Rated PG-13
I know that you are all eagerly waiting for the epilogue (I hope:)) so I
won't bog you down with disclaimers. Just know that Sailor Moon is owned by
Naoko Takeuchi not me.
Just so you know, the epilogue is the longest part of all. Now, on with the
story!
Daughters of Destiny
epilogue
by: Johnny Ng
~~And so began the final years of Old Earth. Life went on as it normally
did. People were born, people died. They fell in love, got married; fell
out of love, got divorced. Everything appeared to be status quo, but it
wasn't.~~
~~10 years later~~
At first it was the little things. Temperatures around the world
started to fall. Slowly at first, a mere degree or so cooler this year than
last. Then more serious stuff started happening.
Natural disasters began occurring more frequently. Volcanoes, which
had lain dormant for centuries began acting up. Earthquakes along the
Pacific Rim were registering off the scale. Hurricanes in the Atlantic
formed so fast that they were running out of names to give them.
Deep within the Earth, Gaia wept. She had failed. She had tried to
replenish the Earth's magic herself, but she couldn't. The planet was slowly
falling apart around her.
"You've done all that you could, Gaia."
The goddess turned at the sound of the voice. "I tried, Pluto. I
really tried."
The green-haired scout nodded and her features softened. "I know.
Now it is our turn."
"But you would be dooming yourselves to centuries of sleep."
"There is no other way."
Gaia hung her head. "I know." She lifted her face and Pluto saw the
gratitude in the goddess's eyes. "I wish all of you luck, and give my best
to the Princess."
The time scout opened a portal. "I will, now rest goddess of the
Earth, and let us handle it."
Gaia blinked wearily and nodded. "Yes, rest." She closed her eyes
and fell into a deep sleep that would last half a millennium.
**
Dr. Amy Mizuno flopped down on the couch in the doctor's lounge. She
had been working in the Juban General OR for five straight hours and she was
exhausted.
This was not what Amy had expected to be doing when she had graduated
from Harvard Medical. Her mother, who still worked here, was the family
surgeon. Amy had gotten residence at the hospital as a pediatrician, though
she had studied surgical techniques. However, the earthquake that rocked
Japan yesterday and the subsequent influx of injured patients had pressed the
young doctor into OR duty.
She got up and headed for the coffee maker...and jumped back when a
swirling vortex opened in front of her.
Sailor Pluto stepped out of her portal. "It is time, Mercury."
Amy blinked as she tried to remember, then it hit her. She nodded
once. "Can...can I at least tell my mother first?"
Pluto shook her head. "I am sorry, but we have to leave."
The doctor's shoulders slumped. "I understand. Let's go."
The time scout entered the portal first and Amy was about to step in
also but stopped. She reached into her coat and pulled out a pen and a pad
and wrote down something quick. She tore out the sheet and placed it on the
table before jumping into the portal.
The vortex closed with a whoosh of air that fluttered the note. It
slid across the table and a shaft of sunlight illuminated the words:
_Mom, I have to go now. I'm sorry, but I can't explain it. Just
know that I love you very much._
_Your daughter,_
_Amy Mizuno_
**
The earthquake that struck the city had not affected the Hikawa
Shrine too severely, and Raye was meditating and giving thanks before the
Great Fire. She felt it was her job to keep in contact with the fire spirits
since she had become head priestess...ever since her grandfather died.
Grandpa Hino passed away a little over two years ago. He had been
presiding over a wedding when he collapsed. He was rushed to the closest
hospital, but had died en route from a massive stroke. Raye had been running
the shrine ever since.
The priestess had pulled herself from school and left a budding
singing career to throw herself totally into the business of the shrine. She
wasn't alone, however. Chad had stayed on as well and Raye had come to rely
on him, especially during the time just after her grandfather's death. Every
morning for the first few months Raye put on a brave face and faced the crowd
of worshippers, but nearly every night the priestess cried herself to sleep,
and often Chad would come into her room and just hold her as she sobbed.
She didn't cry herself to sleep that often anymore, but there was an
emptiness in her heart, an emptiness that was slowly being filled with her
growing relationship with Chad.
Raye smiled. In the last two years, she had come to depend on the
tall, scruffy-looking, ex-musician-turned-acolyte. Depend on him both
physically...and emotionally.
Everyone already knew that she liked Chad...a lot.
*But is it love?* a voice in her head asked.
The priestess blushed slightly. *I don't know...maybe...in a few
more years...*
Unfortunately, she wasn't going to be given the time to find out.
Raye sensed the portal behind her even before it finished forming.
