Future Dreams
The Silver Palace was unusually quiet that
evening. Little Serenity had come down with a slight fever, and though
it was far from serious, Her Majesty still thought it best to close the
nursery doors until it broke. Luna and Artemis had opted to assist the
Queen in whatever ways they could. They remained with her in the nursery,
emerging every now and again to fetch this or that, and then disappearing
into the princess' bedchamber once more. A sleepy sort of feeling had settled
over the Silver Palace, enveloping it in an invisible, dreamy fog. Very
much affected by the peaceful mood, Lady Moira, Lady Eriu, and Lady Nuala
had retired early, and were slumbering contentedly within their chambers.
Their daughters had also chosen to pass the evening in their common room,
but were far from ready to bed down for the night. Their chamber was as
noiseless as the rest of the palace, but the girls did not sleep. They
sat together that quiet evening, each upon her own bed, not uttering a
single word of conversation. Each princess lost in her own thoughts, they
soundlessly called for their powers.
All three were certain no harm could come
of this, it being the first time they had ever attempted to awaken their
magic. Success would not be possible for quite some time, but the girls
were firm believers in the idea that practice makes perfect. In any case,
they would never happen upon that first successful attempt without going
through those many failures beforehand. So, they practiced, quite alone
but for the nameless spirits observing them as they used the techniques
their mothers had taught them to reach for the incredible power waiting
deep within their souls.
Setsuna was silent as a grave, and as motionless
as the headstone that would sit upon it. Hugging her knees to her chest,
she rested her chin upon them, and screwed her garnet eyes shut tightly.
Her silky green mane flowed over her shoulders and pooled around her on
the bed, held in check only by the elegant twists atop her head. Setsuna
hardly seemed to breathe as she concentrated on her task, not letting an
eyelash flicker.
Michiru was far more relaxed in her manner
than the Princess of Pluto. The cherubic little beauty lay on her back
above her blankets, her soft aqua ringlets fanning over her pillow. Her
sapphire eyes were closed, though not tightly, and every once in a while,
some unknown force stirred her small body.
Haruka was apparently agitated, for she was
much less still than her friends. Shifting restlessly, she blew upward
at a strand of straw-colored hair that had been tickling her nose. When
it settled right where it had been before, Haruka rolled over and squirmed
a little more. Neither of the other two girls even considered reprimanding
their friend for being impatient, for both knew that appearances could
be deceiving. Haruka, restless daughter of the Sky Soldier that she was,
simply could not remain still for long. Anyway, a stir in the air was required
if the Winds of Heaven, the celestial breezes from which Haruka drew her
power, were ever to be felt
Unseen by the princesses, the spirits observing
them smiled upon the scene. These were the girls' Guiding Seraphs, the
celestial guardians appointed by the seven goddesses following their time
of Passing to forever watch over their descendants. Gazing upon these three
members of the youngest generation of Sailor Soldiers, the gentle Seraphs
closed their nonexistent eyes, allowing the shadows of the future to come
to them.
"I see an elegant young flower, classical
in all her beauty, delicate and graceful as a minnow, but with a power
greater than can be imagined," said the first.
"I see a tall, gangly creature," laughed the
second. "She is like a colt. But, oh, to see her run! As sure and graceful
as the wind, she is, and lacking nothing in speed. Oh, she is beautiful
when she runs."
Said the third, "Mine is a majestic figure
of a woman, lovely and mysterious, with power as her constant companion."
"She is a proud young thing," the second said
of the soldier in her visions, "and headstrong, but pure of heart."
"This one is also stubborn," remarked the
first. "But she has the gentlest of souls. Such a sweet thing, she only
wants to do what is right."
"They are all so pure and good," sighed the
third, sobering, "but they will see things in their lives. Terrible things."
"Things that will greatly change them," finished
the first. "She will fall in love, but is afraid to love, for fear that
she will lose."
"She fears herself!" the second lamented.
"She fears her powers do more harm than good! She now runs from the truth
and all that she is!"
"Her eyes!" sobbed the third. "See the pain
in her eyes!"
The Silver Palace was unusually quiet. On
that silent, sleepy evening, the three princesses sat together in their
common bedchamber, noiselessly calling for their powers.
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Author's Note: I'm kinda reluctant to have these girls grow up. But,
alas, that's what this story calls for! Anycrap, thanks to all of you who
reviewed. And to those of you who haven't, why the hell haven't you?! Just
kidding. Oh, and to you who asked about ages and the inners (I forgot your
name, sorry!) I know that Setsuna is older than Haruka and Michiru, who
are not much older than the inners. For now, just pretend all the ages
are as I'm saying they are now. Why they are different will be explained
later. And, as this story focuses mainly on Setsuna, the inners won't have
a huge part in it. But fear not, they will make an appearance later on.
Toodles!