Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Ascension Trilogy, Book 3: Ressurrection ❯ Crystal Tokyo ( Chapter 12 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

RESSURRECTION,
Chapter 12: "Crystal Tokyo"

By Bill K.

"Wow," mused Sailor Venus, just as stunned as everybody by the
departure of Sailor Pluto. "She really knows how to make an exit."

Several feet away, Uranus turned to her partner, meaning to
express her own incredulity at what had transpired, only to find Neptune
in an even deeper state of shock.

"Neptune?" Uranus inquired. It seemed to her that Neptune was
struggling to cope with the departure and failing.

"I was sensing something like this might happen," Neptune
whispered. "But I ignored it. I didn't want to acknowledge it. I was
afraid that if I acknowledged it, that it would happen. That's so
childish!"

Neptune turned. She felt herself beginning to unravel, felt a
rising tide of emotion that was about to engulf her and she didn't know
how to stop it. Then she felt arms wrap around her from behind, arms
she knew intuitively belonged to Uranus, and suddenly the strength to
keep herself together was there.

"It'll be OK," Uranus told her and it was precisely what she
wanted to hear. "It's like Setsuna said. We've all got a destiny.
Some aren't as great as others. We'll just have to cherish our memories
of her that much more."

Neptune was about to agree. Then, out of the blue, Serenity
wrapped her arms around Neptune's neck and buried her head against the
woman's chest. Uranus barely had time to release her.

"OH, MICHIRU!" she wailed. "This probably hurts even worse for
you! You and Setsuna were so close! I'M SO SORRY FOR YOU!"

Neptune could only stare down at Serenity, stunned into inaction
and unable to figure out how to respond. Then slowly her expression
softened and the corners of her mouth began to curl. For all their
disagreements over the years, this woman still had that magic way about
her to somehow know exactly what to do just when you were feeling down.
Neptune curled her arms around Serenity's torso.

"Thank you, Serenity," she whispered.

"I can't believe she's gone," Jupiter mused to Venus, Mars and
Mercury.

"Well hey, it's not like she died," Venus replied. "Maybe we can
visit her in that - - wherever it is."

"I think that'd be a really good idea," Mars agreed. "I don't
care what Setsuna said, she'll get lonely in there sooner or later. A
little company once in a while wouldn't hurt."

She glanced to Mercury for support, but Mercury was staring off
beyond her. Mars turned and saw Mercury's mother approaching, just as
Mercury moved to meet her.

"Mother?" Mercury inquired. "Is something wrong?"

"I'd say so," Dr. Mizuno said. There was barely contained concern
in her face and voice, a radical departure for the usually controlled
Dr. Mizuno. "There's a group - - no, it's a mob - - headed for the
government complex. They're shouting anti-government slogans and they
look quite potentially violent. The minute I saw it I thought you and
your group would want to head off any potential conflict. I - - didn't
know how else to contact you, so I came here hoping you'd all still be
here."

"What set them off?" Mercury asked. Mars and Jupiter were within
earshot as well.

"I don't know, but it started right about the time those fire
creatures appeared."

"You saw that?"

"Practically the entire city saw it."

"We'll get right on it. Thank you, Mother." Mercury headed for
Serenity, flanked by the other senshi.

"Um," Dr. Mizuno began, stopping Mercury in her tracks. "No,
never mind. You have a duty to attend to. That's more important."

"Mother," Mercury said, sensing what her mother wanted, "I think I
know what you're thinking. I know it's not as important as saving
lives, but it's still important - - and we need to do it. We need to
carve out a little time and talk about some things."

"You're right," her mother nodded. "I'll - - try to free myself."

"Mother," Mercury said. "I apologize if I was short the last time
we saw each other."

"And I apologize if I caused you to doubt that," her mother
fumbled saying, "that I love you."

Mercury nodded and rejoined the group. As they walked toward
Serenity and Endymion, Jupiter noticed the small smile on Mercury's
face.

"It's amazing how much hearing those words can do for you, isn't
it?" Jupiter asked.

Mercury flushed slightly.

"Serenity!" Venus called out. "Come on. We've got trouble."

