Title: Future Sailor Scouts: Mercury's Story (Part One)
My Name: Alena
e-mail: gribskoa@san.rr.com
part: One

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"This was given to my mother, and her mother before her.  It is your
destiny to carry out the prophecy.  You are now White Lady, protector
 of the Sailor Scouts.  And with this tiara, you shall be a fair and
 just companion."
When the tiara was placed, as carefully as a crown, her mother stepped
 away.  Suddenly, a white light began glowing and enveloped the new
White Lady.  When the light died out she was gone.
*
"I'm telling you guys, the White Lady is gone.  I found the old White
Lady the other day in her home.  She had already given away the tiara."
 Said Guardian Jupiter (the third princess of Jupiter).
"That means we have to turn in our arms!" said Guardian Mars  (the third
princess of the Imperial Planet Mars).
"That's right." Said Guardian Venus (the third, oh, whatever, you know).
"This is sooner than I thought." Said Guardian Mercury (you know).
"I don't want to turn in my arms!!!! Waaa!!!!" whined the crybaby, Impe-
rial Princess Serene.
"Sorry.  It's our time." Said Guardian Jupiter.  And she de-transformed.
"I guess." Said Guardian Mars, and she de-transformed.
Reluctantly, Guardian Mercury and Venus followed suit.
"I don't WANT TO! Don't make me!" cried the Imperial princess.
"If you don't do it by yourself, we'll make you." Princess Jupiter threat-
ened.
"Okay, okay, don't have a cow." Mumbled the Imperial princess as she
de-trans-
formed.
"You first then Princess Jupiter." Said Princess Mars.
"Ok."
Princess Jupiter ceremoniously took off her silver crown.  She sighed as
she set the beautiful crown on the Arms Table.  As she stepped away, the
tiny emeralds embedded in it seemed to sparkle a farewell, her planetary
symbol paying it's last respects.
Princess Mars did the same, regretfully laying her silver crown on the
table, wishing for a longer reign.  As with Jupiter's stones, her garnets
 twinkled a goodbye.
Princess Mercury, not a one to whine, stepped up next.  As she lifted the
 crown from her head, she felt the weight of what she was doing.  Her
sapphires glinted a prayer of hope.
 Princess Venus was right behind the princess of Mercury, and set her
crown down quickly, not wanting to think about the future.  Her topazes
seemed to offer a sanctuary from the seemingly desolate life ahead.
With much whining, the Imperial Princess Serene took off her gold crown
inlaid with diamonds.  As she did, she mumbled something to herself.
"Now we have to search for our heirs." Said Princess Mars.
"Ok.  Let's split up." Said Venus.
*
 I have to choose well, the future depends on me.  I thought.  I will go
 to my home planet to choose.
I called for an escort.  Soon a dashing young man came over and said,
"Princess Mercury, I will be your escort."
Ooh, he's cute, I thought, as I flashed him a smile.
He blushed!  I hope he likes me!
What am I thinking?? We hardly have laid eyes on each other.  But it's
this feeling, this click that happened when I saw him.  I want to be with
 him...Forever.
I looked him from head to toe.  He had ink black hair, with a cute little
 curl in front.  His blue eyes were like pools to another world.  He was
 strong, it seemed, and obviously well built.
"Let's go!" I said, with a thrill.
We walked to the gate of the Moon Kingdom.  Once again, I admired the
beauty of the castles, gardens, and especially the gate.  Princess Serena
 had been lucky to get this back.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" asked my escort.
"Yes, it opens my heart up to the world.  The elegance, the beauty, the...
Oh, I'm sorry, am I babbling?" I asked.
"Yes, but I could listen to your voice forever."
I bushed so red, I was probably the color of my dear friend, Princess Mars'
 robe.
"I'm sorry," I said, then, feeling bold, I continued, "I didn't catch your
name."
"You didn't??  Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Kaelin." (Like Kay-lin.)
