Neo-Queen Serenity took several deep breaths and calmed herself down before stepping back into the Royal Chambers. Sighing, she sunk into bed next to a sleeping King Endymion. She was determined to fall asleep, because it had been several hours since she had heard that horrid laugh and she was very tired. Her mind slowly began to drift from the soft cotton sheets into Dreamland...
"Ruby," a booming voice called. "What do you have to report to me?"
Ruby's muscular frame stepped out from the darkness. Her lips were ironically ruby-colored and they curled upward. "Master Vega, Crystal Tokyo is the most plentiful town we've been to yet. It is brimming with power and will be quite useful in our quest. Their Queen, Neo-Serenity, rules the Sol System, and therfore must be the source of this power."
"Good," Vega replied. "And the other planets?"
"The other planets are virtually deserted. However, I have located the source of power for each planet. Their powers are found within the bodies of the Ladies of Earth's Royal Court. These Ladies were once rulers of these planets millienias ago."
"Infilrate the Crystal Palace and get me as much information as possible. When delivered back to me, return to the city. Start with the part of the city with the least offensive power and launch your attack. They'll have no chance of fighting back."
"Of course, Master."
"Good morning, love," King Endymion nudged his sleeping wife who let out a low groan as she sat up. She groggily rubbed out her eyes.
"Oh... Endy, what time is it?"
He glanced at the clock. "7:30, of course. We normally get up at this time, Sere, you know that. Is something wrong?" Endymion frowned and put his arm around her shoulders. "Are you sick?"
The Neo-Queen took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face. "Oh no, I just woke up during the night and I'm feeling a little exhausted." She kissed Endymion, gently stroking his smooth face and playing with his jet-black hair.
Endymion looked concerned. "If you like, I could have the servants postpone breakfast....?"
She looked relieved. "Would you?"
He nodded, and started to leave. "I'll send Lady Mercury up. You look ill; she can help."
"Open."
"No."
"Open."
"No!!!"
"SERE!" Mercury bellowed. She towered above the bed-ridden queen, trying to shove a tounge depressor into her mouth. "OPEN!!!"
"I'm not sick!" Serenity cried, slowly turning around in bed. "I just need rest."
Mercury sighed. "I don't believe you. King Endymion said you were sick and asked if I would check you, and I will, even if this is a particularly ancient method of performing a checkup."
Serenity laughed. "Mercury, you can stop talking like that. Even one thousand years later when I can understand what you're talking about, it still annoys me."
The Lady's eyes softened a bit, and she reached across the bed, taking the Queen's hand in her own. "It has been a long time, hasn't it, Sere?"
The Queen closed her eyes. "Yes. A very long time. The senshi powers in me have dwindled. I want to keep them. It's so frustrating! The Crystal's power will help me, but I can't use it all the time. How will I protect my kingdom?"
The blue-haired woman's eyes became stern. "We will protect the kingdom. Our powers have increased. Majesty, you need not worry. Please don't, it will make your illness worse."
"I told you, silly, I'm not si-"
The door opened, inturrupting Serenity. A maid stood there, red hair pulled back into a braid, simple silk uniform making her look meek and mild, but her eyes.... they were warrior's eyes. The Lady frowned, stood, and said, "Yes? May we help you?"
The maid nodded. "My Lady," she said to Lady Mercury. "Lady Venus has injured herself. She is requesting you."
Lady Mercury frowned. "Venus should be more careful! She is pregnant, after all!" Mercury muttered as she left.
Serenity uttered a low growl. She sensed negative energy from this woman. "Is that all?" she asked, rudely. "I had a horrible night's sleep."
The maid stared at the Queen with her piercing, blood-red eyes. "Yes, H..Hi..Highness." The maid spit out the last word with such disgust that it made Serenity a little more uneasy. She curtsied, then took her leave.
There's something odd about her, Serenity thought to herself. She then curled up and fell asleep. In her dreams, the maid and the woman with the laugh morphed together to become one, but by the time she woke up she had forgotten it.
