AUTHOR'S NOTES (PART 1)

This story takes pace approximately 300-500 years before the destruction of
the Moon Kingdom.  Yes, the Princess and Queen Serenity here are the same
people as then, and the same goes for any other characters which exist in SM
canon (if Chibi-Usa can be 900 years old, then I don't see a problem with this)

The "Manes" were the shades of the departed which existed in the Roman
mythological underworld.  The word is pronounced "ma-nes", not "mains".  In
this story "Manes" is the name of Pluto's spy network.

BTW, regarding to Era's age, keep in mind that one Pluto year equals about
247 Earth years.  

o)+ is an ASCII representation of the Pluto symbol, turned sideways (yes,
it's different to the symbol Sailor Pluto has in the anime.  There is more
than one symbol for Pluto.)

As always, any & all C&C is needed, and MSTs are especially appreciated.

(More notes at the end)

*	*	*	*	*

A dim sphere of reddish light provided slight illumination of the small,
circular room within Charon Castle.  Two figures were in the room - one a
woman with tanned skin and long black hair, dressed in a white bodysuit with
a short black skirt and dark red bow, carrying with her an ornate staff that
resembled a key.  The adolescent girl who kneeled before her also had tanned
skin and black hair, although hers was tied into a braid.  She wore a black
bodysuit, skirt and leggings, with no bows or other adornments, and an
ornate sword made of black metal with a red gem in the hilt was laid
crossways before her.

"Era Hades," the sailor-suited woman said.  "Today is your sixth birthday.
For six years, you have trained as a courtier and as a spy, and learned how
the strengths and weaknesses of the other planets may be used to our
advantage.  Today, you are invested in Manes.  I trust that you will make
every effort to advance the path I deem necessary."

"I swear by Time itself, my queen, that I shall remain ever loyal to you and
to the path.  Even in the face of death I shall not falter, for, as time is
a circle, should I die, I shall some day be reborn."

Sailor Pluto gestured for Era to rise, and as she did so, Pluto touched her
finger to her new spy's forehead.  The Manes symbol - a circle above a
larger semicircle and a cross - appeared, glowing purple, and then faded.
Although Sailor Pluto's face remained emotionless, Era knew her well enough
to tell she was happy as she spoke.

"You have learned well, my cousin."  

*	*	*	*	*	*	*
  KINGDOMS
* A Sailor Moon Fanfic by Andrew Dynon	*
  Chapter One 
*	*	*	*	*	*	*

	Era, dressed in a black gown with red and purple trimming, tried to
tolerate Mercury's humid climate as she sat on board the blue crystalline
ship, looking over the Sobkou plain and the wide river had been named after
it.  In the distance she could make out the rocky island where the Mercury
royal family's castle was located, and where the royalty from the other
planets were currently journeying to.

	{Kind of appropriate where that castle is.} she thought to herself.
{Especially when you take onto account the Mercurians' main role in the
system's politics.  That's probably why they wanted this neutrality treaty
signed... they want to make sure they never actually have to *do* anything
other than sit around reading their precious books.}

	"You are Era Hades, the cousin of Queen Pluto?" A green-haired, androgynous
young man dressed in the blue and green robes that designated the royal
family of Neptune asked.

	"That is correct."

	"I see that your queen has decided that the signing of Mercury's neutrality
treaty is beneath her." The man - Era recognised him now as Prince Thalassa
- commented, his tone of voice reminding her that he, much like most people
of the other planets, had little fondness for the Plutonians.

	"As you know, Prince Thalassa," Era said politely, "My queen is responsible
for the guardianship of the time gate, and therefore is unable to leave her
home planet."  Not quite true, of course - if she wanted to leave the time
gate to attend to another matter of import, she could - but that didn't
matter.  "She has requested me to sign the treaty on her behalf."  Of
course, the treaty was only an excuse, to be used as cover for the actual
task her queen had assigned to her...

	"In that case, I shall speak to you later tonight." The Neptunian said
coldly.  "I now have matters which I must attend to.  Farewell."  Era
watched Thalassa as he headed below deck.

	o)+
	
	As evening approached and the temperature on Mercury began to fall rapidly,
Era walked briskly through the castle's brightly lit halls.  As she reached
a large, silver-inlaid door with the symbol of Saturn embossed upon it, she
stopped, touching the symbol and causing quiet chimes to sound.  A young man
dressed in the indigo uniform of a Saturn honor guard member and carrying a
glaive opened the door, but Era's attention was focused on a short, young
woman with black ponytailed hair, dressed in a dark purple military uniform
with red trim.

