*Guardians of the Underworld*
Part 1

Rated PG for anger, destruction and details you have to read to understand.

*****************************************************************************

"Endymion? Endymion-sama, are you listening?"

The distracted Prince of the Golden Kingdom looked up to meet the gaze of
his tutor. The silver haired man held a book in his hand and a scolding
look in his eyes. "You really should be learning this."

"Hai, Helios-sensei," he replied, running his hand through his midnight
black hair. He couldn't concentrate lately on his studies. There was far to
much going on. What with the upcoming ceremony to make him King, and the
foretold times of destruction nearing.

"It was far more difficult for your father to learn how to rule, so don't
think I feel sorry for you. He had 9 planets in the solar system to deal
with. You only have one," Helios said calmly while pushing back the glasses
on his nose.

"Nani?" this caught the heir's attention. He strode over from where he was
standing to Helios with a curious quickness.

"Surely you remember! You weren't ignorant when it was happening," he cocked
an eyebrow.

"Remember what? Nine Planets?" Endymion asked, his voice raised. <What is
he talking about?> the 19 year old wondered. <The other 8 planets never did
sustain life, did they?>

The man teaching sighed. "The Galaxy War. It was a very devastating time in
the Milky Way. The Silver Alliance was shattered and all of the planets,
except Earth, were wiped clean of all life forms. You were only 5 when it
happened if I recall."

"What happened during the War?" his voice was shaking like never before.
The colour in his face was draining out with his memories resurfacing.
"What did it do to the other planets?"

"We will never know for sure. The populations of the planets were killed,
and the survivors can't tell the tale," Helios turned a page in his book.
He looked oddly bored even though he knew the gruesome details to come in the
conversation.

"Why?" The Prince's eyes were wide. Even though he was alive and well when
it happened, it was coming back in parts.

The Elysion priest was grim. "They don't have memories of it. And the only
ones who do won't communicate with people in this world."


** Mama! Mama!! What's happening?! **


A child's voice screamed through Endymion's head. It was shouted in
desperation. When it happened was beyond his memory. But he did know that
voice..that call for understanding..he knew who it was...

He was snapped back to the placid reality by Helios's annoyed command.
"Listen! If you want to know about the Galaxy War, and it's in best interest
that you do, you have to pay attention!"

"What do you mean 'won't communicate with people in *this world*'. Where are
they?" Endymion breathed in a quiet tone. He was startled by the direction
and angle this talk was heading. It was treading into deep waters.

"In between time. But you must know the entire story before I tell you the
exact placements. It's complicated," Helios finally put down his neglected
text and glanced at Endymion, who was looking quite preoccupied with other
thoughts.


** MAMA!! **


The scream appearing in his thoughts again. "Tell me please." the Prince
asked with haste.

"It all started with a golden ball of light. It was spotted in the far
reaches of the galaxy, and the first planets to see it were the ones of the
outer solar system. Pluto, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn. They alerted the head
of the Silver Alliance, Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom.."

*****************************************************

"Serenity-sama," an older woman in a Sailor fuku addressed, "The strange
light sighted is not normal. It's increasing in speed by the hour and is
expected to arrive in 3 days. We must prepare for battle. Please protect and
keep the young princess safe."

The woman with silver hair in an odango style stepped forward. Her gown of
fine silks shimmering in the twilight. The star lighted room was shadowing
the structure of her face. 
"Neptune, you must protect your daughter as well. Even though she is older
than mine, she is still the princess of your planet and must be kept
unharmed also."

"I know. Michiru-chan will be guarded. But if the other Sailor Senshi and I
cannot succeed in the coming battle, we will need your help. The heirs must
live at any cost and it most likely will be the ultimate price paid."

The woman then bowed, and it seemed out of shame of something she knew. Her
dark aqua eyes showed an emptiness inside of her soul, but she never once
let her Queen look into them.

"How do you know?" Serenity's gaze narrowed.

"Sailor Saturn has been getting premonitions and her newly born daughter,
Hotaru, has been restless for days. We suggest that you prepare for the
worst."

"All right. I will summon the rulers of the Golden Kingdom, and you must
gather the other Sailor Senshi. Bring the princesses also. The Moon is the
most secure place for them at a time like this."

