A/N: Extremely faith-based story, as usual, so don't be shocked. As always, viewer discretion is advised if you're really not into that.
It's based on Flyleaf's album Memento Mori (my favorite album ever). Inspiration and many quotes are drawn from the "Letters from the Commander" (which can be found on flyleafonline). [Disclaimer] I don't claim those quotes as my own writing (or quotes from the songs), nor do I claim any ownership over Sailor Moon, Flyleaf or anything else referenced.
Queen Serenity is symbolized as Christ, and Queen Beryl as Satan. Moon Kingdom = Passerby Army. Dark Kingdom = Dread Army.
This story is told from the POVs of the Senshi, as well as a made up soldier, and the POV changes throughout.
Slightly AU.
To my favorite ones, sons and daughters of the Moon Kingdom. I hope that these stories from your journal entries from your past life and the war with the Dark Kingdom make it back to you intact. When the time is right, your past will be revealed to you. Grace and peace till we meet again.
Yours faithfully,
Queen Serenity
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The Soldier
I woke up to the sight of the beautiful white drapes hanging over my room's window. Queen Serenity's palace was the most gorgeous, exquisite place in the universe. I always love staying here during our military training because, despite the hard work and discipline, there's an inexplicable peace here that you can't get anywhere else.
The Moon Kingdom prepares us for battle, but even more importantly, Queen Serenity teaches us how to love, and to bring Truth to people. The Moon Kingdom's mission is to bring peace, faith, hope, freedom and above all, love to the entire world. Our mantra is "Memento Mori". These words remind us that our mission is urgent, and that when death comes to anyone, at 18 or 80, a mortal life proves to be short. We are reminded by Memento Mori to never waste a moment without advancing the mission. The fate of our children and grandchildren depends on how we use the time we are given. We never initiate war here; we're trained to be missional and to protect ourselves and our Kingdom. However, throughout history we have battled with dark forces on Earth to defend our allies when they were attacked. Additionally, we often face spiritual war within ourselves and even with individuals we encounter. This is why this is our most important mission that we could ever take on: to always love and never give into the darkness of hate and lies.
We spent most of today strength training with our army commanders. We always practice with our swords and our shields, knowing that our job is to offer strength and not to abuse it. We would use this strength to defend our Kingdom if we were ever attacked, and the four Sailor Senshi, who are some of our main commanders, would use their celestial powers as our main source of defense. They train regularly to combine their powers into a counter attack to deflect any attacks from enemies. On days like these, our captains would always remind us that though our strength is growing, our true strength comes from the Lord. We usually end our days studying Scripture and having one-on-one mentoring sessions with our captains and leaders.
The Earth Kingdom is also part of the Moon Kingdom. They train their army in a likewise manner and we are all one body, one bride, one united people who share the same mission and who are always there to defend the other. It was rumored for years that contact between the moon and Earth was forbidden, until the Queen was approached and that rumor proved a lie.
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"Your Majesty," the four Senshi bowed with reverence. "We need to speak with you."
"I've been longing for you to come and talk to me. I've missed you," the Queen lovingly and joyfully went up to meet them. "How are you? What do you need to tell me?"
"Princess Serenity keeps sneaking away to Earth and has been seeing someone down there…" Venus got down on her knees. "We tried so hard to talk to her and stop this behavior, but she won't listen. She's in love. Your Highness, please forgive us for failing, and for not telling you sooner. We know that contact with Earth is forbidden, and we desperately ask your forgiveness."
The Queen humbly knelt down and hugged her, and gave a reassuring look to the others. "Of course I forgive you, my dear ones. You know you always have my love. And I know what Serenity has been doing, and I also know Prince Endymion. You should know that contact with Earth has never been forbidden; it was a false rumor that was spread on the moon long ago and carried over to Earth. The Truth is that division among people is not how things are meant to be. We are to love all of our neighbors at all costs."
The Senshi stared at her, stunned. "Your Majesty, with all due respect," Mars stepped forward. "Why didn't you tell us this before?"
