Exordium

"As yet there were no human beings, but the world now cleared of monsters was ready for mankind.

-- Prometheus and Pandora --

For ten thousand years, there lived a kingdom so great many people throughout the cosmos tried to conquer it, for not only its power but its real beauty as well, but none of them were even close to succeeding. It was made of pure glittering crystal and looked like a shining star from far away into the night. This kingdom was situated from the depths of the moon. It was called the Silver Millennium. A queen, a power and a beautiful one, ruled the kingdom by herself throughout the thousands of years. Then one day, a very handsome warrior from another galaxy caught the queens eyes and swept her off her feet. They met and fell in love and their happiness spread all over their land, their kingdom and the entire cosmos. Almost all the people throughout the cosmos came and congratulate the two couple with bearing gifts. In return for the peoples generosity, the powerful queen declared an alliance to the cosmos. Hence, the Silver Alliance was formed. It consisted of each person of every galaxy -- they call themselves The Elders -- and Queen Serenity, the queen of the Silver Millennium, represented the Milky Way Galaxy. Everyone who took the offer of an alliance was joyful. The Silver Millennium was a very powerful kingdom with their long life spans, wealth, beauty and power. Some said it was the Kingdom of the Gods. Others simply stated it was the God itself. Those who allied with the Silver Millennium also received some of its great power and long life span. For that, every planet, every galaxy was peaceful and happy. Except for one galaxy. A very stubborn galaxy you might say. The black eye galaxy consisted of a lunar system. Four tiny planets revolved around a tiny moon. The moon was called Hera, after its own queen. The four tiny planets, Nemesis, Rhamnusia, Erebus and Nyx had their own people. Queen Hera of the Hera Kingdom refused to ally with the Silver Millennium. She wanted to rule, not become an ally. Unfortunately for her, Queen Serenity was too powerful from her own little magic. She waited for eight more years preparing and strengthening her magic. By then, the great powerful queen of the Silver Millennium brought up a beautiful daughter, so very much like hers in every way, who was also named Serenity. Everything and everyone were peaceful, the Silver Alliance stronger than ever.

Then one day, an eight-year-old Princess Serenity was out walking outside the palace and into the forest by herself, evidently unnoticed by her parents. Serenity seated herself on the side of the cool fountain, and when at last the silence became wearisome, she began to toss a golden ball in the air, her favourite toy given by her father, and catch it again as an amusement. Presently, however, the queens daughter failed to catch the golden ball in her hand, so that it fell on the ground and rolled over the grass into the shadow of the forest. Princess Serenity remembered what her mother told her about the shadow of the forest. So she dared not going into the shadow to reclaim her golden ball. But then she missed her favourite toy and began to shed tears so softly. Out of the blue, a black raven materialized before her and asked her what was wrong. Young, innocent Serenity told the raven of her predicament. The raven told her she would help her retrieve the childs golden toy in one condition. Serenity, with a frown marked on her beautiful forehead, asked what was the condition.

Invite me into the palace, my princess. The raven requested. Serenity was more than happy to oblige, oblivious of the peril she was creating.

Everyone knew that nobody could penetrate the kingdom without an invitation from the royal family.

And so, the raven, which turned out to be Hera in disguise, was invited to the kingdom where she constructed great havoc among the royal family and the lunarians. Now with the kingdoms barrier destroyed, Heras minions and powerful creatures attacked the unshielded kingdom.

For the first time in ten thousand years, the Silver Millennium came crashing down.

Still

All was not lost.

The great Queen Serenity, before her death, chanted a spell. A spell to suspend the kingdom in action. The princess went into a deep sleep, and so were the rest of the lunarians. The queen used the guinzuishou, her powerful crystal, and Hera was exiled from the kingdom, from the moon, into her own galaxy, yet not completely vanquished. She too, was suspended in action, confined in her own magic until a person of the matching dark aura as hers will release her. Once again, Queen Serenity chanted a spell to break the guinzuishou into eight shimmering gems and proliferate them all over the solar system. The queen whispered on her dying breath, that when the time comes when the celestial gems were gathered, then and only then will the Silver Millennium rise once again, the princess as a ruler, along with the celestial warriors. Then, amity will reign all over the cosmos once more.

The Silver Alliance tried in vain to locate the celestial gems for over five thousand years.

But to no avail.

And so, one thousand years later, the Silver Alliance attempted once more. By now, another planet was created near the languor moon. The moon revolved around the planet Earth and people all over were green with jealousy for the new planet. Even though the time of revolution made the Silver Millennium more than nothing but a mere legend, most people still looked up to it and believed. Also, advanced technologies were established and people now rely more to weaponry than magic. Indeed, the only people who could summon magic were the celestial warriors but they have yet to be found.

