I must say, I was pleasantly surprise by the amount of reviews I got last chapter. Thank you all for your support and given my the encouragement to post this story. I hope you all continue to read and enjoy my story.

Now, onward to the chapter.

Chapter 4: What is Right

Triten sat silently in his prison cell below the palace. Although despite being a prison the room was well furnished with a small sofa, chairs, a table, and even a computer with limited internet access. The room was more like a small apartment than a prison cell, except for the fact that one couldn't leave. Apparently, Serenity liked to keep her prisoners comfortable while they awaited their fates.

Such novelties, however, were beyond Triten's care. In the span of one night, he had watched his dream shatter. Five year of planning, traveling, and speeches all destroyed because of one woman.

"Minako," Triten whispered hoarsely.

He should have seen what she truly was from the beginning. He could tell early on that she never fully believed the things she preached in those arenas or understood why Serenity was feared. Nonetheless, he kept thinking that one day she would understand. That she would see the nobility of their cause. What a fool he has been.

Triten heard the door to his cell opened, but he didn't bothered to look up to see who it was. What got his attention was the strange glow that hurt his eyes when the door opened. The sounds of soft footsteps reached his ears and he finally looked up to see who his visitor was.

He was surprise to see that his visitor was none other than the witch queen herself. As hard as he tried to deny it, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair flowed down to her feet and blew with a nonexistent wind. Her gown was like a picture-perfect version of an angel's robs complete with wings in shape of a butterfly. What really got his attention, however, were her eyes. They were a deep blue and had the aura of innocence around them.

"Hello," Serenity greeted kindly as she took a seat on the couch. "We finally get a chance to meet. I have heard so much about you."

"I bet," Triten muttered as he glanced at the door. Not surprisingly, the door was guarded by one of the senshi. He didn't recall any of their names, saved for Venus, and he didn't particularly care. "So, why have you come, witch queen? Did you want to gloat over your victory?"

Serenity frowned when she heard his title for her. "Why do you in the rebellion think of me as a witch queen? I've done nothing to earn such rage and hatred from you. I only want peace for everyone in the world."

"Your version of peace in the world," Triten countered coldly. "A world where humans are your little robots who worship you and kiss your feet. A world where humans lose their free well."

Serenity shook her head. "Where have such ideas come from?"

Triten said nothing for a moment. "I know about your kind, you Lunarians." He took pleasure at her surprise expression. "Did you think you could hide yourself. That we would all forget?"

"I don't know where you've gotten your information, but you have many wrong ideas about the people of moon," Serenity said once she found her bearings.

"Do I," Triten challenged. "Is it true that your people possess a stone known as the Silver Crystal? A crystal that can bend life and death. A crystal that was use to make the moon people rulers of our galaxy."

"All that is true," Serenity said. "The Silver Crystal provided life and protection to my former home. It has given us so much."

"And it has taken so much away," Triten sneered. "I've heard about the moon. Most people on Earth have forgotten, but my family and others have not. We know about how the moon looked down on the people of Earth and used the Silver Crystal to expand their lives beyond their natural state. I know how the crystal was used to 'cleanse' the moon people of supposedly evil thoughts and turned them into lifeless shells of their former shelves. You called the Moon Kingdom a paradise in its time. I would call it a self made hell ruled by an egotistical queen."

"I don't pretend to remember everything about the Moon Kingdom. Sadly, there are many things that I can no longer remember since it was literally another lifetime for me," Serenity said sadly. "If the state of government on the moon was not happy one for you, I understand. But this isn't the moon."

"But you intend to make the Earth the new Moon Kingdom," Triten stated. "You have the power to take our world and bend it in your image just like your mother did for her kingdom."

"I could, but I won't," Serenity said firmly. "I never wanted to recreate the Moon Kingdom. My former kingdom will always be a part of my soul, but the moon is dead. I only want to make the Earth a better place. A place where people can live in peace in be happy."

