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DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon/ Neo-Queen Serenity/ Tsukino Usagi, Tuxedo-Kamen/ King Endymion/ Chiba Mamoru, Chibiusa, Mizuno Ami/ Sailor Mercury, Hino Rei/ Sailor Mars, Kino Makoto/ Sailor Jupiter, Aino Minako/ Sailor Venus, Meiou Setsuma/ Sailor Pluto, Ten'ou Haruka/ Sailor Uranus, Kaiou Michiru/ Sailor Neptune, Tomoe Hotaru/ Sailor Saturn, Oosaka Naru, Tsukino Shingo, Nephrite, Queen Serenity, Luna and Artimis- as well as Crystal Tokyo, the Silver Millenium and the Crystal Millenium- are copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi, Toie, DiC, and others I can not remember right now. They are not mine.
NOTE: "Serenity's Vacation" is a sequel to my fan-fiction "Release", which is, itself, an answer to the fan-fiction "Tsukino Usagi is Dead" by I have also had a bit of critiquing and plotting help from aka Darren Schivo, and Thank you, all.
Koryo and Silla were medieval kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. Pusan and Inchon are ports on the South and West coasts of Korea, respectively.
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The Grand Ballroom was readied for the Ambassadors' reception. It was kept plain but clean. The wood floors echoing every footstep. The Outer Senshi were already gathered, along with Ami, Rei, and Makoto. Keiko ("Chibi-Mercury"), Yuko ("Chibi-Mars"), Naoko ("Chibi-Jupiter"), Kyoto ("Chibi- Venus"), and Ikiko ("Chibi-Saturn") were slso there to lend any support they could to the one who was, informally, "Aunt Usagi"- Neo-Queen Serenity. Chibusa silently slipped into the room as Sailor Venus ushered in the two ambassadors.
"Your Majesty ?" Sailor Venus began. "I wish to present the Ambassadors of Silla and Koryo. Gentleman, Her Majesty will see you now." The ambassadors bowed to The Neo-Queen. "Your Majesty!" the Ambassadors began in unison. The rest of the conversation was lost on Usagi as each ambassador raised his voice to drown-out the other as they tried to present their cases.
"ENOUGH !" Usagi commanded. "You will speak one-at-a-time, or you will not speak at ALL !" She turned to the Ambassador from Silla. "Ambassador Rhee, just what is your complaint against Koryo?"
"Your Majesty," Ambassador Rhee began, "Our problems with Koryo comes down to one thing. They are THIEVES ! They come over to take what is not theirs and disappear into the hills like cowards!"
"Cowards ! We would gladly fight you if we were strong enough !" The ambassador from Koryo, Ambassador Park, stated. "But it is Silla who keeps us weak ! It is Silla that tills the earth. And it is Koryo that mines the metal for the plows to till Silla ! For years, Silla and Koryo have traded ore for grain ! Plows for bread ! It was a fair exchange. But now, Silla demands more ore for less grain !"
"The grain of Silla is precious ! It is too fine to waste on lazy thieves !"
Ambassador Rhee retorted. "Let them grow their own grain !"
"The land of Koryo produces inferior grain !" Said Ambassdor Park. "The bread is heavy and tough. The bread of Silla is better."
"Everything of Silla is better ! You even steal our women for wives because they are more beautiful than the dogs of Koryo!" Rhee screamed.
"Wrong ! It is because the userers of Silla demand our women !" Park answered. "We of Koryo demand our honor be restored !"
"Dogs", said Rhee coldly, "have no honor !"
"ENOUGH !" Cried Usagi. She then turned to Chibiusa.
"Chibiusa? Go to my bedroom and get two pillows ! These Emassaries speak of honor, yet behave like GAKI! If they prefer to act like children, then they shall be treated as such !" Chibiusa, with a wicked smile on her face, dutifully went to get the pilows.
"What is this ?" asked Park in disbelief. Hisanger flared. "We come to settle our accounts as gentlemen, and the great Queen Sereneity treat us as children ?"
"You speak of 'honor'," Usagi said, "of being 'gentlemen' ! But all I see are to children who need to be sent to bed ! Maybe what you need is a pillowfight to vent your frustrations." As if on cue, Chibiusa dutifully produced the pillows as Mamoru fought to hold in the gales of laughter. Uranus and Neptune were shocked. Venus was horrified.
