If you haven't read the new chapter seven and the revised versions of the other chapters, do so before reading this one! I'm considering revision of this one, but I can't think of a good way to make it flow better...so be warned it's a little choppy, maybe rushed. But two new chapters so close together!
This chapter is dedicated to Rune, who emailed my lazy butt and got me writing!
AN: Alright, a lot happened in this chapter, so it may come out a little jumbled. Sorry! Maybe I'm trying for too many plot advancements in one chapter? It should get a little more smooth after this one, though! Review?Title: Crystal Power
Author: AriallaZarinth
Chapter Eight: A New Breed of Senshi
Email: crystalstarr89yahoo.com
"Luna, can you make sure that Sere'y will be ready to greet her court?"Queen Serenity ordered softly, not raising her eyes from the treatises on her desk. Everything Queen Serenity said was an order.
"Yes, My Queen." The woman bowed, waves of deep purple hair swishing as she exited.
"Artemis, how is the ball coming?" She dipped the sharpened point of the snowy swan quill she held into an ink pot, scratching out a comment in the margins of one of the documents before her.
"Excellent, Your Majesty." He paused, knowing her next question.
"And who has responded to the invitations?" Her hand shook, then paused.
"Of course, the royal families and the high nobility of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are coming. Saturn's queen is coming; Neptune and Uranus are sending their queens and princesses. Pluto's monarchy declined."
"You sent the invitations to Earth as I said?"
"Yes, Your Highness! They have not responded." Her silver eyes turned to him, meeting his pale blue ones, and he took a deep breath, "King Solaris of the Sun will attend the ball alone." She nodded slowly, eyes turning back down to the papers.
"Very well. Carry on." She didn't notice as he bowed and exited, quill going back to the inkpot. Her hand trembled, and the quill went skittering out of her grasp across the table. It was only expected, she scolded herself, of course Solaris wouldn't bring Marigana. It wasn't a surprise. The queen pressed the heels of her hands into her closed eyes, trying to picture a fifteen or sixteen year old version of her first-born.
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"Dymion, we should go! Or at least you should let Endy and I attend!" Gaia pleaded, the silvery parchment used on the Moon clutched in one hand. The Earth King raised his head slowly, fixing his wife with an intense green gaze.
"Why?" His slow baritone voice held an obstinate note.
"Because he's a Crystalbearer just like the others! He should have the same opportunity; you know that's what this is! It has to be! Training..or something.."
"He will not bend knee to some slip of a girl."
"Queen Serenity is not asking that! It's a ball in honor of the Crystalbearers as well as Princess Serenity and her new court -- which are not all the Crystalbearers! The princesses of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are not part of the court."
"Gaia, I will not go."
"Fine." She sighed as if defeated, mind already forming what she would tell him when she and Endymion returned from the ball. "I won't keep you from your duties." He waved a hand negligently in her direction; she bobbed a fraction of a curtsey and left.
"Where is my son?" She demanded of the lady-in-waiting trailing after her.
"I believe the prince and his generals are in his library, Your Highness."
"Good. Go see that my lunch is readied in the gardens." Without waiting for an answer, Gaia continued to Endymion's library unaccompanied. She slipped into the room, quickly shutting the oaken door behind her.
"Mother." Endymion rose, dipping his head to kiss her hand. The four men he had been sitting with stood hastily, bowing.
"Be at ease." She commented delicately as she chose a seat for herself. Relieved, the four men who had quickly become her son's closest confidants sank back into their chairs. Endymion moved to sit at her right. "Your father does not wish to attend the ball on the Moon. However, he only said that /he/ would not attend -- he does not mean for us to attend, my son, but we will." Her voice was low, barely carrying the few feet to the newly promoted generals. "I believe you have a right to go; the ball is being held partially in your honour." Her blue eyes -- the same eyes inherited by Endymion -- burned brightly with excitement. "I mean for your generals," her eyes flickered over to the men in question briefly, "to accompany us. We need an escort in any case. None of you will mention this, preferably not even to each other. I will arrange everything. Now then, I came in here to invite you on a retreat for a few days, since we have seen so little of each other lately. Your generals are coming with us because they are pledged to go everywhere with you. Dymion knows I have been itching to try out the new transport craft he had made for me. Thankfully, just to show off our technology, the Elysia has space travel capabilities. You must /not/ reveal my plans to anyone. Do you understand, Endy?" She gripped his hand fiercely.
"Yes, Mother. I understand perfectly." He smiled brilliantly at her, "I always wanted to see the Moon Kingdom, and what better time than at a ball?" His easy words reassured her.
"And you four..." she trailed off, struggling to remember their names, "Kunzite and.." The silver haired one tipped his head, indicating his identity. He spoke but a word or two under his breath, and the others chimed in.
"Zoicite."
"Nephlite."
"Jadeite."
"Yes." She nodded, "My son trusts you, and I am doing the same."
"It is our honour, my Queen." Kunzite assured Gaia. A quiet knock sounded, followed by the entrance of several of Gaia's ladies-in-waiting.
"Your Highnesses," they curtseyed together, "my Queen, your lunch is served."
"Thank you." She rose, followed by Endymion and the rest. "I am looking forward to our vacation." She kissed her son on the cheek and exited, trailed by her familiar retinue.
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Sere'y sat quietly at her vanity as Naru, her handmaiden, finished tying the complicated knots of the twin royal odangos. The young red-haired servant carefully settled the princess' coronet among the golden strands of hair.
"Aren't you all dressed up?" A lilting voice chuckled.
"Marigana?" Sere'y's eyes widened.