"And to what ends will you go to create this perfect world?" Triten questioned. "What you speak of is nothing but a pipe dream. Humans are dirty creatures. Humans have darkness in their hearts. We are greedy, selfish, and violent beings. To take those qualities away from us will make us something other than human. Just as you Lunarians lost your own humanity, if there was any to begin with."

"I don't think it is really far to compare the humanity of a human and a Lunarian," Serenity said. "Every race and alien have their own moral codes and one set should not be use judge the other. Although I do agree that some of the qualities you name are traits that humans tends to embrace, I disagree that all of those traits are inherently evil."

This took Triten off-guard.

"Being greedy and selfish is not evil in themselves. If one protects their friends because they don't want to see them hurt, isn't that a selfish emotion because one is thinking of oneself instead of the other person? Is it greedy to want to protect something without sacrificing others, even if it means people would die if one failed?" Serenity questioned.

Triten could think of nothing to say.

"The one trait I disagree that is part of being human is violence," Serenity said. "Violence has no place in any civilize world. It is something we should work towards repelling from our existence instead of embracing it."

"That is naive," Triten stated.

"Maybe so, but I do believe that someday humans will rise above their need to do evil without the help of the Silver Crystal. Because in their hearts, people are inherently good," Serenity said.

Triten chuckled. "So you believe that we will naturally reach a state of perfection without your interference?

"I only wish to show people that there is a better way besides hatred and anger. I want to act as an example to the world to what is possible if one tries to live a good, peaceful life," Serenity said. "Despite all my power, I was once no different from you."

"You expect me to believe that you're still your human self, Usagi Tsukino?" Triten asked in disbelief.

"My body may have change and I may have become wiser, but I'm still that girl who can't wake up on time, can't write in kanji properly, and eat too many snacks. There is no goddess and there is no great queen. There is only me," Serenity said.

"Such pretty words," Triten said, but his words lack the usual bit. "Even if I took your words to be true, what is to keep you from changing your mind? How do I know that in a century or even a thousand years from now that you won't change your mind and judge humanity to be imperfect? What is there to stop you from using the Silver Crystal to purify humanity in your own image?"

Serenity was silent for a moment. "Nothing. Will I change in a thousand years, I hope I don't. I hope that I can maintain the person that I am and not look down my nose a humanity."

Triten snorted. "So, you want me to put my faith in you? To just pray to the gods that when I die that you don't turn into a tyrant?"

"I'm not asking you to trust me. There is nothing wrong with people questioning my intentions or even fearing that I may someday abuse my power. I have that same fear as well," Serenity admitted. "But Triten, we can't let our fears control us to the point that we become willing to murder innocence. The people of this city, of those countries you attacked, did nothing wrong."

"We did what me must to stop you!" Triten yelled. "I would do it all over again to save this world."

"Your intentions are noble, but misguided," Serenity said. "You claim to be protecting this world, but how many people have you and the other rebels needlessly killed? How many more would had died and suffer if you succeeded using nuclear weapons? Are you not judging your own people of being unworthy of life just because they may choose to follow me?"

Triten glared at Serenity. "I see what you're doing and it won't work. Even if I do believe your intentions are pure and you only want to help humanity, I won't accept you. Beings with your kind of power and longevity will eventually forget what it's like to be human. Just as your husband has forgotten his own people and sided with an alien."

Serenity stared at him with sad eyes. "Then, there is no way we can live in peace?"

"The only way there will be peace if you leave this world or die," Triten said coldly. "You may have stop me, but other will rise and take my place. Other will see through you mask of peace and see what you're truly are."

Serenity closed her eyes as he took in his words. "It seems like an endless circle. This distrust between the earth and the moon. Perhaps at one point it was justified, but now it seems like a never ending cycle of pain." She then opened her eyes and looked at Triten hopefully. The light in her eyes nearly blinded him. "But I won't give up. I won't give up the hope that someday our two people will truly live in peace. I'm...I'm just sad that you won't be a part of it."

She then stood up and walked towards the door. The senshi that had escorted Serenity led her out and locked the door behind her. Triten was once again alone.

