Title: For the Good of a Kingdom
Author: Silent Figure
Beta-Read and Edited by: Megara09
Disclaimer: I in no way own any of the characters or worlds that are portrayed in this fan fiction.
Author's Note: Welcome to my story! I hope you enjoy it.
Suggested Song: "I Should Tell You My Story Myself" – Ophelia (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
We are made of our stories. They shape who we are, who we are to become. The lessons we learn etched into our very veins, our bloodlines, passed down from generation to generation across time and even space.
Cerulean blue eyes followed the rise and fall of the tide, a silent admiration reflecting in them. They traced the recurring movement of the waves drawing the sand in and out, in and out, mesmerized by the fluidity of the natural and constant motions of the ocean. Just watching the waves was almost as comforting as listening to the soft rush they made as they crashed against the shore.
"What are you thinking about?" a deep sultry voice asked, bringing the contemplation to an end as it drew her attention.
Blinking cerulean blue met with midnight blue. "I'm thinking about how the ocean is constant," replied the cerulean blue-eyed blonde-haired woman.
"And what else?" the man, whose lap the young woman rested her head upon, asked with a gentle, teasing smile. It was not uncommon for him to notice when she was withholding her thoughts.
"And how I hope we are as constant as it is," she replied impishly, revealing what she had been, at first, a little embarrassed to admit and had considered keeping to herself.
But he was never fooled by her short and simple answers. He could always tell when there was more to be said. And, truthfully, she had yet to regret revealing those slightly embarrassing and cliché thoughts. He never judged her and often thought her foolish for being embarrassed for saying such things. Sitting up she faced him, her eyes taking in his handsome face. Black strands of hair fell messily into midnight blue eyes, which gazed lovingly back into her own. His face reminded her of the fairy tale princes her mother had told her about in the days when her mother still read bed time stories to her. In truth, he was more than she could ever have hoped for.
They looked at one another briefly before he leaned in, his lips grazing against hers chastely.
"Do you think we'll be together forever, Mamo?" she asked, biting her lip, smiling as she did so for her joy could not be contained on a bright, beautiful day such as this.
"Well, I don't know, Usako. That all depends on if you can forgive me," Mamoru answered, a mischievous gleam in his eye though he kept a straight face.
Usagi raised an eyebrow in suspicion, recognizing he was geared up to do something. "Forgive you for what?"
"For this," he replied with a huge grin as he tackled her, picked her up, and rushed into the ocean.
She let out a shriek of surprise as he released her, full body, in the ocean. She came up spluttering water out of her mouth before launching herself at him, which forced him to fall back into the water, soaking them both entirely despite the fact they were both fully clothed. When he came back up grinning, she knew she was in for an all-out war, which did come, and in the form of some rather intense splashing. The splash war went on for several minutes until they were both left breathless and panting from all the laughing and swimming. Grudgingly they called a truce, leaving the war for another day. It didn't take Mamoru long after the truce was called to reach out for her and pull her to him, bringing her body flush against his. It wasn't just the cool air settling around their drenched forms which made him crave her warmth. It was something internal he had never been able to fully comprehend, nor did he care to. It was as if his body could not bear to be separated from hers for too long.
"So, do you forgive me?" he whispered in a deep sultry tone, sending shivers up her spine which had nothing to do with the slow descent of the sun nor the subsequent cooling breeze as day slipped into evening. His lips lightly grazed her cheek and made for a trail to her lips. But once they arrived at her lips, his lips parted with her skin hovering teasingly just above them.
"I think I can manage that, but only if we're together forever," she replied with an eager grin as she wound her arms around his neck.
"Then, my love, you have a deal," he agreed, wiping a clinging strand of wet blonde hair away from her face before he closed the distance between their lips for another kiss, only this kiss would neither involve a mere grazing of the lips or be chaste. This kiss was filled with joyous, happy passion, warming her blood and making her forget the time and the place.
…
The lids of her eyes lightening to a brilliant bright red tore her from the dream realm, her dark lashes fluttering before cerulean blue eyes revealed themselves. Blinking a few times, a groan slipped from her lips as she rolled over onto her stomach in her bed. "What time is it?" she questioned groggily, sitting up slowly as her lids lowered in adjustment to the mildly unbearable bright light of dawn illuminating her formerly dark room.
