A New Hope

Chapter fourteen: The Underground

Galaxia led Rika to a underground cavern. It was very quiet as the people milling about stopped to stare at the new comer, trying to decide whether she was friend or foe. It was like an entire city, with houses, a park, shops. The only thing they were lacking was sunlight. Rika looked at all the weary faces and wondered if she was making the right choice. Could she really defeat Diamond and save these people so they could return to the world above? Suddenly, a little girl darted away from her mother, who tried to pull her back. The little girl ran over to Galaxia and threw her arms around the older woman.

"Did you bring help?" She asked. Galaxia smiled and knelt down to the girl's level.

"As a matter of fact, I did" She stood up and cleared her throat. "Town meeting, in the center of the city in 20 minutes. Pass it on!" Galaxia led Rika to one of the homes and led her inside. Once they were situated in the living room, Rika turned to Galaxia.

"How did you manage this without Diamond noticing?" She asked. Galaxia sighed.

"It wasn't easy, believe me. We have to sneak around at the dead of night to get supplies and things, which is why we choose those with powers for that task. Some of these people found themselves homeless, because they couldn't pay the taxes or jobless because they refused a card. Some of them were prisoners sentenced to death. Luckily, we have an insider working for Diamond. He writes up the death paperwork, and then we whisk the "dead" here" Galaxia explained. Rika nodded slowly.

"Hopefully we can defeat Diamond soon" She said. "So that these people can venture back into the sunlight" Galaxia noddded. She glanced at her watch.

"It is time" She said.

When they got the the center of the underground city, it was packed with people. Galaxia led Rika up to the podium.

"People of the underground, I have good news. The heir to Serenity's line is alive" She announced. Everyone cheered. "Please welcome her royal highness, Princess Rikana, daughter of Small Lady Serenity" Everyone cheered some more. Galaxia motioned for Rika to say something. She stepped forward.

"Thank you, it means alot to me" She said. "Those of you who have immortality knew my mother and grandmother. I wish I had been able to spend more time with them, maybe then I would feel ready to step in thier shoes. My mother was a kind and graceful ruler as was my father. Every Sailor Scout has been found, which means we can fight Diamond and take back the throne" Cheers arose. "With every breath in my body I will fight to avenge the royal line and stope Diamond's madness, then once again you can return to the surface above"

"All hail Princess Rikana, the rightful Queen of Tokyo" The people cheered. Rika smiled.

"I need anyone who is willing and capable of fighting to come to the world above. Galaxia will know where to go. Together we will defeat Diamond and win this war!" Rika left the underground city, cheers following her as she resurfaced to the world above. As she was walking home, she was suddenly accosted by two of Diamond's policemen.

"Let go of me" She demanded.

"Diamond would like to see you" One of the policemen said. Rika paled. Had he found out who she was?

"Why does he want to see me?" She asked. "I haven't done anything wrong" The policeman sighed.

"We just take orders miss" He replied. "we don't ask" Rika spotted Solaris watching from a few feet away. He was in his human form, of course, to remain inconspicuous.

"Can you wait one moment. I just need to tell my brother, so my parents don't worry" She pointed to Solaris. The policemen nodded and she walked over to him, quickly explaining what was going on.

"I don't know what he wants, but if I am not back by tonight, go to phase one" She whispered. Solaris nodded and she walked back to the policemen and climbed into the van.

When Rika got to the palace, she pretended to be enamered by the huge palace, even though it sickened her to see Diamond seated on her Mother's throne.

"You don't need to pretend that you like it" Diamond said sharply. "I know you don't" Rika was unsure what to say. Diamond smirked. "I bet you thought I wouldn't track down the crystal, didn't you?" He asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about, your majesty" Rika said, bowing low to the ground.

"Oh, really?" Diamond asked. "You see, I placed a tracker on the crystal, incase someone would attempt to steal it. The trace led me straight to you. I understand why one might want to steal the crystal, but no one gets away with theft in my kingdom"

"This isn't your kingdom" Rika spat. "And even if I did have the crystal, it wasn't yours to begin with" Diamond was beginning to grow impatient.

"Just give me the crystal and you can be on your way" He snapped. Rika glared at him.

"I DO NOT HAVE IT" She snapped back.

"Search her" He ordered the guards. The guards searched her bag, and the pockets of her clothes.

"It is not here, sire" One of the guards informed him. Diamond sat back.

"I know you have it. My tracer never lies. it indicates that you have it right...." He trailed off as he stared at her, comprehension dawning on his face. Rika face got even paler.

"So, they thought they could hide you all these years, didn't they?" He asked, smirking.

"I don't know what you mean" Rika whispered.

"Oh don't you, Princess" Diamond said mockingly. "Guards, throw her in the dungeon"