Burning Blossoms
Whenever she remembered the outcome of that gruesome conflict, a pearl-like teardrop would roll down her cheek – beautiful, but a sad symbol of her great loss. This battle, she remembered always with a stab of pain, when she lost two of the most beloved and important people in her life.
Upon the Altar I Sacrifice
She hadn’t remembered feeling as helpless as she did at that moment. She was powerless to do anything about the events playing out before her. Princess Serenity struggled to rush forward, but her Senshi: Vesta, Palla, Juno and Ceres held her back. They wouldn’t allow her to transform and fight this deadly enemy. Their reasons sound, as the price was much too high to risk losing their only remaining sovereign. Chibi-Usa, rather, princess Serenity was the last great hope for the Crystal Kingdom and the entire Universe.
“Mother, no,“ Princess Serenity cried, as she wept helplessly, tears streaking down her porcelain cheeks. Tears were also upon the faces of her valiant guardians flanking the distraught young monarch, each stunned by the scene playing out before them.
The princess’s eyes widened in shock as her mother closed her eyes to summon the Ginzuishou. “Mother! Oh, please don’t use the Ginzuishou, or you’ll die! Senshi, please, don’t let her do this. Whatever you do, do not let her die!“
“I must, my beautiful daughter. There is no other option. If this enemy is to be defeated, I must make the ultimate sacrifice to protect all of you. Chibi-Usa, my dearest one. You have to be strong. Know I love you, and will always love you and all my people…“
“Please let me fight, I won’t get hurt,” Princess Serenity shouted to Neo-Queen Serenity. She turned to her friends and protectors for help. But they remained stoic as she practically begged them to intervene, a look of hopelessness upon her face. She had already lost her father, Neo-King Endymion, when the Dark Blob, sent by an unknown enemy swallowed him as he tried to cover her mother in a futile attempt to prevent the attack. “Mother…mother…mommy!” Princess Serenity practically screamed her lungs out. Unable to force her eyes closed, she watched her mother turn towards her and smile at her one last time with those loving and determined eyes. Serenity powered up the Ginzuishou and dove into the Dark Blob.
~*~
~Why was it that nobody tried to stop her?~ the princess thought – ~no, no, no…!~
But no one could get close enough to save Neo Queen Serenity. They were all too far away fighting a group of vicious minions cast forth by the deadly Dark Blob, the Sailor Senshi: Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Mars stopping them from gaining energy for the Dark entity and using it to destroy the planet.
Two Senshi remained behind to prevent Princess Serenity doing anything stupid and dangerous she might later regret. Uranus and Neptune dealing with their own pain had to carry the weight of grief for their new queen also.
She struggled as she watched in shock when her mother disappeared inside the ravenous creature. It released what sounded like a frightening ‘gurgling’ sound. Then nothing but a deathly silence followed. Time seemed to slow right down before lurching forward in slow motion. Then the light burst forth in a blazing display of silvery fire from inside the Dark Blob. Then it happened. The entity suddenly imploded and was no more.
Princess Serenity suddenly felt faint. The Senshi tried to support her weight as her knees buckled under her. Then the young monarch’s Star Seed’s powerful energy erupted as her mind grasped what had happened. She practically hurled Neptune and Uranus aside and ran as fast as she could towards where she had last seen her mother, hoping she had somehow survived and everything would be all right. She clung to the hope they would be there, but her parents were nowhere to be found. The princess collapsed in a heap upon the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks as she wept uncontrollably while the Senshi tried their best to console her. “Mommy… Daddy, come back please! Don’t leave me alone, don’t leave me…”
The remaining Senshi came from all directions, but were too late to do anything. The girls huddled together around the grieving princess. Everyone shed many tears that dark day. Though the danger had passed, Princess Serenity didn’t care about that; she just wanted to know where her parents were.
Mercury attempted to calm her down, reminding her of her current condition. The princess felt a sudden rise of resentment begin to overwhelm her.
~If I weren’t in this condition and if I never, no, I can’t think that way!~
~*~
She felt a pair of arms wrapping themselves around her waist from behind, the sensation both warming and comforting. She felt a sense of well-being calming her. She hadn’t lost everything. Amidst the pain and loss, she realized, her life just might go on.
~*~
~I regret my inability to act, but I wanted so much to save them!~ she thought much later, taking in the gravity of the situation that seemed so surreal. She could not believe her parents were gone. ~,I’ll miss you mom and dad…I love you so!~
~*~
She found herself back in the present when with that last thought, Helios slipped his strong arms about her waist, much as he did back then. She relaxed against his powerfully built chest as she became aware her husband was hugging her.
He kissed away her tears. “We all miss them,” he whispered into her ear, calming her. “It’s all right. It’s not anyone’s fault.”
Queen Serenity turned around and placed her head upon his shoulder as she tried to cease her crying. Helios lifted her chin with his index finger and blessed her lips with a gentle kiss, yet it was also passionate.
He held her close and became aware of something lightly tapping him on the stomach. He looked down at Serenity’s swollen tummy and grinned. “I felt our baby’s kick. I think it’s worried because you are sad.” Helios looked at his lady.
Serenity smiled, “Don’t worry; I won’t be sad as long as I have you, Helios. I love you.” Then she felt the baby kicking once more, and she joked, “I think she is jealous that you are getting all the attention.”