"I will not be treated as a child for your amusement, witch !" Ambassador Rhee screamed.
"Neither shall I !" Ambassador Park echoed.
"Good !" Usagi replied calmly. "For we are not amused."
"When we next meet, Serenity-san, it will be with armies !" Ambassador Rhee vowed.
"I shall see your Kings, then, if war is to be waged. I do not deal with the underlings of Koryo and Silla." Saying this, Usagi made to withdraw to the bedrooms.
"Our King shall deliver our message, then !" Ambassador Park said crisply.
"As shall ours !" Rhee stated, then walked off.
As the footsteps of the embassies faded, Sailor Venus turned to Usagi before she left the Ballroom. "Serenity ?" She asked in shock. "What did you just do ?"
"Serenity hasn't done anything." Usagi to the golden Senshi. "Serenity's not home right now."
"Sailor Moon ?" Sailor Venus said hopefully.
"Wrong, again, Venus." Usagi sighed. "It's just me."
"Usagi ?" Venus asked increduously. "Do you know what you've just done !"
"Just tried to bring two feuding cousins to the same table." Usagi tiredly said. "It will either bring peace.. or war." She then went to bed. "Wake me when it's dinner-time." Mamoru and Chibiusa followed, Chibiusa whispering something to Ikiko as she left. Ikiko slowly nodded.
"What did Chibiusa tell you. Ikiko ?" Naoko asked after the royal family left. "Tell us !"
"Yes, Ikiko !" Keiko chimed in. "What did she say ?"
"Chibiusa said," Ikiko stated flatly, "if anyone came to the bedrooms before dinner was on the table, to kill them."
Dinner was abnormally quiet. Usually the table was as noisy with talk of the day's events as it was with the clang of tableware. But not tonight. The Senshi were still trying to figure out the odd drama that had happened in the Ballroom.
"This is fantastic, Makoto !" Usagi said, trying to lighten the mood. "Did you perposefully try to outdo yourself ?"
"It's all in the ingredients, Usa-chan !" Makoto smiled.
"I can't believe what happened today, Your Majesty !" Minako suddenly said. The table grew silent again.
"Believe it." Usagi said after she took a sip of tea. The room let out a collective sigh.
"Are you trying to start a war, Usagi ?" Minako asked.
"Iie. I am trying to keep the peace." Usagi replied in a calm tone.
"It is a strange way to stop a peace." Michiru muttered.
"Michiru ?" Usagi asked casually, "Did you not learn anything from your chat with Sailor Moon today ?"
Michiru shut up and lowered herself in her seat.
Usagi turned her attention back to Sailor Venus. "Venus, I do not like going through emissaries. Whenever Serenity has left me in charge, I have found it best to go straight to the person in charge. And it generally isn't Ambassadors."
"Then why am I here ?" Venus asked in a sudden tantrum-like state.
"For your friendship, Minako." Usagi said calmly. "I need your friendship- and so does your daughter."
"Nani ?" Venus was sudenly brought back to face Usagi.
"Your daughter." Usagi remained calm. "Remember Kyoto ? You gave birth to her a year after Chibiusa was born ?"
"Of COURSE I remember my daughter !" Minako laughed.
"Oh ?" Usagi asked. "You're so busy with foreign affairs, sometimes I just wonder if you remember you daughter."
"And what is THAT supposed to mean ?" Minako asked, pulling away from the cold water splashed in her face.
"It means, Venus," Usagi said, "that you have forgotten the basics here. Crystal Tokyo is not important. The Crystal Millenium is not important ! WE are important ! Not 'WE' our selves, but 'WE' the family ! Have you gotten so caught up in the machinery of the government, in the GAME of the Senshi, that you have forgotten that, Minako ?"
"How DARE you, Uagi-chan ?" Venus slowly reared herself up. "Being Senshi is no GAME! It is a sacred trust ! An oath we must live by !"
"An oath to WHO, Venus ? Or to WHAT ?" Usagi countered. "An oath to a person ? Or to a long-dead kingdom that should never have been re-born ?"
"What ?" Venus gasped as chairs were suddenly pulled out. "Usagi ! How can you even suggest that the Crystal Millenium should never have been ? The Millenium has brought us peace and hope ! To say otherwise is.. is.."
