Chapter 3: Bon Voyage
"Good Morning Earth! I'm here at the Crystal Tokyo Docks awaiting the arrival of the royal family. Rumor has it that the Crown Princess, Small Lady Serenity, plans to give a speech in the King and Queen's honor before their departure this morning."
The reporter turned around as a loud cheering built up behind him for Chibi- usa who was walking onto the platform. Several microphones were mounted on top of the podium standing there. The five inner Senshi were behind her, all wearing their own royal gowns. Chibi-usa stood and waited patiently for the crowd to die down.
"We're gathered here today in celebration!" said Chibi-usa. The audience roared, and Chibi-usa waited. "Our world today is a Utopia! My Mother and Father have done everything in their power to make this land a beautiful dream world. And thanks to their hard work and devotion, our lives are peaceful, happy, and prosperous!" The crowd exploded with cheering and applause. Chibi-usa waited patiently again. "My parents, the King and Queen, have earned this vacation a thousand times over! On this splendid holiday, it is the fifteenth anniversary of the day Mother and Father came to rule. We will all rise up and celebrate the glory of my Mother and Father!" As the crowd cheered, Chibi-usa looked up and behind her to see Usagi and Mamoru standing together at the side of the airship. Usagi wiped a tear away, and Mamoru smiled. Chibi-usa turned back to the audience. "We've all earned this vacation, every one of us. We've all earned a break. And so today, we will celebrate! Today everyone on this beautiful blue planet will celebrate and be happy. Today, at every corner of our System, Solaris, we will celebrate. Today is the day we are all at peace! Today, forever and always at peace!" Cameras flashed as the audience cheered louder than ever before. Chibi-usa just stood their smiling.
"Small Lady! Small Lady! Small Lady, over here!" yelled reporters in the pit surrounding the platform. Chibi-usa pointed at a tall woman in the front row.
"Small Lady, rumor says that the King and Queen are worried for the people's safety while they're going to be on the star cruise, but they'll still be casting off despite the suspicion. Is there any truth behind this story?"
"No, there's no truth in that rumor at all. The King and Queen are assured that these are peaceful times, and thanks to the Silver Crystal, Earth has no enemies. My Mother and Father would like to assure you that while they're away, nothing will happen out of the ordinary, and they encourage you to celebrate happily and carefree," explained Chibi-usa. The reporters cried out again for Chibi-usa's attention, she quickly pointed to a man, also in the front row.
"The people of the world are worried about the Royal Rule while their King and Queen are away. Who will govern the planet while they are on the cruise?"
"Why, my Mother and Father of course. The King and Queen may be on a vacation, but they are still the Royal leaders of Earth. The airship, Tranquility, is equipped with all the latest technology and my Mother and Father are perfectly capable of running the entire planet from there, if need be," Chibi-usa finished. She pointed to a man near the back of the mob of reporters.
"What about the big controversy? Is it true that the King and Queen are taking this cruise merely to escape the responsibilities of their duties as leaders of Earth?"
"No, of course not! This is a day of celebration, and my Mother and Father will be celebrating with the rest of Solaris by relaxing for three days on a cruise! Everyone deserves a break, even my Mother and Father, and they've earned this vacation just as much as the rest of you. I'm sorry, but there is no time for any more questions." Reporters tried to get Chibi-usa's attention as she left the platform and started to walk up the boarding stairs. Chibi-usa just ignored them.
The reporters then realized that the four Princesses were still on the platform and called for their attention. Minako stepped forward and pointed to a little lady with a tape recorder.
"Princess Minako, is what Small Lady said, true? Are the King and Queen so sure of our safety that they'd abandon us on a star cruise? What about the King and Queen's safety while they're away?"
"Yes, what Small Lady said is correct, but the King and Queen are not 'abandoning' us. Like Small Lady said, the King and Queen are perfectly capable of running the entire planet from that airship if need be. As for the safety of the Royal Family, we four Guardian Senshi will all be on the cruise, at the Queen's side. If anything at all goes wrong, we'll be able to stop it." Minako pointed to someone else just as Usagi looked up and found Chibi-usa.
"Dear, you're growing up too fast!" complained Usagi as Minako continued the press conference down on the ground. "That was a marvelous speech you gave! One day, you're going to be a queen yourself, and I just know that everyone will love you!"
