Epilogue

"We are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers, to conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored. The issues, involving divergent ideals and ideologies, have been determined on the battlefields of the world and hence are not for our discussion or debate. Nor is it for us here to meet, representing as we do a majority of the people of the earth, in a spirit of distrust, malice or hatred. But rather it is for us, both victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity which alone befits the sacred purposes we are about to serve, committing all our people unreservedly to faithful compliance with the understanding they are here formally to assume. It is my earnest hope, and indeed the hope of all mankind, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past - a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice." General Douglas McArthur's speech at the Japanese Surrender and the end of WWII

It was not long before Bleetra was set in the throne, and a broadcast was put forth to all the Gnarl on their home world, and to the armed forces. Mercury worked with the Gnarl doctors to insure she was comfortable and stable. Because of her harsh reactions to things, her paralysis weakened her, and Squila was now a broken Gnarl. All she could say was, "Mother, grandmother, I failed to avenge you!"

She was not in her right mind, as her failure to attain a vain revenge that meant nothing by that point, and had only grown into delusions of grandeur, had pushed her over the edge. Still, she had to stand for her crimes, and a tribunal was to be set up by the worlds involved under the auspices and conditions of surrender agreed to by the Gnarl. One thing that surprised Squila was that she who vanquished her was not vengeful herself. Oddly enough, she insisted, (with much protest from the queen of Great Mound,) that no death penalty be sought. Serenity even insisted that, though she would be detained, she was to be treated well. The first thing, however, was that Squila had to be seated by her daughter as Bleetra sat with the royal crown on her head and made the call for unconditional surrender. It was the only way to insure that the troops lay down their arms. Squila had to be there to show them that this was not some ruse. Military was military, and unless they were fully convinced that the cause was lost, they would never surrender. Bleetra insured the people that her mother had lost the ability to rule, and that Bleetra desired peace. Bleetra assured them that the whole thing was caused by her mother's…what she referred to as "sick time"…and that her mother realized that it was now a lost cause. The other nobility agreed to the crown exchange, and they all had their turns to speak. Although there were a few pockets here and there that would not believe that it was over, the troops all surrendered.

The Gnarl was surprised that their foes were actually peaceful and kind occupiers. They wanted them to continue their culture, and live their lives. Those that had not wanted war took them in readily and did all they could to help build a new world. Those who had supported the old empress were reluctant at first to help, but then, as they saw that their occupiers were nothing like the propaganda had told them, they too began to ease up and allow for things. Soon, the formal surrender took place, the allies all agreed that, after the tribunal of all war criminals took place, and after one Earth year of observation, if they were shown to be peaceful, then they could now join the alliance that was forming. They all together could form one united government that allowed for each system's sovereignty, but would also unite them as one.

The tribunal itself was an interesting one, as full decorum and jurisprudence was followed, and everyone got a fair trial. Though Squila was a broken Gnarl now, some of her generals and aids that had command with her were defiant as ever. They continued to hold the position that the whole thing was illegal, and that the Gnarl was being tricked. They needed to rise up to oust the occupiers, yet, because Bleetra was showing to be a great ruler, the people's instincts to follow her had transferred over, and the leaders' words fell on deaf ears. Only those that had been closest to the old empress stayed loyal to her. King Grenj had also turned himself in, considering that, he had worn a crown under his wife's rulership. Yet, there was enough that could vouch that he had little to do with the whole thing to the point where standing trial was not needed. However, he still surrendered his crown as a way of saying that he would no longer have a part in rule as a sign of peace and change that his beloved daughter wanted to bestow…what he worked hard to instill in his offspring. His daughter still gave him an advisory position anyway, considering that she needed all the help she could get in building a new world. He also gave him a position as an ambassador to the Nekonians so that a new world could be sought for them.

Once the tribunals were over, all involved were sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole, but Squila would still be treated well, and put under house arrest. While this was going on, the Nekonians and Grenj with his Gnarl representatives had gone to the world called after Neo-Queen Serenity to see what further work the archeologists had done. They had further found how deep a relationship that the Nekonians and the Gnarl had once had, and they realized that this friendship needed to be fostered and flourish again. Thus, the new alliance all agreed that Serenity would be the new Nekonian home world. That world still needed to be settled and tamed, but, once the old records could be studied, they could find out how they had done it before, and make this a new home. Queen Serenity herself insisted that the world be renamed whatever the Nekonians wanted, but they insisted it still be called for her as gratitude for all that the Sol system had done for them. Wounds were being healed, but there was one more wound that needed healing.

