CHAPTER 2
6 hours later-
"We're looking for Solarity Tsuki? She was brought in earlier from a stab wound? I was wondering if you could show us where she is at?" Setsuna requested quietly, Solarity should be out of surgery by now…
The nurse looked up the patient's name and information on her database, and looked sympathetic as she read the profile on the patient. Poor girl…, she thought unhappily. Looking up at the people surrounding her desk, she said regretfully, "Ms. Tsuki is in the ICU right now. She can't have any visitors unless it is immediate family. Even then we need an I.D."
"Can you tell us how she is doing at the moment?" Usagi asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry, unless your immediate family, I am not aloud to give out any information on the patient." The nurse said sadly, shaking her gray-haired head.
"I'm her sister! I want to know what is going on with her!" Usagi cried out vehemently.
"Do you have any proof that you're her sister?" The nurse asked.
"Not with me…"
"It's alright, I can see the resemblance. I saw Ms. Tsuki as she came in. Despite your hair colors. The resemblance that you two are sisters is uncanny." The nurse took pity on the girl, and began to tell her the whole condition Solarity is currently in. "When your sister took the knife, it had torn many muscle tissues and grazed her stomach organ. That however, was just the impact. It seemed that there must have been a struggle because the knife was lodged in more, and shifted to the side a bit, causing more tissue and muscle damage. Luckily, it didn't pierce any more organs, but the graze in the stomach became larger, but not too much that it pierced all the way through. But she had lost a considerable amount of blood. Before you arrived, the doctors worked arduously to keep her from worsening her condition. Right now she is going to be kept in the ICU for about a week or two to monitor how her progress is going. Even then, it is not for sure if they would release her then. She might have more internal damage that might not be detected until later."
The report shocked everyone to the core. The severity of her injuries didn't hit most of them until that moment. She could die, and it was because of their mistrust of her that caused it. No one would purposely injure themselves to that extent just for an enemy. Jedite looked down shamefully, knowing that he was the reason for the knife shifting. When he had jumped on her, it must have caused the knife to move. Looking up suddenly, Jedite surprised the group by asking, "Can we see her? She's all very close to us. We won't do anything to make her condition worst."
"I don't know if she would be awake to speak to you, but… she's in her own private room. It's down the hall in room 212." The nurse pitied the group. She must have been a great person to have all these people worried about her. It's a shame the world has come to this.
"Thank you so much!" Usagi cried as she walked briskly to room 212. The group agreed and quickly followed Usagi to find Solarity. When they got there, they all stopped dead in their tracks. Solarity lied there, pale and lusterless. Her arms were uncovered and laid on the bed sheets. Her right arm had an I.V at the bent of her elbows. Seeing her lying there seemed wrong and out of place. Slowly they filed into the room, careful to not wake the sleeping girl. After a couple of moments of silences Usagi finally broke it with the question, everyone was wondering.
"I don't understand. If she is my sister, why would mother hide such a thing from me. Why would she hide something so enormous from me?"
Usagi looked to Setsuna, Artemis, and Luna for the answer, but it wasn't them who answer. The answer came from a quiet voice on the pristine white bed that held the girl in question. She repeated herself for the benefit of the occupants in the room, opening her mouth she said quietly once more, "Because…because Mother knew where I was going and she didn't want you getting captured as well, trying to rescue me."
"Where were you? More importantly who are you? Queen Selenity would never be as heartless as to erase the memory of one of her daughters. Explain or else we'd assume you are lying," Jedite bit out, shocking most of the senshis and generals with the venom in his question.
He's not going to give up until I tell the whole truth… understandable… but his distrust hurts. What happened to my joking Jed? Solarity paused, as she answered her own question. What do you think happened? He blames himself for your death! He'll never believe otherwise because he thinks you are gone, and no one, but Cathryn can give him his redemption.
"If you wish to know the whole story, then please by all means, make yourself comfortable… Thousands of years ago, when planets were lush, and blossoming with life; there was an alliance between the planets. The most important in this alliance was the Moon Kingdom. Despite the Moon's size, and that it revolved around another planet, Earth, the magnitude of its magical and physical forces were unmatchable. The Queen who ruled this Kingdom was Queen Selenity. She was revered as wise, all knowing, and for her kind heart. She married whom of course but the grand and powerful Sun King? Together they had two girls, Solarity, or Solaris, and Serenity, or Usagi. Originally Solarity was to be the ruler of the Moon and Serenity would be the ruler of the Sun, if the current prince there, would some how be unable to rule…"
"Wait, wait… I'm confused… So is the Prince of the Sun, Solarity and Serenity's brother?" Minako broke in.