Endymion rubbed his eyes as he sat on his throne, waiting for the remaining prisoners to be brought in for sentencing. It has been a long couple of weeks dealing with last remnants of the rebellion. The last of the ringleaders were caught and most of the rebels were trialed and given their sentences. Almost all the leaders had begged for clemency after their selfish acts and murderous plot were revealed to the public.

The pure outrage from the public had most people within Crystal Tokyo shouting for the rebel leaders' heads. If it wasn't for the fact that Serenity didn't believe in the death penalty, those men would had lost their lives weeks ago.

Instead, the ones who were not citizens of Japan were sent back to their home country where their government would deal with them. Although Serenity asked for leniency on those who were sent to counties that still had the death sentence. The rebels who were citizens of Japan were stripped of all their government power and given fifty years of committee service along with a lifetime of surveillance. For some of the older leaders the committee service was a lifetime sentence, although Endymion thought they got off too easily, but Serenity did not like imprisoning people for life. Then again, maybe forcing people who had only thought about themselves to work for others was a proper punishment.

The lower rank members of the rebellion who were considered nonviolent were given similar committee service duties along with lifelong surveillance, although their committee service ranged from ten to twenty years.

That left them with only the most violent and radical members of the rebelling to sentence. There was no need for a trial since none of them hid their guilt. As somber as these proceedings were, he looked forward to finally being done with them. The city and the entire country were ready to move on and heal.

The room came alive again as several hundred people were led into the throne room with chain on their wrists and ankles. It was a sight Serenity disliked, but Endymion insisted that these men be treated as criminals. He wasn't going to be as forgiven as his wife.

The names of each of the criminals were named for the sake of the viewing public. The sentencing was being broadcast all over the country and there wasn't a person in Japan who wasn't watching.

Standing on either side of the double thrones were all the senshi. The Guardian Senshi stood on the queen's side of the throne, while the Outers stood on the king's side. Even Pluto was there and stood on the far end of the Outer Senshi. Luna and Artemis were also presence and looked over the prisoners with dispassionate eyes.

Minako searched the crowd until her eyes fell on Triten. He was skinner than he was a couple of months ago given that he wasn't eating well. Dark circles were also around his eyes showing that he wasn't really sleeping either. Nonetheless, there was a fire in his eyes that glared hatefully at Serenity. He was defiant to the end.

Once all the names were called, Endymion began to speak. "Members of the rebel army, you stand excuse of treason, inciting violence, murder, and attempt murder. Do you stand guilty of these crimes?"

None of the prisoners spoke, but they all turned their eyes towards Triten. He barely acknowledged Endymion as he spoke, never taken his eyes off of Serenity. "Guilty, and proud of it."

This cause several people in the court to mutter, but they quickly quieted down.

"Then, you will accept any punishment given by this court," Endymion said, finishing up the formalities. "Do you have any words to speak before your sentence is handed out?"

The other rebels once again turned their glazed towards Triten.

"Do not think the rebelling ends with us. As long as this Serenity rules, this world will continue to bleed. Others shall rise in our place to fight against this being who would try to rule us with her suppose superior morality. Those people will refuse to be sheep and slowly die in the wasteland that she will call a utopia. Trough their hard work and virtue the human race will rise again," Triten said in triumph.

The entire room was silent as he finished his speech.

"After much debate, the queen and I have reached a sentence," Endymion said once he knew Triten was finish. "You can chose to be cleanse by the Silver Crystal or banished off the Earth."

There was an immediate outburst from the prisoners. They did not expect this kind of sentence. Even some within the court gasped. They had only heard of the cleansing.

"So, we are to leave the planet of our birth or be brainwash?" Triten asked nonchalantly, ignoring all the noise around him.

"Being cleanse by the Silver Crystal is not brainwashing," Serenity corrected. "If you chose to be cleanse by the crystal, your violent thoughts and impulsive will become subdue and you will be allowed to return to society."

"But we won't be ourselves anymore," Triten countered harshly. "By being cleanse, you're forcing us to become different people."

