Ami came to her small apartment late at night, as she usually did. Her work as a doctor had been useful at the turn of this new world. She worked diligently, tending to the many wounded.
Now she spent her time in meetings and conferences. After the Freeze, not many people became injured or ill. The healing powers of the Crystal increased the stability of the human body and she was able to put away her medical bag for the time being. She worked steadfastly with the other Inner Senshi, helping Mamoru and Usagi build the monarchy of Crystal Toyko. Ami had become valuable in the Council meetings because of her polite tactfulness.
Ami laid her sachel on the coffee table and unbuttoned her jacket. Her eyelids felt so heavy she considered crawling in bed that instant,but she shook her head softy, her blue hair brushing her cheeks. She walked into her small, impeccably neat kitchen and put a tea kettle on the stove.
Someone beeped in to her apartment. Ami answered the call easily, knowing exactly who was standing outside her building. "Hi, Ami?" Makoto's voice was as warm and smooth as thick hot chocolate on a snowy day.
"Come on up," Ami answered, unlocking her door. She pulled out an extra cup and pondered for a moment which tea Makoto would prefer. Ami always drank English tea, a habit learned from her mother. Makoto would want... raspberry, she was almost certain.
Makoto entered removing her coat and scarf. "Oh, you're making tea! Great! I'll have..."
Ami held up the tea bag. "Raspberry?"
Makoto grinned and settled at the kitchen table. "How did you know?"
"Just knew," Ami smiled as she poured the hot water. Makoto had been a frequent companion these last few months. Neither girl spoke about the night when Makoto showed up on Ami's doorstep, soaked to the bone from rain and crying hysterically. They had sealed that memory away with a glass boundary, making it impossible to speak about, but each girl looked back to remind herself. Since then, Makoto came to Ami's every night, most nights sleeping on Ami's couch.
Ami settled in a kitchen chair opposite of Makoto holding her tea cup carefully. The day had been unusually long. The Council finally agreed to the treaty and sumbitted to the monarchy of Mamoru and Usagi. The Council, a group of mostly older men reluctant to hand over the city to two young, mythically mysterious people, had no choice. The city was sitting on shaky foundations and the leadership of Mamoru, Usagi and the Senshi were holding it together.
"Usagi looked so beautiful today," Makoto whispered thoughtfully.
Ami nodded, recalling the scene from earlier that day. A group of scattered peoples of the city gathered around the hastily built platform decorated with fresh white roses and gold ribbons. The Senshi stood at attention, the breeze chilling their legs under the short skirts of their uniforms. Usagi stood in the center of the platform with Mamoru at her side. The simple white dress with subtle silver decorations enhanced her natural beauty. Mamoru stood rigidly, his stance breathing of royalty, in a black suit.
The people stood in awe, looking upon Usagi, their future queen. Her hair had grown very long and shimmered like gold in the dim sunlight. Usagi didn't smile but an inner light raditated on her features. Her blue eyes were subdued and clear.
Ami remembered gazing out into the crowd to see the people with tears running down their cheeks, stunned by the brilliance of Usagi's inner light.
"You know," Ami began. "We have all been calling Usagi, 'Usagi', but I think today she became 'Serenity'."
Makoto sipped her tea. "I think you're right. She certainly seemed more like Neo Queen Serenity today more than ever."
Ami smiled. "Do you realize Minako is helping design Usagi's wedding dress?"
"Makes sense. From what I heard, this wedding will be the wedding to end all weddings."
"Appropriately so," Ami said. "This wedding should be the wedding of century. Or I guess I should say the millenium."
Makoto pushed away her tea cup and settled back in the straight backed chair. "When's the palace going to be finished?"
"Well, with our combined powers, including the construction crews, not much longer. It should be livable after the wedding. The foundation and frame work were finished today."
Makoto studied Ami for a moment. Ami's face was tilted to the side letting the blue locks of hair fall into her blue eyes. Makoto shifted in her seat. "What do you think living in the Palace will be like?"
Ami snorted. "Comfortable, that's for sure. We each are getting a suite of rooms to ourselves. Plus," she added carefully. "It will be nice for all of us to be close to one another."
Makoto lowered her eyes prettily and her brown ponytail fell over her shoulder. "Yes. That will be nice." The two girls held each others eyes for a moment, a pair of warm earthy green and a pair of clear aquamarine blue. Makoto placed her hand over Ami's tentatively. "Very nice."
Minako cried throughout the entire wedding. Rei sat next to her and after rolling her eyes a few times, she began to simply pat Minako's hand in comfort.
