Prologue
	The young blonde girl sat on the far side of the practice field, 
watching her brother intently.  The sun was low in the sky, and the 
moon, her home, was beginning to show through.  She'd have to be going 
back soon.  Her mother, Queen Serenity, let her come to earth with the 
Senshi often, but she wanted them home tonight for something special.  
The blonde princess, also named Serenity, wasn't sure what it was, but 
was certain that it involved her brother Palin, who was right now 
finishing his training with the Senshi of the planet Mars.  Mars was 
close to them both, and loved her brother like he was her own brother. 
All of them did.  Well, except Venus... but she didn't need to think 
about that.  Her brother might pick up on it and get distracted.
	~She doesn't distract me, Serenity~. Her brother's mind touched 
hers. The words were not spoken, but felt.  They were unique, these two 
twins.  It was as if they were two parts of the same person. They 
never, as far as anyone knew, fought, and only bickered once or twice, 
and it was all in good nature.  Sometimes it was hard to tell where one 
ended and the other began.  Not that they looked alike.  No.  Serenity 
was gracefully feminine, with long blonde hair done up in two balls 
like her mother, while Palin had shorter hair, and maintained the 
dignity of the knight he hoped to become.  They did have similar faces, 
and were about the same size, but that was all.  Mentally, however, 
they were joined.  Both possessed the soul of a Senshi, the magical 
warrior that protected a planet or other stellar body. No one knows why 
the moon has two Senshi, but it doesn't matter.  Palin is being trained 
to defend the kingdom, while serenity is destined to rule.  The only 
way Serenity would be a Senshi is if something happened to Palin.
	~How is the training going, Palin?~
	~Its going well, I have only the power of fire left to master, 
then I'll be done!~ Serenity could feel the excitement her brother had, 
and couldn't help but share it.
	~I am so proud of you!~
	~Why don't you come closer and watch.  The Senshi wont mind.~ 
Serenity did just that.  She walked over, and joined her friends at the 
side of the field.
	"Hello princess." Lady Venus greeted her.
	"Good evening, everyone."
	"Palin, just slow down," Lady Mars instructed "The flame must be 
controlled before it can be used.  Take a deep breath, focus, and let 
it go."
	Suddenly Serenity felt a sense of peace, and she knew her brother 
had centered himself to best control his power.  He took a deep 
breath....
	"Moon.... Firestorm!!!"  Balls of flame shot from his 
outstretched hands and blasted into the target, incinerating it.
	The young princess could feel her brother's pride before he 
screamed 	"ALRIGHT!!!!"
	The Senshi smiled. "Congratulations, Prince Palin, you have 
passed your final test."
	~Did you hear that, Serenity?  I did it!`
	~Of course I heard it, silly.  We need to be going, though.  
Mother wanted us back on the Moon before the sun sets fully.~
	~Okay...  lets go.~
	"Okay, we better get back." Palin said.  The Senshi nodded in 
agreement.  The 4 of them (only the so-called "inner Senshi" so named 
because of their rank and position of their planets were in attendance) 
joined hands, with the two young royals in the middle.
	"Sailor.... Teleport!"
	In a cloud of dust, the 6 were gone, and reappeared on the moon a 
few seconds later.
**********
	While her children were on earth, Queen Serenity sat in her 
conference room with her 2 cat advisors, Luna and Artemis.  The two 