A guard opened the door to the spacious and luxurious apartment that was provided for Squila who seemed to be wasting away. She did not want to eat or associate with anyone. Something had to be done. Bleetra entered in, and Squila turned her chair away from her. "Mother," said Bleetra, "This cannot go on."

Squila sat silent. She acted as if her own daughter did not exist. Bleetra hung her head, and then said, "Mother, you have to let it go."

Still, no answer came. Bleetra then said, "It's no use."

"Let me try," said another, familiar voice.

Into the room stepped Neo-Queen Serenity in her usual gown, bearing the staff that had brought defeat to Squila not but a month before. Squila saw this behind her in the mirror she faced and her eyes went wide. Serenity then said, "Fear not, because this is also an instrument of healing."

She then tipped it and said, "Moon Healing Escalation."

The Silver Moon Crystal began to glow warmly, and the room filled with rainbow colors all around, as if one was standing in the combination of a prism and a kaleidoscope. Squila felt warmth overcome her, and suddenly, feeling began to return to her legs. Once it was over, Bleetra said, "Mother, you should be able to stand now."

Squila, in complete surprise and awe stood up and, after a few unsteady and unsure steps, started to walk around. Tears were now filling her eyes, and she looked at Serenity in confusion. "Why?" she asked, "Why do you show this kindness to me after all I have done?"

"I am the guardian of justice," answered Serenity, "But I am also the guardian of love. Love conquers all things, and has actually conquered more people than war. I never wanted war, because my people had only known peace for 500 years after we remerged from the aftermath of our Great Cataclysm so many centuries before. I also know your desire to conquer was only because your mother and grandmother felt so insecure about what happened to your grandfather after the treachery that killed him that they wanted to conquer all just to prevent it happening again. They instilled a grudge on you of which you had nothing to do. The threat was long gone, and you felt you had to do only because that was all you knew. Truly, for what you commanded to happen to Nekonia, there were many who called for your blood, but I told them that this would not make anything better. We have to be better than that. Despite that, your two worlds have made amends, and have sought to restore the peace that once existed between your two peoples. Yes, you must stay in this state of arrest, for there are crimes you committed. Yet, that does not mean that you have to go on hating and acting as if your life is over. I wanted to see you healed to show you that, if the alliance can change their attitudes towards your people, you could change too. Please, let go of hate that really did not involve you, and know that there are people that love you, and want to see you well despite all you did, for that…is what love is."

Squila stood there for a while, stunned at what she had heard, and feeling, for the first time in her life, true love. This was the first time she had ever felt love like this. She had no idea what to do with it, yet, because of that, she now began to see how wrong she had been. She collapsed to her knees, begging forgiveness from all of whom she had wronged, and from her daughter. Bleetra went to her knees and embraced her, helping her to understand love.

Sadly, however, though healing had taken place, the guilt could not be removed, and only amplified. About three days after the visit, a guard came in to give her a lunch, and found that Squila had hung herself with her own bed sheets. A note was found that read as follows:

"To my beloved people, and to my children:

It had to be this way. I never understood love before, and I was heartened when I finally learned from the beautiful queen of the Earth just how to love. It was such a good feeling, and greater than anything that I had ever felt before. This is something that all peoples everywhere need to learn. Yet, I also now know just how wrong I was, and even to be permitted to live well and to live at all was a grace that never should have been extended to me. Many others suffered because of me: they are dead, crippled, homeless, and orphans, and yet I live far better than I should as compared to what I caused. I know that what was extended to me was indeed a sign of love, and indeed, I understand and appreciate what was done. I am so grateful that I was able to make peace with my eldest daughter, and I am grateful that she is going to be such a great ruler of my people. Please, forgive me, Bleetra, and all my children, for what I feel I must now do, because you must understand: to continue living with the knowledge of what I have done, even though I now hold no grudges to any, and I now know love, was torture to me. I looked at my nice gowns and surroundings, the fine meals, the kindness extended to me despite the tyranny that I spread, and I realized this is far more than I deserved. It is not right that it is this way. Even though it would have been nice to see my children grow well, and the grandchildren they would bring to me, in truth, it would have hurt more, knowing those that would never have that privilege because of me. I had to pay a price more than what I was asked to pay by Serenity and the tribunal, and this way, I shall have peace. Do not think of this as a sad death, but as the releasing of a burdened soul who felt that this was the only way to make right what she had done, and wherever I end up, I know that it will be better than here, and I will have a new start. I love you all. I love you my daughter, and, for the Maker's sake, look after the people."