"Yes, Madam."

*****************************************************

"You should remember the next part Endymion. It would be your first, and
last, travel to the Silver Kingdom."

He paid attention and never dropped his eyes lower than the heavens.
Painting the sky were stars, millions of tiny points of light that
illuminated the night. But none were brighter then the White Moon that
orbited his lush home. Now a silent place of death, his gaze was always
kept on it. As if to try to recall bits and pieces of the battle from the
back of his memory. He could still hear that tiny feminine voice calling...

The emotions that he was feeling he had never owned for many years. They
were foreign to his system. Though he knew the War had already taken place,
he was scared. Not even on the most violent battle fields had the Prince
feared anything. It was as if there was more to come..something would add
to history ...and repeat it..

"Your mother and father were instructed to come to the Kingdom." Helios
persisted in his same manner of speaking.
"You came as well, and spent the time with the Moon's Princess, Serenity.
She was only 2 years old at the time.."

****************************************************

In the royal gardens, a small child played amongst the flowers. All in full
bloom, their sweet fragrances danced in the air as the light wind played
with delicate life. A young Prince Endymion looked on from the entrance.
The child with the flowers had the most golden hair he had ever seen. It
shone like the sunlight, gently warming the things it touched. It was still
quite short, not even reaching her tiny shoulders. Most of it went up into
a hairstyle that the Queen also wore. It was like two orbs on the top of her
head, each one perfect and letting streamers of the blonde tresses fall
where they may.

She turned around, with her pure white dress floating around her ankles.
Her eyes were a blue deeper than the oceans, but at the same time lighter 
than the daylight sky. Endymion was speechless. She seemed light an angel. 
The only thing missing were the ivory wings upon her back.

The girl giggled in amusement as the crescent moon on her forehead caught
the light. Parting her pink lips, she spoke in a happy voice. "I'm Serenity!
What's your name?"

"En..Endy..mion.." he stuttered, still in awe of the sight before him. He
picked a daisy from the flowers beside him and held out his hand. "Here."

She laughed once more took it. Brushing the soft petals against her cheek,
her eyes glittered in delight. Bringing it down to her side, she looked up
to him. "Endy-chan, do you wanna play with me?"

"O..okay.." he still seemed unable to speak normally. But he went with her
anyways. She was such a content child. He hoped that he would see her again
after that day. But little did he know what was going on in the meeting room
with their parents..

*******************************************************

"Serenity! We are not part of the Alliance! What happens to us, we will take
care of ourselves. We don't need other planets helping us!" the King of
Earth shouted at the Queen. He slammed his fist down onto the wooden table
in front of him with such force, it shook the glasses upon it. His wife
shuddered as a reaction to the behavior.

"If you won't think of your own benefits and safety from this arrangement,
think of the future generations! Think of your son, Endymion!" Queen
Serenity reasoned.

"How do we know that you won't go back on the Alliance, and try to take over
the Earth? I would rather depend on myself then you traitors!"

"We wish you nothing but peace! Why can't you do us the same? We could
protect our homes together!" her eyes watered from the intense frustration.

The doors to the meeting room slowly opened. Walking in were the Queens of
the other planets, who were also Sailor Senshi. Their soldier uniforms on,
readiness radiated from their presence. They bowed when they reached the
table, where the arguing rulers were seated.

"Serenity-sama, we are here as asked. Although, Sailor Pluto refuses to
come. We don't know the circumstances, but we send her regrets."

Sailor Pluto was the only one who wasn't the Queen of her planet. She was
still a princess in her Kingdom's court, except that she had not visited her
planet in generations.

Her father was a God, Chronos, the God of Time. While the other senshi were
as old as Queen Serenity, and had children, Pluto was hundreds of years old.
She lived between time, in the Underworld. Never to leave her post except in
extreme emergencies. She often tried to forget her duty. She wanted to have
children of her own, but her duty forbid it. So she isolated herself with
her fate.

"We also have a startling discovery," Sailor Mercury explained with a
serious face. "The light that we have seen is coming even faster then we
thought. From what I have gathered, it could arrive in as little as 24
hours."

Sailor Mars stepped ahead, where Mercury was standing. "I have detected
unimaginable power in the core of the light. It has an evil aura. We should
get the armies ready for the attack."

