The Most Important Thing
Chapter One: The Sky and Sea
Author's note: Sailor Moon does not belong to me, nor will it ever, it belongs to one glorious woman *Naoko Takeuchi* and that is all. No Lunarians were harmed in the writing of this story.
Serenity stared silently out the window as a gentle breeze rustled her long light pink hair.She breathed in the scent of the world that was her father's kingdom, and she smiled at the memories she has obtained in creating it. A rare experience to live alongside her mother in her teen years, but it was one in which she treasured. Serenity was over a thousand years old, yet she appeared to have just reached her 18th year. It was peaceful at the Crystal Palace, and there was hardly ever a word spoken of the Galactic wars any longer. Things had begun to calm back to the way it had been for her Grandmother. The original, mysterious Queen Serenity. If only there had been a chance for them to meet, Serenity and her grandmother. She wondered what memories she would have of her famous ancestor. Lost in thought, Serenity stretched her arms above her head and breathed in a deep sigh. Peace was something she had been fighting alongside her mother for, and although the costs had been dear, she cherished the lost memories of her times as a Senshi.
"Serenity?" A voice behind her spoke gently, yet it startled the princess. She turned around to see her long time child-hood friend.
"HotaruForgive me, I have been day-dreaming again." She walked up to her small friend, and looked her over. "That dress looks wonderful on you. I sometimes wonder why you have yet to remain single after all these years."
Hotaru smiled, staring down at the deep purple gown that fell to her ankles before her. She whirled around and the skirt flared out into a perfect violet tulip in full bloom. "I love to dress up on these such occasions. It is like I am back in the times of Knights and Dragons."
"You are a princess after all, and there are plenty of princes out there for the dainty damsel of Saturn." Serenity smiled as she fastened her crown carefully before the cone shaped odangos on her head.
Hotaru made a face "I am not dainty. I can still beat you." Serenity smiled, about to speak when a trumpet sounded far in the distance. "Come my friend, we don't want to miss this do we?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Announcing her royal majesties daughter, the future Queen of the new Silver Millennium, Princess Serenity!"
The sounds of trumpets filled the air, and Serenity waved to the beautifully dressed royals around her. They smiled in joy at seeing her, some for the first time, but most who had known her since her days with Luna-P. The banquet had started, and Serenity joined her parents at the royal table by the Crystal Fountain of Hope. It was a tradition that each royal that came to eat at the table would place their hands in the Fountain of hope to maintain peace throughout the kingdom. Serenity gracefully dipped her hands into the cool water and she smiled at her reflection. She looked so much like her mother that it frightened her sometimes, but she loved to think of the fact that she could become like her beautiful mother. Her father stood as she approached them and helped her to her seat. She kissed his cheek as she sat, her caring father smiling warmly at her. Life was so utterly perfect for Serenity that she feared time would take everything away from her. She loved her parents, but she also missed the parents that she had grown to love in the past. It had been so long since she had seen them that she was starting to forget what they were like. Lost in thought, Serenity did not notice when the announcement was made of the new Royal Knights. It was a banquet to celebrate the coming of age of the Knights of Serenity, the royal protectors, sworn to the death to fight for the lives of the royal family. Serenity's mother had long since stopped fighting as Sailor Moon, and her court of Princesses were each now able to go back to there home planets and live in peace. However, the royals still needed protection. Only the best knaves were allowed to try for the positions of the Knights of Serenity, and these four had passed the most rigorous of tests. Hotaru, who was seated at her left, jolted serenity back to attention.
"Wake up Serenity!" She hissed. "How can you help but see these young men?"
Serenity rolled her eyes as she brought her attention back to the proceedings. The four young men came before the royal table, followed by their trainers, and those who had deemed them worthy of serving the royal court. King Endymion stood as they approached, and they bowed in respect to him. He straightened his suit and began addressing the first of them.
"Who claims this man worthy of holding my families lives in his hands?"
The man standing behind the knight stood proudly; ready to show off his pupil.
"I am your highness. Before you stands Epimetheus, son of Tethys and a great and mighty warrior. He has passed all tests of endurance, physical strength, and he is highly intelligent. This young man has pledged his life and his bow to your service, and he is an expert bowman your majesty."
