Sailor Moon: The Shadows Arc
Chapter 9: A Millennia of Secrets
Disclaimer: Sailor. Moon. No. Own.
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Jazz: Hola!
Layla: We're back, next chapter, blah, blah, blah…
Kelsey: Sorry it took so long! We're updating each story in a certain order: Bree's Third Chance, Shadows Arc, Shikon High, and New Kagome, and that's the order we shall stick to!
Aqua: So, we are now updating this. Hope the chap's worth it and hope you like!
Jazz: Important Notice: A few mistakes of ours have come up and we've looked them over, and decided that they end here. We can't change those chapters because we deleted them, but we can change the now and future of the story! No Japanese from this point on! Even though we prefer to use Odango and Senshi, we will use Dumpling and Scouts and other such changes. We now, this is taking place in Japan, but like the English dub, obviously, this will be featuring Japanese names, except for one character, who you'll be meeting this chapter!
Emma: See you guys at the end!
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It was far too quiet.
Noelle's crystal blue eyes glistened with tears as the little drop of salt water streamed down her cheeks. Her hands gingerly held the golden and scarlet red glaive of Sailor Celestia, caressing the staff of the glaive as if it were the most delicate of glasses. Her hands gently slid up the cool metal, fingering the sharpened tips of the blade. She'd returned to take it after leaving the clearing and feeling compelled to go back. As if the glaive had been calling out to her, beckoning her to return and take it with her, to hold for it's true master.
Aaliyah sat beside Chelsea, her hand resting on her right knee, Chelsea's overlapping it. Her face was pressed into Chelsea's shoulder, the girl's green and gray striped polo stained wet with Aaliyah's tears. The blonde's own cheeks were wet from crying, her eyes red and puffy. Naomi sat on Aaliyah's other side, too exhausted and overcome with grief to feel petty jealousy at Aaliyah and Chelsea's closeness. Tears still glistened in her eyes, unshed. But Chelsea was still different. She, unlike the other Thalia humanoids, openly showed that she blamed the Solar System Senshi, particularly Sailor Moon, for Celestia's death. Her icy cold glare stayed fixed on the normally bubbly blonde, who like everyone else, was obviously saddened by this turn of events.
Serena herself was still bawling. She had matured, yes, but she was still in her own way a cry baby, and this had brought that girl out quite well. She was holding on desperately to the person closest to her, who happened to be Seiya. To her other side was Raye, who looked deeply saddened, but her tears did not flow as much as her Princess's. Mina and Amy were still silently weeping, while Lita had her head bowed to stop from crying. Amara and Michelle sat beside Hotaru, who was also still crying, amethyst eyes constantly staring at Aaliyah, as if wishing she could somehow heal her Guardian's pain. All of their pain. Amara herself did look pained but did not let her shed tears be shown. A few streams of tears streamed down Michelle's cheeks, but her head was almost constantly bowed. Trista, sitting to Hotaru's other side, was probably in the worst shape, her deep crimson eyes reflecting nothing but despair as tears trailed down her delicate features. She looked tired, as if the short battle earlier in the day had deeply weakened her, which it more than likely had. Rini's red eyes still glistened with tears as she petted Diana, who sat curled up on her lap. Luna and Artemis sat at her feet, all three of the felines obviously as distraught at Celestia's death as the Senshi who'd witnessed it.
Kristen was leaning on Malcolm for support, still crying her eyes out. Malcolm had one hand over hers, trying to soothe her but to no avail, especially adding the fact that he too was still crying.
Princess Kakyuu was weeping silently, leaning onto Yaten for support, who wrapped a comforting arm around her. His own striking green eyes were overflowing with compassion and uncertainty, even some sadness. Taiki was in the same way, his own violet eyes downcast. He sat beside Seiya, who's indigo eyes were focused solely on Serena, one arm carefully around her shoulders as he silently comforted her. His lips were pressed into a firm line, trying to seem impassive with his features, but his eyes gave way to the sorrow in his own heart.
The large group sat at the Cherry Hill Shrine, completely silent. Chad had brought them sandwiches while Raye's grandfather but tea, but both went untouched. And both men seemed to know not to bother them, so they went out to the store to buy food and other such necessities. No one seemed to have the proper words to say at this time, but the heated weight of the silence intensified their grief.
Trista's eyes were constantly looked over to Amara's silver wrist watch, eyeing the time. Time. Despite being the Senshi of Time and Space, she herself had never felt so frustrated with the concept of time. And she'd certainly never been this impatient.
7:23.
Four hours and thirty-seven minutes move until it would be time to journey to the Realm of the Fallen, where the two fallen Queen's spirits still lingered, having to stay in contact with the world of the living far too much to cross to the next life, officially. And perhaps there, Celestia's spirit also lingered.
They could only hope…
And wait…
And wait….
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A small girl no older than nine sat outside the window to a small home. Her delicately curled black hair was matted with dirt and dipped lightly below her shoulder blades. A small bun rested on the upper back part of her hair, tied with a soiled white bow. The tips of her bangs lightly traced her eyelids, which covered to beautiful crystalline eyes, so clear and bright they seemed like glass. She licked her tongue over her chapped lips, staring around the house to see a man with slick, dark brown hair and near black eyes framed by wide glasses leave the home, and the door shut softly behind him as he started his car and pulled away. This would be easy.
The girl slowly climbed the branches of a tree, careful not to attract the attention of any random bystanders. The branch led to a small balcony that had carelessly been left open, probably by the person who slept in the room. The small girl inched along the branch of the tree until she hit said balcony. Or rather, was close to said balcony. There was still some distance to be covered. With a grunt of effort, the girl launched herself into the air and landed on the stone balcony, kneeling down for a moment before flopping onto her side.
Her breathing became uneven and her eyes were in a daze, not focusing.
So much sadness…so much darkness…
She laid like that for a good several minutes before forcing herself back to her feet again, swaying a bit as she walked. She narrowed her eyes at her pain and leaned in the doorframe, taking deep breaths. Slowly, she walked into a bed room, seeming to belong to a girl. The bed, decorated with a blue comforted covered with small moons and stars, was slightly undone and wrinkled, showing evidence someone had been sleeping there earlier in the day. Clothes laid on the bed and a few were sprawled on the floor, showing that the girl who slept here was on slightly disorganized, but not too terribly. She continued on, until she reached the doorway, where the white door was slightly ajar. She pulled the knob and looked out into the hall before timidly taking a step.
Making as little sound as possible, back pressed firmly against the wall, the girl made her way own the hall, sliding her feet to minimize noise. She finally reached the stairway, and pursed in lips in thought for a moment.
She'd been watching this house for about a five days. The girl who lived in the bedroom she'd entered through had left the day before and hadn't returned. There was a young boy who also lived here with tan blonde hair and dark blue eyes. He'd left a few hours ago and had yet to return. The man who'd left didn't normally leave at this time, normally early in the morning. But for whatever reason, he'd had to run out again. Now the only person who should be in the home was the woman she took to be the mother and wife of the home. She had long blue hair and near black eyes. The girl hadn't seen the woman often, just when she returned from the store or when she'd seen glimpses of her through the windows. Just that woman, the only defense. This would be only too easy.
Slowly, she made her way down the first step. A low creak sounded. She winced, waiting to hear the woman's voice, but nothing came but the rushing running of water. She was in the kitchen, running the sink. The girl let out a light sigh before continuing down the steps. With every other footstep, a light creak was heard. But the woman did not seem to hear. She continued on into another room. She slid across the floor, keeping her back pressed firmly against the wall once again. She reached the kitchen doorway and peaked inside. As she'd suspected, the blue haired woman stood at the sink, a dish and rag in her hands as she scrubbed the plate, humming a soft tune to herself. Far to her right on the counter was a knife holder. The girl held her breath. She needed to get there first.
Hesitantly, she took a small step into the kitchen. The blue haired woman did not turn. Silently, the young girl lowered herself to her hands and knees, and crawled across the floor, keeping herself so low that her stomach grazed the ground. She crawled on, going directly behind the blue haired woman, and reached out for the counter-
"And just what are you doing?" The woman asked, her back to the girl, who froze, air suspended mid air.
The woman turned, her coal like eyes lashing until she saw the young, dirty girl. Her black hair was matted with filth and her skin was pale, eyes drained. And she obviously smelt as though she hadn't bathed in at least two weeks. She looked sickly to be so young.
"Oh dear, you look terrible. Here, let me help you." The woman said, grabbing the young girl's hand and helping her to her feet.
She ushered the girl to the bathroom and left, returning two moments later with some of Rini's clothes. They were simply some light blue shorts that ended just below the knee and a deep black short sleeved shirt with small rhinestones decorating it with glitter pink and silver flowers.
"Here, now just take a bath and come back to the kitchen when your finished, I'll whip you up a snack." The young girl nodded silently and waited until the blue haired woman left before undressing.
Ikuko closed the door behind her, staring at the floor. She wasn't really sure why she wanted to help this girl. Perhaps it was because she was so young, and seemed to be even homeless. Maybe she was an orphan. She seemed so…depressing. As if her whole natural being was surrounding by tragedy and despair. It was disheartening.
Still, she continued on to the kitchen, and prepared some tea and cookies for the young girl.
In all actuality, the girl was just as confused as Ikuko. This woman was showing her kindness, something she hadn't felt in weeks. At least a month, perhaps.
Sinking into the tub of hot water, she washed away the grime and filth that had collected across her body. Disgusted with the water, she stood, let the water drain, and filled it again to the brim with even warmer, steamier water before sinking in again. She closed her eyes and let her hair be drenched. The water was soothing, the silencing relaxing. Her tense muscles loosened and she felt so relaxed she slowly felt herself drifting into a deep state of unconsciousness.