cats were not only her advisors, but the guardians of her children.  
Luna, the female, guarded Princess Serenity, while the male, Artemis, 
was guardian of Prince Palin.  Luna was a very dark blue cat, whose fur 
would at times be almost black, if the light were right, while Artemis 
was all white.  Both cats had a crescent moon on their foreheads, 
indicating that they were not only magical moon cats, but also that 
they were members of the royal court.  No one in their right mind would 
ever treat these two like normal cats.
	Queen Serenity looked at the report handed to her by Lady Uranus, 
who was the commander of the second order of the queen's Senshi, called 
the outer Senshi.  It was Uranus who dealt with the military, and so it 
was Uranus who gave the queen the bad news.
	'So," the queen said, "this Beryl is staging attacks all over 
planet earth?"
	"Yes, my queen," Uranus said. "The Senshi are all on alert."
	"That's good. Tell them to be prepared for any attacks that may 
occur. I doubt Beryl is strong enough to attack us yet, but an once of 
prevention is worth a pound of cure."
	Uranus bowed to the queen, and left.  Queen Serenity turned to 
her advisors.
	"So how goes Palin's training?"
	"He is doing remarkably well, my queen," said Artemis, "In fact, 
today is his last lesson. Lady Mars is confident that he will have 
mastered the powers of flame by then."
	"Good.  Then we shall go ahead with his knighting and 
installation as commander tonight."
	"Queen Serenity, is that really wise?  Not to question your 
judgment, but he is only 17, and General Kunzite has things well in 
hand."
	"Be that as it may, I want to have the Lord Protector installed 
at the garrison so that my armies and the Senshi can coordinate, which 
will only happen if a Senshi is in command."
	"Yes my queen, I shall make the arrangements." Artemis bowed, as 
much as a cat can (he lowered his head and forepaws), and left.
	"Serenity doesn't know he'll be leaving does she?" Luna asked.
	"No." The queen said. "I cant tell one without the other 
knowing."
	"But they have never been apart before."
	"I know.  It cant be helped."
	"This Beryl is more of a problem than you are letting on isn't 
she?"
	"Luna, I don't know much, but I know this.  The Ginzuishou is 
sending me very negative feelings about her.  She may be a lot of 
trouble.  I need my armies united better than they are now. We both 
know how Kunzite feels about Senshi."
	"I believe the matter is how he feels about women, my queen." 
Luna said with a sly look.
	"Don't tell me you believe those rumors about him and Zoisite, do 
you?"
	"Well, it is well known that Kunzite maneuvered him into the 
position he has, ahead of General Jadeite."
	"Be that as it may, I trust Kunzite. He is a loyal general, but 
he wont bring the Senshi along to fight.  What better way to convince 
him than to have a Senshi (a male one) work with him in the armies."
	"Work with him? You mean command him."
	"Well... that's something he wont have to much trouble with, I 
hope."
	"I'm not so sure."
	"Well, when you tell him, Luna, let me know his reaction."
	"I'M going to tell them????"
	"Yes, because I have a meeting today with the king of earth."
	"Yes, my queen." The blue cat bowed as Artemis had, and went to 
visit the generals of the queen's forces, and their commander: General 
Jadeite of the Moon Garrison, General Nephryte of the Space Forces, 
General Zoisite of the Earth Battalion, and their commander, General 
Kunzite.  Luna wasn't sure how they'd react, but there was only one way 
to find out.....

