A/N: I'm so glad that people like this story. Favs and follows are great, but I would like your reviews as well. Without them, I don't know where you want this story to go. I have a plan of course! :) But that is the ending, and I need to get there. With your help we can make it there.
This chapter is long. It was meant to be longer, but I couldn't wait anymore. This is the exposition chapter... yay?
Time to learn a little bit more about this Nega world!
Enjoy!
NEGA CHAPTER 4 – Golden Kingdom
This was somewhat familiar. The way Princess Serenity was sitting on her throne looking down at them, reminded the generals of Queen Beryl. Instead of gliding her hands over a crystal ball, Serenity caressed a black cat which was sitting on her lap. On its forehead was a black moon crescent matching the princess's. This Serenity was definitely not like the one from their world. This princess looked mature and composed.
The four shitennou were still captured in Mercury's bubble, the Senshi surrounded them, staring at them.
Venus had her eyes on the leader, Mercury glared at the green fire bender, Mars narrowed her eyes at a certain general, and Jupiter looked at another with smugness.
The cat spoke, ''This is indeed fascinating, isn't it princess?''
''Yes, Luna.'' Serenity answered. Her blue eyes were big and her pink lips formed a small o. At least she had the same curiosity as Usagi.
Luna turned to question the generals, ''May I ask what purpose you have in our world?''
''We have no purpose here,'' Kunzite answered. ''We came through an opening by accident.''
The blue senshi looked up in shock. ''An opening?'' She lost focus and the bubble she had created cracked open. The shitennou hit the crystal floor hard and they grunted in pain.
''Mercury!'' The others yelled at their comrade.
''I apologize, but that made me slip.'' Mercury brought a hand up reaching for nothing, but imagining the possibilities of this new discovery. They can jump between worlds? How many? Her face had a gleeful expression. ''Where is it? In the park?'' She turned suddenly to Zoisite who was still sitting on the floor. She cupped his face with her palms and fluttered her eyelashes. ''You'll tell me, won't you Zoi?'' she purred. ''You used to tell me everything.''
Jupiter interrupted, ''Uh… this guy doesn't know you, genius! He isn't your Zoisite remember?''
Mercury let go of the general. She pouted. ''Guess it must be a habit of mine, I forgot myself.''
Even though he was confused about the scene that had taken place, Kunzite answered the earlier question. ''It wasn't there when we woke up. The portal was gone.''
''Hey… anyone else feeling this?'' Jadeite commented as he clenched his fists and then opened them.
He could certainly feel it. First the other generals looked confused but then… they felt it too.
''Finally!'' Nephrite yelled in delight. ''My powers are back!''
Zoisite jumped up into the air and summoned his fire. His brothers followed him. ''Let's turn them into ashes!''
The senshi seemed careless, amused even as they stood and looked up at the men.
''Eat this!'' Zoisite let loose his green fire at them. It was swirling down like a hurricane ready to kill its victims, but suddenly Mars jumped in front of the others. In one second she had raised her arms towards the incoming fire, her brooch attached to her chest ribbon has opened up like a puzzle cube and it swallowed the green fire until there was nothing left. The red brooch then closed itself, returning to normal.
''Mmm… yummy,'' Mars grinned. ''Thank you.''
The generals were aghast. ''W-What?'' Jadeite stammered, ''What the hell just happened?''
Zoisite was furious. ''How did you stop my attack!?''
The sound of Venus's heels echoed as she walked forward. She placed her fingertips on her own brooch. ''These brooches are not just fancy accessories, but energy containers. Energy makes us stronger. And one day we shall be restored to our original forms and revive the Silver Millennium era!'' Her eyes turned hungry as Jupiter finished, ''So basically, you become weaker while we become stronger.''
They collect energy? They? The Sailor Senshi? Original forms? What does that mean? If what this Venus said is true then there is no point in attacking, Kunzite realized to his dismay. His brothers had the same thoughts. Slowly they descended to the floor.
The senshi gave them smug, cocky expressions. They showed no fear, knowing they had the upper hand in this situation.
The shitennou had been fighting the senshi in their own world for so long that this whole new image of them was quite disturbing. They knew how their senshi's powers worked, and how to get on their bad sides, but these senshi… were a mystery. A mystery they found intriguing and yet wanted to avoid like the plague.
''What is the Silver Millennium?'' Nephrite broke the silence. Venus had mentioned it earlier which had caught his attention.
The question made the women look up in confusion.
''What do you mean?'' Jupiter scowled. ''Are you playing dumb? So typical of you.''