"Send your maid away so we can talk." She flashed her teeth in a semblance of a grin, even rows of white teeth blinding.
"Naru? You may wait for me in my parlour." Sere'y said calmly. When they were alone, she began speaking again, "Are you and Father here for the ball?" She asked eagerly.
"Of course not. Daddy, Father," she corrected smoothly, "will be here, but I'm going back to the Sun. He doesn't even know I'm here. I just decided that with all the confusion of guests arriving for the ball, I could slip in and slip out without being noticed. Besides, I expect balls on the Moon to be amazingly banal."
"Oh no! There's always dancing, and music,"
"That's generally what makes a ball, Sere'y." Marigana's acid sarcasm burned through Serenity's excited tones.
"...and pretty ladies in magnificent gowns." She concluded softly.
In another part of the castle, a cleaning servant stumbled into the presence of the Moon Queen, curtseying awkwardly.
"Your Majesty, Naru sent me to inform you that Princess Marigana appeared in Princess Serenity's bedchamber to speak with our Princess."
"Marigana?" Serenity began hurrying away.
"Your Highness! Queen Serenity, we don't have time for you to--" Luna called, breaking off when the monarch turned a corner, "go running off." Her shoulders slumped in dejection.
"She'll be back in time. She always is on time." Artemis murmured into Luna's ear, squeezing her shoulders affectionately.
Marigana and Sere'y laughed uproariously, clutching their sides. When they sobered enough to speak, Marigana took the lead.
"I really must go; what if your maid went running after Mother?" A delicate shudder passed through her frame. "Come, give your big sister a kiss." Sere'y dutifully embraced her sibling, pecking her on either cheek. Marigana tweaked one of Sere'y's ponytails, and then was gone.
Queen Serenity burst into the room, wide eyes looking around wildly. When she saw her heir was alone, she regained her composure. Her nose clogged with traces of Marigana's heady perfume, and a note of irritation crept into her voice.
"Aren't you ready, Sere'y? It's time."
"Yes, Mommy," the endearment slipped out, covered quickly with a more refined "Mother." The younger Serenity tugged on her silk slippers and followed her mother to the vaulted white room they would meet their guests in. Luna breathed a sigh of relief when both monarchs walked in. They took their places on their respective thrones, not paying any attention to the ever-empty throne on the queen's right.
"They should be here shortly, Your Majesties." Luna informed them quietly. As if on cue, the gilt doors swung open. The herald looked confused, but his voice carried loud and clear.
"Solaris, King of the Sun, Consort of Serenity, Leader of the Silver Alliance and Queen of the Moon." The man was still shiningly handsome, Serenity conceded as he bowed slightly before the thrones.
"You've grown, Sere'y." His voice was full and booming, his Rs slightly rolled. Sere'y thought her nickname sounded odd coming from this almost stranger, but hesitantly kissed him on the cheek. He chuckled at her nervousness and at the way her nose scrunched at the roughness of his golden beard, then he just as quickly ignored her. "Serenity." His lips barely brushed the back of her hand before he took his seat.
"Solaris, what a pleasant surprise. I was not aware you'd be joining us before the ball and the following activities."
"It's my duty." He grunted coldly.
"So, Marigana's not joining us?" Serenity couldn't hide the hope glimmering in the small question.
"My daughter has her duties on the Sun; she couldn't spare the time to visit." His lie was easy and could be believed, but a frown marred Sere'y's face when he uttered it. She barely had time to hide the emotion, however, before the doors swung open again. This time, the herald began the long list of names he had been especially practicing.
"Hath, King of Mercury; Gnessa, Queen of Mercury; Ami, Bearer of the Sapphire of Ice and Princess of Mercury. Eros, King of Venus; Aphrodite, Queen of Venus; Minako, Bearer of the Topaz of Love and Princess of Venus. Pyronious, King of Mars; Neko, Queen of Mars; Rei, Bearer of the Ruby of Fire and Princess of Mars. Zytra, Queen of Jupiter; Makoto, Bearer of the Emerald of Nature and Princess of Jupiter. Amelie, Queen of Saturn. Taria, Queen of Uranus; Haruka, Bearer of the Aquamarine of the Sky and Princess of Uranus. Oceania, Queen of Neptune; Michiru, Bearer of the Turquoise of the Sea and Princess of Neptune.
"Honoured guests, may I introduce Serenity the first, Chosen of the Silver Halo, Leader of the Silver Alliance, and Queen of the Moon Kingdom; Solaris, King of the Sun and Consort of Queen Serenity; Serenity the second, Bearer of the Silver Crystal, Heir to the Silver Halo, and Princess of the Moon Kingdom and the Sun."
Sere'y's curiosity barely showed in the blues of her eyes, her face almost as composedly serene as her mother's. She had met most of the people in the rainbow-coloured array; the visitors from the Outer Planets were new. The lone Saturnite caught her eye, a queer sort of melancholic waiting hovered under her projected eagerness to meet the other royals. The four girls who had pledged their lives in service and fealty to her several years earlier also caught her attention; apparently they would be staying on the Moon longer than the others. Naru had informed her that she and the members of her court would have tea together immediately after the greeting ceremonies. Sere'y itched to be out of the stiff group of people, saying the right things simply by rote reflex.
When everyone finally began to leave, escorted by servants to point out each guest's respective living quarters, Sere'y descended from her small throne, catching Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako before they could go and issuing a polite request that they would join her for tea. As expected, or required, they agreed and she led them to a small room next to the gardens with glass walls.
