By Sabrin

Prince Endymion stood in the Great Hall of the palace, watching the argument rise between the King and Queen, his mom and dad. The cause of the argument stood next to the prince, looking on with an irritated expression.

"I don't care whether she is a senshi or not, Endymion will be the guardian of earth, not her," the King said, a tall, middle aged man with jet black hair cut identically like Enydmion's. He had a very solidly built figure, and at the moment, his blue eyes were flashing with anger. "Endymion was the first born and is therefore to be guardian of earth."

"What are we going to do then?" the Queen asked, putting a slender hand on her tiny waist. She was a middle-aged woman with medium cut blonde hair and a very full figure. At the moment, her blue eyes were filled with frustration. "There cannot be two guardian's of earth, and there are no other jobs fit for royalty to fill."

The King paced the floor while the Queen thought. Prince Endymion didn't dare meet his sister's eyes. It was common knowledge to both of them that their parents favored him over her. He sneaked a glance at her, just to make sure she was okay.

Thirteen year old Riomion leaned against the stone doorframe in her white sailor uniform. She was gazing sadly at her parents with her blue eyes, one white boot crossed over the other. She was a tall girl with black hair in a braid and a fair figure.

Endymion rather liked her sailor suit, with its white skirt and green kerchief around the neck. He could already think of ways to annoy his younger sibling by pulling on the big blue bow on the back and the green bow with the blue stone in the front.

But now wasn't the time for pranks. The argument had started up again, the frustration level rising up another two or three notches.

"There must be somewhere to send her, where she will be out of the way and learn to use her powers at the same time," the King mused out loud.

The Queen didn't answer as she was looking at a tapestry hung between the white thrones. It was deep blue and green thread woven together with a white pegasus so purely white that the white granite thrones seemed to be gray. A golden horn rose from the pegasus forehead and the tapestry seemed to almost become alive.

"Elysion," the Queen said simply, staring at the tapestry. "We'll send her to Helios and have her help watch over Elysion."

The King only stared at his wife. "That's your plan?"

"Yes," the Queen said, turning to the King. "Unless, of course, you have any other ideas?"

The King sighed, and glanced at the white pegasus. "So it shall be."

Riomion turned away and walked calmly down the blue carpeted hall. Endymion ran after her, knowing the signs of unshown anger and calmness being one of them. The prince walked by his sister for a short ways, not knowing any words of consolation.

The senshi of earth suddenly stopped and said, "So, are you going to say anything Endymion, or are you going to just follow me and hope that is enough?"

Enydmion winced at the bitterness in the voice. "Rio, please. You know I wish that you could stay."

"Then why don't you ask mom and dad to let me stay?" Riomion snapped. "They like you better and you know they would listen to you."

Endymion sighed with irritation. "I've TRIED already Rio. You know I have. They wouldn't listen to anything I have to say on the subject. I've tried at least ten times."

Riomion sighed, and turned to face her brother. "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I just, well, you know…snapped."

Endymion grinned, and enveloped his sister in a hug. The hug quickly turned into a head noggie. Riomion, not to be outdone, jerked out of his grip and started to tickle him in the side. The fifteen-year-old prince gasped back laughter, and eventually got Riomion to stop with a well placed push.

"That might be the last time I ever get to watch my 'dignified' brother almost collapse from a tickles attack," Riomion said teasingly. Her face fell to a more serious expression. "I had better go pack."

With a quick hug, Riomion parted from her brother and climbed a golden staircase to her room, sighing the whole way. Endymion watched her go. Rio, you don't know how much I am going to miss you.

**********

In the center of the world lay the temple of Elysion, ruled by the priest, Helios. In Elysion, the sun always shone with warm light, rivers were always crystal clear, flowers filled the air with their entrancing fragrance, and the grass was always green.

The white temple stood in the middle of Elysion. It had a holy, yet peaceful look to it. Helios stood at the temple steps, enjoying the early morning sun. A revelation had told him someone was coming and that someone important was with him or her. He intended to be here when they arrived, lest they be trying to attack Elysion. The air shimmered in front of the temple, and Helios frowned slightly. Who would be entering Elysion?

Helios smiled as the King and Queen emerged in Elysion, the princess trailing behind them. It was a rare day when the King and Queen came to Elysion.

"King, Queen, it is an honor," Helios bowed. "Good morning princess."

The princess looked away from Helio's deep brown eyes, shifting uncomfortably in her loose white clothing, the golden tassels around the waist and wrists swinging and glittering in the breeze.

Something is not right. Helios thought as he looked at the hurt expression of the princess and the worried expression of the King and Queen.

Clearing his throat, the King looked at Helios with an expression in his eyes mixed with relief and nervousness. "We are here to ask you a favor."

"If it is within my power, I will try to help," Helios nodded.

