Chapter three, coming at ya! Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. If I need to remind you again, the ideas from "Anastasia" are the property of 20th Century Fox Films, and Sailor Moon and all its characters are owned by Naoko Takeuchi, and copyrighted by Toei, Kodansha Ltd., Bandai, and DiC. I never have and *sigh* never will own these ideas. But that's the fun of being a fanfic writer, ne? ^_^ Memories of Yesterday Chapter Three by Sailor Elysia The door closed as another girl silently left the room. Serenity, queen of the Moon Kingdom and ruler of the once glorious Silver Millennium, sighed heavily and collapsed in a large chair. Luna, her royal advisor and closest friend, jumped up onto the footstool next to the chair. "I'm sorry, your majesty. I was almost positive she was the one. Next time, I'll be sure to ask more specific questions." Serenity looked down at her feline companion and sighed quietly. "I'm not so sure there will be a next time, Luna. I'm tired of all these girls claiming to be my daughter. How can I be sure they're not just in it for the money?" Luna hung her head sadly. "I wish I knew, my queen. You'd think that I could remember the princess myself, but ten years can do a lot to one's memory, even a cat's." The queen straightened in her chair. "I know she's alive, Luna. I can feel it. But I've had my hopes dashed again and again. I don't want to do this anymore." ~*~*~*~*~*~ After five days on the cramped ship, Artemis, Sere, and Endymion finally set foot on Earth. It took a while to adjust to the different environment, but in no time at all, they were back on their path of adventure. They knocked on the door of a large, ornate manor. A young maid opened the door. "May I help you?" "We're here to, uh. . . see the lady of the house," Endymion stated. "You'll have to talk to Miss Luna about that," the maid replied, as she showed them into the parlor. "Miss Luna, you have visitors waiting to see you in the parlor," the maid announced loudly, and left the three alone. "Apparently the maid's never *seen* Luna," Endymion muttered under his breath. "I understand you want to see the lady of the house," a midnight black cat said as she walked into the room. "What is your business?" "We need to see the queen right away, Luna. It concerns her daughter, the princess," Artemis replied. Luna was skeptical and shocked at the same time. Only an elite few knew Serenity personally. She cocked her head. "Do I know you from somewhere? You seem so familiar, but. . . " Artemis jumped up onto the chair next to Luna and looked her in the eye. "Don't tell me you don't remember. It's me, Artemis." Luna gasped as recognition flashed through her memory. "Artemis? It can't be. . . we thought you were lost all these years!" "Enough with the reunions, Artemis," Endymion cut in. "We have more important matters to attend to." He took Sere by the arm and led her over to Luna. "I'd like to introduce you to Serenity, princess of the Moon Kingdom." Luna's eyes widened at the sight of Sere. She certainly looked like she could be the princess--the closest resemblance yet--but then again, she'd seen so many others it was hard to tell. There was only one way to find out. She cleared her throat and motioned for Sere to sit down. "I have only one question for you, my dear. If you truly are the princess, then tell me, what happened the day of the attack on the Moon Kingdom?" Both man and feline looked at each other and groaned inwardly, for this was the one thing they had not told her. But Sere was in a world of her own. She unconsciously fingered the star-shaped locket she had placed back around her neck earlier, and contemplated her answer carefully. "There was some kind of celebration going on, a birthday party, I think. There were a lot of people there, even a young prince who didn't normally visit the moon. . . " Sere blinked, and looked back at Luna, her head lowered. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure if that really happened, or if it was only a dream. Much of my early memory is dim, and what I can recall is very vague." "Well, Luna? What do you think?" Artemis pressed. Luna cocked her head thoughtfully. "You know, I've never heard that convincing of an answer before." "So, do we get to see the Queen?" "I'm not sure. The queen is tired and no longer wishes to see anyone claiming to be her daughter," Luna said. "Luna, there must be a way to convince Queen Serenity to see Sere," Artemis pleaded. "Please try, for her and my sake?" ~*~*~*~*~*~ Meanwhile, Endymion was staring at Sere from behind. She may have thought she was only going on about nothing, but he knew otherwise. Memories from his childhood came surging back as he recalled that last fateful day of the Moon Kingdom. He felt lightheaded as he tried to gather his thoughts. Endymion remembered now what was so long forgotten. He had been that ten-year-old prince who had gained special permission to attend the party. Only the real princess could remember details such as the party. That could only mean. . . Sere really *was* Princess Serenity! Endymion ran his fingers through his thick black hair as another painful thought surfaced. He, of all people, had fallen for Sere, but now, the hope of anything happening between them was nearly impossible. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Later that afternoon, Artemis found Endymion outside in the hallway, leaning dejectedly against the wall. He didn't notice the solemn look on his face. "Wasn't Sere great in there?" the white cat said cheerfully. "I almost believed her. Now, if Luna can convince the queen to see us, that reward is as good as ours!" "I don't care about the reward anymore. She really is the princess," Endymion muttered almost inaudibly. "What?" Endymion turned to look down at the cat. "You were there too, Artemis. Don't you remember what happened the last day of the Moon Kingdom? The party? How hard the princess begged to let the prince of Earth come? I was that prince, and Sere really *is* the princess." Artemis gulped. Come to think of it, he *did* remember. "Well, what. . . what will you do now?" Endymion slumped against the wall again. "I have no other choice but to walk away. There's nothing else I can do." Artemis sat back on his haunches, deep in thought. "Wait a moment. You're both royalty, and you obviously love the girl, Endy. So why don't you just marry her?" "I wish it were that simple, Artemis. First of all, how do I know that Sere shares the same feelings? And second, Earth was never asked to join the Silver Millennium. The