The Silver Millenium

Princess Serenity’s big blue eyes gazed out into the stars above her. How beautiful they were in all of their shining glory. She smiled thinking of them out there like kings and queens watching over the planets and their people. Then her eyes became watery with tears thinking that she would never have the luxury of being like those stars that could see so many beautiful things. Serenity was by nature a very curious and adventurous girl who longed to see new planets and meet new people, and, more importantly, fall in love. But she would never be able to do any of these things in the confinement of her home, the grand palace of Mare Serenitatis on the Moon. She sighed. It was the duty of her mother to protect the Imperium Silver Crystal, a powerful family heirloom, from the power-hungry hands of greedy people. The full power of the crystal could be used only by a Lunarian princess, and so it was that everyday Serenity attended lessons on how to control her power so that one day she could protect the crystal when she became queen. Secondly, she took lessons in etiquette, history, dancing, and singing, from private tutors, who happened to be her very best friends in the universe. Princesses Amelia, Ralina, Litana, and Minako were only four years older than Serenity, but they were appointed to be her guardians and handmaidens at Serenity’s birth, and although the princess was sometimes hard to cope with, they loved to teach her new things, and watch her reactions to them. Most of the time Serenity did very well at her studies, but at other times, she was very fidgety because she restless and dreaming new dreams. At these times, Amelia wished to bring her back to the real world and help her get her studying done, but she was talked out of it by the other girls who new that their princess needed some time for herself. 1

Today, Serenity had finished all of her studies without complaining, fidgeting or dreaming, and so her guardians allowed her to go off and do as she pleased. It was dark out, as it always was on the moon, and the girl’s dreamy wanderings turned from the stars, to the blue round orb that is called Earth. How she loved the planet! It was so beautiful from the moon, and she didn’t think it would be any less enchanting from within. Apart from protecting the crystal, the Lunarian royalty had another important task, one of protecting the planet Earth from without. Of course, the Earthlings, proud and at times arrogant didn’t know about this, as it was a well-kept secret among those of the moon, the sun, mercury, mars, jupiter, venus, and the other planets of this solar system. Even without knowing what part the Lunarians played, the people of earth still found them intimidating because of the power that they had, and threatened to kill any Lunarian that should lay so much a toe on their soil. The people of Earth didn’t come in contact with anyone from the solar system, except fom the Solarians, who were relatives of the Earth’s queen. Earth was strange in another way as it made Serenity wonder why, out of all the planets in the solar system, Earth was the only one in which male heirs assumed the throne. Every other kingdom brought up daughters to be rulers and sons to be protectors. Earth sounded like a violent planet to Serenity, whose friends and family would never threaten to kill anyone who would wish to visit their kingdom. Ralina once told Serenity that it was because the earth was ruled by men that it was so violent, and so behind the times. Serenity smiled to herself at that thought. Ralina didn’t have a very good opinion of men. Tired now from a hard day’s work, Serenity yawned and left the balcony that graced the outer part of her room. Luna, the queen’s royal cat advisor was lying at the foot of the bed, her eyes on the princess’ every move. 2

“You’re restless, my dear,” Luna stated with a worried look. “You look so unhappy. What is it?”3

Serenity sat down beside her friend and closest confidant and smiled. “I did all of my studies today.”4

“I know. Your mother is very happy with that news and hopes you will continue to do well.”5

“I will do my best. Mother wants what’s best for me…”6

“What is it sweetheart,” Luna asked, transforming from her cat form into her human form. 7

“There is no life for me here except to learn how to act gracefully and know how to use the crystal, and learn the history of those who are in alliance with us. Luna, I want to know more about Earth. Why do the people hate us? Why are they the way they are? Why can’t I learn their history, and meet them?”8

“My darling, you know why you can’t go down there. They would surely kill you. We really don’t know much about them, and so we can’t teach you a history that we don’t know.”9

“Will my life ever be exciting?”10

Luna laughed. “Of course it will. You’re only fifteen, many exciting things are just around the corner. You’ll go to fancy balls, at the other kingdoms, not here, and meet a fine gentleman, fall in love, get married, and assume the throne.”11

