"Princess Serenity, Madam Galaxia has returned."
Serenity looked up at Guardian Cosmos, who was standing before her with her head bowed respectfully, and her staff held securely in her hand. She looked past her Guardian to see Galaxia standing just behind her, still in her golden senshi outfit with a tiny smirk on her face.
"She is still okay, my Guardian, you may be dismissed," Serenity said with a smile as she stood up from the small table with a small wave of her hand. She watched the Guardian get a little pouty but left them anyway. Serenity smiled widely, a smile that was reciprocated by Galaxia who stepped forward and pulled Serenity into a deep kiss.
"Miss me?" Galaxia asked with a little smirk on her face as she pulled back, but didn't remove her arms which were still firmly holding the smaller woman in front of her.
"Of course I did," Serenity said, getting a little pouty. "You were gone way too long. You didn't call me for the last two months! I fretted so much my guardian was about to go track you down herself!"
"Well, I'm very sorry I made you worry so much. I got preoccupied with Sailor Mau, you know how chatty that one can get," Galaxia said giving Serenity another short kiss before she took a step back and took off her helmet to let her long ombré hair flow freely and watched Serenity make her way back to her table in the middle of the garden.
"Oh, little Mau, what am I going to do with that one? The child is a fantastic soldier, don't get me wrong, and she seems to really enjoy it, but her attack seems to be running that little mouth of hers," Serenity said exasperated and Galaxia chuckled as she took the seat across from Serenity and sat her helmet on the table.
Sailor Mau had been one of the few sailor senshi the couple had trained themselves. Galaxia remembered how torn up Serenity had been as Sailor Mau had been just a child when she had to take up the mantle of Sailor and Queen Mau after her mother, the queen, had unfortunately died in battle. At the time, her planet had been in the middle of a war with its sister planet. Overall, Serenity hadn't been very happy about the situation. It was good, though, to see her feeling better about the child's situation although, now that she was about twenty, she really couldn't be considered a child anymore. She could still run her mouth like a pro, though.
"She'll be fine," Galaxia said with a wave of her hand. "She's been trained very well. She may run her mouth a lot but at least now she can fight simultaneously."
"You're right," Serenity said with a sigh and sat back and grabbed Galaxia's hand. "I should probably go check on Cronis soon. I haven't heard from the queen or Cronis herself in awhile."
"They're fine, Serenity. Cronis would have gotten a message through if something was wrong, I assure you of that. Plus, you told Guardian Cosmos that you would stay and help her protect the Galaxy Cauldron now that you have unlocked the Sailor Cosmos power until you had to go back home," Galaxia said with a sigh and leaned on the hand that wasn't in Serenity' grasp.
"I don't know...I just tend to check things more often when I get antsy," Serenity said with a sigh, gripping the moon charm and the silver crystal that was clasped firmly around her neck. "I feel like something's going to happen."
"You feeling antsy isn't really a good thing, you know," Galaxia said sitting up. "You only feel antsy when something bad happens, and I mean colossal and universal sized bad. I mean like Chaos has reared its ugly head again bad."
"I know, but I don't think Chaos is truly the worst. As you know, there must always be an antithesis to good to maintain universal balance, but I fear that there is going to be a problem, and I don't think it's a Chaos problem. Is it on the universal scale? Probably not, but it still makes me uncomfortable," she said sighing and brought Galaxia's hand to her lips to place a gentle kiss on it
"When was the last time you heard anything of The Silver Millennium? That could be the source of your discomfort as you have the moon's active star seed," Galaxia said after a pause as Serenity seemed to stare off into the distance.
"I don't know...My mother informed me of her and my father's trip to Risallia to broker a trade agreement with them, but other than that I haven't heard of anything," Serenity said as she bit down on her lip.
"Hey," Galaxia said, squeezing her hand. "Whatever it is, we'll get through it together like we always do, okay?"
"Yeah, you're right," Serenity said with a sigh before smiling at her love.
"Princess Serenity," Guardian Cosmos said dashing in and bowing before the pair. "Sailor Chuu and Sailor Cocoon are here with someone else, and they would like to have an audience with you."
"Oh," Serenity said standing, grateful for something to take her mind off the bad feeling that was in her gut. "Take them to the cauldron, I'll meet them there."
Guardian Cosmos curtsied and ran back to where she came and Serenity grabbed her staff and Galaxia stood up with her.
"It's just Cocoon and Chuu, okay? I'll go grab some tea and it will be ready for you when you get back from your meeting." Galaxia kissed Serenity on the cheek before leaving and Serenity picked up her dress and made her way to the cauldron.
