The Dawn of Serenity				

		           Chapter Twenty-Five



	Two figures approached, and as Usagi set eyes upon them, 
something in her heart exploded, a joyful climax of relief and happiness.
They were tall and pale; one wearing a shimmering dress of yellow and 
black, its hem floating against her smooth thighs. Black curls cascaded 
like twisting rivulets from the crown of her head, while sapphire eyes 
returned her gaze with equal radiance. 
 
	The eyes of her companion were blue as well, but as light and 
clear as the skies overhead. He wore a uniform of ivory nothing like 
that of Helios', but a style not all that unknown to her. However, 
unlike that of the earthen priest, these hearkened from a completely 
different world that set them apart -- this world, branding its ancient 
protection upon their foreheads in the form of a golden crescent. If 
that were not enough to secure their place in her memory, the lazily 
flicking tails gave them completely away.

	"Luna...Artemis...!" Usagi almost squealed before leaping the 
remaining few feet  between them, burying herself within their embrace. 
Helios looked on patiently as mentors and princess shared greetings and 
glistening tears.

	When sufficient time had passed, he politely cleared his throat 
and they gave him their attention. "There is much to be said."

	"Of course, Helios," Luna replied, wiping away her tears quickly. 

	"Yes, what’s happened, where are the others?" Usagi asked, 
hopeful. The looks passing between her friends quickly dashed the light 
of hope from her eyes. "Something’s happened to them, hasn’t it?"

	"Something’s happened to us all, Usagi," Luna answered. "Come, 
walk with us."

	She took her place between them as Helios cantered slowly behind. 
They followed the forest path and passed into the dappled light of the 
trees. Rays of light came through the canopy, catching the dust in the 
air and creating beams of light that sporadically scattered throughout 
the winding path ahead of them. She could hear birds singing somewhere, 
soft and charming as if they were trying to calm her nerves and wayward 
thoughts. It was so peaceful here, but there was something beneath it 
all -- a tremor of danger and anxiousness she could feel radiating from 
her long lost friends and the ground beneath her feet. 

	"What’s going on...where is everyone, is the Earth okay? Please, 
I’m so confused!" she said, turning to face them. She barred their way, 
forcing the entourage to come to a halt. Usagi looked at them 
beseechingly, and while Artemis and Luna were quick to avert there eyes,
Helios was steadfast as always. 

	"We lost, Princess," he answered simply, as if it were that 
easy.

	"L-lost...?"

	He turned away and stared through a gap in the trees that
revealed a glassy lake. Birds were swooping down, landing expertly with
wings spread wide. They skimmed across the lake before coming to a halt, 
disrupting the calm, distorting the perfect reflection of the sky above. 
His mind played tricks on him, burning the sky and torching the clouds 
into ash that fell like rain upon the land. The lake became as red as 
his maiden’s eyes, but far less friendly and innocent. It was not a 
vision, but a memory; one he wished he could forget. As Usagi came to 
stand beside him, searching his face, he turned to her and away from the
dark scene in his mind. 

	"Helios...?"

	"I watched as Beryl and Metallia covered our home when there 
was no one left to oppose them. They plunged the world into darkness and
ice so nothing could survive. Whole cities, countries, continents were 
swallowed up in their wake. They came here next. They wanted to destroy 
Elysian, but Beryl never understood the relationship between the two 
worlds. One cannot exist without the other. If Elysian were truly 
destroyed, Earth would have been swift to follow. I managed to fool 
them into thinking it destroyed, but after that, I had little power to 
do anything else. Without the full power of the Golden Crystal, I was 
crippled. Thus, I remained here protecting what I could. I watched as 
evil dominated, and hoped and prayed that somehow, a way would be shown."

	"As for us, we were caught in the wave of destruction," Luna 
picked up where Helios left off. "We came to the battlefield to see it 
empty before we were frozen. We tried to fight it, but as with the 
Silver Millennium, we were put into a deep sleep to protect us. Helios, 
on occasion,  contacted us in our dreams, but this contact was distorted
and hard to understand. Then, a few years ago, something freed us."

	"Something...?" Usagi repeated.

	"Yes," Artemis said. "We can’t explain it, but one day we woke 
from our dreams and into this dreamland. Helios does not understand it 
either, but it was the start of everything. We were given power...we 
were given a chance to get our world back. Come, it’s only a little 
further."

	"What is...?" 

	Luna looped her arm through Usagi’s, giving her a confident smile
as they continued their journey in relative silence. She let them lead 
her on; trying to assimilate the information they had already offered 
her. The knowledge that they had failed stung her heart. So many people 
had depended upon them, and they let them down -- she had let them down. 

