Rating: Not yet determined
Minako
Rei
(All four are the Princesses who protect Serenity from Beryl)
Makoto
Ami
(The Outer Scouts are the guards
at the palace and Princesses)
Sleeping Beauty
Silence.
His majesty paced relentlessly through the corridors. His footsteps
could be heard throughout the palace, echoing off the massive marble walls.
When will this tortuous silence end, he asked himself. The king stopped
suddenly, gasping in anticipation. He heard rushed footsteps coming
in his direction.
"Tap!
Tap! Tap! Tap!"
The sound would drive him insane. "Enough!" He cried. What of Serenity?" He asked fearfully.
He knew the Queen would have much trouble during birth, for even though she controls great powers and is a learned enchantress, she was frail and weak and even if she did survive, there was a good chance the child would not. The servant ran unto him crying, "Sire! Sire! Come quick, for Her Majesty calls for you!"
He followed the panting servant and raced to the Queens chamber. His beautiful wife lay on the bed, prostrate and pale, gasping for breath. "My husband-" she managed to whisper. And then, she said no more.
The king looked at his wife, silenced, a look of tranquillity on her face. He fled to her side, holding her close to him. He started sobbing. His beautiful flower, the most beautiful on the Moon and possibly the solar system, had wilted. The king suddenly shuddered as he felt a cold shadow sweep over him. He looked up and cried out, for before him was a robed figure. The king stormed, "Who has let you into the Queen's chambers? Who are you? What do you want?" The black robed figure was silent. It walked past the king, towards the Queen. "What do you think you're doing? Guards!" he yelled.
Four women ran into the room, all bearing macabre looking weapons. They lunged at the figure, but to their surprise, their hands went through it. They could only watch in horror as the thing approached their queen. It waved a hand over the lifeless body of the deceased monarch, still breathtakingly beautiful, even in death.
Her eyes fluttered open and they all drew back, everyone except the stranger, who stood as still as the marble columns which stand in the very palace. The Queen gasped when she saw the figure. Then, Serenity closed her eyes in pain. The sound of a baby wailing sounded and the king smiled and shouted for joy. The midwife picked up the baby and carried her to a small crib.
The King looked at the child. She was a beautiful little girl, bearing the shining crescent of the moon. She had little wisps of golden hair on her head, and seemed to be surrounded by some kind of aura, that smelled of power and magic. He broke his reverie when he eyed the robed figure again. "Who are you?" He repeated. The robe melted away, and standing there was a cat. The king just gawked. "How is it that a mere feline has saved the precious lives of my wife and daughter?"
To his surprise, the cat answered him back. "I am Luna, loyal to the Palace of the Moon. I was a dear friend to Serenity in her childhood. But, when Serenity became Queen, I could serve her no more. Your father, Your Majesty, did not think it fitting for a cat to serve a queen. So I had to leave. I promised I would come back to guard and protect the offspring of my dear friend, and here I am. I had to come in disguise, for who on the entire Moon would give leave for a talking cat to roam the palace?"
"Thank you, Luna. The Moon Kingdom is in your debt. We would like to invite you to our daughter's ceremony, when the Princesses of our subjects will come and grant her gifts to protect her all her life." replied the king.
Serenity managed to lift her head from the pillow and glanced at Luna. "Oh Luna, you've come back!" The Queen exclaimed as she managed a weak smile.
Luna said,” I will return on the day of the ceremony, your highness." and she scampered out of the room.
The midwife picked up the sleeping baby and carried her to the smiling mother. "She's so beautiful," Serenity whispered.
"Just like you, my love." He whispered, and gave the Queen a soft kiss on the crescent on her forehead. The King got up and blew out the candle. As he left the room he said to himself "My two sleeping beauties," and closed the door quietly.
The fanfare of trumpets blared throughout the kingdom. The new Princess had arrived. All the most important people in the Moon Kingdom were invited to the ceremony, including the famed spirits of nature. The King was busy finishing up the invitations. One last invitation to write, but he didn't know what to do. He feared to invite the Queen of the NegaVerse, the name all in the Moon Kingdom shunned, Beryl. If he did invite her, she might cause harm to Princess Serenity, or cause trouble throughout the kingdom. But, if he didn't invite her, her wraith might be worse than if he had.
But he decided he couldn't risk it, and addressed the invitation to the Lord of the Sea of Tranquillity. He had made a mistake he might not live to regret.
The child was wrapped in fresh linens and placed in a golden crib. She giggled in wonder and delight at the magnificence of the ballroom. The giant crystal chandelier above the throne room twinkled and shone like millions of diamonds.