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

	When Luna left the conference room, the commander of the 
generals, Kunzite, stood, his face red with rage.
	"That BOY is to be made supreme commander??!!" he screamed "This 
is patently ridiculous. I am the commander of the armies of the moon, 
not this child."
	"This child, General Kunzite," Jadeite said, "happens to be 
prince of the moon, and its rightful lord protector.  Not only that, 
but he is a Senshi.  This position is his by right, and I say let him 
have it.  If this Beryl is as strong as our reports say, we need some 
magical help."
	"Jadeite, you are ignoring the fact that he is just a boy," the 
other blonde general, Zoisite said. "Kunzite is the ablest commander in 
the Queens armies."  He looked at his commander, a mix of love and 
respect in his eyes."
	"Of course you would take up for him," Jadeite said. "He made you 
his 2nd in command."
	"So you are jealous!!" Kunzite said.
	A chill passed through the room as another presence entered, but 
no one noticed the new arrival. She was a tall woman, with dark auburn 
hair. She said nothing, just sat in the shadows, watching.
	"No." Jadeite said. "You and Zoisite are good commanders, and are 
very good at your jobs. But this may be more important than that.  The 
armies of the Queen and the Senshi have been divided since the last 
Protector died.  Now is the chance to unify the forces again, and beat 
this woman."
	Beryl, the woman in the corner, smiled at that remark. Little did 
these men know that they could not defeat her, for as they sat arguing, 
they were ever drawing closer to her camp.  She would have these men as 
her own generals, and the armies of the Silver Millennium would fall.
	"Gentlemen." Nephrite, the last of the generals, and often the 
quietest, spoke. "We must stop bickering.  It is not ours to say what 
we can and cannot do.  The Queen has spoken. The prince shall be 
knighted tonight, and in the morning shall assume the responsibilities 
as Supreme Commander and Lord Protector. There is nothing we can do."
	Beryl seized the opportunity. "That is where you are wrong, dear 
Nephrite," she said. "There is something you can do.  Why would you 
want to support this Queen, who would put you in a subordinate role, 
just so her son can take over?"
	The general thought about that for a moment.  Kunzite was the 
first to speak.
	"Suppose we agreed.  What then?"
	"Join me, and together, with you all leading my armies, we shall 
be victorious."
	"You are Beryl!" Jadeite exclaimed.
	She smiled "Guilty as charged Jadeite."
	"Why would we want to help you destroy the moon kingdom?" 
Nephrite asked.
	"Who said I wanted to destroy it? I want only for a more just 
ruler to take over it."
	She was lying, and Jadeite knew it, but he couldn't prove it. "I 
will not betray my Queen." Jadeite said.
	"Nor will I" said Nephrite.  They both looked at Zoisite and 
Kunzite expectantly.  The others bowed their heads.
	"I cannot serve a Queen who will not rule justly." said Kunzite.  
He and Zoisite joined hands and faced Beryl.  They kneeled. "my queen." 
they said in unison.
	"Very good. For this you two will be rewarded. Await me in the 
Dark Kingdom." She waved her hands and they disappeared.
	"As for the two of you.. You will join me one way or another." 
She cast a spell, and a powerful youma took over their bodies.  The 
youma had the memories of the two men, but the men were powerless and 
could not act on their own.
	"You, Nephrite, will wait with the others. " He disappeared. " 
You, Jadeite, I have a special mission for.  I want you to return to 
your post, and when the order is sounded to attack, I want you to kill 
the prince.  I know I cannot win if the forces of the moon attack me.  
But If we can kill the prince after he has been knighted, then all the 
fight will go out of the moon forces, and victory will be ours.  You 
will be made commander of my armies for this, if you succeed.  Go now, 
and act as if none of this occurred.  Inform the Queen that the others 
have left for their posts, but you waited for the prince."
	Jadeite's eyes glowed red, and he began to kneel.  In his mind, 
he screamed "Noooo!!!" but he couldn't control his body anymore.  "Yes 
my queen." the Jadeite-youma said.  The fate of the moon kingdom had 
been sealed.