King Endymion nodded, and motioned for the boy to stand. He was tall and well built, with a handsome face. His short brown hair rested loosely over his forehead, and his eyes gleamed with the pride of family blood. Epimetheus was a warrior, and Serenity was glad he had been chosen to be on their side.
The coronation continued down the line with Ananke, a master with the spear and the first of his class in espionage. He was shorter than the average warrior, but his eyes were cautious and daring. His long blond hair was tied back to his shoulders, and it was clear that he was a strong fighter just by the way he stood. The third young man was as tall as Epimetheus, but he was not as built. Serenity thought he looked more like scientist than a warrior, but she soon learned better. His name was Charon, and he was skilled in the art of bow fighting and martial arts. His hair was a deep blue and held up by a headband across his forehead. Charon had a look of honor, and joy on his face, and he seemed happier than the rest of them, at least, less serious than the rest. Serenity graciously smiled at him, knowing he would be one to strike up a conversation. She could tell he had a good spirit, and was more than just a war machine. Sometimes, a warrior needed a heart as well as a fighting spirit.
Anxious to leave the ceremony, Serenity glanced out side at the beautiful full moon. It gave her hope that one day she would live there with her own great palace, and rebuild the legacy that had long been extinguished by evil forces. She wanted to have a great kingdom, with a loving husband and a daughter of her own to raise and teach of the legacy of her family. She sighed in her daydream just as the last Knight was announced. Hotaru nudged Serenity again, and she turned back annoyingly just as the young man before her lifted his head to the table. Serenity's breath caught in her throat. It seemed as if the world moved in slow motion as the two met eyes, her crimson ones, to his deep ebony eyes. He was a little taller than her, about the height of her father, but looked to be much stronger. His hair was a sea green, and it was cut just above his ears and down his neck in a casual, but appropriate look. She heard nothing but the beating of her own heart as he suddenly looked away from her as though he had forgotten his entire purpose for being before the royal family. Serenity realized she had yet to take a breath, and it came in as a gasp. Hotaru stared at her in curiosity, but Serenity just waved her off. She looked back to the young man and listened intently to the man announcing him.
"Your majesty, before you stands Ganymede, son of Oberon. He is the highest skilled warrior in the art of swordsmanship, and has the accuracy of the greatest hunters to ever live. This young man has passed the hardest of tests with ease, and if I may say so sire, he was in the front line in the Galactic wars."
That brought a whisper to the crowds around the royal table, and a gasp from Serenity's mother. Everyone knew that barely anyone had survived the Galactic wars and lived to tell about it, especially from the front line. Serenity stared at the man in curiosity. He did not seem to her to be a fierce enough warrior to survive such a thing, but she also knew that looks could be deceiving. King Endymion looked upon Ganymede in wonder.
"I commend you for your courage young warrior, and I thank you for your help in the great war. It is my decision that you are not to be in the normal role of the Knights of Serenity, but now act as a personal body guard to her majesty the Queen. You have proven yourself to the entire world, and you should be honored for it."
The room erupted in applause as the young man stood before the table and bowed again to them. He looked at the Queen with all the respect and dignity she deserved and nodded to her. "I will give my life to protect you your highness. You are now my heart, and I will do whatever it takes to care for you." Serenity watched as her mother smiled in thanks, and she replied to him.
"It is a rare young man who has the courage that we have heard from you today. I hope that your life does not have to be sacrificed for mine, and that we may continue to live in peace."
Ganymede smiled, a beautiful addition to his handsome face, as he answered, "Your hope is the worlds hope your majesty."
Serenity looked upon him in awe and suddenly realized she did not want to take her eyes from him. His words were soft and melodic, and he stood with the air of a royal prince. As the four turned to leave the presence of the royals she watched as he glanced back at her for an instant, and a rush of emotion flooded her face. She saw him smile at her as he continued on his way to begin his job as her mother's royal protector.
"Serenity, your face is flushed, are you alright?"
Serenity glanced at Hotaru as she brought herself back to the real world. "Oh! Yes of course, I justlost track of what was going on, that's all." She smiled at her friend, and then watched as the floor filled with dancing couples. "Ganymede" she thought. "What an interesting name"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"My lady, I do believe we have not been properly introduced, and I shall be forced to walk in confusion if I do not soon find out your name." Hotaru spun around in surprise as Charon approached her.
Her face blushed as she muttered out, "H"She glanced at Serenity with wide eyes, and Serenity forced down a giggle. The Knight smiled and gently took her hand, falling to one knee before her.
"It is my honor to meet you Hotaru. May I please ask you for a dance on this fine evening? The music is calling to my heart, and I believe it would like me dance to it. Will you join me?"
Hotaru smiled to him, her courage returning, and her love for a challenge showing on her face. "I would love to." She glanced back at Serenity and smiled. "Catch you later Princess. Don't wait up" She winked and walked away with her Knight.
Serenity crossed her arms and giggled to herself, shaking her head. If only that poor knight knew what he was in for. She turned and quietly slipped out of the ballroom and into an empty hallway. It was quiet, and Serenity could only hear the gentle tapping of her shoes, and the faint sounds of music and laughter coming from the ballroom. The moonlight shown in from the windows, and Serenity gently touched her fingers to the glass. It was a beautiful night, and she closed her eyes, thinking of the magnificent looking eyes of Ganymede.
"Why has he intrigued me like this? I don't even know him!" Her thoughts swept through her confused mind, and she did not notice the figure that had joined her in the hallway. Very gently, Serenity felt a hand on her shoulder, and she whirled around to see her beautiful mother."Mama!" She gasped. "You surprised me. You are so quiet when you walk."
Queen Serenity smiled as she glanced out the window at the full moon. "Forgive me, I thought you saw me approach you. What troubles you Small Lady?"
Serenity frowned. "I'm not Small Lady any more, you don't have to call me that."
Queen Serenity took her daughters face in her delicate hands and kissed her forehead. "You will always be my Small Lady Serenity. You are my dear child, and I will always love you. So what bothers you enough to leave a dance? You love to attend royal gatherings."
Serenity sighed, sitting on the windowsill. "It is nothing important mother. I don't think it is my place to complain of such a thing."
The Queen sat beside her daughter and looked at her in curiosity.
"You may tell me anything that is on your mind Small Lady. It is why I am here."
Serenity sighed. "I wish I could be out there fighting again. To fight the good fight for love and justice, to right wrongs and triumph over evil. I had only begun to obtain my powers, and now there is no more chance to use them." She sighed. "It's not like I want evil to be out there, or for people to be getting hurt, but I miss the days when I could fight alongside" She paused looking into her mother's crystal blue eyes. "Alongside you."
The Queen smiled, taking her daughter's hands into hers. "I understand Small Lady, it isn't wrong to think such things. It has been years since I have seen Setsuna, or Michiru, and I have yet to see Seiya or Yaten since they left Earth. We are grateful for our peace, but it comes at the cost of our separation. You will one day be the Sailor Moon that I once was, and it will be up to you to protect all that we hold dear. The Ginzuishou crystal has protected this palace for so long that I have nearly taken this peaceful time for granted." She gently stood, still holding Serenity's hands. "Keep the spirit alive in you, and there will always be a place for Sailor Moon and her fight for justice. It may be in a different form, but she will always be there."
The Queen released her daughter's hands and walked back towards the ballroom. Her footsteps made no sound, and she seemed to glide across the floor. Just as she reached the door, however, it opened to reveal the Queen's new personal Knight. Serenity's eyes widened as she saw him. His armor gleamed in the moonlight, and almost seemed to be glowing. He bowed to the Queen and held the door for her. She smiled, glancing back at her daughter, then stopped before him.
"I shall be with my husband for the rest of the night, and have no need for immediate protection. I would like you to please stay with the Princess for tonight." She continued through the door, and closed it behind her.
The hallway was eerily quiet as Serenity silently cursed to herself. Why had her mother done this to her? Why did it have to be him? She slowly stood from the windowsill as he approached her, and watched as he bent to one knee before her.
"Your majesty." He said, his eyes to the floor.
