Chapter Two

Hope

And of the Rise of Sailor Alpha

Part One: A Successor

I was still a youngster when the announcement was made: Sailor Nebula, Queen of the Galaxy, has died. My world fell apart like bricks in a quake. Sailor Nebula was my idol. She was my unreachable dream. Yes, I did dream that one day, I could serve her in Star Castle. I had always felt that she was immortal, for she was the first daughter of Sailor Chaos, who would have no doubt lived forever if not for Nebula. And yet, I knew in my heart that Nebula was not a Goddess, that while the Saffer Crystal would live forever, Nebula's body would not. When her death finally came to pass, my dream was forever lost. The crowning of Kiboh did little to resurrect my dream, for I had little hope that Kiboh would be as good a ruler as her mother. I felt that Sailor Hope, as Kiboh was to be called, would attempt to live as her mother had, but would fail.

And yet, as time passed, it soon became apparent that Sailor Hope was indeed a woman worthy of being a leader. She demonstrated qualities of monarchy in ways that matched, and in some aspects surpassed, Sailor Nebula. She was a pacifist, so she always attempted to the best of her power to bring a halt to brewing war, even if it is merely a planetary conflict that even Nebula let pass. I was astounded when I learned that Hope had founded schools all over the galaxy, schools that would teach not the conventional standards, but schools that would teach the new generations how to avoid conflict at all costs and how to calm oneself down in the face of great anger. These were not things that were taught very often in the galaxy; only in the sectors that were pacifistic in nature. Like my own.

I live in the sector Virgo, which is the most advanced section in the galaxy, as well as the section where stars can live as long as 10 Star Lives. The sector is located on the outer rim of the galaxy. I live on the planet Kinmoku, which has recently gained a guardian Sailor Soldier, Sailor Olive. My name is, or rather was, Iro. I grew up in a rich family, with politicians and corporation presidents all around me. My parents were keen on setting my dreams of serving in Star Castle to rest, as they always felt that my destiny was to be a great ruler of Kinmoku. Yet I persisted, never losing my dream.

And yet, there was always a sort of fear in my heart, for Kinmoku was at the rim of Virgo, and the neighbor of the sector of Capricorn. For all intents and purposes, Capricorn was completely destroyed by the Army of Darkness. Not enough planets survived the onslaught to call the sector alive. For a time, Nebula attempted to revive Capricorn, but her efforts proved futile; Hope never even attempted. The Sector was left to serve as a reminder of what happens in war.

But it soon happened that Capricorn began to emit a dark aura. Scouts were sent to the sector to locate the source of the aura, and they never returned. Sailor Soldiers were sent in to find the source, and they also never returned. There was something within Capricorn that was causing people to disappear into thin air. Hope declared the sector a forbidden area.

Of course, this new law did not stop space pirates and curious children from venturing into Capricorn, seeking adventure. The continued illegal traversing of Capricorn's border made Hope station Sailor Soldiers around the border to keep any from simply entering. The incidents slowly came to a halt, but the fear never left.

This is where my story begins.

Part Two: A Vision

I was still in my youth when it happened. I dreamed that I was soon to not only serve in Star Castle under Sailor Hope, but to also become a Sailor Soldier. I told my parents of my dream, and they dismissed it off as a dream originating from my desire. Yet, I swore that I would never forget the dream. I took an oath that if the dream be a premonition and I really was to be a Sailor Soldier, then I would forsake all the pleasures that I had grown accustomed to and devote my life to my duties.

But this is not the incident of which I speak. I speak of a time when I was with my friends. Some days after the dream, I met with my friends to talk about what was going on in our lives. The meeting held no ill news, until we came to Geri. Geri was a man who lived in the underworld of Kinmoku, as well as the man whom

I have sworn my love to, much against the advice of my parents. Geri had had a dream the night before. But this was not a dream that was fragmented, as most dreams are. Nor was this dream pleasant. No, it is probably more appropriate to call this dream a nightmare.

'I was running along a field of rainbow colored flowers when the sky darkened. The field was replaced with rocks that felt more like spikes out of the ground, and the air began to smell as Hell is sure to smell. A man robed all in black came to me. "You live in the Underworld, yet you still succumb to the illusions of the Light," said he to me, his voice empty as the Void. "Friends, you say you have? Loved ones, as well? All illusions. Love is nothing more than an image born from desire. Friendship is nothing more than outside influences upon you. Ultimately, everyone is born alone, and will die alone. But if you can renounce your ties to these illusions, your eyes will open to a whole new world. A world where you may

do as you wish, and let none stand in your path. Everyone will suffer you and will suffer at your hands if they do not. Forget the illusions of Light and open your eyes to the Darkness. All will be yours."'

