Chapter 3: Reply of the Priestess

“Well, we’re here,” Paul announced, turning to help Leda with her suitcases. “Welcome to Mars, my lady.” He gave a bow.

“Thank you, but quit with the formalities. It makes me nervous, coming from you.”

“I am just practicing,” he replied. “I’ll need them with Princess Rei or Queen Serenity.”

“Speaking of Rei, we’d better get to the palace. She hates to be kept waiting.”

Laughing at the legendary reputation of the fiery Princess of Mars, Paul picked up most of the suitcases. Together, they walked across the grounds to the palace. In a few moments they were at the front gate and were greeted by some of the guards. Two servants were found to handle the luggage, while Leda and Paul were lead to a receiving room.

“I apologize, but the Princess is with some other visitors at the moment,” the palace steward explained. “If you would so kind as to wait for her here.”

“Of course,” Leda replied. Giving her a polite bow, the steward left. “I wonder who the other visitors are?”

“Well, there’s no way for us to tell,” Paul said, sitting down on one of the sofas. “I guess we should get sit back and relax.”

“You’re certainly are,” Leda teased, sitting beside him.

“What is it about traveling that makes me so tired?” Paul mused aloud, hugging Leda to him with one arm. “I’m exhausted and haven’t done one strenuous thing all day.”

“Must be the strain on your mind for coming up with all those comments about me this morning,” Leda grumbled.

“I thought I was forgiven,” Paul protested.

Leda gave a short laugh. “Oh, you’re forgiven. But that doesn’t make it entirely forgotten.”

“What would make you forget my transgressions at breakfast?” He tilted her face to meet his serious one.

“I’ll think of something.”

Paul kissed her forehead. “I hope you do.”

“Your Highness!” Leda cried, jumping to her feet. Paul immediately stood beside her.

“Don’t look so shocked, Leda,” Rei chided gently. “I guess you two did not hear me knock.”

“I’m sorry, Princess Rei,” Leda said, bowing. “We were, um...”

“Discussing a situation from this morning,” Paul supplied, bowing.

“So I see.” Rei’s tone implied how much she had heard. “Come, we are needed in the conference room. Serenity and Endymion are waiting.”

Leda sent Paul a troubled look. “The king and queen are here?”

“Yes,” Rei answered. “They had need of my services earlier today. When they learned of your arrival here, they were curious as to why, as I am. Come. I feel this will be an important discussion.”

Rei turned and left the room. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, Paul nudged Leda ahead of him. Leda took a regal posture, preparing herself to face the queen and king of the whole system.

The halls of the palace were wonderfully decorated. Leda had observed that from her previous visits to the priestess who was also the Princess of Mars. Leda had no further opportunity to admire her surroundings. Rei was setting a brisk pace.

Something’s going on, Leda thought. The king and queen were waiting to see them, her and Paul, in Rei’s conference room. It indicated that this was no casual visit.

Leda glanced over her shoulder at Paul. He was easily keeping Rei’s pace, his long legs covering more ground than her shorter ones. His face was emotionless, signaling that he was lost in thought. Unhappy thoughts, like mine, she thought.

They came to the end of a hallway, facing two large mahogany doors. Bowing servants opened the doors to reveal a large room. Most of the room was taken up by a large table made of carved mahogany, like the doors.

Rei entered the room, bowing toward Serenity and Endymion who were seated at the opposite end of the table. Leda and Paul followed Rei’s example. Serenity gestured for them to sit near them.

“You must be wondering why we wanted to see you so soon, Leda,” Serenity said, glancing at Endymion. “We need to know why you have come to see Rei.”

“Well, Your Majesty,” Leda began. She gave Paul a pleading look. He nodded for her to go on.

“I have had some dreams again, Your Majesty,” Leda explained. “Ones that I cannot explain. I have had the same dream for three nights, and I wanted Princess Rei to help clarify the meaning. If there is any.”

“What do you see in your dream, Leda?” Endymion asked, his attention completely fixed on her.

“I see the galaxy, before zooming in on our solar system. I see the whole system like the maps they show you in school. A large shadow appears, swallowing everything beginning with Pluto. Yet, it stops when it gets to Jupiter.”

She paused. “Then I see several people fighting. I see myself, Ganymede, my sisters, and the original Sailor Scouts, minus Sailor Jupiter. Sailor Moon is different. She has pink hair and the style is different. There are four new Sailors also. I can’t tell anything about the enemies. They are just shadows.”

“Anything else, Leda?” Endymion asked.

“That’s about it,” Leda said. Paul quirked an eyebrow at her, surprised that Leda had hidden anything from the king. Yet, he remained silent.

“It’s the same dream,” Endymion said sadly.

“The same dream, Your Highness?”

“Yes, Leda. I have been having the same dream for many nights. We came to Rei to confirm my suspicions.”

“And?” Paul asked.

“We have a new enemy approaching,” Rei answered, mourning in her voice. “The Shadow Moon Empire is preparing for battle.”

“How soon before we have to fight?” Leda asked, a sense of dread growing in her stomach.

“A week, perhaps a few days more,” Rei replied.

“So what do we do?” Paul eyed the king and queen uneasily.

“I am going to call a conference,” Serenity answered. “The others will need to know of the risk. A decision will be made then. Leda, you and Paul will represent Jupiter at the conference.”

“But I am not the princess,” Leda protested.

“It is understood that you have taken control of the government by Rand’s authority, correct?”

Leda simply nodded.

“Then who else should represent your home?” Leda did not answer the question. “I suggest that you go home, Leda,” Serenity continued. “The conference will be in two days. Make arrangements for your absence.”

“And my sisters?”

“They can come, if you like. They will not be needed until a decision has been reached.”

“It will be best if they stay at home,” Leda said weakly, feeling overwhelmed. “I don’t want to worry them too soon.”

“That’s understandable, Leda,” Endymion said gently. “We will see you and Paul at the Crystal Palace in two days.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Leda rose, bowed, and left the room. Paul hurried after her.

“That poor girl,” Serenity murmured, watching Leda flee from the chamber.

“It’s going to be hard on all of us,” Rei warned. “She will have a lot more to bear, I’m afraid.”


