Chapter One

The Earth looked so beautiful on nights like this. It seemed to sparkle in the sky like a giant sapphire shining down on the moon's surface. With the courtyard's fountains majestically cascading water into flawless marble, the night seemed perfect, as though it belonged to a dream. Nothing could spoil a night like this. Well… nothing except—

"Serenity!" a shrill voice squawked into the darkness, shattering the peaceful calm of the night. "Princess! You get back here this instant!"

The sound of heels striking the pavement clacked through the air as a young woman with pale hair the color of the stars sprinted between the courtyard's rosebushes. She glanced back, her silver-blue eyes landing on the rotund figure of her nanny struggling—and failing—to catch up with the mischievous young royal. The princess grinned and hastened her pace.

"Princess!" the woman shrieked between heavy breaths. She slowed to a stop, realizing the futility of her mission. The princess was long gone—and with her, the nanny's job.

Serves her right, the young princess thought stubbornly as she raced through the courtyard, not slowing down for an instant to feel any pity towards the woman. Why do I even need a nanny? I'm almost fifteen! I'm practically a woman, not a child! Her frustrated thoughts only quickened her footsteps, causing her pale white gown to flow behind her like a river dancing in the wind. She hated being treated like a child, but everyone around here babied her. Her mother, her father, her nanny, the royal guards, her suitors…

She cringed. Her suitors were the worst. They wanted to protect her and swore to keep her safe. What if she didn't want to be safe? What if she wanted adventure? None of them offered the adventure she craved. None of them, that is, except Aryon.

Just the thought of him made her heart flutter in her chest and feel like flying. He was the reason for this midnight chase, after all. He made her feel like she could do anything. When she was with Aryon, she wasn't a princess or a child. She was a woman. She was an adventurer. She was his.

Lost in her own fantasy, Serenity lost concentration as she rounded the corner to the palace as she headed for the Moon Road. When she crashed head-long into a large, solid wall of cloth and flesh, she tumbled to the ground beneath her. Her dainty hands broke her fall, causing pain to shoot up her wrists. "Ow…" she moaned, rubbing her wrists and her sore rear.

"And just where do you think you're going at this time of night?" she heard a familiar voice demand in reproach.

She cringed. Slowly, the young woman looked up bashfully at the mountainous man looming before her. Clad in the silver and gold armor of the Knights of the Moon, the man crossed his arms over his chest and continued to leer down at her with his dark eyes. She smiled timidly, losing all of her bravado in her fall. "Hey, Demetrius," she said in a weak voice. "You out for a midnight stroll, too?"

"Don't insult me," he growled. "I know exactly what you were up to. You were on your way to the Moon Road again, weren't you?"

As the princess straightened her dress and began to stand back up, the knight extended a hand to help her. She pushed it away and stood on her feet without his aid. "Moon Road?" she asked, blinking her eyes at him innocently. "What is this… Moon Road of which you speak?"

"Go back to your room," he commanded, clearly in no mood for one of her games. "I can't let you go. Do you know what your parents would do if they found out you snuck to the Earth again? And all for—what? Some lowly sailor boy?" He sighed and regarded her with desperate confusion. "Don't you have enough legitimate suitors? Why chase after some kid?"

"He's not a kid!" she shouted defensively. "He's a man! And he's not just some sailor! One day, he'll be the captain of a ship in the Royal Navy!"

"Respectable," Demetrius allowed. "But still not suitable for a princess."

Serenity rolled her eyes. "You don't know anything about him."

"I know that he's not of noble blood," the knight countered. "And I know you shouldn't be out here. You should go back to your room and forget about the boy."

Serenity winced at his words, her heart aching at the thought. "I can't," she replied, hoping to sound forceful but instead sounding whiny. "I… I love him."

Demetrius sighed. "Oh, child. What do you know of love?"

"I know what my heart tells me!" she declared, glaring up at the insufferable knight. "And don't call me a child! I'm a princess, and one day I will be queen!"

"You will," he responded. "But for now, you are not. And it is my responsibility to keep you safe. So I must show you back to your room before you can get into anymore danger." As he spoke, he placed a firm hand on her shoulder and pushed her back towards the palace.

"Oh, yes," she responded dryly. "There's lots of danger around here. Do be a dear and make sure the roses don't attack me."

"You know what I mean, you little brat," Demetrius growled, but Serenity could hear the tender undercurrent of amusement beneath his harsh words. As the princess let him lead her towards the palace, he continued: "You'll be happy with any of your other suitors—one who will come visit you, not the other way around."

"I like the Moon Road," Serenity stated stubbornly. "It's thrilling to travel so fast."

"Oh," Demetrius replied with fake surprise. "So now you know what the Moon Road is?"

Princess Serenity sulked. "Shut up."

