The non-original characters in this fanfiction are copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi and Toei where applicable. Any original characters are considered the intellectual property of Danny Lilithborne and may NOT be used without permission.
You may want to read "The Golden Queen of Shadow Galactica" as it is something of a prelude to this fiction.
--
Light. Darkness. Two opposite sides of the same coin. But the nature of both? Very different.
Light seeks to reconcile its illusion of many into its reality of one. It is for this purpose that all beings with life have been given Star Seeds. The light of most people's Star Seeds cannot survive outside their bodies for very long. Only the eternal Star Seeds — the Sailor Crystals — have the power to live without a body.
Darkness, on the other hand, all comes from one source. The servants of Chaos are indelibly linked to their Master. They cannot deviate from its will, even if they repent and wish for forgiveness. Once a body is corrupted by Chaos, the only thing that can save him or her from pursuing Chaos' destructive dream is to willingly submit to death. Very few beings can overcome their fear of what lies beyond death's door and so instead become Chaos' pawns.
For millennia, the battle between light and darkness has raged. But now, for the first time, there is another player in the game.
A being that stands between light and darkness, knowing of both, but being of neither.
The only question now is, whose allegiance will this being take? And will it bring victory to one side?
Or will it use its power to destroy both sides and this world forevermore...?
--
SAILOR MOON: CHAOS THEORY
STRING 02 – Beryl's Desire, The Seal of Endymion
Prometheus pounded the training dummy with all of his strength. The dummy, in response, simply quivered, seeming to taunt him. Even though the dummy was made of a very resilient material, Prometheus was still expecting more power from his fist.
"Damn it! I have to be stronger! I have to be!"
He struck the dummy again, but once again it had little effect. He felt a burst of pain from his sides. His wounds were in danger of reopening if he continued his training. He had no choice... he had to stop for now...
Prometheus felt a heat in his eyes... no. Tears?
Mother... Father...
Prometheus started to attack the dummy with blind rage. His wound now burst open, blood staining his bandaged wounds. Pain shocked his body back into reality, but Prometheus kept trying to fight through it.
I was weak then... but I won't be weak anymore... I promise!
He then heard a voice behind him.
"Is it power you seek, young one?"
Prometheus turned around in response and saw a figure floating in the air, a robed man holding a crystal ball with two faintly glowing eyes. Little else could be seen.
"If it is avenging your parents you wish, you can be given all the power you need..."
Prometheus scoffed. "You must be Death Phantom," he said.
"You know who I am," Death Phantom replied. "I am impressed."
Prometheus shook his head. "You cannot fool me. My parents are dead and nothing can bring them back. I do not fight to avenge them, but to honor their memories. Surrendering to you would bring shame to my ancestors!"
"Hm hm hm, as you wish," Death Phantom said as he shimmered away. "But remember this - as long as your heart is untouched by darkness... you can never hope to lay a finger on her, much less defeat her."
"Her?... Who? Who do you mean?"
"Don't be foolish, child! I mean the one who told you about me, of course... Sailor Galaxia!"
And then there was silence.
Prometheus clenched his fist as he gazed up into the air where Death Phantom had gone. Galaxia has told me that she lost a battle to Death Phantom, he thought to himself. The only foe she opposed that she could not defeat.
What could his words mean?
Prometheus dropped to one knee as his body started to feel the effects of blood loss. He could train no further today.
--
Sailor Venus and Kunzite stared each other down from across the arena. Venus had an expectant smile on her face, while Kunzite's expression was deathly serious.
"I'm ready when you are," Venus said, putting up her fists.
"Come!" Kunzite replied, not bothering to put up his own guard.
Venus ran forward, eyes on her opponent, waiting for him to move. She knew he would not be moved, until the last possible moment, but her intent was to force his hand. Venus clenched her fist and thrust it at Kunzite. As expected, he dodged the blow, moving so fast that to observers it would seem as though he had disappeared.
He's no doubt behind me, already preparing for a blow, Venus thought to herself. Even without any magical powers, Kunzite is a frightening opponent.