"Again?" groaned Serenity. Making a scooping movement with her
hands, she levitated herself and all the senshi. Then she stopped.
"Setsuko! She can't come with us! It'll be too dangerous!"

Setsuko tensed, but said nothing. Mercury, however, turned back
to her own mother.

"Mother," Mercury asked. "This is Setsuko. She's a homeless
little orphan that Serenity and Endymion have adopted. Could-could you
look after her until we get back?"

"Why . . ." Dr. Mizuno stammered, caught off-guard. Then she
softened. "You're right, of course. That mob is hardly a place for a
child. Of course I'll look after her."

She reached for Setsuko, but the girl clung to Endymion fearfully.
When she looked up again, Serenity was by her side.

"Setsuko-chan, this is Dr. Mizuno," Serenity said softly. "She's
going to check your health and look after you until I get back. I have
to take care of something."

"Usagi-mama?" Setsuko said, her eyes speaking volumes about her
fear of abandonment.

"Don't worry," Serenity smiled sweetly. "I'll come back. You've
got a lot of growing up to do and I'm going to be there for every minute
of it!"

She kissed Setsuko on the forehead. The child allowed herself to
be passed to Dr. Mizuno's arms. Then Serenity scooped up the senshi in
an invisible bubble and flew off with them, Endymion following on his
own.

"Hard, isn't it?" Jupiter murmured to Serenity.

"I've seen you go through it, but I never realized just what you
go through until now," Serenity replied. Jupiter nodded in sympathy.

"It's OK, Setsuko-chan," Dr. Mizuno cooed into her ear as she
cradled the girl. She stared at Mercury as she spoke. "Sometimes you
just have to trust that they'll come back. Sailor Moon and her senshi
haven't let me down yet."

Sailor Star Fighter moved to follow, but was held back by Princess
Kakyuu. She turned to inquire.

"It is best we stay behind in this instance, dear Star Fighter,"
Kakyuu said. "The presence of outsiders, no matter how well
intentioned, may not be what will best aid the situation. And Usagi and
her friends must learn all over again to deal with such things on their
own."

Levitating over the city, Serenity and her senshi flew to the
government complex that housed the legislative and bureaucratic wings of
the Japanese government. Much of it survived the ice intact, but now
there was a question of whether it could survive its own people.

"You're not straining yourself doing this, are you?" Mars asked
Serenity.

"No, it gets easier the more I use the power of the Silver
Crystal," Serenity replied. Then she grew a devilish smirk. "Although
you COULD stand to lose a few pounds."

"Said the Queen of between meal snacks," Mars shot back.

"Incredible," Mercury whispered. Everyone turned to look.

Surrounding the buildings was a hopelessly outnumbered garrison of
police, army and civil defense troops. Surrounding them were thousands,
perhaps ten thousand people, a sea of humanity pressing in against the
troops. Tension was thick in the mob. It was a tinderbox waiting for a
spark. The troops drew their riot shields up and kept their stun rifles
at the ready.

"This bunch is about five seconds away from exploding," Mars
reported, her hand held to her temple. The feedback of emotions was on
the verge of overwhelming the psychic.

"No," Serenity said, almost with a sob, shaking her head numbly.
"No, this can't happen!"

Then someone in the crowd spotted Serenity and the senshi hovering
above them. More and more heads began to turn. Fingers pointed.
The angry epitaths changed to cheers and shouts of joy until they merged
into a chant.

"What are they chanting?" Neptune asked.

"'Sailor Moon for Empress'," Uranus repeated. She glanced at
Serenity and smirked. "Kinda catchy."

Serenity grimaced, clearly embarrassed by it all.

Then a shot came from somewhere. One of the protesters screamed
and then fell back against several others. Two metallic prongs from a
government-issued stun gun hung from his chest. Instantly the
protesters nearest the police line surged in a wave of anger and
revenge. More stun prongs were launched into the mob, but there were
too many surging forward for the police to stop.

"NO!" wailed Serenity. She gestured and an invisible barrier flew
up between the mob and the security force. Instantly, though, she
clutched her head.

"Serenity!" Endymion gasped.

"Too much!" she grimaced. "Can't hold the crowd and . . ."