"Your bath is drawn, Your Majesty. You requested I wake you early this morning so you would have time to prepare for the inter-planetary meeting," answered one of her ladies.
Serenity squinted against the light, just barely able to make out the form of her maid, Annette, the world of her youth fading away from her mind as her current reality came blinking into focus. Her name was no longer Usagi. Very few even knew she'd once gone by such a simple and common Japanese name. Everyone knew and addressed her either by a name given to her in another life, some deferential formality, or her position of Queen.
"Thank you, Annette," Serenity sighed, running a hand through her disheveled hair before untangling herself from her sheets and scooting to the edge of her Eastern king-sized four-poster canopy bed.
"You're welcome, Your Majesty," Annette replied with a curtsy, leaving her queen to bathe in privacy.
Serenity slipped off the edge of the bed, quickly discarding her nightgown before sliding into the warm tub awaiting her in the adjoining bathroom. For a solid ten minutes, she allowed herself to relax away some of the natural tension brought on by her dream, simply resting in the tub of fragrant steaming hot water before setting about cleaning herself. Once clean, she reached for her robe, standing up and slipping it about her shoulders. Sitting at her vanity, she called for her maid to return and help her with her hair. Serenity watched through the mirror as her maid proceeded to brush the flaxen tresses.
Eyes turning to her reflection, she couldn't help but feel as though her facial features over the years had begun to appear foreign to her. There were so many differences between the girl she had been in her dream and the woman she was now. Where once her hair was a golden blonde, now it was spun silver. The color was more akin to her previous life, the hair of her Queen mother, not at all indicative that she had once had another mother on Earth. Her eyes, though still cerulean blue, had become unnaturally intense in their color. And in them, she found none of the emotions she had expressed as a younger woman. She did not see the shine she had had that day on the beach so long ago.
Those whom were close to her often told her she had matured into someone far more beautiful than the girl she once was. Some wrote of her beauty, describing her as divinely untouchable. The poets claimed the child she once was had not grown into a woman, but rather a goddess. She was no longer described in the same way which Usagi once was. People saw only Serenity when they looked upon her. After all, it was Serenity who had had the flaxen tresses and intense cerulean eyes. It was Serenity who practically breathed grace, who was described as a goddess. After surveying her face, she finally settled upon her own gaze in the mirror. She studied what her eyes were communicating even to her. They seemed lifeless, so cold and so different in comparison to Usagi's.
"How would you like your hair today, Majesty?" Annette questioned, distracting Serenity from her scrutinous attention of her own reflection.
Serenity's gaze lifted to meet her maid's through the mirror. The blue-eyed brunette smiled gently, waiting patiently for her answer. "A French braid will do for today, I think," Serenity requested, thankful that her hair was no longer as long as it once was. Instead, it fell a few inches just below her hips, an impulsive decision made in an attempt to take ownership of her destiny. A change was always needed with a new start, and her iconic hairstyle had, to her, become outdated. Besides, the twin bun hairstyle was something both Serenity and Usagi had shared. She had to make a break from the Serenity of the past somehow. Something had to be different in her appearance to make her feel divergent from the young woman who lived eons ago, even if it meant giving up something so characteristically Usagi. Serenity closed her eyes, mentally deciding to change the subject of her thoughts. Instead, she chose to concentrate on the relaxing feeling of her personal maid running her fingers through Serenity's hair, weaving her tresses into a complex and tight braid.
Once Annette finished with Serenity's hair, her maid set about picking a dress for her mistress, so used to the routine that she could already guess at her mistress's preferences. After a few had been displayed for her, Serenity finally settled on a glittery white sleeveless dress. Pink diamond studded straps crisscrossed on the back of the dress, revealing a daringly open back. The waist, too, was studded with pink diamonds, the skirts falling from the waist with a short train at the bottom.
"Your accessories, Majesty?" questioned Annette as she walked over to the large chest of jewels resting in Serenity's walk-in closet.
"The usual necklace, please, with the pink pearl teardrop earrings," Serenity answered, looking herself over in the mirror. A smirk came to her lips for a moment. She looked as though she were dressed for a ball, though she was merely going to a meeting and later holding a feast in honor of her guests.