	"I was hoping to see you, Lady Era." The woman said.  "There are... matters
we need to discuss."  She turned to her guards.  "Leave us."

	"It's been a long time, Grand Admiral Kali."  Era replied, curtsying, as
the guards departed.  "I presume that you were informed of my reasons for
being here."

	"Correct.  Lord Ganymede has outlived his usefulness as Saturn's contact on
Jupiter, so we have no objection to you obtaining evidence of his treason
and using it as you wish.  The evidence is in his quarters, and I trust you
shall have little trouble retrieving it."

	"You could have simply given it to me," Era replied, allowing a slight
smile to show on her face.  "But you wanted to ensure I had been trained
properly.  Anyhow, I thank you.  It seems that our two planets' alliance is
proving to be extremely beneficial... and that, of course, is all the more
reason why the other kingdoms must not know of it."

	"Both of our planets are despised by the other kingdoms, my friend."  Kali
said as she sat in a chair and relaxed.  "You for your manipulation, and us
for the dark entity which created our magic.  And despite those kingdoms'
hostility, your cunning, combined with our power, may well be this system's
salvation." 

	"You know, of course, what is stated in the Book of Forever.  'Before
rebirth, there must always come death.  Before salvation may be achieved,
there must first come destruction.'"  Era replied.  Then, she curtsied again
and left Kali's quarters.

	o)+

	//All those who have signed this treaty acknowledge and respect Mercury's
desire for neutrality in any conflict which may arise between the nations of
the Sol system.  If any such conflict should occur, these envoys and the
planets which they represent swear unto Sol that such a conflict shall not
involve Mercury, its people, or its territory in any way.//

	Era signed her name on the treaty beside the symbol of the royal house of
Pluto.  {Let them stay huddled up in their cocoon reading those books of
theirs for now} she thought privately.  {It probably fits our agenda best if
they remain uninvolved, anyway.}  She returned to her seat, where Prince
Thalassa turned to her.

	"Well, I admit you surprised me by willingly signing that treaty." He
stated quietly, so as not to be overheard.  "Your planet usually goes around
starting wars between planets, not ending them."

	"Pluto starts wars?  I am deeply shocked that you would suggest such a
thing, Prince Thalassa."  Era replied, sounding dismayed.  "Why would we
ever want to start wars, when the other planets do so well at it on their
own... or was the raid on Oberon *really* carried out against royal orders?"
The incident Era was referring to was a very recent one, when Neptunian
ships had attempted to make a surprise attack on the outermost of Uranus'
moons, but the Uranians had been informed of the attack in the nick of time,
and managed to fend it off.  If that invasion had been successful, Era had
no doubt that there would have been no claims of the attack being carried
out against orders, and... well, the two planets were on the verge of
full-scale war as it was.

	Taken aback by Era's reply, Thalassa blanched and turned away.

	o)+

	It was, naturally, impossible to hold a diplomatic function without
providing food and entertainment for the guests, and soon after the treaty
had been signed, the various representatives were escorted to a lavish
dining hall which had been set with various Mercurian delicacies.	 Era ate
slowly, not being as interested in the food on offer as she was in
observation of the various persons around her.

	Seated next to her was the youngest of Mercury's three princesses, a girl
about two-thirds her age with short black hair, whom many both on her native
planet and the other worlds believed would be chosen to replace the current
Sailor Mercury.  Naturally, during the length of the dinner, there was
plenty of opportunity for conversation with the girl, and although Era knew
the value which the Mercurians placed upon knowledge, she was surprised at
the amount accumulated by one so young.  Even so, a discussion about the
finer aspects of time/space warp pockets was not one of her priorities at
the present time.

	Among the other guests present, Queen Serenity and Mars' Queen Honou had
decided to bring their identically-named daughters, who were about the same
age as the Mercurian princess sitting next to Era, to the treaty signing to
learn about diplomacy and etiquette.  Watching them, the Pluto courtier
could see how successful the attempt had been thus far.

	"HEY! That was my piece of lake-fowl!"

	"First come, first served!  *Bii-da*!"

	"Kono!!  Give it baack!!"
	
	"No way!"

	"WAAAHHHH!!!!!"