The King sat stately in his throne, casting his sharp but gentle eyes upon the arriving guests. The Queen wore an elegant white gown with golden stitching. The Lord Meteo of the Northern Region greeted the king with a respectful bow and said, "The child is a rare gem, sire. When she matures, she will be the most beautiful woman on the moon." Then he smiled at the Queen and took her hand.
"But until then, Queen Serenity is." He continued, as he kissed the fragile, pale hand.
"What is the order of events this evening, sire?" He asked.
"Before we start anything, we will wait until all the guests arrive. Then, the Princesses of the surrounding planets will arrive to bless the child." The king replied.
The great doors of the palace shuddered as a great boom of thunder shook the room. "Haha!" cried the king. "They're here at last!" The doors blew open when a great gust struck. People screamed and ran for cover, as a swirling green mist entered the throne room. Everyone was ducking for cover, and the King was just laughing and whispered to the Queen, "Jupiter always did like to make an entrance."
The Queen giggled, but stopped immediately when a human appeared from the mist. She was renown throughout the solar system for her strength, and inspiring beauty. She had long wavy brown hair put up in a ponytail, with long bangs flowing around her delicate face. This was Princess Makoto, of Jupiter the largest Planet with the largest military force, always winning battles and the most loyal to the Moon.
The King said to his guests, "No reason to hide, dear friends, it is no storm, it is Princess Makoto of Jupiter!" All the guests crawled from their hiding places and still a little shaken from the scare, bowed politely to the tall, tranquil figure.
Princess Makoto took her seat next to the king, as the guests tidied up their disheveled array. "Sorry for any damage, your highness," she said to the king. "I was just having a little fun."
"Well, next time you're 'having a little fun', please do it outside the palace!" The king replied, trying to hide a smile.
Suddenly, a golden light filled the room, and when it faded, standing there was Princess Minako of Venus. "Greetings your majesty," she said politely in her floaty voice. She had long golden hair, and a shimmering golden dress. As a matter of fact, everything about her was golden. Everything except for a deep red rose pinned in her hair. The effect of red against gold was dazzling, and when she first appeared, everyone gasped. She too, took her place next to the Royal family. Many of the citizens of Venus were brave and courageous. They were also the most elegant and sophisticated, for Venus was very aristocratic. Following her was a white cat with a crescent moon. He has been the ambassador from the Moon to Venus.
A spark leaped from the fireplace used to warm the palace, and turned into a column of flame. A woman with raven black hair and a red silk dress stepped out of it, and raising her arms and whispering some words no one could decipher quenched the flame. The King was very familiar with Princess Rei, though stubborn and sometimes rude, she could be a proper lady and a real friend. He gazed at her violet-black hair, and remembered how he had almost married her instead of Serenity.
When he first saw her, he was smitten with her. He thought he could stare into those deep violet eyes forever. He asked her to marry him, but she refused because she only liked him as a friend, nothing more. It broke his heart, and he went through long years mourning his loss. He would go to the turret in his palace and stare down at her for hours, dreaming and hoping. Then he met Serenity. One day when the King of the Moon was calling upon the Sol kingdom, he saw a beautiful girl with silver hair that hung in long tendrils down her back. Who was this striking woman? Could she be the snobby little girl he used to pick on as a child? Yes, he could remember now. He used to sneak up behind her when she came visiting, and pull on her long odangoes till she would cry.
The first times their eyes met, it was magic. He immediately forgot about Mars and then started courting Serenity. The rest is history. Here he was with a wife and child, yet sometimes he still thought about Rei, and what they would have been together, what they would've done...
She walked to her seat, and then glanced at the king. A meaningful look passed between them.
From the fountain in the Middle of the throne room came a large gush of water. The Princess of Mercury stepped out of the waterfall and bowed to the king and Queen. It was hard to pull Princess Ami out of her library, for she spent most of her days studying her tomes. She was slender and sleek in a flowing dress of silk, like Rei's, only blue, like the bottom of the sea. The people of her planet were studious and wise, and were always coming up with new inventions. The princess bowed her head politely and joined the ranks.
The King summoned a page. "Fetch the Outer Planets immediately!" he commanded.
He came back shortly with 4 women in the formal guard fuku. They each greeted the king in turn, and transformed into Princess form. Princess Setsuna transformed into a long, velvety dress and walked to the crib holding the young Princess, looked down at her and said nothing.