Chibi-usa smiled and blushed. "Thank you Mom, but I had a lot of help from Ami."
"Chibi-usa, you've grown up so much. I don't have to bend down so far to hug you anymore. You know we're both very proud of you, and we'll miss you so much on the cruise," remarked Mamoru.
"You'll only be gone for three days! You don't have to miss me for that long." Said Chibi-usa.
Just then Minako and the others walked on board.
"Chibi-usa," called Rei, "we're going to cast off very soon. It would be wise if you said goodbye now and left."
"All right, Rei!" yelled Chibi-usa. She turned back to her parents and held out her arms to be hugged. The both of them bent down and hugged her goodbye. "I love you, Mom, and Dad."
"We love you too Chibi-usa," they both said at the same time as Chibi-usa skipped to the steps than gracefully walked back down to the platform.
Just then a great foghorn sounded and the masses broke out in loud cheers as tons upon tons of confetti filled the skies. Mamoru and Usagi waved goodbye to all the people as the airship started to whisk them away. Then men came in black suits and ties to take Chibi-usa back to Crystal Palace. One man held Diana in his arms. Diana quickly leaped onto Chibi-usa's head as she ducked inside a white limousine. Chibi-usa rolled back the sunroof and stuck her head out. She was just in time to see the last of the airship before it became invisible against the blue atmosphere. Chibi-usa stuck her head back into the car as they strolled down the road to the palace.
Once they were there, the limousine stopped before the steps. Chibi-usa got out, and merely stepped inside the castle. Only those of the Royal Family could enter the palace. The escort left and Chibi-usa went on her way. Luna and Artemis were there to greet her once she reached the main hall.
"Splendid speech, Chibi-usa! Really, it was wonderful!" exclaimed Luna.
"Thanks a lot, but I think I miss them already," said Chibi-usa as Diana dropped to the floor and landed on her feet.
"Oh cheer up, Chibi-usa, they'll be back in three days," said Diana cheerfully.
"Yes, but what am I going to do until then?" Chibi-usa complained.
The three cats sweat-dropped and crashed to the ground
"Good Morning Earth! I'm here at the Crystal Tokyo Docks awaiting the arrival of the royal family. Rumor has it that the Crown Princess, Small Lady Serenity, plans to give a speech in the King and Queen's honor before their departure this morning."
The reporter turned around as a loud cheering built up behind him for Chibi- usa who was walking onto the platform. Several microphones were mounted on top of the podium standing there. The five inner Senshi were behind her, all wearing their own royal gowns. Chibi-usa stood and waited patiently for the crowd to die down.
"We're gathered here today in celebration!" said Chibi-usa. The audience roared, and Chibi-usa waited. "Our world today is a Utopia! My Mother and Father have done everything in their power to make this land a beautiful dream world. And thanks to their hard work and devotion, our lives are peaceful, happy, and prosperous!" The crowd exploded with cheering and applause. Chibi-usa waited patiently again. "My parents, the King and Queen, have earned this vacation a thousand times over! On this splendid holiday, it is the fifteenth anniversary of the day Mother and Father came to rule. We will all rise up and celebrate the glory of my Mother and Father!" As the crowd cheered, Chibi-usa looked up and behind her to see Usagi and Mamoru standing together at the side of the airship. Usagi wiped a tear away, and Mamoru smiled. Chibi-usa turned back to the audience. "We've all earned this vacation, every one of us. We've all earned a break. And so today, we will celebrate! Today everyone on this beautiful blue planet will celebrate and be happy. Today, at every corner of our System, Solaris, we will celebrate. Today is the day we are all at peace! Today, forever and always at peace!" Cameras flashed as the audience cheered louder than ever before. Chibi-usa just stood their smiling.
"Small Lady! Small Lady! Small Lady, over here!" yelled reporters in the pit surrounding the platform. Chibi-usa pointed at a tall woman in the front row.
"Small Lady, rumor says that the King and Queen are worried for the people's safety while they're going to be on the star cruise, but they'll still be casting off despite the suspicion. Is there any truth behind this story?"
