Standard Disclaimers apply.
To Be Sailor Senshi: Prologue

It is far into the future. 5 generations of Senshi since Neo-Queen and her court have been born and fallen. Sailor Saturn's powers were given into the hands of an evil, powerful woman. Her name is Amethyst, she is the great-great-grandaughter of Emerald. Using the powers of Saturn, She brought about a revolution of such magnitude that it affected not only the universe, but many of the inhabitants as well. The ruler of this new universe is Prince Diamond, descendant of the first. Both Emerald and the first Diamond had had children, but in such secrecy that no one knew.

The Sailor Senshi are now despised by the majority of the population, thanks to the revolution. Most are dead, one way or another. Worse yet, Galaxia was struck down by a sleeping spell and has not awoken. Sailor Cosmos is missing, and Sailor Kakyuu was executed by her own people. The Silver Crystal has been lost, and the Prince is ready to take official control of the kingdoms.

Hope is not all lost. Though most did not survive the revolution, Sailor Pluto and the Star Lights did. The transformation sticks have been given to girls who show the promise of being great Sailor Senshi. They meet in secret in an underground room on the moon, where the new capital is. Most of the Senshi show the trademark characteristics of their planet and the Great Senshi of the past, but the new Sailor Moon does not...

Meeting place of the Senshi.

"You want to call me Usagi? But my name is Merlin!" Sailor Moon frowned. She had long silver hair and deep blue eyes speckled with silver.

"You're Sailor Moon! And all Sailor Moons have been Usagi until they became queen. Therefore.." Sailor Mercury reasoned.

"I know, I know! I should be Usagi, but I like my name!"

" You enjoy being named after a bird?" sniffed Sailor Mars.

"I think she was named after the great wizard, Merlin, who helped Arthur," speculated Sailor Neptune.

"Who was a guy," smirked Sailor Uranus.

"Actually, I've always believed Merlin to be female," said Sailor Venus.

"Does it matter?" groaned Sailor Jupiter.

"Hey, she doesn't even wear the odango unless she transforms!" Sailor Star Fighter interjected.

"I find that you want me to be a stereotypical Sailor Moon!" Moon slammed her brooch on the table. "If you want some one else, then say so! I will not change my name, hairstyle, or personality to suit your desires! I am who I am, stop trying to change that!" For a moment, there was complete silence.

Sailor Starmaker spoke, "We don't want you to quit, I guess some one has to break the mold sooner or later." She smiled. "I guess that means you. Now let's get back to the real problem; Prince Diamond."

"Thank you! What does he look like anyway? Saiges aren't really stuck on appearance, so I don't see many pictures," Moon explained. She was a member of an elite group of scholars, chosen for leadership, strength of heart, and strength of mind. Mercury had applied, and been rejected for not meeting the first requirement to their standards. Instead, she was the co-head librarian with Neptune at the palace. Jupiter was a chef in the palace kitchen, and Uranus was in the Royal Guard. The Star lights continued to be singers, Mars ran a shrine to no particular religion, Venus designed outfits for nobility, and Pluto kept guarding the Door of Time.

Starfighter tossed Moon a photo. "Keep it." Moon picked it up and looked at it. Her heart skipped several beats, and she had to work hard to keep her jaw from dropping. I know him! But...but I thought he was dead!!! My friend, no, no, my enemy. It couldn't be, could it? But that stance, that hair, that look!

*FLASHBACK*

A little girl with silver hair is running. Behind her she hears the taunts of the other kids at the orphanage. "Fly away Bird-Woman!" "Hey, who plucked you're feathers?" "Little Merlin bird sittin' on a tree, makes a delicious dinner for me!" The girl stops, turns around and shouts, "You cannibal! My mother gave me my name, unlike you who were named by the Head-Lady!!!"

The biggest kid catches up to her, "There is no room for you to run, Birdy!" He holds up a fist. "Now take your punishment for that remark!" The kid swings, Merlin ducks, and punches him hard between the legs. The crumples to the ground, whimpering in pain. Now all the kids run forward to fight the girl. She looks defiant and sad at the same time.

"Stop this, or take your well deserved punishment! I won't forgive you for this, I will punish you!" They rush forward anyway. The girl goes into a frenzy. Five minutes later, she is bruised, bloodied, but victorious. One kid stands. He has silver hair that is very messy and violet eyes. He regards her seriously.

