In the Darkest Hours
Chapter 1 - Memories and the Beginning.
By Minako-chan4
Oh yeah just so we're clear on this. I do not own Sailor Moon (wish I did, but I don't).
Character inner monologues or thoughts will be encased in
Events occurring in Crystal Tokyo will be in Italic words
She walked the abandoned streets of the white city. Long ago you could clearly see the buildings' white surface reflecting the light of the crystals that shone at the top of the cave.
Now, well… nature had reclaimed territory. The trees had grown to break the rock paved streets; buildings were covered in moss or vines -the stone barely damaged, as they were made with the stone from the caverns themselves.
The princess walked into the main building of the Arts School, she remembered times spent with teachers and children. Because of tradition she was schooled with the common folk for all the arts, everything else she was tutored at the palace.
The hallways' paint and murals were faded and the magnificent tapestries that used to hang inside had rotted away. The dust of millennia had settled into a thick coat of dirt and now plants were growing as well in the inside of most edifices.
Yes, the grandeur of the Venusians kingdom was faded. The caverns that were once filled with people, were now quiet. Beryl had made sure of even having most animal life killed, so now the only sounds were from bird-like creatures indigenous to Venus and the waterfalls and rivers that ran through the caves.
It pained her to think that if she had managed some control, she might have prevented this disaster. Minako -now only known as Venus or Sailor Venus- felt sadness, emptiness and remorse. There were no graves for the dead, their bones disintegrated thousands of years ago.
Her planet and other planets could have been spared if she had not told her love some of her secrets. Venus did not have the Mercurian safety shield like the other planet's had. But because of its completely inclement and inhospitable surface barely anyone could pass through the atmosphere.
But she had given Kunzite the key to protect himself from the weather and Beryl had used the knowledge for the invasion.
A great pain took over her heart and she could no longer bear the sight of her planet. She transported back to her office in the palace of Crystal Tokyo. Yes Neo Queen Serenity had fulfilled her destiny about one hundred years ago.
Tokyo had turned into Crystal Tokyo and they had been living relatively peaceful lives –minus the few crazy psychos that had appeared. The Senshi weren't needed as often… well at least not to fight youma, more as dignitaries of state.
They had already confronted the invasion of the Dark Moon and with the help of their past selves, Crystal Tokyo had been peaceful for years now. Little Lady (Chibi-usa) was no longer chibi, she chuckled at the thought.
She had her quickened growth spurt several years ago, and now she was a young beautiful girl that had boys fanning over her. Endymion was really protective of his little girl; tried to keep any boy at bay.
He would often get mad at her, the goddess of love, for helping Little Lady sneak off to meet her boyfriend, even if she never left them alone. "As if he didn't ask Serenity to sneak of to meet him back in the Silver Millennium". She always did manage to calm him down though.
"I guess boys will be boys." Speaking of boys she had to meet with Kunzite. Her face became void of any sentiment, she had convinced herself that working along side him wouldn't affect her, but for a while now, she wasn't too sure she had made the right choice.
She remembered the day Serenity had insisted she get someone to help her so she could get a break. Being lead senshi was definitely a 24/7 job. The girls were great help in dealing with some things: Michiru liked to head diplomatic meetings; Makoto and Hotaru loved doing public work plans; Ami and Setsuna led the Health and Development Commission; and Haruka and Rei took care of security when it came to the Royal Family.
But she dealt with budgetary issues, internal and national security issues, military training and projects, education projects… sigh well a lot… It was closely compared to being Queen again on Venus… although in Venus she had had more help -her royal consuls who'd help her plan her schedule and deal with all she had to do.
When she had taken him in as her aid she had thought that she could handle the memories; that those feelings from her past life were just that, feelings from a past FORGOTTEN life.
He was after all the most capable military officer and had come highly recommended so it had been the logical choice. She stared through her window to see her planet again, how beautiful and peaceful it seemed…so unlike her mind.
Well now she had Kunzite to help her, and even though he was a great deal of help, she still felt something deep down inside her heart… She could not and would not forget what Ace had told her so long ago… No, love was no longer part of her life, duty came first.
"Lady Venus, I'm sorry to disturb you, but their highnesses are waiting."
She turned to see him standing by the entrance of her study. "Ah yes, thank you General Kunzite." It was already morning, time for breakfast and she hadn't even noticed the passing of hours. She had many sleepless nights as of late so she was growing accustomed to feeling tired all the time.
As she walked outside and he followed behind her she was a bit slower… she felt her body quite heavy. Though she didn't show her lack of sleep all the time (most probably because of the energy that flowed through her veins due to her connection to Venus) she often felt exhausted beyond belief.