"Too slow!" Kunzite shouted. He threw a punch at her from the front. He doubled back! she thought. Venus barely had time to realize this before she had to focus on dodging her opponent. The knuckles of his fist grazed Venus' nose as she leaned back, handstanding for a flip.
This is a bad situation for me, Venus thought. I'm in a prone position, but Kunzite's free to attack me. What can I do?
Indeed, Kunzite had already launched his attack. Rushing forward, he struck Venus' back with his elbow, knocking her to the ground.
"You were too busy thinking!" Kunzite shouted. "Stop trying to figure out what I plan to do and fight me, Sailor Venus."
But Venus just bounced to her feet. "I was merely testing you, Kunzite. Can't have you slacking off on the job, you know? Ha ha ha ha!"
Kunzite shook his head in apparent disgust. "Can you take anything seriously, Sailor Venus?"
Venus' eye twinkled. Now's my chance!
"Crescent Beam!" she shouted, pointing at her opponent.
Kunzite gasped and got back to attention just in time to flick the beam away with his hand. As a result, he was not quite prepared for Venus' followup attack.
She rushed forward with a flying kick, throwing all her weight into it in an attempt to end the fight. Kunzite crouched at once to dodge the kick, then grabbed Venus' leg and flung her away. She managed to recover her balance in time to land safely.
"You wasted your opening," Kunzite rebuked her. "Instead of engaging me in one-on-one combat, you tried to end it all with a flashy maneuver. Now you w—"
Both fighters stopped in their tracks as they sensed the approach of another.
"Go!" Kunzite shouted.
"Right!" Venus replied, and they both rushed to the source of the presence.
Kunzite and Sailor Venus pinned the intruder from both sides, unsheathing their weapons - Kunzite's sword and Venus' chain which she wore around her waist, which she held like a whip, in preparation for combat.
The intruder was Prince Endymion.
"Endymion, what are you doing?" Kunzite shouted, aggravated.
"Were you going to see Princess Serenity again?" Venus grumbled.
"If I were going to do that, you think I'd try to go through here?" Endymion asked with a somewhat annoyed look on his face.
"...Good point," Venus sighed, embarassed.
"I need Kunzite and the other Guardians," Endymion said. "I am being called upon by a visitor."
--
"She looked like my daughter?" Queen Serenity asked as she walked along the corridors of the castle with Sailor Galaxia.
"Yes... the girl from my dreams... the one that called herself Sailor Moon," Galaxia affirmed. "She looked exactly like Princess Serenity. There is no mistaking it."
"I can normally understand the visions of dreamers, but I admit to being at a loss about this one," the Queen said.
Sailor Galaxia crossed her arms as she walked. "When I saw her face, I was frightened about the reaction that Chaos would have. But I was not aware of it having any reaction at all. It was like it was dormant."
"But the Princess said she could see you were suppressing it," the Queen mused.
"I do not like to ask this, and believe me when I say I would avoid asking this if I could," Galaxia said. "But I must know... who is the Princess's father?"
The Queen fell silent at this question.
"It is as I thought, then," Galaxia replied, no hint of surprise or shock in her voice.
"What are you saying?"
"I am saying that your daughter is a child of the universe." Galaxia looked out at the reflection of Earth below. "She was summoned by the darkness to combat it. Not in battle, but in embrace. That is the legend that predates even me, the oldest living being in this universe."
"I have never heard of this legend..." Queen Serenity followed Galaxia's gaze. They stopped walking and, together, looked at the Earth.
"'When darkness comes to make all into one, she will appear, born of love for all, shining the light that we must follow'," Galaxia said, putting her head in her hands. "That's the way the legend went. For quite some time, I believed I was the person the legend referred to. But then I battled in the Sailor Wars. I couldn't even save myself, much less my friends. And yet I continued to survive."
"And you now think that my daughter may be this person in the legend?"
"It would explain why she tried to reach out for me during my battle with Death Phantom in my dream," Galaxia mused quietly, reflecting on earlier times. "And why she tried to reach out to me even now. You and her have Star Seeds. I have none. Why should she try to save me?"
"Perhaps it is as she said." Queen Serenity turned to the Sailor Soldier and smiled. "Perhaps you're a good person."
