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.
Special thanks to Eliteslayer for assistance in writing.
--
We are born, we live, and when our time comes, we die. What does it mean to exist?
I am the immortal soldier, Sailor Galaxia. I do not have a memory of this meaning. I only know that I live to protect it. And humans, time and again, have shown that they, like me, do not have the memory of this meaning, either. But they are cowards. They would rather destroy each other than seek that meaning.
It is little more than a game to them, this life.
Why do I protect them? I do not know. It is my purpose as a Sailor Soldier. To question that would be to turn my back on my pride, and I cannot do that. I can only get stronger, until the day comes that I am defeated.
Chaos, my sworn enemy, is now sealed within me, and I have no equal in the galaxy. So why are these humans rising up against their rulers? They believe the Sailor Soldiers are little more than empty figureheads. And now they are plotting to destroy those who have held them in safety for so long.
Beryl and Metalia, who have done nothing but look out for their future, have now lost their lives to this burgeoning revolution. And for what? The Golden Kingdom and the Kingdom of Serenity have sworn a path of peace.
Will that all end in such a way? Will the Sailor Wars begin again...?
--
SAILOR MOON: CHAOS THEORY
STRING 03 – The Rebellion Begins! Galaxia's Decision
The inner chambers of the Castle of the Sea of Serenity. Only two people were there.
"Thank you for coming," Queen Serenity said. "It means a lot that you tried."
"Trying is nothing," Galaxia frowned. "I failed. I failed to save them both. I went back to Earth after I first attempted to teleport here. It is as Queen Metalia said. It is anarchy. The people have risen up against their kings and queens. They are already speaking of taking up arms against you. And I cannot sense Metalia's energy."
"Are your emotions in control, Sailor Galaxia?" Queen Serenity asked. "I hope you don't take any decisions based on your anger."
"Queen Serenity, all I wish now is what is best for everyone," Galaxia replied. "But I also want to find out what is at the core of this sudden change in the hearts of man. They have remained content for 300 years. This sudden shift... this corruption... it must have come from somewhere."
Queen Serenity nodded quietly. "Beryl is no longer with us in person. She gave up her body because she knew the evil that has infected the Earth would in time use her. But spiritually, contacting her is an easy thing for me."
"That doesn't make what happened to her any less terrible," Galaxia said while closing her eyes in obvious grief.
"Humans have chosen evil, but Beryl and Metalia chose sacrifice," Serenity reminded the Sailor Soldier. "Grieve for your friends, but honor their choice."
"Queen Metalia didn't choose her fate!" Galaxia shouted. "I don't even know if she tried to fight off the humans that came for her life. When I think about it, I..."
"Peace, Galaxia. We are not certain what happened to Metalia yet."
Galaxia nodded, and reigned in her emotions. Queen Serenity was right, of course. They didn't know for certain what happened to Metalia.
"What do you think our next move should be?" Galaxia asked.
"I will not declare a pre-emptive strike against Earth," Queen Serenity said. "But we have to prepare for the possibility. I am going to have to call a meeting of the Sailor Team."
"And what about your daughter? She has to be protected."
"Sailors Uranus and Neptune have volunteered to be her protectors. We don't have to worry about her at this moment. Galaxia, I want you to train the Sailor Team. The Generals do their best, but you have the greatest experience at war. If it comes down to a fight, I would like to end this without bloodshed if possible. If we can make the Sailor Soldiers powerful, perhaps the humans will listen to reason."
"Queen Serenity, you spoke to me about not letting anger affect my decisions, but this sounds very unlike you," Galaxia mused. "You've always advocated a peaceful solution to problems, but this sounds like you are preparing for war."
"I do not wish to fight, it is true," the Queen sighed. "But if we only act as though we are ready to fight without any willingness to do so, the Earthlings may call our bluff, and that will lead to even more bloodshed. I do not have a choice now. The peaceful times have come to an end."
