Chapter Three: All Grown Up "I am so sick of sniveling court kiss-ups," the Solar Sailor addressed Mercury with a sigh. "Look at them out there, simpering and fluttering their eyes at the Generals like that. I don't see how any strong female could demean herself like that." She glanced at Ami, one of her closest friends at Serena's court. Ami was different from the other Sailors in the fact that she was the only one who had the same innate love of learning Auriel did. Ami alone was capable of stumping Auriel in any form of debate. The other Scouts dealt with the royal debates like any other confrontation, they either yelled their way out of it, or beat the pulp out of their opponent. Though I do suppose it wasn't entirely Mar's fault, that jerk from the Omega system did call her people "an uncivilized lot of pyros". Who can blame her for blasting him? If Raye hadn't, Serena or Lita would have. Auriel sighed, and let her eyes wander around the room, pausing momentarily on Raye and Jadeite, arguing passionately as usual by the door to the kitchen. If they get any closer they'll be kissing. I don't care what Serena says, Raye cares for him, she wouldn't badger him like that if she didn't... Ami, too, was lost in her own thoughts that afternoon. Zoisite was across the room, dancing with one of the ladies-in-waiting from Uranus. They looked good together, gliding expertly across the floor with a grace that belied the difficult steps of the waltz. His long blond hair was a stark contrast to the girl's short ebony tresses, his gray Guardian uniform lost against the shiny rainbow satin she wore. The music finally died away, and her favorite General bowed politely to the girl, before turning in Ami's direction, and gliding her way. Ami sat up, blushing prettily, as he drew close, and knelt before her, as was befitting for a princess. "Hello, Princess Mercury. Are you enjoying tonight's festivities?" Zoisite smiled seductively, took her dainty hand in his, turned her hand over, and kissed her gloved palm in front of the entire court. Ami's blue eyes widened, she quickly took in the ballroom looking for observing eyes. No one appeared to be watching, not even Auriel, sedately lounging on a couch nearby. "Zoisite," she hissed under her breath, "not here! My parents will have your head!" He smiled devilishly, "Ami, where's your sense of adventure? It's a big ballroom, no one will note one missing princess and general, I promise. I know where we can hide, no one will find us." He paused, his brow furrowing, "I would never do anything to harm you or your reputation Ami, I hope you know that by now. I love you too much to do that." Ami glanced around, weakening, "Zoi, she whispered helplessly, "we can't disappear, you know that. I can't, you can't, we can't!" A hot tear ran down her face, trickling it's way to his gloved palm cupping her cheek. He stroked it away with the pad of his thumb, "Ami, darling, don't cry. I don't ask for forever, we both know that forever is impossible for the two of us. I'm not royalty, I'm just one of Darien's Guardian Generals. Nothing compared to Planetary Royalty, I know." His voice lost it's bitter edge, "But, I do love you, and I would rather have one stolen night in a garden then a million years of wanting you from afar as you marry some insignificant fool from the Omega galaxy who will never understand you nor value your true worth. "Ami, don't you understand? You are so precious to me; you are a shining example of everything I'm never going to be. We are complete opposites, you and I, and we've always been that way. Remember when we first met, love?" Ami smiled sadly, "Yes, Zoi, I do. I couldn't have been more than three or four I think. You and Darien were forced to play with Serena and I while the Royal Debates were in progress." He took her hand, and led her towards the back door; "You two were so mad when Darien and I showed up." She followed, grinning, "Well, what do you expect, you two were playing Space Pirates, and neither Serena nor I had any desire to walk that warped plank. You two were terrible!" She laughed musically, "And you only got worse with time. You were almost tolerable after a few days, but once Nephrite, Jadeite, and Malachite joined in, poor Serena and I became the misery twins, and had to resort to playing in doors for a year or so, until you four terrors began your official Guardian training." He wrapped his arm around her narrow shoulders, "Well, it stopped after Raye and Lita became part of the court didn't it?" She looked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes. They were nearing the hedge maze, and Ami had a sneaking suspicion as to their "secret" destination. "Yes, you did stop, but only because when you got Lita and Raye infuriated, they beat all of you, Darien