Hi all! I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a while. I know it's inexcusable but I've been working on other fanfics and some original work as well. Nonetheless, please enjoy this chapter! xx
Decisions, Decisions
After much arguing, my father finally heard me out and agreed that appointing Shinozaki as temporary ruler of Jupiter until I returned was the smartest option. He granted me my leave back to the Moon and it killed me to leave him. The past few days had certainly taken their toll on him: his skin had turned a sickly grey and he looked weak and fragile. Before I left, my father had announced his decree of who the new heir to the throne was. Though the people were shocked that I was not the heir, after he explained my decision, they seemed pleased with Shinozaki as the next choice.
Saying 'goodbye' to my father was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I sat on the edge of his bed, holding tight to his hand. Tears rolled freely down my cheeks. We didn't say anything for a long time. I couldn't think of anything to say. My mouth went dry and I wet my lips with my tongue. My father squeezes my hand tightly and smiles at me with his emerald eyes; the eyes I inherited from him.
"Makoto," he says fondly, reaching up and stroking my cheek gently.
"Father." My voice is thick from my tears and I give a loud sniff. "I'm sorry I'm leaving you."
He shakes his head slowly. "No, don't be sorry. You are doing the right thing. I am proud of you, Mako-chan."
"But I'm leaving you. I'm not Queen like you wanted. How could you be proud of me?"
"You may have defied me, but you were willing to sacrifice everything in order to do your duty and protect those you love. I couldn't be prouder of you, Mako-chan. I am the luckiest father alive."
I am sobbing hysterically now as I lean down and rest my forehead against his. He hasn't told me he was proud of me before. As we stay there, I wish that I could pause time and remain like that forever. It pains me to know that this will be the last time I see him. He will be gone when I next return to Jupiter.
"What about you? Will you be alright?" I ask him in a high-pitched whisper.
"Of course. Asami will take good care of me until it is my time. And I will join your mother knowing that my daughter is happy. That is all I could ask for."
"I'm going to miss you," I admit.
"I know," he said, kissing my forehead gently. "I will miss you too. But I will finally be reunited with my beloved Hana again, so it's not all bad."
The way my father said my mother's name – his eyes glazing over and the corners of his lips curving into a smile – made my heart flutter and my eyes fill with tears again. Even though his departure is sudden, I know that he is looking forward to being with my mother again. Her untimely death so early in her life severely broke my father's resolve and even though he tries to remain strong, I know he misses her deeply.
"You look just like her, you know," he said softly. "And you make me so proud, Makoto. I couldn't have asked for a greater blessing in life than for the heavens to give you to me. You are my very precious daughter."
I break down into sobs and cling to him. He feels so weak and fragile and I just want to stay like this forever and never let him go. He strokes my hair gently, like he used to do when I was a little girl.
After a while, we pull apart and I kiss my father's cheek for the last time. Then, I gather my courage and leave the room, without so much as a glance behind me. I know that if I turn back, I will never leave. Asami informs me that my ship back to the Moon is ready, and so I pack my things and board the ship. As I stand on the steps, I glance back to see my beautiful planet. As always, it is raining heavily and a fork of lightning tears through the grey sky, as though the thunder is wishing me farewell. I grow sad as I think about all the people I am leaving behind to resume my duty – my father, Shinozaki... even Asami. But I know that one day I will return to rule Jupiter as my father before me. With hope in my heart, I retreat onto the ship and retire to my chamber, where I instantly fall asleep.
I awake just as the ship is landing on the Moon and am harassed by a distressed guard to get properly dressed. I quickly change out of my nightdress and into some everyday clothes and exit the ship. As soon as my feet touch the ground, I am greeted by Luna and Artemis. Luna smiles at me warmly and embraces me.
"Welcome back, Princess Makoto," she says cheerfully.
"It's good to be back, Luna," I say honestly.
"Mako-chan!"
I turn my head and can't keep the grin off my face. I recognise that voice anywhere. Sure enough, I see three figures hurrying towards me and I rush out to meet them. As I reach them, I curtain of blonde hair hits me in the face as Minako hugs me fiercely. I return the hug just as tightly and beam around at the euphoric faces of Ami and Rei. They join in the embrace and we stay like that for a few moments.
"We missed you so much, Mako-chan!" Rei cries.
"It's so good to see you again," says Ami.
"I'm so glad you're back. Uranus has been torturing us while you've been away!" Mina groans dramatically and I laugh.
"I'm sure she has," I chuckle. Mina slips her arm through my right arm, Rei through my left and Ami through Rei's left arm, and the four of us head up to the palace. Nothing has changed since I was away – the gardens are still beautifully kept and the weather is exquisite. The palace shines up ahead like a white beacon of hope and for once, I am actually glad to be here.