"Queen Serenity..."
Inside Galaxia's heart, a fire of hatred was starting to burn. Damn those humans. Damn them to Hell for this!
--
Prometheus was watching the fires burn and the humans riot against their rulers. He felt genuine shock and horror.
"What the hell is this?" he asked a passerby. "What's going on?"
"We're revolting against the oppressors!" came the reply. "We've been put down too long! It's their fault the land isn't producing!"
"Hurry up, Prometheus, and help us," another one said.
"You've got to be joking!" Prometheus shouted. "The people you're revolting against have done nothing but try to look out for our well-being!"
"If you're not with us," one of the rioters said. "Then you're against us."
"We'll have to kill you, too," another said with a chuckle.
Prometheus' eyes widened. "You're... killing the rulers? Have you lost your minds entirely? Their blood will be on your hands."
One man scoffed. "What of it? If it gives our children a better life, who cares?"
"Enough talk," another one said. "He's obviously sympathizing with the oppressors, and we're wasting time. Let's just kill him now."
Prometheus narrowed his eyes. "Do you really think it will be that easy? I have trained with the legendary Sailor Sol..."
"Shut up about those old relics!" a man shouted as he tried to strike Prometheus from behind with a club. However, Prometheus was well aware of him. He turned and blocked the hit, grabbing the club with his hand. He then crushed it as if it were a dirt clod.
"Nice move," the first rioter said. "But do you think you can take on all of us at once?"
Prometheus felt the pressure of their killing intent. They were all ready to take his life without a second thought. Their hearts were empty — devoid of life. Galaxia had told him that the code of a Sailor Soldier did not permit them to lose against those who felt no love.
But Prometheus was not a Sailor Soldier and never could be one.
The first rioter ran forward to punch Prometheus. A frontal assault. Were they desperate? Prometheus dodged the blow by moving past him and then used his elbow to knock him straight to the ground. He then tensed his body in preparation. The others were coming.
One frontal assault is nothing, but too many people coming at me at once will be troublesome. I need to finish them one by one now.
Prometheus ran forward to take on the one approaching him from his right side, and with a spin kick, knocked him into a neighboring house. He then turned to the man that had attempted to ambush him from behind. A simple punch to the face knocked him out. Three down. One left...
Or so he thought. Other rioters had taken notice of the fight and had run in to join in. "What the hell are you doing?" they asked. "Don't you want the people to thrive? This has to be done!"
"What kind of weak, pathetic existences do you live where you're willing to trade your pride for your livelihood?" Prometheus spat.
"Shut up! Don't judge us! What could you possibly know of our suffering? You've been nursed in the cradle of the government, Prometheus!"
"Come on, he might be strong, but he can't fight off all of us at once."
This isn't good, Prometheus thought to himself. Fortunately, they've only noticed me from one direction, so retreat is an option. But surely, if I were to do so, others would join in, and then I'd be surrounded.
A defeated smile started to form on his face.
What the hell's the point... even if I defeated all of them, I'm ashamed to be part of the same race as them. Mother, Father, thank God you are not alive to see this. There's no point in going on anymore... I might as well die...
"I don't think that's what you want, Prometheus..."
The townsmen and Prometheus were equally shocked at the sudden appearance of Death Phantom.
"I knew it! You did this to them, didn't you?" Prometheus shouted. "I know you have mind manipulation abilities! I..."
"I did nothing to these people," Death Phantom chuckled. "They were just tired of having to work and live meandering existences while the royalty enjoy the fruits of a high class life. It is human nature to envy those who have what you do not."
"Shut up! I don't believe you!" Prometheus spat back.
"Oh, struck a nerve, have I?" Death Phantom chuckled. "Or perhaps what you're really upset about is that you'll never surpass her."
"Hey, who the hell are you? Get out of our way!" the townspeople shouted.
