DISCLAIMER: All characters of Sailor Moon are the copyright of
Naoko Takeuchi, Toei, Kodansya comics, etc.  I'm using the Japanese
names for the people.  I hope everyone enjoys this, since this is
the first time I've written SM fanfic, so please, be gentle, ne!
Any comments are welcome at zyren@wam.umd.edu
     Enjoy!


                              FALLEN

                       Part 1: New Atlantis

The sun rose slowly in a reddening sky, kissing the pearly towers
of the Imperial Palace a deep rose.  Not quite a fitting color for
the dark handsome prince who dwells within, thought the queen.  Yet
even that color could not mar the splendor of the palace, or the
city, which was one of two links from Earth to the Moon.  The queen
with hair as auburn as the sky chuckled softly into her hand,
urging her black mares forth; onward, to New Atlantis.

                            *****

"Zoicite!" Jadeite gestured frantically from the window, focused on
the sight of the incoming party.  "Come!  Look!"

Partly intrigued, Zoicite sauntered over, placing his load of
papers onto the windowsill.  "It is a woman."

Jadeite snapped him a glare.  "I can see that.  Isn't she
beautiful?"

"I suppose."

"You would say that."  Jadeite leaned forwards onto his elbows,
dreamily eyeing the woman who had emerged from the strange
carriage.  "Wonder what she's doing here."

Zoicite shrugged, leafing through his papers a final time.  "I do
not think it's our business.  A would-be suitor...ess for his
Majesty perhaps."

"Great." Disappointment rang in his voice.  "Do you think he'll
accept her?"

"His Majesty already has a love," Zoicite smiled, glancing towards
the fading moon on the horizon.

Jadeite followed his gaze.  "Serenity?"

Zoicite nodded eloquently before picking up the large stack of
papers again.  He walked down the hallway, towards the large double
doors, meeting Kunzite, their 'leader' on his way out.  He gave him
a smile, which was rewarded with a soft touch on his cheek before
the frost-haired General turned his attention towards the lovelorn
Jadeite.  Sighing, Zoicite continued on his way out, giving
Kunzite's back a last lingering look.

"Who is it?" Kunzite asked, startling Jadeite out of his reverie.

Jadeite shrugged.  "I don't know, but I think it would be rude not
to greet her at the front door!"  He stopped in mid-stride as
Kunzite held his shoulder, eyes locked upon the woman.

"I will meet her."

Jadeite opened his mouth to protest, snapped it shut and stalked
away, muttering unflattering words beneath his breath.

Kunzite watched the woman, who was waiting impatiently for a
greeting, then decided it was time for him to greet her.

                               ***

"Finally," she snapped when Kunzite emerged from the large, iron
doors of the Imperial Palace.  "It is rude to keep guests waiting
a long while."

"Unexpected guests should assume they shall wait," Kunzite
countered, studying the markings on her carriage as well as her
breed of horses.  Finding nothing familiar, he resolved to ask
Nephlite of it later.  He returned his attention to the woman.
"What is your purpose here?"

"That is no way to speak to a queen," she lifted her head
defiantly.  "You shall address me as your majesty."

Kunzite remained unmoved, raising a fair brow to her demands.
"Where is Your Majesty from?"

She appeared to study him, looking for a chink in the ice, a crack
to break his insolence.  She mirrored his cold gaze, "I am Queen
Beryl, from far away.  I demand to speak with Prince Endymion."

"On what grounds, your highness?"

"Should not a courtier bow before a queen?"

"I repeat again: what is your purpose in coming here?"  He shifted
his stance slightly, allowing the rays of the morning sun to strike
the leadership insignia of general on his breast.

She seemed appeased.  "I wish to forge an Alliance.  That is all
you need to know."

Kunzite shifted again, his insignia glinting in the sunlight.  The
corners of her mouth turned into a smirk.  "I will say no more
except in the presence of Prince Endymion."  Her eyes took on an
added gleam.  "And do not try to call your guards.  I am here on a
diplomatic mission.  You would do well to remember that."

