I still do not own Sailor Moon...now I'm going to go cry. =(
(Merry Christmas. This was a very hard chapter to write. Taking two arcs and melding them with some personal choices to rewrite the Silver Millennium was no easy task. I know I took MANY liberties, but some things were never even brought up in the anime or in PGSM so I had to fill in the blanks. It was also a chance to show a more vulnerabnle side of Queen Serenity and I liked the idea. Love it or hate it, here's the next installment. Thank you for all your reviews and Christmas wishes! I hope all of your wishes came true this year!)
(Toshirohi – I combined talented and fire to make this name. Oparu is an opal. Hankokana is semi-precious (as in semi-precious stones). Shingihi is a combination of belief and fire.)
Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 12
(The Silver Millennium)
Setsuna waited for Taiki to finish praying. She could see by his manner that Taiki was not used to prayer. She then transformed and suggested that Taiki do the same. As soon as Sailor Pluto and Sailor Star Maker were standing together Pluto's talisman rejoined with her staff. Pluto gazed into the talisman and it began to glow. Pluto then raised her staff high and a void opened above them.
"Take my hand," Pluto instructed.
Maker needed no prompting, but remained speechless. Until only recently she had never fully known or appreciated Pluto for her true talents.
Hand-in-hand the two senshi rose into the newly opened void. All was dark for a moment or two. Before long they stood at the gates of time. Sailor Pluto did something strange. She opened one of the gate doors, but left the other firmly in it's place. She then reached one hand out to Maker who gladly accepted the hand.
"Maker, we are only going as shadows. No one will see or hear us. We are going back before the current Princess Serenity was ever born. I need to help you understand why your kingdom is a bigger part of this than you know."
"Is it because of Princess Serenity's father?"
"Yes, partly, though all you know is that her father was Princess Kakyuu's great-uncle, correct?"
"You mean there is more?"
"There is always more to a story. Books and artifacts can be falsified when necessary." Pluto smiled at Maker. "I need you to hold tight to me. If I lose you it could take even me a very long time to find you, and I am sorry, but I have a mission to complete before I stopped for that."
"I understand."
The tunnel was a dizzying experience to say the least. When finally they were at rest, they were in the royal study. The crest of the White Moon Kingdom was on the stationary, the upholstery, and seated at the desk was the Goddess Queen Serenity. She had the ever timeless Sailor Pluto on her right and the youth-cursed Sailor Saturn to her left.
"I simply do not know which to accept," Serenity slumped down.
"We know they are both good men, but we don't want to string along an entire kingdom," Pluto said.
"Perhaps you could meet them before you decided," Saturn said.
"Oh what sweet friends I have," Serenity beamed as she clasped a hand to each senshi. "I think I could always send my acceptance to one and an invitation to take in a lady-in-waiting and aid her in finding a suitable match at a later date to the other. Now, will it be Kinmoku, or Hankokana? What do you think?" Serenity looked up to her senshi.
"I think the invitation is a great idea," Pluto said.
"So who will the lucky man be? Toshirohi from Kinmoku, or Oparu from Hankokana?" Saturn was glowing with excitement.
"Well I have been thinking a lot on this matter." Serenity rose from her chair and began pacing about the room. "There is no clear political winner. Both men are equally matched."
"But what does your heart say," Saturn urged.
"Oh my heart begs me to accept Toshirohi's hand in marriage. Besides, the widower Oparu most likely wanted this to be his chance to allow his daughter the chance for a good match. I can welcome the young Lady Beryl in as my lady-in-waiting if she'll accept the offer. I will give her that life he wanted for her. I will write my acceptance to Toshirohi immediately. Pluto, would you send my regrets to Oparu but also my invitation to his daughter. He can rest assured that Beryl will be as a daughter to me."
"Of course." Pluto curtsied and left the study.
"A wedding! There will be a royal wedding soon," Saturn said smiling widely.