Death Phantom seemed annoyed. "Disappear, you bugs! I am trying to have a conversation!" He raised a glowing finger from out of his cloak, and a bright light emanated from it, enveloping the town. Prometheus shielded his face.
What kind of power is this? I thought Death Phantom's powers were of darkness!
When the light faded, Prometheus lowered his arm and looked around.
All the townspeople had disappeared!
"As expected," Death Phantom chuckled. "Once separated from their Star Seeds, they were nothing but dirt."
Prometheus gasped as he noticed that the townspeople hadn't disappeared. No... their bodies had become dust, and the wind flying through the town had blown them away. All the townspeople...
"The women and the children, too... how could you do such a terrible thing..."
"Don't pretend to care, Prometheus," Death Phantom said. "Aren't you the least bit curious as to why you are still here?"
"What?"
"That attack wasn't selective," Death Phantom explained. "I wasn't targeting everyone except you. You ought to be dust in the wind along with everyone else."
"I... should be... dead?"
Prometheus stepped. He suddenly felt sick. His body convulsed, and he struggled to keep his footing. It felt like when he was fighting Galaxia... his body wouldn't do what he wanted it to...
My body... is out of my control?
"It's simple, really," Death Phantom said. "Everyone surrendered their Star Seeds to my power; they didn't care. They thought God would save them. As you can see, they were mistaken. You were different. You refused to surrender."
"Why?"
Death Phantom chuckled with scorn. "Who knows? You've already refused my power, so there's nothing more I can do for you. Think of it as a favor. Farewell, Prometheus."
And with that, he was gone, and Prometheus was alone.
--
When Galaxia and Queen Serenity next met, the four Sailor Soldiers of the inner rim were there, along with Prince Endymion and his Guardians. It was a convention to discuss the new developments on Earth.
"Calling us here when there's such rampant chaos on Earth that we could be doing something to stop..." Zoisite mumbled.
"The only reason we heeded your call is because we trust you," Kunzite added.
"I agree that coming together and discussing a plan is the best course of action," Sailor Mercury said. "But we may not have that kind of time."
"The soldiers of the monarchs are doing their best, but they can only hold out so long," Nephrite said. "They are outnumbered and the people against them are growing in number. As Mercury said, we are short on time."
"We need to strengthen our forces," Queen Serenity explained. "The human's technology has become very advanced, and we have to be able to demonstrate enough power to show that we can overcome their weapons of war. That is why Sailor Galaxia has volunteered to come here."
"You have magical powers of the elements, and you have trained in combat with Endymion's Generals, but that won't be enough," Galaxia said. "To defeat mankind's weapons, you must master these elements that you wield. You will have to be able to manipulate them without the use of incantations."
"But the reason we use the incantations is to focus our powers," Mars said. "We're only supposed to attack with our elements against a particular enemy."
"If we were to be able to control the elements, it might disrupt the balance on Earth if we used them," Jupiter added.
"The Earth's balance is already disrupted," Galaxia reminded them. "And the people of Earth see the Sailor Soldiers as an ancient, depleted order. We have to remind them of our purpose."
Serenity looked displeased with the course of the conversation.
"But there are so many different outposts and cities that humans have taken residence in," Mercury said. "We cannot possibly bring them all under control."
Zoisite nodded in agreement with his training partner. "Humans do not have the spiritual sense that we do. Even if each of us quells revolutions in one city, that limits us to nine cities between all of us, and the other rebellions would continue unabated. By my last count, there were nearly 1,500 cities all across the Earth."
"Why are we speaking in terms of 'bringing them under control'?" Mars sighed.
"It has come to a point where we have to speak in political terms," Jadeite said. "It is most regretful."
"Well, exactly what kind of weapons are we talking about here?" Jupiter asked. "It's been awhile since I've been to Earth."
"Humans have weapons that are based on concussive power and force," Venus explained. "They're focused on destroying physical forms and disrupting their flows of energy."