"That maybe true, but you and the other rebels have proven to be unable to live within our society," Endymion said harshly. "We've given you the chance to repent and see another point-of-view, but you rejected it. You don't feel sorry for the lives that you have taken and ruin. As you are now, you can't be allowed to run free." He then glanced towards his wife. "Nor would it be humane to make you live within a prison for the rest of your lives."

"The cleansing is voluntary," Serenity said. "If you don't wish to go through it, then I won't force you. If you don't, however, you will be banished from the world. This is the best I can offer you since no country or nation will take you."

Triten glared at Serenity. "Then I chose banishment."

Endymion looked towards the other rebels. "Do anyone else wishes to join him?"

There were some mummers among the rebels as they weighed their options. After a few minutes most of the prisoners chose to be banished along with Triten. Some, however, chose to be cleansed.

Triten didn't bother to look at those people since he now saw them as cowards and traitors.

"Then, it is done," Endymion said. "The banished prisoners shall be led to a ship within the Crystal Palace. From there you will be taken to the other edge of the solar system where you can travel to any planet of your chosen. Those who chose to be cleanse will be taken back to the detention cell until Serenity can attend to you."

With the sentencing done, the prisoners were led out of the throne room. Once they were out, the observers of the sentencing also began to leave.

Serenity put her hand over her eyes as the day's events played in her head. "I wish there was another way."

"Don't pity those people, Serenity," Uranus said coldly. "They made their beds a long time ago."

"Still..." Serenity muttered.

"You did what you thought was right. Triten and the others are maybe banished from Earth, but they now have a chance to start over," Endymion said. "Perhaps they will be happier this way."

Minako sighed. "I guess, but I'm still going to miss him. In another lifetime, I can't help but wonder if we could have been friends."

"I wonder if he's right," Serenity suddenly said. "What if he's right that I will someday become a tyrant? That I will forget my humanity and use the Silver Crystal to bend everyone in my image?"

"You can't take the words that man spoke seriously," Luna said firmly. "Especially a man who would believe those terrible lies the Moon Kingdom and Queen Serenity."

"Why shouldn't I? Despite whatever he believes, he does speak the truth," Serenity said. "I could become a tyrant and no could stop me. Not even you guys."

"The fact that you are worried is a testament that you won't become a tyrant," Pluto suddenly spoke up. "Those who do evil or think that they're right never worries about being wrong. It is that quality that makes you different from Triten."

"But...I could change. Maybe not today or ten years from now, but what will I be like in one-hundred or thousand years. As far as any of us know, I am an immortal."

"Usagi-chan," Mercury spoke gently, using Serenity's childhood name, "we cannot predict the future. However, you have to believe that if you do change that it will not be a bad one. Just stay true to your heart, it has not led you wrong."

"Besides, we'll be there to pop your head if it gets too big," Mars said in humor.

"Yeah, we look out for each other and we'll be there if or when you need to be fed some humble pie," Jupiter said as she rubbed Serenity's arm.

Serenity's eyes began to mist. "You guys...thank you." All the Guardian Senshi joined their queen in a group hug.

Endymion smiled throughout the entire conversation. For the first time in the last couple of months, his queen was truly happy.

Pluto's face remained neutral as she looked at the touching display. Everything was in place now for future events.

Weeks passed since the last of the rebels were sentence and Crystal Tokyo was finally starting to heal. There were still those who were wary of their queen and her guardians, but their distrust were greatly lessened than it was a couple of years ago. For first time in over a century, it felt like the world had turned a giant corner.

Serenity watched the city from her window, feeling content that she no longer bothered by the feelings of death and despair. It almost felt like the last five years were nothing but a nightmare.

"You're up early," Endymion said as he wrapped his arms around his beloved.

"Just enjoying the feeling of a new day," Serenity answered. "It's hard to believe that it's finally over."

Endymion kissed her shoulders. "Not completely. They will always be people who will rebel against you, but hopefully we've sent a message to future generations that violent dissent won't be tolerated."

