-AN
Today has been a good day, we're still alive, the world continues to turn, and tomorrow is still promised. Well, maybe on the last one. But let's all focus on the good while we can.
- Story Start -
Past Ranma never would have imagined he would be able to have a peaceful moment with such a large group of friends before. Anytime a group larger than three showed up in Nerima after all, it usually ended up in a brawl. However on this Sunday if found himself, his mother and daughter(still felt weird to say), Shampoo, Ukyo, and Usagi along with her usual friends all enjoying a picnic at the park. Seated far away from the artificial lake and any other water features, Ranma was almost completely content. Shampoo was currently showing off some of her skills with Usa, turning her natural flexibility and grace into an impromptu acrobatics routine. Ukyo was cooking, a focused grin on her face, while his mother and Makoto were emptying out a few picnic baskets worth of food. Rei and Minako were arguing over some manga or another, while Ami was quietly reading next to the pair, computer open and working through something she had tried to explain to him but went way over his head. And him?
Ranma was enjoying the usual dangerous pastime of sitting between two women who seemed very at odds with each other. While Akane was working on her feelings and her temper, the info that apparently he had a daughter from the future with another woman, was not on her list of things to enjoy on a Sunday. So to, Usagi seemed to have a problem with the girl who usually bashed his skull in any time she felt insecure. While not actively fighting, Ranma did absolutely feel like if he moved even a millimeter in either direction would probably start the next magical girl civil war. Akane did have that magical power armor incident, and Usagi was a literal magical princess, or was it queen now?
"Hey uh, Usagi, I got a question for ya."
"Of course Ranma, anything for a good friend." Voice and tone chipper, but the emphasis had Akane bristling and Ranma sighing.
"Well, technically since you were a princess right? And all the others are part of your court and guardians, aren't you technically queen now?" Ranma wasn't worried about anyone nearby over hearing them. Everyone in his group now knew what was the truth behind the senshi due to Usa, and the rest of the park goers were all healthy distances away.
"Well uh." Usagi gained a thoughtful look as she rested a cheek in a raised hand, "I guess so? I don't really have a people to rule over though…hey Setsuna?" Looking up, Usagi screamed as a dainty hand rested on her shoulder,
"Yes my lady?" Smirk on her face, the ruby eyed beauty was enjoying herself.
"Am I technically a queen?" Hand on her chest to calm a racing heart, the others who were paying attention were looking at the elder senshi for an answer as well. In the distance a laughing Usa rode on Shampoo's shoulders while they ran away from a for some reason blushing Haruka.
"Absolutely. With the fall of the silver millennium and your and your courts rebirths, the line of Serenity has been re-established. You were never really just a moon princess, you've always been our queen. You could rebuild the moon palace at this point with your current strength and power." Happily divulging answers now that the correct question had been asked directly, once again Setsuna was very pleased at the surprised face that was dawning on everyone's faces.
"Wait wait wait. But I don't have a kingdom! Or a palace, and it's not like I can just go to the moon and and-I can't be a queen already!"
Stepping back and adopting a military adjacent resting pose, Setsuna puffed her chest out slightly, "As our beloved monarch falls, so to gives rise to the next. The Serenity line has continued, our queen is dead, long live the queen." Though no louder than their conversational tone, something resonated deep within all of the senshi present. Smirk now wider, Setsuna bowed deeply, "What is a kingdom but her people, and here before you are survivors of such. We are your court and your people. You lead, we follow, young Queen."
Something stirring both within her and the moon crystal itself, Usagi wanted to flail her arms and argue against it. It wasn't fair! First a mom and now a Queen? When did something fun start to happen in her life? No No NO! She wasn't focusing on any of it, she needed sweets and delicious food right now. "Nope! I'm done for today, I need cookies and ice cream in triple!"
Bemused but still full of questions, it was Nodoka who walked over to hand out picnic food and drinks. "Well things are lively as always, what did I miss?"