	"Only a few humans were allowed to survive. They became Beryl 
and her Youma’s slaves, and we knew things had to change. The dark 
kingdom’s power has waned over the last few years as the Earth continues
to perish, so it was the perfect time to strike. Since we needed to keep
the secret of Elysian in tact, we created a new world, a new name for 
our revolution."

	The path abruptly widened and the forest fell away to bright 
sunlight and an open sky. The path seemed to disappear, but as they got 
closer, Usagi could see the path turned downhill into a windswept valley. 
Nestled close to a glistening river, a white city, large enough to house
thousands appeared. Seeing such a sight seemed awkward in this place, 
but the buildings were natural, somehow blending in with the magical 
landscape.

	"We called it Serenitas, after your favorite hideaway so long 
ago," Luna continued with a wistful smile. They turned left and followed
another path that went gently following the contours of the valley wall.
"With Helios’ help we called to people in their dreams, bringing them 
here to this place of safety, and started building our rebellion force 
known as the Order of Serenitas. As our numbers grew, so did our power, 
and our hope of having a fighting chance in this war. But we knew, 
without you, there would never be any victory. We sent a spy into the 
palace looking for you, praying that you were not lost. Luck, or 
something greater, was on our side for once. You were found and brought 
to us, and now we can free our world."

	"Demando has recently declared war against Beryl. It seems we 
are not the only ones dissatisfied with her reign. Her factions are 
divided," Helios added. 

	"You cannot fight until Chibi-Usa is born, but Demando should buy
us enough time until then."

	"We couldn’t have planned this better ourselves," Artemis 
chuckled.

	"But we can’t take the chance of Demando actually succeeding in 
overthrowing Beryl, and creating another evil empire just as bad, if not
worse than before," Luna said, pointedly.

	"How do you plan to do that, then...?" Usagi asked, and all nodded
towards the west. Usagi’s eyes swept over the valley floor below, and 
they widened in disbelief.

	The ground was white and moving, like wind sweeping through tall
grass, but she could tell the difference almost immediately. It was an 
army larger than anything she had ever seen, rank upon rank of lines 
marching in perfect unison. It was beautiful, but dangerous at the same 
time.

	"We built you an army, an army of hope and dreams to win back 
the world we once lost, to follow you into a brighter tomorrow. We are 
ready."

	"How...how many years have I been gone?" Usagi asked, choosing 
another question they feared answering. 

	"You’ve...been asleep for a millennium, Usagi," Artemis answered 
simply. Usagi looked over the fields, but her eyes were unfocused, 
seeing the world in a haze that mirrored the state of her mind.

	"A millennium..." she breathed out, the number too large to fathom
right now. Everything was changed, not over a day, or week, or even a 
year -- a millennium. There wouldn’t be a single thing the same. She 
began to think of her family, and gasped painfully. They were gone; 
lost to an icy oblivion so many years ago. She would never see them again, 
never even get to say goodbye. 

	"It’ll be okay, Usagi," Artemis spoke up, attempting to lift his
voice into a cheerful tone, but winced as his words came out shaky and 
uneven. "We can win this time. We have everything we need now that you 
are here. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point; don’t lose hope 
when we’ve finally gained all the pieces we’ve needed."

	"Yes, you must have worked very hard. I’m sorry you had to do 
it alone," Usagi smiled, and after all this time, she still had the 
ability to lift their spirits. "But...how did you do all this...hiding 
Elysion, creating this city and this army...creating the order of 
Serenitas and staying away from Beryl. It must have taken so much."

	"Well, we had help." Luna touched the necklace at her breast, 
and obediently it started to glow, the light shimmering from red to 
green, then blue. Usagi felt herself pulled into them, the warmth these 
stones were expelling filling her heart.

	"Those lights...I’ve, I’ve felt them before," she declared in 
surprise.

	"A year after the battle, long ago, they came to fight Beryl," 
Helios began. "They knew they couldn’t let this beautiful world be taken
over; they couldn’t let the galaxy’s strongest defenders perish without 
being avenged. But more importantly, they wanted to save you, the 
princess whom changed and saved their world."

	Usagi gasped, realization finally dawning on her. "The 
Starlights..."

	"Yes, and I watched as they fought most bravely. However, it 
was not enough to break the curse on this land. Even when they faced 
annihilation, they would not back down. But I knew you would never 
forgive me if I let them fall, so I used whatever power I could to bring
them safely here, out of Beryl’s grasp. I tried to reason with them, 
telling them if they died, they would leave their planet and princess 
unprotected. They heeded my words, thankfully, but left something behind."