Knock knock!
The girl jumped awake, startled by the noise. She blinked, slightly blinded by the brightness of the bathroom light. The water was now cooler, and chilled her. She stood, wrapping a towel above her chest and used another towel to dry her hair before opening the door to greet the blue haired woman, who smiled at her.
"Are you alright?" She asked, and the girl nodded but did not speak.
"Well, the tea and cookies are ready. Feel free to join me once you've dressed." Ikuko smiled again before turning and sitting at the table to wait for the girl to join her, which she did about five moments later.
The girl silently took a sip of her tea, warm green tea with a few drops of honey, and took a small bite of her cookie, eyes downcast.
"My name is Ikuko Tsukino, and you are?" Ikuko introduced. The young girl swallowed the bit of cookie in her mouth and politely dabbed at her lips for crumbs before clearing her throat.
"I am Raven Uchida. I have lived this life for eight years. I am not from this place. Allow me to thank you for showing me such kindness." Raven bowed her head. Ikuko blinked. This girl was so strange and proper to be so young. And her voice was so…dead. So void and cold. It sent a shiver down Ikuko's spine.
"Where are you from? Why were you alone? Where is your family?" Ikuko asked softly, hoping not to offend the girl. Raven frowned.
"I am not from Japan. For some reason, memory of my life before now is somewhat unclear. I have no one. My parents no longer live among us. My only living relative is my elder sister, whom of which I have been separated from for at least two weeks now, about when I arrived here." Raven explained, and Ikuko's eyes filled with sympathy.
"Who is your sister? Perhaps I could help you find her." Ikuko suggested. Raven looked away.
"Her name is Noelle Uchida. She is sixteen years of age." The raven haired girl replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her right ear. Ikuko's eyes brightened.
"I believe my daughter Serena knows her! Serena was actually at Noelle's sleepover this past weekend, I'll give them a call." Ikuko said, rising and turning towards the kitchen.
Raven watched her leave before silently spring from her seat. Taking a small vile she'd found in the bathroom, she held it over Ikuko's drink. Removing the cork, she murmured a few words in Thalian into the mouth of the vile before allowing two drops to fall into the tea. The mysterious liquid was clear, without scent. Clearing her throat, she called out to the woman.
"Mrs. Tsukino, actually, may I have your help in here for a moment?" She called, silently praying that the woman had yet to call Noelle. Ikuko immediately re-entered the room, no phone in sight.
"What's the matter?" Ikuko asked, looking around. Raven cleared her throat.
"I'd just rather be in your company for a few more moments." She explained, head bowed and eyes downcast for effect, and Ikuko smiled at her before taking her seat once more and sipping from her tea.
"Mrs. Tsukino…I'm sorry. Thank you again for your kindness and hospitality. I will be sure to repay you. Forgive me." Raven said, voice barely above a whisper, but Ikuko heard her all too clearly as she put the tea cup down.
That was when the room started blurring an spinning. Her head was swimming, stomach bubbling. Poisoned. She looked at Raven's sympathetic crystalline eyes before her eyes rolled back into her head, and she fell onto her right side on the floor. Her legs were still curled, bent up her backside, tips of her toes touching her thighs. Her left arm stayed close to her chest, palm resting on the floor, while her right arm was outstretched and opened, palm up. Her near black eyes closed and she began to breathe deeply, as in a sleeping trance.
Raven stared at Ikuko's still body before rising and walking into the kitchen and taking the thinnest, yet sharpest, knife. Making her way up the steps, she found the room she presumed to belong to the young pink haired girl she'd seen leave with the blonde, Serena. Taking a small backpack from a bed post, she went to the girl's closet and drawers, pulling out another six outfits and a pair of socks and black converses, she packed them away in the small bag, the knife on top, even taking with her a small blanket. Then she made her way back to Serena's bedroom and reached under the bed, pulling out a case. Opening the case, she found just what she was looking for. A violin in fantastic shining condition and a bow made of the finest of horse hairs, so thin and delicate. She'd once heard the girl Serena playing it before she left home. She wasn't very talented, so taking this instrument would be sparing anyone any more pain. She caressed the instrument before closing the case and grabbing it by the handle, making her way down the steps and to the front door. She paused, and glanced back at Ikuko before sighing and finding a pen and paper and began to write.
Dear Mrs. Ikuko Tsukino,
First and foremost, I would like to thank you again for your kindness. It was very selfless of you, and I can only hope I will be able to return your kindness with a selfless of helpful act of my own.
Please, do not try and contact Noelle. I wish to keep my sister safe from myself and the dangers I cause. I pray you respect my wishes and I hope that you and your family be blest.
Signed,
Raven Uchida
Raven bit her lip as she left the note on the table, covering the mouth of Ikuko's mug. Strapping the book bag to her back and holding the violin case tightly in one fist, Raven left the house, but not before turning back and facing the front of the Tsukino home. Pressing her palms together, she bowed her head and closed her eyes, whispering to her fingers. After a few seconds of chanting, she picked up her new belongings and headed off.
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9:38 pm.
Still another two hours and twenty-two minutes.
The room was as still and quiet as it had been two hours and fifteen minutes ago. The only difference was that the tears had been dried and now everyone was just sitting in a mourning silence. The Thalia humanoids were reminiscing to themselves on times they'd shared with Leilani, but found that often enough, they got headaches from such simple activities. But it was the only way they could think of to pass the time. Talking just didn't feel right at the moment, even if the silence was emotionally overwhelming.
All of the Scouts felt exhausted, but Rini seemed near to falling asleep, eyelids drooping. Hotaru herself felt weak and needed rest, but both young Scouts refused to sleep. Too much had to be done, and they needed to be ready.
They had to be.
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"Oh my God…I can't…I just can't believe it…" Golden eyes pooled with tears as the girl with cyan blue hair bowed her head, weeping into her palms.
"This has to be some kind of joke. I mean, there's no way…she wouldn't." Another girl replied, crimson eyes filled with sadness and disbelief.
"Lili, are you positive about what you saw?" A girl with long, pink hair and aqua blue eyes asked the girl she was sitting beside, who looked exactly like her albeit her hair was blue and eyes were a warm rosy pink. The blue haired girl nodded as her mind drifted back to the dream she'd had not a half hour ago.
Dream Flashback
Lili-Star's long blue pigtails tickled the back of her knees as she looked around.
She stood on a seemingly unfamiliar land. She was surrounded by black and rotting plants. The soil itself was black and dry. Looking down, she found herself in a gown. Her gown.
It was long and light pink, the trails of the dresses stirring up the dry and dead soil. The upper part of the gown hugged her curves, sparkling. It was completely strapless, and the ruffles of the skirt twirled as she observed the dead planet. Her mouth gaped in silent horror, eyes wide.
"I know…it is tragic, isn't it?" A familiar voice asked. Lili-Star whipped around to look at the owner of the voice. Her heart raced and her eye's widened.
"C-Celestia?" Her voice was unbelieving, and she blinked twice, just to make sure she wasn't hallucinating in her dreams. But the image of the Princess did not fade.
Princess Celestia looked just as she always had. Her dress she now adorned was the dress the Princess herself had given the name 'The Divine Gown'. It was it's usual golden color, the same corset top like style with the swaying skirt, with a darkened shade of amber at the seams. The same pale yellow lace gloves that traveled up to the inside crook of her elbows, and the silver necklace gracing her neck. The diamond silver earrings that tickled her shoulders and the pearl silver bracelet. The Princess just smiled at her, lips a warm scarlet red.
"My dear Deimos, you can not fathom how happy I am to see you. It has been far too long." Celestia murmured, approaching the girl, her shoes never touching the ground but hovering a mere few inches from it. Lili-Star approached her as well.
"Princess…we all miss you terribly. Myself, Phobos, Hydra, Himalia, and Thalassa." Lili-Star whispered, and Celestia pressed her gloved palm to the girl's cheek. Lili-Star shivered and resisted the urge to back away from the touch. Why was the Princess so cold?
"And I miss you all…please, pass on my wishes to them." Lili-Star's eyes widened at that.
"Why can you not tell them, Princess? What's the matter?" She asked, and this time, Lili-Star, did actually pull away from the Princess's touch, no matter how disrespectful she knew it was. But she knew her question was necessary, especially when Celestia's eyes saddened. She turned away.
"I fear I may not see them, I could only come to you, Soldier of Telepathy and Clairvoyance. For you see…I no longer live among those of this world." Celestia said softly, and Lili-Star's widened even more, tears glistening as she took another step back and raised a hand to her lips, mouth agape.
"Celestia…no…" Were all that she was able to form. Celestia's eyes looked up to the sky, as though someone were calling to her before turning back to Lili-Star.
" 'When night falls and the full moon rises high, the beings born to protect our cosmos must align to journey to the realm of the fallen. Only then can they save the hope of the Universe.' Take warning, the enemy approaches. The Sailor Scouts of this world are our allies, do not forget that. Be safe, Deimos." And with those final words, Celestia flew to the sky, fading into nothing more than a golden light before being engulfed into the darkness.
End of Dream Flashback
"That's what she told me." Lili-Star affirmed, tears running down her cheeks from her encounter wither her deceased Princess. The girl with pure white hair and glowing green eyes cast her eyes downward.
"Then that is how it shall be. When the clock strikes midnight, we shall lend our efforts in any possible way that we can to our Princess's resurrection." She said. The crimson eyed girl with long green hair nodded.
"Alayna's right. We'll need our strength for tonight." She added but Lili-Star shook her head as tears rushed anew.