It was the most beautiful wedding Earth had ever seen. Held in the
newly completed Grand Hall of the Crystal Palace, the bride and groom
stood under an overhang dripping of delicate white roses. The Hall
seemed to glow as the candlelight reflected on the white marbled
walls and columns. The air was rich with the scent of roses and
lavender and the mild smell of smoke from the many burning candle
wicks. Usagi, or Serenity as she now was called, was breathtaking in
the snowy white gown of silk and chiffon that poured behind her like
a graceful waterfall. Mamoru, now addressed as Endymion, stood proud,
the essence of a Prince Charming in his soft black tuxedo with silver
decorations. The entire crowd in attendance gasped when Endymion
lifted the veil, as delicate as a cobweb, up over Serenity's face.
The glow on Serenity's face was completely becoming, the rosiness
in her cheeks adding to her beauty. Her eyes sparkled, reminding Rei
of sapphires. Endymion, beaming in love, kissed his bride.
They turned toward the crowd, who cheered loudly at the sight of the happy couple. Serenity smiled widely, her happiness causing a few tears to fall unchecked down her cheeks. She momentarily laid her hand on her stomach sharing a warm, secret glance with Endymion. Then they ran through the barage of fluttering white rose petals that the crowds threw in joy.
The remaining women hung around the front of the Grand Hall, a few with tears in their eyes. "Minako," Ami began. "The wedding gown was absolutely breathtaking."
Minako sniffed loudly. "Thank you, Ami."
Haruka draped her arm around Michiru. "You know? We make a good looking bunch."
All the women wore beautiful white gowns and each had a bouquet of white roses. Hotaru glanced down at her gown shyly. "When will Endymion and Serenity return?"
"In about two weeks," Michiru answered.
Minako frowned. "I still say two weeks isn't long enough for a decent honeymoon."
Makoto sighed wistfully. "I know, Minako. But times are too tense right now. The official coronation was just last night. The monarchy can't take an extended leave of absence the day after it is installed."
Minako sniffed again. "I know that.. I just.. I.." Minako cried into her hands quietly, unable to continue.
Rei shared a concerned glance with the other women before putting her arm around Minako's waist. "Come on Minako," she said tentatively. "I'll walk you home..."
Ami squeezed Rei's arm as she brushed past the small woman. Rei nodded in Ami's direction understanding that she was offering her help if needed. Leaving the other women in the Grand Hall, Rei guided Minako to the exit, the blonde still crying softly. For awhile, neither girl spoke as Minako wiped her tears and sniffled softly. The autumn air was cold and Rei shivered a few times against the breeze.
Rei lowered her face, trying to catch Minako's eyes. "Minako," she began softly. "Tell me what's wrong."
Minako lifted her hand to toss her blond hair over her shoulder, a habit she had kept for years. "Oh, Rei," she said lighty. "Weddings make me cry, that all."
Rei frowned. "Yeah, right, Minako. Now tell me the real reason."
Minako looked up at Rei suddenly. Rei involuntarily gasped, struck with the beautiful vision. Minako's hair streamed behind her like molten gold and her eyes were bright with passion and pain. Her face was rosy, the palest pink, from the chill in the air. Minako looked away and removed one of the roses that had been placed in her hair.
Minako pressed her hand to her lips, stained red with gloss, and she crushed the rose in her palm. Rei was stunned and lifted her hand to Minako's tear streaked cheek. Minako flinched from the touch, wounding Rei deeply.
Rei unconsciously crossed her arms over her chest and let the wind blow her raven-colored hair over her face.
"Rei," Minako said, her voice husky with emotion. "Do you remember that day, the day before Galaxia when you and I were sitting on the roof of the school talking and we both hoped that things would get to normal so that we could find boyfriends?"
Rei felt tears fill her eyes as she remembered that day, the warm sunshine, the whispered conversations. How admantly they had wished for everything to be normal. To be normal!
Minako continued, knowing that the emotion in Rei's lavendar eyes meant that she too remembered. "And then Seiya came up behind us and said that we would never be able to get boyfriends because, if we did we could not devote ourselves completely to Serenity. That Serenity would always come first?"
Rei nodded as the tears spilled over her cheeks.
Minako sobbed aloud and unclenched her fist. The rose was limp and lifeless in her palm, the whiteness seemed to fade. A breeze blew and lifted the smashed petals and carried them away from Minako's outstretched hand.
