Hi everyone Elysian here ^^

This is my very first story, so I would love to know your opinions

So please click on the big review button XD

disclaimer: I don't own sailor moon, naoko takeuchi does

The tension was high in the 54th Academy of Elysian. It was almost palpable in the air. You could see it in the way the teachers kept fidgeting with their hands when they thought that no one was looking, the way the keepers kept pacing back and forth and how the principal, who would normally smile kindly at all of his pupils, couldn't even look them in the eyes today.

It made Serena very nervous. The other students had been guessing at the cause of the anxiety all day, resulting in the most unbelievable gossip ever traveling through the hallways of the school at the speed of light. Yet she knew they took this matter very seriously. Anything that made the guardians that fearful could never be good news for their protégées. It didn't help either that they had no contact with the outside world. Gossip was just a way for them to ease the tension.

Serena clenched and unclenched her hands, trying to control the anger rising up inside her. It was just so unfair!

Growing up in Elysian meant being stripped from your family at the tender age of 3, then being locked away in one of the 76 academies in the kingdom for the next 17 years while some strangers decided over your fate.

Serena sighed. It was not like she could change a 900 year old tradition by herself, yet she couldn't help getting upset over it. It wasn't like the others didn't care, they just didn't know any better than the insides of this academy's walls. Serena did however. When she turned 3, her parents didn't want to give her up. So they ran, hoping to make it to the border in time. They did not. They were found by soldiers, who tried taking Serena away from her parents. Her parents resisted however, and got killed in front of Serena in the process. That day was etched in her brain forever and to this day, 14 years later, it still caused her nightmares.

"Will all the student please come to the main hall." Principal Artemis suddenly announced after lunch. Serena looked up from her salad, feeling dread settle in her stomach. They were finally getting an explanation, though she wasn't sure that she wanted to know what was going on. She swallowed, trying to keep the panic from rising. Together with the other students, who also looked very anxious, she went direction the main hall.

The principal stood on a high platform, waiting until all his students arrived. You could see on his face that he didn't like the news that he had to bring. When finally, everyone was in the main hall, Artemis cleared his throat.

"Welcome students, it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our beautiful queen Molly..." Serena's body started was trembling, how could this be? Tears pricked in her azure eyes, she couldn't believe this. Three years ago, she was lucky enough not to be of age yet, her best friend Molly however had not been so fortunate. She was selected as a candidate to be the Elysians next ruler and miraculously was crowned less than two years ago. That was the last Serena saw or heard from her friend. They might have grown apart, but Serena still loved her dearly. Molly sudden death was like a stab to her heart. She barely heard the principal as he continued his speech.

"…this means that there has been another selection in order to choose her successor." Serena should be terrified at this, but she couldn't seem to find the energy to care. Molly was dead. Beautiful, bright, smiling Molly was dead. Serena baled her fist so tight, her nails were digging in her hand palm. Yet it was nowhere near as painful as the thought of her cold and lifeless friend. Silent tears started to roll over her pale cheeks.

"Will Serena please come forward." Serena looked up, everyone in the main hall was staring at her with a mix of shock and pity on their faces. At that moment she understood.

She was chosen.

Serena chuckled, how fitting that Molly's dead would lead to her own. The other students probably looked at her like she was crazy, having expected her to start crying or begging maybe. Yet Serena laughed at the irony of it all. Regardless it didn't matter what they thought, it would be the last time she saw any of them.

She walked to the platform, the other students parting for her like the red sea, holding her head high. Artemis looked in her eyes, surprised to find them devoid of fear. He nodded once and gestured to two women who had appeared behind him. They looked aristocratic; both dressed in cerulean, knee length, jersey dresses. Both had the royal emblem stitched on them. Serena started walking forward understanding that she was to follow them, but the principals hand stopped her.

"Good luck." He whispered. Principal Artemis was a good man, sending a young girl to a certain death, must have caused him a lot of grief. Serena looked up at him and smiled, trying to tell him that it was okay. Artemis's blue eyes lighted up a tiny bit, so Serena turned away from the man and followed the keepers from the Royal Academy.