Galaxia just blushed, feeling flustered.
Perhaps someday, Queen Serenity, I can believe that.. when I can give my life to save everyone. Until then, I can only move forward and fight. It is all I know how to do...
--
Beryl tried not to let her eyes linger too much on Prince Endymion's body when he appeared. The longing that he could elicit in her was not going to be helpful to her. I am here for a very specific purpose. Do not forget that.
"Hello, Ms. Beryl," Prince Endymion said. "You wished to see me?"
He was accompanied by his Guardians. Of course - being cautious in this tense political situation was only natural.
"Prince Endymion, your Highness," Beryl said with a bow. "I have been having disturbing premonitions lately. I must know... the Golden Crystal, have you had anything unusual happen with it recently?"
"Ms. Beryl, we know that you come representing the people of the outer Earth," the guardian Jadeite said. "But surely you know that they hold a grudge against us, and against the Kingdom of Serenity."
"It should not be surprising that those negative feelings are interfering with your visions," Nephrite added.
"You don't understand," Beryl said, her voice breaking. "In these visions, the Kingdom of Serenity is destroyed. And the Prince... and Princess Serenity... are dead."
The guardians gasped in shock while Prince Endymion's eyes widened.
But Beryl wasn't finished. "And... I am the one who kills them."
She lowered her eyes and tried to fight back tears.
Zoisite touched his hand to his chin. "You would tell this to us?"
"I do not want to hold anything back from you," Beryl replied. "If I become manipulated by evil forces, then... you must..."
"But it doesn't make sense," Jadeite said. "If Chaos was planning to control and use you, why would it show you that vision?"
"There is only one way to be sure," Prince Endymion said.
"You can't be serious, Master!" Kunzite shouted.
"Don't be worried, Kunzite," Endymion said, although in truth he was also concerned. "If Beryl was corrupted by Chaos — if her beautiful dreams were stolen away — then she will not be able to approach the Golden Crystal. Besides, she did come here to tell us this."
"But what if that's her plan?" Zoisite asked. His question was not asked with anger, but out of a genuine inquisitiveness.
"He is right," Beryl offered. "You do not have a reason to trust me with the Golden Crystal. I only wish for you to see the Crystal yourself, to see if it has been damaged."
"It is not that we don't trust you, Ms. Beryl," Nephrite said in an apologetic manner. "But if Chaos has infected you, we have every reason to be cautious."
"We'll accompany her into the chamber," Prince Endymion said. "With you four there, it shouldn't be a problem. Come, let's go."
--
"Galaxia... Sailor Galaxia..."
The woman from before, but she looked different. Younger. She was floating above the Earth, as before, holding the mirror that had formed. But she looked calmer. And this time, she was talking to me.
"Yes, queen of the new moon?"
"Galaxia, you struggle so hard to change the future, but you cannot. The future has already happened."
"What... you mean... the visions I see... they will happen?"
"They have already happened. Galaxia, you cannot change fate, but you can continue to try. Chaos serves an essential role in the future."
"Do you not want revenge upon the people of the white moon?"
"I had my revenge. There was nothing left afterward. Nothing but those sympathetic eyes. And a new nightmare to come. Galaxia... the nightmare is after you."
"...Me?"
"The dreams that children dream... do not doubt them."
Galaxia opened her eyes. She wasn't sweating this time.
She didn't remember what happened. After Galaxia told Queen Serenity about her dreams of Sailor Moon, her consciousness had faded into that dream of the woman in the seal. Galaxia had meant to tell Queen Serenity about her, but...
These gaps in my memory are disconcerting. It's like my consciousness is pulled out of me at moments. These make me more worried that Chaos is taking full control of my body.
She pondered on the woman's words. Chaos serves an essential role? Ridiculous!
Galaxia got out of bed and changed into her battle uniform. Another day, another training session. Always with the hope that today, the soldier to succeed her would be found.
--
Beryl and the Generals stood before the center of the castle of Elysion, as Prince Endymion raised his arms.
"Why must the Prince open the doors?" Beryl whispered to Jadeite.
"You are the most skilled witch on Earth and you don't know?" Jadeite replied with a certain sense of indignation.