The blonde sank to her knees on the sidewalk, her white dress floating around her like a cloud. Rei also knelt down, and gathered her friend's hands in her own. "Rei, you know I love Serenity. I would do anything for her. I am completely devoted to her," Minako choked out between sobs. "And I know, deep down inside that Seiya was right.A love for a man would stand in the way of our devotion to Serenity. Besides, a man would never understand, no one understands us." Minako looked in Rei's dark lavender eyes, then she looked away sadly. She was tired of crying. Tired of the sadness she was forced to continually conceal. "But Rei," she continued, "I'm so lonely. I want someone to share my life with. I want what Serenity has." She clutched Rei's hands tightly. "I am so jealous so her, Rei! I don't want to live alone anymore. I don't want to be alone anymore!"
Rei lifted her arms and Minako laid her head on Rei's shoulder. Rei folded her arms around Minako, ignoring the chill wind and colder ground. Rei whispered softly, rocking Minako back and forth until the violent sobs ceased and she cried quietly, hiccuping occasionally. Rei understood, understood all too well. She remembered what Ami had told her earlier, that Makoto had been spending the nights at her apartment.
Rei ran her hand through the silky golden strands of Minako's hair. The burden was harder for Minako than the rest of the Senshi. She was the leader, the first to arrive, the last to leave. Rei vaguely remembered that Minako lost a love when she lived in England.
Rei kissed Minako's cheek. "I understand, Minako... I do. Come on,
let's get up. We'll both catch our deaths of colds if we stay out
in the cold weather."
Rei helped Minako to her feet. They began walking again, with Rei's slender arm around Minako's waist. "Come on, Mina-chan. You can stay at my place tonight."
The bell rang at the school chiming the end of the day. Hotaru looked up from her textbook, to see her fellow students, all thirteen, exiting.
Hotaru walked through the halls and down the stairs, her sachel bumping against her leg in each stride. She was greeted by a cold gust of air when she exited the building. Hotaru's chin length hair blew wildly around her face and she pulled her coat tighter around her.
A few weeks ago all the Senshi moved into the Crystal Palace with Serenity and Endymion. Hotaru was the only scout still attending school. While she was studying at the Academy, the King and Queen held conferences with the Senshi. However, a few days ago, she had also been present at the trial of the newest threat to Crystal Toyko. Hotaru frowned as she remembered.
Before Endymion and Serenity had returned from their honeymoon, the Phantom had appeared. Formerly a human, he had resisted all the powers of the Imperium Crystal. After attacking a few civilians and an attempted an assassination of the Head Member of the Council, the Senshi captured him and contained him in a cell guarded at all times by three Senshi. Endymion and Serenity held the Phantom's sentencing immediately after returning.
Hotaru shivered not from the wind, but from the memory. It was an event she would never forget. Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus brought him into the Grand Hall, leaving his cage in the center of the floor.
Serenity and Endymion sat tall in their thrones carved out of pure alabaster stone. The cage was barely large enough for the Phantom and he sat crumbled and bent in the corner. He was chained by his arms and legs and seemed the object of defeat.
Serenity rose from her throne, her gown flowing around her long legs. She furrowed her brow slightly. "My Senshi, why is he bound so? It seems very inhumane."
Uranus snorted. "You'll see in a moment, Majesty." All the Senshi flanked the cage at attention, but each refused to get too close.
Serenity studied the figure carefully. The black bars of the cage were tight and barely allowed her see inside. The figure was blackened almost as if the man had been burned from the inside out. His clothing hung about him in dirty rags. He breathed heavily, his chest heaving with each intake. "Tell me your name," Serenity demanded.
She had expected the voice to be withered and hissing, but the voice that came from the figure was masculine and strong. "I have no name."
Endymion rose to stand beside his queen. "Do you have any explanation for the heinous crimes you have committed?" Endymion asked sternly.
"If I did, would you heed my explanations?" The Phantom's eyes glowed an unearthly yellow.
Serenity almost lost her composure over the flashing eyes, but quickly regained herself, unwilling to allow any weakness. "Your crimes have been gruesome. Do you deny them? Do you give any explanation? Any plea?"
Suddenly the black figure lurched at the cage wall, the force nearly knocking the cage on its side. The man snarled and hissed and shook the reinforced metal bars. Drool dripped from his open, fanged mouth. Serenity laid her hand upon her heart and took a step backwards to feel Endymion's arm support her.
Muttering a curse under her breath, Jupiter pointed a finger at the cage and shot a small blast of lightning. The cage sparked and the Phantom hurled himself to the center. At first he whimpered like an injured animal, then he began laughing.
Hotaru shook her head trying to forget the wicked, twisted laughter she felt she would always remember. Serenity and Endymion shared a glance and then Serenity passed sentence. "You, nameless Phantom," she said, her voice authoritive and strong, "Have been declared guilty. I deem that you are no longer human, but corrupted with an evil that destroys you from within."