"I've got the senshi," he said. His cloak extended so that it
encompassed the others and held them aloft while he eased them all to
the ground. "Do what you have to do."

Unafraid for herself, Serenity lowered herself down until she was
between the security line and the protesters. Everyone spread out to
give her room. Her very presence seemed to calm the crowd, though the
security force looked on tensely.

"Haven't we all gone through enough tragedy?" Serenity asked,
appealing to the crowd. "Haven't we all suffered enough?"

"We don't want them in charge!" yelled a member of the mob.

"This isn't the way," Serenity maintained. "Violence is never the
way."

"Lead us!" another shouted. "We want you, Sailor Moon!"

"Sailor Moon for Empress!"

"No!" Serenity said, shaking her head. "I'm not qualified! I
can't lead you . . .!"

"Yes you can!"

Serenity stared at a young woman pushing out from the mob.

"Momoko?"

"Who fed us? You! Who gave us shelter? You did! Who protected
us from the invaders? You did, while Hino and his corrupt Diet sat in
there and did nothing! And now they want to just take over again like
it's business as usual and nothing ever happened!" spat Momoko. "I
know! I was in there listening to it until I couldn't stomach anymore!"

"But you're part of that Diet, Momoko," Serenity said.

"Not anymore. I resigned." She reached over and grasped
Serenity's hands. "Sailor Moon, you are qualified to lead us - - just
for the simple reason that you care and they don't! The people all need
you, Sailor Moon - - not just to help them, but to guide them! To show
them a better way! They're teetering into anarchy because it's all they
have left! That or submitting to a system that only grows fat off of
them!"

"I . . ."

"And you're qualified to lead us because you've got the power to
take the country by force if you wanted to - - but you don't want to.
They need that kind of benevolence. Please, Sailor Moon, be the leader
they want. No one else can be."

Serenity stared at Momoko, trying to find a way to gracefully
decline. Then they heard the security force shifting. They turned and
saw Secretary General Hino approaching. The crowd saw him, too, and
turned surly.

"STEP DOWN!" they shouted. "WE HATE YOU! YOU'VE DONE NOTHING FOR
US! FALL ON YOUR SWORD!"

"Insurrection, my dear?" Hino asked, staring directly at Momoko.
"Treason? You work quickly. You only just resigned." He turned
dismissively from her and addressed the mob. "I am asking you all to
disperse, as a representative of your duly elected government."

"HOLD AN ELECTION NOW AND SEE HOW YOU DO!" someone roared from the
safety of the crowd.

"It is within my power to suspend civil rights in times of
emergency to maintain order," Hino scowled. "Please don't force me to
that."

Just then the old man whose stunning initiated the confrontation
regained his feet. He shambled up to the edge of Serenity's barrier,
staring at Hino with distress. Nobody in the crowd seemed to recognize
him except Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus. Mercury recalled him as the
hypothermia shock victim she had tended to just before Serenity and
Endymion made the plants grow. Venus remembered Sailor Pluto talking to
him while Serenity lay on death's door, telling him that his life had
an unguessed value and that he should live.

He pressed against the barrier Serenity had erected. The man
stared at Hino with a desperate expression that instantly caught his and
Serenity's attention. Others around him stopped and looked at the
strange old man.

"Dietman Hino!" he gasped. "Consider your next step! There comes
a moment in every man's life when the wrong choice dooms him to infamy!"

Hino started to turn away.

"I voted for you! I supported you! I still think you're a fine
man!" the old man shouted amid the surly rumblings of the mob. "But
what you're doing is wrong! You can't cling to power you no longer
have! To do so will only make things worse! Sailor Moon is what the
people want! She has the power to take us back to what we had - - maybe
beyond what we had!" His eyes began to shine with awe and reverence.
"And she has the generous heart to use her power to help us all. There
is no disrespect meant, Dietman Hino. You were good for us in your
time. But times have changed. Please step aside before you dishonor
your work and your reputation."

Hino glared at the old man. The members of the mob could see he
wasn't happy with what the old man had said. The security forces
tensed, anticipating the order to push back the mob and reassert
control. The mob anticipated the order, too, and began to surge
forward.

