41PRETTY SOLDIER SAILOR MOON: FUTURE
Epilogue: Bon Retour Parmi Nous
I'm lost, aren't I?
Sailor Zarnik's soul continued wandering through space after being ejected from the Galaxy Cauldron. She needed to find her way back to Earth, but she wasn't familiar with this part of the universe whatsoever. If it had been Alkima, she would have had no problem navigating her way through the endless void of stars and planets. She needed something to guide her. A landmark, or a beacon, anything. Everything was so alien to her, and she feared she was going to be stuck this way forever.
I can't give up. Guardian Cosmos said that a new body was created for me. If only I could establish a link with it…
Zarnik remained calm and closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts on everyone she met on Earth. She knew she had a connection with them, at the very least. Maybe if she thought about them hard enough, they would be able to hear her and guide her back. Her mind was most especially concentrated on Chibi-Usa.
Even though I lied to her, made her question my trust, and even ran off on a suicide mission, I know she must be waiting for me. That kind of devotion, however naïve it may be, is what makes her who she is. I want to see her again and apologize… No, not just apologize; I want to be by her side, both as a comrade against evil, and as a friend she can put her faith into.
I know it will take a lot of work on my part. This galaxy is much different than Alkima. The people here have a love and compassion for each other that I've only seen in my home village. That's the kind of world I want to be a part of, not one borne of lies and betrayal. I have to let go of my deceitful tactics and place my trust in everyone, so that they too can do the same for me. It's not enough to expect them to be good-natured people all the time.
Her mind continued drifting until she fell asleep.
Chibi-Usa…
Small Lady Serenity sat at the balcony in her room, staring at the sky for hours on end. Her eyes were wistful and sullen because she could only think about Midori. Days had passed since the battle concluded, but it didn't feel like a resolution to her. As long as Midori did not wake up, Small Lady would not call it a satisfying ending.
I wonder if she'll make it back. There's so much I want to tell her.
"Small Lady," Helios' voice interrupted her. The white-haired boy had returned from Elysion to be with his dear friend. She had met with him in her dreams, but her countenance was always morose, which wound up affecting her dreams as well. He decided to pay her a visit in person and stay by her side while she waited patiently.
"Helios…" the princess murmured.
"Everything will be fine. As long as you keep praying, I'm sure she will hear you and find her way back."
"I wonder… The Galaxy Cauldron is really, really far away. I hope she's not lost."
Helios frowned, knowing that his words were too hollow to console her. He sat next to her and held her hand while saying, "Then let's pray together. No matter how far away one's spirit is, our thoughts will always keep us connected. Perhaps what she needs right now is a beacon to guide her way."
"Maybe."
The pair closed their eyes and breathed softly while praying from the bottom of their hearts.
Zarnik was roused from her sleep when a pinkish twinkle caught her eyes.
A pink star…?
After a moment of confusion, her eyes shot open in surprise.
Chibi-Usa!
Now awake and alert, she stared at the unusual twinkling star as it beckoned her to come closer. That was precisely what she did, allowing her spirit to fly straight for the rosy light.
Just a little longer. Wait for me just a little longer, Chibi-Usa.
Another December morning arrived, unnaturally quiet and still compared to the raging winter storm that plagued Crystal Tokyo over the last few days. Since the battle against the Animus Syndicate was officially declared over, citizens were allowed to return to their homes and businesses to resume their daily lives. The few Christmas decorations that had been arranged before the evacuation practically tripled in number over the last while, as everyone wanted to turn their uncertainty for future attacks into a festive mood that welcomed both the holiday season and the promise of a new, peaceful year.
Neo Queen Serenity did not partake in the auspicious mood despite her closest friends and family insisting that she did so, both as queen and as a woman who needed time to relax. It wasn't that she didn't feel the joy of the season as she did every year. In her heart, she believed that this year was much different, as she remained by the lifeless Midori's bedside while waiting for her to rouse from her deep sleep. No amount of kind words and advice from everyone, including her husband and daughter, could make her change her mind. Small Lady frequently visited her sleeping friend and prayed for her awakening, but she was not present at the moment.
