Chapter 10: Beginnings

Adonis tried to force air back into his lungs, as he realized he was laying under a huge oak tree. A few moments earlier, he had arrived mid-air in this garden. He had crashed to the ground, effectively knocking the air of him.

As his breathing became normal, he cautiously rose to a sitting position. He was still dressed in his tuxedo, which showed little damaged from his flight. He quickly shut off any thoughts of home and rose to his feet.

“Endymion? Is that you?” a voice called.

Adonis stepped behind the oak. He hoped that he was in Crystal Tokyo, but he really knew nothing about the place or time he was in. He knew even less about the people.

“Endymion? Look, I saw a tuxedo.” The voice was growing more irritated. “I know someone is out here. Show yourself.”

Adonis blinked in surprised as the caller rounded a corner in the garden path and appeared in his line of vision. The woman was tall, her body radiating beauty, grace, and command. Strands of her rich brown hair dangled around her ears and neck.

The woman’s outfit puzzled Adonis greatly. It mainly consisted of a white body suit and a dark green skirt, with large pink bows. Her arms were covered past the elbow by white gloves, the ends matching the skirt. Her ankle boots, again matching the green color, announced her footsteps on the path.

She paused, hands on her hips. One tip began to tap against the ground. “Whoever is out here has five seconds to show themselves,” she called. “Or else.”

Adonis tightened his grip on the oak, debating on whether to reveal himself or not.

“One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Okay, have it your way,” she called. “Jupiter Thunder Crash!”

Adonis yelled as electricity flooded the garden and his body. As the attack ended, he fell to the ground limply. Hearing his cries, the woman ran over the oak.

Seeing Adonis, she moved back a safe distance. Crossing her arms, she glared down at him. “Who are you and why didn’t you show yourself earlier?”

Adonis moaned and sat up. “Is that how you greet people here, wherever this is?”

“Not usually,” she replied, arms crossed defensively, “and here is the Royal Gardens of the Crystal Palace, home to Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion, the rulers of Crystal Tokyo.”

“Crystal Tokyo? I did make it.”

“Who are you?” The woman was resuming a defensive position as Adonis stood up.

He stared into her lively green eyes, debating how much he should reveal. If this was truly Earth in its recorded thirtieth century, he doubted that anyone remembered the brief connection to Cignus. “I am a wander from a distant place, my lady.”

“And do you have a name, Wander?”

“You may call me Logan.” He bowed to her.

“Is there a last name with that?”

“No,” he replied, “it is just Logan.” He studied her again. “What may I call you, my lady?”

“I am Sailor Jupiter, a Guardian of the Crystal Palace.”

“A Guardian? You have Guardians here in Crystal Tokyo?”

Sailor Jupiter was surprised by the question. ‘Man, he was be from a very distant place,’ she thought. ‘I thought everyone knew about the Sailor Scouts now.’

“Just where are you from, Logan?” she asked aloud, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Most people are aware of me and my friends.”

“A very distant place, Sailor Jupiter. A place I can never return to.”

Adonis leaned against the oak, desperately trying to banish the thoughts of home from his mind. Were his parents dead, killed by Amalthea in her wrath? Had Dido suffered the same fate? “By the House of Light, I should have stayed!” he cried, pounding his fist against the tree.

Sailor Jupiter put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

He turned and hugged her, crying into her shoulder. Unsure of what to do, Jupiter reluctantly hugged him back. As the sobs continued, she began to stroke his hair, murmuring softly to him. ‘If Mina or anyone else sees me like this,’ she thought, ‘I’ll never hear the end of it.’

However, the fact that this stranger was crying on her shoulder evoked her compassion.
‘He said that he could never return home, but he said that he should have stayed. What happened to him? What drove him away?’

Adonis realized that he had drenched her uniform with his tears. Stepping back, he noticed her surprise and her sympathy. “My apologies, Sailor Jupiter. I usually have more self-control than I just exhibited.”