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

	That evening, people from all over the moon kingdom had come to 
see to knighting of the young prince.  General Jadeite stood off to one 
side, waiting and watching.  The ball was in full swing when Endymion 
and Serenity met on the Balcony.  They then went to the ballroom to 
dance. When they had danced together for about an hour, Serenity told 
him that she had to leave, and prepare for the ceremony.  He nodded, 
and she went to her place on the throne beside her mother.
	"Bring the prince in," the Queen commanded.
	The prince entered, along with the 8 Senshi that were his 
trainers. He wore white robes, embroidered with the crescent moon on 
the back.  The Senshi formed 2 lines, and he walked down them and stood 
before his mother.
	"Kneel, Prince Palin." He did so, anxiety pouring through him.  
Serenity could sense it, but didn't say anything to her brother, for 
fear of spoiling the moment.
	"Citizens of the Moon Kingdom.." The queen addressed her people, 
"Every knight, and their commander is no exception, must be trained in 
all aspects of combat. Normally this training is done by my 4 generals.  
This is an exception, however, because he has trained not only as a 
knight, but as a Senshi.  Therefore, it is my Senshi that have seen to 
his training.  I call on each of them now, in order of their planets, 
to tell of the training they have given my son, so that none may 
question his ability. Lady Mercury, please begin.
	The quiet blue-haired girl stepped forward. "The responsibility 
of teaching the prince the sciences has fallen to me.  He is competent 
in many areas of science, and understands the basic nature of the 
universe.  He will carry this knowledge with him, to use as he needs 
it."
	The blonde Lady Venus was next. "It has fallen to me to train the 
young prince in the ways of society. Being a knight is not just a 
matter of combat. I have instructed him in etiquette, chivalry, and 
grace.  He is a gentleman, as well as a scholar." she flashed the 
prince a smile and a wink, earning a frown from the queen, and a blush 
from the prince, and stepped back.
	The Lady Mars spoke "I have trained the prince in the ways of 
magic.  He has demonstrated a knowledge of its workings, and has met my 
standards in all of the elements.  He is capable of both offensive and 
defensive spells."
	Jupiter looked at her queen, then at the prince. "I have trained 
the prince in many different martial arts.  He has risen to master 
status in 8 martial arts, and has, recently, beaten me in more than a 
few contests.  Therefore I have to assume he knows what he's doing." 
Once again, there were smiles around the court as the tall girl stepped 
back.
	Saturn spoke next: "What knight can function without his sword? I 
have trained the prince in the use of swords, and he has become quite 
competent with them."
	Uranus stepped up next, "I have instructed the prince in the ways 
of strategy. He understands the use of troop formations, and the 
importance of coordinating the armies.  He will make a formidable 
general."
	Then Neptune spoke, "The prince has also been instructed in the 
ways of the sea. I have taught him to understand the role a Navy may 
play in combat, as well as how to use water to his benefit."
	Finally, the Lady Pluto spoke. "I have trained the prince in 
history. To best effect the future, one must understand the past.  The 
prince has that understanding."
	The queen glanced fondly down at her son, then at the Senshi 
"Then do you all affirm that he is qualified for this position?"
	"We do" they all answered.
	"And do you swear to abide by his command?"
	"We swear."
	"General Jadeite!"
	"Yes Queen Serenity," the Jadeite-youma spoke from a corner.
	"Is the army prepared for him to take command?"
	"Yes, your army is prepared." Palin noted that there was 
something strange in his voice, but couldn't place it.
	~Is something wrong, Palin~ Serenity asked?
	~No.... I don't think so.~
	"Then, with the power of the Ginzuishou, I give you, Prince 
Palin, the Moon Star Medallion, symbol of your rank and station, and 
bearer of your new powers.  Take it and transform, Lord Palin."
	Palin took the medallion from the queen, and put the chain around 
his neck.  He held the medallion aloft, and said "MOON.... 
STAR......POWER, MAKE UP!"
	The medallion, a star, broke free of its chain.  It spun, and 
began to glow.  It floated to hover at his beltline, and energy shot 
from its corners. One beam went to his head and body, covering him in 
his armor.  Two shot from the sides, covering his arms in his 
gauntlets.  Then two from the bottom clothed his legs.  The star became 
part of his belt, with a  scabbard at his side.  His sword appeared in 
his hand, and he saluted with it. The light faded, and Lord Palin stood 
before the crowd in his armor.
	"Hip Hip...."Shouted Mars
	"HOORAY" The Senshi and crowd echoed.  They then began to 
applaud.
	After a moment the Queen signaled for silence. "Due to the 
problems on Earth, my son will be installed in his place tomorrow.  But 
for tonight, enjoy the party."
	Palin was congratulated by all the Senshi, and the queen and his 
sister, whose excitement for her brother radiated off her.  Palin 
couldn't help but catch it.
	~Congratulations brother!~
	~Thank you, Serenity.  I'll be home soon.~
	~Don't worry about that now.  Just have fun.  Oops, there's 
endymion.  I'm gonna go get a dance.  You might too...~She pointed 
behind him. Palin turned and saw Venus standing in front of him.
	"I came to congratulate you."
	"Well thank you!"
	"I'm not done yet.." With that, she drew his head close, and 
kissed him.  The other Senshi saw this and applauded.
	"About time," Mars muttered.  The two broke off and danced their 
way into the night, not a care in the galaxy.  The earth floated above 
them, and little did they realize that danger was already on its way.