After what seemed like a long time, she looked up at the King; her red eyes were expressionless. No one asked what she did, for they all knew Pluto held great wisdom that not even the wisest elder could fathom. If she did explain what she was observing, they probably would be even more puzzled. The Senshi of Death, Hotaru of Saturn, was childish and miniature in frame and build, but in her gown of deep violet, she looked as elegant as any. Princesses’ Michiru and Haruka transformed into dresses of aqua and midnight blue, their respective planet symbols on their foreheads brightening the room.
Finally came the moon's sister planet, the Earth. King Endymion arrived in the palace shortly after the crowd had settled down. There was no Princess for this respective planet, for the King bore no daughters, only a son. Prince Endymion was his name, and he was every bit as charming as his Father, and more. The raven-haired little tot stared in wonder at the gigantic palace, twice as large as his own. Endymion the elder led his awestruck son to his respective spot next to the Moon King.
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All of the Princesses and the Prince rose, and the crescent moon of the newborn in the jewel encrusted crib illuminated the room and blinded all who gazed upon her shining form. Queen Serenity also rose, gazed around at the other planets' representatives, and announced in a soft tone which echoed around the room so all could hear, "The time is now, loyal subjects, to bestow the gifts upon the heir to the throne of the Moon. These gifts will ensure her safety and prosperity through out her life. Let the ceremony begin!" She cried, everyone in the audience inspired by her.
The royalty surrounded the crib and took turns bestowing gifts on the sleeping babe. Mercury hushed the murmuring crowd and stood before the napping entity of energy. "Dear child, I give wisdom in war, the power to know how to use the powers of Serenity and wisely if the need should ever arise." She turned to the guests. "For believe it or not, this very child we see napping in this crib, will one day hold the ultimate powers of the universe in her hands, and she could inadvertently destroy the Solar System." She raised her arms. "By the Ultimate powers of Mercury, I grant you wisdom!" she cried.
A shimmering blue beam shot out of her hands, Princess Serenity's body absorbing the energy. Princess Ami, appearing somewhat drained, backed away.
Rei of Mars was the next to bestow. "I grant you faith, to have hope in whatever you believe in, and never give up." Flames encased Serenity but did not harm her, only cast the spell.
Minako smiled at the baby and said, "I grant you everlasting beauty, but this beauty shall come from your heart, not my power. This spell will show that the more beautiful you are, the purer the heart and soul." A chain of golden hearts surrounded Serenity making her giggle with glee.
Makoto grinned, and said, "I will give you kindness. You shall be loving and gentle in nature, and loved in return." A green aura surrounded her, and was absorbed into her soul.
Neptune said, "I grant you grace. You shall be elegant and tranquil, like the calm sea."
Princess Haruka bent over the child and tickled her under the chin. "Aren't you a cutie pie, you little pixie!" Neptune nudged her in the side and Uranus blushed a little. "I give you the power of judgment, to know the difference between right and wrong."
Hotaru said, "I give you the power to become a great warrior and your melee will be stronger than all others."
Suddenly the great hall went dark. People shrieked and cried, for they knew it was not a good omen. The doors flew open, a woman of great stature looming over them. People cowered in her shadow, for this was Beryl. "How dare you not invite me? Queen of the NegaVerse? Potential ruler of the Universe! Arrggghhh!!" She yelled, enraged. "Where's the little brat?" she rudely inquired. Ah," she said as she spied the tiny crib in the midst of the maelstrom.
The Queen ran to protect her child, and shouted to the Evil Queen, "If you lay a hand on her, I'll..."
"Silence, fool!" she shouted as she pushed the Queen away with a mighty blow. Queen Serenity fell to the floor, unconscious.
The King had a look of horror on his face, but he kept his place because he knew he was no match whatsoever to Queen Beryl. "You'll pay! With your daughter's life!" she cried. Then she eyed the Senshi, already in battle positions, so she decided against it. "Yes, she will die, but not now. Hmmm. Yes. That's wonderful."
"When your she reaches her sixteenth birthday, Princess Serenity will die! And your kingdom along with her. You dared to double cross me, and now you shall pay with your lives!"
There was a large explosion, and she was gone. The child was silent, as if this symbol of innocence knew her fate was sealed. The Queen came to and wiped the dried blood off her chin. She cast a grievous glance at the child and broke into tears.
The guests started to talk among themselves of the predicted upcoming apocalypse. Pluto stepped up and said, "I have foreseen this. It was vague at first, but now I see. The child must leave the moon kingdom immediately, lest she put her life and our own in peril. "
The Princesses held a war council, for they knew Beryl would follow up on her threat, and they needed all the time possible to prepare. Little Endymion hid behind his father, for protection just in case the "Scary Lady" should return. When he mustered up enough courage to leave his father's side, he tottered to the crib and whispered, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."