As they settled themselves in the plush armchairs, Sere'y dropped decorum, tucking her feet up under her. After the maids had poured the tea and offered a variety of small foodstuffs, she waved them away almost irritably, but with a shining smile to soften the blow.
"That's a wonderful view of Earth, Princess." Makoto ventured hesitantly, looking through the glass ceiling at the pale blue and green ball in the sky.
"Just Serenity, please." Sere'y flashed a grin, refraining from mentioning her mother's odd petname. "Wait until you see her at night; she's beautiful. The sunlight washes her out sometimes." True to Lunarian form, the princess' blue orbs shone with admiration and a queer sort of affection when she looked at the planet, Rei noted.
"I thought that your father stayed on the Sun. I guess I was informed wrongly?" Minako questioned.
"Oh no, Father stays on the Sun, but with so many honoured guests coming," here she flashed them a laughing grin, "he felt the need to be here."
"And the Princess Marigana? Is she coming?" Ami inquired politely.
"No." Sere'y responded simply.
"So, only two Crystalbearers didn't come. Princess Marigana, who holds the..." Minako's face screwed up as she tried to remember her lessons, "Solar Crystal, and Princess Hotaru who holds the Amethyst of Death and Rebirth." Ami didn't notice herself nodding in confirmation of what the blonde said. A silence fell over the room, an awkward thing, born of none of the five really knowing each other.
"Is everyone looking forward to the ball?" Sere'y supplied helpfully. They all murmured affirmations, but Minako launched into a full-blown description of her dress and the trouble she had getting the seamstress to make it /just/ as she wanted it.
"Oh I know just what you mean!" Makoto exclaimed, "It's like they don't understand we want something inventive -- something not in 'planetary colours' is out of the question, and even a different style is frowned upon."
"But then you look at all the ladies who are fitted by the same seamstress, and their gowns are brilliant -- obviously why the seamstress is fitting the princess -- and you think, why can't my dress look like that? I don't look nearly as remarkable as she does."
"But our attire symbolizes our place," Ami injected quietly, "for centuries the formal wear of people in our positions has been simply...elegant."
"So? Maybe at one time they were the best of the best, and now they're outdated." Minako fired back.
"Good thing red is my favorite colour," Rei smirked.
"My gown isn't traditional." Sere'y commented almost to herself. "I had a new one designed for this ball."
"What?!" The others exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Why not break tradition? Mother did it all over the place -- marrying my father, creating the Alliance, splitting the kingdoms between first and second child. Why shouldn't I have something different? I'm not just a Moon Princess like my predecessors, same as you are different. We've all got something different about us; why be constrained to a role that can't contain everything we are?" Her words were light with innocence, purely her own simply logic.
"But..what...?" Ami's voice trailed off, question unasked.
"You know what I'm talking about." Sere'y responded confidently. "You can feel it, the link between us." They sat in silence, shifting awkwardly at the blunt phrasing. "More tea, anyone?" She lifted the pot helpfully.
"Oh yes please, great tea, do you know what kind it is?"
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Michiru sat on the beach of the waveless Sea of Serenity, mouth twisted in disgust as she tossed the smooth round rocks that made up the beach into the water, watching with satisfaction the disarray caused when ripples from two different stones collided. How she missed the tumultuous waters of Neptune...
She let another go, settling with a satisfying plunk to the bottom. She raised her hand once more, but another came whirring past her head, skipping once, twice, thrice, until it disappeared. She felt someone sit next to her and tipped her head to see the new person.
Haruka's blonde hair was pulled into a tight braid hanging down her back, and her skirts were divided for riding astride. Sturdy boots crunched on the rocks at her feet. Her blue eyes stared openly at Michiru, taking in the way the princess' green hair waved down her back, the way the formal dress she still wore emphasized her aristocratic bone structure: her high forehead, sharp cheekbones, delicate arms and hands.
"Think it's dangerous we're here?" The lanky tomboy asked idly.
"They said three together was dangerous, not two. Hotaru took it upon herself to stay home."
"Wish I could have as well." Haruka grunted, "I hate balls."
"I'm sure you'll survive." Michiru replied drolly.
"Maybe if you're there to keep me company." Haruka grinned brilliantly. Michiru blushed, feeling the flap of butterfly wings in her stomach, pushing up her throat as a giggle. She swallowed before it could escape.
"Perhaps." Michiru rose easily, smiling down at her companion. "Then I shall see you tomorrow night."
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"Dymion wishes us a good trip." Gaia smiled broadly at her son and his generals, "Even though he couldn't make it to see us off."
"I know Father is busy." Endymion replied as they settled themselves for takeoff. Gaia looked over at the three ladies-in-waiting that were accompanying her, nodding at the one with seniority. The cultured matron stood, gliding towards the pilots' chamber. When she returned, she nodded almost imperceptibly at the queen.
They sat in silence as they felt the liftoff from the ground, and then later the burst from exiting the planet's atmosphere. Gaia squeezed Endymion's hand tightly, almost bursting with excitement.
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"My Queen?" Luna's voice quavered as the servant who brought her a message left the room.
"Yes?" Serenity's voice held a note of caution.
"A few more guests have arrived in time for the ball; well more than a few, but a few highly notable ones."
"Who?"
"Queen Gaia of Earth, along with her son Endymion and his four generals Kunzite, Zoicite, Nephlite, and Jadeite. Apparently Queen Gaia is saying that Prince Endymion bears a Crystal."
"What?" Serenity set down her work, turning fully to Luna, "Bring the queen and her son here, along with my daughter. We shall see about this." She paced the length of her study impatiently, stopping only to greet Gaia and Endymion warmly. "I must say this is a surprise! I am delighted you could attend!"