included, in to moon dust!" Zoisite chuckled, as the memories of being chased up a tree by Raye's first fireball surfaced. "I remember that, most of the Outer Scouts began their training that year, didn't they? I know Corinne and Nerissa did at least, and Celia began hers before all of us. Then Darien went, the rest of us followed. Am I right?" Ami smiled, "Basically, you all went away, then the Knights left, depending on their age. The Inner Scouts remained here to train on the moon under Serenity's tutelage." H nodded slowly, "Hey, Ami?" They stopped in the entrance to the maze. She raised her luminous eyes to his and said, "Yes, Zoi?" He brushed her blue hair out of her eyes tenderly and smiled. "Do you remember the time Auriel smashed Serena in to a wall when we were younger? I think that was the first time Auriel and Aurora came to court, if I'm remembering right." Ami nodded, "Yes, I remember that. It took me two hours to remove all the glass from her arms and chest. We have Saturn to thank that there was no scarring. Why do you ask?" They began walking down the first corridor of the maze. He grasped her tiny hand loosely in his own. "No real reason, but there used to be a whole group of kids you played with back then, wasn't there? I remember a whole miniature court rioting when she was hurt. They never did find out what happened to that vase did they?" He chuckled. "They did love her. Still do, I suppose." Laughing, Ami shook her head, "My I haven't thought of them in years! Yes, since you and the other Generals were inseparable from Darien; the Planetary Royalty stuck together as well. He smirked, raising one thin eyebrow, "The Planetary Royalty?" "Oh yes," Ami gushed, "all of the Inner planets, the Outer planets, the Solar children, and the various Knights always played together." "The Knights," Zoi mused, "you mentioned them before. Give me a second, let me see if I can remember this correctly, it's been awhile since I had Planetary History. "All the planets have a Sailor Scout, a female warrior who represents the strength of her respective planet. Which is in your case, you. "It is usually hereditary, though on some planets, like Uranus and Neptune, their royal line was only recently discovered with Nerissa and Corinne. They have yet to find the Knights for those planets as well, am I correct?" He looked at Ami, who nodded. He continued on, "So, as there must be balance in the universe, there is also a male equivalent to each female warrior, right? Thus, the Planetary Knights come forth, as protectors of their Princess, and planet both." "Very good Zoi," Ami hugged him, "unfortunately that's a problem. The Knights are sent away to train at such a young age, they often never meet the Sailor they're going to protect until their wedding. Sadly enough, often, the Princess has already fallen in love with someone else." She shot a sad glance at Zoisite. "That's why we can never marry." Zoisite looked at her sharply. "That's the reason?" he asked incredulously. "Because some jerk happened to be born on your planet as your protector? I thought it was simply because I'm not royalty, but very few of the Knights are royalty! In fact, only Darien is, that I'm aware of!" Ami grasped his arm, "That's different, Serena and Darien are linked in a way no one understands. There is no Moon Knight for some strange reason, and in turn there isn't a Sailor for the Earth. There never has been. That's the difference between she and me. She can marry whomever she chooses, all the Moon Princess' could. The same goes for the Kingdom of Earth. They are the truly lucky ones, to be able to choose whom they will marry." He brushed her face tenderly, "Why can't you do the same, why can't you marry me?" "Zoi, listen to me! My destiny is forever linked to Mercury Knight's! I barely remember him, but as the princess, I can marry no one else but him, or Mercury will not have a protector when I'm gone!" Zoisite, incensed, grabbed her tightly and pulled her flush against him, "But why, Ami, why? Surely you can have children with out him! Can't he merely be your humble protector, and me your loving husband?" He dropped to one knee, "Ami, will you marry me? Will you be my bride? We can run away, they'll never find us!" Ami pulled slowly away, her eyes watering, "Zoisite, you don't understand. It's genetically impossible. They've done many tests, and only a Knight can impregnate a Scout. No one knows why it's thus, but there is no possible way for me to have a child with any one other than Mercury Knight! If we married, our union would not be fruitful, and my planet would be left without a Sailor to protect it!" "But Princess," he began. Ami pulled away, tears streaming down her face. "No Zoi, I can't see you anymore! We can't continue lying to the