Mercury chuckled, ''Now who's forgetting that these generals don't know us?''
''Shut up!''
Luna jumped down from Serenity's lap. ''You mean you have never heard of the silver millennium?''
''If I had, I wouldn't be asking!''
''Wait…'' Venus eyes were wide with realization. ''Don't tell me you don't remember your home? That you are the kings of Terra?''
''What is Terra?'' Kunzite asked.
The women staggered. They became completely astonished, flabbergasted! And then… they broke out in hysterical laughter.
It felt like they were back in the middle ages, If it weren't for some modern furniture and decor this place looked like a medieval castle! Dark grey stone walls, yet every room was so bright thanks to the massive chandeliers hanging above.
There were massive windows from floor to ceiling, but there was nothing to see outside.
Makoto had opened the curtains, believing she would see the blue sky, but there was just a blight which almost blinded her. No wonder every window was covered with these red curtains.
Ami thought the place to be historically fascinating. She stopped to look at some old tapestries hanging on the walls and then she was looking at an old armor standing in the corner of this massive sitting room. ''Amazing! It's not a copy, it's legit!''
Minako and Rei were sitting together with Usagi on one of the couches. Minako admired the fancy glass coffee table before them. Rei seemed deep in thought and Usagi's head turned everywhere, up and down, needing to see everything in the room.
''Why did we agree to go with them?'' Makoto muttered, not ready to trust these men that shared faces with their worst enemies.
''But…'' Usagi's big eyes blinked. ''Rei sensed no evil from them, right?''
''Can't say I did, but those girls… they gave me chills.'' Rei crossed her arms. ''I say we listen to what these shitennou have to say and then find a way back home.''
''Totally agree,'' Minako sighed. ''Did you see what those girls were wearing? Soooo not cute!''
The girls were then interrupted by the double doors opening and again the same three men that had also brought them here entered the sitting room.
Jadeite, Zoisite and Kunzite.
Just like the other senshi, these men had a different look to them. Instead of grey, their uniforms were white, but they all had their own usual colored trim, and they wore brown boots matching the brown belt around their waist. They all had a white cape attached to
shoulder pads, the inside of the capes having the same color as their unique trims.
Zoisite approached them first, his hair not the usual long style the girls were familiar with. His hair was cut short, but long and curly enough to reach under his ears. He was holding a tray with sweets, teacups and a teapot. ''Sorry you had to wait so long. We had a discussion and then I thought I should bring you something to drink.''
When he placed the silver tray on the coffee table, the girls sitting on the couch jumped back in defense. Zoisite had a baffled expression.
Jadeite chuckled mildly, ''Look at them. They are acting like you are gonna poison them.''
Kunzite had a small smile on his lips, ''Believe me when I say we shall bring you no harm ladies. Zoisite's tea isn't that bad.'' Zoisite gave his leader a look at the comment.
Jadeite's blonde locks were tied back with a hairband. His hair was not much longer, but enough to make a small ponytail at the back of his neck. Kunzite looked very different though. His long hair was replaced by a short haircut instead, almost like Mamoru.
''Why are you so nice?'' Usagi asked, leaning a bit closer. ''The generals in our world are not.''
''Why are you so nice?'' Zoisite asked the same question to her. ''The senshi in our world are not.''
''Who said we were nice?'' Rei crossed her arms.
''Well…'' Jadeite rubbed his neck. ''if my Rehana was here, she would have tried to burn me to a crisp. But you haven't.''
''I have yet no reason to, so no need to relax around me.'' Rei stood up from the couch, confronting these men directly on the same eye level. ''And there is that name again… Rehana. What is that?''
The men looked shocked. ''You don't know?'' Jadeite asked.
Makoto took a stand beside Rei. ''If she knew, she wouldn't have asked!''
''How very interesting,'' a female voice echoed around them. The girls turned their heads all around to find the woman who spoke, but could not find her.
''Tell me…'' the voice kept on talking. ''Do you know about the Silver Millennium?''
The girls eyed the men, trying to demand who was speaking to them. The men remained silent.
''Of course we do,'' Ami answered. These people had showed nothing but politeness, so Ami
answered with the same manner. ''We recently got our memories back.''
''Seemingly you don't, Orithyia.''
''Orithyia? That name… the other Venus said it to the other me. Is there a reason for that?''
''May be, because that is your name.'' Suddenly a bright golden light manifested itself in the middle of the room. Then the light disappeared to reveal a beautiful woman with long curly red hair. Her thin purple eyes were kind and her red lips had a sweet smile. ''Well, your princess name that is. All of you have one.''