Sighing and turning away from a pouting Usagi who was being consoled by a chuckling Michiru and Hotaru, Ranma shrugged at his mother, "Apparently Usagi is a queen of a long lost civilization. What're the chances huh?" Seeing the lidded look on the older woman's face, Ranma nodded, "Yeah, it all makes sense huh."
"Saotome's have always had the devil's luck." Seeing a catatonic look on the young Tendo's face, Nodoka placed a hand over her own, "Akane dear, are you alright?"
Shaking herself before turning to look up at the older woman, Akane nodded, "Yeah, I think." Taking a can of juice from the woman, she mumbled to herself just loud enough for the two Saotome's to hear, "How do I compete against a literal Queen? That's not fair at all." Leaving her to her mumbling, it was Ranma her turned to a pleasant looking Setsuna who was now sitting and drinking from a thermos.
"You mentioned a palace? As in a real honest to kami Queen and King's home palace?" Setsuna nodded, "That's, a lot."
Setsuna nodded, "If I remember the systems correctly, it should still be intact, just hidden from view and in a state of hibernation, so to speak." Looking up in thought for a moment, Setsuna snapped her fingers, "In fact, I think all of us scouts should have enough power by now to be able to perform a sailor teleport straight there."
It was Ami who chimed in now from her spot on the blanket, looking up from her book, "Why haven't you told us about this before?"
Setsuna pointed at the still pouting and complaining Usagi, "Until she asked me directly I could not divulge any information pertaining to facilities, equipment, or information that led back to the silver millennium. By her mothers decree I can also, only truly answer to the crown."
"Oh, so if I ask about assets still left over from the previous queen, you wouldn't be obligated to answer me?" Amy again tried to figure out the logic of the time mistresses rules.
"Less no obligated and more ordered not to. I only truly answer to the Queen." Setsuna shrugged now while looking up at the moon, "Trust me, it's for everyone's safety in the end."
"Ugh, and what does Amy mean by assets from the previous Queen? What does that even mean?" A now frustrated Usagi asked.
Seeming to think for a moment, Setsuna nodded "Assets mean any material object left over from the Silver Millennium. In this case, to my knowledge there are roughly several hundred operational facilities, space stations, satellites, ships, and of course, the functional time gate." Seeing everyone blinking at her in silence, the time mistress again shrugged, "The previous Queen was big on building things to last. While most of the satellites and ships will probably need to be scrapped, there are more than a few that are probably serviceable."
Deciding that she could no longer deal with any of the information Setsuna had just dropped on them, Usagi turned to Ami, "You're interested in stuff like this, you figure out just what the heck Setsuna is talking about." Turning to from a wide eyed Ami to a smug Setsuna with finger pointing accusingly Usagi's frown only deepened, "Answer her questions and leave nothing out. I'm getting stuffed and nothing is going to stop me." Turning away with a huff and ignoring several snorts from Minako and Makoto both, she turned pleading eyes to Ranma, "You'll go find me some ice cream won't you? You won't betray me like a certain green haired witch will you?"
Rolling his eyes and standing, Ranma stretched and got the real message loud and clear for once, "Alright alright I'm gone. Akane you-" Seeing a warning look from the girl, he shook his head and looked around before spotting Usa and Shampoo giggling over something, "Hey Usa, Shampoo, wanna go on a ice cream run?" Having to raise his voice a bit as he started walking their way, he was met with two quick agreements as they quickly headed back towards the busy streets.
Akane thought long and hard about what she wanted to say to the irritated woman next to her. Where before she had come out of the gates angry and jealous, that had only pushed a wedge between her and Ranma. But this girl already had a leg up on her apparently, they had a kid together! Well, from the future sure, but still, it was proof that eventually they were together. Sighing with a dejected look, Akane held out a hand to a confused Usagi, "Usually this is the part where I get angry and say stay away from my fiancee. But I think, things will work out however they work out. Being jealous isn't going to help me." Though maybe trying to be the more mature one would. Girl could still dream.