"What an interesting name.  What does it mean?"
"It means waterfall pool, after the place where I was born."
"You were born near a waterfall?"
"Oh yes.  My parents say that's what made me who I am. 'Peaceful and calm'.
  But they're wrong.  Waterfalls aren't really peaceful.  Not all the time.
They're rough and wild too, you know that, don't you princess?"
"Please, call me Anya."  (The AN is said so it sounds like ON.)
"What does that mean, princess?  I mean, ANYA."  He said it with over-
pronunciation.
"It means gentle stream."
"Wow . . ." he was awe inspired. Just kidding.
We walked in silence over to the sapphire chariot that was waiting.  The
sapphire blue horses were waiting calmly.  Kaelin stepped in and held out
 his hand for me.
I put my hand in his and almost fell backwards because of the rush of blood
 to my head from the seemingly electric touch.  He must of felt it too
because
 he looked down at me, surprised.
When I was seated, he took the reins and whistled.  The horses started
trotting.
  I looked over the side of the chariot.  This was my favorite part.  The
horses
 kept going.  I held my breath.
Finally, we lifted up from the ground and into the dark sky.  I knew we
weren't
 done yet, and the adrenaline inside me was still rushing.  The horses were
going
 faster now, at a fast trot.  Soon, we broke away from the pull of the Moon
and we
 were in the openness of space.
I was immediately thankful that anyone who might have to travel the skies
was
treated with Flavius.  Flavius is what allows us to breathe in outer space.
I looked over at Kaelin.  His jet-black hair was streaming out behind him.
I
stared into his eyes, getting lost in them for a second.  I took a breath of
the unpolluted air and stared around me.  The twinkle of the stars always
amazed
 me.  I looked down to see Earth.  I felt a twinge of sadness seeing it.
That
had once been my home and billions of others' too.
The earth was covered with a white ash substance of some sort that was from
the
atomic and nuclear wars over the years.  Most of the humans had been
evacuated
at the last second except for the ones brought to the planets.
Princess Serena from the early 21st century had been smart.  She knew that
we
couldn't last long on the Earth.  She also knew that we needed our
respective
planets to get well again.  We had caught a disease from the Negaxaly.  And
we
were going to die soon.  My ancestor, though not of blood, but of memories,
Sailor
 Mercury, was the one who figured out how to cultivate the planets.
They went to the moon, and sure enough, there was power stored in a secret
place
where only the Sailor Scouts could have found it.  We took that power and,
with
the help of the Waxing Wand, waxing as in the moon waxing, not like wax, and
the
Two Imperial Crystals (The Silver Imperium Crystal and the Moon Rose), we
made
the planets habitable.  At the same time, we created houses on the planets,
and
a castle on each.  We carefully picked the most non-violent and trust worthy
people from Earth to help.  Soon, we all moved to our planets.
There were many problems.  Such as transportation, officers, escorts,
diseases
and future scouts.
They solved the transportation by creating, from Sailor Mercury's idea, a
new
breed of horses that could travel extremely fast and breathe from space.
The
new, fast speed was called fliging.
Queen Serenity helped them with that.  She showed them how to start this
breed
 of horses from a hologram found in the place where they found the power.
To solve the problem of officers, they tested all the people and got the
best
 to be the rulers of certain areas.  They also made princess the highest
level of rank.
Escorts, of course, had to be trained, but that was not that hard.
Again, Sailor Mercury, with the help of another time hologram, found the way
to
 cure most diseases of that time and created Flavius.
Still, Earth knew nothing of the civilization.
There was much to do, though, about the way to choose future Sailor Scouts.
In the end, they came up with these ideas:
Each generation of Sailor Scout will have a new name that they choose.  Like
our generation is the Guardians.  A Sailor Scout chooses the next heir.  A
sailor
 Scout is also the princess.  A retired Sailor Scout is a Queen with only a
little
 political power.
There was still the problem of how to decide when new scouts should be
picked.
