Disclaimer: Same rules apply even 13 chapters into the story! Sailor Moon and its relative affiliates do not belong to me but to Naoko Takeuchi. I would very much appreciate it if I wasn't sue. My only claim is the plot and the original characters that I have created. Thank you.
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Chapter 13: The Return
Celestin stood alone on the balcony, her golden eyes latched onto the silver slither of lake that lay beyond the Palace Fields.
Her eyes avoided the cloudy heavens, where the moonlight his amongst the blankets of clouds that refused to allow any light to seep through.
A storm is coming, and I am afraid that the storm will not cease until the final battle has been fought…
If it weren't for the candlelight from her chamber behind, she would not have been able to see anything as yet another layer of cloud placed itself before the three moons, not a single shard of light falling through the thick barricade.
My moons are being hidden from me, my kingdom has all gone. All I have now is my army and my allies. I cannot win without great sacrifice.
Celestin's eyes lowered as they began to water.
I feel as though I have failed my family, my duty to honour the Ancients … above all I feel as though I have failed my Kingdom…
"Dark thoughts will not aid you at all in battle Celestin, you of all people should know that."
Celestin's eyes widened momentarily as she stiffened, turning on her heels to find the Ancient Sunlight standing before her bed.
Her golden hair fell to her waist, her bright blue eyes radiating a warmth that she could not quite explain.
The Ancient stepped to her, her simple cotton garment moving in the gentle evening breeze as she paused.
"Sunlight …"
The Ancient smiled softly as she raised a finger to her lips, ushering the Queen into silence as the room around her began to change.
The light was immediately extinguished as she felt a strong heat on her back.
Celestin squinted as she turned back to the azure sky, clear of the moon and clouds.
What was even more surprising was the fact that the Palace Fields before her were all plain, without life or fragrance.
As she continued to marvel at the change in circumstances, voices conversing from her chamber caught her attention, forcing her to turn around once more.
Her chamber was no different in layout or style, for it was forbidden to change anything in what had been the first Celestial Queen's bedchamber. Perhaps the only difference she could note was the drapes that hung around the four-post bed.
The thought made her smile yet even that expression did not last long as the voices she had heard became much stronger and sounded as though they were near.
"Stop your crying already!"
Celestin watched intently as she witnessed four females enter the room.
Each female radiated a beauty and immense power that, together, was almost unbearable.
Even from where Celestin stood at 100 metres away from the door, the power was still strong.
Celestin recognized the four immediately as being the Ancients, yet seeing them dressed in simple costumes with their hair all unbound gave them all a sense of normality, if not for the fact that Celestin could sense their aura.
Sunlight stood at the centre of the quartet, her eyes puffy as tears continued to stream down her ivory features, the chest of her golden gown completely damp.
"I cannot stop crying, Firelight, I just …. cannot," Sunlight responded as her companion sighed, her bright red eyes softening as she gazed upon their queen. Firelight's long black hair fell across her shoulder carelessly, catching Sunlight's stray tears.
"We need to be strong, not only for ourselves but for the Kingdom and the Milky Way. Without our light it will become a dark place and until our fledglings have made their own lights bright we simply must continue to shine," Starlight reminded, her ice blue, almost silver eyes lowered, her long white locks falling purposefully across her face to hide her red cheeks.
"We will reunite with our sister one day, we all know that. My only hope is that the day we see our sister again is the day she becomes one of us once more. When she finally does become herself we will assume our place amongst the stars," Moonlight spoke as her silver eyes shone.
"But I feel as though I have failed her …" Sunlight murmured as the four around her sent sharp glances in her direction.
"All of what has happened was none of your fault. Sealight is responsible for her own actions. It is no ones fault that she lost her way. Sealing her away was the only thing we could do. We are responsible for protecting the Universe and what we did was right," Firelight reminded fiercely as the other pair nodded.
"And we are still responsible for protection of the galaxy. Our service has now been extended because without Sealight we still roam the galaxy. The least we can do is to take on the duty and execute it with all our might," Starlight added.
Moonlight nodded as she slipped her hand into Sunlight's.
"Our daughters will return Sealight to us. We need only wait and fulfil the purpose that was bestowed upon us by Uranus," Moonlight whispered as the Ancients all linked hands.
"You are never alone, Sunlight. Do not forget," Firelight spoke.
The scene began to fade, the warmth of the sunlight quickly disappearing as the cool of night settled once more.
Her eyes squinted as she fought to readjust them in the sudden loss of light where in her chamber she found the same Sunlight there, except this time she was not alone.
Firelight, Moonlight and Starlight stood with her, the females looking exactly as they did in the memory that Sunlight had revealed.
"You are never alone Celestin. Do not forget," Sunlight murmured as the four females faded into the air.
Celestin smiled widely, her eyes bright as she lowered them.
Thank you.
::X:X::
"Where is Chbi-Usa?" Serenity voiced as the group of senshi entered Shigeru's room, Shigeru himself and the Starlights following closely.
"Last I saw Celestin had sent her on an errand," Mars responded as the group seated themselves at the already set table before them.
The room was slightly chilly, the chandelier above them shivering as the curtains billowed restlessly, as if sensing the unrest.
Serenity's lips pursed as she remained standing, her figure suddenly rigid.
No, there's something wrong …
Serenity turned, meeting the gaze of her friends equally.
"She should have been back already then, no?" she offered as the room stilled.
Star-Healer looked from Shigeru to Serenity, her brow slightly furrowed.
The great silence was shared amongst the unwilling group as the senshi glanced at one another, their expressions mixed, unsure of what to make of the sudden intensity of the mood.
The silence was broken when a knock sounded on the door, the interruption welcomed by those who were present.
"I'll get it," Star-Healer murmured, her footsteps resounding around them as she made her way to the door.