Serenity motioned for him to stand, and she stood still, nearly inches from him. The two were speechless, as though a thought was being shared between them, and there was nothing in the world they could possibly say to each other. Finally, Serenity broke the silence, eager to get out of the situation she had been thrown into.
"I have heard that you are a brave Knight, Sir Ganymede. I also fought in the Galactic wars." Serenity cringed as she realized what she had said. It wasn't exactly what she had planned on speaking to him about, and her words had seemed to slip away from her. Ganymede's eyes widened as he listened to her.
"A princess fighting in a war." He shook his head "It must have been horrible for you. I know it was for me." He looked into her eyes, and Serenity could almost see the pain of the memories he had. She sighed, glancing back outside.
"I know it is night, but it is still early. It is warm outside, and I wish to see the lake. Do you think my parents would mind?" She turned back to Ganymede, her eyes full of hope.
"I will accompany you milady, no matter what you do, I am to stay with you. Where you go, however, is up to you." He smiled slightly, and Serenity wished at that moment she could capture that smile, and look upon it whenever she wanted. He offered her his arm, ready to escort her to the lake, and Serenity took it with delight. His manner was so gentle and he remained so utterly polite in the presence of others. Serenity couldn't help but admire him. Throughout everything he had experienced, and all the bloodshed he had probably seen, Ganymede was still a perfect gentleman.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ganymede stayed by the Queen's side no matter what it was she was doing. Queen Serenity often became disturbed by his presence due to her experience in protecting herself. Serenity happened to overhear her mother speaking to Ganymede one day, asking him to please let her go alone to an important alliance meeting. Serenity wondered how Ganymede would reply to such a request, but she was surprised at his answer.
"Your Highness. It is necessary that I am nearby simply because you are a Queen. You are special to us all, and were meant to be protected."
Serenity stared at him in wonder as her mother gave in to her bodyguard. He was good with his words, and he made sense with everything he said. Serenity's father often spoke of him as though he was a pupil of his, and of the wonderful things he could do. Serenity loved the mysteriousness of him, but hated that she knew very little of him in general. Her own daydreaming was constantly interrupting her studies, and she rarely spoke to anyone like she used to. Serenity became shy to everyone, and word started to go around the palace that the Princess was suffering from depression. However, no one dared to act on the rumor, and Serenity continued to stay in her silent world of loneliness. It was almost as if she had once again retained the lonely child feeling that she had had when she was with Luna-P. It suddenly occurred to Serenity that maybe to reconcile her feelings she needed to see a friend more dearly to her than anyone in the known galaxy. The King and Queen allowed her passage to the furthest planet as a sort of vacation for their silent child. She was given one guard to go with her, despite her wishes of traveling alone. So Serenity traveled to Pluto with Epimetheus and her guardian cat Diana. Both of which had no idea why the trip was being taken in the first place, but they dared not ask.
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"Small Lady!"
Setsuna held the base of her long dress tightly in her arms, being careful not to trip on the flowing yards of silk. She was in her royal gown of Pluto, a long black dress that was to show off her beauty and gracefulness as she walked. However, as she ran barefoot through the fields of the royal palace, her gracefulness was replaced with the happiness of a child running to greet a treasured friend. She leapt over a fallen log and ran happily towards the palace where Serenity was expected to arrive any moment.
"My dear Small Lady," she thought to herself. "How long it has been since I have seen your cherub face, and your cheerful smile." She felt tears come to her eyes as she raced through the high grass. Her dress dripped slightly across the field, giving away her trip to the nearby river. She loved to listen to the running water and feel it's gentle healing on her feet and hands. It was something she was never able to do in the 4th dimension, and she cherished every sensation that had been unavailable in the space of time. She may have been royalty by blood, but she was a child at heart.
Setsuna ran quickly into the Onyx palace and raced through the halls to the meeting room. Her guards knew better than to get in her way, and all were at their posts, ready to defend her at any second, or to help her from the floor in case she happened to slip. Her smile was as bright as the faraway sun as she entered the room to see Serenity standing graciously before her. The Ginzuishou crystal provided the services necessary for travel as well as protection, but only to those born of the moon. She arrived just in time to hear the announcement of Setsuna's return, and was exhilarated to see her long time friend. Setsuna stood in the doorway, her breathing hard and forced from her running. She slowly walked towards Serenity and circled her, disbelieving what she was seeing.