"No, I can't! She…Celestia will come to me again, I know it." Lili-Star objected, fear in her eyes. Alayna looked at her, eyes full of sympathy and understanding. Mimi patted her sister's back comfortingly, giving her a soft smile. The electric blue haired girl sighed.
"I know it's tough Lili-Star, but Alayna and Chloe are right." She said soothingly, but Lili-Star simply glared at her.
"You would never understand, Nevaeh." She snapped, but the blue haired girl simply looked back at her evenly.
"That is no longer my name, Lili-Star. Your grief is clouding your judgment, you need to remain calm." The girl, who'd once been known as Nevaeh, reprimanded gently.
"Lili-Star, Nicole, cam down. This fighting won't get us anywhere." Chloe intervened. Mimi nodded in agreement.
"Once again, Chloe is right. Lili, I know, your scared, but what if Celestia does visit you? We need you to sleep, Lili. So you can have your strength and, if Celestia passes on another message, we'll know." Mimi soothed. Her sister calmed.
"We should sleep in shifts. Who takes the first clock shift?" Chloe asked looking around at the small group.
"I will." Lili-Star and Nicole automatically volunteered at the same time before glaring at each other.
"No, I shall take the first watch. The rest of you must save your energy and rest now." Alayna ordered, and everyone nodded.
"May the heavens light your dreams." Alayna murmured, using the familiar pasting words from Thalia, and all the other girl's exchanged the same saying before turning and heading off to bed. Alayna made her way to the balcony of their home. So much had changed in the last few weeks.
In efforts to feel as though they were truly beginning a new life on this planet, Justine and Nevaeh had changed their names respectively to Chloe and Nicole. While still not knowing their Princess's exact location, they'd integrated into society quite well. Lili-Star and Mimi, despite their age, refused to join school as of yet and said they would the next school year after they better integrated into this society, but both sisters were reaching new levels of their powers. Lili-Star was beginning to get messages in dreams and able to send them to others in the same way. Mimi, on the other hand, was learning how to use many different spells, including the power of manifestation. Something she hadn't quite mastered yet. Nicole had been learning to keep calm in order not to cause disturbances in the beautiful weather they'd been experiencing here, and she was doing very well. Tensions were arising between Nicole and Lili-Star, both who used to get along swimmingly before the stress of finding the Princess and saving the Universe befell them.
Chloe was spending much of her time at the library, and as of two days ago, she was actually an employee. Her résumé had been slightly less than truthful, but since she was of another planet she couldn't have told them everything. She did at least say she'd worked at a larger library before (True), she had an extensive knowledge of books (True) and experience handling even the most delicate of paperbacks (True), not to mention she'd taken six classes in Junior High and High School combine to learn how to make different types of books and how to handle them (True) as well as the fact she'd just arrived to Japan two weeks ago from her first year of an elite college in America (100% false). Though the last one did seem true, for she was of college age.
Alayna herself on the other hand had adjusted quite well to this life without lying. She often played her harp, which had been manifested by Lili-Star, to pass the time and wrote songs down for the other girls. She even took an art class.
With money from jewels Lili-Star had manifested, and money she herself had manifested, adding money from Chloe's check from the library (she got paid once a week for working five days) and from what Nicole made by singing (either change on the streets or actually singing for causes and such), also putting in money Mimi and Lili-Star made from babysitting and selling other manifested items or whatever other adolescent jobs they could find, they had made enough money over the past month to purchase a mansion they learned had once belonged to a reporter known as Nancy Vargas. But she'd moved under strange circumstances, and was never heard from again.
The mansion was large, white, and in the simplest sense, extremely elegant. It's roof was red, windows framed by gold. Large, would be an understatement. They'd still had yet to explore all the rooms of the house, but they mostly kept to the East Wing in most senses anyway. The back yard wasn't as large as the house, but it surely was bigger than the yard of at least nine row houses combined. There was even a previously installed pool. The inside of the house was just as amazing. Mimi believed the house once belonged to royalty of some sorts because there was a large ball room, with a large golden crystal chandelier. Of the two bathrooms they did use, one linked between two bedrooms, had a large whirlpool Jacuzzi tub, without a shower, while the other only had a shower with one sink and toilet in both. It was what one might describe as a dream house. The downside was that Alayna and Nicole were still looking for good jobs in order to help make payments, something they wanted to do as soon as possible.
Looking at the darkening sky, where the sun had long ago set beyond the horizon, Alayna sighed. The cool air caressed her skin and made her hair dance. She directed her gaze at the skies above, noting how one star was glowing brighter than any others, its light pointed directly on her. Star light. It warmed her to the very core of her soul, and she closed her eyes, feeling it reignite the life within her.
"Princess Celestia…your star…thank you."
And then the golden shimmer fell.
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11:16.
So close…
And yet so far.
And of course, Hotaru was the first to break the tense, depressing silence.
"Momma Trista…how are we to travel to this Realm of the Fallen?"
Hotaru's voice was dry from the lack of speaking for the first few hours, and to some, it felt foreign to hear the young girl's voice again. Trista blinked as she thought for a moment.
"The same way we went to the Corridor of Dream Mirrors." She answered. Amara furrowed her brow in confusion but Michelle beat her to the question.
"And how did we do that? We went to the Corridor against or will." Michelle pointed out. And Trista looked to her.
"Yes, but we did something before that. We slept. Sleep is our key." Trista replied.
"So, when we sleep, we just let our subconscious and Queen Sahara do the rest?" Lita asked, and Trista nodded. Almost immediately, Rini fell asleep and Serena began to doze. Seiya kissed the top of her head softly, hoping inwardly she wasn't upset by his actions.
"Sleep well, Dumpling." He murmured as Serena's eyes closed. Hotaru leaned her head on Trista's shoulder and her eyelids began to droop. Kakyuu began to doze herself on Yaten's shoulder, she, like the other's who already slept, exhausted from all the shed tears.
"As exhausted as I am, I don't think I could sleep." Mina said. Lita and Raye nodded their heads in agreement. Serena murmured something in her sleep as she pressed her forehead in the crook of Seiya's neck. Seiya soothingly played with her hair.
"Then we'll have to find another way to the Realm of the Fallen." Amara said simply shrugging. Silence befell them again for some time, and Trista checked Amara's watch for the time.
11:49.
And in the blink of an eye, it changed.
11:50.
And then the room changed.
First, the room became deathly freezing. Everyone took to shivering, except those who were asleep, who seemed totally oblivious to the changes going on around them.
Then the room became surprisingly warm. A soft, haunting melody played in everyone's ears that, despite the strange circumstances, made them relax. It soothed them.
Lastly, a golden shimmering rain entered the room. The glitter aura rained down, and surrounded everyone. Almost immediately, eyes began to flutter shut, and bodies fell over in sleep.
Somehow, Lita ended up sprawled on the floor, Mina laying on top her, Amy beside Lita on one side, Raye beside her on the other. Amara's head simply fell back on the cushion, Michelle's head resting comfortably on her partner's shoulder. Taiki slouched forward until he too lay on the floor, and Yaten fell beside him, Kakyuu landing on them both. Rini, Hotaru and Serena all stayed in their same positions. Trista too fell under the power of the spell, her head hitting the cushion like Amara's had. Next to fall was Seiya, who, still conscious enough to protect Serena, held her close while he fell on his side so that he took up all of the space on the small couch, Serena's head laying on his chest. Even Diana, Luna, and Artemis fell victim to the spell, sleeping beside Rini. Chelsea fell first, pulling Aaliyah down with her. Naomi fell over onto her left side. The last to fall was Noelle, who clutched the glaive of her Princess close, before falling onto her back, hands on her chest, holding the glaive close to her, as if it were her Princess's spirit she was holding close.
And so all of the Scouts and their feline guardians drifted into a deep unconscious state, where Queen Sahara's plan would soon unfold.
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Amy was the first to awaken in this new world. Looking around and rubbing the dazed look of sleep from her eyes, she stood. Her friends laid all around her, still unconscious. The next to awaken was Kakyuu.
"Amy? Where…are we?" The Fireball Princess asked, looking at her still sleeping friends.
"I think this is…the Realm of the Fallen." The blue haired girl replied, and she and Kakyuu both observed the world they were now in.
For it to be the Realm of the Fallen, it certainly wasn't what either of them expected it to be. Both expected darkness, for the realm to reek of sadness and despair, for their bones to chill just at the thought of being here. But it was actually…quite opposite.
For one, it definitely was not bleak or dark. The sun was shining. Yes, a sun was shining in the Realm of the Fallen. What the two girls were standing on, and their companions still resting on, was a thick field of lush grass, still wet with dew. People walked past them, showing none of the sleeping or awake Scouts any attention. There were a few tufts of weeds here and there, and many plants grew around them. But there was only one type of flower, in many different colors. Calla Lilies. Amy took a step back looking at them. The flower of death.
"This is the Realm of the Fallen? This isn't at all how I imagined it." Michelle's voice caught their attention next. The two turned to see the sea green haired woman rise, swaying a bit on her feet.
"It certainly doesn't seem like a world for those who have passed." Taiki said next, coming to his feet as well. Amy nodded in agreement.
"This world certainly is strange." She agreed, watching as Raye began to stand, followed by Yaten, then Chelsea, Malcolm, Lita, Aaliyah, Amara, Naomi, Hotaru, Trista, Kristen and then Noelle. The only one's still asleep were Seiya and Serena. Amara rolled her eyes before going over to the two.
"Come on, Kitten, we're here." She said, shaking Serena's shoulder. The young blonde stirred, but did not awake. She sighed, and murmured in her sleep.