Serenity rested her head on the hand propped up by her elbow while gingerly stroking Midori's hair with the other. The girl had not moved even a millimeter in the last few days, and the queen was starting to feel anxious.
I know everyone wants me to go out and enjoy the holidays… But I feel like I need to be the one to greet Midori when she comes back to us. I know how far the Galaxy Cauldron is from here… I can only hope she will be able to find her way back to us safely…
She thought back to when her mother Queen Serenity appeared with the Toxicum Soldiers before Small Lady. It had been millennia since she last saw the long lost queen of the Silver Millennium, the glorious age of peace prior to the current Crystal Tokyo era. When she had seen her mother's face, Neo Queen Serenity experienced a wave of nostalgia that practically traveled her back in time to when she was the naïve, love-struck princess whom everyone loved. Although they could not exchange words during Queen Serenity's brief reappearance, she had heard her mother's parting message and understood its meaning.
Thank you, Mother…
Serenity closed her eyes. Thinking of the past made her feel sleepy, and she started to drift off into the land of dreams. She felt like she was going back in time to when she was sneaking off to see Prince Endymion in secret.
However, a twinge of movement snapped her back to the present.
"… Midori?"
The girl's head trembled, and she started to stir in her sleep. Slowly but surely, her heavy eyelids peeled open. Her vision was blurry, but she could tell she was lying in a bed in some kind of room. She blinked a few times to clear away the tears of exhaustion, then noticed the queen sitting next to her.
"Neo… Queen… Serenity…" she murmured weakly.
"You're back…" the queen's eyes welled with tears. She sniffled and wiped them away several times. "You're really, really back!"
"I was lost… out there… I apologize… for making you… worry…"
"No, don't. I'm just so glad…"
Serenity wanted to just dive in and embrace Midori, but she gave her space to regain her composure and sit up. The young woman breathed hard while staring at her hands, making sure that she actually had taken possession of a brand new body.
It's true. I can perform the same motions, but everything feels so different. I feel like I'm in a cloud or something; it's much lighter than my previous vessel.
Midori opened her palm and summoned her Sailor Crystal. It remained the same as when Chaos gave her the new stone; a deep green color with a black core inside. She gasped aloud, remembering what Chaos told her and how they were directly connected now, rather than just being a distant descendant.
"You're Highness… I have to tell you something…" she murmured.
Serenity placed her pearl-white hands over Midori's and assured, "I know what happened. I had a dream where I witnessed you meeting Guardian Cosmos. The Silver Crystal must have wanted to show me who you have become, and to allow you into my realm."
"So you know about my meeting with Chaos, and of Guardian Chaos being part of my Sailor Crystal?"
"Yes. However, I understand the need for its existence. Since you no longer have a guardian planet, it will give you the power you need to fight as a Sailor Soldier. And I agree with the necessity for you to be an observer of the Galaxy Cauldron."
"Does this mean I will be one of Earth's defenders from now on?"
Serenity chuckled and replied, "There was no doubt about that. Not only is Earth the closest world you can see the Cauldron from, but Small Lady would be delighted to have you as one of her guardians."
"So it's settled then."
"Yes, it is."
Serenity leaned in and embraced Midori, then whispered, "Welcome home."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: To those who have made it to the end of this long, long story, congratulations and thank you for reading! I want to extend my thanks to Takeuchi Naoko for creating the original Sailor Moon franchise, Toei for producing the anime, and various online resources such as Wikipedia, WikiMoon, and fansites for compiling many terms and characters that I needed to research. I want to thank the people I asked for input over the five years of writing this. And, last but not least, I want to thank anyone who has taken the time to read this story. Whether it was just one chapter or the whole thing, I appreciate the time you spent reading my personal take on the Sailor Moon universe.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to send a private message to me, or send me a tweet benit149. See you in the next story!
- Benit149, 2013-2018