Serenity paused and chewed her bottom lip, seeming very much like the Usagi of years gone by. "However, I will not destroy you, lest the evil you contain contaminates our beautiful city further. Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, Mars, I beseech you to see that this criminal is sent far into the solar system and placed on the first uninhabited planet you find. Venus, Mercury, and Saturn come with me to my chambers."
Serenity passed out of the Hall without a second glance to the Phantom. Four of the Senshi stood around the cage and transported out of the Hall immediately, eager to get rid of the criminal. Serenity went into her private offical chamber, Endymion on her arm.
"Venus," Serenity continued in her chamber. "Please see that the families of the victims are given anything they need. Give them the Palace's highest condolences and also let them know about the sentencing. Because this is such a sensitive matter, I believe you should go in person."
Serenity looked up from her papers to see Venus standing rigidly at her desk, accepting her mission as a soldier accepts punishment. Serenity went to her and laid her white hands on Venus's shoulders."Friend," Serenity began, in a softer tone, whispering as the folds of her gown whispered around her. "I give you this trying mission for one reason and one reason only." Serenity kissed Venus's forehead softly. "You are the best. You are my most trusted, my truest. I know that the inner light you possess can aid these suffering peoples."
Venus bowed in the regal fashion and managed a small smile before she exited the chamber. Saturn stood in the center of the room at attention, wondering at what her own assignment would be.
"Majesty?" Mercury inquired, with her computer in hand. "Do you wish to make a press statement?"
Serenity nodded grimly. "Yes, Mercury. The criminal of evil deeds has been apprehended and his sentence has been carried out. He shall be known as the Doom Phantom-" Serenity voice caught in her throat. She sputtered and fell in her chair.
Endymion leaped to her side. "Serenity? Serenity, what's wrong? Is it the baby?"
Hotaru's eyes widened at this, but she watched spellbound as Serenity sobbed aloud. "The Doom Phantom," she choked. "The Doom Phantom! How could I have not seen? I have sentenced us to the doom of the thirtieth century when he will return. When Neminis will return! I should have destroyed him. I should have destroyed him."
Endymion held his wife close and Mercury put away her computer. Mercury knelt on the opposite side of the fragile queen and laid her hands gently on Serenity's knee.
Hotaru felt the room change somehow, the enegry seemed to pulse and then faded to normal. Hotaru turned to see Sailor Pluto standing in the room, her expression clear and undetectable.
In surprise Endymion rose to his feet. "Pluto? Where have you been? You disappeared months ago."
Saturn noticed that Pluto's expression softened, as she knelt before King Endymion. "Your Majesty, I was needed at the Gate of Time. My period of rest away from my duties has ended."
Endymion nodded, a subtle sadness attacking him and catching him off guard. Pluto seemed not to notice and rose to stand in front of Serenity who was hurriedly wiping her tears.
Pluto's voice was complacent when she spoke. "Serenity, grieve not for the deed that is already done. You cannot change the course of time and if you had tried, it would have meant doom to all of us. It is best that you did not remember."
Serenity pressed her hand to her lips. "I understand, Pluto. Thank you," she said shakily.
Pluto bowed formally and her dark green hair fell over her shoulder. She exited into thin air, but before her form dissolved she gave her adopted daughter a small smile. Hotaru cherished the memory as she missed her Setsuna-mama.
Serenity settled back into her chair, laying her palm on her forehead. Mercury spoke a few quiet words to her queen and then hurriedly left the room. Endymion sank down into his own chair.
Saturn swallowed hard, wondering if she should exit quietly or remain to receive her assignment. As she was in the middle of a complex mental debate, Serenity noticed Saturn in the room.
Serenity sighed softly and rose to the young girl. Serenity placed her hand on Saturn's brooch, causing the uniform to dissolve.
Hotaru brushed her black hair from her eyes. "Majesty?" she asked quietly. "I thought you had an assignment for me?"
Serenity looked down into the girl's violet eyes softly. "I asked you here only to excuse you. I didn't realise I kept you waiting so long."
Hotaru lowered her eyes shyly, wanting to ask a forbidden question. Serenity lifted Hotaru's chin with the touch of a finger and placed Hotaru's hand on her slightly rounded lower abdomen. "I think it is only appropriate that you be the first to know that Chiba-usa will be joining us in about seven months."
Hotaru felt honored, overwhelmed, as she felt the rounded warmth of life beneath her palm. "Chiba-usa," she whispered in shock. "My friend, I await your arrival... Dear friend..."
Chapter three on the way. Please review!