"Seiya…don't leave…Seiya…"
Amara rolled her eyes and shook Serena again, a bit more roughly this time. Dazzling sapphire eyes flittered open and looked at Amara for a minute before looking up at Seiya. In those few seconds, many different emotions flickered in her eyes. From happiness, to sadness, to desire, and then to curiosity as she looked away from his still face and at her surroundings. While everyone followed her example and looked around at the Realm of the Fallen, Serena looked back to Seiya.
Slowly lifting her hand, she couldn't help but caress his face, fingers dancing as lightly as a butterfly's wing on his cheek, tracing her index finger down to his chin, eyes constantly flickering to his perfectly sculpted lips.
"Do you like what you see, Dumpling?" Serena almost jumped out of her skin when Seiya opened his brilliant indigo blue eyes and smirked down at her. The blonde blushed before standing, Seiya following suit.
"I was just…I was…" She stammered, searching her mind for an excuse as her cheeks flushed a light pink. Seiya chuckled.
"Funny girl…" He said softly, walking past her. Serena huffed at him, feigning anger, which soon turned to a genuine smile.
They all walked aimlessly through the park in one large group, unsure of where they were supposed to go, upset that Queen Sahara had never told them exactly where to meet her. They continued for what felt to be ten minutes until they were approached by a little girl.
She had to be about six. Her hair was the color of fire. From the roots, it was zesty orange, fading into a warm yellow and then into a bright fiery red. It somewhat reminded Sailor Moon of Galaxia's hair, just shorter and more alive, as if the hair was a living, breathing fire. Her hair divided into two short pigtails on either side of her head, that ended just below her shoulders. Her eyes were also quite strange. First, they were blue. Then green. Then red. Then amber. And then through just near every color of the rainbow. She smiled widely, revealing two large gaps in her teeth. She was wearing a bright yellow sundress, that faded to black, and blinked to pink with green polka dots, to navy blue with sky blue and white stripes, continuing going through every color and pattern without pause.
"You're the Sailor Scouts, right?" She asked, tilting her head. Serena stepped forward and kneeled down so that she was at the strange girl's eye level.
"Yes, we are. I'm Serena Tsukino. This is Raye, Amy, Mina, Lita, Amara, Michelle, Rini, Trista, Hotaru, Taiki, Yaten, Seiya, Kakyuu, Chelsea, Aaliyah, Malcolm, Kristen, Naomi, and Noelle. This is Luna, Artemis and Diana." Serena introduced, pointing to each person, and cat, in turn, feeling a bit annoyed at herself for the long introduction, but it wouldn't have been right to leave out a member of their large group. The girls smile widened.
"My name's Aiko!" She exclaimed, holding out her hand for Serena to shake. Serena couldn't help but smile at the girl as she shook her hand.
"How did you know who we are?" Raye asked, hands on her knees. Aiko just winked and turned, glancing back over her shoulder.
"Queen Sahara sent me to come to you. And I can see your power in your auras." She replied simply.
"Our auras?" Amara asked, but it was too late. Aiko was beginning to run off, and looked back at the Scouts.
"Are you guys coming, or what?" She demanded. Serena nodded and began to follow, the rest of her Scouts coming with her.
Aiko began to lead them again, with all of the Scouts following. She took them through a park, a small forest, and past clusters worth of people who didn't give them a second thought. After a few moments, Aiko brought them to a stop in front of a large cathedral. The windows were tinted black, and you couldn't see into the building. Aiko turned back and smiled at the group.
"The others are already here. All of them. But I'm sorry to say you may tell them where you are, and vice versa, but they won't remember when they wake. That is how Queen Serenity and Queen Sahara wanted it." She said, shrugging.
"Others? What others?" Yaten asked, arching a brow. Aiko turned to the Thalia humanoids and winked again without answering, and then turned back to the doors.
"Odael.*" She commanded, and the doors opened wide for her. She walked in, and the Scouts automatically felt a rush of cold air hit them. Huddling closer together, they continued in.
The pews were all empty, save the one in the front where six girls sat, and six pairs of eyes turned to them. One a crystalline color, one amber, one piercing green, one warm pink, one aqua blue, and one a dark crimson red. There was nothing said for a long moment.
"Oh my god…" The girl with golden amber eyes murmured. Her hair was a beautiful cyan blue. She had two heart shaped buns on the top of her head, little ringlets falling from each. Her skin was a glowing amber brown, and she stared at the group before her with disbelief.
"Noelle!" A young voice whined, coming from the clear eyed young girl with wavy black hair that dipped below her shoulders. She jumped from her seat and ran to Noelle, who watched as Aaliyah snatched the glaive from her hand before the young girl glomped her, arms wrapping around the elder girl's waist. Noelle looked down and couldn't help but smile.
"Hey Raven…how's my little crow?" She asked, running a hand through her little sister's hair and smiling. Crow. She called Raven that because a crow was, in a way, the opposite of a raven, but it was still a dark bird. Plus, Raven hated crows.
"So…much….pain…" She murmured, face still buried in her sister's shirt, and Noelle looked down worriedly. Raven's clear eyes were becoming clouded and darkened, until they became a deep coal black. Noelle grabbed her sister as she fell to the floor, saving her.
"Raven…no…" Noelle whispered, as tears filled her eyes once again. The amber eyed girl approached.
"She still does this, then? Takes in all of our sadness and despair. Poor girl, she's too young for this." She sympathized. Noelle sighed as she picked up her sister and carried her, arms under her shoulders and knees.
"Nevaeh…Alayna…Mimi…Lili-Star…Justine…it is nice to see you all again. And you too, Raven." Kristen said softly, hand lightly ruffling the unconscious girl's hair. Nicole blinked.
"And you, Kristen…you…you're alive!" She exclaimed, hugging the red-head. Kristen held back a whimper as she hugged her back and nodded.
"I know, and I shouldn't have lied and faked my death but I needed to be with Malcolm but I missed you all terribly…" Kristen rushed, and Nicole giggled.
"Kristen, we all missed you too. And I'm not Justine anymore, I'm Chloe. And that's not Nevaeh, it's Nicole." Chloe corrected.
The other girl's from the pews approached.
"Hello, you must be the Sailor Scouts of this Solar System and the Sailor Starlights. It is an honor to meet you. I am Alayna. This is Nicole, Chloe, Mimi, and Lili-Star. The unconscious young girl is Raven, and we are the remaining Sailor Scouts of the Golden Planet of Thalia." Alayna introduced. Serena introduced the others respectively. Alayna looked to Michelle and walked to her, glowing green eyes seeming dazed.
"Hello." Michelle greeted, blinking at the girl. Alayna blinked once and shook her head before getting on one knee and bowing to the girl.
"It is the highest of honors to finally meet you, Princess Neptune. I am your Guardian Angel Scout, Alayna Kawano." Alayna said softly, and Michelle blinked a bit in confusion, taken aback from this unusually polite treatment.
"It's…quite alright. Nothing very special meeting me, but it's nice meeting you as well." Michelle replied, Amara taking a small step closer to her partner. Alayna rose and smiled softly at Michelle.
"All in good time you will understand, Princess." She assured.
"You can simply call me by my name, Michelle Kaioh." Michelle answered, and Alayna nodded, eyes full of warmth before they suddenly became cold and she frowned at the girl, turning her back on her. Michelle blinked in confusion and exchanged a glance of confusion with Amara, as if to make sure she wasn't the only one who'd seen what had just happened. Turning to Lita, Nicole smiled, amber eyes shining.
"Princess Jupiter, it's nice to finally meet you." She said smiling, not going as deeply into formalities as Alayna had. Lita smiled back.
"It's Lita, and it's nice to meet you too. Justine, right?" She replied.
"I'm not Justine anymore, I'm Nicole Hayashi." She corrected gently. Chloe stepped over to Trista.
"Princess Pluto, your Guardian Angel Senshi is here to serve you." Chloe teased, long dark jade hair swinging as she mockingly bowing to Trista.
"It's Trista Meioh." Trista added.
"Chloe Shimizu."
Mimi and Lili-Star said nothing, just smiled and gave Raye a small nod. Now was not the time for reunions in their opinions. Reunions or meetings and introductions.
"Now that we've all gotten acquainted, do you mind telling us what's going on?" Chelsea asked Aiko, rearing on the young girl. It immensely delighted her to see her fellow Scouts again, but her heart was still bleeding from the loss of her Princess far too much for her mind to deter to anything else. Aiko just shook her head.
"Her majesty does not appreciate impatience. Take your seats, and all will be revealed to you soon enough. But if it so consoles you, I'll go to her and find out her plans." Aiko soothed.
"You don't already know?" Mina asked, moving forward. Aiko shook her head.
"Then why don't you just take us with you to see her?" Rini asked. Aiko shook her head again.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that. Queen Sahara will have things done her way. No exceptions." Aiko said sternly, her eyes flashing a scarlet red before she turned heel towards the front alter and disappeared. Without a trace.
"I'm not sure if I trust that girl." Raye said, and she received many nods of agreement.
"So now do we just wait?" Seiya asked, hands in his pockets. Eyes turned to Trista who, for the first time, did not seem to know the answer.
"I suppose we do." She replied, trying to seem as intimidating as she always had, but it wasn't the same. And so the group took their seats.
From left to right were Trista, Amara, Michelle, Hotaru, Rini (with Diana), Raye, Mina (with Artemis), Amy (with Luna), Lita, Serena, Seiya, Kakyuu, Taiki, and then Yaten. Across the aisle in another pew, from right to left, sat Noelle, holding a still unconscious Raven, Aaliyah, Naomi, Chelsea, Malcolm, Kristen, Chloe, Nicole, Alayna, Mimi, and Lili-Star. The two groups sat, whispering to one another, their voices soft murmurs that echoed throughout the large cathedral.