She walked to the dinning hall and passed the gardens. To her mind came those times when she had walked majestic halls like these on Earth so very long ago. It had been back in the Silver Millennium when she had investigated things on Earth.
In those still peaceful months before the fall of the Silver Millennium, she had stayed on Earth for two months. It had been enjoyable and painful all at the same time; she had fallen in love with Endymion's head commander back then.
Silver Millennium
It had taken much convincing the Council, but finally she had won. She was now on the planet her parents had loved almost as much as Venus. Sure no one knew who she was, and only a select few would. She was to hide while, through Artemis, she would do the negotiations, thank Aphrodite for psychic abilities and mental connections.
Artemis in front of her kneeled before the Queen and King and so did everyone else in their party. "King Prometheus and Queen Hera, I thank the gracious manner in which we have been received and extend salutations from Queen Serenity. I hope these talks will lead to peaceful relations between Earth and the Silver Alliance."
The King and Queen smiled and approached the Ambassador. "Please Lord Artemis rise. It is a pleasure having you back on Earth." The Queen laid a gentle hand on Artemis' shoulder and smiled kindly. "Shall we escort you the banquet being held in your honor?"
"Certainly I'd be a pleasure, but before we do I would like to give you a surprise. Might we go somewhere private?" Artemis couldn't help but sneak a look at her out of the corner of his eye.
"Very well it will not hurt if we delay some." The King turned to his son and smiled. "Endymion if you and your aides wish to, you can proceed to the grand ball room. We shall be momentarily."
The King escorted his Queen and Artemis; a smaller girl in a cape followed when Artemis took her hand. She was carrying a small box in her hands and everyone in the welcoming committee could not help but wonder what was inside that small box.
The four of them entered the study and the King proceeded to lock the door. "Well Artemis what is this all about?"
Artemis smiled at them and went to the person in cape; he removed the hood. The Queen and King stood there stunned. "Oh my! Venus! My darling little girl!" The Queen ran to her and embraced her. "Are you really here? How ever did you manage to convince the Council to allow you to come?!"
Venus in return hugged the Queen tightly, she had few memories from her childhood but she always remembered the Queen and King fondly. "Well aunty with my charms, as always." She gave a demure chuckle.
"Girl you've really grown into a beauty." The King took her hand and twirled her around. "Now I understand the rumors of you being thought to be the reincarnation of Aphrodite."
The Queen gave her husband a small push. "Darling don't embarrass her! My dear will you be staying with us during the talks?"
The young blond smiled warmly. "Yes aunty, I am the appointed Ambassador of the Silver Alliance. The Council did set one condition on my being here, that my identity not be revealed till after the talks."
Artemis who had been standing of to the side without saying a word now intervened. "Her Magesty will come along on the scheduled visits around Earth. However when in council, I will act as her mediator. Only your most trusted council members may know of her presence. Do you think that will do?"
The Queen and King looked at each other with a look of utter surprise. "Her Magesty?!"
Venus gave a serious look at her guardian but turned to the Queen and King with a smile. "Some time ago I became the appointed sovereign of Venus, but I shall tell you all about it later. Do you think it will be possible for me to reveal myself?
The rulers looked at each other with a solemn face. The Queen approached the younger sovereign and took her hands in her own; she smiled wearily at her. "My darling I think it better not to reveal your identity to no one. Although things on Earth have been more peaceful, the Council is not as loyal as they once were. They all are out for their own interests."
Venus was still and serious. "Very well, we shall evaluate the situation later on in the talks. Is there any way that I could still get information on these rebellion forces without speaking to the council?"
Both Royals seemed to think long and hard on the matter. Then the Queen smiled. "You should speak with Endymion's aides. They are loyal to us without a question; they all were by his side since childhood. You might have met one of them when you were a child."
"They are quite knowledgeable with everything that goes on in the kingdom as they are being trained to be his aides when he becomes King." The King smiled with fondness at her.
"Your Majesties, I beg your pardon. But who is the one that might know her?" Artemis interrupted.
"Oh, General Kunzite. I do believe you two might have met a few times when he came to see Endymion. It was before the incident with your parents that he started coming here; you were but three and he was six back then. I do not believe there is any risk in him recognizing her Lord Artemis."
Artemis remained serious but nodded his head.
"Well then we should head to the ball room. I hope you both have brought your guises. After all I did send word that it was supposed to be a masquerade ball." The Queen almost jumped with excitement when she said this.
"Forgive her, she does very much enjoy masquerade balls. And well, in this case it will work to our benefit as we do not want anyone finding who you are."
