So I've been working on this story since before the beginning of time. Or something. Anyways, I got tired of it taking up space on my computer and not going anywhere. So here it is. Right now I have about 36k words of lameness written. If the story gets any support (that is, if people can stomach it long enough to get through it) then it might motivate me to finish. Plus, I need something to do while I'm waiting for the awesome and amazing Silas to finish writing stories.
And um, Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me. At all. Boy, I wish it did, though. Then I could actually do something with myself other than write lame fanfictions. ;D
And without further ado (otherwise known as me talking on and on) sit back, relax, and try not to vomit after reading the story. :)
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10 years previous…
It was a period which contained no time, and endless time. A solar system on the brink of disaster, and yet, at the peak of its prosperity. These were quiet times, at the cost of a few lives who had died making it so- a small price to pay for peace. Nine planets exist within the system, each containing their own unique peoples who live, day to day, blissfully unaware of the approaching turmoil.
Yet there is one who feels the full impact of the impending chaos. One whose destiny is far greater than any other mortal who lives on these planets. She is the queen of the moon revolving around the planet Earth. Her name is Serenity.
Queen Serenity senses, and, in a way, sees the imminent future. She can feel that things in the universe are not right. She knows that evil forces from another solar system are gathering to attack the planets of her solar system, taking away their hard-won peace, and she knows there is but one way to stop it.
She will have to call on the power of the Sailor Senshi.
The Sailor Senshi, which exist only in the oldest and vaguest of tales: little is known about these 9 mysterious beings. It is said that they are super powerful auras, incarnated into girls of noble heritage. Still others believe that their mystic powers can be bought at the bazaar for $29.99, but the most common tale is that these Senshi were once the normal protectors of the galaxy, before a terrible battle destroyed them all, and sealed their powers away.
Only Queen Serenity, the oldest among her people, remembers the true nature of these long-ago beings. Named for the peace she would one day deliver to the solar system, she herself was the Sailor Senshi of the Earth, the only survivor of the terrible battle. Being the only survivor, she was shunned by the people that mourned the loss of her comrades, and, distraught, she sealed away her Earthly senshi powers, never to be resurrected, and fled to the nearby moon.
The spirits of her dead friends live on in their respective planets, their powers able to be used and called upon by those destined to fill the roles of senshi- Queen Serenity knows it will take time and training to mold them into warriors, and she feels the days counting down until the system's destruction. She must move quickly if she is to retain the peace she desires.
She looks down at her beloved 6 year-old daughter, Usagi, and smiles sadly. "If only we could keep our peace forever… then I would not have to dread the day when you must go into battle." Kissing Usagi on the head, she looks up at the sky, blinking back tears.
"Please let there be a way for me to keep them safe…"
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10 years later….
The cool, refreshing drops soothed her heated skin. Her blood still boiled with a mild annoyance, but relief, now, overtook her senses for the most part as she scrubbed furiously at her forehead and arms.
"Haruka!"
The tall blonde's head snapped up at the calling of her name and she dropped the bar of soap in the sink. She raised an eyebrow at the man's reflection in the mirror and reached for a towel to wipe the drops of water that trickled down her cheeks.
"Are you going to celebrate with us or not?"
Haruka pulled the towel away and stood up straight, to her full height. She half-smiled at the man's reflection and vainly tried to fix her tousled hair.
"A shower would do me more good, but I suppose it will have to do," she mumbled as her stubborn bangs fell down into her eyes.
The man smiled. "Managed to get all the blood off?"
Haruka shrugged. "From the visible parts."
"I see." He shook his head in amusement. "Well then. Come. The men are quite annoyed that their leader is not present for all their celebrating."
Haruka chuckled. "I suppose none of them will tell me this, eh?"
The man put his arm around Haruka's shoulder in a friendly manner as they walked. "Well… you're not all that approachable, especially by those who've seen you fight."
A few minutes late, they arrived at the dining hall- a grand room containing a long rectangular table made from a sturdy, solid wood similar to oak, with chairs bearing fancy designs in the arm and backrests. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting bright light over the room which sparkled and accentuated the gold trimming and decor.
The table itself was set for a feast and was covered with every food imaginable, from small roasted game to an assortment of fruity pies and custards. Gathered around the table, seated comfortably and clinking glasses with one another, were the top 25 soldiers in the Uranian military, also known as the Jou, all who had sworn their allegiance to Haruka's father before he and her mother were killed in an assassination. Upon seeing their faces once again, Haruka was reminded of their extreme loyalty, for, after they found out that Lord Uranus had been murdered, they had sought their own justice and had slain the alleged, but obvious, murderer. None could be proven to have been the actual deliverer of the justice, but Haruka knew that they had done it- and she was glad for it. It saved her the trouble of having to do it herself.
The pressure of running her kingdom, the highest and most powerful of the kingdoms on Uranus (which left her indirectly controlling the entire planet), had not been easy on one so young. It had seemed like only a few months ago her parents had been slain, although they'd been dead for more than a year. She'd had to mature rapidly, more so than any other 17 year-old, and now that she was almost an adult, she felt her childhood slipping away like sand falling through her fingers. Sometimes she felt as though she were once again a child, crying alone in the dark, wishing only for her mother's comforting embrace and soothing words, or her father's loving smile and support of everything she chose for her life.
But as a leader to her people, she could never show that side.
No, it had certainly not been an easy task. But Haruka was by no means a quitter, and much more stubborn than her father had been.