Taking the girl's hand and shaking it once, Usagi nodded, "Right now Ranma is just my friend. I hadn't even thought of a relationship or kids or anything like that." Thinking over the last couple of months with the martial arts teacher though, she could say it was the most comfortable and natural she had been with another boy in a while. "So if we could at least be friends, that'd be great." Smiling at the blue haired girl, Usagi was always willing to make more friends.
Nodoka smiled and sat back into a comfortable position, "Oh it's always so nice to see sister wives start to get along." Ignoring the sputtering and rapid denials from the girls, Nodoka turned to Ukyo who was now joining them on the large family blanket, "When are you going to start making your move dear?"
"Uhhhh, honestly I'm just enjoying not having to fight constantly like we were before." Seeing the heated look that briefly crossed Akane's face Ukyo shrugged and admitted her feelings, "Sure being adopted into the clan is nice and did take care of my engagement agreement, but I do love Ranma. That hasn't changed." Unsaid was if she would do anything with those feelings or not. Which for everyone present, they weren't going to push her.
Pointing at the brunette, Minako tossed out a question, "How did you meet Ranma in the first place? Everyone seems to have such crazy stories involving him."
Ukyo blinked before explain their time has kids. The playing, her dad and his dad frequently drinking and planning together. The training that she got to see Ranma go through, and eventually his bastard of a father running off with their cart along with a clueless Ranma waving goodbye. And then skipping forward to their eventual reunion and the realization that Ranma though she was a boy the whole time, not a girl. "I still wanna pound Genma into the dirt sometimes."
"A childhood promise turned into a later life love! It's so cute!" Minako gushed and was shaking a dizzy Makoto back and forth.
"Well, we can say a lot about my husband's parenting skills, or lack thereof. But as a martial arts trainer, he was probably the best." Nodoka muttered out, gaining everyone's attention. And incredulous looks from Akane and Ukyo. "Well think about it, from all their travels, Genma made deals, cultivated challengers, and angered rivals all over japan and even some of china. Then came home to roost and set up a situation that mean Ranma would literally almost never run out of both challengers or potential love interests. He made sure that Ranma could continue to work and be the best without having to leave the comfort of home anymore, and if those things had continued, Genma himself would have had to run the dojo while Ranma would have had to fight a constant stream of rivals and challengers to his name." Sighing and rest a dainty hand on her cheek she once again wished her husband could have applied that energy to actually being a decent person instead, "It was smart though underhanded and lazy. But considering his own teacher I'm not too surprised."
Akane wasn't to deny that he was any type of smart at all, considering him on the same level of a bag of rocks sometimes, before she had to really think about it. "That's why he was fine with Ranma being so socially stunted and he only barely cared if Ranma went to school. As long as Ranma was reliant on him to run things, he could continue to pocket money while Ranma did all the hard work." Objectively sure it was smart, if you were a conman.
Ukyo sighed and looked up into the clear sky while leaning back on her hands, "That makes a lot of sense now. Probably why it seemed like sometimes he would do his best to push you and Ranma together, but then also somehow help out one of us other rivals occasionally. His situation only got better the more chaos there was." Oh she was so going to pound the panda flat next time she saw him.
Nodoka smiled sweetly, unnerving all of the younger women, "Just remember girls I will be having, words, with my husband first. Then you can have your pound of flesh." Oh yes, seppuku contract null and void sure, but she still had her own grievances to air out with the man. And some frustrations too.
Rei was batting Usagi's hand away from one of her manga before piping up with a question of her own, "Well, I don't know about you, but I am curious about this palace. Do we wanna try giving it a visit tonight? It'll probably be the only time we'll have until next week." Their patrols were starting to get scattered between who was available and who wasn't. School was going to start back up soon, and everyone was beginning to become busy.
"I'm down, we may learn something too while we're there." Makoto nodded while giving in and handing a plate of sweets over to Usagi. She still had no idea where she put it all.