"You've made several enemies from that," he says.

"I am sorry for them. They don't understand tolerance or love, or what really matters!"

"Why does that matter to you?"

"My dream is to make sure no one is discriminated against ever again! My mother was executed as a witch, and I was made to watch! She died painfully out of prejudice!"

"Then why did you fight them?" he asks.

"Because otherwise they would have picked on me anytime they felt like it! I stand up for the weak!"

"Really?" he rushes forward, fist outwards. Merlin shifts to one side, but is shocked to discover the biggest kid who tried to sneak up on her end up with a bloody nose instead.

"Can I help? I don't know my name, but am called Dio."

The girls smiles for the first time since the burning, "My name is Merlin Astrael Tsukino,"

The boy smiles too "Star-hawk of the Moon, you have a beautiful name, and eyes to match, never change."

"Never change..." Moon whispered, rubbing a hand over her eyes. Too many revelations too quickly; she was exhausted. Just this morning she had learned that She was the Gala, or head Saige, since Fortuman, the previous Gala, died. The Gala was the most honored position in the land, save for the ruler, and had access to unlimited knowledge and magic. Merlin at 16 was the youngest Saige to ever complete the training, needless to say become the Gala.

"Sailor Moon? Are you okay?" asked Sailor Star Healer impatiently. "We were discussing battle strategies."

"Battle strategies?" asked Moon confused.

"Yes, for the battle we challenged the Silver Guards to! Idiot!" shouted Uranus. "If you're the true Sailor Moon, then pay attention! Usagi never would have been so irresponsible. The battle is at midnight tomorrow night, you'd better ben prepared!" Uranus slammed her fist on the table. Moon stood up, angry. She'd had too much. Previously some Saiges in training, called novices, had tried to sneak out of some duties, and countless other Saiges had tried the same. She was tired and it was only 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

"Listen here, Uranus (she pronounced like You're Anus) I was CHOSEN for this duty. Get it through your thick heads that I am not Usagi or one of her children! My name is Merlin, and I'm leaving!!!" Moon de-morphed, spun on her heel, and left the room.

"What's with her?" asked Mars. She turned to Venus. "She's your best friend, do you know?"

"Once she saw that picture, her mind wasn't here anymore it was like..like.." Venus struggled for the words.

"Like she was lost in memories," Neptune mummered. "I've seen that look a lot in the library."

"Yes. They said at the school where we went that she had a friend at the orphanage. They said he was very close to her, but none could remember the name of the boy, or even what he looked like. I've been her friend for eight years, in all of those years I've never seen that look on her face. She was named Gala today, and the Saiges have been testing her authority."

Mercury looked sad. "I didn't know either. Not even Neptune knew. I've heard that's what they do to new Galas. It's a job that requires much talent and perseverance."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Uranus apologizes. Neptune squeezes her hand.

"It's ok, it's been a rough day for all of us." Uranus blushes slightly and the others look away.

"Well, as I was saying about our strategy," Starfighter starts.

"Ok, we're listening," Jupiter sighs. "Though admittedly that drama was more interesting."

Palace Gardens:

Merlin ran from the meeting as soon as she was out of their sight. She ran to the palace gardens. The Gala was allowed unquestioned entrance to the Gardens- unquestioned entrance to most places. At the center of the gardens was a large crystal clear pond. Beside the pond was a large willow tree. The Gala ran to the willow tree and sat on a large root. She rested her head on the bark, and the willow leaves hid her from any view. That's the way she liked it, so no one could see her cry like she hadn't since she was eight.

Merlin was wearing the outfit of the Gala: white pants, long-sleeved tunic, shoes, and a belt around her waist that was made up of linked infinity signs. She could have worn a skirt, but she hated wearing skirts because you couldn't run in them. I always loved willows. So welcoming, so secretive. I'm not expected back at my rooms for an hour. So now they won't see my face all red from crying. The Sailor Senshi don't want me to be myself, they want me to be USAGI as Sailor Moon. I can't take that. They're already begging me to have a child so there can be a Chibi-Moon. Well, they're just going to have to leave. I should be leading them, not leaving them like I did. It was stupid, but they were so cruel.. Stop feeling sorry for yourself! So you're Mother was burn as a witch and your father is unknown and your friends hate you, but you're THE Gala. There are people worse off than you, so stop sniveling!