	Helios pointed to the necklaces around Artemis and Luna’s necks,
the stones glowing proudly. 

	"They left some of their power, their essence, behind. It would 
not be enough to defeat Beryl, no, but it would be enough to protect 
Elysion- to help aid our quest to restore this kingdom. When Artemis and
Luna showed up mysteriously, I gave the stones to them."

	"Starlights..." Usagi whispered, letting a trembling sigh escape 
into the sweet air. "They came to help us, to help me..."

	"You change everyone you meet," Helios said gently. "They loved 
you as if you were their own princess, and were very hard to convince to
leave...especially Sailor Starfighter. She was adamant on the subject 
of staying to fight, but I told her that it would do no good if you were
to wake up one day, knowing they had sacrificed themselves for you for
nothing."

	"Seiya...who else has suffered because of me...?"

	The three leaders looked at one another, concerned at her grave 
tone. "Come on, Usagi, let’s go back to the temple." Luna wrapped her 
arm around the young woman’s shoulders, leading her back to the forest 
path.

+++++

	Shortly thereafter, they returned to the temple, watching 
Usagi’s face as she came to grips with reality. They knew it would be 
hard for her, but the worst was yet to come. They had yet to answer the 
most important questions lurking within her mind, and part of them 
wished she would never ask.

	Their faux sun was beginning to set, casting the sky bright 
orange with purple and pink streaks. The birds were quiet now, settling 
into their nests while animals disappeared into their burrows and caves.
She wished there were some hole she could disappear into as well -- even
returning to the state of shadows where she couldn’t feel alone or lost.
She turned to them, her hair glowing in the dying light. 

	"Where are my friends? Where...where is Mamo-chan?"   

	"Usagi..." Luna whispered painfully, opening her mouth to continue, 
but the words froze on the tip of her tongue. She had practiced these 
lines so many times, but seeing Usagi’s glistening eyes broke her 
resolve completely. A gentle hand touched her shoulder, and with an 
encouraging smile, Helios stepped between the Lunarian and her Mauan 
advisors. They were thankful for his intervention, knowing in many ways,
the young priest would always be more mature than most of them.

	"After the battle, Beryl took the bodies of the Senshi. Our spy 
has informed us she has them locked away in a tomb out of the public 
eye, in the upper reaches of her tower. I cannot reach them through 
dreams, which usually means--" Helios paused, seeing the horror on his 
princess’ face. 

	"Helios couldn’t reach you either, Usagi. Maybe they’re just 
like you were," Luna offered quickly, and Helios nodded in agreement.

	"It is highly possible."

	"And...Mamo-chan...?" Even Helios was hesitant to answer now.

	"Endymion is...alive."

	Usagi sighed in relief, and leaned against a pillar. She covered
her eyes with her palms for a moment, trying to collect herself. She 
had a feeling she already knew the answer to her next question, and her 
heart was already beginning to ache.

	"Where...is he?"

	"Mamoru is with Beryl and the Shitennou," Luna answered. "After 
the battle she...she brainwashed him into thinking he was hers. He's 
lived beside her all these years, helping to power her empire by using 
the Golden Crystal as their main source of energy, one of the reasons 
why it's taken so long to come to this moment. Not even Helios knows the
full extent of the crystal’s power -- it could be as boundless as yours."

	"The crystal is dying, however. The edges are turning black. If 
the whole crystal loses its shine-"

	"He will die," Usagi interrupted Helios, her eyes still hidden 
beneath her bangs. 

	"Yes." The whole world seemed to become silent as it waited for 
her to reply, and even Helios became troubled by her silence. She just 
stood there, her arms wrapped tight around herself as she stared holes 
into the grass. Luna wanted her to wail and cry like she used to- at 
least that was a Usagi she knew all too well. This one was foreign, and it 
left the black haired woman out of her element.

	"I...I would like to go back to my room, please," Usagi finally 
muttered, almost too soft to hear.

	"Of course..." Luna stepped up, leading Usagi back into the 
palace while Artemis and Helios looked on. When they were out of sight, 
Artemis sighed.

	"Well, that went well."

	"She took it bravely, as expected," Helios replied. 

	"You’re right. Do you think we should tell her about our spy?"

	Helios thought for a somber moment before replying. "No."

+++++

	"But we mustn't meet like this anymore."

	"Why not...?"

