Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

A Past Imperfect

Chapter 20

Late that same night when Serena was finally alone in her bedroom, she sighed in relief. Her daughters and sister were asleep and she was glad to have some time alone to sort out her thoughts and feelings.

She was not surprised a little while later when a small ball of white light appeared just inside the door and floated over to where she was sitting on the bed. Queen Selenity appeared in the sphere and greeted her daughter warmly.

"Good evening my darling daughter, how are you tonight?" Serena bowed her head in respect to her mother and then smiled. Her moon mother had begun visiting her after she and Amara had left Japan. No one knew (not even Amara), that she was still in regular contact with the former moon queen. Serena felt that it was something special and she really didn't want to share it with anyone.

"Good evening, Mother. I am feeling very tired, Endymion showed up here today." The moon queen raised a ghostly eyebrow at that piece of news. She didn't like at all what the Sailor Scouts and the Earth Prince had done to her daughter, but she had always left the decisions of their fates up to her daughter.

"Oh, and what did he have to say?"

"Well, he seems to be genuinely regretful for his actions in the past and he says he wants to be a father to Rini and Tierra. Amara came in before we could talk anymore about the topic. She is still angry and thinks that I shouldn't have anything to do with him."

"And what do you think, my dear?" The queen asked.

"Ever since I saw him again, my head and my heart have been in a constant battle. I truly believe that he is regretful about the past and about being a father to the girls. He did not know the truth about what really going on back then, and it's not entirely all his fault; some of the fault is my own. My heart wants to forgive him instantly and give him another chance, but then my head stops me by reminding me that he could do the same thing again."

"Darling, you know I don't like how he treated you, but I do believe people do change. I will support whatever you decide to do. Have you given any thought about going to visit the Scouts and telling them the truth about what happened?"

"I have been too busy worrying about Endymion to give them much thought, and I can't just leave my girls. I don't want to drag them all over the world."

"I have thought about that, how about this?" The white sphere glowed brighter for a moment and then an exact clone of Serena appeared beside the bed. "She is exactly like you. Your daughters will never know that you are gone. I suggest you inform Amara what is going on and what you are planning to do."

"Wait a minute! I haven't decided to do anything yet."

"Well I think you need to make peace with your court. You can't let things continue as they are."

"Why? Has something happened?"

"Not yet, but the universe is changing and you will need all the support you can get if you are to create your kingdom."

"My kingdom? I am only the princess, not the queen."

"Not for much longer. You have reached your highest power stage today. I felt it. It will not be long before you will have full control over the power of the Silver Crystal, and because of that, this will be my last visit. The crystal will soon no longer respond to my spirit as the next generation comes into power." Tears formed in Serena's eyes as she realized what her mother was telling her.

"But I am not ready for all of this. I am not ready to say goodbye to you yet."

"Darling, my life was over a thousand years ago on the moon. I have only been hanging on for you so that I could continue to guide you until you no longer needed me. You will be ready to take your place as queen. It will not be easy and will take much hard work, but you can achieve it."

"When will all of this take place?"

"My dear, you know as well as I do that the future isn't set in stone, so I do not know any more than you do about what will or will not happen. But I do know that your powers will continue to grow. Do not worry about the future so much. Just follow your heart when you make important decisions."

"So you still think I should use this clone and go visit the Scouts?"

"Yes, I do. The sooner, the better. I know that things in the past have not always been so rosy between you and them, especially in this life, but I think they will listen to you." The queen replied.

"But I released them from being my guardians. I don't think they are going to want to give up their lives to protect me again."

"My dear, you are not the only one bond to a date greater than most people in this world. I do not agree with the Sailor Scouts' actions towards you, but you were all very young when you were thrown into fighting the evils that emerged. To truly release your guardians from their duties, they would have to give up their powers and throne forever. Go See then and tell then the truth. Then give them the choice to stand by you or to give up everything they have ever known. I think you will be surprised how many will stand with when you are ready to become queen."

"All right then. I will go."

"That's my girl. I must go now my darling, I love you with all of my heart and I am so proud of you. Goodbye, my beautiful Serenity." The sphere slowly faded away as Serena cried. She continued to cry long after her mother was gone.

Amara knocked her bedroom door when she heard her princess' sobs. When Serena didn't answer, she decided to enter the room anyway. She was taken aback at the sight of the clone standing lifeless next to the sobbing princess. Amara went over to the bed, sat down, and just gathered Serena into her arms to let her sob. Serena didn't fight when she was pulled to Amara.

"What's wrong?" Amara questioned after Serena's crying had finally quieted down to just sniffling. Serena pulled back from her sister.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. It has just been a long day."

"You didn't wake me up. I couldn't sleep. Now, what has you so upset?"

"My mother is truly gone now." Serena closed her eyes and sighed so she wouldn't start crying again.

"What do you mean?"

"Over the last couple of years, my mother, Queen Selenity, has visited me quite regularly."

"How is that possible?"

"It was because of the Silver Crystal, but now, because of my new powers, the Crystal will no longer respond to her as I am to become queen shortly. Tonight was her last visit and I wasn't ready to say goodbye." Serena explained.

"I see. Why didn't you ever tell me about this?"

"Because I wanted something all to myself. I know that doesn't make much sense, but that's how it feel."

"I think I understand. So what happens now and why do you have a lifeless clone version of you?" Amara asked, gesturing to the clone.

"Well, my mother thought that it's time for me to visit the others and tell them the truth. The clone was her solution to me being gone and the girls missing me."

"Are you going to go?"

"I think so. I will tell them what was really going on with me in the past and then give then the choice of whether they want to keep doing their duty or lose their powers and thrones forever." Serena sighed. "This isn't going to be easy, despite what my mother thought."

"So you are just going to jet set around the world and leave that thing here with me and your daughters?"

"Yes. I thought I would go visit Ami first since she the closest. Then I will travel over to Paris to see Mina, Luna, and Artemis. After those visits, I thought maybe you would meet me with the girls in Tokyo to see the rest. I mean, unless you want to give your powers and be truly released from having to protect me." Amara glared at Serena for that last statement.

"Powers or no powers, I am always going to protect you because you are my little sister and I love you, and as foolish as I think you are being by doing this, I will support you and meet you in Japan whenever you need me to. I am not giving up my powers, so I am afraid you are stuck with me, your Highness."

"Good. Can you take my clone and the girls you the park tomorrow so I can leave without the girls seeing two of me? I will stay in here until you have left."

"Yes, you crazy little rabbit. I am going to miss the real you. Now, give me a hug before I come to my senses and change my mind about letting you go." Serena smiled in relief at her sister. She knew Amara didn't like what she was going to do, but she was so relieved to have her support. They rose from the bed and Serena hugged her sister tightly.

"Goodbye, Sere, and good luck. Your task is not going to be an easy one. I will see you soon."

"Thank you, Amara."

Amara pulled away, kissed Serena on the cheek, and left the room. Serena then turned to her closet to start the task of packing.

Please review!