Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Eternal City:Crystal Tokyo ❯ Chapter 14

Eternal City, Crystal Tokyo: Part Fourteen

Lest we forget

It had been called many things, down through the years. It was Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Remembrance day and a dozen other names, more coming to it as the centuries went past. Eventually it was simply called Memory, a day of contemplation, where those who had lived on remembered those who had passed away.

And it was a day of parties.

Glasses or wine, whisky, synth-ale, scumble and many more beverages were raised up in honor of all those long lost friends. Clubs and restaurants across the city were packed as the Memory day went on, and personal celebrations were held with families and friends.

The great dining room of the Palace of Crystal Tokyo was slowly filling as all the guests arrived, the ten Senshi warmly greeting their old friends. The duelists arrived first, the siblings Touga and Nanami Kiryuu, Miki Kaoru, Kyouichi Saionji, Arisugawa Juri and finally Utena and Anthy Tenjou. Minagi and Sasami of Jurai, Kinomoto Sakura, her bride Tomoyo and Kero, Priss, Urd, Linna, Belldandy, Sylia, Mara and Skuld, Major Motoko Kusanagi there by invitation of the Lady Venus, and a few other notables.

And among them was a blue haired girl who looked remarkably pale as she looked in awe at the legends that surrounded her. Catrine gulped nervously, making sure that her formal dress was straight. 'I can't believe that my family was invited,' she thought, 'I guess we really are descended from the queen's friend Naru.'

"Good to see you, love," Setsuna paused to gently kiss Arisugawa Juri on the cheek. Softly, "I was worried you were going to spend the day at the Locket."

"I was tempted," Juri admitted as she slipped her arm around Setsuna's waist, "But I didn't want to leave you alone."

On the far side of the hall the main doors opened up, and four figures stepped inside. Neo- Queen Serenity was beautiful as always, her long, almost white gold hair gleaming as her husband led her white clad form inside. King Endymion looked handsome in his black suit, his dark purple hair looking even darker because of it.

Walking in just behind them the Princess Usagi looked lovely dressed in her own pure white gown, her long pink hair flowing down her back in two tails. As always right beside her the princess-consort stood, Hotaru, or Lady Saturn. Wearing a dark colored suit she cut a striking figure with her dark hair and pale skin.

"Welcome, my friends," Neo-Queen Serenity's voice rang out across the room. She smiled slightly, "In this room, for today, I am merely Usagi Tsukino once again, in memory of those that have passed on."

"Guess I'm stuck with Chibi-Usa again," the Princess stage whispered to Hotaru, bringing a bit of levity to the situation.

"It's only a day," Hotaru kept her voice entirely deadpan, but a smile teased at her lips "I'm sure you'll manage."

They rook their seats, everyone moving to a place. The Senshi and Duelists were all broken up among their guests, though couples were sitting together. The Queen raised up her glass in the traditional first toast, "To absent friends."

"Absent friends," the voices rang back.

"Watch the hands," Priss muttered as Urd slid a hand up her thigh.

"Oh, come on," Urd grinned at her lover, making her blush.

Catrine looked around the table nervously, then the teen's eyes widened slightly as she saw a familiar face just up the table. Erica Tenoh, her classmate, was sitting there, comfortably talking away to the Guardian Beast Keroberos as if she did so every day.

"At least I'm not a little kid anymore," Erica commented as she cut her dinner, putting a bit of meat into her mouth, "I seem to remember thinking you were a stuffed toy when we first met."

Kero chuckled softly, the little Guardian Beast eating his favorite foods: cookies and cake. "Hell of a grip too," he remembered, "I'm glad Haruka finally pried you loose."

"Knowing her," Erica smirked, "she probably took her time getting me off you."

"Probably," Kero agreed with a laugh. He paused, and dropped his voice, "There's a lady watching you, couple of plates over."

Erica looked with the corner of her eye, then paled. "Catrine," she said weakly. Softly she muttered, "I should have checked the invitation lists..."

"Friend of yours?" Kero asked curiously.

"Classmate," Erica sighed, "she doesn't know that I'm related to the Senshi." She smiled wryly, "Well, she used to not know."

"Guess I can't blame you for trying to keep a low profile," Kero admitted. He looked over at her curiously, "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Erica answered softly.

The queen rose from her chair, raising up her glass again. "To the Tsukino family," she said softly, "I wish I had valued you as much as you deserved back then."

Each person around the table rose, speaking a toast to one now gone. Some were expected, like Lady Mars tribute to her grandfather, others less so. Both Venus and Jupiter spoke of Natsuna and Haruna, the sisters that had once held their hearts. Motoko mentioned Yayoi, regret in her voice. Anthy mentioned Dios, not Akio. All around the table they went, finishing up at the head of the table once again. Once the meal was finished, they rose up to circulate once again.

