Silver Millennium
Terra: Atlantari, (Atlantis)
My name is Princess Dianara of the Moon Kingdom, cousin to Queen Selene, younger cousin, the sixth child of my parents Nehelenia and Kenosha. I am a woman alone. My husband had abandoned our child, the Silver Alliance and me due to his relationship with the Dark Ones. I had fallen under the protection of the Queen Arjirea and her consort, Solaris.
I loved mingling with the people, whether it is on Terra or on my home world, Lunar. Life was once so casual, Serenity and her husband, he killed under suspicious circumstances by a wraith-like woman said to reside in a dimension under the house of the sun, but she was pure evil, bitter and quite capable of murdering Serenity's one true love, Agamemnon. Nobody knew this woman's name, or if she were a star being or dark entity. She was dubbed, Queen Metallia.
Serenity spoke of Agamemnon often when we spent time together in the palace. She had changed; the free spirited young woman she had been was replaced by a calm, sometimes cold ruler, although around her courtiers, her friends and me she was warm but became a regal monarch in every sense. I was so glad she had her little Serenity, but she longed to have somebody to be a father to the girl. Lord Artemis stepped up to fulfill that role, the feline shape-shifter was a good man and Sere's most trusted advisor. Lady Luna, his mate, was Serenity's governess.
When I traveled to Terra with my little Beryl, I found myself quite at home. I wanted Beryl to have all the things a child her age should have so I spent most of my time struggling to get used to the Terran's heavy atmosphere, it was worth it. I was always in my element chatting to a farmer, a soldier or artist. I felt quite at home rubbing shoulders with the people. For me, embracing both the common folk and living up to my regal heritage were not in my view processes I saw as mutually exclusive in the slightest.
As for my little girl, her father was Terran born and with my Lunarian blood, I hoped to help bridge a widening gulf between our two peoples. Perhaps Beryl would be conjoined with a Terran prince one day.
I was saddened to hear there were those who would do almost anything to have the Moon Kingdom and the Terrans at one another's throats. But the last thing I expected to learn was that Morok, my husband was caught up in such a plot that unbeknownst to me at the time would set a series of events in motion altering the course of history on Terra and for the Silver Millennium as a whole.
---
I was scared. After confronting him, I was shocked by the change in him. Morok was a stranger to me; his eyes began to glow, and had become bright red. He looked so alien and dangerous. I felt a cold chill overcome me as I backed away from him after hugging Beryl close to my chest and I summoned my power and this enraged him more than it ought to have and he stepped back, bringing his hands to his face.
He was changing. He wasn't the man I loved any longer.
"What has happened to you? I don't understand. You are possessed by a dark power. Morok, listen to me please; you are a mage… don't they have a code of honor and conduct? Please, come to the temple. Daphne will cleanse you of this darkness, you've been exposed to that horrific scourge they call Metallia, that murderess!"
"Shut up woman. I am fine. You should embrace Metallia, not grovel at that whore Serenity's feet. She, the source of all our problems who allows our children to starve and our crops to die so they can live it up, but you are Lunarian, I don't expect you to understand. You may not be safe around here, Dianara, come to the Dark Kingdom with me and we can raise our child untainted by the Ginzuishou poison!"
"You speak like a youma. You are a traitor Morok. Those worlds will bring us down. Please see reason. You are brainwashed; surely, you realize that. You've changed; you are not the man I know."
We fought. I slapped him. He had returned to himself but though the red eyes were gone, he was no longer my husband, but a pawn of Metallia. He left that night and that was the last I saw him. I was devastated despite the fact he had betrayed the Silver Alliance and me.
---
"I cannot understand why he has done this to you. I had sent a Shitennou guard to fetch him, but he has left the moon. He is far from here child. But fear not, I will send you back to Terra. I think it much safer for you and little Beryl there under Arjiria's watchful eye. Luna and Artemis will go with you. When things settle down I will recall you on the next solar rotation, Beryl will be one Terran year then, a year younger than my little girl."
Terra
Atlantari
I sat upon the soft woolen blanket atop my favorite hill with Beryl playing with a plushy bunny.
I loved my little girl. She was adorable.
Whenever the weather was warm and sunny like this I would take her for an outing. The scenery was breathtaking, the butterflies, songbirds our sole companions.
I hummed a simple Lunarian lullaby to Beryl and she giggled, a bit her bunny's ear. I loved the verdant valley filled with so many flowers you'd never be able to count them all, greenery and bird song rose like the piper's symphony as I took in a deep breath of sweet morning air.
"Little one, isn't this so pretty?"
"Yes mommy, Bunny likes it here, too!" Beryl said her curtain of red falling over the much-loved rabbit.
I could see the magnificent outline of the palace from my vantage point. I was wearing my favorite charcoal-grey skirt its broad hem fanning out around me as I unpacked lunch. My sky-blue top was sleeveless and I liked the way the warm breeze caressed my skin.
"My beautiful child, you are the light of the stars. You are a special little girl. One day, you'll fall in love. Perhaps you'll marry a prince of Terra and fill his house with the laughter of your own children!"
Beryl giggled happily under the shade of the wise old tree where I usually set out the blanket. I felt a sense of contentment fill my heart as I sat upon the colorful blanket after stretching my legs.