"You need me, Mother?" Sere'y curtseyed slightly.
"Queen Gaia, Prince Endymion, this is my daughter Serenity. Serenity, these are Gaia and Endymion, Queen and Crown-Prince of Earth. I am told he bears a Crystal." Sere'y studied the boy; tall and tan, with unruly dark hair cut much shorter than was en vouge and stormy ocean eyes, almost the same as his planet. She felt a slight kinship; perhaps he really did have a Crystal!
Endymion eyed the heiress critically; a little slip of a girl, his father called her, and he was too correct. At the beck and call of her mother, she seemed spineless, even if she was alluring in some strange way.
"What Crystal do you have, sir?" Her smooth voice invaded his mind, but he clamped down on his thoughts. She was too pale for him anyway.
"The Golden Crystal."
"Mmm." She nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you not think I have one?" He realized, bristling, "Is that what this is about? Then, here, I'll /show/ you." He concentrated, summoning his Crystal the same time she called hers. He held it aloft towards her, but she did not reach for it or even lean forward to get a better look at it. The Silver Crystal began to glow brighter, and she /looked/ into him.
"He is telling the truth. He has had this Crystal for as long as I have had mine, as long as my court have had theirs." She reported dutifully.
"Thank you, daughter. You may continue preparing for tonight."
"Thank you, Mother. I am ever so pleased to make your acquaintance, your majesties." She curtseyed again, her Crystal gone, "Forgive me if my clumsy words offended."
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Sere'y fidgeted impatiently, waiting for her moment of entry into the already-started ball. Naru fussed with her coronet, tilting it this way, then that, smoothing away any hairs she knocked out of place. As if sensing it was almost time, the girl slipped out of the way, muted in the shadows.
The ornate doors -- ancient carved mahogany brought from Earth -- were pulled open, and Sere'y heard the herald begin her long string of titles. She began her descent into the ballroom.
Rei paused in her conversation with Artemis, eyes widening -- the Moon Princess hadn't been joking when she said she had a new dress! Rather than being cloaked in the fussy hoop skirted stark-white gown with its to-the-chin lace color and bothersome lace tufts at the cuffs, not to mention the prominent crescent moons marching across the hemline, Sere'y drew everyone's eyes.
Her dress was smooth ivory satin -- if Ami had called the old dresses elegant, obviously she had never imagined a gown like this! -- with a modest scooping neck. Its sleeves were bare caps of the softest, most delicate lace. Golden thread decorated the neckline with whirls and swoops: interlooping circles. Pearls decorated the pleasantly form-fitting bodice, leaving the swirling skirt unadorned. Her brilliant golden hair waterfalled out of the twin odangos. The fey girl smiled brilliantly, cerulean eyes seeming to connect with every last person in the ballroom.
Sere'y quietly made her way to the royal dais, greeting her parents respectfully. Solaris stood, colour among the pale Lunarians, and took his daughter's hand. They moved into the crowd on the dance floor, and the symphony struck up a dignified waltz.
"That's an interesting outfit you have, Sere'y." His use of the nickname was as if he had once been forced to call her that, and so had forgotten her full name.
"Do you not approve, Father?"
"Just not traditional, that's what I'm saying."
"Tradition does not make something the best it could be. I thought you would know that." His silence radiated displeasure. "How is my sister?"
"Busy." He responded curtly, but a twinkle of affection shown in his eyes, "She makes a good Princess."
"Yes, I am sure she does. It is a shame that she could not attend, since this ball is in her honour as well."
"Shame." He echoed reflexively. As the song ended he ushered her stiffly back to her mother, dropping her arm almost gratefully.
"You know what your mother said. Better to just go get it over with." Jadeite muttered to his prince, sipping a bubbly wine then biting back an oath about its weakness.
"Fine." Endymion snorted, handing Jadeite his glass and striding towards the thrones. His long legs outdistanced any others vying for the same dance, and he bowed before the three thrones.
"Princess Serenity, may I have the honour of this dance?" She nodded assent and placed one delicate hand in hers. He marveled at how tiny it was, how crystalline the bones seemed, how alabaster her skin appeared against his tan. They positioned themselves just within the edge of the dancers; he placed one hand lightly on her waist, the other still clasping hers. She let her free hand raise the edge of her skirts so she could move, and they began to dance.
"Have you enjoyed the Moon so far, Prince?" She asked earnestly.
"I haven't had time to do more than be inspected," his mouth twisted in a wry smile, "and prepare for the ball. Home certainly looks different from here."
"Have you seen Terra -- excuse me, Earth," Sere'y couldn't believe her slip-up. Earth had ceased to be known as Terra millennia ago; the word did not mesh well with the natives' tongue, and every planet's people had a right to name their own home, "at night? The Sun washes her out during the day."
"No I have not." Endymion arched an eyebrow at the blush that had risen in her cheeks after her mistake. "Do not be embarrassed, Your Highness, I do not take offense."
"Please, just Serenity." A small smile flitted around her lips.
"Serenity, then." He said thoughtfully, tasting the word as the song drifted off.
"Come, let me show you." She stated, abruptly breaking his thoughts. Instead of allowing him to escort her back to her parents, she walked in the other direction, so he followed. A potential dancing partner halted her progress, but she smiled and promised him a future dance before continuing on.
She glanced back at Endymion, finding his eyes briefly, before slipping out onto one of the grand balconies. When he caught up with her, she was leaning across the balcony rail, peering up into the heavens.