Many cried "good riddance" throughout the star systems when this news was heard, yet others mourned bitterly. Bleetra was inconsolable for a time, but came to terms with this as well, and insured that she was buried in a quiet ceremony in privacy, as her mother would have wanted. In a sense, it was the punctuation mark on the whole thing, and at last, all was over.

Two months later, Serenity was heading into her second trimester, and she again visited Mercury for a checkup. It could be seen clearly now that the queen was with child, and the kingdom rejoiced at this. During the examination, however, Mercury took a sample of amniotic fluid to examine the health of the child. As she looked at it, Serenity made mention of the dreams she had after the surrender. She kept dreaming of Saturn, and felt like she was giving her counsel. She felt it was silly…up until Mercury made an announcement to Serenity. "Your Majesty…Usa-chan," said Mercury, with a curious smile, "That may not be as odd as you think."

Serenity looked at her oddly, but Mercury then said, "I have found two things in the examination: your child is a girl and her genetics…"

She paused, not knowing how to say it, because it was so bizarre, and after a few moments of thought said, "If my records on all the scouts are accurate, the genes of the fetus match the genetic structure of one Hotaru Tomae…Sailor Princess Saturn."

Serenity just stared at her, eyes bugged out and slack jawed. She finally stuttered, "You…you mean…"

Mercury smiled and said, "Just like she said, she would come back again, and you are the one to bear her."

Shock soon turned to elation as both women screamed with glee. They embraced and then rushed to the communicators to announce to the rest of the scouts what had been found. Pluto was in tears of joy, as was Neptune, while Uranus just smiled contentedly. The other scouts were bouncing around like four-year old girls at a birthday party hyped up with a ton of sugar. No one was more pleased than Usagi—Chibiusa—because, now, her oldest and dearest friend, was going to be her little sister. This could not have been greater news. When Serenity returned to the Earth palace, her friends were there, and they threw a baby shower for the ages. They spent hours recalling tales, adventures, and especially those that involved Saturn. Indeed, the Phoenix had arisen from the ashes. It was late when they all went home, and now it was just Luna and Serenity as Serenity sat by an open window, looking at the full moon in the sky. The now green and blue orb shown brightly, with the seas that faced the Earth forming the rabbit in the moon better than history ever could have imagined. Luna jumped up onto Serenity's lap and curled up, saying, "So much good came from the sadness we have seen."

Serenity began to stroke Luna and said, "I cannot believe that everyone turned out better for the wear despite all that happened."

After a few moments of silence, Luna then said, "I recall it so long ago, as if it was yesterday. I remember the timid 14-year old girl that came to my aid and showed kindness to me where others would not. I remember showing you who you were, and I remember your reluctance to want to be what you became. It seemed that you had regrets then. Do you have any regrets now?"

Serenity looked back at the moon again, smiled a gentle smile, and began to rock as she stroked Luna and said, "I have none at all."

Soon, both of them were falling asleep from the long and exhausting, but nonetheless splendid day, and as she drifted off, Serenity thought, "I am Neo-Queen Serenity. I could name an age, but it would be pointless now. At one time, I was Usagi Tsukino, and I was just a poor student, and a bit of a crybaby. That's all. No one ever would have expected me to be anything in life, but, because of the love of a cat, a man in a mask, and many good friends, they helped me be more than my dreams ever could have imagined. I feel like I am living a dream, but I hope that it is a dream that never ends, and it will be all right."

The End