After what felt like at least half an hour, Aiko returned, one second just an empty spot, and the next, the same six year old little girl. She smiled again, the same two gaps showing.
"The Queens will see you in a moment." Aiko promised.
As if Aiko's words were magical, Raven's eyes, fluttered open. They were still an inky coal black, her breath labored as beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
"Raven…?" Noelle asked, a hand on the girl's shoulder. Her skin was deathly cold. Raven turned to her, eyes bottomless pools of darkness threatening to pull Noelle in and drown her.
"Darkness. Without the Princess, the world will be consumed by the dark forces, never again to see the light as sin and hatred devours the few survivors until nothing remains." She said, her voice void and cold. It sent shivers down everyone's spines as the room fell silent. Even Aiko was affected by her coldness.
"That will not happen. Celestia will save us. Celestia and Serena." Nicole objected. Raven slowly turned back to her, eyes blank.
"The Shadows will always win." Raven growled, her voice suddenly demonic and deep and her eyes flashed a crimson red before returning to their clear color before they rolled upwards into her head and she fell backwards, landing on her sister's lap. Many eyes in the room blinked in confusion.
"What…was that?" Yaten asked, scooting backwards ever so slightly. Noelle shook her head sadly.
"She's always done this. Absorbing other's sadness, hatred and despair. She's too young, but she always feels so responsible." She murmured, running a hand through her younger sister's hair. Raven slept on and even murmured in her sleep, but did not stir.
"She is very powerful. Both a blessing and a curse, no?" All eyes turned to Aiko at the sound of her voice. Her eyes continued to flash different colors, as did her dress, but her hair remained the same in all it's fiery glory.
"She seems like such a sweet child…" Kakyuu said softly. Serena and Trista nodded in agreement.
"Welcome, Sailor Scouts."
Everyone looked around wildly, trying to find the source of the voice. At the head of the cathedral, a figure flickered into focus. It was a woman with long white hair in two buns on the top of her head, the style looking just like that of Serena's. Her eyes were a dazzling shade of blue, with full pink lips. Her dress was pure white and strapless, a bow over the chest with a yellow crescent moon in the center. The dress was long and hugged her curves, before flowing out as though it were a wide mermaid's tail.
"Queen Serenity!" Trista exclaimed. Serenity's eyes fell on the green haired woman and she smiled.
"Hello, Scouts." She greeted, but the voice was not that of Queen Serenity's, and her lips did not move.
Beside the Past Queen of the Moon, another figure came into view. It was Queen Sahara, in the same white dress she'd worn when she'd come to Serena that day and begged her to help her daughter. The Scouts of Thalia immediately bowed their heads in respect, albeit Raven of course because she was still unconscious. Alayna, Nicole, Chloe, Mimi, and Lili-Star looked on at their Queen with amazement.
As the oldest of all the Scouts, Trista rose to represent the large group.
"Queen Serenity, Queen Sahara, please tell us, what is our mission? What must we do now that Celestia has…passed?" She asked, casting a glance at the Thalian humanoids. She'd seen Chelsea's icy glare earlier, and she didn't want to make an enemy of those who they needed in their mission.
"Celestia simply left you, she's had a wonderful time visiting, isn't that right, Aiko?" Sahara asked the six year old girl, who smiled broadly.
"Yeah! Lady Celestia is really fun and very kind!" Aiko beamed proudly, gap wide.
"She has learned, and is still learning. Now it is time for you all to know the truth." Serenity explained, her eyes sad as she looked down at the Scouts she'd helped train, giving them a chance at another life, a happier one on Earth. And yet she couldn't be more proud of them and their accomplishments.
"What do you mean 'the truth'? We already know the past and much of the future, is there something else we need to know?" Raye asked, suddenly standing. Serenity and Sahara exchanged a look.
"There is much about the past that you still do not know." Sahara replied. The Scouts all exchanged confused looks, especially the Starlights and their Princess, who had not known the Scouts seemed to know all about their past. Their past from over a millennia ago.
"And I believe it is time we all learned the truth."
Everyone turned in their seats at the voice. It was Sailor Celestia, but her scout uniform was different. First, it was completely sleeveless. Nothing attached it to her collar, much like that of Sailor Super Nova's. There were transparent shoulder guards, much like the sleeves Sailor Moon had in her Super form. There was also a transparent layer now under her skirt. What had once been hearts on her front center bow, choker, and above her skirt, were now stars. The star above her skirt, unlike all the others which were yellow, was now red. Her back bow had shortened a bit and was now thinner. The gloves that had once gone reached her elbows now rested at her forearms. Her knee high red boots were now short red heels with yellow ribbons tied around her ankles. There was no longer armor on her leotard. And she no longer had the golden tiara on her forehead. In it's place was the golden symbol of the Celestial sun of Thalia. She smiled at her friends.
"It's impossible…" Noelle murmured, but Celestia's smile just turned to a mock pout.
"Aw, Noelle, not happy to see me?" She mocked, as Raven blinked her eyes open. She looked around in a daze before her eyes rested on her revived Princess.
"Celestia…?" She murmured, narrowing her eyes at the figure. Recognition dawned on her face and she leaped from her seat, running towards the Princess and warring her arms around her waist. Celestia stumbled back at the impact but smiled down at the girl before patting her hair.
"Shh, it's okay Raven. I'm right here…we all are…" She soothed, and Raven nodded, still crying. Alayna rose next, slowly approaching her Princess, followed by Noelle, Nicole, Chloe, Lili-Star, Mimi, Aaliyah, Naomi, and Chelsea. Alayna was speechless at first, preparing to bow as Raven released the Princess and turned to the others. But before she could, Celestia rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the white haired girl.
"Princess, you're…you're…alive!" Chloe exclaimed, embracing the girl. Celestia chuckled.
"All that I can be." She replied. After sharing heart felt greetings with her Scouts, she moved to the Starlights and Scouts of the Solar System. She greeted them before sitting and waiting patiently as the others took their seats.
"The moon is high." Sahara commented, looking upwards through the skylight where the moon showed directly overhead, casting it's light in over the two Queens.
"Then it is time." Serenity answered, following Sahara's gaze. She held out her right hand, and Sahara put her left hand in that of the Moon Queens, and a light came from their touch. A mass of swirling silver and gold aura's danced around their conjoined hands. Sahara raised her right hand while Serenity raised hers, both to the moon.
"Cosmic Moon Power!"
"Divine Luminous Divination!"
The room flashed white and, in a flash, the scouts found they were no longer in their civilian forms. Nor were they in the cathedral. All we're transformed, and standing before the palace of the Moon Kingdom.
"Where is this?" Fighter asked, taking in the glorious majesty of the palace.
"This is the Moon Kingdom as it was during the Silver Millennium." Serenity answered, no longer floating but now walking across the surface of the Moon as though she were human, as was Sahara.
"This is where I lived in the past, as Princess Serenity." Sailor Moon added, looking around again. Fighter looked at the girl, imagining her Dumpling living here over a millennium ago, as a Princess. It seemed almost impossible.
"It's beautiful…" Kakyuu said softly. Celestia shrugged. In the few hours she'd been dead, it was obvious she'd already been here.
"Why are we here?" Venus asked her, but Celestia looked uncertain for the first time since she'd appeared.
"I'm not sure. Queen Serenity brought me here earlier, but I know nothing more than you all. Other then where our next destination is, of course." Celestia replied, shrugging.
"Then where are we going next?" Jupiter asked, after eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I can't tell you that." Celestia winked, a smirk on her face, before she became serious and distant again, a frown on her face as sadness and confusion flooded her eyes. "But I can tell you that whatever it is, it's not good. Queen Serenity and Mother have been troubled by this ever since I arrived. My death was apparently never supposed to happen…but I don't know if that means Sailor Moon's was."
Venus and Jupiter exchanged troubled looks before all three turned back to face the two Queen's. It was strange for Celestia to refer to her death in such a nonchalant manner, and whether or not the battle should have resulted in Sailor Moon's death was another cause for worry.
"The past you know is a mirage." Sahara said simply, and Queen Serenity glared at her. Sahara shrugged while the Scouts of the Solar System exchanged strange looks.
"What do you mean it was a mirage?" Uranus asked, stepping up from her place beside her partner. Sahara looked at Serenity, who sighed before looking back at her Scouts.
"Not necessarily a mirage, but more that you have not seen all of the past, only a portion. Only what I believed you needed to see, but I now see that I was wrong for this. Princess Serenity did love Prince Endymion, there was no doubt about that. But there was another who had also stolen her heart. A Prince from an opposite kingdom. Prince Seiya, of the Solar Kingdom." Serenity explained, gesturing to Fighter, who stared back at the fallen Queen with wide eyes. Sailor Moon looked shocked, while Uranus looked as though she was going through these events in her mind, processing that everything she knew was a lie. The other Scouts were stunned to say the least, jaws were dropped, eyes wide.
"Seiya…is the Prince…of the Solar Kingdom?" Maker asked, voice trailing. Fighter shook her head as the shock slowly began to wear off.
"I can't be the Prince of anything. I am a loyal protector of my Princess, nothing more." She insisted, but Serenity offered a small smile while turning to Sahara for an explanation.
"Many things in this life, and your past life, we're never supposed to happen. Things went wrong and evil took advantage." Sahara explained.
"What exactly went wrong? What evil?" Mercury asked, but Serenity shook her head.
"That is for another time." She replied simply.