Jupiter was confused. One moment he was sobbing into her shoulder, drenching her uniform, the next moment he was apologizing, betraying almost no emotion. “What has happened to you? Why can’t you go home, Logan?”

He didn’t answer, turning to study the city beyond the lush garden of the palace. “I am sorry for concerning, Sailor Jupiter. I will on be on my way. Farewell.”

“Wait,” Jupiter ordered, grabbing his shoulder. “You just can’t cry on my shoulder and then just walk away.”

He turned, quirking an eyebrow. His gray eyes studied her green ones emotionlessly. “Why not?”

Jupiter hesitated, searching for a reason to detain him. Sensing this, he shrugged her hand off and began walking off. “Farewell,” he called over his shoulder.

Jupiter watched his retreating, still trying to think of a way of making him stay. However, she did not know why she wanted him so desperately to stay. “You’re a coward!” she yelled.

He stiffened and slowly turned. She noticed that his gray eyes were dangerously narrowed as he approached. “What?”

“You are a coward,” she said evenly, stretching to her full height. Even then, Jupiter was still a good three inches shorter than him. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

“You don’t even know who I am,” he cried. “Or where I am from and what has happened to me. How can you help me? For your own best interest, let me go.”

Again, he turned and began to walk away.

“What has happened to you that is so horrible?” Jupiter demanded. “What is so horrible that no one can help you? That you have to keep running from everyone?”

He turned and faced her again. No one but Dido had ever had the gall to demand anything from him. Adonis was surprised by the comparison.

“I watched helplessly has everything I loved began to be destroyed. My loved ones banished me in the hopes that I would survive. Does that answer your question, Sailor Jupiter?”

“I know how that feels,” she said softly.

“How? How could you possibly know that?” he demanded.

“I lived during the Silver Millennium as the Princess of Jupiter. I lived at the palace of Queen Serenity, ruler of the Moon Kingdom. A powerful enemy attacked and I was killed in battle. As I died, I saw my friends fall around me. I was powerless to protect the Moon Princess, my sworn duty. Queen Serenity used the last of her strength to send us into the future to be reborn.

“I do know how you feel,” Jupiter said softly. “Let me and my friends help.”

Adonis stood there, unsure of what to do. Images of the past filled his mind. The realization that Jupiter was from the Silver Millennium was startling.

“I don’t know what to do,” he admitted.

Jupiter smiled softly and took his hand. “Then trust me. Let me help you. Make this a new beginning.”

* * * * *

Leda kissed her niece, noting that Thebe’s eyes were still wide from her story’s conclusion. “But when did Adonis and Sailor Jupiter fall in love? When did they leave Crystal Tokyo?”

Leda laughed softly. “That is another story. It is now time for sleep. We have been up too late already.” She kissed her niece’s cheek once more. “Good night, Thebe.”

Thebe nestled further into the bed. “Good night, Aunt Leda. Ask Uncle Paul and Aunt Elara if they liked the story as well.”

Leda’s smiled broadened as she noticed two surprised faces in the doorway. “I think they did, Thebe.” She turned off the light and shut the door.

“And what are you two doing?” Leda asked, once Thebe’s door was shut.

“Listening to your story,” Paul said, his cheek slightly red. Elara nodded.

“Well, did you enjoy it?” Leda yawned. “Never mind. Tell me in the morning. I need to go to bed.”

“I am rather tired myself,” Elara said. “Good night.” She turned and headed to the medical wing of the palace where her chambers were located.

Paul watched his sister-in-law retreat before drawing Leda into his arms. “I greatly enjoyed your story, Leda.”

“I’m glad,” she murmured contentedly, gazing into his soft, ice blue eyes. “I’m tired, Paul. Can we please go to bed now?”

Without warning, he scooped her up in a rustle of skirts and laughter. “As you wish, my lady.”

“Sir, you are most kind,” Leda replied, trying to contain her laugh.

