We all know the story about the past on The Moon Kingdom, and the lives of the Inner Senshi and their role in protecting the Moon Princess as her Court. But what about the times before all of that? If the Senshi were supposed to be the Princess of their own respective planets, what were they doing on the moon protecting the Moon Princess? Didn't they have planets to rule too? I thought to myself,'Something must have happened to have them all on the moon...' I will explore that possibility and hopefully will entertain you with my *choke* wonderful story telling...
“Princess Rei, a letter just arrived from the court of Princess Setsuna of Pluto.”
“Oh wonderful. Well, read it to me.”
“It says that there is to be a meeting at her court, noon tomorrow-something grave is about to happen”
“Oh, that’s even more wonderful. Well, I suppose I should leave now, I wouldn’t want to miss the big important meeting. Cecelia, would you prepare my transport? Oh, are the other princesses to be there?”
“There is no mention of it in the letter, but if something grave is about to happen, I would hope Princess Setsuna would inform everyone. So, I would assume so”
“All right then. Would you inform my mother of my leave? Oh never mind. I’ll do so myself.”
“May I have everyone’s attention please? The meeting is about to begin.” The room filled with silence as all heads turned towards Princess Setsuna whose stern face showed, in her eyes, that this was serious. All of the princesses were there, each one more curious than the last.
“Thank you all for being here. I’ll skip the nonsense and get right to the point. It seems that an unknown force has presented itself here in our peaceful little galaxy-something we’ve never dealt with before.” The curious looks on their faces quickly changed to those of confusion and fear, “We don’t know that much about this new enemy except that it is not to be trusted. My sources have a little information though. They tell me that the ‘members’ of this evil have disguised themselves as common citizens among our planets, with one exception-a small tattoo of a stylized eye on each of their left arms. Any questions or comments so far?”
“I have a question.”
“Yes Princess Rei?”
“If we find one, or many of these, people, how do we deal with them?”
“We...are not sure yet. I ask that you do not attempt to confront it yourself. Call your guards. Any other questions? No? I’ll continue then. My sources also told me that part of their mission is to find ‘The Red Stone’. That’s not the only stone though, they’re looking for seven others too. The only one we know on though is the ‘Red Stone’. What they’re purpose is, is still unknown to us. If there is anything else, speak now. If not, all I can say for your return home is be careful and always keep two eyes open. Thank you once again for coming here today on such short notice.”
(After the meeting, still on the planet of Pluto)
“Do you believe this?” Princess Makoto asked Princess Minako and Hotaru.
“It’s hard to imagine what anyone would want with our galaxy.” Princess Minako wondered.
“You heard Setsuna, they want the Red Stone, and probably power too. You must admit, the planets aren’t exactly equipped for war.”
“Princess Hotaru is probably right about the power thing.”
“I agree with you Princess Mako. But are we going to do? How are we to protect ourselves?”
“No one knows, the best thing to do is just to stay calm.”
“Oh hello Rei.” The princess of Mars was greeted by the Princess of Venus. “We were just discussing the possible motive of this new enemy.”
“Yes, that’s all anyone is talking about. But who can blame them? It’s all that’s on my mind.” A weird feeling came over the princess as she said those words. *my mother is in danger*
“Princess Rei? Are you feeling okay? You look a little pale.” Princess Hotaru asked.
“I have to get back to my kingdom...something bad is about to happen.”
“Mother? Mother?! Where are you?!” Rei rushed into her palace. No sign of the queen anywhere in the throne room *upstairs* she thought to herself. She raced up the flight of stairs, loosing both of her shoes *no time to stop, keep running!* Up the stairs and down the hall. She paused momentarily.
“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Mother!” Rei ran faster now until she reached her mother’s room. The door was locked. *bust it down!* She pushed against the door as hard as she could until the doors flung open. There was the Queen of Mars lying on the floor in a puddle of her own blood. The room was filled with a light gray mist. Rei looked towards the window frantically just in time to see a figure leap out with amazing agility. The young princess ran towards the window knowing exactly what had happened. There was a new evil presence in their galaxy and it had manifested itself on her planet. “I hate you!!! You’re never going to get away with this!!! We’ll stop you!!!” She screamed out the window then raced towards her dying mother who lay on the floor suffering. She looked into her mother’s eyes, her own swelling up with tears.