	"Inhabitants of the Earth and the Moon must not have contact 
with one another. That is the gods' law. I can't fall in love with you...
But it's too late..."


	"I'll always be by your side, Serenity."


	"Say those words one more time."

	"I already said them fifty times last night."

	"Just once more...!"

	"Okay, one last time. Marry me, Usa."+


	Usagi opened her eyes, waiting for the memories to fade and lose
their potency before getting up. She didn’t rise for a while.

	Mamoru was floating around in her head, and each memory was as 
beautiful and as painful as the roses he loved so much. She had to face 
the truth today, and her body was just as hesitant as the rest of her to
rise. Mamoru and her friends were out of her reach. At least he was 
alive, at least she hadn't lost him completely like the others. It 
still hurt however, to be so far away from him. And maybe...maybe there 
was some small hope she could still save them too. Her stomach twisted 
for a moment, and with a sad smile, she placed her hand on her abdomen. 

	"I miss him too, Chibi-Usa," she whispered. 
	
	Slowly, Usagi got up and made her way to the golden vanity. A 
light pink sundress was folded on it, and she brought the soft fabric 
to her face and breathed in the scent -- roses. She put it back down 
and glanced up at her reflection. Her hair was in complete disarray, 
and her skin seemed old and lifeless. With a grimace, she turned to 
look for the bathroom and quickly realized Elysion was not twenty-first 
century Tokyo. There was no running water, or metal pipes to be seen, 
and with a sigh, she lamented the lack of a working toilet. 

	"So much for the future," she muttered and returned to the 
bedroom. For the first time she realized there was a red rope hanging 
close to the vanity and reached out to feel its soft velvet texture 
against her palm. Curious, she pulled on it, but nothing seemed to 
happen. With a sigh, she sat on the edge of the bed, placing her head 
in her hands.

	"Can I help you, your highness?" Usagi looked up, finding a 
wide-eyed brunette girl standing on the threshold, her nervous hands 
playing with one another in front of her. 

	"I...uh, I'd like to take a shower, or bath, but there's no 
faucets or..."

	"Faucets?" the girl repeated, moving into the room. "Well, I'd 
be more than happy to draw you a bath, if that's what you wish."

	"Oh, well...thank you."

	Usagi watched as the girl set to work, disappearing for a while 
until she returned with a bucket and another girl with short black hair 
in tow. The other kept glancing at Usagi awkwardly, as if she were 
waiting for the blonde to do something. They made several trips back 
and forth before stopping in front of her.

	"Your bath is ready. Would you like assistance?"

	"N-No thank you," Usagi blushed, standing up.

	"Is there anything else you will need?"

	"Um, perhaps some breakfast?" 

	"Of course, we'll leave it outside on your veranda," the lead 
girl said, pointing to the glass doors opposite the entrance to her 
room. 

	"Thank you, for everything," Usagi said.

	"You're welcome," she smiled. Both bowed quickly before turning 
to leave.

	"Wait! What's...what are your names?"

	"My name is Lauryn, and this is Zhen," the older brunette girl 
introduced, pointing to her silent companion. 

	"Pleased to meet you, my name is Usagi." Usagi bowed, rising to 
find it was the girls who were blushing this time.

	"We know. Good day, Your Highness, if you need anything else, 
just call."

	She watched them leave, confused at their reaction for a moment,
before making her way into the bathroom. Under the ceramic tub, a small 
fire burned, and across the water flower petals floated like lazy ships.
There was a sweet fragrance in the room, and Usagi let it enter her 
lungs and calm her weary nerves. Shrugging out of her ancient clothes, 
she slowly dipped herself into the bath, the warm water embracing her 
skin. It was just hot enough to relax her muscles and she sighed, 
content. Everything was quiet and peaceful, so she closed her eyes and 
leaned back, feeling more alive with every passing second.

+++++

	Although reluctant, Usagi dragged herself from the bath, wrapping 
a robe about her shoulders, and made her way out onto the veranda where 
a covered dish awaited. Her stomach rumbled, and impatiently she ripped 
the lid off and drank in the aroma of something fruity and sweet. Inside
was what looked like oatmeal sprinkled with sugar and pieces of 
blueberries and strawberries with slices of buttered toast nearby. 
Licking her lips, she sat down, taking little time to dig in. The meal 
filled her body with warmth and put a smile on her face, and  for a 
moment, she could picture her old kitchen, so full of life. Her family 
always sat down together to eat in the morning, and she remembered the 
strong aroma of her father's coffee filling her nostrils as she ran down
the steps to grab something to eat. 