The Senshi almost fell on their behinds in shock. Usagi's mouth opened and closed multiple times before she pointed and she uttered, ''Y-you are… Queen Beryl!''
''Queen?'' Kunzite questioned. ''Beryl is the oracle of Terra. She is the one who found us Shitennou and gave us our memories back. Though she harvests psychic abilities, she is human just like us.''
Oracle? Now when Usagi took a better look at the woman she realized that this Beryl was very different. This Beryl looked younger, and indeed human without the usual pointy ears. Her clothing reminded of a gypsy dress. In her hands she held a crystal ball.
The redhead noticed the looks from the girls.
''Oh my…'' the red haired lady spoke. ''I must be something awful in your world, the way you look at me now.''
''Well she did try to kill us multiple times,'' said Makoto. ''Not to mention her Shitennou henchmen too.''
''Does she? Hm… she has obviously become a traitor if she is trying to make you believe that she is a Queen.''
Ami walked closer to the oracle. ''How can we be so sure that she is not who she says she is? And that the generals are human? Could it be that our world is just alternate, not parallel?''
''That is indeed a very good question Mercury, let us find out. But first…'' the redhead turned to the generals. ''Boys, there is no reason to be wearing your uniforms now, introduce yourself properly.''
The Senshi were confused by Beryl's words, but then a bright light consumed the men and then vanished to reveal them standing in normal civilian clothing. The girls were mentally blown away!
One by one they bowed slightly before the girls, starting with Kunzite, then Jadeite and lastly Zoisite.
''I'm Aijou Kenta.''
''Nintai Judai.''
''And I'm Chiyu Shuichi.''
The girls blinked at them in awe. Their uniforms are transformations? They really are human?
Beryl gestured for the girls to follow her out of the room. ''Oh! And welcome to the Golden Kingdom.''
''Us? Humans?'' Zoisite scoffed, his expression filled with distaste. ''Don't compare us with such lowly beings!''
''Deny this as much as you want, but it's the truth,'' Orithyia sighed. These generals' reaction to their story was very uninteresting, all they did was whine.
''We are not the Heavenly Kings serving some human royalty, we are the Dark Kings of the Dark Kingdom ruled by Queen Beryl.''
''A Queen? Beryl?'' Venus cackled. ''That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Such a lie! ''
''Don't you dare disrespect our Queen, you bitch!'' Jadeite exploded.
''Ooooh~! This Jadeite has such a temper. Rehana, he reminds me of you.''
Mars hissed, ''Shut up, Aphrina!''
''Don't be like that,'' Venus pouted. ''These guys are clearly clueless.'' The generals looked offended as Aphrina kept going. She skipped over to Kunzite and began caressing his long hair which made him very uncomfortable. ''They don't know who we really are, time to have some fun with it.''
Bang!
Aphrina became silent when the sound of Serenity's staff hit the floor forcefully. Everyone looked over as Serenity stood up from her throne and walked down, her dress train gliding behind her.
''I don't have time to listen to all this. They can stay here since they are no threat to our powers. But keep them away from you know who.'' She kept on walking between the groups, heading for the doors.
Luna followed her princess. Serenity had gone passed the doors, but Luna halted and called out.
''Venus!''
Confused Aphrina answered, ''Um… yes?''
''Show these men the sleeping quarters, they can be useful to us. And try to act like a leader while doing it.'' With that said, Luna left too.
Venus gritted her teeth, her hands clenched together in caged rage.
''Why are we still listening to that cat?'' she spit and stomped once with her black heels. ''We know our mission!''
Jupiter snickered, ''What do you wanna do? Kill her, like Artemis?''
''He talked too much, and I was tired of having a man telling me what to do. You of all people should understand how it feels, right Athena?''
Makoto smirked at her royal name.
''How can I forget? I carry him with me all the time.'' She pulled forth a red stone, shaped nicely rectangular.
''What is that?'' Nephrite demanded, pointing at it. The stone seemed familiar to him for some reason.
Jupiter blinked at him. Then she sighed and ran her free hand through her hair. ''It's weird having you talking to me.''
''Why is that?''
The room became silent at his question and the Senshi looked wickedly amused.
Athena laughed before she answered, ''I killed you. Well… the Nephrite of our world that is. This is his soul stone.''
Killed?
This Jupiter had killed him? Soul stone? What the hell is that? Nephrite felt some
embarrassment for his doppleganger that he had never met. To think that he had been beaten by a Senshi was a disgrace! Is Jupiter that powerful in this world, or was he a pitiful weakling?