Annette walked back over to her with her jewels in hand, Serenity moving her braid out of the way so Annette could lay the lovely necklace around Serenity's neck, clasping it before handing the Queen her earrings. Once it was all in place, Serenity walked over to the full-length mirror and looked herself over.
"You look like a goddess, Your Majesty," Annette exclaimed, proud of her handiwork, before bowing and taking leave of Serenity. Serenity remained rooted in her position at the mirror, silently searching for something other than the goddess Annette had just described her as.
As Serenity glanced herself over, a hand strayed to her most prized necklace. It was three strings of diamonds, lightly studded with three pink diamonds connecting each strand in the middle of their arch. It was a gift from him, given to her on their honeymoon seven years ago. She sighed, mentally slapping herself for thinking of the past; it never did her any good.
Having had enough of such dreary and depressing thoughts, she exited her rooms and headed down the corridor to come upon a set of double doors. Knocking lightly, she smiled when one of the doors opened revealing a stately elder woman who stepped aside so Serenity could enter. Her smile reached her eyes upon entering her favorite place in the entire palace, her eyes taking in the bright pink room filled with toys, dolls, and stuffed animals.
There, across the room in bed, lay the only thing that brought life and love into the Queen's eyes. Sitting down beside the small bed, her gaze drifted over the sleeping four-year-old girl's face. She watched with awe as the little girl's chest rose and fell peacefully. She could not help but move a stray pink curl of hair away from the child's face, a face so much like her own at that age. The gesture disturbed the girl's rest, her eyes fluttering open in confusion.
"Mommy?" the girl asked groggily, sitting up slowly, her tiny balled up fists rubbing her eyes of the sandman's dust.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Serenity whispered, resting a hand on her daughter's leg and giving it a gentle pat.
"Do I have to get up now?" the child asked, her eyes focused on her mother and scooting closer so she could snuggle into her mother's maternal warmth.
"No, darling, I just came in to say good morning. I won't be able to have breakfast with you this morning," Serenity explained gently, lifting her daughter onto her lap.
Still tired, the little girl rested her head against her mother's shoulder. "Why not?" she questioned, her big pink eyes looking up at Serenity.
"Because I have some business, sweetheart, but we'll have lunch together, ok?" Serenity soothed, rubbing her daughter's back in circular motions, lulling her back to sleep.
"Ok," the child replied breathlessly, gladly drifting back into the dream world.
Serenity carefully adjusted her daughter back into a laying position before tucking her in. Lightly laying a kiss on her forehead Serenity whispered, "Mommy loves you."
Standing up, she gestured for the nanny to follow her out of the room for a private conversation. Once the door was shut and the two were in the hallway, Serenity spoke. "Make sure she doesn't sleep late; she has a lesson with Artemis in the library at eight."
"Of course, Your Majesty," the nanny acknowledged with a curtsy before Serenity dismissed the nanny back to her work.
Serenity walked down the palace corridors towards the grand ballroom to await the arrival of her guests. As she came upon a much larger set of double doors, she nodded her head at the doormen who opened one of the doors for her. Stepping into the well-lit private ballroom, she smiled when she spotted her lifelong friends and guardians awaiting her at the bottom of the grand staircase, all of whom turned upon hearing her entrance. Once she had reached their level, she found herself surrounded by them.
"Have they arrived yet?" Serenity asked, looking into the faces of the only Sailor Senshi who resided within her palace.
"Not yet, but they'll be here in a matter of minutes," said the leader of the most powerful women in the universe. A woman Serenity knew as Minako but whom was more often than not referred to as Sailor Venus.
"And the preparations are set for dinner?" Serenity questioned, turning to look at the tallest of the warrior women.
The soldier of Jupiter nodded her brunette head, confidently adding, "Of course. The feast shall be as grand as you hoped it to be."
"Good, good," Serenity half muttered, wringing her hands nervously. It had been a long time since the entire group of the planetary system's soldiers gathered. Not since she had just taken up residence at the palace five years ago, she realized.
"You are nervous?" inquired the blue haired sailor, Ami. Serenity met her friend's surprised analytical sea blue gaze with an attempt to genuinely smile.
"Whatever for?" Minako probed, wiping a strand of her sun kissed blonde hair behind her own ear.
"Pluto," Serenity admitted hesitantly, knowing full well her friends shared some of Sailor Pluto's sentiments about the time shift.
