A/N: I got on a really creative kick, so I went ahead and wrote another chapter ^_^ I hope you like (all of my 2 readers lol). I would like to say thanks to Lady of Pluto who has been first to review and has kept up with my stories *puurrrrr* I really like reviewers, especially people who keep reading my junk ^_^ Please please review for me. I'll be good and write more, I promise! I know it's a little short but I'm good at either short chapters or one-piece, long stories. Anywho, I hope you enjoy this. Please tell me what utter crap it is :) Or if it's not, if you don't think it is. Anyways, on to being silly and fluffy and me.
~Bunny
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. Story is, don't take that. But I give you my full permission to use any of the characters. Go right ahead :)Chapter 3: Crystal Tokyo
A golden light spilled forth, enveloping the crowd. The light grew, expanding across the square and filling the streets of Tokyo. It covered the businesses, the houses, the streets, the lampposts, everything right up to covering Tokyo Tower. The city glowed and pulsed with a radiant gold, which flashed brilliantly in the sunlight, and faded slowly, seeping into the wood and stone of the city, which seemed to absorb it like the parched desert absorbs the first rains.
The people looked up as the light faded, and wonder creased their brows. A beautiful crystal seemed to sprout from everywhere, growing before their eyes. It spread, covering everything. The buildings were buried beneath it, and even the streets were being filmed with it beneath their feet.
Despite these rapid changes, no one felt panicked. Though the city was steadily becoming crystallized, the people still felt peaceful. Their hearts told them that this was only good.
Most amazing of all was the transformation of the palace. The crystal slowly climbed up the steps, reaching upward, coating the walls and ever climbing up toward the sky. When finally the top of the palace was reached, still the crystal grew upward, creating magnificent spires the dazzled the eye as they sparkled in the sunlight. Everywhere, crystal gleamed and glittered.
When the growing slowed and finally stopped and the people had gaped in awe at their transformed city, all attention returned to the Queen, still upon the steps of the now crystal-enshrouded palace. She smiled lovingly at the people in the square, and they fell to their knees beneath this wonder. She had changed their world, and they felt love and peace in their hearts for the first time in a very long time. It seemed to them that evil had held sway over their beloved city for a very long time. Now, thanks to this marvel, it felt as though it had finally come to an end.
Serenity again set her staff before her, and her voice carried throughout the square.
"I have purified this city. In order to bring peace, I must purify all of its people, as well. You have agreed to take me as your Queen, and though I will be a kind ruler, I must be firm as well. Any who do not wish to be purified by the Silver Crystal must come forth now, and face the consequences of their actions." She waited, and no one responded. She opened her mouth to speak again, but was cut off by a cry from someone in the crowd.
"Just what will this do to us, anyhow?"
Serenity smiled sadly as the crowd opened up around the man who had spoken. He had white hair, and was dressed in a white suit. He looked slightly surprised that he had spoken, yet kept his defiant air. The Queen nodded, as if acknowledging some voice within her.
"It is only to remove impurities. This city, indeed this world has suffered evil long enough. Not only will I purify this city, but also the world. Do you wish to stand against my actions? The consequences, I'm afraid, must and will be strict. I love this world and all on it, and I must be strict to protect it."
The man stood silent, as if listening to a voice only he could hear. His face grew dark and somewhat angry.
"What loving ruler would force something like this upon her subjects? This is ridiculous. I deny your purification. I would rather stay the way I am than let you erase whatever you wanted out of me!"
Serenity nodded, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She looked out at the crowd.
"And does anyone else wish to reject purification?" She sighed and barely held in her tears as a group formed behind the first man. She nodded again as two men and five women stepped forward. It crushed her to know that some things could never be changed.
"I give you all one last chance to reconsider. I warn you, you will not be happy with what you must do." They all stood firm. Her face tightened. "Very well then. If no one else wishes to join you, then you now must face your punishment. From this moment, you are all banished from the realm of Crystal Tokyo, ever to be shunned by its people. At the purification of the rest of Earth in two days, you shall also be exiled from Earth. You will be sent to the darkest planet in our solar system, to live amongst the criminals who refuse to repent and be purified. Remember well that you chose this destiny. Never let it be said that I did not offer you a peaceful life. Transportation awaits you at Tokyo Bay. Go now, and do not regret your decision."
The banished group all turned and left, walking behind their leader in white. A space opened around them in the crowd as they went, as though the people feared to touch them. They left with their heads high, but hearts heavy. They followed their leader unquestioningly, yet knew they would miss their former lives.
After they had departed, Serenity again raised her staff. The same golden light that had purified the city now filled every person in the square, including the soldiers and the Queen and King themselves. When it passed, the people cheered and shouted with joy. The era of peace had finally begun. They slowly went back to their homes, filled with awe and wonder.
Serenity stepped back beside her King, her love for him glowing brightly inside. He smiled at her as she looked out over the departing masses, but she didn't see. Her cheeks shone with tears. Oh Demando, she thought. Can destiny really never change? Saphir, Rubeus, Esmeraude, Koan, Berthier, Calaveras, Petz, all of you…I had hoped that maybe something could change. Maybe, just maybe, you would see the light. Though I know in my heart that we cannot change destiny. Pluto taught me that, and I, in turn, shall teach her when she is little. We must play this game as fate has written it.
A/N: For those of you who don't know, the people listed above are Prince Diamond, Prince Sapphire, Emerald, Catzy, Bertie, Avery, and Prizma. I prefer to use the Japanese names because I am a big fan of the original anime over the dubs *shudder* If you're ever confused, just let me know :)