Title: Crystalline Revelations Part I: The Corruption of Galaxia

Chapter Three: Kronos' Warning

Author: KissThis

Rating: PG-13 (as of now)

Pairing: Usagi/Galaxia

Summary: The true events of the Silver Millennium are bitter and harsh. They also become the base of Galaxia's corruption when Queen Selenity refuses to acknowledge their love and demands that Serenity marry Endymion; going so far as to blame Galaxia for kidnapping the Moon Princess! Part I of III in the Crystalline Revelations story-arc.

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, sadly. Wish I could have Galaxia though -- that'd be COOL!

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Galaxia dug through the bags that had been delivered to her room and pulled out a hairbrush. It appeared to be made of mahogany but whether they had such trees on Alpha Senshi remained unknown. She let out a sigh. She regretted having spoken to a close friend in such a way. But her regret was soon replaced with suspicion -- and with that came mistrust.

Pluto's words resounded in her mind.

...stuck...

Things on the Moon were definitely not as she had been told. It had been Sailor Eden's job to properly brief her on the Sol System's status. Galaxia made a mental note to dispatch a message to Sailor Eden as soon as possible.

The brush's teeth ran rhythmically through her thick hair. She frowned inwardly. How much of what Sailor Eden had told her was a lie? Was the truth purposefully kept from her as a test? Or had see been deceived? Or did Sailor Eden truly believe what she had relayed was factual.

So many questions...

She tried to remember if there had been any clue in her briefing that they Council was feeding her false information. When she could find no memory of such acts her head only ached all the more. Situations like this reminded her why she had been reluctant to accept an ambassadorial post. In relation to politics her strategy was to ignore the problem and eventually it would go away. Something told her the way out wouldn't be that easy.

There was a knock at her door. Galaxia set down her brush and stood up to open it. Her second in command gave her a withering look from the other side of the doorway.

"You aren't even ready yet!" The maroon suited Senshi pushed past her leader and headed straight for Galaxia's baggage.

"By all means, Sailor Kronos, come on in..." Galaxia muttered darkly and shut the door.

Sailor Kronos pointedly ignored her. "What have you been doing this whole time?" She tuttered. "I'm not your keeper you know -- you're going to have to start taking your ambassadorial duties seriously."

Galaxia glared at the Sailor and let annoyance ooze off her, "What happened to respecting your superiors? I should have you court marshaled, Kronos."

Sailor Kronos gave a dry laugh/ "Age is still first in my book, besides, when I'm gone who would be there to keep you out of trouble?"

Galaxia cracked a smile. "You're too insolent for your own good," She declared.

Becoming bored watching Kronos pull things from her bags, Galaxia's brush resumed its steady journey through her hair. Her mind wandered again.

"Commander?" She asked.

Kronos paused in her mayhem and blew auburn bangs from her eyes. "Yes, sir?" She replied -- noting the formality in Galaxia's words.

"What's your opinion of this system?"

A small shrug lifted Kronos' shoulders, "Well-inhabited, tightly monitored Senshi posts...their technology isn't as advanced as ours, of course. We had several significant breakthroughs in manipulating Prime energy, if my memory serves me correctly, just after the original Sailor Moon was sent here to establish an Alpha Senshian satellite system."

"I remember too...and the Moon Kingdom?"

"Even though I don't hold with her belief that Sailor Senshi were created to rule the weaker souls, Sailor Moon certainly did a good job in creating this place. Beautiful and organized...but," Sailor Kronos paused. "Permission to speak freely, Ambassador?"

Galaxia nodded her assent, "Granted."

"It's not exactly the way I'd pictured it. Sure, the Moon and the planets are living in relative peace and they aren't at war --"

"But it's a constant threat." Galaxia finished for her. Sadly, she lowered her brush. "Who knows how long the Peace of the Planets will last...war could break out at any time."

"Exactly! And that's not all. There's just something..." Kronos floundered for a moment as she tried to find the best word to convey her thoughts, "...off. Little things, you know -- the way we couldn't see the city, how we were led through the gardens rather than the front entrance...even the Queen gave me a disconcerting feeling."

Galaxia's face was grave, "You felt it too."

Sailor Kronos looked at her expectantly as if awaiting orders. Galaxia was now up and pacing the room.