Then Serenity moved to Hino. Everyone was taken by surprise. The
nearest security forces reached to stop her, but seemed to pull up, then
backed away. Hino stared at Serenity, trying to judge if she meant him
any harm. But the woman seemed to radiate a warm glow, a glow that Mars
recognized.

"Mercury," Mars whispered, her eyes glued to Serenity as were all
the senshi from their observation point outside the mob. "Keep your eye
on my father. Keep watching him as he talks to Serenity."

"Hino-sama," Serenity said, clasping his hand in hers. Hino
looked down and saw the hands, so small and delicate and perfect, so
warm and reassuring. They reminded him of his mother's hands. "Please,
violence and oppression is not the answer."

"I-I'm sorry," he began haltingly, his feelings suddenly
conflicted, "Sailor Moon. Sometimes violence in the name of restoring
order and keeping the peace is a-a necessary evil."

"Violence is never necessary. You don't need to be afraid. I
don't want to bring down the government. I don't want to lead. I just
want to help people."

Shouts of "Sailor Moon for Empress" threatened to drown her out.

Hino stared into Serenity's deep blue eyes for the longest time.
It was almost like he was hypnotized by them and by the incredible
feeling of peace and contentment he experienced the moment she grasped
his hand. He always prided himself on being a logical, pragmatic man,
but at the moment he was feeling neither.

"It's," Mercury whispered, staring intently at him, "almost like
he's becoming a different person in front of my eyes. His expression
- - his entire body language is shifting from belligerence to-to
passivity. Is he being influenced or controlled?" Mercury turned to
Mars. "Is Serenity doing that?"

"She has to be," Mars mused. "I'm not even sure she's aware she's
doing it, but she's emitting some sort of mental influence on him. I've
felt it from her earlier and I'm feeling it now." Mars turned to
Mercury with a cynical look on her face. "Besides, how else can you
explain my father turning into a human being?"

"It's a noble thing to want," Hino replied finally, his eyes still
locked on hers. "What you want. But from the sound of it, I think the
best way for you to help might be to give in to their demands."

Serenity gaped in shock. So did Momoko.

"This isn't easy for me," Hino continued. "I've dedicated my life
to public service. To find out that I'm a failure in the eyes of the
people I've dedicated myself to serving is a bitter pill. But a wise
man knows better than to fight the will of the people, particularly in a
democracy. It's a battle you can't win - - a battle you shouldn't win."
He looked down to gather his strength of will. "If you are willing to
assume control of the government of Japan, based on a vote of the people
in elections I will call for one month from now, I will step aside." He
squeezed her hands. "But I will only step aside for you."

"Secretary General!" Serenity gasped. "I-I don't want this!"

"Not every leader has wanted to lead," Hino told her. "Some have
been forced to do so because it was the best way to help." Serenity
bowed her head timidly. "It's what they want. A wise man - - woman
- - knows better than to fight the will of the people. And I think
you'll do well. I think I begin to see a little of what my daughter
sees in you."

Agonizing, Serenity bit her lip.

"Do it, Sailor Moon," Momoko encouraged her. "I promise I'll do
everything I can to help you." And behind her were chants of "Sailor
Moon for Empress".

"All right," Serenity squeaked as if she were accepting a death
sentence.

A roar rose up from the crowd, followed by cheering and
celebrating. With the aid of Endymion, the senshi made their way to her
side. Secretary General Hino quietly eased away as Serenity's friends
and husband surrounded her.

"Well, looks like Crystal Tokyo's going to come true after all,"
Venus grinned. "How's it feel to be Queen, Serenity?"

"I think I'm going to be sick," moaned Serenity. Jupiter giggled
and hugged her while the others patted her on the back.
* * * *
"You're leaving?" Serenity gasped. She clutched the shoulders of
Kakyuu as if she feared the woman would disappear that very second.
Setsuko stared with anxiety from the safety of Endymion's arms, upset
that her Usagi-mama was upset.

"I have no desire to outstay my welcome, dear friend," Kakyuu
smiled pleasantly.

"You could never do that! Tell her Mamo - - I-I mean Endymion!"