court, my parents, or deluding ourselves in to believing we can wed and live happily ever after. I love you too much to do that!" Her voice turned pleading, "Please Zoi, Please! Don't contact me again, neither one of us will be able to stand it!" She ran off, in to the maze, her sobs trailing behind her, dark ribbons of sorrow in the pale light of the maze. Zoisite dropped his head, stray strands of long blond hair trailing the ground. "As you wish Princess, but," his voice broke, "but I will never stop loving you." A single tear dripped off his cheek, watering the grass below. * * * * * * * * * * * Lita cautiously tiptoed behind Nephrite, lounging on the lip of the marble fountain, discussing cadet battle tactics with Prince Darien. She dropped to her knees, carefully avoiding the lacy hem of her watered silk mint colored dress. On the other side, she could see a blushing Serena assume a similar position on the other side of the bubbling fount. Darien looked up suddenly, spying her. She gifted him with an impish salute, then pressed on finger to her lips. Mimicking throwing Nephrite in, she had to smile at the twinkle lighting Darien's eyes. If he only knew Serena was behind him, preparing for the same thing, he wouldn't be smiling now would he? She glanced at Serena and noted her frozen. What's going on? Serena suddenly raised her finger to her lips, mirroring Lita's motion of only moments before. Princess Jupiter grinned; Nephrite had spotted Serena as well. Both of the boys believed they were going to be witness to a dunking, not a participant in it! Lita held up three fingers high enough for the Moon Princess to see them, but not the men. One, two, three! One hard shove and Nephrite was in the fountain, cursing and spitting along with Darien, their cloaks floated around them in the bubbling, gurgling water. "Score one for the Princess'!" Lita triumphed loudly, as she and Serena hugged joyfully, celebrating their victory. "Well Nephrite, doesn't that even the score from last week? As I recall, that water can be pretty cold, can't it?" He flipped his mass of soggy brown curls over his shoulder, spraying Darien in the process. "Hey," Darien protested loudly, wiping the stray drops of his face. Nephrite grinned at him, "Tough luck your Highness. Maybe next time you'll watch my back, right?" Darien flipped his dripping ebony hair out of his eyes, laughing, "I was, but all I saw was one minx from Jupiter imploring my silence with her big green eyes. Maybe next time I'll tattle instead of keeping my peace. I think you should adopt the same policy, or else we're both going to be soaked!" He splashed Nephrite, and in seconds the entire company was waterlogged. Lita shrieked as Nephrite grabbed the hem of her dress, upsetting her balance enough for her to fall in to his waiting arms. "Happy, love?" he whispered for her ears alone. She blushed a violent pink and let her hand remain in his a moment more than was seemly. "My dress," Serena wailed, "Luna's gonna kill me!" She held up the sodden train of her silvery dress. "It's bad enough I don't train well enough for her, now I'll be pinned as unladylike for sure!" Lita struggled out of Nephrite's loving embrace, and wrapped one soggy arm around her friend's squelching shoulder. "Don't worry Serena, it'll dry. We need to get away anyway; they'll never notice two princesses gone. Probably won't notice the boys gone either. Why don't we go to your room and change? Of course, the boys will have to remain wet, since they didn't think to bring dry clothes, did they?" She smirked at Nephrite, who returned her smile with a look of longing, "Better avoid the ballroom for awhile boys, it certainly won't be proper for Royalty to waltz with two sopping messes! After last week's dunking, I learned to bring a spare change of clothing. So sorry, Nephy!" Laughing, she and Serena ran down the same hall they had slid down years before and up the curved staircase to Serena's room. At the top, as Serena rushed to her room, Lita spared one longing glance at the boys wringing out their clothing below. I'm sorry Nephrite, my darling, I'm so sorry I can't acknowledge our love. * * * * * * * * * * * Raye, meditating by the fire, felt the shivery touch of the Great Fire Spirit in her mind. The oppressive heat cupped her body like a glove, and her mind swirled with the molten magma of blue-white fire. A million miles away, the grunts of the training Knights teased her ears, quiet and trivial. Great Fire Spirit, is Ami okay? She and Lita are sleeping quietly in my bed, is she contagious? Is it some new enemy? Raye opened her dark eyes, and an image swum in the after-images of the tight pressure. PLUTO... Raye's body pitched forward as memories engulfed her. Her eyes drifted closed, and she began to