"How was Jupiter?" Ami asks.
I hesitate for a moment. "Uh, it was great."
No one but Minako seems to notice my hesitation.
"I bet it was good to see you father again," Rei says. "How was his trip to Earth?"
Again, I hesitate. I am not sure if I should tell them now or wait until I have spoken to the Queen. So I dodge the question and simply answer, "It was pleasant."
Mina frowns at me. "What's wrong, Mako? You seem a little off."
"I'm fine," I shrug her off brusquely. "I just need to speak to the Queen as soon as possible."
"Why?" Rei asks, raising her thin, dark eyebrows. "You only just got back."
"You should relax," Ami advises gently.
"No. I can relax later."
They all hesitate at my forcefulness but I don't care at this point. My one priority is to speak to the Queen. She needs to know what happened to my father. She needs to know about the strange, dark force that lurks in our universe. I pull my arms from Mina and Rei's grip and sprint towards the Palace.
"Wait! Makoto!" they call out to me, but I ignore them.
I vaguely hear Rei ask Mina what is wrong with me but I am too far away to hear her reply. I instantly find Artemis waiting outside Queen Serenity's office and he regards me with surprise.
"Princess Makoto. What are you doing here?" He bows before me respectfully.
"I need to speak to Queen Serenity immediately!" I demand.
His eyes widen in shock. "I'm afraid the Queen in is counsel with her advisers. But I'm sure she will see you once she is done."
I shake my head stubbornly. "This can't I wait!" I insist and push my way past him and go to open the door.
"Wait, Princess!" he cries.
I swing open the door loudly and see Queen Serenity surrounded by four men and women at a round table. She looks up at me in surprise, and purses her pale lips a little.
"Princess Makoto?"
I bow before her. "Your Majesty."
Artemis shuffles in behind me, looking outraged. "Queen Serenity, I'm so sorry. I told Princess Makoto to wait until you were finished."
The beautiful Queen simply smiles at Artemis and nods her head. "It is quite alright, Artemis. I wanted to talk to the Princess of Jupiter myself once she had returned."
With a squeak of protest, Artemis stares incredulously at the Queen. She never breaks her smile and nods her head again.
"It is quite alright, Artemis," she said kindly. "You may leave us."
"Of course," he said, bowing again before leaving and shutting the door behind him. I glance at Queen Serenity in confusion. I admit that what I did was rash, but it was a spur of the moment thing; I didn't expect to be allowed to sit in during the Queen's Counsel. Not even Serenity was allowed that privilege.
"Take a seat, Makoto," the Queen says gently, gesturing to an empty seat beside a tall, dark haired woman. "These are my councilmen. Councilmen, I'd like to introduce Princess Makoto of Jupiter."
I smile around at the unfamiliar faces of the council. But before I have a chance to inquire of their names, Queen Serenity draws my attention back to her.
"So, Makoto, I trust your trip home was pleasurable?"
"It was," I say, nodding my head politely.
"That's good to hear. I hope you don't mind if I skip the small talk, but I have some things to ask of you."
"Oh?"
"Did your father mention anything about his trip to Earth?" Queen Serenity continues.
I nod enthusiastically. This is my chance to tell her about my father, and the evil that haunts the universe. This is my chance to help save the world!
"Yes, he did. Actually, there's something you should – "
"And how did he find the Earth people?" she interrupts me. I pout a little but try not to show my annoyance. "Did they have a system of government? Were they amiable people?"
"Well, yes, I believe they were, your Majesty. From what my father told me, the King and Queen are very agreeable and their son even more so."
The Queen smiles radiantly and claps her pale hands together on the table. "Excellent. If Jupiter approves then I guess we have only one course of action. Earth will join the Silver Alliance!"
All around me, the councilmen begin to clap and cheer at the Queen's announcement, but I don't join in the celebration. I frown at the Queen.
"Your Majesty," I begin tentatively. "Before you make this announcement, there's something you should know about my father's trip to Earth."
She raises her eyebrows at me and her lips form a thin line. "What is it, Makoto?"
"Well, when my father was leaving Earth, his ship was... attacked."
She gasps and puts a delicate hand over her mouth. Her fair eyebrows rise into her hairline. "Attacked? By the Earth people?"
I shake my head. "No, by some other, external force. My father was injured quite badly and seems to be cursed. He's... well," I pause to take a shaky breath. Everyone's eyes are trained on me, and I feel a little uncomfortable under all the serious expressions. "He's dying. I expect he only has a few more days to live."
Tears begin to well in Queen Serenity's eyes and she wipes them away delicately with her finger. "Oh, Makoto. I'm so sorry. That is so awful! Of all my allies, I never thought Jupiter would be the first to fall."