"But I thought Serenity was to succeed Queen Selenity?" Ami inquired curiously.
"I'm sorry, I should have made myself more clear in my story. The Sun King, Sol, had a previous marriage, which produced an heir, Prince Sunaris. But his wife died when the prince was four. A year later he married Queen Selenity. So yes, Prince Sunaris, is Solarity and Serenity's brother, half if you want to be technical. Since Queen Selenity and the King, both lived in separate Kingdoms, they decided that every three months, they would set aside two weeks to visit each other, rotating each kingdom. It was during one of these visits that Solarity brought up that she didn't want to rule the Moon Kingdom. Both her sister and brother had always known this and tried to help her make her case. Needless to say the Queen wasn't happy. The firstborn was always to be the ruler. There was no exception…
Flash Back
"Solarity, what do you mean you don't want to succeed me? Of course you do! It's your destiny to do so." Queen Selenity stated preposterously.
"Mother! I don't want destiny to rule my life. Ever since I was a child, everything I've done has been something that I had to do. I don't want that anymore Mother. I want a life where I control my actions and thoughts. I don't want an unseen force doing that for me." Solarity argued to her Mother.
"What are you saying, daughter, that you did not want to be born to our family? That you would have been better off with other people?" Queen Selenity said wounded.
"Mother, please, you're not listening to me! I love you, Father, Serenity, Sunaris, and everyone else so much that my heart is bursting with love. I just don't want to rule after you! I don't believe in yours or Serenity's views. Serenity would be a much better ruler then I would ever be! I don't believe in total pacifism. There are times when negotiations won't work, and then what? Sit there and wait for the attack?" Solarity cried out in frustration, and before she could continue her father interrupted.
"She has a point, dear…" Seeing that his wife wasn't too happy with him at the moment, the King Sol tried a different approach. "I believe what Solarity is trying to say is, she can't lead a Kingdom where she doesn't believe in its philosophy. The subjects would sooner or later realize this and would have no respect for her."
Shooting her father a grateful look, Solarity tried again. "Mother I'm not saying, I'm like some Ice-jin's who purposely forgo peace and straight to war. I'm saying that if the situation calls for it, and that all else fails, I will raise my sword up and fight for my cause. I can't be the Moon's ruler… It goes against my nature… Give the crown to Serenity… She has the patience for a queen. She has the wisdom of a great ruler. And she has the purer heart. She has what it takes to be Queen, not I."
"Selenity, our daughter has a good point. Serenity has always reflected the Moon's grace and wisdom, while Solarity represents the fire and passion of the Sun. She has wonderful spirit and potential, but not as the Queen of the Moon and Ruler of the Silver Alliance." King Sol reasoned with his wife, while secretly hoping that he wouldn't have to sleep in the guest chamber that night.
"What is Solarity going to do when Serenity succeeds the crown? Serenity could either live on the Earth with her soon to be husband or live in the Moon. She would be Queen of both the Earth and Moon and the Silver Alliance. You would have nothing child. Do you not realize that? No real title except for Princess of the Sun and Moon." Selenity cautioned her willful daughter.
"You Majesties, if I may dare speak out of turn… The crown of the Moon can be given to the Second Child, but the title and power bestowed on First can never be passed on," Artemis, the royal advisor, corrected.
"What are you trying to say Artemis?" Prince Sunaris inquired.
"The First Child of the Moon shall be named Sailor Cosmos, Queen of the Stars, and would also be Sailor Moon if there is no other siblings. Since Princess Serenity was born, she is now the Senshi of the Moon, while Princess Solarity is still Sailor Cosmos. Though she gives up her title to be Queen of the Moon, she still a Queen in her own birthright, only on a much grander scale." Artemis explained in detail.
"Artemis you're a genius!" Serenity said happily. I hope Mother understands. Solarity would be so unhappy if she had to rule for the rest of her life.