“Don’t let them get it...”
“What?”
“The Red Stone...it’s the key to everything for our planet...”
“Where is it? The Red Stone?”
“It’s in the...don’t let them...”
“Mother! Don’t leave me! You can’t leave me! I won’t let you!” Princess Rei was breaking down into tears and shaking uncontrollably.
“I...I love you Rei...”
“Nnnooo!!!”
“I ask for your attention please.” The queen of the Moon Kingdom sat down at the head of the table. The other queens sat down around her-all but one.
“We are greatly saddened by the loss of Queen Rei. I know that it was hard for all of us to come here today. I also know that each and every one of us are scared for our own lives as well as those of our people and mostly our daughters. I ask that we all try to remain calm and not to mention any of this weeks events to anyone until we have the situation under control. On to business. The murder of Queen Rei has taught us something important about our enemy. It appears that they did not kill, nor harm Queen Rei in anyway using physical force, instead, they used magic. A type of magic that we’ve never dealt with before. Which leads us to believe that they are a weak race, physically. On to brighter news. There will be a grand ball held in honor of Queen Rei this Saturday Eve, everyone is to be there.”
*the Red Stone. don’t let them get it! it is the key to our kingdom! the key...the key!*
“Mommy?”
“Yes Dear?”
“Can I wear it?”
“Wear what dear?”
“Your necklace with the pretty stone?”
“I suppose you can, but only for a little while. You have to be careful with it - it’s very precious.”
“What do you mean mommy?”
“It’s the key to the kingdom.”
“The Kingdom’s locked?”
“Oh no! Not like that!”
“Then what do you mean?”
“You’ll understand one day...”
“I wanna know now though.”
“It protects the kingdom from all evil-but only if one knows how to use it.”
“Really mommy?!”
“Really.”
“Will I ever get to use it?”
“Maybe one day.”
“How do you know how to work it?”
“You just know.”
“Oh. Will I just know?”
“Of course. You’re the Princess of Mars. It’s inside you.”
“Oh. Cool”
Rei snapped out of her trance and raced upstairs to her mother’s room. She flung the doors open and stopped dead in her tracks. *what was that?!* she listened intently for a minute, not a muscle in her body moved. *okay. i’m just freaked out. it was nothing.* She cautiously walked up to her mother’s dresser and opened her jewelry box. There it was - the key.
“This music is rather dull.” Princess Usagi commented the Princess Haruka and Michiru.
“I kind of like it. Dance with me, Haruka.” The two princesses left Princess Usagi standing there. A familiar voice spoke her name from behind her. “Princess Ami! How are you?”
“Fine. And you?”
“Extremely bored. Say, who is that young man over there, he’s so cute!”
“Princess Usagi, I’m ashamed of you. What about Prince Darien? Have you forgotten about him already?”
“No...hey! There’s Princess Rei.”
“Hello Ladies. How are you this evening?”
“Just lovely, thank you.”
“Princess Rei, is that incredibly cute guy over there from your planet? Neither of us recognize him.”
“No, I’m sorry Usagi. Maybe you should ask Princess Minako and Makoto. They might know.”
“Ooohhh! He’s coming over here! Don’t look now!”
“Oh Princess Usagi, really.”
“Hello my Princess,” the young man took the princess of Mars’ hand and kissed it, “may I have this dance?”
“Uh...sure...”
“What?! No fair! I saw him first!”
“Calm down Usagi.”
“Luna? When did you get here?”
“I’ve been standing here the whole evening. You mean you haven’t noticed? Where did you think I was?”
“Uhh...where’s Artemis? Shouldn’t you be with him Luna?”
“So...where are you from?” Princess Rei asked the man whom she was dancing with.