	Usagi frowned, dropping the piece of toast. "I'm sorry, I was 
always rushing...I wish I would've sat down with you more now. Would it
have killed me to wake up on time every now and then?"

	With her appetite ruined and her mood soured, Usagi got up and 
made her way to the vanity. She set to work fixing her hair, losing 
herself in the distraction of getting ready for another day. Her fingers
moving unconsciously, and soon put the familiar hairstyle back in place.
She let the soft robe fall off her shoulders and climbed into the 
sundress. It was beautiful and slimming, but she found she wasn't as 
excited about new clothes anymore. She took one last look at her 
reflection, finally recognizing herself beneath the layers of confusion 
since waking. 

	'You can do this, Usagi,' she thought to herself before nodding 
and walking out to face another turn of destiny's will. 

+++++

	As she stepped into the hall, Usagi found herself completely 
unprepared for the sight that met her eyes. Lining the hallway were 
people--  big and small and of every description imaginable, all staring
at her as if she had just jumped out of a history book -- and in a way 
she had as far as the inhabitants of Elysion were concerned. She walked 
among them hesitantly, bewildered by their amazement and warm smiles. 

	"Princess..."

	"It's unbelievable..."

	"You're here..." they whispered, following her like a train as 
she passed them by. At the end of the hall, she found familiar faces and
relaxed under the smiles of Luna, Artemis and Helios as the two Shrine 
Maidens enclosed their small party. 

	"What's going on...?" she asked.

	"We've had little hope in this world, besides finding you," Luna
explained. "Word has spread all over Elysion that you are here; they've 
come to see if it is true."

	"You're a celebrity," Artemis chuckled, doing his best to 
lighten the mood as usual.

	"Oh, I see." 

	"Come, let's go somewhere more private," Helios suggested, 
holding out his hand  and indicating a nearby hallway towards the left. 
They were about to leave, but Usagi turned and faced the people once 
more, not knowing exactly what to say. Instead, she bowed her head 
humbly, doing her best to offer a smile before following the others 
down the hall. They moved through the temple, taking a number of twists 
and turns until they reached a secluded area. A basin of water sat in 
the middle of the room before a slightly raised altar covered in purple 
and gold banners. 

	"This is my personal prayer room," Helios explained. "No one 
will bother us here."

	"How are you feeling?" Luna asked.

	"I'm..." Usagi sighed, fighting the tears.

	"I’m sorry, Usagi. I’m sorry that all this happened. I wish..." 
Luna let her words taper off. So many things she wished for; where could
she even start?

	"It's not your fault, Luna."

	"The blame is not yours either, Princess," Helios said. "We were
dealt a bad hand by fate, but we must believe it happened for a reason."

	"What reason could there be for so much destruction and hate?" 
she whispered.

	"Why does winter rage and destroy what spring has created? 
Life...it is a cycle," Helios answered.

	"And winter is almost over," Artemis added.

	"I want to see the Earth. I want to see what's happened to it," 
Usagi asked suddenly.

	"Usagi-"

	"Please!" She looked up then, and they were taken aback by how 
dark with unshed tears her eyes had become. "I must see."

	"As you wish," Helios acquiesced, even though he knew his 
colleagues were hesitant. He approached the basin in the middle of the 
room, and beckoned her to follow. He touched the water when she 
approached, and the ripples destroyed their reflections and created 
something horrifying. 

	The land was broken apart, frozen and black beneath an 
electrified horizon. The dark clouds crashed against one another, 
bathing the world in lightning and ash. A black crystal palace loomed 
over a ghastly city, a dark monument to an even darker time. Usagi 
clutched at the brooch at her chest, her fingers tightening around the 
mystical device until her knuckles turned white. 

	She wasn't seeing the scene anymore. She was seeing her family, 
her friends --  Naru and the senshi. She was seeing a world with 
sunshine and love, of freedom and hope. She was seeing Mamoru and 
Chibi-Usa and herself together finally as a family. She was seeing all 
the people of this world that deserved a chance at happiness, too.

	She turned to face them, her eyes clear for the first time. 
Things had changed, but hope wasn't lost just yet. They were still with 
her in her heart, even if it took a little time for her to remember. 
"I'll bring this world back and set everyone free, no matter what."

	Helios, Luna and Artemis smiled at her, their hearts filling 
with happiness and pride. Luna pounced on her, both giggling with relief
as Artemis came to stand close by. Helios watched, as he always did, and
let a nervous sigh escape his pale lips. 

	"Let the revolution begin."

+++++