"And you have no further need of me, Usagi," Kakyuu persisted.

"Yes I do!" Serenity wailed. "I couldn't have done any of this
without your help! And now they want me to be their leader!"

"I have merely shown you your path, Usagi. You must walk it
yourself." She grasped Serenity's hands. "And you can. You have a
brilliant light! Do not be afraid to let it shine!"

"But I can't . . ." Serenity began. Kakyuu gently placed her
fingers to still Serenity's lips.

"I would like nothing better than to stay with you. But there are
others who need me as well, chief among them my people of Kinmoku. You
are strong enough now to walk on your own. And should you falter, you
have a mate who adores you, senshi who would die for you and a populace
who love you. It was more than I had when I ascended." She squeezed
Serenity's hands harder. "And you have the power to reshape the
universe and the humility and wisdom to use that power to the betterment
of all. I could leave you in no better state."

Serenity snuffled. "I'm going to miss you."

"And I you. I promise to visit again one day. And Kinmoku is a
beautiful planet, should you gain the desire to see it." She released
Serenity's hands and turned to the Juuban Park Lake. "I leave you with
a present, my dear Usagi."

Bringing her hands to her chest, Kakyuu slipped into a deep state
of concentration. An aura, not unlike the licks of a burning bush,
surrounded her. To everyone's astonishment, the ground around them
began to shake. Then thick crystalline spires pushed up through the
ground and the water of the lake like blooming roses and reached up to
the sky. The crystalline began to expand out towards the other spires,
forming walls as they caught the light and refracted out a dazzling
rainbow of color at the amazed onlookers. It continued to grow until it
was six stories in the air. At that point the inner spires pushed past
the outer ones, reaching up into the air for another four stories.

Kakyuu exhaled and opened her eyes. Serenity and the senshi and
the civilian onlookers marveled at what they saw.

"It's," Mercury mumbled in awe, "the Palace of Crystal Tokyo - -
the one we saw in the future. The one . . ."

"The one where Serenity and Endymion lived," Endymion finished her
thought. Serenity turned to him in shock. He gave her a reassuring
glance and gripped her arm while Setsuko stared up in amazement.

"Kakyuu, it's too much!" Serenity cried. "I can't . . .!"

"It is merely a reflection of your own shining aura," Kakyuu said.
"You are well deserving of it. And it contains the dimensional pocket
where we consigned the Door Of Time, so you may better safeguard it, for
only you and your mate have the power to truly safeguard such a
wonderful and terrible thing."

"I guess we don't have a choice," murmured Serenity. Kakyuu
clasped her hands again.

"You always have a choice, dear Usagi. The fact that you only see
one acceptable alternative is the wisdom of your soul speaking. Do not
fight it. Embrace your destiny."

Serenity nodded and Kakyuu backed away. Sailor Star Fighter
stepped up.

"Good-bye," Star Fighter said - - short, to the point, and
calculated to minimize revealing the pain that still lingered within
her.

"Thank you for everything, Seiya," Serenity smiled, clasping her
hands. "Please visit me again once your heart allows you."

"I promise I will," Star Fighter replied, bringing Serenity's
hands up to her mouth and kissing them, "Odango." Serenity beamed.

Star Fighter moved off and Kakyuu eased up next to Serenity.

"Seiya will recover," Kakyuu whispered to Serenity. "She is
strong enough to conquer her pain and wise enough to know the necessity
of it."

"Maybe she could use some help," suggested Serenity. She glanced
at Kakyuu with her matchmaker face. "I remember you telling me you
weren't involved with anyone."

Kakyuu smiled at the boldness of Serenity's suggestion.

"You only have our best interests in mind, I know," Kakyuu replied
patiently, "but your assumptions are incorrect. I have deep feelings
for Seiya, it is true, but it is because she is my senshi and my
friend."

"So? Don't limit yourself, Kakyuu."

"Usagi, I could no more be attracted to her than you could be
attracted to your Ami or Makoto or Minako or . . ." Kakyuu stopped
suddenly and for the first time Serenity could remember ever seeing, her
eyes bulged in astonishment. Kakyuu's hand came to her mouth. "Oh my!"
she gasped. Then she looked at Mars. "I had never considered such a
thing!"

