Detsiny Series
by 
-Angel-
ActinAngel@aol.com

Episode Seventeen
"Celebration"

     In the distance was a low sobbing. As it grew louder and louder, Serena
opened her eyes. She realized it was her own crying she was hearing. She
sniffled
and looked around. But all was darkness. She let out a long sob and closed
her
eyes again.
     The despair inside her was endless. She could feel no other emotion,
just the
intense sorrow and grief that was eating her alive. She felt so empty, so
alone.
She had never felt such an extreme form of sadness. It seemed endless...
     "Is this what it feels like to die?" she asked aloud, her voice
echoing.
     She felt her hands around, but felt nothing. This was no floor under
her
feet,
no walls to encase her, nothing to bound her but eternal darkness. It
appeared that
she was floating, but she didn't feel any different. Just an intense
breaking
of her
heart. She had no desire to do anything but cry.
     "Oh, my dearest child..." a voice whispered gently. Serena looked
around
but could see nothing.
     "Hello?" she said lowly.
     "My darling princess, do not weep so. You have reason to rejoice." the
voice
replied.
     "Mother?" she whispered.
     "Yes, my dear, it is Queen Serenity." the voice replied.
     Serena looked around but didn't see anything. The sadness did seem to
be
lifting, though.
     "Do not let your depression swallow you, Serena. Fight it off." Queen
Serenity's voice seemed to surround her.
     As Serena's spirits brightened, the darkness lightened into a thence
mist.
"Mother?" she called out.
     She saw a bright light coming toward her. As the light came closer, the
mist
lightened. Finally, she saw Queen Serenity come in all her glory. Light
surrounded
her, and Serena felt as if a hundred angels were signing a chorus to salute
the
marvelous queen. She was compelled to bow down to her mother out of respect.
     "Oh my child, do not bow down to me." she smiled.
     Serena looked up. "I cannot help it, my mother. You know not what
beauty
you posses."
     Queen Serenity smiled her thanks. She took her daughter's hand and
began
to lead it to a large doorway. On the way, Serena felt herself become
Princess
Serena.
     "Now my child," Queen Serenity began. "This is where my reign ends."
     Princess Serena's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" she gasped.
     Queen Serenity smiled peacefully. "You are finally ready to take
control."
     Princess Serena had to sit down. She spotted at bench near the door.
She
sat down and stared up at her regal mother. "But I'm just a child!" she
said.
     Queen Serenity sat next to her daughter. She took her hand. "You're
ready.
You've learned all you need to know."
     Princess Serena shook her head. "How can I with the others dead? I'll
be
all
alone..." she said, tears threatening to spill.
     "No, my dear, you are not alone. You will never be alone. I'm here."
Queen
Serenity answered.
     "But you won't be anymore. You're leaving! Mother, don't leave me! Not
you, too!" the young princess wrapped her arms tightly around her mother.
     Queen Serenity smiled, even though a tear trickled down her cheek. "No,
I'll
always be there for you. And so will your friends. It's destiny." she said.
     Princess Serena ignored every rule she had been taught since she was a
baby in the Silver Millennium and shouted at her mother. "No, it won't!
Destiny's
vanished! It's gone! It disappeared when Raye kissed Darien! Everything's
ruined!"
she said, her voice choked up. She felt the mist of depression closing in on
her.
     Queen Serenity's face came through. No longer did she have the serene
look
on her face, but a harsh stern look. The princess shut her mouth. She had
never
known her mother to be angry with her, not even when she got into scrapes as
a
child on the Moon. "Serena, do not question me." she said harshly.
     Princess Serena felt the mist receding. She was partly shocked and
partly
ashamed for her outburst. "I'm sorry, my queen." she said quietly, her eyes
set on
her feet.
     She felt a hand lift her chin gently. Queen Serenity looked back at her
with
gentleness. "You will see that I am right, my dear. And now, I must complete
my
final duty as queen."
     Queen Serenity lifted her crown off her head. It lighted up with such a
brilliance that Serena shut her eyes. Serenity placed the crown on Serena's
head.
Then, multiple things happened.
     Serena felt her body growing. Her waist thickened, her legs grew
longer,
as
did her hair. Her hips and breasts matured a bit more, and she felt her
dress
lengthen. A tear trickled down her cheek and she caught it in her hand. A
crystal
formed in her palm and she held it high. The crystal flowed in the crown
that
was
shining brightly.
     Serena heard the former Queen sigh and she looked her over. She gasp at
what she saw.
     Serenity wore a small skirt with a pink blouse. Her hair was still in
the same
style, but now they seemed a plain color. Her face shined, not with regal
grace,
but with happiness as she looked over her daughter. A small heart locket was
around her neck.