Clicking it open the door itself fell back onto her, the female at the door bowing deeply as she straightened, her cheeks flushed.
"Prince Shigeru and his esteemed guardians; Queen Serenity and her great senshi, the Queen Celestin requests an audience with you all. It is very urgent," she spoke quickly as she bowed once more.
Star-Healer turned to Serenity who simply nodded.
"We are happy to grant the request," Serenity responded as Shigeru nodded.
The servant smiled thinly.
"If I may lead you?"
::X:X::
Serenity stood solemnly along with the Inner Senshi, their faces revealing nothing.
Shigeru himself fought to keep a calm demeanour, attempting to mimic his guardians who stood at his side erectly, their faces impassive.
Celestin stood with her back to them, her long fiery hair lifting in the slight breeze.
"I must apologize for gathering you all at such an inopportune time. Either way we have a slight problem," she began as she turned, her golden eyes clouded.
"My servants have just visited Kaede and Kakuei's rooms to find them both completely abandoned," she began as she looked to Shigeru who stared back, his eyes wide.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mars asked.
Celestin frowned as she stood; the large doors behind her leading out onto the balcony flung wide open, the three full moons of the Celestial Kingdom ever prominent in the perfectly cloudless sky.
"I am not sure what that means. They left without say or anything and I have a suspicion that Princess Usagi has somehow gotten caught up in their little plan …"
"You mean to tell me," Star-Fighter began as she stepped forward, "That both Kakuei and Kaede were a part of some sort of conspiracy and have taken Usagi?" she demanded, more heatedly than perhaps what she had intended.
Celestin stared at Star-Fighter, unperturbed by the slight outburst.
"I do not know if it is the two of them, all I know is that I sent Usagi to check on Kaede for me. I have not seen her since this afternoon and was worried. I sent my maids to search their room and check with you if you had seen her. Usagi has gone," Celestin spoke as her eyes lowered.
Serenity released a gasp as her shoulders slumped.
"I knew it …" she whispered as Venus held her.
"Is that all you have to say? Usagi is just gone like that?" Jupiter demanded as she snapped her fingers, reiterating the 'that'.
"I am so very sorry but we must hope for the worst. I believe she is in Sealight's hands," Celestin continued calmly, her face placid like ice.
"I suppose it is easier for you to say it, it's not like you care, she isn't your daughter! I hope you remember that we only agreed to stay because you needed the help," Mars spoke, pointing a red fingernail at the seemingly unperturbed queen.
Celestin met her gaze squarely.
"You are wrong to think that I am unaffected. That witch has taken my brother and my niece. My heart has been broken several times over but my family does not need for me to be weak, they need me to be rational so that I can rescue the-"
"You cannot rescue them if they are already dead," Star-Healer pointed coolly, Celestin's eyes softening in response.
"I do not want to fight about this but I want you all to realize that-"
The room was suddenly icy, a strong gust blowing over them, forcing them all to hide their heads behind their raised arms.
"Continue, Celestin, don't let me interrupt you!" a cool voice hissed as a shadow appeared on the balcony.
Through the wind and watering eyes Serenity watched the slim figure approach them with simple grace.
Her blue eyes were strikingly clear and deep.
And cold, penetratingly so.
"I do not think I bothered to introduce myself properly at our last meeting. I am Sailor Sealight," she announced as she joined Celestin's side, their arms inches from brushing one another.
"What have you done with Usagi?" Jupiter cried as she move forward, her green eyes ablaze.
Sealight laughed as she snapped her fingers.
As if heeding a silent command the Palace began to shake, the earth opening up before them, separating Sealight, Serenity and Celestin from the others.
Venus was forced to release the Queen from her grip, her hand outstretched as they continued to separate.
"Serenity … Jupiter Oak Evolution!" Jupiter cried as she blazed in a green light, spinning effortlessly in the air as she conjured her attack, sending it straight to Sealight.
With a smirk she held her hand up, the leaves from her attack stopping suddenly, losing their force and slowly falling to the vast divide that separated them.
"Your petty attacks just won't do, you see I think it is about time I claimed my rightful throne!" she laughed as she raised her arms into the air.
The sky beyond the three queens began to cloud, casting them all into darkness.
"You cannot win!" Shigeru cried.
Sealight smiled under the black blanket.
"Watch me," she hissed as they all felt their knees tremble.
"Halt!"
The cry was forceful, commanding and sounded as though it came from the swirling darkness where the balcony should have been.
Aching their ears for another sound, any hopeful sound, the senshis winced, witnessing the emergence of a small light.
Celestin watched in awe as her eyes stung.
Three figures appeared, all bathed in a n unnaturally powerful light, beaming with warmth.
Celestin laughed.
Shigeru stared.
"Mei?"
Sealight, however, could only stand by, completely stunned as she recognized the female heir that should have died.
Her blue eyes moved to her two companions, recognizing the male known as Helios but her mind failing to place the other silver-haired female.
She is the mirror image of Queen Serenity ..
Sealight's voice caught in her throat as she stared at her.
Selene!
::X:X::
A/N: I AM SO SORRY!!
Please forgive me for the VERY late update! My schoolwork reached an all time high with assignments due almost every day for the past two weeks … I have to apologize for the lack of chapters since I last wrote, no doubt you probably all thought I had forgotten about you! NO WAY!
I have to apologize about the content in this chapter … I haven't been writing for a while now and it feels as though this chapter is almost out of synch. Please forgive this slight lapse … I promise that the next chapter will be much more tuned.
Enough of my blabbing, I have a lot to think about in regards to the direction of the story. I still need to sort some things out but hopefully it will come together in the end!
Thank you all for your continual support! Don't forget to review please!
Much love
Lady Sapphira