She came out of her trance and turned around just in time to see Pluto step
out.
"It is time, Mars."
The head priestess nodded and felt a momentary pang as she thought of
Chad. *No, it wouldn't have worked out anyway. I...he deserves someone who
can be there for him...* She lifted her head up and blinked away the sudden
tears. She saw Pluto enter first and followed after her, refusing to look
back.
Chad chose that moment to enter the room. "Uh...Raye, I know you
don't like to be disturbed, but..." He looked up and saw the last of Raye's
ebony tresses disappear into the portal.
He gasped and leaped at the closing vortex, but it was too late. The
head priestess of the Hikawa Shrine was gone.
"...Raye..."
**
"It's alright, Maki. You can go, take the rest of the day off. I
know you want to be with your family now."
The young waiter started to sputter. "But, Ms. Kino, what if
customers come--"
Lita laughed. "There's just been an earthquake. I don't think we'll
have that much business today. But if any do come, then I'll deal with them.
Now you head on home."
Maki smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Ms. Kino, thank you!" He fairly
flew out the door.
"Just be careful of the roads!" Lita called after him. "The police
still have some closed off." She saw Maki turn and wave at her before she
closed the door and walked back into the restaurant..._her_ restaurant.
It had always been Lita's dream to own a successful restaurant. That
was why, after high school, she enrolled in one of the top culinary
institutes in Japan and graduated first in her class. Then all the offers
came pouring in.
Lita eventually settled on working at the Starlight Club after Trent
had introduced her to the head chef there, Jean-Luc Rousseau.
The Club had always been known as one of the best restaurants, but as
soon as Lita started working there, it was packed every night and profits had
shot up. That was why it was hard for Jean-Luc to see her go after two
years.
It was hard for Lita as well. She loved working at the Starlight
Club and she had learned a lot from Jean-Luc, but she knew that it was time
for her to start out on her own.
Two months later, the Moonlight Café opened up to rave reviews and
owner and head chef, Lita Kino, was featured in many prominent gourmet
magazines.
All that happened some years ago, but business was still thriving...
until recently when the earthquake disrupted business. Lita was now alone in
her restaurant after Maki left. She heard the front door opening behind her
and smiled. "Just sit anywhere," she said over her shoulder, "I'll be with
you in a second."
"I am afraid there is no time for that, Jupiter."
Lita froze. She knew that voice. She turned around slowly and her
gaze fell on the woman standing in the doorway. "Pluto."
"Come, it is time."
The brunette looked around at her restaurant...her dream. For a
moment, she briefly considered telling Pluto to get out, but only for a
moment. Her sense of duty and loyalty then asserted themselves. "I'm
ready."
The time scout turned and exited the restaurant. Lita was right
behind her but paused at the front door long enough to flip a sign around,
then she was gone.
The door closed and the sign swung down like a pendulum: Sorry, We're
Closed.
**
The blond blinked at the bright lights. She had been standing here
for an hour and she was thirsty.
"Just a few more shots, Mina," the photographer said.
Mina sighed. Such was the life of a model, but she wouldn't trade it
for the world.
It was Darien who had introduced Mina to the modeling world. This
was back when Darien was still doing some modeling to pay for college. He
had invited her to come and see one of his shoots when she expressed some
interest in it, and it was there that she was discovered.
Mina had started to model full-time as soon as she finished high
school, taking night courses for college. She had done shows in Paris and
New York and her face graced the covers of many teen and fashion magazines.
She had even landed a few minor roles in a couple of films.
Right now she was at a shoot in London modeling swimwear.
"Alright now, let's see that pretty face."
Mina rolled her eyes but did as she was told, posing gracefully and
seductively.
"Beautiful, beautiful...and...that's a wrap!" The photographer
signaled his assistants to turn off the hot lights.
Mina sighed, relieved that it was finally finished. She reached for
her robe but didn't find it. She frowned and looked around for it, shivering
slightly.
A hand reached out. "Your robe, Ms. Aino?"
Mina grabbed the robe and threw it around her. "Than--Trent?! What
are you doing here?"
The mage smiled. "Well, I had some free time so I 'ported here to
see you." Actually, he had a lot of free time...and a lot of money as well.
As soon as he was of age, he had taken the money his brother had left him in
the trust fund and invested it back into Takazawa Industries. He had bought
enough shares to earn a seat on the board of directors and his fortune had
grown ever since.
Mina grinned. "You're so sweet. I'm almost finished here so why
don't we go hang out and see the London sights?"