"Attack?!" The King flew out of his chair. His voice boomed over the
distraught mumbles of the senshi.
"So that's what this is all about! You wanted our power to protect YOU!
Well, we won't go along with your plan!" He grabbed his wife's hand.
"Come on, Gaia. We're going home."

As they were about to leave, Sailor Saturn stood in her way. "It's too
dangerous to teleport now. You must remain here until it's safe."

"Mama?" a small voice asked. In the doorway stood two little girls. The
shorter of the two ran to Sailor Jupiter with her chestnut hair flying
behind her. "Mama, I'm worried," she buried her head in the woman's chest.

"Makoto-chan, what happened?" The two kneeled on the ground, Sailor Jupiter
trying to soothe her agitated daughter in her arms.

"We heard some strange sounds and there's this big light in the sky. And
it's blocking the sun." the older of the girls spoke up. She had sandy
blonde hair and was holding onto Sailor Uranus's leg with a tight, scared
grip.

"Haruka-chan.." her mother looked down to her.

"Kowai.." Makoto cried out as Sailor Jupiter hugged her. Her dress had tear
droplet stains on the the smooth forest green material.

The senshi looked out of the window in the meeting room. It was steadily
getting darker as the golden shadow enveloped the sun, just as the Princess
of Uranus had said. "Sonna.."

"King, please listen to us! This is not only to protect our planets, but to
protect these children! The inner princesses are only 3, and the princesses
of Neptune and Uranus are 4 years old! We can't let their lives end before
they even begin!" Queen Serenity shouted.

"The Moon Princess is only at the tender age of two, and Saturn-hime is
just a baby! Please! You can relate! Your son is only four! Help us fight!"
Sailor Venus pleaded. Her hands were clasped together in anguish.

His eyes remained stone cold. "I'm not worried because Endymion is coming
with us. It's not that serious of a battle."

"If only you knew.." Sailor Neptune whispered under her breath.

Thunder could be heard in the distance as the dark clouds gathered.
Lightning rained down on the pastures of the Silver Kingdom. The Sea of
Serenity was becoming stormy. Saturn shuddered as she saw the signs of the
end times coming.

"Get the Princesses! We have to protect them!" Serenity called to Venus as
the senshi of love started running.

The King and Queen of Earth followed after her. "We're getting Endymion and
leaving this place. You can't stop us!"

But something made him and everyone also halt in their tracks. A young
girl's scream was heard and a bright column of light erupted from the
middle of the gardens.
"MAMA!" the heartbreaking cry called out.

"Serenity!" The Queen of the Moon recognized the voice as her daughter.
Tears were already flowing down her face, as thoughts about what had
happened to her little girl made their way through her mind. Not taking a
second thought, she made a mad dash to the scene. Thinking nothing of her
own safety. The Sailor Senshi followed right after her.

"Serenity!" The Queen called out as she saw the princess in a clearing of
cherry blossoms. She wasn't hurt, but her eyes were red from crying.
Endymion had taken a defensive stance in front of her. Both had their backs
facing the senshi. They were intently watching something in front of them.

That's when they all saw it. An army of opposing forces were on a nearby
mountain, inching closer and closer to the palace by the moment. Their
footsteps were like thunder as they charged. Heavy boots molded together
with armor, clashing with their swords. Odd beams of golden light were
randomly shooting out into the surrounding areas, burning everything they
touched.

"Masaka!" Sailor Mercury's gasp could be heard as she looked through her
visor. "There are thousands of them!"

"Mama! Mama!! What's happening?!" Princess Serenity had noticed her mother
and ran to the woman in shock. The golden lights were starting to burn the
garden and the flowers near them. Brilliant flashes of the energy were
getting closer and closer to them..

"Run, Serenity! Please, get out of here!" the Queen was hysterical. Her
daughter screamed as a cherry tree was burned to ashes only a few feet away
from them.

"No! Mama, I won't leave you!" the blonde child gripped her mother's leg
with her blue crystal eyes shut in fear.

Picking her up, Queen Serenity whispered into the Princess's ear. "I'll
always love you, dear daughter. If another end time comes like this, please
don't lose hope like I have. You will have a future! I promise you! I'll
always be with you!"