"Small Lady?" She gently put her hands on Serenity's forehead and felt the crescent moon birthmark that appeared on all moonchildren's foreheads. "It is you! Look at how you've grown! I can't believe this is the same Small Lady that once came to me as a lonely little child. Look at you!" She looked into Serenity's eyes with tears falling down her cheeks. Serenity smiled happily and hugged her longtime friend.
"You have no idea how much I have missed you! I have wanted to speak to you for so very long, but for some reason, I started growing older again, and Mama and Papa wanted me to start my schooling. I wanted you to be there so badly." She hugged her tightly, her own tears starting to flow. "Ever since the Galactic wars"
Setsuna stopped her, and placed a finger to her lips.
"Let's not speak of the sad times. Come." She led her out into the Onyx palace. "You must tell me everything that has happened, and all that I have missed."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Charon swung his fights hard into the stuffed dummy, and used all the power he had to crush it between his hands. The practice equipment never had a chance as it exploded into a pile of floating fluff in the air. Charon smiled, flexing his muscles around his back.
"That's one less dummy to kill! Ha Ha!" He punched a wall over and over in his full adrenaline state and smiled while doing it.
"How many of those are you going to kill before you realize they don't hit back?"
Charon swirled around, fist flying, ready to attack whoever had snuck up on him. However, his fists hit hard into the flat edge of a sword, and he pulled back, cursing all the way.
"Damnit Ganymede! Why would you do such a thing to an unarmed man?" He leaned back against the wall, his breathing coming out in heavy gusts, and his deep blue hair matted down by his ears.
"I wouldn't exactly call you unarmed. Look at that! You dented the sword." He threw it to the side. "Glad it was yours."
Charon looked up at Ganymede with wide eyes and lunged at him with a full war cry of a lion. Ganymede easily fell onto his back and flipped him over his shoulder, sending Charon sprawling to the ground. Quick to his feet, Ganymede turned in preparation for another attack, but Charon simply lay on the floor laughing.
"You know cousin, I do believe I was supposed to be the martial arts expert here."
Ganymede smiled, helping his cousin to his feet.
"You are the expert Charon, but not when you fly at me while throwing a wild fit."
The two of them laughed as they sat against the wall of the training gym. Charon took a deep drink of water and placed a cool towel across his neck. He looked at Ganymede.
"So what brings you to this lowly place? I thought you were rubbing elbows with her majesty the Queen."
Ganymede nodded. "I was."
Charon folded his arms, staring at his cousin's profile.
"Well thenwhat's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. The Queen has no need of me right now. So I thought I would come see you."
Charon nearly choked on his water as he laughed.
"Ha!since whendo you wantto come see me? Something's up with youso what's your deal?"
Ganymede sighed, leaning back against the wall. "What do you thinkof Serenity?"
Charon shrugged. "I don't know. She's a queen, what's to think?"
"Nonot the queen. Thethe princess."
Charon slowly turned to look at his cousin. Ganymede avoided his gaze.
"You aren't serious are you? You're making eyes at the princess of this galaxy? As in, all 9 planets of this solar system? That's some serious crush man!"
"I know! I know! I just" He stood up, slapping his hands against his legs in frustration. "You have no idea what it's like! She's so beautifulever since the day of the coronation, when our eyes met for just that instant, I felt as though time had stopped completely. I could feel her inside my head, reading me, knowing that I thought she was the most beautiful thing in the galaxy. I swear she knew! And thenand then the queen assigned me to guard her one night, and I thought I would pass out. Oh, if you could just see her beautiful eyes." Ganymede sat back down beside his cousin, and looked at him in desperation.
"What am I supposed to do? I can't be with a princessI'm a knight!"
Charon nodded, sipping his water. "Yes, you are. I can't believe it man. I never knew you thought that way about her. Did you ever think she might feel the same way?"
