Disclaimer: My sincere gratitude to Takeuchi-sensei who created this wonderful world for us to dream in. respectful bow in the general direction of Japan As we all know, all rights belong to her. I hope you enjoy my portrayal of her creations.

I do not write for reviews, but I sure enjoy compliments, constructive criticism, and grammatical corrections. So if you feel like it, please press that little review button, and let me know what you think.

A/N: This story is complete, but I will be uploading it a little at a time. I always feel overwhelmed when I see a story with lots of chapters that I've never read before. I don't want to make anyone else feel that way... ^-^

And finally, I would like to acknowledge my one and only reviewer... Myst Lady. Thanks so much for your review of "The Passing of Time". I hope you like Setsuna's character in this story as well, even though she only plays a minor part. ^-^

Please enjoy.... Raya

The Sleeper

Prologue

Neo-Queen Serenity stood on top of a high mound of rubble and looked out over the world of her birth. Her blue eyes were full of tears as the cold, parched wind whipped her white hair and dress around her. Everywhere she turned death, destruction, and desolation met her gaze. The Earth, her precious charge, was destroyed. It had been ruined, gouged, razed, and destroyed by power hungry people who had refused to believe that a world of peace was possible unless they were in charge.

Her friends and family were all dead, having sacrificed every bit of strength and life energy in an attempt to save her and their world. Even her beloved husband, Mamo-chan, and their sweet baby, ChibiUsa, were among the fallen. She was completely, totally, utterly alone.

"Everyone," she said on a sob. She raised the pendant on her necklace up to her face. "Please, Silver Crystal. Whatever it takes. Please, restore everyone." She raised the Mysterious Silver Crystal over her head and cried out in a loud voice. "MOON.... HEALING.... ESCALATION!!!!"

Pure silver light poured out of the Crystal. Slowly, it spread to engulf the planet, making it appear as white as the moon above it. Around the incandescent queen, life began to slowly return. First a glitter, then a Star Seed, then two, then twenty. Grass, trees, flowers, and water all returned. The Star Seeds began to glow, and their owners' bodies began to heal and reform. Birds, animals, and fish were reborn among the sparkling crystals. Immediately around her, a crystal palace began to form. More and more Star Seeds, all colors of the rainbow, reformed and were reborn into people. Only one dark Star Seed stubbornly refused to take form.

"Please!" begged the exhausted queen. 'No, not yet,' it replied gently. 'I am alive. It is enough. Let me sleep a while longer yet. Save your strength for the others. That is how it should be. Let me sleep again...'

Neo-Queen Serenity bowed her head with reluctant acceptance. "We will miss you," she whispered. "But rest as long as you need." She reached out, and gently gathered the stubborn Star Seed to her breast, then collapsed to the green earth in a dead faint.