Trent was about to answer when he suddenly sensed a teleportation
nearby. *That's not Rhea...but the only one else I know who can teleport
is...*
"Hello, Trent, Venus."
"Hello, Sailor Pluto," Trent said politely, if somewhat guardedly.
He knew what this was about. There was only one reason why the scout of time
would appear like this.
"Hi, Pluto," Mina said cheerfully. Obviously, Mina had forgotten.
The green-haired scout looked at the energetic model. "It is time."
"Time? Time for wha--ohhh." Comprehension finally dawned on Mina's
face. She looked back at the modeling crew behind her. "Oh well, easy come,
easy go." She turned back to Pluto. "Let's get on with it."
Pluto nodded and spoke to Trent. "You are to come, too." She opened
a portal and stepped in with Mina and Trent following.
The photographer stepped back on the set with a roll of film in his
hand. "Um...Mina, it looks like we're going to have to do those last shots
again. It seems..." He looked around, but couldn't find the model. "Uh,
Mina...Mina? Has anyone seen Mina?"
**
Haruka lifted her hands from the piano keys as Michiru slowly drew
her bow across the violin strings one more time.
"That was great!" Hotaru exclaimed as the private concert ended.
Haruka smiled. "Thanks, kiddo." She laughed. "Maybe I shouldn't
call you that anymore. You've grown up, Hotaru. How's college going?
You're studying to be a nurse, right?"
The dark-haired woman nodded. "Yeah, it was an obvious choice with
my powers. I should be graduating in another year or two. Then I might go
to Juban General, Amy says that they could always use the help." She smiled.
"So how's retirement treating you, Haruka?"
The older woman laughed. "It's been trying, but I've been able to
deal with it." Haruka had decided to give up professional racing a few years
ago. Now, she often joined Michiru on her musical tours, playing the piano
beside her.
"You should visit us more often, Hotaru," Michiru commented. "The
house has been lonely ever since you moved out."
"I promise I will, Michiru-mama."
Everyone chuckled at Michiru's old nickname.
The aqua-haired woman got up and went to the kitchen to pour some
tea. She suddenly stopped as a draft of air flowed past her. "Hello, Pluto.
Would you care for some tea?"
Pluto stepped out of the portal. "I am afraid there is no time for
that. It is time, Neptune."
Michiru put down the teapot. "I know. I've known for a while now.
The Aqua Mirror showed me."
The kitchen door opened and Haruka and Hotaru entered.
"Hey, Michiru," the blond woman said. "What's taking so lon--oh,
hello, Pluto."
"Uranus, Saturn."
"What are you doing here, Pluto?" Hotaru asked, "Is there something
wrong at the Time Gates?"
The time scout shook her head. "No, the time has come. We must go."
She opened a portal and stepped through.
Hotaru didn't hesitate and followed right after Pluto.
Haruka and Michiru looked into each other's eyes. No words needed to
be said. Each took the other's hand and leaped into the swirling gate.
**
In the clearing outside Neflyte's church, Serena, Darien, and the two
Moon cats waited and watched as five temporal portals opened up and nine
people step out.
"Hi, everybody!" Serena shouted running to greet them all. And so an
impromptu reunion was held as everyone caught up on each other's business.
Trent looked around and saw someone missing. "Hey, where's Rhea?"
"I have already contacted her," Pluto said. "She should be arriving
now."
There was a small flash and Rhea teleported in. "Hi, I hope I didn't
miss anything."
A round of laughter answered her.
"So how's working at your father's company working out?" Mina asked.
"Have you fired anyone yet?"
"You know I can't do that! I'm only a secretary after all." Mariko
Hanada had hired Rhea to work as her secretary as soon as the young woman had
finished college.
Trent smiled. "Hey, don't knock it, Rhea. I hear that's how Mariko
started out."
Sailor Pluto signaled for order. "As I said to all of you. It is
time. The Earth is dying and Gaia has done all she could. It is up to us
now."
Serena nodded. "Yes, let's get ready." They all headed into the
church.
The inside of the cathedral was still a mess.
Lita kicked at a layer of dirt and sent a dust cloud flying. "You
would have thought someone would have cleaned this place up since last time,
though I guess the earthquake didn't help things much."
"Well, if this works we won't have to worry about having earthquakes
any time soon," Uranus said.
"Ok, everyone, stand back," Trent ordered. He searched for the runes
that Commander Rix had carved into the ground but couldn't find them. *Must
have been shoddy workmanship. I guess this means that I can just do this
straight up then.*
He shut his eyes and gathered his magic. He knew what to do; Queen
Serenity had told him back when they were on the Moon. In the background he
could here Rhea intoning a spell also.