     "Oh, my queen." Serenity kneeled.
     The newly crowned queen gasped and told her to rise. "Mother, never bow
to me!" she said.
     Serenity looked up and smiled. "It is so natural, dear. You are so
regal
and
full of grace."
     Queen Serena looked down at her dress. It was a bright white and full
of
jewels. She saw the four stones embedded in the skirt, along with multitudes
of
other gems. She smiled.
     "Now, you are the queen my dear." Serenity said. "I will go unto
another
world with former queens and kings." she bowed.
     "Oh, dear mother, I have so much to ask you." Queen Serena replied.
     Serenity smiled and began to fade. "You will learn in time. Everyone
will help
you. Go through the door."
     Then she was gone. Serena looked around, but could find her. She turned
towards the large toward and walked to it. Instantly it opened into complete
darkness.
     The queen took a breath and walked through it. The room was lightened
instantly by her crown and she saw...
     HER FRIENDS! Serena gasped in shock and didn't move. The others smiled
and bowed down. Queen Serena opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came
out. She was in such a state of shock.
     Amy was dressed in a long flowing gown of blue. A crown of ice was on
top of her head. She rose slowly and smiled. "I am the Queen of Mercury and
Sailor Mercury. I pledge my planet's loyalty to you." Her eyes twinkled and
she
blew a kiss to her. Instantly the symbol of Mercury appeared on the queen's
dress.
     Mina looked up. Her dress was a golden orange surrounded by yellow
trimming. She wore a crown of interwoven hearts. "I am the Queen of Venus
and
Sailor Venus. It is an honor to serve you, my queen." She grinned and the
symbol
of Venus appeared on Queen Serena's dress, aside Mercury's.
     The next to rise was Lita. Her long brown hair was flowing down her
shoulders and was topped with a crown of intertwined thunderbolts. She
smiled
and Queen Serena looked at her green dress. "I am Queen of the planet,
Jupiter. I
am also Sailor Jupiter, and it is a great pleasure to pledge my loyalty to
you, Queen
Serena." She winked and the symbol of Jupiter went alongside Serena's dress.
     Raye rose slowly. She looked up at Serena and smiled a loving, warm
smile.
Her red dress and crown of golden fire complimented her smile. "My queen, I
am
the Queen of Mars and Sailor Mars. I pledge all my loyalty to you and offer
my
services to you." She bowed her head in respect to Queen Serena and the
symbol
of Mars now existed on Serena's dress.
     Two cats stepped forward. "My queen, we represent the guardians of all
good. We pledge our loyalty to you." the female black cat said and looked
Serena
in the eyes. A tear of pride trickled down her cheek. Serena felt multitudes
of
jewels added to the gown. She nodded, too moved to say anything.
     The Scouts and guardians stepped back. A singled man existed. He looked
up and Serena gasped when she saw it was the Prince of Earth.
     "My queen, as king of the Earth, I pledge my planet, my loyalty, and my
resources to you." he said softly, gazing at the woman he loved so much. "I
also
pledge my life and heart to you." he said, choking up.
     He rose and Serena felt her broken heart mending. She nodded in silence
and he walked to her. His lips touched hers gently in a pure kiss of undying
love.
Serena felts tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. The other scouts
cheered
as
they parted. She smiled and walked to her friends. But she couldn't hug
them,
not
yet.
     She had two tasks to perform. "Nephrite, come forth!" she called out.
     Instantly the keeper of the soft Jade appeared. He bowed down to his
queen
and looked up. "What is your will?" he asked.
     "I have brought you here to grant your wish. You shall go home to your
love." she said.
     Nephrite's eyes filled with grateful tears. They spilled down his
cheeks
and
he smiled. Queen Serena concentrated and the crystal in her crown floated to
him.
It began revolving around him and he laughed in joy. Instantly he
disappeared, but
everyone could hear a shriek of joy coming from a young woman who had just
found her love.
     Serena's crystal floated back to her crown and embedded itself there.
She
then took the Blue Zoisite stone and the Kunzite stone out of her dress. She
held them both in her hands and they floated in the air. Instantly, they
floated
towards each other and melded into one large, beautiful stone. It floated
back to
Serena's gown, and she heard a small "Thank you."
     She then turned to her friends. She removed the crown off of her head
and
placed it on a pedestal. The others did the same and instantly, Queen Serena
felt
her regal appearance fade. She looked over at the others. They all ran to
each
other and hugged.
     "Oh, I missed you guys so much!" Serena squealed. She had noticed the
others looked the same, except they had grown, too.
