Generation Lost, Part 5
Intermission

By Taerir


AN: Well, here's another one. This will probably be it for a little while, as other commitments beckon. Thanks to those who have reviewed so far: Sidekickwannabe, Lilian, MitsuChiyoHoshi, and UsakoKou. Your comments are greately appreciated!

And to anyone who happens to be reading this now, please tell me what you think.

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.


"It can't be," Serenity whispered, her eyes wide with shock. "It's just not possible."

Beside her, the princess' eyes radiated equal grief. Briefly, mourning transformed to anger. "No! There must be some mistake!"

The dark-haired messenger appeared miserable, bowing his head in mirrored grief as unshed tears pooled in the eyes of his queen and princess. "I'm sorry, Your Highnesses. There is no mistake. We all grieve for the loss of the king."

Mercury swallowed hard, feeling the burn of her own grief amplified by the expressions in the eyes of her friends. When Pluto had come to them with the announcement that their time was ending, none of them had expected such violent deaths to be a possibility. To be sure, such a demise was an unavoidable consequence of their "profession." Still, it had been assumed by all that they would leave their successors to a kingdom as peaceful as possible.

Sighing, Mercury laid a hand on Serenity's shoulder. They all knew that now was not the time to give up, especially with Saturn already gone.

"Do you have any idea who might have instigated the attack?" she questioned the messenger.

The man shook his head, his short ponytail catching on his clothing. "No, Lady Mercury. We have found no trace of them."

"Well, search harder!" Mars snapped. As often seemed the case even after so many years, anger seemed to be her most comfortable way to deal with pain in extreme situations.

Uranus stepped in. Her words remained strict and allowed no room for disagreement. "Messenger, tell the investigation committee that it is absolutely imperative that we find out who enacted this attack. We do not care how well they disappeared. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lady Uranus," the messenger promised, bowing hastily and retreated from the room.

Through her dual feelings of sadness and sympathy, Mercury already felt the checklists forming in her head. There would have to be a memorial service for Endymion. The people of Crystal Tokyo would expect it, and Mercury had a feeling that the support would lend Serenity strength. She was still queen and would still need to act as such.

And first and foremost, every remaining senshi would have to devote themselves to supporting Serenity as well. Especially with the potential lack of stability that malicious attacks on the monarchy could bring, it would be important for them to make sure that Serenity could continue to uphold her duties. As Serenity's friends, they would feel so obligated even if she had been the most common of citizens.


Neo Queen Serenity sat silently at her window that night, gazing at the gardens below. Her daughter had gone to bed early, no doubt wishing to be alone with her emotions. Serenity didn't blame her. She herself had sent the senshi away from her room. They had all been staunchly determined not to leave her alone for the night, but although she felt grateful for their concern, she also needed time with her thoughts.

Even the one who worked so hard to maintain happiness needed some time to herself occasionally.

"My love..." she sighed softly, gazing at the stars. He was somewhere beyond the heavens, beyond time and mortality. But she could still feel a piece of him with her.

When he'd left, she'd known somewhere inside that it was the last time she'd see him in this life. She had ignored the feeling, burying it inside herself until she could deny it and disregard it as simple fear. It had worked, too; even he had seemed to accept her reaction to his departure as natural. But still, inside she'd known, and now his body was gone.

His spirit was still there. They had loved each other for too long for it to be otherwise. The spirit, though, was no replacement for his comforting voice, or for his warm hand on hers. Those things remained lost.

She would continue on, though, for as long as she was called to do so. Crystal Tokyo would function with or without its king, but the loss of the queen along with the king would prove crippling.

Serenity smiled ironically. No one had ever imagined that the active, somewhat naive girl she had been could have a deep thought in her head. Even now, they knew differently, but she doubted anyone guessed at the depth she'd gained. Or perhaps they did know, but kept it to themselves. Such observations were hardly dinner conversation.

Even she had never thought she would feel the haunting beginnings of a weariness incurable by sleep, though. All the same, it plagued her now.

Wiping quiet tears from her eyes, she rose from her seat at the window and drew the drapes closed. Helpful or not, sleep called to her anyway.