Hello, everyone. This is my first fanfiction in years and my very first Sailormoon fic. I binge-watched SailorMoon Crystal after putting it off for a long time and I"ve had this idea stuck in my head. It itched at me so badly that I had to stop writing my original work to get it out. I hope you enjoy reading it even half as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Prince Endymion stood irritated as his Shitennou inspected his appearance like some sadistic form of mother hen. They were to arrive on the moon shortly and thus present themselves to the monarch of the Silver Millenium and her soon-to-be betrothed daughter. He was dressed impeccably, a crisp white tunic under the black jacket that he had been given to wear. Fashion on the moon was a bit different from Earth, but he found he wore it quite well. "Your father will expect you to be on your best behavior and represent our planet proudly." Zoisite reminded him, removing an imaginary speck from the Prince's jacket. "It's an honor that she allowed your name to be added to the list of potential suitors. We might be a part of the Silver Alliance now, but we're completely in the dark about their traditions, customs and most of their courting procedures."

"You make it sound like I'm jumping to marry this Princess." Endymion gritted out. Despite his slight excitement to actually step foot on the moon, the crown prince had no personal urge to partake in this event.

"Who said the princess would have you?" Nephlite retorted jokingly. The two generals had accompanied him, leaving the remaining Shitennou, Jadeite and Kunzite, to watch over his ailing father and his planet.

Before the prince could trade jabs with Nephlite, someone knocked on the door waiting respectfully for a reply. "What?" yelled out Zoisite not bothering to open the door to let the man in.

"The captain would like to inform his highness that we have arrived and are preparing to dock." The muffled reply called out from behind the door.

"Show time, Endymion." They would be on the moon for a few days as the lunar princess chose a betrothed. The entire event would last for a Lunar week, or until someone was selected, whichever came first. The humans couldn't understand how a week was enough time for the princess to even vaguely get a chance to meet much less get to know all of those vying for her hand. 'She'd probably go for the best looking fellow, so Endy has a better chance than most.' Jadeite had guessed when they were getting prepared to leave Earth.

Endymion's first glimpse of the Lunar capital was truly breathtaking. Some had described it as a utopia of unparalleled beauty with it's pearlescent streets and buildings carved from silver. Others had bemoaned it, a place of monotone dullness with no color or personality to call it's own. True, the metallic silver and white sheen of the capital wasn't an absolute delight for the senses but it gave the world a natural elegance. Although a prince, himself, Endymion started to feel a bit overwhelmed by the magnificence of the city.

He had also prepared himself and the others for the drastic change in gravitational force that the moon exhibited, but he was pleasantly surprised to feel only slightly different from Earth. Apparently, the moon palace was kept under a gravitational barrier, making it easier when they receive guests from across the solar system. He was lighter than normal but wasn't bouncing around the atmosphere.

Greeting them at the entrance was a woman with long black hair and dark purple eyes with a maroon dress to her knees and a black jacket similar to his own over her shoulders. "I am Rei, Princess of Mars, and I welcome you, Prince Endymion, to the capital of the Silver Millenium, the Lunar Empire."

"Princess Rei." Endymion greeted, bowing slightly as appropriate to her title as she returned the gesture.

"I hope your travels went well." She said as she escorted them from the landing dock.

"They were as expected," replied the prince, following at her side. Nephlite and Zoisite followed behind them, flanking him on either side. She took them the long way around the palace, showing them where they would have their meals, gathering halls and the like. "Your rooms should be ready by now. We expect to see you at 8pm for the beginning of the celebration. Someone will come to retrieve you for the festivities."

Their apartments, although smaller than what they had back home, were more than adequate for the week's stay. "8pm doesn't really give us any time to do anything at all." Nephlite commented as he put his feet up on the small coffee table in Endymion's room.

"I think that was the point. Chess?" Zoisite asked, spotting the set.

"I'll pass." Endymion said shaking his head. Being the newcomer to the Silver Alliance, he honestly didn't know what to expect when it came to these 'festivities' as the Princess of Mars had put it. Would there be some sort of test? He hadn't cared about marrying anyone but his father had insisted and he had acquiesced. The king's health was failing and if by some miracle of a chance Endymion was able to become betrothed to the moon princess it would cement their place in the Silver Alliance and set his father's worries to rest.