That was left undecided.
Then, one day, in a battle against the Negaxaly, when all the scouts were
weak and
 no one could do anything, and as the Dark Queen was going to kill them all,
a blaze
 of white light shone.
Suddenly, a Lady, clad in white, appeared.  She defeated the Queen, or so
they thought,
 and freed the Scouts.  They decided to make her the decider of when they
should retire.
  They gave her the gift to know when it was time, and placed it in a pearl
tiara.  She
 would give it to the most qualified to be the next White Lady.
The catch was that, when it was time for them to retire, she would also.
So, suddenly, all the parents sent their children to school to learn to be
escorts,
 warriors or Sailor Scouts.  The princesses had to send some children home,
so that
 they could carry on the professions of their family, or start new ones.
When it was retiring time, the princesses would visit all of the camps to
choose the
 next generation.
It's my turn.  I hope I don't goof.
"Anya...You still there?"  Kaelin paused.  "Anya!  Speak to me!"
I snapped out of it.  "What?"
"Oh, I thought I had lost you."
"No.  I was just thinking."
"That's a relief."
"Sorry.  Are we almost there?"
"I think so.  The horses are fliging." (Flee-Jing.)
"Oh, good."
"You know, I'm so glad Princess Serena and her court decided to live the old
way,
without using all the technical stuff." Kaelin said.
"Me too." I smiled.
"There it is, Princess Anya of Mercury, your home planet."
"Yes, Escort Kaelin, you have done your job."  I replied teasingly.
He smiled at me.
When we landed, a crowd was waiting.  Kaelin stepped out of the chariot.  He
held out
 his hand again and held mine as I stepped out.
Suddenly I felt self-conscious.  My sapphire blue gown felt uncomfortable.
I knew
that I looked great in it, the V-neck accented my features well, and I
wasn't fat or
 anything, and the gown followed my figure and enhanced it.  The bottom
swirled around
me.
"You look great." Kaelin whispered.
I flashed him a smile.  He returned it.
As I stepped forward, a cheer went up.  I blushed and looked at Kaelin for
reassurance.
  He smiled encouragingly.
Being a shy person, I'm not very good at speeches.
"Citizens of Mercury!  It is my time to retire!  I will be going around the
planet to
 choose my successor, guards and escorts.  Go home to prepare for your new
princess!"
Following my orders, they scurried out of the square.  Seeing them go so
easily hurt.
I felt an arm on my shoulder.  I looked up to see Kaelin.
I leaned against him.  I was battling myself to keep back tears.
We walked to my palace in silence.  My servants, (by choice, and yes, they
are paid),
asked me what the matter was.
"It is my time.  Prepare for your new princess.  Get the room ready."
Several servants
 ran off.
"I'll be right back," I said to Kaelin as I slipped inside my room and
pulled the heavy
 doors shut.
I changed to jeans (we still have jeans, in flares, wide leg, bell bottom,
the works) and
 a sapphire blue blouse.  If you're wondering why everything is sapphire
blue, it's because
 it's the planetary color.  Did I mention it is my favorite color?
I washed my face in a basin of water and slipped out the back way.  I went
around to the
stables and picked out my horse, Nyear.  (Like Nye-Ear.)  I got out Boaz,
too.
I jumped up on Nyear and grabbed out for Boaz's forehead.  When I touched
it, I made a
mental bond between him and me.  So he would know what to do and I wouldn't
have to pull
him around.
I reached into Nyear's mane.  Not for control, but for security.  Nyear and
I were bond
mates.  We were together for life and had always been.  Nothing could break
it.  Nothing, except death.
I rode around the castle to the front.
"Kaelin!" I yelled.
He came out front, "Oh, hey.  Is that horse for me?"
"Yes.  His name is Boaz.  Bond with him." I said.
"Okay." He said as he touched Boaz's forehead.
He jumped up on Boaz.
"Where are we going?" He asked.  "I have to get back..." His voice trailed
off.