"So Seiya and I…were lovers…in a past life…?" Sailor Moon asked softly, and Serenity nodded.
"Here is a glimpse of your true lives, the glimpse you did not see." Sahara said, gesturing to the castle, and without moving, everyone in the area was witnessing a scene from centuries ago.
The Moon Kingdom, The Silver Millennium
Princess Serenity stood, her small, dainty hands in the larger gloved hands of Prince Endymion. She smiled at him, and he at her as he pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
"I will return soon enough, Princess." He vowed, kissing her again before turning and taking his leave, preparing to go back to Earth before the secret lovers were discovered. Princess Serenity would have seen him off, but she had other matters to attend you.
Hurriedly walking, she went to the gardens of the Moon Kingdom. There was a large statue in the center. The statue was of two lovers, separated, but with their hands all that connected them. Both even had angel wings. Sitting in between the two statues was a man wearing robes and armor similar to that of Prince Endymion, but his was the black of the darkest of nights. The pads and armors were all a dark navy blue and his cape was black, the inside of his cape a light blue, like that of the sky on a cloudless day. He smiled at the approaching Princess and took her in his arms.
"Nice to see you again, Dumpling." He said softly, kissing the crescent moon on her forehead. Princess Serenity smiled.
"Seiya…" She whispered his name before kissing him softly. She smiled at him again as she sat down beside Prince Seiya on the foot of the statue. They talked softly for a few moments before Seiya became troubled.
"Seiya, what is the matter?" She asked, leaning close to him. He looked down at her and sighed, cupping her cheek with his hand.
"I do not think we should continue this relationship, Serenity." He murmured. Serenity's eyes widened as tears began to glisten.
"W-what?" She asked, leaning even closer to her lover. Prince Seiya sighed again.
"Serenity, I can no longer see you. It is not right for me to do so when you are betrothed to the Prince of Earth." He explained, and Serenity shook her head.
"It is only in an effort to end hostilities between our kingdoms! Please, Seiya, I love you!"
"But don't you also love him?"
"Seiya…please…don't leave me…" She begged, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I must, Serenity. I do love you, but I must be honorable. This is a hard decision to make, but it is for the best. I hope you and Endymion will be happy." He said quietly, kissing her fingertips, her palms, her tears, her eyelids, the tip of her nose, and then full on her lips. This kiss couldn't have lasted longer then six seconds. He pulled away and cast her once last parting glance, tears running down his cheeks, before turning back on his love. Forever.
"No…please…Seiya!" She shouted, bawling, wrapping her arms around herself as she bowed her head, body wracking from the power of her sobs. She cried like that for quite some time, before regaining her composure enough to go back into the palace and into her room. She had to remove traces of her tears for the ball tonight.
The Ball
Serenity smiled up at Endymion, but her smile was forced, heart still broken from her experience with him earlier that day. She frowned sadly as she pressed the side of her face into his chest, desperately holding back tears,
That was until she saw him.
Prince Seiya stood with Prince Yaten and Prince Taiki, close friends of his. Princes not from here.
Prince Yaten was the Prince of the Stars, but ruling over that kingdom was so immense, it had been a responsibility split between him and Prince Taiki. Prince Seiya was wearing a dark blue tuxedo, Prince Yaten wore a golden yellow tuxedo vest under the black tuxedo jacket with a lighter shade tie. Prince Taiki was wearing a dark scarlet tuxedo with a red and white striped tie. Prince Yaten lived in a kingdom on the North Star, Polaris, of the Ursa Minor. Prince Taiki's kingdom was on the star Merak, of the Ursa Major. Serenity took one look at the trio and immediately wanted to run over and jump into Seiya's arms, but she knew she could not. Prince Yaten caught her looking and nudged Seiya in the ribs before pointing in her direction. Seiya didn't even look before glaring at Yaten and returning to a conversation with Prince Taiki.
The song ended, and Serenity turned away from them to hide her desire to be with Seiya. Excusing herself, she went to join her scouts. Princess Amy of Mercury was wearing a floor length deep blue dress. Beside her, Princess Lita of Jupiter was wearing a green dress similar to that of Amy's, but there was a slit up to her thigh. Princess Mina of Venus was wearing a bright yellow dress that looked much like Lita's, but there was no slit, in it's place were lightly transparent ruffles. Princess Raye of Mars was wearing a fiery red dress that trailed around her. Princess Michelle of Neptune looked elegant in her deep sea green dress as she stood beside Princess Amara of Uranus, who had decided to wear a navy blue tuxedo vest. Princess Trista of Pluto was wearing a black dress, standing with Princess Hotaru of Saturn who's dress was the deepest of violets. They smiled as their Princess approached.
"Good evening, Princess Serenity. Are you enjoying the ball?" Princess Michelle asked, smiling at the younger girl. Serenity forced another smile to her as she smiled at the graceful princess.
"Oh, it's Prince Seiya! Are you going to go talk to him, Serenity?" Princess Mina asked, whispering as to not be overhead. Princess Amy and herself knew of Serenity's secret relationship with the Solar Kingdom Prince for she was in a relationship of her own with Prince Yaten, while Amy was with Prince Taiki. Since they were her close friends, Serenity had also told Princess Raye, Princess Lita, and the sometimes feline sometimes human advisor, Luna, of her secret lover. Serenity wiped away a stray tear as she shook her head.
"Seiya told me he no longer wants to see me because of my betrothal to Endymion." She answered, and Raye frowned, hugging her Princess.
"It's alright Serenity. This is your night, enjoy it." She soothed, watching over Serenity's shoulder as Mina and Amy exchanged confused and saddened glances before making their way over to their respective suitors.
"Are you alright, Kitten?" Serenity smiled as she released Raye. She couldn't help it, she loved Princess Amara's nickname for her. Nodding, she smiled, making this one as genuine as possible.
"Are you sure, Serenity?" Lita asked, glancing over at Seiya once, then Endymion, then back to her Princess.
"I'm fine, but thank you for your concern." Serenity assured. The six remaining Princesses nodded and a new song began to play.
"Would you like to dance with me, Princess?" Amara offered, but Serenity politely declined and instead ushered Amara to the dance floor with Michelle. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Serenity turned and found herself face to face with those intense indigo eyes. Taking in a breath, she stared at Seiya for a moment before he offered his hand to her.
"May I have this dance, Princess Serenity?" He asked. Serenity was taken aback by the formality but nodded, putting her smaller hand in his as he led her out to the center floor. All eyes turned to the royal's dancing the waltz, even Queen Serenity, who watched her daughter carefully. Princess Serenity looked into Seiya's eyes.
"Why are you doing this? I thought you no longer wanted anything to do with me." She said softly, her voice turning bitter as the words flowed from her pink lips. Seiya sighed.
"Serenity, I love you now. I have loved you and I always will. But if you are to be with another, and he makes you happy, then I won't interfere."
"But you make me happy, Seiya. I love you."
"And I, you. I'm sorry to hurt you like this, but I needed to be with you one last time." The song ended and Seiya released her, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. "Goodbye, Dumpling."
And with those final words, he made for the exit, breaking Serenity's heart twice in the same day. Mina came over with Yaten, and Amy with Taiki.
"Are you alright?" Amy asked, wrapping an arm around Serenity's shoulders. Mina glared after Seiya.
"I have half a mind to blast him back to Pluto." She muttered, and Yaten chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. Serenity smiled them all and apologized and assured them she was alright and went to be with Endymion.
Seiya was her past, and he made it obvious they did not have a future.
A woman appeared feet from her Queen's throne with a bright yellow dress with a black skirt layer underneath of it. The dress resembled a sunflower. The woman's hair was long and black, trailing to her waist like rippled waves. Her eyes were a lovely shade of sapphire blue. Beside her was a man with long white hair, smooth as silk, his tuxedo was white with a golden vest. His eyes were an even lighter shade of blue that the woman's. Both had a crescent moon on the center of their foreheads.
"Luna, Artemis, I see you have decided to come to the ball in this form." Queen Serenity commented, smiling at her advisors. Luna nodded.
"But not for long I'm afraid, My Queen." Luna replied, and Serenity nodded.
"Tell me, Luna, how often does my daughter go to see Prince Seiya?" Queen Serenity asked, eyes never leaving the dancing couple. Luna's eyes widened but she regained her composure.
"For quite some time now, your Majesty. Far longer than the time she's been engaged to Prince Endymion. Nearly a year now, perhaps." Luna answered, bowing a bit as she said this. Serenity nodded.
"And Artemis, have the people of Earth promised peace in the union of Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity?"
"Yes, M'Queen."
Serenity thought for a moment, watching as the song ended and Seiya left her daughter and the palace, and how Serenity nearly burst into tears on the spot as her friends surrounded her. She thought long and hard, watching the scene.
"Is my daughter's happiness worth that peace? We have only just ended the war with the Shadows…" She mused aloud, but neither of the advisors answered, for the question was meant for herself, her thoughts aloud. Finally, Serenity sighed.
"Break the engagement. I want my daughter to be happy in life, even if we must work a bit harder to maintain the peace of our worlds. She is far too important to me." Serenity, ordered, and her advisors exchanged a glance.
"Yes your majesty." Both replied, bowing to Serenity before instantly returning to their female forms.
Outside, Princess Serenity stood with Prince Endymion as he enveloped her in his cape and pressed his lips to hers. A tear trailed down her cheek as she thought of a certain raven haired Prince of the Kingdom of the Sun.
And that was when the Negaverse began their attack.
Back on the Moon
The Sailor Scouts watched in silence at the scene before them.
"The Starlights are all Princes?" Saturn asked.
"And Serenity loved Prince Seiya, but was being forced to be with Endymion?" Jupiter blinked in confusion.
"And Queen Serenity was going to let Serenity be with Seiya anyway but the Negaverse stopped that from happening…" Pandora looked shocked, yet inwardly pleased. All of the Scouts of Thalia were. They personally sympathized Seiya and preferred him for Serena, and any advancement to bring them closer together was a good thing in their eyes. Especially this.
"Yes, all of that is true. But there is more." Sahara said. And with those words, the setting changed again. They were transported to Thalia, standing in the ballroom of the Divine Palace. They were watching as Sailor Celestia and her Scouts came running in, and another Queen Sahara entered from another doorway.
A Millennium Ago, Divine Palace
"And just where do you all think you're going?" Sahara asked. Celestia's hands tightened around her glaive.
"The Moon Kingdom is under attack! We need to go and help them!" Celestia insisted, but Sahara shook her head.
"No, you can not interfere."
"Then millions of innocent lives will be destroyed, and I refuse to stand by and sit idly and let that happen!"
"I'm sorry, but you must stay here. It is for everyone's benefit."
"And I'm sorry your majesty, but you will not contain us here while the innocent are killed." Sailor Pandora seemed to ready herself to attack her Queen, but Sahara stood her ground, and her calm eyes suddenly became a flashing golden amber. Raising her hands, she created a thin barrier of blue.
"Charge Evolution!" Comet attacked the barrier, careful to avoid her Queen. But the barrier protected the older woman, absorbing the attack. Sailor Comet stared on with surprised eyes.
"This is not your battle." Sahara objected.
"But your majesty, if we do not go, the Moon Kingdom will be destroyed by the Negaverse!" Sailor Super Nova shouted. Sahara turned to her, golden eyes narrowed.
"Your bother and the other Empyrean Warriors have already defied my orders and launched themselves into battle. For that, they have been punished."
"No! Let us go! I need to help Aidan! Pulsing Star Annihilator!" She, too, attacked the Queen's barrier, which quivered under the power of the attack. The Queen winced and stepped back, but her barrier held form, absorbing the power.
"Mother, please…let us go. I want to save Princess Serenity. She may be the one…the one I'm born to protect. Please, let us through!" But when her mother stood her ground, Celestia found she only had one option. "Shine Evolution!" The attack nearly disintegrated the barrier, but it was still absorbed. Sahara sighed.
"This is not your battle. You are still recovering from the Shadow War, you all need to-"
"We will not rest! Queen Serenity helped us in that battle, shouldn't we help them in return?" Phobos pointed out.
"But they were also being attacked."
"That doesn't mean anything! Let us through!" Sailor Deimos shouted.
Queen Sahara didn't reply for a long moment, she just looked at her daughter and her large team of Scouts, before bowing her head, and sighing,
"I'm sorry."
"W-what?" Celestia blinked in confusion.
But again, she did not answer. She raised her hand, the Divine Jewel in her hand.
"Vasaleiji eil Shol!"
The Scouts soon found themselves unable to move or see, the world was engulfed in darkness as they froze in place.
"Maer!"
The darkness did not disappear, but the Scouts all stopped struggling to move, as the slept in a deep unconscious state in place.
"Eindrol Vaelaesi!"
And right before her eyes, Queen Sahara's daughter and Scouts all began to shrink, their clothes returning to their civilian form clothing they'd wore before this transformation. Their faces changed, until they looked to be about ten. Sahara chanted the spell again, and the girl's continued to de-age until they were about two years old before her, paralyzed there, in an unconscious sleep. Sahara lowered the Divine Crystal and wrapped it around a chain on her neck, right above the Celestial Jewel. Closing her eyes, she raised both her hands again. She chanted softly to herself, using the best of her power until she felt weak, falling to her knees, and opened her eyes.
All of the Scouts were now frozen in golden crystals, eyes still closed. And they'd stay that way now, for at least a millennia or until she awakened them. Rising on unstable legs, Sahara approached the crystal her daughter was frozen in, and kissed the cool surface, her palm softly laying on the cold crystal.
"I'm sorry…but you'll understand this someday. I just wish you would remember the life you had." And with those words, she turned and left the crystals, never to be touched again for another millennium.
End.
Celestia fell down to her knees in disbelief, unable to take her eyes off of where that scene had passed before her eyes.
"You…we…lived over a…millennia ago?" She asked, her voice reflecting her disbelief as she stared at her mother, who nodded.
"I knew you would be needed when the Moon Princess was reborn. I couldn't let you all fight with the Negaverse, or you would have died." Sahara explained, but Celestia wouldn't listen. She turned to the Solar system Scouts and Starlights, but some of them did not seem confused or surprised at this new information.
"Did you…know?" Eclipse asked, eyes on Eternal Sailor Moon, who turned away before nodding.
"We did. Please, do not blame them, I suggested we keep it a secret." Sailor Pluto added. Comet turned to her and glared.
"You bitch! You've all been lying to us!" Comet looked about to charge at the girl but Titania, Pandora and Hydra held her back. Sailor Himalia shook her head.
"Keep your temper, Comet. This won't help us, or change what has passed. What we want to know," She turned to the two Queens. "Is how to get Celestia back."
As if her words were a trigger, Celestia fell to her knees with a scream of pain, clutching her skull. She curled into a small ball, tears streaming down her cheeks as she continued to whimper and scream.
"Princess!" The Thalian Scouts rushed over to the girl. Eclipse comfortingly wrapped an arm around her friend. Pandora turned to the fallen Queens with saddened eyes.
"Please, save her! Do something!" She urged, tears pooling in her own eyes. Thalassa stepped up and stood by her side.
"You must save her, we have only just been reunited. Do not separate us again so soon." She begged, falling to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks, something unbefitting of the graceful and strong scout.
"Only you can save her. You must combine your power to save her." Queen Serenity explained. The Scouts exchanged confused looks.
"Not this again…" Healer mumbled under her breath, and Kakyuu elbowed her in the ribs. Now was not the time.
"And this will save her? All of our power combined?" Sailor Black Hole asked, clear eyes actually hopeful. Queen Sahara nodded and the Scouts all formed a circle, even Princess Kakyuu. The Starlights had insisted she didn't but the Princess was determined to help save Celestia. They formed a circle around the still weeping Princess, who was fading in and out of sight before them. The stood hand in hand, eyes to the skylight above with the moonlight falling on the fading Princess.
"Thalassa Angelic Power!"
"Black Hole Angelic Power!"
"Himalia Angelic Power!"
"Hydra Angelic Power!"
"Phobos Angelic Power!"
"Deimos Angelic Power!"
"Super Nova Angelic Power!"
"Flame Warrior!"
"Comet Angelic Power!"
"Pandora Angelic Power!"
"Titania Angelic Power!"
"Eclipse Angelic Power!"
"Healer Star Power!"
"Maker Star Power!"
"Fighter Star Power!"
"Uranus Crystal Power!"
"Neptune Crystal Power!"
"Saturn Crystal Power!"
"Pluto Crystal Power!"
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
"Moon Cosmic Dream Action!"
"Moon Eternal Power!"
Princess Kakyuu said nothing, but instead, she lent her power in spirit.
Streams of lights shot into the sky, through the skylight and towards the moon, before crashing down on Celestia's body again. She writhed in pain for a moment, heart clutched to her chest as she screamed out. After a moment, the lights faded to nothingness. The Princess's body laid limply on the floor for a moment, before she struggled to rise, supporting herself with her knees and left hand. She placed her right hand over her heart before smiling at her friends.
"My heart…it's beating again…" She smiled, as Eclipse and Black Hole rushed over and helped her to her feet. She leaned on Eclipse for support as her legs wobbled unsteadily under her weight. Himalia rushed to her Princess and hugged her.
"And it has the most beautiful rhythm." She said softly, causing both her and Celestia to chuckle at the memories brought back to them at that moment.
Then the room froze again.
All of the Scouts from Thalia, including Celestia, screamed out in pain as they clutched their skulls tightly and fell to their knees. Nails dug into skulls as high pitched screams of pain echoed through the large cathedral. The Scouts from the Milky Way Galaxy looked on with sympathy and confusion.
"What's happening to them?" Sailor Venus asked, kneeling beside Sailor Deimos as the blue haired Scout continued to scream. Queen Serenity looked saddened by the scene.
"They are regaining their memories from over a millennia ago. It is painful, but it's necessary for them to do this, or they will never know the full extent of their power." Queen Sahara explained softly, sympathizing eyes on her daughter, who had one hand on her skull and the other supporting her from falling.
"And we can't help them?" Sailor Moon asked, hand clutching her winged, heart shaped brooch.
Queen Serenity shook her head sadly, and the room fell silent as the Milky Way Galaxy Scouts and the Starlights, with their Princess, gently tried to comfort the screaming Scouts of the Golden Planet, knowing it was in vain but finding the screams of pain unbearable.
After a few moments, the screams died down until they were just whimpers, and then silence as the Scouts gasped for breath, using the others to help them to their feet. Sailor Moon allowed Celestia to lean on her as she stood, panting heavily.
"Anything else we should know?" Celestia asked sarcastically. Sahara narrowed her eyes as she nodded.
"Over this past millennia, you were not just reborn in this time. You, Sailor Scouts of the Milky Way Galaxy and Sailor Starlights of Kinmoku, were reborn once before, about five hundred years ago." She explained. This looked like news even to Sailor Pluto.
"Then why do I not recall this other past life?" She asked, hands tightening around the neck of the Garnet Rod. Queen Serenity sighed.