Not twenty minutes later, their escort arrived to take them to the ballroom. Not structured for a ball, it was set up with hundreds of chairs for princes, lords and their escorts. Nine additional chairs were set up on a balcony looking over them. "Well, there's no numbering or names on these things so we might as well just take a seat," Nephlite said taking a seat closer to the front of the hall, but not too far so that they wouldn't have to strain their neck to see above them.

The hall filled quickly, with both generals marveling at the number of suitors that had come to attempt to claim the princess's hand. "All rise for the entrance of her majesty, the ruler of the Silver Millenium, head of the Silver Alliance and Queen of the Lunar Empire; Queen Selenity." The room rose to their feet as the queen entered. Her long silver hair flowed behind her in matching pigtails, her usual dual buns gracing the top of her head.

"Welcome gentlemen to Princess Serenity's Third Bonding Festival. We hope that your journey to the Moon was pleasant. For now, please be seated."

'Third?' mouthed Nephlite silently to Endymion and Zoisite as they retook their seats. The prince couldn't help but give a hapless shrug. Was this really the princess's third selection of a fiance? What happened to the first two? Why had Earth never heard about them? Surely even that type of news would have made it to his planet.

"Without further delay, let me introduce to those who have not had the honor, my daughter and the reason that you all are here today, Princess Serenity of the Lunar Empire." The queen opened her arm behind her beckoning the princess forward. Serenity stepped forward following by a number of women who walked past her to stand in front of the unoccupied seats. The trio recognized one of them as the Princess Rei that had greeted them earlier.

The crown princess stepped forward, her hair in a similar style to her mother's save hers was a golden blonde with streaks of silver. She was a little thing. Endymion guessed that the little buns she had on top of her head wouldn't even reach his chin. She wore a muted pink ball gown with embroidered lace off the shoulder sleeves that continued its design through the thick fabric of her dress.

All around him he could hear chatter start, as some took in their very first glimpse of the heir to the solar system. She was too thin for Endymion's personal liking and a bit too young. It was no secret to his Shitennou that he had a penchant for choosing women older than him as escorts or for entertainment. The young princess looked no older than 16 to the Prince of Earth's 23 although, her face, Endymion had to admit, was exquisite. Despite the large eyes and extra weight in her cheeks that made her appear far to young for his liking, she was truly a sight to behold. Perhaps in a year or two, Endymion mused, as his eyes fell to his favorite part of her face, her lips.

"Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar to the procedures of the bonding festival let me give a quick recap of the rules." Queen Selenity continued. "Each of you will be given separate time to meet with the princess; whether it be for a meal or a leisure activity. These will be chaperoned meetings, where the princess will be accompanied by one of the Sailor Senshi." The queen's hand gestured to the seven who had entered with the princess. "After a week's time has passed we will either announce the Princess' choice or will call off the bonding festival as it has been unsuccessful. To show that we are fair to every participant, you will be entered into a lottery to choose your time with the princess. Can all suitors please stand? You will be making your way to the center of the room where my wonderful advisor, Luna, will be waiting for you to choose a time slot."

Serenity left her mother on the balcony, walking down to take a closer look at her suitors as they waited in line. Princess Rei of Mars and Princess Minako of Venus stood by her side. "Has anyone caught your eye, Sere?" Minako asked in a hushed tone as they walked around the ballroom. Some tried to maintain eye contact, but none approached under the frightening glare of the Martian Senshi.

"You know it doesn't work that way, Minako." responded Serenity. "If you're asking if there's any that I find handsome then yes, there's a number of handsome men here this evening." Always the romantic, Serenity hoped that she would be bonded to one of the more handsome men at the festival. That one lord from Pluto was quite handsome. She wondered if he was related to Setsuna as they shared the same green hair and cocoa skin. Uranus' younger brother, Prince Caelus, was also in attendance. The two could easily be mistaken for twins and while Serenity felt that Haruka might take offense at her choosing her younger brother over her, she would welcome her into the family with open arms. The fact that she was already bonded to the Princess of Neptune, would ease her slightly bruised heart.

"Princess Rei." Serenity turned her head at the man that had approached the Martian princess. One of them had long dark blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. His brunette companion was only a few inches taller and both wore matching uniforms.

"Ah, Generals." Rei nodded her head as they bowed deeply. "I'm assuming your Prince is in line."