With that said, she kissed the child on the top of her golden head and
handed her to a waiting Sailor Venus.

"MAMA!" she cried out as she was getting carried farther and farther away.
Loose blossoms from the seasonal trees flew from their branches, obstructing
her view, as the wind's speed was increased ten fold. She could see her
mother take out a silver crystal and hold it up high. Intense light burst out
in every direction as Venus brought her into the palace.

Gently putting her down in the throne room, the senshi kissed the princess
on the cheek and then ran out to the battle again. Leaving the princess
alone.

<I never got to say good-bye to my daughter..Oh, Minako-chan..> Venus
thought as she reached the other senshi surrounding the Queen. There were
already charred paths cleared as the golden light attacked. Powers showered
everywhere. Dodging them, Endymion ran up to Sailor Venus as soon as she
came. Tugging at her gloved hand, she looked down.

"Serenity! Where is she?" he demanded to know as his father immediatly
pulled him away. His mother seemed more frightened than anything. And once
she saw her son, she tried to pull her husband off of him. The young prince
had tears in his sapphire eyes, and he tried to resist the actions of the 
King. "Where?!" he choked on a sob.

"She's safe now," Venus ran off. The destruction disappeared from the
Earth royalty's view as they teleported away.

***********************************************************

"You were quite worried about her then. Legend said that she was your soul
mate. But I don't think that legend will come to pass now.." Helios
continued.

"You still didn't tell me about the ending of the Galaxy War. What happened
to the planets?" Endymion asked with a relaxed stature. Inside, he was
really quite troubled. He had never known such chaos.

"Well, obviously, you and your parents made it out in time before the end
came. That's just before the Moon Court fell.."

***********************************************************

The battle raged on endlessly. The sky had turned darker than night as the
shadow took over the White Moon. It was Golden light against the Silver
light of the Ginzuishou, the Illusion Silver Crystal. By the time its power
was enough to beat the evil forces, it was too late. The other planets were
attacked with a vengeance. All life gone, and their atmospheres destroyed.
They would never be able to hold life on their lands again..

Queen Serenity lay on a fallen pillar, the Ginzuishou in her palm. The
Moon's atmosphere was also slowly deteriorating, the air getting more and
more scarce. Her shinning hair was pooled on the ground below her, with her
breathing ragged.

The senshi were also are among the ruins, having fought for their Kingdoms
until the very end. The invading armies never did make it into the palace.
But with the moon the way it was, the Princesses inside wouldn't have long
to live. Just as Queen Serenity slipped into an eternal sleep, the crystal
floated high above them. With it's soft glow, it beckoned the others to come.
The jewels on the Sailor Senshi's tiara's shone in power as they too began
to slip away for good. The jewels broke away and floated out of their
facets, joining the Ginzuishou. It spread a calming effect onto the land,
and the precious stones all traveled inside the palace..

The energy had put the children into a deep sleep, each one with their
mother's crystal hanging about them in space. They, too, starting levitating
in the air. Ripples in the gravity made their hair and small dresses
flutter. The crystals shone, trying to awaken the heirs' sleeping inner
powers. The girls eerily glowed in their planetary colours, never opening
their eyes. One by one, they were incased in crystal. The future's and the
powers of their homes being sealed in along with their bodies. They were
sent to the only remaining planet, Earth.

But before little Serenity could, her cheeks a rosy pink from exhaustion,
a figure materialized beside her. With long green hair and flashing magenta
eyes, she gently picked up the sleeping child. A scarlet stone in the
woman's staff glittered and then the two were gone..to the Underworld.

But before they left, people could swear they heard a mother singing a
lullaby to her small child..

"Serenity.." the ghostly voice chided. "Fly up on your angel wings and make
this Kingdom shine one day again in the future..Make it shine like the stars
you were born for..Make everyone proud..that you were their Princess..."

Then the Universe was silent.

*********************************************************

** Disclaimers = I don't own any of the characters in this fanfic. Most are
owned by Takeuchi Naoko, Toei, TV Asahi, Koudansha, and plenty others. Don't
sue. This fanfic is copyright MinaP Aino, August 2001. **

4:36 PM 20/08/01