Helios shook his head and smiled, “Why do you always insist it’s a girl.”
“Because, I just know -- it’s a family thing. Plus, I talked to Pluto.” Serenity said while giving Helios another hug.
He pouted, “No fair, you always get to know everything before I do.”
Serenity had to giggle at this. She tickled him by way of reply, “I don’t get to find out everything, it’s not easy to pries information concerning the future from Pluto, you know. I sort of tricked her out on this one, and that’s the only thing I’ll ever get out of her ever again.”
Helios nodded while trying to catch his breath. “Well, all right then. You two ladies had better rest up. Don’t want either one of you to get too cranky.”
Helios guided Serenity to their bed, helped her onto the mattress, and covered her with the thick woolen blankets.
~*~
Time flowed by ever so slowly. The month before her approaching birthday, everything seemed to go down hill. New enemies came. They were formless and reminded Serenity of the monster that had taken her parents, remembering her mother telling her about the place where all life forms (star seeds) were created and how light and dark attracted each other… She didn’t really understand it all that much at the time, especially as she was only a child when her mother attempted to explain it to her. She barely understood it now. She really couldn’t do anything about the current fight without hurting both herself and the baby. Every part of her body seemed to ache as she tried to sit up before climbing out of bed.
She dragged herself to the Central Command room every day. All she could do was look on helplessly, yet again. She could offer opinions and give orders to the Senshi, but that was it.
Most of the battles were successful, and hardly any Senshi got more than a few superficial bruises. It was all due to teamwork she guessed. Her Senshi and her mother’s Senshi fought along side one another. Soon it seemed the enemy had become restless and had them figured out somehow. The conflict had gotten progressively worse. No one at the palace got much rest at all. Even when Sailor Mercury insisted, Serenity should not worry too much and should take care of herself and the baby, Serenity tried to obey Doctor Mercury’s orders, but couldn’t help talking to her advisors about the conflict. She simply wanted to make sure everyone was all right. She was especially worried about Helios.
On those rare days when there were no attacks, Helios would hold her close and watch her sleep. Then, as was often the case, a week straight of non-stop battles would follow.
Luna, while in the Command center, predicted that this might be the last of these enemies. She was sure the Senshi would win. Serenity was sure Luna was trying to pacify her. Sure enough though, the war ended. But peace came at a terrible price.
It was the last battle, one with the arch nemesis. Serenity watched powerless as she sat behind the huge computer screen. Something nagged at the back of her mind, but she couldn’t quite put a finger on what it was. The memory of the last fatal battle kept popping into her mind. But she wouldn’t believe it would end like that this time.
She watched as Helios fought bravely. The Senshi sent out their attacks, but the monster absorbed these. Helios brought down his sword upon the creature. On impact, everything stilled. Then the monster’s outer shell burst open, revealing those Blobs they had fought so long ago.
~*~
“No, not again!“
Then, as if in a perpetual nightmare, the Blob extended its dark slimy tentacles to grab hold of Helios. He hacked at these with his sword, but its shimmering blade became jammed in the shell of the creature. Helios immediately materialized his Golden Crystal, while the Senshi continued their attacks, but directed these away from Helios -- not wishing to hurt him. But the Blob seemed to absorb their attacks far more quickly than before.
King Helios gathered all his power, concentrating totally upon the Golden Crystal. Then, the Blob sucked him inside.
Meanwhile, at the Command center, Serenity unleashed a loud scream. “No Helios!”
The Senshi valiantly attempted to Rush the blob, but were thrown back by a powerful burst of energy. Luna franticly tried to turn the screen off. Then the Memory of the attack in the past merged with the current battle exploding within Serenity’s mind. She witnessed it all, seconds before it happened.
“Even though there will be peace throughout the Crystal Kingdom, life isn’t worth living without Helios, my last support,“ she said as she felt her world slip from under her once again as she fell into unconsciousness.
~*~
Luna, having assumed her human form, had caught Serenity before she hit the ground, screaming for Mercury. Luna was afraid of the impact of this tragedy upon the pregnant young queen, fearing the shock would be all too much. This, nobody could have possibly anticipated. Sure, Serenity shouldn’t have seen those traumatic events unfold, but it was unavoidable. Concerned at the emotional and mental state of the queen and welfare of her unborn child, she hoped Mercury could help the young sovereign through this.
~*~
Queen Serenity woke to find herself in bed. She lifted her eyes to the balcony. Stars lit the night sky. She felt a sudden chill sweep over her. When finally her mind caught up with all that had happened, she broke into uncontrollable sobs -- waves of pain wracking her body.
~No, this can’t be happening to me… It’s not fair… Not fair…Helios…Mom…Dad…~, She felt her heart freeze. She tried to shut out all the emotion rising up from her broken heart. No, she would never love again, especially if all she loved was taken from her. Then she felt the muscles at her abdomen tense, as a spasm of unexpected pain coursed through her. She gripped the bed sheets and tried to steady her breathing, when the pain lessened.
It was then she realized what was happening and called out for help, “Luna… Ami… anybody!”
Suddenly, the bedroom door was flung open as Mercury and Luna rushed into her bedchamber. “Hurry, the child is coming!“
Soon the palace midwife and her attendants brought the much-needed medical supplies and stood by the queen’s bedside preparing for the birth of her first child.