"I want you to come with me to pick the next group."
"I don't think they would mind, then, if I go with the Princess."
I smiled.  Yes! I thought.
"Let's go." He said.
"To which training camp?"
"How about to Sapphire River, where I came from."
"Good idea.  My mother, well that's what we call the previous princess,
chose you,
didn't she?"
"Yeah.  But that was a long time ago." He said.
As they neared Sapphire River, I got excited.  I also felt a familiar
nervousness
settle in my stomach.
We they reached the gate, the guards there bowed.
"Princess Mercury," one said, "What brings the honor of your visit?"
"It is my time to retire.  I am going to take a look at this year's
recruits."
"Ah, I see.  Right this way." He said and pointed to a now open gate.
As I walked inside, the hustle and bustle of the camp slowly stopped as the
people
inside recognized me, they stopped and stared or bowed.  I ducked behind a
cabin.
"I can't walk around and study them like this."
"You're right," said Kaelin, "I know a place where they sell uniforms for
camp.
We'll both get some, then they won't show off because you and I are there."
"Okay, you lead the way."  I followed him as we snuck to a cabin.
"Here we are." He said.
We slipped inside.
The clerk inside said, "Princess Mercury!  What can I do for you?"
"I would like a uniform, and one for my partner.  Don't worry, you will be
paid."
"Okay, two elite officer uniforms, coming up."  He said.
 "No!  We want common ones." I said.
"Okay.  Here they are.  You can put them on in back." He motioned to two
curtains.
I went behind one, and Kaelin went behind the other.
I admired myself in the mirror.
The light blue tunic buttoned up in front had a dark blue scarf tied around
my shoulders.
The pants were actually breeches, a shade in between the tunic and the
scarf.  I pulled on
 my sapphire blue knee-high boots.
"There." I said, feeling pleased.
I stepped out of the curtain and found Kaelin waiting for me.  The color ran
to my cheeks
when I saw him, it was so strange that when I laid eyes on him, my heart
would start racing.
He was wearing the male style, which was a no button tunic that went below
his waistline
about 4 inches.  Then there was a belt tied at his waist.  The clasp was the
imperial symbol.
He walked over to me, carrying something.  He walked up to me and lifted up
my scarf gently.
  Where the two ends were sewed together, he put an imperial symbol clasp.
He stepped back and said, "They'll still notice you.  I know it.  But what
can we do?"
"Excuse me," said the clerk, "I have an idea.  Take another scarf.  Wrap it
around your hair."
I tried that and it worked.
"Oh yes, one more thing, regular lady visitors must be accompanied by male
chaperones around camp." Said the clerk.
I turned beet red, was he just doing it to humiliate me?
"Lady Anya, may I have this honor?" asked Kaelin.
I grinned as he hooked his arm in mine.
We walked out of the store-cabin and back to the entrance.  We walked along
the path to the
office.  (This time no one stared or bowed.)
In the office, I said, "Excuse me, I am interested in looking at the
classes."
The secretary glanced at me indignantly.  "The classes are private." She
said shortly.
"I need to look at them.  It is for the purpose of the palace." I said, not
wanting people
to know who I was.
"I'm sorry," she said, "The only person who may watch are the directors and
teachers of this
 camp.  Them and the Princess only." She said without looking up.
"Then what is the problem with me looking?" I asked, amazed she hadn't
recognized me.
"You would be?" she said, still not looking up.
"My name is Anya, Imperial Princess of the Planet Mercury." I said, swelling
up with pride,
I couldn't help it.
Finally she looked up.  "Princess Mercury," she breathed, "I'm so sorry.
Here, here are two
passes, one for you and one for your escort.  Go ahead, look around the
camp, we have some of
the finest in the land."
I took the passes graciously. I stuck one in my pocket.  There I felt my
emergency transformation
brooch.  I had put it into my pocket without realizing.  I would still be
able to use it until
I picked a new heir.