As the rest of the group gave their assent and went to their own small conversations while they waiting for their missing members to return. Setsuna only briefly looked up as a frazzled Ami, computer now directly linked to the remnants of the moon queendom's satellite network, had stopped asking her questions finally to allow for someone else to enter her personal space. That person being a thoughtful Nodoka who took up space next to the older woman.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself with these children. I'll assume you were meant to be their guide?" Nodoka handed over a small pastry from the sweets basket, already pretty low.
"Something like that. The previous Queen gave me the task of looking over the re-incarnations of the previous senshi and the princess. Now that they are beginning to come into the powers on their own, I'm no longer needed to look after them so much as act as a mentor." Looking over the peaceful group, with a few additions that seemed to be meshing well together. Makoto and Ukyo now trading recipes while Minako tired to include Akane into a discussion about fall fashion. Smiling at it all Setsuna nodded, "I seem to have less work to do lately is all, so I can enjoy myself a bit."
"But that seems lonely doesn't it. You guide them and mentor them, but have you truly made an effort to be a part of them?" Used to years on her own herself, Nodoka was used to the look of loneliness that crossed Setsuna's eyes as she had seen it enough in her own.
"Perhaps. But I'm much, much older than anyone else. I didn't have the benefit of dying and skipping the last few thousand years after all." She was quiet enough that no one was really paying attention and opening up even that much was more than enough for today.
"Well I think it's good to have someone who can listen to you without judgement from time to time." Pulling a brown thermos from somewhere on her person, Nodoka gave Setsuna a conspiratorial wink, "A toast to a new day?"
Taking the thermos and opening it to the smell of sweet alcohol, Setsuna raised an eyebrow before taking a small drink. Coughing lightly but then moaning softly as the heat traveled down her throat, she passed the liquor back to the smirking woman next to her, "That tastes familiar. Whiskey?"
Nodding and taking a drink herself, Nodoka let loose a long sigh, "I had a lot of time to myself, to think, plan, worry. I can't imagine thousands of years to do such, but even a decade nearly unmade me." Passing the drink back with a smile and a pat to the actually older woman even if she didn't look it, Nodoka smiled, "But just like me, I hope you can continue to find your happiness."
It was to this scene that a wet and female Ranma, and grinning Usa, and a smiling and ice cream tub laden Shampoo walked back to. Seeing their friends and family getting loud and rowdy on such a peaceful day was nice. And for once there wasn't a fight involved. Watching a skipping Usa run forward to tackle an unaware Usagi while Shampoo dropped herself between Ukyo and Makoto to begin dishing out the ice-cream, Ranma could do nothing else but smile. That and fend off a grabby Haruka and surprisingly Minako.
-b-
It was later that night however, with all of the senshi plus Ranma situated within his dojo. Shutters closed and lights dimmed, the Ami again tried to explain what they were about to do.
"So you guys can teleport, and apparently we're taking a trip to the moon? Why again am I coming?" No willing to temp fate considering his track record with magic, Ranma would have been more than happy to stay behind.
"Call it moral support hot stuff, things are different now because of you, why not come join us on an adventure?" It was Minako who grabbed him and steered him into the circle they had formed. Holding each other's hands, with a blushing Ranma stuck between Minako and Usagi, it was Setsuna who spoke up,
"You're the one who will direct us Usagi. So you have to think about the moon palace. Do you best to visualize it from whatever memories you can bring up. The magic and your subconscious will take care of the rest." Hands linked with Hotaru and Usa, Setsuna began adding her own power to the link.
"Got it, think of the palace, think of the palace…"
"Anyone else suddenly worried?" Haruka joked before with a jolt they were floating through a magical space before just as quickly touching down within a cavernous space. Disoriented and immediately hit with a bout of motion sickness, it took a lot for Haruka not to lose her lunch. "Oh boy."