"Only descendants of Selene are permitted to know the enchantments behind the Seal of Endymion," Kunzite explained.
"The immortal moon goddess?" Beryl gasped. "The Prince is one of her descendants?"
"That's right," Zoisite nodded. "Isn't his power amazing?"
As if on cue, the doors of Elysion opened, and inside was the Golden Crystal.
"Approach it," Prince Endymion said. "If Chaos has corrupted you, it won't let you come near."
Beryl walked into the chambers with trepidation. She knew about the nature of the Golden Crystal and how it channeled the dreams of all of those on Earth. The answers to the ruin of the planet were quite literally about to be at her fingertips.
Contact...!
Beryl closed her eyes and focused her energy. She was now united with all humans on the earth, through their dreams. Whatever troubles they had while awake, in their sleep they thought of more pea...
Those damn people in the Kingdom of Serenity...
"What?" Beryl gasped.
I oughta kill that Princess... those people up there think they're better than us...
Beryl's body began to tremble and shake as the true nature of mankind was revealed to her.
I should be queen of this world... I'd run it way better than that idiot Metalia.
"No... no!"
"Ms. Beryl?" Prince Endymion shouted. "Is the Crystal corrupted as you feared?"
"No... the Crystal isn't corrupted."
Beryl moved her hands away from the Crystal and backed away. "The people of Earth..." She scarcely could believe her own words.
"What about the people of Earth?" Nephrite said after some time of silence.
"Their hearts..." Beryl stammered. "T-that's the reason... the earth is corrupt... because their hearts..."
Prince Endymion sighed with concern. "Corrupt hearts produce bad dreams, and bad dreams taint the planet," he said. "That explains it all."
"So, does this mean that Chaos...?" Jadeite started to ask.
Beryl was in tears now. "No... it's not Chaos," she said. "Chaos cannot change the hearts of men and women in this way. No... it's the people. They've chosen..."
"Chosen what?" Zoisite shouted; all four generals knew what was coming, though.
"Evil," Beryl said. "They've chosen evil. Out of their own free will. And that means it's only a matter of time before they rise up against the monarchy."
She dropped to her knees, overwhelmed. The darkness that she had been in touch with was tainting her spirit. But the Golden Crystal wasn't reacting.
There is only one thing left to do now...
"Ms. Beryl, do you need help?" Prince Endymion said, reaching to help her up.
Beryl shook her head and got to her feet. Oh, Prince... would that this moment were different. But I cannot be with you. It won't be much longer before...
"Thank you all for your help," she said. "I will have to convene with Queen Metalia on what to do about this situation."
Zoisite shook his head. "We can't simply leave it at this!"
"We should call an emergency meeting with the Sailor Soldiers," Nephrite went on...
"Leave the Sailor Soldiers out of this," Beryl said. "Before anything else, I must inform Queen Serenity of this complication. I will tell her myself."
"Ms. Beryl, are you crazy?" Jadeite protested. "You're a human. You cannot survive for very long on Serenity."
"It's only a matter of time before the darkness takes me too," Beryl said, remembering her vision. "This is the best way."
"You're not just giving up, are you, Ms. Beryl?" the other Generals protested. But Beryl didn't pay attention to them. She was focusing on what she had to do — on what she would have to sacrifice.
Prince Endymion... Princess Serenity... have a happy life together. I would rather spend an eternity in hell than be forced to risk witnessing your deaths... I'm sorry.
--
When Sailor Galaxia walked into the coliseum, it was empty.
"Where is everyone?" she shouted. "Where are the trainees?"
"I cancelled the training session," Queen Metalia said, approaching from behind. "I cancelled the entire department. It's over, Galaxia. I'm sorry... the earth can't support our activity anymore."
Galaxia's eyes narrowed. "Do you know what you're doing, Queen Metalia?"
"I've heard from Beryl," Metalia said. There was a sadness in her voice. "The increase in darkness... it's not coming from you."
"What?"
"It's the people, Galaxia." Metalia touched the jewel on her chest and squeezed it. "The hearts of the people of earth have been overtaken by evil. It won't be long before they rise up against us. The life of this planet... it won't be long. The dream that I had cherished for so long is dead."