Resolutely, Merlin got up from her perch up high in the branches. She nimbly began to hop down from there in a manner not befitting a Saige at all. At the trunk of the tree, some one was waiting for her. Surprised, she miscalculated a jump and fell ten feet only to crash into him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were there," Merlin apologized. She had finally landed three feet from the stranger. He had been wearing a hat, but he lost it in the fall. As he stood up, Merlin recognized him at once.

"Your Highness," she said bowing very low gracefully, "I didn't recognize you with a hat on and from above." Saiges were drilled in manners until it became habit. However, with her Gala outfit grubby and torn and her carefully braided hair disheveled, she hardly looked the part.

"Ah, you're the new Gala. I heard the replacement was a female, but no one told me you were as young as I," he replied, also bowing. Princes, it seemed, were also drilled rigorously in courtesy. Merlin and Prince Diamond straightened at the same time. As they each got a good look at each other, the world seemed to stop revolving. He looks like Dio, only grown older. His voice has deepened though.. Merlin what are you thinking? This man is your enemy! She thought.

She looks exactly like my old playmate, but Wise Man said that girl died a long time ago. Hawk used to love being near willows when she was sad. It must be her, she has the same eyes, but would Wise Man lie to me? It must be her twin or something like that. He thought.

"I really have to be going, the Saiges need to have the Gala nearby in case something happens," Merlin said.

"Excuse me, but what is your name?" He asked.

"I am the Gala, that's all you need to know, your highness, Prince Diamond."

"You know my title and my name, why do you hide your name from me?"

"Like I said, I really must be going," Merlin said. Oh great, now I sound stuck up! "I'll see you at my umm, coronation. I'm not officially the Gala yet." She turned around and met 500 pounds of muscle, the Prince's personal body guards.

"The prince asked you a question, miss," one said.

"So answer it, miss." the other finished. Merlin's eyes narrowed.

"I rank you, you cannot make me answer anything. I am the Gala, or do you morons not recognize that? And until he is coronated, I rank the Prince too. Now, move." She said the last word coldly with threat behind them.

"Miss, we do not move for Galas, only the Prince. And while you're here, we do not recognize your rank."

"Names; Alkar and Kildar. Ranks of Personal Bodyguards, chosen from the 3rd and 2nd classes of the Silver Guards respectively. I do not recognize your rank either. Now," she made a fist, knuckles cracking, "move before I make you."

The smaller one laughed, "Go ahead." Diamond made an effort to stop the madness.

"Don..." but Merlin cut off his words. "Stay out of this!" she commanded.

"Show some respect, girl!" snarled the larger guard, lunging forward. Merlin easily dodged him and kneed him hard in the groin instead. She followed up by elbowing him in a precise spot in the back that made him crumple to the ground. The other guard also came forward, but didn't rush her. He swung instead, and she took a hit to the face. She went flying into the trunk of the tree, but positioned herself so that her feet hit the tree and she leapt towards the guard. She grabbed him by the shoulders and used her momentum to send him sprawling. She then ran towards the gates and the Saige's palace, never looking back.

The Palace of the Saiges, 15 minutes later.

"You kneed the Personal Body Guard of the Palace in the groin? Have you no honor when you fight?" demanded Junar, one of the Galanas, a position as advisor to the Gala. Merlin and he were drinking tea. She had also changed into a clean outfit.

"It's bad enough when one has to fight, worse when one has to justify it by saying they fought fairly," she took a sip of tea and continued speaking in a low voice. "All sense of so-called honor is lost by fighting in the first place. Integrity is what counts. Never kick some one when they're down, that's integrity. I don't believe in honor."

"Now you're trying to justify your actions, Gala-sama," he argued. She gave him a searching look that pierced through him. The old Gala, Fradon, had had that same look of infinite wisdom. Now she looked very sad.

"Don't we all try to justify our actions? To make them seem more pure? Accept your actions for what they are!" Junar knew he had lost; he had never lost an argument before and he felt very stupid now. This Gala, he thought, has great potential. Perhaps she is the one Fradon spoke about, the one who could undo the Revolution caused by the false Saturn.

"What has happened to you, Merlin? When you were first chosen as a Saige, you were more carefree. Now you are very solemn," Junar said instead.

"I'm not... I don't trust Diamond."