And so that is how the story begins

-- The story is Copyrighted © by dloveheart 2002 --

(some characters excluded)

My hand will answer better than my tongue,

I yield to you the victory in words, but trust my cause to the strife of deeds.

- Hercules --

"I told you mother I would not do it." A young man of 25 said forcefully. He ran a hand through his raven hair gallingly and glared piercing blue eyes at his mother.

"Why ever not? You can't refuse You just cannot. The Silver Alliance consign you and by the Gods you will do it!" His mother pronounced in indignation.

Prince Endymion VI continued to glower at his mother, the queen of Earth, Queen Chikyuu. He crossed his arms over his chest and gave a grunt. "Mother you've never even seen The Elders. They only sent you the message."

Queen Chikyuu heaved a sigh tiredly and glanced away from her obdurate son. "Precisely. A message we cannot choose to disregard. You should be honoured that The Elders chose you to gather the celestial gems. Why if I were years younger I'd certainly do it."

When her son did not respond she sighed once again. "Besides isn't it about time you have your own escapade? This is the opening you need to test your skills! You said so yourself the other day that you were bored stiff in this big of a kingdom and asked for an adventure. A quest! Well here's your chance. A big opportunity." She spread her arms as to emphasize her point.

Endymion also sighed and sauntered towards the window across his room. His mother came in his room a moment ago and told him they were to confer something. For his part, he was expecting another tedious lecture on how to run a kingdom but he wasn't clearly expecting this utter nonsense. Such hogwash.

"Are they even existent?" He asked, disbelieving.

He wasn't prepared for his mother to turn red with anger. "Of course they're real! How could you even ask such a question? Really Endymion. I raised you better than that." She sputtered.

"Forgive me mother but gathering some gems and awakening a so-called kingdom from a very, very, long time ago are such rubbish. I don't know how you could ever make up such things just to send me off." He exclaimed.

Queen Chikyuu tossed up her hands in vexation. "Oh for Serenity's sakes! Spare me the trouble of the idiocy of adolescence today!" She asserted, rolling her eyes heavenwards.

Then she turned her attention towards her son again. "You've heard of the legend. The Silver Millennium On how they--"

"Yes mother, I did. But that's all there is to it. A legend." Endymion interrupted.

Queen Chikyuu glared at him one last time and stalked off.

Endymion, startled, took off after his mother. He fell in step beside her and put his arm on her shoulders.

"All right mother. Enlighten me. I've heard of the Silver Millennium but I've never heard of these celestial crystals you speak of."

"Gems." Chikyuu corrected patting him on the chest. "They're gems, dear not crystals. As indicated by The Elders, before Queen Serenity died, she cast a spell that shattered the guinzuishou -- oh and that's a crystal dear, the queen's power -- into eight celestial gems that were scattered somewhere in this galaxy. Well I mean considering the Silver Alliance haven't found them in other galaxies, I'm assuming they're here in our galaxy." She said with a shrug. "Nevertheless to make the story short, once the celestial gems gather, The Silver Millennium will rise again and all will be serene once more. Just like it did thousands of years ago. Though once it'll rise Princess Serenity will ascend the throne after her mother and the celestial warriors will watch over the kingdom and the cosmos."

Endymion halted on his tracks. "Why didn't they protect the kingdom before?"

Chikyuu also stopped and fiddled with his sons armour before retorting. "For ten thousand years of harmony, the queen never reflected her kingdom would be attacked. Oh sure, there were a lot of assassins tried to show aggression before but the queen easily handled them with her armies. But Queen Hera confirmed to be a very much stronger adversary to the queen and by the time the celestial warriors were created the kingdom was already ruined." In so saying, Chikyuu's expression became poignant.

Endymion nodded as if understanding. "So what do these celestial gems do?" He enquired.

"Oh they are the most magnificent gems or so I've been told. The Safaia has the power of pure water. The Kougyoku has the control of metals and light energy. The Rubii has power over sacred fire. The Suishoku has the capability of lightning and nature. The Amejisuto, the deadliest of the eight, controls death and rebirth. Taakoizu has the power of the wind and the sky. Akuamarin has the power of deep waters. And the last gem, Gaanetto, the second deadliest has control over time and space."

They've reached one of the kingdoms living rooms and saw King Aarde perched behind a study table reading a scroll with two sentinels on either side of him. He glanced up when they approached him.