A little wobbly on her feet, Rei was much the same, "You can say that again. Don't think we've ever teleported that far before. So I'm guessing we made it huh meatball head?" When her friend and leader didn't respond, Rei and the others looked to see a slightly out of it Usagi was looking around quietly. "Usagi?"
Pointing in what looked like a random direction, Usagi's rather vacant eyes were half focused on something they all couldn't see, "We're in the underground hangar, the actual palace is this way." Looking up into the gloom, Usagi frowned, "Lights!" With a deep hum, the space came alive with light. The space was still empty, but now they could see rubble in between evenly spaced columns and a lonely but heavily damaged ship of some type off in a corner. Where she had been pointing at first were a set of stairs, at least 4 people wide, that led upward. Walking off without a word, Usagi led the group deeper into the space.
Leaning into Ami, Makoto tried and failed to make out what the techy girl was scanning with her computer. "Should we be worried about Usagi? She's really out of it."
Shaking her head Amy held up her tablet to show a building map of the palace, "She's leading us in the correct direction. I think, it's her memories that're catching up with her. We have to let them play out." Plus, the more Usagi interacted with the Palace itself, the more it's systems would come online. There was already so much data to go over that is was overwhelming.
The group was silent as they walked along dim halls bathed in either dull white light that was barely enough to light he way, or ominous red that spoke of emergency power. No one had any idea just how deep underground they were, but their echoing footsteps and muttered conversations were starting to get to them. Plus, Usagi through it all so far, though leading them, was completely silent. Directly behind her were a quiet Ranma who was holding the hand of a smiling Usa. Tugging on his hand for a moment to get his attention, Usa leaned up into his ear,
"You should be with mommy. She, needs a friend."
Nodding at the perceptive girl, he watched her bounce back to latch onto Setsuna before catching up with Usagi and nudging her in the side, "Hey Usagi, you good?"
Turning to the voice, a little light returned to her eyes as she recognized the martial artist. Nodding with a little more energy she smiled as the hallway they were in opened up into a wide room. Above them were a tall glass dome structure, from which hung a chandelier of crystals which began to emit light as they crossed into the space. The dome showed not just the blackness of space, but the blue green ball of their home planet Earth. Directly below that sat a throne of massive scale, the top of which looked to have enough space for all of them to either stand or sit comfortably. Though as they all came to the bottom of the steps and watched as Usagi paused there, it was Ranma who nudged her. Turning back to her friend and being met with a smile, she seemed doubtful, "I've never stepped foot here. But, once, I dreamed of ascending these steps. Not as a princess, or a warrior, but like my mother the Queen." She paused as she looked around, some rubble still visible, scars of magical fire and youma destruction could still be seen, completely preserved by the Palace's magic. This was where Beryl and that dark god had finally toppled her people. It felt, wrong, to have the throne this way. "How can I live on top of their graves like this, accept a throne by default, not merit?" For once showing that she was capable of thinking deeper than any of the others were used to, she was showing more than just the clumsy high school girl who just wanted to be a sparkling princess.
Ranma grinned and slowly took her hand, "From everything you've told me and what I've witnessed, you shouldn't think of it as a default. Think of it as, a chance to grow. The last Queen pinned all of her hopes and dreams on you and all of your friends. And like she hoped you're all here. You aren't alone." Giving his famous rouge grin, Ranma took a step back and bowed, "The throne is yours, Little Queen. You have every day to prove you're worthy of it."
Stepping forward and silencing any other protests, it was Setsuna who stood on her other side, "You also have another choice. You don't have to ascend the throne at all. We can explore the palace, learn what we can, and go back to Earth. Senshi are essentially immortal, or close to it, you have time." She had to play devil's advocate here, and ignored the protests of some of the others behind her.
Usagi looked between the two, before turning with a look to Setsuna. "You always told us, that we were working towards Crystal Tokyo, working towards saving humanity." At Setsuna's nod she continued, "If I don't ascend the throne now, will Crystal Tokyo still come to pass?"
"I can't answer that."
For once not put off by the refusal, Usagi pressed on, "If I do ascend the throne, will we still be working towards saving humanity?"