Once Trent felt he was ready he cast his spell. The astral
projection spell only took a moment and the mage used his new body to delve
under the church and into the mana well there. What he saw disheartened him.
The ocean of magic that used to be there had nearly disappeared. Even the
streams of magical energy that fed the well and linked it to other wells had
dried up.
He sighed and got to work. The mage began expending his own energy
to revitalize the dormant magical tributaries. Streamers of magic exuded
from his body and into every crack and crevasse in the rock around him,
reconnecting many of the nearby smaller mana wells.
When Trent had exhausted his power, he slowly drifted back up to the
church and reentered his body. His whole body ached and he opened his eyes
slowly. Mina went over and he leaned heavily on her shoulder. "It was as
Queen Serenity feared. The mana wells were just about empty."
Amy asked, "So you had to use your own power to reestablish the links
between the wells?"
"Yeah." Trent blinked and looked around him. "What did you do to
this place?"
Rhea laughed. "Do you like it? The Silver Crystal and I decided to
redecorate the place."
The church had been totally transformed. The high-ceilinged, stone
and mortar structure had been changed into a high-ceilinged, crystalline
structure.
Trent stared at his niece. "Wait, what do you mean 'the Silver
Crystal and I'?"
Serena answered, "The Silver Crystal communicated with her and told
her what to do. This," She gestured around her. "is supposed to be...will
be...the throne room of the Crystal Palace in the future."
"Ok, if this is just the throne room, where's the rest of it?"
"Oh, the rest of the palace will...grow around it." Serena smiled.
"Amy is having a little trouble with that. Something about the law of
conservation of mass...or something."
Trent nodded wearily. "I've done all I can here. I'm going to have
to go to Stonehenge and Devil's Tower to finish it." He staggered a bit and
Mina caught him.
"Not like this, you're not," Mina told him. "You need some rest."
The mage shook his head. "It's alright, I can manage. Besides, this
was the hard part. All I have to do now is secure the mana links in the
other two places and I'll be done."
"Yeah, well, how are you going to get there, huh? You're obviously
too tired to teleport. Maybe we should do a Sailor Teleport--"
Rhea interrupted. "You all should conserve your energy. I'll take
Trent to the other mana wells."
The mage nodded tiredly. "She's right. Rhea and I will go, the rest
of you stay here and get ready."
Mina frowned, not liking the idea but knowing that the two of them
were right. "Alright, the two of you just be careful." She watched as Rhea
went over to her uncle and teleported away.
The two mages reappeared atop Devil's Tower. Rhea surveyed the area
and saw it littered with small stone outcroppings, but was barren of life.
She helped Trent make it to the center of the raised plateau.
"Are you sure you're up to this?" the female mage asked.
"I'll be fine." Trent placed his hands on the ground in front of him
and felt the symbols he had carved there to open the mana well. This time,
he was here to fix it. With a wave of his hand the symbols disappeared as
the rock healed itself. Now that the offending runes were gone, he could
proceed.
He spoke to Rhea over his shoulder, "Keep an eye out. Make sure I'm
not disturbed." Without waiting to her his niece's answer, Trent began the
spell.
Rhea stepped back and set up wards around them, then turned and
watched Trent worriedly. She knew that despite what he had said, her uncle
was still very weak. She intoned a spell and her vision shifted to the
astral. With her altered sight, the mage saw Trent's astral body rise up
from his physical one.
Trent opened his eyes and saw that the spell had worked. He waved at
Rhea and dived into the earth.
This mana well was smaller than the one under Neflyte's church, but
it was still quite large. Trent let his magic flow from him and he linked up
with the magical streamers he had set in place back in the mana well in
Japan. When he was finished, he floated back up and reentered his body.
Rhea ran forward when she saw that her uncle had returned and helped
steady him as he came out of his trance.
"Just one more to go, Rhea," Trent said, breathing heavily.
Rhea looked at him critically. "I don't know if you can make it.
Your magical levels are very low now."
"It doesn't matter, it's almost finished. Besides, I have to do
this. I have to make sure the mana wells and mana streams are still viable
before the scouts try and replenish the Earth's magic." With an effort the
mage managed to stand on his own. "I'll be alright. Let's go to
Stonehenge."
Many of the stone monoliths of Stonehenge had toppled over do to
earthquake activity through the years, and the tourists had stopped coming.
After all who wanted to look at a bunch of overturned stones when they had
better things to do, like preparing for the next natural disaster.
So it was that emptiness and silence greeted Trent and Rhea when they
materialized on Salisbury Plain.