“I am Sir Chad from the beautiful planet of Mars.”
“Really? I mean, I don’t ever recall seeing you .”
“I’m new. I moved from Uranus. That planet was much too cold for me.” He reached into his pocket and pulled his hand back out. “Oops.”
“I’ll get it.” Rei dropped down to her knees to get the piece of paper Sir Chad had dropped. She clutched the paper in her hand and stood quickly to her feet.
“Are you okay?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m fine, just kind of sad.”
“I can understand. I lost my mother at your age too. It takes a lot to get back on your feet.” He looked down and smiled at her. His eye caught a glimpse of her necklace. *The key! It’s the Red Stone! I knew she had to have it.*
“Aubri! Where are you?!”
“He’s gone my Queen.” a voice from the shadows replied.
“Where to Silver Blade?”
“To the ball. The one in honor of Queen Rei of the Planet of Mars. I killed the old hag. I should be there, not Aubri. All he’s done is given me a headache.”
“Quit complaining.”
“Yes Queen Ursula, but...”
“What is it now?"
“Could I go to the ball and check up on Aubri? You never know when he’s going to screw up.”
“All right then, hurry up. I want you back here by midnight. I want to know what’s going on down there.”
“Yes my Queen.”
“Ahh Princess Rei, you truly are the most beautiful girl in all the galaxies in the whole Universe.”
“Umm...thank you. I’m feeling a little - I think I’m just going to sit for a while.”
“I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t we go get some fresh air? I hear the Royal Gardens are beautiful this time of night.”
“Well, okay. But I shouldn’t be gone too long this ball is in honor of my mother, I should be seen having a miserable time, not walking through the palace gardens having fun.”
“I’ll guarantee you the worst time of your life.”
“Well, alright then, let’s go.” Sir Chad took Princess Rei’s arm in his and led her out to the gardens.
“The whole city is simply glowing in the moonlight, it’s so beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you though.” Sir Chad reached his hand up to brush her hair off her shoulder, secretly his fingers reached for the clasp of her necklace.
“Sir Chad? Is that you? Long time no see!” A girl with a yellow dress walked up to the two of them.
“Uhh...hello...”
“Don’t you remember me?”
“Silver Blade?”
“No! Lady Tamica! Silly! What have you been drinking?”
“Oh, Lady Tamica...” Sir Chad gave the strange girl an evil what-the-Hell-are-you-doing-here look. She just winked at him. “I’m sorry to interrupt you and Princess Ami here...”
“That’s Princess Rei.”
“Oh. I’m soo sorry! My mistake! Anyway, Sir Chad, do you remember Ursula?”
“Yeah...”
“Well, she really wants to see you, she says it’s important. You’ll have to get back to Princess Haruka later.”
“That’s Rei.”
“Whatever. Let’s go.” Sir Chad was led away by Miss Tamica, the two of them muttering under their breath.
“What the Hell are you doing here Silver Blade?! I almost had the Red Stone!”
“Sure you did. Aubri, it’s almost midnight and Queen Ursula is extremely mad at you for not contacting her!”
“I was this close to having the Red Stone! She was wearing it on a key around her neck!”
“Well don’t I feel stupid! Oh well, there will be other chances - just don’t fall for that raven-haired twit. She’s going to end up dead one way or another.”
“You sound jealous.”
“Me?! Jealous?! Of her?! That’s ridiculous! Never! I’d kill Queen Ursula myself before that’d ever happen.”
“Sure...well, we should get back. I’m in for it enough as it is.”
Princess Rei was sleeping somewhat later that night, the wind ruffling the curtains to her balcony. Outside downbelow, stood a figure dressed all in black. The person crept around the bushes to avoid security traps and making too much noise. It snuck in through an open window. Once inside, the figure darted down the hall hiding shortly behind various objects such as potted plants. It came to the door it was looking for and slipped in. About 10 minutes later, it silently emerged then slipped out a window into the palace gardens.
The Princess of Mars awoke the next morning to a thunder and lightning storm, The rain was beating down on the roof like stones. She looked around her room and noticed that her maid had not yet attended her chores. *odd* she thought *i wonder why cecelia hasn’t attended her chores yet? maybe she slept in*
Princess Rei stretched and got out of bed. Rei awoke several minutes later, her head and heart pounding so hard
she thought they were going to burst. “Oh Cecelia, don’t tell me they
got to you too. Damn. I really liked you.” Rei started to holler for
help, “Help me! Someone! Please!! I need help!” Guards recognized the
Princess’ voice immediately and ran to help her.
It was after the funeral of Celclia Princess Rei’s maid. Rei was out
in the Royal Gardens sitting under a weeping willow tree by a pond
picking daisies.
“You okay?” Rei glanced up to see who was talking to her.
“Sir Chad, is that you?”
“You can just call me Chad. And yeah, it’s me.”
“Uh... do you want to sit down?” He nodded and walked over to the tree
and sat down beside toe mourning Princess.
“You know, it’s just not fair. First I loose my mother, then I loose my
maid. She was like a sister to me. I just feel so helpless. This new
evil just shows up on my planet and starts killing those close to me...
I’m so scared I’m next on the hitlist of victims. If only we knew more,
maybe I could be of more help to my people, but I just don’t know...”
“New evil? You mean the Negaverse?”
“I guess that’s what they call themselves... I’m not sure, I haven’t
been to any of the recent meetings, but I’m going to the one tonight. I
should find out what’s going on, I mean, this is my planet after all -
since my mother was killed, and I don’t have a father...”
“It must be so hard for you.”
“I guess...” The Princess started to cry.
“Hey there it’s okay. Come here.” he pulled Rei into his arms and she
sobbed on his shoulder. *hehehe... now’s my chance to pull this off...
careful now. don’t make it too obvious you’re after the stone... okay,
almost got it...*
*what on earth is he doing? why is he playing with my necklace? oh
shit... my necklace...*
*shoot. I think she thinks something is up... don’t stop now, you can’t
aubri - you’re so close...*
*SLAP* Rei grabbed his wrist.
“Hey! What’s up with you?!”
“I knew it. You are the Negaverse, aren’t you? You can’t deny it, I know
the truth!”
“What are you talking about? Negaverse? Me? Well, I guess you’re not as
stupid as you look.”
“Excellent work Aubri. I see you’ve found the Red Stone. Get it from the
twit. We’ve still got 7 left to find.”
“As you wish Queen Ursula.”
“Queen Ursula?” Princess Mokoto and Minako stood in the garden, just
walking in on the conversation, “Red Stone? What’s going on here?”
“Run Mako! Minako, get out of here! Run for your lives!” Princess Rei
was screaming and waving her hands frantically, not noticing that Aubri
was coming up behind her... “Ahhh!” the Princess screamed as Aubri hit
her upside the head, catching her off balance. She fell to the ground
clutching onto her necklace.
“Give it to me now, or do I have to kill you too?”
“Excuse me? Who did all the killing?! It wasn’t you!” there stood Silver
Blade, red in the face and pissed off.
“Stay out of it Silver Blade.” the Queen ordered.
“Yes my Queen...” Aubri slowly advanced upon the hurting princess. She
pulled at her necklace, breaking the chain and sending the key flying.
“The Red Stone!” Princess Mako screamed as she lept towards it. At the
same time, Silver Blade too lept for the key. Princess Makoto was too
late. Silver Blade got to it first.
“Nnnooo!!!” Rei screamed in terror. Her planet was doomed.
“Excellent work Silver Blade! Give it to me!” Queen Ursula demanded.
“At once my Queen.” She brought the key to Queen Ursula despite all the
cries of Princesses.
“Tome to activate the true power of the stone. And you, in care of it!