"I was not keeping it from you. If you're searching for the Truth, you can always come ask Me. But I never see any of you anymore. You never talk to me or spend time with me, as if you are avoiding me. How am I to interact with you if you are so distant?"
"Our deepest apologies, but we're always trying to train and carry out the mission, and life gets so busy…"
"I know that. And I love you no matter what. But just know that I'm here. I'm always here, and you can always come spend time with me."
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Venus
I had just finished up my one-on-one meeting with my captain, and ended up having to go to Earth to look for Serenity. She was taking much longer than usual to return, and was supposed to be spending the evening with the Queen.
I stepped into the teleportation chamber and took a dizzy ride over to Prince Endymion's palace. Traveling there was always good practice for me, as I was able to lovingly interact with the inhabitants and everyone at the palace, whether they were friends, strangers, or even if they didn't care for me all that much. It was a way to advance our mission outside of home, which was our comfort zone.
I walked through Endymion's massive gardens in search of the couple, when I came to the training grounds where troops were training just like we were. Prince Endymion was their main captain, though he had been a bit distracted ever since Serenity came to visit nearly every day.
In the distance I saw Endymion's four generals, Kunzite, Nephrite, Jadeite and Zoisite, giving out orders. It was definitely a different dynamic and style from how we do things on the moon, but all for the same mission. They are our allies.
I walked past the training ground towards the other side of the palace. Kunzite, their leader, caught sight of me and basically walked away from the session to come after me.
"Princess Venus," he bowed respectfully. "I don't assume you're here just to stroll through the gardens. Are you looking for Serenity?"
"That I am," I bowed back. "Would you happen to have an idea of where to look?"
"I believe I do. I'll take you."
"But your training session?"
"The other three have it covered."
I followed Kunzite through a labyrinth of trees and shrubbery in what felt more like a forest than a garden, and soon found Serenity cheerfully giggling on a tree swing next to a pond, with Endymion gently pushing her on it.
"Princess!" I called out. "The sun is setting and it's getting late. You need to be home with Queen Serenity tonight."
"Oh, is it that time already?" she shyly blushed. "My mistake!"
Endymion took her hand as she got off the swing and came my way.
I turned to Kunzite. "Thank you for your help. Best of luck with the training out there."
"It was no problem at all. As always, don't hesitate to ask if you ever need help finding your princess."
He headed back to the training ground, cape blowing majestically in the wind. He's an interesting person. He has such a big heart and I know it, but often times he just seems… stern and solemn. He can be really hard to read. I can't deny that he's probably the most handsome man I've ever known, and for a while there, back in the day, I thought I was falling in love with him, but… I don't know. Romance isn't really an urgent thing for me right now. Still… sometimes I do miss the times when we would always hang out at the palace and spend time together while searching for Serenity; back when we believed her relationship with Endymion was forbidden.
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The Soldier
I had returned to my home on the other side of the moon, as our intensive monthly strength training was over. A few weeks later, we were all called back to the palace for one of our regular gatherings. However, at this particular one, my heart broke as I looked over our army. There was so much fighting and arguing.
"Your philosophies are sounding crazier by the day. Don't try to preach to me what you can't live out!" one woman shouted at another.
"You're so controlling and overbearing, and I'm sick of it! I get that I made a mistake in training, but you don't have to be a jerk about it!" another woman yelled to her commander, with others on her side.
"Why are we even training for war when there are other things we could be doing with our time?"
"I still don't think we should be teaming up with the Earth soldiers like this! How do we know the Senshi weren't lying to us about the forbidden contact being a myth?"
On and on it went. These men and women were ready to live and die for love, yet somehow they had gone from fighting the enemy of hate, to bickering and fighting each other. I thought through what I could say to encourage them again. With all the strength of my voice and my heart, I shouted: "Unified diversity! Functioning as one body, every part encouraged by the other, no one independent of another! Irreplaceable, indispensable, you're incredible, incredible..."