With smothered laughter, the Prince and Princess of Jupiter retired to bed.


Beginnings Adonis tried to force air back into his lungs, as he realized he was laying under a huge oak tree. A few moments earlier, he had arrived mid-air in this garden. He had crashed to the ground, effectively knocking the air of him. As his breathing became normal, he cautiously rose to a sitting position. He was still dressed in his tuxedo, which showed little damaged from his flight. He quickly shut off any thoughts of home and rose to his feet. “Endymion? Is that you?” a voice called. Adonis stepped behind the oak. He hoped that he was in Crystal Tokyo, but he really knew nothing about the place or time he was in. He knew even less about the people. “Endymion? Look, I saw a tuxedo.” The voice was growing more irritated. “I know someone is out here. Show yourself.” Adonis blinked in surprised as the caller rounded a corner in the garden path and appeared in his line of vision. The woman was tall, her body radiating beauty, grace, and command. Strands of her rich brown hair dangled around her ears and neck. The woman’s outfit puzzled Adonis greatly. It mainly consisted of a white body suit and a dark green skirt, with large pink bows. Her arms were covered past the elbow by white gloves, the ends matching the skirt. Her ankle boots, again matching the green color, announced her footsteps on the path. She paused, hands on her hips. One tip began to tap against the ground. “Whoever is out here has five seconds to show themselves,” she called. “Or else.” Adonis tightened his grip on the oak, debating on whether to reveal himself or not. “One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Okay, have it your way,” she called. “Jupiter Thunder Crash!” Adonis yelled as electricity flooded the garden and his body. As the attack ended, he fell to the ground limply. Hearing his cries, the woman ran over the oak. Seeing Adonis, she moved back a safe distance. Crossing her arms, she glared down at him. “Who are you and why didn’t you show yourself earlier?” Adonis moaned and sat up. “Is that how you greet people here, wherever this is?” “Not usually,” she replied, arms crossed defensively, “and here is the Royal Gardens of the Crystal Palace, home to Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion, the rulers of Crystal Tokyo.” “Crystal Tokyo? I did make it.” “Who are you?” The woman was resuming a defensive position as Adonis stood up. He stared into her lively green eyes, debating how much he should reveal. If this was truly Earth in its recorded thirtieth century, he doubted that anyone remembered the brief connection to Cignus. “I am a wander from a distant place, my lady.” “And do you have a name, Wander?” “You may call me Logan.” He bowed to her. “Is there a last name with that?” “No,” he replied, “it is just Logan.” He studied her again. “What may I call you, my lady?” “I am Sailor Jupiter, a Guardian of the Crystal Palace.” “A Guardian? You have Guardians here in Crystal Tokyo?” Sailor Jupiter was surprised by the question. ‘Man, he was be from a very distant place,’ she thought. ‘I thought everyone knew about the Sailor Scouts now.’ “Just where are you from, Logan?” she asked aloud, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Most people are aware of me and my friends.” “A very distant place, Sailor Jupiter. A place I can never return to.” Adonis leaned against the oak, desperately trying to banish the thoughts of home from his mind. Were his parents dead, killed by Amalthea in her wrath? Had Dido suffered the same fate? “By the House of Light, I should have stayed!” he cried, pounding his fist against the tree. Sailor Jupiter put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” He turned and hugged her, crying into her shoulder. Unsure of what to do, Jupiter reluctantly hugged him back. As the sobs continued, she began to stroke his hair, murmuring softly to him. ‘If Mina or anyone else sees me like this,’ she thought, ‘I’ll never hear the end of it.’ However, the fact that this stranger was crying on her shoulder evoked her compassion. ‘He said that he could never return home, but he said that he should have stayed. What happened to him? What drove him away?’ Adonis realized that he had drenched her uniform with his tears. Stepping back, he noticed her surprise and her sympathy. “My apologies, Sailor Jupiter. I usually have more self-control than I just exhibited.” Jupiter was confused. One moment he was sobbing into her shoulder, drenching her uniform, the next moment he was apologizing, betraying almost no emotion. “What has happened to you? Why can’t you go home, Logan?” He didn’t answer, turning to study the city beyond the lush garden of the palace. “I am sorry for concerning, Sailor Jupiter. I will on be on my way. Farewell.” “Wait,” Jupiter ordered, grabbing his shoulder. “You just can’t cry on my shoulder and then just walk away.” He turned, quirking an eyebrow. His gray eyes studied her green ones emotionlessly. “Why not?” Jupiter hesitated, searching for a reason to detain him. Sensing this, he shrugged her hand off and began walking off. “Farewell,” he called over his shoulder. Jupiter watched his retreating, still trying to think of a way of making him stay. However, she did not know why she wanted him so desperately to stay. “You’re a coward!” she yelled. He stiffened and slowly turned. She noticed that his gray eyes were dangerously narrowed as he approached. “What?” “You are a coward,” she said evenly, stretching to her full height. Even then, Jupiter was still a good three inches shorter than him. “Why won’t you let me help you?” “You don’t even know who I am,” he cried. “Or where I am from and what has happened to me. How can you help me? For your own best interest, let me go.” Again, he turned and began to walk away. “What has happened to you that is so horrible?” Jupiter demanded. “What is so horrible that no one can help you? That you have to keep running from everyone?” He turned and faced her again. No one but Dido had ever had the gall to demand anything from him. Adonis was surprised by the comparison. “I watched helplessly has everything I loved began to be destroyed. My loved ones banished me in the hopes that I would survive. Does that answer your question, Sailor Jupiter?” “I know how that feels,” she said softly. “How? How could you possibly know that?” he demanded. “I lived during the Silver Millennium as the Princess of Jupiter. I lived at the palace of Queen Serenity, ruler of the Moon Kingdom. A powerful enemy attacked and I was killed in battle. As I died, I saw my friends fall around me. I was powerless to protect the Moon Princess, my sworn duty. Queen Serenity used the last of her strength to send us into the future to be reborn. “I do know how you feel,” Jupiter said softly. “Let me and my friends help.” Adonis stood there, unsure of what to do. Images of the past filled his mind. The realization that Jupiter was from the Silver Millennium was startling. “I don’t know what to do,” he admitted. Jupiter smiled softly and took his hand. “Then trust me. Let me help you. Make this a new beginning.” * * * * * Leda kissed her niece, noting that Thebe’s eyes were still wide from her story’s conclusion. “But when did Adonis and Sailor Jupiter fall in love? When did they leave Crystal Tokyo?” Leda laughed softly. “That is another story. It is now time for sleep. We have been up too late already.” She kissed her niece’s cheek once more. “Good night, Thebe.” Thebe nestled further into the bed. “Good night, Aunt Leda. Ask Uncle Paul and Aunt Elara if they liked the story as well.” Leda’s smiled broadened as she noticed two surprised faces in the doorway. “I think they did, Thebe.” She turned off the light and shut the door. “And what are you two doing?” Leda asked, once Thebe’s door was shut. “Listening to your story,” Paul said, his cheek slightly red. Elara nodded. “Well, did you enjoy it?” Leda yawned. “Never mind. Tell me in the morning. I need to go to bed.” “I am rather tired myself,” Elara said. “Good night.” She turned and headed to the medical wing of the palace where her chambers were located. Paul watched his sister-in-law retreat before drawing Leda into his arms. “I greatly enjoyed your story, Leda.” “I’m glad,” she murmured contentedly, gazing into his soft, ice blue eyes. “I’m tired, Paul. Can we please go to bed now?” Without warning, he scooped her up in a rustle of skirts and laughter. “As you wish, my lady.” “Sir, you are most kind,” Leda replied, trying to contain her laugh. With smothered laughter, the Prince and Princess of Jupiter retired to bed.


Jupiter's Gone