Chapter 2: Powers are Granted

The garden was so beautiful. Venus walked 
slowly through the rows of lilies and roses,
 thinking quietly to herself. She didn't like
 being alone normally, It wasn't in her nature,
 but what happened the night before had touched 
her in a strange way. Seeing how happy Serenity 
and Endymion were while together made her wonder
 what it would be like to fall in love. She had 
always felt somewhat incomplete and alone, even
with nice friends like Mars. Perhaps this was what
 she needed, a man to love her and hold her.
"No, stop thinking like that," she said aloud 
to herself. Her job was to be a guardian for the 
Princess, one of an elite group of four who swore
their lives to the protection of the heir to the 
throne. Sworn to remain loyal to the kingdom, devoted 
to the Princess, and free of all other engagements. 
A lover is considered another engagement. 
"Sailor Venus!" Venus swept her head around. Sailor 
Jupiter waved to her over the tops of the bushes. Venus
 returned the wave with a smile.
Jupiter jogged over to Venus, her reddish-brown 
ponytail bouncing with each step. "Venus," Jupiter 
said hurriedly, "The Queen wishes to speak with you. 
She says it's very important!"
Venus' eyes grew wide. Had the Queen found out about
 her daughter? Venus began to grow panicked.
Jupiter looked at her friend, concerned for her. "Is
 everything all right?"
"Yes, of course, I just hope…"
"About Earth?"
"Oh, yes, yes, that. So, I better go now. I'll tell 
you what happens later." She quickly began to pace away.
"Wait," Jupiter stopped her, "you may be the leader of
 the four Inner Soldiers, but Mars, Mercury and I are 
here to help you."
Venus glanced back at Jupiter. 
"I know Jupiter. I'll remember that."

Venus pushed the heavy door open and peered into 
the Palace Throne Room. Everything inside was white.
 The floor and walls were covered in marble and the 
throne was carpeted in white velvet. In the corner was
 a polished pedestal, on top of which sat a shining 
crystal as big as your fist. It emanated a bright light
 that filled the whole room. Sitting on the throne was 
a tall, slender woman in a silk white gown. Her silver 
hair was tied up into 2 buns and pigtails, and a dainty 
silver crown rested on her head. She raised her hand and 
motioned towards the young girl at her door.
Venus walked in confidently; her back aligned straight 
and her arms directly down to her sides. She stopped in 
the middle of the room, where she humbly bowed to one 
knee, holding one arm in front of her and the other behind
 her back. Most girls were required to curtsy like elegant
 young ladies before the Queen, but as a soldier, Venus
was required to bow like any other man.
"Sailor Venus, you look worried," the Queen said in 
an airy voice. Venus quickly lifted her face toward the 
Queen, and her cheeks grew hot. The Queen laughed gently 
at Venus' embarrassment, but her face soon became sober.
 "You have every right to be worried, something horrible 
is happening, and I need you and your soldiers to help me."
"I would do anything to serve my kingdom, and my 
soldiers feel the same," Venus voiced mechanically. Is
 she talking about Serenity and Endymion? Venus thought 
nervously. Her palms began to sweat.
"I'm glad. It appears that the Earth has finally 
kept their word. Last night Earth soldiers viciously 
attacked a small town just South of here. They left it 
in complete ruins, no survivors to be found." The Queens
 eyes focused on something far off in the distance as she
 spoke, "I know they will attack the Palace soon, and I'm
 very worried. I don't want my dear daughter to get 
hurt, which is why I called you here."

Venus could have sighed in relief. Thank goodness 
she didn't know about Serenity! But then she realized 
the alternative: the war had finally begun. 
She watched intently as the Queen stepped gracefully 
towards the glowing Silver Crystal. She carefully lifted
 it from its pedestal, and it shone brightly purple as 
she made contact with it. "This Silver Imperium Crystal 
is what holds the power to make the Moon people live 
eternally." The Queen said as she lifted the crystal over
 her head. It began to levitate just above her hands. "It 
also has the ability to grant powers to people. You will 
need more than just strength to protect the Kingdom and 
its Princess during this rough time in history. You will
 need…"

A blinding light came from the crystal and filled the
 room, followed by a loud, powerful blast. After a moment,
 Venus could see the Queen holding four golden tiaras.
"These tiaras. They will grant you and your soldiers 
powers to protect your Princess and your Kingdom." 
Venus stood with unsure footing, still somewhat unstable 
from the burst of power. "May, I…" 
The Queen nodded and motioned for Venus to come closer. 
Venus walked over to the Queen, who held the tiaras out 
for her to touch. Her fingertips tingled and she felt 
the smooth surfaces of the stones inlaid in the front of 
each one. "Is that where the power is?" Venus asked, 
pointing to one of the stones.
The Queen nodded. "Yes. Each tiara has a different power, but 
it can only be used by its true owner," she explained.
 The Queen selected a one with an amber colored stone and
 placed it gently on Venus' forehead. Venus could feel a 
warm energy wash over her body. "Sailor Venus, this power
 has been granted to you, the power of beauty and love."
Venus smiled and fingered at the tiara, which now fit snugly
 to her head. "What does it do, exactly?"
"You'll know what to do when the time comes." Venus stared
 at the Queen quizzically, but she simply continued. "Give 
these tiaras to the other three guardians for me. Mercury 
has been granted the power of water and intellect. Mars 
the power of fire and war. Jupiter the power of thunder and protection." 
Venus nodded and tried to keep the information 
straight in her head. "Yes, I'll go to them now.
 I'm sure they'll be very happy."
"But remember, Venus, these powers were not granted 
to you for no reason. A time will come when you will
 need to use them. In battle."
Venus bowed once more. "Yes, your majesty. As leader 
of the Inner Soldiers, I will remember my duty."
The Queen nodded her approval. Venus left the room with
 three golden tiaras and a heavy heart prepared for war.