"Thank you," I said, walking out to the practice field.  I hooked my arm in
Kaelin's and
tried to look humble.
We went onto the practice field and watched from the shadows.  There were
about 200 girls
and boys here.
We waited until they had a break and went up to the instructor that was
teaching this time
 period.
I recognized him immediately.  It was Farcius, one of my good friends when I
was in the
camp.  It was where I too was from.
"Hail Farcius!" I called in a greeting we had used as kids.
"That's Mr. Jonstone," he said, turning around, "May I help you?"
I took of my scarf so he could see who I was, then quickly put it back on.
As I tied it,
 I said, "How are you?"
"Anya!" he cried, "It's been so long.  How are you?  What are you doing
here?"
"I'm fine Farcius." I assured him, "I'm on palace business."
"So, that's what happened to you when the old princess came.  You got to go
to the palace.
  Did you know that the current princess has the same name as you?  Even
though I've never
seen her myself, I've heard her name a lot." he asked.
I laughed, "Well, so have I.  I'm her, Farcius."
He was startled.  I looked at Kaelin and laughed.  "Yes, I'm here to pick a
new court."
"I'll have the students assemble at the tables for viewing." He said.
"Great.  I'll meet you there.  Could you please not tell them who I am?  Or
else they'll
 all show off."
"Yeah, but make sure you talk to me later."
"Okay Farcius, I will." I called over my shoulder as I left.
Walking over to the tables, Kaelin commented, "You went here too?"
I nodded.
"I never knew that.  I never saw you.  Are you sure?" He asked.
"Positive." I said.
I went to one of the tables and sat down.  Soon, a 'scout' who made sure the
tables were
 clear came.  He asked me to leave, please, but I showed him my pass.
"Palace business," I said.
He left.  Soon the tables began filling up.
Farcius walked to the front to the front of the tables.  "Attention!" he
yelled, "We have
 a messenger from the palace here to inspect.  Be on your best behavior!"
I said a silent thank you to him for not giving away my identity.
I got up and walked up to the front of the rows of tables.  I walked over to
the first table.
  I didn't sense anything.  I walked to the second, none.  The third, I felt
something.  As
I walked around, the feeling centered on a small girl with brown hair.
"Go to the front and wait there." I told her.
She got up and walked to the front.  I continued my way around the table.  I
sent two more
children up, a muscular boy and a tall girl.
Then, I moved onto the next table.  I didn't sense anything.  I moved on to
the rest of the
tables.  In the end, I had sent 22 children up.  12 were boys, and 10 were
girls.
They were the ones that I sensed something from.  I didn't want to take the
time to figure
out which would be what, so I told them to get their horses (everyone on
Mercury has a horse)
 and to follow Kaelin and me.
We rode to the next camp. After this camp, I thought, Only one more.  I hope
I find the new
 princess.  I knew I hadn't found her yet, because I didn't get a strong
feeling from any of
 the girls.  I only got a strong feeling from an average, black haired, blue
eyed boy.   That
 means he would be head guard or escort.
This camp was promising and brought 53 new recruits.  The children from this
camp rode very
 well and were excellently disciplined.  I was please with the number they
brought.
The next camp brought 24 (I had to have 100 children to fill the rolls),
almost bringing my
 search to an end.  I had to find one more child, and this child would most
likely be the
princess.
I searched the villages, day after day, hoping to find her, but never coming
close.  Then,
one day, outside a village, I felt it.  I felt the strong knowing-ness that
this was where
the next princess would be.  I called to the town leaders to assemble the
young girls in
the square.  I walked around in their midst, but I didn't sense she was
there.
I walked away from the square, feeling disappointed.  Then, as I passed a
rather dirty and
 run down house, the feeling suddenly got strong.  I knew she was in here.
I knocked on the door.  I looked up to Kaelin for support, then I remembered
I sent him home
 for an off day.
"Hello?" A voice asked from the dark insides, "Who are you?"