     "Yeah, girlfriend. It's so great to have you here!" Mina said, hugging
her
back tightly.
     "Finally, all reunited!" Lita spoke up as she hugged Serena. Serena
turned to
Amy.
     "I'm sorry, but I couldn't tell you what would happen. I'm so glad to
have
you here!" she said, and they hugged tightly.
     Then, Serena turned to Raye. Raye looked down. "I...uh...Serena..." she
looked up. "I'm so sorry." she said.
     Serena wrapped her arms around Raye gently. "All is forgiven, Raye. No
need to mention it anymore." she said and Raye held her back tightly.
     When they separated, Serena looked at each of her best friends. "My,
you
guys look all grown up."
     Amy laughed. "Yeah, when we each died, we were visited by the guardians
of our planets and crowned like you were. By my approximations, we've aged
ten
years."
     "I'm twenty-four?!" Serena said and looked at herself. "I don't feel
twenty-
four at all."
     "It'll come to you." Mina answered. "Now I think two felines would like
to
have a word in edgewise."
     "Oh, Serena, I'm so proud." Luna said as she squeezed in. "That was the
best coronation I have ever seen."
     "Yeah, you really know how to have a celebration." Artemis agreed.
     "How'd you two get here?" Serena asked, scooping up Luna. She purred.
     "We rescued them." the scouts said unanimously. They giggled.
     Serena looked at the two cats. "How?"
     "When they sense we were in danger, they used the energy from their
planets to bring us here." Artemis said. He was being held by Mina at the
moment.
He purred.
     Serena laughed. "Oh, it's so great to have you guys back." she said.
     Lita glanced over at Darien and smiled. "Well, we better scram, you
guys. I
think someone would like to talk to our queen alone. Serena, don't go
anywhere,
there's tons to tell you." The scouts quickly left the room. Serena turned
towards
Darien.
     "Oh, Darien." she sighed and ran to him. He held onto her tightly,
never
wanting to let go.
     "My love, my Serena." he crooned as he stroked her hair lovingly. "I
love
you so much."
     Serena sighed and rested in his embrace. He hadn't aged at all. She
inhaled
his scent and smiled. Everything was as it should be.
     "Oh, muffin." she sighed. He lifted her chin and kissed her. She kissed
him
back fiercely and they held onto each other. The kiss deepened and Serena
felt his
hands run down her back. They ended the kiss.
     Darien stared into Serena's eyes. She was finally his. Nothing would
stop
them. "When do you want to marry, my dear?" he asked her.
     "Tomorrow!" she giggled. He held onto her.
     "Tomorrow it is then. We have millions of plans, but I think we can get
them
done with the help of our allies." he smiled and kissed her softly.
     Serena shuddered in anticipation. Tomorrow she and Darien would be
married! They would be one tomorrow! She could hardly wait. She hugged him
and
kissed  his chest softly. He sighed and held her back. Yes, tomorrow would
be
the
day.

     Serena giggled and ate another cookie. The scouts smiled, happy to have
her
back. It was almost time to reveal their surprise.
     "Well, I see being crowned queen hasn't put a dent in your stomach,
Meatball-head." Raye commented dryly. Serena grinned.
     "So, what's this special surprise?" she asked, impatient.
     Everyone looked at Amy. Amy blushed a little and nodded. "Well..." she
said
clearing her throat. "Remember how Raye asked Luna what OUR destinies were?
After all, we DO have lives too. We're going to present a part of our lives
to you,
Serena."
     Serena gave her a puzzling look. Amy stood and opened a door with the
symbol of Mercury on it. A dark figure stood in the door way. He came into
the
room.
     "Omigod! Greg!" Serena shouted. Amy blushed and nodded. She held out
her hadn and Serena saw the engagement ring. Greg smiled.
     "I'd like you to meet my future husband." Amy said quietly. Greg held
her
hadn and she walked towards Serena.
     Amy sat down. Greg stood up and looked at her expectantly. She took a
deep breath, but knew she had to do this.
     "Serena, as a fellow scout, a loyal ally, and a lifelong friend, I'm
asking you
for your approval." Amy looked down.
     Serena gasped. Amy wanted her to bless the marriage! She was putting
her
relationship with Serena above her relationship with Greg! Serena put her
hand on
Amy's shoulder. "Amy, of course I approve! You both have my blessing!" she
said.
     Amy looked up and smiled so widely that Serena thought her face would
crack. "Oh, Serena! Thank you!" She stood up to Greg and kissed him softly.
Then
they both sat down and looked at Lita.
     "Me???" Lita asked. She looked down, but rose. Her face was filled with
determination as she opened the door. A dark figure stepped out. "Serena, I
believe you already know Andrew." she said.