The blonde nodded. "Yes, his majesty is almost to the front of the line." He responded and then turned to the curious eyes of the Lunarian princess. "An honor it is to meet you, your majesty." And the two bowed deeper than they had the entire trip.

"The pleasure is mine, my lords. And where do you hail from?" Serenity answered politely.

"Earth, your grace. And please, we are no lords. Just his highness's Generals." The brunette spoke this time.

Serenity perked up when she heard of their planet of origin. She hadn't been privy to the treaty that brought Earth into the Silver Alliance, and had only met King Alicud briefly before he had suddenly taken ill. "I see, and you are accompanying your Prince for the festival?"

"Yes. Prince Endymion has almost finished securing his time slot." The blonde general pointed to the front of the line.

"Which one is he?" She asked curiously. It was difficult for her to memorize the entire list of those coming and even harder for her to try and tell them apart from the back.

"The one with the black hair, your highness."

The head of black hair close to the front of the line towered over most of the other applicants near him. The prince of Earth had an impressive height to him. "I see. I look forward to meeting him in the upcoming days. Have a good evening, gentlemen."

She smiled kindly as she bid them good night. Following Minako as she cleared a path for her to exit the ballroom. "Well," she said as they had gotten a fair distance away from the crowded room. "We can put a tentative Prince of Earth on the list of handsome suitors. He looks quite nice from the back." She said grinning at the Venuvian Princess.

"Serenity, you can't base his handsomeness on the back of his head." The other blonde said bewildered.

"Well, it's not just the back of his head. His hair looks so soft and silky, even from a distance. His shoulders are broad and strong and his height." She squealed softly. "What was his name again?"

"Endymion." Mars answered shortly.

"You've been quiet, Rei. What have you got to say about all of this? My money was on Haruka's brother or that delicious Prince of Titan. You've escorted the Earthling Prince, what did you think of him?" Venus asked suspiciously over the usual mouthy Martian.

"Keep him on the list." Rei said, patting Serenity on the shoulder. "You have good taste."

"Oh so, he looks as good from the front as he does from the back?" Venus asked teasingly.

"Better." Mars responded, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Shit, I'd do him if he wasn't here for Serenity."

Minako's and Serenity's eyes widened. "He must be like Adonis to make Rei say something like that," Minako whispered, referencing the god worshipped dearly on her home planet, while Serenity just nodded along in shock. Her heart soared at the prospect of her being bonded to Endymion of Earth. Earth had never participated in the Bonding Festival before. It would be a fantastic new experience for them both.

"Dinner with the princess on Day 4. Not bad." Nephlite flipped the card that the prince had been given around his fingers.

"It's really not a bad slot at all. It's further in the week so you'll stand out more over those that she's met earlier. And you'll be the last person she sees that day, so she'll go to sleep thinking of you." Zoisite said winking at the prince who groaned and flopped back onto the bed.

"How am I supposed to do this? She looks like a child. Why I couldn't I be vying for Princess Rei's hand or even that brown-haired Sailor Senshi Princess?" Endymion complained.

"Brown-haired Senshi? You mean the one with the amazing rack?" Nephlite asked thinking back to the lineup of Senshi.

"That's the one." Endymion said not bothering to remove his hand from over his face.

"Now that's not fair, Endy. Nephlite and I met Princess Serenity while you were waiting in line and she seems to be a wonderful lady. Yes, she might look a bit young but if this is already her third bonding festival, she must be older than she looks. Besides, she seems interested enough in you, at least due to what planet you hail from."

"I know. She's just not quite what I expected the woman I'd spend the rest of my life with to look like."

"Did you expect to potentially spend the rest of your life with the supreme ruler of the Silver Millenium?" Zoicite retorted back.

"...No." came Endymion's quiet reply to his General.

"Exactly, so suck it up and stop complaining about Serenity's tits. You make it sound like the girl is hideous. She's gorgeous." He grabbed one of the pillows from behind Nephlite's head and smacked the Prince's leg.

"First of all, I never said she was ugly. She's extremely pretty. She just has a babyface. A baby face with one of the best set of lips I've ever seen, even from a distance. It's just confusing when I look at her. Second of all, I never complain about tits. Lack of tits is where my critique lies." Endymion never saw the pillows making their way toward his head.