Do you know what it’s true powers are?” she glared down at Rei, “I call
upon the Great Fire of Mars...” she raised the key above her head. It
started to glow brighter and brighter until it was too bright to look
at. Princess Mako and Minako backed off while Princess Rei was too
stunned by the bright light to move. Suddenly the stone burst into
flames. They danced wildly and lept onto the ground, spreading like
wildfire, igniting everything in it’s path. By this time, Aubri and
Silver Blade had created torches and were helping to spread the fire.
Aubri paused for a moment. He saw Mako and Minako screaming in terror,
so he used some strange power to trap the two inside a bubble dome type
thing so they wouldn’t escape. “Ha! Try escaping from that! Suckers...”
Princess Rei watched in terror as her planet burned, her palace burned,
her people burned. Screams filled the air, screams of anguish and fear.
Rei couldn’t stand it anymore - she had to do something to get that
stone back. *there must be something I can throw at her... hmm... that’s
it!* she reached into the branches of the Weeping Willow tree and broke
off a branch, and with all the strength she had left in her body, she
hurled it at Queen Ursula. The branch hit her in the stomach so hard,
she fell on her butt to the ground. The Red Stone lay about 10 feet
between the two of them - the Princess was the first to it. The instant
she touched it, a strange thing happened - the glowing faded and the
stone cooled off. She was suddenly lifted from the ground, the wind
swirling her long raven hair around her face. The key then flew from her
grasp into the air. There it stayed for a second, then it turned into a
jewel, the Red Stone. It came down from the sky and flew right into
Princess Rei’s forehead. Queen Ursula, Aubri, Silver Blade, and the two
other Princesses stared in awe. The jewel embedded itself in her
forehead then, in a flash of red light, Princess Rei was no more.
Instead, there she stood dressed in a short sailor like suit with a
purple bow. The Red Stone was now a jewel in the center of a tiara.
“What just happened...?” Aubri wondered.
“I am Sailor Mars, protector of the planet Mars and fighter of evil!”
“You think you can stop me? Ha! That’s almost as funny as the time I...
well, never mind. You pathetic girl! No one stops Queen Ursula! No One!”
Queen Ursula threw blasts of energy at Sailor Mars. She threw up her
arms in self defense.
“I call upon the Great Fire of Mars...” she held her arms out in front
of her, the Red Stone between her hands, “Mars Power!!!” the two blasts
of energy were almost equal but Sailor Mars’ started to overpower Queen
Ursula’s. Her energy was fueled by hate for this witch who killed her
mother and her maid. A sudden blast of energy from Queen Ursula knocked
Sailor Mars from her feet.
“I told you no one defeats Queen Ursula!”
*mother! why did you leave me? I need you now more than ever. please!
help me defeat this witch!* Sailor Mars stood back up and prepared to
attack Queen Ursula again. Queen Ursula blasted her first. Sailor Mars
held up the Red Stone in front of her. It’s power was so great now that
Queen Ursula seemed like a candle in a wind storm.
“Mars...Power!” the energy force from that stone was so strong, it
blasted Queen Ursula into the next Galaxy, along with Aubri and Silver
Blade. Sailor Mars ran to where Princess Mako and Minako were being
held, but with the absence of Queen Ursula, the dome had disappeared.
A light rain began to fall as the three Princesses boarded the air
ship that would take them back to their planets - except for Princess
Rei. She was going to the Moon Kingdom to protect Princess Usagi as part
of her court. She was now Sailor Mars along with Princess Rei, but Mars
was now nothing but a hunk of smoldering rock in the middle of space.
*not much of a planet to rule. all my people are dead or dying on that
fireball. I guess you can’t really say i’m much of a princess anymore.
now I have to protect princess usagi. I suppose I should put effort into
it, the moon is the capitol of the galaxy. the center of the silver
millennium. I just wish it hadn’t ended this way...* she took one last
look at what had been her planet, her home. The rain had started to put
some of the fires out, but not enough. The planet was dead. *I will
always remember you... the life that I knew...* A single tear rolled
down her cheek as she quickly glanced away.
Chapter 10: A Second Encounter
Chapter 11: War
Chapter 12: Good Bye, the Life I Knew