"Congratulations on your second child, Queen Serenity!" cried an excited Princess Tonicia. Queen Serenity gave her a gentle smile, running her fingers over her baby girl's pale cheek which was an ivory white, and as soft as...well...a baby's skin. The young, four-year-old Princess Anoamias of Alania rushed to Tonicia's side. Anoamias was a young girl with slightly pointed ears, long blonde hair. She gave a curtsy to Queen Serenity, and then pouted.
"May I hold her, your majesty?" Tonicia gave a smile and knelt down so that she was at eye level with the small child.
"You're a bit small, Anoamias."
Anoamias looked up at Tonicia with pleading eyes. "I'm big enough! I was too small to hold Princess Serenity! Can't I hold the new Princess?"
"I wouldn't touch the new Princess if I were you," a voice rang out. Anoamias turned, clinging to Tonicia's arm, staring at the shadowy figure who stepped out for all to see.
"Princess Aeros!" Anoamias rushed over to hug the older Guardian Senshi who just glared down at her.
"I bring news, Your Majesty Queen Serenity...news of your child. A prophecy. She will destroy the Silver Millennium..."
It was then decided that the youngest princess olf the Moon Kingdom would be put into an eternal rest. Despite better judgement, Queen Serenity did not have the heart to kill her own daughter. She placed four senshi, Sailor DarkStar, Sailor Aeros, Sailor Valiant, and Sailor Solanis to guard the resting place of her daughter, which was located on the darkest planet at the edge of the Solar System: Nemesis. Queen Serenity also assigned four senshi to take action, should by some chance, the Queen's youngest daughter should awaken: Sailor Sirius, the senshi of the Dog Star, Sailor Alania, the senshi of the Planet of Light, and the twins, Sailor Shadow and Sailor Devastation, the senshi of gloom and emotional torment.
"Princess, please! Keep still!"
Anoamias fought to pull herself free of her nursemaid's arms. "Lantris!" she cried, watching her brother climb into the small ship that would take him to the aid of the Moon in the war with Earth. Tears threatened to spill from the corners of her eyes. She couldn't bear the immense pain of being alone again. So much was happening these days and so many people were leaving. Anoamias finally pulled from her nursemaid's grip and ran off into the palace, hiking up the skirts of her gown.
The palace's interior was inviting. Paintings of past rulers, family members, and bold knights lines the marble walls. Lush, soft, Alanian-made carpets rested upon the floor. Anoamias entered a large room at the center of the palace. At the wall opposite the large double doors were two thrones sitting on a marble platform set out from the wall with three steps protruding from each side. One was large, set in gold, and had red cushioning, while the smaller one was silver, and the cushioning was blue. A lush, deep blue carpet led from the doorway to the two thrones. Sandstone statues of previous queens stood on either side of the carpet.
Anoamias strode into the room, stopping before the statue of a young woman that could have been her double. While Anoamias held her grandmother's facial features, high cheekbones, a small dainty nose, and a small forehead, she bore the blonde hair that her grandfather passed down to her mother, and then to her. Yet, her sapphire eyes were that of her father, or so she'd been told.
Anoamias knelt before the statue, buried her face in her hands, and cried.
"What's this now?" asked a soft voice that was filled with concern.
Anoamias lifted her gaze and turned, seeing a strapping older Alanian standing behind her. He had a muscular build, tan skin, and long, brown hair. Anoamias knew him well. His name was Talon. He was a knight who had looked after her like a father. She knew well that he was in love with her mother.
"My dear Princess, why are you crying?" Talon asked, kneeling down to wrap an arm around her shoulders. Anoamias looked up at him and answered,
"Lantris left for war. Now no one's here to play with me. Who will make the maidservants' sons stop picking on me?" Talon gave a sympathetic smile and kissed her forehead in a fatherly manner.
"I'm always here," he whispered in the hopes of comforting her. Anoamias shook her head, pointing to the sword at his side.
"Soon, you'll have to leave to. You'll have to fight with Lantris…" Talon nodded.
"That's true," he replied, "but you have your nursemaids and your mother. Cheer up, little one, you are not alone." Anoamias jumped to her feet, placing her hands on her hips.
"All they care about is getting me ready for marriage!" she cried.
Talon sighed and placed a finger to her lips. "Princess, you know very well that Lantris cannot take the thro-"
"I don't wanna marry a prince! I wanna marry for me! I wanna marry for-"
"'Want to,' not 'wanna'. Speak like a lady, Anoamias," whispered a timid, elegant, practiced voice. An older woman stood behind Anoamias, and the small girl stared up at her. Though her golden hair bore streaks of grayish-white, she still held an exotic, ancient beauty. She was dressed in a simple white gown with gold trim. Upon her brown rested a silver circlet shaped into leaves with amber jewels. Anoamias corrected herself,
"I don't WANT TO marry a prince! I WANT TO marry for me! I WANT TO marry for love!" Anoamias' mother smiled her approval. Talon straightened and bowed lowly to Anoa's mother.
