the information and turned to look at the blue haired girl excitedly.
"Ami-chan, do you think the change in weather has anything to do with your arrivals?"
Makoto's heart felt tight as a fist as she charged into the battling soldiers. Just as she was riding alongside of them the forest grew wider until it forced her to merge with the armored men and women. Her horse stopped and whined as they treaded carefully down into the valley where cries echoed against the mountains aligning them. She continued forcefully through the fighting, knocking down several soldiers, until it was impossible to pass without being attacked. The horse stopped and lifted itself almost throwing her down. In such a haze, Makoto looked beyond and spotted the cavalry just ahead. Seeing the flags carried by her parents, she urged the animal to continue. The horse whined and whipped its way in circles as all around them blood and screams were felt. The brunette, dizzy and scared, took out her sword but hesitated to attack. The commotion she created was quickly noticed by a Martian soldier. He turned and attacked them in rage. The man, crazed and filled with blood, growled at Makoto, his eyes black and seething in a dark energy.
"What? How...?" the tall girl wailed as she quickly cut the mans head off. She felt a powerful surge to throw up as the headless body jiggled until it fell limply on the ground. She finally examined the battle and realized the enemy's army was fueled by something very evil and powerful. The dark shadow had already covered the valley and was bursting with horrible thunder. The rain was fierce and hard, almost hurtful.
No longer sympathetic for the men she fought, Makoto relentlessly dove into the battle and attacked anyone who stood in the way. Her sword, dented and worn out from being scraped against her armor, tore through the demonized soldiers in red. The large animal she rode was brave as it trampled over many, creating a hoard of bodies and blood, leading it's way closer to the King and Queen of Jupiter. Seeing her destination grow closer, the brunette struck through the chest of another enemy. Smiling at her conquest and imagining her parents pride, she cried out as her horse galloped and kicked it's front legs high in triumph. The uplifting moment was suddenly destroyed when, out of nowhere and in a fraction of a second, a spear flew perfectly straight and lodged itself through Makoto's side and out through her back, dangerously close to her heart. The poisoned weapon penetrated solid iron, flesh and bone until it was sticking awkwardly out of the princess's body. The tall girl choked before giving a harsh scream and falling down, bringing the horse with her against it reigns. The terrible fall caused the spear to dig further into her, making Makoto wail even worse.
"Help! HELP! I'm the Princess!" the aching girl cried out in frustration as she twisted uncomfortably on the blood soaked ground. Her plea's went unnoticed as she was forsaken by the dim of the battle and her voice disappeared instantly. The pain was unbearable leading her to feel dizzy and confused. Her vision turned into a single frame, only able to see a small blossoming plant right in front of her. Too lost and paralyzed, Makoto slowly reached out, hand bloodied and shaking, towards the tiny flower. She took a moment before destroying the plant in a firm grasp, her fingers digging deep into the soil. A burning sensation in her wound made her heart suddenly coil in pain, she took a deep and agonizing breathe before screaming out in pain. Tears fell from her eyes as she was sure of death, her fear was crippling.
Galego, only inches away and off of his dead horse, took a small break to acknowledge the screaming soldier. At first glance, too distracted fighting a crazed Martian, he ignored the twisting and suffering warrior. Taking another quick glance he realized the dying girl was wearing a royal armor. Luckily, Makoto had ignored the royal crest on the back of her armor which was clear as day despite the dirt and blood covering it. Swiftly, Galego cut his enemy's head before running to his princess.
"Makoto-chan! You stupid girl!" he growled turning the brunette over carefully and confirming it was her.
"I want...my...mother!" Makoto moaned shaking in terror. She looked up at the frightened man and began to cry.
"No! We're going back to your home!" the soldier said as he hastily picked up the princess and threw her over his shoulder, ignoring her cries as the spear collided with everything around them. He ran as quickly as he could between the battling men and women until he reached a man on a horse leading the Jovians back. Galego was fast to brand his sword out towards the deserting man.
"Where are you going? There's a war! Get off now!" the loyal and important soldier demanded from the traitor.
"We've been ordered to retreat! The King and Queen are dead!" the man said shakily as he jumped down off of his horse.
"What? No...it can't be!" Galego protested as he looked back and noticed most of the green armored soldiers running towards him. Deciding what was right, he took Makoto and tried heaving her onto the horse. The long spear embedded in her made it impossible to get her on the animal. Frustrated and hurried he tried to break the wooden weapon. It burned instantly with the first touch. Looking up at the growing dark shadow above, he took a long breathe and cried out, along with Makoto, as he broke the spear at both sides leaving it as small as possible. His hands were boiling with pus as he let go of the two wooden half's and quickly got the princess up on the horse. Riding in between soldiers and flicks of blood, Galego held his princess tightly towards the royal villa.
"I'm sorry...where is my mother? I'm sorry..." Makoto stuttered as she bent forward onto the horse's mane. She was pale and wheezing every word she said. She looked at her hand, bloodied and filled with dirt, before collapsing and falling unconscious against Galego's burnt but strong grip.
Despite the company of her new found friends and their warmth, Ami found it incredibly difficult to fall asleep when she finally returned to her room. Too worked up and curious she examined every book in her trunks until nothing was left to investigate. Nothing was new, everything she researched about other planets and the Moon were things she already knew. Old history and suggestive stereotypes were definitely not what she had witnessed or lived the last few days on the new kingdom. Usagi did not seem stuck up or power hungry while Minako was kind and sweet as opposed to vain and lustful. She thought about her mother and Maiestas, how for all of her life, they had supervised everything she did and read. Nothing in those monitored books were going to get her anywhere. Another bolt of lightning struck the garden making Ami walk out into the balcony where the rain plummeted against the inclined marble roof. She looked out, small specks of water hitting her arms and face, and for some reason she felt incredibly depressed. Her pained heart led her to touch her scarring hand.