"I can't answer that."
"Does the majority of humanity still have to die in order for us to win against evil?"
"I can't answer that."
"Is Crystal Tokyo still in our future at all?"
"I can't answer that."
"Wait a minute! You said you had to answer Usagi! Why are you-" Minako's rant was cut off by a held up hand from Usagi who had a brittle smile on her face.
"She is, the only way she can right now." For once her focus bringing some rare insight. Because this was a moment, so important, that the decision had to be completely hers. Win or lose, damn humanity or save it, Setsuna couldn't tell her what was coming because right now, there was no future to look at. It all was going to be decided probably right here. In this moment. She remembered the brief view they had gotten of the future. Crystal Tokyo, a few million people thriving and living magical carefree lives. Surrounded by a wasteland of a barren world. Doing the math, that was billions dead to save just a few magically castrated souls. The darkness ripped from their hearts by her. Looking over to the man who had in such a short time taught her some important lessons, someone who had never stopped fighting, she smiled gently and turned back to Setsuna, "Of course, from here on out, I'm going to make you so busy for being so cryptic all the time."
"Of course...my Queen." Falling in step with the young woman with a smile, Setsuna paced half a step behind Usagi.
Holding onto Ranma's hand as she ascended the throne Usagi's bright eyes held his own, "I know it's a lot to ask. But will you help me? Keep me from falling off the right path?" She was still learning what it meant to really lead others, and while sure she wasn't and wouldn't be a Queen to anyone else but who was in this room, but it was still enough.
Nodding and understanding how important this moment was for Usagi Ranma felt proud of the girl, "Of course, I'll be around to knock you around this giant throne room any time you start forgetting what it means to help your people. To be a kind Queen, and a good one." Allowing the nervous girl to intertwine her fingers with his own, for once there was no nervousness inside him.
Coming to the top of the throne and standing before the chair, everyone else waited on the last few steps to see what Usagi would do. As she first slowly and reluctantly let go of Ranma's hand and called forth her Moon Scepter, it was but a thought more than transitioned her into the ball gown improved tiara, now a rainbow crustal crown. Turning in place, Setsuna on her left and Ranma on her right, Usagi slowly took her throne.
Materializing and spinning her garnet staff, Setsuna slammed its end into the floor to emit a chime that resonated throughout the throne room and seemed to vibrate the very air, "May the old Queen finally rest as the new rises. So say her loyal, long live the Queen and glory to the Crystal Throne!" A tone sounded in the air, the very palace seeming to come alive with deep hums of something powerful coming online deep underground.
Around them as the lights brightened and displays came alive around Usagi herself situated on the throne, Ami's computer too was flashing with information. "Well that certainly woke something up, fusion generators, crystal power cores, and what looks like the start of a magical biosphere are all coming online." This was, was this how the previous Lunarians were able to live here at all outside of the castle?
Nodding Setsuna sighed tiredly, "Without a Queen the castle could only pull a small amount of power from the moon crystal to keep itself in hibernation. But with a new Queen to give orders and guide it, everything will slowly begin to come online. The disguise field covering the moon Palace and it's grounds is still active and won't fall unless you will it. From here you can access information relating to everything connected to your kingdom, the Palace's main computer and AI sifting through what's important to you and what can be shove to various retainers and functionaries. Though at the moment that's just us." Sighing Setsuna made a hand motion that generated a large holographic display between Usagi and everyone else. It showed their solar system as it was right now, with all their planets and blinking colored dots representing ships/stations/satellites that were still functional at least enough to send out some type of signal. "For now we don't necessarily have any threats to worry about, but I'd suggest, at least we consolidate our assets closer to home, maybe in orbit around Venus?"
"Uh, well this is all super overwhelming, what ships do we have that we can even bring back?" Usagi was trying her best to understand it all, and was getting the feeling she had a lot of studying to do.