"We were hoping you could take care of our daughter, Riomion," the Queen said, gesturing toward the forlorn girl. "She has found out recently that she is a sailor senshi. Conflicts came up on the heir to the throne and guardian of earth, and since we need someone to train her powers, we were wondering if you could take her under your wing."

Helios was shocked. He, train a senshi? The Queen must have seen his confusion.

"You are strong and wise, Priest Helios. Only you would know how to train a senshi," the Queen urged.

Helios sighed. "I shall try my best, King, Queen."

"Thank you Priest Helios, you are doing us a tremendous favor," the King smiled, a relieved look in his eyes. "We should be going. Duties await us."

"We shall come visit occasionally Riomion, dear," the Queen said.

Helios watched as the King and Queen disappeared, then took the moment of silence to look at Riomion. He had heard of her, but never met her until now. She was glaring at the spot her parents had disappeared at, her eyes filled with hatred.

"Princess, it is a pleasure to meet you," Helios said slowly, not wanting to startle the girl.

"You already said that," the princess said, not turning to look at the priest.

"Would you rather I call you Princess, or Riomion?" Helios continued.

"Riomion, Rio, whatever is fine," Rio sighed, turning to look at Helios.

There was a moment of silence since neither knew what to do or say. Rio shuffled her feet and Helios cleared his throat.

"So, you're a senshi," Helios finally said. This should be interesting. Helios thought to himself.

Riomion turned to Helios, a smile on her face. "So, if I'm going this is going to be my new home, what do I need to know?"

Helios smiled again. "Come, and I will show you Elysion's grounds."

**********

Five years later on the Moon Kingdom was the Moon Palace. The white granite pillars and elegant stone walls gave the palace a somewhat medieval look. Green gardens surrounded the castle, vines growing up to the balconies and trees making up the majority of the garden's populous.

Under a particularly large oak tree, eighteen year old Sailor Earth watched sixteen year old Princess Serenity talking and laughing with her senshi guardians, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. Sailor frowned as the group exploded into laughter at one of Sailor Venus's jokes. These senshi didn't trust her, and Sailor Earth was not eager to return that trust.

It had been five years since Riomion had been put in Elysion by her parents. Three months ago, on one of her secret trips to see her brother, she had listened to his request and agreed (resentfully) to it.

FLASHBACK

The moon was shining dimly on the grounds of the Golden Palace. A shape appeared between two trees a few feet from the grand palace. Another shape came out of a window, jumping the short drop to the ground with ease.

"Rio," Endymion smiled as he approached his sister, who was in her senshi outfit and looking quite pleased with something. "What do you look so pleased about?"

"I got Helios to send me up here," Rio smiled, twirling an elegant white sword with her right hand. "But I can only stay for fifteen minutes. So, mom and dad found out about you and the Princess?"

Endymion nodded no. "Lucky to, mom and dad still disapprove, though I've talked to them countless of times. Speaking of Princess Serenity, I told you about the Negaverse, right?"

"The woman that acts a lot like Silos, right?" Rio asked, still twirling her sword. "Yeah, so?"

"Well, they've been growing more aggressive and I keep worrying that they'll go after the Imperium Crystal some time soon. I've been worrying about Serenity, and I have a favor to ask you, if you feel you've mastered your powers enough," Endymion said. The prince put a hand on Rio's shoulder and she stopped twirling her sword.

"Where are you going with this Endy?" Rio asked, knowing that Endymion was talking seriously.

Endymion took a deep breath before continuing. "I want you to go to the Moon Kingdom and watch over the Princess for me."

Rio took a look at Endy before smiling. "Nice joke Endy."

"It's not a joke Rio," Endymion sighed. "I knew you would take it like this. Rio, please. The Negaverse stresses the Moon Kingdom at the moment, and they expect an attack any day now. Serenity's four guardians, well, aren't always there, and she needs someone that will always be looking after her. Someone tough, willing, a senshi, someone like you."

Rio looked at Endymion through her white glasses and with a thought, the eyes went clear. "You ARE serious. Endy, I've never met the girl, and frankly, I'm not sure I like her a lot."

"Why not?" Endymion asked, a puzzled look on her face.

"Just jealous," Riomion shrugged. "Look at it this way, she got to see you when we're forced to keep these sessions down to once a month!"

"We've had our own trouble to," Endymion said through gritted teeth. "It hasn't always been fun."

"But you still get to see her more than me," Riomion sighed. "But, back to the original business. I can't, Endy. I have a duty in Elysion now. I'm learning to become a senshi and how to guard Elysion and the Earth family."

"Please, Rio," Endymion pleaded, holding her free hand in his. "This means a lot to me. Serenity means the world, and I was hoping you would help me."

Rio sighed, and thought for a minute. "I'll have to talk it over with Helios, but I'll tell you as soon as I can. I have to go, Endy."