Trent walked slowly to the altar stone in the middle of the rock
formation. Wind and rain had partially eroded the symbols he had etched
here, the same symbols as on Devil's Tower, but they were still visible. He
drew his hand slowly over them and they faded away like the ones at Devil's
Tower.
When they were gone, he cast the astral spell for the third time
today. This time, Trent didn't feel the easy transition from physical body
to astral body. Instead, there was a sense of pulling and stretching, as if
his consciousness was resisting the transition. He knew that this was
because of the fatigue he was feeling and his low magic levels, but he
gathered his will and commanded the spell to finish.
With a pop that was only audible to the mage, Trent found himself
floating free of his body again. He took a moment to catch his breath before
he sank quickly into the ground, not daring to waste any time.
Trent performed the same actions here as he did in the previous
wells, letting his magic flow from him and connect with the other streams.
As soon as he felt the last connection take place, he smiled. *I'm done...*
The mage suddenly could barely keep his eyes open. *Wha...?* Trent
looked at his body and cord. Both were starting to fade away. *Ah...
hell...* He had used up too mush of his magic. He had to return to his body
now! If not, with his consciousness locked into his astral form, he would
slowly fade away.
Trent tried to float back up to the surface, but even that took too
much energy for him to do. He was trapped; there was no other way to look at
it. He couldn't even call Rhea for help. The mage felt his eyelids grow
heavier, but he stubbornly refused to just lie back and wait to die. *There
must be...[yawn]...something I can do.*
Rhea's head popped through the rock face. "Anyone need a lift home?"
"...huh...?"
Rhea pulled the rest of her astral self out of the wall and grabbed
hold of her near comatose uncle. "I thought you might need some help after I
saw you struggle through the projection spell. Are you finished?" She saw
him nod. "Good, then we'll be taking the express to the surface. Hang on to
your astral cord!" The female mage slung his uncle's astral body over her
shoulder and rocketed upward, adding a little levitation spell to hasten the
trip.
They flew out of the ground at breakneck speeds, but Rhea managed to
land next to the stone altar. She rejoined Trent's astral body with his
physical one first before she returned to her own body.
When she awakened from her trance, Rhea immediately went to examine
Trent. He was unconscious and his power was nearly spent, but his pulse was
strong and he was breathing.
Rhea relaxed. All her uncle really needed was a little rest. She
didn't want to risk waking him magically while he was so weak. She smiled.
"I guess I'll have to haul you butt back to Japan, huh?"
Needless to say, there was no response as Rhea teleported the two of
them away.
"Don't worry, Mina. Trent will be ok, he's got Rhea with him,
remember?"
The blond stopped pacing just long enough to give Lita a grateful
smile. "Thanks, but don't you think it's been too long?"
Haruka laughed. "Trent has to hop across the globe to get to the
last two wells. I'd cut him some slack if he's a little late."
There was a flash and Rhea appeared with Trent still unconscious at
her feet.
Mina let out a cry and ran over to her boyfriend. "Trent! What
happened?"
The conscious mage grinned. "It's alright, Mina. He's just tired.
He should be coming out of it soon."
As if on cue, Trent groaned softly and cracked open his eyes. "Boy,
I feel awful."
"You should," he heard his niece say, "You were running on fumes back
in England."
He nodded and stood up slowly, Mina hovering over him anxiously.
"Thanks, Rhea, I owe you one." He and walked slowly over to Serena. "It's
done."
"Thank you, Trent," the pig-tailed blond said. "Now rest; you're
going to need your strength in the times to come."
"I know...but I have one more thing to do fir--" Trent slumped
against Mina.
"Oh, no you don't," Mina told him leading him to a unused bench.
"You're getting some rest now."
"But...I...you..." The mage struggled to stay awake but it was no
use. Between Mina's ministrations and his fatigue, Trent's eyes soon found
themselves clamped shut. Mina laid him down gently on the bench.
Rhea walked up to Mina. "He'll be fine. You'd better go and get
ready."
The blond woman nodded once and went over to the crowd gathering
around Serena.
"Alright, everyone," Pluto said, "Transform."
The crystal throne room became inundated with a kaleidoscope of
light, and when the light show finally ended nine Sailor Scouts and one
Tuxedo Mask stood together.
Sailor Moon placed her hand over her broach and willed the Imperium
Silver Crystal to appear. When the gem came free of its setting, Sailor Moon
transformed into Princess Serenity. She looked at Tuxedo Mask who nodded and
transformed into Prince Endymion.
The Crystal floated serenely in the air and glowed softly.