Ganymede closed his eyes and pictured Serenity. Her long flowing pink hair, and her deep crimson eyes. She smiled at him and the world around her seemed to magically come to life. She was perfect. He opened his eyes.
"How could a princess ever love a knight? I'm expendable. The one who dies when the assassin tries to take a life. The one who is to fight in their place when they are challenged. The one who"
"The one who loves someone so much that he would risk his life to protect her." Charon interrupted quickly, staring at Ganymede. "The one who would do anything for them, who would give the Moon and the stars at their very bidding, and never give a second thought. The one who loves her."
Ganymede looked at his cousin and smiled. "Thank you Charon. That was all I needed." He stood and walked away from his cousin, exiting as quietly as he came in. Charon shook his head sadly.
"What have I done?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ganymede wandered aimlessly through the palace on his free time, watching the world pass him by through the enormous windows of the palace. He wondered how long it would be before the princess returned from her vacation, and what he would do when she did. It was hard enough for him to deal with the emotions he thought he never had, but harder still to stop from dealing with them. It was unfair for a warrior to be in love, especially to royalty. He shook his head.
"I'm not in love! I don't even know her!"
He kicked at the marble ground in frustration. Nothing in the palace could have calmed him at that moment, and he would've surely gone mad if he hadn't the overwhelming sense of duty branded into his brain. Finally, he decided he may as well get some sleep, and he headed back to his quarters. In the shadows behind him, a lone figure stood watching the poor Knight in his frustration. The figured laughed in a low and harsh tone, and walked out into the sunlight. Dressed visibly in a black cloak, the figure had but a single crescent moon on their forehead. In the glow of the setting sun, it glittered as crimson as fresh blood. With a flash of red smoke, the figure disappeared from the hallway, as mysteriously as it had appeared.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serenity stared out at the falling rain outside of her window at the Onyx palace. Her hair was undone and fell gently around her ankles. She had been with Setsuna for three days, and she was still unable to speak to her about anything that had really bothered her. It felt as though she couldn't tell anyone. As though she was the only one who would understand her own reasoning. It seemed an impossible situation to her. She knew he was a knight, and that love was forbidden between them, but something still kept her hoping. She shook her head, putting her hands to her cheeks.
"No! I am not in love! I don't even know him!"
She sat down on the bed that had been provided for her, and watched the lightning fill the room every few seconds. It was always dark on Pluto, but the artificial sun had been shut off until the storm was over. The room was dark and eerie, but it didn't bother Serenity. She had felt the darkness of total sorrow long ago, and the lack of sun did not scare her. She remembered her time as Wicked Lady, the horrible things she had done to everyone, and yet she had almost enjoyed herself, as though she was acting in a play where no one was actually getting hurt, and what she was doing wasn't real. However, it was real, and she had hurt many people. She shivered in her bed, thinking of the horrible thoughts that had been in her mind. Loneliness, bitterness, hatred. Her mind had been shadowed by all of these emotions, and yet the one thing that had saved her, was love. How ironic that that was the one thing she was running away from now. She gently turned herself over onto her stomach, and pulled her pillow to her chest. She sighed, thinking of Ganymede's deep ebony eyes, and she smiled. Maybe one day she would get to know him better, then she would not feel as bad about her role as a princess, and his as a knight.
The cloaked figure stood beside Serenity's bed watching her still, sleeping figure. The red crescent moon on his forehead glowed darkly from the lightning flashes outside. The figure gently touched Serenity's forehead, and her golden crescent moon glowed in the darkness.
"Child of the Moon." He whispered. "You are everything that I hate in this world, and yet you are so beautiful."
He stood away from her and raised his hands above his head. Slowly, a circle of red smoke appeared around him, and it reached over towards Serenity's sleeping figure. Her slumber undisturbed, Serenity disappeared, and in her place was an exact replica of her. The copy was exact in every way, except that there was no life in it. The cloaked figure laughed silently as the smoke appeared around him once again. He disappeared just as the door opened to reveal Epimetheus. He gazed across the room at the figure he assumed was Serenity, and was satisfied that she was asleep. Very gently, he shut the door, and remained at his post, convinced nothing would happen to the sleeping princess.
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