dream. * * * * * * * * * * * "Jadeite," Raye whispered heatedly, "are you crazy?!" He glanced around the ballroom, and pulled her in to the kitchen. One hand on her lower back, he escorted her through the bustle of maids and waiters, to the back entrance. Making sure no one noticed their escape, he gently pushed her through and in to the garden. Once in the cool air of the night, he pulled her close. "At last, Princess, we're alone." Raye tapped her foot when he drew away, "Would you please explain yourself now? I want to make sure no one notices we're gone!" He pulled her in to the shadow of a nearby elm tree. "No one's going to notice one Guardian or Princess missing Raye, there are tons of us. Don't worry dear heart, just be happy we can be together." Raye sighed, burying her face in to his broad chest. The smooth uniform jacket caressed her cheek as tenderly as his touch, but beneath she knew his chest to be as hard as the Ionian steel sword the Guardian's carried. "Jadeite," she whispered, "do you love me?" He looked down tenderly, her eyes glowed dark in the pale light of the garden. "Of course I do Princess, you doubt me?" She shook her head, threading her fingers through his hesitantly, "My father came home today." He raised his eyebrows, his blue eyes quizzical. "Raye, you said he only comes home if..." "I know," she whispered brokenly, "if some plan for my future has to be decided." She raised her teary eyes to his, and ran her trembling hand through his short blond hair. "That's why I was late to the ball tonight. The entire court of Mars is in an uproar about his return. In his absence, fighting for our freedom against the Andromeda galaxy, Mars has been well ruled by Mother, but he is the King. They must obey his command at all costs." Jadeite pulled her close, "What decision has he made for you, Princess? Are you now to train in another galaxy where we will never see one another? Will you wed that insufferable bore from the Omega system?" Raye chuckled wetly against his chest, "No, Jadeite, after I blasted that jerk, he would never to think to ask for my hand." She paused, wiping away the tears; "I don't know what he has planned. It will all be announced tonight." He tightened his hold on her small body. She feels so frail; it's like she'll break. How can one old man decided the future for such a spirited, strong beauty? He wasn't there for her growing up, I was. I helped bandage scraped knees, I dried her tears when her fireballs set the library ablaze after she lost her temper. I violated Guardian rules and visited her on her birthday, when her mother was away on Sailor business. Now the powers have passed down, and she is the most passionate woman I know. What ever he decides will kill her. My only consolation is that I'll always be there for her, no matter what happens... He pressed his face in to her dark hair, inhaling the strong smoky smell of her. "I love you," he whispered. * * * * * * * * * * * "I love you, Serena." Serena looked up from pulling her boot back on. Darien was blocking the afternoon light, looking almost like a faceless Jesus against the mellow glow of the humid sun. "I love you too, Darien," she smiled. "Is something wrong muffin? You look tired." He sat beside her, took her leg in his lap, and began slowly pulling on her boot, caressing the silky skin of her calf with the tips of his fingers. He sighed, "No Serena, nothing's wrong. It's just...I don't know, sometimes I miss you. I miss holding you, hearing your laugh, even your bouncing meatballs. "I'll be talking to Andrew, in a class, or listening to music, and suddenly you're there, stronger and more real than the furniture in the room, or the clothes on my body. "I remember you holding Rini, rocking our future child in your arms. I think that times like that I miss King of the Earth. It's like, if I heard his voice, every doubt I've ever had about what we are would be appeased." Serena looked troubled. "You doubt us Darien?" Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't make a sound, a far cry from the wail which would have erupted from her lips a mere three years before. Darien sighed heavily, "No Serena, it's not that." He ran one hand through his hair, took his mask off, and laid it on the ground beside her Crescent Moon Wand. "Serena, don't you ever wonder why there's no Earth Sailor? Why isn't there a Moon Knight?" Serena laughed shakily, "Oh, Darien, you scared me. Is that all? That's all you're worried about?" He looked at her incredulously, "Only that?! Serena, you're taking this too lightly for my peace of mind, what do you mean by 'only that'?" Giggling, Serena loosely clasped his hands in hers. "Darien, did you take Astronomy in college?" He shook his head. "Darien, I was really worried about that about a year ago. I