For a fraction of a second, the sun blotted out as a dark shape flickered across the blanket and little Beryl went quiet, staring at something in the sky. I looked at her thoughtfully; she was clinging tight to her bunny. I scanned the skies, but saw nothing. Minutes later, I heard the sound of flapping wings overhead.
I then heard the shrieks of a large bird. Baby Beryl began screaming as the monster moved towards my child. She dropped her bunny and tried to run to me, but the thing was too fast, the claws alone far larger than my child's tiny body.
My maternal instincts kicked in, I jumped to my feet, shocked and horrified to see the giant bird lifting Beryl into the air.
I then saw Morok's cruel face within my mind's eye, terrified he'd brought this upon us.
"Epsilon Crystal Power Transform!"
I lifted my wand and sent a ball of light at the winged youma. The bolt of energy forced the bird to scream in pain and drop the child and I flew upon a wave of force and caught her before she hit the ground.
"Curse you! Curse Morok and his new allies!" I screamed, launching an attack that turned the creature into a ball of flame.
I packed everything up; I would never come here alone again. Beryl thankfully had fallen asleep, her bunny in her small arms as if nothing had happened. I brushed Beryl's soft red hair out of her eyes and noticed a mark on her scalp, the unmistakable claw mark that symbolized the dark destiny that lay ahead for my little girl and the Moon Kingdom if nothing was done to prevent it.
Ten years later
The skies grew dark. The sound of laughter echoed across the skies. I saw the creature then, a hooded figure sitting upon what appeared to be a luminous cloud. This was not Morok, but a being far more terrifying, whatever it was. It lifted its metallic clawed and directed a red bolt of plasma at the old tree, disintegrating it in an instant. I was only glad Beryl had decided not to come to the fair, and stayed with her friends in the palace, but my fate I hadn't held out a lot of hope for, I only hoped Solaris and Arjirea would care for her and not let the Dark Kingdom and their allies bring harm to her.
‘Beryl, I love you darling, be safe sweet little princess, my Sailor Terra…'
The hideous hooded specter with no face, aside from its silver orbs that served as eyes, stirred at me with hatred that scorched the core of my being.
‘Who was this creature?'
"Your interference won't be tolerated, Epsilon! I will see you don't get in our way. I know you oppose Morok. You would likely also oppose my representatives on the White Moon and here on this… charming blue planet," the monster croaked, "I have been watching you, young Epsilon and now it is time to pay for your insolence, Senshi wench!"
The monster's silvery eyes sent a bright orange beam towards me. I cried out in pain.
I was losing consciousness, but before I lost my footing, I became aware of a swirling vortex spinning so fast I could see the stars fall like cherry blossoms in spring deep inside its inviting embrace.
I then heard a burst of chilling laughter and a most amazing sight met my eyes. It was a small golden bat, much like the one Serenity told me about when we were on the moon in our youth, and it was leading me towards a light where a frightening cloaked figure stood waiting. Something told me to trust this phantasm of occult power and mystery.
"Who are you?" I asked, now in a disembodied state, I'd left my mortal coil that much was obvious.
"I am known as Phantoma. Please trust me, princess. Do not let my appearance frighten, or mislead you. I am your guardian and friend. My return is imminent and so too is your own. Farewell for now, Epsilon!"
Tokyo 21st Century CE
I woke with a start, was it a dream? No, I knew better.
"My beautiful baby, she was the one Sailor Moon defeated and sent back to the Dark Kingdom! My baby girl was cursed to be an evil minion of Metallia and her overlord Dr. Zero!" I wrapped my arms about my legs. I continued to weep; this was how mom found me.
"Naru! Are you all right?"
"I couldn't stop them! I was powerless! Beryl, forgive me little one!" I knew mom was scared as I flew into her arms. "Gomen Nasai, Mother. I know you're afraid for me. But I'll be okay ... I just have to sort things out in my mind about a frightening dream I just had."
I was standing on shaky ground and seized upon the most plausible explanation I could find. I was glad it had worked, she too likely seeking the most positive explanation for my odd behavior. She looked relieved.
"Thank the Kamis, I was really worried there Naru. I'll put on some coffee dear, and your father is cooking breakfast today. I'm going to the gynecologist for an ultrasound to see how your new little sister is coming along."
I hugged her then, realizing how fortunate and how much my family loved me. For no matter how much I had lost, I had plenty right here, and right now. I had to remember that as much as I had to cherish the child I had lost to the Dark Kingdom. I knew my journey, as harrowing as it had been so far, was far from over as I kissed mom's cheek.
"Mom,""
"Hmmm," she smiled, wiping away my tears.
"I love you!" I hugged her again and caught the tears in her eyes and I kissed her cheek as she stroked my back.
Her mother felt better discussing a subject they both enjoyed. She wiped away her daughter's tears and hugged her. Naru put on her robe and rushed downstairs.
"Mom, I'm calling Usagi. I'll take the phone into the study!" I said, picking up the cordless phone.
"Usagi, I've something to tell you. I must see you and I mean it's urgent. No, I'm not in trouble at school, and no, Umino and I aren't fighting. It's something more important, a vision concerning the past, the Silver Millennium. You know that Senshi that has been appearing and helping you guys fight the Dark Alliance? I'm she. I'm Sailor Epsilon, I'm coming over Usagi."
I put down the receiver, then rushed upstairs and showered, dressed and flew out the door, heading for Usagi's campus apartment. Life was definitely going to be interesting from this point onwards.