The dream he speaks of sent a chill down my spine, and I have little doubt that the others did not feel the chill as I have. Geri had spoken to us something the likes of which we have never heard before. When he finished, I almost could not believe his words. Yet, he described the dream in a detail that was genuine, as though it had really happened. Any doubt in my mind passed within seconds, and I moved to stand beside him. Taking his hand, I told to him, 'This man you speak of knows nothing of friendship and love. Pay no heed to his words, for you know in your heart as I do that there is love. We all love each other, and we all love you. Your family loves you. I love you. This man is a man who is of the Darkness, and they are not to be heeded.'

As I spoke, I could feel Geri relaxing. Of course, I spoke with full sincerity. And yet, I felt that this would not be the last we hear of this robed man of the Darkness. I knew that this was something that I would never forget.

Part Three: A Revelation

It was not long after Geri spoke of his dream that my own came true. Sailor Hope voyaged to Kinmoku and came to me. In her presence, I felt as though I were standing before Liéea, the God of Kinmoku. 'Iro daughter of Mano.' She said to me. 'I am well aware that I need no introduction. I come hither to tell of

thy destiny. I am sure thou hast dreamt of becoming a Sailor Soldier. Yet thou knewst not thy name. Nor did thou knowst of how thee came by a Sailor Crystal. Well, thou bears a Crystal within thee now. Thou are the first to bear a Sailor Crystal not born from Sailor Chaos. The White Crystal is thy Crystal's name. A prophecy has stated that the bearer of the White Crystal is to become Sailor Alpha, the leader of the Elite Warriors of the Light. These are warriors who were not born from Sailor Chaos, and each has their own abilities. Thou, Iro, are Sailor Alpha, and I bid thee come with me to Star Castle. There, thou will train to become whom thou were born to be. I know of thy oath to forsake thy bonds and devote thyself to thy duties, and I assure thou that this oath is not necessary, for thy love, Geri, is also a bearer of a Sailor Crystal.'

'But,' I interrupted Hope. 'I thought that only women could become Sailor Soldiers or bear Sailor Crystals.'

Hope chuckled at my statement. 'It is not so, Iro. Many men have since taken up the Sailor Crystals of their mothers, who were once part of the Army of Darkness, and have become Sailor Soldiers themselves. What neither thou nor Geri knowst is that he is the son of Sailor Pulsar, the Sailor Soldier who was the leader of the scout team that was sent to find my mother on planet Loran. When Pulsar died at

childbirth, her Sailor Crystal was implanted within Geri's heart. He is to become Sailor Nova, who in the prophecy is spoken of as the spouse of Sailor Alpha. He is to come with us. I bid thou go to him and bring him before me, and we shall depart.'

I can hardly recall going to Geri's home, I was so excited. When I told him the news, I feel that he thought I was teasing. But when I brought him back to where Hope waited, he was beside himself. I felt in him his amazement at being in the presence of Sailor Hope, Queen of the Galaxy. We left for Sagittarius as Hope said, and when we arrived, I felt as though I had arrived in Heaven. The sky was not blue, but gold. The air was cleaner than any I had ever breathed in Virgo. I felt privileged to be able to walk upon its clean surface.

Yet the amazement I felt just walking on the surface of Sagittarius Zero paled to my amazement of when I first laid my eyes upon Star Castle. The castle was built of many tiers that each held its own towers, of which I assumed were the houses of the residents. When the tiers came to an end, a tower rose up, and I could not see the top, for it went as high as the golden sky itself. It was only such a castle that could house the Queen of the Galaxy, and I felt honored to take residence within it.

Part Four: A Revolution

The training to become a Sailor Soldier was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I was chosen to be in the same class as Geri, and we pushed ourselves to our limits. The first thing that we did was meditation. The instructor, Sailor Plato, told us that if our minds were not clear, then we would never accomplish our duties. Meditation in this sense is not as easy as it might seem. We had to completely clear our minds, so that we could absorb every sound, every smell, every sight, every feeling. This was not easy, for I had always, in previous meditations, closed my eyes. But after many years, I finally was able to meditate alongside Geri for many days. We were ready to move on.

After the initial training, we were given a set of options to choose from. The options were not out of the ordinary, and I rather expected them to be what they were. I chose swordplay, for I had always been fascinated when I witnessed a dual back on Kinmoku. Geri had told me that whatever I chose, he would choose as well.

As the years rolled by, my skills with the sword grew to the point where I could best any of the other students. My final test was to be pitted against Sailor Hope, who, despite being a pacifist, was reputed to being the greatest swordswoman in the galaxy. I was honored to have her as my opponent. When the day of the test came, I went to the arena, where I found that every student in the castle had come to watch the fight. The rules were announced, though I had already guessed them: the dual will not be with metal swords, but with wooden ones. I was told that this was because actual contact would be allowed for this match. And we wore little armour.