"My lady Arsfel, it seems I am of no more use here. I will return to my post." Arsfel nodded and watched him go, then looked down at her daughter.
"Now Anoamias, you know you have a duty to the crown," she said knowingly. Anoamias pouted and crossed her arms.
"My name is Anoa…" she muttered. Her mother's voice grew slightly cold and she flicked her daughter on the nose to correct her, replying,
"Your name is Anoamias! You should be proud to be named after your grandmother!" Anoa looked as if she were about to cry, but her face hardened. It was a few minutes before those pale features softened into sadness.
"Why are there so many rules? Why can't I be myself?" she asked. Arsfel took her daughter's hand and led her over to the two thrones. Sitting down, she pulled Anoamias' lithe form into her lap.
"You can, dearling, but you must think of what's best for those in your charge. Royalty isn't about getting your own way. It's about looking after those who need your guidance." Anoamias nodded and stood. She needed time to think. She curtsied to her mother as Talon pushed the doors open, rushing back in. Breathless, he spoke, as a man came in behind him.
"You're Majesty…this man…" Anoamias lifted a hand to silence him and smiled at her mother.
"It's time I did what is best for my people."
"Anoa-" Anoamias hopped down from the steps and moved in front of the large man. His deep, red eyes bore into her sapphire hues. He reached out a hand and ran it through her hair.
"Hello, daughter," came a deep, melodic voice, that sounded like a male choir singing slightly out of tune with each other. Anoamias gave him a confused look.
"Daughter…?" The man threw Arsfel a glare.
"She doesn't know," he stated flatly. Arsfel returned the glare full force and moved in front of her daughter, pushing Anoamias behind her.
"You shouldn't be here, Merrick," she warned, but Merrick drew back his hand, backhanding the woman hard across the face.
"You will address me as master! You've been gifted enough by bearing my daughter!"
"You're Majesty!" Talon cried, immediately whipping out his sword, but Merrick needed only to lift a hand, and Talon was thrown backwards, against the wall. Anoamias picked up her skirts and rushed to his side, wide-eyed and frightened. She knelt down and lifted him into her arms to find him unconscious.
"Talon!" she begged, "Talon, wake up!" Anoamias let her eyes fly to the pair of shadows on the wall, just as Merrick's sword thrust deep into her mother's chest, and out through the other side. Anoamias turned and watched helplessly as her mother's dead, limp form fell to the floor. Merrick lifted his sword and wiped the blood off on the carpet. He sheathed it and walked toward Anoamias.
"Now, my dear daughter," he said gently, compassionately, "you will come with me. I will teach you to use your power." Anoamias' eyes narrowed at him and she shook her head.
"I am not going anywhere with you!" she cried. Merrick's eyes lost their gentleness and he grabbed Anoamias by the wrists, pulling her toward the door. Anoamias struggled madly, but her small, lithe form was no match for the bigger man. "Let me go!"
"You will be my heir!" he cried, but Anoamias kept struggling.
"I…said…NO!" As she screamed, her eyes began to glow a golden color, as did the stone around her neck. She closed her eyes to the light…and everything went black.
When Anoamias opened her eyes, she was staring up into the face of a blonde woman dressed in a gown of deep blue. "Mother...?" The woman chuckled and shook her head.
"Mother? Do I really look so much like her, silly?" Anoamias took a moment to study the woman's face, then sat up.
"Ah! Haruka-san!" Haruka gave a smirk and pushed Anoamias' hair from her face, running her figners over the few cuts that blemished the little girl's face.
"What happened, my little seraphim? Where did you get these cuts? You were surrounded by a ball of light, unconscious. When it disappeared I tried to see if you were all right." Anoamias' eyes widened.
"Alania! My mother! She's dead...some man...he said he was my father...he killed Talon and my mother...then there was this bright light...and...I passed out...I think..." Haruka looked worried.
"Your father?" She looked around a moment. "Where is the Hikarizuishou?" Anoamias tilted her head and reached into the pocket of her golden dress, pulling out a golden chain holding a bright amber stone that seemed to glow like fire when the light hit it. Haruka nodded, relief in her eyes. "All right...good. I'm going to call Princess Michiru and we're going to go check it out." Anoamias nodded and hugged Haruka's arms to her chest.
"Onee-san! Please don't leave me!" Haruka smiled and nodded.
"All right, Seraphim. C'mon." Anoamias gave a smile and followed Haruka into a large room with computers and monitors. Haruka started pushing a few buttons, and soon Michiru's form appeared on the screen.