"Dear why do you not proceeded to the ball? I'll accompany these two to their rooms so they can change." The Queen then quickly placed the hood back on the small blonde's head and signaled them to follow her.
The prince and his men, now in with regal costumes on, were walking through the gardens towards the grand ball room in silence. "What do you gentlemen make of the Ambassador and his aides?"
"I think it odd that they would want to present a gift with out all the Terran council members present." Nephrite walked behind his liege and spoke with boldness.
"Princeling did you notice that one person in the hood? No one else in his escort had their face hidden." Zoicite just looked back as he thought back to the reception.
"Well that person was small enough to be a woman, perhaps it was his personal aid and he did not want to reveal her. I have to say all his aides were very beautiful… I heard lord Artemis resides in Venus." Jadeite looked up into the sky with a wide smirk in his face.
"Yeah so?" Zoicite looked at him with an eyebrow raised. He had an idea of where their Casanova was going.
"Well if all those girls were Venusians I can't wait till interstellar travel is permitted again." The short haired general gave his friends a large Cheshire-cat smile.
The four men next to him stopped and turned their eyes with exasperation in their faces.
"What?"
"Ever the Casanova Jadeite, truly do you not think of anything else but women?" Kunzite looked sternly at his third in command.
"Ice-King, not everyone can go without female company as long as you." The blonde stared with a smirk at the head general.
The head general paid no heed to his underling's comments and stopped right before entering the ball room. "Kunzite are you not coming inside?" His prince asked behind him.
"I prefer to stay here."
Endymion looked at his head general with dissatisfaction. "Come on Kunz, you barely ever want to join us in any ball. You should learn to enjoy yourself and relax."
The general remained where he was and did not move a muscle. He was not willing to go into the ballroom and have women fawning around him like he was a prize to conquer.
"You could bump into the love of your life you know. If you don't meet people, you'll never settle down." Nephrite chuckled as he knew exactly why his superior did not want to join them.
"Nephrite, I have yet to meet a lady with brains and other interests besides climbing the social ladder. The day I do will be the day I'll settle. However seeing as how that's highly unlikely, I am not willing to waste my time. Have a delightful evening gentlemen." He turned on his heel and headed towards the gardens without one more word.
The four left behind stared off as he disappeared into the dim lights of the garden. "We really have to find him a girl. He's too boring at times." Jadeite looked at his retreating form, sighed and then went into the ball room.
The others sighed as well and went inside.
"No, no. That will not do…" The Queen stared appreciatively at her niece.
Venus stood in front of the Queen with one of her Venusians dresses on. It was a strapless empire waist dress, the top was embroidered with an intricate pattern of vines, leaves and flowers in golden string.
The pastel yellow silk fabric of the skirt fell in cascades around her and reached the floor. It trailed behind her almost as a wedding dress should. She wore her hair down as always, with tiny white flowers in her hair and only a simple pastel orange and yellow mask with two curling feathers on the top right side to hide her face.
Venus's ladies in waiting could not understand why her dress was not suitable. They had always dressed the princess for functions and were always complimented on their job. Everyone said she always looked like the goddess she was.
The princess stared at her reflection, she loved the way her ladies in waiting dressed her. But maybe her aunt was right this was not the regular garb of Earthlings and she might call too much attention upon herself.
"I'm afraid her majesty is right." She turned with a friendly smile to her ladies. "I think it best if the Queen helped me on this. You have done a wonderful job ladies and dressed me like a true Venusians. However if I am not to call any attention upon myself I will have to look like an Earthling."
The girls around her gave a disappointed sigh, they wanted their princess to look like the Goddess she was and impress the Earthlings with her beauty. They curtsied in front of her and stepped back. "Very well your majesty, as you wish."
The Queen smiled, yes she looked like Aphrodite herself, and she wished her niece did not have to hide her identity. "Well my girl, we must hurry, we cannot keep my husband and Artemis waiting for too long."
She opened her door and allowed her own aides to come in, they all started on the young girl. Although this was not the usual dress that a typical lady wore, the Queen's ladies in waiting wondered why the Queen wished them to change this girl's appearance. She looked spectacular as she was, but well the Queen's orders were the Queen's orders after all.
The King looked around the ballroom and saw when Queen came in accompanied with Lord Artemis. However he wondered where the young princess was, he did not see her anywhere.
The Queen approached him with a smile and curtsied in front of him. "My Queen, where is Lord Artemis' escort?"
His spouse smiled and sat on her own thrown by his side. "She will be along in a few minutes."
"Was that the hooded person in the reception mother?" Endymion came to their side with three of his generals beside him.
"Yes my dear, you will soon meet her." The Queen smiled. "Why don't you enjoy yourself in the meantime?"