	"*SERENITY/HONOU, STOP IT!!!*" The princesses' mothers simultaneously
scolded, as most of the other guests bigsweated, It being fairly obvious
that under their next rulers, The Mars and Moon Kingdoms were not going to
be the best of friends.  And yet, Era knew, there was so much that depended
upon them being so.

	As the banquet was ending, strains of music began to waft in from the
ballroom adjacent to it, and the gathered nobility and royalty present began
to drift there.  Almost the moment she had entered the room, she felt a firm
hand grasp her wrist, and turned to see a man with long, curly, dark blond
hair, garbed in a green robe with intricate oak-leaf designs woven on it.

	"You are Lady Era Hades, of the royal house of Pluto, are you not?"  The
man asked.

	"That is true.  And might I have the pleasure of knowing who you are?" Era
replied.  {Which I already do... but it is necessary to be formal on this
occasion.}

	"I am Ganymede, one of the four lords of Jupiter." The blond man replied.
His voice conveyed an air of rulership that left no doubt in the Plutonian
courtier's mind that  he was attempting to impress her, but Era knew that
real power on Jupiter was held by the Marshal-General.  Without his control,
the planet would quickly descend into civil war.  That was not one of her
concerns for now, though.  She turned to face the Jovian lord and smiled
pleasantly.

	"And for what reason do you currently desire my attention, Lord Ganymede?"

	Ganymede stretched out his right arm, to touch Era's shoulder.

	"Lady Era... may I have this dance?"

	"Would it be possible for me to refuse so gracious an offer?"

	"I do not believe it would."

	Era relaxed, putting herself in a near-meditative state as Ganymede held
her in his arms and the pair circled around the ballroom, joining the other
participants in enjoyment of the music and atmosphere.

	"Era, this seems like a dream come true for me."

	"And me also.  I have had many other dreams such as this.  Perhaps you can
make those come true, too."

	"I can.  After these formalities are done, you may come with me to my
quarters."

	So, the first part of her plan had been successful.  Men were *so* predictable.

	Especially men from Jupiter.

	Especially men from Jupiter who had been drinking the finest wine in the
Nine Kingdoms.

	o)+

	Ganymede gestured, and the magical orb that had been providing light in the
room darkened, leaving starlight as the chamber's only illumination.  As
Era's eyes adjusted for the sudden lack of light, she felt the Jovian lord's
hands grab her shoulders and caress her, slowly untying the knot around the
collar of her dress.  He then untied the next knot down, then the next, and
the next, until Era's dress slid off her body and onto the marble floor.
Then, she slid her naked body onto the bed, and gestured for Ganymede to
come to her.  She felt the warmth of his body against hers... and then, a
fine black powder appeared in her hand from thin air.  She tossed it into
Ganymede's face, and, nearly inaudiably, commanded its magic to take hold.

	"/Cupio vidi./"

	The Jovian lord's eyes went blank and his limbs became limp.  Era stood up,
leaving his sleeping form the only thing occupying the bed.  The powder she
had used would leave him asleep for several hours, hallucinating that he was
doing the thing his mind was most occupied with at the time the spell was
cast - having his way with her.  Immediately, she summoned another object
from its pocket dimension... a short stick of a garnet with a "U" shape at
the top and a black pearl set between the ends, and a small crossbar at the
lower end.  Raising it above her head, she whispered another incantation.

	"Pluto Manes, make up."

The shadows in the room became almost liquid, flowing over her naked body
and forming her bodysuit and leggings.  Then, another of the shadows flew
towards her, becoming almost like some sort of black fabric that formed the
short skirt she wore.  Finally, she reached into the shadow, feeling it
become solid and heavy, and withdrawing a dark sword from it.  The sword
then transformed into a small, spherical black gem on Era's left wrist.

Era, in Manes form, searched through the papers on Ganymede's desk for the
object she had been assigned to retrieve.  Before too long, she managed to
find the letter she was looking for, and she scanned over it.  Most
untrained people would have found reading difficult with the lack of light,
but she possessed a certain talent for adjusting to these conditions... a
talent she felt would often be useful.

/My dearest brother-in-law,

I thank you for the information you have provided for us regarding the
ladies Europa and Callisto, and believe that your help shall continue to
prove invaluable to us.  Rest assured that our queen is most appreciative of
your assistance.

However, I and certain others with me have reason to believe that Lady
Callisto may be involved in the planning of something substantially greater
than that which you have described.  It would be a great help to us if you
could find out what that agenda is.