Serenity passed through the gate to see Chuu's little body facing the much taller Cocoon who was on the other side of a cloaked person, and all were under the ever watchful eye of Guardian Cosmos. Guardian Cosmos spotted her and immediately bowed, catching Cocoon's eye, and she was quick to follow suit and pulled Chuu down onto one knee. The cloaked person turned around revealing a confused female face, but she was quick to follow Chuu and Cocoon's lead.
"Madam Serenity, Thank you for seeing us," Chuu's tiny voice said and Serenity nodded and gestured for them to stand as she approached the three of them. Chuu and Cocoon stood and Cocoon helped the other woman up and the three of them moved out of the way. Serenity focused on the woman as she walked, and was surprised at what she saw.
The woman was very beautiful with her dark skin and long dark curly hair. A few strands of her hair were braided with golden ribbons that made her usually sparkling amber eyes pop. She was in a plain white dress and her visible skin, aside from her face, was tattooed with golden lines, a tradition practiced on Venus.
"Hallah?" Serenity asked quietly as she approached the cloaked Venusian woman. The woman usually had bright eyes that reminded Serenity of the sun, but now they seemed to have lost their brightness and were now filled with sadness and sorrow.
"Hello, Princess Serenity," Hallah said sadly, but managed a smile for the princess. "I'm sorry to intrude, I know how you love your alone time."
"That's alright, Hallah, you know you're always welcome," Serenity said before she ran and hugged the older woman who managed a chuckle and returned Serenity's hug.
"I'm sorry, my little crescent moon," Hallah said quietly and Serenity stepped out of the embrace with a sigh.
"What happened?" Serenity gently asked Hallah, who just hung her head for a moment before looking up with teary eyes.
"Your father has passed on to the other side, Serenity, and I fear that your mother will follow him soon," Hallah, one of your father's lovers said. "And your cousin has taken this opportunity to try and seize the throne. The other monarchs said they wouldn't recognize him as King, but the Lunarian court has been suspiciously quiet about everything. We fear they might follow him and tear apart the Alliance in the process."
"Oh god...Hallah...shit," Serenity said as she pulled Hallah back into her arms and held the woman she thought of as a mother tightly.
Serenity was never particularly close to her mother and father. Sure, they cared about each other, but it was more like how friends would care about each other, not parent and child. And of course their passing really hurt Serenity, it didn't hurt her as much as it hurt Hallah. Hallah had been one of your father's lovers and her and your mother had been best friends, so this ran deep for Hallah.
As for her cousin, Orion, he had been trying to seize the throne for years. His primary tactics had been to make Serenity seem uncommitted to The Silver Millenium because of her long time absence and his attempts to win over the Lunarian Court.
Every planet had their own personal courts made up of experts and high ranking nobles that were to advise their royals on the matters of their own planets, and that's all they were, advisors. Unlike the Royal Court which consisted of all the monarchs, their heirs, and the sailor senshi, and was led by the Lunarian Queen and Heir, the personal courts had no real authority.
However, the Lunarian Court was notorious for having a superiority complex and trying to actually make decisions without their Monarch's approval. There were a couple of times in her life Serenity had half a mind to call her father up and have a few of them tried for treason. Serenity wouldn't put it past them to prop up Orion as King because Serenity already vowed to make major changes to the Lunarian Court.
"I'm sorry, Hallah," Serenity said quietly, coming back to the present and focusing on Hallah. Hallah had pretty much been the one to raise Serenity at her home on Venus as Serenity's parents, King Hyperion and Queen Makaria, had hardly ever been at the palace and Hallah had been designated as Serenity's nanny. It hurt Serenity to know the grief that Hallah was going through right now.
"I'm sorry too, Serenity. I know this is going to be a hard time for you," Hallah said as she pulled out of Serenity's embrace and took a step back, but still held Serenity's hand. "And I'll be here with you through all of it."
"Thank you, Hallah, and thank you two for bringing her to me safely," Serenity said and pulled Cocoon and Chuu into a hug which her long time friends happily returned.
"It's fine, Serenity, what are friends for?" Cocoon asked and Chuu nodded in agreement. The three broke off their embrace and Chuu and Cocoon looked at each other before looking back at Serenity.
"We're sorry about your parents, Serenity," Cocoon said and looked at you with sympathy in her eyes.
"We know you weren't particularly close, but we know it probably stings...and we're sorry your brother is trying to take your throne," Chuu said, as Serenity sighed.
"It does, and thank you for your sympathy, but I don't really have time to grieve right now. I've got to get home before my Kingdom falls apart," Serenity said and Chuu and Cocoon nodded.
Serenity grabbed Hallah's hand and made her way to find Galaxia and Guardian Cosmos, followed by Chuu and Cocoon so they could make their exit. Serenity found them and told them what was happening quickly, so they could get back home before there was no home to get back to if her cousin's tendencies were anything to go off of.
….
"We're approaching the edge of the system, darling. Will I be asked for identification?" Galaxia asked Serenity who had spaced out in the co-pilot's seat next to her.
