Hikari-No's Promise
Epilogue
It was the second anniversary of her reign, but she did not feel much like celebrating, lost as she was in a hazy world of remembrance. Dressed in the blue gown she intended to wear for the celebrations, the Queen of Domus Prime, Sailor Coruscant, stood on the balcony of her rooms to watch the sun set over the city below.
How had the time passed so quickly? It seemed as though it was only a few hours since she had been a child filled with apprehension at being asked to visit the Princess, and yet now she was Queen of a unified Domus Prime. And now, she had a feeling that Domus Prime was about to be asked to take an active role in the Galaxy once more, for all of the reports she had been receiving lately seemed to suggest that the Sith were moving openly, actively preparing to take action against the people of Lucas Land.
This grieved her more than she had admitted to her advisers, and she had only told the Riddler and Jester what she suspected, because she knew they could be trusted. If something was to happen, it would be the Grand Admiral Riddler who would lead the Royal Forces against the Sith. The only flaw in this plan was that he might not return.
She knew that he was a powerful Dark Jedi, she had sensed as much back in the Temple all those years ago. But the Queen wondered if he would be strong enough to defeat the Sith. She hoped so, but was afraid, for although she would never admit it aloud, The Riddler was far too dear to her for her to ever risk losing him. Still, he was also the Grand Admiral, and the only one suited for leading the Royal Forces. He had to go.
For a long time she stood there, the traditional make up on her face hiding any emotion that she felt. Along the horizon, faeries flew across the face of the sun, glittering in changing colours which brought a smile of remembrance to her face. She stood without moving, watching their magical dance in the fading light, not daring to make a wish, but simply content to enjoy the beauty of this world that was now her own.
She closed her eyes once the sun had set and the faeries faded, her hands on the railing gripping it suddenly, as though she could not stand on her own any longer. She pushed herself back up, and opened her eyes once more.
On the wind came the faintest hint of childish laughter, innocent and pure, and she turned her head as though expecting someone to be there. But she was alone.
"I promise."
The words were no more than a whisper, a wish to the ghosts of the past, captured by the wind that was suddenly blowing around her, causing her hair to trace patterns in the air around her face and her dress to sway around her feet.
Sailor Coruscant wondered if they could hear her words, as she gave away her soul to Domus Prime, to Catherine, to living out someone else's dream. She had come such a long way from the young Padawan who had come here at her Master's side to learn about the politics of one small system. But Hikari-No was gone, she had died on the same day as Catherine, leaving nothing behind but the Queen of Domus Prime, Sailor Coruscant.
"I will protect them for you", Sailor Coruscant whispered to the empty air, and her words seemed to echo around her, "and I will never forget."
And on her cheek glistened one silver tear.
The darkness.
It comes to claim us all someday.
It has already taken you.
And one day,
I too will become a part of that Silence.
But until that day,
Far off in the future,
I will keep my promise.
I will fight where you can not.
I will protect them for you.
I will do everything you could not.
I will fulfil your dreams.
I will complete your destiny.
In my heart I know,
I will never forget you,
And I will keep my promise.