"Thank you Artemis, I had forgotten," Queen Selenity wryly. Sighing in frustration and resignation, she acceded to her daughters wish. Shaking her head, she wondered why adolescents were so restless. "Very well child…you may pass on your crown to Serenity. I dare say nothing will change your mind. I only want your happiness."
Unable to hold her excitement Solarity launched herself into her Mother's arms. She stayed in her Mother's arms for what seemed like an eternity. Then she hugged her father with the same enthusiasm. Looking up she saw her Mother and Father staring at her with their loving and compassionate eyes.
"Thank you so much." Solarity's eyes began to mist as she tried not to cry.
"What would that have anything to do with Queen Selenity erasing you from our memories?" Zoicite questioned.
"Because Princess Solarity was no longer the heir to the thrown of the Moon, she was able to have a choice in where her life ends up. One of her choices was to be a Foreign Negotiator and Ambassador to the different planets in the Galaxy." Setsuna answered for the tired girl. Before the girl could speak up again, Setsuna silently calmed her and offered to go on so that she could rest.
"Princess Solarity felt that if the purpose of the Silver Alliance was to create unity between the Galaxies, then the moon should embrace the diversity of the different planet. She believed that the rulers of each planet would have more respect for the Moon Kingdom's ideals if the Moon Kingdom in return respected their planet's ideals. She purposed that she would go to each planet and spend a month or so there and try to learn its way of life. And by sending the Princess of the Moon Kingdom, showed that the Moon had great trust and respect in the planets. The Queen and as well as the King were reluctant but they saw the logic and they eventually agreed. The week before Princess Solarity was to leave, a certain Wind Princess and the rest of her friends confronted the Queen-" Setsuna smiled and looked at Haruka as she spoke.
Flash Back
"Your majesties, my fellow senshis and I would like to offer our services to Princess Solarity's cause. We have been sworn to protect Princess Solarity thus far, and will not stop now. We are her court, and where ever she goes, we shall as well." Haruka stated regally to Queen Selenity.
"I would not deny that request Princess Haruka, but it is up to my Daughter to decided. Why don't you all go to the lake and ask her yourselves. Princess Solarity is with her sister Serenity and her court." With that Queen Selenity dismissed the girls and returned to her work.
Outside by the Lake
The waters are so calm at this time of the year. I'll miss it when I'm gone. Everything around the lake was blossoming with flowers and raining petals. Vivacious colors glistened at every corner. The lake itself was a true beauty. The waters are filled with brightly colored fish that played in the clear crystal waters. Occasionally a light, soothing breeze weaved in and out of the tall trees. Hearing the sound of cracking leaves, Solarity, Serenity and the inner senshis (as well as princesses of their respective planets) turned to face the new comers. Solarity, seeing that it was her court, she quickly embraced her friends warmly. Serenity and the remaining princesses followed in Solarity's welcome.
"What are you all doing here?" Solarity questioned in a happy voice. "I thought you weren't do for another 3 days?"
"We weren't, but we heard some news and decided to come earlier," the Neptune Princess answered tranquilly.
"So you've heard then?" Solarity question, but it came out as more of a statement.
"Princess, let us come with you." Princess Haruka pleaded.
"Haruka, how many times have I told you to call me Solarity? We're friends. I will not have any ranks building walls between our friendships. That goes for all of you." Solarity said in a playful stern voice. Turning to Serenity, she said in a mocked irritated tone, "No matter how many times we tell them. They just don't listen."
Chuckling softly, Serenity whispered loudly, "I know. Thankfully my court knows that by now!"
"What are you implying Odango Atama? We're not your dogs!" Rei cried in false anger.
"Solarity, please let us go with you. You are our Princess. Where you go, we go. Don't make us stay behind," Setsuna asked Solarity, while preventing a fight between Rei and Serenity.
"I couldn't ask you to give up your lives and follow me. What of your dreams?" Solarity stated, looking in the eyes of her loyal and beloved court.
"Our lives are connected with yours. You are the reason we get up and face the day. We are the way we are because of -"
"Michiru there are so much more things in your life the just I. I don't want to be the reason that you never were able to do what you want. Who knows how long I will be out there? It might be years before I return back to live here permanently. You forget, despite being my court, you are all still princesses of your respective planets. You have duties of your own. How can I ask you to neglect them to follow me? That would be selfish of me." Solarity reasoned with her court.