"Look." She breathed. He rested his forearms on the railing, looking up. What he saw took his breath away. His planet /shone/, white and blue and brown and green, almost pulsing with life. The earthlight bathed Sere'y in its glow; her eyes lit up with awe as she gazed upwards. Endymion managed to look to her from his home, and he was again entranced.
On a will of its own, his hand reached out to brush her cheek. She shivered at his touch, turning to face him.
"I should bring you back inside -- there are many who would like to dance with you tonight." He said, voice detached.
"Mmm." She nodded. He offered her his arm; her hand hovered in the crook of his elbow, reluctant even to touch his jacket sleeve.
Seafoam eyes watched the two disappear back into the swirling confusion of the ball, following their progress until they were swallowed by the crowd.
"She is special, that one." A cool voice whispered in her ear. Michiru whirled around, confronted only with a smiling Haruka.
"Yes, I feel it too. I believe she is the one that we must watch over. I would pledge fealty to her."
"Except?"
"We cannot afford to force our way into the close knit group of a lady's court, much less another princess' court. Let the Inner Planets' senshi do that. We have other duties."
"Yes." Haruka's eyes never left Michiru's face, burning brightly in the shadowy edges of the almost deserted balcony. Michiru eyed the other critically; the long flowing blonde hair did not suit Haruka's sharp features. She should have styled it up, or perhaps back at least. "Why aren't you dancing with all the others?"
"Perhaps I don't enjoy my choice of partners here. Why aren't you?"
"Perhaps for the same reason." As they lapsed into silence, Haruka picked up with the inane talk of ladies, "Your gown is lovely." She mentally kicked herself for saying something so banal, but she reached out to touch the sleeve. "Soft, at least." Her hand trailed down Michiru's arm, caressing the long musician fingers briefly before Michiru pulled away.
"Thank you." She gripped the balcony railing discreetly, almost trembling.
"Looks as though someone wants my company." Haruka said grimly, looking over Michiru's shoulder.
"Anyone in particular?"
"My betrothed." The Sky senshi replied lightly, attempting a ladylike glide over to his side. Alone, Michiru shivered, remembering how her insides had knotted at the girl's touch, willing her heart to slow to a normal rhythm.
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"Do you understand everything I have told you?"
"I believe so..." Serenity absentmindly tangled her fingers in one of her long lavender ponytails.
"Good. My time is up, your advisor is coming to tell you that the girls are assembled."
"So Prince Endymion did not stay?"
"You shall see, Halo-Queen." And Serenity was alone again, but only momentarily.
"They are waiting for you, My Queen."
"All eight of them, Luna?"
"Prince Endymion and his generals are in conference with the Earth Queen, Highness. I believe there is some indecision on whether or not they can remain with us."
"I see. Well, we should not keep the princesses waiting. I believe that Princesses Haruka and Michiru are departing this evening." Serenity rose, taking the lead to the chamber where the Crystalbearers waited.
Artemis jumped guiltily away from the young Venusian, standing there innocently with the remains of a bewitching smile fading from her lips. He hurriedly took his place at a small writing desk, Luna hovering nearby possesively.
"You will take note of everything that takes place for the Bearer of the Solar Crystal?" Serenity said placidly, making Artemis stammer an affirmative answer. "Alright, then." Serenity cast her silver gaze on the assembly. Sere'y and her court had bonded quickly, almost too quickly, and Haruka and Michiru stood a little away from the group, coldly regal. "Your Crystals have given you the power to become sailor senshi, great warriors to protect our people and friends."
"Champions of the Alliance?" Haruka suggested impudently.
"As you see fit, Princess Haruka. You may have begun to learn some of the ways in which to use your Crystals -- I can only suggest, for I do not have a Crystal of my own to know how they function. I do know, however, that you may use them to power up into a stronger, faster, and more powerful version of yourself. A more direct communion with your Crystal, if you will. If you have your Crystal on your person, it is a simple matter of touching the Crystal and saying the correct words."
"Which are?" Makoto asked impatiently. Serenity smiled lightly.
"In your case, Princess Makoto, you would say 'Nature Power, Make-Up.' Do you see how to alter it for each Crystal?" A round of nods. "Now, none of you have ever transformed. I believe you have all seen a traditional senshi costume once...let me see if I can refresh your memory. Breeches, a tunic, a short jacket?"
"In black." Minako supplied.
"Correct. I believe that you do not have to use this traditional costume, that you may transform into something else, but also whatever one of you uses, the others must all use as well."
"What's the basis for that statement, Your Majesty?" Ami spoke up.
"The way that the first user of the traditional senshi costume imagined it should be is the way that it is."
"Huh?" Sere'y's eyesbrows came together in a look of confusion.
"The first person to power up into a senshi imagined his or herself in that garb. They assumed that was the best clothing for someone in their position." Setsuna had always been a spartan woman.
"So why don't we have to stick with that?"
"You are a new generation of Senshi; you must invent yourselves as you will."
"I have an idea." Sere'y said quietly, but firmly.
"I will wear whatever you will wear, Princess." Rei responded immediately. Surprisingly, Michiru was the next to agree. Haruka followed thereafter, looking a bit bewildered. The remaining girls murmured their agreement.
The Moon Princess pulled her Crystal from where she had put it on a necklace earlier -- the day that Endymion had shown his Golden Crystal to her -- pulled it from under her dress. She cupped it in her hands, concentrating hard.
"Silver Power, Make-UP!" A collective gasp came from around the room.