Your sister-in-law,

Dis/

Era folded the letter, and hastened out of the door, slicing the guard's
throat before he even noticed her.  Then, she followed the corridor to the
castle perimeter, feeling the crispness of the night wind as she ran down
the stairsaway from the Jovian quarters.

{That was simple...} she thought to herself.  {Hopefully not _too_ simple}  

The minute that sentence came into her mind, she caught sight of a female
figure with long, pale brown hair, and ice-blue eyes that glinted with a
coldness uncharacteristic of Jupiter's inhabitants.  The woman wore pale
green plate armor, and as she approached Era, she drew a curved sword and
pointed it at her.

{Yes, it was too simple.}

"I see Pluto's rats are once again taking an interest in things which do not
concern them."

"There are many things which concern us, lady Callisto.  Relatively few of
which involve our home planet."

"And there are many things it is better for you not to know.  They may put
you in danger." Callisto replied, hefting her sword and charging at Era.
Era hastily summoned her own blade to parry Callisto's attack with, only
barely managing to keep her footing as she felt the massive force of the
attack.  The Jovian lady continued her assault, seemingly unhindered in
spite of the obvious weight of the armor she wore.  In the rare moments in
which Era managed to attempt an offensive strike, her blows were easily
blocked.  Knowing she was no match for Callisto in swordplay, Era
backflipped, landing on the castle wall.

Then, Lady Callisto's eyes began to glow with blue light, and Era sensed
some  unfamiliar type of energy building up within her.  Callisto grasped
her hands together, and a bolt of pale blue energy flew at the Plutonian
spy, vaporising a fair-sized section of the castle's outer wall.

Callisto turned away, and her ears caught the sound of a guard rushing
toward her.

"My lady, what happened?"

"A rat got in.  Don't worry, I killed her."

"Shall I report it to our queen, my lady?"

"Don't worry.  It is of no consequence.  You are dismissed."      

*	*	*	*	*

Era was unfamiliar with the type of energy Callisto was summoning, but she
could sense that there was a great deal of it - being hit by this amount of
*any* type of energy would likely kill her.  She knew now that she couldn't
defeat Callisto in a fight, and on the other side of the wall was...
basically a long fall down into the river.  Summoning all her power, she
willed the timestream to slow down.  Then, she waited as Callisto's energy
blast came toward her in slow motion, at the last moment leaning over
backwards and letting herself fall off the castle wall.  Then, although her
time-slowing spell had ended, her fall seemed to last an eternity, until her
body finally hit the river's chilly surface, and she swam the short distance
to the island where the castle was located.

	It took Era almost a minute to reorient herself after using her power, and
when she did, her body felt somehow hollow - she knew she had only a tiny
amount of power left.  She would have to get back inside the castle and into
Ganymede's chambers so as not to arouse suspicion.  She knew Callisto well
enough to know that if she had been able to penetrate the mystical field
concealing her identity, she would have let her know during their
confrontation, but the unfamiliar power she had displayed worried her.  

{Did it have something to do with what Dis had said about an agenda?} she
asked herself.

She intended to find out.

*	*	*	*	*

END CHAPTER ONE

Well, as you probably noticed, this story deals with quite a few original
characters.  I know that some people don't like that, but it seemed like the
only way I could really do a story with this setting and premise.  Sailor
Pluto and Queen Serenity will both be playing major roles in later chapters,
however.

The Callisto in this story has nothing to do with the villain in "Xena:
Warrior Princess", apart from her name and the fact that she isn't a nice
person.  Callisto is one of Jupiter's four largest moons, and... well, okay,
I admit that, being a Xena fan, I was tempted into naming a character after it.

The Plutonians in this story are *loosely* based on the Scorpion clan from
the Legend of the Five Rings RPG.  I created their spy network because,
although Setsuna certainly knows a lot, I don't think of her as as
omniscient as some people seem to.  BTW, I think Setsuna looks better with
the tanned skin she had in the manga, so I'm saying she has it.

   Finally, I used "Atlas of the Universe" by Kevin Krisciunas and Bill
Yenne for research on the planets during this story.  Of course, the actual
facts were changed significantly to fit in with the SM universe.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Dynon

"You're only young once, but you can be immature any day."
	- The Coodabeen Champions

ALL THE PARANOID PEOPLE ARE OUT TO GET ME.