The study faded to reveal an ethereal garden. The backdrop for the garden was the palace. The White Moon Kingdom senshi stood all lined up behind Queen Serenity and a young girl of about ten or so. The girl had long red hair that hung in waves below her waist. A royal party bearing the crest of Kinmoku was walking down the main path to greet the Goddess. The three guardian senshi laid out gifts of floral garlands, perfumes, and exotic fruits from their home world. The three senshi smiled silently as they walked toward the palace. Queen Kakyuu greeted Queen Serenity with her husband King Shingihi and her daughter in her arms.
"I am glad to see that the Princess Kakyuu was fit to travel for this occasion," smiled Serenity.
"And what a beautiful child you have here," Kakyuu said smiling at the young Beryl. "Is she your new lady-in-waiting?"
"Yes she is," Serenity smiled. "She is finally starting to feel at home around here too, aren't you, sweetheart?" Serenity placed her hand on Beryl's shoulder.
"I..I am very pleased to meet you," the young girl said shyly. "I am the Lady Beryl. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Your Majesties." Beryl curtsied flawlessly.
"She's absolutely charming, Serenity," King Shingihi said.
"Do keep up your studies. Such a bright young girl has much to look forward to," Kakyuu said as she and her king turned to follow their senshi.
Next came a tall man with golden hair and bright orange eyes. He was older than Serenity, in appearance at least. The man dipped into a low bow. "Your Majesty, I am so happy to finally meet you. " He reached for Serenity's extended hand and kissed it softly.
"Toshirohi, at long last we meet." Serenity was beaming. "Please do make yourself at home. The wedding celebrations will begin tomorrow and continue for a full month culminating with our wedding. Tonight, let's just try and have fun while getting to know one another at your welcoming banquet."
"I am looking forward to it." Toshirohi bowed low smiling nervously. His cheeks were red and as much as she tried to conceal it, Serenity was blushing back.
As Toshirohi walked in the direction of the palace, Beryl's eyes filled with tears. She tightened her grip on Serenity's hand.
"I know. I'm happy too, Beryl," Serenity said as she knelt down and hugged the girl.
The garden faded and was replaced by the grand banquet hall. Serenity and Toshirohi were enjoying their wedding feast. Beryl was seated at a place of honor with the senshi who had all been in the wedding party. The hall was filled with people from the White Moon Kingdom, Kinmoku, and Elysion. Most of the invitations sent to Hankokana had been declined. The few guests from Beryl's home kingdom were mingling and gossiping about how Oparu had been furious with Beryl for accepting the invitation and position as lady-in-waiting. These guests would not come near Beryl or look her in the eye. Her own father had declined the invitation, and was not present. With every whisper it appeared that Beryl's face grew longer.
The hall dissolved and a small study appeared. Seilor Pluto was trying to give a less-than-enthusiastic Beryl some lessons for the day.
"But WHEN will she be back, Pluto? I'm so very lonely without Queen Serenity."
"Our Queen is on her honeymoon, child. It will be alright. She will return soon enough. For now let's continue with our lessons. We wouldn't want to disappoint her would we?"
The study faded and now a somber scene lay before Sailor Pluto and Sailor Star Maker. The White Moon senshi were pacing nervously about in a hallway just outside the royal bedchambers. Beryl was staring petrified at the door. It looked as though everyone were afraid a single breath could cause a panic.
The knob on the door twisted and out walked King Toshirohi. Tears were in his eyes. Pluto came behind him. "You still have the child to consider," Pluto said in a hushed tone. "The queen may only have minutes, but the princess has a lifetime."
"Beryl," Toshirohi knelt down beside the young lady. "The queen wants to see you. She said she had something to ask you."
Beryl looked terrified. Her resolve did not seem to waver though. She walked into the bedchamber. The queen was not looking well at all. Some maids were cleaning up bed linens that were wet with blood and sweat. Serenity had been propped up with an array of pillows so she could hold her newly born daughter for a while. Beryl did not seem fooled by the act.