''Technically he's not dead,'' said Orithyia, bringing the general out of his thoughts. ''You only broke his body and now you carry around his soul.''
''He is as good as dead and you know it! The rest of the Shitennou may keep his body fresh and intact, but they will never get this back!'' She held up the stone in triumph.
The Dark kingdom… was the Golden kingdom, the center of Terra. It was the Earth's capital and home to the royal family. Endymion's family…
Once this castle had stood proudly on green grass, decorated with beautiful massive gardens, but now it was underground, hidden from view.
Beryl had found it after her memories had been restored, and here she had found the Golden crystal waiting for its wielder. Her next mission was to find the four Heavenly Kings, and then they would find the prince of Earth, Endymion. Only he knew the power of the Golden crystal.
The other Senshi had tried to find the location of the Golden kingdom, but failed. They wanted the crystal, to destroy it.
The Shitennou had fought bravely, defending Tokyo and its citizens. But Serenity had managed to harvest enough energy to take over the city.
So now, her palace stood tall and Tokyo was turning into a place of sadness.
The Senshi drained energy from the people wherever they went, becoming more and more powerful. Beryl still had faith in the Shitennou that they would soon find the prince, and now with these new guests they might get some help with their mission.
They needed the help, after all… they were one man down. Nephrite had almost died.
When asked where he was, Beryl had taken the Senshi to the cellars.
Makoto looked down at her enemy's doppleganger, who was lying in a glass casket. What did Beryl say his name was again? Nagusami Nobu was Nephrite.
He pretty much looked the same in this world, except he had chosen to tie his long brown hair into a ponytail just like Zoisite in their world.
Beryl had told them that he wasn't dead, more like sleeping. She had mentioned the Shitennou's soul stones which were the source of their powers, much like their the Senshis transformation pens.
''He was nearly dead, but he managed to transfer his soul and consciousness into his stone before Jupiter's final attack. They might believe that if they have a Shitennou stone, they will be able to track us down. It won't though. She might be filled with rage, but don't worry… Athena's powers can't destroy the stone.''
Athena… Makoto rubbed her forehead in pain and wobbled a bit. In a flash she saw the shape of a woman taking part in a fierce battle with a man, before he found his chance and impaled her with his sword.
Makoto gasped. She held her stomach in pain. Usagi turned immediately concerned. ''Are you okay, Mako-chan?''
''Y-yeah… that was weird.''
Beryl looked into her crystal ball. ''Seems like lost memories are beginning to return to you. These images you all have seen, are not from your imaginations.''
Beryl understood what the girls were going through since she herself had gone through the same process and so had the Shitennou.
''I didn't mean to pry in your minds,'' she apologized. ''It's just easier for me to understand how much you really know.''
Before Rei could open her mouth to say how rude it was of her to snoop around in their heads, Minako spoke. ''What images? Memories? I haven't gotten any! Not fair!'' She started clinging onto her friends for answers.
Beryl cleared her throat. ''From what I am getting from you, you only remember being Serenity's guardians on the moon? What do you remember about your own planet kingdoms?''
''Our… planets?'' Rei questioned.
''THEY HAVE KINGDOMS?'' Usagi screeched in excitement, jumping up and down.
''W-what does this mean?'' Ami's eyes sparkled with bewilderment. ''Are you trying to say that we were princesses too?''
Through Beryl's crystal, an image of Usagi as the princess was shown. ''Of course, there is Serenity, the princess of the Moon Kingdom and wielder of the powerful silver crystal.'' Beryl turned to Makoto, and the image in the crystal changed everytime she adressed someone new. ''Then there is Athena, the princess of the Jovian kingdom.''
Zoisite continued addressing Ami. ''Orithyia, the princess of the Mercurian kingdom.''
Jadeite addressed Rei. ''Rehana, the princess of the Maritian kingdom.''
Kunzite finished it by addressing Minako. ''And Aphrina, the princess of the Venusian kingdom.''
Aphrina…? Minako saw the image of herself in the crystal ball. She gasped as a flashing image consumed her vision. There was a beautiful garden that did not look like anything on earth. It was mostly silver trees and flowers, and in the middle of it… it looked like a man was talking to a woman in a yellow dress. He presented a red ribbon. The image vanished.
Minako stumbled backwards and almost fell to the floor, but Kunzite caught her in time. It was comfortable the way his arms came around her waist, and when Minako meet his eyes she blushed.