"Then you are going to hate what I have to say next. Diamond has changed the date of his coronation. He will be coronated as the king of this system at the same ceremony that you will be crowned Gala." Merlin could only stare at him, shocked. With that much influence, he would rank her. Worst, he could command the Saiges with unquestioned authority. The Saiges still had ways of fighting this.

"Junar," she said in a authoritative voice, "I'm going down into the Library. If any Saige tries to get out of his duties, they will have cleaning duties in the barn. The stable hands also need a day off, in case too many try to be lazy. You have my authority on this." Junar nodded and Merlin headed out of her cozy quarters into the hall.

Meeting Place of the Senshi; 3 hours later.

"Okay, I have Pluto's blessing on this. We are going to bring the Great Senshi to our time. They had to time travel to defeat the first Diamond, they will have to help us this time, also," Starfighter explained to the rest of the Senshi. "We are going to need their help and experience as well as the extra man-er- woman power."

"We are going to need them in the eternal forms, and we should call upon the greatest power the senshi can transform with," came a voice from the entrance. The figure stepped into the light of the lamps.

"Eternal Sailor Moon? But...but your bows are all wrong," Venus puzzled. True, the silver haired odangoed Sailor had triple bows on her front and on her back. Her wings shimmered and she held a huge volume in her arms.

"What's that, Moon?" asked Mercury indicating the book. She was working on an old computer to the back of the meeting room.

"Just call it Galaxia's Diary. It contains every single piece of information about the Sailor Senshi since the time of their creation, which is the same time as Creation. There is one last form above eternal, but it isn't quite a transformation of the outside so much as the inside," explained Moon sitting down with a relieved sigh.

"Don't speak in riddles, Moon," snapped Mars. Moon stared at her good-naturedly.

"Well, h-o-w a-b-o-u-t t-h-i-s? D-o y-o-u l-i-k-e t-h-i-s b-e-t-t-e-r?" Moon spelled out every word. Venus, Mercury and Jupiter laughed.

"She's got you there, Mars. Hey, did you even know what she spelled?" teased Jupiter.

"Very funny," Mars fumed.

"Senshi of the past, senshi of the future, all can never stay serious too long," Neptune said smiling.

"What did you mean by the greatest power of the senshi?" asked Starmaker.

"The greatest power of the senshi," began Moon, "Is to transform without using your pens, or, in my case, the brooch. The power becomes a part of you the first time you use the pin to transform, but if some one takes your pin while you are a Sailor Senshi and uses it to transform, then the power is transferred to her. That's how Saturn's powers were given to an evil person. The pens serve to help you unlock that power. I lacked confidence in my abilities, but when I gained that confidence, I could transform as easy as blinking."

"How come the Great Senshi never used that power?" asked Uranus suspicously.

"Because they didn't know it existed, and they doubted themselves. Their dreams lay elsewhere. I, however, have dreamed of becoming a senshi since my mother told me stories by the fire."

"I remember wanting to become a senshi, too. I always thought they represented man at his, or in most cases, HER best," sighed Venus.

"So, we all agree? We bring the Great Senshi to this time and learn how to use the greatest power," stated Starfighter.

"You must get back to your jobs now. Jupiter, they will be frantic in the kitchens. The coronation of Diamond has been moved to tonight, along with mine," Moon shook her head, "I don't know what we're going to do."

"Finished!" Mercury called out triumphantly. The computer screen flickered to life.

"Name, rank, and purpose," inquired the computer.

"Anna Kiaon, Sailor Mercury, with a message to Pluto."

"Voice unrecognized by this unit, access denied," sneered the computer.

"Let me try," offered Moon. She leaned on the keyboard in front of the screen. "Now listen, you bucket of bolts, this is WAY after your time. The senshi you knew are now dead of old age. However, if you feel like NOT admitting that fact, my friend Mercury here will be only to happy practice her Aqua Rhapsody on you. Uranus here also has a lovely World Shaking attack too. How well do you think you will stand up to that?" Moo now leaned on the keyboard and spoke in a casual manner, "You would make a very good target, if nothing else."

"Yes Ma'am!" replied the computer. "Searching for Pluto; Location?"

"Guarding the Gate of Time, she hasn't changed."

"Found; now connecting, ma'am. Hope I didn't trouble you too much, ma'am. Have a nice day." The computer screen now showed Pluto's face, the same senshi who had been there since Queen Selene's court in the Silver Millenium.

"Hello, Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi. You have decided on your best course of action?" she said.