"Well there's the Djehuty, Mercury's flagship science vessel currently orbiting the sun. Looks like it switched to solar collection to keep itself stable all this time so it is probably one of two in the best shape." Looking around before poking a blinking blue dot around where the sun was, a picture of an almost flat but multi winged ship colored in blacks and blue came into view, poking at the hologram again and dragging the picture towards Venus, a dotted line was made before the picture miniaturized itself.
"Wait, does that mean we all once had ships?" Makoto was excited, as were the other girls, what could they do now that they had access to this old technology.
"Once, before the fall, yes. But many were lost during the battle, most notably was Rei's Ares. Refusing to lose the ship to youma and refusing to not be by her Queen's side, the previous Mars crashed her ship and self destructed on the far side of the moon, creating probably the largest crater on it's surface. She was however able to escape and add some defense to the Queen and Princess." Looking around some more, another blue dot on the opposite side of the Sun gave Setsuna paused before she poked it to display the ship that was closer to a space station. "And of course the Queen's Regalia survived much as the Djehuty did, orbiting the Sun and harvesting solar energy." Doing the same for it and setting it on a course for Venus, she began to do so for many other smaller vessels that were able to move under their own power, giving them orders to dock with the Regalia or the Djehuty when available.
"Well this is all crazy and just a bit much." Usagi stood then, her own personal displays winking out as she looked at all the others, "How about we all explore the palace a bit. See if any other memories break free. Oh." Concentrating a bit, now connected through the palace to massive power crystal's below the moon's surface, it was almost nothing to teleport both of the moon cats to them.
"Wah!"
"I'm dying!"
Luna and Artemis both landed in a heap at Usagi's feet, though the sudden retreat of Ranma was unexpected.
"Cc-c-c-c-cats!" Hiding behind the throne, Ranma was damning himself for not working on his fear at all since leaving Nerima.
"Uh, where are we?"
"And why are you in your other form Usagi?" Luna was looking up to her princess with a concerned expression.
"They talk? The demons talk? No-no-no-no-no" Already feeling his sanity slipping, That was more than enough for Ranma.
Giving the moon cats a bemused grin, Usagi shook her head at Ranma's antics while a grinning Usa blocked his view and calmed him down, "Sorry guys, there's a lot to explain. But in short, we're on the moon, I've taken the throne, and we're sorta, acquainting ourselves with the Crystal Network." Coming up with the name on the fly, she didn't notice Ami pen the name in her computer or Setsuna do the same on the hologram. Standing and motioning to the others, she held her scepter loosely, "Could you give the others who want it a tour? Maybe jog some memories?"
Wanting to say something, but being to overwhelmed, it was Luna who stepped in front of Artemis and bowed, "As you wish, my Queen." Turning away and nudging her long time friend to move too, Luna looked over her shoulder at the young woman, "I'm glad to see you're still yourself."
"Trying, it's, hard. But I have help." Usagi gave a real smile and the Lunar cats trotted away, several of the others nodding before going off on their own for a while.
"I think I'll stay here, help Setsuna and get a feel for how the system works." Ami was already next to Setsuna who was quietly explaining things as she did them.
Turning back to Ranma and Usa, Usagi smiled, "Wanna go for a walk?" Getting nods while Ranma made sure no cats were around, the young Queen turned to look at Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru, "You staying?"
Michiru shook her head, "We'll be your escorts, it seems like, the proper thing to do." None could really explain the feeling, but they all fell in behind the Queen as she took Ranma's hand and Usa led the way down the throne's steps.
Watching the group leave, Setsuna finally released a sigh. Now it was time for the hard part, and hope that maybe some ancient enemies stayed that way.
-b-
-AN
I wasn't sure if I was going to go this route, thinking that if I did it'd for sure mean I was going to go long term with this story. But I've been having a lot of fun with it so far so, time to unravel some ancient mysteries and unlock some spotting memories. Next couple chapters will probably deal with mainly the senshi on the moon, with quirky teacher Ranma along for the ride.