completely flipped one day, I was so stressed over Rini being caught in the past, and worrying about you not loving me anymore. This was before I saw your dream. "Anyway, Luna came across me bawling as usual and when I explained the problem she told me that there's a theory that the moon comes from Earth. That one day when the galaxy was being created there was this piece of Earth that broke off but retained Earth's orbit. "I believe that's what happened. You and I are the Sailor and Knight for the Earth and Moon. You were the Moonlight Knight, remember? Who's to say that if I lost my memory I wouldn't create the Earth Sailor to protect you?" "Hey guys." They both looked up at the interruption, to see Mina lounging above them on the temple steps. "I'm going to go check on Raye, get a drink for the boys, and probably take a serious rest. Lita and Ami are napping, so are Luna and Artemis. The boys decided to quit until it got cooler, so they're in the front talking to Greg, and this amazing red-haired guy who showed up and wanted to talk to Raye's grandpa." Serena pulled away from Darien, "Greg's here?! Do you think we should go wake Ami? I mean, she'll kill us if he was here and she didn't get a chance to see him!" Mina laughed, "No, he snuck around to the back and told us about his friend up front. He and Adam are going to be here for the next couple of weeks, and when I told him about Ami, he said to let her rest, he'd just hang around here to surprise her when she woke up! "You should go look at his friend, oh Serena, he's gorgeous! Tall, thin, but completely built! I really need to go out there; Chad and Ken have probably talked his ear off by now. I mean he looked at them strangely enough to begin with!" Darien sat up, "Oh?" Mina grinned, "No, Darien, I know what you're thinking. They are Chad and Ken now, not the Knights. I don't think even Chad would be that stupid! "Anyway, I'm going cause 'three's company and two's a crowd', or is it 'I don't want to be a second wheel'? Never mind, it's not important, I'm going to deform and bring them some lemonade. That guy is really cute!" * * * * * * * * * * * Raye's small kitchen glittered madly. Sailor Pluto materialized beside the refrigerator, took out a pinch of dream dust, swirled it in the frosty lemonade sitting out on the counter, and stepped back in to the vortex, her evergreen colored hair shining momentarily in the lights. * * * * * * * * * * * "Hey, Greg! Long time, no see, man! Darien will get a kick out of seeing you again!" Chad waved from the front steps of the temple, his shaggy brown hair stylishly tangled as usual, his red shirt and blue jeans strangely incongruous against the light wooden temple walls. Adam looked up, his eyebrows raising in to his hair as he unabashedly stared at Ken and Chad coming down the steps. They're the guys from my dream! Greg glanced over at Adam and could feel the panic start to rise within his friend, as the boys grew closer. "Don't worry, Adam, it'll all be cool," Greg patted Adam on the back, his dark black hair hanging in is eyes. He brushed it back, gazing sadly at the temple. Adam's starting to remember, so am I. So many memories, they'll drown me if I'm not cautious. I MUST be cautious! If I don't I'll lose Ami. His eyes strayed to Raye's window, her curtains fluttering lightly in the breeze. You're in there Ami, and when you see me again, everything will be different. Can you blame me for wanting a few more hours of peaceful friendship? Damn Pluto for telling me, damn her for making me remember my defection... * * * * * * * * * * * "So, Adam," Mina began crossing her long legs to a more comfortable position, "you came to see Grandpa about bad dreams?" Adam laughed, his fiery red hair glinting in the blazing sun, his pale cheeks flushed and pink from the heat. "Yeah, but they aren't nightmares, more, I don't know, more like memories." Mina took the glass Chad handed her; the cold glass was welcoming against her burning cheeks, "Thanks Chad. What do you mean, more like memories?" His green eyes twinkled, and he poked Greg lightly with his elbow. "For example, this jerk here." Greg snickered, and lightly poked him back; "I met Greg in computer class. He sat down and BAM! It's like I knew him in a past life or something." Greg broke in, "We hit it off, and have been the biggest goofy dorks on campus ever since!" Mina tilted her head and gazed at him candidly. I know what he means; it's like I've seen this guy somewhere before. Adam continued, "Well, anyway, I figured out where I had seen him before, in my dreams! I had been having this dream of that computer class for weeks before meeting Greg! When I told him, he insisted on me coming here and meeting Raye's grandfather." Greg suddenly smacked his hand against his forehead, "God! I'm