Serenity motioned to Beryl to come closer. Once they were close the baby began to stir. Beryl reached out and the infant clutched to her finger. "She's so strong, Serenity," Beryl said trying her best to smile.
"She will be called Serenity," the queen's voice cracked. "One day this will be her kingdom." The queen was trying to conceal her tears. "Beryl, I wanted to ask you one last favor."
"Whatever you want, I will do. You have been like a mother for me since I arrived just a year ago."
"Could you look to Serenity like a sister? I do not want her to ever feel lonely as I am afraid you have felt. I never wanted you to feel that way."
"I am happy here. I would be thrilled to be her sister."
"Thank you. Call in my senshi, please. I must speak with them. Thank you so much for coming to me Beryl. I have loved you as much as I could have loved my own daughter."
Tears flowing from her face, Beryl hugged her friend goodbye and walked out of the room. "The queen has asked for all of her senshi to say their goodbyes." Beryl ran off in the direction of her rooms.
The senshi followed the word of their queen. Pluto ordered every maid and nurse to leave the chambers.
"My senshi, my dearest friends, I shall miss you most of all. Your sole duty now is sworn to this little child. I hope you find happiness with her." The queen kissed her daughter and handed her to Pluto. "Saturn, please release me from this pain. I am ready."
Not a single senshi said a word. The knew by the look on her face and the brand new linens now soaked with blood, there would be no saving Serenity. It would be best to have Saturn bring her to her rest peacefully.
With a brilliant flash of silencing light, the five inner senshi were infants laying in cradles behind the two toddlers that had moments ago been Uranus and Neptune. Pluto now had a second baby in her arms who bore the mark of Saturn. The silver crystal rose out from the dead queen's body and transferred into the princess .
Sailor Star Maker turned to the Pluto who could hear and see her only to find that she too was crying. 'It can wait, I suppose.'
The room turned into the garden where Beryl and Serenity were running playfully away from the inner senshi. Both of them tripped and fell, the senshi ran to the aid of the princess ignoring Beryl who appeared to brush it off.
Now they were at a banquet. The king, princess, and Beryl were sitting down with an envoy from Elysion. The orphaned Prince Endymion and his Shittennu were visiting. It looked like Beryl was trying to flirt with the prince, though not once did she catch his eye.
Serenity and Beryl were in Serenity's bedchambers. Serenity was dancing all about in a frenzy. "Did you see his eyes? Oh, Beryl, I thought I was going to melt."
"Serenity, you're only thirteen. You have plenty of time to think about things like that."
"You're just mad because he never looked at you the way he looked at me," Serenity teased icily.
Beryl was visibly hurt but she said nothing.
"Or are you just telling me to wait until I'm so old I'll never get a husband as you have?"
Beryl tensed her hands and was making every effort to keep them at her sides.
"I shall have him. You will be happy for me as a good sister should. I will join Elysion to the White Moon Kingdom and everyone will love me for it. Help me dress for bed, sister."
"You have your ladies-in-waiting for that," Beryl said walking towards the door.
"You promised my mother that you would be here for me." "Not as your servant!"
"I'm not asking for your servitude, only your respect."
"Respect must be earned. Besides, who could ever respect someone like you?"
"What is that supposed to mean? You sure can be funny." Serenity was laughing almost hysterically.
"You in all these years remain a child! You take everything from me the moment you see it makes me happy. I've watched you do it to your senshi as well. Yes I promised your mother, but you are nothing like her. Its all your fault that she's not here. You killed her! She chose your father, not mine. Everything was fine until you came along. I could live with my own kingdom abandoning me for agreeing to come to her court. I could endure anything if she were there. She was like my mother. But then you were born and killed her! As soon as your father had you he forgot about me overnight. He had you to dote on and spoil! I have not had a friend here since you killed your mother!"
"You will take your words back, Beryl." Serenity no longer had simple sisterly anger in her voice. Her voice was menacing. Her eyes glared through Beryl. The crystal within her began to glow with every step she took towards Beryl.