Endy smiled, and hugged his sister tightly. "I'll seeya later."

Rio smiled, and knelt into a praying position, muttering the words, "Helios, please take me home." Sailor Earth disappeared in a faint, hazy white light and the prince of earth was left alone on the lawn.

END FLASHBACK

It had turned out that Helios thought it was a great idea, due to some phropecy he had received and quickly agreed to the idea. Endymion had been ecstatic and had contacted Queen Serenity, who agreed to the idea as quickly as Helios did. Two months later, Sailor Earth had been on her way to the Moon Kingdom, where the Queen herself met her.

To Sailor Earth, the three person greeting (Queen Serenity and two of her guards) had been unplanned and somewhat disappointing. Princess Serenity had met her with a smile and had promptly gone to hug her, which ended up with the Princess and Rio on the floor due to the Princess's clumsiness.

Shifting positions, Rio didn't change her outward facial expression. The first meeting with the four other senshi had been tense and had gone off horribly wrong due.

Mars, a high tempered senshi in red, didn't like the first impression of Sailor Earth (silent and cold) and dismissed any ideas of making friends. Jupiter, a rather tall senshi in green had gone along with Mars, though she wasn't as suspicious as her fiery friend. Venus, a somewhat ditzy senshi in orange, had shaken Sailor Earth's hand, the gesture ending up with Venus slipping and tripping sending Rio, once again, to the palace floor. Unpleasant remarks had been exchanged between Sailor Earth and Sailor Venus before Mercury, a quiet senshi in blue, had broken up the argument with a few well-picked conversation topics.

With a sigh, Rio looked over the well-groomed shrubbery to the blue and green orb floating in the black vacuum of space. Endymion could be looking up at her at this moment. It was unlikely, but there was still a chance. The thought comforted Rio.

With all the pressures of the Negaverse and the Purple Moon, not much was comforting lately. The Negaverse had been mysteriously quiet, like the calm before a storm. The same had been with Purple Moon, yet they had just stopped about four months ago.

Sailor Earth frowned at the mention of Purple Moon, a notorious power hungry group out to get the Golden Crystal, recently being transferred into Endymion's possession. Thankfully, King Silos hadn't figured that out yet, and still concentrated on Elysion.

Sailor Earth frowned deeper at the thought of King Silos, the head of Purple Moon and a very big annoyance to her. Purple Moon was annoying enough without King Silos's severe crush on her. Rio could still remember the first time she had known Silos, before Purple Moon came into existence…

FLASHBACK

It was the New Year's Ball, one of the oldest traditions of the Earth Family. Thousands of people filled the Grand Hall, yet there was still room to hold more. A waltz was currently being played, though it was almost inaudible above the talk and laughter the guests. At the front of the ball sat the King and Queen, talking politely to Queen Serenity, the Queen of the Moon Kingdom. Endymion, in his formal armor, was dancing with Princess Serenity in the middle of the high arched room, both oblivious to everyone and everything around them except each other.

Riomion, dressed in her formal white dress, stood in the doorframe of the Grand Hall, glaring with disapproval at her brother. She knew it was out of envy, but she had her reasons.

Rio hadn't noticed the tall, charming man approach her from behind until her cleared his throat and spoke. "Good evening, Princess." He bowed and then looked at Rio.

The Earth Princess wasn't impressed. Everyone greeted her with a bow or curtsy and it tended to get old after the third or fourth person.

She greeted him anyway with a slow nod. "Good evening sir, welcome to the New Year's Ball." She gestured with a hand covered in elbow-length white gloves at the refreshment table. "We are serving refreshments over there if you are thirsty or hungry. I hope you have a wonderful time."

Rio smiled as politely as she could with a forced smile, waiting for the man to leave. She never liked all of these politicians and higher-class people. They tended to talk forever about who was doing what.

The musicians had struck up a different dance, a faster and livelier waltz. Young couples dominated the dance floor, moving in almost a blur. The man, who was about twenty-five, was still staring at Rio, who was getting annoyed.

She was just about to tell him off when he extended a white-gloved hand. "May I have this dance, Princess?"

"I don't even know your name, sir," Rio said flatly, not interested at all in dancing with some who was twelve years older than her.

"How rude of myself," the stranger chuckled. He stared at Rio with his dark purple eyes and smiled. "My name is Silos Wolf, milady. Now that we know each other, please, dance with me."

Silos grabbed Rio's hand before she could object, and she found herself dancing with him on the vast dance floor. She didn't like him, he was too old for her and he gave her a creepy feeling. He was a tall man, and she barely reached his shoulders with her head. His shoulder long, dark gray hair seemed to be natural, and not from old age. He had a regal, yet haunting look to him.

He can be dressed in the best tuxedo and I still wouldn't trust him with anything. Rio frowned to herself, noting the formal attire of black tuxedo and white gloves. She could always tell how boring someone would be by how he or she dressed.