such a spaz! I forgot Ami's gift in the car! Dude, give me your keys so I can go get it!" Adam handed his keys over, smiling softly at Mina. She returned his smile shyly, her cheeks burning under his stare. "Uh, Mina," Greg's voice broke in, "why don't you come with me, I want you to see what I got Ami." Mina's eyes shot to his eager face, "But..." He grabbed her arm, tugging her up, "No buts, just come, okay?" "Okay," she glanced back at the boys as they rushed away. Chad and Ken, exhausted from the practice earlier, were laid out in the shade of a nearby tree, snoring musically away. Adam was yawning and looking at the inviting shade of the temple rooms, his sweaty T-shirt sticking to his back like a second skin. They reached Adam's car, a gray Hyundai Excel, and Greg grabbed her wrist. She looked down at his shaking hand, her brows furrowed, "Greg, what's wrong? Are you feeling okay?" He yawned, "Mina, I'm fine, but here's the thing. I'm way too tired to break this to you gently; so here it goes. Adam is one of us." Mina looked confused, the world was starting to spin in lazy circles, "What do you mean, you're not making any sense." He sat down on the ground, then thought better of it and staggered to his feet. The keys shook in his hand, but he got them in to the lock and unlocked the car door. They collapsed inside the car, rolled down the windows for breeze, and panted as the pent up heat in the car escaped out the open doors. He began again, "What I mean, Mina, is that I brought him here to meet the Scouts in hopes that his memory would return. Remember, we all lived in the Silver Millennium, and I was one of Beryl's greatest warriors?" Mina nodded her head slowly, "I remember that, and the Sailors told me the rest. You could see the future, and knew about the past, everything, including remembering bits about the Silver Millennium that we Scouts didn't even remember until later." Greg, yawning, clasped her hand; "I was more than one of Beryl's greatest warriors. I was a child from Mercury. Your friend, Pluto, came to me in my dreams a few weeks ago, gave me my full memories, and told me the whole story, including warning me about Adam. "God, I am so sleepy. You think we've been drugged? Maybe we need to warn the others." Yawning, Mina turned to look at him, "Oh really? What do they need warning about? They didn't drink the..." she broke off, her head falling against the seat. The world dimmed, faded, then was black. * * * * * * * * * * * "I always get what I want Princess Venus," Malachite whispered in her ear as they spun in dizzying circles around the ballroom. "I always get what I want, and I want you." Mina bit her lip as he swirled her closer and closer to the entrance to the library, "Malachite, no, they'll notice us gone." Her protests fell on deaf ears, he circumvented the watchful eyes of the palace guards, with one fell swoop they were through the dark wooden doors of the library and she was crushed against his massive chest. She glanced around the pitch-black room; the only thing she could see was the heavy dark shadow of Malachite as he glided towards the far wall. There was a faint rustling; a moment later the room was flooded with pale starlight as the library's wide dark drapes were pulled aside and the cool breeze from the patio ruffled his long white hair. "Malachite," she whispered softly. He opened his arms to her and she rushed in to them, her proper court manners forgotten as she buried her face in to his chest and inhaled the smoky scent of incense that always clung to his jacket. "Mina," he groaned, pulling her away from him, "Mina, we can't meet like this anymore. The whole court notes our every move. Your father is having me followed! I know it. One of my own men, Johnny Ace, informed me. He had caught a spy lingering outside the ballroom, and asking about us the night we went to the lake." "But," she began, hesitantly. Malachite shook his head, wisps of his white hair falling in his large dark eyes, "No, Mina. No! I love you, and you love me. There is no getting around it. Marry me, and we can live on Earth, Darien will protect us, Serenity will speak for you until they all see reason, that we love each other and will perish apart!" He groaned against her hair, running his hands up and down her spine, he hugged her tight, "I will never let you go." He ran his fingers down her face, tipping her chin up he captured her lips with his in a passionate, soul-searing kiss. She broke it off slowly, burying her face in his wide shoulder, mind racing. What can I say to make you hate me, Malachite? I love you, I need you, but we can never marry. It's forbidden. But, I can't live without you... Mina let the tears slide down her face; his uniform soaked them up, one by one. A fine trembling shook her delicate frame, as doubt and sorrow rioted within her. She bit her lip, and raised her tearstained face from his shoulder. The light was dim, but he could see the distress written clearly on her face. "Mina, what's wrong my love?" He stroked the remaining tears away with his fingertips and kissed her hot forehead tenderly. "Shhh," she whispered brokenly, "One last kiss before my night is over." He grinned broadly, "I have no objections to that, but the night is young my love, we have all eternity." He leaned forward, his long hair creating a curtain of shimmering white strands on either side of them... * * * * * * * * * * * Pluto sighed heavily, and wiped a stray drop of sweat off her face. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune lay curled in Uranus' bed, sleeping heavily. The air conditioner was going full blast, but the small room was still stuffy and humid. Celia brushed a small wrinkle in the comforter near Saturn's head. She had been the hardest to trick; the child was terribly canny for her age, and quick. Celia finally quit trying to deceive the girl, and had come to her as Sailor Pluto. They had a quiet talk, and Pluto offered to make her a cool drink. Ten minutes later, the last Milky Way Scout was out like a light, and sleeping peacefully. "Little Dove," she sighed. Pluto's own memories of the Silver Millennium were crystal clear. She could remember each scream as Beryl's army attacked, the confusion in the girls' faces as their loves were revealed as the new powerful enemy, Sailor Mercury's wail as both of her loves were lost to the dark side. Moments later, Celia stood at the Gates of Time. She waved the Garnet Rod, and the Gates swung slowly open, revealing the sleeping body of Aurora, the Solar Sailor's twin. "Still dreaming, Princess?" she whispered sadly. The princess didn't answer, her lilac hair spread across the pillow like Sleeping Beauty's, curling softly at the ends. Pluto sighed, "You never were talkative, Aurora. Auriel was always the friendly one; you simply sat calmly back and basked in your gift. Who needs to be a mere Sailor Scout, when one can be a Goddess? You never viewed it as such though. To you it was a curse, wasn't it? I don't even think you told Auriel that she wasn't the only one chosen. Funny, to look at you, no one would have guessed that you were both blessed at birth. "In a way, it's a good thing. Auriel would not be able to withstand eternal life like you and I. All I have to do is find Pluto Knight and bear a child to hold my place, then I can live a normal life. You, on the other hand, will always be a Goddess. Eternally sleeping until Auriel's powers awake within her. And then what?" The girl stirred in her sleep and Pluto's forehead furrowed. The dream mirror reflected the memories of the Scouts and Knights. Darien and Serena, curled together on the temple steps, were remembering a very special waltz, likewise, Luna and Artemis were remembering the kitchen staff bustling about preparing hundreds of glasses of champagne for the upcoming toasts... * * * * * * * * * * * The clock struck ten, and all the guests gathered in the grand ballroom with expectation. Queen Serenity had chosen tonight to make a Grand Announcement, and all the company wished to hear it firsthand. Most believed the only news was that Prince Darien of Earth had finally chosen to ask for Princess Serena's hand, others knew better. Though the Generals and Princess' didn't wish to attend, as part of Darien and Serena's separate courts, attendance was mandatory. All had dejected expressions, including Serena. Once they had arrived at the sanctity of Serena's room, Lita had broken down in tears and explained her love problems to Serena. The small princess had held her friend, comforting her, wracking her mind for a solution that would allow for a happy ending. Hours later, as her mother began her speech, Serena glanced at the Four Generals and her Inner Scouts, and the realization hit her. None of them are smiling. They all have the exact same problem; they love each other, but none of the Generals are Royalty, or Knights. They are all in love, and I can't do a thing to help them! "Attention, attention please," Queen Serenity smiled at the teeming ballroom, the Royal Kings lining the back wall of the ballroom with joyous expressions plastered across their faces. She smiled, then glancing at the drooping faces of her daughter's court, bit her lip and continued. "My loyal subjects, I have gathered you all here this evening to bring you joyous news! First, my daughter, Serena, has accepted the proposal of marriage to our very own Prince Darien!" The entire court lit up with excitement, even the downcast, depressed faces of her court lifted. Mina threw her arms around her friend, "Oh, Serena, that's