Sere'y stood there in a queer white leotard with an extremely short ruffled silver skirt connected low at her hips and a large square silver sailor collar. Ribbed white material barely capped her shoulders. A large gold bow was set on her chest with the Silver Crystal winking in the middle of it; another bow was set on her lower back where her skirt was attached to the leotard, its tails trailing down almost to her knees. Crescent moons glittered at her ears. White gloves covered her to the elbow, accented gold at the cuffs; white heeled boots followed her slender leg to the knee, where they were tipped in silver with a gold crescent moon in the middle.
Ami was the next to try: "Ice Power, Make-UP!" Her skirt & collar were a cobalt blue; the bows and boots were an icey silverblue. Her boots and gloves had cobalt accents. The main difference was the tiara-like object added to the ensemble: a cold V of gold with a blue jewel at the point, resting on her forehead.
"Sky Power, Make-UP!" Haruka's skirt and collar were a sky blue, her bows being yellow. A light blue stone resided in her tiara. Her boots were only to mid-calf, slouchy blue things.
"Nature Power, Make-UP!" Everything but Makoto's bows were a jungle green, including her tight lace up mid-calf boots. Her bows were a brilliant girly pink.
"Sea Power, Make-UP!" "Love Power, Make-UP!" Michiru's skirt and collar matched her hair, with her bows being an oceany blue. Venus was completely done in orange, including the bow holding back her hair. They both wore ankle boots: Michiru's in aqua-green and Minako's in orange.
"Fire Power, Make-UP!" Rei was in red from her collar to her high-heels, except the purple of the bows on her chest and back.
Ami blushed, trying to smooth her skirt longer with her hands. Minako bounced about the room, flouncing in her miniskirt.
"I love them, Serena!" She squealed their new nickname for the princess in glee. Haruka executed a few sequences from her martial arts training.
"As ludicrious as they might look at first, Sailor Moon, I believe they work perfectly."
"Sailor Moon?" Serena repeated in confusion.
"We are the sailor senshi, are we not?" Uranus asked, remembering the Crystal Keeper calling herself 'Sailor Pluto.'
"Senshi, I want you comfortable with your transformations by tomorrow. I unfortunately do not have any more time until next week, but Artemis will be overseeing your training. You will meet on the sparring grounds at nine in the morning. Good luck." Serenity smiled at the group before exiting, already almost late for another meeting.
"What about Princess Hotaru?" Sailor Moon asked, looking curiously to Luna.
"She will be informed of the events here." Luna said evenly.
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Sailor Pluto forced a sliver of the Mists into a solid shiny surface, glancing at her new outfit in the make-shift mirror. She snorted in derision -- /this/ is what the Moon Princess came up with? Ridiculous! She looked more like a harlot than a warrior! Still, the Amythest Bearer must be informed, and she had taken that duty upon herself.
She slipped into Hotaru's chamber as the princess worked idly on a needlepoint, alone.
"Princess Hotaru."
"Yes, Sailor Pluto?" She recognized the voice immediately, replying before she even looked up. Her eyes widened.
"I take it you have noticed my change in attire. The other Crystalbearers met today, and this is the senshi fuku they have chosen, in varying colours, with varying accessories." From her Sailor Moon-look alike boots to her sailor collar, Setsuna still wore black. All black, except for the white of her gloves and leotard. "To transform, touch your Crystal and say 'Death and Rebirth Power, Make-Up.'" Hotaru did so, standing there in a deep purple fuku, glaive in hand. "Thankfully both Sailors Neptune and Uranus transformed at the same time as other senshi, so they had the opportunity to hide their Talismans before anyone noticed."
"Sailor Pluto? Did you design the first fuku?"
"Yes." She responded stiffly.
"I thought you would be more creative than that." The comment had Pluto's eyes bulging. Saturn detransformed instinctively, resuming her needlepointing. "My governess just stepped out to relieve herself, she should be back soon. Should I be prepared to introduce you two?" Pluto shook herself out of her momentary shock.
"Of course not. Goodbye, Princess Hotaru."
"Until next time, Pluto." Hotaru's prematurely grave voice slightly warmed with her smile at the older woman. "I am sorry I had to miss the ball."
"I am sure there will be others. It was very..responsible of you. But why did you send your mother?"
"It would have been too impolite to send no one; only the planet of Pluto may get away with that. My mother I could trust to be diplomatic and to cover the fact that she does not know why I could not attend." When she finished speaking, Hotaru looked up, but Pluto was gone.
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Serena and her court had been informed that Artemis would be arriving late to their practice -- something had cropped up that needed his presence. There was a short bench and a chair on the edge of the sparring grounds -- most every seat in the castle had been used in other places for the vast amount of visitors that had arrived for the ball. Makoto sat in the chair, Minako perched on her lap. Ami and Rei were shoulder-to-shoulder on the bench, with Serena sprawled across their laps, eyes closed in mock sleep.
Endymion and his entourage filed into the sparring grounds; Gaia had departed for Earth the previous day. His eyebrows raised at the scene in front of him; a blonde man stepped up to him, murmuring. Endymion's full laughter resounded through the room. His eyes skimmed over the supposedly slumbering princess, landing on the raven-haired girl.
He drank in her beauty, unabashed when she arched a single eyebrow at his scrutiny.
"Ouch, look at that one. The Martian princess, if I remember right." Jadeite again spoke.
"You do."
"Wildfire at night, I'd bet." His eyebrows wiggled as he chuckled. Enydmion gave no response, then smiled coldly.
"I'll let you know."
"Endy." Kunzite said sharply, warningly. "I warned you before. It's bad enough with all the commoners at home -- that scullery maid, remember, the one who claimed she was with child? Do you want that to happen with an interplanetary princess?"