The time has come, daughter. Are you ready?
The princess took a deep breath. "I am ready, mother."
Very well. The Crystal's glow grew brighter and ten platforms
grew out of the ground. They were arranged in a circle and in the middle was
a pedestal.
As soon as the platforms finished forming, everyone went to the one
reserved for them and lay down on it.
"Comfy," Sailor Jupiter remarked. And indeed it was. The platforms
might have looked hard, but were actually soft and yielding.
There were even two small cubicles set in base of the pedestal.
Venus looked at them and smiled. She turned towards the two Moon cats. "I
guess this is where you sleep."
Artemis examined the small spaces. "I guess this is okay. It can be
any worse than that pile of rocks you call a pillow you have me sleep on at
home." He neatly dodged a kick that his charge aimed at him.
Princess Serenity turned her head and looked at Endymion lying on the
platform next to her. A tear threatened to fall from her eye. Five hundred
years, that was what her mother had said. It will be half a millenium before
she will be able to see her prince...her beloved...
...her husband...
*****
Serena and Darien had married four years ago, six years after they
had returned from fighting Bane.
Darien had waited until Serena graduated from college before asking
her for her hand in marriage. Of course, he had gotten her parent's
permission before he asked. Serena's father had learned of and accepted his
daughter's relationship with him, but was still hesitant about giving his
blessing. It was Ikoku Tsukino who came to his rescue.
Serena's mom had taken her husband into the next room to "talk" to
him about Darien's proposition, and while the young man couldn't hear what
was being said, he was relieved to hear no apparent sounds of fighting.
Serena's parents came out a few moments later and Kenji gave his blessing to
Darien, albeit with a small sigh.
Darien had proposed to Serena the next day. They were in a rowboat
out in the middle of a lake, the same lake where their future daughter had
fallen out of the sky. The sun had just risen and the waters glinted with
the dawn's light.
"This is so romantic, Darien, I just hope Reenie doesn't pop up and
ruin it."
He smiled. "You don't mean that, I know you love her."
A sigh. "Yeah, I do, and I guess I do miss her, even though she
won't be born for hundreds of years."
Darien felt that the time was right. "What would you say if I told
you I know a way to make the years go by a little faster?"
Serena thought for a moment. "You mean for Setsuna to send us to the
future to see her?"
"No."
"For her to send Reenie back to see us?"
"No."
"Well...then what?"
Darien reached behind him and got on one knee. He heard Serena gasp
as he pulled out a diamond ring and reached for her hand. "Serena Tsukino,
will you be my wife?"
The world seemed to stand still as it waited for the answer.
"Yes, I will."
Darien let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. A smile
started to grow on his face. He was about to say something when Serena
jumped into his arms.
"Oh, I love you Muffin!"
Darien opened his arms and caught his new fiancée. The boat started
to rock alarmingly. "I love you too, Serena but the boaaahhhhh!!!"
There was a loud splash as the rowboat overturned. A few moments
later, two heads broke the surface of the water.
"I'm so sorry, Darien! I didn't mean to...Oh no, the ring!" Serena
flailed around in the water. "I can't find it! It must have fallen--"
Darien swam over. "You mean this, dear?" He held in his hand the
diamond ring.
"Oh, thank you, Darien! I'm so sorry about the boat, and getting you
all wet, and..." Serena was suddenly silenced as Darien kissed her
passionately.
When they parted, he was smiling. "Let's get back to shore, Meatball
Head. We've got a wedding to plan."
A portal opened up in the air above them. "Look out below!" a voice
cried out.
Serena's face was pushed underwater again as a girl fell on her
shoulders.
"Hi mom, dad."
"Reenie, what are you doing here?" Darien asked, plucking his future
daughter off her fiancée's back. She looked as though she hadn't aged a day
since they saw her last.
The girl smiled. "You didn't think I'd miss my parents' wedding
would you?"
Serena sputtered to the surface. "Do you have to do that every time
me and Darien are out on this lake?"
Reenie thought for a long while before answering. "Yes, I think I
do."
The sound of water splashing as Serena tried to dunk her daughter in
the lake could be heard clear across Juban.
The next few months were a whirlwind of planning and preparation.
The wedding date was set for sometime in spring when, as Serena put it, "the
world was new, and the scent of cherry blossoms was in the air."
The wedding would be a Western styled one, with a church and a
flowing white bridal dress (something that Serena was adamant about having).
The next obstacle was choosing the actual dress. In this Setsuna had been of
great help. Being a famous clothing designer, she had shone Serena dozens of
designs before the soon-to-be bride found the one that was just right for
her.