The match began, and I readied myself for anything. I cleared my mind, for I was taught that if I did not think about anything during a match, then I would have an easier time. Hope stood at the ready, never attacking. I had never witnessed her fight, so I had no idea of what to expect. I moved towards her slowly, seeing how she would react. She did not move. I was tempted to charge at her, but matches that I had previously fought had taught me never to charge at the opponent, so I did not change my pace.

Then, with a speed that I never knew was possible, Hope moved to the side and charged at me. I let my reflexes go and moved out of the way, but the wind of her passing by me was such that I realized that I probably could not avoid another charge such as that. Hope came to a stop and turned again to face me. Once again, she was as a statue. I stared at her and prepared myself. She moved again, but this time not with great speed, but slowly. She moved to the side, never taking her eyes off me. My mind was screaming at me to attack, but I held my ground, my eyes never leaving hers.

Then, Hope exploded. Charging at me with a speed unlike anything before, she slashed her sword at me. Without thinking, I raised my own sword to block her attack, and her sword stopped. From that point on, our wooden blades crossed with lightning speed. I can hardly recall the match, for it all fleeted by my eyes and mind. But I can still recall the pressure of her blade against my own as we fought, as well as the wind of our battle.

Suddenly, everything came to a stop. The world slowly returned to me, and I can still feel the disbelief in my mind at what I saw. Hope's sword was to one side, my own sword to her neck. I had won the match.

Hope backed away, and smiled. We bowed, and she drew her real sword. She raised it up, and spoke words I had never expected. 'Thou, Iro, daughter of Mano, have bested me in battle. Such was as the prophecy spoke of. The ceremony shall now begin. Iro, doest thou solemnly take the oath that thee shall never sway from the Light, and always fight the Darkness should it come to thee?'

'I do,' said I.

'Then, I shall now speak the words which my mother on her deathbed spoke to me. Thou, Iro, have earned the right to become a Sailor Soldier, one of many.' She placed her sword on my head. 'I name thee Sailor Alpha, leader of the Elite Warriors of the Light. May thee protect the peace forever until thy last breath.'

That day was the day that would be forever engraved in my memory. That was the day when I became Sailor Alpha.

Part Five: A Passing

The years on Sagittarius after that became like a breeze. Geri, nay, Sailor Nova and I served Sailor Hope together, and it was not long before the other Elite Warriors of the Light came to be: Sailor Beta, Sailor Gamma, Sailor Epsilon, and Sailor Zeta all joined soon after me. No, we did not fight in battles, as there never was a need. In stead, we devoted ourselves to stop fighting in the place of Sailor Hope, and we did a good job of it.

Then, it happened. I had just prevented a war from breaking out on a lone planet not far from Sagittarius when I heard the news. Sailor Hope had become ill. I returned to Sagittarius as quick as I could so as to be with her, and to bring comfort to her beautiful daughter, Epona. Sailor Soldiers never aged a day, as I learned, for Hope was just as beautiful as when I first saw her. Yet her eyes had age in them which seemed æons old.

'Alpha,' Hope spoke to me. 'Thou hast done well. It comes now to my mind that the prophesy was true. And now, I join my mother in the after life. I bid thee and my Epona adieu.'

'No, Hope, you can live!' I pleaded. 'I know that you have the strength to live!'

Hope chuckled. 'Nay, Alpha. No person is immortal. Not even us. Yes, I shall pass away soon. But do not weep for me. My Epona shall now take up my mantle, and thou, Alpha, shall bring great things to the Galaxy.'

'Hope… it is your name that fills our hearts, and the hearts of every one in the Galaxy,' said I. 'Without you, how would it continue?'

'Thou shall find thy way, Alpha, as will we all. I shall return, however. For while our bodies are not immortal, the Sailor Crystal is. When my Epona shall take the Saffer Crystal, she shall become me, as I have become my mother. And in time, I shall return in a new body. At that time, Sailor Alpha, thou shall see me again.' Hope coughed. '"Twilight is upon me… and soon… light must fall… that is the way of things…" someone said that once… someone great… And now… I go to my mother…' Sailor Hope drew in her last breath, and after that, her eyes closed and she lay still.

She told me not to weep, and yet, the tears came out of my eyes just the same. When I left the room, Epona was there, waiting for me. Her little eyes looked up at me with concern and worry.

'Is mommy sleeping?' asked her to me.

'Yes,' said I, sobbing. 'Mommy's sleeping.'