"But-"
"No but's Haruka-chan, you know I am right." Solarity said with her sad emerald eyes.
"You are going as an ambassador for the Silver Alliance to show that we respect all planets. What better then to have not only the Princess of the Moon, but her court, each Princesses in their own right. That would be the pinnacle of respect for all the planets out there. We would be trusting five princesses in the care of the planets for how ever long we stay." Hotaru rationalized. Seeing that she had out-maneuvered her Princess, she smirked.
"Hotaru is right. Our presences would be beneficiary to your cause, not only that we can protect you at the same time. It is the perfect solution." Haruka broke in.
"How could I ask you to put your life on hold, on account of my mission?" Solarity asked.
"Our lives will never be on hold when we are with you. Every day is an experience, an adventure. We will benefit from this journey as much as you will. I will have no qualms leaving." Michiru said vehemently.
"I will not either." Setsuna agreed.
"Nor will I." Hotaru said pleading her Princess to let her go.
"I would never have doubts when following you." Haruka stated.
"If you all feel this strongly about this, then, who am I to prevent you?" Solarity's face broke with a smile as she embraced her friends laughing at their antics.
"Now that that's done with, do you all want to go eat some dessert in the kitchen?" Serenity innocently asked.
"Odango-Atama, is that the only thing you can think of?" Rei snorted.
"Rei-chan that was mean! I don't always think about my stomach!" Serenity retorted.
"Every time it's the same huh minna-chan?" Minako said to the close group. Everyone nodded in agreement while walking to the kitchen. Not noticing their departure, the two arguing girls continued in their banter.
"I still don't understand why this has to do with Selenity-sama erasing you from our memories." Makoto voiced. As she and the other senshis heard the story, a rush of recollection flooded their senses. They remembered that day as if it was yesterday, yet they were hesitant to accept it. Too many deceptions had occurred for them to accept this girl readily.
"You've said who you supposedly are, but you have yet to tell us why Selenity-sama would erase something magnitude as erasing a sister, an heir to the throne of the Moon besides Usagi." Kunzite stated logically.
"You're right, I have not mentioned the like; I suppose I have been avoiding it… On the last day of the Moon, I was on my way home. I had sent Setsuna and the others ahead, while I lagged behind to take care of unfinished business. We had heard some distressing news of the rising dark energy and agreed to come home incase the Moon might need our assistances. When I had arrived…the Moon was in chaos," Solarity's eyes were far away as she told her tale, remembering the day that burned into her psyche, no longer caring who was listening and who wasn't. "Everyone was either fighting, wounded, or dead. Seeing this, I quickly jumped into the fray. Killing as many as I could, I made way to the palace. When I finally reached my destination, I felt the bile reach my throat, threatening to rise further.
"Minako, Makoto, Ami, and Rei were fighting Kunzite, Nephrite, Zoicite, and Jedite. Tears streamed their faces as they fought the shells of their loves. I didn't understand what was going on. Hota-chan was face down on the floor with a sword protruding out of her back. I knew instantly she was dead. Beside her I saw the broken body of Michiru twisted in an odd angle, her neck snapped. I saw Haruka fighting with rage at the enemy. As the tears coursed it way down my face I felt the raw anger, despair, and rage rake over my body. With terrifying clarity, I cut down each soldier I faced swords with as I made way to Haruka. When I reached her, we began fighting back to back. The number of soldiers would have overwhelmed us, but our fury knew no bounds. Pumped with adrenaline we fought until there was no more. As the last soldiers fell by our swords, we heard a sudden cry of agony.