"His Majesty is away for the time being," answered Kunzite, never
wavering.  "You may request an audience later this afternoon."

"Then, I shall."

"As you wish, Queen Beryl."  He quickly glanced at her guards,
noting the emblem embroidered on their uniforms as well as the two
black-green bands on their shoulders.  He saw her smile as he
looked back towards her, guessing she knew what he had done.  He
bowed formally, then led her inside.

She made a discreet gesture with her hand, and when the iron doors
closed, the guards took the carriage out of the castle grounds.

                              *****

"The mark of what?" Nephlite asked.

"A claw," Kunzite repeated, mimicking it with his hand.  "A jewel
was centered inside, blackish with hints of green."

Nephlite let out a sigh, brushing back violet bangs from his eyes.
"I do not recall any symbol from memory."

Kunzite nodded.  "She has been... detained for now. However, when
Endymion returns, she 'insists' on seeing him."

"He returns this afternoon, correct?" Nephlite asked, not liking
the answer he knew he would receive.

Again, Kunzite nodded.  "I need the information soon.  You have
until noon."  He rose, then walked out of the Library, closing the
doors behind him.

"Noon," Nephlite muttered, placing a marker in the open volume in
front of him.  "Does he think research so easy?"  Nephlite sat back
in his chair, pondering the symbol.  In his native lands of the
south, he could not recall them using something so crude.  Symbols
of asps or an eye or falcons were more apt.  He thought about
Jadeite's lands to the west.  No, they used strong beasts, such as
lions or bears.  Zoicite's lands used dragons and other powerful
fanciful creatures.  And Kunzite could not even recall such a
symbol from his lands to the north.  This would take time.

Stretching, Nephlite stood and looked about him.  The library in
New Atlantis was the biggest in all the world.  There was little
not to be found here, and nothing eluded Nephlite for very long.
But, research took time, a commodity Nephlite had precious little
of as the sun continued on its ascent.

After browsing through a few volumes written by humans, Nephlite
tossed them aside, most being too recently written and having no
information.  He then turned to the sections where the Moon people
had written books about Earth's children.  Still nothing.  The sun
slowly climbed higher, the sundial in the middle of the room turned
to ten.  Then eleven.

Nephlite slammed the book he held closed.  He had checked every
book he could find on Earth's history and people; none had the
information he sought.  "Time," he muttered, almost like a prayer.
"I need more time."  It was becoming his mantra.  Disgustedly, he
tossed the book on an ever growing mountain of them.

He browsed through titles of ancient Moon lore, then stopped.
Wedged in the corner of a shelf was a small book, wrinkled and
torn, the writing smudged over the years.  Carefully, Nephlite
retrieved it, easily deciphering the ancient language.  It was very
similar to the writings of the Moon people; only a few archaic
words told of its great age.

"History of the Exiles," he whispered, fascinated by the book
already.  He opened the cover and gasped.  Roughly drawn on the
front page was a hand, curved in like a claw.

                              *****

"The Exiles?" Endymion repeated, cocking his head to the right.

Nephlite nodded, glowing.  This was a prize, a jewel of discovery,
and essential to the unlocking the mysteries of the     Queen.  He
had almost hated coming to the private hearing with Endymion; he
would have hated anything that deterred him from his book.
However, it was important for them to meet, to discuss this Queen
who wanted to forge an alliance.

All four generals were present, and Endymion himself presided at
the long table in the war room.  Nephlite made sure he held their
undivided attention before continuing.

"Long ago, against our human race, there was a brutal enemy.  This
enemy was as fierce as bears, calling upon some great spirit to
protect and help them subjugate we humans."

"'We'?" Jadeite jeered.  "What, are you in this story, too?"

A hard look from Endymion quieted him.  "So, the people now known
as the Exiles helped humankind against the bear-like enemies?"