"Perhaps she will not be as severe as she was the last time we gathered," comforted Ami with a gentle smile.
"Doubtful," scoffed the raven-haired Senshi of Mars, blatantly suggesting Pluto openly disagreed with Serenity's actions and was the cause of multiple arguments between the Queen and the Guardian of Time.
"Not necessary, Rei," Minako grumbled sarcastically, pinching her friend on the arm. They had no need to make things any more tense than they were already going to be.
Before Rei could retaliate, the loud whirl of the inner planetary transporters in use rang throughout the room. The Inner Senshi halted mid-action instantly, eyes shooting glares which relayed the message that they would save their argument for another time. Together the group walked to the attached waiting room for the transporters.
They watched with bated breath as a tall Amazonian woman with a short blonde crop of hair and a blue strapless dress trailing behind her emerged first from the transporters. A mere moment later, an equally beautiful woman arrived in an aquamarine dress, matching her hair and eyes, though she carried a child in her arms. The child's hair was a dark raven color, and curious dark-purplish eyes stared intently back into Serenity's.
Last to arrive, a tall, elegant woman dressed in black emerged. Her long, greenish-black hair swayed behind her as she stepped forward, her crimson eyes sweeping critically across the ballroom. Each of the newcomers curtsied upon their arrival, coming to stand silent before their Queen and waiting for her to acknowledge them.
"Welcome, friends. It truly has been too long," Serenity greeted elegantly, returning their deep bows with a light bow of her head.
The new arrivals finally allowed smiles to grace their previously stoic faces as the other Senshi stepped forward from behind their queen. The blonde sailor of Uranus was first to pull her queen into a gentle embrace. "My dear muffin head, how are you?"
"I am only mildly vexed by your unwise choice to keep that nickname alive," Serenity replied with a chuckle, pulling out of the comforting embrace of her friend. Her eyes narrowed into slits when the elder Senshi patted her on the head.
"Vexed? Good god, you've been taking language lessons," Haruka retorted. "And it stays alive so long as I am alive."
The aquamarine warrior of Neptune gently nudged her partner aside so she could stand fully in front of Serenity, the child of Saturn resting upon her hip. "Enough, Haruka, there are others who miss our queen".
Serenity's smile widened as she lay a kiss on the Neptune warrior's cheek saying, "You look wonderful, Michiru. Motherhood truly suits you." Turning to the child in Michiru's arms, Serenity lightly cupped the wide-eyed child's plump cheek. "And how are you, little Hotaru? I have a daughter around your age who would greatly enjoy your company."
Hotaru childishly squealed in delight looking up at her adopted mother. "Mommy, can I please go play with her. Please?"
Michiru grinned, rubbing noses with her daughter before acquiescing. "Of course you can, as soon as we are done here, alright, darling? Can you greet your queen like we practiced, hmm?"
"Ok," the little six-year-old replied, turning back to Serenity. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty," the little girl greeted, "and ummm..." She looked back at her mother, questioning.
"Thank you..." Michiru began for her.
"Thank you for your warm hospitality!" the little six-year-old replied with a proud nod of her head.
Serenity chuckled, bending so she was at Hotaru's level. "Well, you are very welcome, little princess, and it is quite the honor to make your acquaintance as well."
The girl grinned in return.
Sighing, Serenity stood back up to her full height, her eyes finding those of the last of her guests. Tense silence instantly descended upon the room. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see how the tension would be alleviated between their queen and the soldier of time. The great soldier of time allowed a genuine smile to grace her features, and Serenity in turn allowed one to slip upon her own lips, ending the suspense.
They embraced a moment later, Serenity whispering in her ear, "Thank you, Setsuna. We will have the promised discussion in conference."
Setsuna remained silent as she pulled away from Serenity's embrace, her nod of satisfaction the only indication she heard Serenity's words.
"And where, pray tell, is the young princess of the moon?" questioned Haruka.
"She is sleeping, though she should be up soon for her lessons," Serenity stated assuredly.
Once the inner Senshi finished greeting the outer Senshi, silence fell upon the group and all looked to Serenity.