Perhaps the only thing that made the kingdom easier to run was Kayle, Haruka's personal right-hand man. He had worked under her father and knew everything about running things at home- controlling the military, handling the press, and especially keeping tabs on the financial and business aspects. On the other hand was Tachi, her third-in-command. He had not had as much experience as Kayle, but knew the business almost as good. He handled things on a more planetary level such as defense, communications, and interplanetary relationships.
With a planet to run, Haruka did not have time for social interactions outside of her crew, which left her spending most of her time building relationships with her Jou.
Although more than twice her age, Kayle was her best friend and had been the same to her father. He had seen her born, babysat, taught her to spar among numerous other skills that she had excelled in, and, being alone in his solitary service with no children of his own, treated her as if she were his own daughter. Now, after winning her first victory in battle, he was more proud of her than he could ever express.
As they entered the room and the Jou respectfully rose to their feet and bowed, Kayle was awed and amazed at the power this 17 year-old held over these men and himself. He was an intimidating man in his own right, and stood at 6'2" with a muscular, brawny body, and light brown hair that was graying on the sides, but even he did not hold the kind of respect that Haruka got. She was truly destined for this role, he thought, and praise the gods for him being able to witness it!
Haruka smiled as one by one, the Jou unsheathed their swords at her in ceremony. She returned their actions as best she could, still a little awkward at being so revered.
"Ah, Tenoh, if you could only see your daughter now," Kayle thought, smiling as the swords were replaced in their sheaths and he listened to Haruka's short speech of gratefulness. He followed Haruka to their seats at the table and sat down beside her, and they said a quick prayer and began loading up with food. It wasn't long until the hall echoed with hearty laughter and merry conversation.
Haruka glanced over at Kayle, who sat on her right, watching as he piled his plate up with Uranian squash.
"What?" he asked curiously, looking at her suspiciously. She smiled and shook her head, resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully.
"Nothing," she replied.
Kayle grinned and cleared his throat loudly, trying to gain the attention of the dining hall.
Haruka gave him a look and shook her head. "Kayle, what are you--"
Kayle stood up, raising his glass in the air. "I propose a toast!" he said loudly, and Haruka sank slightly into her chair, staring down at the table. "To Haruka!"
"TO HARUKA!" the hall echoed.
"Her brave leadership is unmatched by anyone in this galaxy. We are all in your debt," Kayle continued, then lifted his glass as if to say he was done, and raised it to his lips.
Haruka tilted her head and lifted her own glass, standing up as Kayle returned to his seat. Her strong voice carried across the room so every man heard her.
"My parents have been dead for more than a year," she started slowly. She paused, considerate. "Father used to tell me that, 'the greatest strength and the greatest weakness of a king is his people- his greatest duty, to his people," the Jou began to chant the last line with her, "and his greatest sacrifice, for his people.' I know that's true, and I was very honored to serve with you today. I hope you will continue to serve with me. To the people!" And with that, she raised her glass and took a big drink to the cheers and screams of her men.
"Well done," Kayle said with a twinkle in his eye as she returned to her seat. "Your father would be proud."
Haruka smiled, the feeling of utter embarrassment and lameness that had filled her moments before disappearing at the support of her crew. She looked over Kayle's shoulder and noticed an urgent-seeming Tachi approaching them.
She raised an eyebrow in question and he indicated a letter in his hand. Even from the distance Haruka noticed the seal of silver.
It was from the Moon Kingdom.
"They want you to be there by tomorrow evening," Tachi explained.
"Tomorrow eve-- why, I'd have to leave today!" Haruka fumed.
"You'd have to leave right now," Tachi corrected quietly.
Haruka paced back and forth, her teeth clenched, her hands balled into fists. "Of all the…" she trailed off, her eyes darting wildly around the room, trying desperately to think of an escape.
"Can't I just send them a 'no, thank you' card?"
"I'm afraid your presence is required, Haruka."
"What about--"
"Haruka, listen," Kayle interrupted. "Why don't you just fly out there? It won't hurt to see, will it? You can just fly out there for a day or two, consider the queen's request, make a decision, and then let us know."
"Kayle, I've made my decision," Haruka said pointedly. "There's no way I'm leaving Uranus in this state! We just had a civil war with a side I'm not even sure is civil. Who knows where they came from, or what they are? There could be more--"
"And if there are, you're only a day away," Kayle reassured. There's nothing that we can't handle- after all, I did work for your father for 20 years." Kayle winked.
Haruka sighed. "The point is, why can't they just accept my apologies? I don't want to be a Sailor Senshi, and to fly out there to tell them so is kind of a waste of my time--"
"--what could it hurt to consider it, eh?" Kayle reasoned.
"I don't think you're listening, Kayle!" Haruka said suddenly, grabbing his collar firmly in her fist. "Have you SEEN the skirts they wear?!"
Kayle laughed nervously and flushed a slight pink. "Well… erm… there are worse things…."
Haruka sighed irritably.
"Besides," Tachi finally said, holding up the letter and pointing to a specifically important part, "As part of the Alliance, you will gain full protection from the other planets in the Alliance as well."
"Meaning?"
"Well, if we DO need extra troops or supplies for a war, we can summon back-up from a nearby planet to help us."
"Haruka, this is a great opportunity," Kayle said seriously, looking into her fierce teal eyes. "I know you don't like the idea of being signed into a contract like this, but think about what's best for Uranus." He put his hand on her shoulder. "I know you'll do the right thing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to summon attendants to pack your things." He winked.
Haruka stood in stunned silence, fuming.
How could life have been so good and then turn so horribly bad within the span of a few hours?
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Aaaand that's it! You survived! (or didn't survive...) :)