Serenity looked into the sky. "I wonder how Triten and the others are doing. Do you think they found a new world?"

"Maybe," Endymion said slowly. "Although I must admit that I haven't been thinking about him."

Serenity shook his head. "He wasn't bad Mamo-chan. He just didn't trust me."

"Not trusting someone is one thing, mass murder is another," Endymion said, keeping his voice under control. "He was so convict that he was right that he thought nothing of sacrificing others. Even when he was being sentenced, he still made his punishment all about him."

"I want to prove him wrong," Serenity said. "I want to show him that I won't be corrupted by power. That I can keep being a just ruler."

"I know you will," Endymion said in a hushed voice.

They stood in that comfortable silence for several minutes before a loud bang at the door broke the mood.

"I swear, they time this," Endymion grumbled as he went to answer the door. Stranding at the doorway was Ami and she looked extremely upset. "Endymion, Serenity, you must come quick!"

"Ami, what's wrong?" Serenity asked as she ran towards the door.

"The ship that was carrying the banished prisoners has disappeared," Ami said.

"What do you mean it disappeared!?" Endymion exclaimed.

"I mean it's no longer on our radar," Ami said in a controlled voice. "We were tracking the ship as it was reaching the end of the solar system when it disappeared from all our instruments. We even attempted to contact the ship, but there has been no response."

Endymion began to get worried. "Could the ship have entered an asteroid field?"

"Not sure, although it is unlikely. The ship's computer would have warned them," Ami said.

"We have to find them," Serenity said with no hesitation. "They could be in danger."

Not another word was spoken as Endymion and Ami ran towards the main control room.

Despite their best efforts, however, they found no sign of the prisoners' ship. Even Serenity could no longer sense them with the Silver Crystal and when Endymion sent a spacecraft to search for them there wasn't a trace of the other ship. They even didn't find debris that showed that the ship was destroyed.

After months of looking, all the search parties were called off and the two-hundred and twenty prisoners who were on the ship were considered dead. Most people within Crystal Tokyo didn't care when they heard the news. They were rebels who had cause chaos and death in their city and didn't deserve to be mourned. To them, it was just karma finally catching up with them.

For their ruler, however, she took the deaths of the rebel prisoners personally and even had a private ceremony for them at the palace with their remaining living family. There were many tears shred, but mostly because the families were thankfully that Neo-Queen Serenity had forgiven their kin for wronging her and her city.

Time moved on and years flew by and eventually the lost of the rebel ship was largely forgotten.

What happened to the prison ship and how does it connect to future events? You may know the answer, but it's still fun to read.

Jovian Sun, I know the type of stories you are referring to and I never cared for that particular characterizing of Neo-Queen Serenity. In my personal opinion, I think some authors takes Serenity's idealistic point-of-view and twist it into naivety to the point that she is a terrible ruler. When Serenity was Sailor Moon, she did believe in love, but she also understood that love alone could not make everything better. Which is why Serenity had no problem blasting Metalia and Death Phantom into dust. The reason why she went above and beyond to save some villains like Hotaru and Galaxia was because they were both innocence being possess and Serenity thought it was wrong to kill an innocent person no matter the reason. I also don't believe that Serenity can be bullied by her senshi. I mean, she never listen to Uranus or Nepture even when they make a good point and the Guardian Senshi are morally a line with Serenity.

As for how the rebels view Endymion, they see him as a human traitor who sold his soul for power. If it was Endymion by himself ruling instead of Serenity, they would wonder about his motives too, but there wouldn't be the same level of fear. The rebels are scared of Serenity because she has god-like power while Endymion is more like a super human. Think of Endymion like Captain America and Serenity as Superman. Which one would you fear more if one of them decided to control world?

Bin82501, thank you for forgiven my grammar errors, although I hope my latest chapters are better. I am trying to given a realistic view of the early years of Crystal Tokyo. Making a utopia is not easy, especially when dealing with human nature. I also try to stay true to the Sailor Moon lore which leans heavily on the idealistic side.

With all that said, until chapter.