The King's brows furrowed as he looked at his son and his aids. "Son, where is Lord Kunzite?"
His son sighed and gave a small smile. "You know how he is father. He decided to stay outside and remain vigilant for my safety there." The prince bowed with his aides doing the same and began to retreat. "I you will excuse us father, I think I should tend to our guests." The prince turned and went to speak with dignitaries, and royals alike.
Venus walked through the halls somewhat lost, she knew the general direction for the Ball room. But truly she wasn't sure how to get there. Plus this dress was quite constraining, she started wondering if it had been a good idea to dress as an Earthling. The corset that the earthling women wore was taking her breath away. It was ridiculous for any women, who did have a small waist to show off, to wear, as it did nothing more to your figure than exaggerate a small waist.
She felt like she had now a straw waist, she barely felt oxygen enter her lungs. However the princess kept going. When she turned to her left the blonde stood in front some French-style doors that opened up to a large garden. She was sure that if she followed the building around the garden, she would eventually bump into the Grand Ballroom. That's how regular palace architecture always was.
Kunzite stood far from the ball and watched as the people inside enjoyed themselves dancing. He could see his prince dancing with women, all looking for his attention. Fawning around him like simple ladies without any class or style. He felt himself disgusted and turned his head.
He stood still as he looked out into the gardens and saw a young woman in a white dress lost in thought and admiring the flowers. She moved somewhat awkwardly and slowly in the dress as if she had never worn one, however she still held herself with style and a regal attitude.
She was looking around with awe at the rose garden smelling each flower and touching them with care. He saw she had flowing blond hair held up in part with pins and the rest falling around her shoulders in curls.
Blond hair was not common around the city or even its suburbs…. He decided he would approach her if only to find out where she was from.
Venus continued looking at the flowers, they were so beautiful, all different colors and their smells enchanted her. She hadn't been able to stop herself when she had looked at this part of the garden. It was so beautiful, she heard steps behind her and turned slowly… Ups… maybe she wasn't supposed to be here.
"Milady, are you lost?" As she turned her head with a demure shade of pink on her cheeks she felt like she had been caught red-handed. She turned her head to meet the eyes of the stranger and was frozen on the spot. He had a simple white mask and behind it two grey eyes.
He in turn looked at her intently, those two blue eyes were haunting and reminded him of someone he met long ago. He wasn't sure who, the mask did not allow him to see anything but her eyes; it covered the rest of her face.
"Not quite milord. I was looking for the ballroom when I got distracted by these flowers. They are so beautiful, I've never seen anything quite like them."
He looked at her with curious eyes and she froze, Oh god did I say something wrong?. "These roses you mean? These are common flowers around these parts. You must be from far away milady."
Venus gave another demure smile, she really had messed up, she just hoped this gentlemen was just a guest in the Palace for this one night. "I am indeed." She felt herself a bit dizzy and faltered. The man's strong hands held her in place.
"Are you feeling alright?"
Venus couldn't let him know that it was because of the corset, it might be another silly mistake to let him know she never had used one. "Oh just felt a bit under the weather, but I am fine now. Thank you kind sir."
"Then allow me to escort you into the ballroom." Kunzite offered his arm to take the young woman in. It was quite strange but he felt completely curious about her. He forgot for a moment his dislike for noble ladies and their shallow personality.
And as he escorted the woman in, a few people turned their heads as they passed. Indeed the sight of golden hair was strange; for some women it was even stranger to see the platinum haired General in the ballroom with a woman. He soon felt eyes on him but kept his attention on the lady. His prince and the other generals were looking at him in awe.
The feel of their stares brought him back and he turned to them; he would never hear the end of this. It was then he heard a voice next to him and turned to see Lord Artemis looking at her with a serious unreadable face. "Ah you are finally here, come my dear. Thank you…"
"General Kunzite." He put his arm to his chest and bowed lightly, never once taking his eyes of the woman that was before him, who now looked at him with wide eyes. So she knew his name, and seeing as how she also knew Lord Artemis, then she must be part of his escort.
Artemis remained quiet for a second, then gave thanks and took the lady away from him. He stood there seeing them walk away, and there was something in the back of his mind that told him he had to find out who she was. Those baby blue eyes were so familiar…
End of Chapter 1.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, this story will continue to float between the Silver Millennium and Crystal Tokyo because it's how I've intended it . You will see that for a while I will concentrate more on what happens in the Silver Millennium but then we'll switch .
Wish I could say that I will update soon, but I've had to rewrite this story when I already had a lot down. My computer crashed sometime ago and I lost a lot from my other stories too u oh well. Cya in the next chapter!
Review if you feel like it I'll appreciate it!