"Yes," Nephlite continued.  "They were human themselves, the
Exiles.  They eradicated all of the bear-like enemies, as you call
them, and created an empire among humans.  But, as all empires go,
they became corrupt and foul, enslaving all of whom were not of
their kind."

"But, you said they were human," Zoicite interrupted.  "How can
they enslave those not their kind when all their kind was human?"

"It is similar to the aristocracy.  The ruling class are born
nobles, the others are not.  If you were born to the Exiles, you
were an Exile; if you were not, you were a slave.  The people
perhaps believed, or were forced to believe, that there was little
they could do about it.

"This of course, would lead to a sense of 'godhood' about the
Exiles.  In the years that they reigned, they themselves believed
they were gods, and, more importantly, the humans under them
believed they were gods.  Then, the empire became corrupt, for the
Exiles could do anything to the humans at their whim.  Their last
and most horrible ruler was one called Pandora, who gave the people
misery from sun up to sun down.  There is mentioned something about
a box she had..."  Nephlite heard the thrumming of fingers on the
table, an indicator to hurry through.

"About this time, the then-king of the Moon kingdom, Lunarious,
opened the gateway to the Moon kingdom, and offered his help to
humans, to increase their social and technological evolution, much
like today.  When he was refused by Pandora, he sent an advisor
named Prometheus to dwell among the humans, surreptitiously
teaching them of science, government, everything that would help
enlighten their minds.  Pandora found out and had him executed,
which forced the retaliation of the Moon Kingdom, and the
surrounding planets.

"The Exiles were beat down, branded, and banished to a dark place,
deep within the Earth.  Humans then were freed of them, and the
Moon kingdom restarted where Prometheus left off."

"This is absurd!" Jadeite snorted.  "Bear-like demons, a Pandora
and her box, a Moon kingdom war against Earth!  This sounds like a
child's fairy tale!  Plus, this doesn't tell us anything about this
Beryl person!"

"Her guards bore the mark of the Exiles," Nephlite snarled, "she
comes from that kingdom."

"Can you be sure?" Endymion asked.  "She may have read the same
book and copied the symbol for her own purposes."

Kunzite opened the book to the first page.  "No, your Majesty.
This was exact, to the very last detail.  Even the kind of gem she
used was correct."

"And this is an original author's work," Nephlite said.  "I do not
believe she would have been able to have a copy of it.  Even I had
trouble locating it."

"Supposing this is all true," Jadeite said,  "how come she's here
now?  I think the Moon kingdom should have sealed them off
somewhere, right?"

"They could have found a way," Nephlite insisted.  "I do not know
when this book was written, but it was written long ago, before
First Atlantis was destroyed by Queen Serenity.  The events had to
have taken place before then.  In that time period, they could have
found a way out, and if she is from the Exiles, it would explain
why she names no country or alliances."

Kunzite nodded.  "Then why ask for an Alliance with us?"

"Revenge upon the Moon kingdom?" Endymion suggested.  "We hold the
only gate open to it on Earth.  If Queen Beryl establishes an
Alliance with us, she would gain easy access to the Moon kingdom."

"But what would she have to offer?  If her forces were greater than
ours, she could try to conquer us.  Then, she would have total
control of the gate."

"And why hide?" Jadeite put in.

"She did not hide," Kunzite answered.  "She knew I saw her
insignia.  She let me see it."

"Maybe she thought we would not know." Endymion frowned.  This
woman was causing more questions than answers.

"We have the largest library in the world," Nephlite answered.
"The works here are not only human written, but also by the Moon
People.  We would have known something, at the least."

"Perhaps she just wants to marry Prince Endymion."

Four incredulous stares focused on Zoicite.  Maintaining his easy
composure, Zoicite looked them all evenly.  "Think.  She offers
nothing for an Alliance: no affiliations, no army, no country.  The
only thing she could offer, should she want to keep her history a
secret, is herself.  In marriage.  How else would she build an
alliance?"