"My name is Princess Anya.  I need to tell you something."
"Princess..." a voice breathed as they opened the door.
"Hi." I said, "I would like to speak with your daughter."
"I have no daughter."
"Then surely . . . a servant?" I asked.
"Like we could ever afford that."
"Oh . . . well I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to offend you."
"It's okay, Princess.  Everyone thinks everyone is rich.  But I can't be
rich.  Not while
raising a family.  That's a big responsibility."  She said.
"You have children?" I asked.
"Yes.  Shall I call them?"
"Please." I said.
She went inside and reappeared with two boys.  One was blonde with blue eyes
and was very
 handsome for his age.  The other was a boy with green eyes and jet-black
hair.  The feeling
 was strong.  I knew who I was after.
But, to make sure, I told the blonde to stand about 50 feet away.  The
feeling was still
strong.  Then I told the boy with green eyes to go to the place where the
blonde was and
to tell him to come back.  As the boy walked away, the feeling lessened.
I knew for sure.  "His name..." I whispered, "The one with green eyes.  What
is it?"
"Misu," she said, "Like the ripples on the water when the wind blows.  What
do you want
with him?"
"I want him to come with me and rule Mercury." I said.
"Really?!" she asked, "My boy?  That's wonderful!  I shall go pack his bags
right now."
I wonder why she is so glad to be rid of him, I thought, smiling at the
sweet little boy.
  I wonder if he is really the one.  Maybe it's a mistake.  No boy has ever
ruled Mercury.
"You can come back now Misu." I said.
"So what did I win?" asked Misu.
"You won an all expense paid trip to the palace to come and rule Mercury."
He laughed.  "That's a good one."
"No Misu, I'm serious.  You will be the Imperial Prince of Mercury, ruling
with the fair
and wise hand of any leader of Mercury."
"Me?  Really?  I can't believe it!  I can't wait to tell Ma." He said.  "By
the way, where
 is she?"
"Oh," I said, "she went to pack your bags."
"She just can't wait to have me gone." He muttered.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh nothing." He said.
"It's a long trip." I warned.  "It'll come out along the way."
"I guess." He said.
His mother came out of their hut and gave him a brief hug and waved.  We
left.
"So, Misu, how does it feel to know you'll be the first Imperial Prince?"  I
asked.
"I can't believe it.  Are you sure it's me?  Really?  Me?"  He said.  I
laughed.
"That'll teach your ma, right?"
"Yeah!  That'll teach her!" He exclaimed, forgetting to keep quiet about
that subject,
 then he looked at me, "Oh."
"What exactly do I have to do?" he asked.
"Nothing, really.  Only fight the evil villains, make sure everyone is fair,
honest and
 caring, keep your head, and be very smart.  Mercury is the planet of
knowledge and you
 are to use eloquent language and be wise beyond your years."
"Oh, all right then, easy job." He said sarcastically.
"Exactly." I looked at the sky.  The broad band of divine powers was
breathtaking.
How I wanted to fly there, by myself for once.  I mean, I always followed
directions.
Why should I?  Because I was Imperial Princess Mercury, the perfect one.
That reminded me. "Misu, have you had Flavius?"
"Flavius?" he asked, "Oh, yeah, of course."
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because there will be a lot of space travel involved in this job."
"Good!"
"But you can never go alone."
"That sucks!"
I nodded.  Then I got an idea, "Why don't we go riding together, with no
escorts save
you and me, you for you're last time, me for one of my first."
"Yeah!"
"Let's go! Nyear, come on.  Out of orbit of Mercury!" I smiled at my little
ward.
He would be a great prince.  He was wise, but also adventurous, and
restless, and
ready to take the risks that were necessary and carefully considering the
others.
Perfect.
We left orbit.  "Misu, where do u want to go?"
"Let's tour the planets!"
"Okay, follow me."  We headed toward Venus.