"We faced the warring couples and found that Ami had pierced Zoicite with her arrow. The look of devastation on her face was too much to take. Taking Zoicite into her arms she cried in grief. In her despair, she didn't see the youma come from behind to stab her with its long tentacles. Haruka and I murdered the bastard before he could even look to run. By then Makoto and Nephrite had mutually killed each other with their own weapons. From our standpoint, we felt so helpless looking at the two remaining pairs. Minako, fending off Kunzite for a brief minute called to us to find Serenity and Endymion. Hesitant to leave, but we knew our duty. We ran out of the room to the hall way littered with bodies. We looked in every room to find Serenity and Endymion. Haruka and I entered Serenity's room, hoping to find her there, possibly hiding. Instead we found a hideous snake like youma, slithering around in her room. It spotted us and struck us with lightening speed. Haruka and I jumped away at the last possible second, avoiding its venomous bite. Haruka and I tried everything to avoid the youma, but it was just as fast as we were. Finally one section of its body threw me to the wall, almost knocking the wind out of me. It saw that I was at a disadvantage and began to slither up to my body, ready to bite me. Some how… Haruka knocked it away and killed it. She went to my side to help me but before we could see or do anything, the snake youma had used its last amount of strength to bite Haruka. She died not seconds later.
"I got up after I laid Haruka down on the floor. I was determined to find Serenity and Endymion. Nothing would have stopped me. I ran down the halls again with a single thought coursing through my vary being: find Serenity; kill anything that gets in the way. If I killed anyone during that run, I don't remember it. I just remembered trying to find her. I ran to the last balcony on the bedroom floor, and I saw the witch Beryl taunting Endymion and Serenity…
Flash Back
"Foolish girl, did you really think your pathetic family could save you now? Your mother is weak. Your father and brother are dead. Your sister is of no consequence-"
"Your quick to jump to conclusions witch!" Beryl whipped around to see Solarity standing proud despite her torn fuku and the blood on her cheek, arms, and legs.
"You're NOT supposed to be HERE!"
"Sorry I ruined your plans."
"Solarity, run and take Serenity with you," Endymion called out, not taking his eyes off Beryl.
"NO I won't go! I can't leave you!" Serenity cried out despairingly.
"I'm not leaving both of you. You two are my remaining family. I won't abandon you." Solarity said with finality.
"How quaint… such loyalty… You shall all die together then-" But before Beryl could make good of her threat, Endymion threw his steal tipped rose at her cold shriveled heart at lightening speed. Knowing that she could not avoid the path of the rose, Beryl in a last desperate attempt to slaughter the beloved couple, threw a gigantic black crystal at them. The crystal met the rose mid-way of its release, shattering it in thousand miniature daggers heading straight for Serenity and Endymion. Solarity saw this and leaped to push them both away from the crystal's aim. She was too late. Endymion had turned to protect Serenity, impaling most, if not all, the crystals in his back. By the time Solarity impacted them, sending them all to the ground, Endymion laid breathing his last few breaths. Serenity was crying, cradling Endymion in her lap; begging him to hold on. Endymion using his last bit of energy; lifted his hand to palm Serenity's cheek, and spoke to her once more before falling limp in her lap.
"Until- we meet a- again, I- I love- you."
"No! No, Endy, please don't leave me! Please!" Harsh sobs ripped from Serenity's body as she desperately tried to believe that her lover wasn't dead. But her heart knew the truth. Endymion was dead, and so was her heart. Reaching for a jagged crystal lying near by, she quickly ended her life by plunging the crystal deep within her body. Solarity looked up just in time to see her sister's actions and screamed.
"SOLARITY NO!"
"I'm… sorry, I must go… you'll be ok… you must live for your… cough…I love you Solarity. I'll see you again someday…"
"Serenity! I love you too, please don't leave me alone! Don't leave me here by myself. I need you… Serenity? Serenity? No!"
"I remember… I took the crystal after Mamoru…," Usagi was too choked up with tears to continue on speaking. Mamoru saw this and took her into his arms.
"I also remember this. It is exactly as she describe it," he spoke softly.
"I mean no disrespect, but you all knew of that event already. We knew that Serenity took her life once Endymion gave his to save her." Zoicite declared reasonably.
"I agree. She still could be an impos –" But Jedite was quickly cut off from saying more.
"Don't you dare accuse her that again! She is not an imposter or evil. She is my princess and she will have your respect since your prince is marrying her sister!" Haruka grabbed onto Jedite's neck as she spoke vehemently.
"Jedite, you were so happy, what happened?" Solarity looked at him, but continued on with her story before the stunned general could respond. "When Serenity died, I went into a daze. I stared listlessly at her and Endy for god knows how long. It was when Mother used the crystal to purify everything that I snapped out of my thoughts. I, like Artemis and Luna, knew that Mother could not with stand the power of the crystal. So I ran to find her. When I got there, she was on the rubble, breathing her last few precious breaths…
"Mother! Please don't give up! I need you!"