"If you would like, Michiru, your daughter can join mine in lessons and we can begin the proceedings," Serenity suggested. Truthfully, part of her would've rather delayed business for another day so she could simply enjoy the company of her friends who had been away for most of her reign on the Moon, though the other part of her knew such a delay would be viewed as an avoidance maneuver. The discussion must be had. It was the main reason they had all gathered. Nevermind how painful it would be to actually have it.
Michiru agreed to Serenity's proposal, and a servant ushered Hotaru off to join Rini. Serenity gestured for them to follow her through another pair of doors on the opposite side of the private ballroom, down a corridor to yet another set of doors. The doors opened to reveal a conference room with ten chairs, the one at the head of the table reserved for the Supreme Queen while its opposite remained unoccupied. On the wall opposite of the head of the table was a large 3-D screen, wirelessly connected to a computer operated by the Soldier of Mercury who sat next to it.
Once all of the Sailor Senshi had taken their rightful places at the table, Serenity addressed them. "We have come here today to discuss foreign policies towards the planet Earth, the new threat of the Black Moon, and the on-going reconstruction of Mars, Venus, Pluto, and Mercury. We're also here to draw up plans for the reconstruction of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Are there any other subjects to be brought up at this meeting?"
Setsuna did not disappoint in delivering an answer. "The alterations of the time line and how we are to deal with them."
The atmosphere in the room thickened with palpable tension upon the mention of the altered time line. Nearly all the Senshi sneaked glances at Serenity, who was markedly responsible for the shift away from the future they'd all come to believe would occur.
"Very well," Serenity replied stiffly, a short tight smile gracing her lips for the barest of moments. "Anything else?" she questioned, looking around the room and glancing upon each of her friends and counsel.
"Transportation of people to the rebuilt kingdoms of those planets currently under construction," Ami suggested.
Everyone at the table nodded in agreement, as it was definitely a subject sorely needeing to be addressed, especially if they wanted the new Silver Alliance kingdoms to flourish.
"Well, let us first address the simplest of matters: the on-going construction of the planets Mars, Venus, Pluto, and Mercury," Serenity began hastily so no one could address the subjects Serenity wished to be saved for last.
"Haruka and Michiru, you have been supervising this construction under the direction of Ami. Please update us on the progress of the projects," Serenity asked, leaning her elbows on the table, her hands clasping together as she looked upon the two responsible for the project. Serenity briefly glanced at the digital file popping up on the glass table, displaying information on the subject at hand.
"Mars is definitely the nearest to completion when it comes to the task of rebuilding. The reassembly of an Earth-like atmosphere has taken some time. The former palace is currently being rebuilt and the city markers are set up. We should wait to completely restore the city, though, until after we have already started a larger migration," Michiru replied smoothly, her voice carrying her pride of her project as Ami digitally provided the images of Mars on the screen.
Most wrote it off, barely taking notice or interestm though the Senshi of Mars could not help but let a sad smile grace her lips as she saw an image of her long-ago former home's restoration. Though she had spent little time there beyond the age of six in her past life, it still held a special place within her heart.
"Mercury's shields against the sun's strong rays have finally been assembled. The atmosphere needed to support life is currently delayed, since we're in need of a bit more energy. Once the atmosphere is in place, we will begin construction on the Mercurian palace," Ami explained, as she had personally overseen the project remotely, having regular check-ins with her fellow partners on the project who had actually done the job she was overseeing, the images of the project appearing on the screen before the entire group. Just like Rei, she could not help but feel a bit of melancholia when looking upon her former home.
Serenity nodded, looking over the blueprints which Ami digitally sent into the file in front of everyone's place at the table. Looking up, her eyes met Haruka's dark blue ones.
"We have just finished the atmosphere on Pluto and Venus. We still need to finish assembling a meteorological stabilizer for Pluto. Aside from that, reconstruction is planned for both palaces before we begin on rebuilding the capital cities," Haruka recounted, taking her cue from Serenity.
"This is all good. Draw up the amount of crystal energy required and the needed energy for the establishment of the Mercurian atmosphere. And then update me as soon as Mars has been completed. Let's move on to the other planets we've yet to start reconstruction on. Ami, you have drawn up the blueprints for them, have you not?"