"That's Venus," I said, "Imperial Princess Venus resides there.  You will
probably
be good friends with the new princess.  I was good friends with the previous
one."
"Cool." He said.
We kept going, and I said, "That's Earth," shaking my head because of the
white surface.
"Which scout lives there?" he asked.
"None, it's inhabitable."
"Oh."
"Here's Mars.  This is a dangerous planet.  Only go there with an
invitation.  This is
the planet of fire and war, and they have little tolerance for visitors."
"Noted." He said and smiled at me.
I pointed at Jupiter. "One of my favorites.  Ask the new princess to go to a
storm
showing.  They're marvelous."
Then I spotted a white horse racing toward us.  I squinted.  It was NOT
Serene or
any of the Moon Kingdom.  In fact they seemed to be running away.
"Be right back, okay Misu?" I said as I left him to go and block the
mysterious
rider's path.
"Halt!" I cried and they came to a screeching stop.
"Get out of my way, women." He said.
"Identify yourself." I said.  I was beginning to get a bad feeling.
"That's no business of yours." The feeling got worse.
"It is." I said.
He started to walk around me.
"I don't think so." I said and blocked him.
"Excuse me, lady, do you know who I am?"
"No, who are you?"
"I am Midnight, the mysterious knight of the New Order."
Then the connection in my mind was made.  He was a member of the new
Nega-Generation,
 the New Order.
"Mercury Guardian Power!" I transformed.
He was stunned. Stammering, he called, "R-rocky, come!"
There stood a rock, shaped in a human form.
"Mercury, Temperature, Rise!" That did it.  'Rocky' blew up.  By the time I
looked up,
 Midnight was gone.
"Great Goddess." I cursed.
"That was cool." Misu said.
"Thanks.  You'll learn."
"Cool."
"Okay, let's go.  Next we have Saturn.  Princess Saturn is kinda withdrawn.
But she's
sweet."
"Now we have Uranus.  She is a he is a she.  Princess Uranus doesn't fight.
Or at least,
 she hasn't for two generations.  Basically, she monitors technological
progress.
"Here we have Neptune, who fights but a little bit.  She monitors vital
resources.
She is also very sweet, like Saturn, but not many like her.
"Last, we have the Guardian of time's residence, Pluto.  Do not go there
except for
an extreme emergency."
"Thanks Anya.  That tour was wonderful." Misu said.
"Thanks, now let's hurry back."
We urged our horses to flige.  They did.  In a matter of seconds, we were
back.  I glanced
 at the orange sun, as if paying my last respects.  Since our stuff was
still on our horses,
 I announced we would go back to the palace.
We arrived on the Landing Deck, the Roof of the Chrisima Wing.  Nyear, put
yourself back,
 please.  He nodded.  Oh, and take Misu's horse with you. He brayed
affirmation.
"Come with me, little Misu."  He followed me down the corridor.  I took him
with me into
 my quarters.
"Misu, these are my quarters.  Please do not enter them unless it's a great
emergency, you
 have an invitation, or you are summoned.  Always knock, ok?"
"Aww man.  Why do I have to?"
"Because my child, it is very rude to interrupt a lady, and invade her
privacy."
"Jeez Anya-"
"When we're in the presence of others, I want you to call me Mother."
"But no one's here."
"I know, but I'm just saying."
"Okay."
"Now go in there," I said, pointing to the bathroom, "And get washed up.
There are
towels in there and the bath is drawn."
He went in.  I called to my head servant.
"Yes, M'Lady?" she asked curtsying, beginning the first part of our routine.
"Oh, Lynna, you flatter.  But, I want a set of royal clothes please."
"A sapphire blue dress?"
"No, Lynna, this time I would like a sapphire boy's set of clothing, and
don't forget the cape."
"Helping another rag muffin, M'Lady?"
"Not exactly." I said, smiled, and dismissed her.
Soon she came back.  I looked over the clothes, they would probably fit.
I knocked on the door to the bathhouse, "Misu?"