Makoto snickered, ''Got what you wanted Minako-chan?'' She referred to the obvious memory image she must have gotten after hearing her old name.
''Y-yeah! Yes I did!'' she flew up from Kunzite's arms. ''I saw him!'' Minako began walking as if she was on clouds, her hands clasped together and her blue eyes grew bigger as they sparkled.
''Him?''
''My soulmate! The one who gave me my ribbon! I've been searching for clues for so long and now I got something!''
In the background without anyone noticing, the shitennou looked very uncomfortable. They
swallowed hard and Kunzite coughed awkwardly.
Usagi became deeply interested and took Minako's hands in her own. ''You have never told us about this before. Who is he?''
Beryl suddenly interrupted the girls, ''Perhaps you want to speak about this in private? I shall gladly show you the sleeping quarters, if you just follow me.''
The fair redhead pointed to the stairs that led upwards. The girls accepted her offer and began walking up the stairs.
Before Beryl followed them she gave the Shitennou a knowing look, which they answered to by nodding thankfully.
This was indeed a royal castle. Their bedchambers were huge! These were only guest bedrooms, then how did Endymion's look like? Usagi blushed at the thought of sneaking away to see it. She had been in Mamoru's bedroom once, but this would be his room from when he was a prince.
I wonder if I ever visited his room back then. Her face became redder as she giggled.
The room had two beds that were big enough to fit three people, so it was perfect for them to share. Usagi, Minako and Makoto in one bed, and Rei and Ami got the other.
''I bet the view was beautiful from here when there actually was something on the outside.''
Suddenly Makoto sensed something. Her whole body was tingling and she felt the need to look down at her hands. Wild lines of electricity traveled around and between her slender fingers.
''What the-?'' Makoto turned around and saw that her friends were experiencing something similar. Ami's hands were covered with frost, Rei's hands held fire, Minako's held a yellow light and Usagi's held a white light. Then it all disappeared.
''Our powers are back?'' said Makoto. ''How did that happen? I'm super happy but still… weird.''
''Maybe it was a simple reaction going through the portal,'' Ami answered. ''There is nothing weird about that, we were in-between worlds after all and our magic just went out for a while.''
''That means the generals have their powers back to?'' Rei asked.
Ami nodded her head and sighed, ''I fear they do.''
They became silent. It had been a rough night, a lot had happened and they had learned so many new things.
Usagi could not take the silence any longer, so she jumped onto Minako on the bed. ''So! About this guy in your memory?''
Makoto jumped in. ''Yeah, how come you have never told us about him?''
''Are you really in love with a guy you have never met?'' Rei asked. ''Maybe you are wrong.''
''I have to agree with Rei on this one,'' Ami said. ''Do you believe he is reincarnated just like us?''
Usagi's nose touched Minako's. ''What does he look like? Is he cute?''
Minako giggled nervously, ''I don't know… I have never recalled what he looks like.''
''YOU WHAT!?''
Serenity looked out from her big palace windows as saw the city of Tokyo in its evening light. She was staying at the palace tonight again. Luna had told her that she should get used to it since it was to become her home. Home… the home where her parents… new parents call her Usagi. It was hard to forget that name, the only name she had answered to for 18 years now. She didn't understand how easy and ready her Senshi were to take on their old names again. Old? They called them their real names.
Usagi missed her new mother's meals sometimes, her dad's stories and even her little brother's pranks. To lie in her own bed in her own little bedroom on the second floor… never again.
Every time Usagi left, Luna would erase the memory of her existence in the family to avoid their panic.
I should listen to Luna right? This is who I am… the daughter of Queen Serenity, the high ruler of this universe.
Serenity hugged her pink PJ-clothed body as she looked up at the moon.
Soon… soon they would have enough energy to bring life to their old home, and then nothing will be able to stop them. Everything that went wrong in their past life could be changed!
Yes… They would have everything they wanted, and nothing would be able to stop them! Not Beryl, or the Shitennou! No one can take him away from me this time!
Serenity turned her head and smiled up at the young man standing beside her. His blue eyes, blue like this planet were dimmed and hollow as he just stared in front of him.
Serenity hugged his arm tightly and smelled the black shirt he was wearing.
''I love you, Endymion.''
A/N: Oh~oh... we know where the prince is xD How will they rescue him? Or does he need saving?
After this, the Nega senshi will go by their Silver Millennium names to avoid confusion. And the good shitennou will go by their human names.
I had a hard time writing when they all have 3 sets of names phew...