Reply of the Priestess “Well, we’re here,” Paul announced, turning to help Leda with her suitcases. “Welcome to Mars, my lady.” He gave a bow. “Thank you, but quit with the formalities. It makes me nervous, coming from you.” “I am just practicing,” he replied. “I’ll need them with Princess Rei or Queen Serenity.” “Speaking of Rei, we’d better get to the palace. She hates to be kept waiting.” Laughing at the legendary reputation of the fiery Princess of Mars, Paul picked up most of the suitcases. Together, they walked across the grounds to the palace. In a few moments they were at the front gate and were greeted by some of the guards. Two servants were found to handle the luggage, while Leda and Paul were lead to a receiving room. “I apologize, but the Princess is with some other visitors at the moment,” the palace steward explained. “If you would so kind as to wait for her here.” “Of course,” Leda replied. Giving her a polite bow, the steward left. “I wonder who the other visitors are?” “Well, there’s no way for us to tell,” Paul said, sitting down on one of the sofas. “I guess we should get sit back and relax.” “You’re certainly are,” Leda teased, sitting beside him. “What is it about traveling that makes me so tired?” Paul mused aloud, hugging Leda to him with one arm. “I’m exhausted and haven’t done one strenuous thing all day.” “Must be the strain on your mind for coming up with all those comments about me this morning,” Leda grumbled. “I thought I was forgiven,” Paul protested. Leda gave a short laugh. “Oh, you’re forgiven. But that doesn’t make it entirely forgotten.” “What would make you forget my transgressions at breakfast?” He tilted her face to meet his serious one. “I’ll think of something.” Paul kissed her forehead. “I hope you do.” “Your Highness!” Leda cried, jumping to her feet. Paul immediately stood beside her. “Don’t look so shocked, Leda,” Rei chided gently. “I guess you two did not hear me knock.” “I’m sorry, Princess Rei,” Leda said, bowing. “We were, um...” “Discussing a situation from this morning,” Paul supplied, bowing. “So I see.” Rei’s tone implied how much she had heard. “Come, we are needed in the conference room. Serenity and Endymion are waiting.” Leda sent Paul a troubled look. “The king and queen are here?” “Yes,” Rei answered. “They had need of my services earlier today. When they learned of your arrival here, they were curious as to why, as I am. Come. I feel this will be an important discussion.” Rei turned and left the room. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, Paul nudged Leda ahead of him. Leda took a regal posture, preparing herself to face the queen and king of the whole system. The halls of the palace were wonderfully decorated. Leda had observed that from her previous visits to the priestess who was also the Princess of Mars. Leda had no further opportunity to admire her surroundings. Rei was setting a brisk pace. Something’s going on, Leda thought. The king and queen were waiting to see them, her and Paul, in Rei’s conference room. It indicated that this was no casual visit. Leda glanced over her shoulder at Paul. He was easily keeping Rei’s pace, his long legs covering more ground than her shorter ones. His face was emotionless, signaling that he was lost in thought. Unhappy thoughts, like mine, she thought. They came to the end of a hallway, facing two large mahogany doors. Bowing servants opened the doors to reveal a large room. Most of the room was taken up by a large table made of carved mahogany, like the doors. Rei entered the room, bowing toward Serenity and Endymion who were seated at the opposite end of the table. Leda and Paul followed Rei’s example. Serenity gestured for them to sit near them. “You must be wondering why we wanted to see you so soon, Leda,” Serenity said, glancing at Endymion. “We need to know why you have come to see Rei.” “Well, Your Majesty,” Leda began. She gave Paul a pleading look. He nodded for her to go on. “I have had some dreams again, Your Majesty,” Leda explained. “Ones that I cannot explain. I have had the same dream for three nights, and I wanted Princess Rei to help clarify the meaning. If there is any.” “What do you see in your dream, Leda?” Endymion asked, his attention completely fixed on her. “I see the galaxy, before zooming in on our solar system. I see the whole system like the maps they show you in school. A large shadow appears, swallowing everything beginning with Pluto. Yet, it stops when it gets to Jupiter.” She paused. “Then I see several people fighting. I see myself, Ganymede, my sisters, and the original Sailor Scouts, minus Sailor Jupiter. Sailor Moon is different. She has pink hair and the style is different. There are four new Sailors also. I can’t tell anything about the enemies. They are just shadows.” “Anything else, Leda?” Endymion asked. “That’s about it,” Leda said. Paul quirked an eyebrow at her, surprised that Leda had hidden anything from the king. Yet, he remained silent. “It’s the same dream,” Endymion said sadly. “The same dream, Your Highness?” “Yes, Leda. I have been having the same dream for many nights. We came to Rei to confirm my suspicions.” “And?” Paul asked. “We have a new enemy approaching,” Rei answered, mourning in her voice. “The Shadow Moon Empire is preparing for battle.” “How soon before we have to fight?” Leda asked, a sense of dread growing in her stomach. “A week, perhaps a few days more,” Rei replied. “So what do we do?” Paul eyed the king and queen uneasily. “I am going to call a conference,” Serenity answered. “The others will need to know of the risk. A decision will be made then. Leda, you and Paul will represent Jupiter at the conference.” “But I am not the princess,” Leda protested. “It is understood that you have taken control of the government by Rand’s authority, correct?” Leda simply nodded. “Then who else should represent your home?” Leda did not answer the question. “I suggest that you go home, Leda,” Serenity continued. “The conference will be in two days. Make arrangements for your absence.” “And my sisters?” “They can come, if you like. They will not be needed until a decision has been reached.” “It will be best if they stay at home,” Leda said weakly, feeling overwhelmed. “I don’t want to worry them too soon.” “That’s understandable, Leda,” Endymion said gently. “We will see you and Paul at the Crystal Palace in two days.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Leda rose, bowed, and left the room. Paul hurried after her. “That poor girl,” Serenity murmured, watching Leda flee from the chamber. “It’s going to be hard on all of us,” Rei warned. “She will have a lot more to bear, I’m afraid.”


Chapter 4: The Child of Ice Jupiter's Gone