The rest of the preparations went pretty smoothly, mostly because the
couple had allowed Serena's parents do most of the work, from handling the
catering to preparing the invitations. However, that left Serena the dubious
honor of choosing her maid of honor. She spent weeks agonizing over her
decision. She had scores of close friends to choose from, not to mention the
scouts. In desperation, she had run to Darien to ask for his help.
"Just listen to your heart. It'll tell you which one is right," he
had said.
Serena threw up her hands in frustration. "Fat lot of help you are!
All you had to do to select your best man was pick your best friend, Andrew!"
She stormed off to think by herself.
As the magical day grew closer, Serena grew more frantic. She
finally decided to just do what Darien had suggested. She listened to her
heart...and surprisingly, it came up with a choice, the perfect choice.
The day of the wedding was bright and sunny. There wasn't a cloud in
the sky and, as Serena predicted, there was the scent of cherry blossoms in
the air.
Serena was still busy getting the final touches done on her dress.
There was a knock on her door and Mina stuck her head in.
"Five minutes until show time. Good luck, Serena!"
The bride smiled at her blond friend and watched her leave.
"So, are you nervous?"
Serena grasped the hand of maid of honor. "No doubt about it,
Molly." She smiled. It hadn't been that hard of a decision. Molly had been
her best friend since they were toddlers. They had grown up together.
Laughed and cried together. No, it hadn't been a hard decision after all.
Molly laughed. She knew how her friend felt. She had married Melvin
a few years earlier and had the same butterflies fluttering around in her
stomach. "Well, don't be. It's your wedding day, so be happy! You're
marrying a great guy."
Serena smiled then, if a bit wanly.
"I am finished, Serena," Setsuna said finally. She was the one
working on the last minute touches to the dress. "I am sure your wedding
will go perfectly." She winked and left to join the other bridesmaids.
"You look marvelous, Serena," Molly gushed.
And she did. Serena twirled around and her gown billowed around her.
It was a beautiful silk and satin affair with an abundance of chiffon and
lace. Molly helped placed the veil on the bride's head.
Serena took a deep breath. "Let's get this show on the road."
The doors of the church opened and the bridal march began. Reenie
walked in first and, being the flower girl, spread a scattering of rose
petals. When she stepped to the altar, she took her position off to the
side. Darien smiled at his daughter and waited expectantly at the altar for
his bride-to-be to arrive. He was not disappointed.
Serena stepped into view with her father escorting her. Her veil was
down, but everyone was able to sense the smile she had on her face. When
they reached the end of the aisle, Kenji performed the traditional "giving
away of the bride".
After that, the rest of the ceremony seemed like a blur to the two
main participants. The couple barely even noticed their vows and the
accompanying "I do's", so absorbed in each other were they. Then the moment
came.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Darien lifted the veil slowly, wanting to prolong this moment of
bliss for as long as possible.
Serena was all for bliss, but she wanted Darien to kiss her _now_.
Finally, the veil was off. Darien leaned forward and his lips sought
his wife's. Serena just closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the
moment.
When their lips met, it was as if the entire universe sang out its
joy. Everyone present suddenly felt more alive and happy than they had ever
been before.
Setsuna had a satisfied smile on her face. "Done and done."
*****
...her husband...
Serenity smiled at her beloved and reached out her hand, which
Endymion took and held tenderly.
Sailor Venus had watched the interplay between the royal couple.
*They must be think about their wedding,* she surmised correctly. This
caused the Sailor Scout of Love to think about it as well, or rather, about
the wedding reception afterwards...
*****
While the wedding was held in a Catholic church, the reception was
held incongruously as the Hikawa Shrine. Actually, no one thought much about
the conflicting religions as the setting was quite beautiful. They were set
up in the park area of the shrine grounds and the view of the pond and
surrounding cherry trees was magnificent.
The party had been going on for about an hour when it came time for
the bride and groom to toss the garter and bouquet.
Darien went first and all the eligible bachelors began to line up
behind him.
Chad immediately ran up to get in place and winked at Raye. The
priestess just rolled her eyes, but smiled.
Greg looked at Amy and blushed as he got up.
Mina had to literally push Trent out of his chair to get him up
there. He was still holding his drink and it nearly spilled on his shirt.
"But it's just a silly superstition!" he argued. "You know I'm going to
marry you anyway."
"That's sweet, dear, but I want us to get married next!"
Trent shook his head and smiled, but he did line up with the others.