     Serena had to keep from screaming. "Andrew!" she shouted. Andrew looked
up and smiled.
     Lita sat next to Serena and whispered, "I also wish for your consent,
Serena. Believe me, we love each other more than anything in the world."
     Serena smiled at her friend. "Lita, you have my blessing. You've chosen
a
fine man." she smiled at Andrew and turned to him.
     "Who woulda thought you two would end up together?" Serena said.
Andrew laughed and took Lita's hand. The love in his eyes was obvious to
Serena
and she smiled.
     "You know, I think I remember you from the Silver Millennium." Andrew
spoke up.
     "You were there?" Serena asked in surprise.
     "Yes. We all were, Serena. Just like you and Darien were meant to be
together, we all had our own guys." Lita said. She looked at Mina.
     Mina giggled uncomfortably and rose. She opened the door. "Well, you
know him, Serena. I love him very much. Just didn't realize it." she said.
     Serena had to keep herself from fainting. "Omigod!" she said.
     "Hey Serena." the guy said. He looked older, and cuter, but still the
same.
     "Uh, hi...Melvin." Serena was able to get out.
     Mina walked over to Serena. She sat down and looked sincerely into her
eyes. "Serena, Melvin has changed. I love him more than anyone else. But I'm
putting my friendship with you above that. Please give me your consent."
     "Mina, are you sure?" Serena looked deeply into Mina's eyes.
     "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
     Serena looked to Melvin. She nodded her approval and Mina hugged her.
Then she ran to Melvin and hugged him fiercely.
     Melvin looked so happy, Serena smiled. Then, she burst out laughing.
The
scouts all looked at her puzzled. "Melvin, you really ARE from another
planet!"
Serena said.
     All the scouts laughed. Melvin looked at her teasingly. "You should
talk,
Moon-girl." he retorted.
     Serena laughed even harder and nodded to Melvin. "You got me there."
she
said and held her hand out to Melvin in friendship. Melvin gladly took it,
and he
bowed in respect. Then he sat down.
     Serena looked over at Raye. "Well, where's yours?" she asked.
     The room became silent as Raye gulped. Then she called out, "Come in."
A
door opened.
     Scott stood there. He cowed to Serena and walked over to Raye. "Serena,
I
ask your permission for Raye's hand in marriage."
     Serena looked doubtful. Melvin may have been a dork, but he had never
tried to destroy her. Scott had been with Tanya, the woman who had killed
Serena. Scott had been an enemy.
     Raye looked pleadingly at her. "Serena, I love Scott. There's no other
way I
can say it. I want to be Scott's wife."
     Scott took Raye's hand. "I promise to always protect her. I will never
break
her heart. I love Raye."
     Serena looked at her hands. Granting a request as this was hard. She
looked
around the room. Each couple was holding hands, but looking at her. Each
person
had agreed they would not let their love overpower their loyalty to her.
Each
scout
had given her life for Serena and still yearned for her approval. The love
and
respect in their eyes was unmistakable. Serena looked back at Raye. This
girl, this
woman began this adventure. But Serena saw that it had been destiny. Raye
had
done what was fated of her. And yet, she still looked to Serena for a
blessing.
     Serena opened her mouth. "Raye, you have my blessing." she said. Raye
gasped, unable to believe what she was hearing. Serena had said yes! She
could
marry Scott!
     Scott bowed down to Serena. "Thank you, my queen."
     Serena put her hand on his head. "You are welcome, Scott."

     The weddings were scheduled to follow the day after Serena's. They all
felt
their queen should marry before them.
     Darien sat in his room, making plans. Each gem that had pledged loyalty
to
Earth was coming, so he had a lot of work to get done. He didn't even notice
Serena sneak in his room. She placed her hands on his shoulders and began to
rub.
He stopped writing enough to enjoy the backrub. He grabbed her wrist and
swung
her around to his lap.
     "Don't you have a wedding dress fitting?" he asked her.
     Serena shook her head. "Did it. And got flowers. And made arrangements
for the cake."
     "Well, you've been productive." he said, running his fingers through
her
hair.
     "It helps when you have Amy on your side." she smiled and kissed him
gently.
     He began to kiss her long and sweetly. Serena sighed and kissed him
back.
Suddenly they were interrupted by Luna.
     "Your Majesties, the palace is under attack!" she gasped.
     "What?" Serena gasped.
     "Yes. It's Tanya!" Luna answered and dashed out of the room.
     Serena stood up and looked at Darien. He nodded.
     Look's like the wedding's off until this final battle, she thought and
made
her way to the throne room.