Generation Lost, Part 4
Shepherd's Slumber
By Taerir
AN: I wasn't sure whether I was going to continue or not, but here's Part 4. I'm trying to take as little creative license as possible, but obviously, some is necessary.
If you read it, I'd absolutely love to know! (hint, hint ^_^)
All Sailor Moon references are the property of their respective owners. I, Taerir, do claim the prose contained in this document, copyright 2003. No duplication is permitted without written permission from the author.
King Endymion of Crystal Tokyo paused for a few moments to gaze as far-off stars rushed by on the video screen of the space vehicle in which he currently rode. He'd had nearly a thousand years to get used to such technology, and yet it still managed to amaze him each time. There was something intriguing in the knowledge that he was just one small person in the vastly expansive universe.
"Your Majesty," a female voice announced, interrupting Endymion's thoughts. "I thought you'd like to know that we've entered the second half of our trip, and we are fully on-schedule."
"Yes, Commander Aristar," Endymion replied automatically, with a smile for the brown-haired leader of the crew. "I appreciate the update."
With an efficient nod, the commander took her leave of him and went back to her duties.
Endymion turned his attention back to the video window, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The establishment of Crystal Tokyo had brought relative peace, with the exception of the occasional cataclysms that the sailor senshi worked hard to dispel. But although this trip was simply a diplomatic mission to one of the planetary colonies, Endymion was haunted by unease. The trip had been too quiet thus far.
His beautiful Serenity would be pleased that it had been uneventful. They had both felt reservations about his upcoming trip, particularly given Pluto's recent announcement and the departure of Saturn. However, both had also known the importance of the diplomatic missions to maintaining piece. As disagreeable as it was at times, though, duty always came first and personal fears came a very distant second.
So, they had both smiled as if no danger existed, and pretended that the trip was just what it should have been: routine.
Still, the hint of tears in Serenity's eyes had almost been enough to make him forsake duty and stay. Sometimes, even he was amazed that his feelings toward her had remained undiluted by time. But then he looked into her eyes and knew that there was nothing incredible about his love for her. She was still everything she had been before and after rebirth, and before she had even known her own potential: beautiful, gentle, pure, and strong inside. To him and to so many others, she might as well have been a goddess.
What brought him a feeling of awe every day was the fact that she loved him as much. She had remained by his side, and still looked into his eyes with an adoration that baffled him. Serenity had brought him the family he'd needed and had chosen to remain by him. Endymion had no doubt that he was unworthy, but he also knew that she thought differently. That thought brought him immense strength.
Their daughter had completed the picture. It seemed to him that Lady Serenity had inherited the best of both her parents, and she'd grown into a lovely young woman. Thinking of her always filled him with fierce pride. His only regret was that he would not be there to see his daughter through all the hardship she would face when she became queen. Such was her fate as a daughter of the moon, and his own fate dictated that he follow a different path.
A violent shudder rocking the entire ship interrupted Endymion's thoughts. He left his chosen spot at the video screen and headed straight to the control room.
"What's happening?" he questioned, his voice instantly set on business.
"We've been attacked from the side," an operative replied urgently. "I don't know why we didn't even see them coming. It's as if they've materialized from nowhere."
"Fire!" the commander was yelling, her voice strong and fierce.
Endymion settled himself at a terminal, ready to help. If it was truly a surprise attack, the crew would need all the help he could get. At least they had chosen the best commander for the job. Aristar had been at the top of her class and had never lost to anyone. She wouldn't allow it.
Despite that reassurance, a thought picked at the back of his mind. It was as if this was meant to happen. Another ignored musing wondered who could possibly be instigating this attack.
Could it be that fate was not the only thing demanding that the older senshi take their leave of the mortal world? Could there be something more at work? The thought was unsettling, but Endymion was certain that it was unwise to ponder such a thing during the attack.
Another impact caused the ship to tremor, and Endymion heard the commander swear.
"Keep it up!" she demanded, and Endymion detected a hint of desperation in her voice. Such an emotion was unlike her, and indicated that the situation was very bad indeed.
Impact after impact occurred. Slowly, the ship ran out of ammunition, and the shields began to fail. The commander's eyes were wide, and the crew seemed to be in shock.
"There's nothing else we can do," the commander whispered, stunned and obviously blaming herself.
It was then that Endymion knew for certain that the possibility he and Serenity had tried to ignore would come to pass. This would be the end.
It's not fair. Saturn gets to fade away, and I'm forced to meet my demise in an exploding ship?
The irony of it, he found, did not amuse him. He closed his eyes, his last desperate thoughts turning to his love for his wife and daughter as the ship began to break apart. Too soon, consciousness left him and King Endymion of Crystal Tokyo was no more.