"Traitorous ?" Usagi asked. "Traitorous to whom ? The Millenium SEEMS to have brought peace. But at what cost ? Need I remind you, MINAKO, of the Hell we were just coming out of three years ago ? Not only Chibiusa and myself, but Ami, too? We are still healing from that dark time! Hai! And Serenity is now reeling from the centuries of loneliness she had to endure ! Yes. Loneliness. All because someone said that this.. this.. CANCER.. was the best hope for the world ! Well, if it is, than let the world die. We- Chibiusa and us," Usagi pointed three fingers to herself, "Keiko and Ami, Kyoto and you- have suffered too much." Usagi slowly sat back down. "Mina-chan ! If you are my friend, help me stand." Usagi whispered through her tears.
"Has it come to this ?" A voice asked in the silence.
The Senshi and their daughters turned around.
"Queen Serenity !" Uranus whispered.
"Hibiki!" Chibiusa softly cried.
Queen Serenity knealt by Usagi.
"Listen to her," the ghostly figure said, "for she is speaking the truth. Even more than she knows." Serenity turned to Pluto. "Who's idea was it to resurrect the kingdom ? I remember my wish as I lay dying after using Ginzuishou that last time. All I wished for was to let my daughter live a happy life.The only reason I sent Artimis and Luna into the future was to guard and train just in case the Dark Kingdom ever rose again. Now, part of me wisheds I had never done that ! I never wished this kingdom to be rebuilt ! Nor was it my daughter's !" She looked deep into Pluto's eyes. "Who's wish was it ?"
Sailor Pluto searched herself for the answer. "Mine", was all she could say. "It seemed so right, so logical. To let time have it's way, to let the Millenium be re-born. I saw a future, a place of peace !"
"But what future ? A peace for who ?" Queen Seremity asked. "For it's founders ? For it's people ? For who ?"
"For all !" Pluto said, then answered in a whisper, "I thought."
"You have had too much time to think, Setsuna." Serenity countered. Then, she turned towards Minako.
"And you, Lady Venus? Have you fought the Dark forces for so long that you have been molded in their image?" Venus wanted to shrink away from that question.
"Endymion !" The ghost called out. "What were the four Generals like when you first walked this Earth ?"
Endymion spoke up. "We were as one ! They were my brothers ! But, they grew wearied from fight-ing the Dark Kingdom. Soon, even the strongest became weak and as easily turned as if they were clay on a potter's wheel."
"Lady Venus !" the Queen continued, "don't let your fight with evil consume you as it has consumed others ! My daughter's- and Usagi's- wish has ever been for the well-being of her friends and sisters. That has never changed. While it is true that my daughters still need protection, the daemons that torment them now are the ones that threaten every Senshi here! "You must remember that you are family first.. last.. and always. Or life will hold no more meaning than the merest act of breathing out and breathing in! Once that happens, you are.. indeed.. dead." With this said, Queen Serenity faded from view. Her last words, though as gentle as a warning could be, cut like a knife to the very hearts of the Senshi.
Venus held tightly to Kyoto as, inside her, Minako told her that what Serenity had said, and Usagi before her, was true. The job of seeing to the well-being of the Crystal Millenium was like feeding a cancer. One day, the cancer would take over the whole body. Minako came out, hugging her daughter, and started to cry.
Queen Serenity's words were not lost on the Outer Senshi. "What have I done?" Sailor Pluto asked.
"What.. do we do, now ?" Neptune asked. The self-assuredness Kaiou Michiru was known for, quiet though it was, was now dissipated. Then, Neptune whispered as she moved toward Usagi. "Kami ! What have we done?"
Usagi lay wrapped up in Mamoru's arms, being watched protectively by her husband and daughter. "I- we- feel so old right now." She whispered through heavy sobs. "What has happened.. to the world we knew ?" She tightened herself into a ball to protect herself from the daemons that tormented her. The room was silent for an hour, save for the tears of a weary woman-child.
It was Rei who finally broke the silance. "Your Majesty.. Usagi.. we need to know what to do when the Kings of Silla and Koryo appear tomorrow. I am sorry to ask, but we need to know."
"Iie, Rei ! Do not be afraid to ask ! It was I who rudely summoned the Kings here, it will be me who meets them tomorrow."