Ami looked up through the glasses perched on her nose, nodding her head in understanding and addressing the question posed. "I have, though the processes for these planets will take a lot longer due to their gaseous states. We need to ration the crystal's energy so it does not take too much out of you. This kind of job will require not only an assembly of a new atmospheric composition but one of land. It'll take an incredible amount of time and energy. The palace plans are easy enough since the moon holds records of all of their states in the former Silver Millennium. It's merely just a matter of time."
"How long?" Serenity asked, looking at Ami who sighed in return.
She knew of Serenity's haste to re-establish her mother's empire and knew the news she was about to deliver would displease her. "Twelve, maybe fifteen years depending on the number of immigrants we get. And even more years before it has a semblance of a city population. Your power may be able to restore those atmospheres, but we still need the manpower," Ami replied, her eyes conveying her frustration as she gestured to the model images displayed on the screen for the group to observe.
"Well then, let's try to make it twelve," Serenity demanded, glancing down at the blueprints on the tabletop computer screen.
"This point brings us to another matter, Serenity. Since an empire this large requires a vast population to sustain it, we'll have to formally lift some of your immigration policies towards Earth," Minako interjected, her words verbally tip-toeing around Serenity's resentment towards the planet.
"I see no reason why, Minako. Plenty of immigrants have managed to find asylum here despite the barriers we have put up. Besides, if we open those gates, I think we will quickly find ourselves flooded with people trying to escape the common conflicts, poverty, and disease still occurring on Earth. We don't yet have the resources to handle such an amount of people," Serenity explained, her voice taking on a sharp edge everyone recognized. Whenever the subject of Earth was brought up, things surely took a turn for the worse.
"Serenity, we'll need the manpower sooner or later. Perhaps we could start an immigrant quota when Mars is finished. How else do you plan on having growing populations upon these newly restored planets? Surely these planets aren't being rebuilt for any other purpose other than to give humanity another place to live. You do realize we actually need people to create a population," Ami rationalized.
Serenity sighed before nodding her head in reluctant agreement, knowing she was making herself sound ludicrous because she let her feelings towards Earth get in the way of her reason and her goals. Her power may have been awesome, but her power had repercussions that could involve the loss of life, and while she had always known choosing to rebuild would involve immigration from Earth, she still had never had any intention of actually changing the system she had already set up for getting people to the Moon. "Set it up, then, though we take no more than we have already until Mars is done. The Moon Kingdom's weight is plenty replenished in people."
"In that case, this matter must be brought to the table, Serenity. If we are to begin this new immigration quota, then Earth will have to be notified. This means the ancient laws you reenacted should be revoked or lessened to a point. Silence cannot be maintained if we are to flourish. Contact will need to be re-established," Rei stated, her hands interlaced with one another as she brazenly met Serenity's eyes.
Rubbing her temples in circular motions with her fingertips, Serenity battled with herself. She had invoked her mother's previous laws, forbidding communication between the Earth and the Moon Kingdom, for a purpose five years ago. "You all know my thoughts on this. I believe I have no need to say it," Serenity settled on saying, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. Her beliefs about not involving the government of Earth were something she had yet to want to even consider letting go of. Opening the gates, she would do, but getting the Monarchy on Earth involved was out of the question.
"Serenity, be reasonable. Contact between our worlds has to be re-established. Not only for this reason. The Black Moon is a dire threat, and day by day they get closer. The Moon Kingdom is not yet ready to make war alone," Ami interjected, her tone calm and collected while trying to logically convey the direness of the situation.
Serenity stared at Ami, appalled. "You aren't just asking me to lift or lighten my laws. What you speak of is a treaty, an alliance."
Ami looked down in hesitation, recognizing that she had opened Serenity's very own version of Pandora's box.
"Yes, Serenity, that is precisely what must be done. It is time to face it. Endymion has vast armies at his disposal, and if we had the ability to call on them, it would be much easier to defend our new nation and eventual empire," Rei answered, recognizing Ami's will wavering. It was rare that Ami willingly took on the fury of Serenity.
"No." Serenity shook her head, coming to a stand. "They are not necessary. Not whilst I have the crystal."
Some of her scouts cringed as the pitch of Serenity's voice rose in volume. Serenity's eyes beseeched them all as she spoke. "We have force fields and shields far beyond the comprehension of Earth that cannot be destroyed unless it is done so by me. What need have we of an army?"