"No, there's no truth in that rumor at all. The King and Queen are assured that these are peaceful times, and thanks to the Silver Crystal, Earth has no enemies. My Mother and Father would like to assure you that while they're away, nothing will happen out of the ordinary, and they encourage you to celebrate happily and carefree," explained Chibi-usa. The reporters cried out again for Chibi-usa's attention, she quickly pointed to a man, also in the front row.
"The people of the world are worried about the Royal Rule while their King and Queen are away. Who will govern the planet while they are on the cruise?"
"Why, my Mother and Father of course. The King and Queen may be on a vacation, but they are still the Royal leaders of Earth. The airship, Tranquility, is equipped with all the latest technology and my Mother and Father are perfectly capable of running the entire planet from there, if need be," Chibi-usa finished. She pointed to a man near the back of the mob of reporters.
"What about the big controversy? Is it true that the King and Queen are taking this cruise merely to escape the responsibilities of their duties as leaders of Earth?"
"No, of course not! This is a day of celebration, and my Mother and Father will be celebrating with the rest of Solaris by relaxing for three days on a cruise! Everyone deserves a break, even my Mother and Father, and they've earned this vacation just as much as the rest of you. I'm sorry, but there is no time for any more questions." Reporters tried to get Chibi-usa's attention as she left the platform and started to walk up the boarding stairs. Chibi-usa just ignored them.
The reporters then realized that the four Princesses were still on the platform and called for their attention. Minako stepped forward and pointed to a little lady with a tape recorder.
"Princess Minako, is what Small Lady said, true? Are the King and Queen so sure of our safety that they'd abandon us on a star cruise? What about the King and Queen's safety while they're away?"
"Yes, what Small Lady said is correct, but the King and Queen are not 'abandoning' us. Like Small Lady said, the King and Queen are perfectly capable of running the entire planet from that airship if need be. As for the safety of the Royal Family, we four Guardian Senshi will all be on the cruise, at the Queen's side. If anything at all goes wrong, we'll be able to stop it." Minako pointed to someone else just as Usagi looked up and found Chibi-usa.
"Dear, you're growing up too fast!" complained Usagi as Minako continued the press conference down on the ground. "That was a marvelous speech you gave! One day, you're going to be a queen yourself, and I just know that everyone will love you!"
Chibi-usa smiled and blushed. "Thank you Mom, but I had a lot of help from Ami."
"Chibi-usa, you've grown up so much. I don't have to bend down so far to hug you anymore. You know we're both very proud of you, and we'll miss you so much on the cruise," remarked Mamoru.
"You'll only be gone for three days! You don't have to miss me for that long." Said Chibi-usa.
Just then Minako and the others walked on board.
"Chibi-usa," called Rei, "we're going to cast off very soon. It would be wise if you said goodbye now and left."
"All right, Rei!" yelled Chibi-usa. She turned back to her parents and held out her arms to be hugged. The both of them bent down and hugged her goodbye. "I love you, Mom, and Dad."
"We love you too Chibi-usa," they both said at the same time as Chibi-usa skipped to the steps than gracefully walked back down to the platform.
Just then a great foghorn sounded and the masses broke out in loud cheers as tons upon tons of confetti filled the skies. Mamoru and Usagi waved goodbye to all the people as the airship started to whisk them away. Then men came in black suits and ties to take Chibi-usa back to Crystal Palace. One man held Diana in his arms. Diana quickly leaped onto Chibi-usa's head as she ducked inside a white limousine. Chibi-usa rolled back the sunroof and stuck her head out. She was just in time to see the last of the airship before it became invisible against the blue atmosphere. Chibi-usa stuck her head back into the car as they strolled down the road to the palace.
Once they were there, the limousine stopped before the steps. Chibi-usa got out, and merely stepped inside the castle. Only those of the Royal Family could enter the palace. The escort left and Chibi-usa went on her way. Luna and Artemis were there to greet her once she reached the main hall.
"Splendid speech, Chibi-usa! Really, it was wonderful!" exclaimed Luna.
"Thanks a lot, but I think I miss them already," said Chibi-usa as Diana dropped to the floor and landed on her feet.
"Oh cheer up, Chibi-usa, they'll be back in three days," said Diana cheerfully.
"Yes, but what am I going to do until then?" Chibi-usa complained.
The three cats sweat-dropped and crashed to the ground