"Yes, we're going to need the Great Senshi."

"They'll be here in five minutes," Sailor Pluto's face disappeared.

"Connection terminated. Any thing else?" inquired the computer.

"No, nothing," Mercury said. The computer sighed and shut off.

"Now what?" Starmaker asked.

"We wait," Neptune replied.

"Until all the senshi called forth arrive," murmured Moon, but she didn't explain.

Rei's Temple; Year 2000

" Dewithious cake," Usagi enthused, her mouth full.

"Why don't you save some for the rest of us?" teased Rei. "You're going to look like a marshmellow for your school pictures! An odango body to match your odangoed head!" Usagi sniffed.

"Why are you so cruel to me!" she started to cry. "Only my Mamo-chan loves me!"

"Rei, stop it!" Ami scolded.

"Yeah, she'll get the food soggy!" Minako added.

"And besides," Mamoru said so Usagi couldn't hear. "You know how hard it is to get her to stop."

"Calm down, Usagi! You're not acting like a high-school student!" Luna added. The girls and Mamoru were at Rei's temple enjoying the peace as best they could.

Jupiter looked at her watch. "Haruka and Michiru should be here already. What's taking them so long?"

"Yeah, I can't wait to see them. The last time we saw them was the battle with Galaxia," Usagi hugged Mamoru tightly. "I almost lost my Mamo-chan too!" Seeing that she was about to cry, Mamoru quickly added, "But my heroine saved the world and healed Galaxia." Usagi beamed, the others groaned.

"Hey, there they are!" exclaimed Ami, pointing at the entrance steps.

"Who's with them?" Minako asked, indicating the third figure. Jupiter squinted.

"I think that's Setsuna! But why would she leave the Gate of Time?"

"I don't like this," Artemis warned. As the figures got closer, the girls could see that Haruka's and Michiru's faces were dark. Four months earlier, the Sailor Senshi of this time (called the Great Senshi in the future) healed Galaxia, who had been taken over by Chaos. There had also been the littlest Senshi: Sailor Chibi-Chibi. She had turned out to be Sailor Cosmos, and returned to her home in the distant future.

"It's time to be Senshi again," Setsuna said.

"What?" asked Usagi. "I like being a normal teenager for once."

"The Senshi of Chibi-Chibi's time are in trouble. Saturn's powers have fallen into the wrong hands. Her name is Amethyst, and she used those powers to bring about a revolution. She is a descendant of Emerald, don't aske me how. Also, Diamando's ancestor is there too. All of our Senshi are new, and have to meet in secret. Saturn can't come with us because of the nature of the powers. Please, come with us to the future," Setsuna pleaded.

"I'll come," Makoto volunteered.

"Me, too," Ami added.

"We're in," Rei, Usagi, and Mamoru agreed.

"Luna, Artemis, You stay here. The future Sailor Moon told me to leave you here," Setsuna shrugged. "I don't know why. Everyone ready?" They all nodded. There was some bangs and bright lights, then the girls were gone. Only two cats and picnic supplies were left.

Meeting Place of the Senshi: 5 minutes later.

"Usagi!" Rei exclained as they landed, "You brought along Makoto's cake?" Usagi clutched the cake plate in both hands, and had her mouth full.

"Wel, id wad good sow I browt id awong," Usagi attempted to explain. The room seemed to be made out of crystal. Everything glittered and sparkled. In the center of the cavernous room sat a huge round table. Seated at the table were Eternal Sailors Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, and the Star lights. Perched cross-legged and very un-Gala like in the center of the table was Sailor Moon. Her long silver hair was still odangoed and spread everywhere. Her wings were also spread out, since she didn't know how to manage them, and it was extremely hard to sit comfortably in a chair with wings on your back.

"I wonder how the two Jupiters would faire in a cooking competition against each other?" Moon asked, her voice was very low and had an almost musical quality.

"I would win!" Makoto and Jupiter replied at the same time. Then they both laughed.

"Well, that was nice, but Neptune and I have to go. If we're late again, it's stable duty for a week," Uranus stood up.

"Right, Harriet, you get stable duty, but I've got the day off," Neptune smiled and stood. Uranus, known as Harriet Carter, looked sheepish.

"I need to follow your example, Myra." They said their good-byes and left.