Chakyuu leaned down to present a kiss on her husband's cheek. Endymion bowed to his father as an acknowledgement. The two guards bowed deeply before the royalty.

Aarde directed his attention to his son. "So Endymion, I trust you've heard of the news. Do you or do you not assent the proposal The Elders bestowed upon you?" He exclaimed in a loud voice.

Endymion recoiled and looked at his mother for aide but received nothing. Instead his mother focused her interest on the scroll atop the study table. He sighed. Once his father had spoken, everything was made up. There should be no disagreements.

"Yes, father. I do accept."

"Do you or do you not accept the responsibilities you will be given in this journey?" His father boomed once more.

"Yes, father. I do accept." Endymion reiterated.

"Affirm your words to the King of Earth young man. "

When Endymion realized his father was sombre, he put his right hand on his chest near his heart and bowed deeply.

"As the son of King Aarde and Queen Chikyuu of Earth, I declare before you that I will do anything within my power to retrieve the celestial gems and bring them back into safety, Your Highness."

With a second of silence both father and son looked fiercely at each other never breaking contact. Then, as if by understanding, King Aarde nodded. Endymion turned his attention back to his mother who was watching the two of them contentedly.

"What do I need for this expedition mother? There's got to be a clue on how to find them." Endymion stated.

Chikyuu smiled at him and handed him the scroll she's been reading.

"Of course dear. The Elders wont let you go empty handed you know."

Bewildered, Endymion opened the scroll and after glimpsing at the small inscription inside, he looked up with a frown. "Is this it?"

"Why, yes of course. What else do you need?" Chikyuu asked, stroking her son on the cheek smoothly.

Endymion sighed tediously, took his mothers hand from his cheek and looked at her in the eye.

"Mother, you realize of course that I need more than a portion of scroll to look for the supposed gems. If such is the case, it'll take me more than a year to look for them."

Chikyuu waved a hand facetiously. "Oh bah Thats all right. Take the time as long as you need. Though don't forget to check up on us in a communicator once in a while."

Endymion rolled his eyes and once more looked at the scroll in his hand. He flipped it over and over twice to ensure nothing was left unnoticed, but he found it bare apart from the few writings in the front.

"Fine. I'll go notify my guards and explicate them to what is happening and well be on our way." He was about to head off when his fathers voice stopped him.

"Not so fast young man. You'll be travelling with different companions other than your personal guards in this journey."

Without waiting for his retort, King Aarde murmured something to the guard on his left side. The guard nodded, bowed and left. He came back a moment afterwards with four armoured men behind him. He bowed again to the king and went back to his previous position.

Endymion observed the four men in front of him. They seemed familiar to him.

His father walked towards his side and clutched him on the shoulder. Then with a clear voice, he announced the newcomers.

"Son, I'd like you to meet these men who will be accompanying you." He beckoned first to the man on the left with short blonde hair and roguish blue eyes. He strode one step in front of them.

"This is Fushichou Jadeite of the East Quadrant." As the man bowed, Endymion caught a glimpse of a big phoenix tattooed on the back of his left hand. Jadeite stepped back and the next man beside him shifted.

"Tora Zoisite of the South Quadrant." This man had green eyes and wavy, long blonde hair that reached past his shoulders. His hair was tied up so it wasnt hard to ignore the big tattooed tiger on the side of his neck when he stooped.

The next man stepped up and he was slightly taller than the other two. He, too, had wavy long hair past his shoulders. His auburn hair wasn't tied up but was loosely down on his back.

"And this is Shishikyuu Nephrite of the North Quadrant." This time Endymion didn't see any tattoo on him. Nephrite looked at the prince with his chestnut-brown eyes, aware of the prince's curiosity.

Without a word, he unfastened a few buttons on his uniform through his armour and he showed the prince the big lion tattooed on his left torso.

Then the last man, the most formidable one, which was clearly shown in his posture, bowed instantaneously before them. He also had long hair, the colour of platinum blonde well past his shoulders. His eyes were the colour of cool grey.

"And this is Tatsu Kunzite, chief in command, of the West Quadrant." When Kunzite straightened, he pulled up the left sleeve of his garb. From his elbows to his wrist was a big dragon tattoo. Endymion looked at it and turned his gaze to Kunzite. The two eyed each other and each gave a nod of appreciation.

"They are the--"

"Earth Generals." Endymion interjected his father.