However, he made sure he was standing towards the back of the crowd with a
couple of taller guys in front of him. Confident that there was no way any
article of women's clothing could get to him now he took a casual sip of his
champagne and heard the gasp as Darien flung the garter backwards.
The mage tracked it with his eyes but was blinded by the sun. He
tried to blink the tears away when he suddenly felt something soft and lacy
land on his face. *Uh oh...* Trent reached up slowly and plucked something
off of his face. The garter. *Oh no.* He heard Mina squeal happily behind
him.
Next it was time to toss the bouquet and all the bachelorettes
grouped together behind Serena. Lita looked at Mina and smiled. The blond
had a bloodthirsty look on her face. She nudged Raye standing next to her
and whispered in her ear. The priestess giggled and passed the message on.
Serena called out and threw the bouquet over her shoulder. Mina
watched the tumbling bunch of flowers like a hawk and momentarily considered
transforming and using her Love Chain to snag it. Instead, she moved
slightly to her right and leaped up and grabbed the bouquet like a football
wide receiver jumping up for a pass. *I got it?* She landed and stared at
the flowers in her hands. *I...I got it!* She then heard Trent chuckling.
Mina was about to yell at him when she looked around and saw that she
was totally alone. The women who were gathered around her to catch the
bouquet had moved back to form a ring around her. She had been the only one
there to catch the flowers.
Lita spoke up. "We didn't want to get run over by you!"
The blond blushed furiously but laughed in spite of herself. Then
she speared Trent with a predator's look. The mage gulped and smiled
nervously as the crowd clapped and cheered.
*****
Venus looked lovingly at her boyfriend lying on the bench. *He's
sure taking his sweet time asking me to marry him, but I love him all the
same.*
Rhea was sitting next to Trent and keeping an eye on him. She saw
him slowly open his eyes and turn towards the gathering of scouts.
"...Mina...," he said weakly. Trent sat up effort and felt his niece
grab hold of your arm.
"You're not going anywhere yet, Trent," Rhea said. "You still need
your rest. We don't want anymore fainting spells like last time."
The mage shook off the hand. "No, you don't understand...I have to
see Mina." Trent staggered to his feet and lurched towards Sailor Venus who
was already being suffused with orange light. The replenishing of the
Earth's magic had nearly begun.
"Mina! I--I have to tell you something!" Venus turned her head at
the sound of Trent's voice. The mage reached into his pocket and pulled
something out. He was nearly by his love's side when he suddenly became
overwhelmed by the power emanating from the circle of scouts.
Trent railed against the waves of magic battering at him but he
knew he wouldn't be able to reach Venus's side. Holding the object in his
hand, he threw it towards the blond scout and, with a touch of levitation
magic, stopped it in mid-air above her.
Venus looked up at the object. It was a ring with the symbol of
Venus etched into the band and a diamond set in the circle. Her heart
suddenly skipped a beat.
Trent shouted, "Mina Aino, will you marry me?"
Venus reached up slowly and took hold of the ring. She placed it on
her finger and was about to answer when there was a flash and a shimmering
column appeared around the scouts forming a barrier to the outside world.
The mage blinked and stared through the barrier, but it was too late.
The process had begun. Each of the scouts and the royal couple were lying on
their platforms with their eyes closed and their arms across their chests.
Each of them was glowing with their respective color.
Trent sighed and sank to the ground. He didn't know. Sure, he had
seen Sailor Venus take the ring and put it on, but he didn't know. He didn't
even know if she heard his ques--
*...yes, I will...*
Trent looked up. That was Mina's voice, but how? He pressed himself
up against the barrier and looked at Venus. At first glance she looked just
like the others, laying back in a calm repose, but Trent looked closer and
saw that one of her hands were clasped around her--
*The pendant!* Trent thought, suddenly realizing. He tried to
communicate with her further, but was unable to get through, but he had
already received the message he had wanted to hear. With tears coursing down
his cheeks, he placed his hand on the barrier. "Sleep well, Mina. Until we
meet again, my love."
The protective barrier continued to glow brighter as the scouts began
to draw energy from their respective planets and transfer it to the Crystal.
Trent stepped back and stood with his niece. They stared at the
magical manifestation for a moment before turning to leave. The Great
Darkness was approaching and they had to be ready for it.
The End
Author's Notes: Well, that was one heck of a story, the longest I've written
in fact. For those of you who survived to read this you must have had a high
tolerance for pain and poor fanfic writing...or you may just have enjoyed
my story. Whatever the reason, whether you liked it or not, I'm glad that
you have spent the time to read my humble tale.
As always questions, comments, and criticisms are welcome at
jnkryo@yahoo.com