"That is because you were all killed before your powers could be awakened. Even you, Sailor Pluto, were only known as Trista Meioh, the name you have kept for a millennia." With a wave of their hands, the two Queen's changed the scene once more. It was Earth, about five hundred years ago.
Tokyo, 500 Years Ago
A group of five young girls sat giggling in a small room, fussing over a center girl with blonde hair in two, dumpling shaped buns on either side of her head.
"Oh, Serena, come on, tell us, who's your date?" A blonde haired girl asked with dancing blue eyes asked her friend, who shook her head.
"Come on, you can't keep it a secret forever!" A brunette with a high ponytail and jade green eyes insisted.
"Lita's right, you'll have to spill!" A raven haired girl added, violet grey eyes flashing with excitement and curiosity.
"Come on Raye, Serena doesn't have to tell us." A girl with short blue hair and blue eyes pointed out gently. The first blonde turned.
"Thank you, Amy." She said, glaring at Raye, who frowned deeply. Lita sighed.
"Well, I guess we'll see you later then, Serena. Come on, Mina, Amy, Raye, before things get even worse." Lita said, grapping Mina by the arm so she'd stop trying to make sure Serena looked nice. Serena thanked the girl and nodded before turning to take her leave.
"Oh, Serena!" Serena turned back to Raye. "Don't have too much fun, okay?" Serena stuck her tongue out before closing the door behind her as Raye and Mina chuckled.
Serena walked from the small home before breaking out into a small run, hurrying around a street corner. Looking over her shoulder to make sure none of her friends had followed, she continued on. Soon, she saw a dark shadow, the outline of a familiar figure that made her smile. The figure turned and indigo blue eyes lit up at the sight of the blonde girl.
"Seiya…" Serena smiled as she approached the girl and wrapped her arms around her. Seiya kissed the crown of Serena's head.
"It's nice to see you too, Dumpling." The, obviously, female Seiya said softly. Serena's smile widened at the nickname her lover had given her as she sighed in contentment. Looking up at Seiya she pressed a kiss to the other woman's lips before pulling away and taking Seiya's hand as they walked the streets.
"So, what are we to do now?" She asked, looking up at the sky. Seiya smiled.
"I was thinking a simple moonlit picnic on the hillside. You know, that way we won't be seen." Seiya replied, shrugging, and Serena paused, frowning.
"You know it's not like that, Seiya. You know how the girls are. They only know you as a friend we pass on the streets, not as the woman I love. I promise you, I'll tell them when we're ready." Serena said softly. Seiya paused and turned to the shorter girl, taking Serena's hands in her own, as she pressed her forehead to the blonde's.
"What if we are ready? I am."
"But I don't think I am."
"Then if you need to wait, I want to wait forever by your side. As long as your with me, Dumpling."
"Seiya…you know I love you, right?" Serena asked, eyes shining and cheeks lightly flushed. Seiya chuckled, hands on Serena's waist as she pulled her closer.
"And I love you, more than you could ever know." She murmured, kissing Serena full on the mouth, and Serena returned the kiss with such a fire, both girls felt immense power coursing through their veins.
At that moment, they believed they could do anything. It felt as though they could fly to the moon, dance on water, and kiss the stars. The night sky cloaked them in protection, the moon bathed them in the gentlest of lights, their hearts beating the same beautiful song. They opened their eyes as memories returned, memories of another life over five hundred years ago. They smiled at each other, as a love from centuries ago resurfaced in their hearts-
And that was when the sword appeared, glinting in the moonlight. It passed through Seiya's body easily, and then Serena's. Sliding the sword out, the two bodies fell to the ground with a thud. The lovers lay lifelessly in a growing pool of blood, Seiya's hand still tightly holding on to Serena's. Their killer chuckled.
"Two down, eleven more to go." A dark voice said, before disappearing all together, leaving the two dead lovers in the street, bathing in the light of the full moon.
End
"Oh my God…" Eternal Sailor Moon's voice was hoarse, and she nearly passed out, but ended up simply stumbling backwards before she was caught by the shoulders by Sailor Mars.
"Who was that? That killed them…us?" Sailor Saturn asked, holding the Silence Glaive close. That…enemy could have been talking about the other eleven Scouts, including the Starlights and Tuxedo Mask. Queen Serenity shook her head.
"That is for another time, I'm afraid. That enemy is not our concern as of now." She replied.
"That enemy only seemed to have made a mistake while interfering with Queen Serenity's plans." Queen Sahara added, sending a quick look at the white haired queen.
"What about Darien? Where was he in that lifetime?" Sailor Mars asked, sending a worried glance to her Princess.
"Darien had not yet been reunited with Serena. Strangely, we believe he would have met her the next day, had you all not been murdered that night." Queen Sahara explained. Serenity nodded sadly, eyes on Sailor Moon as the girl stared straight ahead, her eyes wide and her face filled with the disbelief echoing deep within her.
"Your Majesty's, if you do not mind me asking, what is the point of this? How can it help us in our battle against the Shadows?" Guardian Phoenix asked, stepping up from the crowd. Sailor Super Nova took her place beside him.
"Phoenix is right. Yes, this is all very useful and important information to our mission, but we also need help in defeating the Shadows." She added on, scarlet eyes flashing. Sahara and Serenity exchanged a look and nodded, and next thing they knew, the Scouts and the one Empyrean Warrior were transported back to the cathedral.
"Your powers aren't strong enough right now, but that can be changed, if your ready." Queen Sahara said. The Scouts and Starlights all exchanged looks before Sailor Star Fighter, Eternal Sailor Moon, and Sailor Celestia all stepped forward as representatives of their respective groups.
"We're ready." The three said at once. Serenity smiled at Celestia.
"You, Divine Princess, received your advancement with your death. There isn't much more power you can receive, but there is always room for improvement." She said softly, smiling at the young Princess, who smiled back with a nod.
"We must do this quickly, before the full moon wavers." Sahara said. That was when Neptune realized something.
"But that's impossible. When we awoke here, we saw the sun." She pointed out, Saturn nodding in agreement.
"Here in the Realm of the Fallen, both the Sun and the Moon shine in our skies at the same time. It represents the balance of our worlds, the Solar and the Lunar Kingdoms. That is why you can see the light of the Sun through the opposite skylight." Queen Serenity explained.
"Opposite skylight?" Sailor Star Maker asked, confusion written across her face. Queen Serenity pointed at the ceiling, towards the large doors where the Scouts had entered.
All eyes followed her finger to where it was pointing at another wide skylight, seemingly made of small crystals. Through the skylight was the sun, shining brightly, so close they could make out small imperfections on the large star. It was so bright, and Sailor Star Fighter seemed as though her eyes would not turn away from it. Her true home.
"It's time." Queen Sahara said, and all eyes turned back to her. They nodded, closing their eyes and preparing for whatever it was the two Fallen Queens had in store for them. The two Queen's held each other's hands once again, eyes pointed to the sky.
"Divine Luminous Divination!"
"Cosmic Moon Power!"
Then the golden and silver shimmer began to fall, followed by the silent comfort of darkness.
-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-
"Star Fighter!"
Fighter turned back at the sound of the voice as she saw the sky blue eyes of Queen Serenity. The eyes reminded her of Serena very much so, she could see the young girl when looking at the deceased Queen. Shaking her head to clear her mind, she flew towards the Queen.
Where were they?
It looked as if they were floating in space, surrounded by stars and beams of light. They were beautiful, and Fighter couldn't help but stare at them before turning her attention back to Serenity, who frowned.
"What is it, Queen Serenity?" She asked, feeling light and weightless as she floated through the depths of space. The Past Moon Queen's eyes became clouded as she frowned, and Fighter tensed, feeling that Serenity came to bare bad news. But why single her out?
"You, Fighter, were once the Prince of the Solar Kingdom. In your next lifetime, you were reborn a female, so it was predicted you would become the Princess of the Solar Kingdom. But in this lifetime, because of your strange 'ability' to be a male on this planet but a female on your home planet, that is harder to determine."
"What do you mean?" Fighter's eyes widened. What did this mean?
"I mean…there is a chance that you are neither Prince or Princess of the Solar Kingdom in this lifetime."
Fighter felt her blood freeze. Just as she was coming to accept that, in a past life, she'd been a Prince…this was dropped on her shoulders.
Of course, it could never be that easy. It hadn't been easy in her past lives either. Especially when it came to Serena. In both her past lives, she'd had Serena. Serena had actually been her Dumpling. And she could have been again in this lifetime. And it seemed as though those possibilities were being ripped right from under her in a matter of seconds.
"The power of the Solar Kingdom can only be ignited by you. Your heart. Awaken your power, Fighter." And with those words, Serenity faded into the darkness of space.
"Wait, Queen Serenity! How do I awaken this power? Serenity!" But the Queen was gone, leaving Fighter floating alone in the depths of space. She felt tears pool in her eyes but she blinked them away, not sure how to feel. How was she to awaken this power? Why had she lost it? What did this mean for her, for Serena, for Kakyuu, for the Solar Kingdom?
And then she fell, the stars disappearing, and she crashed back into the world of reality, back into the heart of Tokyo, and onto a couch in the Cherry Hill Temple, Serena's head resting on his chest as Seiya returned.
-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-
Jazz: And…done!
Layla: So, for all you readers who've been waiting for this, this is where the Seiya & Serena action begins!
Aqua: So stay tuned! Next chapter will have a bit of romance for a few couples, some you may or may not be expecting it from!
Emma: Hope you guys liked the chapter, keep reading, stay tuned for more, all of that.
Kelsey: Lots of love to all our readers and reviewers!
Jazz: Hope you enjoyed, and don't forget to review!