Galaxia turned to look at the distressed queen. "Your dream, Queen Metalia?"
"I wanted to believe in a world where everyone would work together for a greater good," Metalia replied. "And I really wanted it to be true... I had faith in the people, that they'd understand. But they've become so caught up in their mortal lives, and I was ignoring that. It's all my fault that Beryl..."
A silence.
"What about Beryl?" Galaxia shouted.
"Beryl's gone to Serenity," Metalia whispered. "She wanted to tell the Queen herself."
"But she's a human! She won't last more than fifteen minutes on Serenity!"
Galaxia ignored the deeper blackness churning inside her body. "I have to stop her!"
Metalia turned away. "I can't stop you."
Galaxia put all her power into her bracelets, trying to get to Serenity as quickly as possible. The energy that emanated from her wrecked the now-useless coliseum, bits of rock flying all around her as she shouted her magic spell.
"SAILOR... TELEPORT!"
--
Another dream.
Now Galaxia was surrounded by light, and Queen Metalia was still there. But Galaxia knew this was a dream.
"I'm sorry, Sailor Galaxia," Metalia said. "But this is farewell between us."
"What?"
"You played into the nightmare's hands," Metalia replied. "It's not your fault; you had no choice. But now that you're not on the planet, the people will surely kill me."
"No! Cancel the tele-"
"It's too late for Beryl, too." Metalia smiled a sad smile. "She made me promise to keep you from reaching Serenity. She's sacrificing her life to save the Moon Kingdom. Please understand."
"And what about you? What the hell's the point of all this?"
"I can't live in this world anymore. My dream is gone, and without my dream, I am nothing. Surely, the darkness will take me over and keep my spirit from resting, but there will come the day when I'll be at peace."
"No! NO! This can't be happening... I won't let it happen."
"Galaxia, you are the Sailor Soldier of Destruction. It is not within your power to save me or anyone. Do not be sad. Love and justice are not eternally dead. They live, as long as you live."
"They are only memories. I can't accept this. I won't..."
"Goodbye, my friend."
And then Metalia was gone, and Galaxia was surrounded by nothing but light.
--
Queen Serenity was returning to her chambers when she noticed Beryl slumping outside her castle.
"Beryl!" Serenity shouted, running to her. "What are you doing here?"
"Body transmission is an... easy matter for a witch," Beryl said, looking up at the Queen and smiling.
"But you can't survive here," the Queen said. "What would possess you to come here?"
"I have to... warn you..." Beryl struggled to take in breath, even though there was no air to breathe on Serenity. "The people... are rising up... against you..."
"The people of Earth?"
"Yes... I came here... alone... to tell you."
"But why, Beryl? Why didn't you just have one of the Generals come?"
Beryl's smile deepened as she leaned in closer. "The Generals... and the Sailor Soldiers... they must come together and fight. To protect the planet... and love and justice... as in the days of old."
"You're not answering my question. Beryl! Why would you come here to die in front of my eyes?"
"It was either that... or kill you myself. My Queen... the hatred of the people... it has polluted the planet. Only those in Elysion..." She coughed.
Tears came to Queen Serenity's eyes. There was nothing she could do now for Beryl without sacrificing her own life, which would defeat the whole reason for Beryl to have given up her own to begin with.
"I can't have you die this way," she said.
"Then you know... what you have to do..." Beryl sighed, before she drew her final breath.
Queen Serenity held her dead friend in her arms. Overwhelmed by emotion, she cried openly. She would not be buried in the ground. The Queen would use her powers to send her soul to heaven, even if it meant her mind would remain in this world. It was the only thing she could think of to do to honor Beryl.
There has to be another way... the Sailor Wars that brought so much ruin to the galaxy cannot begin again. We will find the path together, Beryl. I believe this.
--
END OF STRING 02
--
Now that Beryl has made the ultimate sacrifice, what will Queen Serenity do? Is there a way to quell the bitterness of the Earthlings without going to war? Find out next time. String 03 - The Rebellion Begins! Galaxia's Decision.