"You obviously were castrated as a chlid, Kunz." Endymion's voice was slashed with mockery. "How can you look at all the women in the world and not feel the need to bed down at least one of them?"
"It's called self-control, My Prince, and you would do well to learn some restraint!"
Rei was breathless; his eyes had not left her since he walked in the room.
"Ooh, is that the Earth Prince and his guards? What did they call them, generals?" Minako's voice bubbled, too quietly for the men to hear. "Talk about yummy. Look at the one to his right, farthest right. Silver hair is /sexy/."
"Kunzite, Mina. His name is Kunzite." Serena mumbled, yawning. "We should not have stayed up so late last night."
"None of us are falling asleep, Odango Atama." Rei smirked. Minako rose, swaying over to the newcomers.
"Prince Endymion, is it?" She said boredly.
"Y, yes." He had heard whispers of Venusian magnetism -- they lured men to their beds and killed them to drink their blood, or so the stories on Earth went..come to think of it, every story involving off-worlders had an ending like that -- but he felt his blood stir in a different way when she turned her eyes to him.
"And you, sir," She practically purred, stretching on tip toe to look at his eyes and not quite making it, "you must be General Kunzite."
"That's right." He didn't stutter. To his credit, he didn't stutter. Her eyes slid down his face to his lips. She smiled sultrily.
"I wonder if you're...everything I've heard you to be."
"Mina.." Serena's voice drifted over to them, "Don't scare off our guests."
"Oh, Serena, I'm not scaring them...am I?" She winked.
"Uh, no. No." So he stammered. A little.
"Good to see you could join us, Prince Endymion." Artemis entered. "You have been informed of our meeting yesterday."
"Yes."
"Good. On your feet, ladies, and transform." The men all shielded their eyes at the intense pulse of multicoloured light, gawking at the scantily clad women before them. Endymion's eyes once more found the fire senshi, shamelessly roving her form. "Prince? Have you tried transforming?"
"Once or twice." Endymion shrugged.
"Well?"
"Golden Power, Make-UP!" Sailor Jupiter could not hold in her laughter. He wore a stunningly fitted formal black tuxedo, along with white gloves, a white domino mask, and a black silk top hat. A black cape with red lining -- curiously matching Rei's fuku -- was attached at his shoulders with jewels that looked like the Earth seen from the Moon at night. In his right hand he held a black cane.
"So, should we call you Sailor Earth?" Mars smirked. "You didn't want to wear our sailor fukus?"
"Sailor Mars, we will address the prince as Earth Knight." Artemis admonished. "Thank you, generals, for coming. You have all been trained in the art of combat, and you will be excellent sparring partners for the senshi." Now everyone realized that he was not dressed in his usual formal wear, but in loose pants and a simple white tunic. "Now, let us go through some basic hand-to-hand combat techiniques..."
Several hours later...
"Alright, one more time. This time...Mercury against Jadeite, Venus against Nephlite, Earth against Jupiter, Moon against Zoicite, Mars against Kunzite. At my whistle..." The shrill sound pierced their ears. The room was filled with the sights of couples punching, kicking, feinting, blocking...
Endymion lunged forward, managing to tackle Jupiter to the ground. He pinned her wrists with his hands, straddling her legs so she couldn't move. Her eyes narrowed as his triumphant smile, and then he screamed.
"Jupiter, what did you do?!" Moon shrieked, running over to the two, leaving Zoicite standing there dumbfounded. Endymion stood, staring at his smoking hands. They were red and cracked, oozing oddly melted blood and skin.
"I..he..I needed him to let go." Jupiter replied weakly.
"I think...you used lightning and fried his hands." Artemis said slowly, staring in badly concealed revulsion at the prince's wounds. Moon took Endymion's hands in her own.
"If we don't do something about these fast you'll never use your hands again." {Please...} she closed her eyes, {Let me do something, let him be healed.} Unknown to her, the Silver Crystal at her chest glowed, and Endymion's hands quickly knit themselves back together, the pain evaporating.
"Sailor Moon?" He asked quietly. Her eyes flew open, landing on his hands.
"I.." she looked over at Jupiter, "I needed him to be healed."
"I think that's enough for today. Same time, tomorrow morning." Artemis nodded, leaving without another word. Moon stared at the bloodstains on her gloves.
"Princess Serenity?" Naru's timid voice came to Sailor Moon's ears.
"Yes, Naru?"
"You have...a visitor, Princess."
"Who?"
"I am not to say, Your Majesty. The, ah, same visitor you had before our guests arrived." Serena's eyes widened as she hid a smile.
"Thank you, Naru." She took a breath, turning to the others, "If you will excuse me..." She hurried out of the room.
"She should have detransformed." Venus laughed, following her own advice. Briefly the room was filled with colour as everyone else imitated. "I for one could use a long bath..." Her blue eyes darkened as they traced Kunzite's well-muscled body in his trim grey suit. "...otherwise I'll be sore tomorrow!" She finished cheerfully, linking arms with the still-shaken Makoto and fairly skipping out of the room.
"My lady..." Endymion touched Rei's arm, "As it seems my hostess is busy, may I entreat upon you to show me around? I still haven't had a proper view of the Moon."
"I suppose." She sniffed, but took his arm and together they left the sparring grounds. Kunzite glowered in their direction.
"Generals!" He snapped, tone clinical "I am relieving you of your training duties today! I believe this...sparring was sufficient."