"I am sorry, my lady," Beryl said falling into a squabbling curtsy.
The glow from Serenity ceased and she smiled once more. "Now dear sister, help me ready for bed."
The room gave way to the garden hedge maze. Serenity and Endymion were playfully running through together.
"You'll have to run faster than that, Serenity."
"What if my goal is for you to catch me?"
"Then you're not understanding the game."
Endymion caught Serenity in his arms. Serenity welcomed those arms and fell into his kiss. Neither noticed that Beryl had stumbled onto them.
Beryl ran off to the palace. "I must see the king. Where can I find him," she asked the first servant she found.
"Oh, Lady Beryl," the woman said curtsying. He is in his study. He asked that we send you to him right away when we saw you. He is in his study."
When Beryl arrived at the king's study he motioned for her to sit opposite him at the desk.
"Beryl, I don't know how to say this, but I have heard from your father."
"What?" Beryl's eyes widened.
"He says you are to return home. There has been some kind of emergency and your queen needs you. He would not give me any further information on the situation. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was very adamant that the queen was demanding you personally to be at her side."
"Oh." Beryl sank into her chair.
"Don't look so upset. You'll be back next year, I'm sure. I've finished all the arrangements for Serenity and Endymion to be married. Serenity will want you there."
"But!" Beryl stopped herself. "I shall prepare my things for travel. When do I leave?"
The study gave way to the ballroom where preparations were underway for a massive event. Servants and senshi were hanging banners and floral garlands all under the watchful eye of Serenity and her father. Her father had aged much in the past year. His hair had become mostly gray and his face sported new wrinkles each day.
"Sire, princess," Pluto said. "The guests from Kinmoku have arrived."
"Splendid," Serenity said. "Send them in."
"Kin…mo…ku? What is that dear?" The king was smiling at Serenity.
"Father, you remember. Kinmoku is where you are from. Your great-niece Princess Kakyuu is coming for the festivities," Serenity reminded him.
Kakyuu entered the room with her three senshi. "Serenity, I so wished we could have met earlier," Kakyuu said as she curtsied to her hostess. "And Uncle Toshirohi, I have heard from mother that you are doing well."
"Oh, right, Kakyuu. Now I remember," the king said.
"Serenity, I almost forgot, these are my senshi, Fighter, Maker, and Healer," Kakyuu smiled.
"Oh if they're not busy they can help with the decoration of the hall. They could decorate with my senshi and you and I could walk the gardens and get better aquainted," Serenity suggested.
"Oh, well they should probably get some rest. The journey was rather tiring for them," Kakyuu smiled. "Where are my rooms? I can let them lay down for a while."
"Venus, Mercury, please escort Fighter, Maker and Healer to the Princess Kakyuu's rooms,"
Serenity said.
Venus and Mercury came quickly to a curtsie and nodded in unison. Fighter, Maker, and Healer followed them down the hall.
"Your princess…Is she always so rude," Fighter asked.
"Fighter," Maker said in a scolding manner.
"No, she's right," Venus said.
"What she means is that our princess has been much doted on and is not aware of anyone who does not continue to spoil her," Mercury said quietly.
"Doesn't she treat you like friends? Kakyuu only makes us curtsy at public events," Healer questioned.
"Serenity only has eyes for Endymion." Venus shook her head. "I am the closest to her only for emergency protocol. Sadly I do not understand her better than the others do."
"I'm sorry," Fighter said. "Forget I said anything."
"Here are your rooms. We have to head back now," Mercury said smiling softly.
Healer and fighter entered. Maker looked up at Mercury and said "Thank you," before shutting the door bend her.
Halfway back to the ballroom Venus and Mercury met with an unsightly Endymion. Both fell into a curtsy.
"Rise quickly please," Endymion said. I need to see the king immediately. I have terrible tidings."