"Maybe it is better to be alone. I can't stand worrying for so many people..." the blue haired girl said to herself as she thought of Usagi and Minako. Even Rei-chan, who she didn't know, weighed down on her. The thought of being someone's guardian terrified her and made it difficult to see a distant future. She could barely take care of herself let alone another person. Love, which sounded almost surreal, was what she regretted the most. It seemed like something she would never have.
"Ami-chan? Are you awake?" came Minako's hushed voice from the other side of the door.
The Mercurian barely registered as she left the balcony and smiled "Yes, please come in" she responded opening the door. Outside were the two blondes looking mischievous while Luna, in cat form, lingered angrily behind them. They entered and left the feline outside.
"We brought cakes from the kitchens, oh! And you have tea!" Usagi yelped excitedly as she scurried over to a tray of tea left awhile ago which Ami had ignored.
"I asked the maids to bring it up" Minako announced importantly a she placed the pastries onto the table filled with books. She looked over at them but decided to ignore the content.
"Is it alright that we came in? The thunder and storm scared us" Usagi said pouring the tea into cups.
"I'm glad you did, I couldn't sleep at all" Ami said taking a glazed bun and giving it a small bite.
"You're probably just as worried as we are. It doesn't seem like the war against the dark kingdom will be won" the young Venusian said before instantly regretting her comment. She sat down on the bed and rolled her eyes tiredly.
"Endymion told me the Silver Crystal could save us. He's the prince of Earth. They're fighting Metalia as we speak. He and his generals are protecting the Moon Kingdom, you should meet them Ami-chan! Perhaps one of them will catch your fancy! Endymion, my boyfriend, says we'll marry once this war is over! You two could be my witnesses! He has dark black hair and..." Usagi continued to rant about the terran prince.
Minako, already used to this kind of boring talk, only nodded as she sipped her tea. Ami, on the other hand, felt very confused listening to forbidden relationships. It was strange for her to understand how the Princess could talk so freely of such things. At least twenty minutes passed as the blonde continued to describe the relationship she had with the man.
Another crash of thunder roared, sensing the opportunity to change the subject, Minako gagged on her tea filled mouth "Do you think the Martian Princess is nice? My mother told me they're very stubborn and sometimes cruel" she said quickly before gulping down the liquid in her mouth.
"My mother told me many things which aren't true. Let's wait and see" Ami suddenly said as she touched her scarred hand and quickly hid it under her sleeve. Another drum of lightning lit the room dramatically as all three girls cowered at the frightening sound.
Galego, one hand burning around Makoto's midsection while the other seared against the reigns of the horse, rode fiercely towards the royal villa. As he approached it, his arms aching from the effort, the gates were only guarded by two uneven looking men. Laughing nervously and both holding bottles, the guards giggled as they approached.
"Let us through! This is the Princess!" Galego cried as his horse whined and kicked desperately almost sending the unmoving brunette to the ground.
One of the guards, completely drunk, opened the wooden gates as he giggled "Go ahead! The King and Queen are dead! Better make the best of it!" he chuckled offering the drink in his hand as the horse rode past him. Galego ignored them as he galloped across the garden and into the court of the villa where several maids were standing worriedly. He quickly got off of the animal and carefully laid Makoto on the ground.
"Yes! The King and Queen are dead! Take her away from here!" the loyal man demanded from the shocked woman standing stupidly around the dying princess.
"They are dead...really?" one of the servants dared to ask.
"Yes! Yes! Please, take the princess to the Moon!" Galego cried urgently as he looked up and realized the black cloud had reached them.
"The ship is to leave for Ceres, not the Moon!" a silly looking man said as he walked over and examined Makoto who was at the brink of death.
"She's dying! You'll never make it to Ceres! Take her to the Moon! I beg of you, take her with Serenity!" Galego said as he mounted the horse again and moved back towards the gates.
"You can't leave! Protect us!" the 'medic' protested as the soldier began riding back through the garden and out into the unwinable battle and retreating men and women.
"Do something! She's dying!" one of the maids, dark haired and awkward, cried angrily to the man leaning uselessly over Makoto.
"I don't know what to do! She is going to die! It's her own fault!" - the lame man responded anxiously as he summoned a few apathetic looking soldiers over - "Take her to the ship and to the Moon, now! he said waving to the take the girl away.
The armored men, too sad to care, lifted Makoto up carelessly and shifted her away to the back of the villa where there was a small lake and a ship was waiting. The man, Jupiter's private healer, got up and smiled as he cleaned the blood off of his hands against his silk trousers.
"You are not going? Be with her! She might die!" the only worried maid screamed as she watched the brunette being taken away by brutes.
"I am only obliged to the King and Queen, not their idiotic daughter. She won't even make it to the Moon, forget her. This is ours until it's not. Enjoy!" the man said happily as he twirled like a maniac before running into one of the rooms of the villa.
Frustrated and feeling ill, the black haired haired servant ran off towards the lake. There, sloppily and inconsiderately, the soldiers were boarding Makoto and placing her haphazardly on a board outside. The loyal women got on the ship and ran to her princess; she ripped a piece of her cheap uniform and pressed it tightly against the brunette's wound, ignoring the awkward position of the spear.
"We have to get to the Moon! Quickly!" the shy maid cried to the captain, her attention lost from Makoto for a second. The man, too depressed to care, shrugged and managed to lift the ship up and towards the Moon. With no trouble, except for the terrible weather, the vessel left the atmosphere and soared directly towards the said destination. As they passed Mars, which was now a burning and engulfed by a black ball of destruction, the maid held Makoto's cold hand as they continued on the safe and slightly reassuring path to the Moon.
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