PROLOGUE:
The kingdom lay in smoldering ruins. Tears stung the Queen's steel gray eyes and threatened to spill over as she surveyed the shattered remains of what was once a vast and glittering empire. The devastation was almost total: not a single building still stood, not a single subject still breathed, and worst of all, her own daughter's body lay limp, bloodied, and lifeless on the castle steps.
The attack came on suddenly and it was over in a matter of days. Civilization after civilization had been destroyed until only the Moon was left. There hadn't been any warning. Communications had been cut off and Serenity suspected that betrayers to the empire had been responsible. It had taken only hours for the empire's armies, who for centuries had steadfastly guarded the perimeter of the kingdom, to be destroyed. They were no match for the thousands of shadow warriors sent to the Moon to wipe out every living soul.
And now only the Queen remained. She climbed the castle steps – what remained of them – with the stately composure befitting Her Majesty. All is not lost, she thought bitterly as she gazed upon the Imperium Silver Crystal that hung suspended in the air before her. Its light was greatly weakened, but not yet spent. This last incantation would extinguish the crystal for one thousand years. And though her daughter would have another chance at life, she would never know her true mother, for when the Crystal went out, so too would Serenity's life force.
Serenity knew the Crystal's most supreme power had been harnessed only once before, to end the Great War that ravaged the universe millennia ago. She knew that the incantation would only trap the evil, not destroy it. But she prayed that when the time came, this time her Princess would be ready. She would have the power to vanquish the Dark One once and for all.
"Sleep well, my darling daughter," said Serenity softly. "I pray we meet again someday."
She took a breath, channeled the spell, and spoke the words: "Cosmic Moon Power!"
And all went dark.