"Huh?" Serenity asked, staring blankly.

"Once more your wisdom has shown me a truth I had not seen. Truly
you are the wisest of us all!" She grasped Serenity's hand again. "I
shall consider it, Usagi. You have my word."

"I'm glad I could help," Serenity replied, still hopelessly
confused.

As her princess approached, Star Fighter noticed she looked at her
with a new perception. It puzzled her, but she felt all would be
explained in time. It usually was when it concerned Kakyuu. Kakyuu
grasped Star Fighter's hand and the pair shimmered into an orange
fireball, then hurled up into the sky. The senshi crowded around
Serenity and Endymion and watched them fly away.

"What do you suppose Princess Kakyuu meant by 'a truth I had not
seen' anyway?" Jupiter posed.

"I'm not entirely sure," Mercury answered.

"Beats me," Venus replied.

"Well I sure don't know!" Serenity added.

"That's because you're a clueless ditz," muttered Mars, rolling
her eyes.

"Stop being mean to me!" fumed Serenity. Then she smiled
wickedly. "That's a royal command."

"To which I say 'bite me, Your Highness'," Mars replied acidly.

Uranus and Neptune merely exchanged knowing smiles.
* * * *
Luna softly padded into the royal chambers of the King and Queen,
hoping to find Serenity there. After finally ditching Setsuko, who
seemed determined to pick the black cat up whether Luna wanted it or
not, she scoured the castle to no avail. Serenity was nowhere else to
be found and the little black cat was becoming concerned. However, Luna
found Serenity curled up in the windowsill of the room's ornate arched
window, staring out at the city that was in the process of evolving into
Crystal Tokyo.

"There you are! Honestly, Serenity, don't force me to tie a bell
around your neck!" There was no response. "Serenity? Is something
wrong?"

"No," Serenity replied wistfully. "I guess I'm just still a
little overwhelmed by all of this. My head's still swimming." She
looked out over the city again. "Nothing's ever going to be the same
again, is it?"

"Some of it will," Luna told her. The cat effortlessly leaped up
onto the sill next to Serenity. "But change is inevitable. You can't
cling to the past forever. Sooner or later you have to turn and face
the future or it'll sneak up on you and smack you across the bottom.
And the future doesn't have to be something to be scared of. This may
be the first day of a life filled with such joy and wonder than you'll
scarcely be able to imagine why you were ever frightened of it."

Serenity smiled. "You always know the right thing to say - -
sensei."

"S-Sen . . .?" stammered Luna. "Me?"

"Well, who else? Luna, you've been there for me from the very
beginning, mentoring me, nudging me, showing me just how much I could
accomplish if I just tried," Serenity said gratefully. Then she grew a
wicked smile and added "biting me on the calf when I didn't move fast
enough."

"It was only once," Luna scowled.

"Luna, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today! Who
knows what I would have become, but it wouldn't have been this. Sure, I
owe a lot to my husband and the senshi, but you more than anyone took a
scared, clumsy little goof-up and made her a Queen. So who else should
I call sensei?"

"Well," Luna began, her voice thick with emotion, "once again I
don't think you're giving yourself enough credit. But I-I do appreciate
the sentiment."

"It's been a long and winding road, hasn't it?" Serenity grinned.

"With more than enough bumps to suit me," Luna nodded. "But we've
made it. And the best is yet to come. So if you feel it best to
address me as sensei, I don't see how I can refuse - - Your Majesty."

"Luna," groaned Serenity.

"Oh, don't start being modest," clucked Luna.

"I wish you wouldn't."

"It's fully deserved."

"It makes me uncomfortable."

"It's a term of great respect, as befitting someone of your title
and station!"

"Well I don't like it! I wish you'd call me Usagi!"

"You're not Usagi any longer! You're Serenity now!"

"Well even Serenity's better than something pretentious and stuffy
like 'Your Majesty'!" pouted Serenity.

Luna glared at her. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
retorted the cat.

"LUUUUUUUUNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
* * * *
And they lived happily ever after.

Mostly.

THE END