I swallow uncomfortably. Thinking about my father; lying on his deathbed back home, makes me feel utterly depressed.
"Nevertheless," the Queen continues after a moment's hesitation, "We shall throw a ball to honour the joining of the Moon Kingdom and the Earth Kingdom. It shall be glorious. All royalty shall attend in celebration. We can toast to your father at the ball."
She smiles at me, but I don't return it. I can't understand what I am hearing. Did she not understand what I said? My father was attacked by an unknown, evil force, and she wants to throw a ball? It is outrageous! It takes all my strength not to explode and start shouting at my Queen. She notices my change in behaviour, because she scrutinises me carefully.
"Is everything alright?" she asks me.
"I just question your priorities, your Majesty," I say slowly, not wishing to offend her. "Is it truly wise to throw a ball when my father is about to die?"
Queen Serenity reaches over and pats my shoulder comfortingly. "Oh, Makoto, of course! You're worried that we won't pay our proper respects to your father's passing. But you needn't worry. We'll so him proper courtesy during the ball. A toast will do just nicely."
"But – " I begin heatedly, but she silences me with a cold glare.
"Thank you, Makoto. You may leave us now. We have business to attend to."
I bow respectfully and curtly exit the room, gritting my teeth in frustration. What was with these Moon people? Didn't they understand the seriousness of the force we are facing? I storm down to my chamber and swing open my door forcefully. I look up and see Minako, Rei and Ami sitting on my bed expectantly, though they look a little shocked by my attitude.
"Mako-chan, what's wrong with you?" asks Mina in concern.
"We thought you might like some help unpacking," Ami pipes up.
"Thanks Ami," I say as nicely as I can manage, with my given mood. "But I don't have much to unpack anyway."
Rei frowns and crosses her arms across her chest. "Spill, Mako-chan! There's something going on that you're not telling us!"
"You can trust us, Mako-chan," Mina insists.
"We're your friends," Ami smiles at me sweetly. I look between the girl's faces and sigh before joining them on my bed. I tell them everything about my trip to Jupiter. About my father's fatal injury, about the strange negative force, even my abdication of my crown in order to serve Princess Serenity. Once I finish, I glance around at their shocked faces.
"Oh, Mako-chan..." Mina says softly, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?"
I shrug and give her a small smile. "Not really. But I can't do anything about it, so there's no point me feeling sad."
"Can't Queen Serenity heal your father?" Ami asks.
"Yeah?" cries Rei excitedly. "I'm sure she could just use the Imperium Silver Crystal to cure him!"
I shake my head sadly and give a deep sigh. "I already suggested that, but my father refused. He said that the Queen needs to save all the Imperium Silver Crystal's power for fighting this evil."
Ami buries her head in her little computer and chews her lip in thought. The three of us watch her curiously as her eyebrows furrow and her eyes narrow.
"I can't find anything about this 'evil force'," she says, sounding a little disappointed. "Did your father know anything about them?"
Again, I shake my. "No. If he did, he would have told me."
Rei groaned. "Great! We have some strange dark force in our universe but we don't know what it is or how to fight it!" She slumped down onto the floor and rested her head against the bed.
"That's not the worst of it," I say gravely. "Queen Serenity is refusing to look into the matter." When the three of them gasp in surprise, I continue, "She is holding a ball instead to honour the Earth people joining the Silver Alliance."
Minako's face lights up and she claps her hands together, gleefully. "Ooh! A ball! I just love balls!" she cries exuberantly.
"Minako-chan..." Rei fixes her a glare. "This is no time to be fantasising about parties. We have a situation here!"
With a slight pout, Mina crosses her arms and slouches back on the bed, looking a little put out. "So, what are we going to do?" Rei asks.
They all turn to look at me and my eyes widen frantically. "What are you all looking at me for?" I ask.
"You're our leader, Mako-chan," Ami says confidently.
"Yeah! Tell us what we should do!" Rei implores.
I think for a moment. If we decide to investigate, we would be going behind the Queen's back. It could cost us our Guardianship of the Princess. But if we don't act, then the Silver Millennium could be in serious danger.
"Alright," I say finally, leaning closer. "We need to find out what this thing is. I know we can't ask Pluto to help – there's too much taboo with getting her involved – but maybe we could get Uranus and Neptune to look into it."
Mina makes a face. "I know we don't get along with Uranus, but we are all Senshi and we should learn to work together. Besides, they're Outer Senshi, they might know what is going on outside of the Moon better than we do."
Rei, Ami and Minako beam at me proudly and nod their heads enthusiastically. "Right!" they chorus. I can't help but grin. Perhaps the four of us could really save the world!
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