fabulous!" Serena's friends smothered her with hugs, as the Four Generals, congratulated Darien with hearty slaps on the back and a few playful punches. Malachite laughed, "At last! We were beginning to think you two were simply going to elope one day!" His eyes strayed to Mina nearby, her arms still crushing Serena, then snapped back to Darien regretfully. "Yeah, Darien, you sure are lucky man," Nephrite mouth grinned, but his eyes followed Lita's every move three feet away. Zoisite merely gazed openly at Ami, his eyes tearing, his face flushed. Jadeite said nothing, his stony silence speaking volumes. Queen Serenity raised her slender arms for quiet, "But this is not our only good news this evening! There is news concerning every planet. We have here with us this evening four great young men. They left us many years ago, taken from our loving protection to learn the ancient art of the warrior, the ancient skills of our protectors." Darien, his arm around Serena, stiffened and he stared at his friends. There was no change in the Generals at all. They still gazed longingly at their princess', paying little attention to the Queen. Oh no, he thought, they don't know! They have no idea, I knew the Princess' weren't warned, couldn't be warned, but I thought the Generals would have figured out the reason for the enormous celebration by now! Queen Serenity continued, "I would now like to present to you the Four Knights taken from us years ago! They have returned to be wed to our lovely princess', our protectors, our Sailor Scouts. May I please present to you; Venus Knight, Adam; Mercury Knight, Greg; Jupiter Knight, Ken; and Mars Knight, Chad!" The ballroom exploded with thunderous applause, as four young men stepped out from the silver curtain behind the Queen. The Princess' stood rooted to the spot, their eyes trained on the four young men, bowing and smiling to the court. "Toast!" someone called. The Queen beamed, pleased at the reaction, "Very well. Raise your glasses!" Every arm in the room raised, including the Generals and Princess'. As struck as they felt, one does not disobey a Queen's command. "To the happy union of our beloved Princess' Ami, Raye, Mina, Lita, and Serena. May their lives be fruitful and long, may their kingdoms not be plagued with evil, and may the new generation of Scouts be born as strong, healthy, and kind as they!" The entire court tipped their glasses, CHEERS! "I'm gonna be sick," Raye whispered, holding her stomach. She tipped the full glass of champagne up and drained it in three gulps, tears spilling over, one by one. "I'm leaving," Ami flatly stated, turning abruptly and rushing out the door. "I'm with you Ami," Lita agreed, as she followed suit. Less than ten feet away, the Generals stood stone-faced, their champagne glasses untouched. None of them dared a glance at the girls yet. Malachite and Nephrite were in shock, both shaking imperceptibly. Ami warned me, she must have known. Zoisite glared at the young boys, his face hot and dry. Mercury Knight, the great protector of Mercury, it's only hope, Ami's destiny, was a mere boy! Zoisite, the youngest of the Generals at seventeen, had received many taunts during his years in training due to his age, but his young man was fourteen, fifteen at the most! How could one barely older than Ami herself, protect her from the evils in the universe? Frustrated, he downed his glass of champagne in two gulps, and pivoted, heading for the kitchen. Jadeite glared at Raye's father, his eyes two coals of burning hate in his face. He remembered Chad from before, when they were all children. Before he had been discovered, at seven, young Chad had been living on the streets, doing odd jobs in order to survive, much like Jadeite himself before Darien's father discovered him. At that time, only the Moon was utopia. When the Lord of the Moon was killed, Queen Serenity disobeyed her husband's dying command and healed the rest of the planets' vices with her Crescent Moon Wand, bringing peace and prosperity to all the planets. Chad was discovered weeks later, when he tried to cook some stolen food with one of his fireballs, and was sent with all the other found Knights to the Moon, until it was time for them to train in another galaxy. This was your decision old man? You decided to sell your only daughter in to marriage with a pitiful beggar's son? I would have made her a loving, prosperous husband, now she's engaged to that simpering kiss-up? He groaned softly, his eyes finally straying to Raye's pale, strained face. She looked so scared, and he remembered her first fireball, aimed at bullying Zoisite. Strengthened with the memory fresh in his mind, he made a resolution. I must be there for her, no matter the cost to my own peace of mind and heart. * * * * * * * * * * *