"I want you to keep your eyes and ears open. You're to be my operative on the Moon at all times. We don't want any surprises."

"Yes, Galaxia. How much information do you want me to dig up?"

"Everything. This is a Code 5 data gathering operation, Commander." Galaxia shook her head slightly; "I don't feel comfortable here...not without all the information."

"Do you want to dispatch a message to the Council?"

Galaxia waved the suggestion away, "No. Nothing's actually happened yet, and I don't want to bring the Council into matters until absolutely necessary. I'll take care of this."

Her attitude and demeanor had executed a complete one-eighty. Standing tall against the backdrop of windswept curtains with her hair blowing about her shoulder and the regal determination etched into her face giving it a look of softened steel, she looked just like her mother.

Warmth and awe filled her and brought Sailor Kronos to her knees. Tears pricked her eyes and she couldn't bring herself to speak. Eyes dropped away in self-reproach from her gold-bedecked leader. Memories that could never be completely forgotten filled her mind, but Galaxia's image now replaced her mother's

"Your mother would be so proud." Kronos whispered reverently. "I was wrong to make light of your position, My Lady."

Galaxia bent down to tell Kronos to stop such foolishness, but a foreign tingling at the edge of her consciousness made her mind blank. She hesitated then straightened.

Moving as if in a trance through the open glass doors she glided out on to the balcony. Silver caught her eye and she dared to go as far as the stone banister would allow. The tingling sensation began to grow in the back of her mind filling her head with addictive desire.

A familiar voice singing a familiar song enveloped her as the light did streaming out onto the balcony. The princess of the moon floated into site among the gardens beneath Galaxia's window. Her alabaster arms were already half-filled with blooming flowers.

Just as before, the young girl instantly fascinated Galaxia. Her large crimson eyes drank in every second and every detail with rapt attention as if the princess was a drug to which Galaxia was irrevocably addicted. Like a wraith, Kronos appeared by her side, but Galaxia didn't even acknowledge her presence.

Sailor Kronos was far from stupid.

Sharp chocolate eyes saw the relaxed stoop in her shoulders and the way her half-lidded eyes gazed languidly over the balcony.

Oh, Galaxia. Kronos thought to herself. Why couldn't it be anyone else?

Unaware of her audience, Serenity continued her journey through her favorite garden. She breathed in the sweet smell of release and the flowers' perfumes. The grass beneath her bare feet was soft as she walked and damp from the evening dew. The hem of her changing gown dragged along the ground and turned soggy and chilly along the bottom of her skirt. But it didn't bother her and as she reached the marble fountain centerpiece a smile sculpted her pale lips.

Giving up her load she let the cut steams drag in the pool and moved her hands up to her head. With deft fingers, Serenity easily pulled the hidden pins from her bun and freed her hair from its restraint. She combed her fingers through the golden waves, and as she dropped the tresses over her shoulder the silver glow surrounding her intensified. The second ponytail fell just as easily, and light poured from every pore in her body.

The hum in Serenity's stomach was now unbearable and she could no longer ignore the music of the gardens. Strange words fell from her lips as they often did when she let herself go. But she couldn't even hear them -- the waltz of the flowers pounded too thickly through her veins for her to hear anything but.

Of their own wish her feet began to move, taking the steps belonging to Serenity's favorite dance. Her grandmother had taught it to her when Serenity was just a little girl.

Her knee rose and she pirouetted around in a circle.

Serenitatis had told her that whenever she'd henshined into Sailor Moon the song of the Ginzuishou had filled her soul. The pure white light consumed her with such life and warmth that she danced each hensin to praise its power and beauty.

It truly was a beautiful dance, and since Serenity doubted she would ever become Sailor Moon, she danced it now for the flowers.

Drawing her arms languidly overhead, the smooth contours of her nails shone in the reflected light of the moon. Her eyelids fluttered shut and as her song rose passionately in the silence she danced amid the garden.

Galaxia was now balanced precariously over the stone banister. Her glazed eyes and flushed cheeks brought back her lost youth and she reached almost wistfully into the inky blackness. She had just opened her mouth to call out, impetuously, to Serenity, but Sailor Kronos pulled her back.

