As it turned out the additional changes to format and a few other things weren't saved to Chapter 1, so it'll just throw everything in here. First and foremost I do not own Sailor Moon, but only this story. Second, I didn't mention much about Endymion in the first chapter so he gets a bit more here. I'm trying not to sway toward a certain character(Mars mostly) so the story stays even, but I'm sure at some point I'll be unable to resist. We'll see what happens. Chapter 3 is ready to go so it'll be up in a few days. Enjoy.
Chapter 2 – Surprises
"Usako."
The head held in between two tensed slightly, squeezing the more slender. For the first time since the attack the previous day, blue eyes once again met blue eyes. Endymion shifted in the bed he was forced to occupy in the medical facility. He felt exhausted and a slight wave of nausea kicked in, all of which were the side-effects of the medication Sailor Mercury had administered.
"I pray this is the last time I'm forced to be here for my own health. Even in my studies of the past life, it's a different would being the one pokes and prodded with needles."
He groaned and attempted to move around, even with the soreness he felt in his abdomen from the stabbing. Endymion pushed the blanket he was wrapped in down somewhat, grabbed at his shirt and lifted it upward. Just below his ribcage was a large black, purple and blue bruise. Center of that was a deep red line, rather thin and an inch long. The man was rather lucky the knife was stopped before any serious internal damage could be done. The bleeding was superficial and minimal for the attack type. With the medical technology available at the time, Mercury had done a perfect job of closing the wound, which would leave no scar. Instead, he would simply be sore for a week or so before all physical evidence disappeared. At that point it was decided in Endymion's mind he wouldn't attempt that maneuver again. Laying back against the somewhat comfortable medical bed, the king sighed heavily as the recent events flooded into his mind. His lips parted, squeezing Serenity's hand while he spoke just barely above a whisper toward her.
"How many?"
Serenity hesitated for a moment. Looking at the floor, she finally spoke.
"Three. Four if you count the criminal."
The eyes of a king closed for a moment in partial prayer for the souls of the lost, but also in regret for the events of that faithful day.
"Don't be too hard on the girls, Usako. It isn't their job to protect me and by doing so they're stretched thin. It was only a matter of time until something happened, and unfortunately it came sooner and harder than any of us expected. It may be time to consider our options, even if it means going to the one we find to be the last resort."
Endymion looked toward his wife. She knew exactly what he meant, for she had the same thoughts herself. Serenity also knew they would have to act quickly, quietly and beneath the radar of the scouts. Serenity finally nodded in agreement.
A Few Days Later
"Sailor Venus, Queen Serenity has requested and required the presence of the sailor scouts in the throne room in one hour. The queen also requests all sailors to be in full uniform."
The guard bowed toward the woman and took his leave from the room Venus was alone in. Serenity had something up her sleeve and it would undoubtedly concerning the attack. There wouldn't be much time to speculation as she would make a visit to each of the other three women to personally inform them of the required gathering. There wasn't much time to hunt each of them. Venus would have to move quickly, which would also put the scouts in the same position she was in. It was looking to be this time around they wouldn't know what their queen had planned for them.
One Hour Later
The door opened to the large and nearly empty throne room, with the exception of the king and queen standing by one of the many windows, speaking to one another quietly. As the door closed behind the four women dressed in full sailor fuku, it was then the king and queen turned to greet them.
"Ah, ladies!" Welcome and thank you for cooperation with this late notice appearance. Serenity and I have gathered you today for a rather important reason as you all have probably discovered by now."
The couple moved toward a specific section of the room in unison, somewhat slower than usual due to Endymion's wound. About ten feet behind them were double doors which were considered the west entrance. Two men stood by, one at each end of the door. Serenity spoke next.
"I want to apologize to each of you if I was harsh in any way, or seemed unfair. The day's events caused me to lose my temper with the situation and my vision was clouded. There was no reason for me to act toward you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me, even for what I may or may not do."
Four pairs of eyes looked toward their queen, followed by one set of legs stepping forward and a single Venusian's voice speaking clearly.
"My Queen, if I may speak for the others present, there is no hostility between any present parties. In fact, it has been the mission of the scouts to prevent such an unfortunate series of events from transpiring ever again and-.."
Venus was quieted as Serenity lifted her hand. It seemed to have become a slight habit for the woman to begin speaking, only to be silenced by Serenity.
"I feel we are all on equal ground with that subject. Now, the reason why I have asked you all to gather is a change in procedure. Memorial services will be held for each of the fallen, as well as the individual responsible for their deaths. Endymion and I have discussed and agreed to be present at each one."
Serenity could already see the curiosity and confusion in the women's eyes. Before they could begin with their barrage of questions, she continued.
"Your job will be to ensure my security, but be representatives as well. You will greet the families as Endymion and I will. For the duration of the ceremonies and events which follow after, you will correspond with your security teams; although I ask you make that correspondence as minimal as possible out of respect."
"With all due respect my Queen, isn't it far too early to be leaving the safeguards of the palace? And should we go, who will protect the king? In my opinion, this isn't the-…"
Once again, Venus was cut off by a lifted hand. Had it been any other person Venus may have become slightly irritated by this point. However, if there was one thing the scouts had learned in the years past, it was never to question or second-guess their queen in such serious times. They trusted her judgment completely, even if they didn't agree with it at times.
"This is why I summoned you here. The king and I came to a conclusion several days ago about his personal protection and we have brought you here to see the end result of such a decision. Know that we struggled with this for some time and even before the recent events transpired. It was kept as a last resort. However, we see that the potential of positives from this decision are much greater than the possibility of negative results."
With that said, Endymion turned toward the west entrance and nodded to the men who then bowed and began to open the doors. It was at that point four men walked into the room, each wearing the same uniform as the others, although they had changed. The color was now black with accents along the cuffs and shoulder-cape they were. The colors of the accents varied from gold for the first man, red for the second, green for the third and deep blue for the fourth. Their black boots, which had the appearance of riding boots due to their shine and knee-high length which their trousers were tucked into clicked along the floor they walked upon. They strode forward and aligned as the scouts were, in order of rank. The men stood ten feet away from the scouts. The room was silent, but collectively four jaws dropped to the floor and eyes nearly bulged out from their sockets. Endymion and Serenity positioned themselves at that point by the two leaders.
"Sailors Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Mercury, meet your counterparts of the Order of His Majesty's Protection. Kunzite, Jadei-…"
"SON OF A BITCH!"
Suddenly for the second in command, the world went dark.
. . .
Well I hope that was as fun for you to read as it was to write, especially that last part. Let me know what you think!
