Only A Memory Away
By: Lirial Raito
Chapter 5: Visitors From Afar
Seiya looked around in awe at the Crystal Palace and shimmering beauty. Only a single thought marred the beauty of this place
Odango should be here, shining brighter than the crystal.
The strawberry blond woman before them was quickly writing something down on a notepad, and then looked at them with a bright smile. "Please, come with me. The Queen is in her gardens."
Kakyuu followed after the woman quietly, while Yaten made comments on the planet being different than before. Seiya and Taiki remained quiet. A few minutes of walking led them to a large garden full of roses in a wide variety of colors. After thinking they looked somewhat odd for roses, he realized that none of them had thorns. Yaten poked him in the side, and Seiya looked turned his attention to the Queen.
"Please, " she said, her soft musical voice enchanting Seiya more than Odango had, "make yourselves comfortable here."
Serenity took a seat by the fountain in the middle, and the others followed suit. Kakyuu sat across from Serenity; Seiya sat to her right, with Taiki and Yaten between him and Kakyuu. Serenity kept smiling as they arranged themselves comfortably.
It's really them… they came back, after all this time.
Her blue eyes sparkled as she introduced herself.
"Welcome to Crystal Tokyo. I am Neo Queen Serenity, but please, just call me Serenity."
Kakyuu smiled as the Starlights let her introduce them.
"I am Kakyuu Kou, and these are my brother, Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki."
She pointed each one out in turn, and they smiled at Serenity.
Serenity nodded, looking a little sad. The sun glinted off her silvery hair more so than usual. "Yes, I know who each of you are. As my advisor mentioned to me, you are members of the Three Lights, are you not?"
Seiya nodded, "Yes your majesty, we are. Except for Kakyuu, but we still hope to convince her to sing with us someday."
Taiki studied the Queen for a moment.
"Pardon my asking Serenity, but are you related to Usagi Chiba? You remind me of her quite a bit."
Serenity stared at Taiki for a moment, then at Seiya, Yaten and Kakyuu, who were watching her more tensely. Some rulers would take offence to such a question, or comparison. She closed her eyes to prevent tears from forming. When she opened her eyes again she called her transformation broach from a sub-space pocket, and clasped it in her lap. "Well. You are certainly the first person to ever ask me that question… but perhaps you'll believe me."
Kakyuu leaned forward slightly. "Believe what Serenity?"
An odd smile twisted the corner of Serenity's lips. Seiya frowned slightly.
She does kinda look like Odango.
Serenity stared at the ground as a gentle breeze wove its way around the garden, gently moving her hair, which she had unbound again today. Holding her hands in front of her chest, Serenity summoned the Silver Crystal to materialize. The Starlights gasped in surprise, recognizing the crystal as the Star Seed they had seen Galaxia take from Eternal Sailor Moon. Seiya trembled slightly, then pushed his reaction away. "You're Odango."
Serenity nodded. "I am Neo Queen Serenity, once Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, which existed over two millennia ago. During that time, the moon was attacked, and everyone but my mother and her two advisors killed. She used this crystal to send me and my court into the future, where we would have another chance at life. Doing so claimed her life. Unfortunately, she also had to send into the future the people who had destroyed our kingdom. In the twentieth century I was reborn as Usagi Tsukino, and awakened as Sailor Moon. During those years I faced many strong enemies, and my Sailor Senshi died many times helping me to defeat them. Always, my wish that they would live again, and have a normal life, was granted my the Silver Crystal, until a new enemy would arrive…"
She reached for a glass of water, tears springing into her eyes.
"After Galaxia, I thought we would have a peaceful life and always live together. I married my Mamo-chan, and had a daughter, Usagi Chiba. I knew already that I would be Queen of Earth, and rule over Crystal Tokyo, but I never saw things like this… I knew there would come a time when a new ice age would blanket the Earth, and this happened three years after Crystal Tokyo was created, and Mamoru and I ruled here. Using my Silver Crystal, with support from Mamoru's Golden Crystal and my Senshi, I put the people of Earth into a protected sleep, to be awakened when the ice was gone, and the Earth cleansed of the pollutions we had created. I never thought…"
She leaned forward holding herself tightly. Kakyuu and Seiya moved closer to her, supporting someone they still considered a friend.
"I never thought my wish would backfire on me the way it has. I always wanted them all to have a chance at a normal life, and they got it… when the ice left, and everyone was awakened again, the whole world new I was Neo Queen Serenity, ruler of Earth."
Tears trickled down her cheeks as Seiya slipped an arm around her shoulders. Hidden in the doorway Hotaru and Usagi watched the scene, unnoticed. "No one remembered that I had also been Usagi Tsukino, or Usagi Chiba. My husband didn't remember that he was the king of Earth, my daughter didn't remember me, my friends, only remembered Usagi. Even my family had forgotten that klutzy Usagi had grown into Neo Queen Serenity. Even the Senshi of Time forgot. I've had to rule now ten years, all alone."
She broke down totally for the first time since she had awakened from the Sleep, finally supported by friends. Usagi and Hotaru backed away slowly, still unnoticed, and walked home. Seiya looked at Kakyuu, wondering what she thought they should do for Serenity.
Kakyuu touched Serenity's hands, and the Silver Crystal disappeared again.
"If you don't mind Serenity, we were going to ask if we could live on Earth. Our world decided it could use a long break from an Imperial system, and became rather demanding that we take a leave."
Serenity looked up as tissues appeared in her lap. "Oh, of course you can stay. I would never say no to friends. If you'd like, I could make a job for you here at the Palace…"
Seiya hugged her, "That'd be great!"
Yaten laughed softly, "So Seiya, some things never change, hmm?"
He blushed and threw a small rock at Yaten, as Serenity looked at them. "What things never change?" This only made Yaten laugh harder, and Taiki joined in while Kakyuu simply smiled.
After a few minutes of watching Yaten tease Seiya, Serenity held up her hand. "I do think that's enough of teasing Seiya for now Yaten, save some of the amusement for later. After all, I have invited my old friends here for palace jobs as well, and by now Usagi and Hotaru have told them all that they escorted you here. They are still fans of yours, even if they don't remember that you and they are Senshi." They looked at her, surprised that she had realized what they were teasing Seiya about, but she only gave them a sweet smile, her royal habits, and emotions, in place once more. She stood and offered them a hand. "Please, enjoy your stay here, and make yourselves at home. I'll have Arisu fix your rooms in the same wing as mine. That's where the others will be staying, if they accept their job offers." She gave a slightly slyer look to Yaten and Taiki. "And if I'm not mistaken, I'm sure Ami-chan and Minako-chan will be pleased with that."
She led them back to the main part of the Palace, in the care of her advisor, before heading off to another meeting.
"Well," said Yaten, "She certainly has matured since we where here last."
To Be Continued: