Hi! My name is Dara, and this is my first attempt at fan fiction. I hope you like it. I have made a few alterations in the Sailor Moon universe in order to make my story fit, the most significant one being the change in the time line. Chibi-Usa is from the 25th century, and the first couple of chapters of my story occur in what would have been the 30th century, in my universe known as the Amber Star. E- mail me at hevenshine@hotmail.com with your questions, comments and flames. Just keep in mind that not much is going to be answered--yet. Yes, this fanfic doesn't have a title at the moment. I can't think of one that fits the story. As you all know, Sailor Moon is not mine; I'm just borrowing her for a little bit from Takeuchi Naoko-san. And Bandai, and DiC, and whoever else has a prior claim to the warrior of love and justice. However, everyone else herein is mine. If you've read this far, then I'm thoroughly amazed. = - D Well, on with the fanfic! Destiny's Path Prologue--Morning on Terrabeta "If it pleases Your Serene Majesty, the Exalted Lady Masago, Honored Prophet and Highly Esteemed Guardian of the Time Gate, humbly seeks your audience." The dark-haired woman, who waited in the antechamber, sighed. Even through the obstruction of stone and wood, she heard this proclamation, and inwardly she winced. She wished the boy would speak normally, and discard the ridiculous titles. After all, many people did not think she was "highly esteemed," let alone "exalted." In fact, most detested her for not averting the war. 'If they only knew . . .' Shaking her head, she let go of the tenuous thread of thought and prepared herself for what was to come. The woman could hear voices, low-pitched and indistinct, coming from the other side of the wall. She did not need to hear the queen's response to know the answer; Serenity, the sovereign of the Amber Star, had been expecting her. The solid oak doors swung open, then, the unoiled hinges softly whining. A young man, wearing the livery of a herald, stepped through. Bowing smartly to her, he murmured, "Her Glory will receive you now, Milady." Masago smiled at the youth and rose from the upholstered couch, absently smoothing her long robes before retrieving her ornate staff. "Thank you," she replied graciously, and crossed the threshold into the Great Hall, noting detachedly that the doors had been shut behind her. Walking down the aisle to the woman on the throne (who was unattended), she discreetly glanced around the rectangular-shaped chamber. There was, at the moment, little to recommend the room, with its unadorned bleach stone walls, plain glass windows, cracked white and green-veined marble floor, and sparse furnishings. Earlier she had puzzled over Serenity's choice of setting for their conference, but now she understood. When Masago had first approached her, it had been as one friend to another, in the comfort of her private chambers. Serenity was not the Queen, only a woman, and a mother. A mother with a child whose life would be risked to--literally-- save a galaxy. Doubtless Serenity had been taken aback at her request, and had chosen to assert her rank to feel less vulnerable regarding this sensitive issue. The stark surroundings were meant to reinforce the nature of the discussion, and their relationship in regard to it. As she came within a respectful distance of the throne, Masago bowed and said politely, "Benevolent tidings this fine morning, my Queen." "Thank you, my Lady Prophet," the Monarch replied, her mouth curving. The smile did not reach her eyes. Not that she blamed her. "I trust the dawn has found you well?" The older woman nodded. "Yes, Your Eminence," she said, with no mocking. She made a grand gesture that encompassed the chamber, and added in the same tone, "This is the best it has looked in years." "Indeed," Serenity concurred, a touch of irony coloring the word. "The Seneschal and I finally cleared away the last of the debris yesterday, and scoured the floor. My back is killing me!" she exclaimed, with a slight grimace, although her eyes were lit with satisfaction. The Queen had been adamant about everyone- -servant and highborn alike--helping with the restoration of the palace, and Serenity had done more than her share: bending over tarnished light fixtures, meticulously scrubbing floors and tubs, plastering walls and mending curtains. As she had jokingly said one night, she could have been an artisan of all trades if she had not been crowned. Today, however, she looked every bit the Monarch she was. Sitting up straight on her throne, pride and intelligence radiating from her like a beacon, she was an accomplished beauty. Her long, elegant frame was swathed in an ivory silk gown, the high waist and rounded neckline accentuating her bosom. Gold lace trimmed the puffed sleeves, neckline, and hem of the ankle-length skirt. Matching long- sleeved gloves concealed her work-raw hands and scarred arms. Her long hair was left loose, flowing down her back and over her shoulders, the gold circlet of royalty sweeping across her wide brow. Artfully applied cosmetics disguised her weariness and highlighted her bold mouth, sloping cheekbones, and golden- brown eyes. Masago studied her as they continued to make pleasantries, knowing that Serenity was stalling. Unfortunately, time was of the essence to her, and so with a deep breath and a silent prayer, she interrupted her friend by clearing her throat. Serenity immediately gave up the pretense of mindless chatter and said without preamble, "Prophet, are you certain that this is the only course of action possible?" The familiarity of this conversation impinged on her consciousness. 'God, how many times have I had this discussion with you?' she wondered. Aloud, she affirmed, "Hai, Majesty. I would never risk your daughter otherwise." "Granted," the Queen agreed readily, "but why can it not be--" "One of the other Senshi, my Liege?" Masago concluded. "Well . . . yes. How is it, Milady, that you always know what I will say?" Serenity asked curiously. "Because you have always said it," was the enigmatic reply. Serenity stared at her quite blankly. "Come again?" she asked, then waved her hand in dismissal. "Oh, never mind." There were more important issues at hand. "Are you going to answer my former question?" "Of course. The princess is the key." The Queen waited for Masago to elaborate, and when she didn't, Serenity gently prompted, "And?" Her friend remained mute. Her body conveyed no emotion. Her face was expressionless. And her lavender eyes revealed . . . "Nothing. You have told me absolutely nothing." She sighed in frustration, knowing it was useless to try to pry information from the Prophet. When the older woman still gave no reply, Serenity mentally shrugged and said aloud, "I trust you have your reasons, then." Displeasure flavored her words. "Always," the other assured her. She lapsed into silence once more, then said, "Do you not rememb--" The Queen, who intuitively knew the other woman's line of thought, frowned slightly at her. "No, I don't. We have been through this before, I believe." "Hai," was the soft reply, "we have." She hoped the relief she felt did not manifest in her face or voice. However, Serenity was not finished. She continued, slowly, almost reluctantly. "My memories as a child are confused. I couldn't tell you what my favorite toy was, or who my best friends were." Masago winced slightly at this declaration, but Serenity did not notice, absorbed in her thoughts. "Sometimes . . . I'll see them. Like the way her hair looked in the sunlight, golden and shiny, and his crooked smiles when he pretended nothing was bothering him. I can even see the others, although vaguely. I remember their wit and grace and . . . strength. They were so strong. So beautiful." Childlike wonder filled her voice. "Yes, they were," the Prophet agreed, sadness coloring her voice. How she missed them so! And they were gone . . . abandoning the gloomy reverie, Masago concentrated on the matters at hand. "I also remember receiving this pendant," Serenity was saying. The older woman went still, forcing herself not to physically react to this information. "Oh?" she said, hoping it sounded casual. 'What else do you remember, Serenity?' she wondered wildly. "The memory came to me recently," the Queen explained, fingering the raw chunk of jade, roughly cut into a teardrop, mounted in gold that dangled on a chain around her throat. "A young woman with black hair and gold eyes gave it to me. It was the first time I ever saw someone else with eyes like mine." "That description matches Alandra." "Perhaps," Serenity said, meditatively, as she studied the gemstone. Abruptly, she looked up, speculation darkening her gold eyes. "But since your proposal two weeks ago regarding this journey, I have thought of little else. I might have fabricated the memory to justify her going." Shocked, Masago exclaimed, "That's not true, Serenity!" The Queen blinked in astonishment. "Why are you so adamant, Masago?" she asked. 'Shall I tell you, Serenity? You would be proud of her, your Alandra. And yet, I fear you would not understand my actions . . . ' "Forgive me, I cannot answer any of your questions," the Prophet said quietly, holding her hands out, palms up, in entreaty. "Please, I beg you, have faith." Masago then kneeled before her startled Queen, bowing her head low to hide the tears that threatened to spill. 'Discretion is necessary,' she thought fiercely. 'That may be true, but you are practicing deceit,' whispered a nasty little voice. 'Omission is a euphemism for lying!' She shoved the thought away. This wasn't the time for doubt. A gloved hand stroked Masago's dark green hair, and she held herself from a flinch. 'Lies get you in the end . . . ' Serenity murmured, "Rise, my dear." When the Prophet was standing once more, her eyes suspiciously bright, the queen said, gently, "I have never had any compunctions about placing my faith in you." 'You should.' "It is not you I am worried about; it is the General," she said, her voice trembling with controlled emotion. The General. A monster in a man's body. The sadistic, soulless tyrant who, almost five centuries ago, annihilated the Crystal Earth Kingdom. Nothing remained of the Milky Way Interplanetary Alliance; the planets and their people were summarily conquered and destroyed with an icy ruthlessness that nauseated Masago to even think about. She survived the massacre, because she had been in the Time Stream. If she had not . . . well, it was better for her peace of mind not to dwell on events she could not alter, although God knew she had tried often enough. She had gone back four times to the Crystal Tokyo court, trying and failing to convince the golden-haired monarch and her husband of the danger that awaited. Each time her "predictions" were dismissed, and Serenity and Endymion told her she was being paranoid, that she had seen too many battles . . . It hurt to know she could not save them. The same could not be said for the impending mission. Alandra was destined to go to the past; she had always been part of the past. Moreover, she was destined to succeed. 'But at a price.' Masago firmly believed the ends justified the means, and she intended to execute her plan with the princess as her willing pawn. 'Perhaps willing is not the right word,' she mused, remembering Alandra's initial reaction. 'She will make a fine ruler . . . ' Masago was brought back to the present, then, reminded that the current Monarch was patiently waiting for her answer. She cleared her throat. "I understand your concern, Serenity, and I swear to you, Alandra will be safe--" she began, telling a half-truth. "Inasmuch as anyone can be safe," the Queen interrupted, regarding the other woman intently. For as long as she had known Masago, the woman remained a mystery to her. The Prophet was quiet, and guarded, and rarely seen because of her duty as the Keeper of Time. She was also taken in earnest when she left the Time Gate. Serenity knew all too well what happened when Masago's warnings went unheeded. But this was Serenity's daughter and heir they were talking about, damn it. Alandra was a capable young woman, granted, but it was madness to send her after the General! She was not even Gifted like the other Senshi. Her "powers" were dependent upon the Star Jewel and Heaven Wand, and when said sources were drained, her child was all but defenseless. If it hadn't been for her cool head and the aid of her guardians, Alandra could have died many times over during battle. When the nightmare of war had ended four months ago, the Queen had thanked every deity she knew of for keeping her beautiful child safe. She had believed the worst to be over. But it wasn't. Her idyll was shattered by an unexpected visit from Masago and her frightening prophesies of what she termed as "galaxicide." And their only salvation, she said, rested on Alandra's strong young shoulders. Serenity had wanted to say no; she was still tempted to. She was scared for her daughter, and loathed the idea of deliberately placing her in harm's way. At the same time, she could see no other alternative. Masago--no, the Prophet--made it clear that Alandra was the only one suited to the task. And if she had to choose between her daughter and the Amber Star kingdom . . . the lives of many mattered more than the life of one. Even if the one happened to be a princess. 'I have no choice,' she thought despairingly, a cold lump forming in her belly. She rose from the throne, her decision made. In a firm, low-pitched voice, Serenity said, "Have a page summon my daughter. We will continue this in the Summer Room." The Queen was in desperate need of more pleasant surroundings. The dark-haired woman knew dismissal when she heard it. "Hai. Majesty . . . " "Masago?" "I am sorry." She was not certain what exactly she was apologizing for; she only knew it needed to be said. "Don't be." After all, Alandra was still alive. How do you like it so far? Let me know at hevenshine@hotmail.com!