A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed ^_^ I am much more encouraged now! I would still like reviews though J It's always good to know how I'm doing as a writer. I hope everyone likes the story so far, I'll keep updating since I have nothing better to do with my spare time ^_^0
Happy Reading!
~Bunny
P.S. I'm sorry this took so long to get out! I had it written and then I decided I really didn't like it and had to re-write it. Gomen!
Disclaimer: I don't own it but if ya wanna buy it for me I'd love you forever and bless you with thousands of fluffy bunnies.
Chapter 2: Winds of Destiny
On her twenty-second birthday, Usagi awoke just before dawn. Something had disturbed her sleep, but she wasn't sure what. She looked over at her beloved Mamoru, still sleeping and beautifully angelic in the pre-dawn light, and slipped out of bed. This time, Mamoru did not stir as she padded over to her dresser. She opened up the top drawer and reached inside, pulling out her old locket. A smile crossed her face as she touched it, remembering the days that seemed so long ago when she wore it every day, in the event anything evil should sprout up unexpectedly. How times had changed since then.
A warm sensation filled her as she opened the locket and found the Silver Crystal inside, glowing faintly. She carefully took it out and strung it around her neck with the necklace she had had put on it long ago. It lay warm and comforting about her chest as she walked again to the large glass doors that led to their beautiful balcony, which offered a great view of the bay. She opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony, the cold never touching her, though the wind played with her hair. .
She looked out over the bay and the city and the warmth spread through her, like the warmth of the rosy sky. She breathed in the fresh air, her heart filling with a joy she knew she could never find words to describe. She waited patiently, though she knew not what for. Minutes passed, seeming to echo across the sleepy city. Finally, as the first delicate rays of light touched the city, she knew.
A beautiful palace seemed to be revealed with the sun's first rays, as though night had cloaked it for eternities in the heart of Tokyo, and only now could it be seen with the sun's light on this day. Smiling and nodding to herself, she knew completely that it was time. She reached out, taking the hand of Mamoru, whom she already knew would be there beside her. Looking over at him, her heart seemed to fill with a wonderful golden light that she saw reflected in his eyes. They both took deep breaths, and that light enveloped them.
"Mamo-chan?"
"Yes?"
"Where are we?"
"I don't know, Usako. What does your heart tell you?"
"Someplace warm. And nice. It feels good, doesn't it, Mamo-chan?"
"Yes, it does."
"Wait, I see the palace! It's so beautiful! I wonder where it came from. Where did it come from?"
"From the beautiful heart of some wonderful woman."
"Wow. I'd like to meet her."
"Ah, Usa…"
"Oh look! Look at all the people! They're all gathered in the square before the palace. There's so many! It looks like everyone in Tokyo! I wonder why they're all there."
"Would you like to be there too, Usako?"
"I think so. It looks so nice. Only if you're there too, though."
"Then follow your heart."
The wind tapered off, the crowd stilled, and the population of Tokyo witnessed a magnificent sight. There, on the very threshold of the palace at the top of the steps, the light of the sun gathered. It formed itself into two spheres, and then expanded into the shapes of a woman and a man. Then, that glorious light revealed an even more breathtaking sight.
A man and woman stood before the crowd. The woman, with long golden hair, was dressed in a long ivory gown and pearls, with gossamer wings seeming to sprout from her back. The raven-haired man was dressed in a splendid suit and cape of lavender, decorated with medals and carrying a scepter. The woman, too, carried a scepter, and as she stepped forward, it grew into a staff, which she placed before her. Her soft, angelic voice seemed to magically carry across the square, so that every person could hear as though she stood next to them.
"I am Serenity. I have been sent here to you, the people of Tokyo, to bring an era of peace. I shall remake Tokyo to embrace this new age. I will be a kind and gentle ruler to all who will accept me. I force my rule upon no one. Is there any who does not wish to accept my rule?"
No voice lifted in protest, no body stirred toward rebellion. The city lay still and quiet. Serenity nodded, and a warm smile crossed her face.
"So shall it be."
The man behind her came to stand at her side, and four women, four sailor-suited soldiers, walked from the crowd and up the steps to kneel before them. The crowd, too, knelt in awe, as three more women materialized behind her. Two stayed behind, silent and watchful. One, with a long staff that resembled a key stepped forward, in front of Serenity and the as yet unnamed man, her back to the crowd. She held her staff forward, and the couple knelt in front of her. The woman's voice rang across the square.
"By the powers given to me at my birth, by the blood of Chronos running through my veins, by the order given to me at the dawning of time, I, Sailor Pluto, keeper of the gate of Time and Space, hereby release the binding of the full powers of our new Queen Serenity, and her husband, King Endymion." The jewel on her staff shined momentarily, and she turned to the crowd. "I present to you, the willing and loyal people of Tokyo, your new Queen and King."
The soldier silently turned and walked away, nodding as the new Queen smiled at her. She went to stand with the other two soldiers in back, and all three silently disappeared, returning to wherever they came from.
The crowd suddenly came to life as their new queen stood, her staff held before her as she took Endymion's arm. They applauded and cheered, and a feeling of relief and peace rushed over the crowd in waves. These people had surely come from heaven, to protect them from the evil they had long felt seeping into their city. They felt joy blossoming in their hearts as they witnessed their Queen and King, surrounded by the sailor-suited soldiers who had long protected them.
Queen Serenity stepped forward, and again the crowd stilled. She held her staff before her with both hands, and her eyes focused on a beautiful jewel that adorned it. Whispering softly, she raised her staff above her head as a small light twinkled inside of her jewel, and brought it back down with force. When her staff touched the ground, time seemed to stop, and a golden light spilled forth and surrounded everyone.
A/N: Did you like it? Well? Did you? I hope so. J Please continue to review, and perhaps I'll get another chapter out quickly ;)