"This way," Mercury said as she and Venus led him to the ballroom.
"Endymion, my love," Serenity said. "What's happened to you?"
"Serenity, we need to cancel the ball tonight and send as many people to safety as possible," Endymion said.
"Cancel it? What could possibly bring cause for this?" Serenity began to cry softly.
"Should I tell my senshi to prepare for anything, Endymion," Kakyuu asked.
"If you can spare them it would help," Endymion nodded.
Kakyuu nodded to Venus and Mercury who ran back to fetch the resting senshi.
"Why does the king not speak," Endymion asked.
"His mind is growing weak with age," Serenity said.
"Then you must make the orders," Endymion said. "Serenity, its Beryl."
"What about her?"
"She came to my kingdom with an army from Hankokana."
"She always was jealous of me."
"Its not about that. She has convinced the people of Elysion that our match is ill-fated. My people have abandoned me. My best friends, my Shittennu have all been trying to convince me to call off the wedding so I can reunite my kingdom."
"Why would they…"
"Beryl said you have a strange power. She said it was dangerous and would only bring suffering to Elysion. Queen Metallia has announced that anyone from Elysion who joins her ranks in attacking the White Moon Kingdom and capturing you would be well rewarded."
"So it is an authorized military action," Kakyuu asked.
"It appears as such," Endymion said.
Serenity and Endymion went onto the terrace. All of the senshi were now on high alert and made sure to keep Serenity in sight. Pluto maintained close contact with Kakyuu and Serenity. The Shittennu had arrived and were knelt before Endymion. Pluto and Saturn were at-the-ready. It was Kunzite who made the move. He came at Serenity with his sword. Before anyone could do anything Endymion stepped between to take the fatal blow meant for his bride.
"Now, Saturn," Pluto said as she opened her time portal. All of the Senshi, the Shittennu, Princess Kakyuu, Lady Beryl, and even Queen Metallia, as swayed as she was from her true self were now standing in the space between time. The portal remained as a window for all to view through.
Serenity dropped to her knees at Endymion's side. "Endymion!" The scream was filled with anguish. The princess looked around her and saw no one was near. Slowly she rose to her feet. She looked around. "Endymion is dead. His own man killed him. Endymion is dead. Nothing else matters. Nothing else matters if Endymion is dead."
The audience through the portal watched in horror as Princess Serenity unleashed her power in an explosion that destroyed everything.
"How far did she reach with that?" Kakyuu could not even cry. It was too much of a shock.
"Further than I have ever had to reach," Saturn shuddered.
"She's still such a child," Beryl said.
"And you're better?" Jupiter glared threateningly at Beryl. Most of the other White Moon senshi followed suit.
"Everyone stop! Please just…Look, we need to figure out what to do," Pluto said interrupting everyone.
"Well, what exactly can we do? Serenity destroyed it all," Venus said mournfully.
"We all know that Serenity was spoiled and never had anyone around who could teach her how to fully appreciate her power or even instruct her in any way," Pluto said. "Since the beginning, Saturn and I have known she would do this. That is why you are all safely here. We are going to build her future, all of us."
"How do we do that?" Fighter's eyes bored into Pluto's.
"I will show you the nether," Saturn said calmly. Raising her glaive to Pluto's window, violet energy shot through and what had been the ruins of their kingdom was now the afterworld that Serenity and Endymion shared. Serenity cared for nothing except that she was with Endymion. While Endymion had a sadness in his eyes, he was truly happy to be with Serenity. The two danced in an endless desert.
"What we do is create a future for all of us. Everything and everyone that Serenity has destroyed, must be restored and sent to that future,"Pluto said.
"Can such a thing be done?" Kakyuu looked hopefully at Pluto.
"It will not be easy, but yes it can be done," Pluto said. "Saturn and I have been hoping for the best but planning for the worst."