Serenity only sighed in answer. She knew it. She would never have an exciting adventure. But, she still smiled, and looked at Luna. “I don’t need adventure. I only need all of you!” Serenity laid her head down on Luna’s lap and put her arms around Luna’s waist in a hug. Luna didn’t understand what her young friend meant, but she was glad to know how much she was loved by the princess.12

“Come. Your mother is sending you to the Solar Kingdom to visit your cousin, Princess Ritana. We must pack your things.”13

“I’m going to the sun? How wonderful,” she clapped her hands. “I’ve never been to Father’s home before.” Serenity’s father had been the king of the Western Solar Kingdom before his death, but now his brother was king. Serenity had hoped to meet her uncle ever since she was little, but most especially after her father was killed five years earlier. He was a kind, gentle, loving father, and she had loved him dearly. She was heartbroken, and became extremely ill with fever when she learned that he had been killed in the war against an evil creature called Metalia from the Negaverse. The king, upon learning from his wife that the evil force had entered into the solar system, went out with a large number of his men, and captured the dark queen. With his powers he sealed the evil creature away in a dark crystal and sent her out to space where he and his men hoped to finish her off for good. But before the king gave the order for his men to fire, she was able to send out a bolt of negative energy that killed him almost instantly and sent his men into panic. She had been locked up, but not destroyed, and no one knew now where she was. The queen was told that, with his last breath, the king said “My Serenitys,” meaning, of course, his wife and daughter, who bore the same names. 14

Serenity picked out a number of her most beautiful ball gowns and packed them into her suitcase, and then followed Luna into the queen’s room. The moment Serenity saw her mother, she ran into her arms. “Oh Mother, thank you so much for letting me go and visit Ritana! I can’t wait!”15

The queen chuckled at her daughter’s enthusiasm and held the young princess close. “I hope you will have lots of fun.”16

“I will miss you Mother,” Princess Serenity frowned. “I won’t really know anyone there. I’m a little nervous.” 17

The queen smiled. “You will not be alone. I am sending Princess Minako with you.”18

“Really?”19

“Yes. Those of the Sun have dealings with Earth, because the princess of the Western Kingdom married the king of Earth some nineteen years ago, and she is related to your uncle. So if there should ever be a time when you come in contact with an Earthling, I don’t want you to be alone.”20

From the shocked look on her daughter’s face, Queen Serenity thought that her daughter was frightened. “My dear, are you alright?”21

“Mother, I’ve always wanted to see what an Earthling was like,” the girl’s face lit up. “And they can’t be so bad if they’re related to our family.” She thought for a moment, and clapped her hands. “That means that the royal family of Earth is connected to my uncle in the same way that I am. My cousin is the royal heir’s cousin also. Would that not be true?”22

The queen was a little worried at this, but in another way she knew that this was good. The princess would be a queen some day, and it showed she was maturing if she could figure out an important connection so quickly. Besides it would not be a good thing if new things frightened her.23

“Well, you may meet an earthling. But you must always use caution, and make sure to hide your symbol,” the queen brushed away her daughter’s bangs with her hand to reveal the crescent moon on her forehead. “I trust the king and queen there. They will keep you safe,” the queen kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Now, are you packed?” 24

“Everything’s been taken care of, Your Majesty,” Luna bowed. “She is ready.”25

“Very well,” the queen answered her voice as kind as always. “Have a good time, darling, and listen to your friends.”26

“I will,” Serenity hugged her mother once more, pulled away, curtsied, and went to find her friends.27

“My little girl is growing up, Luna. She is turning into a woman,” the queen said with sadness. “I hope that she will find what her heart is looking for.”28

“Ooo, this is so exciting! Isn’t this a beautiful place?” Princess Serenity held her hands together in anticipation as she looked through the Midnight Portal to see where she would soon be. 29

