Author's Note:
This story, while called 'Return of the Valkyries' is NOT related to 'Walk of Valkyries'. That's more of a short story that ended where it began: one part. My email address has changed to Guardian4@atlantic.net. Please put Fanfiction or something similar in the subject line so I know what the email is about.
Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Sailor Moon, etc.
Minako's husband – Kyle (Kunzite)
Makoto's husband – Matt (Nephrite)
Ami's husband – Zale (Zoisite)
Rei's husband – Jared (Jadeite)
Haruka's husband – Aren (Adamite)
Setsuna's husband – Cirocco (Cordylite)
Michiru's husband – Ian (Iolite)
Hotaru's husband – Raine (Rhonite)
For convenience, I named all the new Kings with the same first letter of their name. The Shitennou names I think are pretty able to figure out.
Return of the Valkyries
Chapter 16
It was a miracle.
The second that the Outers and Kings entered the Throne Room, the tension dissolved and smiled lit the faces. Crown Princess Zoie was sleeping peacefully in Sailor Saturn's arms, the holder tired but happy.
Kynthia burst in from a side door and sprinted all out for her child, who Saturn handed over happily. Serenity and Endymion stepped down from the throne and embraced their friends.
"I was worried about you," the old queen murmured in Uranus' ear.
"No need, Serenity. We were fine all the way through."
It took all their considerable effort not to refute this statement, as there was no point in doing so. Serenity was comforted by the reassurance, and what was there to gain by telling the truth of their injuries?
Kynthia sobbed a bit, managing to get as many thank yous in as possible while hugging her daughter tightly to her chest. Chibiusa smiled joyfully and embraced the current queen happily.
"Kynthia?"
The exuberant mother looked up at the gentle and soft tone of her grandmother. "Yes?" she whispered.
"It's time." With that, she held her staff in front of her. The Ginzuishou, changing back to a many faceted round stone, floated over to her. Automatically, her palm settled open and it hovered over it, shining quietly.
"What's going to happen to the Golden Crystal?" Asnee asked after shooing everyone else from the room.
Endymion looked at Helios. "It will be put somewhere safe until the next King of Crystal Tokyo arises, to be watched over by the Priests of Elysian."
"Elysian?"
"Yes, Elysian. The once proud kingdom of olden times, now only a city of dreams. Helios will care for it until it is time to pass on to its rightful owner."
Helios, tears in his eyes because he knew exactly what Endymion was saying, bowed and said brokenly with sobs he couldn't hide, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will care for your trust as I would my own family."
The others in the room except for Serenity, the Senshi, and Kings looked perplex at the amount of emotion, the sadness, that made him cry.
With foresight at all on anyone's part, the normally reserved and respectful king launched himself into Endymion's arms and held him as if his arms were steel and couldn't be moved. The man's shoulders shook a tad, but other than that, he was completely motionless.
"Helios?" questioned his wife. "What's the matter, Helios?"
Only Endymion heard him.
"She doesn't understand; she can't feel it like I do."
"She can't because she isn't connected to the Earth like we are, so close with it," the older king whispered back. "But we all know."
Helios managed to pull himself away from slightly taller man and wiped his eyes a bit. "We all know."
"What's going on?" snapped Nixie. "You act like the man's going to die!"
The white haired king managed a smile at her. "Of course they aren't going to die," he told her, but there was something in his eyes that only his wife could see that belied his words. "They're going to be around forever."
Endymion handed him the Golden Crystal, and slowly the Royal Family I and their guards left the Crystal Palace to go back to their homes in the countryside.