"I have to get back as well. Gala business, the coronation starts in two hours," Merlin sighed, "And the ceremony lasts for two hours on top of that. Starfighter, as you're old friends, you update them on the situation. Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, come along. We have to get back." They nodded and followed Moon, though Jupiter thought she sounded a little snobbish.

"Ok, see, you," Starfighter leaning forward, said. "Now, here's what's happened..."

Palace Kitchens

"Hey! Miss Super woman has returned!" called a little girl who was stirring a enormous pot of soup.

"Thanks, Yotska," the brown-haired teen replied, tying an apron around her waist, "Have you managed to keep everything from burning?"

"Yes, Miss Leia," Yotski replied. Her hair was black and hung straing to her shoulders. She was an orphan adopted by the palace, and she worked in the kitchens. Normally, Yotski was very quiet, but today she seemed cheerful, Leia noted.

"Why are you so happy today?" Leia asked the beaming girl. Yotski smiled and grabbed something from a table loaded with bread. Servants were rushing everywhere in preporation for the big night. Leia, a.k.a Sailor Jupiter, grabbed a bowl and started putting in ingrediants as well. She was making the enormous cake needed for the feast after the coronation.

"Here, Miss Leia! I baked it myself!" Yotski held up a round white object that smelled faintly of lemons.

"Umm, that's great, Yotski! What exactly did you make?" Leia stumbeld, trying not to sound rude. Her chesnut hair received a coating of white from some careless worker.

"It's a lemon merangue pie. I made it from your recipe, will you have some?" Yotski's face looked anxiously at Leia. She always thought of Leia as her mother since Leia cooked and cleaned very well.

"Sure thing, as soon as I get all this cooking done," Leia sniffed. "Do you smell something burning?" They both looked over at the pot of soup.

"Oh no!" yelped Leia. She ran over and started to adjust the knobs on the stove.

"You stupid girl!" a chef shouted at Yotski. "Can't you follow simple instructions?"

"Don't you yell at her?" Leia shouted. Yotski's eyes started to water, the pie she had worked all morning on fell to the floor as she ran out of the kitchens. "Hey, Yotski!"

"Who are you? I'm a head chef here. What's your position?" the man sneered.

"How dare you..."started Leia. She swung her right fist as hard as she could at the insolent chef. He fell to the ground, crying.

"I am Leia Turner, Royal Chef! You're fired. You! You! and You! Clean up this mess!" Leia pointed at people and ran out the door.

Palace Gardens

Merlin was walking towards her willow for a moment of peace and quiet before she had to submit to the rituals of the Saiges for her coronation. Deep down, though, she was hoping to see the Prince again. I have to make sure if he is Dio or not. He was always there, we always had each others backs in a fight. Whenever I got upset he would ask, 'what could make such a beautiful hawk cry?' and I wouldn't be so upset. Then he left me, without even saying good-bye. I assumed he died and no one told me.

Merlin heard a sobbing sound as she got closer to the tree. Looking up into the branches, she saw a figure in a black dress crying.

"Hello there. You're in my spot," Merlin called. The figure stiffened.

"I'm sorry! I'll move, I'll get out of your way!" the voice was of a girl.

"No, don't move, I'll come up there. No one can own a tree." Merlin climbed up to sit beside the little girl.

"My name is Merlin, what's yours?" Merlin asked. The girl lifted her head from her arms.

"Yotski. ..Hey aren't you the Merlin everyone is talking about?" the girl asked, awe coming into her voice. Merlin decided by the patches on Yotski's dress that she must be a servant. Only nobles wore light-colored clothes on everyday basis, thought there was no law stating peasants HAD to wear blank. Black hid stains easier, that was all.

"Depends on who you talk to I guess. Personally, I don't like people talking about me behind my back," Merlin replied with a smile. Yotski's black eyes widened, then she giggled.

"You must be. You're the only person I've seen with silver hair. Everyone says that the Merlin I'm talking about has silver hair and very beautiful blue eyes."

"Hmm, then I guess you're right. Are you going to attend the ceremony?" Merlin asked. Yotski emphatically shook her head.

"No, the cooks always say that servant girls aren't important enough to go to such nice ceremonies, though truthfully they aren't going either."