"Sailor Venus," Kunzite said, genuinely impressed. "You should really act like the genius you are, instead of playing the fool all the time."
"But geniuses are so boring!" Venus said with a laugh.
"Enough!" Galaxia shouted. "This is no time for joking or empty compliments! What this situation requires is a show of force. One that will frighten the humans into silence — at least long enough to get them to the table to discuss terms that might allow us to regain the delicate peace."
"Frighten them?" Queen Serenity said quietly.
"You said so yourself, Queen Serenity — if they see us as unwilling to attack, they will try to force our hand."
"But we would be betraying our pride as Sailor Soldiers to do so," Mars said, anger rising into her voice. "To be ready to kill people who are simply frustrated with their current rule?"
"Are you sympathizing with those who would rise up and murder those who are simply doing what the public has asked them to do?" Jadeite shot back.
"No, I'm not," Mars retorted. "I'm simply asking if we can live with ourselves, being ready to do this thing."
"There is another way," Galaxia suggested.
Everyone turned to listen to her.
Galaxia looked down at her wrists. "These bracelets retain my physical form, and keep Chaos suppressed within me," she said. "But if I were to release the bracelets, I could use all of my spiritual power. If I had the proper vantage point, I could control the minds of everyone in the world. Force them in that way to stop fighting long enough for us to come to an agreement."
"Do you know what you're suggesting?" Kunzite asked. "To unseal the greatest evil the universe has ever seen, which lives within you."
"There are risks involved," Galaxia said. "Once you've all spoken to Earth's representatives, you will have to kill me."
"I can't do that," Mercury said flat-out.
"Me neither," said Jupiter.
"What else can be done?" Galaxia asked. "You're not suggesting we give up on Earth, are you?"
A silence filled the chamber.
"We can't give up on the people fighting for their lives on Earth, can we?" Galaxia shouted. "Their hearts are still pure, aren't they? We can't just let them a..."
Galaxia's words stopped in their tracks as she remembered Queen Metalia's final words to her.
My dream is gone, and without my dream, I am nothing.
"When Beryl said we had to fight, she didn't mean to defend Earth," Galaxia said in a quiet tone. "We would have to fight to defend the galaxy from Earth. These new Sailor Wars... they're against mankind, aren't they?"
"I don't want Earth to be destroyed," Mercury said. "But if we let things go like this, it will be, by the very people who live on it. It seems we do not have a choice anymore."
"Galaxia's solution seemed like the best one, but it would have involved killing one of our own," Mars added. "I can't abide that."
"But what about the kings and queens of Earth?" Jupiter asked. "We should still think about protecting them."
"Once they realize what the humans are after, they will lay down their lives without a fight," Prince Endymion spoke, his first words during the meeting. "No matter what kind of suffering they are put through."
"Terrible... that's terrible," Mercury said, pounding her fist upon the table. "I can't forgive them!"
"I can't believe you all!" Queen Serenity shouted, anger slipping into her voice for the first time. "Listen to yourselves; you're suggesting we attack the very planet which has allowed us to enjoy our lives so far! There has to be a way we can all reach an understanding!"
"The situation has changed, though," Kunzite said. "They're rising up against us now."
"Maybe they are right to," Queen Serenity said.
Everyone was silent.
"Have we considered that the reason they've turned to evil is because of us? We've lived this lavish lifestyle while they've slaved away with no reward in sight, and with nothing to look forward to, except this imaginary 'God' that they all believe in! A faith they've had to come up with in their minds to justify this thankless work!"
"Queen Serenity..." Venus said softly.
"You can fight for your survival if you wish," Queen Serenity said. "You do not have my support, nor should you expect it. Please discuss these plans elsewhere. Leave my castle."
The Generals, Prince Endymion and the Sailor Soldiers frowned, then nodded their assent. They then vanished.
But Sailor Galaxia remained behind.
"Why are you still here?" Queen Serenity said.