“Yes, little one, the Solar kingdom is enchanting, and I’ve heard that everything that is grown there is wonderful, due to the heat in the soil,” Sailor Midnight, the guardian of the portal, and Sailor Pluto’s sister smiled. Sailor Midnight portal allowed anyone to travel either to different planets, or to different dimensions, but only if Midnight herself allowed them to do so. 30

“Have a good time, and be careful,” she motioned to princesses to enter through the portal, now that they each had a key that would allow them to return home. “The royal family is waiting for you.”31

One by one the girls stepped through the portal, and were transported to the sun. Serenity’s aunt, uncle and cousin were eagerly awaiting their guests and Serenity immediately through herself into the awaiting arms of her family. 32

“My how you’ve grown,” King Caspian chuckled. “I haven’t seen you since you were this high,” he said, pointing to his knees. 33

“You just grow prettier and prettier every time I see you,” Queen Chelaine smiled. “All of you girls do,” she said, motioning to the other girls. 34

“I’m so happy you could all come,” Ritana hugged each girl. She put her arm around Serenity’s shoulders and led her to the castle. 35

“This is such a beautiful place,” Serenity said in awe. She gasped at the steps of the castle where a beautiful red flower was blooming from a single bush. “What is this? It’s the most exotic thing I have ever seen.”36

“It’s a rose,” Ritana explained. “It is a native plant of Earth. My cousin, the prince, gave it to me as a gift. He has such a wonderful collection of these at the Golden Kingdom.”37

“The Golden Kingdom?”38

“Yes, it is the home of the royal family on Earth.” Ritana smiled at her cousin who was still entranced with the rose’s beauty. She turned to her parents, and the princesses who were also amazed at Serenity’s attraction to the small flower. 39

“Come, dear one, we’ll get you settled,” Queen Chelaine took her niece’s hand and led her to her room. 40

At dinner, which was simply marvelous, due to the fact that everything that was there was grown on the Sun, the king explained to the girls that he and his family had been invited to a ball on Earth, and that they were invited to come as well. “I told them my niece was coming to visit with some of her close friends, and Queen Chelaine’s sister said that they would be glad to have you as guests.”41

“But the Earthlings hate those not of Earth or the Sun,” Princess Minako said alarmed. 42

“They don’t know where you’re from, so as long as we can hide your planetary symbols, everything will be fine,” Ritana explained.43

“How will we do that?” Ralina asked. “They’re bound to notice if we all hide our foreheads.44

“No they won’t,” Ritana laughed. “It’s the newest fashion on Earth to wear a band around your head with a feather on the side! So, you see, you’ll fit in perfectly.”45

“You know, this might just be okay,” Minako nodded her head toward the other guardian princesses.46

The rest of the dinner was filled with talk of the Earth’s customs, and when the girl’s went into the room that they shared, they collapsed on their beds. 47

“Wow, we’re actually going to Earth!” Serenity squealed at the ceiling. 48

“What’s the queen going to say?” Amelia looked at the other guardians. “She knew we might run into Earthlings, but she didn’t know that we would be going to Earth.”49

“She said that we could trust the king and queen here, that they would never do anything to bring us to danger. Maybe this will be good for all of us since we can see another side of Earth that we don’t know exists,” Mars said. “Maybe it will be good for Serenity,” she lowered her voice to a whisper and joined the other three girls on a bed farther away from Serenity. “Maybe if she knows what Earth is like, she’ll be able to focus on her studies more.”50

The girls nodded their heads in agreement, and then went to their own beds. The solar power started to wind down and the lights went out. “Goodnight Princess,” Ralina whispered.51

“Good night girls,” smiled Serenity in the darkness. She knew that wasn’t going to be able to sleep one wink because of the excitement she felt inside. “Tomorrow is going to bring something wonderful, I know it,” she said to the ceiling. 52

Minako sat up in her bed. “Like what?”53

“I don’t know. But somehow, my life will be different. I can’t explain the feeling I have. If I find out what it means, you’ll be the first one I tell.”54

“Okay. Sweet dreams Serenity.”55

“Sweet dreams,” she answered, falling asleep after all. 56