"You can say that again." Jadeite muttered, touching the shiner developing on his right eye. Kunzite grunted, spun on his heel, and stalked out of his room. The white cape signalling his leadership over the other three swirled as he stomped out his agitation through the palace halls.
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"I hear you chose our senshi fukus." Marigana sneered, selecting a bottle of wine from one of the many gift baskets in Serena's parlour.
"Yes." She had detransformed as soon as she entered the room, seeing Marigana's look of scorn.
"I should have known something that fluffy would be you, though it is a tad risqué for Mother's pretty little princess." Not seeing any glasses, Marigana took a swig straight from the bottle. "This is good stuff. Want a sip?" She held the bottle towards Serena.
"Um... why are you visiting?"
"The Sun Council threw another fit today. They insist that if Mother doesn't have a son, then a nobleman must be chosen to rule by my side. They can't deny that I must be the Queen of the Sun, but they would make my status only symbolic. Take away my power, my birthright! As if enough of it hadn't already been stolen from me..." Marigana shot her younger sister a hot glare.
"Sister...you know I had no part in what happened when we were younger. Won't they be looking for you on the Sun?"
"Yes. Why else would I come here?" Marigana laughed bitterly, failing to notice the tears in Serena's cornflower eyes.
"I don't know. Why else would you?"
"I think I've let them stew in their own juices enough. Serves the jerks right." She paused, "I'd love to take this with me, but too tracable." She set it down on a small side table in the room. "Until next time, Sere'y." Serena watched the tall indomitable figure of her sister disappear.
"Why else would you come here indeed? It's not like you'd want to see me..."
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"And down this left corridor are the royal chambers, where Queen Serenity, Serena, and the girls and I sleep; to the right you would find the royal library..." Rei babbled nervously. Endymion looked neither left nor right, keeping his eyes on her. She felt a spark of anger that he wasn't even listening to her. "And straight ahead, where I'm leading you, is the torture chamber. I expect we can get the guards there to let you try a few of the rarer mechanisms. Won't that be lovely?"
"Lovely..." He echoed nonchalantly.
"Which one would you like to try?"
"Try..huh, what?" He blinked, "Uh, I don't know, whichever you enjoy the most." He smiled brilliantly. Her breath caught in her throat; the words she had been going to say came out in one small squeak. "Which one is that, Princess?"
"Uhm, I'll let you decide when we get there." She managed a smile for him. He leaned over, lips brushing her ear.
"As long as you're the one torturing me, I'm sure it will be..pleasurable." They continued their walk, Endymion silent, and Rei with her repitition of the sights.
"And this, I believe, is where Queen Serenity's guests from Earth are staying. In that case, Prince, I shall leave you here."
"You're allowed to walk me to my room? Or close enough." He chuckled as they stopped the the beginning of the corridor his and his generals' rooms were in. "I thought I'd walk you..to yours." He turned to face her, dangerously close.
"Oh no, Prince--"
"Endymion."
"--Endymion. Certainly you know it is not right to allow a man so close to ladies' sleeping quarters."
"Certainly." He raised one hand to tilt her face towards his. "Do you agree with that old etiquette rule?"
"I..." Her violet eyes widened as she felt his breath on her lips. "I... you don't."
"Perceptive." He murmured, brushing her mouth with his. Her arms came around him to steady herself, causing him to chuckle again. "Like what you feel, my lady?"
"Of course not! You are indecent, sir!" She snapped angrily.
"Then I'll stop," He pulled his head back, and to her fury she felt her neck crane forward, following him. "Or is that not what you want?"
"The last thing I want is you!" She fired back. Quick as lightning, he was kissing her, harder, deeper this time.
"Really?" He drawled, short of breath.
"Really!" She responded, pulling his lips to hers again. "I'd rather die than touch you!" She swallowed a moan when he dropped his head to kiss her neck. Before he could taste her again, she pushed her way out of his arms. "I need to go. I haven't all day to waste away as I desire." Her voice lowered on the last word.
"Prince Endymion, Princess Rei." Zoicite bowed after he rounded the corner. The delicate general ignored the glare Endymion sent his way.
"Until next I see you, gentlemen." She murmured politely before taking her leave.
"Damn you, Zoi, always come in at the wrong time."
"The right time, I would say, Endy. But then you like your women fast, don't you?"
"Shut it." Endymion growled, running a hand through his ebony hair in frustration.
"I agree with Kunz on this one. Stay away from her; you could be getting in deeper than you can imagine." Zoicite warned, placing one hand on the other man's shoulder. Endymion irritably shrugged the hand off.
"I know what I'm doing." Zoicite could only watch as Endymion walked away, disappearing into his room with a thundering slam of the door.
"No, Endy. You don't." Zoicite sighed softly to the empty hallway.
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Kunzite was lost, hopelessly lost in the uniform halls of the Moon Palace. He had been too furious earlier to notice where he was going, and now he was wandering aimlessly, hoping that he could recognize something soon.
A door not too far in front of him creaked open, revealing the Venusian Princess clothed only in a thick orange towel wrapped around her body.
"Serena!" She called merrily through the hall, "Can I borrow--" Her voice died as her eyes found Kunzite.
"Excuse me, Princess, but I'm lost..."
"Oh no," She smiled, "I think you're in just the right place." Her laughter echoed against his steely calm façade. "But if you'd like to go back to your rooms, keep going that way." She pointed with a thumb behind her. "When you come to one of the bigger halls, take a left. I think you'll recognize things from there."
"Thank you." He bowed slightly, skirting past her and hurrying along the path she indicated.
"You should get lost more often!" She yelled at his retreating back, giggling.