"We cannot hide behind those force fields forever, Serenity. True, it will protect us from the type of destruction that formerly befell the Moon's Kingdom, but so long as the threat exists, we will never maintain true safety. It is best we destroy it," Minako reasoned, her voice conveying her passion on the subject.
"Does no one else remember the trip to the future we all took? Does no one remember that when I faced them in this form, I not only lost, but was imprisoned in my crystal, healing from my wounds while my daughter was forced to find refuge in the past? Later to be captured, brainwashed, turned evil, and used against me. I refuse to let that happen. Diamond shouldn't attack our world for at least another century. Did he not despise our immortality?" Serenity demanded to know, slamming her hand against the table, the sound causing each Senshi to flinch.
Setsuna did not hesitate to address her area of expertise. "You forget, Serenity; this is a different future from the one you saw. Wiseman has existed since the time of the Silver Millennium, as has Nemesis. It was our tenth planet, the only one with no habitual orbit around the Sun. Diamond and his followers are the progeny of a long line of murderers, rapists, cultists, and terrorists from the Silver Millenium. We sentenced the greatest human evils to exile on that planet, believing all would die a slow withering death, the Malefic Black Crystal leeching off of their energy until they were but dust," Pluto explained.
Mercury made to interject, but Pluto halted her with a raised hand as she continued to speak. "Your mother forbade the use of the planet not long after she ascended the throne. She rightfully believed we weren't seeing the full picture of what that planet really was. She suspected we were feeding some kind of malefic power. Still though, we did not understand the planet was its own living entity, adapting those violent criminals we sentenced to death there in its image. Criminals who, after the glaive fell, would later be reborn here on Earth among us. They, too, inherited their own…gifts. And unlike most of our planets which died from the blast, reverting to their prior states without the crystal to sustain them, Nemesis actually disappeared entirely from our solar system. Charon theorizes that the blast from Saturn's glaive simply freed the planet from its place among our solar system.
"Prince Diamond and his followers are some of Nemesis's mutated prisoners reborn. I assure you they already hate and have always hated you, first and foremost for your great power. Using that power, you eventually brought about a new world order under a singular benevolent rule when you and your husband took your place as King and Queen. A different world than the Earth was used to. People do not accept change so easily. And when..." She swallowed, hesitating a moment before explaining further, "When you were deemed a foreign queen, a whole new radical movement was born. A movement which was likely a natural draw to their nature. You see, in the alternate timeline, it would be years before they hated you for immortality. You must understand, Serenity, that your power is only growing. The age of the unageing comes about slowly, over time. You've seen with your own eyes that death from disease is not yet fully gone."
Pluto met her queen's serious eyes, imploring her to see. "I do not know their stories, only that violence is in their blood. It is their perpetual answer to their problems. As for Nemesis, it has been watching long, and from afar. Waiting for a host and the precise moment to strike. Not only to recruit its reborn progeny, but also to ensure your line would fall. When Nemesis attacked in the timeline you witnessed, Crystal Tokyo had known peace for a long period of time. Their defenses were greatly weakened because there was never any expectation of attack."
Sailor Pluto paused, allowing for the information she so willingly gave to sink in. "Now, with your separation from Earth, Serenity, you have given Nemesis an even more ample chance to attack. And while both the Silver Imperium and Golden Crystals are powerful, they are not nearly as powerful when separate. Nemesis can still recruit his minions, likely using the momentum of the growing belief among the remaining people of Earth you are truly a foreign ancient power seeking to rebuild itself on Earth. I assume it has found its most successful progeny, Phantom, early in this new timeline. Somehow, a separate set of circumstances has reunited them. Not quite sure how, as you have not yet reinstated the use of the planet as a prison, faced the phantom within your own time, nor exiled him," Pluto explained her, eyes breaking contact, turning distant at the thought of such a mystery.
"Regardless, we must contend with him now. Nemesis is consuming planets in other solar systems. Gaining more power every day. And while the Moon Kingdom may be left standing at the end of this war, should the two of you not unite, it would all be for naught because Earth – our source of life and replenishment – may not survive. Furthermore, you, Serenity, could die using all your power and energy protecting your people. All the work on the Moon and these rebuilt planets will be for naught. They will return to their former states, just as they did when your mother fell. Have no doubt that your people and kingdom will be devastated once the coming war is over. You need this alliance," Pluto finished, her words filled with prophecy and a distinctly foreboding meaning.