"My darling, I'm…so glad to see you one…last time…before –" Queen Selenity began to cough violently.
"No, Mother, this won't be the last time. We have many years left with each other. There's so much we have to do and tell each other!" Solarity grasped her mother's hand, while cradling her mother's body half on her lap.
"Hush Solarity…you know I don't have…much time left, so let me speak. You are Sailor Cosmos, Sailor Shadow Moon, and Queen of the Stars now. You now alone have the power to use the Crystal. Live each day as if it was your last, and make wise decisions from your mind and your heart."
"Mother I –"
"Child, I am your Mother, I know what you will do before you do it. It was…my constant aggravation and amusement that…I could predict your actions yet…would always be shocked by it. I know that you plan to reborn and place yourself in the negaverse's world. I know you plan to destroy it from within…" Queen Selenity looked deep in Solarity's eyes. It was then that Solarity realized her mother's thoughts. The pain of it was excruciating. It felt like a hot knife twisting her gut. She felt like she was dying.
"You erased me from their minds." It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Queen Selenity saw the pain in her daughter's eyes and was ashamed that she was the cause of it. But, there was nothing she could do. Serenity was the last hope of the future in case Solarity failed
"I'm sorry…it hurts me that I had to do that. But you…know that it is the only way. If Serenity remembered you, she would…she would not –"
"She would not concentrate on her mission. She would be distracted with finding me. And knowing Serenity the way we do, she will ignore everything to find me again." It was a quiet admission. Solarity's aching heart still throbbed, but growing up learning the politics and strategies to be Queen one day, she knew that that was the only logical way. She also knew that she had a better chance of surviving alone then Serenity would have. Hugging her Mother close so that she said, "I understand. It's Ok, I love you."
"I'm…sorry life turned… out like this…Everything will be better once more and he will find you again…I love you my…daughter…" Queen Selenity closed her eyes and never opened them again.
"I swore that Beryl and the Negaverse would never darken the universe the way it did that day. I told myself that I would be there to stop it before it ever became that large of a threat again. I stared at the moon in my last hours, committing it to my memory, in the end, I closed my eyes and faded into the night, waiting for the day to come, when I would defeat the Negaverse and be reunited with my family." Solarity finished. No one spoke, each absorbing the scene of the final moments of the lonely senshi. Usagi saddening threw her arms around Solarity and cried, sobs shuddering through her body. Stunned, Solarity slowly raised her arms to hug her sister, tears streaming down her face, as she ignored the pain of her sides.
"How could I forget you? How could I? What kind of sister am I?" Usagi wept.
"It wasn't anyone's fault little rabbit. It was the right decision for everyone. Don't blame yourself." Solarity consoled her devastated sister. It felt wonderful to have her sister back.
"You're my blood, my sister, my confidante! I don't care if it was for the best, I should have never forgotten! I left you alone while I was surrounded by everyone else! It wasn't fair to you!" Usagi cried into Solarity's hair, forgetting everyone else in the room. She needed to have her sister with her. She needed her, to be sure that she was there. Now that she remembered everything, she felt the absence of her sister over the course of her life and it almost tore her apart with grief.
"Honey, life is not always fair, especially with me." Solarity whispered gently into her sister. After a few minutes, the two sisters calmed and began to take notice of the people in the room once again. Usagi looked at Mamoru and smiled at him. Mamoru returned a sorrowful smile and walked over to Solarity's bed. He took Solarity's hand and spoke.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, we all are. There was no excuse to get you hurt like that, I can understand if you won't forgive us."
"You're my family, I'm only glad I found all of you again. That's all I –" Before Solarity could continue, another nurse burst into the room and screeched.
"WHAT are you all doing in here? Can't you see that she needs rest? Out! Out! All of you."
"Can't one of us stay with her? We don't want to leave her alone." Setsuna asked the nurse, trying to discourage the others from arguing with the nurse.
"Just one. Everyone else leave," the nurse looked expectantly at the young adults in the room.
"I'll stay –" But Usagi was cut off by Jedite.
"Let me stay instead."