"Yeah?" came his reply.
"Are you done?"
"I just finished."
"Okay, take the robe in there, put it on and come out."
"Okay," he said, opening the door.
"Here are your clothes.  Change behind the screen," I said, pointing to my
changing
 screen, like they had in the 21st century.
Soon he came out.  He looked like a really Imperial Prince.  The jacket
perfectly
accented his green eyes, turning them into a shade of turquoise.  The jacket
itself
 fit him as if it was tailored for him.  The pants were a great fir also.
"How are the shoes?" I asked.
"Wonderful."
"Excellent," I said, "Go sit on the couch and wait while I change."
I went to my wardrobe, and picked out the dress I wore when I was made
Princess,
but of course it was big enough for a grown woman, instead of a nine-
year-old.
 I went and changed.
When I came out, I studied myself.  The dress was very pretty.  It had thin
straps,
 and the bodice was crinkled, but the rest flowed leisurely to the ground.
I picked
 out my matching blue heels and gave my hair a quick brush.
"I'm done." I announced to Misu.
"Let's go, Mother." He held out his arm like a gentlemen.
Smiling, I took it, "Now remember Misu, your best behavior."
"Surely Mother," he said as he opened the door of my chambers.
"Oh, Misu, wait.  I forgot something."  I ran back in and got the two items
that I
had set on my dresser.
"Misu, I'll explain as we walk," I showed him one of the items, "This is the
Imperial
pin.  It is a symbol of your rank.  Wear it with pride." Taking the other
thing, I said,
 "This is the transformation wand.  You can change it so that it will be a
pen or brooch,
whatever you wish.  At the New Generation Meeting of the Scouts, you will be
shown what the
 others will have theirs as.  Then, you will decide your title, and instinct
will reveal your
 transformation phrase.  Now," I said, when I began to hear the crowd's
noise, "Be a gentlemen,
 here we go.  Now you shall meet your people."
He hooked his arm with mine, for support.
I sucked in my breath when I saw the guards at the doors, and heard the
crowd louder outside.
  They stepped aside as we walked through.
The crowd cheered as we appeared.  Then I walked across the balcony and
stared over the ledge
 at the crowd.
"Citizens!" I yelled.
They quieted. "As you probably know, it is my time to become Queen, and
cease to be your
princess.  In the past few days, I have searched far & wide for my
successor.  Citizens!"
I paused for dramatic effect. "Meet your new Imperial leader, Imperial
Prince of Mercury,
Prince Misu!"
There was cheering, and whispering.  I continued, "I know that there has
never been a male
 leader, but it is him, and you are to obey him.  He will rule fair and
justly in the name
 of Mercury.  If you have problems, he will be glad to help.  Please come
into the courtyard
 to meet him!"
"Anya, I mean Mother, I'm nervous."
"Don't worry Misu, come on, let's go." I led him to the courtyard.  We sat
in the big chairs
 at the front of the room.  There was a long line of all people coming to
meet him.
The first person came up. "Hello," I would say.
"Queen Anya," they'd say, bowing.
"Please meet Prince Misu." I would say.
"How do you do?" Misu and the person would say, then they would both answer.
"It was nice meeting you." Misu would say, signaling the conversation was
over.  They would
 get refreshments and leave.
When it was all over, we both we exhausted.  I showed Misu to his room, told
him to meet me
 at the stables at nine the following morning, then went to my room and fell
asleep.
I woke promptly at 8:30, got ready, and went to the stables.  To my
surprise, Misu was
already there.
"I couldn't sleep," he said bashfully.
"Don't sweat it.  Come on, our escort is waiting."
To my disappointment, Kaelin wasn't our escort.
We arrived in the Moon Kingdom and hurried to the New Generation Meeting.
All the other
Queens were there with their young princesses, except Queen Serene.  The New
White Lady
was there too.  As we went in, they began to whisper.  It was the first male
leader.
*