Serenity sucked in a breath, trying to quell the anger, the innate want to reject Pluto's words. But deep down, she recognized that it was an undeniable truth. A treaty would mean she would be forced to talk and negotiate with him. Glancing to one of the windows in the room, she looked toward the blue and green orb with distaste. Five years. It had been five years since she left Earth and relocated to the Moon. With her, she brought a great many people loyal to her rule. And in all that time, she had not once talked to him. In fact, she had forbidden any formal communication between her world, her government, and his.
After her anger receded to the point where she could express herself rationally, she turned to face her counsel, her gaze imploring them to understand. "Was it not I who defeated the Dark Kingdom, the Black Moon, Master Pharaoh 90, the goddamned Apocalypse, Galaxia, and Chaos? All defeated by the power of the Silver Imperium Crystal. I had no need for armies then, and I have no need for them now," she said, her voice cold and demanding.
Each sailor held their breath in anticipation of the response. They all understood the hardship placed upon Serenity's shoulders, knowing their case would be hard to win.
Only Setsuna looked upon Serenity's plea unmoved. "Serenity, all of those battles were won with Endymion at your side, even in your fight against Chaos. His spirit was with you. His power completes yours and makes you stronger. Without it, you are missing a vital piece of your power. Since the dawn of time, the Golden Crystal and the Silver Imperium Crystal have been twins to one another. You will need Endymion's strength to defeat the Black Moon. His armies, though somewhat useless against magic, can only help rather than hurt, especially because they are highly organized – a quality much needed in a time of great chaos."
Serenity turned away again, her chest rising heavily, fear twisting her stomach.
"For the love of god, Serenity, you and Endymion are-"
Before Setsuna could finish, Serenity whipped around on her, shouting, "Don't!" Setsuna hushed immediately, mouth instantly closing. "Don't you dare finish that sentence. I refuse to entertain such childish notions. You well know by now that I do not believe such a circumstance exists, so I shall not hear yours or anyone else's attempts to contradict it. I command it to be so," Serenity harshly reprimanded, her stern eyes straying to each of the other Senshi's faces, indicating she had no intention of hearing it from them, either.
Silence fell over the room once more, with no Senshi daring to face Serenity's wrath. Finally, having had enough, Minako stood up and placed a comforting hand on Serenity's shoulder.
"The Black Moon is fast approaching. Princess Kakyuu has sent us images of their destruction in their build-up against us. She warns us they come soon for Earth and the Moon Kingdom. We have all worked too hard on rebuilding this kingdom to let it fall now, you especially. If Earth is our best option then we should take it, Serenity. I know we will have a great many complications to overcome in this endeavor and likely unforeseen consequences that will arise, but they are well worth the safety of your kingdom, yourself, and your daughter", Minako explained soothingly, nodding at Ami who queued up the satellite images Kakyuu had provided.
Reluctantly, Serenity turned to look upon the images of the hostile takeovers of far-away planets in other galaxies. The images revealed a gruesome future that could befall her kingdom if she made even one bad decision. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to realize and acknowledge that it was her kingdom which was her first priority, certainly not her feelings. She was no longer a normal girl named Usagi whose choices affected only her. That girl had slowly faded away long ago when she became Sailor Moon, and she was lain to rest just five years ago. She was a queen now.
"Very well. Draw up a treaty. One of you will personally present it to Neo-King Endymion after I have approved it. If he rejects it, persuade him to consider negotiations that I will attend – on Earth, not here. And I will remind each one of you of the oaths of silence you swore to me with regards to my daughter," Serenity finally agreed, crossing her arms before exiting the room, having had enough for one day. She needed a distraction, some sort of comfort. So she headed for the only thing on her world which inspired such feelings in her.
Sighs and bated breaths were released with the departure of Serenity. The soldiers all looked to one another.
"Well, that went better than I imagined it would. I honestly believed we would not be able to convince her of it," Michiru said, breaking the silence that had befallen them upon their queen's exit.
Each of them let out a chuckle in acknowledgement at the stubbornness of their queen. "Well, we have a lot to do before the feast tonight, not to mention we have meetings with the civilian ministers to partake in, so we better get to it," Ami suggested, which elicited groans from her companions. Their work was far from over.