She shook her head sadly at Galaxia.

Forgive me...

"That was not for our eyes." Her fingers flexed and the crack of a whip resounded in the marble enclosure. The balcony doors blew shut.

"You would do well to stay away from their kind, Galaxia." Kronos murmured. She set about gathering Galaxia's outfit for dinner.

"What?"

Those brown eyes were sad but stubborn as they swiveled around to lock with Galaxia's cherry ones. "I'm not joking, Gal. Stay away from the princess."

Kronos' serious tone had Galaxia baffled.

'I don't know what you're talking about."

Sailor Kronos lowered her head, "That girl will only bring trouble."

What's the matter with everyone? First Pluto, now Kronos...this mission is already souring.

Speechless, Galaxia was too confused by her friend's vehement demand to form a coherent reply. She merely took the clothes Kronos offered her and disappeared into the bathroom.

Sailor Kronos turned away from the closed door and sent a silent plea to the heavens.

Golden Star...watch over your daughter...

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Galaxia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She had been forced into so many skirts and petticoats that her legs were virtually trapped beneath the table at which she dined. She ate her soup quietly and engaged herself in polite conversations with the people around her.

The Queen sat at the head of the table; to Galaxia's left. To Galaxia's right sat Sailor Kronos, and beside her was Sailor Mermaid. Across from Galaxia were Sailor Mau and her remaining two Senshi -- Sailor Chuu and Sailor Cocoon. Galaxia sent an envious look around to her fellow Senshi. They looked ridiculously more comfortable than she felt wearing their respective fukus.

Her own outfit was goldenrod. It tied behind her neck with a low back and a plunging neckline that almost reached her waist. The dress' empire waistline gave her the coveted hourglass figure, and gave way to no less than a dozen thick frocks beneath the golden skirt. The bell-shaped skirts billowed outwards and kept her legs completely from sight.

Sometime during the second course Galaxia had given up on the suede slippers Kronos had forced upon her and had slipped her feet free from the offending articles. The shoes now lay forgotten, but also hidden underneath the low sweeping tablecloth. Finding a good use of her volumous dress, Galaxia had tucked her legs comfortably beneath her bottom. The skirts concealed effectively her change to an "un-lady-like" seating.

Sailor Mermaid had engaged herself in conversation with the Sol Senshi Jupiter sitting next to her and though Galaxia heard her own name in snippets of their conversation, she couldn't bring herself to engage in the discussion.

The Moon Princess' presence was naught to be had.

Not even a place had been set for her.

Galaxia turned to the Queen. Quickly making a mental note of what she should say she swallowed slowly. "Your Majesty..."

Queen Selenity lowered her spoon and took a moment to wipe politely at the corners of her lips. "Yes, Ambassador?" Her cold eyes dared Galaxia to make a mistake.

"Might I inquire as to the whereabouts of Princess Serenity?"

Kronos tensed beside her. Her tension was mirrored on the Queen's face and quickly spread down the table.

"And what is it you wish of my daughter?"

"I had hoped to converse with her and learn more about your beautiful kingdom, Your Majesty."

"Sailor Mercury and her ancestors designed the entire structure of this palace. And Sailor Venus, being many years a diplomat here, could tell you anything else you wish to know."

Galaxia's jaw clenched and then unclenched. Speaking slowly as to not offend or be intimidating she said: "While I appreciate Your Majesty's advice, I had hoped to learn from one of the Royal line -- who's lived on the Moon all their life."

Queen Serenity's nails dug furiously into her napkin.

"I had hoped to hear it straight from you, Your Majesty, but not wishing to distract you from your sovereign duties I had thought I might consult your daughter."

Queen Serenity's eyes blazed. Kronos had stopped breathing, and the dining hall waited in baited silence.

"The Princess isn't feeling well." Her voice was tight and strained, "I'm sure she'll be feeling better by the time of the ball if you wish to hold your questions until then."

"I will," Galaxia replied, "Thank you."

No one spoke for the rest of the meal.

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Read and Review PLEASE!

I know there aren't a lot of people reading this story because there's no 'Galaxia' under the search menu. I e-mailed ff.net over a month ago, but they seem to have made no move to add her to the list. Ah well.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

KissThis