Silence ticked away at the moments.  "Are you sure you're a man?"
Jadeite asked.

Zoicite bristled, but before he could retort, Endymion interrupted
him.  "You may be right.  However, we won't find out unless I speak
with her, correct?"

Four heads reluctantly nodded.  "Kunzite, you will join me in the
hearing.  The rest of you, find out, unobtrusively if possible, but
FIND OUT more about our mysterious queen."

                              *****

Queen Beryl walked into the throne room, head held high.  Endymion
was just as handsome as she thought he would be, with deep ebony
hair and eyes as dark as deep night.  The general beside him,
Kunzite, was as fair as the snows and equally as handsome.  But his
harsh eyes were not nearly as inviting as the Prince's.  This would
be her quarry, her prize, and with him, her vengeance.

"I welcome you, Queen Beryl," Prince Endymion bowed.

Beryl smiled, returning the favor.  "I am Queen Beryl, your
majesty."

"My advisors tell me you wish to forge an Alliance?"

"Yes."

"How, may I ask?  I know nothing about your country, or what it
could offer us."

"My people do not wish to be revealed, at this time.  A cautionary
measure."

 Endymion and Kunzite exchanged a look, some of their suspicions
confirmed.  Endymion pretended to show interest, leaning back in
his chair.  "Then how do we form an Alliance?"

"I offer you power beyond your wildest dreams."  Her voice rose
with her enthusiasm, her heart beat faster.  She had to convince
him, she would convince him.  "Power to match that of the gods!  My
people, and myself, offer you that power."

"Power?" Endymion repeated, simultaneous with Kunzite's scowl.  If
they had the power of the gods, why try to form an alliance?
Feared retaliation of the Moon kingdom?

"Yes," Beryl's sharp voice dulled over with sultry tones.  "I can
give you that power, the power to rule the Earth, the Moon,
everything!"

"On what conditions?  Subservience?"

"No.  Marriage."

Zoicite's triumphal cry rang through their heads, and both were
glad he was not around to hear this.  Endymion shook his head.
"And if I refuse?"

Beryl blinked in surprise.  His refusal never crossed her mind.
"You dare refuse?" she growled, her voice sharpening.

His face grew equally as dark.  "I 'dare' to do anything I want.
If I do not want your proposal, I don't have to accept it.  And I
will not."

"I offer you your dreams, Endymion!  Do you not care about them?!"
She was screeching now, a hawk's battle cry.

Endymion waved her off.  "I have nothing more to say to you.  You
are asked to leave New Atlantis."

"I will not!"  Talons drawn, she leaped at the prince, planning to
force him to her will.  "No one refuses me!"

She stopped short, as cold steel pressed on her neck.  She looked
up into the icy stare of General Kunzite, who had whipped out his
sword in a moment's time and held her at bay.  "You will stay put."

The double doors to the throne room swung open with a bang.  Beryl
craned her neck to see three other men, all handsome, and all
wearing the same general insignia as Kunzite.  She returned back to
Endymion, a new idea flashing in her mind.  "Surrounding yourself
with men?" she cooed, her voice the purr of the tiger. "I had not
thought Endymion that sort of man."

The sword pressed harder upon her neck, as Endymion's scowl
deepened.  "I have a love already," he declared.  "The princess of
the Moon kingdom.  Her beauty outshines yours like the sun does the
moon."

Beryl curled her lips into a snarl.  "Serenity?  That cursed
wench?"

Endymion's face molded into a copy of the general who had his sword
pressed to her neck.  "I asked you to leave.  Now, I order you to."

"I would obey him, this time," Kunzite rumbled, pressing a little
harder.

Defiantly, Beryl turned around, storming out of the Throne room.
The three other generals parted for her as she left, all three with
swords in hand and similar scowls on their faces.  She watched
them, and began to laugh.  "This isn't over, Endymion," she cried.
"I will have you.  Make no mistake on that."