"Did you mean what you said just now, Queen Serenity?" Galaxia asked. "You.... don't believe that God is real?"
"How can he be real? If he existed, he certainly wouldn't allow the people of Earth to suffer as they do. And he certainly would have turned them away from evil. We wouldn't have this crisis if God were real!"
Galaxia frowned as she rose from her seat.
"I always thought that you were a believer," she said. "I can't help but be..." She searched for the right word. "Disenchanted."
"Galaxia?" Queen Serenity asked.
"Goodbye, Queen Serenity," Galaxia said, turning her back. "Whatever happens, know I always believed in your dream."
"Galaxia, what are you going to do?" Serenity pressed on.
But Galaxia was already gone.
--
"Star Seeds..."
"What... who's that?"
"The Star Seeds... they have gone out of the planet Earth..."
"Stop talking. Stop saying nonsense!"
"But if you draw all the light into yourself... the ruin of the planet will stop. You will become a devil, but the world will be saved."
"The world... will be saved?"
"It's time to let go of your illusions. This was always part of the plan. You were my servant, from the very beginning."
"No... no, I've been fighting you! You're... the one giving me these dreams..."
"You are still wrong! The dreams come from the same place they always have... from your weak heart. You know what you must do. Do it... do it now! Before the Earth is destroyed!"
"Stop! STOOPPP!!!"
--
The Sailor Soldiers and the Generals were gathered on the Arctic circle. They all surrounded Sailor Galaxia, who stood on the topmost point of the Earth.
"Did you have to call an emergency meeting at D-Point?" Venus said, shivering mightily.
"I know we're supposed to be doing heavy duty training, but don't you think this is a tad bit overdoing it?" Mars added in.
"There's been a change of plans," Galaxia said.
The other soldiers watched her, expectant. She raised her hand in the air, and a golden flash of light formed in her hand. It eventually took the shape of a sword — but not just any sword. It was the infamous sword she had used to end the Sailor Wars. The Sword of Sealing.
"What are you doing, Galaxia?" Jupiter shouted.
Galaxia struck the ground hard with the sword, and a bright flash of light emitted from it. It reverberated from the sword and moved out past the soldiers, who could sense incredible powers emitting from it.
The earth seemed to shake beneath the power of this ancient weapon. Every icicle in the ground, every patch of snow, trembled and cried out in silence as its force swept over them. Even in this place devoid of life, the energy that swelled was palpable to every form present.
Something's wrong, Sailor Venus thought to herself. This power is terrible and I can sense it's swarming the earth... but I... I can't move... I... I'm afraid. Afraid of this power... What is Galaxia thinking? She felt her hands shake involuntarily and clenched them into fists, but her body still trembled, her legs shaking unsteadily.
The other warriors were similarly paralyzed and frightened. Mars lost her footing and Kunzite took a step back. Within that fear, was a sense of loss that none of them could explain, but was nevertheless very real.
For about thirty seconds, Galaxia thrust her power into the sword. Her brow furrowed as she sent the energy coursing across the face and through the core of the planet, until she eased up, and began to loosen her grip. The reverberations eventually died down, and she removed her sword from the icy ground.
"Do you know what a Star Seed is?" Galaxia said afterward.
"It's the essence of a star that lies within every being with life," Jadeite said.
"Yes... exactly," Galaxia nodded. "You have it. A Star Seed is what you all have. It is the reason why you are still alive now."
"Still..." Nephrite started.
"...alive?" Jupiter finished.
Galaxia closed her eyes tight, and then opened them again. Her next words stunned the eight about as much as her eyes which no longer exhibited any compassion or mercy.
"Every being without a shine on this planet is now dead."
--
END OF STRING 03
--
Is Galaxia serious? Has she brought Armageddon upon the Planet Earth? How will the Sailor Soldiers respond to this? And what of Prometheus? Find out the answers to these questions and more next time: String 04 - That Which Takes Light and Life! The Seal of Tiresias.