***********
	The next morning, which would be the last the Moon Kingdom would 
ever see,  Palin awoke early, and got into his uniform. He didn't 
bother to transform into his armor, because he was going to take 
command at the watch post. He was certain that the attack would not 
come today, and if it did, well, he would sound the charge. After he 
was dressed, he gathered a few belongings to take to the barracks, 
where he would stay for a week, or so he thought, to get to know his 
troops.  After he was packed, he slipped through the door connecting 
his room to his sister's.  Few knew of this passage, and they liked 
that just fine.  When they were younger, they would play together at 
night when they were supposed to be sleeping.  Palin would sometimes be 
a knight fighting an evil dragon (Serenity) and rescuing a beautiful 
maiden (also Serenity), who had been forced to either marry or come to 
the dragons lair by her father (Palin).  They had vivid imaginations.  
The dashing knight would rescue the fair maiden, earning him a firm 
handshake, or a hug.  After all they were brother and sister, and 
kissing the maiden wasn't something either of them was prepared to do.  
Now that they were grown, the door was a way for them to talk 
privately.  He went through it, and saw his sister asleep on her bed.  
He walked over to her, and put his hand on her forehead.
	~I'll be back soon, princess. I love you.~
	Serenity stirred, but did not wake up.  After one final fond 
glance, Palin went to his room, collected his suitcase and Star 
Medallion, and left for his outpost.  It was the last time he would see 
the palace, or his sister.
****************
	"My Lord." Jadeite said, saluting, as Palin entered the barracks.  
The other two officers in the room came to attention immediately.
	"At ease, gentlemen." He replied.  "What is the situation?"
	"The enemy has gathered, my lord, and are heading this way." One 
of the officers replied.
	"How do the forces stand?"
	"The enemies number in the 10,000s.  Our combined forces are 
25,000, but they are all in different places. If they are not 
mobilized, we are lost"
	"How long until the enemy arrives?"
	"They will be here by evening."
	"Alright, we don't want to cause undo alarm.  I want you two, " 
Palin motioned to the other two men in the room, not Jadeite. "To 
inform the Queen that all is well for now. Tell her, but no one else, 
that the enemy is approaching."
	"Yes, my lord." The two men bowed, and left.  Historically, it 
has been one mistake on the part of a great leader that has proved to 
be his downfall.  Letting these two men leave him in a room with 
Jadeite was Palin's.
	"Jadeite, call up the army.  And find the other 3 generals. I am 
going to call up the Senshi. If we can mobilize and attack, victory 
will be easy. If not, then we may have a problem."
	"Especially if something were to happen to you.  After all, with 
the Star Crystal, you are the morale of the army."
	"I don't plan to die."
	"Plans have changed.  You're mobilizing no one. I will join my 
compatriots in the dark kingdom, and the moon will FALL." As he had 
been speaking, he had brought out a dagger. On his last word, he 
plunged it into Palin's chest. Without his armor, he was dead in an 
instant. There was a great surge of light. Then all the fight left the 
troops.  The  fervor of battle was replaced with melancholy.  The moon 
kingdom's protectors lost a reason to protect.
	Princess Serenity never felt her brother die. The queen had 
placed one wish in the Star Crystal. If anything happened to Palin, it 
would sever their link. It would feel, to the princess, as if he was 
asleep. So she didn't know that her brother was dead. The queen did, 
and called on her guards to find the spy that killed her son.   When 
they returned, claiming they had captured a prisoner, with Prince 
Endymion, she told them to leave again and search some more. Then she 
turned to Endymion.
	"I want you to do something for me."
	"What is it, my Queen."
	"Do not tell Serenity what I am about to say." The queen drew a 
breath. "Prince Palin has been murdered.  We don't know who did it. I 
want you to watch my daughter, insure that nothing happens to her."
	"Yes my queen."
	"Go, act as if none of this has occurred, but, if  the attack 
comes, would you take my son's place."
	"I will."
	"Then swear on the silver crystal that you will defend my 
kingdom."
	"I swear. I will not fail, through life and death. I will protect 
your kingdom, and your daughter."
	"Then go, and find her."
	Endymion left, troubled. He donned a mask, trying to look like 
nothing had happened, and went into the ballroom. There he saw the 
princess.
	"Princess... may I have this dance? It could be our last one."
**************
	The young couple's happiness didn't last.  The kingdom was 
attacked, and it soon was destroyed. It seemed that the Dark kingdom 
had won.
	As the Queen lay dying, she made a wish on her crystal to send 
the court of the moon kingdom to the future. As she drew her last 
breath, she began to hear words, coming from the crystal. Words that 
imbedded themselves onto the crystal itself:


		Twin Moon Shall Rise with Chaos
		Chaos shall fall at their hands.
		And a city of crystal will bring a new millenium.

	The words imbedded themselves onto the very fabric of the 
Ginzuishou, as the former queen passed on into the realm of spirits.

*********************
	1000 years later, a 14 year old Tsukino Usagi came upon a group 
of children torturing a cat.  After diving them off, she tended to the 
cat.  It had a crescent moon symbol on its forehead.  A few days later, 
Sailor Moon began fighting evil, in the name of the moon.

				The end of the beginning.