"She will need a host with a different heart and mind to heal her from her own poisoned soul," Saturn said. "We need to focus on a normal girl. The princess can be born dormant and separate from that girl, but share her body. Should trouble arise, we will need to ensure that she not only has her senshi, but she should BE a senshi to help her better learn her powers."
"Of course releasing too much of that power too soon would probably wake Serenity up. We would have to keep it consistent and slow," Mars added.
"Exactly," Pluto said.
"This new ordinary girl and potential senshi should be made aware at some point that she is a princess, but what do we tell her about her kingdom," Neptune asked.
"We give her memories filled with love. We tell her the princess was pure love and compassion, unlike this reality we see," Uranus said.
"Her mother," Beryl said. "She needs to know more about her mother."
"And the power within her," Metallia asked.
"We tell her it comes from her transformation object or some such thing," Mercury said. "If she doesn't think it is inside her own body perhaps it won't scare her. Perhaps she can even learn to trust in herself when it comes to others, for the right reasons."
"She should be within someone who is kinder to those around her," Fighter said.
"She needs a personal guardian who is more of a teacher than a guard," Venus said. It should be in an unexpected form so as not to draw attention to her."
"You should have one too then Venus," Jupiter added. "You are our leader and we need you to have a trainer and guide as well."
"What happens to us?" Healer looked nervous.
"We are sent to the future as well with these same false memories. It is the only way," Maker said.
Saturn dipped her glaive through the window. Serenity and Endymion froze. A large sphere of violet energy surrounded them. "Lend me your power to complete the seal. The princess cannot awaken until the new senshi has shown her the way."
"What happens when she has learned," Kakyuu asked.
"Then the princess and the prince can be free. We may all remember the truth. And the hosts can be set free," Pluto added. "All of us will be within hosts who have meager memories of us."
"What will happen to the hosts?" Fighter once again looked Pluto directly in the eye.
"That is up to them. The host will have proven themselves to be a true senshi so they can continue on that path either by melding with the returning soul, or by completing the divide. The royal hosts could never be our princess or prince," Pluto said.
"And how exactly do we get sent to the future with these new memories," Healer asked.
"We're reincarnated," Maker said. "Correct, Saturn? You're going to kill us all to complete the seal, aren't you?"
"Yes," Saturn said flatly.
"Kakyuu," Pluto said. "You and your blood kin will have the truth. The princess is of your blood and I know that your kingdoms will not meet before she begins to awaken. You will know not to say anything to her or to your senshi."
Uranus and Neptune looked into each other deeply and smiled. "To the gates of hell," they said in unison as they gave their power to Saturn.
One-by-one everyone gave their power to Saturn. Soon all but Pluto went through the window. Through the window Pluto added her power, then watched as a silent flash left everyone dead.
Sailor Pluto turned to Sailor Star Maker. "This is what we are trying to stop the princess from doing. If she is acting and Usagi is not aware of it, then part of the seal we all built has already been compromised. If the princess escapes before she learns to let go and allow Usagi to live her own life free of her control, then the future is no more."
"How far did she reach last time, Pluto?"
"Galaxia had false memories from that time period if that answers you question at all. Beyond her I'm not sure how far she reached."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Do not discourage Usagi and Seiya. Usagi has mastered more power from within than Princess Serenity ever did. You know who would win if it came to that. Yes, Serenity is our princess, but we also know that Usagi would never cause her harm, so what cause would we have to defend her? This must not be mentioned to the others…"
"Not even Seiya?"
"Especially not Seiya. If he found out too soon who knows what might happen."
"So when do we meet the Lady Beryl and the Shittennu?"
Pluto simply shook her head no and looked down.
"They're already dead," Maker pondered out loud. "At least Kakyuu will have one more she can share her burden with. Should I invite her to come stay for a while?"
"Not yet. I'll let you know in a few days. I need to fully awaken Saturn in case something happens again."
"Hope for the best but prepare for the worst."
"You know it, Maker."
(Now I'm going to rest for a bit but I should post more tomorrow! Thanks again for reading everyone!)