Hallah had fallen asleep in the Navigator's seat a few hours ago and Galaxia was glad the woman was getting some sleep, she had looked extremely worn down, and her Serenity wasn't looking much better.
"Hey, darling, I need to know if they'll ask me for identification," Galaxia said as she lightly shook Serenity and that seemed to break her out of her reverie.
"Oh, yes, don't worry, I'll handle that," Serenity said and just in time for a masculine voice to come through the ship's voice communication system.
"You're entering the Silver Alliance, state your name, identification code or referral number, business within the Alliance, and planet you plan to travel to," the voice said and Serenity pressed the button to respond.
"This is Princess Serenity, Heir to the Throne of the Silver Millennium and The Silver Alliance, I don't have either, I'm coming home due to the passing of my father, and I plan on going to the Silver Millennium or Luna, whichever you prefer," Serenity said through the com before releasing the button.
"Sorry for the trouble, Your Highness, have a safe trip and we're sorry for your loss," the man said, and Serenity sighed as the ship flew past the large dark planet of Pluto.
Galaxia was able to easily make her way through the system and to the shining moon that was the Silver Millennium or Luna as the older generations still liked to call it. Galaxia got permission to go through the protective barrier that surrounded the whole moon, and landed the ship on one of the landing pads. Serenity quickly got up and exited the ship, in her sailor fuku, and Hallah wasn't far behind her. Galaxia powered down the ship before exiting and standing behind Serenity and Hallah.
"Princess Serenity, Lady Hallah, it is good to see the both of you," a servant said as he quickly made his way over to the ship followed by what looked to be technicians.
"Hello, Carver, by any chance do you know where Madam Travaha is, we need to gather the court," Hallah said to the servant and he looked at her confused.
"We thought you already had them gathered? They're in the King's Wing meeting hall right now," the servant said and all Hallah was able to get out was shit before Serenity had broken off into a sprint and Hallah wasn't far behind her.
"Uh, thanks," Galaxia said with an awkward thumbs up at the servant. "Take care of the ship, I love that ship."
Galaxia ran off after Serenity and Hallah, leaving behind a very confused servant and a few technicians who just shrugged and got back to work.
"Serenity! Serenity, wait!" Hallah called as she grabbed Serenity and stopped her outside of the King's meeting hall.
"Serenity, I should go in first and make sure that you aren't walking into a trap or something," Hallah said before she turned towards the door and slipped inside of the hall.
"Lady Hallah," Lord Jovis, the conniving head of the court, said as he looked at the woman who had just entered. "What a surprise. We thought you had run off to take some time for yourself after the passing of your beloved."
"Not exactly, Lord. I came to check on the preparation for the coronation and the funeral, so how are the preparations coming along?" Hallah asked as she looked around, stopping on Orion who was sitting at the end of the table.
"Well, Aunt Hallah, preparation for my coronation is coming along well, and so are the funeral preparations. Aunt Makaria passed while you were gone and we are planning on having their funeral together. Bury them together just as they lived their life," Orion said almost cockily and Hallah raised her eyebrow.
"Hold on, did you just say your coronation?" Hallah asked and looked at Lord Jovis who stood in his chair and walked behind where Orion was sitting.
"Listen, Hallah-"
"That's Lady Hallah to you, Lord Jovis, and you too Orion. I'm not your Aunt," Hallah said sharply and Jovis sighed.
"Lady Hallah, I understand how much you loved that girl, but she's not here to claim the throne, so we've got to give it to the next in line," Jovis said and Hallah pursed her lips.
"But if the princess were here, you wouldn't try and impede her ascension to the throne, would you?" Hallah asked and Jovis shook his head.
"You know I wouldn't, Lady Hallah, I'd love to have the rightful Princess and Heir claim her birthright, but she's not here and she hasn't responded to any of our communications. She's left us no choice," Jovis said.
"Sorry I'm late," Serenity said, walking into the room in all eight feet of her Lunarian glory, Galaxia following just behind with all her eight feet and one inch of galactic glory. Both were decked out in their sailor fukus, Galaxia in her golden metal armor with her helmet on and Serenity was in her full pure white Sailor Cosmos uniform. Galaxia had her sword strapped to her back while Serenity's sceptre was standing just as tall and proud as she was.
"Oh my-" Jovis said and walked towards the princess. "Princess Serenity! Oh what a joyous day!"
"Jovis," Serenity said simply as she almost completely ignored the man and stepped passed the man, moving to where Orion was, and looked down at her snobbish cousin. "I think that's my seat."
Orion got up quickly, not even looking at Serenity as he moved out of the way, and Serenity sat down in the seat that he had vacated. Galaxia and Hallah shrugged at each other before moving to stand behind Serenity.
"Well, this should be fun."