Defeated and frustrated from the interruption, Serenity hung her head and dragged her feet along the cobbled stone of the Moon Kingdom's courtyard. It was useless now to try to get to the Moon Road. Demetrius was twice as old as her, twice as big as her, and ten times as fast as her nanny. There was no escape. Her heart hung sadly in her chest as she gazed up at the night sky, thinking about Aryon waiting for her by the Moon Road's exit on the Earth. How long would he wait before he realized she wasn't coming? Her throat constricted as she fought back the desperate tears.

"Psst!"

The sound startled the princess out of her melancholy musings. She turned her head towards the sound and spotted a dark figure hiding behind a nearby bush. She squinted, confused at first. But when the princess identified the curly purple hair tumbling down two pale, slender shoulders poking out from behind the bush, her heart lightened with hope again. Two purple eyes gleamed back at her in the darkness.

Luna! She thought with relief. The young girl winked at Serenity and smiled quietly. And then she was gone. Before Serenity could wonder where her friend had disappeared to, she saw the bushes shake violently, creating an awful sound.

Demetrius stopped in his tracks. "Who goes there?" he demanded, looking around quickly.

"What was that?" Serenity asked, feigning fear. Another bush shook, this one several yards away from the last. Serenity scooted behind her knight and grabbed onto his arm. "Demetrius, I thought we were the only ones out here!"

"So did I," the knight grunted, drawing his sword. "By the order of the Queen's Army, I command you to reveal yourself!"

Another bush shook in the distance. Serenity whimpered. "Demetrius… is it a thief?"

"There's no need to worry," the brave knight responded. He glanced towards the palace, his face stern. "Go. Run inside." He gave her a gentle shove towards the palace steps as he began to advance towards the shaking bushes.

"Thank you, Demetrius!" Princess Serenity chimed as she ran towards the marble steps. "Please! Be careful out there!"

"I'll be fine, princess," he assured as he dashed away. Just as he approached the bushes, the princess saw a familiar black cat disappear into the shadows. She smiled. Thank you, Luna, she thought with warmth in her heart.

But she couldn't dawdle too long. She couldn't waste the chance her best friend had given her. Quickening her pace, the princess altered her direction and sped back towards the Moon Road. This time, she had no interruptions. The small structure was tucked away behind the tall moon blossom trees, surrounded by the sparkling waters from the nearby river. Four ivory pillars surrounded a flat, circular stone lying on the cool grass. Ancient symbols and carvings had been etched into the pillars and stone floor—it still gave Serenity chills to see it. As she entered the clearing, she lightly brushed a carving with the tips of her fingers.

Her white shoes clacked against the stone surface beneath her feet, and she stood in the center with her heart thundering in her chest. I'm coming, Aryon. With shaking hands, she withdrew a pendant tucked inside the front of her dress and clung to it like a lifeline. The cold crystal shined brilliantly in the earthlight, sending a thousand dancing lights across the Moon Road Gate's surface.

Staring up at the Earth above her in the sky, Serenity clenched the crystal in her fist and shouted, "Moon Prism Power!" A blinding light illuminated the Moon Road Gate, and Serenity felt her heart fill with warmth. The crystal required her energy, but that was fine. As long as she thought of Aryon, she'd have enough energy to power millions of trips through the Moon Road.

Within seconds, she felt her body soar through space. Distant stars shot past her vision, and the Moon Kingdom quickly shrank behind her as she shot through the night sky. She knew when she returned, her parents would give her hell for using the Moon Road like this. But right now, she didn't care. Aryon was waiting for her. Just the thought of him made her heart full. Was it just her imagination, or did she fly faster through the air when she thought of him?

The trip lasted for less than five minutes, but it felt like an eternity. When her feet finally landed on solid ground, she took a deep breath of the sweet air around her. She blinked against the sunlight and squinted, letting her eyes adjust slowly.

"You're here." The deep voice came from behind her, and immediately she felt as though she was flying again. Serenity turned quickly. There he was. Tall, angular, and handsome—her sweet Aryon had waited for her. His eyes filled with joy as his smile lit his face. Aryon's pale blonde hair shined brilliantly in the sunlight as he stepped towards her. "My princess."

"I'm so glad you waited," she whispered as his strong arms wrapped around her. She had to stand on her toes to throw her arms around his neck. Serenity held him tightly to her, inhaling the sweet scent of the sea that she had come to love so much.

"For you, Princess," he murmured as he cupped her face and drew it to his own, "I would wait forever."

Author's Note: I have always been captivated by the magic and fantasy of the Moon Kingdom story. Though I love the story of the Sailor Scouts in present-day Tokyo, I find myself wondering what life was like on the Moon Kingdom. In this story, I want to explore that life.

We start off with Queen Serenity as a teen (when she was Princess Serenity, before Usagi comes along). However, I assure you there will be plenty of love given to our favorite Sailor Senshi. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and will continue to enjoy the future ones, as well.

I encourage reviews—even harsh criticism. I'd like to grow in my writing skills, and growth doesn't come from constant coddling… or silence, for that matter. Please tell me what you thought; I'd love to hear your opinions and suggestions for voice, style, etc.

Thank you for reading!