"Thank you for inviting me," Mokoto murmured to Lady Venus softly. They were dating, gradually, but both were feeling awfully tentative about it.

"You're welcome," Minako answered with a smile. She hesitated, "You know who Natsuna was, of course, but I was wondering..."

"Who Yayoi was?" Mokoto finished the question for her. She smiled sadly, "A former partner of mine, one I wish I had treated better."

Catrine navigated through the crowds, a girl with a mission. "Erica," she snagged her classmate's arm, "I never expected to see you here."

"I should have," Erica smiled wryly.

Catrine didn't catch the tone as she gushed, "Are you a ancestor of one of the companions, or a relation to one of the guests?"

Erica considered fibbing a moment, but decided against it. "Neither," she finally answered, "I'm related to a Senshi."

Catrine's eyes widened, "Descended from a Senshi family.. incredible. Which one?"

Erica nodded to where Lady Neptune and Uranus were talking with guests. "My parents are over there," she smiled.

Catrine looked at Lady Uranus, then at Erica, her eyes going wide. "You... you're.. why didn't I see it before?" she asked weakly. Before Erica could say anything, Catrine was gone, almost shoving through the crowd to get away from her.

"Is something wrong?" Lady Neptune asked her daughter a few moments later, using her most motherly tones.

Erica still looked in confusion towards where Catrine had gone, "I don't know."

In another part of the city one of the oldest buildings stood. Preserved through both war and peace, the converted warehouse that housed Arisugawa's Locked had remained. Cyber Six smiled to herself, standing guard as the leather clad woman cheerfully welcomed people inside.

The blue haired woman made her way up to the door, her almost metallic silver hair flowing back in two ponytails. The military uniform that she wore was crisp, signifying her to be an officer in the Queen's space navy. She gave Cyber Six a nod, "I was surprised to see you out here tonight."

"Captain Ruri," Cyber Six gave her a grave nod, "I can remember just as well out here, thanks. Some of my best memories are out here under the stars."

"True," Ruri agreed before going on inside.

The bar itself was filled with people, both familiar faces and a few new ones there too. The dance floor was packed, a woman cheerfully doing kareoke to a song nearly a thousand years old. The library had several readers in it, couches all occupied, and the bar was lined with people.

Making her way to the bar Ruri smiled grimly, climbing up on a stool beside a tall, beautiful brown haired woman. She waved to the bartender, "Mahoro, can I get a beer?"

Mahoro whizzed by her, the dark haired former combat android giving Ruri a little grin as she dropped the beer off, "Here you go!"

"Thanks," Ruri waved. She turned to the woman beside her, gentling her tone, "Juri came by earlier, didn't she May?"

Cyberdoll May smiled slightly, giving her friend a nod. "She gave a toast to all the Locket employees who weren't with us," she said quietly. She took a drink of something that looked potent, "Sometimes, I wish I could get drunk."

"I'll trade you one of my hangovers," Ruri smiled, "they aren't fun."

May chuckled softly. She smiled a bit more naturally, "Thanks, Ruri. You always seem to know how to cheer me up."

"You're welcome," Ruri answered softly.

"You're a good friend," May finished.

Ruri sighed at that comment, but May didn't notice.

Cyber Six felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see who had come up behind her. The redhead had a gentle smile on her face, and an expression that was oddly cat-like. "Nuku Nuku?" she blinked in surprise.

The android smiled slightly in return, "It's been a long time." Nuku Nuku softly added, "I was wondering if you'd care to come in for a dance? I'm tired of remembering alone."

Cyber Six opened her mouth to refuse, then hesitated. A slight smile, "All right." The two walked inside together, talking softly.

The Many Characters in this Episode: The Senshi are from Sailor Moon. The Duelists are from Revolutionary Girl Utena. Minagi and Sasami are from Tenchi Muyo. Sakura, Tomoyo and Kero are all from Cardcaptor Sakura. Priss, Linna and Sylia are from Bubblegum Crisis 2040. Urd, Belldandy, Mara and Skuld are from Oh My Goddess. Major Motoko Kusanagi is from Ghost in The Shell. Cyber Six is from the series Cyber Six. Ruri is from Martian Successor Nadesico. Mahoro is from Mahoromantic. Cyberdoll May is from Hand Maid May. And finally, Nuku Nuku is from All Purpose Cultural Catgirl Nuku Nuku.

Stories that tie into this Episode:

Arisugawa's Locket

Bubblegum Crisis: A Goddess Comes to Call.

Ghost in the Shell: Once Burned