"But what can you do ?" Neptune asked. "Forgive my saying this, Usagi, but you have no powers to meet them with !"
"I have power enough." Usagi gently repremanded Neptune. "Ami did some research for me in the Royal Library. It seems Serenity had to deal with the King's grandfathers once before. And, in Mina-chan's own hand, it was written that those Kings did not like the feeling of powerlessness when faced with Neo-Queen Serenity's magic. I can well imagine how the present kings would feel if they had to face Serenity. I will not give birth to another Blackmoon Family !"
"Then what of Sailor Moon ?" Uranus asked. "Certainly a warrior facing them will satisfy their pride !"
"Iie !" Usagi shouted. "Haruka, think ! Sailor Moon is not a political leader by her own admission ! She will only take over in time of war ! Plus, her power relies on magic as well ! She is not as magical as Serenity, but she is too magical for the kings !" The Senshi had to agree with this, although they did so reluctantly. "I must be the one to fight."
"So !" Makoto asked, "What is the plan ?"
"I need to brush up on my defense skills- karate, aikido, tae kwando ! And going through some judo wouldn't hurt. OK, everyone.. back to the Ballroom !"
After a suitable number of pillows, sheets, and blackets were found to pad the floor, Usagi, Mamoru and the Senshi went to work. First, Ami gave Usagi a quick, but thorough (under the circumstances) physical. The next few hours were filled with the sounds of a Dojo as first Makoto, then Rei, then Michiru, then Haruka sparing with Usagi. An hour of Karate was followed by an hour of taekwando, followed by an hour of aikido, then an hour of judo. As the sparring with on, each Senshi (especially the Outers) marveled at the amount of punishment Usagi could take, and give.
After four hours of practice, Usagi invited the entire Senshi to "take their best shots.
The Senshi gathered in a circle and randomly started attacking Usagi. After an hour
the circle fell back to give the Senshi a running start. The results were the same.
Usagi was the last one standing.
"Had we faced Sailor Moon in all her fury," Neptune groaned, "it would not have hurt like this !"
"Hai." Uranus added. "I have only thought I had faced the tiger before !" "I'll be sore for a month !" Rei said. " Usagi ? When did you get in the extra practice ?"
"Gomen, Rei-chan ! But, I had to remember what the you thought me, minna ! I have to surpass my limits !" She looked around. "Take some tea," Usagi sheepishly smiled, "then go to bed. There is much to do tomorrow."
"HAI ! Your Majesty !" The Senshi snapped to attention.
Usagi was aching from the workout when she awoke a few hours later. She and Mamoru got up and went to the Kitchen, when Chibiusa, Kino Naoko, and Tomoe Ikiko met them.
"Chibiusa ! What are you doing up ?" Usagi asked.
"Getting ready for breakfast !" Chibiusa smiled. "You and Dad might want to work out a little before you eat. We were watching the wargames last night, remember?" "Don't remind me." Mamoru muttered.
"That sounds like a good idea." Usagi kissed her daughter. "Arigato, Chibiusa !" Usagi and Mamoru stepped outside.
Breakfast was a relaxed affair- or as relaxed as it could be, considering Usagi had a fight at about Noon. The Senshi still were abuzz at how hard the practice with Usagi had been the night before. Everyone who fought, it seemed, had a few sore spots. Not that any of them minded. There was something strangely comforting in the fact that Usagi not only could defend herself well, but was willing to let herself be put in a fight. Even Uranus and Neptune were impressed.
Then, Pluto came into the kitchen. She had a look of concern about her. "Usagi," she said, "Our intelligence shows ship and troop movements around Pusan and Inchon. It looks as if the kings are preparing to attack."
"If they do," Usagi said, "it will not be until they return home. Hopefully, this problem will be settled before then." She finished her breakfast. "I will be in the Library for the time being. If the kings come to the palace while I am there, come get me."
"Usagi," Rei started to move toward her friend, "when I woke up, I felt ill-at-ease. So I did a fire-reading. Usagi, you are going to face much today, and some of what you face will be dark. I couldn't see where it comes from, but it will come ! Usagi, be careful !"
"Whatever comes, Rei," Usagi said hugging her friend, "I will face it. I must !"
To be concluded in.
Chapter 4, "Where's Usagi?"