"The Earth Generals or Yoningumi they were occasionally called were recognized all over the planet Earth. They were the fighters who trounced the army of Nemesis when they attempted to invade Earth a year ago. Nobody knew where these four warriors came from aside from the fact that each epitomized the quadrants of the planet. There were rumours that assured they were offspring of The Elders or any higher supremacy. Each of the Earth Generals was highly intellectual and gifted. Jadeite had the potential of telekinesis. Zoisite had the power of levitation. Nephrite could see visions of the future and Kunzite had the ability to read minds and telepathy. As well, they were very proficient and masters in arm-to-arm combat. Kunzite was the master of daisho, Jadeite was the master of bows and arrows, Nephrite was the master of mace, and Zoisite was the master of nunchakus."

For Endymion's part, it would be a great privilege to work with the fighters of Earth.

He smiled for the first time that day.

"It was a pleasure to meet you all." Endymion declared, bowing.

"Oh I thought it would. Now go Endymion. Have our guests the tour of the kingdom. Pardon me gentlemen." King Aarde said and turned his back on them.

"Come. I must show you the training ground." Endymion exclaimed and walked towards the end of the hallway. The four men followed in silence.

For five days hence, the five bonded like brothers. They trained by days and planned by nights.

"Hey Prince! Come and lets train some more! We have much to be done!" Jadeite bellowed while pointing a sword to the prince.

All five of them were on the training ground. Endymion was sitting down by the tree, resting. He was utterly drained and his muscles were throbbing from training all week. They had been going at it for two hours and before that he was engaged in a combat with Nephrite.

The Earth Generals were used to training and they didn't permit the prince to rest even for one day before starting once more.

They had to prepare him for the expedition that the king commanded.

Endymion might have known how to protect himself from mere mortals but nobody knew what could be expected from the voyage.

They might stumbled upon some Queen Hera's militia on their way so it was best to be equipped considering Endymion haven't fought any battles before.

"Give it a rest for a while will you Jadeite? Surely the prince is too tired to go on." Zoisite declared, smiling.

"Bless you Zoisite!" Endymion shouted.

"I'm sure he's much too feeble to fight either of us. Hmm... perhaps we should ask one of the maidservants to train with us. The prince can beat her without a doubt." Zoisite continued good-humouredly.

The other three generals hollered with mirth.

Endymion scowled and glared daggers at Zoisite who persisted on grinning.

"Give me five minutes of breather and I will pound on your behind Zoisite. Rest assured of that." Endymion glowered at the blond general.

"Oh I'd like to see you try Prince." Zoisite beamed light-heartedly.

Just then two guards came up to them and said something to Kunzite. He nodded and signalled for the others to follow him.

Nephrite and Jadeite followed. Zoisite loomed Endymion and lent him a hand.

Endymion took the offered hand and stood up.

"Save by the king." Zoisite grinned.

"Don't push your luck Zoisite." Endymion replied and strode off after the three leaving the laughing Zoisite behind him.

They arrived at the throne room where King Aarde and Queen Chikyuu were in a deep discussion with other monarchs, King Urans and Queen Nebestanka of Uranus. They broke off when they saw them approaching and the men bowed in respect.

"Your Majesties, we are here by your request." Kunzite declared.

"So Aarde, which one of them is your son?" Queen Nebestanka enquired softly.

Endymion stepped up. "It is I, Your Majesty."

"Oh how handsome. Such a fine young man you have Chikyuu." Nebestanka commented mischievously. Endymion reddened.

"Oh undeniably so. An obstinate one though. Similar to her father." Chikyuu said and turned a look at her husband. He, too, reddened.

"Oh bah. Such obstinacy is essential when you're reigning a kingdom." Aarde said to cover his discomfiture.

"Yes, indeed." King Urans agreed.

Both queens rolled their eyes to such drivel.

King Aarde paid no heed to the queens and turned his attention back to his son and the Earth Generals.

"Oh yes, yes. I called for you here to notify you that youll be proceeding to Uranus first. There are some treaties that need to be signed there so you'll just have to escort King Urans and Queen Nebestanka on their way home. Endymion you'll be filling in for me. Is that understood?" The king queried.

"Very well, Your Highness." They countered.

"Excellent. Now go and bundle your belongings. You'll be leaving tomorrow at dawn."

The generals departed along with the prince.

In his room, Endymion looked at the inscriptions in the scroll once again and gave a groan of annoyance.

He had no idea what to do with it.

Whatever the cause he had to find a way to retrieve those gems or he would be returning home empty handed, disappointing his parents.

And The Elders.

He wouldn't want to know such punishments to such failures.

He put the scroll in his personal baggage before drifting off to sleep.

By tomorrow, he would begin his adventure.

(some characters excluded)