"Well, then, we should change that," Merlin handed Yotski a small sack. "Take this to the three-story pink house in town. Once there, go to the purple door, knock three times, and ask for Saria. Give her the sack, and she'll make you a dress, in whatever color you like. Then, go to The Rose Palace, the Palace of the Saiges, and ask for Junar. If the man questions you, give him one of the silver roses in the sack. You'll know who Junar is if he comes out, he has honey-colored hair and and amber eyes with green flecks. He wears an egyptian symbol around his neck. It looks like a cross with a circle instead of a line above the horizontal line. He'll give you an invitation. I'll see you there."

Yotski squealed in excitement, hugged Merlin saying "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!", jumped down from the tree (fell, but got back up) and ran out of the gardens (climbed up and over the wall using some overgrown ivy)

"Yotski! Where are you going?" Leia shouted breathlessly after her from the rose bushes.

"Leia, she's gone to Saria's on my orders. She seemed happy about it," Merlin called.

"Oh, it's you, Merlin! That's good, she had a mishap in the kitchens..." there was a bang and yelling heard from the kitchens. Leia winced, "Speaking of which, I better return to the kitchens! Bye!" Leia ran out of the gardens. Merlin sighed.

"GALA MERLIN TSUKINO! GET TO THE PALACE NOW!" The shout heard 'round the city! Merlin flinched. Junar sounds upset, maybe I shouldn't have let that black snake sleep in his bed. Merlin hopped down from the tree. No peace, no quiet, who said this job was easy? She ran towards the Rose Palace.

Black Crystal Palace

Merlin did not know she had been observed since she stepped into the Gardens. The range of the observation only lasted within the Gardens, though. Diamond stared at the last image of her face, slightly irritated, peaceful, and happy at the same time. I wish I knew what was going on in her mind. My little Star-Hawk of the Moon, how she's changed. Diamondo thouhgt, rewinding the little tape.

The Black Crystal Palace was completely underground. It was located beneath the Crystal Palace and housed the living and planning quarters of the Dark Moon Family. Amthyst was staring moodily at the prince. Like her ancestor, Emerald, she was totally infatuated with the prince. She always wore her senshi uniform inside the palace; she liked the power it gave her, not to mention the short skirt. She walked over to the chair where Diamond sat.

"What are you looking at?" she frowned at the screen. "The Gala? Why would you want to look at her? She's so plain." Amthyst was talking figuratively, of course, on figures. All she cared about were the looks of a person. Merlin had a very lovely face, but Amthyst considered her to be ugly because Merlin wasn't as filled out as she was.

"She's the most beautiful woman in the world, Amthyst, for more reasons than her body!" She took a few steps back, stung. She laughed in a high-pitched voice.

"Clever! Marry the Gala and you'll have unquestioned power and wisdom in the land! Inspired! Clever!" She took a step back. "Clever," she repeated, less positively, and she ran too her room to plot the downfall of the silver haired girl. Diamond never even knew she left. Wise Man noted this, and appeared. He, too, had noticed the Gala, but not romantically. He thought she would be a very bad person to have as an enemy, but as an ally, that was different.

"So, you have noticed the Gala, too," Wiseman purred. He called upon his crystal ball. His hands and body were now human. He had taken the body of the deceased Diamond so that the children of the line of Diamond would think that he was there father/ grandfather.

"Oh, Dad," Diamond noticed the Wiseman standing beside him. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on my son, of course," Wiseman reassured Diamon. Pure lies oozed from his lips as music from a harp. He pulled his black cloak closer around him. "I was thinking that you should become King in your own name, not your ancestors."

"My own name?" Diamond asked, finally averting his eyes from the screen.

"When I took you away from that orphanage, you were called 'Dio' by that silver haired girl you're so interested in. Your true name is Dios," that was about as close to the truth as Wiseman had ever gotten. "You should be coronated in your true name, not your ancestors."

"My true name? All these years, you lied?"

"To hide you from your enemies, the sailor senshi. They were trying to find and kill you," again, completely false. Wiseman called up a picture of Merlin's face smiling in his globe.

"The Gala would make a beautiful wife. She has true power," Wise man said, it was the first time he had told the truth in uncountless years. "Maybe tonight you should dance with her, convince her that you did not die many years ago. Just think what a good duo you two would make!" Wiseman used his ball to make a picture of Merlin in a Neo-Queen Serenity dress appear on the screen.

"Good idea, Father. Make sure everyone knows about it," Dios said, getting up from his seat. "It's time to get ready."

"Certainly, son," Wiseman said. Everyone but the Gala.

To be continued...