royal family of the Moon is forbidden to make alliances with anyone outside of it. It's hopeless." ~*~*~*~*~*~ The next morning, after breakfast, Sere found Endymion out in the garden, admiring the roses. As he sat down on the stone bench, he watched her come closer out of the corner of his eye, and couldn't help marvel at her beauty. If only. . . He shook his head to rid himself of the thought. That would never help him say to her what he was about to say any easier. Sere bounded down the cobblestone path to where Endymion was sitting, and plopped herself down beside him. "Endy, guess what? Luna finally convinced the Queen to let us see her! Isn't that wonderful?" she bubbled excitedly. Endymion smiled half-heartedly. His other half was slowly breaking. "She wants us to come at 3 o'clock sharp," Sere continued. "Oh, Endy, what will I say? What will I do?" He stood up and looked down at her. "I'm sure you'll do a fine job. Too bad I won't be here to see it." Sere glanced at him, confused by his words. "What do you mean? After all you've done to help me get here, I especially want you to come with me. I need your support." "No, Sere. You don't need me," Endymion muttered, trying his best to sound angry. If pretending to be mad was the only way to leave her, then he had no other choice. "I helped you get here, yes, but you don't need someone to hold your hand. You're a big girl now, I think you can take of yourself." Sere couldn't believe it. Endymion had never used that tone of voice with her. She was trying her best to tell him how she felt, but he didn't seem to care. Tears crept into her eyes. "I don't believe that for one minute, Endy. I thought you wanted to meet the queen as much as I did. You can't leave, not yet." As he looked at her, he could see the amount of pain in her eyes, and he was only adding to it. What she didn't know was that this was killing him just as much as it was her. "Sere, I'm sorry, but I have to leave, and I doubt I'll be coming back. You'll be able to handle things on your own." In disbelief, she watched him walk away. The tears spilled over, and she collapsed onto the bench, sobbing. Endymion looked back at Sere when he got to the garden door, her weeping figure tearing him apart. His heart was screaming at him, telling him to run back, hold her in his arms, and tell her everything would be all right. But he knew if he did, he would never be able to let her go. He knew he couldn't have her forever, so it was just easier to let go now. ~*~*~*~*~*~ It was ten minutes to three o'clock when Luna finally found Sere. She was still in the garden, her eyes red from crying, not wanting to move from the spot she last saw Endymion. "Good heavens, child! Do you know what time it is? You have five minutes to make yourself presentable for the queen. Come on!" Luna ordered. Sere reluctantly got up and went to her room, Luna prompting her the entire way. She splashed her face with water and got rid of the puffiness around her eyes as best she could, then slipped on the dress that Endymion had given her, for it was the only dress she owned. Sere only wished he could be here now, because without him, she could have never come this far. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Sere met Luna outside the queen's private chamber at exactly three o'clock. The cat quietly nudged the door open, and Sere followed. "Your Majesty, you have a visitor," Luna announced loudly. A few moments passed, then a tall, graceful woman entered the room. Sere immediately recognized her from the portrait she had seen back at the Crescent Capitol. She curtsied, not knowing what else she should do. The queen acknowledged her with a slight nod of her head. Luna cleared her throat. "Your Highness, this girl has come to--" Serenity spoke for the first time, her voice cool and her manner calm. "Luna, I am very well aware of why she has come, and I thank you. You may leave us now." The cat left without saying another word. Serenity motioned for Sere to sit in the chair behind her. She sat without hesitation, praying she was doing everything right. The queen gracefully sat down in an armchair across from her. "So tell me, my dear, why have you come? Is it because of the money, or do you have other motives?" "I'm afraid I don't understand, your Majesty," Sere squeaked out. "I came here searching for answers. Since I was eight years old, I have lived in an orphanage, with little memories of my childhood before that. Someone told me that I looked like your daughter, so here I am, just wanting to know about you and your kingdom. Maybe I can find some link to my past. I have no intention of hurting you or taking your money. This," pulling her locket out from under the top of her dress, "is the only clue I have from my past." Serenity's face paled at the sight of the small locket. 'Could it be?' she wondered. "Luna told me about you," she said out loud. "She said your response to her question was the most interesting she had ever heard. I'd like to hear for myself, if you don't mind." Sere's hand tightened around her locket as she desperately tried to remember what she had said earlier. "There was. . . a big party with lots of people. . . even the prince of Earth was there. . . all of a sudden there was a big explosion, and. . . " "That's enough," Serenity interrupted abruptly. "May I see your locket?" Sere was surprised to see tears running down the queen's face. She unclasped the locket from around her neck and placed it in her outstretched hand. Serenity held the locket close to her, and as if by command, it started playing its sweet melody once again. "It did that once before, when I went to the Crescent Capitol. It started playing when I saw your portrait on the wall," Sere blurted out. "That, my dear, is because it once belonged to me. I gave this locket to my daughter on her eighth birthday, the same day the Moon Kingdom was attacked and destroyed." She looked at the girl sitting across from her with a different expression in her eyes now, one that could only be described as pure delight and love. Sere now understood why the queen had been crying. She sensed all her dreams were really memories. It was unbelievable. So many thoughts were swimming in her head, and there were so many things she wanted to say. Only one word escaped her lips. "M--mama?" she whispered hoarsely. Want to find out what will happen next? Don't touch that mouse, cause we'll be back next time with an exciting conclusion. . . ^_^ (yes, I know I'm cheesy, would you want me any other way?) Ja ne! Elysia-chan julcie@juno.com