"Haruka-chan...? What's wrong?"
"Something's happened on Alania. Merrick came...and well...Anoamias isn't sure of the rest."
"I'll meet you there," and Michiru disappeared from the screen. Haruka turned off the computer and turned to Anoamias.
"Well?" she said, a sigh escaping her lips, "...let's go, huh?" Anoamias nodded and tilted her head.
"Should we transform first, Onee-san?" Haruka nodded with a smile.
"That might just be a good idea, Seraphim." Haruka lifted her henshin wand into the air.
"Uranus Planet Power...Make-UP!" In moments, Sailor Uranus stood in front of Anoamias with a grin, her Space Sword held at her side. Anoamias gave a smile and touched a hand to her crystal, pulling it from hedr pocket once more, and holding it up.
"Alania Immortal Power...Make-UP!" A flash of light, and Sailor Alania stood ready, holding the Celestial Katana ready.
It had been two years since Alania was destroyed, and seven-year-old Anoamias was now living in Miranda Castle with Princess Haruka, being raised and taught by the older woman.
"Come on, Anoamias. Again!" Anoamias nodded and moved into a fighting position. She may have been small, but due to Haruka's teachings, she was as strong as Sailor Venus. Anoa lept as Haruka, landing punch for punch upon the older woman, who blocked, until Anoamias ducked, and slid past Haruka's guard, punching her hard in the stomach. Haruka stumbled back and grinned.
"Not bad, Seraphim. Not bad at all." Anoamias smiled and tilted her head.
"So...Onee-san? What was in that letter from the Moon Kingdom?" Haruka grinned and walked over, picking Anoamias up in her arms. She sat down, and placed the smaller girl in her lap.
"An invitation to the Masquerade Ball on the Moon. I don't think we're going to go, though." Anoamias pouted.
"Please, Onee-san? I'd like to go so much. I want to see Tonicia and Serenity..." Haruka chuckled and nodded.
"All right, Seraphim...we'll go." Anoamias smiled and hugged Haruka tightly.
The night of the ball came and Anoamias smiled when Princess Tonicia and Princess Serenity made their way over to the group. "Tonicia!" She rushed over and hugged the older girl tightly. Tonicia smiled and knelt down to hug the smaller girl.
"It's good to see you, Anoamias." Anoamias turned her gaze to Serenity and smiled happily. She gave a small curtsy and bowed her head.
"You look wonderful, Princess Serenity." Serenity chuckled and ran her fingers through Anoamias' hair.
"You've grown up so much..."
The party was a huge success. Serenity let Tonicia mingle with old friends and new and soon, she was dancing with a young man in a mask. Anoamias sighed, watching the two, but her dreamy daze was short-lived. Luna, Marco, and Artemis came sprinting through the hall, Selene and Vepsa trailing behind them.
"EVERYONE TAKE COVER! BRACE YOURSELVES!" Luna cried as she came sprinting past everyone, toward the Queen, "THE MOON KINGDOM IS UNDER ATTACK! THE MOON KINGDOM IS UNDER ATTACK!"
Anoamias' eyes widened and she imediately rushed to help everyone. She watched in horror as Tanya was knocked unconscious. Haruka rushed toward her, placing her hands on the little girl's shoulders and kneeling down so that they were at eye level.
"Anoamias, go an hide. The older senshi will handle this." Anoamias shook her head.
"But, Onee-san!" Haruka shook her head.
"No, Anoamias. It is not yet your time to fight. You have a mission to fulfill." Anoamias seemed confused, then realized what Haruka was speaking of.
"Nemesis...they might go after the Sleep Princess..." Haruka nodded and Anoa turned to run. She made her way to a balcony, so that she could keep an eye out if anyone needed help, but spotting Princess Serenity and the boy she'd been dancing with, she hid, peering around the doorway. Anoamias watched in utter horror as Endymion was killed, and then the Princess killed herself due to her love for her. Anoamias screamed in horror, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Princess Serenity!" Remembering Haruka's words, the smaller girl had no choice, she found a closet, and hid inside.
Anoamias stared at the blackness around her. It was as if everything had disappeared. Then a while light shone behind her, and Anoamias turned to stare at Queen Serenity. The Queen smiled gently at the little girl. "Anoamias...you are needed for a special purpose...for now until Selene deems it worthy, I will supress your memories...as an Alanian you are gifted with immortality to a degree." Anoamias tilted her head.
"Mother never told me about this..." Queen Serenity smiled.
"Disease and old age will never bring you death, but steer away from the sword...for those who live by the sword will die by the sword." Anoamias nodded. Queen Serenity touched Anoamias' cheek. "I hope that you will be much older than you are now before the Soldier of Light is needed." Queen Serenity released Anoa's cheek and backed away, and Anoamias was falling...falling...