The waltz ended and Rio curtseyed as Silos bowed. "Thank you Mr. Wolf for the dance. I really must be going, so many people to greet."

"I hope to dance again in the future, Princess," Silos called after Rio as she wove a path through the crowd.

END FLASHBACK

She had spent the rest of the night avoiding Silos, and hadn't known that he played a bigger part in her future than she could have guessed.

Sailor Earth had just about been ready to launch into another flashback when a very grave Queen Serenity appeared at the clearing entrance.

"Sailor Earth, you must return to Elysion immediately," Queen Serenity said, her voice tight and controlled.

The senshi sprang from their sitting positions and bowed to their Queen, except for the earth senshi, who didn't care for formalities at the moment. "What is it? What is wrong?!"

"Purple Moon has broken the shield and has fought their way to the palace. Helios needs you," Queen Serenity said. "Go, now."

Sailor Earth nodded, and turned to the Princess. "Good bye Princess, senshi. Elysion needs me." With a quick nod, Sailor Earth knelt, using her sword as a support.

Various wishes of luck and good byes came from the senshi, while the Princess knelt by Sailor Earth. "Thank you Riomion, for everything you have done for me. I won't forget you." The Princess hugged the earth senshi then got up and walked a safe distance away.

Rio shook the shock off her face from the unexpected affection, and quickly closed her worried blue eyes. Helios, hear my prayer and answer my need. Take me to Elysion!

The prayer was short but effective as Sailor Earth felt the slight pull as she transferred worlds. She emerged into Elysion, but not the bright, happy Elysion she knew, but a corrupted and dark version of Elysion.

The normally blue sky was dark with deep red and black clouds that rolled ominously through the air. A sharp breeze blew the twisted forms of the flowers that no longer held color or life. The lake in the center was churning violently and the temple was cast in gray light.

Rio turned at the sound of footsteps through the temple, and she turned to face a worn and weary Helios.

"Rio, they should be here any time now," Helios said quietly. "If we had the time, I'd ask how the Moon Kingdom was, but as you can see, we don't have the time. Please help me fight Purple Moon, Rio."

"I'd defend Elysion to my death," Rio stated. "You know that as well as I do."

"Let us hope it does not come to that," Helios said with a sad look in his brown eyes.

"What do we do?" Sailor Earth asked.

Helios smiled slightly. "Prepare to unleash Elysion's power."

**********

Endymion sat quietly in the dark room. It was actually his sister's room, but now…she wouldn't occupy it again.

Looking at a painted picture of the family on the bedside, Endymion tried hard not to let tears flow. After all, twenty-year-olds were not supposed to cry. But upon touching his sister's picture, her couldn't fight the tears any longer.

Why did you have to go? Endymion whispered to himself, one hand wiping away the traces of a tear while the other clutching the silver framed picture.

A shape jumped up onto the bed next to Endymion. "Don't take it so hard, Prince. She would want you to continue on. After all, I should know, I'm her guardian."

Endymion pet the orange cat lightly barely noticing the hand on his shoulder until the owner spoke. "Good evening Prince, Yochi. I am sorry about your loss, I know my daughter is taking it hard to.

"Good evening Queen," Yochi, the orange cat, nodded.

The Prince didn't turn to face Queen Serenity. "I can't help but think what would have happened if I hadn't sent her to the Moon. She could have still been alive."

"Things work in interesting ways, Endymion," Queen Serenity couldn't help but smile. "Like how you and Serenity are lovers, yet it is forbidden."

Endymion didn't speak for a moment, but when he did, he looked at Serenity with hopeful blue eyes. "Queen Serenity, do you think could you make it so that she was born in the future?"

"Yes, but it requires a great deal of power…" the Queen frowned, but was cut off by Endymion.

"I can help, I have my own crystal now." Endymion summoned forth the Golden Crystal and showed it to the Queen.

"I believe that if that is your wish, you can succeed," the Queen nodded, pulling out the Moon Scepter.

Yochi, who had been listening the whole time, jumped up. "If Sailor Earth is going to be reborn, I want to be there with her. I swore to protect her and I won't fail. After all, she'll have forgotten everything she knows and will need me to teach her again." The cat's green eyes flashed, meaning he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Queen Serenity chuckled, and stroked the guardian cat under the chin. "You are right. So we'll send you also."

Please let this be my final gift to you. Endymion thought as he summoned the Golden Crystal's strength.

**********

Three days later, the Moon Kingdom fell, the Negaverse having gained control. Prince Endymion was slain and his love, Princess Serenity committed suicide. Queen Serenity took Endymion's idea and sent the scouts to the future, along with the Prince, Luna and Artemis.

The Golden Kingdom diminished, and many years later, the castle was all that remained of the once proud kingdom.